Donald McKenzie was born in Fortrose, Scotland and along with his family emigrated to New Zealand in 1851 at just three-years-old.

The family settled in the Hutt Valley where they lived for 10 years. They then moved to East Taratahi, near Carterton to farm a 829 acre property, which they did for 10 years.

Then in 1873 he purchased 4926 acres, of which 700 acres was freehold and the balance leasehold, with rental paid to seven Maori. Donald McKenzie, who settled at the Woodlands property, was a successful farmer and renowned for his sound judgement of stock, not just restricted to cattle but he was a well known breeder of light horses.

Following this he began breeding pure-bred Herefords and his name became familiar in New Zealand show rings. This included a visit to the Sydney Royal Show with two animals which celebrated reasonable success.

Donald was also president of the New Zealand Hereford Breeders’ Association in 1916. Donald was known as a forceful character, who often vehemently argued with those he had dealings with.

He went on to buy large blocks of land. The first known as Puke Te, then Maungahina, which sons Jack and Jim became established on. Cavelands, a third property and on the boundary to Puke Te was bought much later. Jim lived at Woodlands and rode his horse daily to Maungahina. It was his father Donald, who established the Maungahina Hereford Stud in 1907.

Foundation stock bred by the Stuckey Brothers, just north of Masterton and GC Wheeler of Halcombe (Manawatu) were the beginnings of the Amethyst, Graceful, Leonora and Princess families – still recognised today. Then in 1912 the Minerva family was added from specifically selected animals from the Moore’s Kai Iwi Stud.

Shortly afterwards, in 1917, foundation sire Mansell Herdsman was imported from England and progeny from this sire produced many show champions with the Gay prefix. The live import of two cows from Canada occurred in 1929 and it’s thought there have been at least 40 imports of Herefords since then.

Jim took over the stud in 1922 and that same year he bred the sire Gay Kansas that went on to win 14 championship awards. After the death of James McKenzie in 1934 the stud was run by James (Jim) McKenzie, and in 1946 he started the 1st Bull Sale at Maungahina. James (Jim) died in 1969 and fourth generation Bruce McKenzie took over the stud. Handing over to Mark (5th generation) in 2006.

A polled herd was established in 1973 and a top polled sire bought from England in 1974. Then in 1982, the entire Wairongomai herd (Waio prefix) was bought. The Waio bloodlines are still identifIed in the herd today with a “W”. Maungahina cattle have a sound following with many loyal buyers, some properties regularly buying from 1913 and continuing today.

Many are well known Wairarapa properties, including Mamaku, owned by the Williams family and the Matthews at Waiorongomai who have bought since 1914. Also the 4th generation of the McDonalds family.

Bruce and his son Mark continue the policy to raise and sell bulls in natural conditions and nuture the reputation the Maungahina name has commanded from its inception.