My name is Taliah, and I’m part of a group of 8+ families, aiming to live sustainably, in harmony with each other and the land. We are working together to create beautiful spaces and experiences for you to come and discover your own treasured moments you won’t forget. Whether you’re new to us or one of our faithful guests, we hope this journal gives you a snapshot into life here at the farm.

For those who don’t yet know us, I thought I’d back up the truck a bit and give you a synopsis of the journey thus far. In 2019, five families bought this 278-acre farm with its existing campground accommodation and horse trekking business. This amazing property captured our hearts from the moment we first arrived. We stood there in the early morning mist, rising in thick clouds from the riverbed, the tree-covered mountains surrounding us. We gazed down the valley to the crystal-clear Mohaka River with its bounty of trout and the occasional rare blue duck gliding on its surface. We knew we had found something incredible. This truly was a hidden gem tucked in a remote valley. After moving here with the hope of raising our families in a more sustainable environment, we had to learn to work together side by side and rediscover the joy of getting dirty and giving ourselves to good old-fashioned hard work. But we also found time to slow down and treasure those quiet moments, like learning to milk a cow as streams of warm milk ping the bottom of a tin pail, or fishing with our dad for the first time and feeling that exciting jerk on the line as we frantically reeled it in, or simply appreciating the brilliant sun sending its last rays in streaks across a rose sky.

I'll dive into this more in future journals but for now I'll give you a brief overview of the lay of the land. As I mentioned earlier, we have eight families living here on the property with a few others dotted around. I've been homeschooled here, along with all the other young people. Each family has their own homesteads and livelihood but we join together for community projects such as larger vege crops, preparing for upcoming events and fairs, which we host here. We've found that doing things together is so much more fulfilling than doing it all on your own. Music is also an integral part of our lives. I can't imagine life without music, I find it a meaningful way to bridge the gap, connect with others and express what I'm feeling. There's nothing like plucking a guitar by the campfire, voices rising up into the night sky.

So six years down the road we've had to stop and take a look at where we stand. Ever since the day we first opened the campground on Labour Day 2019 we have been slowly working, step by step to keep this well loved, old campground from deteriorating further. We painted walls, we replaced windows, added on decks, cut down trees, re-graded the pot hole road (for the hundredth time!), raked up the fallen leaves, bug bombed the crawling pests and yet we look around and realise that there is still so many problems to fix. We've loved every bit of the journey thus far and wouldn't trade the last few years for anything, as it taught us to care and pay attention to the small details that matter. But the honest truth of it is we won't be able to sustain the life we have come to cherish and share with others, if we don't keep growing our business model.

Is there a way we can put heart and soul into creating a space for people to come and rediscover childhood memories in the raw beauty of this property, while still supporting ourselves financially? Well, we are going to take a risky step. With the guidance of some friends abroad who are experienced in the world of hospitality, we are going transform this place into a destination for Kiwis and tourists alike to come for the most breathtaking accommodation and hospitality in NZ. The force behind this? The little kids of yesterday have grown in the last six years to become a team of young people, full of energy and ready for a challenge. Backing us up is all our parents, with their experience and variety of skills to help support. We've also had friends and locals offer to lend their services to pull this project off.

Ever wanted to trek NZ farmland and native bush on horse back? Perhaps you grew up riding in an arena but that was years ago and you just want to get back on a trusty steed and try something more natural and adventurous? Here on the farm well offer you a range of different opportunities from gentle weaving across farmland and river edge, to traversing through NZ native bush and mountain ranges. You'll get stunning views of the pristine Mohaka River on your journey and maybe sight a rare blue duck. Wilson, Ezra and Fleur, our experienced guides will keep it fun and exciting while also safe, adjusting to your skill level. As you go through the ride, we'll find a spot for you to pause, and take in the scenic surroundings as you enjoy some light refreshments, perhaps Mohaka mint lemonade and a raspberry muffin. We hope to give you not just a horse ride but also a connection with nature, a time to reflect and make memories.

Whether you’re a fly-fishing pro or a complete novice you can come and have an unforgettable experience on the Mohaka River with Noah Shapiro, both a world and NZ fly fishing champion. Go by raft, helicopter or foot and have a true wilderness experience as you learn the art of fly-fishing and catch some great brown and rainbow trout.