“We started using Motu-Nui Romney rams on our Coromandel farm around 9 years ago after going for a look around at different breeders to see who had similar conditions to what we face. We were after rams that were not too big and were able to produce progeny that can perform in the challenging conditions that are becoming more common. We found Moto-nui also experienced challenging conditions but managed to have high performing sheep, with rams that met our criteria. We found the Motu-nui rams were able to hold condition on our predominately kikuyu pasture in our costal environment, allowing them to perform well.

The progeny from the Motu-nui rams are improving year on year, with the lambs being born healthy and having great type, constitution and a bit of size to them, helping with survival during undesirable weather over lambing. We are continually impressed with the growth rate of the lambs, noticing a big improvement in yields. We finish all progeny on our support block, with the stock manager commenting on how they don't have to be a big sheep to yield well.

When Motu-nui introduced their FE Romneys, we jumped on the opportunity, introducing them into our support block in the King Country, with lamb survival and performance also increasing. Since using Motu-nui rams, the maternal ability of our ewes has increased, with our lamb survival rates increasing. We have found both the ewes and rams move around the hills well with good feet, the constitution of our ewes is ever improving, and we are starting to see a more consistent line of sheep coming through in our young stock. Our stock can now hold condition better and bounce back extremely well if challenged, which is something we hold very important.

We are looking forward to seeing what the future brings for our ewes as we are very pleased with the changes so far.”

Rob Craw & Amelia Hodder

Ohana (377ha, 2500 LSU) & Aria (519ha, 4500 LSU)

“We've been using Motu-nui rams at Turnberry since 2011, starting with the Motu-nui Romney before moving to the Romney/Coopworth cross. After dealing with a lot of facial eczema, we decided to invest in the Motu-nui FE rams in 2022. Since using the FE rams, we haven't come close to experiencing those same levels of losses, despite facial eczema still being prevalent.

The improvement in our scanning results has also been significant. Our Romdale ewes previously struggled to scan above 150%, but we are now consistently scanning between 190% and 213%. We put a lot of that improvement down to using high-fertility Motu-nui genetics. We currently run the Romney/Coopworth FE rams over more than 2,500 2-th/MA ewes.

The ewes are often standing over their lambs as we drive past. This strong maternal ability has helped with our lamb survival rates on Turnberry station, especially during some of the more wild weather we often experience over lambing. We've achieved lamb survival to sale of 150% for the last five years running.

We also use Motu-nui Suffolk/Texel terminal rams over our older ewes, which are sold with lambs at foot, and our replacement hoggets. The lambs have good colour and growth rates, and across the flock we've found the Motu-nui genetics to be extremely solid, with good feet, nice wool, and the constitution and structure we look for.

Ben and the team are great to deal with and always look after us. They're transparent about their breeding objectives and systems, and are always looking for ways to improve their sheep. We fully believe Motu-nui and their genetics have played an important part in helping us achieve our farming goals, including winning the Keinzley Agvet 2026 Wairarapa Farm Business of the Year award.”

Willie & Jen Forbes

Turnberry Station

(750ha, 7000 LSU)

“We have had a working relationship with Motu-nui Rams for over 20 years. Motu-nui supplies Bramerton in the Wairarapa and TeTuhi in Taupo with breeding rams for our two farming operations.

We have always been impressed with the genetics of the flock and the survivability, durability and hardiness.

We would like to thank Motu-nui for all their hard work getting their sheep to such a high standard.”

Paul & Kelly Phillips

“Last season, we decided to change our stock policy at Te Tumu Station. Rather than purchasing composite 2ths each year, we wanted to move towards a self-replacing ewe flock, with a focus on breeding hardy, low-input ewes that could perform on our more marginal country. Drench efficacy was also a major consideration.

Ben helped us source a line of MA ewes from one of his clients who had been using Motu-nui rams for several years. The line included ewes ranging from 2ths through to five-year-olds and made up a large proportion of the Romney ewes we purchased last season.

I was extremely impressed with how hard I could push these ewes over winter to tidy up blocks without stripping weight off them.

We also sourced 2ths from three other properties, each with different Romney genetics, as potential breeders for our flock. All four groups were run together and scanned separately for comparison. The Motu-nui 2ths scanned considerably higher than the others in the group.

We also purchased rams from five different Romney breeders last year as a trial to build our ram team. The Motu-nui rams were a really nice type and grew out well. What really stood out to me was the condition they were in when they came out of the ewes. They didn't really check at all.”

Jaime Pickens

Te Tumu Station

(2670ha, 1240ha effective, 10000 LSU)

“In June 2023, my partner Latasha, our daughter Willow and I moved to Gladstone, where I took over management of Te Whanga.

I've known Motu-nui Romneys since my time at Patitapu Station in Alfredton. The strong ewe base gave us confidence, especially in the challenging conditions of Gladstone.

After spending time with Ben and the team, I was impressed by their practical, no-nonsense approach. Their commitment to breeding fit-for-purpose rams reassures us that Motu-nui will remain one of our main ram suppliers.”

Bert Botha

Manager, Te Whanga Station