Capital Investment Funding

Whenua Maori Provincial Growth Fund
 
In February 2019, the Government announced $100 million from the Provincial Growth Fund to be allocated towards Whenua Maori development. In 2019, Pukerewa A Trust ("the Trust") produced a business case and financial analysis that showed significant investment in infrastructure was required to increase the profitability of the whenua more specifically:
  • Improved water reticulation;
  • Internal fencing;
  • Covered sheep and cattle yards;
  • Improved farm access and laneways;
  • Upgrades to buildings and machinery; and
  • Fertiliser application for improved pasture.
In 2020, the trustees and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment signed off the Pukerewa Station Development Project. Funding for this project would allow the transition from sheep to more beef farming and therefore increase profitability per hectare as well as protecting the natural environment, and providing sustainable employment. Further diversification could also occur through Manuka Honey and Tourism. 
 
In September 2020, Hon Shane Jones (Minister for Regional Economic Development) issued a press release, for more information click on www.beehive.govt.nz/release/maori-development-receives-funding
 
In June 2021, the Trust received additional funding from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) Kānoa - Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit (REDIU) to develop the Trust's whānau ora workforce development wānanga linking wellbeing and training outcomes to employment opportunities as the Trust continues to rollout its infrastructure programme into 2022-2024.
 
 
Timeline...
 
Improved Water Reticulation
 
Middle Barn pond with windmill and backup piston pump
 
   
 
November 2019
 
The trustees brought in a consultant to take a fresh look at our water development plan and assess the existing infrastructure. The review found that our watering systems were hopelessly underrated - they were both expensive to maintain and very labour-intensive. At that time, keeping the farm watered was an ongoing struggle. The old piston pump and windmill (pictured above) couldn’t quite keep up, especially during the dry summer months. It became clear that maintaining reliable water across the farm would take significant investment in new infrastructure and technology. With that in mind, the trustees decided to expand and upgrade the water reticulation network to ensure that livestock have access to good-quality water throughout the property.
 
Solar submersible pump
 
   
 
June 2020
 
The PGF investment has really transformed our farm’s water systems. With support from Qubik, we’ve installed new submersible pumps - one solar-powered at the Middle Barn (pictured above) and another mains-powered at the Woolshed pond (pictured below). Together, they now provide most of the farm’s water supply. At the same time, our team upgraded old pipelines and added extra troughs to paddocks that previously struggled for stock water.
 
   
On the top left, you can see where the digger cleaned out and widened the Woolshed pond. Qubik then installed a new
floating submersible pontoon pump, which now serves as the main pumping system (shown in the third image).The old
bulldozer pump was fully reconditioned and kept on as an emergency backup, ready to step in if the main pump ever fails.
 
Water Tanks
 
Improvements to the water reticulation system meant the farm was able to supply and store water more efficiently with minimal water loss.
 
   
 
September 2020
 
Damaged and leaky water tanks (above).
 
   
An additional six 35,000 litre Heritage water tanks (seen above) were installed by Laser Plumbing increasing the farm's storage capacity threefold, a prudent move given the dry summer months. These tanks were outfitted with an automated fill system and visual level indicators, these were later replaced with Levno sensors making daily water checks a thing of the past. Water levels and pressure are now monitored from the farm office and mobile phones.


Buildings & Machinery
​Woolshed

The planned upgrades were focused on keeping the Woolshed fully functional, animal welfare–compliant, and safe - both for the people working in it and the livestock moving through it.

Built in the 1960s, the Woolshed had been a solid and dependable part of the farm, serving through countless shearing seasons. But after decades of hard use, it started to show its age. Some of the timber flooring, grating, and ramps needed replacing, along with a few steel pens and swing gates that had become worn/buckled over time. The iron cladding and roof have also weathered many years and are due for renewal to keep the shed fit for purpose and ready for the future.

When reviewing options, the trustees looked seriously at two paths - either upgrade and strengthen the existing structure or build an entirely new shed. In the end, the decision was clear. The current Woolshed is an important part of Pukerewa’s story, and restoring it - rather than replacing it - felt like the best way to protect its character while ensuring it meets today’s safety and welfare standards for many years to come.


	   

	Above, the immediate priority was to upgrade the sheep pens, and then work towards recladding/roofing the shed with marine grade coloursteel


	   




November 2019

The improvements were completed by Dunlop Builders, the new layout and construction have made a big difference - improving functionality, space, and safety.

Construction Site Preparation & Earthworks


Before any projects could get underway, all the earth and digger work had to be meticulously planned and executed. Since 2018, Blair Smith Contracting has played a key role across multiple projects on the farm, ensuring infrastructure and building construction work could all be carried out safely and in a timely manner.



Old Sheep Yards
    

			   








September - October 2020

As seen above, Blair Smith Contracting Ltd levelled out the old yards preparing the foundation for the construction of covered sheep yards




New Sheep Yards





	   




November - December 2020

Hill Country Fencing (2016) Ltd completed the construction of the new sheep yards, incorporating a wider Woolshed ramp (above left and loading bay below).


	    

	Above, Te Pari Products Ltd installed the new Racewell HD4 Sheep Handler and Sheep Jetter.


New Woolshed Covered Yards: 

February - April 2021


The PGF investment funded the construction of the covered yards. The trustee's awarded the contract to Aztech (Zeala Ltd) to design and build it.


	   

	Above, the first stage of the build, installing timber and metal framing.


	   

	   

	   

	Above, NC Livestock Ltd pregnancy testing our ewes in the covered yard for the first time. The design layout has made it easier to handle and move livestock, whilst ensuring good lighting, ventiliation and shelter. The Racewell Sheep Handler made it so much easier to work with ewes, improving stock flow, accuracy and labour efficiency.




Farm Machinery - Tractor Implements:

The trustee's upgraded farm equipment and machinery that was aged, run down and too costly to repair. Making do, and getting the most out of what we had, did not necessarily translate into cost savings and benefits to the farm. 

		     


		September - November 2020


		The farm's 2 Tonne Tip Trailer (above far left) has been in service for over 40 years and is one of the original tractor implements from the time Lands and Survey's were running the farm. Understandably, years of wear and tear have taken its toll, sadly due to maintenance costs and potential hazard risks to people and livestock, we had to decommission this ole 'work horse'. Above left to right, the PGF investment funded the purchase of the Giltrap T37, 8 Tonne Tip Trailer, the Racewell HD4 Sheep Handler and Electronic Eye Stainless Steel Sheep Dip Spray System.


		   

		Above, the trustee's replaced the old baler with the Boss Bale Feeder and installed a compressor unit (above) to drive the  hydraulics on the sheep handler unit seen above far right. 




September - October 2020

The PGF investment covered the cost of building consents and earthworks for the new Woolshed Covered Yards and 5-Bay Implement Shed, the contract was awarded to Blair Smith Contracting Ltd.






		   

		Above, Blair levelled out the holding paddock next to the Woolshed, preparing the foundation for the construction of the  Implement Shed.




New 5 Bay Implement Shed:

April 2021

The PGF investment funded the construction of the 5 Bay Implement Shed. The trustee's awarded the contract to Aztech (Zeala Ltd) to design and build the shed.



		   

		   

		Above, Aztech (Zeala Ltd) completed the Implement Shed. The shed has three bays for the tractor, farm implements, meat cooler and two secured bays for storage.


		Farm Dwellings


		The PGF investment funded maintenance and repairs to farm buildings and cottages. The trustee's awarded the contract to Dunlop Builders.




December 2020

Craig from Dunlop Builders started work on the cottages removing rotting weatherboards and base boards, structural repairs, including wall insulation and replacing weatherboards. All galvanised corner soakers were replaced with copper soakers and remedial plumbing work completed.


		   

		   




As seen above, repairs done to the Shepherd's cottage.



			Exterior Preparation & Painting






   


January - February 2021






Herbert Decorators started work stripping away over 40 years of cracked and worn paint. Rotting timber hidden behind paint was replaced by the builder, and the house washed in preparation for painting.




   

The house was painted with a primer sealer and two top coats Resene Merino White. The aluminium window frames were painted in Resene Ironsand acrylic enamel and the baseboards in Resene Ironsand to give a better look. A big thumbs up to Ricky and his team, thank you for all your hard work and for the passion and enthusiasm you brought to the job!


Interior Preparation & Painting
    

   




April 2021



Hauraki Painters (from left matua Wayne & Harry) started work cleaning and preparing the interior walls, ceilings, doors and cabinetry for painting. The interior was painted with primer sealer and  two coats of Resene Quarter Tea (as seen) with eggshell finish for walls, doors and satin finish for ceilings and wet areas.








Roof Preparation & Painting





   










June 2021





Hauraki Painters returned to paint the house, carport, garage roof and door trim. Some remedial repairs were done to the roof before washing them down and painting the roof with two coats of Resene Ironsand roof paint. Tumeke!

Improved Farm Access & Laneways

Since 2018, Blair Smith Contracting has worked across multiple projects on the farm so that fencing and building construction projects could be rolled out simultaneously.

		   


		August 2020 to January 2021


		The construction and maintenance of farm tracks on the farm has opened up hard to reach areas to people, livestock and farm vehicles. The maintenance work done on the water dams has significantly improved water catchment, water runoff and erosion prevention. (See below)


		   

		   










Internal Fencing

September - December 2020

Fencing and water infrastructure on the farm's east was in a dilapidated condition, the challenge for the trustee's was to balance the needs of the sheep and beef operation with the development needs of the farm. 

Hill Country Fencing completed the rollout of the second stage of the farm's fencing programme. The following is a summary of the fencing completed:

	   

	Above, new conventional fences completed on Top & Bottom Steve's, Top & Bottom Barkle's and O'Neill's fencelines.


	   

	New conventional fences completed on Skull Bluff, Bottom Tarka's boundary and Dip paddocks.


	   

	Far right, South Tarka's boundary fence with electric outriggers.


	January 2021


	New fences completed on the former Pine Block, Bottom Bull, Fern Gully and Peninsula wetland areas in preparation for the native planting project in July 2021.

	  

	    

	    

	Above, new fences completed on Bottom Bull wetlands.


   

   

Above, new fences completed on the former Pine Block (Bottom Bull, Top Parker's and Fern Gully paddocks)


   

Above, Blair Smith Contracting laid tracks and culvert crossings to improve access for contractors and livestock, while  Hill Country Fencing completed new fences on the Pine Block, Bottom Bull paddock, Peninsula and Fern Gully paddocks. 

 
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