Beyond the Farm Gate
A Home of Opportunity
At Whanganui Collegiate, boarding delivers an academic advantage, providing students with 24/7 pastoral care, tech-integrated facilities and a vibrant community that builds future-ready independence. Words Lucinda Diack.
Hunting for the pets
A love of the bush, conservation and hunting has led Warkworth man, Wilson Hobbs, to start a wild meat pet food business, also feeding the big cats at North Island zoos. Words Delwyn Dickey, Photos Jason Hosking.
Rural champ
Wairarapa sheep and beef farmer, Roger Barton, has recently been appointed one of three Safer Farms’ Regional Champions. As part of this he will be sharing the Farm Without Harm message directly into rural communities.
Intergenerational annual pilgrimage
A special horse trek each year teaches young people more than just how to ride a horse. Members of the Stephenson family gather and ride across the whenua that binds them. Words Rebecca Greaves, Photos Vicky Simpson.
Saving the old girl
For two rural communities, the lyrics of an iconic Slim Dusty song, A Pub with no Beer, came mighty close without their loud cry to avoid last call. Renowned as heartland New Zealand in both islands, the Waikaka and Hunterville locals dug deep to ensure their towns mainstay would remain. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.
Planting Seeds of Confidence
As a Big Buddy, Mark Withers is inspiring the next generation of farmers after a powerful bond was established through the programme with Kobi – proving that positive male role models can truly change young boys’ lives. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.
Conscious Valley wins Outstanding Food Producer Awards
In a quiet valley, just 20 minutes from downtown Wellington, farmer Hamish Best is marrying his passion for farming with his marketing which he hopes will become the red meat of choice for discerning Wellingtonians. Words Rebecca Greaves.
Ataahua Blooms
Staring at Pancake the pony’s paddock with two uninterested children, Kimbolton farmer Gemma McDougall threw in her nursing career to convert the paddock and follow her heart towards her flower farm dream. Words Rebecca Greaves, Photos Sarah Horrocks.
Heirloom classics from the High Country
Mt Nicholas Merino are on a mission to share their ethos for an environmentally responsible way of life well beyond their remote farm gate with the launch of their ever expanding range of heirloom merino goods. Words Lucinda Diack