St Paul’s parents, Willy and Keely Muir, hope to leave their 700-hectare farm in Otaua, on the Waikato coast, south of Waiuku, in good heart, with the land resilient, productive, and ready for the future.

“Our three daughters, Carlia (Harington 2018–2019), Brookelyn and Eva (2026–current), may or may not choose farming, but we want to make sure that if they do, they have something in good shape to build on. We don’t want to leave them with a hospital pass,” says Willy.

As a sixth-generation farmer, Willy takes a long-term view, with the couple making decisions that look 10 to 50 years ahead. Their farm is a diverse landscape of coastal dunes, native bush and freshwater dune lakes, with soils ranging from free-draining black sand near the coast to highly productive land further inland.

Among the property’s most significant ecological features are its freshwater dune lakes, formed thousands of years ago. These fragile aquatic ecosystems provide habitat for the Matuku-Hūrepo, or Australasian Bittern, a nationally critically endangered wetland bird estimated to number fewer than 900 across New Zealand.

Willy remembers hearing the males’ distinctive, booming call as a child, likening it to blowing across the top of an empty glass bottle. During the breeding season, the sound echoes across the lakes and through the reeds, carrying up to 4km. Keely’s interest in the Bittern grew from her love of photography and an increasing appreciation of wetland health. Despite spending countless quiet hours exploring the farm’s perimeter, she says, “I’ve only ever seen a Bittern in flight”, a testament to the bird’s elusive nature.

Their shared interest in protecting the species led them to work with Wendy, founder of the Love Bittern project, and share their story on TVNZ’s Seven Sharp, highlighting the role farmers can play in protecting native wildlife.

“We are far more comfortable on the farm than in front of a television camera, but we were happy to help if it meant bringing greater attention to the Bittern,” says Willy.

“You don’t necessarily know how significant something is until you’ve lost it. I am now known by my family as the crazy Bittern lover,” says Keely.

Keely and her youngest daughter, Eva, have also been preparing to join Wendy and the Department of Conservation on Rakiura (Stewart Island) to help with seasonal Bittern surveys.

For Keely and Willy, caring for the environment doesn’t stop at the farm gate. The Muirs have helped establish the Awaroa Ki Karioitahi Landcare Catchment Group, a name gifted by local iwi, bringing together farmers, landowners and rural community members.

“As farms grow larger and fewer people work the land, rural communities can become more disconnected. The local gathering places, like the pub, that once brought people together aren’t always there in the same way,” says Willy. The catchment group provides a reason for people to connect and work towards shared goals. “Even though the work is voluntary and takes considerable time and energy, we’ve seen that when people combine their efforts, the results are great,” said Willy. 

The group shares knowledge and resources to support practical environmental work, including native planting, fencing, water monitoring and pest management. Its role extends beyond conservation, too. “The local hall has been buzzing with people as we’ve hosted mental health events with former professional boxer Shane Cameron and facilitated mobile health checks, including skin cancer screening,” says Keely.

That same sense of responsibility shows up in the small, everyday things. During a recent visit to the beach on their property, Keely came across a large amount of rubbish. Without bags, they collected what they could but had to leave some discarded nappies behind. Keely slept poorly that night and returned the next morning, bag in hand, to finish the job. For Keely, it comes down to recognising that everything is connected. “Be the solution,” she says.

The Muirs’ commitment to community is also reflected in their connection with St Paul’s Collegiate School. Eldest daughter Carlia attended St Paul’s to study Agribusiness, and younger sister Eva has followed in her footsteps. Harington Housemaster Jackie Lock (staff 2009–current) recognised Eva straight away from earlier visits to Harington with Carlia.

For the Muir family, being part of St Paul’s means supporting a school, and most recently, Willy and Keely attended the St Paul’s Foundation Gala Dinner, where they successfully bid on the Nuku Coastal Walk. It was a fitting choice for a couple whose holidays, like their lives, revolve around living in connection with nature. 

Would you like to help the next generation?

Like Willy and Keely, many of our parents are making a difference for the future. If you’d like to learn more about supporting opportunities for the next generation at St Paul’s, connect with the St Paul’s Foundation here.