In 2001 Michael and Janet Bryant came off the big Te Ākau South sheep and beef farm where they’d brought up their family, and where Michael had farmed for 38 years.
They found the perfect downsized version, much closer to town, on 17 hectares of productive, flat to easy rolling country at Te Kowhai, 10 kilometres northwest of Hamilton.
Janet says it has suited them well.
“We had raised our boys and were ready to move on from farming on such a big scale. We were on our way to New Plymouth when we saw this place, so we called in. We liked the way it lies, with the hill and flats, and it didn’t take us long to work out that it had everything we needed, so by the time we were heading home from Taranaki, we dropped in again and signed the contract on the bonnet of the car.
“We bought from people who had run quarter horses. We raise around 60 grazing cattle on the property.
“There’s a stand of kahikatea that gives us uplifting bird life, including pheasants, tui, and kotare, and we have a big garden with plenty of trees where we grow feijoas, lemons and grapefruit,” says Janet.
Now however, with family in New Plymouth, Hamilton and Morrinsville, although they will miss their livestock, Michael and Janet are ready to downsize again, so have engaged Richard Thomson of PGG Wrightson Real Estate, Hamilton to sell the property. Richard says it offers an exceptional lifestyle close to town with enough good quality land to create options.
“Although Michael and Janet have used the 10 paddocks predominantly to graze cattle, dairy heifers and sheep, a large flat sand pad near the stock yards was historically used as an equestrian arena, and the Mairoa ash soils are equally suited to cropping, in which case leasing out the paddocks to grow maize would be an alternative for a new owner with a less hands-on mindset for the land.
“Built in 1993, the substantial two storey four-bedroom Lockwood home is set in established grounds overlooking the farm. With an additional kitchenette, two of the bedrooms, one bathroom, and one of the living areas is set up for use as a self-contained unit or Air B’n’B. A great covered deck surrounds most of the house, perfect to enjoy outdoor living in the sun or the shade,” says Richard.
Proximity to Hamilton suggests the property may be suitable for future development.
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