The Ahuwhenua national Maori Excellence in Sheep and Beef farming for 2017 were named this week with no Hawke's Bay farms i n the running.
But there is a close link with Wairarapa farmers Ronnie and Justine King, a partnership which is among the three finalists named during a reception at Parliament.
Mr King is brother of Nuku Hadfield who with husband Bart won the award when it was last presented for the sheep and beef sector in 2015.
The Hadfields farm Mangaroa, near Tiniroto. The Kings moved from Tiniroto to Wairarapa after buying Puketawa, east of Pahiatua and Eketahuna, three years ago.
The other Omapere Rangihamama Trust in Northland and and Pukepoto Farm Trust, in the Ongarue district, in King Country.