Matakana Meadows

Photos Amy Hamblett

Matakana Meadows was established with the vision of bridging the gap between consumers and producers, allowing people to see where their food comes from and how it’s grown. Family is at the heart of the farm, with customers considered an integral part of the extended family.

Jake and Emma, the farm’s ecosystem managers, moved from Otago to Matakana in June 2022 with their first child on the way and a shared enthusiasm and drive to make this vision a reality. Emma, who grew up on a sheep and beef farm in North Taranaki, brought her expertise and passion from a decade-long career dairy farming in the South Island. Jake, with a background in sheep and beef farming, found a renewed passion for agriculture through entering the world of Regenerative Agriculture and biological soil health.

Their combined experiences and dedication to farming aligned with nature, have been crucial in shaping Matakana Meadows. The farm focuses on building healthy soils, improving water quality, promoting biodiversity, and ensuring animal welfare. Driving their farming practices is this philosophy - “Happy healthy soils equals happy healthy animals equals happy healthy people.”

The use of homeopathy for animal health and diversification into selling raw milk are examples of Matakana Meadow’s innovative and nature-aligned approaches. While their journey into selling raw milk at the farm gate showcases their dedication to providing high-quality, fresh products directly to the community.

As a new member of the local community, Matakana Meadows has big ideas in the pipeline for further diversification, all with the intention to enrich the local community. Raw milk is just the beginning! Extending beyond food production Jake and Emma actively engage with locals and share their knowledge, building relationships and a sense of trust and support while reinforcing the farm’s position within the community.

Through their dedication to sustainable farming and community engagement, Matakana Meadows is on its way to becoming a pillar of hope and innovation in the agricultural landscape, setting a high standard for others to follow.

www.MatakanaMeadows.co.nz | 254 Matakana Valley Rd