At the turn of the 20th century, William and Edith Burgess arrived deep in the Catlins with a horse and cart and a mind to start a new life.
They stopped atop a hill 16km south of Owaka and looked upon what they saw.
William declared "look at all the green wood''.
Over 100 years later and William's descendants are still in the Catlins, working on the same farm acquired many years ago, now aptly named Greenwood.
The land was originally transferred into the name of "Mrs Edith Annie Everest, wife of William Joseph Burgess'', in 1907.
Alan and Helen-May Burgess are the third generation of farmers to own the 1000-acre (400-hectare) farm, which their sons Brett and Karl now lease from them.
Tonight, Mr and Mrs Burgess will receive a Century Farm award at a special ceremony in Lawrence.
The award is given out to farming families who have owned and worked the same land for 100 years or more.
On top of running a farm, Mr and Mrs Burgess have run their homestay business since 1986, as well.
While there was nothing he loved more than farming, he was not as strong as he used to be and the work needed to be left in more capable hands, Mr Burgess said.
"I'm getting old and not able to do what I used to do.''
It was not easy creating the farm life in the rugged terrain of the Catlins, and many other farmers in the area struggled.
One neighbour had such a tough time controlling a mob of sheep he offered his father, Normand, the opportunity to muster them himself, Mr Burgess said.
If Normand could control them, they were his.
"So the old man caught them,'' Mr Burgess said.
In his youth he was at the forefront of the farm's development, Mr Burgess said.
He left school in 1957 and worked with his father to clear the land, removing tree stumps and building fences.
"I was the generation of the bulldozer.''
He developed an aptitude for farm life and when his father died in 1970, the 1000 acres were handed down to him.
The farm is nestled in an area which used to be named Tarara, a name which has all been lost and rarely shows up in maps.
Mr Burgess praised his grandfather who, when he first acquired the land, gave a portion to the government for preservation.
The land is now under the jurisdiction of the Department of Conservation and contains the renowned Purakaunui Falls.
Mrs Burgess said she was proud they had contributed to the conservation of a Catlins icon.
"It's nice wee thing to feel about the farm.''
The farm is home to deer, sheep and cattle but at one stage also allowed a mythical creature to take residence.
The coastal cliff face of the Burgesses' farm was used in the 2005 Disney film The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe.
The mythical castle Cair Paravel was digitally imposed on to the farm's hillside and the lion, Aslan, walked down Purakaunui Bay below.
The pair are very proud of the legacy of their farm and feel honoured to be receiving a Century Farm award tonight.
Mr Burgess said he was very privileged to have worked on the farm over the years.
"It's been very rewarding.''
Every paddock he worked on was another highlight for him.
Mrs Burgess said they were remarkably lucky to have their sons continue working on the family farm.
"We're proud that our sons are another generation to have continued farming in the Burgess name.''
The pair live in their homestead, which was built in the 1930s after the first house burnt down.
Over time, it had had many additions and extensions but some of the original structure of the house still remained, Mr Burgess said.
He was lucky the house still had the "bones of the original'' and was not rotten through, he said.
Worked on and extended through the years, the house is symbolic of the farm itself.
One hundred years of farming
•The Century Farm awards have been running for 11 years.
•New Zealand farming families who have owned and worked their land for 100 years or more are eligible.
•370 families (comprising 2016 recipients) have received a Century Farm award.
•33 families will receive an award this year.
•The families receive a bronze plaque and certificate. Award ceremony takes place in Lawrence at Simpson Park tomorrow.
