At the headwaters of the Shotover River, past Skippers Saddle and through the infamous
gorge, lies one of New Zealand’s last great high country stations. The Branches has been
home to gold miners, runholders, and farming families for over 150 years. This is the first
comprehensive history of this remarkable place and the people who have made it home.
From the gold rush pioneers who first worked the river flats, through generations of
farming families who battled snow, flood, and isolation, to the modern partnership that
now stewards 96,000 acres of pristine high country, The Branches tells the story of a
landscape that tests everyone who ventures beyond the end of the road.
Drawing on extensive interviews with those who
lived and worked there, archival records, and
previously unpublished photographs, this beautifully
illustrated book captures the spirit of a place where
traditional high country life endures. Meet Arthur
Borrell, who farmed the station for three decades and
became one of New Zealand’s most respected voices
for sustainable land management. Follow James and
Georgie Murray as they raise their children in one
of the country’s most isolated homesteads. Share the
adventures and challenges of the partnership families
who now ensure this iconic station’s future.
Whether you’re drawn to New Zealand’s rural heritage, high country adventure, or
simply a story of remarkable people in an extraordinary landscape, The Branches offers a
rare glimpse into a world few will ever see firsthand.