Published in: Kokiri Issue 9 - Pipiri - Hōngongoi 2008
The other two finalists in the competition were: the Parekarangi Trust and the Hauhungaroa Partnership. The Parekarangi Trust farms 665 hectares of land about 10 kilometres south of Rotorua, including a 255-hectare dairy unit, a 410-hectare dry stock unit and some commercial land, 10 hectares of which is to be leased to the Department of Child, Youth and Family for a Youth Justice Residential Centre. The farm winters 800 cows. The judges said that, overall, Parekarangi was a well-governed and well-managed, profitable dairy enterprise, which had made significant economic progress without losing its social commitment to its beneficiaries. The Hauhungaroa Partnership deals in sheep, beef, deer and dairy and has investments in Gourmet Mokai, Gourmet Paprika and Gourmet Blueberries, all based in Hawke’s Bay. Its 437-hectare Taupo-based dairy unit was the part of the operation entered in the competition. The farm milks 930 cows and last year achieved 340kg of milk solids per cow. The judges said that, overall, Hauhungaroa was a very impressive business with high levels of performance, despite working in a difficult environment.