After living in England, Australia, French Polynesia and France, David Hughes has settled in Whanganui - where he aims to grow heritage wheat.
Mr Hughes arrived a year ago, and has bought a house and 2.25 hectares in No2 Line at the top of Durie Hill. He has a patch ploughed up ready to sow a cover crop - and later 10 varieties of heritage wheat. He came to New Zealand after living in France for 15 years, because he wanted to be back in an English-speaking country. He chose this country because it was "less aggressive" than Australia, but with many of the same benefits.
He chose Whanganui after spending a weekend with Heritage Food Crops Research Trust director Mark Christensen.
Mr Christensen has been growing Monty's Surprise apples, heritage tomatoes and beans and introduced him to others with heritage food and organic interests.
Whanganui's other advantages were affordable properties and friendly people.