- Sam Whitelock and his wife Hannah are selling their Hawke’s Bay farm, Riverbank Station.
- The 833ha farm, bought for $8.5m, features significant infrastructure and irrigation upgrades.
- The property includes three homes, with the main homestead overlooking the Mangaone River.
Former All Black Sam Whitelock and his wife, Hannah, have put their Hawke’s Bay farm, Riverbank Station, on the market for sale.
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The couple bought Riverbank Station eight years ago for $8.5 million, and have been living and working there with their three children since last year.
Whitelock, who made his mark on the rugby field with 153 All Black test matches to his credit, has strong links to the farming community. He grew up on a dairy farm in Manawatu and is the Farmstrong Ambassador.
Sam Whitelock and wife Hannah in 2018. Photo / Getty Images
Bayleys listing agent Tony Rasmussen described the property as a trophy farm. Photo / Supplied
The Whitelocks’ Hawke’s Bay endeavour is an 833ha breeding and finishing farm Rissington, 27 kilometres west of Napier Airport. It has an RV of $15.3m.
Bayleys listing agent Tony Rasmussen said it would be difficult to find another well-located, breeding finishing property in Hawke’s Bay that matched Riverbank Station.
“This is truly a trophy farm that has seen significant capital investment, which the new owners will reap the rewards of. Plus, it’s close to Napier city and its amenities,” he said.
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Rasmussen said he expected the consent to irrigate 45ha using water from a storage dam would also be a massive drawcard for buyers.
Over the past few years, Whitelock had overseen a big investment in tidying up existing infrastructure and adding new improvements.
“More than 40 kilometres of conventional fencing has been completed, including boundary and laneway fences to improve stock movement; they have tidied up an existing cattle yard and added an impressive new set of steel cattle yards at the top of the farm.”
Whitelock had overseen a big investment in tidying up existing infrastructure and adding new improvements. Photo / Supplied
Rasmussen said the new sheep yards at the woolshed were well built. “Pastures are in good order thanks to a regular re-grassing programme which starts with about 30ha going through a kale crop each year,” he said.
“A lot of the work has been done, and it’s ready for new owners to take it to the next level.”
The property comes with three homes plus a shearers’ quarters. The main homestead was originally built in the 1890s and features native timbers, sited on a terrace overlooking the Mangaone River. It comes with four large bedrooms, two bathrooms, an open plan farm kitchen and dining area, a separate lounge and dining room.
- Riverbank Station, Puketitiri Road, Hastings, is for sale, tender closing November 12
