Tuesday 11 December 2018

Pāmu has committed 1320 hectares of land on its Waipori farm in Outram, Otago to permanent protection under a covenant with the QEII National Trust.

The covenant, to be known as Mulligans covenant, is named after Pāmu‘s general manager of Livestock Operations, Graeme Mulligan, who recently celebrated forty years with the company. It was formally unveiled on the Waipori Farm today, by Graeme Mulligan and QEII National Trust Chairman James Guild.

“We are delighted to be able to permanently protect another 1320 hectares, creating our second largest covenant after the Mt Hamilton covenant we made in 2017,” says Pāmu Chief Executive Steve Carden.

“This adds to the over seven thousand hectares of land that Pāmu has covenanted with the QEII National Trust since 1991 and is a very tangible way that Pāmu can ensure the protection of the lands and waterways of New Zealand .

“We believe that environmentally sound farming practices create the highest quality natural products. Our whole operation is founded on this belief, with strategies to ensure environmental considerations are an integral part of all steps in the Pāmu journey – from pasture to plate.

“Part of this commitment is working closely with the QEII National Trust to permanently protect sensitive land,” Mr Carden said.

The land will be retired from grazing and comprises an expansive open landscape containing a wide diversity of tussock grassland, shrub land, wetlands, soaks and rock outcrops. The covenant will ensure the protection of the native biodiversity and water catchments of the area, which has close to 100 indigenous plant species. Over 90% of the block has been assessed as ecologically significant.

The area is also home to several at risk animals, including the falcon, the Koaro and Koura native fish as well as gecko’s and skinks.

Graeme Mulligan says it is a real honour to have this Covenant named after him.

“It is a tribute to all the Lands and Survey and Pāmu people I have worked with over forty years who are passionate about our commitment to sound environmental stewardship.

“It is an especially proud moment for me personally as well, because the area under covenant is close to where my ancestors settled over 150 years ago and I know the many Mulligans who have worked the land since then would be chuffed to see their name on this significant covenant,” Mr Mulligan said.

ENDS

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