The Ahuwhenua Trophy continues to highlight excellence in Māori farming, with Otama Marere Trust named among this year’s finalists for 2026.
Based in Paengaroa, the trust has transformed its whenua from former pine forestry into thriving kiwifruit orchards — a journey that reflects years of strategic planning, cultural grounding, and commitment to whānau.
Manager Homman Tapsell says the recognition is a proud milestone.
“I’m proud… it’s been transformed from pine trees to what we’ve got here now,” he says, pointing to the orchard’s success as a direct result of long-term vision and hard work.
Otama Marere Trust is competing in the “Excellence in Māori Horticulture” award, alongside two other orchard-based finalists.
Central to that success is a strong whānau-driven approach.
Tapsell said that every decision made by trustees is guided by its impact on future generations, ensuring the trust remains accountable to its people.
“Totally whaanau driven. Even me as a manager of all the trustees. All our decisions reflects back to our whaanau. You know, are we making the right decisions to look towards the future?”
Ahuwhenua judge Rito Tapuke says Otama Marere represents a high benchmark, not only in agribusiness performance but in the application of tikanga Māori.
“They have embodied their tikanga here,” Tapuke says, noting the trust’s balance across environmental care, staff wellbeing, and financial sustainability.
The competition features four finalists in this category, each assessed on key principles including kaitiakitanga, workforce development, and economic resilience. Judges say Otama Marere stands out for weaving cultural values into every aspect of its operations.
“It is a caring Trust. It cherishes the narratives of their family. Their entire family is involved in the world of knowledge, within the Māori world. Across all the spheres we operate in today.”
The Ahuwhenua Trophy recognises both commercial success and cultural integrity within Māori agribusiness.
For Otama Marere Trust, reaching finalist status reflects years of dedication to their whenua and community.
The horticulture category of the Ahuwhenua Trophy is relatively new (introduced in 2020), so there are only a few recent winners so far.
The past winners of the Excellence in Māori Horticulture category:
Recent Horticulture Winners
- 2023 – Wi Pere Trust
- 2020 – Te Kaha 15B Hineora Orchard
The horticulture award runs on a three-year rotation (sheep & beef, dairy, horticulture), which is why there aren’t annual winners in this category.
The winner will be announced next week in Whangārei, where one trust will take home the prestigious title.