Celebration of Life Farm Day | Waipapa Farm
Description
Join us for a special day of learning, connection and celebration at Waipapa Farm in Hāwera!
Rere ki uta rere ki tai - Living Soil Project invites farmers, rural professionals, land stewards and our wider community to come together for a day exploring the connections between healthy soils, thriving animals, resilient farm businesses and the wellbeing of our whenua.
Hosted by Roger and Michael Bent at Waipapa Farm, this event is an opportunity to hear about their family's remarkable 125-year farming journey and their vision for the future.
Waipapa Farm is a 120-hectare dairy operation in South Taranaki, milking approximately 350 cows. As part of the Living Soil Project, Roger and Michael are exploring ways to strengthen soil health, improve pasture resilience, reduce reliance on external inputs and build a more financially resilient farming system. Their journey also includes riparian planting, wetland restoration and the use of innovative farming technologies.
Throughout the day, we'll hear from farmers, researchers and industry experts, bringing together practical farming experience, mātauranga Māori and science to explore opportunities for more resilient farming systems.
What to expect
The Waipapa Farm Story: Hear from Roger and Michael Bent about their family's 125-year farming journey, the changes they're exploring and their vision for the future.
Rongoā Māori: A special presentation from Robert McGowan (Pā Ropata).
Healthier Animals, Ensuring They Survive and Thrive: A panel discussion exploring animal health and wellbeing.
Financial Implications in This Changing World: Hear from Regan McCorquindale (RECO), Karl Jeffery (Headlands) and Alison Dewes (Tipu Whenua) with the discussion facilitated by Ashna Khan.
Regenerative Farming Made Simple: Roger Bent shares his approach to regenerative farming, as easy as A, B, C.
Guided Farm Walk: Explore Waipapa Farm with Roger and Michael Bent, including a short presentation from Brad Lynch of SolarOne.
Event programme
- 9:30 am
Arrival on Farm
Waipapa Dairy Limited, 57 Ohawe Road, Hāwera.
- 9:45 am
Introduction to Waipapa Farm
Roger and Michael Bent share their 125-year farming journey and vision.
- 10:00 am
Mihi Whakatau and Morning Tea
Led by Taonui Campbell, followed by karakia and kai o te ata.
- 10:30 am
Introduction to Rere ki uta rere ki tai
Ashna Khan introduces the Living Soil Project, followed by Alison Dewes sharing insights into the wider farm system, key metrics and how Waipapa Farm fits within the project.
- 10:45 am
Guest Presentations and Panel Discussions
• Rongoā Māori with Robert McGowan (Pā Ropata) • Healthier Animals, Ensuring They Survive and Thrive, moderated by Alison Dewes • Financial Implications in This Changing World, moderated by Ashna Khan, featuring Regan McCorquindale, Karl Jeffery and Alison Dewes
- 12:20 pm
Regenerative Farming, As Easy as A, B, C
Roger Bent shares his approach to regenerative farming.
- 12:45 pm
Lunch
- 1:30 pm
Guided Farm Walk
Explore Waipapa Farm with Roger and Michael Bent, including a short talk from Brad Lynch (SolarOne).
- 3:45 pm
Karakia Whakamutunga
Closing karakia.
- 4:00 pm
Afternoon Tea to Take Away
We look forward to seeing you there!
Come along to connect with like-minded people, share experiences and explore what the future of farming could look like.
Together, we can continue building healthier soils, stronger farming systems and thriving communities.
Our Speakers
Rob McGowan (Pā Ropata)
Rob McGowan (Pā Ropata) is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most respected practitioners and advocates of Rongoā Māori, with decades of experience restoring and sharing traditional Māori healing knowledge, native plant medicine, and mātauranga Māori. He is widely recognised for his contribution to the revitalisation of rongoā practice and for fostering connections between Indigenous knowledge systems, environmental restoration, and contemporary land management. The founder of Tīwaiwaka, the Te Ao Maori conservation movement, Rob champions the principle that the wellbeing of people is inseparable from the wellbeing of the land:"Ka ora te whenua, ka ora te tangata." His work highlights the important role of native ecosystems, biodiversity, and cultural knowledge in supporting community resilience and health. At this on farm day, Rob will speak on the application of Rongoā Māori within farming landscapes, discussing how Indigenous knowledge, native species restoration, and a deeper relationship with whenua can strengthen ecological, cultural, and agricultural outcomes for future generations.
Regan McCorquindale
Growing up on a family-owned dairy farm in the Korakonui District, Regan McCorquindale has a lifelong passion for farming and a strong appreciation for the opportunities and challenges facing New Zealand farmers. Regan holds a Bachelor of AgriCommerce from Massey University, is an associate member of the New Zealand Institute of Primary Industry Management (NZIPIM) and is an accredited body condition scorer. After establishing a successful pasture management business and gaining experience in nationwide farm advisory services, Regan founded RECO in 2022 to provide practical, independent advice to farmers. Through his involvement with Rere ki uta rere ki tai - Living Soil Project, Regan brings his farm systems knowledge and advisory experience to the wider research team, supporting the project's focus on building more resilient, profitable and environmentally sustainable farming systems. Passionate about helping farmers succeed, Regan values the opportunity to combine practical farming knowledge with research and innovation to support positive change across New Zealand's agricultural sector.
Karl Jeffery
Karl Jeffery is an experienced farm consultant and dairy technology specialist with Headlands Consulting, bringing extensive knowledge of dairy farm systems, financial performance and farm business management. Having studied at Massey University, Karl began working with Intelact in 1997 and has built a career supporting dairy farmers to improve the productivity, profitability and sustainability of their farming operations. Karl specialises in analysing farm financial and physical performance, helping farmers better understand their businesses and make informed decisions for long-term success. With a strong understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing New Zealand's dairy sector, Karl brings valuable practical insights into farm performance, technology and effective farm management.
Dr Alison Dewes
Dr Alison Dewes is an experienced veterinarian, farm systems analyst and agricultural sustainability specialist with a strong passion for improving the health and resilience of New Zealand farming systems. With a background in veterinary science, farm business management and environmental sustainability, Alison brings a whole-system approach to agriculture, recognising the important connections between soil health, animal wellbeing, farm profitability and environmental outcomes. Alison has worked extensively with farmers, industry organisations and research teams to explore practical solutions that improve farm performance while reducing environmental impacts. Through her involvement with Rere ki uta rere ki tai - Living Soil Project, Alison provides farm systems expertise and analysis, helping farmers understand their current performance and identify opportunities to transition towards more resilient, profitable and environmentally sustainable farming practices. Passionate about creating positive change, Alison is committed to supporting farmers with practical, science-based solutions that benefit their businesses, communities and the environment.
Farm Owners - Roger and Michael Bent
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