Your Guide to Ngāi Tahu Farming
He kupu ārahi mō Te Pou Pāmu o Ngāi Tahu
Toitū Te Marae o Tāne – Land Sustained
Toitū Te Marae o Tangaroa – Water Sustained
Toitū Te Iwi – People Sustained
Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei – For us and our children after us
Kia hiwa rā - Dairy
There are currently seven working dairy
farms on 2,150 hectares of irrigated
pasture at Te Whenua Hou (Eyrewell),
half an hour north of Christchurch.
Farm sizes range from 280 - 350 hectares, milking 900 1,300 cows and are developed to a high standard with a
64 bale fully automated rotary shed, utilising the Protrack
management system.
Each of the farms operates a fully pivoted irrigation
system, which also spreads effluent, and utilises a number
of other best-practice technologies.
It is intended that six further dairy farms will be
developed between 2017 and 2020 making a total of
13 dairy farms, milking around 13,000 cows, at this point
in time it is estimated that more than 50 kaimahi (staff)
will be employed and more than 150 whānau living full
time at Te Whenua Hou.
Kia hiwa rā - Grazing
The Grazing division currently consists
of 10 grazing farms, farming over
10,000 hectares of dairy support and
beef finishing animals across both Te
Whenua Hou and Balmoral.
The operation consists of approx. 3,300 hectares of
irrigation farm plus approx. 3,000ha of dry land farmland.
The grazing division is also responsible for the operations of
three High Country Stations at Whakatipu near Queenstown.
As additional farms in Balmoral are developed into
irrigation it is intended that these farms will be developed
into irrigated farm land to support the Grazing division,
at this point in time it is estimated that more than 15
kaimahi will be employed and more than 30 whānau
will live full time across Te Whenua Hou, Balmoral and
Whakatipu.
Kia hiwa rā
- Rural Development
The Rural Development team consists
of kaimahi who undertake development
management activities including farm/
irrigation design, project management,
procurement and internal contracting
service (both civil and agricultural
activities).
To date the development team has converted approx
5,500 hectares of forestry into irrigated farm land and
approx 3,000 hectares into dry land farms.
The development business has a focus on sustainability
and ecological outcomes as well as efficient farm designs
with the aim to provide functional farming infrastructure
while maximising development profitably.
The business manages around 50 different contractors
who work across various aspects of the farm development
including ; land clearing, irrigation infrastructure, farm
buildings (building of houses, dairy sheds etc), civil and
agricultural cultivation works.
Kia hiwa rā
- Forest Estates
The Forest Estates portfolio consists of
approximately 54,000 ha of land spread
across North Canterbury, Otago and the
West Coast.
That land is used for a variety of activities, including
carbon forestry, rural land development, the production
of improved selective seed and, of course, traditional
forestry operations. Forest Estates currently harvest and
market between 250,000m3 and 260,000m3 of logs
per annum, a figure that is considered sustainable. Logs
are supplied to sawmills on the West Coast, Nelson and
Canterbury, with the balance sold as export grade through
the ports at Nelson and Lyttleton.
Forest Estates is committed to managing the West Coast
forest estate in a manner consistent with the standards
established by the Forest Stewardship Council. The
forests are open to the public (subject to an Access
Permit and access restrictions near operational areas)
and are regularly used for mountain biking, hunting
and firewood collection.
Kia hiwa rā
- Eyre Lodge
Ngāi Tahu Farming has acquired the
former forestry accommodation known
as Eyre Lodge at Poyntz Road, Te Whenua
Hou for the purpose of advancing
the cultural, social and educational
aspirations of the iwi.
The lodge will serve as a base for Whenua Kura students
(the iwi-led partnership between Te Tapuae o Rehua, Ngāi
Tahu Farming and Lincoln University); and as a base for
learning and social activities for Oranga Pāmu, the new Te
Whenua Hou Community Committee, which is working
hard to create an environment where Ngāi Tahu Farming
kaimahi and their whānau feel more socially connected to
each other and to their wider communities.
Eyre Lodge is set on 26 acres in a fantastic location on the
edge of Eyrewell Forest and offers accommodation for 30
people. Oxford township, an easy 10 minute drive away.
Communities close by –
Tuahiwi
The home of Ngāi Tūāhuriri, the
Tuahiwi marae in Kaiapoi has been
a central backdrop in the story
of Ngāi Tahu since the migration
south in the 1670s.
Tuahiwi
Tuahiwi
Kaiapoi
Te Whenua Hou
(Eyrewell Forest)
The marae, which takes its name from the ridge it was built
on, was gifted to the people of Ngāi Tūāhuriri by three
ancestors of the Solomon whanau, who today act as its
trustees.
It would go on to play a pivotal role in its peoples’ welfare
after the Crown created the Kaiapoi Maori Reserve in 1848,
with the entire district – from the Hurunui to the Hakatere –
looking to the marae and the nearby capital at Kaiapoi Pā.
Founded by the first Ngāi Tahu ancestors, the pā was the
fortress from which its people first explored the interior of
the South Island. But while the pā is a revered monument,
the Tuahiwi marae remains as strong a cultural centre today
as it did 300 years ago.
Communities close by –
Kaiapoi
If the very best in convenience
and local amenities is at the top
of your list, Kaiapoi certainly
makes a captivating offer.
Kaiapoi
Swananoa
Te Whenua Hou
(Eyrewell Forest)
Resurgent after the 2010 earthquakes, Kaiapoi has
transformed into a modern urban hub, with new attractions
and activities joining town centre conveniences like its ANZ
Bank and Unichem Pharmacy branches.
Yet the best of pre-quake Kaiapoi remains, from shopping at
North Canterbury’s oldest department store to weekends at
the speedway.
The river town has been an integral local trading centre
since the days of Kaiapoi Pā, the Ngāi Tahu capital once
thought to be entirely impregnable.
But Kaiapoi’s future looks just as prosperous as its past. It’s
a fact that’s attracting people who love having everything
on their doorstep – including a choice of preschools, a high
school, and Christchurch, which is only 10 minutes to the
south.
Kaiapoi
Communities close by –
Rangiora
Christchurch’s gateway to
wine country, Rangiora gives
residents little reason to leave
town even though it’s only 20
minutes from the Garden City.
Rangiora
Rangiora
Te Whenua Hou
(Eyrewell Forest)
Home to a host of fashionable cafes that complement
its connection to Waipara’s wineries, Rangiora also
boasts accessible family restaurants, entertainment, and
shopping options that include New World, Countdown, and
Pak’n’Save supermarkets.
A movie and stage theatre, and bars and live music venues
all sit among a bustling regional centre that finds room for
large department stores and small boutique shops. With a
museum, art gallery, and many heritage buildings, the town
also wears its history on its sleeve.
And there’s always activity in Rangiora – whether it’s
just families being active at the local aquatic centre and
skateboard park or an event attracted to the town’s
generous sports grounds.
Communities close by –
Oxford
An English village in the foothills
of the Southern Alps, Oxford
is where people find a warm
welcome and the opportunity for
an outdoor lifestyle.
Oxford
Te Whenua Hou
(Eyrewell Forest)
Oxford may be named after the UK’s most famous university
town, but it has a lot more in common with its country
villages thanks to its picturesque beauty, small town charm,
and boutique eateries like the Main Street Bakery and Café.
Friendly and serene, the township is a waypoint for families
and tourists who appreciate the easy going atmosphere and
scenic alpine backdrop, as well as the chance to get amongst
it outdoors.
Whether it’s mountain biking or jetboating, hunting or
fishing – or just a round of golf - there’s plenty on the menu
for those who like to work as hard on their weekends as they
do on the farm.
Oxford
Toitū Te Marae o Tāne – Land Sustained
Toitū Te Marae o Tangaroa – Water Sustained
Toitū Te Iwi – People Sustained
Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei – For us and our children after us