Our History
Tauroa: (verb) to extend time
A Rich
History
Tauroa Farm Station sits upon the mighty Te Mata Park with views up to the distinctive peak. This land is rich in New Zealand history and shapes the region’s character.
2 -3 Billion Years Ago
The dramatic landscapes were formed 2-3 million years ago when the sea floor was uplifted and tilted in stages. Many marine fossils remain in areas on the peak and around Tauroa.
Maori Settlement
Tauroa Farm Station and the surrounding land is associated with the ancestor Te Rehunga of Ngāti Ngarengare, a sub-tribe of Ngāti Kahungunu. The area, particularly the higher parts of the park have strong Maori relevance and there is evidence of past settlements, including pā sites and other such earthworks.
Early Settlers
In 1862, John Chambers was the first European settler to own and farm Tauroa. This 18,000 acrea area also included Te Mata Estate Winery and the land along Waimārama Road and the Tukituki River.