ABOUT
Baylys’ Farm,
Steeped in History Since 1837
Immersed in a rich history dating back to 1837, Baylys’ Farm - officially named Wairoa Station, is a property with deep farming heritage in the Bay of Islands, Northland, New Zealand.
Located on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, the property offers stunning coastal views and secluded beaches on one side and tranquil rolling farmland on the other. It’s a magical place where the country meets the coast, providing a wedding venue location like no other.
We welcome you to learn more about the property and it’s origins below.
ABOUT
The Location
In the middle of the Bay of Islands, New Zealand, you’ll find Baylys’ Farm. This 2000-acre property has been owned by the Bayly family for nearly a century, and still remains a farm dedicated to it’s livestock and natural surroundings.
The Northland region is famous for it’s subtropical climate and outstanding natural landscape, bringing in visitors from near and far year round. Paihia, our closest town just up the road, acts as a gateway for the region and therefore boasts a huge range of accommodation, restaurants and activity options for everyone to enjoy.
For those travelling from Auckland and other major cities, the region is an easily accessible escape and the perfect location for hosting a destination wedding.
The Origins of Baylys’ Farm
It all began when Captain Hingston, a British Sea Captain, brought the first shipload of horses into New Zealand landing them at nearby Te Wahapu Bay. Not long after he arrived in New Zealand he fell in love and decided to settle down on land by purchasing twelve hundred odd acres adjoining the Waitangi estate in 1837, called Wairoa Station.
To make way for the first homestead and farm paddocks, Captain Hingston commissioned stone walls to be built by Dutch settlers using rocks that were scattered across the area due to the eruption of Mount Bledisloe many centuries ago. In a true mark of their craftsmanship, these rock walls are still standing and used as farm fences today.
During this time the property was caught up in the turbulent events of that period, including when British troops landed on Onewhero Bay (pictured above) and marched over the farm to Okaihau for the Northland Land Wars. Captain Hingston died in 1891, and the farm was purchased by Charles Bayly in 1929.
In those early days the property was completely isolated and only accessible by boat. This all changed in 1932 when the neighbouring Waitangi property was acquired by Lord Bledisloe (New Zealand’s Governor General at the time) and gifted to the nation as a cultural landmark to be used as a beautiful reserve for generations to come. The land was subsequently developed into the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Golf Course and surrounding area that we know of today.
Most importantly, a bridge was built between Paihia and Waitangi finally connecting the two areas, much to the excitement of the Bayly family at the time. Not long after, Bayly Road was constructed and the farm was finally connected to the outside world.
Charles Bayly died shortly after this and over the subsequent years Wairoa Station was back-breakingly broken in by his son, with numerous paddocks cleared of rocks and dense shrub to make way for a larger farming operation.
The Farm Today
Now, nearly 100 years later, the property is in it’s fourth-generation of the Bayly Family and is operated as an Angus Stud called Waitangi Angus. The Stud sells around 150 bulls each year at two bull sales. The property is also home to many sheep, as well as horses that are bred for Eventing through Waitangi Sports Horses.
The Wedding Venue, named Baylys’ Farm, opened in early 2019 and we have held many wonderful events over six summer seasons since then at our Onewhero Venue. While friends and family close to the Bayly family had hosted their weddings on the farm over the years, the venue was established to open up the property so more families could experience the beauty and serenity that is Wairoa Station on their most special days.
It would be our pleasure to host your wedding celebration,
The Baylys’ Farm Team
(pictured left to right: Will, Melita and Ben)