CANTERBURY

Awards ceremony celebrates agricultural heritage

A record number attended the Century Farms and Station Awards this year, where agricultural heritage was acknowledged and celebrated as part of Aotearoa New Zealand’s rural history.

WRITER: Rosemary Baird IMAGE: Sarah Gallagher

New Zealand Century Farms recognises New Zealand farming families who have owned and worked their land for 100 years or more. The application process is also a way of capturing and preserving the history of these rural families. Photos, documents and memorabilia are lodged with the Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington. “This partnership is a fantastic way for us to engage with rural heritage and support the important work of Century Farms,” says Director Southern Region, Sheila Watson. Staff enjoyed attending the two Century Farm Awards in Lawrence on Saturday 22 May and 29 May. The ceremonies launched our role as a principal sponsor of the Awards programme. Deputy Chief Executive, Nicola Jackson attended the second ceremony. “Like Century Farms, Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga values the stories associated with people and place that bring New Zealand history alive,” she says. “We hope this is the start of a relationship where we support each other’s work in celebrating rural history.” The 2021 celebration featured record numbers of families, due to last year’s lockdown postponement, but also due to the large number of government ‘Soldier Settlements’ after World War 1, where returned servicemen were given parcels of land to improve and farm. Thirty-three families attended from the North Island and 36 from the South. In addition, eight sesquicentennial awards were presented, recognising families who have been farming their own land for 150 years or more. n