The Country
  • The Country home
  • Latest news
  • Audio & podcasts
  • Opinion
  • Dairy farming
  • Sheep & beef farming
  • Rural business
  • Rural technology
  • Rural life
  • Listen on iHeart radio

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • Coast & Country News
  • Opinion
  • Dairy farming
  • Sheep & beef farming
  • Horticulture
  • Animal health
  • Rural business
  • Rural technology
  • Rural life

Media

  • Podcasts
  • Video

Weather

  • Kaitaia
  • Whāngarei
  • Dargaville
  • Auckland
  • Thames
  • Tauranga
  • Hamilton
  • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Tokoroa
  • Te Kuiti
  • Taumurunui
  • Taupō
  • Gisborne
  • New Plymouth
  • Napier
  • Hastings
  • Dannevirke
  • Whanganui
  • Palmerston North
  • Levin
  • Paraparaumu
  • Masterton
  • Wellington
  • Motueka
  • Nelson
  • Blenheim
  • Westport
  • Reefton
  • Kaikōura
  • Greymouth
  • Hokitika
  • Christchurch
  • Ashburton
  • Timaru
  • Wānaka
  • Oamaru
  • Queenstown
  • Dunedin
  • Gore
  • Invercargill

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / The Country

Te Puke farmers finalists in Ballance Farm Environment Awards

Te Puke Times
25 Feb, 2024 11:03 PM4 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

Kiri Tapsell, of Pūkenga Farms, which has transitioned from dairy to kiwifruit and beef.

Kiri Tapsell, of Pūkenga Farms, which has transitioned from dairy to kiwifruit and beef.

Four of the five finalists in the 2024 Bay of Plenty Ballance Farm Environment Awards are from the wider Te Puke area.

This week we showcase two of those finalists, and next week we will highlight the other two.

Pūkenga Farms

A long-standing connection to the land drives Kiri Tapsell as he improves profits and environmental performance at this Te Puke kiwifruit and beef property.

Kiri grew up on Pūkenga Farms, which was previously run by his grandfather and then his parents. Under Kiri’s fulltime guidance in recent years, the farm has transitioned from dairy to kiwifruit and beef.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

The judges were impressed with the way Kiri is focused on ensuring the farm and orchard operations work together to be profitable. This is carefully balanced against the continuous improvement of the property’s environmental performance.

Green, gold and red kiwifruit are planted across 17ha of the property, while 80 beef breeding cows are farmed on a further 125ha.

The judges were impressed with water management on the property, with all drains fenced, and stock entirely excluded from artificial watercourses. There’s plenty of clean, fresh water thanks to regular monitoring and careful irrigation in the orchard.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Kiri is trialling new ideas for soil health and nutrition, based on a deep knowledge of soil health and fertility. A new initiative is crimping grass swords to reduce mowing and ultimately protect the soil. Kiri’s also trialling new ways of reducing orchard waste — another illustration of his open-minded approach.

Diversification and planning for future changes is a key characteristic of Kiri’s farming and growing practices. He has retired low-lying areas from grazing — enhancing the natural environment while also boosting the farm’s efficiency and keeping him ahead of changing regulations.

While Kiri is incredibly committed to Pūkenga Farms, he also appreciates the value of work-life balance for himself, his family and his workers.

Pūkenga Farms looks set to thrive into the future under Kiri’s guidance, thanks to his long-standing connection to the land and his commitment to protecting and enhancing it.

 Jonathon Boyle, of Four Oaks Farm. The Pongakawa property has been in the Benner and Boyle families for 125 years.
Jonathon Boyle, of Four Oaks Farm. The Pongakawa property has been in the Benner and Boyle families for 125 years.

Four Oaks Farm

The large-scale native planting projects at Four Oaks Farm illustrate both a commitment to the environment and a turnaround on the family’s farming approach.

The Pongakawa property has been in the Benner and Boyle families for 125 years. Jonathon Boyle manages the dairy farm alongside parents Keith and Caroline, who run its kiwifruit and avocado orchards.

Recent years have been characterised by an increased focus on biodiversity, with native plants now covering 30ha of the 270ha property. A large portion of steep land and riparian margins have been retired, plus a 2ha wetland has been developed since 2021.

The native planting demonstrates an about-turn in the family’s farming approach since Johnathon started managing Four Oaks 20 years ago. At that time, the family — along with many other farmers — were clearing native bush to transition it into pasture.

Fast-forward to today and you’ll find an on-site native tree nursery that was started by Jonathon’s partner, Debbie Porter. Last year it produced 50,000 native trees, which were planted on farm or sold locally.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Four Oaks is primarily a dairy farm that runs 550 Friesian cows fed mainly with maize and lucerne grown on site. There are no bobby calves due to the use of sexed semen and the sale of surplus beef calves.

The income from milk production is propped up by a 12.5ha orchard that is split evenly between kiwifruit and avocado.

The farm’s grazing practices don’t compromise soil structure and integrity, and include a reduction in stock numbers to enhance sustainability.

A central cowshed services the whole property, supported by new infrastructure that reduces risks and improves efficiency.

Animal health and welfare are high priorities, guided by advice from consultants and vets.

This multi-generational family farm continues to shine, thanks to Jonathon’s drive to keep it profitable and his ability to adapt to change.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.


Save

    Share this article

Latest from The Country

The Country

'Stems with a story' to get second chance to brighten NZ homes

09 Jun 05:00 PM
The Country

Over 1200 exhibitions to open at Fieldays 2025

09 Jun 05:03 AM
The Country

Sam Carter wins Hawke's Bay Young Grower title

09 Jun 04:17 AM

Why Cambridge is the new home of future-focused design

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from The Country

'Stems with a story' to get second chance to brighten NZ homes

'Stems with a story' to get second chance to brighten NZ homes

09 Jun 05:00 PM

Wonky Box will launch flower subscription boxes this month.

Over 1200 exhibitions to open at Fieldays 2025

Over 1200 exhibitions to open at Fieldays 2025

09 Jun 05:03 AM
Sam Carter wins Hawke's Bay Young Grower title

Sam Carter wins Hawke's Bay Young Grower title

09 Jun 04:17 AM
Rebecca Fisher wins lifetime achievement award for horticulture leadership

Rebecca Fisher wins lifetime achievement award for horticulture leadership

09 Jun 03:28 AM
Clean water fuelling Pacific futures
sponsored

Clean water fuelling Pacific futures

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • What the Actual
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven CarGuide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP