Farm Forester of the Year
27 May 2021
The winner of the Pan Pac Hawke’s Bay Farm Forester of the Year owns a 1,300ha sheep and beef hill country property located in the Central Hawke’s Bay region.
Mark Warren (8838) of Waipari Station said he was humbled to be awarded this accolade and has worked hard over many years to maximise production with 270ha over his property planted into forestry.
Mark purchased Waipari Station in stages since taking over management from 1984 and has hugely increased efficiency, production, soil conversation and overall farm development over that time. Tony Clifford, Managing Director of Pan Pac Forest Products said that Mark has the largest privately owned forests in the region which is accompanied by a wide range of varietals planted across the property for carbon, soil conservation, shade and shelter.
The judges noted that Mark has also taken on innovative projects such as spring fed freshwater sales and niche marketing of on farm timber which will make for an interesting field day.
Check out the video below where Mark Warren talks about his journey from taking on the old run-down family farm in steep hill country in southern Hawke’s Bay, to building it up to successful farm operation through planting the right trees in the right places.