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Leek & Cauliflower Cheese
“Cauliflower cheese is a classic family favourite, made even tastier with chunks of sweet and tender leeks and crunchy breadcrumbs. This is fab served with a roast or sausages, or it could easily be served as a vegetarian main dish with fresh crusty bread and a green salad.”
This is the third comforting recipe Olivia Galletly shared with us from her first cookbook, The Hungry Cook.
Rustic Fruit Tart
“In my eyes, a seasonal fruit tart is hard to beat. This tart is the perfect way to use up any of the final sun-ripened autumn fruit.”
This is the first of three recipes Jaz Mathisen shared with us from her cookbook, A Year at Awakino Station.
Turning up for Each Other
Kath Menpes, 48, a born and bred Southlander, grew up inland in Heddon Bush and now lives in Orepuki, a small coastal settlement, with her husband, Paul, and their two children, Jamie, 15, and Lizzy, 13, on Paul’s family’s third-generation sheep farm. Three years ago, she joined PGG Wrightson as the store manager at Tuatapere. Five times a week, she channels her commitment to staying active into community fitness sessions for local women, where it’s not just muscles that get strengthened.
Hearts Racing
A shared passion for horse racing brought Jessica Murphy, known as Jess, and Marc Hamilton together, so when the couple exchanged vows on a bluebird autumn day in Central Otago, it made sense for Jess’s Appaloosa gelding, Micah, to take a starring role.
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.
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.
Golden Days
Light layers for the lingering autumn sun and warmer ones for crisp mornings. Here we draw inspiration from autumn in Māniatoto Central Otago – russet hues from tussock and the muted tones of Clyde’s historic brick-lined streets.
Leaving a Legacy
Becks Smith believes farming is all about community, environment, economy and legacy. A trained vet, Becks founded The Whole Story in 2020, drawing inspiration from the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, and with the aim to move sustainability beyond compliance and box-ticking.
Stronger Together
Meg Burden’s farm was one of many properties damaged and cut off during and in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle. Two years on, Meg reflects on the little and big things they did to get by, and how the strength of rural communities shines through.
Alesha Tomasi
For our Autumn 2025 Edition, we wanted to hear about a special four-legged friend. For Winter 2025, we’d like to know which of your birthdays stands out to you. Let us know how you celebrated and what made it so
memorable! Letters may be edited for length or clarity.
Backyard Bash
Sophie Chambers and Matthew Brown had a very modern courtship. And what began as a Facebook friendship culminated in a glamorous backyard bash on his family’s flower farm.
Roast of the Town
Rosie Austin, 65, has worn many hats during a varied and illustrious career that now sees her turning a dab hand to artisanal coffee roasting in her beloved community of Whanganui.
Takurua Winter 2026 Edition
Twenty-Sixth Edition
Our beautiful Takurua Winter 2026 Edition is out now.