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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.
Kara Boyes – Short Film
On a farm that has been in her family for a century is a delightful sanctuary where Kara Boyes, 31, practises mirimiri. After years overseas, traveling and exploring her interests in traditional healing, Kara felt the call to return to her home in Pahoia – and to the healing methods of her tūpuna. Here she talks to Shepherdess.
A soul’s calling – how traditional healing methods led a ‘wanderer’ home to her whenua
Nestled away on a farm that has been in her family for a century is a delightful sanctuary where Kara Boyes (Ngāpuhi, Tapuika, Ngāti Raukawa) practises mirimiri. After years overseas, traveling and exploring her interests in traditional healing, Kara, 41, felt the call to return to her home in Pahoia – and to the healing methods of her tūpuna.
Helping an island community’s people be free of a life of pain
Helping an island community’s people be free of a life of pain
A Northland shearer on her health struggles: “We need to start listening to our bodies a bit more”
A Northland shearer on her health struggles: “We need to start listening to our bodies a bit more”
“I found myself through weaving”: how raranga has helped one woman discover her place in the world
“I found myself through weaving”: how raranga has helped one woman discover her place in the world
Sophie Barnes – Short Film
Living in an isolated spot on the Whanganui River – until she was in her late twenties, Sophie Barnes, 31, was told the symptoms she had experienced since she was twelve were caused by irritable bowel syndrome. Despite an accurate diagnosis of endometriosis the chronic illness is something she will likely have to live with for the rest of her life. Here she shares her story with Shepherdess through this touching short film.
Takurua Winter 2026 Edition
Twenty-Sixth Edition
Our beautiful Takurua Winter 2026 Edition is out now.