When Ashleigh Barrowman landed in Marlborough a decade ago, she was convinced the wine tanks that dotted the landscape were hiding dairy secrets.

It may still be under the radar for many, but one new pasture has been making waves for three different farmers lately.

On the edge of the hot, dry Takapau plains, Norm and Del Atkins have cultivated a small but exceptional herd of 60 Holstein Friesian cows within their mixed breed herd of 360 dairy cows.

The import and quarantine of future proofed varieties represents the next generation of grapevine genetics in New Zealand, says Riversun Nurseries Managing Director Geoff Thorpe.

OPINION: I trust all is well at your place. It's obvious the Christmas season is upon us, as I sit at my keyboard today. I'm looking forward to a bit of a breather and catching up with friends and family again.

Evan Paxton and his family at Riverview Farms, Dargaville, are one of New Zealand’s leading suppliers of kumara.

“It’s all about producing benchmark Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay… not necessarily the biggest or the best, but wine that people around the world will hold up as great example of Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay.”

A tui spotted on Waiorongomai Valley Farm in the Waikato is testament to the positive impact the van Ras family’s environmental work is having.

It's almost Christmas Eve when I finally manage to catch up with Bart Arnst, who's been busy in vineyards all over the country.

Growing a wide range of fruit varieties is the key to handling the vagaries of weather and climate for North Canterbury orchardist Paul Tapper.