Generations of Care
Robyn Stephens, a Te Rohe Pōtae King Country farmer and grandmother of nine, took up dog trials at the age of fifty-nine, following in her father’s footsteps, and at seventy-six is still working as a casual musterer. Here, she reflects on her connection to the past and how her whānau Māori has influenced her.
Still Here
Her father’s influence and a deep love for animals inspired her to become a shepherd, but it’s not been an easy road for Wairarapa-based Lara Smith, 29. Here, she shares how her persistence has paid off.
Finding The Strength
Shepherdess recently visited Mātāwai sheep and beef farmer Jenny Sandford, 40, for our new podcast, Far From Town, made in collaboration with RNZ. Here is some of her conversation with podcast host Arpége Taratoa-Rangikura.
Chat on the Chathams
Greer Paterson, 32, our resident columnist – and also a school teacher, fencing contractor, mum of two and much-loved Shepherdess team member – shares the special highlights and challenges of teaching in a place as remote as Rēkohu Wharekauri Chatham Islands.
Catherine Chidgey
Catherine Chidgey, 55, is one of New Zealand’s most acclaimed contemporary writers. She’s running a workshop, Writing the Child, at this year’s Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival.
Abby France, FMG
Abby France, 38, is a client advice manager at FMG and a mum to two young girls, Harriet, 6, and Pip, 3. She is also a sheep farmer and co-owns an events company. From her home in Heratini Geraldine, Abby helps clients plan for the future – and throws a country fete or two to give them an excuse to get off farm and connect.
Creative at Heart
Amy Burke, 41, of Te Mamaku Ruby Bay, near Motueka, created Botanical Skincare, whose roots stretch back to her childhood – playing in her grandmother’s sprawling botanical garden and soaking up knowledge of plants and their properties. Here, the 2024 winner of Rural Women New Zealand’s Creative at Heart award takes us through a day of blending product-making with running a business and raising a family.
A Dream & Hard Graft
A way of life with a love of horses at its core, encompassed by a strong belief that horses can heal.
“I created Honest Wolf to try to build a place for myself within the larger family business.”
Sophie Hurley, 33, has created a growing business for luxury felted-wool bags using wool from the third generation family farm.
“We put our soul into each creation.”
Emma Hasler, 34, is the founder of Botanic Press, a wedding bouquet preservation service based in Wānaka.
Championing the rural sector every step of the way
Rebecca Greaves, 38, is a rural journalist based in Pongaroa. She is a tireless champion of rural communities.
“The Region-off is so great because it allows kids to get a foot in the door”
This year, Emma Poole, 28, became the first woman to win the prestigious FMG Young Farmer of the Year Competition in its fifty-five-year history.
“I had to innovate or die.”
Laura Koot, 36, founded agritourism business Real Country to share a taste of “real, rural New Zealand” with her guests.
Cecelia & Jessica
Jessica and Cecelia are best friends and bull beef finishing specialists on Rangitaiki Station, a Pāmu farm, about fifty kilometres southeast of Taupō.
Takurua Winter 2026 Edition
Twenty-Sixth Edition
Our Takurua Winter Edition is out 8 June.