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.
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.
The Best Piece of Advice
I have always admired images of farming mums – the ones with stoic women standing over drafting gates with toddlers layered up in backpacks or sweeping shearing boards with babies tucked safely to the side of the shed.
Courtenay Bevan
Courteney, 28, is a city chef turned charter boat chef/deckie turned Jobs for Nature scientific diver – or, as she calls herself, a “glorified underwater weeder.”
Emma Sage on Creating an Online Gardening Journal
Emma created an online magazine for the “garden-curious” when her two youngest children were small, after a previous career in marketing and brand management.
Fiona Collis on Reaching Beyond Her Local Patch
Fiona is a fibre and textiles artist using traditional knowledge and practices handed down by her ancestors to experiment with traditional Māori textiles.
A Place of Compassion
Debra Wilson, 37, is a general practitioner based out of the Gore Medical Centre, where she balances clinic work with parenting three young children and keeping the family dairy farm in order.
Takurua Winter 2026 Edition
Twenty-Sixth Edition
Our beautiful Takurua Winter 2026 Edition is out now.