A FARMER’S AFFAIR
The Legend of the Land Rover Icon

Written by Duncan Munro
PublishMe Publishing

Reviewed by John Oxley

“This story covers the Series 1 to the Defender 60th Anniversay SVX including the early Range Rover, early Discovery and others that make up ‘The Mix’.

“There are cowboys out there. There are safety freaks out there. I wish to live in the middle ground, and I believe that it is a healthy place that has risks.”

That’s a line from Duncan Munro’s new book “A Farmer’s Affair”, and it pretty much sums Duncan up. He’s a gentleman, and a gentle man, but he’s not scared to take risks, although he takes special care to mention that he also makes sure he can manage the risks and minimise them.

As a farmer, soldier and 4WD trainer and long-time Land Rover owner he’s certainly come across his fair share of risks. This book is just the latest.

“While the main off-road story is of my father’s and my experiences, this book profiles (or mentions) 35 other owners and their Land Rovers from a very wide cross-section of New Zealand, “ he says.

Maybe you’ll be in there as well. I certainly get a brief mention.

The best thing about Duncan’s book is the easy writing style. Those who have met Duncan – and he’s something of a legend in the 4WD world – will know that he’s a good storyteller – almost New Zealand’s answer to the Yorkshire vet turned author James Herriot.

And he tells lots of stories, interspersed with many family photos of him and his dad in action, as well as original photos of the family and the Pukerau farms east of Auckland. Simple stories, like the one of Clevedon sheep shearer Wally Scorrar and his ancient long wheelbase Land Rover station wagon, plus a tribute by Barry McAlley.

Said Duncan: “His last trip in the Land Rover was in the casket, a perfect fit in the back”.

In fact there are many cameos of local people and their Land Rovers, most of them with a touch of humour thrown in.

He also highlights owner vehicles, one of the most interesting being a picture and story about David Clark’s “Smokey”, a 1950 Series 1 believed to the oldest surviving Series 1 in New Zealand.

Some of the stories are illustrated with previously-published cartoons by well-known Kiwi cartoonist  David Henshaw – lots of them. And there are a few that David has drawn especially for Duncan and the book.

But Duncan doesn’t just stick to storytelling – that wouldn’t be true to the man himself.

So he intersperses many tips and truisms about four-wheel-driving, tips to help you progress better and to keep you safe – so much so that the book is worth buying for these alone, especially if you’re new to driving off-road.
Says Duncan: “Back country roads and off-road have fewer vehicles on them, but don’t take that for granted. Just about anywhere you drive today is deemed a road. You can get charged for ‘dangerous’ or ‘reckless’ driving in the back paddock too”. 

The way the book is written Duncan manages to pass on his wisdom in a light and cheerful way. You certainly don’t feel you’re being talked down to or preached at.

There are also lots of interesting stories on Duncan’s army service in Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam – usually with a Land Rover slant.

Duncan even manages to make army life amusing!

Duncan had not quite finalised his order for the first printing as I write, and my review was done on a pre-print proof copy.

He says the final printed copies will probably be hard-backed, then based on interest and viability, the reprints will be soft-cover for the same price.

Duncan has already received a lot of interest in the book, so he’s planning to produce a gift voucher for those who had planned to give the book as a Christmas present as the book will not be printed on time – albeit only by a couple of days.

Contact Duncan at Munro-Pukerau@xtra.co.nz for more details about the voucher. We are also expecting to have final details of pricing and where you can buy in our Annual issue.