This catchment group is significantly boosting the area’s biodiversity by driving a vision that aims to benefit people, the natural environment and the local economy. Since forming in 2020, the Ahiaruhe Eco Area Catchment Group has doubled the land area protected by QEII National Trust covenants and worked with the wider community to plant tens of […]
Region: Greater Wellington
Ahiaruhe Eco Area Catchment Group
Andy and Gemma Phillips of Motumatai
2024 Greater Wellington Regional Supreme Winners: Andy and Gemma Phillips of Motumatai – Sheep and Beef Under the guidance of Andy and Gemma Phillips, Motumatai has been developed to improve the balance between livestock production and caring for the environment. The Masterton sheep and beef farm has been in Gemma’s family since 1914 and the […]
Scott & Ana Gudsell of Ngahau Trust
2024 Greater Wellington Finalists: Scott & Ana Gudsell of Ngahau Trust – Sheep and Beef The couple behind this Featherston property are future proofing it for generations to come – maintaining high production while also enhancing the natural environment. Ngahau has been in the Hume family since the 1840s, and its management was taken over […]
Michael Grace and Guy & Carolyn Parkinson of Terawhiti Station
2024 Greater Wellington Finalists: Michael Grace and Guy & Carolyn Parkinson of Terawhiti Station – Agriculture, Energy (wind farm) Terawhiti Station has a colourful history and has managed to adapt, survive and ultimately thrive to a point where it’s achieving more than simply financial prosperity. The original block was purchased in 1843, with Irishman James McMenamen taking […]
Harry, Tim and Kate Gibbs of Stanmore Farm
2024 Greater Wellington Finalists: Harry, Tim and Kate Gibbs of Stanmore Farm – Horticulture, Vineyard and Nursery Stanmore Farm is small, however that doesn’t stop it from packing a punch when it comes to diversification – ultimately ensuring it is both successful and sustainable. The business is primarily focused on growing grafted grapevines for the wine […]
Jason Christensen of Fernhill
2024 Greater Wellington Finalists: Jason Christensen of Fernhill – Dairy, Sheep and Beef Since 1879, Fernhill has evolved and expanded under the guidance of the Christensen family, and today the Masterton farm remains both environmentally and economically sustainable. Jason Christensen is currently managing the farm, actively supported by his parents Henry and Dorothy, along with full-timers […]
Life on a Wairarapa farm after cyclone damage
OK, but not OK. That’s how Ballance Farm Environment awards Regional Supreme winner Patrizia Vieno describes life on their Wairarapa farm after it was hit by cyclones. Rewa Rewa station lies east of Masterton and caught the outer band of February’s record-breaking downpour that devastated the eastern North Island. The ground at Rewa Rewa was […]
Greater Wellington Catchment Group Award Winners 2022 – Wainuioru Community River Care Group
The Wainuioru Community River Care Group (WCRCG) was formed in September 2017. A well attended community meeting led to the formation of a group, aimed at addressing regional and national policy in relation to management of the natural resources in their catchment. Their vision is for a healthy river, thriving community, farms, forests and ecosystems […]
Kevin & Alison Hull and Johnny Hull of Awakare
2022 Finalist: Kevin & Alison Hull and Johnny Hull of Awakare – Dairy For almost 100 years, the family behind this Carrington dairy farm has been continually developing its potential in terms of profitability and conservation. Kevin and Alison Hull have been running the farm since 1985, starting as 50:50 sharemilkers before purchasing it […]
Bevan Lambess (vineyard manager) and the Urlar team of Urlar
2022 Finalist: Bevan Lambess (vineyard manager) and the Urlar team of Urlar – Viticulture Nurturing the soil and carefully managing nutrients is paying dividends at this successful organic Gladstone vineyard which is the largest single fully organic vineyard and winery of its kind in the Wairarapa. Urlar has been Bio-Gro certified organic for 15 years […]
Rupert Handyside of Matahiwi
2022 Finalist : Rupert Handyside of Matahiwi – Lamb and Cattle finishing Matahiwi is a resilient and high-producing finishing farm, due largely to careful planning, respect for the environment, and an excellent understanding of water and soil. The 600ha property has been in this family for 150 years and is currently under the charge of […]
Greater Wellington Regional Supreme Winners 2022: Patrizia Vieno and Rod Clutton of Rewa Rewa Station
Regional Supreme Winners 2022: Patrizia Vieno and Rod Clutton of Rewa Rewa Station – Sheep and Beef breeding Patrizia and Rod emigrated to New Zealand in 2011 after purchasing Rewa Rewa Station. They were looking for fresh challenges and new perspectives, and committed to managing the farm’s resources sustainably and profitably. They now run 4,300 […]
Meet the BFEA Entrants from the Greater Wellington Region
Rupert Handyside Matahiwi Farm – Lamb and cattle finishing Rupert’s family connection to Matahiwi for 150 years means he’s highly aware of his obligations and responsibilities as a custodian of the land. The mainstay of the business is fattening lambs and cattle for finishing, with 15,000 lambs and 800 R2 bulls finished annually. Rupert’s philosophy […]
Striking the right balance
He’s made huge environmental strides while continuing to maintain a highly productive hogget grazing operation and strong community connections. “It’s a lot of work but when you start seeing results, you quite enjoy the process,” Rob says. Soil health is number one Rob believes respecting soil structure should be a farmer’s top priority, with it […]
2020 Greater Wellington Regional Supreme Winners
Aidan Bichan, Neville Fisher & Vern Brasell of Kaiwaiwai Dairies – Dairy. Demonstrating good environmental stewardship is a key focus for the team at Kaiwaiwai Dairies – a dairy farm operated as an equity partnership with six shareholders. Located in South Wairarapa, Kaiwaiwai is almost completely self-contained – a policy that provides biosecurity assurance and […]
Barrie Cook Whakatomotomo
What began as a lifestyle choice has largely become a mission to preserve a native wetland forest – the last remnant of its kind in the Whakatomotomo Valley. Referring to the property as ‘The Sanctuary’, owner Barrie Cook says the forest is an example of what the valley was like before human settlement. Featuring old […]
Jeff and Shirley Ravenwood – Fernglen and Motu-Nui
2020 finalists: Jeff and Shirley Ravenwood of Fernglen and Motu-Nui – Sheep & beef, sheep milking. These entrepreneurs have diversified their Masterton farming business so it now produces a growing range of sheep milk products, cashmere fibre and mānuka honey. This approach has allowed all family members to be involved in the business in their own […]
William Beetham – Beetham Pastural
2020 finalists: William Beetham of Beetham Pastural – Sheep & beef. Partnerships are driving pastural performance on this family sheep and beef farming business that has a legacy spanning 163 years. The family has a strong sense of stewardship toward land, people and history, and are striving to create a sustainable future for generations to come. The Beethams […]
Rob Dick – Easterbo
2020 finalists: Rob Dick of Easterbo – Hogget grazing. This highly productive hogget grazing operation is set up in a way that provides owner-operator Rob with excellent work-life balance. He has been farming Easterbo since 2008 and is committed to working with the right people to implement sustainable farming methods on the East Taratahi property. He […]
Ben & Karen Herrick – Kowhai Bush Organics
2020 finalists: Ben & Karen Herrick of Kowhai Bush Organics – Dairy. Over the past three years, the Herricks have transformed their 85ha once-a-day dairy operation into a low-cost business that is Fully Certified Organic. It’s an excellent example of how farm succession can be managed and how the new generation can start farming in […]