Photos: Francine Boer Photography, Hannah Bird, Dan Henry.
For 110 years, five generations of the Macdonald family have farmed, living on and looking after the 1100-hectare Davaar Station near Te Anau. Sisters Anna and Kate have always loved the rugged Southland hills and valleys they grew up in.
But it took returning home to start their own businesses on the farm, after almost 10 years away for studies and work, for them to truly appreciate the magic of home, and their hardworking parents Fiona and James.
“We’ve only truly understood the rich history of our family’s farming in the last few years,” tells Kate, 28. She moved back in 2020 when, like so many, her life plans were derailed by Covid.
Anna followed soon after with the sisters taking on active farm roles, working with their parents from before dawn to dusk.
“Getting up before the sun is non-negotiable,” laughs Kate. “It was summer when we moved home and we were in a drought. The pressure was on a bit. We were processing lambs, dry feeding and break fencing. When we weren’t doing that, we were chopping wood or working on our businesses. We’re both pretty handy, and can use a chainsaw, back a trailer and drive the tractor.”
Before this, Kate dreamed of travelling and advancing her marketing career. Meanwhile, Anna worked in hospitality for a luxury lodge and a whole-foods café. Neither planned to return long-term to the remote wool, beef and sheep family farm. Yet, they say they’ve never been happier.
“We are so lucky to be back here and both love the simple, rural life,” shares Anna, 26.
Three years ago, from the old shearer’s quarters, Kate launched Davaar, a luxury line of entirely New Zealand-made jerseys crafted exclusively using their sheep’s wool.
“I never thought in my wildest dreams I would be back at the farm living out my passion,” enthuses Kate. “I envisaged a corporate life and what I am doing now is on the opposite end of that, but I’m so grateful.
“What we’re doing with the wool is so important. It helps tell our family’s farming story and it’s so special we can share that with everyone.”
There will also be a Davaar pop-up store in Arrowtown this winter from June to the end of August.
Meanwhile, Anna is the brains and baker behind Sprig and Thistle, the food caravan on the farm outside the Davaar shop.
Rising at 4am each day, Anna makes everything from scratch. It’s a labour of love but worth it to see the cinnamon brioche scrolls and savoury-filled scones – amongst other delights – sell out daily.
“The Te Araroa trail runs right through our farm,” explains Anna, who also does private catering. “It’s a five-day walk from Queenstown and nine days from Bluff. So when the hikers come through after being in the cold and wet eating dehydrated food, they are just besotted with everything and so grateful.
Most of all, the siblings are proud to be continuing the family legacy in an innovative way.
“Our parents have encouraged and supported us from day dot,” says Kate. Her family features on this week’s episode of Hyundai Country Calendar. “I really don’t think we could do what we do without them.”
On busy days, you’ll often find mum Fiona coming off the farm to work alongside her daughters, or Kate and Anna jumping in to each other’s businesses.
“People say it’s incredible how well we all get on living and working so close together,” says Anna. She adds that their brother Ben, 25, is a farmer on site too. “I love that we’re all such good friends and are able to help each other out.”
Looking to the past, the close-knit sisters hope they’ll continue to follow in the footsteps of the inspiring women who have come before them.
“They were all confident, courageous women who really backed themselves,” says Kate. She credits her late-granny Sally as one of her biggest inspirations.
“She was incredible. Her frequent foraging around the station for organic matter like lichen, or using beetroot and onion skins to hand dye wool, then spinning it into yarn to knit jumpers. We both still have and wear jumpers she made us.”
Several of Sally’s spinning wheels still sit in pride of place in the Davaar shop.
“Farming is tough but wonderful,” adds Kate. “From a very young age, Mum and Dad passed down the values of getting stuck into honest, hard work, setting goals and achieving them. And those have really filtered into our businesses.”
Watch Hyundai Country Calendar Sunday, May 25 at 7pm on TVNZ 1 or TVNZ+. Follow the sisters on Instagram at @davaar.nz and @sprigandthistleco
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