About Your Hosts
Annemarie and Fraser purchased Pakira in 1994 and have raised their four, now adult children, on the farm.
Both Annemarie and Fraser grew up on farms and have travelled extensively. Fraser travelled the world sheep shearing and Annemarie wool classing, before they returned back to New Zealand to farm. Fraser and Annemarie have run the farm together since 1994 and latterly they have employed a full time experienced shepherd to assist Fraser. While Annemarie still helps out on the farm, she is also a rural and lifestyle real estate agent, sharing her passion of rural living with those looking to buy and sell.
Annemarie and Fraser are experienced hosts having run Pakira Farmstay for over 15 years, with many regular clients returning for an annual stay at Pakira. Due to popular demand they have recently added Farm Walks to their experience and have stepped back from the Farmstay experience, instead offering a private cottage getaway for those looking for a relaxing break from the fast paced life. They love sharing their beautiful part of New Zealand with others - and look forward to welcoming you to Pakira Farm Walks and Cottage Getaway!
The History of Pakira
Pakira translates in Maori to shining top or bald head and is the last place in the district to lose the sun each day.
The main homestead was built in 1910 and has seen only three families live in it. At over 100 years old, the house has seen many alterations and transformations yet still remains the same building. A shepherds cottage was added to the property in 1930 and is located across from the local school, Kakatahi, which translates to one parrot (a large New Zealand parrot, with dull green and olive-brown upper parts and reddish underparts) in Maori.
The original woolshed was built in 1917, with a new extension added in 1980 making it a 6 stand shed. In 2012 the old shearing board was removed and the woolshed pen area was extended. What was the large boarding house later became the Kakatahi store and is now used as a shearers quarters.
The cottage you will stay in for the Cottage Getaway experience and Farm Walks was originally the single mans working cottage, which has been revamped into a modern cottage getaway.
The first stock sale was held in Pakira yards in February 1920 and continued for some years, until it recommenced in the 1990's.
Originally the farms airstrip was situated down at the road level but is now located 550 metres above sea level and is still used to fly fertiliser onto Pakira and neighbouring properties - you will see this on our Farm Walks .
The farm was the first property sold in New Zealand due to martimional spilt, which saw the wife paid out. Fraser and Annemarie purchased Pakira in 1994. Fraser was a sheep shearer and worked for many years in USA, Australia, England, Wales, Norway, Falkland Islands and New Zealand before getting back into farming.
