Taumatamoana Station Ltd.
Taumatamoana Station is an expansive coastal sheep and cattle station encompassing 3860 hectares within the Te Anga district, situated approximately 50km west of Otorohanga. The property encompasses approximately 1500 hectares of undulating hill country, 1000 hectares of steeper pastures, 1000 hectares of native bush, and 360 hectares of Radiata pine.
Functioning as a sheep and beef property the station winters approximately 18000 stock units, comprised of high-performance Romney ewes and a select Angus herd of 850 breeding cows and replacements. Meticulous selection of high-performance bulls over the years has developed its “Angus-pure” lineage.
Upon acquisition of the station in August 2015, substantial investment was channelled into permanent fencing as a considerable portion of the property was fenced with unsuitable electric and poor fencing which posed ongoing farming challenges. Encompassing approximately 1000 hectares of native bush, the property offers hunting opportunities for pigs, deer, and goats. The last ten years have witnessed significant investment in sub-divisional fencing, complemented by a comprehensive lane system, enhancing stock management efficiency. With enhanced pastures and the recently employed Halter stock management system the property will have the potential to support up to 25,000 stock units.
Given the limited flat terrain, approximately 100 hectares of such land have been used for forage crops. The long-term objective is to reintroduce these areas to permanent, high-performing pastures. Radiata pine- Forest encompasses around 360 hectares. The revenue generated from forest harvesting has significantly contributed to the farm’s infrastructure and substantial permanent fencing. Graced with stunning coastal views, the farm’s unique location holds great tourism potential. The property’s highest point, the Hari Hari Trig, reaches an elevation of 418 metres. From the Trig it has elevated views to the settlement of Marakopa.
Although there has been sizable investment and emphasis on improving the farm’s profitability, a careful and diligent approach has been made to its ancillary attributes by preserving native flora and fauna protecting wetlands, coastlines and waterways where at all possible.
This property is run with a strategic management team including the owners, farm manager and outside advisors. The Station has five permanent staff with commercial contractors to cover such requirements as permanent fencing, shearing and weed control.
The team is as follows:
- Owners
- Farm Manager.
- Two full-time senior shepherds.
- Full-time fencer/ general.
- A part-time machinery/buildings maintenance groundsman
Taumatamoana Station operates under a comprehensive “FARM-PRIDE PROGRAMME,” anchoring their high-performance farming approach. Referred to as “TMS,” the station’s picturesque vistas are heightened by its coastal setting, offering panoramic views of the Tasman Sea.
Historical Journey
In 1907, Hari Hari Station emerged as a fledgling sheep farm under the stewardship of Mr. George Riddell from Taranaki. His son, Jack Riddell, assumed the reins around 1915, situating the property in proximity to Lake Hari Hari, a namesake that endured.
Preceding the Riddell era, the farm hosted a flax mill operated by Bell Bros and Ross. This duo had previously managed a flax operation in Maracopa until its unfortunate 1903 demise. Subsequently, they shifted operations to Hari Hari Station, where flax from the Tauhua swamp was ferried to the mill via tramline. Wool and flax fibre bales embarked on a journey from drays to the shoreline and surf boats, then onto awaiting steamers. This industrious endeavour persisted until January 1929, yet the mill continued its operation at Hari Hari until 1908, when the “KAWHIA SETTLER” reported its closure due to unfavourable fibre prices.
During this epoch, livestock embarked on a coastal journey to Marokopa, eventually arriving at the Waitara freezing works. Stock also found new homes at the Westfield works in Onehunga near Auckland. Fond recollections by Mr. George Goddard, a future Te Kuiti resident, paint a vivid picture of his boyhood contributions to Hari Hari Station, with cattle yards supported by native Puriri strainers and Kauri rails.
January 1929 marked a tragic chapter when Jack Riddell drowned and left no will. The NZ Public Trust assumed control until 1951, overseeing various managerial transitions until the property was returned to Huia (Jack’s daughter) and her mother Mrs. Riddell. In 1951 witnessed Huia and Horrie Forbes reclaiming ownership, further expanding the property by an additional 800 acres. Through the years, Horrie and Huia’s tireless efforts continued, followed by a lineage of caretakers, including their children John, Shane, and Maea (Muff), along with her husband Allen Marshall. Subsequent stewardship passed to Tony Harwood and his wife Jackie. Mr. Horrie Forbes’ passing in 1987 left a legacy, survived by his wife, Huia, and their three children. In 1988, Mrs. Riddell departed, and Huia now resides in Hamilton. The property transitioned to the Māori Taharoa C block in 1995 as an investment.
In December 2003, Mr. John Gallagher acquired approximately 1100 hectares on Taumatatotara West Road, aptly naming it Taumatamoana Station, translating to “Top of the hill to the Ocean.” Expansions followed in 2006, adding two adjacent properties and culminating in a 1600-hectare expanse. Further growth occurred in 2013 with the acquisition of the neighbouring Hari Hari block, elevating the station’s footprint to 3285 hectares, solidifying its place among the larger coastal Stations in the King Country.
August 2015 marked a pivotal moment in the station’s history, as Mr. John McOviney of Palmerston North now Mount Maunganui, secured the property from the Gallaghers, and added the station to his family’s holding company, The Steelfort Family Trust. John McOviney had been involved in farming for more than 37 years with his first acquisition, Potaka Station Ltd in 1979. With the sale of Potaka Station in 2016 he was able to focus his attention developing Taumatamoana Station Ltd. His vision revolves around cultivating a high-performing sheep and cattle station, developed through breeding quality stock and productivity.
Notably, Taumatamoana Station’s history intertwines with early Māori presence, as the legacy of Tainui canoes and their enduring presence along the southern Kawhia harbour shores echoes through the property’s significance. The echoes of history reveal that even the, now deceased, Māori king, Kīngi Tūheitia, sought solace on Hari Hari Station during bygone holidays. The Kawhia district, deeply enmeshed in cultural and spiritual importance for the Tainui Iwi, stands as a poignant reminder. The station’s proximity to the Taharoa Iron and Sand Mining company is underscored by the presence of two beacons, serving as prominent markers for the iron-sand shipping route.
Taumatamoana Station is part of the assets of The Steelfort family Trust. Steelfort or as it was previously known, Steelfort Engineering Co Ltd, is a private family-owned business which has been operating for now 80 years based in Palmerston North. Steelfort was formed in 1946 and over the years developed into a sizable family business now employing approximately 100 employees. It is primarily a company supplying the Outdoor Power Equipment industry and has a smaller commercial products manufacturing business supplying stainless steel products and finned tubed heat exchangers to the refrigeration trade.
As the station has increased in size, (as from February 1st 2027) with the neighbouring property being acquired in 2026, increasing the station’s size to 3860 hectares. (9650 acres)
McOviney’s vision is to continue to develop the property into a high-performing farming enterprise that will remain in the Steelfort Family Trust for many years to come.
