Effluent-system investment
New covered Kliptanks and a screw press solid separator are central to a more controlled system.
Rawhiti Farm · Te Aroha, Waikato
Turning hard lessons into a better future
Rawhiti is a working farm with a difficult public history. This site explains what happened, what is changing, and the practical circular system being rebuilt for the land, neighbours and future.
Accountability first
Rawhiti does not shy away from past mistakes.
The farm has had environmental failures, including 2023 effluent spills. Context matters, but it does not remove responsibility. What matters now is the work being done, the systems being changed, and the standards Rawhiti is choosing to hold itself to.
The story is not just the headlines. It is a farm taking responsibility, investing in better systems and rebuilding trust step by step.
Current focus
- • Clear ownership and leadership from February 2024 onward.
- • Effluent-system investment and consultant-supported improvement work.
- • A measured circular model targeted toward June 2027.
The circular model
Waste, food, energy and nutrients — connected carefully.
The long-term purpose is to take organic by-products that would otherwise go to landfill and convert them into food, energy and fertiliser, while respecting the land and neighbours. Some elements are operating, some are underway, and some remain planned.
1
Working model
Organic by-products
Food waste and other suitable organic by-products are kept out of landfill where practical.
2
Operating
Pigs and pork
Feed is converted into pork protein for New Zealand consumers through a working farm system.
3
Invested / improving
Effluent management
Investment is focused on covered Kliptanks, a screw press separator and better systems after past failures.
4
Planned toward 2027
Energy and nutrients
The future model includes methane/biogas, electricity and nutrients returned to land responsibly.
Current progress
Proof points to build confidence.
Rawhiti is making practical changes now, while being clear about what is complete, what is underway and what still needs public reporting as systems mature.
Local feed supply
Rawhiti is shifting suitable supply from Auckland toward Morrinsville where practical, reducing distance while strengthening local links.
Waterway restoration
Native planting and waterway work are part of the long-term repair programme around the farm environment.
Community contribution
Rawhiti supports local clubs, schools and community events while sustaining jobs and families in the district.
Status at a glance
Concrete progress, stated carefully.
Trust is rebuilt through dated actions, plain status and follow-through. This snapshot keeps completed work, active improvements and future targets distinct.
Since February 2024
Leadership and control
Thomas Nabbs joined full-time as CEO, with clearer operating control and a “never again” mindset around environmental failure.
Invested / improving
Effluent infrastructure
Covered Kliptanks, separation equipment and consultant-supported operating changes are central to the repair programme.
Target: June 2027
Circular model
Energy, nutrient reuse and lower-impact operations are presented as goals unless public source material confirms completion.
Farm evidence
Image-led, practical and grounded.
Effluent infrastructure
Covered Kliptanks and separation systems are visible proof points in the current change programme.
Restoration work
Native planting and waterway work connect the farm’s future to measurable care for the land around it.
Waikato setting
The design stays rural, calm and plain-spoken rather than defensive or overly corporate.
History with context
A concise timeline, with responsibility made clear.
- 2016
Taking on a difficult legacy
Rawhiti was purchased through a mortgagee sale. The family inherited legacy issues, including a first-day abatement notice.
- 2017–2019
Early improvement work
Rawhiti began investing effort and capital to improve the farm and move the system forward from the inherited position.
- 2019–2020
Family loss and disruption
Brian Nabbs was diagnosed with terminal cancer and later died, creating a difficult period for the family and business.
- 2020–2022
External lease period
During an external lease, further abatement notices occurred and the farm’s operating systems were not where they needed to be.
- 2022–2024
Control, context and responsibility
Rawhiti took back control amid missing pond-cover issues, liner damage, rainfall pressure, consultant involvement and major effluent-system investment.
- 2023
Spills and apology
Cyclone Gabrielle and record rainfall created pressure, but the site must be clear: context explains pressure; it does not excuse what happened. Rawhiti accepts responsibility.
- 2024 onward
A never-again mindset
Thomas Nabbs joined full-time as CEO on 1 February 2024, with a practical focus on people, systems, accountability and repair.
Impact preview
Environmental, economic and social contribution.
Environmental repair
Better storage, separation, planting and reporting are being prioritised so the farm can earn confidence over time.
Waikato contribution
The business plan targets more than $4 million into the Waikato / Thames Valley economy and supports 10 staff and families.
Food production
The plan references more than 1000 tonnes of pork protein for New Zealand consumers, alongside investment in animal welfare and technology.
Neighbour support
A fertiliser service for neighbours is part of the future circular model, with public evidence to be added as systems mature.
Partnerships and future
Rebuilding happens with people, not slogans.
Partnerships
Rawhiti is approaching cultural, environmental and planting relationships carefully, with public detail to be added only when partners are ready for it to be shared.
See partnership notes →Future vision
Farrow-to-finish production, organic fertiliser, forestry/carbon sequestration, native planting, solar and a lower fossil-fuel footprint are presented as goals and targets unless source material says they are complete.
Explore the future vision →Get in touch
For neighbours, stakeholders, regulators, partners and investors.
Rawhiti is open to practical conversations about the farm, the repair work underway and the future model being built.