Harry Ronald Vine (1914-1994) was a preeminent New Zealand agricultural journalist whose career spanned from 1934 until 1975. Working primarily for The New Zealand Farmer, he became one of New Zealand’s earliest and most widely read science communicators leading discussions on diverse topics including appropriate land use and erosion and foremost investigations of the nature and efficacy of aerial topdressing.

The collection documents the earlier part of Vine’s career as the Great Depression was easing and capital was becoming available, bush sickness was remedied, and agri-chemistry was delivering improved results. In this time of North Island land development Vine focused on marginal lands and the efforts of farmers and agriculturists to establish their land and stock and secure future prosperity.

Vine’s subjects were farmers, rural workers, heads of agricultural associations, Māori farming communities and native schools. His understanding of their personal challenges earned him a level of trust newspapermen seldom enjoyed on farms.