Media Release
8.12.2016
The Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust is seeking a tenant for its dairy farm
The Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust seeks a tenant for the 80 hectare dairying operation in McLeans Island Road,
Harewood – directly opposite Harewood Golf Course. The lease marketing campaign is being undertaken by Bayleys
Canterbury, with tenders closing on December 14.
The dairy operation is part of the revenue activities of the Trust, which administers an expansive 1100 hectare flora
and fauna sanctuary adjacent to Christchurch International Airport.
The Trust is a well renown not-for-profit wildlife organisation and is currently the only facility in the world breeding
orange-fronted parakeets in captivity, and the only facility outside of the Department of Conservation to breed the rare
black stilt and New Zealand shore plover bird species. It runs one of New Zealand’s most expert incubation and hatchery
for rare breed chicks.
In addition to funding the wildlife breeding programme, planting of native flora and conservation of early Canterbury
architecture, The Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust also financially supports educational and research recipients -
funding post-graduate scholarships for students at Lincoln and Canterbury universities.
Bayleys Canterbury rural sales specialist Ben Turner said the lease was being offered for a five year term beginning in
June next year, with one further five-year right of renewal.
“Lease payments to the Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust are based on a percentage of the milk solid payout and
production levels achieved on a month-to-month basis,” Mr Turner said.
The rationale for this is to reflect any volatility in milk pay-out levels which the lessee could experience over the
length of the tenancy, rather than at a set per hectare rental figure which could become financially burdensome when
times get tough.
“The current lessee is milking between 250 – 300 cows on 90ha, producing approximately 110,000 kilograms of milk solids
per year including approximately 4500 kg MS from winter milking 60 to 70 cows. Also, approximately 120 bales of hay are
made annually.
“There is a minimum production level required under the terms of the lease of 80,000 kilograms of milk solids per year,
on a reduced farm size.”
The property operates a 30-aside herringbone shed, with cows grazing on 32 paddocks serviced by a central lane.
Farm infrastructure includes a three-bay barn, calf-rearing sheds, a hay/implement shed with a lockup workshop and grain
and meal silos. Included in the lease is a three-bedroom homestead, with the option to lease an additional two-bedroom
farm worker’s residence.
Mr Turner said the flat-contoured farm had Selwyn District Council consent to draw irrigation water from the Waimakariri
River, with additional water drawn from a gallery on the property with a separate well at the cow shed providing stock
water, as well as for the shed and house. A 300 cubic metre capacity effluent pond enabled processing of waste product.