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Caramel Walnut Slice
“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.
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.
Still on the Station
Cath Ward (Ngāti Raukawa) found a new purpose for both herself and Pahi Station when she and her husband, Zander, established the Pahi Coastal Walk – a private walk that takes in the farm’s sweeping coastline, rolling farmland and native bush.
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.
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.
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.
“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.
“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.
“We put our soul into each creation.”
Emma Hasler, 34, is the founder of Botanic Press, a wedding bouquet preservation service based in Wānaka.
Championing the rural sector every step of the way
Rebecca Greaves, 38, is a rural journalist based in Pongaroa. She is a tireless champion of rural communities.
“The Region-off is so great because it allows kids to get a foot in the door”
This year, Emma Poole, 28, became the first woman to win the prestigious FMG Young Farmer of the Year Competition in its fifty-five-year history.
Takurua Winter 2026 Edition
Twenty-Sixth Edition
Our beautiful Takurua Winter 2026 Edition is out now.