Stonehurst Farm lies on the edge of the Waimea plains against the southern Richmond hills. This expansive 1000 acres of lush green paddocks and rolling hills encompasses towering native trees and where native birds nestle, 5kms of beautiful winding river boundary and wetlands, and skyline views across the Waimea Plains out to Tasman Bay.

The Max family has owned Stonehurst Farm for six generations and not surprisingly has developed a deep affinity for the land.

This commitment to retaining ownership of the farm lead Suzanne and Laurence Max to develop a diversified income base. Originally a traditional New Zealand sheep and beef farm, Stonehurst now incorporates horse trekking, a riding centre, an equestrian centre (tertiary studies offered in partnership with the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology), forestry, cashmere goats, cattle, sheep and hay making.

Stonehurst Farm Diversification.

Solid land management and careful diversification has made Stonehurst Farm a viable economic unit with a variety of revenue streams.

Contract Fencing established 1982
We employ five full time staff to build stock fences, deer and electric fencing, security fencing, stockyards, retaining walls, residential, pool and tennis court fencing. We also drive posts for orchards and vineyards around the district.

Cashmere Goats
We began farming goats in 1984. Goats provide excellent control of weeds especially blackberry, sweet briar, broom, gorse, thistles and Barbary, and they provide revenue from sales of the Cashmere goat fibre, very fine (around 16 microns) soft and warm and luxurious, and from goat meat.

Forestry
We first planted trees in 1982. Initially this was to replace some mature pine trees that we had milled for use on the farm. Today we have 50 ha,(125 acres) planted in trees of 5 - 18 years of age While most of our trees are Radiata Pine we have also planted specialty species such as Eucalyptus, Macrocarpa, Douglas fir, Tasmanian Blackwood, Black walnut and poplars.

Gravel Extraction ceased in 2000
In the Nelson region there are restrictions on taking gravel from our rivers. This provides an opportunity for us to extract gravel from the stony riverbanks laid down thousands of years ago. Gravels are used for concretion, roading material, construction sites and drainage projects.