The farm real estate market showed mixed price trends across the country. While the median sale price for dairy farms rose by 20% in Manawatū-Whanganui and 4.6% in Canterbury, it saw a notable drop of 14.7% in both Southland and Taranaki. Meanwhile, the number of grazing blocks sold also increased significantly, especially in Otago-Southland and Hawke’s Bay, driven by improved red meat prices and strong demand for support blocks.

The report also detailed a notable difference in pricing between New Zealand’s islands for finishing farms. While the median price per hectare increased in Canterbury (17.4%), Otago (16.4%), and Southland (14%), it saw significant drops in North Island regions like Manawatū-Whanganui (26.5%) and Waikato (23.5%). This regional disparity highlights a divergence in market confidence and underlying dairy economics between the North and South Islands.

The horticulture sector also experienced a rise in sales, particularly in regions like the Bay of Plenty, Northland, and Gisborne. Kiwifruit orchards remained popular with investors seeking scale, with a new trend emerging: a growing interest in new horticultural areas like Canterbury and Southland to diversify risk. In contrast, the arable sector saw limited activity, and sales in both viticulture and forestry were subdued due to global oversupply, weak log prices, and regulatory uncertainty.