Tapuaetahi Incorporation, a kaupapa Maori entity, is a coastal block set in the beautiful Bay of Islands.   Tapuaetahi has 365 shareholders that are served by a Committee of Management of six.  

 Breeding Angus for around 50 years, they started their journey with First Light nearly five years ago. After acquiring another 194 ha block in early 2016, they are now working towards breeding and finishing 150 Wagyu/Angus animals annually. The farming operation works in well with the Incorporation's gated community that comprises of 51 beach front leased properties. 

 Our focus is to ensure that the whenua(land) and moana(adjacent coast) is preserved for our tamariki mokopuna ( future generations) so, Kaitiakitanga is very important. This is challenging in farming, especially with a small coastal operation that has very high land values. This is where the First Light initiative is seen as a good fit. Through cross breeding Wagyu, we are able to render the best return while upholding our values through less intensification and a focus on animal welfare. All this produces a high quality animal for First Light Foods that we proud to associated with.