As we arrive at Taramoa, Dan and Billie Herries are packing for a holiday. This is a rare opportunity for the young couple to get off farm. But one the Herrieses ensure they make the most of. Jumping into the campervan, and letting the road take them wherever the fish are biting & the sun is shining, allows them to gain some much-needed perspective.

As we head out across the property, a New Zealand falcon flies overhead. Its distinct, high-pitched cry prompts a momentary pause. For the Herrieses, seeing the rare bird is a direct link to their past lives. Prior to taking the reins at Taramoa, Dan and Billie worked in conservation. They met while working in some of the most remote regions of New Zealand, dedicating their time to the protection and study of native ecosystems. This grounding in environmental science sets the tone for their approach to farming today.

This passion for conservation and being in nature is evident as we arrive at the crown jewel of the property, a beautifully designed hut at its highest point. With sprawling views across the valley below, it is only now that you get a true sense of the scale of the property. The hut is a great location for a chat with the young couple, but for Dan and Billie, it is more than that. It is a sanctuary. It offers an escape from the day-to-day rigors of running Taramoa.

Taramoa holds a special significance to the Herrieses, having previously belonged to Dan’s uncle. For the past decade, Dan and Billie have managed the property, acting as dedicated custodians of the land. As we take in the vast landscape before us, the results of their hard work and unique approach are evident to all. The property backs onto over 138,000 acres of Department of Conservation land. This not only makes for a spectacular backdrop and great hiking, but it means Taramoa is the first property the district’s water flows through.

This is a responsibility the Herrieses don’t take lightly. Billie has worked tirelessly across the district in partnership with the local school and other community organizations to plant thousands of native plants along waterways. Not only on Taramoa but neighboring properties. As she describes it, it becomes a source of pride in the district. No one wants to be the property that ruins the crystal clear water for those downstream. It is this infectious enthusiasm and care for the environment that has seen the Herrieses leave their distinct mark across Taramoa.

The neighboring conservation land could easily be seen as a burden by some. Not Billie. She is spearheading a project to extend a native biodiversity corridor from the DOC boundary, through Taramoa, and out into the broader district. By establishing habitats and food sources for native birds, insects, and plant life, the farm functions as an active ecological bridge to the remainder of the district. Biodiversity is a key feature in the regenerative approach at Taramoa. Dan’s passion for farming in tune with nature is evident when he speaks of giving the land space to breathe and watching all sorts of once dormant species thriving again. Which in turn plays a key role in animal welfare. As he puts it, the best way to look after your animals is with high-quality feed, and at Taramoa, there is an abundance of it.

As we traverse the sprawling property, you could be excused for thinking Dan and Billie have been farming their entire lives. The fact they are entirely self-taught is a testament to their passion for the land. Their approach is a fine balance of the art and science of farming. Tapping into Dan’s scientific background, whilst following their intuition and doing what feels right. But more than anything, it is grounded in common sense. As Dan says, “If you look after the land, it will look after you”.

Dan and Billie didn’t set out to be regenerative farmers; it just made sense to them. They have worked hard over the last 10 years to establish a thriving, interdependent ecosystem, and their hard work is starting to pay off. This meant the Land to Market^TM EOV program was a logical next step for them. As is the way with most farmers in New Zealand, they are incredibly humble and not in it for the accolades. But you see a sense of pride in the Herrieses eyes when we discuss the Land to Market program and how the efforts they are putting in are resulting in a world-class product that is revered on the other side of the world.

As our visit concludes and the Herries squeeze the paddleboard into the back of the already crammed campervan, the overriding impression is that despite ten years of dedicated hard work, they are only just getting started. As they finally pull away for their well-deserved break, they leave behind a property that has truly struck the balance between the art and science of farming.