Kem Ormond is a features writer for NZME community newspapers and The Country.
Kem began her newspaper career in 1991 at the CHB Mail in Waipukurau, Central Hawke’s Bay. This has seen her in various roles from advertising, production, special publications and now feature writing for the NZME stable of communities as well as The Country. She is particularly enthusiastic about the rural sector having lived rurally most of her life. She enjoys writing about the larger-than-life rural characters that she comes across in her travels. Lifestyle, sustainability, vegetable gardening, rural history, and animals, especially The New Zealand War Horses, all interest her. She feels lucky to combine her passion for rural life with her passion for writing and being able to share it with readers. You can contact Kem at kem.ormond@nzme.co.nz.
Solar panels at St John station a 'game changer'
St John Wānaka says the whole community will benefit from the solar panels.
This plant looks like a huhu bug but don't let that put you off
Opinion: It's worthwhile checking turmeric out, as there are many benefits.
'His face badly cut': The perils of the horse and gig in 1911
Pastures Past: "A young lady fortunately fell clear of hoofs and wheels."
Why you should plant Luisa plum trees
Opinion: I am relatively new to this variety of plum, but I am now sold on it.
Kem Ormond discovers miner's lettuce so you don't have to
OPINION: Once you know what to look for, you will start seeing it everywhere.
Pastures past: Where have all the lambs and wool gone?
"The lambing percentage and wool clip per head had fallen from 1966-67 onwards."
Growing hops in the 1800s
Pastures Past: "The hop culture industry is about to be established in Wellington."
Kem Ormond's top tips for growing garlic - not rust
Opinion: I want to grow a good crop of garlic, but I seem to grow a good crop of rust!
Kem Ormond: Chelsea Flower Show a wealth of floral wonder
OPINION: I was drawn into the Great Pavilion with its dazzling displays.
Jersey stock was hard to beat in 1947
"England from a dairying point of view could not compare with New Zealand."
Pastures Past: Praise for 'hardy' Kiwi war horses
"Hardy useful mounts, free from beefiness,” could stand the South African heat in 1900.
Power to the people: When electricity arrived on-farm
“The country is now passing from the age of steam to the age of electricity."
The end of the line? What's in the pipeline for the rural landline
Opinion: Kem Ormond looks into the plight of rural landlines.
'Remember the rabbits!' Stoat and weasel threat predicted in 1889
500 stoats and weasels! Farmers and mothers, look out for your poultry and children!
Love on the land: How Kiwi couples farm together and stay together
Two farming couples share how they met and what makes them tick.
Traction engine debate heats up in 1891
Kem Ormond takes a look at what made the news back in the day.
Pastures Past: The week three tractor drivers died
Kem Ormond takes a look at what made the news back in the day.
'It was awesome': National open farm day a success
Around 4100 New Zealanders visited 25 farms last Sunday.
Polo? Yolo! Meet legend of the sport Curly, still got it at 77
Phillip 'Curly' Thompson is still playing polo at the age of 77.
From vines to fencelines: Old vineyard posts find a new home on-farm
Repost has been repurposing vineyard fence posts for the past four years.
Are rural school pet days still a thing?
OPINION: I remember the annual school pet day with much fondness.
Shear frustration from the 1930s to now
Kem Ormond takes a look at what made the news back in the day.
Possums and preserves: The joys of rural vegetable gardening
Harvesting should be in full swing at the moment for all you keen vegetable gardeners.
When blade shearing was king
Kem Ormond takes a look at what made the news back in the day.
The naked truth about gardening - it's a date!
"Gardening without clothes symbolises shedding the layers between us and nature."