Like all small communities, the village of Whatawhata Research Station extended far beyond the farm boundary fence. Part 5 records some of the new tales, many gleaned from the friends of friends. Lands & Survey v Maori Affairs. The success of the Lands and Survey Romney and Angus breeding schemes at Waihora, led by Superintendent … Read more
Christmas parties. When I look at the old slides of the Station Christmas parties, I cannot believe the size of the gatherings. Grown ups in summer garb and crowds of kids of all sizes. It just proves what a vibrant place it was, and how we were like one great whanau. And the pics I … Read more
Ritchey tags. When I took over the L&S Angus breeding scheme at Waihora, we had to decide on how to ID the 600 wild cows, and as our Station had used round brass tags on chains for years, Graham Hight thought they were the only choice. Thankfully the Ackland brothers of Mount Peel station in … Read more
Firewood. Before winter, getting stocked up with firewood was an essential for every householder on the Station. The Station had a circular saw which fitted on the back of a tractor driven by the PTO. It was a terrifying machine, and not helped by many people who had a few skills in using it. You … Read more
Betty Farrelly’s 1986 book (Farrelly, Elizabeth J. Whatawhata Hill Country Research Station — An historical Review 1949–1986, including early farming in the Waikato and formation and activities of the Department of Agriculture, (No ISBN number) is the main source of the Whatawhata Hill Country Station history, and much more. The photos in particular bring back … Read more
Joe McLean – research station farm manager Research on hill country farming neededIn 1952 Joe McLean went to work at the ‘Ruakura Hill Station’ where his father was a fencer. The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries had purchased the block to do sheep and beef research to help farmers increase production after WWII. The station … Read more