New Zealander’s are proud of New Zealand’s clean green image and committed to living in this environment in a way that meets our social, economic and environmental needs – now and in the future. Sustainability integrates this concern for social, economic and environmental issues, and involves thinking broadly about objectives, considering long-term as well as […]
Considering laying drainage on your lifestyle block? Take a moment to check the basics! Before you book a digger, make sure you’ve checked off the points below – lifestyle block drainage can be a large and complicated undertaking, but with a bit of forethought, you can be the proud owner of a well-drained plot in […]
One of the first big jobs you will need to undertake on your lifestyle block will be the construction of a good boundary fence. Why? Because a lifestyle block is by definition larger than your average home plot, meaning that you will likely be unable to view your boundaries or effectively control your livestock, pets […]
Will Cattle make you Money? While full-scale dairy or beef farming is beyond most of us, many land owners are now considering the financial benefits of raising cattle on their lifestyle blocks – and for very good reason. With an increase in lifestyle property owners across NZ, it is inevitable that interest in lifestyle farming […]
Have you ever considered that money really can grow on trees? When you buy a forestry block, you are not just buying a piece of land; you are making an investment with a very high rate of return indeed. Purchasing land – or ‘land-banking’, as it is often described, is a highly valued activity in […]
There are now a wide variety of New Zealand Sheep Breeds where once there wasn’t much more than the traditional New Zealand Romney, Southdown and Merino strains. Now it is possible to dial up a new breed of sheep to suit any market need or farming situation. Even lifestyle block owners with just a small […]
To handle cattle correctly, an understanding of animal behaviour is essential. The greater the handler’s knowledge of cattle behaviour, the better will be their ability to predict an animal’s response. When you can do that the job will get done quicker and easier with less chance of injury to animals or people. Cattle, because of […]
What breed of cattle should you choose? Every breed of beef cattle has its strengths and weaknesses, depending on the terrain, production facility and current market circumstances. To give you an idea of the range of choices, the following is a list of all the cattle breeding associations in New Zealand: Angus, Aubrac, Belgian Blue, […]
Lifestyle block planting is a simple case of matching the right plant to the right conditions. We spoke to some local native plant and landscaping experts about which plant to place where – and we learned a few things along the way. So whether you’ve recently joined the ranks of the NZ small landowner’s society […]
Finding the perfect piece of land is only the beginning… Landscaping your lifestyle block will add value, create atmosphere, and add to your enjoyment. These are our top suggestions for beautifying your land. Once you have settled on the right piece of land, the next steps often include landscaping and planting: and the difference this […]