Kōrero welcomed at AGM

The Annual General Meeting, held at Whanganui Racecourse, was attended by more than 700 shareholders and Mavis Mullins, Chair of the AWHI Board was pleased to welcome a considerable number of first time attendees.

The hui is an opportunity for shareholders to make queries, seek clarification and learn more about the governance and management of the Incorporation. Questions from the floor were intelligent and probing as clarity was sought on a number of issues.

“We are making sure people have as much information as possible about what is going on through AWHI Magazine and other channels so many questions are answered before they get asked,” explains Mavis. “The Board are always interested in what shareholders have to say and we encourage anyone to have their voice heard so we can respond to any issues or ideas.”

One example of this is the formation of a Hunting Sub-Committee, made up of a farm manager, the Tikanga and Branding Manager and shareholders, to address frustration with the current hunting policy restricting access to AWHI land. While health and safety is of prime importance, as every farm is a workplace, this new committee will review the policy to ensure that that it is meeting the needs of everyone. The committee gives shareholders the chance to have more input into any future hunting initiatives.

Presentations from Andrew Beijeman, CEO, Mavis, Keria Ponga, Chair of the Te Āti Hau Trust and other managers on the favourable financial results and performance of the Incorporation over the 2017/2018 year were well received.

There were five candidates to the two Board seats vacated by Keria and Te Tiwha Puketapu by rotation and they were all given the opportunity to speak to shareholders before votes were cast. Once papers were counted, Keria and Te Tiwha were re-elected for another term.

Once business was completed, a full lunch was served, featuring Awhi Ruapehu Angus beef. This high-end Awhi product was launched at top Auckland restaurant Mantells On The Water in February and can now be found on the menu of some of the best restaurants in New Zealand.

“Having such a close relationship with our customers is part of our value-add strategic approach and it is a real thrill to know that our prime beef is being eaten by some very discerning people,” says Mavis. “Our people deserve the best too, so it was only right to include it on the AGM lunch menu.”