Meet our ranchers


Jim & Rachel, Tom & Adeline and Logan & Joan Sanson

  • Haunui Station
  • Otoko, one hour northwest of Gisborne
  • 740 hectares / 1828 acres
  • Medium to steep hill country
Map of Otoko
Jim & Rachel, Tom & Adeline and Logan & Joan Sanson
Jim & Rachel, Tom & Adeline and Logan & Joan Sanson
Jim & Rachel, Tom & Adeline and Logan & Joan Sanson
Jim & Rachel, Tom & Adeline and Logan & Joan Sanson

For us, ranching is about solid, honest relationships. We care about family, we work together and we treat everyone as equal. It’s these things that were important to our ancestors, it’s how our family works now and it’s how we work with others. We look to build long-term relationships. With three generations of Sansons working this ranch together, communication is key. Open discussions are encouraged, egos are discouraged. My 87-year-old father is still an active part of the business, which is decades of experience to draw on. My son Tom is set to take over, so there are a few perspectives on the day-to-day decisions. We trust, we listen, and a little humor gets us through too! We’ve been supplying Atkins Ranch for 10 years and we’re proud of the product we deliver. Getting the best out of our animals is simple really: if you look after them, they’ll look after you.