More than 220 farmers and rural professionals gathered at Rakanui Pastoral recently for the Gisborne and Wairoa Hill Country Farm of the Year field day that B+LNZ supported.
Hosted by the Griffin family at their Rakanui Pastoral operation, the day provided a practical, on-farm look at what underpinned their recognition as the 2024 Gisborne and Wairoa Hill Country Farm of the Year.
Supported by Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) and facilitated by AgFirst’s, Peter Andrews, the field day was an opportunity to share learnings, ask questions, and see how disciplined, values-led decision-making plays out on hill country farms.
The Griffins opened their gates transparently – sharing not only what is working well, but also the areas they continue to refine. Their farming system demonstrated a business that understands its numbers, its systems, and its environment, but equally understands its role within a wider farming community.
Pania King, B+LNZ’s B+LNZ’s Mātanga Whenua Māori (Māori Agribusiness Advisor) for Tairāwhiti says “That balance between humility and high performance is something we see time and time again across Tairāwhiti, and it is a defining feature of our region.”
As farmers moved across the property, discussions ranged from land use decisions and system performance through to team capability and governance. For many attending, the value was in seeing how these elements are integrated into a coherent system rather than treated in isolation.
“It is this kind of environment that lifts the overall standard of our region. Where ideas are exchanged, challenged, and strengthened in real time,” says King.
Importantly, the field day highlighted a broader story about Tairāwhiti farming. The region continues to be increasingly recognised on the national stage, with farms and farming leaders gaining profile through awards and industry conversations. That visibility matters – not just for recognition, but for lifting confidence and challenging perceptions about what is possible in hill country environments.
Hilton Collier, CEO of Tairāwhiti Whenua, says the Griffin whānau exemplify the balance many farmers are striving for.
“The Griffin whanau showed how as a region we can balance strong environmental custodianship while achieving strong and consistent profitability,” he says. “They matched their land use to capability and built an outstanding team to support them.”
B+LNZ was proud to sponsor the Rakanui field day and to be part of showcasing the calibre of farming and leadership coming out of Tairāwhiti.
King says, “Field days such as this play a critical role in creating spaces where ideas can be shared, challenged and strengthened.”
B+LNZ congratulate the Griffin whānau on setting a benchmark that reflects the very best of hill country farming, and acknowledge all those who attended, contributed and continue to invest in the future of the region.
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This article is in partnership with Tāirawhiti Whenua Charitable Trust.
