Te Hou Farms

Jarred and Bronwyn Clode and Te Hou Farms are showing that it is possible to achieve both high production and strong environmental outcomes in an operation that is committed to a long-term investment in land and people.

Set on 1,324 hectares just west of Bulls, Te Hou Farms has become a standout example of modern Māori agribusiness—where commercial success, environmental care, and people-focused leadership come together. In 2026, that approach was recognised when managers Jarred and Bronwyn Clode were named supreme winners at the Horizons Ballance Farm Environment Awards 2026.

The farm is two-thirds owned by Ngā Wairiki Ngāti Apa Developments Limited and one-third by Ātihau Whanganui Incorporation. A board provides governance with strong iwi representation, while day-to-day operations are entrusted to the Clodes, who stepped into management roles in 2020 after Jarred had managed the dairy unit for several years.

Jarred describes the responsibility as, “being handed the keys to a Ferrari - it’s our responsibility to meet both the scale of the opportunity and the expectation to perform.” Under their leadership, Te Hou Farms has grown into a highly integrated and efficient system. At its core is a 530-hectare dairy platform, milking up to 1,650 cows at peak, supported by a drystock block. Together, these two components function as a cohesive unit. The farm raises around 1,200 beef calves each year and they were growing 120 hectares of maize silage.

Judges at the Ballance Farm Environment Awards highlighted the Clodes’ ability to manage complexity at scale. Their leadership style emphasises collaboration, with strong working relationships across the business and clear involvement at every level of decision-making. Just as importantly, their approach is grounded in data and research. From pasture management to irrigation and feed planning, decisions are guided by detailed analysis, expert advice, and the smart use of technology.

That analytical mindset extends to how the land itself is managed. Te Hou Farms takes a deliberate and strategic approach to soil health and productivity. Techniques such as minimum tillage and strip tilling are used to maintain soil structure, while fertiliser is applied with precision to match land capability and soil type. The goal is to maximise output without compromising the long-term health of the land.

Environmental stewardship is not treated as an add-on, but as a core pillar of the business. Across the property, 27 hectares of riparian margins and wetlands have been retired and planted with native vegetation. These areas play a critical role in filtering sediment and nutrients before they reach waterways, while also enhancing biodiversity. Alongside native tree planting, these areas also offset carbon emissions. Effluent is managed carefully and used strategically to support soil health. 70% of the farm is on centre pivot, and they continue to invest in research and improvements to minimise its environmental footprint.

Research and data on the farm soils are driving a significant shift in land use. With approval from the board, they’re moving away from intensive cropping, which has proven challenging on local soils, and focusing more on dairy. This includes increasing the dairy platform from 530 hectares to around 760 hectares and installing a second 80-bale rotary milking shed.

Jarred speaks to the importance of solid infrastructure – to not only grow the operation but to ensure the health, safety and well-being of everyone working the farm.  For example, the state-of-the-art milking shed and recently introduced Halter technology mean that they can efficiently get the cows through the shed, check in on data from home and reduce early starts. He says, “When you’re working at this scale, the stakes are high. We have to keep people fresh.” This prioritisation of people is echoed by Board Chair Pahia Turia, “If you don’t have the right support, you don’t have the right management”.

Te Hou Farms has built a culture that values work-life balance, prioritises health and safety, and encourages personal development. The result is a workplace where people feel supported and engaged—something the Awards judges noted as a key strength of the operation.

The dairy expansion will result in 2 separate dairy units—one milking 1,500 cows and the other 1,000—lifting the total herd to around 2,500 cows. Production is expected to rise sharply as a result. From a current output of around 960,000 kilograms of milk solids, the farm is forecasting growth to 1.1 million kilograms in the 2026–27 season, and up to 1.425 million kilograms by 2027–28. That represents an increase of roughly 60 per cent in just a few years.

Te Hou Farms uses the BakerAg Dairy System Monitoring programme to benchmark its performance against comparable farms. In recent years, it has ranked among the top-performing operations in that group—further evidence of the effectiveness of its systems and leadership. Jarred says the system, “quantifies the decisions we’re making and keeps us honest and accountable to our board.”

Despite the scale and pace of development, the farm remains grounded in a long-term vision. There is ongoing consideration of how best to use surplus land, including options such as forestry and even solar energy, ensuring the property continues to evolve in a way that aligns with both economic and environmental goals.

For Jarred and Bronwyn Clode, the recognition at the Ballance Farm Environment Awards is less about a single achievement and more about the journey. Years of development, careful planning, and shared ambition have shaped Te Hou Farms into what it is today. More importantly, they have laid a foundation for what it can become.