Ngāti Pāhauwera orchard supervisor Te Rina Joe (Ngāti Pāhauwera, Ngāti Kahungunu) was named the winner of the 2026 Ahuwhenua Young Māori Grower Award on Friday in Whangārei - recognising her outstanding achievements and leadership in New Zealand’s horticulture sector.
Te Rina, who began picking fruit with her whānau at 15-years-old, is a Supervisor/Orchard Hand at Pakuratahi Orchard for Ngāti Pāhauwera Commercial Development Ltd at Tangoio, Hawke’s Bay.
Te Rina has built a career grounded in purpose working for her iwi, on their land, overseeing teams of 40–60 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. To my peers, Larissa and Rob who were also finalists, it has been a pleasure going through this journey with you,” she says.
The announcement was made at the awards dinner in Whangārei, attended by more than 700 guests from across the primary sector, government, and Māori communities.
Larissa Wooding-Ngata (Ngāti Porou) from Craigmore Sustainables in Tairāwhiti was also a finalist in the Young Māori Grower Award.
The evening culminated in Mātai Pacific Iwi Collective named as winner of the 2026 Ahuwhenua Trophy - New Zealand's most prestigious award for excellence in Māori Horticulture.
(L-R) Craigmore Orchard Manager Joshua Rowe, Craigmore Foreman Larissa Wooding-Ngata and NZAPI Chief Executive Danielle Adsett.
(L-R) Te Rina Joe (Ngāti Pāhauwera, Ngāti Kahungunu) with NZAPI Chief Executive Danielle Adsett