Mangaroa Farms - Cultivating Sustainability and Regenerative Agriculture in Whitemans Valley | Future Farming | Hawke's Bay

Mangaroa Farms - Cultivating Sustainability and Regenerative Agriculture in Whitemans Valley

Added 2 months ago

By Elizabeth-Marie Nes

Mangaroa Farms - Cultivating Sustainability and Regenerative Agriculture in Whitemans Valley

Situated near the Mangaroa River in Te Awa Kairangi Hutt Valley water catchment, Mangaroa Farms stands as a resilient community food hub and education center, serving as a living laboratory for transitioning dairy and pine into regenerative agriculture and native forests.

The on-site farm store, Kete Kai, is a cornerstone of this small rural project in Upper Hutt, aiming to transform perspectives on farming and enhance local food production through sustainable and regenerative methods. Funded by two brothers from Silicon Valley, Matthew Monahan is at the forefront of cultivating a new future in the quiet green scenery of Upper Hutt's Whitemans Valley.

Mangaroa Farms Kete kai products

Situated just 45 minutes from Parliament, Mangaroa Farms represents the best of both worlds—a rural pastoral setting that blends Silicon Valley success with a commitment to regenerative agriculture. The Monahan brothers, who made their fortune by selling part of their company, a database of people's historical records on genealogical website ancestry.com. The brothers have invested in several neighbouring lifestyle blocks, an ex-dairy farm, forestry blocks, and the community's 130-year-old church.

The former dairy farm, now under a charitable trust, has undergone a remarkable transformation with 15km of new fencing, tens of thousands of native trees, walking paths, tracks, and an extensive market garden—all in line with regenerative agriculture principles. With a dozen full-time staff and contractors, Mangaroa Farms sells its produce across the city and through an on-site shop, striking a balance between selling nutritious food and teaching the community sustainable and regenerative food production.

Mangaroa Farms

Mangaroa Farms understands the importance of the entire lifecycle, educating people about the biome of the soil and its impact. The farm offers an extensive variety of produce, from leafy greens and microgreens to traditional vegetables and meat products. Regular volunteer and open days attract a growing interest from the community.

The project also focuses on making farms like Mangaroa economically viable, including plans to regenerate 300ha of pine into native forest within the next five years. Despite being in investment mode, the ultimate goal is to inspire the next generation while providing sustainable and regenerative food for the community. Mangaroa Farms is a testament to the potential for blending economic success with environmental stewardship and regenerative agriculture practices in agriculture.