Far From Town
A new podcast made by Shepherdess and RNZ shares the stories of six women at the end of windy gravel roads and up remote valleys across Aotearoa. Over cups of tea, they talk with host, Arpége Taratoa-Rangikura, about love, loss and connection to whenua.
A heartfelt thank you to all the women — and their whānau — who welcomed us in, shared their lives so openly, and gave so generously of their time. It was a privilege to sit at your tables and hear your stories.
Listen to Far From Town on RNZ or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.
Season One
Episode One
Line dancing, loss, and learning to find joy again - Jenny's story
Includes discussion of pregnancy loss and grief.
We first met Jenny when she came to The Shepherdess Muster at Mōtū in 2024, where she impressed us with her energy on the dance floor. But there was more to Jenny than being a dancing queen.
Jenny Sandford’s life is a whirlwind. From a beauty school dropout to wild times in Canada, from being a cop to now being a sheep and beef farmer in Tairāwhiti. From the immense grief of miscarriage - when they lost their firstborn daughter, Nina - to finding joy in line dancing in the wool shed. Jenny takes on whatever comes her way and somehow finds a silver lining.
Episode Two
A hearty Ngāti horsewoman: Rore’s story
Contains strong language.
Tuhimoana Aupouri, also known as Rore, manages Makarika Station on behalf of Pakihiroa Farms Ltd, within the portfolio of Nāti Growth, the iwi investment entity for Ngāti Porou. The fourth generation in her family to work the land, she has a deep-rooted connection to farming and a lifelong commitment to working with animals. She thrives in the outdoors – riding horses, working dogs and managing stock for her day job, then taking part in horse sports for fun.
Episode Three
Romance with a side of conservation: Sharon’s story
Sharon Wharepapa’s life has been a journey from a childhood in Lower Hutt, to the Gold Coast, to now, living on the edges of the Raukūmara ranges. It’s a bit of a love story… but beyond that, it's a story about identity, connection and how sometimes, there is a greater purpose to finding love.
Episode Four
A full life on the papakāinga: Elizabeth’s story
Elizabeth Hera Cunningham (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Irakehu, Ngāti Mutunga ki Wharekauri) KSO JP, lives just a stone’s throw from her marae, Tūtehuarewa at Koukourarata on the Banks Peninsula, where generations of her whānau have lived – and a place that is woven into the fabric of who she is.
Episode Five
When you join that club of losing children: Julie's story
Julie Keast lives just out of the small settlement of Tokanui in The Catlins. Julie is one of those humble achievers who is the backbone of her local community. When her teenage son William died in a car accident fifteen years ago, it was her family and her community who helped her find a way through grief.
Episode Six
From arts degree to high country station: Kate’s story
When Kate Scott took over the family’s high country station near Glenorchy from her mum, Iris, a few years ago, much of farming life remained familiar. But as the local community changes around them, so too do some of the ways the farm earns its keep – including ventures that involve some big Hollywood names.
This podcast has been proudly produced in collaboration with RNZ.
Read about Far From Town in the media:
Monthly Highlight: March - RNZ
Shepherdess magazine and RNZ collaborate on new podcast Far From Town - Podnews