| 49 RURAL PEOPLE » Chloe Butcher-Herries Chloe’s big award Karen Phelps Chloe Butcher-Herries, farm manager at Mathew’s Station in Central Hawkes Bay, has her wife to thank for being named a finalist in the 2026 Zanda McDonald Award, one of the primary sector’s most respected trans-Tasman honours. “I don’t like entering awards. Being a young Maori wahine farmer, you don’t like talking about yourself, but you have to be proud and take the next step. Makita actually entered me for the award and I feel very privileged to get as far as I have. Zanda McDonald was a great man and was all about the people, welfare of his animals and being a good guardian of the land,” says Chloe. The 33-year-old, along with Makita, manage both Mathew’s Station, a 530-hectare sheep and beef farm near Tikokino, and Otoro Station, a 2,000-hectare beef operation near Dannevirke. Mathew’s Station runs 800 ewes, finishes 10,000 lambs, 600 head of cattle and has a 60-hectare irrigated cashcropping block. Otoro Station has 400 cows with plans to expand to 600, utilising the Halter collar system for virtual fencing. “Halter has been a great tool. Otherwise we would have had to spent a fortune on fences and the land probably would have gone to pine trees. With Halter it allows us to put animals where we want to with virtual fencing.” Chloe and Makita’s approach to farming combines traditional skills with modern technology and a strong focus on animal welfare. “I wouldn’t be a farmer if I couldn’t look after my animals. If you look after the animals and land, they will do the right thing by you and you’ll be a great farmer,” says Chloe. She and her team have planted six hectares of native bush at Mathew’s Station and maintain 1,000 hectares of native bush at Otoro Station, prioritising shade, shelter, and proactive animal health measures. Chloe, who has Ngati Mahanga and Waikato-Tainui heritage, grew up in Napier and knew from the age of eight that she wanted to farm. She left school at 16 to work full-time on her uncle’s farm, later building her experience at Newstead Farm in Puketapu, where she was promoted to assistant manager under the mentorship of Robert and Helen Pattullo. She met Makita, a people and culture advisor in the horticulture industry, at William Colenso College in Napier. They married in 2019 and Makita quickly developed a passion for farming. They now have a nearly one year old daughter Ahua Harete. “Makita fell in love with the farm when we met. We are both hands on with the farm but since we had a baby in April 2025 Makita has been a stay at home mum and helps out on the farm when she can while Ovation proudly supporting Chloe Butcher-Herries Ovationnz Proudly supporting Chloe Butcher-Herries Contact Stu Davies 021 025 74676 fogartyspraying@gmail.com COOL ROOMS & F R E E Z E R S 0800 522 665 WWW.MADE2COOL.CO.NZ • Strong Portable Rooms • Made in New Zealand • Accessories sold separately • Delivery available to your site (North Island only) Freezer / Chiller Rooms For Sale or Long Term Lease I’m out on the farm full time. She’s pretty keen to get back out on the farm more as Ahua grows up. Now Ahua’s a bit older she comes out in a front pack on the farm ” says Chloe. In 2022, Chloe won the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Award for sheep and beef farming, recognising her dedication and leadership. Chloe is committed to mentoring the next generation of farmers. “We grow our people. We’ve got a young wahine from Growing Future Farmers, Rose Beamish, starting a two-year course with us in February. In the past, we’ve hosted high school students who want to give farming a go. We’re opening our gates to young people.” Chloe and Makita also share insights on social media through their Wahine Farmers Instagram page and Chloe’s personal Facebook, aiming to keep farming positive and real. Chloe believes the key to success is perseverance: “I think it’s about backing yourself. If you really want to do something, go for it. We will keep striving for what the award means and what Zanda McDonald stood for. Becoming a leader in the agricultural industry is our goal.” Chloe and one year old daughter Ahua. 022 139 1965 nichollsexcavators@gmail.com SPECIALISING IN A VAST AREA OF EARTH WORKS, SERVICING WITHIN AND OUT TO THE WIDER HAWKE’S BAY AREA.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=