Try GOLD - Free
Charm the farm
Your Home and Garden
|June 2025
Meet a modern-day homesteader and Gill of all trades
After finishing university in Scotland, Gillian Swinton was 21 when she decided to head off on her OE. While working on the ski fields in Queenstown, nearly 15 years ago, she met a Southland farmer called Hamish, and the couple have been together ever since. Their rural experiences on their homestead, are detailed on a blog and Insta, as well as in a recently released book.
What did you do before homesteading?
So many seasonal jobs. I've worked at ski fields as a liftie and a snowmaker in New Zealand, Canada and Australia; a station cook in Western Australia; lodge attendant on the Milford Track; a ranger for DOC in Fiordland; veterinary technician, relief milker and calf rearer. Currently, I am working from home, freelancing doing digital marketing, as well as rearing calves. I think a common thread of it all has been working outdoors, in the elements, with the season and respecting nature.
What led you to Central Otago and self-sufficiency?
This story is from the June 2025 edition of Your Home and Garden.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Your Home and Garden
Your Home and Garden
Bouncing back from failure
Persistence and resilience are your best weapons when it comes to facing challenges, so remember, if at first you don't succeed, try, try again
3 mins
August 2025
Your Home and Garden
OUT OF THE SHADOWS
Our top 10 shade-loving plants that will brighten up any garden
4 mins
August 2025
Your Home and Garden
HOT FROM THE OVEN
Rib-tickling winter bakes to warm the cockles of your heart
8 mins
August 2025
Your Home and Garden
30 (RELATIVELY PAINLESS) Ways to GREEN UP YOUR HOME
If you feel like you should be doing more to save the planet, but you're not sure where to start, start here and start today. We've rounded up a few easy ways to make your home more eco-friendly
8 mins
August 2025
Your Home and Garden
The constant gardener
It might still be wet and cold but warmer days are beckoning. Give your garden a tidy-up and start planning what to plant for spring
3 mins
August 2025
Your Home and Garden
Setting THE SCENE
Inspired by soulful movie interiors, a couple prepped their coastal home for its close-ups
3 mins
August 2025
Your Home and Garden
BLESSING in DISGUISE
Leaving a new-build for a historic cottage inspired a different design direction for these homeowners
4 mins
August 2025
Your Home and Garden
A GAME OF TWO HALVES
In part one of a two-part series, we meet a former All Black who's tackling his first home renovation in stages
4 mins
August 2025
Your Home and Garden
6 CLASSIC KITCHEN UPDATES that won't go out of style
It's hard to tell what type of kitchen will withstand the trend cycles. Some features claim timelessness but will date quickly. Never fear, there are some that continue to shine as safe and stylish options
2 mins
August 2025
Your Home and Garden
CRUSH ON COLOUR
A designer with minimalist aspirations knows in her heart she's more attracted to thrift shop treasures contrasting with new designer discoveries
3 mins
August 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size