Thank for taking the time to read about the benefits of the programmes and services that we offer here at Stockdale Farm. To understand us better, allow me to introduce myself, my family and our little piece of paradise.

We are Heather and Taka Kauri. We live here on the farm with our two grown daughters, Alice and Meg and our moko Ruby. We have a family history of mental health challenges including anxiety, depression and PTSD. In the beginning, Stockdale Farm was a part of our healing journey, and has now grown to provide healing to others.

It all started around 2011 when anxiety and depression were impacting our family, in particular a then ten-year-old Meg. At that time, Meg was struggling to communicate how she was feeling, becoming socially withdrawn, and finding it hard to make and keep friends. After hearing about a local riding school, the ex-rider in me decided to see how this might help Meg.

It was perfect. Meg quickly connected with a horse named Mate. A former trotting horse, Mate was anti-social and didn’t like being told what to do — kindred spirits! Mate would spy someone coming towards him with a lead rope, flatten his ears and walk away. But with Meg, he didn’t walk away. 

She suddenly had new purpose: to make Mate happy. She knew that her mood and attitude had a direct impact on how Mate would handle that day. Meg started to gain confidence, and over time started to take on a mentor role with the younger kids.

In 2015, a semi-rural property came up for sale and we jumped at the chance to secure it. This turned out to be Stockdale Farm. Our animal whanau quickly grew, and soon we opened our gates to animals who found themselves in need, either through neglect or because their owners’ circumstances changed.

They are all safe, loved and happy here.