New minders at Cuschine

Maureen and Patrick Smith have left Cuschine Cottage, 54 years after a three-year-old Patrick arrived with his mother two sisters.

Maureen and Patrick have retired to the bush at Murchison due to Patrick's poor health but have no worries about the animals' future.

An English couple, Lyn and Kevin Cole, have brought the farm and will continue to operate it as is.

Lyn arrives tomorrow and will be followed by her husband later in the year.

In the meantime Margaret Hammerick, from Christ-church, has been house and animal sitting which she has "really enjoyed".

"I hope locals will support Lyn and Kevin because they're a lovely young couple and they will fit in great and have lots of ideas," says Maureen.

"Its been the most wonderful thing and it's the hardest thing in the world to leave."

Patrick attended the local Catholic school and at age 15 started work at the Kaikoura Dairy Factory.

He remained there for his entire 40 year career and shortly before his retirement, the idea of running an animal farm eventuated after visitors to Cuschine Cottage commented on how many interesting pet animals the family had.

Maureen says her husband had always wanted a llama to take up Mt Fyffe as a pack animal, "so I bought him two for his birthday, Dally and Sylvester".

The farm continued to expand and Maureen says many local families are unaware of how many exotic animals Cuschine Cottage is home to.

As well as the usual farmyard critters such as horses, sheep and geese, at the farm live Hershel the wallaby, llamas, donkeys, and peacocks.

She says a highlight for visiting children is often going on a cart ride with miniature ponies Acorn and Mr Stewart.

The property is a place for families to come and experience real Kiwi-life in a rural setting and visitors from all over the world have enjoyed bringing their families to relax in nature.

"We've had visitors from England, Holland, Germany, Britain. Most of these kids have never seen grass, let alone animals. We have also hosted government officials from Brunei," says Maureen.

Sammy the 19 year-old yellow crested cockatoo greats guests to his home with a squawk as he perches on Maureen's shoulder. He is delightful as he holds an ice-cream cone in his claws and chats away.

"Sammy is just a baby really; they live to around 100," says Maureen gesturing to the mess-making bird.

She says the aim of the farm was to provide another option to the big ticket entertainment offered in the region.

"We weren't in it to make money. There were all the big things like whale watching but not every family can afford $500 (to go whale watching)."

The country cottage on Kowhai Fort Rd is named after an Irish town in County Clare and the couple have been operating an animal farm at the cottage for the last seven years.