The first thing you spot to your right as you emerge from the Ashhurst side of the new highway into Manawatū is what looks like a humble shed.

Head a little closer and you'll discover the Gorge Quarter Store - a repurposed farm shed turned thoughtfully designed cafe and store, serving delicious Kokako coffee, cabinet favourites like pistachio cookies, and scooped Kapiti ice cream. The Gorge Quarter Store sits on the family farm of Amy Anderson, who owns it with her husband Mark. Together, they wanted to creatw a place that felt like old-school New Zealand: warm, unpretentious and nostalgic. "it's humble and a little bit yum," she says. "We've reused and repurposed everything we could - even the clay for the pottery we sell came from under the piles when we built."

Local pruducts are showcased, from walnuts grown on the family farm to handmade pottery and gifts. It's also become a meeting point for travellers and locals, including runners, walkers, and cyclists exploring the new shared pathway alongside the highway or the nearby Tawa Loop Track - a 4.2km forest walk that takes around 90 minutes.

With birdsong in the air and native bush all around, the store is the perfect place to stop and catch up. As Amy says, "Te Āpiti was screaming out for something like this - a place to stop, stretch and connect. Positioned at the gateway to our region, the Gorge Quarter Store gives a warm Manawatū welcome to visitors and locals alike."

Parking for the Gorge Quarter Store is in the Western Gateway Park, which is also the starting point for the Tawa Loop Track.

Just out of Ashhurst, you'll find one of the region's iconic spots, The Herb Farm. Established in 1993, it began as a one-women operation from founder Lyn Kirkland's kitchen.

Today, it is a thriving wellness business and cafe, shipping producs across New Zealand and around the world.

Lyn's daughter Sarah Cowan, now manages the business, continuing the family's passion for natural, sustainable skincare and wellbeing. Everything in the retail store - from best-selling Wild Yam Cream to their therapeutic balms - is made onsite using herbs grown onsite in the gardens.

"As you wander around, many of the herbs you see and smell are picked, extracted, and turned into the products you can buy here at our retail store or online," Sarah explains. "People love knowing it's all grown, made, and packaged onsite and it's something we're really proud of."

"It's incredible how far we've come," Sarah says. "From Mum's kitchen table to an internationally recognised wellness brand, but the philosophy hasn't changed it's all about using what nature gives us, creating honest products, and helping people feel good."