He had a bullock team, moving to horses and then a tractor.
He gradually bought more land and at one time farmed 509 hectares (1260 acres) mainly in sheep, with cattle after bush sickness and the cobalt deficiency were dealt to.
In later years, Mr Pendergrast added a deer farm to his holdings, which were eventually sold to sons Hans and Albert.
His children, Hans, Albert, John and Will and one daughter, Marie, remember Mr Pendergrast as a hard worker who expected them to help out around the farm.
Marie spent the first 18 years of her life there before leaving for the South Island. She says her father was quite soft with her and her brothers remind her of that.
"It was an isolated life on tough land," she recalls.
Will remembers his father instilling a good work ethic in his children. "He was usually out working before we left for school and often expected us to do chores, depending on the season."
Will says his father was a great role model who taught his sons how to survive and enjoy the bush. "Dad took us pig hunting and eeling and often camping. It was great.
"He said in later years he regretted not being home more when we were growing up but I told him he'd done a good job with us. He taught us to work as a team."
"Dad was a practical man, he was a mechanic who could fix farm machinery with a bit of No 8 wire. He had a good head for figures too."
Will said his father "had vision and made sure all his children were aware of a bigger, brighter world offering a better future for the next generation".
Jim Pendergrast was a founder of the Otanewainuku Kiwi Trust and spent countless hours teaching young people bushcraft.
He scoured the forest to find good lines for walking tracks and to set pest traps and bait station lines.
In 2009, Mr Pendergrast was joint winner of the annual Bay of Plenty Environmental Awards in recognition of his lifetime of work and contribution in many areas.
About the same time, Mr Pendergrast set to work raising funds to reinstate the Te Puke No 2 Road Hall to its original look. It was built in 1882 from kauri shipped from the Coromandel.
The hall is a shining monument to his foresight.
Western Bay mayor Garry Webber paid tribute to the grandfather of eight and great-grandfather of 14.
"New Zealand and the Western Bay District will be forever grateful for the legacy - Otanewainuku Trust - that Jim Pendergrast has created for all of us.
"Jim was a tireless advocate for saving the large area of native bush and the many native wildlife that live in the area we all know as the Otanewainuku Kiwi Trust.
"To have such an iconic facility in our very own backyard that is freely available for generations to come is a gift that Jim was incredibly proud of.
"Kia hinga te totara I te wao nui a Otanewainuku. 'A giant totara has fallen in the forest of Otanewainuku."
