The story of a West Otago rural identity will be celebrated at a book launch later this month.
Born Lucky, written by former Otago Daily Times farming editor John Stirling, is the story of Colin Richardson, who started with nothing and went on to become one of the largest sheep farmers in the country.
The 96-page book will be launched at the Heriot Community Centre on Thursday, November 20, at 4pm.
Mr Stirling and long-time family friend Grant Paterson will speak. Mr Richardson is regarded as one of New Zealand farming's enduring leaders.
The book covers five decades, from the 1950s to the start of the 21st century.
Mr Stirling said it embraced an age when tractors replaced horses and later computer technology replaced the "subjective assessment" of grazing and cropping.
He said Mr Richardson was always out in front, leading other farmers in their fight with local bodies and central government.
Mr Richardson served on the Otago Harbour Board in 1986-89, the first two terms of the Otago Regional Council, PPCS Ltd in 1988-2002 and was Otago Federated Farmers president in 1984-87.
His farming operations earned him the 1974 A. C. Cameron Award and in 1978 he received the Grasslands Memorial Award.
In 1986, at a time Mr Stirling called farming's lowest point, Mr Richardson had a celebrated clash with then prime minister David Lange at the opening of the new Invermay research station.