Ann Thompson
On a recent, calm, sunny day, Golden Bay sheep and beef farmers gathered to experience the change that is happening to the farmland in the top northwest corner of the South Island, adjacent to Farewell Spit.
The Triangle Flat, Cape Farewell and Wharariki farms (known as the Puponga Farm Park) have been owned by the Department of Conservation (DOC) for some years and leased out primarily to run sheep. The Triangle Flat Farm, which runs into Farewell Spit has now been retired from grazing altogether.
The Cape Farewell and Wharariki farms, on the other hand, are now being farmed by Pax Leetch and Ellie Miller, who have just picked up the five-year license to graze both. This fits very nicely with the farm they lease from Ellie’s family, Nguroa, as they share a common boundary.
Pax (who is also the Golden Bay Federated Farmers’ Chairperson of the Meat and Wool group) outlined their plans for running this new block, which also happens to be a very popular tourist destination – about 100,000 people come to roam these hills annually and to visit the beautiful Wharariki beach. Being in the public eye is a new experience for this couple and so far, they have had few problems, one being several gates left open that turned Ellie’s short sheep shift into a major exercise. They are optimistic that this will be rare but accept that there will be some such challengers farming on public land.
They have expanded their own flock to graze there and are also able to run some cattle in certain areas, which helps with pasture management. As the farm park is open to walkers and bikers all year-round lambing and calving will need to be managed on the home farm.
Pax then led the convoy of vehicles through the length of the farm, right up to the boundary, and beyond into the private property of the home farm of Nguroa. Some members of the group were past farmers of the area and pointed out important farming landmarks. All encouraged Pax and Ellie in their new venture.
The day also included a visit to the bird sanctuary above Cape Farewell. Grant Williams, from the sanctuary management team, told us of the long-term plans to reintroduce shearwaters to the Farewell Spit area.
