West Coast dairy farmer Charlotte Aitken has taken an unconventional path to farm ownership, moving from a career in international banking in London to running her own dairy farm near Karamea. Anne Lee speaks with Charlotte about her journey into dairy farming, the financial discipline that underpins her business and the management decisions that have helped her build a profitable farming operation.

Host:
Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country

Guest:
Charlotte Aitken, West Coast Dairy Farmer

 

Charlotte discusses how she transitioned into the dairy industry later in life, working her way through farm roles before purchasing her own farm on the West Coast of the South Island. She explains how her background in finance influences the way she manages costs, production and investment decisions, and shares insights into breeding strategies, facial eczema management and maximising value from every calf born on the farm. Charlotte also talks about adopting virtual fencing technology, trialling new ideas and why she believes innovation and a willingness to challenge conventional thinking are key to long-term success.

Read the article from the Autumn 2026 issue of DAIRY Country here: https://dairycountry.co.nz/from-banking-billions-to-dairying-dream/

Sign up to the weekly DAIRY Country email newsletter here: https://dairycountry.co.nz/sign-up/

West Coast dairy farmer Charlotte Aitken has taken an unconventional path to farm ownership, moving from a career in international banking in London to running her own dairy farm near Karamea. Anne Lee speaks with Charlotte about her journey into dairy farming, the financial discipline that underpins her business and the management decisions that have helped her build a profitable farming operation.
Host:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country</li>
</ul>
Guest:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Charlotte Aitken, West Coast Dairy Farmer</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Charlotte discusses how she transitioned into the dairy industry later in life, working her way through farm roles before purchasing her own farm on the West Coast of the South Island. She explains how her background in finance influences the way she manages costs, production and investment decisions, and shares insights into breeding strategies, facial eczema management and maximising value from every calf born on the farm. Charlotte also talks about adopting virtual fencing technology, trialling new ideas and why she believes innovation and a willingness to challenge conventional thinking are key to long-term success.
Read the article from the Autumn 2026 issue of DAIRY Country here: <a href="https://dairycountry.co.nz/from-banking-billions-to-dairying-dream/">https://dairycountry.co.nz/from-banking-billions-to-dairying-dream/</a>
Sign up to the weekly DAIRY Country email newsletter here: <a href="https://dairycountry.co.nz/sign-up/">https://dairycountry.co.nz/sign-up/</a>

DAIRY Country is your mainstay in dairy farming as your trusted source for adding value to your dairy farming business with seasonal on farm stories and exclusive technical advice weekly with your host, Anne Lee.

Formally the NZ Dairy Exporter since 1925, DAIRY Country is part of the CountryWide network based in Canterbury, New Zealand.

Get in touch with our Anne Lee - anne@countrywidemedia.co.nz if you have a great insight to share with our
thousands of readers and listeners in New Zealand and around the world.

Don’t miss our weekly episodes of the DAIRY Country Podcast by hitting the subscribe button now and join our DAIRY Country weekly email newsletter to get the latest in-depth stories in your mailbox so you are always ahead of the game in the
business of dairy farming into the future.

DAIRY Country is your mainstay in dairy farming as your trusted source for adding value to your dairy farming business with seasonal on farm stories and exclusive technical advice weekly with your host, Anne Lee.
Formally the NZ Dairy Exporter since 1925, DAIRY Country is part of the CountryWide network based in Canterbury, New Zealand.
Get in touch with our Anne Lee - anne@countrywidemedia.co.nz if you have a great insight to share with our thousands of readers and listeners in New Zealand and around the world.
Don&rsquo;t miss our weekly episodes of the DAIRY Country Podcast by hitting the&nbsp;subscribe button now and <a href="https://dairyexporter.co.nz/sign-up/">join our DAIRY Country weekly email newsletter</a> to get the&nbsp;latest in-depth stories in your mailbox so you are always ahead of the game in the business of dairy farming into the future.