New Zealand’s national Open Farm Day is set for Sunday 9 March 2025. This year Ed and Ro Palmer at Te Aratipi Station are hosting an open farm event and very much looking forward to welcoming people onto their farm.
Te Aratipi Station, a historic 4th-generation Hawke’s Bay farm, has been owned by the Palmer Family since 1915. Spanning 3,000 acres, the farm is home to Angus Cattle and Romney Sheep, blending traditional methods with mindful practices that support the land and future generations.
Ed and Ro, along with their children Selby and Harry, will share the experience of their farm’s authentic New Zealand charm, promising all who attend the open day a genuine taste of farm life and a memorable visit.
Why are you getting involved in Open Farm Day this year?
“We’ve had our eyes on this event for a couple of years and are excited to sign up our farm, Te Aratipi, for Open Farm Day this year,” says Ro. “We’re passionate about reconnecting Kiwis with where their food comes from, especially as many haven’t had the chance to even visit a farm. It gives us great pleasure to open our gates and share our farm with others.”
“As a sheep and beef farm, we take pride in the care we provide to our animals and the land that sustains them. By participating in this event, we hope to share the story behind the food we produce and offer visitors the chance to experience firsthand the hard work and dedication that go into raising sheep and cattle. Our goal is to strengthen the connection between urban and rural communities, fostering a deeper appreciation for the farmers who help feed our nation,” she adds.
“We’ve also just ‘opened our gates’ with a new farm venture and are now offering bespoke farm experiences, including walks, golf over summer months, tours, accommodation and more, so we thought the open farm day would be a great chance to tell people about it.”
Ro and Ed will be running two events on Open Farm Day.
“One will focus on a tour of the farmyards, woolshed, machinery, animals and chats with farmer Palmer and shepherd Mark with the opportunity to picnic on the lawn at the homestead or go for a bush walk,” says Ro.
“The other will focus on our newly established covenanted land, Te Aratipi Eastern and Western Bush, where people will get to meet our regional QEII National Trust representative Troy Duncan, and Senior Biodiversity Advisor from Hawkes Bay Regional councilNatalie de Burgh. Together they will chat about the importance of working with farmers and private landowners to protect and enhance open spaces of ecological and cultural significance through covenants. Visitors will then have the opportunity to plant native tree species in the wetland area and go for a bush walk at the end if they like,” adds Ro.
Ro says what they’re most looking forward to with the open farm day is meeting new people and sharing a piece of the farm and farming life with them.
“We’re excited to show others what we do and hope this helps people develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for farming and the role it plays in providing food for our communities.”
What would you say to other farmers who are still thinking about getting involved?
“We’d encourage other farmers to get involved because it’s a great opportunity to showcase the hard work and passion we put into farming. It’s a chance to connect with the wider community, share their story, and help people understand the realities of farm life. Plus, it’s a way to reduce misconceptions about farming and highlight the importance of what we do. It’s not just about showing people our animals – it’s about building respect for farmers and fostering a stronger connection between urban and rural New Zealand.”
Learn more and register on Open Farms’ website.