The tender of Waipaoa Station only less thanan hour from Gisborne city is generating strong interest locally nationally andinternationally thanks to its flexible options and established reputation forpastoral productivity.
Bayleys Gisborne rural specialist anddirector Simon Bousfield says the 3648ha (Subject to Survey) property has aproven track record for its ability to both finish stock and deliver well-bredsheep and cattle into the local and national livestock markets.
Waipaoa presents multipleoptions across its four blocks, available either individually or collectively,offering exceptional land use opportunities from its highly productive,irrigated flatter country through to expansive quality breeding sheltered hillcountry.
The four blocks Waipaoa is spread acrosscomprise the 1667ha Waipaoa block, similar sized Wheturau/Te Kowhai block,195ha of Whatatutu and 111ha Te Hau, with each offering varying aspects wellsuited to their various uses.
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Collectively the property has the capacity torun the present contingent of 35,000su, comprising a 50:50 mix of cattle andsheep including 13,000 ewes and 1350 mixed age Angus breeding cows.
The medium contoured rolling country of theWaipaoa block means it is well suited breeding country, comprising some flatareas and steeper country with pockets of regenerating native bush. This blockalso offers significant areas ideal for sheltering cattle over winter.
The Wheturau block is ideal as shelteredrearing country, with most finishing done on the Whatatutu and Te Hau flatcountry. Other blocks on the farm are also very capable finishing country intheir own right. Across the entire property the altitude matches theflexibility of the land use, being a very attractive range of 80m above sealevel through to 600m asl.
“Waipaoa sits in something of a sweet spotclimatically, with good consistent rainfall spread along its length averaging1600mm a year, and over 2200 hours of sunshine a year, providing the propertieswith a generous seasonal growth curve.”
The two largest blocks Waipaoa and Wheturau/Te Kowhai consist of a good level of farm infrastructure.
Waipaoa is well known for its cadet trainingschool, a registered charitable trust established in 2007 by local industryleaders to create a land-based training programme for young farmers.
On Waipaoa there are eight houses plus the 10 bedroom “Moonlight” training complexwhich includes full cadet quarters, and cooking, lecture room and bathroomfacilities.
The adjoining Wheturau/Te Kowhai block,Wheturau also being part of the original Waipaoa Station is well matched withits significant areas of terraced and river flats and easy-medium hill countrythat has a warm northerly aspect.
Both these larger blocks are well serviced byreticulated water supply fed through gravity and boosted systems andare accessed by a well-formed all weather central race that offers rapidmovement through the bulk of the property.
Overall, the station comprises 1900ha ofreticulated supply, with a further 600ha due to be installed in early 2023.
The station’s ability to finish stock well,and winter successfully, is facilitated by the station’s 300haof quality flats on alluvial soils within the Whatatutu and Te Hau Flats block.This includes 124ha of consented centre pivot irrigation across four machines,with irrigation sourced from the Waipaoa and Mangatu Rivers. Consents are heldfor a further 80m hectares of irrigation.
Subdivided into manageable 5ha paddocks, thescale of the flat land is a rare asset on any property in this sub-region,helping offer summer dry insurance and also the ability to grow crops suitablefor wintering on and enhancing the station’s 700-plus hectares of genuinefinishing land.
The irrigated country’s location only 80mabove sea level with even 1100mm of rainfall ensures an even growth patternthroughout the seasons. Infrastructure on the flat country includes a fullregiment of woolshed and implement sheds, complemented with four homesincluding a quality established homestead and period cottage.
In terms of its location Waipaoa is less thanan hour from Gisborne city with its full complement of services and amenities,along with the enjoyable lifestyle options the east coast offers for hunting,surfing, and fishing.
“An investment in Waipaoa represents a stakenot only in a quality farm enterprise, but also in a piece of New Zealand’sfarming history, and future, when you consider the farm cadetscheme it accommodates.
“Weexpect a broad level of interest in Waipaoa, its expanse and blend of land usetypes means it offers a self-contained and resilient farming operation. This is invaluable as farms start to grapplewith the uncertainties climate change and weather patterns will bring. It’s awell proven operation with years of investment intofarm infrastructure and improvements, and still scope for future development,”says Simon Bousfield.
