| 23 Poronui’s diversity delivers strength Poronui trophy deer. Anne Boswell Diversity is often talked about as a way to build resilience in a farming business, but few properties demonstrate that better than Poronui Station. Located at the end of the Taharua Valley, around 35 minutes from Taupo, the 6,500ha property has been developed into a unique blend of livestock farming, tourism, hunting, fishing and environmental stewardship. For Farm Business Manager Tim Bowron, it is that mix of enterprises that gives the business its strength. “There was a key point during Covid where tourism pretty much stopped,” Tim says. “But the farming side of the business kept ticking along. Since then, tourism has recovered really well, and it’s reinforced how important diversity is for us.” Tim has been at Poronui for 18 months and is helping guide a business that is still very much evolving. While the station has a long history, much of the farm itself is relatively new. Over the past 13 years, large areas of pine and eucalyptus forestry have been converted into farmland, with around 1,500ha now developed with farm fencing. “We’re still building soil profiles and nutrient levels, but we are really starting to see things move forward now,” Tim says. “It’s quite an exciting place to be.” A significant part of the operation is the deer enterprise. Poronui runs around 1,800 red deer across a 500-550ha deer unit, producing both velvet and trophy animals. The station breeds its own trophy stags, many of which end up in the property’s 1,100ha game estate. “We’ve hosted several Advance Parties, which we believe are an important part of the farm’s future,” Tim says. “It’s great to talk to likeminded people and show off our business.” Alongside the deer operation are 2,400 trading cattle and approximately 9,300 lambs. Cattle are purchased between August and December, while lambs are bought in spring through until February and finished by June. The system is designed to have the property largely destocked during winter. Despite the scale and diversity, Tim says simplicity remains important. “It has to be achievable and manageable,” he says. “If we can consistently deliver, then we’ll continue to grow our portfolio.” Tourism remains one of the station’s most innovative enterprises. The property’s lodge, featuring eight guest cabins, attracts visitors from around the world. Hunting experiences are a major drawcard, RURAL PEOPLE » Poronui with trophy red stag hunts complemented by pheasant shooting; around 25,000 pheasants are released on the property each year. Fishing is another significant attraction, with guests enjoying trout fishing on the station itself as well as guided fly-fishing trips into the Kaimanawa ranges. P&C Rainford Ltd HERE FOR ALL YOUR AGRICULTURAL NEEDS NO JOB IS TOO BIG OR SMALL! proudly supporting poronui CULTIVATION • Heavy Harrow • Power Harrow • Ploughing • Rotary Hoeing • Roll Seeding • Tandem Disc • Giant Disc • Direct Drilling fencing • Farming • Security • Retaining Wall • Residential • Silage • Loader Wagon • Mowing • Conventional Bales • Rounds • Squares hay / silage PIT SILAGE RIPPER MOUNDING DUMP TRAILER WORK trucking & cartage Call Josh | 027 637 3555 • Call Peter | 0274 949 833 | rainfords@xtra.co.nz While farming and tourism drive the commercial side of the business, environmental projects are becoming increasingly important. Poronui has established 270ha of new pine forest for carbon sequestration and is fencing 440ha of native beech forest as part of a regeneration project, alongside Hawke’s Bay Regional Council. “It’s a hell of a project, and one that we’re really excited about,” Tim says. “We’re farming with the future in mind. “We have the ability to expand into other areas, which is really neat, but we want to do it right and stay focused on our core business.”
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