The Branches

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 Drawing on extensive interviews with those who lived and worked there, archival records, and previously unpublished photographs, this beautifully illustrated book captures the spirit of a place where traditional high country life endures.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.