Generational Family Farms Listed for Sale Across New Zealand

Several long-established family farms in New Zealand are being put up for sale, marking a poignant shift in agricultural heritage. Owners have expressed a mix of nostalgia and regret as they face the reality of not finding suitable successors to continue their family traditions.

One significant property now on the market is the Wendon Valley farm in Waikaka, owned by David and Elizabeth Smith. This farm has been in the Smith family since 1885. It was listed for sale at the end of September 2023. Similarly, the Viewfield Farm in Waikoikoi, owned by Bill and Pam McCall, has been in their family for 113 years and is now available to prospective buyers.

Just a week later, Bracken Hill, located northeast of Gore, also went on the market. This farm has a deep-rooted history, being in the Smith family for 150 years. Noeline Smith, who has worked the property for the past 60 years, explained the difficult decision to sell. She and her husband, both in their 80s, face the reality that none of their children are prepared to take over the farm.

“We don’t have a family member that’s ideally suited to take it over, and that is a very sad thing for us,” Noeline Smith said. She noted that advice received at farming conferences warned against encouraging family members to take on the farm if they were not genuinely interested or suited for it. “The advice we’d been given … is, if you haven’t got somebody within the family that’s ideally suited for it, do not leave it or encourage them to take it on,” she added.

The couple’s decision reflects broader challenges within the agricultural sector. Allan Smith, Noeline’s husband, pointed to the difficulties faced by the sheep industry as a factor contributing to their children’s lack of interest in farming. “We all love sheep, but you still have to have money, don’t you, to run a farm?” he remarked.

Elizabeth Smith, also from Waikaka, shared her own family’s story. Despite having five daughters, she noted that even a son might not have pursued a farming career. In their 60s, she and her husband want to enjoy their retirement, which includes traveling and visiting grandchildren. “It would be hard for us to say goodbye to our 299 hectares property, especially for my husband, who bought it off his parents in 1988. But we can’t stay there forever,” she said, reflecting on the bittersweet nature of their decision.

The recent trend of multiple century-old farms being listed for sale raises questions about the future of farming in the region. Peter Gardyne, who currently leases Bracken Hill, noted that the market conditions have improved compared to previous years, making it a strategic time for owners to sell.

As these family farms transition out of generational stewardship, the agricultural landscape may see significant changes. The stories of the Smiths and McCalls serve as a reminder of both the deep-rooted traditions in New Zealand farming and the evolving realities that lead to the sale of cherished family properties.