Clocking up the miles

The next morning the team travel up into the hills on the Turakina Valley Road to Otairi Station where they were welcomed for a fun day by Ken and Jacques. This area of the Turakina Valley is Duncan country, the original property being bought from local Maori in the mid 19th century. Now Ken and his brother Doug farm both Otairi and Puketoi, recently bought another property which he plans to turn into a horse property.

Horses rule the roost here with the whole family keen riders, although the backbone of the enterprise is, of course, sheep and cattle. Ken, a former International Polo Rep, has his owner-trainer’s licence. Teamed with Jacques, they scored a notable win last year in the Great Northern Hurdles with Wee Biskit, a mare he bought off Trade Me for $200 as a polo pony! Harry, Jimmie James and Georgina all ride, as does Jacques and the family hunt in the Winter – a past time that Ken says gives the youngsters the balance they need for working stock on the steep hills of the Station.