A Beginner’s Guide to Your Lifestyle Block
Whether you’ve just bought your first piece of land or you’ve been here a few months and are wondering what comes next, you’re in the right place. Lifestyle farming in New Zealand is very rewarding, but it can feel overwhelming at first. What animals should you get? What laws and regulations do you need to be aware of? When do you worm a sheep? What’s eating the fruit from your trees? At Lifestyleblock.co.nz (aka LSB), we’ve been helping Kiwis like you answer these questions for over 25 years.
Start With the Basics
You don’t need to know everything. But you do need a few basic resources to help you make good decisions early on. Here are three that lifestyle farmers across New Zealand have found especially useful:
10 Things I Wish I’d Known Before I Bought My Block
Thinking of buying land, or wondering if you’ve missed something? This free ebook is a practical guide that will save you time, money, and stress.
Rural Fire Safety Guide for Lifestyle Farmers
Fire safety is everyone’s responsibility, especially in rural areas. Another free ebook, this guide covers what your local fire brigade needs you to know.
If you’ve got paddocks, lime is the most important limiting factor to great pasture. This guide explains what lime does, when to use it, and how to make smart, cost-effective decisions for your land.
What You Need to Know to Keep Livestock
Our introductory course covers the essentials of animal care and legal obligations. It’s great to know what you’re letting yourself in for before you commit!
What You'll Find on This Site
We’ve organised everything into three main areas to help you move forward:
Livestock & Pets - feeding, health, and care for goats, cattle, sheep, and poultry
Running the Farm - soil health, fencing, shelter, legal responsibilities, weeds
Rural Living - gardening, recipes, self sufficiency
Feeling stressed?
The good news is that you don’t have to get it all right the first time. None of us were instant experts. Having said that, the more you know, the less stressful it will be. LSB is here to help you to enjoy your green dream without too much stress. We’ve all made our mistakes, learned a heap and are happy to share our knowledge. Got a question? Reach out to me, or sign up for the monthly newsletter for regular tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a lifestyle block in NZ?
A: There’s no official answer to this. We class it as a piece of rural land which is productive but where farming is not the main business of the property. So anything from a half-acre with chooks and crops to a 200+ block with only a few acres used for production.
Q: What should I do first after buying rural land?
A: Breathe. Enjoy the space. Get a clear idea of your goals. Understand what you already have to work with. Get to know your water system and fencing, and start to think in terms of seasonal tasks.
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