Welcome to a little slice of paradise in Kowai Bush, Springfield - 22 hectares of mixed farmland and wetland set in the foothills of the Torlesse Range - bordered by 2 lowland remnant forest bush reserves. While raising our three boys Alex, Blake and Fergus in Wellington, we came down for a ski holiday, and found this place for sale. With the mountains on our doorstep and a deep passion for the environment and biodiversity, we made the leap. Trading suburban life for the quiet of rural Canterbury, we set out to build something more meaningful - a life rooted in adventure, restoration of native ecosystems, and embracing change.

Kowai Bush is a small, quiet, historic settlement sitting alongside the TranzAlpine railway line with daily Christchurch-Greymouth return trips. It is home to two of the last remnants of indigenous lowland forest in Canterbury. Across the community there is a focus on reforesting the area and establishing a natural corridor to connect these two forest remnants.

Living in this beautiful part of rural Canterbury, we’ve made it a priority to support the land that supports us. Reestablishing biodiversity means restoring native plant life, encouraging pollinators, enhancing natural waterways, and slowly rebuilding the natural balance that once thrived here. For us, this is about creating a space that blends sustainable living, conservation, and community connection. With the help of local organisations, friends, neighbours and the occasional guest, we now have extensive native planting sitting alongside pasture.

We have a small number of sheep and cattle, two cats (Possum & Boots) and a delightfully bouncy heading sheepdog, Puffin.

A field with young plants in paper pots, spaced evenly, during daytime with clear blue sky.
A person walking along a field with small plants in paper bags, bordered by fencing and trees, under a blue sky.
Group of people planting small trees in a field under a blue sky with some clouds, hills, and a house in the background.
Snow-covered field with young plants in small pots, surrounded by a black wire fence. To the left, a path runs alongside a dense forest, with tall trees. In the background, snowy mountains under a cloudy sky.

We are keen outdoors people, and we’ve found our new base here at Torokiki the perfect place to explore the wider area. It’s also the perfect spot to wind down, enjoy the mountain views, have a sauna, read a book, or go for a quiet walk. Our location ensures easy access to the nearby Waimakariri River, jet boat tours, horse treks, and Mt Oxford walks. The local (and world-renowned) Craigieburn Valley ski fields are all less than an hour away, and walking and biking tracks are there also. Christchurch airport is also less than an hour away.

Email us at torokikinz@gmail.com if you’d like to get involved in our restoration work. There’s no expectation to get involved, but the opportunity is here for those who are interested. There are always more trees to be planted!

You can also email us if you’d like to stay, or book at Fantails Rest - Torokiki on Booking.com. We hope to see you soon!

Catherine Ross and Jeremy Randall