Miraka Cottage

19/08/2020

We are going to be renting out the cottage permanently from early September thanks for all the support to date from people who have booked or stayed here it's been a very interesting experience.
Cheers Tess and Graham 🤗👋👏

14/11/2019

The new season is in full swing, the fishermen and women have been frequenting the stream, the water is full of Rainbow and Brown Trout awaiting your fly or nymph.
Summer is nearly upon us so a good time to hang out and enjoy the surroundings here and cool off in the stream as well.

Here is a link to a new video mostly about farming and mental health but the farm was featured and Graham was interviewed for this as well.
Enjoy.

Cinematic Essay

09/02/2019

https://www.facebook.com/wproject.ent/videos/250502545890433/

Here's a link to a video from the three French boys who started the track up to the cliffs on the farm. Some of it is about another project they worked on but there's something interesting in there about the farm too.
Enjoy

09/03/2018

For all those freshwater fisho's out there. Always look after our waterways.

Freshwater pests, like didymo and lake snow, could squeeze the life out of our precious rivers and lakes. And can spread in a single drop of water 💧

Help protect your favourite fishing spot and CHECK, CLEAN, DRY all your gear, between every waterway, every time.

19/02/2018

Integrating Farm Forestry and Pastoral Farming:
Theme: Integrating farm forestry to achieve Economic and Environmental sustainability.

Date: 22 Feb 2018 (Thursday) 1.30 pm -4.30 pm.
Location: Property of Graeme & Tess Smith, 1291 Wharepuhunga Rd, Te Awamutu. (21 Km SE of Kihikihi)

An on farm visit to the Smith’s property to view first hand successful diversified to Farm Forestry on a dairy farm.
This is a great opportunity to learn more about this topic and how forestry can be an effectively contribute to a pastoral farming business.
Members of the Waikato Branch of the Farm Forestry Association will also be present.

Topics:
• Why Diversify: Graham Parker: NZIPIM Waikato Branch Chair.
• Farm Forestry - What have we achieved, Graeme Smith, Waikato Farm Forestry Association.
• Recent Harvest returns & costs. Malcolm MacKenzie -Farm Forester.
• Carbon Credits -where do they fit in and what Farm Forestry Association can help? - John Simmons Waikato Farm Forestry Association.
• Where does Forestry fit with Healthy Rivers? Grant Blackie, Waikato Region Council
• How does a farmer start? John Paul-Prat: Director Ground truth & NZIPIM member.

 Please wear clothing and footwear suitable for walking on an operational Dairy Farm.
 The visit will conclude with afternoon tea.

With kind regards

Bala
Bala Tikkisetty | Sustainable Agricultural Advisor Technical
Waikato Regional Council
P: +64 7 859 0543
F: +64 7 859 0998
M:021 589 915
Private Bag 3038, Waikato Mail Centre, Hamilton 3240
Please consider the environment before printing this email

18/02/2018

Here's last night's episode for you to watch again or for the first time for you overseas family and friends. Enjoy. Whoop whoop.!!

New Season: A dairy farmer uses every inch of his 37 hectares branching into forestry, tourism and ducks. Off the farm he reinvents himself and finds love on the dance floor.

18/02/2018

The latest from the new blogger now Tree Hugger. 😁😁😁

Hi all. As I write, the thunder is echoing around the hills and light rain is falling. Grass is no longer in shortage, and the cows appreciate it. Production is up 13% for the season, with the girl…

13/02/2018

Here it comes

Tree Hugger - Waikato Dairy farmers Tess and Graham Smith, pic Don Paulin