Provincial Growth Fund | Pukerewa Station Trust

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 piston powered pumps

November 2019

The trustee's engaged a consultant to review our watering development plan and to provide an assessment of existing infrastructure. Findings concluded that the watering systems on the farm were inadequate and costly to maintain in terms of servicing and labour. At the time, watering the farm was a constant challenge, the original piston pump and windmill (seen above) struggled to keep up, especially in the summer months. To keep the farm watered would require significant investment in infrastructure and innovation. The trustee's made the decision to expand and improve the water reticulation network with the view of making good quality water available to livestock throughout the farm.

Solar powered pump replaced Windmill pump

June 2020

The PGF investment funded the replacement of conventional water pumps. Qubik installed the solar pump on the Middle Barn pond (seen above), while our team replaced water pipelines and installed more troughs in paddocks that were hard to reach and /or had new conventional and electric fences installed.

Woolshed Pond with piston powered pump replaced with a pontoon pump.

Above left, the digger cleaned out and widened the Woolshed pond. Qubik replaced the old piston pump with a floating

pontoon pump (third image). The bulldozer pump (above) was constantly breaking down and was too costly to maintain

and repair.

Water Tanks:

Improvements to the water reticulation system meant the farm was able to supply and store water more efficiently, over longer distances with minimal water loss and labour.

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 have since been replaced with Levno water sensors making daily water checks a thing of the past. Water levels and pressure are now monitored from the farm office or staff mobile phones.

Woolshed Covered Yards

The Woolshed was erected in the 1960's, and was getting withered and tired. The trustee's looked at two options, either repair and add to the existing shed or replace the shed entirely. Of course it was a no brainer, the Woolshed is an iconic part of the farm's history so preserving the building would be more in keeping with the character of the farm.

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

Marine grade coloursteel.

New Design Layout:

November 2019

Improvements (seen above) were carried out by Dunlop Builders. The new layout and construction has significantly improved the functionality, storage and movement of livestock.

Original Sheep Yards:

Above are images of the original sheep yards, woolshed entrance and loading ramps.

Site Preparation & Earthworks:

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.

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 rebuild of the sheep yards, incorporating a wider Woolshed entrance ramp and loading bay (below far right).

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

New 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 the covered yard.

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

Above, the second stage of the build, roofing and cladding covered yard.

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.

Buildings and Machinery

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.

Farm Machinery - Tractor Implements:

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 Te Pari Racewell HD4 Sheep Handler and PPP Industries Electronic Eye Stainless Steel Sheep Dip-Jetter Unit.

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.

Site Preparation & Earthworks:

September - October 2020

The PGF investment funded the earthworks required on the Woolshed site. The trustee's awarded the contract 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.

Implement Shed:

April 2021

The PGF investment funded the construction of the Five 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 building maintenance and repairs to the 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.