Onfarm
Flying into farming
Ron Small started off shepherding people around the skies. Now he prefers shepherding sheep and keeping his flying for fun. His 30-year professional flying career helped him get a foot into land, eventually owning the 3000-hectare Blairich Station in Marlborough. Words Joanna Grigg Photos Jim Tannock
Connected to the land
A shared passion for food and a love of the land bond Hugo and Pip Beamish, as they embark on their new farming journey, taking over the management of the Beamish family property, Awapai, with a view to beginning farm succession. Words Rebecca Greaves
Managing challenges
Motukawa Station is the engine room at the centre of the 5000 hectare Plimmer & Co farming operation. New manager Rimu Wipaki is looking to make changes that will harness its Taihape hill country power and lift productivity in both the sheep and beef operations.
Words & Photos Sarah Horrocks
Farming for family
Marlborough farmer Rosie Dowling was determined to continue developing the farm she and her late husband Gavin dreamed of. Joanna Grigg reports.
A shared vision
A change of ownership and putting in place an equity manager has seen a big boost in native tree planting on a South Head farm, spurred on by the assistance available from the Kaipara Moana Remediation Project. Glenys Christian reports.