Fairlight Station is an historic Southland high country property of 2000 hectares. The hub of the station is the homestead, initially built by Captain John Howell, a well-respected pioneer of the early South Island settlers. After Captain Howell’s death, his home burnt to the ground and a second more stately home was built by Mr. Joseph Rodgers of nearby Glenquoich Station. Mr. Rodgers purchased 127 acres, (84 hectares) and held its ownership in his family for several years. The building is registered as a Historic Places Trust building and is one of the oldest houses in Southland.

In 2002, this legacy property was purchased, by Kiwi and Canadian owners who are established farmers and foresters in North America. Typically Fairlight experiences hot dry summers and cold challenging winters. Fairlight Station has extensive and rugged hill country and the Mataura and Roberts Rivers runs through the farm dividing the flats from the hill country. The property faces north and is exposed to the prevailing nor’ west wind, the scourge of the South Island. The vision for Fairlight is to have a sustainable farming operation, which successfully integrates sheep, cattle and deer that eventually helps to balances the farm’s profitability. All of Fairlight is deer fenced, so all stock are able to use all the pastures throughout the farm. Priority for the best pasture use during the year is determined by the Station’s manager according to stock classes and weather conditions. In winter, the mature hinds feed on the hill country, while the remaining stock are protected in the lower flat areas along the waterways. We target a high 12-month growth rate, and to achieve this we emphasize early fawning and good conditioning. We are constantly culling dry hinds and we have a policy of no tolerance for animals who exhibit poor temperament. Our average carcass weight has lifted to 64kg for spikers, having gained close to 800g live weight per year over 15years. Early finishing at Fairlight is crucial to profitability. As we hit peak schedules, spikers (first year male deer) are not competing with lamb and cattle fattening, or with lactating hinds. It is our insurance against summer dry. Our mature commercial hinds average 112kg. This target size helps the animals to maintaining their condition on the rough hill country. To achieve these goals we work closely with Deer Improvement and have carried out artificial insemination consistently since 2004. This offers the added bonus of enabling us to run a closed herd that reduces the influence of introduced diseases and maintains a strong genetic footprint. Fairlight Station farming business now includes two other stations: Forest Creek Station and Tararua Station, all located on the South Island of New Zealand.