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Ka tupu, ka hua, ka rere te manu tīoriori. The legacy of Linn Wineera - a symphony of memories after 27 years of service
Under the watchful eye of Taranaki Maunga, Linn Wineera’s journey through 27 years of kaitiakitanga on Farm 8 is a testament to the proverb ‘Ka Tupu, Ka Hua, Ka Rere te Manu Tīoriori’ – As the seed grows, so does the fruit; As the bird sings, so does its journey begin.
We spoke with a newly retired Linn, and his wife Diane, to reflect on their life working the land.
Farm 8, 1015 Normanby Road, nestled in the foothills of the maunga near Normanby, has been more than just a workplace for Linn, wife Diane and their five children, Kestelle, Rhys, Capree, Trent, and Glen.
“They all grew up on the farm, learned to work hard and to help each other out. We are a very close family and enjoy spending time together,” says Diane. “I think a lot of that stems from just a good work ethic and sharing family meals. We always sat at the table for meals and talked about our day. I think that’s really one of the important things.”
As a young boy living with his grandparents Ngarua George Nuku Tarawhiti and Te Amohau Wikitoria Nuku (nee Skipper) on Normanby Road, Linn learnt to milk cows by hand. After leaving school, he worked as a farm hand before moving to Christchurch to become a diesel mechanic for CB Norwood Ltd, later working for the same company in Palmerston North and Hawera.
In 1980, Diane (nee Brogden) and Linn married and started their working life together as 29% sharemilkers, before becoming 50/50 sharemilkers on the Wineera Robinson family farm on Manawapou Road, Hawera in 1983. After 10 years there, the couple and their family moved to Newall Road, Okato for the next four years. Then in July 1997 they moved to Farm 8, once again as 50/50 sharemilkers.
In 2016 they thought it was time to retire from farming, sold their herd of cows and even considered a move to New Plymouth. But Shane Miles, Te Rau Whakahaumako/ General Manager – PKW Farms, came to them with a proposal and they decided to remain on Farm 8, with Linn becoming the Farm Manager.
From the beginning of his farming career, Linn applied traditional approaches to his farming practices. He recognised that the stock shared in the day-to-day life and rhythm of the farm and were an important part of its eco-system.
“He is a very gentle stockman, he doesn’t rush his cows. Everyone else might try to rush things but he just slows them down and takes his time and the stock appreciate it,” says Diane.
“You’ve just got to start earlier to get stuff done,” quips Linn.
“I have always found satisfaction working on the farm and doing all the outdoor work,” he adds. “The changes in the dairy industry with digital reporting, the regular demand for reports and the new technology have been a challenge for me. But my ‘old way’ of doing things, though unconventional by modern standards, usually produced good results and have served the farm well over the years.”
While Linn appreciated how the advancements in technology could improve efficiency and productivity on the farm, he firmly believes that technology should not replace the fundamental skills and understanding of the land and livestock. Linn valued teaching the younger generation about traditional farming techniques, ensuring they understood the basics beyond technological aids.
“Our daughter Capree was saying recently how a lot of the staff really appreciated Linn’s old style, teaching them about stockmanship and farm techniques. Technology is fine, but if the technology is not there you still have got to know how to do things,” says Diane.
Shane Miles, Te Rau Whakahaumako / General Manager Ahuwhenua, also saw the benefit of Linn’s approach.
“Linn’s passion for the herd on the farm was a defining characteristic he had. It demonstrated how he and Diane had an unwavering commitment to not only PKW’s kaupapa, but to the wellbeing of their stock,“ he says. “His old-style approach also translated into his ‘tinkering’ and fixing his own machinery and problem solving where possible. Those values are an important part of our PKW kaupapa, ‘He tāngata, he whenua, he oranga.’
The Wineera children have each carved their own paths, but all reflect the work ethic, sense of community and love for the land instilled in them from a young age.
Linn’s three sons followed their father’s tinkering habits as a diesel mechanic by building their own business Paeroa Contracting Wineera Brothers (Taranaki), undertaking Civil and Agricultural contracting. They established a strong working relationship with PKW from their early beginnings through to the present day, and Linn and his family are grateful for the ongoing opportunities and support the incorporation has given them.
Daughter Capree spent two seasons working on the farm with Linn, where she continues to work on a casual basis alongside owning a flooring business with her partner James. Kestelle, along with her partner Kent Hancock, own their own online logistics company ‘The Feed Store’.
Over the years Diane and Linn have hosted nine exchange students from around the world, who have all helped on the farm with milking and odd jobs. The couple marvelled such was the bond that was established with one student in particular, Niina from Finland, that she came back to New Zealand twice during successive spring seasons just to help with calving.
For more than 30 years, Linn was also active in the Taranaki Māori Discussion group. This group provided support to local Māori farmers by way of monthly meetings at different farms.
“We discussed matters relevant to our work, cow condition, production, weather conditions and other issues, providing each other with ideas and support,” he remembers. “These meetings were of great benefit to many of us, as was the general catch up and fellowship they offered. Unfortunately, this group has recently disbanded.”
Linn also became active in his children’s sports, hockey in particular, where they played for local clubs and Taranaki representative teams.
“I enjoyed watching their games, and after a few years put my hand up to coach. Over the years I have coached Hawera High School (now Te Paepae o Aotea) girls’ and boys’ teams, and Taranaki Junior Boys’ hockey teams.”
His other great love outside of farming and family is music, though he is renowned for not playing radio music in his cowsheds.
“I am the music,” says Linn with a laugh. “A lot of my music comes from the times of my father, Kelly Joseph Paeroa Wineera, from the 50s and 60s. He had a band with Roy Robinson, Henare Ngaia and Frank Robinson. I heard stories from my uncles about how they had a lot of supporters who followed them around the coast. My father never drank but there were always jugs on the tables, so all his followers were getting the free beer!”
Linn has been playing drums since 1987, mainly for the band Ngā Tama, and also enjoys playing the guitar. He was absolutely thrilled that PKW gave him one as his retirement gift.
“I turned 70 in June last year and decided to end my farming career. I am grateful for the opportunities PKW has given me as I loved being on Farm 8, the land of my hapū, tending to the land and the cows, although I have to say I am enjoying retirement and not having to get up at 4am!”
E te rangatira o te manaaki whenua, o te manaaki kararehe, tukua tō reo waiata kia rere, kia pai ngā rangi whakatā kei mua i a koe me tō whānau!
THE LEGACY OF LINN WINEERA - A SYMPHONY OF MEMORIES AFTER 27 YEARS OF SERVICE
