Christchurch Family Closes Farm Chapter After Nearly a Century

A significant chapter in the agricultural history of Christchurch is coming to an end as Ted Shields, 90, and his wife Dawn, 87, prepare to sell their family farm in Heathcote Valley. This decision marks a poignant transition from the rural lifestyle they have cherished for decades to a retirement village setting. Ted expressed that leaving the property, which has been his home for most of his life, has been an emotional struggle.

“I’m very much attached to this property, but in the interest of what’s going to happen over the next few years, we thought we should move on,” he stated. With Dawn being a few years younger, Ted aimed to spare her the burden of maintaining the property alone after his passing.

Legacy of Family Farming

The Shields family legacy began in 1922 when Ted’s father, Cecil ‘Cis’ Shields, purchased the 6-acre (2.4 hectare) block after serving as a machine gunner in Egypt during World War I. Initially, the land featured 500 fruit trees and an impressive 24,000 outdoor tomato plants. The post-World War II era saw an influx of residents in Heathcote Valley, significantly increasing the demand for fresh produce.

Farming in those days required intense manual labor, with success often hinging on favorable weather conditions. Over the years, the property has been subdivided, and Ted now owns a 0.8-hectare section. He reminisced about his childhood adventures in the hills, shooting rabbits and building huts. During that time, Port Hills Road was nearly traffic-free, allowing him and his friends from Heathcote Valley School to sail down the road in makeshift carts crafted from wooden apple crates and pram wheels.

The tranquility of the valley was punctuated only by the sound of St Mark’s Church bells in Opawa on Sundays and the distant clanging of chains as horses turned to plough the fields.

Transitioning to Retirement

Ted’s life has revolved around this farm, apart from two years spent at Waitaki Boys’ High School and another two living nearby. He humorously recalled enduring 127 strokes at school for what he described as “typical schoolboy stuff.” This count was notable enough for students to carve notches in their leather belts for each stroke received, and Ted proudly held the record for many years.

After completing his schooling, Ted returned home to work before embarking on a carpentry apprenticeship. At just 21, he established his own company, constructing residential properties in Christchurch and North Canterbury. After two years, the couple moved back to the family farm, where they built their own home and have remained ever since.

Semi-retirement began for Ted at 60, when he began growing tomatoes commercially. However, the introduction of imported tomatoes from Australia had a devastating impact on local agriculture. “This valley was full of tomato plants and orchards, but when they started bringing them in from Aussie, it killed the whole valley,” he lamented. Consequently, the property is no longer farmed commercially.

As for the future of the family legacy, Ted and Dawn’s children have all relocated from Christchurch, leaving them to navigate this transition alone. “This is the way life goes; your kids take a different career and that’s it,” Ted said.

The farm is set to go on the market on Tuesday, with a rateable value of $1.45 million. As this chapter closes, the couple looks forward to the next phase of their lives, embracing the changes ahead.