James Burke - Rural Real Estate

James Burke - Rural Real Estate Forestry Sales
Searle Forestry James embodies exceptional skills and unwavering drive when it comes to selling rural properties.

His in-depth expertise, cultivated over 19 years in agriculture, combined with his dynamic approach, makes him a standout choice for your rural property needs. With a background spanning horticulture, drystock farming, and agribusiness management, James's comprehensive knowledge and relentless commitment set him apart in the field. When you work with James, you're not just getting a realtor – you're partnering with a dedicated professional who understands the intricacies of rural property and is fuelled by the determination to provide unparalleled service.

JUST LISTED: LM FarmsSet across approximately 179.6 hectares at 455 West Coast Road, Te Kōpuru, LM Farms is a well-estab...
30/09/2026

JUST LISTED: LM Farms

Set across approximately 179.6 hectares at 455 West Coast Road, Te Kōpuru, LM Farms is a well-established Northland dairy operation with 175 hectares of effective dairy land and a 507-cow peak herd.

The farm has delivered a strong lift in production, reaching 306,529 kgMS in 2025/26, up from 283,906 kgMS the previous season. This is supported by a productive feed platform, with 11.1 tDM/ha of homegrown feed produced across the milking area.

The property is well set up for day-to-day operation, with a 33-aside herringbone dairy shed, centrally located feed pad, 61 main paddocks, limestone races, three bores and two three-bedroom homes.

A leased runoff block supporting wintering, young stock and supplement production is also available by negotiation.

With scale, improving production and a well-developed farming system already in place, LM Farms provides an opportunity for an incoming owner to take the next step.

Contact the Searle Agribusiness team for further information.

JUST LISTED: Nicklin FarmsRarely does an opportunity of this scale and proximity to Auckland come to market. Held by the...
28/09/2026

JUST LISTED: Nicklin Farms

Rarely does an opportunity of this scale and proximity to Auckland come to market. Held by the same family and offered for the first time in generations, 77 Remiger Road is approximately 299 hectares of Pūhoi hill country, an easy drive north on State Highway 1. Farmed as a sheep and beef unit, the property carries a full complement of farming amenities, spring-fed water and dual road access off Remiger and Tunnel Roads.

Pasture that was largely non-forest in 1989 also opens the door to ETS afforestation alongside grazing. Almost 300 hectares offer scope for mountain biking, horse trekking, hunting or exploring. A natural stream, waterfall and substantial areas of retired native forest add seclusion and character, while elevated sites open to views of Great Barrier Island, the Coromandel and west across the ranges. Ōrewa Beach and Warkworth are both around 20 minutes away, the Pūhoi Pub just minutes, and the Te Araroa Trail runs along Remiger Road.

Contact the Searle Agribusiness team for further information.

Just Sold | Aranga Forest Aranga Forest is a well-established Radiata pine investment located in the Kaipara District, N...
25/09/2026

Just Sold | Aranga Forest

Aranga Forest is a well-established Radiata pine investment located in the Kaipara District, Northland. Comprising 181.86 hectares of freehold land, including 129.0 hectares of Radiata pine established in 2020 and 2022, the property offered a combination of future timber production and carbon value through its Post-1989 ETS registration.

Congratulations to both the vendor and the new owner on the successful sale.

Thinking of selling a forestry asset? Contact the Searle Forestry team to discuss your property.

Pleased to announce the sale of McCrostie Forest, approximately 1,290ha of freehold forestry land in South Otago, sold v...
22/09/2026

Pleased to announce the sale of McCrostie Forest, approximately 1,290ha of freehold forestry land in South Otago, sold via Searle Forestry.

The property was offered as a Lessor’s Interest sale, with the freehold land subject to a long-term forestry right and lease, currently in its second rotation of Radiata pine on the land, a property that has supported continuous production forestry since 1977.

Sitting within South Otago’s well-established forestry growing region, close to Balclutha, Milton and the Dunedin/Port Chalmers export hub, McCrostie Forest is a great example of the kind of long-held, well-performing forestry land that continues to attract strong purchaser interest.

Thank you to all parties involved in bringing this transaction together.
Warwick Searle, James Burke and George Cashmore
Searle Forestry

Just Listed | Awaroa Forest, NorthlandAwaroa Forest is a 20.10ha freehold cutover forestry block offering approximately ...
18/09/2026

Just Listed | Awaroa Forest, Northland

Awaroa Forest is a 20.10ha freehold cutover forestry block offering approximately 19ha of net plantable area, ready for establishment of the next rotation.

With the previous crop harvested and infrastructure already in place, the property provides an opportunity for future timber production, with the Post-1989 Forest Land also offering potential for registration in the ETS as permanent forestry.

Located on Kaitaia-Awaroa Road, approximately 30km from Kaitaia, the property occupies an elevated site with a coastal-facing westerly aspect, adding lifestyle potential to this manageable Northland landholding.

Contact the Searle Forestry team for further information. Licensed REAA 2008

JUST LISTED: Jelldale ForestSet across approximately 798 hectares of dramatic coastal hill country at Waipapa Bay, Jelld...
04/09/2026

JUST LISTED: Jelldale Forest

Set across approximately 798 hectares of dramatic coastal hill country at Waipapa Bay, Jelldale Forest brings together mature forestry, carbon value, extensive regenerating native bush and exceptional back-country recreation.

The property features 121.7 hectares of mature Radiata pine planted between 1994 and 1997, with 106.96 hectares registered as Post-1989 Forest Land under the ETS and 19,517 NZUs transferring on settlement.

Beyond the productive forest, more than 600 hectares of regenerating native bush and hill country rise from the Clarence River flats to approximately 1,100 metres ASL. Bordered largely by DOC conservation land, the property offers outstanding hunting for red deer, fallow deer and pigs, with chamois also known to visit.

An established track network, three-bedroom hunting hut with solar power and gas, additional single-room hut and three-bay shed complete a substantial forestry, carbon and recreation holding approximately 40km north of Kaikōura.

For further information, contact the Searle Forestry team.

JUST LISTED: Hagan ForestHagan Forest represents a high-quality forestry holding in Waitotara, Whanganui, combining a me...
02/09/2026

JUST LISTED: Hagan Forest

Hagan Forest represents a high-quality forestry holding in Waitotara, Whanganui, combining a meticulously tended second-rotation crop with proven productivity and favourable harvest characteristics.

Held across two adjoining freehold titles totalling 72.52 hectares, the forest supports approximately 72 hectares of Radiata pine across 2004, 2011 and 2018 age classes, with the majority established in 2011. All stands have been high pruned to 6.5 metres through three pruning lifts, positioning the crop for premium-grade log production. 
 
The forest has a strong productive history, with the previous rotation reportedly averaging approximately 600 tonnes per hectare. Predominantly flat to gently undulating contour allows for entirely ground-based harvesting, while established internal roading and strategically located skid sites provide a strong foundation for future operations. 
 
Compartments 2 and 4 have previously received production roundwood thinning, with potential for further production thinning providing additional near-term opportunity. 
 
Located on Nukumaru Station Road, the property is well positioned within reach of established processing and export infrastructure across Taranaki and the lower North Island. 
 
With a carefully managed crop, proven growing performance and established infrastructure, Hagan Forest presents a well-rounded forestry asset with strong fundamentals for its next stage of growth. 
 
For further information, contact the Searle Forestry team

JUST LISTED: McCrostie ForestThis is not a forestry investment. It’s a passive commercial property investment — one that...
02/09/2026

JUST LISTED: McCrostie Forest

This is not a forestry investment. It’s a passive commercial property investment — one that happens to sit on approx 1,290 hectares of prime South Otago land.

McCrostie Forest is offered as a Lessor’s Interest only: you purchase the freehold land and step into the landlord’s position under an existing long-term forestry lease held by Matariki Forests, one of New Zealand’s largest and most established forestry owners. The trees, the operations, the costs — none of that is yours. You simply own the land and collect the rent.

The income is $331,500 + GST per annum, received net with no deductions. All outgoings, forest establishment, silviculture, roading maintenance, fire protection and harvesting costs are met by the lessee. The lease runs until 30 March 2067, providing approximately 41 years of contracted income from a well regarded institutional counterparty.

Rent is reviewed every five years to market, calculated at 7½% of the “special government valuation” (i.e. the land value less the value of any improvements made by the lessee). Critically, rent cannot reduce between review periods — a built-in ratchet that protects you from any downward revaluation. The next review falls in March 2027.

There is no exposure to timber prices, log markets, harvest timing, carbon pricing risk or crop performance. Income growth tracks rural and forestry land values over time, not commodity cycles.

For investors seeking secure, land-value-linked income with a long known duration, a credible institutional tenant, and a genuinely hands-off ownership structure, McCrostie Forest is a rare and compelling offering.

For further information, contact the Searle Forestry team.

JUST LISTED: WAKAMARINA FORESTWakamarina Forest is a pre-1990, second-rotation exotic plantation forest in Marlborough’s...
18/08/2026

JUST LISTED: WAKAMARINA FOREST

Wakamarina Forest is a pre-1990, second-rotation exotic plantation forest in Marlborough’s productive Wakamarina Valley. Comprising 261.41ha, with a Net Stocked Area of approximately 165ha of diverse, mid-to-late rotation forest stands and two individual lifestyle lots, Wakamarina represents a compelling forestry investment.

Located around 12km from Havelock, the property benefits from a short cart to both domestic sawmills and export ports in Nelson and Picton. The forest crop is predominantly Radiata Pine (119.9ha) and Douglas Fir (32.5ha), alongside cypress, redwood, poplar and larch. A further 114ha comprises native bush and non-productive land, supported by an established internal roading and skid-site network. Extensive inventory has been carried out across the forest, estimating strong yields across the stands.

The combination of location, climate, mature and diverse harvest crop, established infrastructure and lifestyle options makes Wakamarina a truly diverse asset in a tightly held forestry region.

JUST LISTED: TAKAPU FORESTTakapu Forest represents a rare Wellington forestry asset combining immediate harvest income, ...
18/08/2026

JUST LISTED: TAKAPU FOREST

Takapu Forest represents a rare Wellington forestry asset combining immediate harvest income, carbon value, and long-term landholding potential. The opportunity on offer is 235.6 ha freehold in Tākapu Valley with a net stocked area of 166.8ha, just 16 km from CentrePort Wellington — direct access to one of the Southern North Island's principal export log ports.

With 49 ha harvest-ready mature radiata pine (1984/1995/1996 pruned stands), and the balance being approx. 117ha of minimally tended, mature stands which are primed for on-going carbon sequestration provides immediate upside through diverse income streams.

In addition to this, approx. 7ha adjoining Takapu Road adds the potential for future lifestyle subdivision subject to the relevant approvals required.

Address

Mount Maunganui
Matamata
3116

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when James Burke - Rural Real Estate posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to James Burke - Rural Real Estate:

Shortcuts

Share

Category