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.

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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.

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Our Whare

Letter from the Editor, Ngahuru Autumn 2026 Edition.

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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.

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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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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.

Creating the space to release emotional and physical pain

As a young woman, Erin Lewis, 58, turned to yoga to ease the pain of fibromyalgia, a complex chronic pain condition.

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Taking Japanese forest bathing out of the bush and onto the beach

Vicky Kyan, 64, has always found solace in nature.

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Fit for purpose: one woman’s mission to help those in the rural sector feel well and move well, so that they can perform well

Movement coach Laura is passionate about the health and wellbeing of people in the rural sector.

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The course providing farming couples with the tools to make their businesses resilient, adaptable – and profitable

Ann and Scott took part in AWDT’s ‘Our Resilient Farming Business’ course.

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A Taste of Timaru – Saskia

Saskia, a star of Timaru District’s food and beverage scene, shares how she spends her days off with Shepherdess.

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Sound, Sea and Sky

Entrepreneurs Maria and Seán use their sustainable charter venture Pure Salt to foster conservation efforts in Fiordland.

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Takurua Winter 2026 Edition

Twenty-Sixth Edition

Our beautiful Takurua Winter 2026 Edition is out now.

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