AhuwhenuaAwardsopportunityforMāori sheepandbeeffarmers
B+LNZencouragesMāorisheepand beeffarmerstoconsiderentering theprestigious2025Ahuwhenua MāoriTrophycompetitionforsheepand beeffarming.B+LNZisasponsorofthe competitiontocelebrateexcellencein Māorifarming.
B+LNZisaproudsponsorofthis competitionwhichseekstorecognise andcelebrateexcellenceinMāorisheep andbeeffarming.
Entriesareopenandcloseon13 December2024.
CharlesTaituha,B+LNZ’sPouhere RautakiAhuwhenuaMāori(Māori AgribusinessStrategyLead)encourages Māorifarmers,trusts,andentitiesacross Aotearoatoparticipate.
“It’sanexcellent opportunitytoshowcase yourmahiandgain valuablefeedbackfrom industryprofessionals. TheAhuwhenuaAwards isafantasticcelebration ofthecontributionsof MāoritoNewZealand’s agriculturesector.”
“We’recommittedtopartnerwith farmstosupporttheirjourneytobeing anaward-winningfarmingbusiness. Soevenifyoudon’tmakeitthrough tobeingafinalist,there’salotof valueinapplyingandcapturingyour achievements.”
“GetintouchwiththeB+LNZMāori Agribusinessteamwhocanprovide supportforyourapplication.”
Charlesalsoencouragesyoung farmerstoconsiderputtingthemselves forwardfortheAhuwhenuaYoungMāori FarmerorGrowerAward.
2015winnerandnow Chair,NukuhiaHadfield sharesherexperience:
NukuhiaHadfield,AhuwhenuaTrophy Chairwoman,B+LNZFarmerCouncillor andfarmersays,“Itisarealprivilegeto holdtheroleofChairfortheAhuwhenua TrophyCompetitionandtobeableto supportentrantsinthesamewaywe werewhenweentered.
“Havinggonethroughourown Ahuwhenuajourneyfrombeingan entrant,namedasafinalistandthen beingtheeventualwinner,Iknow firsthandthepositiveeffectAhuwhenua
hashadonourfarmingbusiness.
“Iamhumbledtobepartofsucha worthykaupapaanddedicatedteamthat supportsMāoriexcellenceinagriculture andhorticulture.
“TheAhuwhenuaTrophyis asrelevantnowasitwas whenitwasfirstheldin 1933.Ratherthanthegoal ofincreasingproficiencyin farmingfromthoseearlydays, wenowhavefarmsthatare performinginthetopechelon
NukuhiaHadfield,AhuwhenuaTrophyChairwoman.
ofAotearoa.Havingovercome manyobstaclestobeableto reachsuchachievementsis somethingthatweneedto acknowledgeandcelebrate. Italsogivesinspirationand guidancetootherwhanauwho areworkinghardtogetthe verybestfromtheirwhenua. Itallowsustoshowhowwe haveadapted,learntand implementedpracticesthat havebenefitsforwhanauhapu iwiandAotearoa.
“Theimportanceofthiskaupapais thatweprovidetheplatformandsupport forourMāorifarmersandgrowersto beabletosharetheirfarming/growing journeytoTeAoMāoriandthewider Aotearoacommunity.
Itallowsusalltolearnaboutthe fantasticandinnovativethingsthat arehappeningonthewhenuaand tocometogethertocelebratethe growthandexcellencethatourentrants demonstrate.
“Beingnamedasthewinnersofthe SheepandBeefCompetitionin2015is definitelyahighlight,wasnervewracking attimes,butanexperienceIwillforever begratefulfor.
“Havingwhanauenteringand becomingfinalistsandalsoawinneris anotherhighlight.
TobehonesteverytimeIhavethe privilegetostepontosomeone’swhenua andlearnwhatandhowtheyaredoing thingsisalwaysahighlight,”shesays.
TheAhuwhenuaTrophycompetition, whichbeganin1933,remainsa prestigioussymbolofMāoriachievement intheagriculturalsector.
Moreinformationaboutenteringthe competition,judgingcriteria,andkey datescanbefoundhere: www.ahuwhenuatrophy.maori.nz/enter/ sheepandbeef-competition
REFORM: Conversationsaboutunitaryauthoritiesarehappeningallaroundthe country,andtheydeservefurtherinvestigation,SandraFaulkersays.
Timetoconsiderchangetolocal govtstructures
BySandraFaulkner, FederatedFarmerslocal governmentspokesperson
Councilratesareontheriseacross thecountry,withanaverage increaseof15%forthe2025 financialyearalone.
Formanyofourfarmingfamilies,that representsthousandsofdollarstaken outoftheirbudgetatatimewhenthings arealreadyincrediblytight.
Atthesametime,farmersare frustratedwithalocalgovernment systemthatgrowsincreasingly ideological,divided,andremovedfrom therealityofrurallife.
Wesawanannouncementfrom thePrimeMinisterlastmonththatthe Governmentismovingtoaddressthe shortcomingsofourlocalgovernment sector.
Inprinciple,thismeansgettinglocal government‘backtobasics’andcutting outwhatmanyperceiveaswastefulor ‘nicetohave’spending.
Inpractice,itmeanstighteningthe mandateoflocalgovernmenttofocus onprovidingrobustlocalinfrastructure andeffectivepublicservicesand performingtheirregulatoryfunctionsina businesslikemanner.
It’sbettertodoafewthingswell ratherthanmanythingspoorly.
We’vealsorecentlyseenamajor announcementfromtheGovernment thatreformofthedatedandbroken ResourceManagementActisunderway –andthere’samoodforchange.
Theintentionistohavefewer resourceconsentsandmorelocal control,withafocusonoutcomesand propertyrights.
Itissaidthatformshouldfollow
functionand,withthefunctionchanging, Ithinknowistheperfecttimetoconsider whethertheformisright.
AsafarmerandformerGisborne DistrictCouncillor,I’veseenlocal governmentupcloseandpersonalfrom bothsidesofthefence.I’veseenwhat worksandwherethepinchpointscan be.
Inmyview,Gisborneisincredibly luckytobeservedbywhat’sknownas a‘UnitaryAuthority’,whereonesingle councilhasresponsibilityforboth environmentalregulationandurban development.
Withapopulationjustover50,000 residents,thisallowsustheefficiency ofasinglelayeroflocalgovernment withouttoomuchdistancebetweenthe councilandthepeopletheyserve.
Itis,inessence,trulylocal government.
Othercouncilswithsimilarlocal governmentarrangementsinclude Auckland,Nelson,Tasmanand Marlborough.
WiththeGovernment’snewfocuson havingfewerplansandmorestreamlined functions,nowmaybetherighttimeto considerwhetherthismodelcouldsuit otherpartsofthecountrytoo.
Infact,manypartsofthecountryare alreadyengaginginthisconversation.
We’verecentlyseenaproposal fromfarmersinCanterburyforaSouth Canterburyunitarycouncil.
Inthecontextofallthereformthat’s beenannounced,Ithinkitmakesalotof sense.
DistrictcouncilsinMackenzie andWaimatehavefewerthan10,000 residentseach,whichisfranklytoosmall tosupportamoderncouncil.
Atthesametime,theseruraland provincialratepayersarefeeling increasinglydisenfranchisedbytheir
primarilyurbanregionalcouncillocated morethan200kmaway.
Mergingintounitaryauthoritycould simultaneouslyincreasethelocal connectionoftheirenvironmentalpolicy whileaddressingthechallengesof runningacouncilforasmallpopulation.
Similarconversationshavebeen sparkedinplaceslikeSouthland,Otago, NorthCanterburyandWairarapa.Ithink thoseconversationshavesomereal meritanddeservefurtherinvestigation.
Togiveyouanotherexample,ofthe GreaterWellingtonRegionalCouncil’s12 electedcouncillors,theresidentsofthe Wairarapareceiveonlyonesingleseat aroundthecounciltable.
That’sdespitethefactWairarapa accountsforaroundthree-quartersof theregion’stotallandarea,andthehuge distancebetweenCastlepointStation andcentralWellington.
FederatedFarmers’positionisthat wewillsupportsuchproposalsfor reorganisationwheretheyhavelocal supportfromourgrassrootsmembersin thecommunity.
ThecurrentGovernment,as Iunderstandit,hasasimilarpolicy.
Thisisanexcitingopportunityfor change!
Pneumoniainlambs
ByAndrewCribb,Director/ Veterinarian,EastCoastFarmVets
Ifyounoticecoughinglambswhilethey standintheyards,snottynoseswhen drenching,orifyouhavepleurisylisted onkillsheets,youarenotalone.
Pneumonia(Ovinepneumonia (or“viralpneumonia”)isdetectedin anaverageof28%oflambs’lungsat slaughterbutratescanvarygreatly, affecting6%-80%ofanimalsineachline. Themostseverelyaffected(anestimated 7%oflambs)takeanaveragegrowthrate checkofmorethan50gramsperday.
Itcanbefrustratingifyou’renot seeingtheexpectedgrowthrateinyour lambs,despiteexcellentfeedqualityand availability.
Ifyouhavearobustwormdrenching programandknowthatyourdrenches areeffective,aremonitoringfacial eczemasporesinyourpaddocksand grazingappropriatelyitcanbefrustrating ifyou’restillnotbeingrewardedforyour efforts.
Pneumoniainlambsandhoggetsis amulti-factorialdiseaseinvolvingboth pathogensandexternalfactorssuch asstress,environmentalchangesand concurrentdisease.
Inacutecases,sheepmaybefound dead,orfoundlaggingbehindthemob displayingsignsofrespiratorydistress.
Ifyoufindtheodddeadlambinthe paddockitiswellworthgettingapost mortemcarriedouttoinvestigatefurther. Wecheckthelungs–theseshouldbe lightpinkandspongyandnotattached tothechestwallorheartbyfirmtags.
Affectedlungschangetoadarkfirm tissuethatresemblesthecolourand textureoftheliver.Sometimeswefind pusinthechestcavityoraroundthe heartandabscesseswhencuttinginto thelungtissues.
Unfortunatelyonceaffected,there arenosatisfactorytreatmentsandany animalsthatdeveloppleurisy(fromthe severepneumonia)willhaveadhesions ontheribcageforlifeandthedamage cannotbereversed.
Lambswillremainill-thrifty,carcasses willbedowngradedattheworksand expectdeathsinthepaddock.The bestapproachistolimitstressors thatpredisposelambstodevelop pneumonia.
Whiletheviruses(likeparainfluenza) andbacteria(likeManheimia haemolytica)whichcausepneumonia circulateinallpopulationsofsheep year-round,environmentalandanimal riskfactorscometogethermainlyin thesummermonthstotriggerclinical disease.
Poorsummerfeedquality,heat stress(includinghighhumidity,long musters,dustyyards),shearinglambs onthedayofweaning,purchasingand
mixingdifferentgroupsoflambsand transportingthemhaveallbeenshown toincreasetheriskofpneumonia.
Intheabsenceofspecific preventativemeasures,youcanminimise pneumoniabyaddressingriskfactors.
Strategiescouldinclude:
•Musterduringcoolertimesofday
•Concretingorcoveringyardsto minimisedustandprovideshade duringyarding
•Delayshearinglambsuntilafter weaning
•Providegoodqualityfeedtolambs
overlatesummer
•Avoidyardingforlongperiodsin closeconfinement
Iflambsarealreadycoughingmake sureyoudon’tpushmobstoohard;if youseelambsopen-mouthpantingyou arealreadyincreasingtheriskforthem torunintoproblems.
Preventing/controllingotherdiseases suchasfacialeczema,endophytetoxicity (staggers),and Haemonchus (barber’s pole),allofwhichputlambsunder increasedstressduringthelatesummer/ autumnwillhelpthelambtobetterdeal withaninfectionaswell.
PGGWRIGHTSONEAST COASTLIVESTOCKTEAM
Foryouron-farmlivestockinspections,paddocksales/purchases, primestockdraftingoranylivestockbusinessrequirementsyoumayhave, pleasedonothesitatetocontactoneourexperiencedteam.
ECREGLIVESTOCK MANAGER
JamieHayward 0274347856
WAIROALSTK REPRESENTATIVES
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ftourexperiencedteam.
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QualitysteelshedsbuiltrighthereinGisborne
KiwiSpanGisbornehasbeenowned andoperatedbytheO’Neillfamily since2014.TerryandJenny,along withtheirtwosonsRyanandMax, thoroughlyenjoyservingcustomers throughouttheregionwhichcoversthe entireGisborneregionfromHicksBay, rightdowntoandincludingWairoa.
Theyareproudtohavebeen involvedinsomeprettyinteresting projects.Theyhavebuiltlarge packhouses,theoriginalRocketLab launchworkshop,mancaves,sleepouts,rightdowntoasinglecarport shelter.“Wetakecareandprideinour constructiontoensureweleavehappy
customers,everytimewecompletea project.Nomatterwhatsizeorvalue,” saysTerry.Theyofferlifestyleand residentialprojectssuchassheds,barns andsleepouts,garagesandcarports.
“Withthefreedomtocompletely customiseyourshed,ourlifestylesheds aretheperfectadditiontoyourproperty. Experiencethepleasureofhavingmore roomforthestuffyoulovetoday.”
There’salsoanimpressiverange ofstructurestosuitfarmsandrural propertiesfromshedsandbarnsto storageandmachinerysheds,stables anddairysheds.
“Whetheryou’relookingtobuild anewshed,garage,oracommercial space,we’vegotyoucovered.
Ourcustomisabledesignsand flexiblebuildingoptionsmeanthatyou getexactlywhatyouneed,nomatter whatyourprojectrequires.
Weuseonlythehighestquality materialsandemploythelatest constructiontechniquestoensurethat yourbuildingisbuilttolast.”
“Wecantakethehassleoutofyour buildingprojectbycompletelyproject managingyourbuildorifyouprefer, wecansellyouakitsetandadviseyou
onaself-buildtoensurethatalsoruns smoothly.Ifyoucandreamit,wecan probablybuildit.”
Auseful3Dplanneronthewebsite enablesuserstomakemodifications toaseriesofplanstovirtuallydesigna custombuildingwhetherabarn,garage, carport,boatshed,orworkshop.
Addamezzaninehere,increasethe heightorwidth,changecoloursandso on.It’sveryuserfriendly.
ContacttheO’Neillstostartadiscussion onyournextproject.
https://kiwispannz.co.nz
ALLYOURFENCINGSUPPLIES
Wehavethebiggestrangeof fencinggearintheregion
Timber:Rough-sawn,H3.2orH4treatedfor durability.Thelargestrangeofpostsintown. Rounds,halves,quarters,strainers&poles. Comeandseeusfor:Wire•Netting•Permane e •Nails•Staples•BugleScre s•Gatesandhard are•Andmore
Gisbornesummeroutlook
ByJamesMillward ConsultantMeteorologistMetService–TeRatongaTirorangi
Springrainfallflatlines afterawetwinter
Afterawetterthannormalwinter forTairāwhitiGisborne,rainfallflatlined acrosstheregionfromlateJuly,asstrong westerlywindskickedinacrossNew Zealand.BlametheSouthernAnnular Mode(SAM),alwaysoneofNewZealand’s mainspringclimatedrivers,asitsetupin aprolongednegativephase.
Gisbornehasseenfrequentwarm anddrywesterlyflowsasaresultthis spring,withbothSeptemberandOctober clockinginasnotablydrymonths.
GisborneAirportrainfallfor2024(red line)showsthatyear-to-daterainfalltotals areclosetonormal(whiteline),afteran extremelywetwinterbutverydryspring.
Plentyofsunny,warmweather,alongsidetheseblusterywesterlies,haveseen soilsquicklydryingoutintheregion.SoilsacrossalloftheGisborneregionare currentlyrunningdrierthannormal,mostnotablyalongthecoast.Wewillneedto bevigilantwatchingfortheonsetofdroughtsandheightenedfirerisksintoearly summer.
ApatternchangeinNovember
EarlyNovembersawsubtlechangesinbroadscalepatterns,asSAMmovedinto apositive(lesswesterly)phase,withacoupleofTasmanlows,andmorehumid northeastairmassesreturningoverthesecondhalfofthemonth.PositiveSAM shouldcontinueintosummer,andwewillneedtoturnourattentionawayfromthe SouthernOceanandintotheTasmanSeaforthemajorityofourweather-makers overthecomingmonths.
Thismightallbestartingtosoundquitefamiliar,andfreshinthemind,following ourrecenttripledipLaNiñaeventof2020-2023.RecallthatprolongedpositiveSAM andenhancednortheastwindflowsarebothclassichallmarksofaLaNiñasummer.
TheSouthernAnnularModesinceNov2023.Notetheprolongedanddominant negativephasefromlateJulythroughOctober,leadingtofrequentwesterlywinds. ForecastsshowSAMmostlyinpositive(lesswesterly)territoryinearlysummer.
WeakLaNiñathissummer,butunlikelytohitthe heightsofrecentyears
TheoceansandatmospherecontinuetotilttowardsaweakLaNiñaevent, albeititmaynotquitereachtheofficialthresholdsneededtodeclaretheevent. ThisisatechnicalityaswearelikelytoseefairlytypicalNiñaweathermapsacross thesummer,albeitwithspellsofsub-seasonalvariationattimesduetoitsweak magnitude.IsitimportanttostressthatnoLaNiñaeventiseverthesame,despite thosehallmarkswementionedabove!Wecanseethisclearlyfromourmoderateto strongeventsinthesummersof20/21,21/22and22/23.
ThesesummerssawaclassicChathamIslandHighsetuptothesoutheastof NewZealand,withnorthernlowsovertheCoralSeaorTasmanSea(withvarying intensityandlocation).However,therewerelargevariationsinGisbornerainfalland temperaturesbetweenthe3summers:
•2020/2021–Nearaveragetemperatures,dry(40-80%ofsummernorm)
•2021/2022–Aboveaveragetemperatures,wet(100-140%ofsummernorm) •2022/2023–Nearaveragetobelowaveragetemperatures,verywet(200%+of summernorm,wettestsummeronrecordforGisborneairport).
Climatemodelsarebullishaboutarelativeabundanceofnortheastwindflows thissummer.Thiscombinedwithlocallywarmseasgivesusahighconfidence thatGisbornesummertemperatureswillrunwarmerthanaverage,withspellsof unusuallyhumidweatherandelevatedovernightminimumsaparticularfeature.
Rainfallpredictionsremainmoreuncertain,largelyduetothestrengthofthe ChathamIslandHighs.Shorttermseasonalvariationsdrivenbyapulseofthe Madden-JulianOscillation(MJO),briefnegativespikesofSAMorevenofanexTropicalCyclonepassingbyourshoresareallpossibilities,muddyingtheoverall picture.However,thegeneralexpectationisfornearnormaltoslightlywetterthan normalseasonforGisborne,withaslightbiastowardsawettersecondhalfofthe seasoncomparedtothefirst.Thisismorelikelytoplayoutasonemuchwetterthan normalmonthinthethree,ratherthanthreeconsistentlywetmonths.
ExpectintermittentnortheasterlyeventstoopenthedoortoTasmanSealows andburstsofsub-tropicalmoisture,meaningafewhighintensityrainfallevents willsharplypunctuatelongdry,sunnyrunsinGisbornethissummer.Allinall, expectationsaresomewhereinbetweentheNiña’sof2020/2021and2021/2022, ratherthantheextremesofthe2022/2023summer.
BrianHall’s1907orchardtruckbrings Tairāwhiti’spasttolife
BySophieRishworth
WhenBrianHallbuilta1907 orchardtruckoffjustaphoto, heendedupretainingasliceof Tairāwhitihistoryforusalltoenjoy.
Hallisawell-knownplumberand formerbuildingrecyclerinthisregion.
Buthe’dneverbuiltatruckbefore.Yet whenhecameacrossa1916photograph ofhisgrandfather,auntsanduncleonthe truckusedforthefamilyorchard“Holein theWall”hewantedtorebuilditexactly.
“MygrandfatherWilliamMatthewHall wasanorchardistdownDarwinRoad.He wasahawkerandsoldhisfruitoffthe backofthistruck,”saidHall,78.
Thetruckwasa1907Humbercar hisgrandfatherhadconvertedtosellhis fruitoffthebackofit.Thisoriginaltruck endedupinacoupleofplaces—the motorwasusedbyHall’sUncletorun ametallathe,andtherestwentovera bank.
Hall’sbeenbacktotheallegedspot twicewithametaldetectortonoavail.
Instead,Hallbuiltitfromscratch.He
drovetoBlenheimtogettheright1907 chassis,gotthetyresandtubesfrom Englandandtherestcamefromhis shedsathome.
Hespentsevenmonthsbuildingit usingonlythephotowithalotofreading, phonecallsandtinkering.
Todaytherecreated1907Humber orchardtrucksitsintheAviationMuseum (besideGisborneAirport).Itlooksjustlike theonehisgrandfatherusedmorethan 120yearsago.
Forthebuild,HallusedtwocenturyoldKauritubsastheseatsandevenkept theplugsinasanodtotheirpast.The petroltankbehindthesteeringwheelis madeoutofanoldhotwatercylinder, andtheModelTheadlightsarewicksina canisterofkerosene.
Hallmadethesteeringwheelhimself andcutasteelcurtainrailinhalfforthe metalbracedetailabovethecab.The spannerwasalsohandmadetofitthe hubcaps.
Hallwouldloveittoworkbutitdoes needtherightmotor.Hehashiseyeona 20HorsepowermotorintheInternational Humberregister,heldinEngland.
However,it’dsethimbackaround$10to $20kandthat’snotincludingtheairfare tocheckitworked.Inthemeantime,the orchardtrucksitsasatestamenttoHall’s heritage,andhe’spleasedthatthestory ofithascarriedon.
Hallcomesfromalonglineofpeople whomadecoolpracticalstuffbyhand. Bornandbredhere,hecantracehis rootsbacktohisgreat-grandfatherin 1868.
TheAviationMuseumisopen TuesdayandSundayfrom9-1.30pm.
Thiswastheoriginalphotofrom1916thatspurredBrianHalltobuilditagain.He saidtherewaslotsofreadingandtinkeringashemadethetributetohisfamily’s pastandakeepsakeforallfuturegenerations.
ThereweresomegemsbroughtoutofBrianHall’sshedstorecreatethe orchardtruckusedbyhisgrandfathermorethan120yearsago–likecentury oldKauritubsasseats.
BrianHallhadneverbuiltatruckbefore.
IntroducingtheTairawhitiGrowersAssociation
TheformerGisborneProduce Growershasevolvedandis nowknownastheTairawhiti GrowersAssociation,chairofthenew organisationCalvinGedyesays.
Itistheonlyhorticulturalorganization inNewZealandthatistrulypan.That is,itrepresentsallwhogrowfruitand vegetablesinTairāwhiti,andallgrowers arewelcometojoin,regardlessofthe sizeoftheiroperation,Calvinsays.
TheGisborneProduceGrowers hadbeenadvocatingforhorticulturein theregionsince1957.Itwasoriginally establishedtopromotethegrowing, sellingandmarketingofproduceinthe regionandTairāwhitiisoneofthefew remainingorganisationsstilloperatingin thisway.
Atthebeginningof2024the committeeledawholenewstrategic planinreactiontoCycloneGabrielleto ensuretheindustryremainsresilientand relevanttothefuture.
“Thelastfewyearshaveshownthat it’smoreimportanttohaveaunited voiceforthedistrict,ratherthandealing withissuesonanadhocbasis,”Calvin says.HorticultureNewZealandhas beenverysupportive(seebelow)and TrustTairāwhitihelpedthemgetupand running.It’simportantthatasgrowerswe findaunitedvoiceandworktogether asagrouponissuessuchaswater, energyortransport,”hesays.Formore informationgotowww.nztga.co.nz/
Newhorticultureregional representativerolefor TairāwhitiGisborne
TessaRoddenhasrecentlystepped intotheroleofregionalrepresentative forTairāwhitiGisborneaspartofanew initiativeaimedatstrengtheningsupport forgrowers.
BasedinGisborne,Tessabrings awealthofexperiencefromher backgroundinhorticulture,having managedorchardsandworkedinsales forvariousfruits,includingcitrus,apples, cherries,persimmons,andfeijoas.
Livingona12-hectarevineyardthat wasreplantedfromfruittreesfollowing thedamagefromCycloneGabrielle, Tessaunderstandsfirst-handthe challengesandopportunitiesfacingthe region’sgrowers.
Herappointmentispartofatwo-year pilotundertheAotearoaHorticulture ActionPlan,whichseekstobridgethe gapbetweengrowersandtheindustry.
Astheregionalrepresentative, TessawillbeavitallinkforTairāwhiti Gisborne’slevy-payinggrowers,offering industryupdates,informationonnew initiatives,andsupportservices.Growers willalsohaveadirectlinetoprovide feedbackandsharetheirneedswiththe widerhorticulturesector.
Thisroleisoneofthreeregional representativepositions,covering Gisborne,CentralOtago,Canterbury, Horowhenua,Wairarapa,Tararua,Opiki, andTasman.
TairāwhitiGisbornegrowersare encouragedtoreachouttoTessa atTessa.Rodden@hortnz.co.nzfor supportandtostayconnectedwith developmentsintheindustry.
TessaRodden.
WhangaraCommunityCatchmentGroup: Grassrootsactionforenvironmentalrestoration
TheWhangaraCommunity CatchmentGroup(WCCG) isathrivingexampleofthe effectivenessofcommunity-driven environmentalchange.Theyunite farmers,foresters,and30membersfrom NgatiKonohihapu–coveringmostof thelandacrossWhangara–andallshare thegoalofprotectingandrestoringthe environment.
WCCGcametogetherin2020and wasofficiallyformedinNovember2022 co-facilitatedbyStephGardnerand SarahWilliams.Williamssaidtherewas somuchpoweringrassrootscommunity engagementandenvironmental restoration.
“Wereallyencourageotherstoget inbehindcommunityleaderswhoare consideringformingacatchmentgroup, whichisinclusiveofalllandusersand iwi.”WhangaraMaraeCommitteevicechairMinVettesaidbycontinuingthis mahi,“wearekeepingtheaspirationsof ourancestorsMāoriandPakehaalive.
“Weknowtheywantedtosustainthe sky,land,water,seaandourbrothers andsisters-thecreaturesofthesky, land,waterandseas.
“Ourhopeistoinspireandcreate arohafortheseelementswithinour childrenandmokopunatocontinue ourconnectionwithtaiaoandprotect
theelementsandpeopleastaonga (treasures)toberespectedandrevered.”
Whangaraishometounique wetlands,andbushblockswithgiant puriri,kohekohe,andkahikatea,alllinked bythePakarae,Waiomoko,Pouawa,and Turihauarivercatchments.
Effectiverestorationmeansreducing pestslikedeer,goats,pigs,possums, andpeacocks.Targetedeliminationof predatorssuchaswildcats,mustelids, androdentsincreasesnativebird,bat, andlizardpopulations.
InOctober,thefirstWhangara CatchmentCullwasheldand702pests eliminated,withlocalbusinessesright behindtheevent.
Williamssaidpost-cyclone,the group’sfocushadshiftedfromblanket riverriparianplantingtorestoring wetlands,streamtributaries,andbush blockstoslowwaterflow,capture sediment,andenhancebiodiversity. “However,ourkeychallengeiscovering operationalcosts.”
Fundingiscrucialtothegroupwho’re gratefultotheDepartmentofInternal AffairsandtheCycloneAppealFund.A recentLandcareWestpacGrantmeans thegroupcansoonstarttrappingwith Westpacstaffaroundwetlands.
“Wehopeforgovernmentand
externalagencysupportforcatchment groupsacrossTairāwhiti.“Wereceive manyoffersoftimeandopportunities buturgentlyneedinternalsupport sofacilitatorscancapitaliseonthese opportunitieswithcommunitybacking.” Vettesaiddevastationcausedby floodingduringthecycloneswasfelt throughoutthecatchment.
“Theflowoffreshwateralongwith tonsofslashandsiltpouredoutofnga ngutuawa(rivermouths)drowningand smotheringhugeamountsofsealife
alongourimmediateandwidercoastline.
“Thiscatchmentworkisimportant rightthroughitsflowfromthespringto thesea.It’sconnectedtotheprotection oftaonga(treasures)physicaland people.”Thegroupisenthusiasticabout itspotentialandimpactoverthenext 30-100years.Williamssaidthey’revery gratefultomemberswhodonatedtothe seedfundtogetthemstarted.” Hewakaekenoa--acanoewhichwe areallintogether.
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Exposettowowagain
Stellarspeakers,top-notchtrade sites,innovation,technologyand connectionsareallonofferatthe 2025EastCoastFarmingExpobeing onceagainhostedinWairoainFebruary.
It’stwodays–February19-20off farmthatbringaworldofgoodtothose workinginsheepandbeefindustry.
OrganiserSueWilsonhasgathered arangeofforward-thinkingspeakers thatwilligniteconversationsandshare theirvaluableinsights.“Wewanttohelp EastCoastsheepandbeeffarmersmake positivechangestotheirbusinesses,” saidMrsWilson.
It’sdeliberatelyheldmid-weekto makeiteasierforfarmerstoexperience thebestintechnologyandinnovation displays,exhibitsanddemonstrations showcasingagriculturaltechnologies.
Butit’snotallseriousstuff,also includedinthe2025programmearethe RuralNewsCadetChallengeandBeef+ LambNZStationChallenge
It’softenstandingroomonlyatthe seminars,andMrsWilsonisconfident itwillbethesameagainin2025.Ben Purua,theAhuwhenuaYoungMāori FarmeroftheYear,hasanincredible storyofrediscoveryandresilience. MikeCaseyisthechiefexecutiveof RewiringAotearoaandspearheads agroupofKiwiskeentomakeNew Zealandmoreelectric.TrevorRudman isanindependentparasitologistwho
willdelveintowaystocombatdrench resistance.
There’sastrongline-upofwahine toaincludingaward-winningNancy Crawshaw,AliceAndersonfromHawke’s BayRegionalCouncillandcaredivision, farmerMickeyTrotter,andFarmbase agribusinessmanagerArianaHadfield whoareallchampioningtheprimary industries.
OtherspeakersincludeHawke’sBay ForestryGroupchiefexecutiveJames Powriewhobringsanextensivearrayof experienceandknowledgetoanyroom.
MPIchiefscienceadvisorJohnRoche presentingatthe2024EastCoast FarmingExpo.PhotobyKirsten SimcoxPhotography.
ThePropertyBrokersEveningMuster isalwayspopularwiththekeynote speakersettoannouncedshortly.
Theannualexpoisoneofanumber ofinitiativesfromtheWairoaCommunity DevelopmentTrustwhosegoalsare toenhancetheruralsociallandscape andcontributetoathrivingandvibrant region.
“TheTrustisallaboutcelebrating winsandcreatingopportunitiesforour ruralcommunitiestoconnect,especially thenextgeneration,whichiswherethe Expocomesin,”sayschairmanSefton Alexander.
“Weunderstandtherurallandscape andtheExpofocusisonempowering
farmers.Theydoprettyamazingstuffon theEastCoast.”
MrsWilsonsaiditwasheartening toonceagainhavestrategicsponsors supportingtheExpofor2025.The Hawke’sBayRegionalCouncilandRural NewshavebeenpartoftheExposince thebeginning,withPropertyBrokers nowintheirfourthyearofsponsorship.
“Withoutthissortofsupport,wejust wouldn’tbeabletoputonthecalibreof eventthatwedo.”
WHAT:EastCoastFarmingExpo WHEN:February19-20,2025 WHERE:Wairoa MOREINFO: http://www.eastcoastexpo.co.nz
GraceJonasenfromTiniroto’sRuakakaStationcompetingintheBeef+LambNZ StationChallenge.
AnintegralpartofKiwiana
ByGlennDwight, Creative DirectorNZMEChristchurch.
There’sasayingintheautomotive world:“Behindeverygreatvehicle isaSkodaOctavia.”Whilethat mightnotbeentirelytrue,itholdsforthe mightyTrekka-NewZealand’sownAston Martin,Kiwi’sCommodore.
Sohowdidsomethingthatlooked likeaLandRoverdrawnfromafive-yearoldsmemorywithtwodoorsandless than50horsepowerevenhaveamarket hereinthelandofthelongwhiteute?
TheTrekkawasNewZealand’s onlydomesticallydesignedandmassproducedvehicle,emergingfroma uniquemixofneedandopportunityin the1960s.
Backthen,longwaitinglistsandhigh importpricesmadeitdifficultforKiwis tobuynewcars(andwelovedanew car).Toboostlocalmanufacturing,the government-imposedtariffsonimported vehicles,favouringlocallyassembled models.
Seizingonthis,PhilAndrews’Motor Lines,SkodaimportersfromthencommunistCzechoslovakia,hadanidea: ‘aKiwi-designedcar’.EnterNoelTurner, themanagingdirectorofMotorHoldings inOtahuhu,wholikeMaryShelley’s FrankensteinbroughttheTrekkatolife.
Theconceptwassimplebuteffective.
UsingaSkodachassisandengine,the Trekka’sboxy,LandRover-inspiredbody wasbuiltwithNewZealand-madesteel andtoppedwithacanvasorfiberglass canopy.Withasweet1.2-literSkoda engineandtwo-wheeldrive,theTrekka combinedruggedcharmwithsurprising practicality.
TheTrekkabecameahitwithtradies needingasolidvehiclewithgood storagespace.Itdidn’thandlerural roadsorfarmstoowell,though—more likehighheelsonroughterrain.Itlooked thepart,butyouknewastumblewas inevitable.Yet,ourdeterminedlittle Trekkawasn’tdone;withtheaddition
ofaslipdiff,itsoonhelditsowninthe countryside,likeBarryCrumphimself wasbehindthewheel.
AndtheresultingTrekkawas beautiful.Abutterflyemergingfrom acaterpillar.Ormaybeahuhubeetle emergingfromagrub.Itwaseven exportedtoAustralia,FijiandIndonesia. Yup,theTrekkawasanexportproduct; imagine,itcouldhavebeenbiggerthan beef!ItevensawserviceinVietnam. Apparently,itwasgoodtohavearound becausenobodywantedtostealit.Local thievespreferredtheAmericanJeep.
Butlikethebutterfly,theTrekka’s lifespanwasshort.Lessthan3000were
everproducedandinthe1970simport tariffswereeasedandcheapervehicles fromJapanswampedthelocalmarket.
TheTrekkaremainstheonlymotor vehicletobedesignedandmassproducedinNewZealand,makingitan integralpartof‘Kiwiana’.Itevenfeatured atthe50thVeniceBiennalein2003, showcasingNewZealandtotheworld.
So,itmightbetimetomovethe Cortina,shifttheTorana,parkthe Commodoreandwatchoutforthe boat,becauseifthere’saTrekkainthat shed,youcouldbesittingonapieceof Kiwianagold.
Gisbornehospitalityatitsbest
ByChrysAyley
Waipuraisan820hahillcountry sheepandbeefStationten minutesfromGisbornewhich makesitveryconvenientforcruise shipvisitorstoenjoyruralhospitality duringaneducationalandinformative excursion.
ThefarmhasbeenintheMaclaurin familyforfourgenerationswiththefifth generationcurrentlyenjoyinggrowingup there.
Thetoursstartedabout10-yearsagowhenAnneandGrahamMaclaurin wererunningthefarmandCaroline,the middleoftheMaclaurinsfivechildren wasworkingonthefarm.Thecouple havefivechildrenincludingCarolineand Matthew–whoistheyoungestafter fourdaughters.Matthewnowownsand operatesthefarmwithhispartnerLou whileCarolineandherpartnerJo,are allinvolvedinhostingtheexcursions. Itwouldn’tbeafamilyaffairwithout childrenandbetweentheyounger generationtherearefourwillinghelpers. Oftenacoupleofrelativesalsocome alongtohelp.
Itwasactuallyanewspaper advertisementseekingactivitiesfor cruiseshippassengersten-years-ago thatgotCarolineandJothinking.They discussedtheideaofhostingcruise shipvisitorswithAnneandGrahamand decidedtogiveitago.
Thetoursareagreatsuccesswith excellentreviewsfromvisitorsandthe family,includingthechildren,alllove sharingtheirlifewiththeguests.
Theexcursionstartsinthewoolshed wherethere’sadiscussionaboutthe backgroundofthefamilyfarm,sheep andbeeffarminginNewZealand,
thewoolindustryandashearing demonstration.Thentheyseeinsideof thehomesteadandlaterheadtothe gardenforhome-maderefreshments. It’sarelaxingbreakasvisitorsenjoythe gardenandchatwithfamilymembers. It’sfarremovedfromlifeonboarda cruiseship.
Thenextitemontheagendais watchingamuster.Oneofthefamilyon ahorsebringsamobofsheepoverthe hillwiththeassistanceofthedogs.Talk turnstodogs,theirtrainingandtheir variousrolesonthefarm.
LocalExpertise: We’vebeenpartoftheGisbornefarming communityforyears,providingtrustedadvice. HelpingYouRecover: Weunderstandthechallenges you’refacing—fromCycloneGabrielle’saftermathtouncertain commodityprices.We’reheretohelpyourebuildandgrow. TailoredFertiliserSolutions: Whetherit’ssheepandbeef ormixedcropping,wemixfertiliserstosuityourfarm’sunique requirements,usingnutrientmappingandcarefulplanning. Ensureyourfertilisergoeswhereit’sneededmost,attheright timeandtherightrate,formaximumresults.
SueQuilter 021900311 EllaKaczmar 021906086 DanParsons 021914330
“It’slikewelcomingthevisitorsinto thefamilyforacoupleofhoursandI thinkpartofthereasontheyreallyenjoy itistheylearnalotandgetupreally closetothefamily.It’snotaperformance it’sallreallyrelaxed,andtheyallenjoy theshearingdemonstrations,”saysJo.
Lastyearthefamilywelcomedguests on14days,andsomeweretwicedaily excursions.AcompanyinAuckland organisesthetoursandearlyintheyear thefamilyareemailedthedatesofthe cruisevisits.ThishelpsMatthewplan normalfarmingoperationsaroundthe visits.GuestsontheNationalGeographic
cruisesarealwaysparticularlyinterested andoffertwotourstoguests.
Thewholefamilyenjoyhosting theirvisitors,mostofwhomarefrom NorthAmerica.Jorecallsanemailshe receivedfromaguestsayingsheenvied theNewZealandwayoflife.Inparticular thecarefreelifethechildrenonthefarm enjoyedcomparedtokidsinAmerica whofacegangs,gunsandcrime.Seeing thechildrenrunaroundbarefootreally touchedherandtheirbeingabletoraise themonafarminNewZealandshefelt wasreallyspecial.
“It’sareallycoolopportunityto sharealittlebitofNewZealandwith peoplewhoareinterested.Peopleare gratefultospendtimeinthegarden andhomestead.We’regettingtomeet interestingpeopleandheartheirstories.”
Thisisoneofmanycommentsfrom avisitorwhopostedthisonTripadvisor. “Thisisawonderfulexperienceprovided byawonderfulfamilyandtheirwonderful animals!Lotsoftimespentexplainingthe operationandhistoryoftheirhomestead,
alongwithacoupleofsheepshearing demonstrations.Thehighlightwasthe herdingdemonstrationbyCarolineon horsebackandherdogs.Thesheep werebroughtdownthehillsideandupto withinfeetofthetourgroup.
Manygreatphotoops.Wealso thoroughlyenjoyedtherefreshments servedonthelawnofthehomestead. IfyougotoGisborne,youmustdo this!”
Geneticengineeringreformsrisk makingNZanoutlier
Proposedgovernmentreformsto NewZealand’sgeneticengineering (GE)regulationcouldplacethe countryatanunprecedentedlevelof deregulation,accordingtoarecent delegationledbyOrganicsAotearoa NewZealand(OANZ).Thedelegation metwithkeyministers,ministries, andthePrimaryProductionSelect Committee,raisingconcernsthatthese reformsmightjeopardisethecountry’s clean,greenreputationandexport sector.
Thedelegation’sfact-findingmission focusedonunderstandingtheimpact ofproposedGEpolicychangesonNew Zealand’sagriculturalsector.According toBrendanHoare,ManagingDirector ofBuyPureNewZealandandOANZ spokesperson,theproposedreforms represent“aleapintotheunknown.” RatherthanaligningNewZealand withothercountriesthatallowGMO production,thenewregulationscould “leapfrogallotherglobalframeworks, potentiallygivingNewZealand fewerprotectionsthancountrieswith establishedGMOproducers,”Hoaresaid.
Oneoftheprimaryissuesidentified bythedelegationisthelackofeconomic analysisofthereforms’potentialimpact. “Noeconomicassessmenthasbeen conducted,andthereappearstobeno
intentiontoconductone,”Hoarenoted. Thisomission,combinedwithwhatthe delegationdescribedas“alowlevel ofscientificliteracy”amongministers, signalsanalarminggapininformed decision-making.
NewZealandisbeingencouraged toadoptaregulatorystanceongenetic engineeringthatcouldmakeitthemost permissiveamongtradingnations,but OANZandothersinthesectorworry thatthismaycompromisethecountry’s exportmarket.“Wefoundthatour policymakershavebeensoldontheidea ofGEasa‘magicboxoftricks,’despite over30yearsofevidenceshowing mixedresultsonGEbenefits,”saidOANZ ChiefExecutiveTiffanyTompkins.“New Zealandseemstobeheadingtoward aworld-firstlevelofderegulation—one thatourmajortradingpartnershaven’t adopted.Wewanttoknowwhatis motivatingsucharadicalchange.”
Tompkinsandherfellowdelegates warnedthatadoptingthesereforms wouldopenNewZealandupto becominga“globalguineapig”forGE technologies,posingpotentialrisksto thecountry’sprimarysectorexports, includingthe$1billionorganicindustry. WithGE/GMOsstrictlyprohibitedwithin organicsupplychains,concernshave grownthatderegulationmighterode
traceabilityandmakeitimpossible toidentifygeneticallyengineered ingredientsinfoods.
ScottLawson,acommercial vegetablegrowerfromTrueEarth Organics,stressedtheimportanceof traceabilitytoNewZealand’sbrand asasafe,cleanfoodsource.“Without traceability,ourtrustedbrand—andour globalreputationasaclean,safefood producer—facesseriousrisk,”Lawson said.“Thisisnotjustaminoradjustment. Itrepresentsapotential,irreversible changethatcouldendangerallofour primaryexports.”
Thedelegationiscallingon
Parliamenttotakeamoreinformed andcautiousapproachthatis inclusive,securestheparticipation ofallstakeholders,liftstheliteracyof allaffectedparties,alignswithglobal standardsandconsidersthelong-term impactsonNewZealand’senvironment, foodsystems,andinternationalstanding asaclean,greenproducer.
Itisalsoadvisingthebroaderfood andfibresector,vitaltoNewZealand’s exportearnings,topaycloseattention totheproposedreformstoensuretheir existingstrategiesandinterestsarenot putatrisk.
SourceOrganicsAotearoaNewZealand.
Theprimaryproductionselectcommittee.
