Jane Tylee

Twenty-three years ago, on a dark and wet night, I was collected from Wellington Airport. We drove two-and-a-half hours to a sheep-and-beef farm in Makuri, a small place east of Pahiatua. Being originally from a dairy farm in Castle Douglas, in the southwest of Scotland, it could not have been more different.

Moving to the other end of the world was a massive leap of courage for me. I had to adjust to a very different lifestyle and learn some Kiwi ways, like preparing a “shared plate,” which I thought meant bringing an empty plate and cutlery.

The challenge of mustering was something I enjoyed. I remember watching my husband muster a paddock of sheep with his dog and there was a lot of yelling and swearing. I thought, “Oh, I would never yell like that.” But when I got my dog of course I yelled and swore like everybody else. I certainly wasn’t a dog trialist, but I was able to muster the steep hill-country paddocks.

I made Makuri, where my husband’s family has farmed since 1886, my home, too. Makuri has long, cold winters that can really drag on. However, there are plenty of clubs and social get-togethers. I feel very lucky to have landed in such a close community.

Looking back, I have certainly learnt to be resilient and although I don’t like change, when I reflect on my life I can see it’s something I’ve become used to. After more than two decades in New Zealand I am now at another stage of my life, with my two children living in Christchurch. The house is certainly quieter. It has meant I have had more time to work off-farm. As the Tararua Coordinator for the East Coast Rural Support Trust, I have the privilege of supporting farmers who are experiencing challenging and stressful times. Every day my job brings me a different problem to solve, which I love. Being able to support people like I have been supported is why I do my job.