Today I met Hamish Murray by Arianna

Today, I had the privilege of meeting Hamish Murray at Bluff Station, a property owned by the Murray family. Hamish, one of the owners, gave us an incredible tour of the farm, which spans 13,000 hectares. The property is home to 6,500 merino sheep, 1,000 beef cattle, 800 beehives, and 40 working dogs. The farming system is highly extensive, with shepherds and other staff supporting the operation, but for the most part, the land runs itself. Hamish showed us beautiful landmarks on the property, and we were even lucky enough to witness him herding cattle with the working dogs. Hamish has a deep background in agriculture—he studied the subject at Lincoln University and is a fourth-generation farmer. His grandfather took over the land in 1919, after it had been previously abandoned. He spent four years clearing it of an overpopulation of rabbits before introducing any livestock. During Hamish’s father’s generation, there were 16 shareholders of Bluff Station. His father and two brothers pooled their money together to buy out the other shareholders and have since successfully expanded the property and farmed it together. 

There was a time in Hamish's life where he wasn't pursuing anything agriculture-related. He told us how people around him encouraged him to do something else with his life. In response, he went to the UK and enrolled as a student at Cambridge University where he studied economics. . He told us about how one day, (after he finished his degree), he was on a train in London heading to a job interview when he had a moment of clarity. As he sat there, he thought, "Why would I want to do this if I don’t love it?" This realization led him to make a life-changing decision. One of his greatest values was to give his children the same opportunities he had growing up—things like learning how to ride a horse, shoot a rabbit, or dam a creek. He recognized that the career path he was on would have led to a very different life for his kids, so in 2008, he made the choice to return to New Zealand and start up farming.

One of the most memorable things Hamish said to me was, “You are only good in this world if you do what makes you happy.” This really stuck with me, especially because it resonated deeply with my own struggles. As I work toward my dream of becoming a veterinarian, I sometimes find myself questioning whether it’s all worth it, given how difficult, time consuming and expensive the journey is. I think about what else I could do, but always come back to the same conclusion—nothing else would make me as happy as veterinary medicine. Hearing Hamish speak about his own similar experience was refreshing and encouraging. It reminded me that following what brings you joy is the only way to live a fulfilling life. Seeing the way Hamish has created a beautiful life for himself and his family, and hearing about his journey, gave me a renewed sense of purpose. It was a powerful reminder to keep pushing forward, no matter how tough things get, because pursuing my dream is what will truly make me happy.

Photo of Hamish Herding the Cattle!