The lifetime achievement of Brian and Gaye Simms in developing, farming and sustaining their slice of Far North paradise has been hailed by the judges of the Northland Ballance Farm Environment Awards for 2010.

Brian took up the Kaitaia property of 111ha (70ha effective) 45 years ago when it was mostly bracken fern and manuka on steep hillsides, with patches of native bush.

Now it is a showplace property with high conservation values which has milked as many as 112 dairy cows for an average production of 320kg/cow milk solids in recent times. The farm is being converted to beef farming, as Brian and Gaye seek to spend more time with family, community activities and travelling.