2024 Auckland Finalists: Matt Wech and Ana Sevilla Farm of Matt Wech Family Trust – Sheep and Beef The landscape at this Warkworth property has gone full circle under the guidance of this fourth-generation farmer who is working in harmony with nature. Rather than trying to make the 33ha (20ha effective) hill country property more productive, […]
Region: Auckland
Matt Wech and Ana Sevilla Farm of Matt Wech Family Trust
Sam Waugh of Donald’s Farm
2024 Auckland Finalists: Sam Waugh of Donald’s Farm – Dairy Donald’s Farm is small in size but not in stature, with this not-for-profit educational dairy operation existing for the purpose of connecting young people with farming. In 2018, the 74ha (63 ha effective) property was gifted by Donald Pearson to New Zealand Young Farmers and today […]
Peter Rensen of Utopia Nurseries
2024 Auckland Finalists: Peter Rensen of Utopia Nurseries – Floricultural Utopia Nurseries is blossoming under the guidance of this family, both in terms of its flower production business and how it’s enhancing the natural environment. The 18ha (8ha effective) Pukekohe nursery began in 1991 and today produces Orchids, Chrysanthemums and Ruscus greenery. The Rensens are focused […]
Kathy and Craig Maxwell of Paparimu Valley Farm
2024 Auckland Finalists: Kathy and Craig Maxwell of Paparimu Valley Farm – Dairy Guided by a clear vision, this couple ensures the little things are done well – culminating in a dairy farm that is both environmentally and financially sustainable. Building on an extensive family legacy, Kathy and Craig Maxwell are today managing this 300ha […]
Kaipara Moana Remediation
2024 Auckland/Northland Showcase: Kaipara Moana Remediation This catchment restoration programme is aiming to halve sediment flows into the environmentally, culturally and economically significant Kaipara Moana – although its projects generate much wider benefits. Since forming in 2020, Kaipara Moana Remediation (KMR) has facilitated the planting of about 1.4 million native plants across more than 300ha, and […]
BFEA storytelling inspires community catchment
When the community comes together to plant 3,000 trees on a neighbour’s property, you know it’s the beginning of something special. For Sue Meszaros and Karyn Maddren of Streamland Suffolks in Ahuroa, north of Auckland, it was a sign that their initiative to create an Araparera River Catchment group within the local community was on […]
South Kaipara Landcare – Catchment Group
2023 Catchment Group: South Kaipara Landcare Empowering locals and fostering a community spirit are two of this catchment group’s overarching goals as they care for South Head peninsula’s unique ecosystem. South Kaipara Landcare is striving to protect the peninsula’s natural biodiversity, ultimately encouraging the return of endangered and lost bird life and plant species. They […]
Allan Fong & the Fresh Grower family of The Fresh Grower
2023 Finalists: Allan Fong & the Fresh Grower family of The Fresh Grower – Horticulture The team at The Fresh Grower are focused on protecting and nurturing their rich Pukekohe soil as they strive to continue producing top-notch produce for consumers. Led by Allan, Colin, Cameron and Daniel Fong, and Garry Yee, this family business […]
Sue Meszaros and Karyn Maddren of Streamland Suffolks
2023 Finalists: Sue Meszaros and Karyn Maddren of Streamland Suffolks – Sheep (Stud) Striving for sustainable, continual improvement means the two women behind Streamland Suffolks are on a journey of discovery when it comes land, animals and the environment. Owner-operators Susan Meszaros and Karyn Maddren jointly manage the 68ha (50 ha effective) property that is […]
Mark and Emilie Muir, George Flavell and Jenny Hinton of MG Muir Ltd
2023 Finalists: Mark and Emilie Muir, George Flavell and Jenny Hinton of MG Muir Ltd – Dairy Support At dairy support operation MG Muir Ltd, farming practices have been adapted to ensure conservation of the property’s cultural and biodiversity sites. Owner Mark Muir is focused on protecting the natural environment, as well as the sites […]
Auckland Regional Supreme Winners 2023 Brett & Fenella Wheeler of BFG Kiwi Ltd
Regional Supreme Winners 2023: Brett & Fenella Wheeler of BFG Kiwi Ltd – Kiwifruit An approach that blends technology, knowledge and sign-posts from nature is proving successful for Glenbrook kiwifruit growers Brett and Fenella Wheeler. Since 2015, the couple has been running BFG Kiwi Ltd – a 22ha property that spans two orchards, with 13ha […]
Atiu Creek Regional Park, Auckland Council
2022 Finalists: Atiu Creek Regional Park, Auckland Council – Sheep and Beef The team behind this sustainable farming operation is focused on striking a balance between farming, conservation and recreation – and showcasing this to the wider public. Atiu Creek Regional Park is one of a suite of Auckland Council regional parks – all […]
Rob & Rachel Cashmore of Cashmore Farms
2022 Finalist: Rob & Rachel Cashmore of Cashmore Farms – Sheep and Beef The family behind this Auckland farm has historically worked alongside the environment, and the couple currently in charge are continuing this sustainable approach. Rob and Rachel Cashmore are focused on respecting the environment as they manage this profitable family property that […]
Shane & Jenny Hood and Kevin & Gill Adshead of Mataia Farm & Manaia Properties
2022 Finalists: Shane & Jenny Hood and Kevin & Gill Adshead of Mataia Farm & Manaia Properties – Sheep and Beef This diverse Warkworth farming business has gone from strength to strength under the guidance of the Gardner family who has owned it since 1868. Jenny and Shane Hood lease 430ha of Mataia Farm from […]
Auckland Regional Supreme Winners 2022: Rick & Shirley-Ann Mannering of Waytemore Farms
Regional Supreme Winners 2022: Rick & Shirley-Ann Mannering of Waytemore Farms – Dairy, Beef and Sheep The team at Waytemore Farms is carefully balancing the needs of a profitable farming operation with significant conservation work on its indigenous forests, waterways and wetlands. Located at Paparimu, the 1,455ha sheep, beef and dairy farm consists of three […]
Meet the BFEA Entrants from the Auckland Region
Shane & Jenny Hood, Gill & Kevin Adshead Mataia Farm & Manaia Properties – Agriculture Jenny and Shane lease 430ha of Mataia Farm off Jenny’s family, with income generated through agriculture, tourism and hospitality. Another 500ha of native bush is part of an ongoing conservation and restoration project that Jenny’s parents Kevin and Gill are […]
2020 Auckland Regional Supreme Winners
“In a short period of time, the Boltons have established an exemplar goat farming operation that combines profitability with a broadly sustainable approach. The transformation of the Auckland property has been guided by a dual focus on producing high-quality products while reducing the farm’s environmental impact. The Boltons saw the Ballance Farm Environment Awards as […]
2020 Auckland Entrants
Here are our wonderful 2020 entrants for the Auckland Ballance Farm Environment Awards. We congratulate them all for becoming involved in the awards programme – it’s a privilege to have learned more about their food and fibre production businesses. Alan and Khim Hellyer, Mahoenui Farm — Wainui Sheep & beef A life-long dedication to farming is paying off at […]
Alan & Khim Hellyer – Mahoenui
2020 finalists: Alan & Khim Hellyer of Mahoenui – Sheep and beef. A life-long dedication to farming is paying off at this Rodney sheep and beef farm that has been in the family for three generations. At the helm is Alan Hellyer who is committed to involving family in management of the farm as it is […]
Auckland Council’s Garry Hewson, Laura Wallis & Dene Noonan – Te Rau Puriri
Auckland Regional Council owns the 340ha property, one of 19 regional parks that incorporate farming activities. There is a strong environmental and social focus on the Kaipara Harbour property that runs 650 ewes and 160 Hereford cows. Stock health is a high priority and the team has worked with local vets to develop the animal […]