Century Farms – Irish eyes on the prize

Irish Eyes on The Prize

A big family and even bigger dreams for the man from Annascaul

Nestled beside the Kaupokonui River in Manaia lies 52 hectares of land, farmed by four generations of one family for 108 years. Around 1880, Michael Landers travelled by boat from his birthplace of Annascaul, County Kerry in Ireland to New Zealand. He married Mary O’Sullivan in 1889 at St Mary’s Cathedral, Wellington. After their marriage, they travelled to Williamstown in Victoria, Australia where they worked and raised their first three children – Bridget, Mary and John Joseph. They returned to New Zealand around 1894 and settled in Manaia and had another three children – Laurence, Francis and Eileen. In 1911, Michael Landers purchased two blocks side-by-side between the Kaupokonui River, Lower Glenn Road and Main South Road in Manaia. The farm transferred to their eldest son, John Joseph in 1946. John Joseph farmed this land with his wife, Fanny and raised their seven children – Mary, Eileen, Kathleen, Josephine, Michael, John (Jack) and James (Jimmy). The farm was transferred to their son, John Patrick (Jack) Landers in 1965. Jack farmed this land in partnership with his wife, Margaret Leonie and raised their eight children – Owen, Dennis, Trish, Theresa, Tony, Roger, Colleen and Trevor. Jack milked 180 Jersey cows and walked every day to get the cows in. From the late 1980s their son, Anthony Gerard (Tony) came home and farmed with his father. Tony eventually went 50/50 sharemilking and after Jack’s death in 2008, then leased the farm. After Margaret’s death in 2016, they continued to lease until today. Succession of all or part of the farm is currently being looked at.

| Back: Patricia Margaret (Trish), Theresa Anne, Anthony Gerard (Tony), Dennis Patrick, Owen John. Front: Colleen Mary,

John Patrick (Jack), Trevor Michael, Margaret Leonie, Roger Peter.

| Back: Laurence Albert Patrick, John Joseph (Jack/JJ), Francis Michael. Middle: Bridget

Johanna, Michael, Mary, Mary Eileen Maude Ellen. Front: Eileen Margaret. | From left: Josephine Bridget (Josie), Mary Margaret, Kathleen Agnes (Kath), Eileen

Frances, Frances Josephine (Fanny), John Joseph, Michael John, John Patrick (Jack),

James Brian (Jimmy).

Rural market update

Rural momentum set to continue into 2021 as demand exceeds supply.

General confidence to invest in the rural real estate 4. Irrespective of any changes to OIA policy our market heading into 2021 is very positive, in stark view is long-term leasing of NZ farms, particularly contrast to the last 3 years’ market headwinds. large-scale dairy farms, will feature more this PROPERTY BROKERS While the challenges that have been present for some time remain, particularly the uncertainty with environmental planning and bank credit, the market is responding, driven off the back of proven returns. This is reflected in the significant role our year than any prior period. The separation of the land-owning entity from the operations makes the land-owning entity attractive to new city investment, including an outright sale, similar to the commercial sector. primary sector now plays in NZ’s economic recovery, 5. Both economically and politically, the tide is as other export sectors recalibrate post the impact changing in favour of our primary sector. of Covid-19. In addition, very low bank deposits Labour has captured a significant share of the continues to drive investment from the city in favour rural vote and has the prerogative now to reset of the country, notably horticulture. the pace of change, with a more measured Our top five picks that will underpin the demand for land this year include: environmental approach, particularly the timeline to achieve freshwater standards and associated farm practices. This will underpin 1. Demand for quality horticultural land will confidence more generally. continue to outstrip supply – particularly for Kiwifruit Gold where momentum buying for quality orchards has yet to find a ceiling. Origin Capital Partners went to the market seeking $50m for kiwifruit investment and now expects to have $80-$90m. MyFarm had an unprecedented year in 2020 with $185m There are always forces at play with commodity cycles, currently its the exchange rates and the unintended quota consequences with Brexit. The biggest and most obvious however is the ongoing impact of Covid-19 on our international markets. To date, our NZ primary products have held-up well. invested, most of which was in horticulture. So, as our land owners look to their own objectives 2. The auction price of carbon will underpin the land market for traditional sheep and beef hill country farms as the carbon price tracks to $50 a unit over 2021. Currently at $38 a unit, up to $10 on a year and demand for permanent forest land continues to exceed supply. and priorities for 2021, if a land sale or purchase is on the radar, rather than relying on the crystal ball and New Year predictions, give us a call. We have invested more into our rural team the last 12 months, than at any time in our 35-year history, and its showing in our results and the confidence vendors have placed in us. Our qualified rural 3. The Overseas Investment Amendment Bill (No3) consultants independently assess every property, 2020 we anticipate will find support, where NZX with the appropriate marketing campaign options listed companies will be allowed to go from recommended, backed by our national True Team 25% to 49% foreign ownership and rural lease coverage and our strategic Farmlands Co-operative terms extended from a maximum of three to Partnership. ten years. Both measures would encourage new investment, retain NZ ownership/control and Conrad Wilkshire, accelerate repayment of NZ Agri borrowing. GM Rural for Property Brokers Ltd

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