The History Of Kakahu

The Hargreaves family purchased the property in 1924.  Kakahu stud was founded by Kenneth Hugh Hargreaves in 1954 with Ngawaka and Ellerton cows and bulls bought from the Dannyvirke commercial pens.

In the 1970’s his son Gerald and a neighbouring breeder, George Hill (Pentwyn Stud) sold their bulls at a combined Christchurch sale, but when that fell through they decided to join forces, holding the first private sale at Kakahu in 1976. This joint sale continued until 1985 when Mr Hill retired. Kakahu continued on its own account.

The offering of bulls started around 28 and gradually grew with the increasing demand until the thirty third sale in 2009 when over 100 angus bulls were on offer.
Besides this main sale in June, Kakahu holds a yearling sale in October when approximately 40 bulls are sold. The fourth female sale will be held in May 2010. 

The property has increased in size from 408 hectares to nearly 1200 hectares It now runs 3000 composite ewes as well as 600 Angus stud cows and 120 Charolais stud cows. Approximately 500 head of cattle are fattened.
A plantation of radiate pine covers 80 hectares and a large nursery of mature rhododendrons provide diversification.