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.

Woman stands beside a muddy farm buggy with two dogs

A Call Away

Long-time sheep and beef farmer Jen Le Pine, 50, fills her cup with volunteering in the Cheviot community.

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Man and woman sit at table outside their house on the farm eating pancakes.

Finding their Farm
Charlotte Plummer

Moving is never easy, least of all when you’re headed across the ocean to make a home in a new country. Meet Charlotte Plummer, balancing her veterinary career with farming in Morrinsville.

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Woman holding her newborn baby stands in the kitchen of her yurt while her husband does something in the background.

Becoming a Mother

When Eloise and her husband purchased virgin land near Whangārei Heads, they wanted to have a go at living in a yurt off-grid.

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A plate of savoury herb shortbread with a sage leaf on top of each

Savoury Herb Shortbread

These are ridiculously moreish. They make a nice change from a sweet biscuit in the afternoon, and are great at aperitivo time!

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Black and white image of a shirtless boy on top of a washing line that is being spun around by his sister, blurred, in motion

Moments, Kōanga Spring 2023

I have always loved this picture. To be honest, I have no idea why Anton, 9, was up on top of the washing line, or how on earth he got up there.

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Woman models a checkered dress in front of a heritage house

Frolic Frocks

As the weather shifts and the sun warms cool skin, our clothes reflect the optimism in the air – light, colourful garments in cotton and linen that raise the spirits.

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Takurua Winter 2026 Edition

Twenty-Sixth Edition

Our beautiful Takurua Winter 2026 Edition is out now.

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