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Michaela Gower
Multimedia Journalist, Hawke's Bay Today
Dannevirke and Hawke's Bay

Michaela Gower is a Multimedia Journalist with the Hawke's Bay Today.

Michaela began as a reporter at Hawke's Bay Today in October 2023 after completing three years of study towards a Bachelor of Communication majoring in journalism and minoring in media studies. She is particularly passionate about sharing positive and progressive stories about the farming industry and getting the stories of the back blocks into places where people read and can understand and learn more about the farming lifestyle. Michaela grew up on a sheep and beef farm and it had a real impact on who she is and what she likes to write about. She wanted to combine her passion for rural life with her passion for writing so decided from a young age she wanted to be a journalist, and pursued that dream ever since. Michaela hopes with each story she writes she can make a difference. You can contact Michaela at michaela.gower@nzme.co.nz.

Check out Michaela’s latest content
A farming mother thought her sore leg was a sports injury - it was a potentially terminal cancer
The Country

A farming mother thought her sore leg was a sports injury - it was a potentially terminal cancer

16 Jun 06:00 PM
On The Up: Gown on the farm - teen fashions ball dress from feed sacks and baling twine
The Country

On The Up: Gown on the farm - teen fashions ball dress from feed sacks and baling twine

12 Jun 01:55 AM

On The Up: Eve Hunter wanted to show the versatility of 'pre-loved farm waste'.

Premium
2.2 million gone: Sheep numbers almost half what they once were in Hawke's Bay
The Country

2.2 million gone: Sheep numbers almost half what they once were in Hawke's Bay

08 Jun 06:00 PM

'It’s looking like it’s going to become an industry that is not sustainable.'

From farm roots to vet career: New graduate's journey to change farmer perceptions
The Country

From farm roots to vet career: New graduate's journey to change farmer perceptions

28 May 06:00 PM

Sarah Fannin wants to work alongside farmers as an asset and an ally for animal health.

'It's pumping': How a rural mother's catering venture became a community staple
The Country

'It's pumping': How a rural mother's catering venture became a community staple

28 May 06:00 PM

A restaurant-quality meal, without travelling to town – it's a thriving business model.

Premium
'We wanted more': Four mums start their own health hub in rural town
The Country

'We wanted more': Four mums start their own health hub in rural town

14 May 06:00 PM

The clinic's family-friendly flexibility could help solve healthcare worker shortage.

Premium
'Opens the river': 1889 rabbit weir removed for fish passage
The Country

'Opens the river': 1889 rabbit weir removed for fish passage

30 Apr 06:00 PM

Built to slow a rabbit plague, the weir was removed but a 3D digital version will remain.

On The Up: 11-year-old dishing out 32 fillets after landing huge kingfish from beach
The Country

On The Up: 11-year-old dishing out 32 fillets after landing huge kingfish from beach

28 Apr 03:31 AM

'No one deserved something like this to happen to them more than Clancy.'

'Each one had their own story': Author explores WWII experiences
The Country

'Each one had their own story': Author explores WWII experiences

16 Apr 06:00 PM

'Don’t know what you don’t know until you go digging': Dannevirke man's historic journey.

Watch: ‘It’s an engineering marvel’: $824m highway completion draws closer
The Country

Watch: ‘It’s an engineering marvel’: $824m highway completion draws closer

03 Apr 05:00 PM

'The thing that jumps out is it feels like a highway now.'

Premium
Selling stations: Farm developer on why he's moving on from his 'happy place'
The Country

Selling stations: Farm developer on why he's moving on from his 'happy place'

31 Mar 05:00 PM

'I feel like that place needs to go now to someone who can take it to the next level.'

Premium
The farmer ending the awkwardness of borrowing from bank of mum and dad
The Country

The farmer ending the awkwardness of borrowing from bank of mum and dad

26 Mar 05:00 PM

Lending to friends and family can be fraught business. Tom Aitken's created the solution.

Premium
‘What is there to lose?’ Couple take over one of North Island’s most remote pubs
The Country

‘What is there to lose?’ Couple take over one of North Island’s most remote pubs

19 Mar 05:00 PM

Five families from the area purchased the pub in 2024 so the community wouldn’t lose it.

In search of a new home: The creepy crawlies moving south from Auckland
The Country

In search of a new home: The creepy crawlies moving south from Auckland

14 Mar 05:00 PM

Huntsman spiders are not the only insects establishing themselves in new parts of NZ.

'Iconic': The big plan for one of NZ's oldest rātā trees
The Country

'Iconic': The big plan for one of NZ's oldest rātā trees

12 Mar 05:00 PM

A conservation project the size of 88 rugby fields will surround it.

A life spent 'going towards things that everybody else is running away from'
The Country

A life spent 'going towards things that everybody else is running away from'

07 Mar 05:00 PM

Te Arohanui Cook is the first woman in a leadership role in brigade’s 110-year history.

Premium
'Huge impact': The farmer surrounded by pines on every side
The Country

'Huge impact': The farmer surrounded by pines on every side

26 Feb 05:00 PM

'The pine trees are taking over - there is not much farmland left.'

'Don’t steal my fish': Orca battle fishermen who hooked massive competition tuna
The Country

'Don’t steal my fish': Orca battle fishermen who hooked massive competition tuna

19 Feb 05:00 PM

'Some orca have clearly learned that fishing lines can equate to an easy meal.'

Pretty with a purpose: How sunflowers are helping bring back the goodness to cyclone-hit soils
The Country

Pretty with a purpose: How sunflowers are helping bring back the goodness to cyclone-hit soils

12 Feb 11:10 PM

The crop will never be harvested, but it serves a very important purpose.

‘Nothing has changed, we have just added to it’: A&P show excitement builds
The Country

‘Nothing has changed, we have just added to it’: A&P show excitement builds

22 Jan 01:03 AM

Dannevirke A&P Show returns in 2025 'bigger and better', with new events.

Premium
‘In the right area’: Mayor says new Dannevirke mill is compliant after seven noise complaints
The Country

‘In the right area’: Mayor says new Dannevirke mill is compliant after seven noise complaints

16 Jan 12:52 AM

'It’s a new business and they have invested heavily and it’s in the right area.'

Premium
'We are trying to farm worms': Farmer fighting his way out of drench resistance 'disaster'
The Country

'We are trying to farm worms': Farmer fighting his way out of drench resistance 'disaster'

23 Dec 05:00 PM

Farmer says he’s not just farming sheep any more, he’s “trying to farm worms”.

Premium
Water-efficient orchards: How tech is helping Hawke’s Bay growers
The Country

Water-efficient orchards: How tech is helping Hawke’s Bay growers

22 Dec 05:00 PM

'It is a much more efficient way of getting twice as many apples using a lot less water.'

Getting Through: New Farmstrong resources for farmers after severe weather
The Country

Getting Through: New Farmstrong resources for farmers after severe weather

17 Nov 05:00 PM

Hawke’s Bay farmers share recovery stories in book and website launch.

Premium
This cider was an 'act of desperation' - now it's NZ's best
The Country

This cider was an 'act of desperation' - now it's NZ's best

06 Nov 01:09 AM

Paul Paynter’s plum orchards fell into a 'watery grave and died' so he had to pivot.

From seeds to giants: The transformation of Hawke's Bay's Little Redwoods
The Country

From seeds to giants: The transformation of Hawke's Bay's Little Redwoods

05 Nov 05:00 PM

Little Redwood Grove at Te Mata Park turns 50.

Watch: Increasingly loud highway bridge becoming 'unnerving' to cross, truckie says
The Country

Watch: Increasingly loud highway bridge becoming 'unnerving' to cross, truckie says

02 Nov 05:00 PM

New decking is to blame for the 'increased noise'.

Yummy Fruit Company turns 50 amid cyclone recovery
The Country

Yummy Fruit Company turns 50 amid cyclone recovery

27 Oct 12:50 AM

John Paynter reflects on 50 years, noting 'I wouldn’t have changed too much'.

Meteorologist says Hawke’s Bay is the place to be this weekend
The Country

Meteorologist says Hawke’s Bay is the place to be this weekend

25 Oct 01:21 AM

As the A&P show wraps up attention turns to the rest of the long weekend.

Show stunner in Hawke’s Bay: A&P Society's new format kicks off with sunny skies and big crowds
The Country

Show stunner in Hawke’s Bay: A&P Society's new format kicks off with sunny skies and big crowds

24 Oct 02:35 AM

Wear sunscreen, a hat and take water, organisers advise the thousands.

Freestyle motocross debuts at show amid 27C heat
The Country

Freestyle motocross debuts at show amid 27C heat

21 Oct 03:04 AM

Fan favourites and high temperatures for the town meets country fun.

Premium
The science behind Dannevirke's odourless shelter of steaming cow poo
The Country

The science behind Dannevirke's odourless shelter of steaming cow poo

03 Sep 05:00 AM

A farmer uses the manure from its 650-cow-shelter to make its own fertiliser.

Premium
Selaks, a 90-year Hawke’s Bay winemaking institution, says low alcohol is the trend
The Country

Selaks, a 90-year Hawke’s Bay winemaking institution, says low alcohol is the trend

30 Aug 06:00 PM

The winery reflects on its humble beginnings to embrace innovation and the future.

Premium
'With me and pork, it just clicks': Butcher apprentice mastering his trade
The Country

'With me and pork, it just clicks': Butcher apprentice mastering his trade

08 Aug 10:00 PM

Butcher apprentice to take his skills to Paris and compete in World Butchers’ Challenge.

Proposed Tararua District Council bylaw gives power to deal with complaints
The Country

Proposed Tararua District Council bylaw gives power to deal with complaints

01 Aug 06:00 PM

Council bylaws are causing a stir with the A&P Show Association in Dannevirke.

Rural ladies who lunch: Gemma McCaw coming to Dannevirke
The Country

Rural ladies who lunch: Gemma McCaw coming to Dannevirke

28 Jul 04:00 PM

Tararua Rural Support Trust encouraging ladies off the farm for day of connection and fun.

Premium
'It winds the whole community down': Rural school bus changes kick in
The Country

'It winds the whole community down': Rural school bus changes kick in

21 Jul 11:26 PM

'You've got potentially 400 kids sitting on the side of the road next year.'

‘I saw some terrible stuff’: Retired rural hero reflects on Cyclone Gabrielle
The Country

‘I saw some terrible stuff’: Retired rural hero reflects on Cyclone Gabrielle

07 Jul 07:49 PM

When the cyclone struck one retired farmer knew he had the skills to lend a hand.

'They were part way up the tree': Sheep surrounded by flood water lifted to safety
The Country

'They were part way up the tree': Sheep surrounded by flood water lifted to safety

27 Jun 02:04 AM

'I drove past and looked at them and thought ‘crap they are going to have to move’.'

Escaped sheep alert people to theft of tools, fuel and machinery at Showgrounds
The Country

Escaped sheep alert people to theft of tools, fuel and machinery at Showgrounds

22 Jun 10:53 PM

Sheep out on the football field alerted people to a theft at the showgrounds.

Purple patch after theft: Bay Blueberries bounces back with industry security advice
The Country

Purple patch after theft: Bay Blueberries bounces back with industry security advice

16 Jun 11:58 PM

Events and workshops will attract growers, exporters and suppliers.

Keeping it Smedley: Trees grown on farm transformed into education facilities by cadets
The Country

Keeping it Smedley: Trees grown on farm transformed into education facilities by cadets

16 Jun 06:00 PM

The cadets built an education hub. Now their attention is focused on a six-stand woolshed.

Central Hawke’s Bay residents feel ‘ripped off’ by fuel prices
The Country

Central Hawke’s Bay residents feel ‘ripped off’ by fuel prices

08 Jun 06:55 PM

Andrew Northe says 91 prices are consistently 30c/l higher than in neighbouring Hastings.

Premium
'It had to be done': Why a section of Napier-Gisborne railway line is being taken away
The Country

'It had to be done': Why a section of Napier-Gisborne railway line is being taken away

19 May 06:00 PM

A railway line in northern Hawke's Bay is being removed to move the eroding road over.

Exhibition hopes for a revival in art of woollen crafts
The Country

Exhibition hopes for a revival in art of woollen crafts

13 May 03:20 AM

'Unless we get young people to come on board and show an interest, these crafts will die.'

Premium
'Getting the cows, learning lines': From a dairy hamlet to Shakespeare
The Country

'Getting the cows, learning lines': From a dairy hamlet to Shakespeare

08 May 01:37 AM

A rural actor who learns lines amongst cows is set to be front stage at the Globe.

Premium
'Came out the other end': One of NZ's top organic farmers on how she healed the land and herself
The Country

'Came out the other end': One of NZ's top organic farmers on how she healed the land and herself

06 May 12:00 AM

It took a life-changing diagnosis for Charlotte Heald to realise what she should focus on.

Premium
'A bit of banter': Competition on the maimai still high after 35 years of father-son duck shooting
The Country

'A bit of banter': Competition on the maimai still high after 35 years of father-son duck shooting

05 May 03:00 AM

'If someone does a terrible shot we let them know.'

Premium
Central Hawke's Bay WWII veteran: 'It’s crazy, isn’t it, killing a human being?'
The Country

Central Hawke's Bay WWII veteran: 'It’s crazy, isn’t it, killing a human being?'

24 Apr 06:00 PM

Veteran says luck was on his side during his time fighting in WWII.

Premium
'I sat down and made a personal commitment': Dealing with disaster
The Country

'I sat down and made a personal commitment': Dealing with disaster

22 Apr 10:09 PM

Tessa Appleby's resilient nature saw her get through the cyclone and thrive as a leader.

Cunning trout try to evade anglers at Fish & Game open day
The Country

Cunning trout try to evade anglers at Fish & Game open day

19 Apr 12:51 AM

Trout fishing is encouraged at the Fish & Game wetland ponds.

'Plague-like proportions': Mice invade homes in Central Hawke's Bay
The Country

'Plague-like proportions': Mice invade homes in Central Hawke's Bay

15 Apr 04:00 AM

Pourerere plagued with rodents as cooler temperatures draw mice into homes.

'Pretty useful genetics': Why one region is set for a deer hunting boon in coming years
The Country

'Pretty useful genetics': Why one region is set for a deer hunting boon in coming years

13 Apr 06:00 PM

Farmed animals escaped during the cyclone and will have mated with the wild population.

'Ready to go': Exotic sheep breeder hangs up the gumboots
The Country

'Ready to go': Exotic sheep breeder hangs up the gumboots

31 Mar 05:00 AM

Wimbledon resident reflects on ups and downs of farming career.

Premium
Top gun: HB sharpshooter bags deer, gifts it to soldiers then joins army
The Country

Top gun: HB sharpshooter bags deer, gifts it to soldiers then joins army

26 Feb 12:01 AM

A farmer turned sharp shooter can now knock the top off a bottle from 300 metres.

Puketapu still divided geographically, but the community has never been stronger
The Country

Puketapu still divided geographically, but the community has never been stronger

10 Feb 01:00 AM

'You work your way through it and then all of a sudden it seems like a dream.'

At least 50 lambs dead after van and stock truck crash, overturning trailer
The Country

At least 50 lambs dead after van and stock truck crash, overturning trailer

08 Feb 02:08 AM

The angle of the overturned trailer meant deaths were inevitable, company says.

Hawke's Bay Megafish winner hauls in 104.8kg fish and over $30,000 in prizes
The Country

Hawke's Bay Megafish winner hauls in 104.8kg fish and over $30,000 in prizes

04 Feb 03:46 AM

He said it 'hurt' to reel in the fish due to its massive size.

'Team effort': Tropical tuna hauled aboard by family near Cape Kidnappers
The Country

'Team effort': Tropical tuna hauled aboard by family near Cape Kidnappers

05 Jan 01:52 AM

Forget tuna in a can, fishers are catching them fresh - and big.

Premium
'I don’t want him forgotten': Details of historic Waimārama drowning emerge
The Country

'I don’t want him forgotten': Details of historic Waimārama drowning emerge

02 Jan 11:09 PM

Adele Mohi-McGoverin has cared for an old gravesite for 50 years.

The echo of the huntaway will be heard again
The Country

The echo of the huntaway will be heard again

24 Dec 07:44 PM

Dog trials are now able to recommence in Ākitio after extensive cyclone repairs.

'I didn't care how long it took': Logging boss turns kiwi enthusiast
The Country

'I didn't care how long it took': Logging boss turns kiwi enthusiast

09 Dec 05:00 PM

There were no deaths of the national bird during a delicate pine harvest.

Twice bittern: Trapper spots rare native bird for second time
The Country

Twice bittern: Trapper spots rare native bird for second time

07 Dec 04:30 AM

Conservation group ensuring a safe home for rare bird.

Underwater drone to keep an eye on leaky Dannevirke dam
The Country

Underwater drone to keep an eye on leaky Dannevirke dam

04 Dec 12:53 AM

The council says the cost of the underwater vehicle is expected to be less than $50,000.

'We get less for the wool than what it costs to shear it'
The Country

'We get less for the wool than what it costs to shear it'

01 Dec 05:00 PM

There is hope on the horizon for wool products thanks to a new Government policy.

The easy way to profit from a Tararua farm? Show it to the tourists
The Country

The easy way to profit from a Tararua farm? Show it to the tourists

27 Nov 01:00 AM

Cecil and Mathew Radford created the ultimate holiday spot in the back blocks.

From one farmer to another: 'It's okay to cry'
The Country

From one farmer to another: 'It's okay to cry'

22 Nov 10:40 PM

Matt Holden was at rock bottom, but now he wants to help others in the rural sector.

Premium
In darkness, avoiding a sting, a million bees cross the Hawke's Bay border
The Country

In darkness, avoiding a sting, a million bees cross the Hawke's Bay border

19 Nov 12:10 AM

This was what beekeepers had been desperate for after the cyclone flooded many hives.

Free fencing and the chance to receive a free tractor provides relief for farmers
The Country

Free fencing and the chance to receive a free tractor provides relief for farmers

15 Nov 11:26 PM

The Commence the Re-Fence initiative now provides free materials as well as labour.

Two sheep killed in saleyards as dogs attack flock that had just been sold
The Country

Two sheep killed in saleyards as dogs attack flock that had just been sold

07 Nov 02:19 AM

A man loading more than 300 ewes into a truck watched as dogs sent a flock into a frenzy.

'I haven’t heard them complain': The jobseekers who rebuilt Tararua's cyclone-smashed farm fences
The Country

'I haven’t heard them complain': The jobseekers who rebuilt Tararua's cyclone-smashed farm fences

03 Nov 02:24 AM

Through the tough winter months, this team kept showing up for the greater good.

Premium
'It was a well-supported decision': Tararua Mayor defends donation to France museum
The Country

'It was a well-supported decision': Tararua Mayor defends donation to France museum

02 Nov 05:00 PM

Collis this month attended the opening of the museum on a trip she paid for herself.

Signed ball from Rugby School helps East Coast farmers take the strain
The Country

Signed ball from Rugby School helps East Coast farmers take the strain

26 Oct 11:58 PM

All Blacks have lent their signatures for the charity auction.

Demolition of the old Waikare Gorge Bridge set to start
The Country

Demolition of the old Waikare Gorge Bridge set to start

26 Oct 10:33 PM

The old Waikare Gorge Bridge will come down eight months after cyclone.

‘We did it’: First fully certified organic milk leaves Norsewood farm
Dairy

‘We did it’: First fully certified organic milk leaves Norsewood farm

26 Oct 09:15 PM

It's been a 5-year journey to convert from a conventional operation into an organic one.

Premium
Cyclone, then tractor accident: How one farming mum picked up the pieces of a tough year
The Country

Cyclone, then tractor accident: How one farming mum picked up the pieces of a tough year

06 Oct 05:00 PM

Lou White was juggling a lot: 'Us busy mums, we get through day by day.'

Hawke’s Bay records above average temperatures for September
The Country

Hawke’s Bay records above average temperatures for September

04 Oct 12:22 AM

Wairoa led the way with smashing temperature records last month.

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