Working island farm available in New Zealand

For farmers looking to bring their skills and experience to New Zealand through the Migrant Investor or Entrepreneur categories, a possible once in a lifetime opportunity has just been announced.

According to a media release by Bayleys Canterbury, “a stock grazing farm on an island just a short boat ride from the civilisation of mainland New Zealand is on the market for sale – offering the ultimate work/play lifestyle.”

The 943 hectare property on D’Urville Island, at the tip of the Marlborough Sounds, is separated from the South Island by a short stretch of water known as French Pass – crossable by a 10-minute boat trip from ‘the mainland’ on a water taxi service.

“In peak years, the farm has carried approximately 4000 stock units – and earlier this year was running 3500 sheep and 120 cattle on a mix of atawhai, ketu and opouri soil types. The property is managed as a traditional sheep and cattle breeding/grazing unit with replacements bred on the property and surplus offspring sold as stores.

“Stock are barged off the island from various points – with yards on the shoreline and races set up down the beach. Lambing percentage is around 100, while 85% of calves are weaned.”

With very properties like this one in existence, it is a rare chance to combine a working New Zealand farm with a truly unique lifestyle. The island farm is bordered by 15 kilometres of ocean coastline.

Bayleys explains that “some 32 hectares of the farm are established commercial forestry, with a further 113 hectares in native bush. The land is fenced into 22 paddocks and blocks varying in size from 2.5 hectares through to 70 hectares.”

In addition to the main farmhouse, a beachfront cottage could attract an absentee investor who would prefer to employ a farm manager to run the farm and utilise the main homestead.