The Department of Lands and Survey (1876-1987) farmed Pukerewa Farm Settlement on behalf of the Department of Māori Affairs for the Māori owners. Pukerewa consisted of established pasture, a "cut over" block and a standing bush block. The native timber had been harvested and sold off from the "cut over" block, but the stumps remained and the ground was rough. At the time, the focus was on consolidating the development already done to establish and operate a conventional sheep and cattle breeding and finishing operation.