Greater Wellington / Beef, Cropping, Sheep
Simon Perry & Meg Wheatstone and Matt Perry
Waiteko
4 Feb 2026
The strategy behind this Wairarapa sheep, beef and cropping farm is to produce high-quality primary produce while prioritising the long-term health of the land and its people.
Waiteko is a partnership between Simon and Meg, with investment from Simon’s brother Nicholas. Succession planning is well underway, with the Perrys bringing in their children as shareholders, including son Matt who is taking a lead on the cropping programme.
The business model at this 1,245ha (875ha effective) property is a great example of achieving resilience through diversification.
Moving away from a pure breeding focus to mitigate drought risks, the farm now derives 40% of its income from cash cropping, 35% from sheep, and the balance from beef. This is bolstered by 75ha of radiata for pine production and carbon sequestration as well as several other exotic and indigenous blocks earning carbon credits.
This mixed income stream allows for flexibility, enabling the family to adapt stock numbers and cropping ratios based on seasonal climate conditions.
Soil health is at the heart of their strategy. They’re actively exploring soil biology and are conducting trials with multi-species feed crops and natural alternatives such as fish fertiliser and a calcium-based soil conditioner.
Ultimately, their goal is to improve water infiltration and biological activity, creating a foundation for high-quality crops. The judges were impressed with this deep understanding of soil health and the team’s innovative, adaptive systems.
There’s an equally strong focus on sustainability. More than 50ha of native bush has been retired in recent years. The farm serves as a community gateway to the Whareama River which attracts many whitebaiters and the team actively ensures this precious habitat is protected and enhanced.
Ultimately, the judges described Waiteko as a well-balanced system where production and environmental protection coexist, driven by owners who truly understand that a resilient future starts with the soil.
