High quality rural properties continue to sell well. A 261 hectare Waihi dairy farm, described as a premium property in a prime location with outstanding infrastructure, attracted intense interest before selling recently in line with local benchmark values.

Mike Matutinovich of PGG Wrightson Real Estate, Waihi, sold the farm, which produced just short of 150,000 kilograms of milksolids in 2021/22 from a 392 cow herd. He says the sale was a rare opportunity.

“Located in prime dairy country 7.8 kilometres south of Waihi township and adjacent to the Waihi golf course, properties of this scale are scarce and jealously guarded. This one was held in the same family since the 1980s, boasting excellent productivity based on a strong focus on genetics.

“Well subdivided and tracked with good all-weather races and more than 50 hectares mowed for winter feed, it presented as an aesthetically pleasing property with a strong commitment to planting and beautification of the natural habitat.

“Our marketing campaign started in early January, offering the farm for sale by tender with a mid-February closing date,” says Mike.

waihi dairy farm pond sold

Buyer interest was strong and widespread. Nine open days over six weeks averaged four groups per day viewing the farm.

“We had more than 50 email inquiries, including from the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates. These included a mix of returning New Zealanders, plus foreign parties seeking a move to this country, while local interest was from potential buyers looking to graduate from smaller properties,” he says.

Infrastructure includes four houses; a high-quality main home with pool; plus a 44 bail shed.

“A farm of this size, offering such quality and diversity, would create interest in any dairy market, which was certainly the case here.

“Despite the strong national and international interest, the tender was won by an experienced local farming family with a sound background of good farming practises, who have been in the district for approximately ten years and intend to take a hands-on approach to their tenure of this farm,” says Mike.