October 31, 2022
Ahuwhenua young farmer keen to show off lifestyle
The winner of the 2022 Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer award says it has given her confidence a huge boost.
Chloe Butcher-Herries is Tainui but grew up in Hawke’s Bay, where as a child she spent a lot of time on her uncle’s farm.
She’s an assistant manager at Newstead Farms in hill country at Puketapu near Napier, which finishes about 1100 bull calves every year.
She and wife Makita are keen to manage a bigger block with both sheep and beef on which they can foster the next generation of young Māori farmers.
“We want to open our gates to young and old and give it a go because it’s a lifestyle you will love and I was fortunate enough to have whānau in it and some people don’t have that opportunity so we want to give back and do that,” Ms Butcher says.
She says while farm life can be tough, the rewards of working on the land are life-changing.