Built Fast, Built to Last

Two Goldpine sheds have joined the legacy of one of Aotearoa’s longest-standing dairy farms. Built in just five days, the Coromandel and Trade Sheds now stand on the 140-hectare Ormsby family farm in the Waikato - proof that history and efficiency can go hand in hand.

Ray Ormsby, a descendant of the original Māori custodians of the land, continues a proud lineage of farming in Puketotara, southwest of Te Awamutu. His family has been working the land since the early 1800s, helping shape the area into one of New Zealand’s earliest hubs of productive dairy farming. Today, the Ormsby name still lines the map - quite literally - with Ormsby Road running alongside the farm.

Throughout the years, the property has seen multiple family branches settle nearby, with blocks of land shared among relatives. The dairy operation is still going strong, with 340 cows producing for Fonterra in a split herd system. Originally belonging to Ray’s great, great-grandmother, the land was converted to general land around the time of the Māori Wars by his great, great-grandfather to avoid it being confi scated. Through world wars, agricultural changes, and family growth, the land has been a central point of connection - preserving memories through photographs, stories, and carefully maintained family records. While we visited Ray on his historical farm, he and his wife Kristine showed us their family museum – a beautifully curated room full of restored photographs, letters, maps and a family tree dating back over 100 years – a testament to the care the Ormsby family have dedicated to cultivating the land for generations.

This commitment to the longevity of the farm was reflected in Ray’s decision to purchase the two Goldpine sheds. A long-time Goldpine customer, Ray trusts that what he buys will serve its purpose without a hitch. The sheds were put up within five days, and the team at the Goldpine Te Awamutu store made the entire process seamless. “The team were there to help. Once we purchased the sheds in September, we organised for their builder to come out and put them up in October. They’ve been fairly good to me,” he said. “I bought the Coromandel Shed to protect the farm machinery, because I don’t like leaving it out in the open. The Trade Shed is used for hay storage at the moment, but its main job will be calf-rearing once the season comes. The old sheds we had were falling down a bit so these have been great since we got them."

The two sheds stand about 400 metres away from each other, and Ray is in talks with Goldpine for a third. “I’d been looking at Goldpine sheds for a while as they ticked the box for what I was after. I’m actually still looking at buying another one. I think they’re good value for money,” Ray said. The third shed would also be used for calf-rearing and storage.

Goldpine’s sheds are now part of the long-running story of the Ormsby farm, which has stood strong since the 19th century. With Goldpine’s support, both the Trade and Coromandel Sheds were up in just five days - proof that adding to a legacy doesn’t have to take a lifetime. Solid builds, done fast, and ready for the next chapter.