Confidence returns to the land

More buyers, more momentum, more opportunity

While we are yet to navigate all the predictions of a dry summer, this spring's growing conditions overall have been very favourable, unless you live in Southland. The current rural real estate market continues to reflect a similar sentiment.

In the 12 months to September 2026, 1,398 rural properties over 20ha changed hands nationally, the number of sales up 12% on the previous year, with total sales value lifting 19% to $4.83 billion.

Dairy has led the charge. The number of dairy sales rose 34% to 317, with $1.92 billion traded and the median $/ha holding firm at $39,700 (+2%). Sheep and beef (200ha+) volumes held steady at 157 sales, but the median $/ha jumped 16% to $12,200/ha.

Regionally, Canterbury led the country on value at $850 million from 185 sales, while the Waikato recorded the most transactions (199) and the biggest dollar uplift, up $179 million on last year.

Dropping into our own rural real estate business results for October, farm sales are up a third on October 2025, while the value of those sales remained similar to last year at $88 million. Interestingly, we have seen a twofold increase in our North Island results for October (80% of sales), which probably reflects the influence of on-farm conditions this season.

Looking through November and into the New Year, the election is likely to feature less in people's thinking, in favour of market drivers and confidence generally. The message we continue to highlight is that this year is a ‘farmer-to-farmer’ market and while banking support is very apparent, the last 10 years of struggle street is not lost on our buyers. Losing sight of business fundamentals and forward ‘pricing in’ yet-to-be-achieved future gains has not been a winning formula for this generation of buyers.

Farming is a business, and it supports a very special way of life, but it is in that order. Unless your buyer is on the boundary, competing with the rest of the market in a sought-after location, then all bets are off!

Our view hasn’t changed. There are still more buyers than sellers, but achieving the full value of your property takes more than finding an interested buyer. It takes the right strategy, a comprehensive marketing campaign and a team that knows how to make every opportunity count.

That’s where Property Brokers comes in. With our True Team approach, local market knowledge and nationwide connections, we bring the experience, energy and expertise to help you achieve the best possible result.

If you’re considering selling your farm or lifestyle property, we’d welcome the opportunity to show you what we can achieve together.

In the meantime, to our vendors who have entrusted us with showcasing their properties in this edition of Land & Lifestyle, thank you. As we take these properties to market ahead of Christmas, the real work begins, putting our collective strength, connections and expertise to work to deliver the results you deserve.

Data Source REINZ – All figures are rolling 12-month totals to September of each year. Dairy and all-rural figures cover properties of 20ha+; sheep & beef covers 200ha+. Prior-year figures include later-reported sales, so may differ slightly from previously published totals.