I was honoured to be commissioned by Shawn McAvinue on behalf of the New Zealand Guild of Agricultural Journalists and Communicators to create a woven kete for a new trophy. It is for the Excellence in Agricultural Journalism Rongo Award.
The open weave kete harakeke is mounted on a wooden rimu base. The harakeke is from my garden and I found the pounamu on a beach walk.
Guild announcement
According to the Guild’s Facebook post on 22 June 2026:
“For the first time, the winner will lift a newly commissioned trophy, marking a significant milestone in the history of New Zealand’s premier agricultural journalism award.
At its heart is a hand-woven kete, crafted from harakeke (New Zealand flax) by West Coast artist, Anne Daniel.
Harakeke features prominently in the Guild’s new branding, symbolising the stories our members weave about New Zealand’s food and fibre sector.
As one of New Zealand’s earliest major export products. It also reflects the deep roots of our primary industries.
“The kete reflects the role agricultural journalists play in gathering, weaving and sharing stories that matter to the New Zealand’s food and fibre sector” says Guild chair Tim Fulton. “This trophy celebrates excellence in our profession, while honouring the rich history of the Rongo Award and those who have helped shape agricultural journalism in New Zealand.
The trophy also honours that history, with every Rongo winner since 1993 etched in gold on a plaque mounted on the rimu base.”
(Thanks to the NZ Guild/Shawn McAvinue for the image. The image has been generated with AI which has changed the appearance of the harakeke and the pounamu, even how it is attached)
The first recipient of the new trophy, sponsored by the Ministry for Primary Industries, is Alexa Cook from RNZ.
Award criteria
From the Guild: “This award recognises outstanding agricultural journalism by a New Zealand-based journalist, media team or outlet during the previous 12 months.
The recipient will have produced high-quality journalistic work that demonstrates strong storytelling, depth of research, accuracy and impact.
This award celebrates journalism that informs, engages and educates rural and wider audiences, strengthening public understanding of and connection to New Zealand agriculture.”
