The Working Farm As A Masculinity Reboot

It’s 6 pm at a local pub in Cheviot, a small town that’s 90 minutes away from Christchurch, the largest city in New Zealand’s South Island. I’ve just raised a toast with a bottle of Speight’s beer with a bunch of friendly locals. The conversation quickly shifts from the ale in the bottle to an iconic ad campaign that remains an integral part of New Zealand’s popular culture.  

The Southern Man campaign is synonymous with Speight’s beer that began the same year—1992—when the country’s dream run at the Cricket World Cup ended in the semi-finals. In the 1990s, that campaign featured a rugged stereotype of a South Island outdoorsman embodying that very ‘mateship’ and signed off with a “Good on ya mate” that still remains a staple in Kiwi vernacular. The campaign also defined gender norms in the 1990s. 

Tim Loughan, my host at Tawanui Farm, a working sixth-generation, sheep and beef farm owned by the Loughan family, embodies a 2020s version of masculinity that’s also reflected in the recent ad campaigns for Speight’s. A contemporary, progressive male who seeks emotionally supportive forms of friendship. My stay at this remote yet easily accessible farm was not just an example of this masculinity reboot but also a clear case of how glamping as we know it is evolving. 

The Tawanui Farm is easily accessible from the Christchurch International Airport. I spent just over 15 hours to get to Christchurch (with a changeover in Singapore), which can bust the myth about New Zealand being the back of beyond.  

This working farm has been owned and managed by the Loughan family for six generations. As we reached, Tim, the modern Southern Man, received us with four friendly dogs who rode with us on his ATV to the farm accommodation.  

The farm has a choice of two geodesic domes and a slightly more luxurious A-Frame cabin. I lost the chance to occupy the A-Frame cabin in a draw of lots and it was probably for the best. The first thing I did was turn on the gas and fired up the hot tub that’s in the middle of the rolling greens of the farm.  

The only signs of life were sheep grazing in a pasture some distance away. It’s New Zealand and the 5:1 sheep: human ratio means that you’re more likely to encounter the adorable woolly creatures than people on any given day. Both geodesic domes are separated by the community room that also doubles up as the kitchen and dining facility for guests at the farm. The domes are encircled by kanuka and pine plantations and are powered by solar energy. It’s a good idea to leave those hairdryers in your suitcase. 

Breakfast is powered by local produce. I’d recommend a light breakfast especially if you sign up for a high-adrenaline jet-boat ride like I did. The Tawanui farm is the only jet-boat operator on the Hurunui River, giving the farm access to over 100km of the river. The high-speed jet boat takes you through the stunning scenery of the untamed coastline and North Canterbury farmland. Our captain took us through shallow river braids and narrow canyons. I can’t think of a better start to the day at speeds close to 80kmph, especially after a long night before at the local pub. The Hurunui River is steeped in New Zealand’s history and culture, for centuries, Māori, traversed these waters to source Pounamu (New Zealand greenstone, or jade).

There’s no better way to explore farm life in New Zealand than hopping aboard Tim’s ATV on a 90-minute farm tour that covers large tracts of this expansive 330-hectare farm. It’s almost a day in the life of a Southern Man as you watch sheep dogs in action and learn about how Tim’s family has been managing this farm and protecting the environment over generations. Tim opens up about some of the challenges that small farming families deal with on a day-to-day basis. You can try your hand at hand feeding the animals while you explore the farm. 

The Tawanui farm is just an hour away from Waipara Valley, which is home to iconic wineries like Pegasus Bay, Greystone and Black Estate that give you a taste of North Canterbury’s fine Pinot Noir, Riesling and Chardonnay.

Glamping is evolving, but Tawanui Farm isn't really about glamping—it's about what happens when you hand a man a gas-heated hot tub, a working farm, and no excuses. The Southern Man was always a fantasy. This is what the real version looks like.