James and Sarah McIntosh purchased their beautiful New Zealand property with the dream of raising and working with their own cows on the land they now call home. Today, that dream is a reality, with their sprawling 145-hectare dairy farm embodying what it means to dedicate time, passion, and hard work to achieve well-deserved success.
We were fortunate to speak with James McIntosh about his experience in starting Te Puna Wai Dairy Farm, and what it means to work with the Nexia team to ensure the business performs to the high standards that James, Sarah, and their team hold themselves to.
Formed by owner-operators James and Sarah McIntosh, Te Puna Wai Dairy Farm is built on a passion for producing top-quality milk for the New Zealand market. Providing a supportive and positive working environment for their small team, Te Puna Wai Dairy Farm is truly changing the traditions of dairy farming – embracing innovation and prioritising work-life balance for their dedicated staff.
“We are based in Springston, New Zealand, on a 145-hectare dairy farm with 450 cows, owned and operated by myself and my wife Sarah,” James said.
Running a small operation with three loyal staff members, Te Puna Wai Dairy Farm was purchased in 2015 and has seen steady growth ever since.
“We have a small but passionate team here on the farm and we make sure everyone – people and animals alike – are well looked after. It’s that mindset that saw us become one of the first farms globally to introduce a 2-1 milking method, milking the cows twice one day, and once the next,” James explained.
“This not only allows our cows extra care by reducing the frequency of milking, but it also gives our team members more time to spend with their families, creating a fantastic work-life balance. It’s a system now being adopted by many dairy farms around the world.”
Te Puna Wai Dairy Farm supplies its milk to Fonterra – a global leader in dairy that’s proudly New Zealand owned and operated – underscoring the exceptional quality of their production. Combined with a state-of-the-art animal welfare program, this highlights the farm’s commitment to ethical and sustainable dairy farming.
With a 40-bail rotary parlour, Te Puna Wai Dairy Farm ensures that their milking process is efficient, gentle, and comfortable for their cows.
When getting their business off the ground, James and Sarah turned to Nexia for guidance, working together to streamline their financial management and receiving expert advice on business growth.
“Chris at Nexia has been our accountant from day one, ensuring that we’re well managed and looked after. Whether it’s trialling new software or ensuring we remain tax compliant, Chris and the Nexia team have been amazing,” James said.
“Nexia are leading the way in financial management and ensuring that businesses are supported and provided with the most reliable financial advice available.”
