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.
Working dogs go under the hammer
Photo: Cosmo Kentish-Barnes
The 64th annual Ashburton cattle and sheep dog sale was held in July at the Mayfield A&P Showgrounds. PGG Wrightson auctioneer Greg Cook says people came from all over the country to buy and sell working dogs.
To see more photos from the day, click here.
High-tech strawberry farm aims high in Foxton
Matthew Keltie, 26 Seasons Co-Founder Photo: Supplied
Slip behind a bee-proof mesh curtain in an old Foxton factory building and a sweet surprise awaits.
"Welcome to our secret laboratory," Matthew Keltie says.
Under the bluish glow of the high-tech lights, pops of red catch the eye.
A bee buzzes past and quiet music overlays the faint gurgle of nutrients swishing through tubes.
Read more about 26 Seasons' first vertical strawberry farm and the indoor growing technology Keltie and his colleagues are developing.
Choice Cherimoyas
Cherimoya Photo: RNZ/Carol Stiles
Rich and Jose van Alphen say people either love or hate cherimoyas. They've been growing the large green fruit organically for more than 30 years.
The organic cherimoya and garlic growers live bang in the middle of the skinniest part of the Northland Peninsula, less than seven kilometers from each coast.
Read more here about the tropical fruit and the best way to eat it.
