'Retirement' bliss at Waimangaroa

• Published date: 09 August 2023
• Publication title: West Coast Farming Times, The

The couple visited Westport 18 months ago for a 'feed at the Denniston Dog' and a 'tiki tour'

It was Natasha's first visit to the Coast. Shane had done an 18-month stint as a fly in and out driller at Stockton some 15 years ago.

He had also taught health and safety modules to Buller and Westland High School Gateway students visiting for two-day courses.

"I was looking to retire," said Shane, 52, who also works a 40-hour week for the Government, remotely, as a construction engineer.

"We wanted a 10-acre block but then I saw #806 on Trade Me and I thought maybe we could aff ord one, so here we are!" he said.

"So, it's really his fault!" Natasha said. "But I'm enjoying my retirement!" Shane said.

The couple has been married for nearly 30 years. Natasha is originally from the Waikato and Shane the Hauraki Plains.

They lived at Mangatawhiri in north Waikato for many years.

They moved to Sheffield in Canterbury four years ago, where they owned 50 acres for 'cut and carry' for hay and silage as well as running some livestock.

"We've done contract milking, share milking and every other sort so we're pretty experienced in the dairy industry," Shane said. "But this is the first time we've owned our own dairy farm." They took ownership of Supply Number 806, just north of the Waimangaroa River on April 5. It had...