Feature Post v2

In the third of our series of feature interviews, Shepherdess Editor Kristy McGregor chats to Kate Acland, Chair of Beef + Lamb New Zealand. Along with her role as chair, Kate and her husband, Dave, farm the 3,800-hectare Mount Somers Station. The station runs sheep, beef and dairy, but the family have diversified with honey and lambswool blankets. Prior to moving south, Kate, who grew up on a lifestyle block in rural Taranaki, founded a winery in Marlborough. Kristy says, “Kate has a high-profile role – I’ve seen her name in the newspaper, and have bumped into her a couple of times. I admire her leadership in what I imagine to be at times a male-dominated industry.” Here, in this conversation, they cover entrepreneurship, farming, family and leadership.

Kylie Krippner of Wings & Water in Te Anau and Nikki Ladd of Shark Experience in Motupōhue Bluff take us for a wild ride through Murihiku Southland.

It was just an ordinary day in the Strath Taieri Valley for Anna and Bevan Wilson when Bevan had an accident while working on their farm. Although it was serious, the couple are mindful that the situation could have been far worse. Now, one year on, Anna and a fully recovered Bevan reflect on how they handle on-farm risk.

Aircraft maintenance engineer Debbie Garlick grew up tinkering with machines alongside her helicopter pilot dad in the small Southland town of Tuatapere. Encouraged by her family to pursue her aviation dreams, Debbie joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force at just seventeen and, from there, her career took off.

Raewyn “Tommi” Gregory-Hunt (Ngāti Mutunga o Wharekauri) grew up on Rangihaute Rangiauria Pitt Island, part of Rēkohu Wharekauri Chatham Islands, enjoying a childhood defined by rugged, open landscapes, self-reliance and the deep connections that come from being part of a community of forty people. Now, the islands’ sole stock agent is following in her father’s footsteps and raising her daughter, Mikayla, the same way that she was – free to roam.