So it organised a ‘cockies day out’ – a farm trail ride for cockies on quads, side-by-sides and a few hardy souls on 2-wheelers. All took on the 85km ride in the hills north of Hunterville. About 20 from the Taumarunui area enjoyed an informative and well-organised ride looking at iconic properties between Hunterville and Taihape.
Starting at local dog trial identity Stu and Linda Bradley’s 413ha property Makariri (3000 stock units on West Rd) the riders were split into two groups with Alex Dalgety leading. We then traversed through another well-known trialist’s lease property, Selkirk, farmed by Geoff White.
Local dog trialist and event reporter Don (Reuters) Evans led the second group, giving informative talks along the way. His property was next and a high vantage point on his 250ha farm gave riders a spectacular view down into the Rangitikei River and towards Taihape.
Next stop was the 420ha Omuia, recently purchased and in a development phase with its new owners. Then on to Koraenui, another property recently purchased by Ed Kight and investors from Hawke’s Bay.
Collective gasps were heard when the group realised the whole property had been planted in trees for carbon credits. Koraenui used to run close to 8500su. The 384ha Araroa was the next boundary, owned by Andrew and Joanna Lambert, whose family once owned the previous two properties.
From Araroa, we entered Te Kumu Station, part of the extensive CR Grace family holdings at the top of the Watershed Road totaling 4250ha. Te Kumu is now the aggregation of eight properties, with the original Te Kumu once part of the Otairi Station that was split up amongst Duncan family some 20 years ago.
At the bottom of the Te Kumu drive, we came to a 30ha man-made lake that provided a great spot to view the wildlife, while we had lunch.
Mangapapa, a block within Te Kumu, is an impressive 570ha in a huge basin among steep hills that are cultivatable. The station puts in 100ha of crops each year for the lambs, as well as other crops for the deer block and winter cattle crops.
The groups had come together by this stage and it was an impressive sight watching 84 machines head back up the hills (and not a helmet in sight!) towards the biggest paddock we traversed all day – Back of the Fence at 320ha!
It was then into Otairi Station’s Tauporae and the highest point of the day at 850M. Magnificent views were available in all directions with Mt Ruapehu and Taranaki visible and Kapiti Island. From here, we entered the 1500ha Te Namu Forest planted in trees some 20 years ago; it was disappointing to see the forest management in this block hasn’t been done as well as it could have.
After descending back down through Te Namu to around 550m all adjourned to the Poukiore Collie Club cookhouse for well-earned refreshments and a succulent steak, courtesy of C R Grace Ltd, a fitting end to an informative and enlightening day.
