Over the past year, the Land Diversification Initiative, developed as part of the Manawatū Regional Food Strategy has helped unlock new opportunities for farmers and landowners across the region.

At the heart of this mahi are two practical tools, a land diversification report, outlining the financial and market potential of high-value crops, and an interactive crop suitability map, using GIS technology to match land with alternative crop opportunities. 

"We’ve been working directly with landowners, and the feedback is clear: these tools aren’t just interesting, they’re genuinely useful. They help clarify options, reduce uncertainty, and offer viable next steps,” says Ashley O’Neil, Sector Development Senior at CEDA.

On the ground impact

From heifers to horticulture, Stu and Jules Bradbury of The Good Berry Farm are embracing change. Using their Colyton block to plant over 1,700 blueberry bushes and 700 olive trees, they’re creating a future-focused agri-tourism destination and credit community collaboration and forward planning to their success.

“This isn’t just about farming,” says Jules. “It’s about creating something sustainable that works for our lifestyle, supports local jobs, and brings people into the region.”

Further north, Jill and Rob have traded city life for sustainability, transforming their 75-acre block near Cheltenham into a diverse operation that includes alpacas, beef, and a macadamia orchard.

“We always knew we’d use at least 10% of the land for growing food,” says Jill. “It was part of the plan from the start, we just didn’t know exactly what that would look like until we got to know the land.”
These are just two of many landowners now taking practical steps to diversify and future-proof their land.

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