58 | The best of human nature Proud family legacy Nicki Woodlock Russell Fredric Being appointed Federated Farmers Nelson president just two weeks before the first of the two devasting flood events that hit the wider region in July was a baptism of fire for Kerry Irvine. The Wangapeka sheep and beef farmer says he witnessed the nasty side of mother nature during the floods, as well as the best of human nature in their wake. “People have been really fantastic in the help they’ve offered. It’s really been quite heart- warming. Kiwis are pretty generous and kindhearted people.” Organisations such as Federated Farmers and its Farmers Adverse Events Trust, Rural Support Trust, Rapid Relief Team and others continue to be instrumental in helping those affected in the wider primary sector get to back on their feet, practically, mentally and emotionally, Kerry says. “People really have been fantastic in the help and other support that they’ve offered.” Kerry and his wife Pam farm a 700ha/350ha effective dryland property at Wangapeka, alongside the Wangapeka River, one catchment over from the worst affected areas in the Motueka River catchment. Despite losing two kilometres of fencing, damage to pastures, river encroachment and the farm being an “absolute mess”, Kerry regards themselves as relatively fortunate compared to many in the Motueka catchment. “We are talking 10 to 15 kilometres of fencing that needs to be put back up in a number of spots.” “In the aftermath, Federated Farmers were working very closely with Rural Support. Federated Farmers’ work was of the need right then and also Philip and Anne Todhunter are continuing a proud family legacy at Lake Heron Station, offering luxury farm stays alongside a range of authentic high country experiences. Located at 2504 Hakatere Heron Road, Ashburton, Lake Heron Station has been in the Todhunter family since 1917, when Philip’s greatgrandfather R.C. Todhunter purchased the property. Now in its fourth generation, the station spans 20,000 hectares of mountainous terrain, rising from 700m to 2700m at Jagged Peak. The property features six glaciers and the picturesque Lake Heron at its centre. Anne declares: “High country hospitality has always been a way of life at Lake Heron and this is a tradition that we hold dear.” She adds: “We offer a very authentic personal Kiwi experience. We can be involved as much or as little as people want. We meet and greet people and give them a personal experience. We give people who are interested a deep dive into high country life”. The Todhunters run two businesses: Lake Heron Station, which farms 11,000 Merino sheep and 700 Angus cattle, and Lake Heron Air, offering scenic flights to Mt Cook, Franz Josef, Fox Glacier, and the Ice fields. Guests can experience high country accommodation, farm tours, 4WD tracks, hiking, scenic flights or heli-skiing. Merino wool remains central to their farm business, with much of it going to Icebreaker under a rolling 10-year deal. Their team includes two shepherds, a stock manager, and a seasonal grounds person. Over 30 years, Philip and Anne have expanded the property, purchasing an extra 1100 hectares in 2005, restoring Lake Heron Cottage and Fisherman’s Hut, and building the New Hut six years ago. Accommodation includes: Lake Heron Cottage - established in 1900, sleeping up to six guests; MEAT & WOOL » Kerry Irvine / Lake Heron Station registering how the flood affected them, with Rural Support. There’s varying degrees of need. “We’ve been working with the farmers within the waterways with heavy machinery, just trying to put the river back into its channel again and also trying to work with farmers to know their needs and everything else.” “There’s the initial ‘are you okay’, but this recovery is going to be years in the process. Rural Support have got a very big part to play and I feel they’re only a quarter of the way into it.” Remedial work includes, refencing, gates, culverts, posts, netting, clearing gravel off paddocks and pasture renewal. Kerry describes some of the damage in the region as farm-changing in terms of the amount of productive land washed away and that some properties will never look the same again. For sheep and beef farmers, the floods came on the back a very challenging economic period, but in a twist of irony for the Irvine’s the lack of operational surplus meant little money and time was spent on infrastructure improvements that potentially could have been damaged by the floods. “The last few years have been pretty tough times on farms. We’ve not done the development or spend the money on fertiliser that we would really love to. Obviously, this year markets have been a heck of a lot better, but all my profits have gone back in to catching up on two years developments.” The floods also came on the back of severe droughts in the upper South Island during the past two summers. However, the current sheep meat and beef schedules are offering a ray of hope with a proviso. “It’s looking good. The only thing that can wreck it is probably mother nature.” Fisherman’s Hut - built six years ago - a romantic, self-contained one-bedroom unit; and New Hut - built in 1923 and recently renovated, sleeping up to 12. Philip manages the farm and pilots the Lake Heron Air Cessna 185 for scenic flights. From July to early October, he also flies a Squirrel helicopter for heli-skiing. The couple are partners in Methven Heliski, with Philip as lead pilot. The Todhunters provide bespoke tours and flights. Guests can feed pet sheep, visit the woolshed, take 4WD rides to remote huts, hike, or watch wild salmon spawn in April and May. Tour groups such as NZ Adventures and High Country Journeys use the station’s tracks and often stop for a catered lunch. Anne states: “We’re very flexible”. She adds, “We can take people to Mount Cook, Tasman Glacier, Fox and Franz Glacier”. Anne says: “We are open all year round. Winter is quieter. From October to early April we’re really busy. A lot of our guests come through agents and are fully catered to. Quite often they will stay at the station, do an organised farm tour and possibly a scenic flight too”. Visitors include Europeans, Americans Australians, Singaporeans, and Kiwis. All accommodation has kitchens - Kiwis usually self-cater, while others prefer meals provided. Anne states: “We’ve had weddings, milestone birthday parties, and bachelor parties here. It’s quite remote and in a beautiful location”. She observes: “There seems to be a desire for connection. People also want to see and understand how the farm works”. Looking ahead, Anne says: “Summer is at capacity”. She adds: “We’d like to maximise the potential of what we’ve got. We’re designing and building a farm vege garden, greenhouse and nursery so that guests can come and see where we grow the food—giving them a farm-to-fork experience”. For all your Transport and Logistics requirements 03 525 9843 | www.sollys.co.nz Freight | Storage | Bulk Cartage Livestock | Stock Feed | Fertiliser Proudly supporting Kerry Irvine Gareth: 027 622 7805 | 0800 777 144 | Kevin: 027 479 4257 - Bulk Grain, Silo & Cool Storage - Firewood & Shingle Supplies - Agricultural Spraying - Lime & Super Spreading - Precision Nitrogen Sowing - Swing-Lifting - Log, Hay & Straw, Grain, Stock & Container Cartage , , , , PROUD TO SUPPORT LAKE HERON STATION PO Box 28, Line Road, Methven • Ph: 03 302 8616 E: philipwareingltd@xtra.co.nz • www.philipwareing.co.nz , , : : . . . . . Lake Heron Air, offer scenic flights to Mt Cook, Franz Josef and Fox Glacier.
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