44 | Sustainability and Kim Newth RURAL PEOPLE » Terawhiti Station Guy and Carolyn Parkinson effectively began with a blank slate at Terawhiti Station when they rst came on board as shareholders and farm managers in 2009. Consistent goal setting has wrought a transformation over the intervening years. The historic hill country station, on Wellington’s south coast, was in poor shape when they rst arrived, with under-managed stock and no stock proof fencing. Rather than getting straight to work, Guy says they sought professional guidance on long term land use capability and drew up a 10-year plan to set goals on what needed to be done. “A very early conclusion was that a lot of land should not have been cleared in the past and ought not to be farmed in the future. That has proved to be very sound. We have concentrated on the better stuff and, with the advent of carbon farming, we have achieved an income source from the rest. We have a lot of regenerating manuka, kanuka and tauhinu with mature natives coming through.” The farm’s manuka stands play host to 350 beehives every summer for Kapiti Honey. Adding to diversi cation is a 34-turbine Meridian wind farm, commissioned in 2009, and providing another income source for Terawhiti. Access roads created for the project also double as high-quality lane ways for the station. Terawhiti Station’s population of feral goats turned out to be a positive in tackling gorse and other exotic weeds on farm. Guy estimates they have cleared some 600-800ha of exotic weeds all on their own. Numbers are kept under control through an annual sale of excess goats, adding another income stream. Starting out with 70 feral sheep and a mixed bag of 500-600 ewes that was brought in, the ock has been steadily improved with Wiltshire genetics to the point now where no docking, dagging or shearing is required. Today’s ock numbers around 1200 ewes, (set to gradually increase to 1600). Shepherd Ross Johnston inspecting one of the fenced off regenerating carbon blocks. Cows sheltering from northerly with wind turbines in background, another income source for Terawhiti. A great deal of gorse ( right) has been removed over the last 10 years Having a low input sheep breed has been important to achieving pro tability targets in this tough country. As Guy observes, Terawhiti Station had six or seven permanent staff in its heyday when it carried 20,000 to 25,000 stock units. Now the farm only has two staff for 12,000 to 14,000 stock units, with the whole property run very ef ciently. Surplus staff houses are today rented out to Wellington commuters. The large beef cattle on the farm back in 2009 struggled to achieve calving percentages over 45%. Continual improvement with Ranui Angus genetics has lifted that to 75-85%. “The Angus we run today are moderately sized and highly fertile. That’s working really well for us.” A 190ha nishing farm at Linton, acquired last September, is giving Terawhiti a few more options. “We’re hoping to nish all our lambs there and a percentage of our young cattle too. Luke Roberts is managing that one.” Managing the land to enhance biodiversity is another big focus at the station, which is part of the Capital Kiwi project seeking to restore wild kiwi in Wellington’s backyard. There are around 900 predator traps in place at Terawhiti and Guy says they are on track for the rst release of kiwi later this year. “We’re already noticing with trapping that we’re getting a lot more birdlife; we regularly see kaka ying over now.” With a large number of streams on farm, riparian planting is ongoing along with planting for erosion control. “A very early conclusion was that a lot of land should not have been cleared in the past and ought not to be farmed in the future.” Agricultural Contractors - Levin Contact Garry 027 232 2380 Rowan 027 452 2562 Serving the Horowhenua since 1924 • Fertiliser spreading • Cultivation • All bulk silage requirements • Round baling & wrapping • Bulk cartage • Square baling & wrapping • Hay - large rounds / large squares • Stockists of Hatuma Lime • Ravensdown consignment store with certified weigh bridge SERVICES OFFERED: Westley Lord works closely with Terawhiti Farm bringing years of stock procurement experience to the role. Advising Terawhiti Farm on market trends, prices, organising transport and drafting prime animals for Taylor Preston in Wellington. Please give him a call to say hello on his mobile 021 242 9974 C.R.Grace Ltd is proud to be supporting Terawhiti Farm SCN HELICOPTERS LTD SPRAYING & SPREADING | ANIMAL & FROST CONTROL | LIFTING Proudly supporting Terawhiti Farm 042336333 / 0273591150 www.scnhelicopters.co.nz SCN Helicopters Ltd specialises in a wide range of helicopter services for all your spraying, spreading, lifting, animal and frost control needs. We utilise our state-of-the-art GPS system to maintain high levels of accuracy.
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