B+LNZ Farmer Councillors and Kāhui from across the country recently gathered for their annual conference, held this year in Rotorua coinciding with Out the Gate 2025.
The B+LNZ Kāhui and Farmer Council are critical partners to B+LNZ’s Extension team, acting as a key sounding board bringing the farmer voice to our B+LNZ regional extension focus.
The groups gathered for their annual get-together to plan, network and learn from each other. This was the first time the Farmer Council met B+LNZ’s newly established Kāhui.
The day included a presentation from well-known farm consultant and farmer, Hilton Collier, exploring Māori agricultural economy and diversification – fitting before a trip to nearby iwi-run farm and development land.
Ngāti Whakaue, the iwi based around Rotorua, welcomed farmers to Manawa Gardens, a six-hectare Māori-led housing project providing long term affordable housing to owners, beneficiaries and the wider community.
The group then visited Wharenui Farm, one of three iwi-owned farms, made up of 1561.5 hectares.
The farm itself is also diversifying. Farm Manager, Ben Parsons, shared how they are investing into truffles, and the environmental and operational challenges given the farm’s close proximity to urban living at Manawa Gardens.
In total, the Te Whakaue Farming Ltd breeding flock consists of 8,400 Romney ewes (plus ewe hogget replacements), lambing between 130-140%. Three different cattle policies are operated within WFL: the contract grazing of dairy heifer replacements and dairy cows at Tihi-o-tonga; production of breeding bulls for the dairy industry at Wharenui: and, since 2013, high value Wagyu x Angus beef production at Ngongotahā.
Pania King, B+LNZ’s Mātanga Whenua Māori – Māori Agribusiness Advisor for Tairāwhiti/ Ngai Tahu organised the field trip. King said the time at Te Whakaue highlighted the different structures that Whenua Māori operate under, to make sure their shareholders are taken care of and to sustain their long-term vision for the next generations to come. A big thank you to Chairman Dr Tanira Kingi for his and his team’s time to host us at Te Whakaue Farms Ltd.
King adds, “a huge thank you to Te Whakaue for their warm welcome (Pohiri), allowing us to visit their whenua (land), and taking the time to showcase their businesses and how they are on their journey to better support and look after their shareholders as an Iwi.”
The day concluded with a dinner and Q&A panel of B+LNZ’s Board and Leadership team where B+LNZ Farmer Councillors and Kāhui members could ask questions. A hot topic was trade and U.S tariffs.
Learn more about B+LNZ’s Farmer Council and Kāhui here.
The following day B+LNZ had its inaugural Out the Gate 2025 event. Learn more about Out the Gate 2025 here.
B+LNZ Farmer Council Chairs