2005 Awards

Brett and Rachel Wotton operate a 22-hectare net canopy operation on five orchards located on Opotiki’s Tablelands. Chief judging coordinator Ian Pirani says the Wottons are actively involved in the kiwifruit industry, with their orchards used for workshops and demonstration days. He commended their enormous amount of industry knowledge. “They are at the forefront of industry changes and willing to use new information and technology.”

2005 Supreme Award Winner

Winners of
· Ballance Agri-Nutrients Management Award
· Hill Laboratories Harvest Award

Brett and Rachael Wotton operate a 22-hectare net canopy operation on five orchards. These orchards are all within close proximity on the tablelands area of Opotiki and in very tidy condition with orchard structures in an exceptionally sound state.

The Wottons’ are actively involved in the kiwifruit industry and their orchards are used for workshops and demonstration days. They have an enormous amount of industry knowledge, are at the forefront of industry changes and are willing to utilise information sources as well as technological advances.

Their excellent 2004 harvest record for kiwifruit gold was over double the industry average in trays per hectare and they had close to double the industry average for green kiwifruit. They have also managed to obtain fruit size substantially up on the national average.

With great teamwork they run an intensive contracting business with peak staff at around 100 during the busy picking season. They have developed excellent staff management skills through their organisation of a multi-cultural workforce. To retain targeted employees they have developed a scholarship scheme. 

The couple maintain brilliant record keeping and have clear financial goals. They have quality control systems in place and also compile to Occupational Safety and Health standards and the Eurogap principles.

One of their key objectives is to maintain sustainable high crop yields. They continue to look for various methods and technology to maintain and improve in this area.

Winners of ANZ Grow Award

David and Janine Reeves’ purchase their ‘Kaharoa Farms’ in 1965, and added blocks in 1974 and 1992 to comprise a total farm area today of 594 hectares. About 470 hectares is effective pastoral country, 100 hectares in native forest, and 13 hectares in pine plantation.

With sheep, cattle, deer and dairy grazing they have to management their farm effectively to obtain the best possible results. They are slowly moving out of deer because of erosion and low market prices.

Their soils are light and potentially droughty, with a topsoil layer that is still thin. There is no natural water on the property except for a couple of shallow wetlands. Water supply is reticulated from the Hamurana scheme.

They have great pride in their farm management and have set clear goals and action plans in place with a strong commitment to environmental sustainability. There is strategic thinking in the farm activities including comprehensive pest management control methods.

David and Janine set many goals to grow and develop their operation including environmental, farm, personal and financial goals. All these will help them in the future to see where they have come from and where they want to go with their farm.

Winners of
· Livestock Improvement Best Dairy Farm Award
· BFEA Heritage Restoration Award

Paul and Joanne McCarthy believe that good environmental management increases the pleasurability, productivity and sustainability of their dairy farm and its practices. This belief can be demonstrated on their farm through the increasing positive environmental results.

They established environmental and farm management goals and objectives on how they want their farm, while taking into account lifestyle choices. Paul and Joanna are achieving the same productivity with less cows, than they did five years ago. Stock health being a key factor and this has been management through shade and shelter, reducing milking pressure and maintaining excellent pastoral quality.

The couple have riparian protected all waterways and have developed wetlands for native bird breeding. They have applied the same management and environmental effort to the Department of Conservation lease land.

Through consultation with external agencies and the success from various farming practices in place, the McCarthys are proud, motivated and confident that they are working towards a positive farm vision for the future.

Barry and Margaret Waite purchased the farm in March 1978 and with Carol Burt as their farm manager have been able to develop a successful farming operation. With a total of 269 hectares, there are 180 hectare that are effective, 70 hectares in native bush and 20 hectares in pines.

75% of their stock are cattle and the rest are sheep. Their stock is in excellent condition owing to good stock management, for example having two troughs in most paddocks.

They have stock policies and monitoring systems in place, with regular stock weighing, excellent animal and event records and all this contributes to their good overall stock performance.

They have done extensive planting for shade, shelter and aesthetics around the property. With an Environmental Plan in place, they aim to fence off all bush areas on the property and maintain good fencing systems.

Their farm is well managed on difficult terrain and they are always searching for information on how to develop and improve their farming operation. They are also committed to being prepared to adopt new technology and are willing to learn through their mistakes.

Environment Bay of Plenty Environmental Award
Barry and Pam Pethybridge, Te Puke
For environmental excellence in wetland conservation.

Environment Bay of Plenty Environmental Award
Christopher Mountfort, Puriri, Whakatane
For environmental excellence and commitment in protecting farm areas, through pest management, planting and fencing.

Gallagher Innovation Award
Brian Earp, Te Puna Orchards, Tauranga
For an innovative approach to composting and environmentally friendly plantings.

Gallagher Innovation Award
Sarah Davey & Arthur Wigley, Avalon Training Centre, Tauranga
For an innovative approach to integrating a diverse operation including various crafts, a workshop and an orchard.

Gallagher Innovation Award
Owners: Barry and Maggie Waite / Farm manager: Carol Burt, Weardale, Te Puke
For an innovative approach to block management and the calf rearing.

Richard and Rose Powdrell, Emerald Hills, Te Puke
For excellence in staff relationship skills and team management.

Kihi and Maria Ngatai, Tauranga
For excellence in community involvement.

Winston Fleming, Kiwi Outback, Rotorua
For excellence in native area conservation.