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.
![How to make sweet chilli sauce - from your own chillies, no less](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
How to make sweet chilli sauce - from your own chillies, no less
Opinion: Chillies are relatively easy to grow and take very little looking after.
![‘I howled with laughter’ - The Bitches' Box reviewed](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
‘I howled with laughter’ - The Bitches' Box reviewed
Review: Kem Ormond checks out The Bitches' Box.
![Why this Aussie inspector refused to drink NZ milk in 1937](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Why this Aussie inspector refused to drink NZ milk in 1937
Pastures Past: Aussie inspector praised Kiwi dairy farmers - except for one thing.
![Solar panels at St John station a 'game changer'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
'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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
The end of the line? What's in the pipeline for the rural landline
Opinion: Kem Ormond looks into the plight of rural landlines.
![Is this the answer to the olive oil shortage?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Is this the answer to the olive oil shortage?
Opinion: The looming olive oil crisis may be a chance to dip your finger into another oil.
!['Remember the rabbits!' Stoat and weasel threat predicted in 1889](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
'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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
'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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Shear frustration from the 1930s to now
Kem Ormond takes a look at what made the news back in the day.
![The lawn mowers are back and ready to race](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
The lawn mowers are back and ready to race
Watch the lawnmowers racing at Central Districts Field Days.
![Possums and preserves: The joys of rural vegetable gardening](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
When blade shearing was king
Kem Ormond takes a look at what made the news back in the day.
![Dolly the Warhorse statue aimed for unveiling in 2026](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Dolly the Warhorse statue aimed for unveiling in 2026
The fundraising goes on for Dolly the Warhorse.
![Purple Poppy Day honours animals that have served in conflict](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Purple Poppy Day honours animals that have served in conflict
How Paddy, the Irish terrier, became a mascot in World War I.
![Call for urban Kiwis to try farm experience](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Call for urban Kiwis to try farm experience
The Open Farms initiative aims to reconnect urban and rural kiwis.
![The Big Wet to the Big Feed: The rural year that was 2023](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
The Big Wet to the Big Feed: The rural year that was 2023
Kem Ormond takes a look at the big rural events of 2023.
![The naked truth about gardening - it's a date!](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
The naked truth about gardening - it's a date!
"Gardening without clothes symbolises shedding the layers between us and nature."
![Lifting Sri Lankan smallholder dairy farms out of poverty](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Lifting Sri Lankan smallholder dairy farms out of poverty
With hard work, planning and determination, Selina Prem Kumar's dream has come true.
![Northland dairy farmers helping kiwi thrive](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Northland dairy farmers helping kiwi thrive
You never get tired of that beautiful distinctive call on a moonlit night.”
![Girls who Grow initiative sowing the seeds of success for young women](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Girls who Grow initiative sowing the seeds of success for young women
The initiative is helping to forge a career pathway for young women in agriculture.
![Opinion: Farm planning essential for El Niño](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Opinion: Farm planning essential for El Niño
Opinion: Brace for a variety of challenges and remember, contractors can play a part.
![Winegrower toasts gradual recovery after Gabrielle](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Winegrower toasts gradual recovery after Gabrielle
Lesley Wilson can at last see the light at the end of the tunnel.
![Opinion: The life of an auctioneer](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Opinion: The life of an auctioneer
Opinion: PGG Wrightson's Cam Heggie knows the ups and downs of being an auctioneer.
![Why yearlings are gaining popularity](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Why yearlings are gaining popularity
Opinion: Many yearlings are now being introduced into the breeding regime.
![Agricultural-based training in the community](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Agricultural-based training in the community
Land Based Training has more than 40 sites throughout New Zealand.
![Rural Support Trust: Helping in tough times](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Rural Support Trust: Helping in tough times
The Rural Support Trust is there for farmers and the rural community.
![Opinion: The benefits of rural schooling](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Opinion: The benefits of rural schooling
Opinion: Rural schools are often the hub of the community.
![A racehorse story too incredible to be true?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
A racehorse story too incredible to be true?
Takapau-bred Moifaa went on to win the 1904 Grand National at Aintree.
![Calf rearing: From paddock to pen](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Calf rearing: From paddock to pen
Calves in NZ tend to face more challenges than elsewhere due to high numbers being reared.
![Want chickens? Here's what you need to know](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Want chickens? Here's what you need to know
Raising hens in your backyard? Forget the roosters.