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Coolbreene Farm HistoryGreenfields Lodge is situated on Coolbreene a large dairy farm 5 minutes north of Wairakei. The area is well known for its thermal activity, geothermal power station and closeness to the Waikato River. Today the Wairakei Tourist Park which is close to the farm provides a marvelous range of sights and activities for locals and visitors. Motorbike trails wind through the forest and along the river. Jet boat rides and helicopter tours and lovely walks show case the stunning scenery.
Farming is a relatively new activity for Taupo and especially Wairakei. When the Tuwharetoa people settled here it was the lake and bush that provided food and shelter. But later when settlers followed the missionaries into the Taupo nui a Tia region land was cleared for farming. Bush sickness was a huge problem and many farms failed until the cause, lack of cobalt, was discovered. By this time huge tracts of exotic forest had been planted on land that was considered unsuitable for farming.
Coolbreene was part of a government owned farm and after the farm was developed in the 1960’s it was subdivided and sold by ballot around 1970 to returning servicemen and women. Life was tough for these farmers but they gradually learned to farm the volcanic plateau and enjoyed the lifestyle that living in such a beautiful area made possible.
It was from a retiring ballot farmer that the Hart family bought their farm and settled into life in New Zealand in 1988. The farm was a traditional New Zealand sheep and beef farm with 2000 ewes and cattle fattened. Fluctuating prices and difficulty finishing lambs in time to get good prices encouraged the Harts to look at other options. In 1995 the farm was converted to dairy farming with 450 cows milked in the first year and 108,000 kgMS produced.
Today the farm milks 1300 cows and produces over 400,000 kgMS. The farm is now managed by the next generation with both Patrick and Peter Hart in charge of the operation. Their parents Rick and Sarah still live and work on the farm. Our farm milk goes to Fonterra and is made into cheese, casein and surgical spirit. The Hart families love being part of the dairy industry and really enjoy farming as a family.
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