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Expansion of Lifestyle Blocks in Peri-Urban New Zealand: A Review of the Implications for Environmental Management and Landscape Design

Author

Listed:
  • Han Xie

    (School of Agriculture and Environment, College of Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4414, New Zealand)

  • Diane Pearson

    (School of Agriculture and Environment, College of Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4414, New Zealand)

  • Sarah J. McLaren

    (School of Agriculture and Environment, College of Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4414, New Zealand)

  • David Horne

    (School of Agriculture and Environment, College of Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4414, New Zealand)

Abstract

Lifestyle blocks (LBs) are small rural holdings primarily used for residential and recreational purposes rather than commercial farming. Despite the rapid expansion of LBs over the last 25 years, which has been driven by lifestyle amenity preference and land subdivision incentives, their environmental performance remains understudied. This is the case even though their proliferation is leading to an irreversible loss of highly productive soils and accelerating land fragmentation in peri-urban areas. Through undertaking a systematic literature review of relevant studies on LBs in New Zealand and comparable international contexts, this paper aims to quantify existing knowledge and suggest future research needs and management strategies. It focuses on the environmental implications of LB activities in relation to water consumption, food production, energy use, and biodiversity protection. The results indicate that variation in land use practices and environmental awareness among LB owners leads to differing environmental outcomes. LBs offer opportunities for biodiversity conservation and small-scale food production through sustainable practices, while also presenting environmental challenges related to resource consumption, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and loss of productive land for commercial agriculture. Targeted landscape design could help mitigate the environmental pressures associated with these properties while enhancing their potential to deliver ecological and sustainability benefits. The review highlights the need for further evaluation of the environmental sustainability of LBs and emphasises the importance of property design and adaptable planning policies and strategies that balance environmental sustainability, land productivity, and lifestyle owners’ aspirations. It underscores the potential for LBs to contribute positively to environmental management while addressing associated challenges, providing valuable insights for ecological conservation and sustainable land use planning.

Suggested Citation

  • Han Xie & Diane Pearson & Sarah J. McLaren & David Horne, 2025. "Expansion of Lifestyle Blocks in Peri-Urban New Zealand: A Review of the Implications for Environmental Management and Landscape Design," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-31, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:7:p:1447-:d:1699717
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Tracy Stobbe & Geerte Cotteleer & G. Cornelis van Kooten, 2008. "Hobby Farms and Protection of Farmland in British Columbia," Working Papers 2008-01, University of Victoria, Department of Economics, Resource Economics and Policy Analysis Research Group.
    3. Pomi Shahbaz & Shamsheer ul Haq & Azhar Abbas & Abdus Samie & Ismet Boz & Salim Bagadeem & Ziyue Yu & Zhihui Li, 2022. "Food, Energy, and Water Nexus at Household Level: Do Sustainable Household Consumption Practices Promote Cleaner Environment?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-18, October.
    4. Hoppe, Robert A. & MacDonald, James M. & Korb, Penelope J., 2010. "Small Farms in the United States: Persistence Under Pressure," Economic Information Bulletin 58300, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    5. Guy M. Robinson & Bingjie Song, 2023. "Managing Water for Environmental Provision and Horticultural Production in South Australia’s Riverland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-20, July.
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