On the land: how good is the good life?

Gary Arnold left his Christchurch bank job three years ago for a lifestyle block 20 minutes from the city. He has no farm experience and gets no income from the land. "I just enjoy being out in the country, the open spaces and views of the hills and mountains."

While suburb-dwellers mow lawns, Arnold joins an army of lifestylers and smallholders growing hay and tending small herds of animals.

"It sounds a great lifestyle and it is," said school principal Rod Harry.

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