Our Home
Few places on Earth possess the magic of Kaikōura. Many who visit leave transformed. It is a special part of Aotearoa New Zealand, imbued with powerful natural energy. A place where tectonic plates collide, towering peaks fall to the sea and ocean currents converge.
Such rare combinations lure an abundance of marine wildlife, the most famous being the Giant Sperm Whale. It was a whale that led the Māori ancestor Paikea to Aotearoa New Zealand many centuries ago. His descendants of Ngāti Kurī including Chris, live in Kaikōura today.
The name Kaikōura means “eat crayfish”, recalling the occasion when explorer, Tama ki te Rangi, had a meal of crayfish here, pausing on his journey around the South Island in pursuit of his three runaway wives.
Today Kaikōura is a small seaside village, home to an eclectic population of fishers, farmers, surfers, artists, craftspeople, tour guides and accommodation hosts.
Our Place
Living in this wild and natural environment, everything we do is centralised around the forces of nature. It influences our creativity, our resourcefulness and appreciation for what is on our door step.
We have the ability to grow a wide variety of plants here thanks to Kaikoura’s temperate climate. The sea air keeps our frosts light in winter and provides a little relief in summer months.
Over ten years we have created a vegetable garden, herb garden, growing tunnel, mixed orchard and a nuttery. Other edible plants are interspersed across the entire property. Our gardens feature a wide variety of native plants which has blossomed into a haven for wildlife as well as providing edible plants for the kitchen.
We focus on raising rare breed animals and their welfare and quality of life is of utmost importance. Our menagerie includes Wessex Saddleback pigs, Belted and White Galloway cattle, Silver Appleyard ducks, Magpie ducks and a mixed flock of heritage hens.
Every plant and animal introduced to our property is carefully considered. Each has a role to play whether it’s produce for the dinner table, plants to improve soil health, natural bug control, manure for compost, pollination, shade or shelter.
