THE AWARDS
The Zimmatic Trailblazer Sustainable Irrigation Awards is open to farmers and farming operations within New Zealand that are leading the way in sustainable irrigation management. The farm must be irrigating a minimum of 25ha to be eligible. Full terms and conditions available here.
Why farmers should enter
Now more than ever there is a focus on water use and agriculture is in the spotlight for ensuring sustainable water management.
We know how hard farmers work to manage and care for their water resource. These Awards are designed to celebrate farming excellence and be a platform to share how farmers are leading the way in responsible irrigation, innovative water management, and environmental stewardship.
For the 2024 competition there are four award categories, including:
Supreme Award Winner
Sustainable Irrigation Management Award
Stewardship & Community Award; and
Judges Choice Award (awarded at judges’ discretion).
All category winners will win fabulous prize packs with a total prize pool of over NZD$24,000, including travel vouchers to attend a future Trailblazer Irrigation Study Tour. The Study Tour is an amazing opportunity to join key irrigation industry individuals and other farmers to network and learn about the latest in irrigation technology and advancements, click here to find out more.
Nominate a farmer for the Awards
We know that farmers are often shy at putting themselves forward for recognition so we have the option for anyone to nominate a deserving farmer.
If you know of a farmer that leads the way in sustainable water management then we would love to hear from you. Each nominee is contacted directly by the Awards Team, informed of the recognition from you or your organisation and invited to enter.
2024 Awards Timeline
4 June
Awards announced - nominations/entries open
19 July
Nominations close
26 July
Entries close
End of August
Finalists announced
September – October
On-farm judging of finalists
End of October
Winners announced
“Our focus as a family and business is to partner with long-term premium brands who focus on quality ingredients for their clothing and food products. Demonstrating a robust social licence domestically and internationally is, therefore extremely important to us and them. The Trailblazer initiative is a great way of demonstrating our commitment to water usage and environmental stewardship. We look forward to seeing it grow in profile as a showcase for best practice in irrigation.”
Richard and Annabelle Subtil, 2021 Environmental Stewardship and Community Award Winners
“Thank you to Zimmatic Trailblazer Awards and all the sponsors for the effort you have put into this award to make it happen in this challenging time. We as a family are very proud for our achievement to win and the recognition that we have received has been overwhelming. I have had received phone calls from people to congratulate me that I never thought I would both from within and outside the agricultural industry.”
Rob and Eliza Tole, 2020 Supreme Winner