Meet the character
Meet Farmer Bracken
Farmer Bracken is a small kiwi with a farm to look after and a remarkable ability to find himself in situations that weren't quite part of the plan.
He lives quietly in the New Zealand countryside, where there are fences to mend, animals to feed, gates that won't cooperate and weather that has absolutely no interest in making his life easier.
Bracken isn't a superhero. He's not particularly graceful, and he doesn't always know what he's doing.
But he gives things a go.
Whether he's battling a Canterbury nor'wester, heading into town, helping a neighbour or simply trying to get through an ordinary day on the farm, Bracken approaches life with determination, kindness and the occasional cup of tea.
A Little Piece of New Zealand
Bracken's world was inspired by rural New Zealand — its farms, small towns, changing seasons, native wildlife and the particular kind of humour that comes from carrying on when everything has gone slightly pear-shaped.
His adventures are made for children, but there are plenty of little moments tucked into them for the grown-ups too.
At heart, Farmer Bracken is about home, kindness, curiosity and giving things a go.
How Bracken Began
Farmer Bracken was created by New Zealand-born photographer Mandy Stadther, now living in Minnesota in the United States.
After more than 40 years working in photography, Mandy began creating images inspired by the New Zealand she missed — the landscapes, rural characters and everyday moments that still felt like home from thousands of miles away.
One little brown kiwi kept appearing.
He acquired a patched vest, a red scarf and a pair of gumboots. Then he acquired a farm.
Before long, he had friends, neighbours, jobs to do, places to visit and far more adventures than anyone had planned for him.
His name was Farmer Bracken.
And Now There's a Book
What began as a collection of images eventually became Farmer Bracken's first book — a journey through a year in the life of one determined little kiwi.
And his story isn't finished.
There are more places to visit, more people to meet and, almost certainly, more things for Bracken to get spectacularly wrong along the way.
He's only just getting started.