The Gordons at Rotokawa

This coastal property was purchased in 1975 by Jeannie Lilburn and since 2008, Daniel Gordon, Jeannie’s grandson has been farming Rotokawa which has kept the family connection alive.

Daniel is a fourth generation farmer who farms in partnership with Ross, his father who has farmed for the last 40 years at Awarua, in the Mokai Valley, east of Taihape. The two properties run well together, with lambs bred at both properties, but fattened at Rotokawa in beautiful coastal conditions.

Our family love the country life and have for years been privileged to have had the benefit of raising family in the Taihape hills and enjoying the contrasting coastal property as well.

The Gordon family are proud and excited to have joined the team; we hope you enjoy eating our lamb as much as we have enjoyed bringing it to you.

Rotokawa

Rotokawa is a 320 ha property situated near the coast 10 km south of Wanganui. The farming operation also consists of the family’s hill country farm, Awarua which is a 400ha property east of Taihape, bordered by the Ruahine ranges and the Rangitikei River. The combined properties complement each other very well.

A total of 3700 breeding ewes are run, of which 1500 are mated on Rotokawa and lamb in July and are ready for sale from late October. Lambs that are born on the hill country property are later moved to the Coastal block to be finished.

Alongside sheep breeding, Rotokawa also integrates beef finishing, cropping and dairy support into the farming system which all work in well together on the properties different soil types of Clay, Sand dunes and river silt.

The balance of enterprises make for a sustainable and enjoyable farming operation.

Rotokawa trading as Awarua Grazing Company Ltd