Carl Lutz – farmer who loved the land, and Fordsons

Carl Lutz – farmer who loved the land, and Fordsons

OBITUARY

Carl Ernest Lutz, b. January 17, 1926  d. January 16, 2025

Carl Lutz loved his tractors – Fordsons to be precise. He also loved taking his tractors to the Levin AP&I show, an event he’d been attending since he moved to Ōtaki in 1935.

But this year, Carl didn’t quite make it. He died one day short of his 99th birthday, and only three days before the show, where he’d organised for some of his 30 prize tractors to again be on parade.

As a farmer who lived since the age of 9 on a plateau up Rāhui Road overlooking the Ōtaki River, Carl was well known in Ōtaki – and in Levin where he had two more farms. He was a man whose love for the land and family defined his remarkable journey.

Carl was born on January 17, 1926, in Mangaroa, Hutt Valley, to Carl and Yvonne Lutz. In 1935, his family embarked on a three-day journey, droving their livestock over the Akatarawa Ranges to settle at the Ōtaki farm. The move would shape his lifelong passion for farming, stewardship of the land, and commitment to preserving the environment.

The Lutz family’s homestead in Rāhui Valley, originally leased, was later bought by Carl’s father, securing a legacy that would span five generations. However, tragedy struck when Carl was just 20 years old – his father died after a six-month battle with cancer, leaving Carl junior with the responsibility of running the farm. Rising to the challenge with unwavering determination, Carl saw a bright future in farming and dedicated his life to its success.

He was a visionary farmer. At 14, he left school to help his family, stepping up when his brother, Len, was sent to war. Recognising the potential in dairy farming, he made the bold decision to transition from mixed farming to a focus on cattle. He was an early adopter of irrigation and fertilisation techniques, ensuring that every calf born on the farm was raised – a practice he maintained for 55 years with immense pride.

His deep connection to the land was reflected in Denton’s Bush, a cherished piece of untouched wilderness on the family farm. This sacred place, home to a spring feeding into the Ōtaki River, symbolised his lifelong commitment to conservation.

Beyond the fields and pastures, Carl was a man of family and community. He met and married Jean, his wife of 53 years, and together they built a life rich with love, hard work, and devotion. Jean, originally from Runanga on the West Coast, was enlisted in the Women’s Land Service during the Second World War. An injury redirected her path to Ōtaki, where she worked as a nurse aide for the renowned doctor Gertrude Atmore – also taking on the daily task of milking her cow. Their love story, built on mutual respect and resilience, was the foundation of their family.

Together, they raised four children – Carla, Marlene, Erwin and Max – creating a home filled with warmth, generosity, and a shared commitment to farming. Jean worked tirelessly alongside Carl, managing the household, supporting the farm, and ensuring that the home was always a place of welcome. Her death in 2003 was a profound loss, yet Carl carried on her legacy with strength and dignity.

Later in life, Carl found companionship once more, marrying a dear friend and neighbour, Ngaire Hillis. After nine years was filled with companionship and shared memories, Ngaire also died, in 2016. Despite these losses, Carl continued to live independently on Rāhui Road, fiercely committed to his home, family, and land until the final days of his life.

Carl’s legacy in farming extended beyond his own generation. As his children grew, he invited Max and Erwin to either forge their own paths or continue the farming tradition. With his guidance, they embraced the farming opportunity, expanding the family’s holdings in Rāhui Road and Levin. His grandson, Clay, later joined the operation, ensuring that his pioneering spirit and dedication to the land would endure for years to come.

A man of many passions, Carl was possibly best known for his love of Fordson tractors. His fascination began in childhood, with a toy tractor, and culminated in an impressive collection of 30 restored tractors. His first real purchase, at age 18, was a Fordson – choosing it over a motorbike for which he had saved £50.

Some of the restored tractors remain in working condition on the farm, a testament to his skill and dedication. And, yes, seven of his prized tractors were displayed in the grand parade at the Levin AP&I Show.

Another of Carl’s great passions was rugby. A dedicated supporter of the All Blacks, he held season seats on the Mallard Stand in Wellington for a decade, never missing a match. Even in his later years, he remained an ardent fan, waking at 3am to watch live games rather than a replay. His love for the sport was so great that, even during a hospital stay, grandson Clay ensured he could listen to a match by placing a phone next to the radio.

Beyond his family and farm, Carl was a dedicated community servant. He was the last surviving member of the local Home Guard that operated during the Second World War, standing as a symbol of resilience and service.

At one of his first Levin AP&I Shows in the 1930s, he and his family won a pony – a cherished early memory that only deepened his connection to the event. In 1975, he proudly displayed the first restored Fordson in the district, an achievement that reflected both his love for history and his mechanical expertise.

For 55 years, Carl was an active member of the Ōtaki Rotary Club, serving as president and receiving the prestigious Paul Harris Fellowship twice in recognition of his contributions. His leadership and generosity extended beyond formal roles – he was always willing to lend a hand, share his wisdom, and support those in need.

When organisers of the Ōtaki Kite Festival called for tractors to anchor the big kites, Carl put up his hand, personally driving a tractor several kilometres from the farm to the beach.

Carl lived a life defined by hard work, innovation, and a deep love for family and tradition. His presence will be sorely missed, but his legacy will continue to inspire those who knew and loved him. His values of perseverance, community, and respect for the land remain deeply rooted in the family he leaves behind.

He is survived by his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, and many dear friends.

The family will undoubtedly carry his legacy forward with pride.

As a final tribute, Carl’s casket at his packed funeral held at Ōtaki-Māori Racing Club, was lovingly crafted from macrocarpa trees he had planted decades ago on Rāhui Road, with handcrafted handles carved by his nephew – fittingly, another Carl.