Celebrating Generations on the land

At the heart of New Zealand’s heritage are the stories of the early pioneers who cultivated and transformed the country’s untamed wild land into the rich agricultural industry that exists today.

Many of their descendants continue to produce crops and livestock on the land with the same passion, hard work and perseverance shown in those early days.

The New Zealand Century Farm and Station Awards programme aims to capture and preserve this important rural history, which might otherwise be lost through the generations.

Eligible families submit narratives of their farm history, together with copies of related photographs and supporting documents which are then archived at the Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington, ensuring all records are kept in perpetuity.

Now in its 18th year, the awards claim over 550 families from throughout New Zealand as part of its exclusive group of centenarians and sesquicentenarians. The late Russell Brown from Lawrence, Otago heard of the initiative through some North American visitors and launched the programme in 2005, honouring its first group of families in 2006. Initially recipients were mainly from Otago/Southland but word has continued to spread throughout the country, with these days a fairly even split from the North and South Island.  

NZCFSA believes it is important that the personal sacrifices, perseverance and commitment of the previous generations are recognised.

An invitation is extended to all New Zealand farming families who have owned and worked their land for 100 years or more, to apply for a Century Farm, Century Station or Sesquicentennial (150 yr) award.