Ahuwhenua Trophy 2026: Mātai Pacific Iwi Collective wins top Māori horticulture award
Mātai Pacific Iwi Collective and the 2026 Ahuwhenua Trophy. Photo / Alphapix.nz
Mātai Pacific Iwi Collective has been named the winner of the 2026 Ahuwhenua Trophy - an award recognising excellence in Māori horticulture.
As Zespri’s largest Māori shareholder, the collective has grown its combined asset value beyond $130 million since 2018, embodying kotahitanga as a commercial force.
“We’re absolutely elated, really proud of our team, and it’s an honour and a privilege to stand alongside Otama Marere and Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust on this occasion,” Mātai Pacific Iwi Collective chief executive Charles Russell said.
“Our whakatauki is ‘one orchard at a time ’… that’s where we exercise our mana motuhake and our rangatiratanga.
“We’ve grown this land for generations, and if we go back to our roots, I’m sure that’s where the prosperity is.”
The announcement was made on Friday night at the awards dinner in Whangārei, attended by more than 700 guests from across the primary sector, government, and Māori communities.
Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka announced the award.
Ahuwhenua Trophy management committee chair Nukuhia Hadfield said all finalists set a “remarkable benchmark”.
“You could not have separated the standard of operations by passion or purpose, but Mātai Pacific Iwi Collective rose to the top,” she said.
“What they collectively represent for te ao Māori and the sector is something every New Zealander should take pride in.”
The 2026 competition - now in its 93rd year - was contested by three outstanding finalists: winner Mātai Pacific Iwi Collective (Te Puke), Otama Marere Trust (Paengaroa), and Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust (Kerikeri).
Public field days were held earlier in the competition cycle, drawing hundreds of visitors across Northland and the Bay of Plenty.
Meanwhile, Te Rina Joe, supervisor/orchard hand from Pakuratahi Orchard for Ngāti Pāhauwera Commercial Development Ltd, was named the 2026 Ahuwhenua Young Māori Grower.
Joe (Ngāti Pāhauwera, Ngāti Kahungunu) began picking fruit with her whānau at 15 years old.
The Tangoio, Hawke’s Bay-based supervisor has since built a career working for her iwi on their land and overseeing teams of 40 to 60 workers across a 55-hectare apple operation.
“Horticulture is such a big part of my life, and just having the chance to be part of the competition has been an amazing experience,” Joe said.
“To my peers, Larissa and Rob, who were also finalists, it has been a pleasure going through this journey with you.”
The award was presented by Te Tumu Paeroa’s Sonya Rimene, with each finalist receiving a $5000 cash scholarship, and the winner receiving an additional $5000.
“The competition is about future-proofing leadership in Māori horticulture, and in the short time it’s been running, it’s doing just that,” lead judge Sam Vivian-Greer said.
“It’s great to see our talented rangatahi emerging from the fast-growing primary sector.”
The finalists in the 2026 competition were:
- Winner Te Rina Joe (Ngāti Pāhauwera, Ngāti Kahungunu), Pakuratahi Orchard for Ngāti Pāhauwera Commercial Development Ltd, Hawke’s Bay.
- Larissa Wooding-Ngata (Ngāti Porou), Craigmore Sustainables, Gisborne.
- Robert John Manuel, (Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Rehia, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Raakaipaaka) Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust, Kerikeri.
Hadfield said Joe’s story was one of real purpose.
“She had the opportunity to work for her iwi, on their land, and she took it,” she said.
“The connection between a person, their people, and place is exactly what this award is about.
“This competition continues to show us that the talent is there, young Māori who are grounded in who they are, serious about their craft, and ready to lead, quietly shaping what Māori horticulture looks like for the generations ahead.”