Behind the Scenes: A Day in the Life at Matangi Farms

New Zealand farmers are globally respected for their discipline and dedication, traits especially evident in cattle farming. Early starts, long hours, and an unwavering focus on animal care should define the daily rhythm. But what does this level of commitment look like in practice?

Today, we invite you to take a closer look at what goes into producing the finest Angus Beef in NZ. 

Read on as we take you behind the scenes of Matangi’s two farms, nestled in the Tuki Tuki valley in the stunning, fertile Hawke’s Bay region.

 

Seasonal Cycles, Purposeful Management

At Matangi, we control every aspect of our lifecycle process. We calve twice a year in August and February to maintain a consistent and reliable supply of premium beef. Our New Zealand Angus cattle are raised across our two sustainably run properties and aren't processed until they’re at least 20 months old. This allows us to supply our 100% grass-fed Angus Beef for around 10 months annually.

We take a short break in August and September to let younger cattle reach full maturity, and we resume supply in October with a fresh new season.

Our farm is home to four generations of cattle year-round: cows, calves, and one and two-year-olds. This cycle keeps our team busy, but more importantly, it’s part of maintaining the quality our customers expect. Everything is done with patience, precision, and purpose. This is how we achieve the consistency in quality that discerning New Zealand beef connoisseurs demand. 

 

The Matangi Lifecycle Approach

At Matangi, our exceptional New Zealand Angus Beef begins its journey to your plate via the careful tending of our soil's health. We embrace a regenerative approach, farming with higher grass covers that allow pastures to seed naturally, enhancing biodiversity and ground cover. 

Our Low Intervention Model

We’ve reduced synthetic fertiliser use by 66% over the past three years and adhere to a strict no synthetic nitrogen policy. Carefully subdivided paddocks support fast, low-impact stock rotation, reducing compaction and preserving soil structure. This considered, low-intervention model allows us to nurture a healthier ecosystem, producing clean water, robust pastures, and ethically raised cattle.

 

Our Commitment to Care

We monitor our herds daily to ensure their environment is calm, healthy, and consistent. Our cattle are raised in stable peer groups of 20–30 and are regularly rotated onto fresh pastures with clean, accessible water and natural shade.

All animals are born on-site, and every breeding decision is based on genetics, with a strong focus on marbling and tenderness. After a natural weaning, cattle remain with their original group for life. This consistency helps reduce stress and supports even growth.

Our approach differs from many traditional cattle operations, both locally and globally. As a boutique farm that only supplies the New Zealand Angus Beef market, we focus on quality, not scale. That means everything we do is geared toward improving the herd and producing better beef, not more of it.

With that context in place, here’s a look at a typical day for our on-site team.

 

Craft Meets Care: A Day with the Matangi Team

Farm Operations Manager Jamie Gaddum oversees our breeding and finishing farms, working alongside our two block managers. Together, they manage day-to-day operations with a clear focus: to care for the land and cattle and to uphold the standards Matangi is known for.

 

Stewardship in Action:

Each day at Matangi begins before sunrise, with our team setting the pace early to ensure every task is executed precisely. Our priority is the health and well-being of our New Zealand Angus cattle, and daily health checks, feeding and close monitoring allow us to maintain the high standards we set. 

As part of our rotational grazing system, herds are regularly moved to fresh pasture, promoting soil regeneration and long-term land health. No two days are alike, and our farm managers are constantly ready to respond to the unexpected, whether repairing a fence, adjusting to sudden weather shifts, or addressing equipment needs. 

Behind the scenes, careful seasonal planning takes place year-round. With a focus on delivering a steady supply of boutique Angus Beef, our logistics team works closely with farm staff to forecast animal counts and align them with customer demand, ensuring consistency from paddock to plate.

Downtime is limited because we always have four generations of cattle on-farm. The work is steady, rewarding, and key to ensuring every animal reaches its full potential.

 

Discover the unmatched quality of New Zealand’s finest grass-fed Angus Beef now.

We take pride in our work, and it shows in the final product. The care we put into every stage, from breeding to delivery, results in Angus Beef NZ cuts that stand apart.

Our operations extend beyond the farm gates; the Matangi team handles every part of the process, from logistics and delivery to our in-house butchery. Our butchers work to exacting standards, dry-ageing, trimming, and packaging every cut.

Are you ready to experience the Matangi difference? Order your custom cut today.