About Te Aratipi
Te Aratipi has been home to the Palmer family for four generations.
Since 1915, this corner of Hawke's Bay has been shaped by generations of farming, hospitality and a deep connection to the land. Today, Ed and Ro Palmer continue that legacy, welcoming guests to experience life on their working sheep and beef station through a collection of authentic farm experiences, unique places to stay and thoughtfully hosted gatherings.
Spanning 3,000 acres of rolling hill country, native bush and dramatic limestone landscapes, Te Aratipi sits between Waimārama Beach and the renowned food and wine region of Hawke's Bay. The farm takes its name from Te Aratipi, meaning "The Pathway to the Top", a historic route once used to traverse these hills and a place of significance to Ngāti Kahungunu.
While farming remains at the heart of Te Aratipi, so too does a commitment to caring for the land for future generations. Through native planting projects, environmental initiatives and ongoing stewardship of the farm's natural landscapes, Ed and Ro are working to ensure Te Aratipi continues to thrive for generations to come.
Together with their children, Selby and Harry, they look forward to sharing the landscapes, stories and way of life that make Te Aratipi such a special place to call home.
A Brief History
The Palmer Family Legacy
Te Aratipi has been part of the Palmer family story for more than a century.
The family's connection to New Zealand began when Joseph and Emily Palmer emigrated from Adelaide, South Australia, to Christchurch in 1853. Joseph, who had previously travelled from London to manage the Union Bank, and Emily raised thirteen children, including Selby Miles Palmer, born in 1880.
In 1903, Selby purchased a farm in Tiniroto near Wairoa. While the property proved challenging, it laid the foundations for what would become a lifelong commitment to farming. In August 1915, with assistance from his father-in-law, Charles Wells, Selby purchased Te Aratipi Station, a property located 25 kilometres southeast of Havelock North and once part of the vast 30,000-acre Waimārama Station.
Te Aratipi was purchased for £32,000, with a further £8,000 invested in livestock. Selby undertook extensive development of the property, clearing native bush, milling timber on-site, fencing large areas and establishing productive pasture. The combination of reliable rainfall and limestone soils proved ideal for sheep and beef farming.
In 1936, Selby established stud Angus cattle and Romney sheep, creating a legacy that would continue through future generations. Following World War II, his son John Palmer took over management of the station, building on his father's work, expanding the property through the acquisition of the neighbouring Mangatawa block and earning numerous awards for the quality of his livestock.
The next generation arrived in 1977 when Selby Palmer returned from overseas travels with his English wife, Felicity. Together they continued the stewardship of the station, farming Te Aratipi until their son Edward assumed responsibility in 2009.
Under Ed's leadership, Te Aratipi has continued to evolve while remaining firmly grounded in its farming heritage. Alongside his wife Ro, who joined the station in 2013, the farm has seen significant investment and diversification. New initiatives have included the creation of the off-grid Te Aratipi Cabins, built during the COVID lockdown using a blend of new and salvaged materials, the development of private walks, farm tours and golf experiences, and ongoing environmental projects including extensive fencing, waterway restoration and the protection of native bush through covenant programmes.
Today, Te Aratipi remains a working sheep and beef station, balancing productive farming with a commitment to hospitality, conservation and sharing this special place with future generations.
A Brief History of Waimārama
The landscape surrounding Te Aratipi has been shaped by centuries of Māori history and settlement.
Waimārama has been inhabited since some of the earliest Māori settlements in Hawke's Bay. Over generations, the area became home to successive iwi and hapū, including Ngāti Kahungunu, whose connection to the region remains strong today.
The hills, valleys and coastal landscapes surrounding Te Aratipi hold stories of migration, settlement, conflict and community. Te Aratipi itself takes its name from a historic pathway used to traverse these hills, reflecting the area's long-standing cultural significance.
Following European arrival in the nineteenth century, Waimārama developed into an important farming district while retaining strong Māori ownership and connections to the land. Today, the area is known for its beautiful coastline, productive farmland and rich cultural heritage.
We are privileged to farm and share a small part of this remarkable landscape and acknowledge the generations of people who have shaped its history.
For more details, consider driving the Heritage Trail Waimarama.
Our mission statement…
Our mission at Te Aratipi is to cultivate a farm that thrives in harmony with nature. Through thoughtful and responsible practices, we are dedicated to nurturing our land, caring for our livestock, and preserving the natural beauty of Hawke’s Bay. We aim to create a legacy of stewardship, ensuring that Te Aratipi remains a vibrant and resilient farm for generations to come.