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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

1950s photo of pink lamingtons and custard cups on a baby blue tablecloth.

Sure to Rise

It’s one of the best-known and most recognised brands and slogans in New Zealand: Edmonds Sure to Rise, with its radiant sun.

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Bringing people together with kai in the southernmost town in Aotearoa

Haylee-Chanel Simeon, 38, is the creative force behind restaurant Hayz @ The Anchorage, based in Bluff, Murihiku Southland.

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‘I want to do something meaningful; the more people I can reach to help, the better.’

Kathryn Wright (Ngāti Kahungungu) is a fierce advocate for rural mental health.

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A dog runs ahead of a four-wheeler on a farm near Balfour.

Finding their Farm
Ilka Seeback

Moving is never easy, least of all when you’re headed across the ocean to make a home in a new country. Meet Ilka Seebeck in Balfour on a sheep and beef farm.

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A woman inspects a leaf on a bush walk.

“Let’s put a boardroom table in the middle of the bush and clear the clutter of every day.”

Kylie loves to share the wonders of the Aotearoa bush through her two businesses, Nourish & Nosh Tours and The Bush Boardroom.

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Woman stands in the storeroom of her woollen products shop.

“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.

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Takurua Winter 2026 Edition

Twenty-Sixth Edition

Our beautiful Takurua Winter 2026 Edition is out now.

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