| 31 Terawhiti expanded its finishing footprint With around 1,700 Wiltshire ewes, 1,000 lambs and 800 Angus cows on the property, the business has expanded its finishing footprint. Photo: Dan Henry. Anen Boswell RURAL PEOPLE » Terawhiti Farm After a year that tested sheep and beef farmers across the country, Terawhiti Farm emerged not only having survived, but thriving – and in a stronger financial position than previous years. The original property and home farm, Terawhiti Station, was established over 170 years ago. Today, ownership of the land, located on the south coast of Wellington, is governed by a Board of Directors – all of whom are direct descendants of some of the first owners, James (‘Terawhiti Jack’) and Hannah McMenamen – and shareholders. The business has been managed by Guy and Carolyn Parkinson since 2009. With around 1,700 Wiltshire ewes, 1,000 lambs and 800 Angus cows on the property, the business has expanded its finishing footprint in the lower North Island over the last two years. It has added a 105ha lease block to its existing 190ha finishing farm at Linton in the Manawatu, and joining these properties is a 160ha lease property, also near Linton, that they took on in June 2026. “We have reached the potential of the Station but we still want to keep expanding, so we started looking at other areas to finish stock,” Guy says. He says living in a harsh, changeable climate means they have had to adjust stock numbers accordingly – but this flexibility is what enables them to get through market fluctuations. And it was their focus on cattle, rather than sheep, that got them through the challenging 2025 season. “In 2025, we were mostly cattle, and no wool, and wool-related issues was where most of the problems were,” he says. “It was really the combination of good cattle performance and keeping control of costs that carried us through. We finished stronger financially in 2025 than the previous couple of years, and going into this year, we are very happy with the way it is looking.” However, today, with the finishing farms giving more options, they are now focusing on a strategy to keep more value-added stock within the business. While cattle remain an important enterprise and performed particularly well through 2025, the system has gradually moved toward a slightly stronger emphasis on Wiltshire sheep and a reduction in cattle numbers. “We have plans to finish our stock on our own properties instead of selling the majority store,” Guy says. “Taking them to a higher weight and selling them as a finished product is part of the strategy to shift climate risk from the Station, which is prone to drought, and to give us more flexibility and improve returns. “All three finishing farms are being well-managed for us by Luke Roberts.” As one of New Zealand’s top Yamaha dealers, we sell and service a wide range of new and used motorcycles, ATVs, kids’ bikes and road scooters. Ǔ ǔ www.maidstoneyamaha.co.nz *RRGVKHG 5RDG 8SSHU +XWW info@maidstoneyamaha.co.nz P R O U D LY S U P P O R T I N G T E R AWH I T I FA R M 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: Lindsay & Maria Johnstone | Ph: 027 445 3211 or 027 610 5348 Email: ranui.w@farmside.co.nz | www: ranuiangus.co.nz Over 76 years breeding Angus Bulls RANUI ANGUS 3rd Generation “Lindsay Johnstone” managing the Ranui stud Ranui are proud to support Terawhiti Farm. Guy says they are looking forward to the future with a lot of optimism. “The market for red meat is positive, and having a simple, low-cost system, as we do, means we are looking forward to a few positive years,” he says.
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