Once you’ve decided on the type of farm you want to purchase, you’ll need to decide where that farm should be located. Some things to consider when buying are:
- Your farm location will be partially determined by the type of farm you are buying. In Northland, beef farms are common. The Waikato and Taranaki regions mainly contain dairy farms. Sheep farms exist across New Zealand.
- Land prices (and council rates) should be key factors considered. Prices and rates will differ from region to region, so research prior to purchase is advised.
- Established farming areas (like the Waikato and Canterbury Plains) will likely have better access to farming support services such as veterinarians, livestock transport, fertilizer, financial advice, and bio-security and pest management. Newer farming areas may have fewer amenities available.
- Consider the location of your farm relative to markets or abattoirs. If you need to transport livestock or produce to markets, the distances to these locations from your lifestyle farm will affect the resulting transport costs.
- If you decide to purchase a dairy farm, you'll need to consider how you sell the milk that is produced. You may decide to sell at the farm gate, to a small local dairy firm, or to a large dairy co-operative like Fonterra. There are advantages and disadvantages of each option, so you may wish to get advice from a financial planner, or other established dairy farmers.
- Your health and age may dictate your ability to work, and / or the level of city or town amenities you need access to. With a lifestyle farm, you're living on the farm itself. Make sure that the location of the farm is not just good for farming, but is also going to meet your personal location needs.