Mr Hewett received the outstanding co-operative contribution award at Co-operative Business New Zealand's recent annual awards.
Mr Hewett, who farms in the Manuka Gorge, stepped down as chairman of Silver Fern Farms Co-operative earlier this year.
He remains a director of Silver Fern Farms Co-operative and is co-chairman of Silver Fern Farms Ltd.
In November, he will take over as chairman of Farmlands, following the co-operative's annual meeting.
In June, incumbent chairman Lachie Johnston confirmed he was not seeking re-election in this year's directors election and would stand down in November.
Mr Hewett played a major role in developing the award-winning To The Core governance training programme developed by Silver Fern Farms in conjunction with Farm-lands.
