RATANUI FARM, KAUROA
In Kauroa Valley near Raglan, 266-hectare Ratanui Farm was listed for sale in spring 2023 by Richard Thomson of PGG Wrightson Real Estate, Hamilton on behalf of Ross and Jo Loveridge.
Taking over the farm in the early 2000s, the Loveridges focused on animal health, soil and pasture management, while developing additional revenue streams including a refurbished shearing shed, a cottage and units for accommodation, plus mountain bike tracks, a hang glider launch site, and a farm shop.
Richard says Ratanui took several months to sell.
“There was plenty of interest, though mostly from people looking for a mainstream farm, underestimating the agri-tourism component the Loveridges had developed.
“In the end we found a purchaser ready to pick up on the full opportunity with the farming background plus the passion for agri-tourism.
“They have extended the Airbnb business, put in roads for easier access, modernised what was there, and are looking to take it further exploring the opportunity to develop an events facility, including weddings and functions.” he says.
MASON HILLS, WAIAU
Mason Hills, approximately 20 kilometres north east of Waiau, is a 2500 hectare hill country property.
Peter Crean of PGG Wrightson Real Estate, Christchurch marketed it. From listing, it took around 18 months to sell, settling in May this year, taken on by a Christchurch-based business person.
“Mason Hills is a unique property. The previous owners had retired a large grazing tract at the back of the property, taking that land out of production to allow native species to regenerate, while also planting 160 hectares of trees at the front of the property, setting it up to gain carbon credit revenue in future. As well as offering good hunting, both deer and pigs, the property also has income from manuka honey.
“While it is still well set up to breed sheep and cattle, stock numbers are reduced from where it was previously, and this has become a property with a past significantly different to its future.
“Although interest remained steady, we needed to find a buyer who was attracted to what the property had become, and prepared to wait. That took some time, and made Mason Hills a relatively complex proposition to sell,” he says
DUNVEGAN, CLINTON
Dunvegan is a 1507-hectare sheep and beef property 15 kilometres south-west of Clinton.
Since 2011, under the ownership of Michael and Caroline Morris, the property has seen extensive development, including pasture renovation and fertility improvements. They also added a neighbouring 660-hectare leasehold block, later freeholded, to increase scale.
Offered for sale earlier this year by Brent Irving and Derek Ayson of PGG Wrightson Real Estate via deadline private treaty, Dunvegan attracted multiple offers before selling to a local buyer.
“Purchased by a well-known farming family, Dunvegan will continue to operate as a stand-alone property. The new owners have employed a younger family as equity managers to run the farm, supporting the next generation of farmers.
“For our vendors, selling Dunvegan was part of a broader succession plan. One of their sons has since purchased Hillcrest, a 265-hectare farm in Clinton, keeping the family connected to the area.”
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