Andrew Twidle on rearing honey bee queens, whether it's for re-queening your own hives or for some extra pocket money in the spring. The term queen rearing refers to when a new queen is raised within a hive. In nature this occurs three ways: emergency ...

One very special property is going under the hammer at the New Zealand Agricultural Show this week. Lake Raupo is a stunning property, very well farmed and in tremendous heart. It is situated on Glenmark Drive, which has always had tremendous appeal to a lot ...

A small Clevedon dry stock farm is for sale, with huge views across the Hauraki Gulf. Located at Wairoa Bay, 41 kilometres east of Otahuhu, the 40 hectare coastal property is listed for sale by Jim Scorrar, of PGG Wrightson Real Estate, Pukekohe. He says it has an ...

Conservation focus enables high country win-win Pete and Sue Turnbull enjoy standing in the cool shade of the ancient red and black beech and totara that dominates the pristine stand of remnant bush on their North Canterbury sheep and beef farm, 146 kilometres ...

Hannah Blumhardt and Liam Prince's recipes for zero waste toiletries With the increasingly critical message to reduce waste, a couple of young Kiwis founded The Rubbish Trip and came up with some easy, waste free recipes for our toiletries ...

A Canterbury alpine village is one of the region’s carefully guarded weekend holiday secrets, says the property salesperson who has overseen several recent transactions at the locality. Karen Hennessy of PGG Wrightson Real Estate, ...

The Country's Jamie Mackay catches up with Peter Newbold, General Manager Pgg Wrightson Real Estate, on the state of the rural real estate market.

Ten years ago Dianne and Stuart Duncan lived in Parnell, Auckland.Although they were happy in the city they called home for 40 years,having both grown up in small towns they fancied a change of pace.After looking around at what ...

Mike Billinghurst with an introduction to fencing your lifestyle property. An essential component to any small block, fencing offers security andboundary definition along with allowing you to control grass growth,choosing when stock can go on and off ...

Last remaining Awatere sheep and beef property set to sell for grapes Commercial viticulture began in Marlborough in 1973 with the first plantings on what is now the Brancott Estate, just south of Blenheim. Within ten years, production in the Wairau Valley was ...

A widely-admired Waikato sheep and cattle farm is for sale. PGG Wrightson Waikato Real Estate Manager John Sisley is presenting 286 hectare Grassy Downs to the market for Neville and Carole Woodcock. John Sisley says the farm’s aesthetic appeal, exceptional ...

An Opouriao Valley, Whakatane dairy farm, in the same family for 122 years, is for sale. Stewart, Malcolm and Neil Reid took over the farm in 1960. Fifty-eight years later they have brought in Phil Goldsmith of PGG Wrightson Real Estate, Whakatane to market the ...

One of the original Canterbury runs, comprising 10,800 hectares, Culverden Estate, in North Canterbury, was balloted by the government in 29 parcels in 1908. Alfred Fisher was a young single man from England. His name came out for one of the larger lots ...

Our newest publication, showcasing spring rural and lifestyle property listings in the South Island. View the latest issue: Contact us todayfor a printed or downloadable version. ◰Read more in our Latest Nationwide ...

Several factors are working in favour of farmers at present, particularly those in the sheep and beef sector. Processors are paying $8 per kilogram for lambs, the beef schedule has remained firm for months, foreign exchange is tipping in favour of primary ...

Sheep and Beef Activity in the property market for sheep and beef farms was buoyant through the winter, with the quantity of transactions equalling, or in some cases exceeding, sales for the same period last year. Although statistics suggest prices have firmed ...

Kilkishen Farm is an approximately 166 hectare Marlborough grazing property, the final substantial farm in the lower Awatere Valley yet to grow grapes. Approximately 130 hectares are suitable for viticulture, and the present owners recently secured resource ...

In the late 1990s, Scott Cato found himself the ideal waterfront property, clad in bush and jutting into Raglan Harbour. Inspired by its peace, fertility and dramatic sunsets he developed a vision for a dwelling to complement this idyllic spot. Now, after many ...

Within their various sectors, growers approach spring in a positive frame of mind. In Hawke’s Bay and Nelson, the pipfruit sector had an extended harvest, which meant packing was prolonged, with packhouses operating longer than they generally plan for ...

If you’re looking to bring rural style into your life, then you may find a stunning property here just a click away. This magazine has it all – pages of great lifestyle and residential properties across the country and interesting articles on rural ...

A 154 hectare Menzies Ferry, Edendale farm is for sale offering purchasers easy access to the rewards of organic dairy production in Southland, says Andrew Patterson of PGG Wrightson Real Estate, Invercargill, who is marketing the farm. “This property has ...

Highlighting quality properties listed for sale throughout New Zealand, this exclusive quarterly property magazine is published every spring and autumn showcasing farms nationwide. ◰ Read Our Cover Feature Property Story: Large coastal finishing ...

The Country's Jamie Mackay had an important question for this month's rural property report - what's happening to farm sales?

A large coastal property, on the shores of Raglan Harbour, finishing around 1100 head of cattle is for sale. Richard Thomson of PGG Wrightson Real Estate, Hamilton is selling the 790 hectare Kauri Flat, Te Akau property, which he says has impeccable improvements ...

Fortunes for coarse crossbred wool growers and those growing fine wool continue to operate along completely different trajectories, with the latter enjoying much greater prosperity. During May and June the market for crossbred wool exhibited signs of improvement ...

Farmer investment in pasture development was a feature of the winter seed market. More grass to grass cultivation is occurring than in recent years, as farmers look to improve their pasture. Whereas, in the past five or so years, the emphasis has mainly been ...

Nelson/Marlborough Several Nelson and Marlborough properties sold well in winter, including a 500 hectare St Arnaud grazing block sold in April for $2.6 million; a well-established Murchison sheep and beef property sold in May above $3.5 million, and a 147 ...

South Island sheep and beef livestock transactions in recent months were generally low key, as is usually the case during winter. Mild climatic conditions through most regions and the lamb schedule rising to $8 per kilogram provided encouragement for farmers ...

Northland A mild, wet winter looks set to usher in a vibrant Northland spring selling season, with sheep and beef farms in healthy demand. Likewise, horticulture is thriving, and avocado, kumara and kiwifruit properties will attract purchasers. Meanwhile ...

Encouraging signs for spring rural property market, particularly in sheep and beef sector. Several indications point towards a bumper spring in rural real estate, particularly around sheep and beef farms. PGG Wrightson Real Estate General Manager, Peter Newbold ...

For farmers approaching spring, many factors provide grounds for optimism. Meat companies paying $8 per kilogram for lambs, the beef schedule holding firm, the weakening currency suggesting returns could stay positive for a while longer, and interest rates ...

Oamaru-based David Heffernan began selling North Otago farms for PGG Wrightson Real Estate in January 2017. After completing an excellent first full year in the role at the end of June, his skill as a salesperson was recognised this week with a major ...

PGG Wrightson Real Estate’s Tauranga branch has won the large rural office category at the 2018 Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) awards this week, the third successive year it has taken out this prestigious national title. Mike ...

PGG Wrightson Real Estate's National Sales Manager caught up with The Country's Jamie Mackay for an update on the rural real estate market. Meade discusses that there are still challenges around the environmental effects and lending into the dairy sector in ...

Whether you have a herd, a flock or a tribe of milking animals, (or even a single house cow, nanny goat or milking ewe), you will have milk available to drink, cook with or make cream, ice cream, butter, cheese and whey. Simple acidified curds like ricotta and ...

In the camel family, alpacas are a South American native. They are an ideal animal to keep on a lifestyle property or small block. Alpacas are intelligent, easy to manage and have a light environmental footprint. New Zealand has approximately 20,000 registered ...

Reviewing the 2017/18 year in rural property, the high level of sales activity during May and June is unusual, bucking traditional trends, and indicating increased listings on the market in late winter and early spring. Dairy Property Market ...

The Country's Jamie Mackay had an important question for this month's rural property report - are farms worth less now than they were this time a year ago? Read the The Country article about the interview here.

PGG Wrightson Wool, along with partner Bloch & Behrens, has delivered a flagship brand to highlight the superior characteristics of New Zealand wool. Providing full transparency within the supply chain, the Wool Integrity programme ensures wool is ...

Harvest progressed satisfactorily across most horticultural sectors through the autumn, as climatic conditions generally favoured growers. However, as has been widely publicised, a shortage of labour posed a real challenge in most growing regions. In Marlborough ...

Nelson/Marlborough Exceptional autumn weather at the top of the South Island meant farms were presented for sale in extremely good condition, while stock prices across the board continued to increase the desirability of pastoral property. However, demand exceeds ...

Fortunes for coarse crossbred wool growers improved during the autumn, largely driven by increased demand for New Zealand wool from several of China’s largest mills. Weakening of the New Zealand dollar against the United States dollar also aided the better ...

Those farmers directly affected by Mycoplasma bovis are in an unenviable position. Others have become increasingly aware of their vulnerability to the infection and will take whatever steps necessary to mitigate that risk. In regions where the disease was first ...

Northland Northland’s autumn rural property market was unremarkable. Although listings are readily available, including some excellent farms, purchasers and their financiers are reluctant to meet vendor price expectations. A 36.5 hectare Kaipara property ...

Excellent weather and plenty of grass kept the autumn livestock trade buoyant. Mycoplasma bovis impacted on the dairy livestock market, persuading existing buyers to purchase stock earlier than they would typically have done. Market activity increased and several ...

Here is our closer look at the different sectors within rural real estate, from across the country. Sheep and Beef Demand for sheep and beef farms remained strong through the autumn, as near perfect weather and continuing firm returns for red meat ...

Over the last eight years, PGG Wrightson-owned brand, Corson Maize Seed has developed a product portfolio of maize hybrids. In March 2018, the business added the Pacific Seeds range of maize hybrids to its portfolio. Pacific Seeds’ inclusion gives New ...

Demand for rural property always balances several variables. How these weigh up determines what momentum the market will generate at any given time. Activity in the autumn market has been strong, right through into late May, which will also flow through into ...

Lynne and Murray Dalziell have had many different addresses over the last 40 years, as well as accumulating stamps from around 40 different countries on their passports. Their adventurous spirit and quest for new experiences have landed them in Cambridge ...

When the new government was sworn inlast year, one of its first priorities was totighten policy around foreign ownership ofNew Zealand property. This issue has created doubt and a gapbetween buyers and sellers on the perceivedvalue ...

Richard Barge on growing hemp as a crop Industrial hemp can be made into everything from super foods to sustainable fibres and grows well in New Zealand conditions. Hemp has applications in many industries, including food and medicine, paper, textiles ...

Richard Ashford on spinning your own yarn If you have sheep, alpacas or goats, spinning their fleece is a truly hands-on way to make something beautiful from your land. Whether it’s to make the best use of fibre from your animals, to relax to the soothing ...

A wet spring and warm summer, with plenty ofsunshine, advanced the maturity of berry andsummer fruits, bringing the harvest forward. Ascrops ripened well in advance of what wouldnormally be expected, there was plenty of fruitavailable ...

Coarse crossbred wool growers have hadsome encouragement recently, albeit therecovering prices are coming off a low base.Signs of improvement are perceptible, thoughslight, especially given the strength of the NewZealand dollar versus ...

One of New Zealand’s most diverse regions by land use, Tasman has virtuallyevery type of rural property, from hill country manuka blocks to dairy farms,and from vineyards to hops to pipfruit to aquaculture to forestry, not to mention some of the ...

Here is Barry’s recipe for making a medium sweet mead with alcohol content of 13-14%: Equipment - 1 gallon jar with bubbler, funnel, 2kg honey, 1 gallon of water, 1 teaspoon wine nutrient, 1 packet white wine yeast, juice from 2 lemons, 1 campden ...

Barry Bunn on making honey mead Enjoy a chilled glass of mead with its sweet, unique floral flavours Mead, the old English word for honey wine, is a tasty, lesser known way of enjoying honey. The honey’s subtle floral hints and flavours offers a sweet ...

In 2003, Min Cookson, of PGG Wrightson Real Estate, Darfield, helped Tony and Robyn Chaston to move from their large sheep, beef, and deer farm in Windwhistle, Central Canterbury, to a four hectare lifestyle property in Ladbrooks, just beyond the south-west edge ...

Abundant grass due to an unusually moist summer has given many farmers plentyof options, and they are making decisions in the livestock market accordingly. Across most of the North Island, the plentifulfeed has caused a slowdown in the supplyof ...

Penny Mason and James Wallace are independently practicing Waikato healthcare professionals. As Penny explains, they moved from the United Kingdom to New Zealand, via Australia, in 2006. “While studying midwifery in Australia, I attended a workshop in the ...

Sheep and Beef Demand for sheep and beef farms was strongduring the summer, the sector benefitingfrom favourable climatic conditions, plenty offeed and continuing buoyant product prices.Confidence is high, reflected in the ...

Well-known North Canterbury wool buyers, Brian and Christine Logan, recently sold the 94 hectare Hawarden property they raised their family on, lived on and farmed since 1982. Brian Logan says the property, Glenford, located 39 kilometres north of Amberley and 84 ...

An introduction to Orpington Hens Orpingtons are an attractive hen whose gentle, quiet, child friendly nature make them a great addition to your lifestyle block. They are a heavy, dual purpose breed who are good layers, with pullets producing around 300 eggs in ...

Kate Marshall for NZ Gardener on pruning your stonefruit trees As you head out in the winter cold to tackle the garden, take heart from the fact pruning your stonefruit trees will result in a healthy tree producing good fruit yields. To prune stonefruit trees ...

Moving to a larger, more remote block has given the Wakeford family of Hawke’s Bay the opportunity to pursue their hobbies on a grander scale. Aaron and Ange, plus 18-year-old daughter, Hannah, already had a taste for lifestyle property, having lived on ...

Proprietary seed company, Agricom, has commercially released Ecotain environmental plantain. In September 2017, Agricom announcedresearch findings that showed the natural,environmentally friendly forage cultivar cansignificantly reduce nitrogen ...

Andrew Dowling on supplementary feed for your livestock over winter. It is essential to keep your animals healthy and strong throughout the year as it enables them to manage stressful times such as winter. One important way of ensuring your animal’s health ...

In 1928, Eric and Mabel Lambert shifted from Wellington to Putauaki, beneath Mt Edgecumbe, a journey of over 500 kilometres. A short time before they left the capital city behind, a polio epidemic had taken one of their sons. Eric had been an accountant for a ...

Ian Collie and his wife, Claire, moved to Te Anau in 1987. Prior to that, they had farmed in Wilden, West Otago, which was Ian’s family’s base. They were not happy with what happened to agriculture in that era and were ready for a change, as Ian ...

Nelson and Marlborough As in much of the rest of the country, demandfor Nelson and Marlborough dairy propertieswas subdued during the summer, with vendorexpectations exceeding what purchasers wereprepared to pay. How quickly this gap ...

Northland Although quiet at the start of summer,Northland’s rural property market picked upsomewhat post-Christmas. Values of dairyfarm transactions were consistent with similarproperties sold last season, and interest wasshown ...

After 164 years and four generations, the last remaining farming member of the McLean family is moving on from Waipu. Having started their association with the district in 1853, when John and Dolina McLean, originally from near Loch Ness in Scotland, brought ...

After moving north from Taranaki in the mid-1990s, Julie Geange and husband, Neal, were set on finding a property that would enable them to combine their love of farming with a reliable income independent of the ups and downs of agriculture. Although they had ...

Couple moves south after Hawke’s Bay property sells for the first time in 158 years Until late last year, Richard Paterson and his partner, Trudy Burgess, farmed 848 hectare Olrig Station, a renowned Hawke’s Bay rural property that had been in ...

Kath Irvine on harvesting apples Autumn is here so it’s time to harvest your apples. Fresh, crisp and delicious straight from the tree, here’s tips on timing when to pick and how to store your apples. Like all fruits, different apple varieties ...

PGG Wrightson Real Estate support the Dairy Business of the Year Competition by providing valuations on the top farms shortlisted throughout New Zealand for the competition awards. PGG Wrightson Real Estate are proud to support the competition as it not ...

As you will see in this edition of the Rural Property Pulse, this summer’s market for rural property featured various highlights. Demand for sheep and beef farms, viticulture and horticulture properties ranges from steady to spectacular. In most instances ...

In autumn 2001, Robert Goulter stood on a high point on Springer’s Block in the Howard Valley for the first time. He was overwhelmed by the peace and natural beauty of the property, which is located near the Nelson Lakes National Park in the heart of the St ...

Growing up in the 1930s, Ian Lankshear planned to join the family business, which was one of Wellington’s leading printers. Then World War II intervened. Like many others, Ian’s life changed course. He went to the United Kingdom to serve in the Royal ...

Nelson and Marlborough Along with the rest of the country, Nelson and Marlborough were wet in the early spring. However, the subsequent upside of good growth over rode the earlier inconvenience of inclement weather. Spring demand for rural property was strong ...

Northland A significant number of Northland dairy farms were offered for spring sale. Although completed transactions were at comparable values to last year, with plenty of alternatives, purchasers are taking time before committing to buy. As Northland dairy ...

Ian Glasson was appointed as PGG Wrightson’s Chief Executive Officer on 1 November 2017. Based in Singapore from March 2013, Ian was CEO of Zuellig Agriculture and Gold Coin, which was subsequently spun out of the Zuellig Group of businesses. Gold Coin ...

Although listings in many rural property sectors and throughout most of the country rose in the spring, these have not yet translated to sales. Cold, wet conditions early in the season delayed many spring marketing campaigns. Couple that with the general ...

A desirable lifestyle town with community spirit. Born, bred, educated and now with a well-established career in the Winton area, Kelvin Moylan is a confirmed Southlander. He markets residential and lifestyle property for PGG Wrightson Real Estate. For Kelvin ...

Les Anstis on Riparian Planting If your property hosts a waterway, there are many good reasons to plant natives along its banks. Riparian planting, alongside waterways, makes a positive contribution to environmental health. Effective planting improves water ...

Amazing harmonious combination of character and contemporary When Vikki and Ferg Dardis first set eyes on one of old Cromwell’s original homes, they overlooked its dilapidated condition, seeing instead its potential, and refusing to be discouraged by ...

Apopular, delicious drink packed with health benefits, and it’s super-easy to make yourself This naturally fermented, effervescent drink originated in China 2000 years ago. High in antioxidants, it is a natural probiotic, which makes kombucha tasty ...

The Kents finally move on from quake trauma Sharyn and David Kent bought their two storey, four-bedroom 1950s dream home in North New Brighton, on the east side of Christchurch, in 1988. They lived there happily, bringing up their two children, Nicholas and ...

Geoff Langford on growing strawberries and raspberries. In suitable climatic conditions, growing some of New Zealand’s favourite berries can be a worthwhile project for small-block farmers. With any berry operation, the key is to have a clear view around ...

Marie Torr grew up in northern Hawke’s Bay, moving to Napier in her teens. She now works in sales in the city. Having never given up on moving back to the country, in mid-2016, she sold her house and began looking for a rural property to build on. "It took ...

Tailor-made accommodation establishment Feeling they didn’t want to grow old in Auckland, Paul and Jan Henwood decided to leave the city in 2003. They bought a 1.37 hectare block of land just outside Cambridge with stunning 360 degree views over the ...

Heather Cole on saving tomato seed Tomato seeds are easy to save and well worth the effort, especially with hard-to-find heirloom varieties. Saving seeds ensures you have a year-to-year supply of treasured tomato plants – both to grow yourself and to share ...

Kate Marshall on summer care for fruit trees Act now to maximise fruit crops and keep your trees healthy through the dry season and beyond. For almost all fruit trees, flowering, pollination, and fruit-set is well and truly complete. Now mulching, feeding and ...

John Earney on how to keep pigs for fun and food All small-block farmers should consider keeping pigs, as they thrive in smaller spaces and produce excellent quality meat. Pigs are the fastest way to grow meat in the large livestock group. Heritage pigs are ...

Jacqui Knight on how to attract butterflies to your block These beautiful insects, often described as ‘flying flowers,’ are also useful pollinators and signal a healthy environment. Butterflies can bring colour and drama to your landscape all year ...

Ticks all the boxes for great lifestyle Traditionally famous for onions, Pukekohe’s proximity to Auckland makes it an eye-wateringly desirable locality for a country lifestyle. Mark Needham of PGG Wrightson Real Estate specialises in marketing farms ...

Jessi Morgan on pest prevention. A predator-free New Zealand by 2050 is an ambitious, though worthwhile goal, which we can all do our bit to achieve. If your lifestyle block is near a bush reserve or the coast, you’re likely to host unwelcome guests ...

With the lucrative Asian market set to grow, avocados are a great investment for those in the right region. Avocados are New Zealand’s third largest fresh fruit export, after kiwifruit and apples. It is an exciting time for this thriving industry ...

From Texas ranch country to the Kaimai Ranges From Texas ranch country to the Kaimai Ranges, overlooking Katikati and the Bay of Plenty, is a journey the Craft family has made, and one they are each delighted with. Logan and Barbara Craft, with daughters Sara ...

Kaisla Quinn on making Airbnb work for you Airbnb gives lifestyle block holders new access to the tourist market, especially if you can offer an interesting experience. Travellers no longer want to stay in average motels. However, great accommodation in rural ...

Northland As in many other parts of the country, Northland has been wet, contributing to a traditionally subdued winter ruralproperty market. One notable transaction was a 148 hectare west coast farm that sold in July between $20,000 and $22,000 per ...

Nelson and Marlborough While pruning was in full swing, sales of Marlborough vineyards were slow through winter. Demand for Nelson dairy farms remains enthusiastic, with interest from the North Island. A significant dairy transaction was confirmed during August ...

If you give us a calf, we’ll give you a pair of gumboots. It was a bizarre idea for a fundraising scheme. Two dairy farmers persuaded a reluctant IHC National Fundraising Committee to give it a go and the IHC Calf Scheme was launched in 1984. Wrightson ...

Known as an ideal first farm location, Galatea in the Bay of Plenty’s Whakatane district was first settled in the 1940s, when it was balloted to give returned soldiers a start in farming in gratitude for their war service. Phil Goldsmith of PGG Wrightson ...

Glenys Kennard had a bucket list of horse things she wanted to achieve. She has ticked off just about everything that was possible to have on the list. Then the crowning glory came in August when her star pacer, Lazarus, was named New Zealand ‘Harness ...

Robin and Lois Greer moved to Southland from the Waikato 25 years ago. Among the first generation of dairy farmers to make the shift south, they bought an 80 hectare farm at Tuturau, 20 kilometres south-east of Gore, their first property. Share-milking up to that ...

If a family that plays together stays together, a family that goes intobusiness together gains a deeper and wider understanding of each other. Geoff Morgan is managing director of well- known Marlborough commercial builder, T&D Construction. When local ...

Breeding daffodils commercially requires patience, and plenty of it. From the start of the process, cross-pollinating two daffodils with appealing characteristics to selling the first bulb of a new breed takes 12 years or more. Gordon and Cindy Coombes are ...

Most primary production sectors have faced a wet winter and early spring. However, this weather has also set up a potentially excellent growing season as the sun comes out and the temperature rises. For horticulturists, almost entirely across both islands ...

Although Nigel Tosswill was a townie from Lower Hutt, he grew up with a passion for farming. Working for AMP as a rural valuer, he developed a broad understanding of farming investment and opportunities. In lending to farmers, AMP was second only to State ...

Sheep and Beef Listings of sheep and beef farms were in short supply through the winter, with little of note offered to the market and activity occurring only at low levels. While this is generally the case during winter, the appetite to engage in land ...

After one of the most challenging years imaginable, farmers growing maize are looking forward to better times in the coming season. After one of the most challenging years imaginable, farmers growing maize are looking forward to a better season. They can ...

Avocado orchards have recently changed hands at around $450,000 per hectare, close to prices currently paid for green kiwifruit. A highly productive three canopy hectare coastal Bay of Plenty avocado orchard, with 280 trees, sold for $2.05 million, 3 years after ...

Nelson and Marlborough Demand for Nelson dairy farms remains enthusiastic, including interest from the North Island. Rising Fonterra and Westland payouts bode well for the upcoming season, and some good Marlborough and Nelson dairy farms are set to list in the ...

Northland As in many other parts of the country, Northland has been wet, contributing to a traditionally subdued winter rural property market. One notable transaction was a 148 hectare west coast farm that sold in July between $20,000 and $22,000 per hectare ...

Adverse winter conditions around the country did not seriously hold dairy farmers back after excellent weather through autumn provided a solid base of ample feed. North Island feeder calf sales reported strong demand for good four-day-old Friesian feeder ...

Busy spring set to follow traditionally quiet winter rural property market. While it was a busy autumn, with plenty of farmland selling, market activity went quiet from June on, and we experienced a traditional winter. Farmers were preoccupied with calving and ...

We areproud to announce the winners of this year’s PGGWRE awards. It is a wonderful opportunity to recognise people’s outstanding achievements throughout the last financial year. > See ALL of our National Awards winners here ...

Sheep and Beef Sheep and beef farms sold in low numbers during autumn, although prices remain static. A similar situation prevailed this time last year. With returns generally positive, particularly for beef, farmers are not inclined to sell and listings are ...

Fortunes for wool growers remain polarised. Although fine wool is internationally well sought after and delivering excellent returns to New Zealand farmers, crossbred wool prices continue to languish, with little to indicate that prospects will improve any time ...

Good autumn grass growth and positive markets led to vibrant trade in livestock throughout autumn. For dairy farmers, regular auctions throughout April and May helped provide solid market indicators on which to trade cows, particularly in the North Island ...

While climatic conditions provided some challenges for horticulturists during the autumn, eager export markets underpin a groundswell of optimism in the sector. For most crops, a cold, wet spring, including hail in some regions, meant it was never going ...

Nelson/Marlborough Favourable autumn grass kept the Nelson/Marlborough rural property market optimistic. Horticulture, meanwhile, is undergoing major growth in the region, with new plantings of apples, hops and grapes. Land values are increasing and, with blocks ...

Northland Rural property activity in Northland was strong during the autumn, especially in the Kaipara area. Several sales of smaller farms, priced between $1.5 and $2 million, were concluded. On a larger scale, a 430 hectare Kerikeri dairy farm also sold notably ...

Across the country, the rural property market is gradually climbing, with both the volume and value of sales edging up. Activity in the autumn market built towards a vibrant season’s end. In some parts of the country, stocks of farms for sale were exhausted ...

When Ken Marfell and his father, Dick, first leased Straits View Farm on the eastern boundary of Seddon in the Awatere Valley in 1956, Ken was 17 and every farm in the neighbourhood was in pasture as far as the eye could see.After leasing the 261 hectare property ...

In what is traditionally the rural property market’s busiest season, farmer confidence in the dairy sector will be the critical factor this spring.Some dairy farmers reacted directly to the Global Dairy Trade’s recent positive movement ...

Statistics showing record sales in the nationwide lifestyle property market only tell part of the story, says a national real estate leader. Statistics issued on Friday by the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) show the number of lifestyle property ...

While the dairy sector has faced challenges lately and the volume of property transactions has dropped, dairy farms are still selling, albeit at a reduced volume. Seven Waikato dairy farms changed hands in the first two months of this year, compared to 21 sales ...

The Silos, a Raglan waterfront landmark that is one of New Zealand’s most distinctive homes is for sale.Described as a trophy property like no other in New Zealand, 88 Wallis Street comprises two cement silos on the Raglan Wharf. Disused after the Port of ...

What comes around, goes around. While local farmers deal with their own cashflow issues, in the next few days, on the other side of the world, the United Kingdom’s National Farmers Union is organising a march through London to raise awareness of the ...

Although there is no denying that dairying is facing tough times, quality rural properties in the Waikato, particularly those in sought-after locations with easy contour, are still selling for good money. An excellent recent example of that was the ...

Real estate sales is one of the few vocations which never go out of favour. No matter how the economy performs, the property market keeps on trading and for the right person, real estate sales can be secure, enjoyable and very rewarding. Applications are open to ...

A Clevedon dairy property, combining outstanding location, contour and potential for diversification, is for sale for the first time in 44 years. Located 32 kilometres southeast of the Auckland CBD, the 108 hectare farm is presently run ...

Although we have had a lively start to spring in the Waikato rural property market, purchasers are taking a ‘wait and see’ approach. Despite plenty of interest and no shortage of offers for farms listed for sale, actual ...

Spring is traditionally a busy time in rural real estate, as we seek to bring together willing buyers and motivated sellers of farms. In some other regions, the reduced dairy payout has had an impact on the market. In our part of the ...

Canterbury’s rural property market is undergoing a quiet spring. At a time of year when activity would usually be at its peak, in most of the South Island, including our region, the reduced dairy payout has had an impact. Fewer farms ...

Auctions are the order of the day in the local rural property market. Those wishing to sell a farm are finding auction is an efficient, dependable way to bring out the best possible response. Creating a clear, transparent competition ...

Two strong farm sales in the Dannevirke area in late August showed the strength of the local sheep and beef market, says a rural property specialist. Ian Ross of PGG Wrightson Real Estate, Dannevirke and Feilding, marketed ...

Sales activity in the viticulture property market is set to rise during the coming season and could reach the record peaks last seen in the sector around six years ago, says a regional real estate leader. Nelson/Marlborough Sales Manager for PGG Wrightson Real ...

Springbush, an award-winning Hawke’s Bay sheep and beef farm, sold well at auction last month, with the hammer falling at $4.575 million. Doug Smith of PGG Wrightson Real Estate, Hastings, marketed the 357 hectare Elsthorpe farm, located 38 kilometres east ...

A large coastal Northland dairy farm, offering scale and good infrastructure, is for sale by auction. Megan Browning of PGG Wrightson Real Estate, Dargaville is bringing the 314 hectare property, situated 12 kilometres west of Dargaville ...

Bay of Plenty kiwifruit property continues to break records and has helped ensure the local rural real estate market is currently around the strongest in the country. A Paengaroa bare land block capable of development for kiwifruit, which sold for $90,000 per ...

Paul O’Sullivan submission for South Waikato News, August 2015Based on the latest GlobalDairyTrade auction, dairy farm returns could be on the rise again, in which case any impact the current downturn has on the rural property market should be relatively ...

A series of South Waikato farms up for auction over the coming weeks should provide a clear indication of the strength of the dairy property market, says one of the region’s leading rural real estate salespeople. Despite recent challenges for the dairy ...

A Taupo dairy farm sold at auction on Friday for $2.97 million. Bay of Plenty and Central Plateau Real Estate Manager for PGG Wrightson Real Estate, Paul O’Sullivan, marketed the 187 hectare Tirohanga property, located 39 kilometres northwest of Taupo ...

A large South Waikato rural property sold at auction this week for $5.25 million, suggesting that confidence in local farming is holding firm against the recent dairy payout downgrades. Richard Leach of PGG Wrightson Real Estate, Putaruru, marketed the 488 ...

Just two years into his real estate career, Northland local, Scott Tapp, has reached the top, out-pacing a number of seasoned veterans nationwide to win PGG Wrightson Real Estate's prestigious Rural Salesperson of the Year award. Scott, who is based in PGG ...

John Sisley column for Te Awamutu Courier, August 2015 In recent weeks, the outlook for dairy has not improved. What impact this has on the local market for rural property is difficult to say as, during the winter, sales drop away anyway. That said, open days ...

For approximately the past 18 months, since the horticulture industry came to grips with Psa, kiwifruit orchard prices have grown steadily. Early in the 2014/15 season, values surpassed the records set prior to the virus outbreak in November 2010 ...

Winter is generally a quiet time in rural property, as farmers prefer to buy or sell land in the spring when a farm is traditionally looking its best. Not surprisingly then, no significant South Waikato farms changed hands in the past month ...

“People are looking at the value long term, and with good properties there tends to be very little change in price. There are people out there who still want to get into the rural market” says Mr Newbold. While six months ago much of this was ...

Despite the fall in projected dairy returns, the market for farms remains strong, say the South Island’s foremost authorities on rural real estate.PGG Wrightson Real Estate salespeople report that South Island dairy farm transactions were down this autumn ...

Some observers seem surprised that, with projected dairy returns dropping, enthusiasm to invest in agriculture remains buoyant. However, if the South Waikato rural property market is an accurate gauge, many involved in dairying are in a positive ...

One of Central Otago's most admired high country stations, bounded by Lake Wanaka and Mt Aspiring National Park and with a storied history, is for sale.Mike Direen of PGG Wrightson Real Estate, Alexandra, is marketing 12,770 hectare Mt Albert Station, Makarora ...

A large North Canterbury sheep and cattle-breeding property, subject to a substantial recent improvement programme, is for sale. Mason Hills, Waiau, a 2542 hectare pastoral farm with an established homestead, a spectacular alpine outlook and impressive ...

Suggestions that wealthy overseas interests are buying isolated New Zealand properties to use as 'secret boltholes' are not substantiated by recent sales of high country property, says a national rural real estate leader.General Manager of PGG Wrightson Real ...

A large North Canterbury dairy farm, believed to be Canterbury's highest priced rural property sale in 2014, illustrates the strength of demand for dairy land, despite the sector's falling payouts.Located 10 kilometres west of Culverden and 109 kilometres north of ...

A Yaldhurst lifestyle property sold recently for 62 per cent above its 2013 rateable valuation. Min Cookson of PGG Wrightson Real Estate, who marketed the one hectare School Road property, said the sale was the most remarkable she has seen in 17 years of real ...