National Sustainability Showcase.
Each year we join with the wider food and fibre sector to celebrate our eleven Regional Supreme Winners and announce New Zealand’s National Ambassador for Sustainable Farming and Growing.
Celebrating sustainable excellence.
The National Sustainability Showcase brings together industry leaders, policy makers and farmers and growers from across Aotearoa to celebrate excellence, innovation, and leadership in sustainable farming and growing. The evening concludes with the presentation of the prestigious Gordon Stephenson Trophy, awarded to the year’s National Ambassador for Sustainable Farming and Growing.
An innovative approach sees South Auckland growers take out the Regional Supreme Award
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A commitment to continuous improvement earns Ludlow Farms the Regional Supreme Award
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Balancing productivity and sustainability sees Huinga dairy farmer named Regional Supreme Winner
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Holistic approach to sustainability sees Pukatea Dairy Farms named Regional Supreme Winner
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Strong vision and values sees Lochiel deer farmer take out the Regional Supreme Award
View media releaseSouth Taranaki Dairy Farmer named 2025 National Ambassador
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High country farmers named 2024 National Ambassadors for Sustainable Farming and Growing
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Young Otago sheep and beef farmers named 2023 National Ambassadors for Sustainable Farming and Growing
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Ashburton Family win National Ambassador title in New Zealand Farm Environment Trust awards
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Central Hawke's Bay farmers named as National Ambassadors for Sustainable Farming and Growing
View media releaseAbout the Gordon Stephenson Trophy.
“We wanted people to think about the long-term effects of what they are doing. They have to ask themselves if what they are doing now will be sustainable in 100 years time.”
When Waikato farmer and conservationist, the late Gordon Stephenson, first mooted the idea for a farm environment competition in 1991 he had no idea just how successful the concept would become.
Gordon said the Farm Environment Awards were developed as a way to recognise farmers who were trying to balance farm productivity with environmental protection.
According to Gordon the purpose of the awards was to get farmers thinking about sustainability – a term that has become a buzzword in the farming world.
Choosing a winner from an outstanding line-up of regional Supreme winners will be a tough job for the judges, but Gordon always hoped the winner will be held up as an ambassador for sustainable farming rather than being lauded as ‘the best of the best’.
Gordon and his wife Celia had sold their Waotu dairy farm prior to Gordon’s death in December 2015 but had retained 22ha, including a 4ha block of native bush which, in 1978, was the first block to be covenanted by the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust.
In honour of his contribution to the success of the farm environment awards, the National Winner trophy bears his name.
The recipient of the trophy is recognised as an “Ambassador” for the promotion of sustainable and profitable farming in New Zealand.
His legacy lives on
Gordon Stephenson’s curiosity, care for the land, and belief in collaboration shaped generations of farmers and environmental leaders. These stories honour his life’s work and the values that continue to guide us today.