Ken and Sur Ballantyne looked over numerous farms before they walked onto the Aria property they now proudly call home, and instantly felt it was the place for them.

“We had seen a lot of rubbish, a lot of places that weren’t for us,” recalls Ken, “so when we got here we realised straightaway it was going to suit us.” Born and bred Southlanders, Ken and Sue are passionate about their 526ha southern King Country sheep and beef farm, set in terrain ranging from flat to moderately steep.

It is summer safe country – “except for two summers ago”, quips Ken wryly – bordered on the northwest side by native bush, a vast tract that stretches all the way to Mokau on the west coast.