Randall (left), Johnny (7), Josh (6) and Allison Aspinall, of Mt Aspiring Station. Photo / Supplied
Running a high country farm next to a national park has been easier during the Covid-19 lockdown because there are no climbers, trampers, walkers and tourists on the road or property.
Fourth generation farmer Randall Aspinall and his wife, Allison, manage the 2300 ha beef and sheep property, 50km from
Wanaka, at the gateway to the Mt Aspiring National Park.
It is estimated more than 100,000 people travel through the property each year which can present challenges, the most common of which is shifting stock.
"Normally we would try to do it first thing in the morning and last thing at night, and often it would be a two-person job to stop traffic at some of the choke points, whereas with no traffic you can just go and do it wherever you want to" Mr Aspinall said.
Before the Covid-19 lockdown their two young sons Johnny (7) and Josh (6) went to school in Wanaka and Aspinall attended meetings four days a week in town and coached children's sports teams.
