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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.
Holding on to love through loss: how communication, intimacy and acts of love have helped one couple to navigate tough times
Elise and Matt have navigated the darkest of times in their nearly three-year relationship, including multiple miscarriages
Losing a baby to miscarriage: “You never quite put that grief to bed; it just takes up less space”
Laura has experienced multiple miscarriages and has become an advocate for women in a time of great emotional intensity.
A Taste of Timaru – Charlotte
Charlotte, a star of Timaru District’s food and beverage scene, shares how she spends her days off with Shepherdess.
The benefits of a collective oomph – how taking part in AWDT’s ‘It’s all about YOU’ programme led to longstanding connections and a rewarding career
Katherine credits this course with helping her to find inspiration and confidence to embark on a journey in life coaching, teaching, and group facilitation.
One woman’s mission to share a life-saving message about gynaecological cancers: “We’ve normalised talking about breasts, so let’s remove the stigma about talking about our vaginas.”
Her own cervical cancer diagnosis set Bay of Plenty farmer Sjaan on a mission to raise awareness about gynaecological cancers.
Takurua Winter 2026 Edition
Twenty-Sixth Edition
Our beautiful Takurua Winter 2026 Edition is out now.