Paul and Kerry Harmer of Castle Ridge Station have been named the Regional Supreme Winner at the Canterbury Ballance Farm Environment Awards.
The win, announced last week, recognises their outstanding commitment to environmental stewardship in the sensitive Ashburton Lakes catchment.
The Harmers run just over 14,000 sheep, almost 800 cattle and about 230 deer at their 5930ha (5700 effective) high country property.
Their breeding operation produces high-quality Merino wool, sheep, cattle and deer, underpinned by a clear focus on reducing environmental footprint while maintaining a resilient and profitable business for future generations.
In a statement, the judges described the Harmers as having ‘‘an absolute commitment to long-term environmental stewardship while operating a viable high country business in a climatically difficult and sensitive catchment.”
Central to Castle Ridge Station’s approach was an extensive water monitoring and protection programme.
Working alongside their local catchment group and Canterbury University, the Harmers do regular surface and groundwater monitoring, generating robust data that informs farm management decisions and shows measurable improvements in water leaving the property.
Seventeen kilometres of waterways had been fenced to exclude stock and reduce erosion, while more than 3000 native plants have been established in riparian areas to enhance biodiversity and protect sensitive zones.
The Harmers’ said stewardship was central to everything they do.
“Not only is it our home and business, but it supports a vibrant local community – from our family and staff, to all those who interact with us and those who come to enjoy the landscape, flora, fauna and recreation opportunities.
‘‘We see that we have a huge responsibility to look after all parts of the business and property as we are stewards for only a short period of time.
‘‘We wish to leave the property in better heart than when we arrived and to look after the land and people in our care along the way.
“We now have five generations of the family who have worked on this property in some capacity.
Being able to work alongside different generations has been rewarding and refreshing.”
The judges also acknowledged the Harmers’ long-term commitment to innovation, noting their willingness to trial, evaluate and adopt new systems over time, and their openness in sharing knowledge with the wider community.
Their strong team culture and multi-generational involvement are also central to the business, they said.
By strategically reducing overall stock numbers to lift per-head performance, maintaining careful winter grazing practices, and focusing on producing strong, healthy, well-bred stock in a low-stress system, the Harmers demonstrated how environmental stewardship and productivity can go handin-hand.
Other awards for Castle Ridge Station: Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Farm Award, MFE Biodiversity Award, Environment Canterbury Water Quality Award, WaterForce Safe Water Recognition Award.
Other award winners:
Mike Arnold of LeaderBrand South Island Ltd, Ballance Agri-Nutrients Soil Management Award, Bayleys People in Primary Sector Award, Hill Labs Agri-Science Award, Norwood Farming Efficiency Award.
Ben and Wendy Croft of Windale Dairy Limited – DairyNZ Sustainability and Stewardship Award.
Baden and Campbell Sommerville of Somerview Farm – Norwood Farming Efficiency Award, Rabobank Agri-Business Management Award.
Andrew and Amy Darling of Adar Farming Ltd – FMG Award.
Stuart and Sara Russell of Ngatimaru Farming Company – Innovation Award.
The awards also showcased the Mid Canterbury Catchment Collective, formed in 2021 and now uniting more than 200 members across 10 catchment groups from the Southern Alps to the coast between the Rakaia and Rangitata rivers.
Backed by government funding, the collective is driving freshwater improvement through GIS mapping, stream health assessments and eDNA testing, alongside planting and pest control.
Their work highlighted how collaborative, farmer-led action could deliver measurable environmental gains at scale while supporting a productive farming region.
The Ballance Farm Environment Awards are delivered by the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust and celebrate excellence in sustainable farming and growing.
Each region’s Supreme Winner joins fellow regional winners from across the country to be considered for the Gordon Stephenson Trophy at the Trust’s National Showcase in Christchurch in July 2026.
The recipient of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy becomes the 2026 National Ambassador for Sustainable Farming and Growing.
