Building resilience in the food and fibre sector

A generational shift is occurring which could see over $150 billion in rural assets change hands, making the question of how best to invest farm capital more valuable than ever. Succession, risk management, and business resilience are top-of-mind for some of New Zealand’s farming families.

As we know, farming is a cyclical business. At present, we have the benefit of a low exchange rate, reasonable commodity prices, falling interest rates and farm values which are probably trending up, all of which is good. But farming families with foresight are looking through these good times and planning for the long term.

For many New Zealanders—especially those in farming—income can be volatile, swinging with weather, commodity prices, and global demand. Investing in commercial property is a proven strategy to diversify and stabilise returns. Unlike farming, where income is tied to production and market cycles, commercial property offers the potential for steady, lease-based income and in the right circumstances, long-term capital appreciation. This 101 Insight seeks to demystify the fundamentals of commercial property investment, focusing on key concepts, value drivers, and the importance of timing.

Last week, the government's Investment Boost announcement provided exciting news for prospective investors in the MyFarm Solar Fund.

The policy allows for a one-time 20% write-down on new assets, enabling businesses to claim both the Investment Boost and a standard depreciation deduction in the year they purchase the asset. This development accelerates the depreciation process, resulting in a larger deduction for the year of purchase.