About Us

Hi, we are Michael and Marie-Louise Gardyne and we are the founders of Absolute Free Range Eggs, a New Zealand company established in 2017. Our farm is located in Knapdale, just out of Gore on the South Island.

We are both passionate about sustainable farming and loved the idea of producing a quality food source that will nourish generations of Kiwis for years to come - as well as create a product that we can be proud of. 

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Harvesting wheat is something that we were already doing on the farm, so when we were considering introducing an animal to expand into a free range food source, hens were a natural choice for us. They are able to eat from the wheat we harvest.

Why Free Range?

Free range was the only option for us. We wanted to create a boutique high quality food source, that is both delicious and nutritious, in an environmentally friendly way, that people will enjoy so much that they will seek it out and keep coming back for more.

There has been a major shift away from mass produced caged eggs. People like to know that the animals producing their food are being treated well, are healthy, and that the land is being nurtured. That is the market we are catering for. There is something special about being able to visit a farm, see the hens frolicking about in the pastures and knowing that is where your eggs are coming from. Our Absolute Free Range Eggs don't only taste good, they leave you feeling good because you're supporting an eco-friendly business. 

Into The Future

As relatively newcomers to the egg farming market, we enter the industry with grand ideals. Our products will always be quality 100% free range eggs. The land we farm will be managed in a sustainable way, caring for the pastures, harvesting our grain, relocating our hens and livestock to allow for regrowth and repair of the land. Our animals will always be loved and nurtured. And, our customers can have confidence in our products and brand because it has integrity.  

We strive to continually improve and refine our farming techniques making sure we always work under our goals of farming ethically and sustainably. Working with animals in an ever-changing environment is a challenge but we think working with these challenges through is what we’re good at.

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Another goal is to grow our production, increasing scale and taking on new team members and customers while making it our highest priority to give excellent service to the customers we already have. We'd like to expand from 1,500 chickens to 10,000, and have them all out roaming in paddocks around the farm with the sheep - the whole farming system functioning like a well oiled machine. You can help us to achieve our goals by joining our community and supporting us. Make Absolute Free Range Eggs your choice. And, if your local store doesn't stock us yet, please introduce us.

Who We Are

Michael Gardyne

Hi – I’m Michael.

For me, farming is an integral part of who I am. I grew up on a sheep, beef and cropping farm before I went to Lincoln University and achieved a Bachelor of Commerce in Agriculture.

My parents and grandma always had a few chickens, certainly nowhere near as many as what we do now though!

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I’m passionate about sustainable farming. I enjoy the challenge of making environmentally friendly farming profitable, so that we can keep going and growing.

Plus, I’m pretty lucky to live and work in a beautiful part of the world alongside my best friend, my wife, Lou.

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Email me at michael@absolutefreerange.nz

Lou Gardyne

Hi – I’m Marie-Louise (Lou).

I grew up in South Africa before moving to New Zealand when I was 12. My grandfather managed a chicken farm there during his early twenties before establishing one of his own. So, I guess farming eggs is in my genes.

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I studied Viticulture and Oenology at Lincoln University where I met Michael and fell in love. The rest is history.

While eggs and wine don’t really mix, a common thread between my study and my new occupation is creation. They also both involve the marketing of high quality products.

I love working outdoors with animals and plants, so I'm in my element.

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Email me at lou@absolutefreerange.nz