Niamh Mark, Peter Mark & Megan Richards
Te Ranga Pamu Ltd

Te Ranga Pamu dairy farm demonstrates how exemplary leadership can merge profitability with environmental stewardship – ultimately ensuring the land looks set to thrive for future generations.

Owned by Peter Mark and Megan Richards, the 170ha (127ha effective) property is being managed by daughter Niamh Mark. The Mark family has been farming parts of the land for about 100 years, with Niamh representing the fifth generation on the Bay of Plenty property.

The operation transitioned from sheep and beef to dairy in 2014 and today runs about 275 Jersey cows across a 100ha milking platform. The team milks once-a-day to average 319kg of milk solids per cow annually.

The steep terrain has prompted sophisticated management, including the recent installation of a composting barn that provides shelter and significantly reduces the risk of soil damage and nutrient leaching. Solar panels on the cowshed roof further contribute to reduced environmental impact.

The team has implemented a virtual fencing system that manages grazing patterns and monitors cow health and behaviour. In addition, drone technology is used for precise weed control, improving efficiency across the property.

Sustainability is deeply integrated into the farm’s structure. Over the past four years, the family has planted about 10,000 native trees on steep, unproductive land, aiming to create a vital wildlife corridor that could eventually link regional kōkako breeding groups.

The team’s commitment to biodiversity is backed by intensive pest control efforts across the property and neighbouring areas. It’s further illustrated by the development of a “bush classroom” which is used by local primary school students for environmental studies.

Succession planning is equally robust, moving the business structure from a partnership to a company to allow future generations to hold shares in Te Ranga Pamu. The judges praised this, saying it provides a transparent, long-term framework for family continuity.