"I am a firm believer in the right tree in the right place, and it certainly isn't the right place when you mass plant a special iconic station like this with trees."
That's Mike Barham, a farmer from Hawke's Bay. He is leading a crowdfunding syndicate to save one farm from selling into forestry.
Mangaohane Station, nearly 5000 hectares, just off the Napier-Taihape Road, is for sale. However, Barham intends to keep the station in New Zealand hands and farming livestock on the property.
"It's a very special farm, there are only 11 of these big iconic stations there [central North Island].
"It's a large farm, nearly 12,000 acres running 40,000 stock units. It's a beautifully productive farm and is something that cannot be replicated, it's just far too good to plant into trees."
Mike Barham of Forever Farms NZ wants to save a Taihape station from being sold to forestry. Photo: Supplied
Barham said he has extensive experience in syndicates which prompted him to form one to buy the property.
It's how Forever Farms was born. Now Barham is hoping to raise the money to be active at the tender for the property.
"There is certain land that is much better for trees. But also you are losing whole social communities.
"We lose big farms like this - it affects towns like Taihape which service these stations."
Barham said the issue of productive land being turned into forestry is an issue across New Zealand.
"While I can only save one farm here, potentially, I hope that the fallout around what I am doing actually creates political change.
"We can't keep losing our productive farming base in this way, it's just not sustainable for New Zealand."
Pine tree. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
An estimated $45 million plus is required using a syndicated ownership structure where individuals are invited to invest a minimum of $250,000 per share.
Barham said he aims to pay cash for the land and borrow for the stock.
"It seems a lot of money, it is a lot of money, $250,000. But by doing that it limits the number of people in it.
"It is a great legacy investment, what better thing to leave your children or grandchildren is a share of a property like this."
The farm operates with a staff of about seven. Barham said nothing would change there, but it would have a managerial board.
He said those interested should register their interest by e-mailing foreverfarmingnz@gmail.com.
"I want people to be able to invest in this. It's very rare that people can even own a share in a wee place like this.
"Usually a farm like this is way out of the reach of all of us, but they could have a wee share of this, no trouble."
