Waitui Farm, NZ

There are few places that you can say that truly take your breath away and are simply magnificent.

New Zealand has spectacular scenery, but Waitui Farm is pretty damn special.

Waitui Farm has been a functioning organic sheep and beef farm since 1977.

Waitui is a 1500 ha coastal property located in the outer Marlborough Sounds in the South Island of New Zealand.

How many farms boast spectacular ocean views and rolling hills?

Farmers – keepers of the land, they play a pivotal role in our collective survival.

Feeding the planet is multifaceted, complex and sophisticated.

Farmers must contend with harsh climates and conditions as the norm. They need to adapt with the  changes to farming and the introduction of technology to farming, soil erosion, drought, decreasing prices for their goods produced coupled with the increase cost of farming and so on…. so many challenges and issues farmers face consistently.

Therefore, fostering a deep connection to food and the foundation of food is fundamental.

Whilst there has been the rise in the foodie culture, think primarily an increase in bloggers and Instagram posts, which contributed to deepening our love of food and appreciation for good food, we still need to connect and engage more with where the food comes from.

Encouragingly there has been the introduction of school-based programs over recent years with a focus on education for children which has started to initiate conversations about food, nutrition and where it comes from.

These types of programs, such as Stephanie Alexander’s Kitchen Garden Foundation facilitate a hands-on learning approach through agricultural literacy which helps kids understand the food journey – from farm to table – and teaches them about healthy eating, sustainable farming practices and the fragility of our ecosystem.

This is a positive first step to supporting education and developing awareness in the younger years.

Waitui Farm is owned and operated by Noel and Debbie Moleta. It started with a passion and has continued for the last 40+ years.

To continue to prosper in an ever challenging and changing farming environment, which over the years has seen many downturns, they have adapted and diversified incorporating additional sustainable practices to their already ethical ethos.

They walk the talk by delivering food with a conscience and farms with a future. A core component to their farming is focusing on the long-term care of the land, sustainability and biodiversity.

In addition to Waitui farm, their diversification includes a nearby mussel farm and most recently a hop farm at Tapawera, near Nelson.

Waitui is uncompromising farming due to the remote location and the exposed, steep hills but it has the most breathtaking views of the Marlborough Sounds overlooking Cook Strait.

OK, let’s be real….it isn’t all unicorns and rainbows.

Farming is hard. Damn hard.

There are a LOT of long hours, back breaking hard work and sacrifice that goes into running and maintaining a farm, especially a farm that flourishes.

There are often multiple challenges and barriers, without factoring in the remoteness of the location and the rugged terrain of Waitui, yet Noel radiates a positive attitude and outlook and has such a genuine love of farming and appreciation for his life that it infectious.

Debbie provides invaluable support to the farm especially when the workers come through.

Heck, Noel made it look easy (we are under no illusion it is easy- especially in winter in NZ!!).

Thank you, Noel & Debbie…..

Thank you, all farmers xx