Getting asked by Beef + Lamb NZ to help create content for their 2021 referendum was really exciting! Having worked with Open Farms and many wineries around New Zealand, I knew this would be a great opportunity to showcase the stories and people who are the backbone of this country.
Southland Farm
This high country family have their farm nestled in the foot hills of the southern alps and experience some of the most extreme weather New Zealand has to offer. This however hasn’t shied them away from providing high quality produce, and running the farm at its best! What really struck me, was the real sense of caring for the land. Using each area from the lowlands by the river up to the tussock grass, they found ways to farm with the land that helps keep pests under control and animals healthy.
The young kids who are clearly growing a deep passion for the lifestyle, much like their father, showed so much knowledge of the farming at such a young age, I think they will be easily be able to fill the big boots and grow even more!
This family was really so inspiring to meet and photograph.
Northland Farm
Travelling up to the other end of the country, Northland, I got to experience a different look and feel of farming. This part of the country is known to be tough-going, with rain not a common blessing and weather forecasts not consistently accurate. This means deep understanding and intuition comes into play all the time, and contingency plans often get actioned.
Even though the land was tough to work, this tight knit family had a really positive, can-do attitude for what they love doing. I was struck by their drive to take their impact on the world seriously, and that they play two key roles as farmer. One being the care takers of the land, people given the responsibility to ensure our land stays healthy, and second producers of food for our communities. I saw nothing less than this, they implemented the best practices of the well-being and longevity of what they have been given responsibility of.
