With whānau and tradition at the heart of everything they do, Ben and Nikki Purua are a dynamic duo dedicated to their roles in agriculture and uplifting their community. Their journey together has not been an easy one, but it is a testament to the power of partnership, diversity and shared values in driving success and fostering positive change.
Ben, of Tainui and Ngāti Amaru descent, manages a 540-cow dairy farm in Tapapa. His role as a farm manager allows him to leverage his outgoing nature and loyalty, build strong connections and drive innovation.
Nikki, of Te Arawa and Ngāti Whakaue descent, is a training adviser for Primary ITO. Her organisational skills and passion for family ensure that their daily lives run smoothly, while their clear vision for their future sets the direction for their growth.
A rough start in life saw Ben overcome significant challenges, including a stint in Waikeria Prison, where he realised his passion for farming.
“Getting the opportunity to work on the farm at Waikeria was huge. I just found this love for the freedom [of being] with animals,” Ben said.
After his release in 2015, Ben faced the daunting task of finding employment with a criminal record. Despite numerous rejections, his perseverance paid off when Roger Wolfe hired him on a bull farm in Morrinsville. This opportunity set Ben on a path to success, culminating in his current role managing a 187 hectare, System 5 dairy farm.
Coming from different walks of life, Ben and Nikki have learnt invaluable lessons from each other.
“We have learnt the importance of patience and meticulous planning, resilience and adaptability that is needed in challenging situations,” Nikki said.
These lessons have enriched their journey and allowed them to complement each other’s strengths, continually growing together.
“Nikki has been a huge part of our success. She plays a huge part in the direction we are heading,” Ben said.
Nikki’s strengths in organisation, attention to detail and passion for family have been crucial in their collaborative efforts, including launching their clothing brand Kāmu tō Pāmu (Calm Your Farm), which advocates for culture, wellbeing and positivity.
Supporting and motivating each other through the challenges and successes of their mahi (work) is a cornerstone of their relationship.
“We actively listen to each other’s concerns and celebrate each other’s achievements. During tough times, we offer encouragement and practical help, like brainstorming solutions together,” Nikki said.
To ensure that their projects run smoothly and effectively, they begin by evaluating their strengths and interests when dividing responsibilities.
“We assign tasks based on our skills and interests to ensure efficiency and motivation. We communicate and talk a lot. We also remain flexible, making adjustments as necessary to ensure we meet our goals,” Nikki said.
By leveraging their strengths and expertise, Ben and Nikki are making a meaningful impact on their community.
One of the most significant projects they are working on is establishing a transition farm to support individuals reintegrating into society after incarceration. This initiative provides practical skills, employment opportunities, and a supportive environment for those wanting to rebuild their lives.
“We are working on establishing a transition farm aimed at supporting individuals reintegrating into society after incarceration.”
Their experiences and the need for post-prison support drive their aim of setting up this transition farm.
“That’s my dream, to set up a farm for people who have just come out of prison or have community-based sentences,” Ben said.
This initiative aims to break down the stigma ex-prisoners face and show potential employers their capabilities.
Their personal values also deeply influence their approach to work, providing a solid foundation for their decisions and actions, focusing on manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, kaitiakitanga and mātauranga:
• Respect for others fosters collaboration and inclusivity, embodying manaakitanga – generosity and honour that uplift others while maintaining their own dignity.
• Whanaungatanga underscores their commitment to family values and nurturing relationships, while wairuatanga encourages balance and spiritual grounding.
• Kaitiakitanga inspires them to steward knowledge responsibly, and rangatiratanga guides their leadership style, weaving unity and inspiring others.
• Mātauranga drives them to share knowledge through education, and tikanga emphasises truthfulness and respectfulness in all interactions.
For Ben and Nikki, balancing personal and professional lives is crucial. They set boundaries, such as not committing to things that don’t align with their values and maintain flexibility to navigate challenges and seize opportunities in both spheres.
“Our whānau is important to us. We prioritise our life based on whānau and ensuring nothing compromises that,” Ben said.
The couple also share snippets of their daily lives on social media on their FarmUpNZ pages, highlighting that no two paths in the food and fibre sector are the same, and each individual determines their own measurement of success.
More: The Farmers Weekly Rural Living series highlights the rich diversity of Aotearoa New Zealand’s rural communities, farming families and contributions to the food and fibre sector.
