Honest Means

- From the diary, works and life of Dave Osmers

The photographic life of a New Zealand high-country shepherd.

Dave Osmers was a southern-born, Christchurch raised mountaineer, who shepherded across the great landscapes of the South Island of New Zealand (Te Waka a Māui).

Over his many years among the mountains, Dave carried a camera by his side. His passion for photography took the shape of one of New Zealand's most comprehensive High Country historic recollections.

The deer winded us and took off, a mob of 18, and even with the snow up to three feet deep they travelled fast and didn’t look like stopping. So on we went knowing we would reach them before the head...

Having spent the last two hours of daylight working in water, I found my feet had lost all feeling, so instead of riding I walked the mile back to the hut...

Pen and paper

1950-1960's

Diary pages

"So I changed clothing,
saddled a fresh horse...
tied on the swag and set off on a journey of another two hours ride.

I arrived close on nine o’clock that night, and as it was still raining hard, my last lot of dry clothes were clinging wet..."

Late that afternoon ...
we had the sheep down the creek, but unable to travel over the highbluff with so many frozen parts.

Only one way out – keep crossing the creek or follow the creek between the steep sides.

At first it worked well, but when a sheep soaking wet touched the rockface, it froze to it instantly..."

"Noel’s smoking his pipe it has no flavour
What is the cause of this behaviour?

One eye on the ceiling and one on the wall,
he lies there waiting for blowflies to fall.

Gently blows smoke from out of his briar
Doug pokes out his head and says, “Cripes he’s on fire".”

Dave went on to help found a community in Makarora West, raised a beautiful family and was writing a book when he passed away.

My grandmother once told me he was inspired by The Family of Man, a global declaration of solidarity that followed World War II.

Our story

Venture into the high country

Honest Means is a journey of bracken and smoke - Of number 8 wire, worn boots and long roads.

While the book's in the works, some of the best moments can be found here.

I hope these chapters share with you the glimpse Dave shared with many of this precious way of living.
May it impress our need to preserve this beautiful land Aotearoa, which has undergone so many changes so quickly.

Thank you for sharing the journey.

Our store

Handmade fine art photography

Dave's work is available as high-quality giclée photography prints in fine-art format. Frames are handmade and I use recycled materials wherever possible.

Please enjoy exploring our catalogue. Just don't be late to embark on the journey ahead...

Huge gratitude to everyone who's encouraged this journey and shared stories of their own. May these precious memories always shine a light on the High Country of old.
-Dean (Dave's grandson)