THE GRAZE MIGRATION
The lure of the lifestyle block is alive and well.
ACROSS THE GLOBE, urban people are swapping suburbs for wide, open spaces.
The concept of a lifestyle block, however, is distinctly New Zealand.
During the year to July last year, 7251 lifestyle blocks were sold throughout the country, according to the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand.
Whatever the reason, it’s clear that Kiwis have found something special out in the country. The commute may at times be longer, but the air is definitely cleaner, and the grass is greener.
Farming and animals may not always be the driving decision behind the move, but escaping the big city limits is becoming an important lifestyle choice for a growing number of Kiwis.
The lifestyle block was introduced by real estate agents in the 1980s to describe a rural small holding, says academic John Paterson (himself a lifestyle blocker).
“It attracts people who wish to live a rural lifestyle but whose income is normally derived from non-farming activities.”
The lifestyle block phenomenon was helped by farmers around New Zealand subdividing land from the 1970s onwards for financial reasons, then again in the 1990s. It’s estimated there are now over 175,000 blocks nationwide.
“Throughout the country, former city slickers are finding their field of dreams lies not amidst corporate high rises but out in paddocks, beyond the confines of the cityscape,” Investigate magazine wrote back in 2003. “These people are heading for the prospects of a better life for their families, fresh air, open spaces, bigger properties that tend to hold the pledge of swimming pools, tennis courts, and large gardens with plenty of land leftover for free-range children, and grazing horses or a small flock of sheep.”
Customkit founder and managing director Michael Anselmi grew up on a farm on the coast of the South Waikato. He’s spent his working life in the building industry, but his passion for the rural outdoors and lifestyle have kept him anchored
to the land. He and wife Jude live on a 70-acre farm in the South Auckland area where they have created a picturesque paradise with expansive views in all directions.
“I get excited for people when they decide to make the shift from city to a country lifestyle experience. When they talk to us and see the options available, they realise that they can achieve their dreams.”
Michael started Customkit offering country barn and barn-style buildings. Over the years, the company’s range and style of buildings have evolved and developed to cover a much larger market, while continuing to remain synonymous with the lifestyle ‘look’ that is its signature.
“We now have a very comprehensive and diversified range of building options that should suit most cliental. These days, more and more, we are seeing that our ‘country’ classics are now finding favour with urban dwellers also who like our style of buildings.
“We live in a fantastic country with the opportunity of a rural lifestyle at our fingertips, so I encourage anyone thinking of making the lifestyle transition to grab the ■ opportunity. You’ll never look back.”
“WE LIVE IN A FANTASTIC COUNTRY WITH THE OPPORTUNITY OF A RURAL LIFESTYLE AT OUR FINGERTIPS.”