The New Zealand Century Farm and Station Awards aim to capture and preserve the history of our country’s farming families. Each month we will share stories from Farmlands shareholders who have worked their land for 100 years or more.
The Making of Mackenzie A book, a movie and hydroelectrics have all played a part in the Hayman farming legacy. “Tasman Downs Station” was purchased by Walter Hayman (1861-1934) in 1915. Walter employed a manager until 1920 when his son, John Edgar (Jack) (18881956) and wife, Lilian took over the reins. They had three children — Patricia (died
| Tasman Downs, 1930.
aged 3 of a burst appendix in 1919), Betty (died aged 21 of encephalitis in 1938 whilst at Otago University) and Bruce who survived until he was 88. The station was 1,800 acres and grew wheat, oat and chaff, mainly to feed the horses that ploughed the paddocks. The farm had sheep and a few cattle but the winters were very tough and rabbits were a big burden. Lilian, a qualified teacher, started a school in 1923 for the local children from Braemar and Guide Hill Stations. Altogether 75 pupils, including Betty and Bruce, received their primary education. For the last 10 years, 10 children at a time from all parts of New Zealand were boarders,
| Walter and Elizabeth Hayman with family, 1900.
| Jack and Lilian Hayman on Harley Davidson motorcycle.
farm was still a sheep farm until 1996
completing high school, Ian returned to
when the sheep were sold. Bruce
Tasman Downs to work alongside his
married Tonie and had four children –
father until his passing in 2008. Bruce
Alan, Bernard, Nicola and Wendy. He
completed his book, “The Nut That
married Linda Jean Cargo 18 years later
Changed My Life”, the previous year.
and had two children, Jane and Ian.
until the school closed in 1945.
The raising of Lake Pukaki in 1954
Bruce, the sole surviving child,
and 1976 for hydro development
The farm is now run by Linda and Ian Hayman and Nicola Homsey. Their son, Archie is away at boarding school
boarded at Timaru Boys’ High School
has decreased the land area from
for his high schooling, then in 1941,
1,800 acres to just 1,100. After the
against his parents’ wishes, enlisted
second raising, all the farm buildings
with the RNZAF. He was a Wellington
had to be relocated to higher ground
oats and Ian operates Ian’s Quirky Tours.
bomber pilot during WW2.
and a new homestead was built.
Tasman Downs was the location of
Returning from WW2, Bruce farmed
Linda home-schooled Jane and
Laketown in the Hobbit movie and
alongside his father for 7 years before
Ian until 9 years of age when they
featured on Country Calendar in
Jack and Lilian retired to Timaru. The
were sent to boarding school. Upon
May 2017, entitled “A bit of a dag”.
50 | THE FARMLANDER
but still has a keen interest in the farm. Tasman Downs runs Angus cattle, sells
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