Family businesses are at the heart of New Zealand farming, but combining blood ties with business decisions can create unique challenges.

In this episode of Growing Our Future, host Blake Holgate speaks with Philip Pryor, a business advisor, author and former psychologist who specialises in family business dynamics. Philip shares how rural families can navigate succession, manage conflict, and strengthen relationships across generations. He provides insights from his decades of experience working with farming families, offering practical tools to ensure both the farm and the family thrive for generations to come.

Philip believes it takes courage, honesty, and early action to keep both the family and the business strong. As Philip puts it, “Act early, face the issues, and have faith in your family. When you do, both the people and the farm will thrive.”

Philip reference’s his latest new book: Risking it all – the essential guide to navigating the challenges all family businesses face.

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Show Notes:

Family businesses are at the heart of New Zealand farming, but combining blood ties with business decisions can create unique challenges.

In this episode of Growing Our Future, host Blake Holgate speaks with Philip Pryor, a specialist in family business dynamics, about how rural families can navigate succession, manage conflict, and strengthen relationships across generations. Philip shares insights from his decades of experience working with farming families, offering practical tools to ensure both the farm and the family thrive for generations to come.

Start Early and Act with Intention

Philip emphasises that successful succession isn’t a single event, it’s a process that should begin long before a handover takes place. Families that start conversations early are better equipped to handle challenges around ownership, leadership, and lifestyle. Even informal discussions or simple notes can help clarify expectations and prevent misunderstandings down the track. “Write it down, even if it’s in the back of a notebook,” he advises.

Understanding the Fear Factor

Fear often underlies tension in family businesses, fear of losing control for one generation, or fear of being left out for the next. Philip encourages families to gently acknowledge these feelings, rather than bury them. In his experience, conversations that seem daunting often go far more smoothly than expected once they begin. If discussions stall, bringing in a neutral facilitator or mediator can help families move forward constructively.

The Strengths of Family Farming Businesses

Despite the challenges, Philip is quick to point out that the family business model remains one of New Zealand agriculture’s greatest strengths. Shared values, deep trust, and a willingness to work hard together create resilience that’s hard to match. “When there’s a crisis, family are the first to pull together,” he says. Long-term thinking, stewardship, and a sense of legacy underpin why most New Zealand farms remain family owned and operated.

Balancing Fairness and Feelings

Fairness is a recurring theme in farming families, particularly when dividing assets or managing expectations among siblings. Philip notes that perceived unfairness, not just financial imbalance, is often what leads to conflict. Transparent communication and recognising everyone’s emotional connection to the land are key. As one of his client stories shows, understanding and inclusion can matter more than equal financial outcomes.

Being the Best Generation

Philip challenges both generations to “be their best generation.” For the current owners, that means planning their next chapter and creating space for successors to lead. For the next generation, it’s about stepping up to the responsibilities of ownership and management. When both sides approach succession as a shared journey rather than a transaction, the result is stronger families and more sustainable farms.

Key Takeaway

Family is the backbone of New Zealand farming, but it takes courage, honesty, and early action to keep both the family and the business strong. As Philip puts it, “Act early, face the issues, and have faith in your family. When you do, both the people and the farm will thrive.”