Peel Forest Estate has always been an iconic property. The original portion of the homestead was built in 1860 by Francis Jollie from local timber – albeit timber that was then shipped to joiners in England and re-imported as windows, doors and frames. The property was then purchased around 1880 by the Dennistoun family, who expanded it into a family home. The impressive wooden homestead is registered under New Zealand’s Historic Places Act 1980.
Originally a sheep and beef property, it was purchased in 1987 by Graham Carr, the current owner, who wasted no time in converting it into a deer farm and improving New Zealand deer genetics with imported red deer from Croatia, Germany and England.
In the decades since, the estate has strived to continually improve every facet of its operation, therefore maintaining its status as as world-class red deer stud and velvet producer.
You only have to see a photograph of Peel Forest Estate to know that attention to detail is a given – the presentation of the property, a decades-long pursuit of being the country’s top producer of red deer genetics and velvet, a slew of environmental awards, and ongoing industry acknowledgement of the team’s commitment to best farming practice.
Peel Forest Estate is committed to the environment. In addition to the property’s extensive amenity plantings – which also provide sheltered – the estate works hard to mitigate negative environmental issues associated with farming activities.
Over the past 25 years, waterways and wetlands have been restored and fenced off from livestock, therefore improving both water and soil quality.
The estate’s focus on genetics has resulted in more productive animals. This means producing more from less, which has a significant environmental advantage – not just at a farm level, but also with regard to greenhouse gas emissions.