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.

Surviving – and thriving ­– with four under five on the farm

Marlborough farmers Ellie and Tom were thrilled to learn they were having twins, but, with two children under five already, were unsure how they’d survive.

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Navigating dinnertime around kids and a busy farm life

Navigating busy times on the farm with kids and their differing tastes, dinnertime can feel more like a hurdle to overcome than a time to connect and share gratitude lists.

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A Decent Seed Cracker

Store-bought gluten-free or seed crackers are expensive, but homemade crackers are super easy to make and much more affordable.

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The Waiheke Island wāhine raising their Māori-Japanese girls to be confident, content and independent

Hine ‘Hina’ Hiroki, 43, and Elizabeth ‘Lil’ Hiroki, 44, are a takatāpui couple raising three daughters.

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Writing their own story – in the order they want it to play out – when it comes to marriage and kids

Registered nurse Theresa ‘Swish’ Stewart and her partner are doing things in a non-traditional way when it comes to family.

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New Possibilities

From the Editor, Kōanga Spring 2022.

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Takurua Winter 2026 Edition

Twenty-Sixth Edition

Our beautiful Takurua Winter 2026 Edition is out now.

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