In 1935 at the age of nine, Carl moved with his parents & siblings from their dairy farm at Mungaroa to a 150 acre town supply dairy farm with 30 cows in the Rahui Valley at Otaki.

Carl developed a very intensive, productive town milk farm and through the acquisition of five neighbouring farms, achieved efficiencies through economy of scale.

While all this progress was being made, Carl pursued an active role in the community, earning him a QSM in 2009 for services to Federated Farmers, Rotary Club of Otaki, Horowhenua Boys & Girls Agricultural Clubs, Otaki Surf Life Saving Club, Friends of the Otaki River and the Horowhenua Vintage Machinery Club.

He played a major role in community fundraising projects including: Otaki College gymnasium, Haruatai Park Swimming Pool and Waitohu School improvements and many more as a Rotarian which earned him a Paul Harris Fellowship.

Through the years Carl has been a mentor to many young agricultural students and hosted many overseas delegations and dignitaries, including the Japanese Minister of Agriculture.

He also served on the Board of Directors of Wellington Dairy Farmers and the Hutt Milk Cooperative. To this day, Carl works closely with local and regional councils implementing flood protection measures on the Otaki River.

Aged 87, Carl is still actively farming with his two sons and grandson, now the 4th generation on the farm, recognised by Fonterra for its excellence in milk quality – one of only 5 farms in NZ to achieve this exceptional standard.

One of Otaki’s successful farmers with nationally recognised excellence in milk quality, Carl is testimony to a strong ethic, community involvement, and a firm belief in being able to “get on with your neighbours”.