New Zealand Farm Stays in Family for Fourth Generation

Zeb and Stacey Wills just pulled off what many young farmers think is impossible: they bought a 600-cow dairy farm at ages 36 and 35.

The couple purchased the family farm in Walton, New Zealand this month, taking over a property that's been in Zeb's family for nearly a century. Zeb's great-grandparents bought the land in 1931, and now he's the fourth generation to run it.

The path to ownership wasn't straightforward. With three children in the family, Zeb's father Grant initially thought selling and dividing the profits was the only fair option. Everyone wanted an equitable solution, but no one wanted to lose the family farm.

Two years ago, they hired a consultant who said succession would take at least eight years. The family had other ideas and came up with creative alternatives that cut that timeline to just two years.

They sold three eight-hectare blocks to reduce debt, and a timely Fonterra payout helped Grant set aside inheritance money for all his children. Grant also provided a family loan covering nearly 30% of the $13 to $14 million purchase price, with the rest coming from bank loans and the couple's savings.

The speed of their success surprised everyone, especially considering where they started. "It's pretty unusual to go from 330 cows and 50/50 sharemilking to buying a 600 cow farm," Stacey said.

Why This Inspires

This story shows how thinking creatively can solve problems that seem impossible at first glance. When the traditional path looked blocked, the Wills family didn't give up. They found ways to be fair to everyone while keeping a century of family history alive.

It also proves that asking for help works. The couple credits family support as their biggest advantage, and they weren't too proud to hire a consultant when they needed guidance.

Grant, who retired at 65 as planned, moved to Papamoa with his wife and loves his new chapter. "Within 24 hours we thought, 'wow, this is pretty cool,'" he said about retirement. "Knowing these guys are on here, that's super exciting as well."

The couple met by chance in the UK during a farm work exchange, both placed in the same cottage. Stacey admits it wasn't love at first sight when she met the unshaven, unkempt Zeb, but they became friends first and farming partners later.

Now they're running the farm together with three workers while raising two young children. The family homestead they purchased with their KiwiSaver accounts is almost 100 years old, and they plan to farm the property for the next 30 years, just like the three generations before them.

Four generations and nearly a century later, the Walton farm is exactly where it belongs.