Photo credit: Caroline Bellamy (check out her amazing art and visit to Rātāmarumaru here)
What's in a name?
rātā (noun)
- large native forest tree with crimson flowers and hard red timber (more).
maru (stative)
- to be covered, shaded, sheltered, thickly populated (more).
So Rātāmarumaru is Māori for a place where the Rātā tree is very prominent. There are still Rātā and other large native trees on the farm. Historical farm clearing and possums have not been kind to native bush in New Zealand, but these days we are very passionate about conserving the remaining blocks of native bush on the farm.
- large native forest tree with crimson flowers and hard red timber (more).
maru (stative)
- to be covered, shaded, sheltered, thickly populated (more).
So Rātāmarumaru is Māori for a place where the Rātā tree is very prominent. There are still Rātā and other large native trees on the farm. Historical farm clearing and possums have not been kind to native bush in New Zealand, but these days we are very passionate about conserving the remaining blocks of native bush on the farm.
Farming Operation
A classic sheep and beef operation has been the central focus of the farm.
Forestry Operation
Over half of the farm is forestry, including Pine, Redwood and other species.
Farm Experience
Rātāmarumaru plays host to a number of other activities including hunting.
So...it's a bit hilly then?
Rātāmarumaru is known as “moderate to hard hill country“.
Most of the land around the upper reaches of the Kai Iwi catchment* at Brunswick (north of Whanganui) is hill country. About 81% of Rātāmarumaru is hill and steep land. So yeah, there’s a lot of hills!
*Note for budding geologists: the hills in this area are mostly formed from weakly consolidated sandstone – siltstone base. The remainder is undulating to rolling downlands formed from volcanic loess and alluvial flats.
Land conservation
We’ve always been committed to planting trees for both timber and for land conservation on Rātāmarumaru.
Following two severe storms in the last decade, trees have assumed even greater importance to help prevent steep hill slips and erosion. Over half of the farm is now planted in trees, Pine but also Redwood and various other experimental species too.
We are driven by family values
We are caretakers of this whenua | land. We believe in working hard and getting on with what needs to be done. We value family, friends, community and the deep roots of rural generosity and connection that thrive across Aotearoa | New Zealand.
Rātāmarumaru is a special place and has been toiled over and enjoyed by many generations of family and friends, as well as those that were here before us. We very much look forward to continuing that tradition.
Rated 5 out of 5
"Such a beautiful place, I feel so lucky to have seen it."
Samantha
Massey Uni
Rated 5 out of 5
"I found a little bit of paradise in Rātāmarumaru - wonderful hospitality!"
Mary
United Kingdom
Rated 5 out of 5
"I love spending time at the farm!"
Isla
Wellington
Get in touch
Get in touch if you’re interested in the farming or forestry operations, or in visiting the farm