Nau mai, haere mai!
Welcome to Kahikatea Farm! 16 acres in the beautiful Poukawa valley in Hawke’s Bay, where we are working towards living lightly, making a living from the land and sharing our learning with others. The inspiration for all we do comes from the realm of permaculture which can be defined as
“consciously designed landscapes which mimic the patterns and relationships found in nature, whilst yielding an abundance of food, fibre and energy for provision of local needs”
David Holmgren, permaculture originator
Our Story
This land, just 10kms from where Aaron grew up, used to be kahikatea forest. The kahikatea is New Zealand’s tallest tree, growing up to 60 metres tall or more. Kahikatea stands grow on fertile floodplains, lake margins and riverbanks, and would have connected Lake Poukawa to the south of us with Pekapeka wetlands to the north.
When we came here in 2005 the land had been a bare grazing block for many years.
Our People
Jo
Jo is a passionate permaculture teacher and gardener. A long time environmentalist, she has a background in language teaching and since 2005 has taught courses and workshops in permaculture, sustainability, gardening, herb growing and horticulture at Kahikatea Farm, EIT and for many other organisations. In 2005 she founded the Hawke’s Bay Permaculture Group and in 2007 she was awarded the NZ Gardener Magazine’s Hawke’s Bay Gardener of the Year for her gardening, teaching and community efforts. Her main interest is in designing and growing sustainable perennial agricultural systems at both urban and rural scales, and opening people’s minds to a different way of growing.
Our Nursery
We established our nursery in 2009, initially focusing on annual vegetable varieties, but we soon became guided more by our permaculture principles. We now grow around 400 varieties of perennial vegetables, edible and medicinal herbs, dye plants, companion plants, shrubs and trees. We focus on perennials and selfsowing annuals which are multi-functional, hardy, and contribute to a diverse and resilient garden or farm which provides fertility and pest control, and which can provide a forage system of food, medicine, fuel, dyes, craft and construction material for you and future generations, as well as a place of beauty and biodiversity.
In 2010 we became certified organic with Organic Farm New Zealand (OFNZ) (certification number OFNZ1360).This means ….
Our Food Forest
We started planning our food forest in 2007 and started work in 2008 by putting in two swales (water harvesting ditches on contour), and planting a first round of fruit trees and support species. Our kaupapa for the food forest was to see what could be grown without irrigation, and how we could create a space that felt natural as well as productive. We wanted to be able to grow food, fibre, medicine, fuel and firewood in a setting where we could go foraging, and to create a space that could be used for recreation and education too. We now have over 40 different fruit and nut species plus many perennial vegetables, medicinal herbs, pollinator plants and craft plants, and we host tours, workshops and special events. Our little earth hut and ‘The Wonky Gate’ bar are often as much of a highlight as the plants!
Our Grazing Systems
We are developing approximately 5 acres of silvopasture and 3 acres of ‘Paddock Paradise’ horse track system in order to manage animals in a way which regenerates the land, provides fodder in summer and winter, and keeps the animals as healthy as possible, allowing them to express their natural behaviour. Follow us on social media for updates!
Our Medicinal Herb Garden
This is currently a work in progress – a bare paddock with a design on paper and plants in the nursery waiting impatiently! We are designing it for visitor experience, to expand our stock beds for the nursery, and for harvest. Each bed will highlight herbs for different parts of the body. If you’re keen to help us progress this project, or you are a herbalist who’d like a growing space, please let us know!
Media and Testimonials
It has been an honour to be featured in many publications over the years, and to have received testimonials from other businesses and individuals in the nursery, organics and permaculture spheres who we highly respect. You can read the articles and hear the testimonials on our Media & Testimonials page.