Kauri Moor Farms

Situated just beyond the landmark Huntly Power Station and a short 15-minute drive west of the township, Kauri Moor Farms sits amidst a breathtaking hidden landscape. The 700-hectare property, managed by third generation farmer, Rhys Darby, epitomises a blend of farming tradition and modern agricultural entrepreneurship. With a strong commitment to growth, succession and sustainability, Kauri Moor Farms stands as a testament to the evolving nature of New Zealand farming.

Alongside his wife, parents and brother, Rhys oversees an impressive array of operations that includes two dairy farms and a burgeoning sheep milking enterprise. At 33, he embodies the contemporary farmer: ambitious, forward-thinking, and dedicated to enhancing his family’s legacy. His early years on the farm instilled a passion for agriculture, which was further developed through his studies in agriculture commerce at Massey University and practical experience in South Canterbury. Rhys returned to Kauri Moor with a vision to expand and diversify, a vision that has since reshaped the farm.

A notable achievement under Rhys’s leadership is the transformation of Kingsbury Farm, land that was purchased a decade ago as a young stock block. Five years ago, it was converted into a 1200-milking ewe operation driven by the need for sustainable growth and improved income stability. “The whole philosophy was to work out how we could sustainably grow our business and utilise the land we had, while creating a more consistent income stream,” Rhys explained.

Sheep milking has revolutionised the Darby family’s operations. Not only does it provide a steady income, but it also offers significant environmental benefits. “Sheep milk has a lower nitrogen footprint compared to traditional dairy, and it allows us to make better use of our resources,” Rhys noted. The milk’s high protein and fat content, combined with its A2 protein and low lactose, make it a premium product, particularly valued in Asian markets where it is processed into infant formula.

A crucial aspect of Rhys’s operations is his partnership with Spring Sheep Milk Co., which handles the marketing, processing, and distribution of the milk. This relationship allows Rhys and his team to focus on producing high-quality milk. “The key to creating a good product is starting with the animals,” he said. “Having a fully fed animal and giving them a good balanced diet is the first step, and then having good practices to make a quality product inside the shed. Then, setting the parameters around ensuring a good risk management policy on farm and in the sheds, as that’s the biggest challenge with infant formula; it must be the highest quality product. You can’t have any slip ups.”

Not being one to stick to the confines of tradition, Rhys extended Kauri Moor Farms beyond dairy and sheep milking, incorporating diverse agricultural activities. The family now cultivates maize, raises young stock, and has recently ventured into new, modern enterprises to diversify their income. “We’ve built a little cottage, Kingsbury Cottage, on the farm and have it listed on Airbnb. It’s helped add a string to our bow. Then in the last couple of months, we’ve added some free-range, pasture-raised chickens, which live in a little Chicken Caravan. We then sell the eggs locally.”

Rhys’s entrepreneurial spirit is evident in the farm’s constant evolution. “I don’t like sitting still. I’m sort of the key driver behind the silly ideas,” he admitted with a laugh. “When there’s an idea, we have a discussion as a family, and from there, it gets pulled apart. If it’s a good idea, we start small and have a crack at it. If it’s an idea that could grow in the years to come, then that’s something we get in to.”

Rhys’s dedication to this legacy is also reflected in his approach to managing growth and developing talent within the business. “As the business grows, you’ve got to realise that you can’t do everything yourself,” he acknowledged. To address this, Rhys focuses on nurturing young talent, providing them with opportunities to grow and take on more responsibility. “We pride ourselves on trying to grow young people through our business,” he said, “and we’re lucky that our people stay on and move up the chain.”

Recruiting the right people is critical, “We’ve got a young team. I’ve always tried to get like-minded people of a similar age, which always makes the work more enjoyable. We utilise a lot of local people first and foremost.” However, if the team need someone with a specialised skill set, they often get people over from the UK.

“We spend a bit of time in the UK as a family and have relatives living there. So, we linked up with a scholarship programme, the Rich Wigram New Zealand Farming Scholarship, and most years we would get at least one recipient that comes out to New Zealand,” he shared.

Another priority for Rhys is ensuring the people working alongside him are looked after. “Mental health is important on farm. It’s a key aspect that my father’s generation struggled with most, because they never had a good out. So, we’ve got a strong opinion on making sure we all have an activity or a hobby. My wife and I have the chickens and the cottage, so we don’t get stuck in the daily grind. We also try to get away to the beach or the lake as much as we can. As a family, we do a lot of sports. We’re lucky enough to have a tennis club just up the road, so we get the staff involved in that, and then play a bit of golf from time to time or get to the mountain with the team. That’s what I enjoy doing, and as a family, that’s what we pride ourselves on.”

Sustainability is another area where Rhys is making a difference. As a third-generation farmer, he recognises the importance of leaving a healthy, productive farm for future generations. “We invest heavily in good infrastructure, effluent management, fencing off waterways, and planting,” he says. Initiatives like creating wetlands and retiring unproductive land, he highlighted, not only benefit the environment but also enhance the farm’s aesthetics.

As Rhys continues to grow Kauri Moor Farm, he holds a key focus on succession planning, working with his brother to ensure the business remains robust for future generations. “We started along a journey 10 years ago as a family. My brother and I then bought into the business five years ago, and now we’re looking at the next step: bringing our partners and families in. Long term, the objective is keep growing the original business in terms of cows and sheep, but then also looking at opportunities to diversify and take any chance we get. We always try and utilise every blade of grass or every bit of area we have so trying to make sure that whatever we’ve got on the farm is sustainable long term.”

For those considering a shift to sheep dairying, Rhys offers straightforward advice: “If you trust it and you want to do it, just go do it.” He believes that success in farming comes down to the passion and commitment of the farmer. “It’s all about what you enjoy doing,” he added. “What we’ve really enjoyed with the sheep milking is the ability to grow people through the business. So, they might start in the sheep farm then end up in the dairy farm, or vice versa.”

As Kauri Moor evolves under Rhys and his family’s leadership, the farm represents a new chapter in New Zealand farming – a balance of tradition and progressive thinking. Through his dedication to sustainability and community, Rhys is paving the way for the next generation, ensuring the farm’s legacy will thrive for years to come.