Our Businesses
FARMING
Mangatu works in farming through its subsidiary, Integrated Foods Limited. The company was established over 20 years ago to shield the Incorporation from commercial risks while providing a platform to enhance its farming and food operations.
Over the past 20 years both the farming business and the market in which we operate have evolved significantly.
Many farmers in the Tairāwhiti region are grappling with financial pressures that have become unsustainable, driven by rising costs and minimal improvements in production or income. In response, we review and adjust our strategies to ensure the long-term sustainability and success of our farming operations.
Over the last decade, the land farmed by the group has decreased from more than 14,000 hectares to 8,400 hectares.
This land includes areas owned by Mangatu Blocks Incorporation and two other blocks held by Māori landowners: Tapere (owned by Tahora 2C2) and Paokahu (owned by Paokahu Trust). Despite this reduction, the remaining land represents the highest quality and most productive areas for high-performance farming within the Incorporation.
Each of our farms has unique breeding and finishing characteristics due to variations in land class, topography, elevation, and feed availability. Our farm team understands these distinctions well and manages the livestock to optimize feed use and animal health. The farms operate under the “transhumance” method, a common method of farming which prioritizes using livestock to manage feed quality and the moving stock classes based on the season and feed type available. This approach promotes quality feed and animal health/ weight outcomes when effectively applied.
At present, we winter around 80,000 stock units, but we believe there is potential to increase this appropriately and sustainably over the next five years. This growth will be driven in part by adjusting the sheep-to-cattle ratio, as the wool and sheep meat markets face increasing pressure. These changes will be incremental, with a focus on refining our system to enhance overall farming performance.
Our farm team is well-positioned to capitalise on future investments in our operations. Over the past decade, the team has experienced challenges related climate change, market and cost impacts, and land optimization considerations with the potential for land conversion. However, they are now concentrating on infrastructure improvements, such as fencing, yards, and sheds, alongside better feed and livestock management practices. The team operates with 20 to 25 members and is comprised of a mix of experienced farmers and emerging talent. During peak work seasons the team is supported by local contractors which supports the broader farming community.
Looking ahead, our farming strategy is built around three key pillars: breeding, finishing, and procurement.
As part of the broader Integrated Foods Group, which includes our lamb processing plant and sales and marketing operations, we are focused on producing and selling high-quality lamb. Our Tairāwhiti farming operations will emphasize breeding superior lambs, possibly developing our own breed, and finishing them within the land’s carrying capacity. This means matching the right lamb to the right environment without overextending resources.
We are also exploring opportunities to lease additional land in Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay to enhance lamb finishing and support a broader procurement strategy for the processing plant.
The advantage of owning farms within our supply chain is the control and flexibility it provides in raising lambs for our processing plant. This level of integration is unique, as most other farms must partner with external processors, while we have the benefit of being both the producer and the processor.
Another key principle we will champion moving forward is positioning Integrated Foods Limited as a “conscientious farmer.” This means adhering to stringent farming practices that prioritize sustainability, highly valued by our landowners, shareholders, and the marketplace. Key elements include protecting waterways, responsible use of water and chemicals, reducing or offsetting carbon emissions, and upholding a social responsibility to our community and owners. These practices are increasingly recognized as essential value drivers for our people, markets and owners.
OUR KAIMAHI
“I’m Riki Hawkins. I was born and bred in Hastings where my father is from. My mother is a Tamanui from Whatatutu. Some of my most treasured memories are coming back here to Mangatu to spend our holidays.
After leaving school in the 1980s, I came straight to Mangatu Farms. Back then, you didn’t really apply for jobs. All my uncles were already working on the farm, so I asked for a job and got straight into it. I’ve been here ever since.
Actually, my wife is a local too. We love it here and have been fortunate to raise our children on the farm being so close to our marae. We raised both our daughters here, and now we get to have our mokopuna every holiday, and they love it just as much as we do.
I am a General Shepherd, it’s a bit of an everything kind of job. Fencing, yard work, tractor driving, right to dog work and stock movement. Keeps me busy. I couldn’t think of doing anything else nor would I want to.
My favourite part of the job is simply being out here. Nearly every day is a highlight, especially when you’re standing on top of the hill looking out and everything on the farm looks good, everything is pumping, and the stock is healthy.”
“Ko Hikurangi te maunga
Ko Waiapu te awa
Ko Ngati Porou te iwi
My name is Roany-Lane Waru. I’ve been proudly brought up on the Coast
I am the Shepherd General for Mangatu Blocks Incorporation.
I was raised as a shepherd’s kid, I’ve been around farms all my life. I started here at Mangatu as a General Hand, one year later, and I am now running my own team of dogs.
The best part of my mahi besides the wicked views, is watching young dogs improve over time. With the amount of work you put into them behind closed doors, it’s amazing to see their skills and growth.
I love being able to work with my dogs and horses, being outside, working with my hands and keeping busy. Farming is a perfect fit for me.
My advice to any keen young farmers looking to get into the industry is to keep consistent, surround yourself with the right people. Listen and learn because the world is your oyster. Be persistent, be focused and give everything your best.
I would like to thank Josh and all the team for giving me an opportunity and for everything that I’ve learnt and for all the things I continue to learn along the way. Without the team and their knowledge, I wouldn’t be where I am today, for that, I am most grateful.”
HOUSES FOR SALE – UPDATE
In our last pānui, we announced the availability of eight houses for shareholders. Since then, we held an open day where we hosted 10 – 15 potential purchasers and received multiple tenders for five houses. Where appropriate the houses were given to the highest bidding owner or those who whakapapa back to Mangatu Blocks and whānau of shareholders. When preparing this pānui we are only days away from the close date of settlement.
We were pleased with the participation from MBI shareholders and potential shareholder beneficiaries in the successful tenders. Although the tender cut-off date has passed, there continues to be strong interest in the remaining houses as more shareholders become aware of this opportunity.
In the coming weeks, we plan to readvertise the remaining houses to the broader public through a new tender process. This still presents a great opportunity for shareholders, particularly those in the Whatatutu and Puha communities, to engage in securing these homes.
We encourage you to contact the office (0508 Mangatu) or email Ritchie Matenga if you would like to learn more.