80 | Pamu Farms has three significant clusters of farms on the West Coast: Cape Foulwind, Grey Valley and Lake Brunner. Jack Raharuhi is business manager of Pamu farms Cape Foulwind. Sue Russell At 30 years of age, Jack Raharuhi has come a long way in farming. He has worked for Landcorp since leaving school. Acknowledging that school was not ‘his thing’ Jack’s career momentum is a fine example of what can be achieved with hard work and a passion for the industry. Today, Jack is business manager of Pamu farms Cape Foulwind, which includes three large dairy farms, a dairy support farm, a machinery contracting unit, a large sheep and beef farm and a deer operation. Jacks worked his way up from dairy assistant, 2IC to Farm Manager at Bassett Farm, one of the three dairy units. He then moved next door on Totara farm before becoming operations manager. And just this July Jack has become business manager for the entire farming complex. “I would say that 90% of my job now is managing people. These farms employ 25 staff and one of the things Pamu is strong on is encouraging staff to improve themselves and eventually grow into more senior roles,” Jack says. Managing culture and performance and mentoring the farm managers on each of the properties is a priority for Jack. In a pragmatic way Jack is the first to say that managing people has its ups and downs, however he knows just how much can be achieved when people feel part of something greater and enabled to grow professionally. “The farms are operating really well but I am making a focus on staff retention; creating a work environment where staff want to stay and in building our reputation as a good employer.” Asked how he assesses the health of a farm Jack says its something he sees and feels when he steps on to a farm. He will note how the farm looks; how much pride the team take on maintaining its appearance and that, he says, is a pretty good indication as to how well the farm is operating. “The first thing to fall off the wagon will be the appearance of the farm.” And a good team culture plays out in lots of ways, including a good safety culture. Jack says there’s been an increase in inexperienced people taking up farming and this, he says, brings opportunities and challenges. “We are seeing the pressure put on our more experienced team members but also when fresh people join the team, they are not set in their ways as to how they think things should be done. They are more open and willing to take advice and learn.” The plan at this stage is to phase out the deer operation and concentrate more on beef finishing and dairy support via grazing or supplement, to improve the environmental footprint and animal welfare outcomes. More land will be needed Jack says for the dairy units to operate to potential. As a state-owned enterprise Jack says Pamu has a role and responsibility to be leading positive farming practices. ‘Leading change’ is how he describes it. In all, Pamu Farms has three significant clusters of farms on the West Coast: Cape Foulwind, Grey Valley and Lake Brunner. And away from the farm Jack is also distinguishing himself. He received the coveted Australasian Zanda McDonald award in 2020 which provided DAIRY » Jack Raharuhi Farm assistant to business manager him with the opportunity to visit industry leading farming entities here and in Australia. “I’ve already had the visits to farms in this country and in November I’m off to experience farming in Australia. It’s a very prestigious award.” This is not Jack’s first taste of success. In 2016 he was named Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer of the Year and the following year was awarded Dairy Manager of the Year for the West Coast Top of The South. “I’ll be away in Australia flying all over the place visiting farms in a private plane. It’s going to be a great experience. Money can’t buy that prize. The Zanda McDonald award is an award that wants to help you build your farming career.” Jack intends to remain with Pamu and continue to seize opportunities as these present. His journey is one that proves that lack of success at school does not mean a person can not thrive and achieve great standards later in life. “The first thing to fall off the wagon will be the appearance of the farm.” Agricultural Services General Aerial Services Hunting & Fishing Simon & Debbie Lawn: 027 228 4385 95 Ahaura/Kopara Road, Ahaura, West Coast +64 3 732 3668 · ahaurahelicopters@xtra.co.nz SUTHERLAND T Y R E S L T D STOCKISTS OF CENTURY BATTERIES • WOFS ANDWOF REPAIRWORK • BRAKE PADS AND DISC BRAKE MACHINING SERVICING AND SUSPENSION • TIMING BELTS ANDWATER PUMPS • TYRES OF ALL SIZES SUTHERLAND TYRES LTD info@suthtyres.co.nz • 4 ADDERLEY STREET WESTPORT
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