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We're the Boddie family, and by some twist of fate, we’ve discovered an incredible glow worm cave system right beneath our family farm – how amazing is that? We’re the fourth generation to call this special place home, and we couldn’t be more excited to share it with you.
Let us introduce you to some of the inspiring people who helped shape what we now proudly call Down to Earth.
Back in the late 1800s, our Great Great Grandfather James Boddie made the incredible journey from Scotland to New Zealand with his wife Isabella and their ten kids. Picture this – no internet, no in-flight entertainment, and certainly no flights! It must’ve been quite the adventure. James started out as a farmer, then ventured into business, and even tried his hand at politics, becoming Te Kuiti's first-ever mayor in 1910.
James' third son, Henry (or Harry), was one of the early pioneers who settled in the Waitomo District in 1912. Together with his family, Harry faced the huge task of clearing land for farming, all without the modern machinery we have today. It’s incredible to think about the hard work they put in.
Harry’s eldest son, our Grandfather Gordon Boddie, grew up right here on the farm. Gordon went to the local school and was a part of the vibrant Pākeho community. He passed away in 1991, passing the land on to his two sons.
Gordon’s youngest son, Bevian, has some of the best stories from his childhood adventures exploring the caves – with candles and some very "creative" equipment! While we’ve swapped those tools for safer options these days, we still love hearing his stories. Though Bevian’s retired now, he’s never too far away. If something needs fixing, he’s the first one to jump in. This land is in his blood.
Today, the farm is in the hands of Bevian’s son, Stefan, and his wife, Michelle. We’re the proud fourth generation of the Boddie family to work this land in Pākeho. In 2015, we decided to share our little slice of paradise with visitors from all over the world, and it’s been an absolute joy to see how much they love it here. We feel so lucky to be surrounded by such beauty every day, and we truly believe we have the best job in the world – showing it off to all our amazing visitors.
