Land, legacy, and opportunity – rural’s back in balance
Monday, 21 July 2025
Our rural market continues its march through the depths of winter on the up.
In fact, well up. We are seeing month-on-month rural sales not only outstripping the same time last year but also matching the 10-year average for the number of farms sold in that month. That’s significant, given the 23/24 season was one of the hardest going for rural sales in a decade, so to be back in line with the long-term average year on year is a big turnaround.
This is mirrored in our PB business results with the strongest winter sales and business inquiries we’ve seen in years. We have everything from lifestyle blocks to some of the largest dairy businesses under contract, set to be fi nalised shortly for the new season.
There is no question that the improved affordability of bank funding and forward confidence in the commodity cycle are playing a significant role in all this; however, farmers and growers themselves are feeling more confident, as the regulatory settings in which their business operates now appear more aligned to supporting production rather than hindering it.
A recent Lincoln study looking at the future use of land has highlighted that as we set about optimising land in the right way, we can win on both economic and environmental fronts, where general lifts in productivity have the potential to reduce hidden environmental costs too.
Current export results show our primary sector contributing $60B to NZ, up 12% year-on-year, and accounting for over 80% of NZ’s total export contribution. Any way you cut it, these are big numbers, and these results are all making their way back to the provinces.
The rural sector is contributing $60 billion to NZ exports – and it’s flowing back to the provinces.
Businesses need to be viable to be sustainable, and that’s clearly a sign of the current times.
So, back to the here and now of rural real estate, this is the first time in a long time that we can genuinely say it’s a seller’s market for rural real estate.
Heading into this spring, we are consistently seeing multiple offers at market price on the great majority of rural properties we are putting up currently. Buyers, too, can operate on what the property can actually produce, rather than competing head-on with alternative land uses or yet another national policy statement limiting land use options.
Our best advice is to get advice, whether buying or selling, this is not the year to step back. There are real options on both sides of the table.
Talk to our team, and they can walk you through our excellent listings within this magazine and/or potential options available for the new season. However, my advice is that the early bird gets the worm.
Whether you’re looking to buy or sell your farm or lifestyle property, our True Team is here to exceed your expectations. With a perfect blend of energy and experience on your side, you can’t go wrong with Property Brokers.
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