| 49 nzdairy BALLANCE FARM ENVIRONMENT AWARDS » Maulen Partnership The judges were also impressed by the couple’s farm management across; animal care, biosecurity, business planning, pasture management, and health and safety. Maria Puig and Mauricio Castellano—owners of Maulen Partnership and contract milkers for Northland College Farm. Maulen Partnership inspiring students Nicki Woodlock Uruguayan couple Maria Puig and Mauricio Castellano - owners of Maulen Partnership and contract milkers for Northland College Farm won second place in the 2025 Ballance Farm Environment Awards for the Northland region. The Ballance Farm Environment Awards celebrates sustainable farming practices. Puig and Castellano contract milk on Northland College Farm in Kaikohe, Northland - which is owned by Northland College and the Ministry of Education. The 500 ha dairy farm has 180 ha of effective farmland, a herd of 300 milking cows, and over 130 young stock are reared all year round. Their work at Northland College Farm blends productivity with sustainability, inspiring students to learn hands-on regenerative practices and sustainable farming skills. Puig reflects: “Working side by side with the students changed it for me. It’s not just about production. We work closely with their teacher to create tasks that align with the curriculum”. Aside from achieving second place in the Northland region in the awards the couple also won four additional merit awards being; the Ballance Agri-Nutrients Soil Management Award; Bayleys People in Primary Sector Award; DairyNZ Sustainability and Stewardship Award; and Hill Labs Agri-Science Award. The couple won a range of prizes from sponsors including free soil testing for the next year. Puig says: “We were not expecting to win the awards. We entered to put Northland College Farm on the map. It was a chance to meet very inspiring people. They give you helpful feedback that inspires you to do better”. The judges were impressed with the couple teaching sustainable farming practises to students - including a collaborative riparian planting project where students learn about climate resilience and how native planting boosts water quality. The couple has made significant improvements in herd health and efficiency, excluding stock from all waterways, and actively reducing the impact of climate change through genetics and tailored cropping. Regular soil testing guides fertiliser application, and various pest and weed control efforts are in use. The judges were also impressed by the couple’s farm management across; animal care, biosecurity, business planning, pasture management, and health and safety. Another notable achievement is their management of a 260ha forestry block that now features native plantings and naturally regenerating areas. The farm’s sustainability journey has included transitioning to a once-a-day milking system – with a comprehensive animal health plan. The pair also focus on continuous improvement and training, and maintain a healthy work-life balance by regularly getting away from the farm. Puig remarks, “It’s not just about producing milk, it’s about creating a farm where everything is in balance—the land, the animals, and the people.”. When asked what helped them to achieve second place Puig says: “Best practice in general. The community and the students make it special—they’re at the centre of it, learning to care for land and animals through real, meaningful work. The school has a dedicated group of volunteers who are like the farm owners—those people put a lot of time and effort into running the farm. There are a lot of people involved that make us special”. Puig says, “I was told ‘if you can handle farming in Northland you can handle farming anywhere’”. Looking forward the pair will work on Northland College Farm for two more seasons and then return to Uruguay to reconnect with family and friends. The couple will come back to NZ to look for a share milking position in December 2027 in the North Island. Long term the couple’s goal is farm ownership. In the meantime they want to enjoy the process of learning and keep growing and having a real impact. Chartered Accountants & Business Advisors Kerikeri | Kaitaia | Kaikohe | wwc.co.nz | 09 407 7117 | info@wwc.co.nz A dynamic local accounting firm, we’re outstanding in our field when it comes to farming & agricultural businesses. We’re proud to work with Maria and Mauricio as they put their plans into action. Rob Titter Farm Services Ltd Repairs on all makes & models admin@r�armservices.co.nz Ph: 09 401 1774 | Mobile: 027 522 6248 34 Station Road, Kaikohe.
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