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NZ’s Country Calendar TV show is the 2nd oldest TV programme in the world after Coro Street.
It was an honour to be commissioned to photograph the official 50th anniversary book to commemorate the milestone for TVNZ. It’s been a full on 6 month photographic journey, twice around NZ, poking my nose into so many interesting stories, and meeting lots of passionate interesting people around NZ. 
Firstly, if you haven’t got a copy of this iconic book, get yourself along to my publisher and order a copy – you won’t be disappointed. I’m very proud of the quality of the photos created to tell each of 15 stories, and Matt Philp’s writing style is brilliant at capturing the tales. Here are a few favourites from the many images
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- Georgie & Scott Archibold drafting sheep while kids Annabelle and Harrison look on, French Pass, Marlborough Sounds, Marlborough (54249QF00)
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- Georgie and Scott Archibold at French Pass. D’Urville Island behind, where Georgie grew up. A very special place for her, French Pass, Marlborough Sounds, Marlborough (54259QF00)
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- Georgie and Scott Archibold preparing lamb carcasses. Four year old son Harrison is a keen helper, French Pass, Marlborough Sounds, Marlborough (54262QF00)
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- James Murray (station manager) on autumn merino muster top beat (at 1800m) above the Shotover Valley headwaters. Lochnagar behind, Branches Station, Shotover Valley, Queenstown Lakes (54422QF00)
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- Mustering team heading upriver to begin the autumn merino muster. Horses, musterer’s and dog team crossing the upper Shotover River. James Murray, station manager, at right, Branches Station, Shotover Valley, Queenstown Lakes (54411QF00)
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- Stu Muir overlooking his family farm and beloved Waikato River, from the ‘eco-lodge’ they’ve built for others to enjoy, Aka Aka, Franklin (54042QF00)
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- Stu Muir working with Tangata Whenua, and researchers to recover a 500 year old waka for restoration. Stu is fluent in Te Reo, and well respected. Numerous toanga are found by him, Aka Aka, Franklin (54052QF00)
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- Stu Muir and Kim Jobson, netting pest Koi Carp fish from the Waikato River wetland, with kids Hazel and Sandy, Aka Aka, Franklin (54057QF00)
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- Hunters looking out over Makapua Station at end of the day from the Hunter’s Camp. Colin and Marg Baynes at right, Wairoa, Wairoa (54074QF00)
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- Hard Yakka. Colin and Marg Baynes taking a break from clearing scrub on Makapua Station, in the rain and mud, Wairoa, Wairoa (54083QF00)
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- Marg Baynes & daughter Ingrid Smith (left) set a world shearing record together in 2009. Here tuning gear, with champion shearer and husband Rowland Smith behind, Wairoa, Wairoa (54095QF00)
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- Deep drainage lysimeter facility to research nitrogen leaching established by Taupo Beef and Landcare Research. Dr Malcolm McLeod and Mike Barton taking samples, Tihoi, Western Lake Taupo, Taupo (54102QF00)
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- Clean water! Mike Barton of Taupo Beef enjoys trout fishing in Lake Taupo. Low nitrogen caps seek to protect water quality, vital to recreational activities on Lake Taupo, Waihaha, Lake Taupo, Taupo (54105RJ00)
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- Matt Newton. Helicopter Pilot, Farmer. Landing on a wet, late night, mission, Urenui, New Plymouth (54128QF00)
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- Matt Newton’s family after a successful hunt for Lillian’s goat curry. Lillian, Matt, Gabriel and Kinley, Urenui, New Plymouth (54157QF00)
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- Hikoi Te Riaki at home with his wife Tamzyn, at home with children. Mt Ruapehu, or ‘Koro’ as his descendants call him, stands prominently in front of their home, Ohakune, Ruapehu (54184QF00)
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- Atihau farm school cadet Kararaina Haami learning sheep drenching while tutor Whetu Mareikura looks on. Te Pa Station, Ohakune, Ruapehu (54195QF00)
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- The Matthews Family of Waiorongomai Station. 170+ year connection. ‘Here to Stay’ – time passes while they stand. Josh, Charlie, Karla, Greta and William, Waiorongomai, South Wairarapa (54224QF00)
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- Charlie Matthews with a Speckle Park bull, a breed Waiorongomai helped bring to NZ. Amongst cabbage trees, a feature of Waiorongomai, Waiorongomai, South Wairarapa (54230QF00)
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- Doug Avery climbing dry drought parched hills in the lowest rainfall area in NZ, beside Lake Grassmere, the southern most evaporative saltworks in the world. Bonavaree Farm, Seddon, Lake Grassmere, Marlborough (54280QF00)
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- Pitt Island wild sheep ram, farmed organically, on Banks Peninsula, by Roger Beattie, for their fleece, easy care and resilience, Akaroa, Banks Peninsula, Christchurch City (54321QF00)
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- Roger Belton (founder of Southern Clams Ltd) checking Littleneck clams (Austrovenus stutchburyi) harvested from Blueskin Bay, on a pre-dawn start dictated by tides, Dunedin, Dunedin City (54334QF00)
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- Lois Mills, matriarch/founder of Rippon (with husband Rolfe), feeds everyone during harvest from rammed earth home built by Rolfe. Grand daughter Harriet helping, Rippon, Wanaka, Queenstown Lakes (54367QF00)
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- Stone fruit orchards and grape vines at Blackmans on an autumn morning with mist over the Clutha (Mata-Au) River and Clyde beyond. Hinton’s orchard in front. Aerial view, Earnscleugh, Alexandra, Central Otago (54382GH00)
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- Tony Muollo, with father Carlo, brother Dion and nephew Josh, share a laugh while working on fishing equipment. All involved with the fishing industry, Wellington, Wellington City (54434QF00)
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- Calvin Muollo throws grapple with pinpoint accuracy, to snare the cray pot floats in Cook Strait. Skipper Tony Muollo and Brad Perkins look on. Missing the throw can draw great ridicule, Cook Strait, Wellington City (54439QF00)
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- Sam and Emily Welch, shearing on their home stand, under a rimu tree, Waikaretu Valley, Franklin (54448QF00)
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- Emily and Sam Welch in their vegetable garden with kids, Addison, Johnny, Eric and Eli (oldest to youngest), Waikaretu Valley, Franklin (54474QF00)
The job wasn’t easy – turning up to live with complete strangers 24/7 for up to a week, while seeking their confidence to document their stories and poke a camera into their lives. It was stressful for them and me, but without exception everyone was incredibly hospitable and obliging which allowed me to tease out their stories and capture it within 8-10 frames.
Each image had to earn it’s spot, and often illustrate at least 2 concepts. Such as the photo below, it needed to be a portrait, talk of wetland restoration and Stu’s Kaitiaki role and his love of whitebaiting. It took some doing: Stu Muir runs a dairy farm, but is passionate about wetland restoration in the Waikato River Delta. This is what I came up with:
And here’s how it was done – 2 days of planning/executing, screening water flow, and a lot of time coaxing shy whitebait within 50mm of my wide angle lens (the little guys take fright at their reflections and the tiniest vibration), while trying to hold a punt in the current (with 10mm free board), and keep the good natured Stu Muir from getting too bored. It was a success and a frame I’m proud of.