Services
Rural & Agribusiness Law
Rural Lawyers with Deep Central Otago Experience
We advise farmers, landowners, agribusinesses and rural families across Central Otago and throughout New Zealand.
Rural law is a core part of our practice. We have a strong and experienced rural team with a deep understanding of the communities, businesses and land issues that shape rural Central Otago. Our advice is practical, commercially focused and grounded in long-standing experience acting for rural clients across generations.
Overview
Rural and agribusiness matters often involve more than a straightforward property transaction. They commonly require advice on ownership structures, succession, financing, access, leasing and the practical realities of running a rural business.
We advise on a wide range of rural matters, including farm sales and purchases, high-country station transactions, vineyard and horticultural property matters, rural business structures and succession planning for farming families. We understand that rural clients often make decisions with a long-term view, balancing business realities, family interests and land stewardship.
Our role is to provide advice that is legally sound, commercially practical and aligned with the realities of rural life.
Our Experience
We advise on a wide range of rural and agribusiness matters, including:
- Sale and purchase of farms and high-country stations
- Rural land transactions
- Vineyard and winery transactions
- Horticultural and orchard property matters
- Agribusiness sales and purchases
- Financing and ownership structures
- Rural leasing and access arrangements
- Succession and inheritance issues
- Trust and company structures for rural families and businesses
We act for both long-standing rural families and newer entrants into the sector, including farming, horticultural and vineyard clients.
Farm and rural property transactions
We advise on the sale and purchase of rural property of all types, including:
- Family farms
- High-country stations
- Lifestyle and mixed-use rural properties
- Vineyard and horticultural land
- Rural business assets connected to land transactions
We understand the additional issues that can arise in rural transactions, including access, infrastructure, water-related considerations and succession implications.
High-country stations and significant rural assets
Transactions involving high-country stations and larger rural assets require careful planning and an understanding of both land and business issues.
We assist with:
- Structuring complex rural transactions
- Due diligence and risk assessment
- Easements, access and land-use considerations
- Ownership and financing structures
- Intergenerational and family-related considerations affecting the transaction
Vineyards, orchards and agribusiness
Central Otago’s rural economy includes a strong horticultural and viticultural base, and legal issues in these sectors often require sector-specific understanding.
We advise on:
- Vineyard and winery sales and purchases
- Orchard and horticultural property transactions
- Agribusiness ownership and structuring
- Leasing and operational arrangements
- Business sales and acquisitions linked to rural enterprises
Succession planning for rural families
Succession planning is a critical issue for many rural clients and is often one of the most important legal issues a farming family will face.
We advise on:
- Intergenerational transfer of farms and rural businesses
- Ownership structures involving trusts and companies
- Asset protection and family arrangements
- Succession and inheritance planning
- Structuring outcomes that protect both family relationships and business continuity
We have strong experience acting for multi-generational rural families and understand the practical and emotional issues these matters can involve.
Rural ownership structures and financing
We assist rural clients to structure ownership and financing arrangements appropriately, including:
- Trust and company structures
- Partnership and co-ownership arrangements
- Financing and lending-related issues
- Restructuring existing rural ownership arrangements
Our advice is directed at ensuring legal structures support the ongoing operation and long-term stability of the business.
Rural leasing, access and land arrangements
We also advise on the ongoing legal issues that affect rural land use and operation, including:
- Rural leasing arrangements
- Access rights and easements
- Occupation and infrastructure-related issues
- Land arrangements between neighbouring owners or family members
Where a matter involves irrigation schemes or specialised water infrastructure issues, we work closely with our Water & Irrigation Law team.
Who We Act For
We act for:
- Farming families
- Owners of high-country stations
- Vineyard and winery owners
- Orchardists and horticultural businesses
- Rural business owners and investors
- Families planning for succession and ownership transition
Why Checketts McKay
We offer:
- A strong and experienced rural team
- Deep understanding of Central Otago’s rural communities and land issues
- Significant experience with farm and high-country station transactions
- Practical advice for multi-generational clients and rural families
- Coordinated support across related property, commercial, succession and irrigation matters
We understand that for many rural clients, legal advice must work not only on paper, but in practice, across family, land and business.
