Foreword
The report, prepared jointly by AgriQuality New Zealand, Lincoln University and MAF, outlines the findings of a study undertaken in 2003/04 that was commissioned and funded by MAF.
In recent years, numbers of lifestyle blocks and other smallholdings have increased markedly as land around major urban centres has been subdivided into smaller units and sold as lifestyle blocks. In response, several district and city councils have attempted to constrain the 'loss' of farmland through by-laws that specify tight conditions under which subdivisions are to be permitted in future.
However, only a limited amount of research has been conducted on smallholdings and those who live on them. In particular, until this study, our knowledge of smallfarmers and lifestylers has been constrained by a lack of national survey data. Thus, until now, little was known of the biosecurity and land use characteristics of New Zealand smallholdings. Hence, MAF commissioned the study in order to enhance our understanding of smallholdings (defined within the study as properties between 0.4 ha and 30 ha in area) in New Zealand; their numbers, total areas involved, their land use and agricultural production, and levels of biosecurity awareness among those who operate them.
The report contains much valuable information on smallholdings, gathered through analysis of the relevant property registers, implementation of a questionnaire survey, and personal interviews. We hope that it will prove useful to stakeholders in their own policy and planning. However, we emphasise that the views expressed in this report are exclusively those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of MAF.
I commend this report to all who have an interest in smallholdings in New Zealand.
Alan Walker
Director, Policy Information and Regions
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Contact for Enquiries
Monitoring and Evaluation
Innovation and Research Policy Directorate
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Email: stats_info@maf.govt.nz
Phone: 64 4 894 0100
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