Business Rural North Autumn 2021

24 | RURAL PEOPLE » Awarima Station: Neeson family E ach morning the Neeson family is awakened to the bird song of Tui’s and a supporting orchestra of other birds happily living in the large mature native bush that forms the farming family’s backyard. Monique Neeson says her children; Heath 9, Effie 7 and Zadee 5, might be the luckiest children in New Zealand to have such a wonderful backyard to play in. “We want to raise our family here and wouldn’t want to do that anywhere else in the world.” Bordering the Whanganui and Ohura Rivers and nestled in the rural community of Tokirima, Awarima Station is an hour west of Taumaranui. The home block encompasses 1200 hectares, of which 25 hectares is flat, 80 hectares rolling with the rest very steep hill country. “The steepness is what we really love about the farm which is covered in native bush. Some of the land has been cleared but some is completely untouched and natural. We’re in a really unique spot with the boundary of the rivers and backing onto the Wanganui National Park.” Awarima Station is home to 4000 Romney breeding ewes, 1200 replacements and 200 breed- ing cows. Progeny will be finished or sold store depending on the season and what the market is doing. “Our focus is to farm sustainably and produce high quality meat for New Zealand and the rest of the world,” explains Monique. “The key is to farm sustainably and we’ve plant- ed a huge number of trees. We’re very conscious of the contour of land, don’t over stock and only use the steepest country as a last resort for feed.” Tim’s parents, Alex and Lyn, bought the core of Awarima Station in 1987, purchasing two neigh- bouring farms over time to bring the farm up to what it is today. Richard Loader Blankets add value to farm business Tim was just 18 months old when his parents bought the farm and Monique says the Whanganui River, along with a passion for farming, runs richly in his blood. Monique became part of the farming journey when she met Tim 14 years ago and has been an integral part of the journey ever since. Four years ago the couple bought the stock off Tim’s parents and a short while later leased the land. Just after Covid lockdown they made the call to buy the land and create their own farming family legacy. But the farm is only part of the story. Offered low market rates for the lambs’ wool ten years ago the Neeson’s looked at other value-add opportunities and found that at the time there weren’t any New Zealand made blankets. Calling their start-up business ShearWarmth, de- rived from the sheer steepness of their farm and the shorn lambs wool, Monique and mother–in-law Lyn embarked on a successful venture making beautiful blankets using a traditional bed blanket weave. A decade on the business has continued to go very well and ShearWarmth has become a well- known New Zealand brand with on-line sales both in New Zealand and globally. “The spinning and weaving is all done in New Zealand and the rolls of fabric are returned to Taumaranui where are lovely local lady cuts it to size and sews a satin edging or blanket stitches them. The blankets come in three sizes – large, a cot size and a bassinet size – and are made exclusively as bed blankets or throws. Each blanket comes with a little birth certificate that tells the sea- son the wool came from and season it got shorn.” With the high cost in making the product in New Zealand Monique says the blankets are expensive to buy but says they are an heirloom gift that will last a lifetime and beyond. “Woollen blankets make the perfect wedding pre- sent and so that’s quite huge. It’s the story behind ShearWarmth that people really enjoy and we get a lot of repeat business from loyal customers. About 20% of our sales are for overseas customers.” “Woollen blankets make the perfect wedding present and so that’s quite huge. It’s the story behind Shearwarmth that people really enjoy ...” Monique and Lyn Neeson use a traditional bed blanket weave in their ShearWarmth blankets, made from the wool grown on their King Country farm, Awarima Station. Totally Vets Taumarunui, proudly supporting Tim and Monique Neeson and Awarima Station by providing all aspects of animal health care taumarunui@totallyvets.co.nz | www.totallyvets.co.nz Offices in Otorohanga, Te Awamutu & Taumarunui www.baileyingham.co.nz | info@baileyingham.co.nz We are pleased to supply accounting and financial services and support to Awarima Station. “Great farmers and great people”.