Hemoata pipped at the post

Hemoata Kopa initially wanted to join the army but decided to pursue farming.

Matawaia teenager Hemoata Kopa was runner-up in the Young Maori Sheep and Beef Farmer of the Year competition when the Ahuwhenua Awards were announced in Whanganui on Friday.

The award went to Hannah Wallace, of Wairoa. She and Hemoata were the first female finalists in the Young Maori Farmer competition.

Hemoata, 19, was born into a farming family but said an agricultural career was her second choice.

She initially wanted to join the army but decided to pursue farming after speaking to a Taratahi representative at a careers expo.

Now in her second year at Taratahi, she is dedicated to furthering her career in agriculture and this has resulted in the award of an impressive number of scholarships.

She has a Dargaville Field days Scholarship, Landcorp Slingshot Scholarship, Salvation Army Scholarship and the ADB Williams Trust scholarship.

She is currently completing the National Certificate in Sheep and Beef, Level 4 and aims to continue her education into the Level 5 Massey Diploma in Agriculture.

"I am proud to be recognised for my accomplishments and thankful for the encouragement of my whanau and tutors at Taratahi who have got me to where I am today. It is a privilege to be an Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer Awards finalist," Hemoata said.

Lead judge Peter Little, of Te Puni Kokiri, said all the finalists showed an impressive commitment to career development within the sheep and beef sector.

"Each of them made the commitment at an early age to leave home and enrol in training and associated work experience. It's not easy for 16-, 17- and 18-year-olds to decide to move to another part of the country, pursue a career, and commit to the training required to achieve their ambitions - I was impressed," he said.

Te Tumu Paeroa chief executive Jamie Tuuta said it was reassuring to know the future of Maori agriculture was in "such good hands.

"Once again the high calibre of applicants proves that agriculture is a thriving industry, and one which directly impacts rural communities for the better."