After an epic overland journey across three continents from the UK to NZ, Jonathan, Sarah and sons, Finnegan & Mallory, arrived in New Zealand in late 2003. We had come in search of a parcel of land that we could develop into a mixed holding of Rare Breed animals, woodland planting and log cabins. We found 60 acres of rough, hilly farmland and a woolshed on the edge of the Hakarimata Scenic Reserve, North of Hamilton. We are slowly converting our land from an extensive and neglected sheep farm to a more mixed and sustainable enterprise. We are finding the process incredibly gratifying, pleasurable and damned hard work!

Our aim is that the trees we plant should enhance the landscape, provide shelter for the animals, and timber for the holding. Our stock should graze next to and within the woodlands and be in balance with the capability of the land. We want our pigs to forage on the woodland floor, our sheep and cows to work the open pasture, and our goats and chooks to fit somewhere in between. We are trying to build a system which is as self sufficient as possible, working closely with nature, to produce high quality, really great tasting meat, vegetables and fruit.