Whangaroa Ngaiotonga Trust wins Ahuwhenua Awards

We proudly celebrate Whangaroa Ngaiotonga Trust for winning the prestigious 2025 Ahuwhenua Trophy for excellence in Māori sheep and beef farming. Based in Northland, the trust has achieved a remarkable transformation, turning their whenua into a thriving bull-beef operation with around 1,200 bulls since taking back control in 2020, despite starting with little farming knowledge and no stock.

The Ahuwhenua Trophy, established in 1933 by Sir Āpirana Ngata and Lord Charles Bledisloe, remains one of the most highly regarded awards for Māori farming excellence.

In her acceptance speech, Whangaroa Ngaiotonga Trust co-chair and Green MP Hūhana Lyndon expressed gratitude to her Ngāti Wai whānau and elders for their unwavering support, reflecting on the significance of reclaiming their land:

"Our tūpuna fought so hard to have the land returned. When you are unable to walk your whenua, and your land is controlled by a tenant who won’t let you on without supervision, our ability to take our land back was truly transformational."