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Moa Brewing co are riding the low carb wave with their Southern Alps low carb lager. Supplied. From its home among the Marlborough vines, Moa Brewing Co is carving out a new future: one built on family ownership, South Island sourcing and a fast-growing low-carb lager that is now challenging much larger global players. Under Managing Director Stephen Smith, the brewery has stabilised, rebuilt and begun rising quickly in a shifting beer market, driven in large part by Souther

Following on from last month’s article about recognising when it might be time to seek professional support, this month we’re looking at what actually happens when you see a counsellor, psychologist, or therapist for the first time. Rural people are good at getting on with things. We fix machinery with whatever’s in the shed, we check on neighbours after a storm, and we shoulder more than we ever say out loud. But even the most capable people hit patches where the load gets t

A fishing representative says Greenpeace's "vandalism" of Rakaia's iconic salmon statue has hurt a rural community just to make a political point. Greenpeace protesters defaced the large statue on February 15, just weeks after a $300,000 ratepayer-funded refurbishment. The activists replaced the salmon's eyes with cartoon-style crosses and added a speech bubble reading ‘Fonterra killed my family’. Greenpeace Aotearoa freshwater campaigner Will Appelbe said the protest aimed t

Garston Hops covers about 30 hectares, with plans to reach 40. Supplied. Deep in the heart of Southland, at latitude 45 degrees south, sits one of the world’s most unexpected horticultural ventures. Garston Hops, owned and operated by James and Lizette McNamee and their family, has become the southernmost commercial hop farm on the planet. What started as a small experiment has grown into a thriving business supplying breweries from Invercargill to Auckland and across the wor

While Duncan and Lorna Humm never intended on starting a pet cremation business, it’s been a natural fit for the Mid Canterbury couple. Photo: Isla Humm For Mid Canterbury deer farmer Duncan Humm, starting a pet cremation business was never part of the plan. “I definitely never woke up one day thinking I’d like to start a cremation business,” he says. “It just sort of evolved.” Humm, who is also co-founder of farming platform NZ Farming, runs Summerland Pet Cremation alongsid

The Farming Fast Five: where we ask a farmer five quick questions about agriculture, and what farming means to them. Today we chat to Culverden dairy farmer Allie King. 1. What did your journey into farming look like? I was born and raised in Christchurch, having no knowledge or experience of farming let alone the fact that Canterbury Dairy Farming was quite literally on our doorsteps! My family and I lived in the suburbs of Christchurch, with Dad being a banker and mum a L

Omihi School is inviting locals and visitors alike to come together for an evening of food, connection and community when Food Truck Friday returns to Omihi Community Hall on Friday, March 6. Now in its third year, the event runs from 5pm to 9pm and is designed as a relaxed community gathering rather than a fundraiser. Principal Maree Lucas says the idea grew from a desire to reconnect people after COVID and create something welcoming for the wider rural community. “It’s not

Lincoln University agriculture student James Clark says the Ravensdown scholarship will make a big difference as he heads into his second year. Eighteen-year-old James Clark was in the middle of farm work when he got the call telling him he’d won the 2026 Ravensdown Hugh Williams Memorial Scholarship. “I had to take a couple of minutes just to stop and get my head around it,” he said. “I was quite amazed, really.” Clark, a Lincoln University agriculture student from Valetta,

Dating has never been simple, but for rural New Zealanders it can feel especially stacked against you. Distance. Long hours. Small communities. Everyone knowing your business. Add dating apps into the mix and suddenly love feels less like a romance and more like a logistics exercise. Christchurch-based dating coach Jude Gane sees it every day. “Everyone’s single,” she says. “But no one’s making it work.” App fatigue is real Dating apps were meant to make things easier. In som

Young Farmers are the future of New Zealand agriculture, so each month we shine a spotlight on a Young Farmers Club member. Today we chat to Coastal Taranaki member Carlos Reid. 1. What is the name of your club, and how long have you been a member? I’ve been part of Coastal Young Farmers for eight years and have been club chair for the past year and a half. 2. What has been the highlight for you of joining Young Farmers? What are the benefits and experiences that have hel

Festival director Kristy McGregor says the Shepherdess Muster is about “filling your own cup so you can give back to everyone else.” Supplied From 6–8 March 2026, the small Southland community of Tokanui will host the Shepherdess Muster – a three-day festival created to give women something many don’t allow themselves very often: time. Festival director and Shepherdess magazine publisher Kristy McGregor describes it as a deliberate pause from the constant demands many women c

AgProud chairperson Jon Pemberton (left) with National Lamb Day co-founder Pete Mcdonald. Supplied. National Lamb Day will be marked again on 15 February, with organisers encouraging New Zealanders to get behind a day that’s about more than just what’s on the plate. While lamb gives the day its name, chair of Ag Proud and the National Lamb Day committee Jon Pemberton says the focus is broader, celebrating New Zealand agriculture as a whole. “This is no one’s day. It’s not Ag

It feels like life is geared these days to be frictionless. Thanks to advances in technology and AI, almost everything we need is at our fingertips — from grocery shopping and workouts to TV shows and music. We can stream what we want, when we want. We rarely have to wait for anything. And AI is only speeding that up. While technology and AI are making their way into farming, the work itself is still hard yakka. But outside the farm gate, life is becoming increasingly automat

Coldstream dairy farmer Jack Taggart was crowned Aorangi FMG Young Farmer of the Year on Saturday evening, earning himself a place in the 2026 Grand Final. Supplied. Under the hot Canterbury sun, the sound of a cheering crowd carries over the noise of chainsaws and drills. Fence posts are hammered into the ground with loud, echoing thuds. Sheep shears buzz, and a tractor whirs to life. Humming over it all: the sound of joy, excitement and proud support. “I’m just so stoked,”

What started as a grassroots addition to the Methven A&P Show on March 21 has quickly become one of its biggest crowd-pullers — and this year, the Methven Ute Muster is aiming even higher. Running alongside the event, organisers are preparing for a Ford Ranger world record attempt, alongside a growing line-up of ute categories and a new women-led class designed to broaden who the event speaks to. Run as part of the annual Methven Show, the Ute Muster has been steadily buildi

George Letham, young Ashburton farmer, races through his practical skills test at the 2025 FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final. Supplied. A young Ashburton farmer is among the top contenders at this year’s FMG Young Farmer of the Year regional finals. After a top three podium placement last year, in the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final, 28-year-old George Letham is keen to put his hat in the ring for a second time. The winner at the Aorangi regionals will progr

Each issue we ask a farmer five quick questions about agriculture, and what farming means to them. Today we chat to Sefton farmer and owner of The Good Cow Tammy Acton-Adams. 1. What did your journey into farming look like? I grew up on a small farm on the other side of Sefton that was very diverse. Between leaving school and when my secretary course started, I joined a shearing gang for the summer. Oh, how I wanted to stay doing that! But was told I had to do the c

Mark Ferguson, chief executive of neXtgen Agri, is taking on a 2,000km movement challenge across 2026 to raise funds and awareness for brain cancer research. Supplied. Christchurch-based neXtgen Agri chief executive Mark Ferguson has set himself a significant challenge for 2026 — walking, running or riding 2,000 kilometres over the year to raise funds and awareness for brain cancer research. The challenge, called TwentySix2000, was inspired by the diagnosis of one of his clos

‘Let’s keep the momentum going’ was the theme for a field day hosted at Pencarrow Farm in early December. Presenters balanced acknowledging current action, which is proven to reduce nitrogen (N) losses, with new and emerging science targeting further reductions. Collaboration across the sector is evident and remains a critical part of collective action to manage N. Acton Farmers Irrigation, Ashburton Lyndhurst Irrigation, Barhill Chertsey Irrigation, DairyNZ, Enviro Collectiv

Stress, worry, and low moods are part of the human experience. Everyone encounters moments of emotional strain, especially in today’s unpredictable world. Yet when these feelings persist or begin to interfere with daily life, they may signal something more serious than ordinary ups and downs. Distinguishing between everyday challenges and knowing when professional care might be needed, is an important step toward protecting your wellbeing. If you find yourself overwhelmed by