Report on a succession and governance survey of a random stratified sample of NZ farmers

Abstract

Contemporary statistical details of governance and succession on New Zealand farms are not available. This study involved a New Zealand wide postal survey to find out the current situation. Over 2000 randomly selected farms, the selection being proportional to region, farm type and farm hectarage strata, were mailed a questionnaire starting in June 2013. The response rate was 36 per cent providing 805 useable responses. Part time farmer’s replies were discarded. The response rate was greater than the norm. The information collected forms a comprehensive data base which creates a benchmark on which to judge future systems and arrangements made by NZ farmers and their advisors. Besides information on governance, succession and ownership a range of additional information was obtained to allow assessing farmers’ approaches to these critical areas.