The Pass

About the Book

The Pass is a humorous yarn about the first eight years of John van Buren’s farming career. Set at Okuku Pass Station in North Canterbury, New Zealand, the book follows John as he learns the arts of farming, rodoeing, playing rugby and generally having a good time in rural New Zealand. Told in the manner of a good kiwi bloke, the story will have you laughing with and at the characters you meet along the way. Enjoy the mirth as you saddle up and ride your way through the pages of this epic tale, told in a gripping, no holds barred narrative.

About the Author

John van Buren began his farming career at Okuku Pass Station in 1980. He was seventeen years old. He worked his way up from a junior shepherd to the position of head shepherd by the time he left the Pass in 1989. He went on to work as a stud stock manager in Lyttelton Harbour, owned a successful gorse spraying business, leased a farm in partnership with a mate and then went on to lease the Wheatsheaf Tavern. John gave it all away to go gold mining underground in Australia. He currently lives with his wife and son in the Southwest of Australia.