CountryWide Spring 2025
Investing Off Farm
The only constant in life is change. When it comes to investing off farm it is important for your asset allocation to balance risk and reward, income and growth, and short-term needs with long-term goals. Is your off-farm investment strategy current? Words Angus Marks, Andrew Austin and Harriet Jones, Wealth Management Advisors, JBWere
The Regulatory Pendulum
How recent policy went too far and ended up starving New Zealand agriculture of capital which contributed to the 2023–2024 recession. Words Forbes Elworthy.
Ensuring Farmers Don’t Bear Cost of Misattributed Emissions
NIWA research is under way in the Wairarapa to differentiate how much methane in the atmosphere comes from farm animals vs local wetlands. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.
Changing the Bog-Standard
Often overlooked and misunderstood, 90% of New Zealand’s original peatlands have been drained, degraded, or destroyed, leaving these carbon-rich landscapes in crisis. Jenna Smith, a 2024 Nuffield Scholar, presents how restoring peatlands that cover 1% of the country’s land area store an estimated 20% of carbon and could be our most strategic ecosystem.
Rethinking New Zealand’s Economic Future
New Zealand’s economy has long been anchored by two key pillars: agriculture and tourism. However, as the world changes, Carlos Bagrie, a 2024 Nuffield Scholar, explores how both sectors are facing natural limits to their growth.
New Logo Highlights New Zealand – Grown Grains
Most consumers are unaware that the bread they buy from the supermarket is more likely to be made from imported, rather than domestically grown milling wheat. Words Heather Chalmers.
Drone Technology is Flying
Drone technology has advanced to bring greater precision and cost-efficiency for farmers and growers to manage fertiliser and chemical sprays. Words Sheryl Haitana.
Keeping the Door Open to the EU
Silver Fern Farms, MIA and OSPRI have partnered with Prism Earth’s innovative technology to provide unprecedented insights into farmers’ natural capital that will both provide continued market access to the European Union as well as potential new revenue streams. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.
Pre-loved as Farm Accommodation
From lower costs to a faster, liveable solution, second-hand houses have multiple advantages when contemplating accommodation on farm. Words Sheryl Haitana.
What is the Value of Infrastructure?
We asked Gina Duncan, a rural valuer who specialises in dairy farms throughout the Waikato, and ASB Rural General Manager Aidan Gent about the biggest misconception on farm infrastructure value. Words Gina Duncan (Darragh Valuations) and Aidan Gent (ASB).