Our Farmers

Jane and Jacquetta are a mother and daughter team who joined First Light when the company was first formed. Their property, Tarndale, in Colyton, Feilding, and the Pohangina Valley includes a deer breeding and finishing property along with sheep and beef. They were  attracted to First Light because of the consistency it offered to suppliers, the excitement the group has about what it’s doing and the direct-to-consumer marketing.

After Derrick Ward, Jane’s husband, passed away suddenly, their daughter Jacquetta, working in Sydney at the time, made the decision to come home and manage the farm on behalf of the estate (which includes her three sisters). As female farmers, Jane and Jacquetta believe the First Light principles are second nature — animal husbandry especially comes naturally. They see a brilliant future for venison and say they will continue to be part of it for a long time yet.  “We are encouraging more friends and family to eat this delicious and healthy meat,” says Jane.

At Tarndale they choose to serve venison as a steak marinated in a little oil, soya sauce and sweet chill and served with a boysenberry sauce.

Forest Gate is a 340ha deer, sheep, cattle and cropping property which is being farmed in its 4th generation by our family. Duncan Holden purchased the property in 1934, with Peter Holden introducing deer during the late 80’s. Forest Gate is currently being farmed by Duncan & Wendy Holden in conjunction with their son and his wife, Tom Holden & Bex Cave.

Forest Gate is a finishing farm with all of our livestock brought in to finish. Our deer are breed on another Firstlight farm 15mins up the road. We are a majority grass based system , with all livestock being grass fed finished. We use brassica crops to help us get through the tighter periods.

We enjoy farming deer because there is still a lot to learn about them. It’s a young industry which is exciting as we are constantly learning new ways/techniques to achieve better outcomes for both us and the deer.

Its important to us that we farm Forest Gate in a way that won’t affect future generations from having the opportunity enjoy farming deer and they lifestyle that brings!

I have been farming at Matahiwi for the last 10 years in the beautiful Central Hawks bay having had Deer on the property the whole time. I have been a loyal supplier to First Light Farms from the beginning of my farming career coming from the Manawatu were I was a breeder finisher up in the hills of Apiti at 2000 feet.

I have always been an keen hunter and loved the taste and health benefits of venison so progressed to farming them but still enjoy hunting in the local Ruahine mountain ranges for Red Deer.

Matahiwi is 143 ha situated 2km east of Waipawa in Central Hawks bay

Predominately Deer finishing and velvet production with cattle and Wilshire ewes ,I am an passionate farmer in producing the best product that we can off our land with animal welfare being at the forefront with the animals on our farm being fully fed to be able to grow to produce the best eating product that we can .

The relationship with the team at Firstlight farms has been amazing ,they are an incredible business whom understands both the farmer and end consumer and there needs .

The Deer industry is one that I am very proud to be part off and would love to see more people eating our amazing product.

My favourite venison dish is slow cooked well-seasoned venison shank with bone in with mashed potato covered in thick gravy!!