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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.
Wild, Natural and Down to Earth
Fiona Read of Hāpuku Kitchen and Justine Schroder of Mt Fyffe Distillery share with Shepherdess a taste of Kaikōura and what visitors should savour.
Gorgeous Blackberry & Apple Galette
Galette for one? Why not! Small quantities of homemade pastry are quick to make and so gratifying.
Sweet Life at Bluff Station
Tessa Bryant never thought she’d find herself in the heavy, white folds of a bee suit. But she has found a sweet life among the hives at Bluff Station, a winding fifteen-kilometre drive inland from Kēkerengū, learning all about beekeeping and, in the process, realising she can give anything a go.
Orange & Lemon Biscuits
These little biscuits look so unassuming, but inside is a world of delicious chewiness spiked with a hit of citrus.
Full Bloom
Drive south-east from Whanganui on State Highway 3 during the summer months and you’ll soon spot hundreds of roses blooming in a paddock along the roadside – home to Matthews Roses.
Takurua Winter 2026 Edition
Twenty-Sixth Edition
Our beautiful Takurua Winter 2026 Edition is out now.