60 | For Stephen and Helen Knight building a resilient farming business has been about creating security as they continually improve the way they farm. With 90% of their stock supply and purchases contracted they have a strong foundation that allows them to focus on environmental outcomes and future-proof their sheep and beef operation. “It gives us confidence around pricing and allows us to plan the business more effectively,” says Stephen Knight. The Knights own two farms - a 290ha property between Dannevirke and Woodville that has been in Stephen’s family for more than 60 years, and a 280ha Argyll Road property purchased in 2007, about 85km away. They also lease a 145ha block beneath the Ruahine Ranges, 6km from the Dannevirke property’s woolshed. Brought up on the family farm, Stephen completed a Bachelor of Agriculture at Massey University. Helen, originally from the United Kingdom, became involved in the farm in the mid-1990s when the couple married. They gradually bought out Stephen’s parents and have continued developing the operation since. Today the farms run 2100 breeding Romney ewes and 400 mated replacement ewes with an average lambing percentage of 145%. All lambs are finished on farm, averaging 21kg carcass weight, and are supplied to Atkins Ranch. The business is Global Animal Partnership Step 4 accredited. “Premiums paid for lambs have helped us stay with sheep breeding during periods like three years ago when prices were low.” The cattle enterprise includes finishing about 300 Friesian bulls, purchased at around 110kg and supplied to ANZCO at 18 months weighing approxiAll about creating security Taking direct control of a large coastal hillcountry farm has required significant investment, but Kairākau Lands Trust is building a business designed to benefit both current and future generations. Kairākau Lands Trust treasurer Stella August says the trust administers about 1,500 hectares of ancestral land on behalf of approximately 365 beneficial owners affiliated with Ngāti Kahungunu and the hapū Ngāi Te Oatua, Ngāti Hikatoa, and Ngāi Tamatera. The land traces its origins to the original Kairākau block, which passed through the Native Land Court in 1869. While parts were subdivided and sold during the following decades, the remaining land stayed in Māori ownership and was eventually brought together under a single trust structure. Established in 1986, Kairākau Lands Trust amalgamated seven land blocks into one farming unit, creating a more practical and efficient model for land management. “The amalgamation meant that instead of having several smaller land blocks, they could be collectively farmed as one unit. It just made more sense.” Farm manager Phillip Te Huia says the move was particularly important given the nature of the land. “It’s quite steep country, it was better to bring it all together and run it as a bigger farm.” Most of the land was leased to external farmers for decades. By the time the trust took over Kapiti Station and active management in 2021, much of the farm infrastructure required significant upgrading. Fences had deteriorated, water was supplied largely through dams and creeks, and many facilities reflected a previous era of farming. The trust’s trustees and beneficiaries are grateful for support from whenua Māori funding programmes that have provided a total of $580,000 to date. REGIONAL FOCUS » Kairakau Lands Trust (Hawkes Bay) Russell Fredic Karen Phelps Beef x Bulls with collars. Highfields Farm (Manawatu-Whanganui) For over half a century, Hatuma has proven that productivity and the environment can co-exist. 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They purchase 450 eight month old steers and heifers to be sold as stores to other First Light farmers. Two hundred and fifty of these are autumn born animals and are rotationally grazed in one mob at Argyll Road. “Our stock policy relies on a significant number of young stock growing quickly. It is a challenge to provide enough quality feed and minimise animal health challenges. Farm manager Des Snook plays a key role in achieving this balance.” Environmental management is a key part of the Knights’ approach. Both properties are NZFAP Plus accredited. The lease block includes 25ha of wetlands and waterways fenced off and planted in native species, providing additional shade, shelter and protection for stock. The Knights have also installed a 10kW solar system with 18kW of battery backup to support farm and household power needs. Technology is also helping improve pasture management. Six months after introducing eShepherd virtual fencing collars to 60 bulls at Argyll Road, Stephen says the system has delivered significant benefits. “We’ve found it very good to convert some of our larger steeper hill country from sheep breeding to bull finishing by being able to rotate 60 bulls around a large hill paddock without having to do any physical fencing,” he says. “It’s allowing us to grow more feed, allocate it more efficiently and finish more bulls. We plan to add another 60 collars on the Dannevirke property.” proud to be supporting KLT This has helped accelerate the trust’s transition to active farm management, contributing to infrastructure improvements, business planning, governance development, and farm management capability. Significant investment was made to bring the property up to modern farming standards, including new yards, covered facilities, cattle-loading infrastructure, and ongoing improvements. Funding was provided from the Provincial Growth Fund, Te Puni Kokiri Nga Whenua Rāhui (DOC) and Hawkes Bay Regional Council. “That funding really helped us hit the ground running.” “Greg Morice from Morice Ltd, who helped us transition to farming, described it as a 1970s farm. It’s been a huge effort putting energy and money back into the business to get it up and running to where we are now.” Today, the property comprises about 760 hectares of effective grazing land, 254 hectares of commercial forestry, and almost 300 hectares of retired land, wetlands, cliffs, and protected areas. The farming business carries around 4,500 stock units, comprising Romney-cross sheep and Angus cattle. Breeding forms the core of both enterprises, with weaner cattle sold annually and lambs either finished or sold store depending on seasonal conditions. Alongside farming, there have been significant environmental projects. The partnership involving Ngā Whenua Rāhui and Hawke’s Bay Regional Council has supported the Waihopukia Gully project, which is fencing and planting 22 hectares in native species between 2024 and 2026. Separate environmental partnerships have also supported native planting and land protection projects across the property. “Our focus isn’t always financial returns,” Stella says. “We want to ensure we’re looking after the land for the future and future generations so they have something to connect with and something to be proud of.” Phillip adds that while Kairākau has come a long way in a reasonably short time, there is still a long way to go. “There are heaps of opportunities and heaps of things we want to do.” New upgrades done
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