6 | Unique model supports the community Arohiwi Station is a 1472 hectare beef and sheep operation. Karen Phelps Located at Puketitiri, an hour north west of Napier, lies a farm with a difference. Arohiwi Station, a 1472-hectare beef and sheep operation, stands out for its unique ownership model that directly benefits some of the most underserved members of the East Coast community. Owned by Arohiwi Station Ltd, with Presbyterian Support East Coast (PSEC) as the sole shareholder, this working farm channels its surplus proceeds into funding vital support services for younger disabled people, older people, children and families across the East Coast region. “It’s rewarding knowing where the money the farm makes goes and who it supports,” says Robbie Schaw, Arohiwi Station’s Manager, who has been at the helm for nearly four years and brings over a decade of farming experience in the Puketitiri district to his role. This unique ownership structure stems from a generous gift made around forty five years ago by Laura Mitchell, daughter of one of the original owners, John Holt. A woman of strong Presbyterian faith, Laura gifted half of her interest in the station to Presbyterian Support East Coast (PSEC) in 1978. After her passing, Laura’s family trust distributed her remaining shares to PSEC. In 2012 PSEC purchased the balance taking full ownership of the property and its comprehensive operations. The station’s journey from a family-owned farm to a charitable enterprise culminated on July 1, 2013, when Arohiwi Station Limited was formed, purchasing all the station’s assets from PSEC, which remains the sole shareholder. The farm runs a substantial operation, with RURAL PEOPLE » Arohiwi Station Robbie overseeing a flock of over 5,000 pure bred Romney ewes and 1,200 hoggets, alongside a herd of 400 Angus cows. Recent adjustments to the stock mix, shifting towards a more even split between cattle and sheep, demonstrate the farm’s adaptability to market conditions and environmental factors. “Having the trading component with the cattle gives us more flexibility in terms of being able to react to weather events and being able to move stock quicker.” The stock policy includes buying in around 160 Angus weaner steers in autumn with the better performing killed and the rest sold. In the spring the farm buys in around 600 100kg bulls to be also sold in the autumn. He says the station’s management takes a long-term view, implementing sustainable farming practices that ensure the land’s productivity for generations to come. A five-year environmental management plan was established by March 2021, outlining actions to enhance the farm’s ecological footprint. The station’s diverse landscape includes 133 hectares of plantation pines and over 161 hectares of native bush, with wetland areas in the process of being fenced. Robbie says this commitment to environmental stewardship aligns with PSEC’s ethos of community care and sustainable development. He says that the station’s unique ownership model brings an added layer of purpose to the day-to-day operations. Every decision made, from stock management to land use, carries the weight of its potential impact on the communities PSEC serves. This sense of purpose permeates the work culture at Arohiwi Station, creating a motivating environment for staff and contractors alike. Supporting Arohiwi Station from the ground up When it comes to Motorcycles Hastings Honda is your first stop in Hawkes Bay for Farm Quads, Side by Side's, 2 Wheeler's, Road Bikes, Motocross Bikes, Scooters & Commuters. Proudly supplying Arohiwi Station As Arohiwi Station continues to evolve and adapt to changing agricultural and economic landscapes, Robbie says its core mission remains steadfast. “By balancing commercial viability with social responsibility, the station serves as a model for how rural enterprises can contribute to community welfare in meaningful and sustainable ways.”
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