Welcome to the ​Otago / Southland Regional Agritourism Network
Connect with agritourism operators across Otago and Southland, and nationally.

The Otago / Southland network brings together farmers, growers and rural tourism operators who are developing or running visitor experiences. It is a practical, supportive community for sharing ideas, visiting other businesses and building agritourism across the lower South Island.

About this regional network
Launched in October 2025, Otago / Southland was the first Agritourism NZ Regional Network. It covers the diverse rural areas of Otago and Southland and welcomes both established operators and people who are still exploring how agritourism could fit their farm or rural business.

To view upcoming events, CLICK HERE.

Not a member yet? CLICK HERE
​to join!

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Meet your Otago / Southland Regional Leaders

Nic Ruddenklau – Regional Leader, Otago
Nic lives on a fourth-generation sheep and beef farm in North Otago and runs the Little Red School House, an agritourism stay in a restored rural school inland from Oamaru. Her experience spans dairy, cropping, sheep and beef farming, wool and authentic rural visitor experiences.
Website: www.littleredschoolhouse.co.nz

Annabel Shadbolt – Regional Leader, Southland
Annabel lives and works on her partner’s family sheep and beef property in the Catlins. She is involved in the farm, Beresford Heights and Beresford Rise accommodation, food experiences and farm tours, and brings experience in agriculture, rural banking, insurance, sales and marketing.
Website: www.beresfordheights.nz

Jo Shannon – Regional Leader, Southland
Jo grew up on a sheep and beef farm in northern Manawatū and later developed agritourism accommodation and horse trekking experiences at Klifden Farm in Central Otago. She brings practical experience in farming, rural hosting and developing a new agritourism business.
Jo recently sold the farm in Central Otago and purchased another farm near Tuatapere, Southland.

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Past events

Photos of the May 2026 on-farm event: Auld Distillery, Western Southland

The second on-farm event of the Otago/Southland Regional Agritourism Network was held at Auld Farm Distillery in Otautau, Southland on 6th May 2026. A big thank you to Toni's hospitality, sharing their inspirational story and showing us around the whiskey and gin distillery.
Thanks also to all those that attended, the great discussions, challenges, how we can work together and hearing how our agritourism operators' season has been.

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Photos of the launch event on the 20th of October 2025. 

We did it! The first Agritourism NZ Regional Network: Otago / Southland was launched on the 20th of Oct 2025 at Welcome Rock in Garston. 

A BIG thank you to all agritourism operators who braved the elements (gale-force winds and torrential rains) to attend this festive occasion.

Everyone is excited to join this new network with the aim to collaborate, learn from each other and thrive. Smiles all around!
Thank you Tom O'Brien for hosting us in your woolshed, Jeff Grant for officially launching the first network, Joseph Mooney for his support and encouragement and Sean Lysaght for partnering with Agritourism NZ with his new Agritourism Insurance product (coming soon).
And last but not least, thanks to Thriving Southland for their collaboration and to AGMARDT (The Agricultural and Marketing Research and Development Trust) for believing in this project and funding the feasibility research. It wouldn't have happened without your help.
It's been a big job, and we look forward to rolling these out around NZ so we can continue building a thriving agritourism industry in NZ to help farmers diversify into successful agritourism experiences and delivering authentic experiences to our visitors.
Photography by Ben Amaral - Amaral Media www.benamaral.com

Click on photos to enlarge

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Your Agritourism NZ Otago/Southland Network Regional Leaders:

• Southland Regional Co- Leader: Annabel Shadbolt (Beresford Heights)
• Otago Regional Co-leader: Nic Ruddenklau (Little Red School House / Golden Gully Farming)
  
• Southland Regional Co-leader: Jo Shannon