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British farmers are flocking to New Zealand's countryside to enjoy better conditions and less red tape in their working lives.
One real estate firm, Bayleys, has sold more than $200 million in farmland to British and Irish farmers since 2002, and the interest is so high that the firm has now set up an office in London to promote New Zealand farming.
While Federated Farmers says there is nothing to fear from the British influx, New Zealand First is concerned it will further inflate farm prices and lock young Kiwi farmers out of the market. "New Zealand farmers have been the backbone of this country virtually since it came into existence," said NZ First deputy leader Peter Brown.
"A little bit of fresh blood here and there is all right, but when we open the doors widespread, it is a huge concern."
English farmer Andrew Luddington moved to Canterbury with his family three months ago and knew pretty soon after emigrating that he had made the right choice.
"The farmland here is very, very pretty, which is a huge draw for UK farmers. The country does not disappoint."
Bill Whalan, a director of Bayleys Canterbury, said British farmers were attracted to New Zealand because farming practices were similar, yet New Zealand offered a better way of life and more favourable farming conditions.
"The state of farming in the UK at the moment continues to deteriorate. Dairy farmers over there are making significant losses and the UK farmers as a group know the subsidies will not continue," Mr Whalan said.
"We complain here about our compliance legislation, but the average farmer in the UK spends between one and two days a week doing paperwork to comply with European Union regulations. It's a real killer for them."
Mr Luddington, 42, his wife Miranda, and two children Sophie, 11, and James, 9, are living in Christchurch, but are on the lookout for land in rural Canterbury.
A grower of potatoes and sugar beet on a 235ha estate in West Norfolk, Mr Luddington thinks the flat land of the Canterbury plains will suit him and plans to grow "whatever the market desires".
He is looking forward to having much less "legislation and bureaucracy" to deal with.
However, providing a better life for his children was also high on his agenda in moving to New Zealand. "We are of the belief that New Zealand is a better and healthier place to have young children. Kiwis have a more positive outlook in life."
Federated Farmers vice-president Don Nicolson said New Zealand farmers should not feel threatened by the British arrivals.
"There's nothing to fear. These people will bring their skills and will also learn the New Zealand way," Mr Nicolson said.
