John Chittock: Successful farmer, dog man, and rugby player

John and wife Liz became the sixth managers in the history of Jeff Farm when they took over in 2001.

John Chittock was an accomplished farmer, dog trial participant, and rugby player.

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Well-respected Southland farmer and sportsman John Chittock is being remembered after he died on Friday.

Chittock played 30 rugby games for Southland from 1982 through to 1985 with his debut against Otago in 1982.

He forced his way into the Southland team on the back of a strong performance for Southland Country against Southland Town.

He joined fellow Eastern representative and Waikaka club man Brian Dickison in the Southland midfield for that game against Otago.

In Chittock’s final year playing for Southland in 1985 he got the opportunity to play against England at Rugby Park in Invercargill. England won the game 15-9.

While Chittock was well known for his deeds on the rugby field, it was probably in the farming sector he had the biggest impact.

John and wife Liz became the sixth managers in the history of Jeff Farm when they took over in 2001.

John, originally from West Otago, and Liz, from Tarras, in the Upper Clutha, met and married in Wanaka in 1982.

Jeff Farm lies on Old Coach Road between Mataura and Clinton in rural Southland.

The Chittocks previously leased a property just 10 minutes down the road from Jeff Farm in Kaiwera.

John, a highly accomplished shepherd, had worked on Jeff Farm on a casual basis and when the manager’s role came up in 2000 he applied.

The Chittocks took over in 2001, creating what became a successful 2424-hectare property — which has sheep, cattle and deer.

Edmund Jeff farmed the property for years before World War II. In 1952 he formed a trust to administer the property, and rather than the Government acquire his land, he stipulated that the farm was to be gifted to The Salvation Army.

It has been used ever since to train young people for a career in the agricultural industry, as well as financially supporting the wider youth programmes of the Army.

John Chittock stepped down as Jeff Farm manager in July 2023 and they made the move to Central Otago.

The Chittocks saw dozens of cadets come through their doors and have built a profitable farm, benefitting the Salvation Army.

On top of the rugby and farming, Chittock had considerable success over almost 40 years at dog trials, including making the New Zealand trials run-off and being a judge for many years at a national level.