Set in steep hill country inland from Gisborne, Tangihau Station is defined by scale, terrain, and climatic extremes. The property spans more than 6,600 hectares of medium to steep East Coast hill country, with only 70 hectares of flat land. Tangihau runs approximately 1,300 commercial breeding cows, calving 270 stud cows, including yearling heifers, and 18,000 ewes breeding 30,000 lambs, including hoggets.

Tangihau Station began with members of the de Lautour and Bayly families and remains in the hands of their descendants. Established in 1949, Tangihau Angus has grown into one of the country’s most respected studs. At the centre of the operation is General Manager and Stud Master Dean McHardy, who has led the station since 1990. Dean continues the legacy of the stud’s original objective of breeding structurally sound bulls and cattle capable of performing on steep hill country. The challenging environment demands resilience to ensure productivity, a principle that underpins the station’s long-standing success. 

We breed our bulls to do a job here first,

Dean says. “If they can perform in this environment, they will perform anywhere. Bulls are bred to run on the hills and are selected for structural soundness, a calm temperament, good feet and legs, and balanced estimated breeding values, ensuring they can thrive under pressure in difficult conditions.”

A key contributor to this success is the close working relationship with PGW’s specialised Genetics Team. The team works alongside farmers to source and develop high-quality genetics from New Zealand and international bloodlines, combining technical expertise with practical, on-farm knowledge to lift herd performance and deliver long-term gains.  

At Tangihau, PGW Livestock Representatives – Genetics Emma Pollitt and Tom Suttor are closely involved in the stud programme. “They are brilliant, I couldn’t do without them,” Dean says. 

Their knowledge and support are a big part of what we do.

Emma adds, “It’s a thrill to service this standout stud operation and to promote bulls of such quality. I see it as our job to facilitate the movement of the Tangihau genetics into stud and commercial herds around the country, driving cow-calf performance and productivity. The consistency of the stock and the focus on breeding cattle that genuinely perform in tough conditions are what sets it apart. Dean has done a wonderful job in bringing tradition and technology together in the herd.”  

PGW’s relationship with Tangihau extends beyond genetics. East Coast Regional Livestock Manager Jamie Hayward oversees the wider stock programme throughout the year, while Technical Field Representative George Thompson and the wider team provide ongoing support across the business. “PGW does everything for us,” Dean says. “It’s a complete service, and we’ve got a great team around us.”  

Jamie reflects on the partnership, 

Tangihau is a business built on quality and long-term thinking. It’s a privilege to work alongside Dean and the team and be part of delivering those results.

After decades participating in the combined Gisborne Angus Bull sale in Matawhero, the stud moved to an on-farm sale format in 2020, supported by bidr. Dean says “We started using bidr right from the first on-farm sale and have found it very effective. Online bidding has expanded the sale’s reach, attracting a wider international audience through live streaming. It provides an excellent platform for overseas studs to view the bulls and identify purchasers, allowing them to connect later to purchase straws.”

The sale is conducted by PGW Livestock Genetics Auctioneer Neville Clark, whose expertise adds further strength to the offering. Last year’s sale achieved a then record-breaking result, reflecting both the quality of the stock and buyer confidence in the Tangihau programme.

With a strong foundation in place and a clear focus on performance, Tangihau continues to demonstrate how genetics and trusted partnerships combine to drive success in New Zealand’s livestock sector.