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Avonstour Island is a parcel of hill county land nestled in the beautiful Taranaki heartland. 

Our goal is to change your personal perception of organics, sustainability and self-ownership by a mere 1%. This may seem small but if we can challenge you to change another person’s mind a mere 1%, then our job is done.
On the Island, we offer quirky eco-accommodation. If you are targeting us for the numerous courses we run, we also have accommodation organised on a neighbouring sustainable Island just  a boat’s row away or a 15 minutes drive. The property is an Island oasis of heritage methods, crafts, food and living…….. a rare treat in todays modern day commercialisation.

Avonstour Island is one of the few NZ Islands that a railway still runs through, meaning you don’t need a boat to get to us.

Within the Island oasis we grow and display established heritage food trees, old food plants and Rare Breed animals, some of which are the rarest in the world. The Island is in fact a collection of forgotten genetic material both plant and animal.
If your visit is for accommodation or education expect to see many things that you will need for survival and sustainability in the challenging modern world today.

The Island is in a constant state of evolution where the modern world is blending with the old. We always welcome your input in many forms, be it a relic from the past or if you are lucky enough to be a volunteer, to help others’ take advantage of the knowledge and education we offer.

When entering the Island you need to sweep your mind free of the commercial and modern world and realise that our goal is education and to enhance your future. Any fees we charge are totally used to keep the vision and dream open and operational for the next visitor.

We are not open to the public. However, we constantly encourage business, families, clubs, organisations, schools etc to make organised group bookings. These organised bookings always receive very personal treatment.

Photo Gallery

A selection of rare breeds found on our farm

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As to may last post on the giant aphid Problem .we are looking at a new live fencing post .This post can be a bit leggy and a few other problem like growing with a mind of itself .To over come these problems we have started on a program of cloning (as the rare breeds have done with the Enderby cattle .On top of that we are looking to cross pollinate with local strains to remove some of the problems .This is a start of a huge project .Please look at the next video and photos .
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. How we are fixing the problem of the Giant Aphid affecting our live tree fencing on Avonstour Island .

As you know we have live tree fencing on Avonstour and over the years have run a number of courses on how to and the values of each type of live tree posts can be used .The basic model is that you put tree pole cuttings in as posts staple the wires directly onto them. The poles then grow both tree fodder for stock , more poles for fencing and fire wood

We have experimented over the years with many types of trees but the best by far has been
Willows and poplars ,Willows have turned out to be the most versatile providing good growth rates to give more materials for future fencing and fodder .
With cross pollinating we have developed the perfect willow for the job .We call it the black bark post willow .A tree with good tannin to give the livestock help with internal parasite control .Long straight poles great for handles .Fire wood at up to 150 mill round giving great heat with no need for splitting. We had it sorted .

Then we here reports of the Giant Aphid that had invaded a property in the north .At this stage MPI decided that there was no need to contain it and just let it go .I believe this was a huge mistake as not only all the willow trees in the country are weekend with the Aphid parasite weakening the trees .But by far the biggest problem are the wasps that harvest the sugar filled excreta that the aphids produce .The wasp problem is huge as the number of wasps and wasp nests have exploded and when not harvesting Aphid excreta they are eating our fruit and raiding the bee hives .
With all of this farm loss and the willow trees covered in sooty black mould .Some time ‘s you just have to look away and laugh as you can do nothing else.
So i will next tell you how we are going to fix this problem ..
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Contact

John Earney

Avonstour Island

1170 Makuri Road

RD 25 Stratford

4395

Phone: 64-6-762 7992

For enquiries please contact us using either 

Email: rarebreeds@paradise.net.nz

Or you can simply use the contact form below