44 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Perks Farm Generational farming legacy strengthens again Emma Bailey Murray actually grew up on the property, living there with his mum Elizabeth who worked at the local school. It is a full circle moment for the Perks family, putting down permanent roots at their Kaponga property - the fourth generation to farm the land. Murray and Rachel Perks have moved farms and are now 50/50 share milking 450 cows for Ratatahi Farms along with equity in the farm, 45 minutes South of New Plymouth. Murray actually grew up on the property, living there with his mum Elizabeth who worked at the local school. It was then owned by his uncles’ Alistair and Stephen Abbott and aunt Imelda. “I went out on the farm whenever I could so it’s great opportunity to come back and put some roots down. If our kids chose to they will be the fifth generation on the land. “My youngest Jack is hell bent on farming but I say to him, ‘only as long as you enjoy it, it’s good to go out and do something else first’.” Murray went away to boarding school at New Plymouth Boys’ High and then he and a close group of friends went down to Lincoln University. When he and his wife Rachel returned they started out as lower order share milkers at the Ratatahi farm for his two uncles and aunt. They then moved to another family farm on Palmer Road where they share milked for three seasons. Now having returned to his childhood farm they are share milking with his uncle Alistair and his aunty Louise. “It’s been nice to put down some permanent roots as with share milking you can be moving around a lot. We are really grateful for the opportunity. The kids were also excited to come back to the farm. “The farm is named Ratatahi. My grandfather named the original block that after the lone Rata tree that was near the farm shed which is still there. My grandfather’s grandfather first cleared the land in 1883.” 027 446 0443 19a King Edward St, Eltham o ce@gernhoefercontracting.co.nz At Lloyd Gernhoefer agricultural contracting, we o er you a wide range of Agricultural services. Call Lloyd now for your 2025/2026 season requirements. Proud to have supported Murray and Rachel through their succession planning journey Learn more at www.unlimit.co.nz Thinking about the future of your farm? Let’s talk succession planning Earthmoving • Civil Construction • Drainage Services • Roading Land Development • Metal Crushing • Quarrying • Trenching Contact John Crowley 027 336 1738 john@jccel.co.nz Proudly Taranaki Owned & Operated Maize and Grass Silage • Hay and Haylage Bulk Cartage and Quarry Metal Groundwork and Cropping On Farm Jobs • 3 ton and 16 ton Diggers
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