Tempello

15/03/2026

On Saturday 21 March, a paddock at Willowhaugh on Jacksons Road, Woodbourne will become the centre of a very special celebration of Marlborough’s rural heritage. Photo: Supplied.

06/03/2026

Timetable for our upcoming Two tooth comp and stud tour.
Come and see some of the stunning Awatere valley and surrounds, spend time discussing a bit of Merino breeding with our NZ and Australian judges and enjoy some Marlborough hospitality.
Contact Sally Smith for details, dinner bookings and accommodation options.

15/02/2026

Successful adaption of refrigeration for shipping saw a change away from merinos to meat breeds. It made smaller sheep flocks and owner/operator farms viable. It created social change as well the birth of meat and butter exports. It saw the end of the tallow 'sheep boiling' plants near large sheep runs (like the one on Blairich Station ) which was the only viable use for older sheep. The Tempello Griggs drove young fat sheep from Blenheim to Canterbury markets annually, as there was no train railway over the Hundalees until mid 1940s. What a job that must have been to get sheep to market.

Lamb has always had a special place in our family story. I’m incredibly proud to be part of the sixth generation of Griggs farming sheep in Canterbury.

My great‑great‑great‑grandfather, John Grigg, bought Longbeach - between the Rangitata and Ashburton rivers - and helped found the Canterbury Frozen Meat and Dairy Produce Export Company. Lamb from Longbeach even made it into New Zealand’s very first refrigerated shipment to London back in 1882.

That moment is exactly why we celebrate National Lamb Day every year on 15 February. It marks the voyage of the Dunedin, which proved New Zealand farmers could feed the world and kicked off an industry that’s still so important to our country today.

So today, let’s back our farmers - fire up the BBQ, enjoy some great New Zealand lamb, and take a moment to thank the farmers who support our economy every day.

05/02/2026

It's .
We certainly love drinking it and enjoy being part of an entrepreneurial industry... working in the vineyard and living alongside the vines. Cheers!



Whitehaven Wines

04/01/2026

Shifted the wethers from Long Gully to the Tinpot and put up safe nesting boxes for the Rifleman birds. Thanks to for the idea and Menz Shed for building them. This cute Robin was checking us out.

30/11/2025

Virtual fencing chat.... covers dairy case study results and beef potential as well.

18/11/2025

Big thanks to Pāmu LandCorp for supporting the Marlborough A&P Show Battle of the Sheep District team Trophy with $250 of prize money. This was won by The Woolly Jumpers from Meadowbank Station.

08/11/2025

Well done Raglan Station winning the Bacon Trophy and Mark Taggart winning Best dressed. We had a great day presenting our Boar 'Swine & Cheese'.
Thanks Aggie, Will and Penny for feeding him over winter.
Congratulations to Meadowbank on Top Sheep Team and our Wairau-Waihopai District wiped the floor to win Battle of The District. Thanks Aschworth High Country Station for making up The All Bleats Merino rugby team for a 3rd.
In the wool, Emma OSullivan, our classer, pulled out some fleeces to help us win the under 17.5 micron Merino ewe and Merino Hogget classes. 😍
Marlborough A&P Show

04/11/2025

Getting excited about taking our Boar to the Marlborough A&P Show this Saturday. Here's a chat with Mark Taggart about the event.

Mark Taggart - Marlborough A&P Show all set to go

Dom talks with Mark Taggart from the Marlborough A&P Show about preparations for the event ((Nov 8), running the Boar Breeders competition and what visitors can expect from this year's show.

Listen here: https://omny.fm/shows/rural-exchange/mark-taggart-marlborough-a-p-show-all-set-to-go

30/10/2025

Any keen kids out there?

🚜 Future Farmers – It’s Your Time to Shine! 🌾

A popular activity on the Show timetable is the Harcourts Future Farmer Competition! 🙌

📍 Location: Site 33 - see where the arrow is pointing below
🕙 Start time: 10am
👧 Age Groups: 6 & under | 7–9 years | 10–12 years

Entries are taken on the day, so bring those budding farmer skills and join in the fun! Let’s see our future farmers take to the stage and show us what they’ve got! 💪🐄

A big shoutout to the awesome Harcourts Marlborough for running this event each year - we couldn’t do it without you!

15/10/2025

Good wrap from Twizel Wilding Pine Conference happening now

15/10/2025

Calling all sheep including kids pet lambs! Which district will win Battle of The District and Best Sheep Team 2025 at the Nov 8 Marlborough A&P Show ? Find a neighbour and enter 2 sheep each (any sheep except rams) to make a team, in this new competition. $250 best Team. $250 Top District. Drop sheep at 9am Sat 8th Nov and enjoy the bar and entertainment. Judging by 1pm with HUGE trophy. Thanks to sponsors Landcorp/ Pamu and Harrison Martin, Bayleys Real Estate. Entries close Oct 20th! Awatere North vs Flaxbourne vs Waihopai-Wairau vs Sounds. Fancy dress welcome too...
Please support your local Marlborough show and bring the country to town. Enter at http://showday.online/