[2][3] In 1994 Fernyhough and Alan Duff co-founded the Duffy Books in Homes scheme, using commercial sponsorship and government support.

The scheme aims to alleviate poverty and illiteracy by providing low-cost books to underprivileged children, thus encouraging them to read.

[6] Despite not having any farming background, Fernyhough made a success of the station, selling it ten years later in 2014 to move back to Parnell.

[9][6] In 2019 Fernyhough published a book about her mid-century collection of furniture, china and Kiwiana, kept at The Butterfly House, a bach at Mangawhai which she bought with her second husband.

[1][11] In the 1999 Queen's Birthday Honours Fernyhough was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to education and the community.