18 Jul 2025

Massive transfer of wealth coming as farmers age

From Nine To Noon, 9:05 am on 18 July 2025
Rabobank New Zealand chief executive Todd Charteris.

Photo: Suppiled / Rabobank

The next decade will see the largest inter-generational transfer of wealth as more than 17,000 farm and orchard owners reach pension age. A recent Rabobank report says based on current values that's $150 billion worth of assets to potentially change hands.

However the research finds only one in three farmers have a formal succession plan in place. Rabobank Chief Executive Todd Charteris says the succession challenge ahead for the agricultural sector is becoming more complex, but must be addressed.