30 November 2023

Photo Essay

WORDS & PHOTOS: JULIE MAC LEAN

Julie Mac Lean came to Aotearoa from Australia when she was 15. In her mid-20s, Julie met her partner Jason Hart who at the time was a professional hunter working as a goat culler for DOC. Julie and Jason always wanted to raise their children to have that same passion for the outdoors as they have, so from the ages of four and five, when the kids were able to walk some distance, they began tramping – and never stopped.


It never fails to amaze me how much fuel Richie has got in the tank. Into Mitre Flats Hut for hamburgers, hot chocolates and cards, an hour for lunch, then back out to the ute – a 16.2km round trip. He said he was glad he’d done something these school holidays that he could be proud of.
It never fails to amaze me how much fuel Richie has got in the tank. Into Mitre Flats Hut for hamburgers, hot chocolates and cards, an hour for lunch, then back out to the ute – a 16.2km round trip. He said he was glad he’d done something these school holidays that he could be proud of.

Julie found a job as a florist in Palmerston North and settled in the Manawatu where she later met her now-partner Jason. Over the years they have built up their own ungulate control company, adding plenty of working dogs and two beautiful children to the mix; Leah, 12; and Richie, 11.

“The reality of a hunter as a partner is that they are away and out of service a lot of the time, usually on a ten-days-on and four-days-off schedule (sometimes 20 days). Raising two young children I found tramping a great escape and an activity we could all do together and enjoy. It’s been seven years of tramping together now, and I hope I’ve encouraged a love of the outdoors within them for years to come.”

Glenorchy's red shed.
Glenorchy's red shed.
I can cook a good scone, but never as good as my Nan’s were. She had eight kids and cooked in the coal range oven. I remember warm scones in a tea towel waiting when we turned up as kids. When I make scones, I always think of her.
I can cook a good scone, but never as good as my Nan’s were. She had eight kids and cooked in the coal range oven. I remember warm scones in a tea towel waiting when we turned up as kids. When I make scones, I always think of her.
A small tribute to Whitey and Belle today. Celebrating 12 years with these two sisters, still both in good nick with beautiful manners. However, Whitey has more selective hearing for what commands she wants to follow now. Belle, on the other hand, listens to every word I say because I’m her favourite. They love to sleep outside in the sun, getting regular pats, lying in front of the fire all night and riding in the canam and staying dry until we get over the river on the morning run. Whitey now needs to be lifted into the back of the ute and she hates walking on the grass at night and getting wet feet, so she’s officially a house dog. Although, if they see the kids with the air rifles they jump around like they’re back off to work culling goats. So, today I’ll take them into the Tararuas to celebrate a good life and good health with a sausage sanga.
A small tribute to Whitey and Belle today. Celebrating 12 years with these two sisters, still both in good nick with beautiful manners. However, Whitey has more selective hearing for what commands she wants to follow now. Belle, on the other hand, listens to every word I say because I’m her favourite. They love to sleep outside in the sun, getting regular pats, lying in front of the fire all night and riding in the canam and staying dry until we get over the river on the morning run. Whitey now needs to be lifted into the back of the ute and she hates walking on the grass at night and getting wet feet, so she’s officially a house dog. Although, if they see the kids with the air rifles they jump around like they’re back off to work culling goats. So, today I’ll take them into the Tararuas to celebrate a good life and good health with a sausage sanga.
I have read up on the Entoloma hochstetteri after finally seeing one for the first time and I saw a lovely story that said the kōkako would rub its cheek against the little blue mushroom and that’s how the bird received its vibrant blue wattle. As for why the mushroom has the Māori name werewere-kōkako, I also read that the birds and the mushrooms were often found in the same region (and are together forever on the $50 note). It’s the only mushroom in the world that has ever been put on a banknote.
I have read up on the Entoloma hochstetteri after finally seeing one for the first time and I saw a lovely story that said the kōkako would rub its cheek against the little blue mushroom and that’s how the bird received its vibrant blue wattle. As for why the mushroom has the Māori name werewere-kōkako, I also read that the birds and the mushrooms were often found in the same region (and are together forever on the $50 note). It’s the only mushroom in the world that has ever been put on a banknote.
Every tramp we go on we always have the uphill versus downhill conversation. Richie and I are for uphill every time, Leah is downhill… or flat.
Every tramp we go on we always have the uphill versus downhill conversation. Richie and I are for uphill every time, Leah is downhill… or flat.
On our last overnight tramp, Leah made a comment that everyone was eating meals out of a Backcountry bag and no one sat at the table. I was surprised she even noticed. For me, I love a sit-down family meal. It’s worth carrying a frypan, some meat, and a nice bit of baking into the bush. We do sometimes take food in a bag, but it’s our own pre-cooked, vacuum-packed meals we make together at home (there’s always a couple in the freezer ready to go into my pack). These portions are made to fit in a jet boil or billy. Our last bush meal was meatballs with Richie’s specially made tomato herb sauce and Leah packed her pancake ingredients so she could cook us up a nice treat.
On our last overnight tramp, Leah made a comment that everyone was eating meals out of a Backcountry bag and no one sat at the table. I was surprised she even noticed. For me, I love a sit-down family meal. It’s worth carrying a frypan, some meat, and a nice bit of baking into the bush. We do sometimes take food in a bag, but it’s our own pre-cooked, vacuum-packed meals we make together at home (there’s always a couple in the freezer ready to go into my pack). These portions are made to fit in a jet boil or billy. Our last bush meal was meatballs with Richie’s specially made tomato herb sauce and Leah packed her pancake ingredients so she could cook us up a nice treat.

This story appeared in our third Social Club newsletter.

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