In this summer series, the Country Life team is taking you back to some of the places we've been to over the past year.
Ōkārito GorseBusters
Photo: Nate McKinnon
This April, volunteers from all over Aotearoa headed to South Westland to clear gorse from the shores of the stunning Ōkārito Lagoon.
The work is certainly not for people who want to keep dry, according to returning Nelson volunteer Mo Killip.
"Last year I was over in tidal creek and cemetery creek and you could see where the edge was so it was a lot easier, but this year we were up at the delta and that was hard yakka, it was totally wet and you were in the reed bed in a swamp with the gorse," she said.
For a full video of the day, click here.
Horse and plough add French touch to Marlborough vineyard
Horse and plough handler Emma Rossignol with Gordon Photo: RNZ/Sally Round
Gordon the Clydesdale horse has been roped in to help plough between the rows of Churton Vineyard in Marlborough.
It's a return to the old ways and, according to vineyard owner Sam Weaver, it is helping his vines. He has the help of a Frenchwoman who learnt the skill on her family's St Emilion vineyard.
Read more about the biodynamic principles which guide Sam and his wife Mandy through everything they do.
Sheep farmers roll out woollen mat for the wellness market
Jane Schwass with a woolen exercise mat Photo: Cosmo Kentish-Barnes
With crossbred wool prices remaining low, some sheep farmers are having a serious crack at adding value to the fibre they proudly grow.
Canterbury farmers Jane and Mark Schwass are making felted wool exercise mats from their crossbred wool clip.
Most people use the woollen mats for Yoga and Pilates, Jane tells Country Life.
