Matt has had 17 years in farming and came most recently from Brooklands Station in Alfredton. He has been managing farms for six years and previously worked for Taratahi.
Under the current lease Tautane's focus is to demonstrate innovative management practises along with using new technologies to enable both production and profit gains on farm to both current and future farmers.
Matt knew nothing about the station when he started, and had also lost all its previous staff. He set about learning about the property, which had been left in reasonable shape by previous managers, he says.
His main focus was to improve the quality of the Romney flock and Angus herd, and create ways to improve returns through good management.
"The areas that we have looked at to do this are improving the forages on the flats, improving the reliability and quality of water supply, including tapping into new springs along with cleaning out and building new dams with intention to fence off, plant and syphon out of these. Improving fertility on more productive areas of Tautane with the use of variable rate fertiliser application.
His other focus was to create a positive environment for residential learning, as there are up to eight students on the station at any one time.
Taratahi's General Manager Sheep and Beef Paul Crick says the farm has become a showcase for its education on real farms model.
"From our beginnings almost 100 years ago Taratahi has continued to provide generations of New Zealanders with skills and knowledge in the agricultural sector. One of our key philosophies is 'real training on real farms'. Our learners are immersed in a learner centric commercial farm environment. This embeds the right skills and knowledge to enable them to be not only readily employable but to also take the agricultural industry forward."
The Tararua Sheep and Beef Farm Business of the Year has been running for five years in its present format.
Chairman Dan Billing and the committee, made up of local farmers, previous winners, farm consultants and other local rural professionals, are keen to promote excellence and innovation in the sheep and beef sector.
The couple has taken home a prize package of up to $20,000 for the Farm Business of the Year.
For Matt, Claire and their two children Ben, 6 and Penny, 5, it is a good lifestyle in a supportive community. Matt says the partnership with Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated is co-operative and the award is a thrill.
Tautane's field day, open to the public, is April 28.
