24 | From sheep station to luxury tourism The farm tours have become an integral part of the Wharekauhau experience. Karen Phelps RURAL PEOPLE » Wharekauhau Station Wharekauhau Country Estate has found a unique balance between its roots as a working sheep station and its evolution into a luxury tourism destination. At the heart of this transformation are the farm tours, offering guests a glimpse into authentic Kiwi farming life while supporting the estate’s agricultural operations. Bradley Riggs, the farm manager at Wharekauhau, plays a crucial role in maintaining this delicate balance. With 13 years of experience on the property, Bradley has spent his time ensuring the farm remains efficient and productive. “We are very proactive in keeping the farm maintained and working well,” he says. The farm tours, which Bradley contributes to, have become an integral part of the Wharekauhau experience. Departing from the lodge at 9:30 am each morning, these three-hour tours take guests on a comfortable 4-wheel drive journey across the 900 hectare estate. Visitors witness first-hand the activities that have shaped New Zealand’s legendary farming heritage, including sheep shearing demonstrations and working sheepdogs in action. “Quite often after a tour, someone will tell me someone famous was on the tour, but I didn’t know who they were at the time,” says Bradley. He is quick to emphasise that the farm’s primary function remains agriculture. “In my mind, the farm has to come first – animal welfare is the priority. This commitment to maintaining a working farm alongside the tourism operation is what sets Wharekauhau apart from other luxury retreats.” The estate’s journey from a traditional sheep station to a luxury lodge began in the 1980s when tough times for sheep and beef farming prompted the diversification into tourism. Today Wharekauhau Country Estate boasts 16 luxury cottages and a main lodge designed in the style of an Edwardian country house, all serviced by a staff of up to 30. Despite this shift towards luxury tourism, the farm continues to operate as a commercial entity. Bradley oversees a flock of 2,000 breeding ewes and a herd of Angus cattle on approximately 530 hectares of effective farmland. The farm’s output contributes to the estate’s farm-to-table ethos, with lambs sold to Coastal Spring Lamb and beef cattle sold privately as weaners. The symbiosis between the farming operation and the luxury lodge is evident in every aspect of Wharekauhau. The farm provides more than just a picturesque backdrop for guests; it offers an immersive experience that connects visitors to the land and New Zealand’s agricultural heritage. “Every season breathes new life and magic across Wharekauhau, highlighted by the arrival of 3000 spring lambs and the seasonal muster to shear the flock, the place is just magic day-in, day-out,” says Bradley. This dual identity as both a working farm and a luxury retreat has proven to be a successful strategy for Wharekauhau, says Bradley: “When one might not be doing well, the other one hopefully is.” Wharekauhau is a 1.5 hour drive from central Wellington airport or a 10 minute helicopter ‘hop’ around the South Coast. Proudly Supplying rams toWharekauhau Station
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