LIFESTYLE BLOCK MAGAZINE HELPS LIFESTYLE FARMERS AVOID THE PITFALLS OF THE UTOPIAN DREAM
With the lure to the countryside stronger than ever, education is the key to success
AUCKLAND, May 20, 2004 -- TraderGroup today launched New Zealand Lifestyle Block, the first magazine to educate and
inform the rapidly-growing lifestyle farmer segment on how to get the most out of their change of environment.
"The lifestyle block sector is booming and New Zeland Lifestyle Block magazine will give people who live on, and people
who aspire to live on, lifestyle blocks a practical guide to this type of farming," said Tina Clyma, business
development manager for Trader Group.
"Rather than slowing down frenetic city living, moving to the countryside delivers a whole new set of challenges. There
are so many things to consider when taking on a lifestyle block -- animal health and management, property maintenance,
cropping, mixed-use farming, organics and a myriad of compliance issues. By covering these issues in NZ Lifestyle Block
magazine, we hope to save a few dreams as well as a few animals."
With the high New Zealand dollar reducing spending by traditional farmers, lifestyle block owners have become an
important economic engine for rural communities.
"I've spoken with farm equipment dealers in areas where there's a high concentration of lifestyle blocks such as
Pukekohe and Kumeu and they say lifestyle block farmers who work in towns and cities are a significant customer base for
them."
Statistics from the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) show that sales of lifestyle blocks are consistently
experiencing strong growth.
Last year 276 blocks averaging 3.7 hectares each were sold and it is estimated that there is between 90,000 and 110,000
lifestyle farm units in New Zealand. NZ Lifestyle Block magazine is aimed at this market and features a mix of practical
tips and in-depth features covering every aspect of lifestyle farming.
The lure of lifestyle blocks will remain strong Rapid growth in people moving to lifestyle blocks is expected to
continue, with many professionals commuting to work from lifestyle communities. TraderGroup recently ran an online
survey on the Kiwi Expat Association website (www.kiwiexpat.co.nz), which confirmed that even expatriates view living on
a lifestyle block as the utopian dream on their return home. The survey showed that 100 % of respondents planned to
eventually return to live in New Zealand and 67% of the 66 survey respondents said they wanted to live on lifestyle
block farms when they eventually returned.
Other survey results showed:
** 72% of people who viewed lifestyle blocks as most idyllic were driven by the belief that it would be a great way to
bring up children
** 100% plan to eventually return home
** Only 6% said they would use a lifestyle block as their primary source of income
** 18% of respondents have already looked into buying a lifestyle block
About NZ Lifestyle Block Magazine Lifestyle Block Magazine is published by Trader Group, a division of ACP Media. The
magazine serves to both inform and entertain with a mix of practical, easy to follow tips and guides and in-depth
features covering every aspect of lifestyle farming. Richly illustrated and crafted by journalists with a passion in
their chosen field, NZ Lifestyle Block is the authority on every aspect of lifestyle farming in New Zealand.