Napier Port's Hawke's Bay Primary Sector awards importance reiterated

Hawke's Bay A&P Association president Simon Collin, with Hastings deputy Mayor Tania Kerr, Central Hawke's Bay Mayor Alex Walker and Hawke's Bay Primary Sector Awards committee chairman Peter Tod.

Primary sector businesses across the region, and particularly those in Central Hawke's Bay, have been urged to overcome their shyness and start blowing their own trumpets.

Speaking at a sponsors dinner for the Napier Port Hawke's Bay Primary Sector Awards last night Central Hawke's Bay Mayor Alex Walker said the awards were an opportunity for the district to put its best foot forward.

"Central Hawke's Bay, over the history of these awards has punched well above its weight and that proves the pivotal role it has within the primary produce sector for the whole region. So, these are important awards for our people."

Mrs Walker said it was important that companies and farmers involved in the sector took the time to be recognised for their contribution to the economy.

"There are some really high-performing and innovative people in the primary sector across the region, and, for me, particularly in Central Hawke's Bay. This is a real chance to promote them and reward them for the amazing work they are doing."

Hawke's Bay A&P Association president Simon Collin said the awards were about recognising "excellence an innovation".

Napier Port chairman Alasdair MacLeod said the link between the port and the primary sector awards was a "marriage made in heaven".

"We are thrilled to be able to support this award. Hawke's Bay is a food and fibre region and the port is a food and fibre port. So it's a marriage made in heaven.

"One of the problems of the primary sector though is that a lot of the people who do the amazing work often don't want anyone else to know - it's just because often they are shy and retiring people."

If people knew anyone on the cutting edge of the sector but who was too humble or too busy to apply, they should get in touch with the competition committee and enter them.

"Let's get behind this sector and continue helping the region grow."

Now in their 45th year, the awards will this year run across seven categories, comprising the Silver Fern Farms HB Farmer of the Year, Pan Pac HB Farm Forester of the Year, Bayleys Primary Sector Professional of the Year, Hastings District Council Primary Industry Leader of the Year, BWR Primary Sector Innovation Award, the Lawson Robinson HB A&P Scholarship, and the Laurie Dowling Memorial Award.

Entries for all awards close on February 28, ahead of the awards dinner on April 12.