Key Takeaways
- Te Aratipi Station, a 1200-hectare hill country station in Hawke’s Bay, offers stunning views of the bay and surrounding landscape.
- The station has been open to walkers for only its second season, with two main walking tracks and a range of activities such as farm golf and accommodation.
- The Palmer family, who have owned the station since 1915, have started an agritourism venture to share their property with visitors and diversify their income.
- For every experience booked, the family plants a native tree over Matariki weekend to help restore parts of the farm protected under QEII National Trust covenants.
- The agritourism business operates around the happenings on farm, with the walk open from Labour Weekend to June to avoid the lambing season.
Introduction to Te Aratipi Station
Te Aratipi Station, located on the coast of Hawke’s Bay, has been open to walkers for only its second season. The 1200-hectare hill country station offers breathtaking views of the bay, stretching from the Māhia Peninsula to Mt Ruapehu on a clear day. The station has been in the Palmer family since 1915, when it was purchased by Selby Miles Palmer. Today, the family continues to run the sheep and beef station, while also operating an agritourism venture to share their property with visitors.
The Agritourism Venture
The agritourism business was started by Ro Palmer, who has a background in hospitality, events, and tourism. Ro’s passion for the property and its unique sense of place drove her to create a range of experiences for visitors, including farm walks, farm golf, accommodation, and a family wilderness experience. The business caters to a mix of locals and international visitors, with two walking groups on the opening weekend hailing from Auckland and Wellington. The Palmer family’s goal is to share their special place with others, while also diversifying their income and building on the foundations laid by previous generations.
The Property and its History
Te Aratipi Station has a rich history, with the Palmer family calling it home for over 100 years. The property features two main walking tracks, which offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The station’s unique geography, which includes remnants of bush protected under QEII covenants, makes it an ideal location for walkers and nature lovers. The family has also built cabins on the property, which were originally intended as a Covid project but are now available as on-farm accommodation. Ro and Ed Palmer, the current owners, were even married at the top of the peak, surrounded by the stunning views of the bay.
Sustainability and Conservation
The Palmer family is committed to sustainability and conservation, with a focus on restoring parts of the farm that have been protected under QEII National Trust covenants. For every experience booked, the family plants a native tree over Matariki weekend, which helps to restore the natural habitat and promote biodiversity. This initiative is inspired by the Italian tradition of planting trees during the olive harvest, and is a way for the family to give back to the land and the community. The agritourism business operates around the happenings on farm, with the walk open from Labour Weekend to June to avoid the lambing season.
The Future of Te Aratipi Station
The Palmer family is excited about the future of Te Aratipi Station and its agritourism venture. Ed Palmer, Ro’s husband, is happy to share the farm with others and build on the solid grounding gained through his great-grandfather, Selby. The family is taking a gradual approach to developing the agritourism business, with a focus on creating unique and memorable experiences for visitors. As Ro said, "It’s really just the start of it, and we have to figure out the stock side of things – where to have cattle and sheep and make sure everyone’s safe." With its stunning views, rich history, and commitment to sustainability, Te Aratipi Station is sure to become a popular destination for walkers and nature lovers alike.
