8 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Andy and Debi Whitehead Kinatai Farms creating a succession plan. Andy, Debi, Lynette, Peter, Kallum and Bradley. Karen Phelps As 2025 comes to an end Andy and Debi Whitehead can hardly believe that their dream of owning a farm is becoming a reality. Their journey with farm owners Peter and Lynette Johnson began in 2011 thanks to the Johnson’s goal of wanting a clear and viable pathway to succession made trickier without having family members wanting to take it on. The Whiteheads were 50/50 sharemilking on the Coastal Taranaki farm at the time. Their local accountant came up with a workable structure and Andy and Debbie joined Peter and Lynette as co-owners and principals in Kinatai Farm Ltd. They continued sharemilking but the new contract saw them taking 70% of the milk cheque while taking on 100% of the costs. “It’s an unusual arrangement but it’s very fair and equitable especially because we have a share in a block of land in partnership with our son Troy on Tai Road. We pay 100% of rates, insurance, any lease arrangements and so on but it means there’s no issue about where fertiliser’s being used or what’s happening with silage or supplements or any of the other areas that can sometimes be a little contentious,” Andy explains. It was and still is a win for everyone as it allowed the Johnsons to get some money out of the farm while keeping some income from production, and the Whiteheads weren’t overburdened by debt. In 2023 the Whiteheads bought another quarter share taking them up to 75% ownership and in 2026 they will have full ownership of the 135 hectare effective farm milking 400 cows. With their dream now (nearly) a reality Andy and Debbie are working out a succession plan of their own that will be a win-win for those next in line. One of their two sons Kallum is buying into Kinatai Farms Ltd. and their ‘third son’, Bradley Hare who has been working on the farm for the last seven years is lining up with his partner Bex Anderson to become a lower-order sharemilker in 2027. Already he’s taking more responsibility for the day-to-day decision making that keeps the farm running. Now approaching 60 and with as many community commitments taking him off farm as ever, Andy’s well ready to give the next generation their opportunity to start on the pathway to farm In 2026 they will have full ownership sinclairenergy.co.nz CENTRE APPLIANCE SERVICE SCAN ME FOR A FREE SOLAR QUOTE CALL 06 761 8084 Trusted electrical solutions for farms, homes, and businesses — backed by local experience and 24/7 support. Call Troy - 027 857 5747 Proudly supporting Debi and Andy
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