Rakanui Field Day
There are moments in Tairāwhiti where the depth of our region becomes unmistakable. This field day was one of them.
With over 220 attendees moving across the whenua, the Hill Country Farm of the Year field day at Rakanui Pastoral was more than a well-supported event. It was a signal. A signal of the calibre of farming in this region, the strength of our people, and the growing recognition of Tairāwhiti on a national stage.
At the centre of it all was the Griffin whānau. Their operation at Rakanui Pastoral, recently recognised as the Gisborne/Wairoa Hill Country Farm of the Year, reflects a standard of excellence that is both disciplined and deeply grounded. A farming system shaped not just by productivity, but by careful decision-making, responsiveness to land, and a long-term view that balances performance with stewardship.
What made the day stand out was not simply the outcome, but the way the Griffin whānau carried it.
There was a quiet confidence in how they opened their gates. A willingness to share both what is working and what is still being refined. The kōrero across the paddocks reflected a business that understands its numbers, its systems, and its environment, but equally understands its role within a wider farming community. That balance between humility and high performance is something we see time and time again across Tairāwhiti, and it is a defining feature of our region.
For those who attended, the day offered more than insight into one farm. It provided a lens into what is possible when farming systems are aligned with strong leadership, clear intent, and a commitment to continuous improvement. It is this kind of environment that lifts the overall standard of our region. Where ideas are exchanged, challenged, and strengthened in real time.
Importantly, this recognition does not sit in isolation.
The calibre of farming being demonstrated here is increasingly being acknowledged beyond our region, with Tairāwhiti operations and leaders continuing to feature in national awards and conversations. That visibility matters. Not for recognition alone, but because it shifts the narrative. It positions Tairāwhiti as a region of innovation, capability and leadership within the wider agricultural sector.
Days like this reinforce the collective approach that our farming and land owner communities take throughout the region. They show what happens when strong farming systems, capable leadership, and collective intent come together. They demonstrate that the future of our region is not something we are waiting for. It is already being built, paddock by paddock, whānau by whānau.
“The Griffin whanau showed how as a region we can balance strong environmental custodianship while achieving strong and consistent profitability,” says Tairawhiti Whenua CEO, Hilton Collier
“They matched their land use to capability and built an outstanding team to support them.”
We acknowledge and congratulate the Griffin whānau for setting a benchmark that reflects the very best of Tairāwhiti. We acknowledge Beef + Lamb NZ for their enduring support of kaupapa such as this and specifically for their sponsorship of the field day. And we acknowledge all those who showed up, contributed, and continue to invest in the strength of this region.
