Between 1973 and 1975 four local pastoral leases applied for and were granted reclassification of their lease to crown renewable lease tenure, which allows the leasee the right to purchase the fee simple (the freehold title). This was followed by a dramatic reversal. The land settlement board, between 1975 and 1977, declined three official applications. Numerous verbal applications and enquiries were made to field officers, but all were discouraged. These pastoral leasees were advised to forget freeholding, you'll never be allowed to, and were advised to get on with farming. On 1st August 1980 the incredible/the unbelieveable occured, all but three pastoral leasees between Beaumont in the south and the Knobbies in the north were mandatorily reclassified!

The New Zealand Kellogg Rural Leaders Programme develops emerging agribusiness leaders to help shape the future of New Zealand agribusiness and rural affairs. Lincoln University has been involved with this leaders programme since 1979 when it was launched with a grant from the Kellogg Foundation, USA.