The owner of a Taranaki lavender farm is saying goodbye to the place she’s called home for the past 10 years after becoming a grandmother.
Liz Sinclair runs the Pihama Lavender farm in Pihama.
The farm is full of charm, having started out as a co-operative dairy factory when it was built in 1897.
The former factory stopped churning butter and making cheese in 1967.
Sinclair made the tough decision to put the farm up for sale after welcoming a newborn grandchild into the family.
“It’s just a bit big for me at my stage of life,” she told Seven Sharp.
“I fell in love with the place. I’m still in love with the place. It’s like living in a giant historic jigsaw puzzle.
“I will miss it.”
With summer around the corner, the lavender is almost ready to bloom — perfect for the new owners.
“It’s just like the south of France and the colour comes brighter and brighter and brighter until it’s almost overwhelming,” she said.
“And then the bees tell you when it’s time to harvest it.”
Along with the breathtaking views, the farm also offers accommodation, and a shop and gallery where Sinclair sells her lavender products.
“I also have events like farmers’ markets, the odd wedding,” she explained.
Although she’s leaving the place behind, Sinclair still has a few ideas on what the new owners could do.
“You could start a brilliant restaurant here. I’ve got the space — it just needs lots more energy and probably more people to share the workload.”
The two properties, sitting on 1.79 hectares of land, is on the market for offers over $1.2 million.