The Beginnings
Rotomate when translated into English means dry lake. It is named after an area of the farm that is a lake when wet and dry when its not.
Rotomate sits next to the Mangaotaki river in the picturesque Waitanguru district. It was settled in 1902 but abandoned during the depression of the 1920's. Dick and Mona Tatham purchased the property from the receivers in 1941, and set about restoring the property.
Who we are
Rotomate is a 1150 ha working sheep and beef farm farming 3000 sheep and 1100 head of cattle. It is currently owned by Mat Sherriff and his wife Kim Tatham. Mat and Kims kids Max and Zoe are the fourth generation of Tathams to roam the rolling King Country hills of Rotomate.
The Journey
The Journey began for Rotomate in 1941 with Dick and Mona Tatham purchasing the property and starting to clear scrub, fence and regrass it. Barrie and Jude Tatham continued the hard work from 1969 to 2012. The development continues with current owners Mat and Kim.
The Future
The future for Rotomate is evolving. We now want to share our small piece of paradise with you. We are opening our doors to you. Offering you exciting on farm event locations, luxury accommodation, access to walks around the picturesque farm and good old fashioned rural hospitality.
Taking our Love of the land to You
Our farming mission is to grow our business, people and livestock in an ethically sustainable way. Using innovative technologies and best practice management techniques.
