Cyclone damage: In a very personal way, Sally Officer and Simon Bennett know the value of protecting the environment having suffered, as a result of flood damage caused by two cyclones, multiple slips, washed out bridges and broken fence lines to their 600ha Tiniroto Mahaaanui Farmstay property south west of Gisborne. They also know the importance of being self-sustainable, to live off the land and kayak across a swollen river for supplies when a bridge is damaged.
Planting trees: They have fenced off their entire Hangaroa river boundary through a biodiversity scheme to protect the beautiful native trees growing along the edges and promote clean uncontaminated water free from stock interference. And, in the last two years they have planted about 13 hectares of Manuka and Totara to retire a couple of steep paddocks. They also grow their own totara seedlings that are cultivated in pots until they are robust enough to plant out and this year they will plant some different, bird attracting high canopy trees in some of the gaps and have plans for next winter to extend their native plantings. Sally and Simon employ people to try and control their feral goats and hares as they decimate the young trees
Tourism: Mahaanui Farmstay has three
farmstay arrangements that Sally says, keep them busy welcoming guests from all over NZ and from around the world who have an interest in learning about their lifestyle and farming practices, cycling through their district or just being there to enjoy the river, pet animals and farm hill country scenery. Sally says they love to educate guests on how they grow their animals and who are encouraged to join in some of their activities or to join one of Simon’s interactive farm tours. Guests have also been known to help in planting trees.
Sally says conservation is very high on their list of priorities, to identify areas of land that should be retired, planted with the right native trees to prevent erosion and encourage birdlife.
Stories to tell: Sally has a keen interest in the history of her region and in the growing and managing of native trees, “they love our climate and grow well here”, says Sally. Simon used to breed horses for show-jumping, was a keen hunter but now prefers the more leisurely pursuit of sea fishing. Both Sally and Simon have many stories to tell, including how to survive two cyclones, and they would welcome you to visit them on their beautiful Tiniroto property.
