A group of four Circular Head dairy farms has been sold to a New Zealand corporate.
Norm and Nancy Corrigan, who have been dairying in the district for 17 years, sold their four farms earlier this month, but will keep hold of four run-offs for the meantime.
"The (buyers) have been in the background for a long time, but none of us could come to an agreement.
"Then we came to an agreement at the start of June," Mr Corrigan said.
The family, including son Shane, have been milking 3000 head of cattle on the farms, which total 9186 hectares, with supply going to Fonterra.
"They took about two thirds of the staff," Mr Corrigan said. "Some have left and got other jobs, and three are still working with me until I finish." The farms had 20 staff, but not all were full time.
The buyers did not want any machinery so all that has yet to be removed.
The Corrigans came to Australia from the Taranaki on New Zealand's North Island.
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They bought one farm in Togari when they first arrived in Tasmania, then sold it and moved closer to Smithton.
"We just bought one at a time until we ended up with the four.
"Three are side by side and another bigger one is about two to three kilometres way, called Lacrum. That was bought in last, about 10 years ago."
Mr Corrigan said the family would return to New Zealand but they were a 'bit too old' to start again.
"My wife wanted out and my son wanted to go back. His wife and kids live in New Zealand and he was going back there all the time.
"We all get older and some time you have to do it.
"The opportunity came up to sell and these people bought the lot in one go, and that's pretty unusual."
The family would 'sit out' the pandemic, and probably wouldn't leave for 12 months.
The multi-million dollar sale was handled by Tony Maguire, who specialises in rural properties.
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Leah McBey
As a southern New Zealander I love island life. So Tassie was an obvious choice after living in North America, Europe and the Pacific Islands. I've done a bit of everything but communication is the motif threading through my life.
As a southern New Zealander I love island life. So Tassie was an obvious choice after living in North America, Europe and the Pacific Islands. I've done a bit of everything but communication is the motif threading through my life.
