The East Coast Ballance Farm Environment Awards region covers the geographic areas of the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and Gisborne District Council.
Regional winners go forward to the nationwide Ballance Farm Environment Awards run by the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust.
“This is the first time the East Coast finalists have been announced before the annual awards dinner since the awards started in the region in 2011,” said regional chairman Steve Wyn-Harris.
“It is important our finalists are able to talk about their journey through the judging process and invite their friends, family and supporters to the event.
“We are proud of the work all of our entrants have been doing on their properties,” he said.
The various categories include awards for soil management, integrated management, livestock, innovation, farm stewardship and “farming for the future”.
Recognising and celebrating good farm practicesThe awards recognise and celebrate good farm practices promoting sustainable land management.
“Positive role models and opportunities for learning are the most effective tools to improving farm practices,” Mr Wyn-Harris said.
“Being part of the awards is a stimulating, informative and enjoyable opportunity to benchmark your farm.”
All entrants go through a judging process that considers the entire environment the farm operates within, particularly sustainable profitability, environmental awareness, good business practices, and social and community responsibility.
The King whanau has owned Kiriroa Station, at the Matawai end of the Motu Road, west of Gisborne, for two-and-a-half years.
They had previously been shearing and farming with close family on other properties, with the goal for each family to end up owning their own farm, Mr Wyn-Harris said.
It is 347ha and they also lease a further 154ha.
“The farm runs several classes of sheep and beef, including 1800 ewes and 500 hoggets, and a range of bulls and steers.”
Kiriroa Station is home to kahikatea forest and other stands of mature native bush. A further two hectares has been fenced and planted in young native trees and grasses. Other natives will be planted for shade, shelter and riparian protection.
The family has established a weka wetland in conjunction with the GDC. Eugene and Pania are active members of the Matawai Farm discussion group and the local community.
The couple have four sons, Levi, Haeora, Erueti, and Taane.
“It’s bloody awesome to be finalists," Eugene said.
“Pania and I were a little reluctant to enter and to make the finals feels awesome.”
Wrights Vineyard and Winery operates on three sites: the winery and a coastal vineyard on the Wharerata Road (SH2) at Manutuke, and valley and terrace vineyards in Ormond Valley Road.
“The three vineyards are certified organic and biodynamics is practised on the vineyards,” Mr Wyn-Harris said.
The main varieties are chardonnay, pinot gris, pinot noir, sauvignon blanc and gewurztraminer.
Wine sold under the labels Wrights Wines and the Natural Wine Co. sell around NZ and are exported to China and the Pacific Islands.
“We are living the dream of being sustainable, self-employed and self-sufficient,” Nicola Wright said.
“We live and breathe organic principles, so biodiversity is second nature to us.”
Originally a chartered accountant, Geoff is chief grape grower and winemaker.
“We are pretty rapt to be finalists in this prestigious competition,” Geoff Wright said.
“Seeing the finalists I do feel like it’s a bit like David and Goliath. It’s a stringent judging competition and we are honoured to be selected as one of the finalists.”
His wife, a lawyer, is in charge of marketing and distribution. She also has her own legal practice.
The couple have five young boys, Noah, Elijah, Luke, Guy and baby Otto.
