Just wondered if anyone out there has a smallholding, whether this is a common thing in NZ, and what do people tend to own/grow/rear on theirs on average? My husband and I would like to be more self-sufficient but just can't afford to buy property with land here in the UK, so I just wondered what are other people's experiences with smallholdings, or hobby farms, in NZ?
At what point does a smallholding become a more serious income, or does that just not happen? Here in the UK you have to compete with the big boys to earn anything close to a living, hence a smallholding is really just a hobby. I just wondered if its the same in NZ or if there's more scope? Also, do people out there tend to 'diversify' and go for unusual ventures such as alpacas, ostriches, bison, rare fowl etc., or is it your standard chickens, pigs and a veggie patch?

Any thoughts much appreciated.
xxx