Mangaroa Stories · Te Awa Kairangi
Notes from the whenua,
season by season.
Farm news, events, and the people behind your food, from our regenerative valley in Te Awa Kairangi.
Update · Education
Planting Oaks for Acorns: A Collaboration with Eric Cairns
A food most of us walk past every day once fed whole civilisations. Career scientist Eric Cairns is lending a decade of oak knowledge to our Fruit & Forage Loop — the best-cropping acorns, porcini-inoculated trees, and free public workshops on how to gather, leach and cook…
13 July 2026
Education · Update
Acorns you can eat — and the scientist growing them for our forage trail
Most of us walk past oaks without a second thought. Eric Cairns — a career scientist in his seventies — sees a forgotten staple food, and he's bringing large-acorn oaks, Korean pine nuts and gourmet mushrooms to our Fruit & Forage Loop.
1 July 2026
Education · Update
The wild apple opposite Woodcote — and why we're saving it
There's a tree opposite the Woodcote entrance that's been dropping apples on the road for years. It turns out to be one of the valley's most interesting apples — a wild chance seedling we're now grafting, naming, and saving for the Fruit & Forage Loop.
30 June 2026
Education · Update
Why our Farm Loop is becoming edible (and how you can help)
Picture a walk that begins at the Farm Shop and ends at a north-facing lookout over the valley. Three kilometres, a gentle loop, the Mangaroa River somewhere below you. But this is not an ordinary track. Every ten steps or so, something is ready to eat. A heritage apple here.…
24 June 2026
Newsletter
Roots & Renewal - May Newsletter 2026
The valley is cooling. Sunshine has lingered, but the frosts have arrived, the trees stand bare, and the team has settled into a quieter, hibernating rhythm as we prepare for the cold. It's a season of turning over. Planting season is about to begin again - some of our…
24 June 2026
Newsletter · Education
Relocalising Food - April Newsletter
As major weather events ramp up in frequency, we're reminded of the value of local food security. We all need to eat, and especially in times of need, the more locally that nutritious kai is available, the better.
30 April 2026
Newsletter · Education
Community Resilience - March Newsletter
As the global landscape continues to change - it's more important than ever to increase our sense of community resilience. Fuel shortages aren’t just about transport - they are embedded in food, farming, & manufacturing.
17 April 2026
Event · Update
Pick Your Own at Mangaroa Farms
Pick your own at Mangaroa Farms 🌻🌱🌿💚 We're excited to open the gates, and invite you for a "pick-your-own" experience at our market gardens, right next door to the Mangaroa Farm Shop / Kete Kai.
15 January 2026
Update
Order Meat Online with Mangaroa Farms
If you’ve ever stood in the supermarket aisle wondering where your meat really comes from, you’re not alone. More and more folks are wanting to reconnect with their food, to understand the story behind what ends up on their plate. That’s exactly what we’re about here at…
14 January 2026
Newsletter
Summer Newsletter - December 2025
As the sunshine of raumati / summer returns, we've been busy across the farm - managing the rapid growth of grass around winter plantings, hosting new events, planting fresh summer crops, and engaging in exciting new livestock activities. More recently, over four days at…
19 December 2025
Update
Our New Tunnelhouse
The garden team is looking forward to the new tunnel house - being installed here by our man Casey Mcneil With the winter (and spring) we’ve had, space inside the main tunnel house sheltered away from the elements, is prized for our most precious crops - including Tomatoes,…
16 December 2025
Event · Update
Team Celebration 2025
The Mangaroa Farms team and wider community celebrating our annual end-of-year gathering last week. Sending summer blessings from all of us, to all of you - wishing you a joyous, safe and prosperous holiday season Thanks to Tania, Tyler and the team at the Rustic Kitchen for…
15 December 2025
Update
Holiday Hours - Mangaroa Farm Shop
Mangaroa Holiday Hours The Farm Shop / Kete Kai will be open right up until the 24th December, and closed only on public holidays. With fresh kai from the pastures, gardens, and local summer goodies, make sure to head down and stock up before the break
15 December 2025
Event
Experience Local Food & Community - Open Day Nov 2025
September Newsletter On Saturday 1st November, we’ll be opening the gates for a full day of kai, kōrero, connection and community - complete with hands-on farm demos, kids activities, live music, tours of the market garden, market stalls from local producers, and some of the…
24 September 2025
Update · Event
Planting Trees for Future Generations
August Newsletter There's a special kind of magic that happens when people gather to restore the land. A few weeks back, 25+ volunteers came together with spades, gloves, and big hearts to plant over 1,000 native trees here at Mangaroa. We worked along the stream edge of a…
21 August 2025
Update · Education
Mangarara Farms in Hawkes Bay: Pioneers of Regenerative Agriculture
Mangarara is leading the way in farm-to-market meat sales, agritourism, and innovative agroforestry. The planting shown here is part of a silvoculture system — instead of separating forestry from agriculture, it integrates the two for stacked benefits.
26 June 2025
Event · Education
World Localization Day - June 21st 2025
It's World Localisation Day this Saturday 21st June. As we near the time of Matariki & Winter Solstice, World Localization Day also exists to help us reconnect with the land, the growers, and the community around us.
10 June 2025
Event · Education
Compost Awareness Day
The tipi was buzzing with energy last weekend as we gathered for a day all about compost. Lots of conversation was shared, flowers foraged, and our guests left with full hearts 🌻
30 May 2025
Education · Update
Draw the Line on Glyphosate
New Zealand Food Safety (through FSANZ and MPI) is proposing to raise the allowable levels of glyphosate residue in some of our everyday kai. Wheat, oats, barley and peas. The staples. As a synthetic chemical herbicide - glyphosate (the active compound in Roundup) is often…
15 May 2025
Update
A Better Story on the Plate: Mangaroa Farms and the Future of Local Meat in Wellington Restaurants
Let’s be honest — it’s tough out there right now. Wellington restaurants are navigating a slow economy, rising supply costs, labour shortages, and shifting diner habits. Even the best kitchens are fighting to stay full, stay inspired, and stay sustainable — financially and…
8 May 2025
Update
Wellington’s Market Garden
Just 40 minutes from the city streets of Wellington, tucked into the quiet Mangaroa Valley near Upper Hutt, is a place that feels a world away. Mangaroa Farms is a diverse kaupapa — a dynamic way of thinking and being. It’s where fresh air, living soil, and vibrant food…
15 April 2025
Education · Update
Mangaroa Meat: The Regenerative Difference
At Mangaroa Farms, we reckon meat should do more than just fill the plate. It should nourish the whenua, the animals, and the people. Our Mangaroa Meat is pasture-raised, grass-fed, and free from antibiotics and GMOs. The result? Happy cows, healthy soils, and nutrient-rich…
15 April 2025
Update
Welcoming our New Walk-behind Tractor
Designed for small-scale farms (and made in Italy by the same crew who build Ferraris 🏎️), this mighty little unit is already transforming how we work the land here at our market garden. We recently put it to the test and tackled a mixed cover crop that was head-high in…
23 January 2025
Event
MRV Gathering at Mangaroa Farms
Mangaroa Farms had the privilege of hosting a gathering around environmental impact, data verification and indigenous wisdom The event, focused around MRV (Measurement, Verification, and Reporting), was a transformative gathering that brought together farmers, scientists,…
13 December 2024
Event
Mangaroa Farms Open Day | Nov 2024
Taking a moment to acknowledge the huge Open Day weekend at Mangaroa Farms 🙌🏽🌿🌻 We welcomed over 1000 people through the gate, many of whom enjoyed themselves listening to live music in the tipi, dabbled in some tree planting, watched fencing, felting, sheep shearing,…
27 November 2024
Update
Christmas Hours at the Farm Shop / Kete Kai
We’re close to that time of year, and team will be taking a well-deserved break over Christmas - meaning our shop and online sales will be closed periodically. Any online orders that are placed during 25th Dec - 6th Jan (while we are closed) will automatically be sent the…
14 November 2024
Recipe
Christmas Lamb Boned Rolled Shoulder with Herb Stuffing
Mangaroa Farms' boned rolled lamb shoulder, stuffed with fresh mint, parsley, basil, garlic, and lemon zest, then roasted to tender perfection. Serve garnished with mint leaves and optional mint sauce. A festive, flavourful centrepiece that embodies Mangaroa Farms'…
13 November 2024
Recipe
Christmas Butterflied Lamb Shoulder with Mediterranean Flavours
This Butterflied Lamb Shoulder from Mangaroa Farms captures the spirit of the holiday season with a touch of Mediterranean flair. Raised on regenerative pastures, this lamb shoulder is rich, succulent, and full of flavour, bringing quality and sustainability to your festive…
13 November 2024
Recipe
Christmas Roasted 1/2 Lamb Leg with Root Vegetables
A festive 1/2 lamb leg roast from Mangaroa Farms, seasoned with fresh thyme and roasted over a bed of potatoes, carrots, bell pepper, tomatoes, and garlic. Drizzled with olive oil (and optional balsamic vinegar), then roasted to medium-rare perfection. Serve rested and…
13 November 2024
Recipe
Christmas Herb-Grilled Butterflied Lamb
At Mangaroa Farms, we believe in bringing kai to the table that honours the land, animals, and community. Our lambs are raised on nutrient-dense, regenerative pasture, ensuring every bite is rich not just in flavour but also in the quality that comes from mindful stewardship…
13 November 2024
Update · Education
Regenerative Cattle Grazing at Mangaroa Farms
A few shots from out in the paddocks last week, where our Stock Manager Gav has been busy caring for our young calves / yearlings as they begin their journey in the world. Every day, new life emerges, bringing fresh energy to the herd 🌱 Stock management at this stage is…
15 October 2024
Update
Tree Planting on the Mangaroa River
You might have noticed if you drive over the one lane bridge, that we’ve done a whole lot of planting along the Mangaroa River bank and next to the road 🌿🌳
9 October 2024
Education · Update
Permaculture Approach at the Market Garden
You might notice our garden is looking a bit more wild than it used to, and we’re pretty stoked about that. Our Mangaroa Market Garden is making a shift towards a permaculture approach, where every bit of "mess" is actually part of a natural cycle – turning waste into…
29 September 2024
Update
Lambing Season at Mangaroa Farms
Some shots from last week out in the field, where Lauren, Gav, and Chris were out in the paddocks checking on our new Mangaroa lambs for the 2024 spring season. Every day, new little lamb beings are being born, gracing the whenua with fresh spring energy 🌱 Supporting these…
24 September 2024
Education
10 Reasons Why GMO's Are A Problem For Aotearoa NZ
As Aotearoa considers its agricultural future, it seems that genetically modified organisms (GMO’s) are finally about to enter our soils. Up until now, GMO’s and gene editing have been banned in New Zealand. Mangaroa Farms shares a range of reasons why GMO's could be a…
21 August 2024
Update
Mangaroa Farms to Purchase Berkett’s Farm in Whitemans Valley
We are happy to announce we have reached an agreement to purchase the Berkett’s farm, located at the southern end of Whitemans Valley. The ~330Ha farm is a beautiful mix of gentle hill country, steep gorge, native bush, and river corridor along the Mangaroa. We are honoured…
18 August 2024
Update
Honouring our Jules Matthews
As we look towards the future of Mangaroa Farms, we want to take a moment to honour someone who has been an integral part of our journey— Jules Matthews
13 August 2024
Update
Continuing a Legacy: New Opportunities at Mangaroa Farms
As we reflect on the past few weeks, we are filled with gratitude for the incredible support and enthusiasm from our growing community. We were thrilled to be featured on Country Calendar a couple of weeks ago, sharing our story and vision for Mangaroa Farms with viewers…
12 August 2024
Update
It Takes a Village
Mangaroa Farms will be featured on Country Calendar tomorrow night, New Zealand’s longest running and highest-rated television series, celebrating rural life and land. Country Calendar is an iconic institution, so it feels like we’re getting our five minutes of fame. I…
21 July 2024
Update
Mangaroa Farms on Country Calendar
We are looking forward to being featured on Hyundai Country Calendar this Sunday 21st July - at 7pm on TV1 🙌🏽💚 The team have been working with Howard & the film crew over the last few years to capture footage as we’ve developed the farm, and we are stoked to be able to…
21 July 2024
Recipe
Mangaroa's Beef Mince Spaghetti with Vegetables
Enjoy the hearty and nutritious Mangaroa Beef Mince Spaghetti with Vegetables. This dish is packed with organic veggies and our premium grass-fed beef mince, ensuring a meal that's as tasty as it is healthy. We recommend using organic ingredients for the best flavour and…
2 July 2024
Education · Update
Mānawatia a Matariki 2024
This week marks the passing of the winter solstice, and the rising of the Matariki star cluster This Friday 28th June, the Farm Shop / Kete Kai will be closed, as we take a pause to honour a remembrance of the past, celebration of the present, and preparing for the future.…
25 June 2024
Update
Regeneratively Grown Meat Delivery - Coming Soon
We are excited to announce that our organically grown & regeneratively raised frozen beef & lamb will available for delivery online very soon 🥩🙌🏽📦❄️ Partnering with NZ Post - we will be offering same-day frozen delivery in the Wellington region & overnight delivery for…
21 May 2024
Event · Update
Tree Planting Day & Predator Free Mangaroa Network
We had a successful weekend recently with our team of local volunteers planting over 200 trees alongside our local crew from Forest and Bird - Upper Hutt. After a Karakia for the ancient grandmother Kahikatea, the mob quickly got to work planting a selection of rata,…
1 May 2024
Recipe
Asian Cucumber Salad
Using the last of the summer season’s cucumbers and new season spring onion with a fusion of salty, sweet & spicy Asian flavours, this salad is the refreshing side to any dish.
22 April 2024
Recipe
Creamy Squash & Red Lentil Soup
This soup is so easy to make from ingredients stocked in your pantry! Red lentils are a wonderful way to increase the protein and heartiness of a classic pumpkin soup. The slightly sweet taste and grounding properties of seasonal squash are especially comforting on chillier…
18 April 2024
Event · Education
Mangaroa Farms Organic Week Tour & Movie Screening
To celebrate Organic Week 2024 , we're hosting a garden tour, and also co-hosting a screening of reknowned documentary Six Inches of Soil.
11 April 2024
Recipe
Spinach & Ricotta Cannelloni
This classic Italian dish combines the creamy richness of ricotta cheese with the earthy freshness of spinach, all wrapped in delicate pasta tubes and baked to perfection. Perfect for a cozy family dinner or a gathering with friends.
10 April 2024
Recipe
Roasted Roots & Halloumi Traybake
The trick to keeping it fresh is to combine roasted ingredients with fresh ones and to top them with a good quality pesto, giving a variety of temperatures as well as textures.
3 April 2024
Recipe
Mangaroa’s Organic Lamb Ribs with Herb Marinade
Savour the rich, tender flavours of Mangaroa's Organic Lamb Ribs with Herb Marinade. Our organic lamb, raised on diverse pastures, ensures a dish that's both delicious and ecologically healthy. We recommend using organic ingredients for the best flavour and health benefits,…
1 April 2024
Update
Our Weekly Vege Bag is Retiring
Our beloved Weekly $35 Vege Bag is retiring A massive thank you to all our weekly subscribers for their continued support in our CSA (community supported agriculture) styled weekly vege bag food model. In the past 2 years we have sold over 1100 of these bags of goodness to…
30 March 2024
Recipe
Roasted Carrot & Feta Frittata
A quick and easy feta cheese stove-top frittata with roasted carrots, zucchini and a herbaceous topping. The perfect lunch or light dinner with fresh sourdough.
25 March 2024
Update
We're Hiring - Farm Shop Retail Lead
We're looking for an inspired and empowered individual to join our Mangaroa Farms team, and take our Farm Shop / Kete Kai to the next level. Role Description: In this diverse and unique role, you will: Oversee daily operations of our retail presence, both online and in-store…
18 March 2024
Recipe
Mangaroa's Sesame Beef
Enjoy the hearty and nutritious Mangaroa Beef Mince Spaghetti with Vegetables. This dish is packed with organic veggies and our premium grass-fed beef mince, ensuring a meal that's as tasty as it is healthy. We recommend using organic ingredients for the best flavour and…
18 March 2024
Recipe
Jalapeño & Lime Fish Tacos
We’ve got jalapeños popping this week. What better way to cook with them than making tacos! Jalapeño & Lime Fish Tacos are fresh, nutritious and tasty, with an activating kick.
12 March 2024
Recipe
Eggplant Chana Masala
This chana masala is perfect for a quick & easy dinner utilising new season eggplant & warming anti-inflammatory spices. It's creamy, filling, made in one pot, plant-based and gluten-free, with full powered flavour.
5 March 2024
Update
Organic Raw Milk Collection Depot @ Mangaroa Farms
Mangaroa Farms is looking at becoming a "collection depot" for Three Oaks Organics Raw Milk customers in the Upper Hutt region. You can leave your expression of interest here: https://forms.gle/7tXWcpt2CSJZS8nb9 This future service will be operated by Three Oaks Organics via…
1 March 2024
Event · Education
The 2024 Mangaroa Open Farms Day - Sun 10th Mar
Join us for the annual Mangaroa Open Farms day on Sunday 10th March from 10am - 3pm for a variety of garden tours, planting & livestock demos, games & activities for kids, and perhaps most exciting - a locally produced lunch, with our smoked Mangaroa Farms lamb & fresh salad…
1 March 2024
Recipe
Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
A combination of sweet roasted red onions, spiced chickpeas, tender cauliflower, and a tangy lemon tahini dressing. This salad can be a filling vegetarian main dish, but also goes well with grilled chicken or steak.
23 February 2024
Recipe
Nourishing Chicken & Couscous Soup
Recently, we’ve had a few chillier days here in Mangaroa. This soup recipe is one to have on hand when you’re craving a cozy meal as the seasons begin to change, or you simply just want the nourishment of chicken broth and healing, immune-boosting herbs to nourish you body…
19 February 2024
Recipe
Mangaroa's Beef Scotch Fillet with Roasted Vegetables
Indulge in the rich flavours of Mangaroa's Beef Scotch Fillet with Roasted Vegetables. Our premium scotch fillet, paired with a medley of roasted organic vegetables, creates a meal that's both satisfying and nourishing. We recommend using organic ingredients for the best…
16 February 2024
Recipe
Sautéed Scallopini Squash with Parmesan
The ultimate summer vegetable side dish utilising scallopini aka patty pan squash. This dish is rich in vitamin A, C, iron, dietary fibre, and full of colour to brighten your meal.
13 February 2024
Update
The Mangaroa Honesty Fridge
The Mangaroa Honesty fridge is our investment in building local trust based systems by giving our community the chance to access quality organically grown kai at any time of the day On Monday’s it’s a great time to visit with heaps extra produce from the weekend - including…
9 February 2024
Recipe
Salmon, Dill, & Avocado Towers
Timings & Servings Preparation time: 10 mins Difficulty: Easy Servings: Up to 10 Ingredients 5 avocados, mashed 2 tbsp lemon juice 3 spring onions, finely chopped 2 1/2 cups peeled and finely diced cucumber S alt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 600 g gravlax, raw…
6 February 2024
Education · Update
Verdi Soil Testing
The Verdi team just wrapped up baseline soil testing at Mangaroa Farms, diving deep into soil health and carbon levels. View the photo album here. Over two days, they extracted numerous one-metre deep soil cores, alongside crucial observational data, leaving Mangaroa with…
5 February 2024
Update · Education
Hua Parakore Māori Organics at Mangaroa Farms
Late last year, our team had the privilege of joining Dr Jessica Hutchings and her wife Jo for a kai at her place over the hill near Kaitoke, and receive an introduction to the Hua Parakore Māori Organics framework.
26 January 2024
Recipe
Zucchini Fritters
Whether you're looking for a tasty appetizer or a creative way to incorporate more veggies into your diet, zucchini fritters are a versatile and crowd-pleasing option.
24 January 2024
Update
Mangaroa Farms Features on NewsHub
We are stoked to have our vision for Mangaroa Farms & regenerative agriculture featured on NewsHub recently. Watch the video and read the full article here.
24 January 2024
Update
Farm Shop / Kete Kai Opening Hours
Welcome to the Mangaroa Farm Shop / Kete Kai, hosting a range of organically produce & meats grown, grazed and harvested right on our doorstep. You can visit our shop during the hours below. Wednesdays 11am - 5pm Thursdays 11am - 5pm Fridays 11am - 5pm Saturdays 9am - 5pm…
19 December 2023
Newsletter
Expanding Our Kai Basket - November Newsletter
Kia ora, Welcome to the Mangaroa Farms Newsletter, featuring updates from our local ecosystem. As the seasons have well and truly shifted to Spring, we are finding the soil is getting drier, and the longer days make for more daylight hours caring for our above & underground…
23 November 2023
Update
Farm Shop / Kete Kai - New Hours
As we move into the summer months, we have opened up the Farm Shop / Kete Kai for a few more days during the week. You can now visit us: Wednesdays 11am - 6pm Fridays 11am - 6pm Saturdays 9am - 5pm Sundays 10am - 5pm 98 Whitemans Valley Road , Upper Hutt Best way to support…
20 November 2023
Recipe
Mangaroa's Beef Brisket Sausages with Mashed Potatoes
Indulge in the hearty and comforting flavours of Mangaroa's Beef Brisket Sausages with Mashed Potatoes. Made with our premium organic beef, this dish is perfect for a family dinner, combining rich, meaty sausages with creamy mashed potatoes. We recommend using organic…
17 November 2023
Newsletter
Mangaroa Movember
Kia ora, Welcome to the Mangaroa Farms Newsletter, featuring updates from our local ecosystem. As the seasons have well and truly shifted to Spring, we are finding the soil is getting drier, and the longer days make for more daylight hours caring for our above & underground…
16 November 2023
Recipe
Creamy Kale and Leek Risotto
Using up winter greens such as kale , leeks and spring onions this time of year just happens to be perfect for making a rice risotto! A quick blanch of the kale and leek ensures this dish has a vibrant green colour and locks in the greens water soluble nutrients such as…
27 October 2023
Recipe
Shakshuka Recipe
Shakshuka is a Northern African/Middle Eastern dish of Eggs poached in a lightly spiced tomato sauce. Difficulty: Easy Time: 10-15min Serves: 3 Ingredients: 1x 700ml Jar Shakshuka Sauce 6 x Large Eggs Handful or 2 of spinach/cooking greens Feta cheese Coriander/Parsley to…
26 October 2023
Event · Update
Mangaroa Farm Shop / Kete Kai Open Day
Join us on Sat 4th Nov for our inaugural opening of the Mangaroa Farm Shop Kete Kai. We're celebrating by offering a range of farm/garden tours, with live music, coffee & kai, plus showcasing our local suppliers & community producers. Spaces limited for farm/garden tours -…
13 October 2023
Update
We're Hiring a Finance Manager
Join the Mangaroa Farms team in the exciting role of Finance Manager. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who has experience in all aspects of small business accounting. In this sole charge position, that is very hands-on, the Finance Manager will provide robust…
9 October 2023
Update
We're Hiring a Market Garden Intern
Join the Mangaroa Farms team in the exciting new fixed term role of Market Garden Intern. This is an exciting opportunity for someone new to the market garden industry, or you may already have practical regenerative garden experience. We believe in regenerative agriculture…
27 September 2023
Event · Update
Community Tree Planting Day
Last weekend we hosted our community tree planting day, working out in the pastures alongside a small stream that feeds into the Mangaroa river 🌳🌿 See the facebook post. With the 30x amazing volunteers that showed up, we planted 700 native seedlings, including Harakeke…
8 September 2023
Education
Seasonal Nutrition Insights: Tips to Improve Iron Absorption
This month’s seasonal nutrition guide we take a look at the richness of iron present in vegetables grown at this time of year, and opportunities to improve iron absorption especially when our intake of iron is from plant based sources. What is iron and why do we need it? Iron…
31 August 2023
Update · Education
Celebrating Murray, Our Predator-Free Champion
This week 14 - 20 August is Conservation week in Aotearoa, which means a time to celebrate and get involved in efforts to protect our native taonga (treasured) bird, tree & flora species. 🌳🌿🐦 We’re celebrating Murray, our Groundskeeper & head of predator control at…
18 August 2023
Event · Update
Mangaroa Farms Community Tree Planting Day 🌳🌿
Join us for a volunteer tree planting day alongside the Mangaroa River on Saturday 26th August from 9am - 3pm. Limited spots available - please RSVP here at the Facebook Event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1447784139408995 Be prepared for a day of digging, planting,…
16 August 2023
Update · Education
Winter Riparian Planting 2023
Our in-house regeneration specialist Liv Sullivan has been working her way up the stream with another 7000+ native seedlings, planting riparian style along the edge of the riverbanks. Riparian planting helps to create solid root structures along the bank to help manage soil…
8 August 2023
Update
The Mangaroa Farm Shop / Kete Kai is Now Open
We're excited to have opened the doors of the Farm Shop / Kete Kai to our local community, featuring a range of our latest Mangaroa Farms seasonal produce, ferments, pickles, poultry and our frozen collection of pasture raised Lamb & Beef 🍳🥬🥩
21 July 2023
Education
What's Growing and Good for you this Season: Winter
What are we focusing on during Winter? If you think gardeners wind down over the winter months - think again! We make the most of the short days starting earlier and are thankful to experience more fine days than we normally would these last few weeks, as contending with too…
18 July 2023
Education
Seasonal Nutrition Insights: Make the Most of Warmer Foods and Pumpkin this Winter
With winter setting in, naturally we are programmed to crave foods that are energy dense to keep us warm, not to mention make us feel happier - what we often refer to as ‘comfort foods’. For this month’s seasonal nutrition guide, Resident Nutritionist at Mangaroa Farms, Lydia…
15 June 2023
Recipe
Roasted Pumpkin Soup
Because we've entered soup season, it's only natural we feature pumpkin or paukena as our favourite vegetable to use in soup this week! The pumpkin we have on offer is the Crown variety, which happens to be most common variety known to us in Aotearoa. It typically has a…
24 May 2023
Education
What's Growing and Good for you this Season: Autumn
As we’ve entered the cooler and slow growing season of Autumn. Resident Nutritionist at Mangaroa Farms, Lydia Thomsen highlights what veges are still in the ground from the summer months and what foods and nutrients to be mindful of this Autumn to keep us healthy. What are we…
5 May 2023
Recipe
Roasted Spaghetti Squash with Garlic & Thyme
Spaghetti squash has become an all time favourite here at Mangaroa Farms mainly because it has a very special use. It has a sweet, slightly nutty flavour and comes in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours - with the orange variety having a higher beta carotene content; which…
4 May 2023
Update
Mangaroa Farm Shop / Kete Kai - Updates
The Farm Shop exterior is now complete thanks to the hard work of local craftsmen Casey McNeil , Paul & Ground Up Fencing Ltd & co. Over the next few weeks, as the freezers, chillers, and signage is being installed, Casey is working on the benches, shelving and joinery on the…
27 April 2023
Education
The Japanese Paperpot Transplanter
Invented in Japan in the 1960s, this contraption allows farmers to transplant up to 264 seedlings in just minutes, making a quick solution out of what once would have once taken hours of back breaking work on hands and knees to complete. The biodegradable paper chain pots…
18 April 2023
Update
We're Hiring - Market Gardens Operations Manager
Join the Mangaroa Farms team in the exciting new role of Market Garden Operations Manager. This is a crucial new role with Mangaroa Farms, as we launch and expand our Farm Shop / Kete Kai. Reporting to the CEO, this senior leadership position is responsible for the day-to-day…
17 March 2023
Update
Celebrating Core Team Members Moving On
Celebrating some of our core team members Sam Gibbins and Jacqui Bray as they move on from Mangaroa Farms, and on to greener pastures in the north. Sam "Grow-Lord" Gibbins has been an essential figure in our market garden, working closely with Jules, Dan and Casey to lay the…
12 March 2023
Event
Mangaroa Farms Open Farm Day - Sun 12th March
Join us for the Open Farms open day on Sunday 12th March from 10am - 4pm for a variety of garden tours, planting & livestock demonstrations, and perhaps most exciting - a locally produced lunch! Bring a koha donation for some of Jules' smoked Mangaroa Farms lamb & fresh salad…
1 March 2023
Education
Wetlands, Soil & Resilience
Landslides, flooding and high winds have decimated farms, communities, homes, and businesses. Countless families are without homes, dry places to sleep, and a plan for surviving the next few months. Many people’s lives will never be the same. As communities band together to…
15 February 2023
Update
Introducing Mangaroa Farms Lamb 🐑
Happy animals raised with love, roaming on our lush diverse valley pastures, these Coopworth cross-bred sheep are raised using low stress handling practices, and fed natural herbal treatments and supplements such as kelp, in order to help grow nutrient dense and tender meat,…
1 February 2023
Update
The Latest on the Farm Shop / Kete Kai
The sides are on and roof is up. We're grateful to the chippies working around the clock in the hot summer sun to keep things moving along. In a few weeks time, the Farm Shop / Kete Kai will be our central pickup point for our weekly vege bags, and honesty fridge - including…
27 January 2023
Update
The Mangaroa Farms Honesty Fridge
The honesty fridge at 108 Whitemans Valley Road has been holding it down over the hot January period - with a great selection of local produce grown on the farm, including cucumber, zucchini, basil, lettuce, coriander, microgreens, mesclun mix, carrots, and the finest…
26 January 2023
Update · Education
Our 100 Highline Laying Hens
Since late last year we have been housing a hundred hens in a mobile chicken coop or ‘caravan’ - big thanks to Chicken Caravan for their ingenious design. The portable chicken coop has meant our hens can be moved around on a regular and rotational basis to ‘scratch around’ on…
19 January 2023
Update
A New Chapter: Welcoming Our First CEO to Mangaroa Farms
Excited to share that Mangaroa Farms has hired its first Chief Executive: Chris Upton . When we were brainstorming our “dream team,” Chris was at the top of our list. We’re thrilled to welcome him to Mangaroa. Chris comes to us from Beca , NZ’s top engineering firm. Prior to…
22 December 2022
Update
Mangaroa Farms Tulip & Vege Honesty Box
You can now visit us anytime at our 24/7 honesty box located at 108 Whitemans Valley Road, Upper Hutt - restocked daily at 9am. Tulips $7 for a bunch or 2x for $10. Passers by can also now grab some veges from the honesty chilli bin right next to the tulips. $5 per item - Pay…
20 September 2022
Update
Te Awa o Mangaroa - Our Name
Te Awa o Mangaroa - The Mangaroa River , is our flowing body of water. The endless current, carrying rain and spring water from the valley catchment area, ebbing and flowing with each rainfall, carving its gravitational path down towards Te Awa Kairangi ki Uta / Upper Hutt…
18 August 2022
Update
10 Months of Progress at Mangaroa Farms
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="2906"] Picking stones out of the cover crop garden beds - October 2021 [/caption] We've come a long way at the Gardens since breaking ground in October last year. When you are in the business of literally (and metaphorically) watching…
31 July 2022
Update
31,000 Native Trees Planted next to the Mangaroa River
Over the last few weeks, the team from Natural Habitats has been busy planting 10,000+ native seedlings and young trees along the edge of the Mangaroa River at the farm This #riparian style of planting will help to create solid root structures along the bank to help manage…
4 July 2022
Update
Our Wash & Pack Station Designed by Jodi Roebuck
We’re beyond stoked to be utilising our new wash & pack station + tool shed - designed with the help of Jodi of ROEBUCK FARM Complete with a walk in chiller, fold away benches, outdoor washing stations and modular shelving units which have been built for maximum flow and…
30 June 2022
Event · Update
Friends of Mangaroa Farm Visit 🌱
Last week we had a visit from our whānau at Taranaki Mounga DOC, and Predator Free Wellington who came to check out the Mangaroa Valley. Our soil queen Jules Matthews guided us on a tour around the market garden and surrounding grazing paddocks, reminding us of the importance…
17 May 2022
Event · Update
Garden Prep Volunteer Day #2
Our second volunteer day at Mangaroa Farms was a great success with a solid turnout of soil soul-diers and weeding warriors. Thanks to the experience of our last event, we managed to double the amount of beds we put in the ground, and take the afternoon off for learning about…
10 April 2022
Update
The Mangaroa Farms Greenhouse Goes Up
With the introduction of our (x m2) greenhouse, we will be able to control the climate and grow quality organic crops all year round.
12 October 2021
Update
Preparation of Market Garden Begins
It’s the Spring of 2021, and we are busy preparing our whenua for what will be planted with cover crops and eventually become the Mangaroa Market garden. This involves the arduous task of hand picking rocks and boulders out of the soil beds, which perhaps was once remnants of…
1 September 2021
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