Onfarm

The Street family demonstrate how their farm is part of an inter-generational portfolio, future-proofed through diversification. Their story inspires how succession by growing rather than dividing an asset base can be done. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp, photos Stephen Barker. 

At Elm Grove, the next generation of Kirklands are blending heritage and innovation on the 173-year-old, Taieri, low-cost dairy farm with an A2 colostrum-based skincare range designed for sensitive skin. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Photos Biddi Rowley.

From heavy lambs for Atkins Ranch, to yearling sire bulls for the dairy market, Michael and Jane Cammock at Kouratahi farm in the Wairarapa focus on added value and knowing where their end product is destined for. Words Rebecca Greaves. Photos Brad Hanson.

Trade lambs are a key farming enterprise at Hafton Station, but when they discovered drench resistance on their Hawke’s Bay farm in 2019, Michael and Karen Toulmin knew they needed to re-evaluate their
whole farm system. Words Rebecca Greaves and Photos John Cowpland.

Together, the Milltons from Marlborough have weathered earthquakes, drought, succession, and bold shifts in stock policy. All with the watchful eye from Van Tour friend and farm advisor Ed Harrison. Words Joanna Grigg and photos Jim Tannock.

Witnessing the stress of sheep farming in Southland as a child led
Steve Clarke to a career as a helicopter pilot before returning home to the dairy farm. He and wife Hayley are on a mission to ensure that farming creates a balance of work and life for their family and staff. Words & Photos Sarah Perriam-Lampp.

Leefield Station in Marlborough’s Waihopai Valley is a powerful example of diversification with multiple land uses intertwined and integrated to provide an intergenerational, future-proofed farming business. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.

After two decades in the corporate world, James Kellow realised his farming heritage on the windy Awhitu Peninsula near Auckland. The award-winning farm has since been converted from dairy to beef, a game bird estate as well as planting 300,000 native plants. Words Helena O’Neill, Photos Cristy Benson.

Monowai Station, Waimatā Valley, Gisborne, has entered its 100th year of being farmed by descendants of the Savage family. This is a farming business where long-held family values and traditional farming practices merge with efficiency, responsiveness to opportunities, and environmental good practice. Words & Photos Louise Savage.

Muller Station has won the Marlborough Farmer of the Year title. It’s not just off the back of their highly profitable sheep, but
for creating a pasture powerhouse out of hieracium- and rabbit-infested country. With Steve Satterthwaite at the helm for a half-century, Muller has taken up the best of the new and safeguards the cherished high-country traditions of the past. Words Jo Grigg, Photos Jim Tannock.