The awards celebrated 36 farming families from across regions, all with more than a century on the same land, including 12 marking 150 years or more, the highest proportion since the awards began in 2005.
Northland Family Honoured for 187-Year Farming Legacy
Among the longest-standing families was the Matthews-O’Callaghan farm at Aurere in Northland, with their connection to the land dating back to 1839.
The farm traces its origins to Reverend Joseph Matthews, who arrived in New Zealand in 1832 and later purchased land at Aurere, establishing one of the country’s longest=running family farming enterprises.
Over time, successive generations adapted the property, reshaping ownership, stock systems and commercial activity to meet changing conditions.
By the 1950s, the business had been formalised as Matthews Farms (Aurere) Ltd, and at its peak in the early 1980s carried more than 2600 acres before being divided among descendants.
Rachelle and Dennis O’Callaghan purchased their share of the original property in 1992, renaming it Temataa Station, which today operates as an intensive bull-beef system across 1855 acres.
Speaking after receiving the award, Rachelle acknowledged the role of earlier generations in building the farm’s legacy.
“We would like to acknowledge the previous generations who have come before and the sacrifices they have made to enable us to be here,” she said.
“There have been some tough times through the generations and we appreciate their perseverance and adaptability.”
O’Callaghan said the moment was particularly significant as multiple generations of the family gathered to mark the milestone.
“We are also grateful that Winston (my dad) is here with us to celebrate this award, he has lived on the farm all of his life and it is very special that three generations are here in Lawrence celebrating this award.”
She said the recognition reflected a legacy still being carried forward.
“Winston is also grateful that the younger generation is carrying on the legacy.”
Recognising Resilience Across New Zealand Agriculture
Century Farms chair Edward Fitzgerald said the awards recognised both longevity and the ability of farming families to navigate change over time.
“Farming, whether agricultural, viticultural or horticultural, has been the backbone and prosperity of our country and continues to be so today,” Fitzgerald said.
“Through wars, depressions, pandemics, droughts and floods, financial crises and government policies these families have survived and built an amazing legacy.
“These are stories worth telling, not just from a farming perspective but a cultural and social perspective as well.
“The New Zealand Century Farm and Station committee held their first awards ceremony in 2005, and we are now celebrating our 20th year (missing one due to Covid), with 699 families celebrated in total – 20 of these have also come back to celebrate their sesquicentennial anniversaries over the years.
“Thanks to our sponsors for enabling us to celebrate with these remarkable families each year.”
ANZ, which has supported the awards for about 15 years, and banks nearly half of this year’s recipients, said the milestone reflected long-more than just strong business performance.
“For a family to farm on the same land for more than a century, you don’t just need a good business – you need resilience over decades,” ANZ southern agri head Cameron Reed said.
“These families have worked through market changes, weather challenges, recessions, and generational transitions to build something special that lasts.
“It’s a fantastic achievement, and we congratulate all of the families recognised this year.”
