Ashburton Guardian, Tuesday, December 29, 2020 by Ashburton Guardian

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Tuesday, Dec 29, 2020

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ood cheer and fellowship flowed easily between the 170 or so guests at the Ashburton Community Christmas Lunch on Christmas Day. Organiser of the community Christmas, Ann Allott, said this year seemed to be particularly social. “Whenever I had an announcement to make, I needed to ask a few times to get everybody’s attention, which is a great problem to have.” Getting Christmas dinner sorted for that many people requires a lot of work before the big day, but when she looks around the Tinwald War Memorial Hall and sees all the happy faces and listens to the friendly talk, “the work we have all done is well worth it”, she said. continued over page

Volunteer Barbara Richards (left) ladles out some Christmas goodness. PHOTO HEATHER MACKENZIE 251220-HM-7580

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2 NEWS

Ashburton Guardian Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Lake Clearwater more like By Jonathan Leask jonathan.l@theguardian.co.nz

Lake Clearwater has been struggling to live up to its name for some time, according to a report from Environment Canterbury (ECan). The Canterbury District Health Board issued a health warning earlier this month for Lake Clearwater after testing found high concentrations of potentially toxic cyanobacteria. However, water quality at the Ashburton Lakes has been a concern for some time. Forest & Bird regional conservation manager Debs Martin was at Lake Clearwater the week the warning was issued, visiting her family bach of 50 years and was horrified by the brown cloudy lake water. “Right now it looks like pea brown soup and it’s not safe to use,” Martin said. “It’s just awful. “You should be able to see down into the depths of the lake, that’s how the lake got its name and why fishers and holidaymakers love it so much. “This lake is incredibly important for wildlife, like diving birds that need to be able to see prey in the water to feed. “We’ve wrecked their only home. The councils responsible need to do better.” An ECan report into high-country lake water quality published

earlier this year found that Lake Clearwater underwent a period of sustained nutrient enrichment between 2005 and 2011, and it has since failed to achieve water quality objectives set out in the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan (LWRP). ECan has stated that factors potentially contributing to a decline in water quality in the lake include surrounding land use, septic tank leakage from the Clearwater village and groundwater infiltration into the lake. The detection of potentially toxic cyanobacteria in early summer season water sampling in Lake Clearwater is a further sign of degradation in lake water quality. ECan’s report suggests a number of contributing factors for the degradation, but Martin laid the blame squarely on land use intensification of sheep and beef farming over the past 10 years which she said “is taking a toll on biodiversity and recreation for Lake Clearwater and neighbouring lakes and wetlands”. She said the report showed Lake Clearwater is polluted with nutrients from farmland run-off upstream of the lakes and wetlands and has not met the LWRP standards since 2005. “Other lakes in the area are in even worse shape, like the small and shallow Lake Denny which has hyper and super-trophic states on a regular basis and has never met LWRP standards. “Lake Emma, which is popular

for wildlife and fishing and surrounded by intact wetland areas, is also enriched with nutrients and has never met LWRP standards. “Maori Lakes, the poster child for the Hakatere Conservation Park and the O Tu Wharekai restoration project, are also showing significant declines in water quality.”

Federated Farmers’ Mid Canterbury provincial president David Clark said poor water quality has several causes. “Agricultural, urban and natural, and together we all have to work together to reduce everybody’s impact. “It’s certainly not appropriate

just to give the old farmers a slapping.” The LWRP identifies the lakes in the Ashburton Gorge area as sensitive lakes and there are strict controls on activities in that catchment, Clark said. “The LWRP put in place by ECan is a comprehensive planning re-

Christmas cheer at community Christmas lunch From P1 The diners were treated to a main course of roast lamb and mint jelly, turkey with stuffing and cranberry jelly, ham and mustard, new potatoes, peas, baby carrots, corn and gravy. For those with a sweet tooth, there was Christmas pudding and custard, pavlova, fruit salad, fresh raspberries, jelly, ice-cream and chocolate brownies. Food is never wasted either. Allott said the leftovers are dished up into takeaway containers for the guests to take with them. “This year we gave away 52 take-home meals too.”

Allott wanted to thank the businesses and individuals for their generosity. “The Ashburton Trust are a wonderful supporter of the community Christmas and we thank

It arrives just before lunch all plated up ready to serve. Even the years they’re away are not missed, as they ask someone else to drop it off to us, Allott said. “We also have a donation box at

“They all enjoyed it and asked to be put down for next year too.” Volunteering on Christmas Day is certainly a feel-good thing to be doing, helpers all left the hall on Friday with hearts full of joy.

We hope that good feeling around volunteering will carry into the next year them for that. And ... Donna and David Flavell acknowledged the volunteers with movie gift vouchers.” There is one family who donate a ham each year.

the lunch for those wishing to give some money towards the cost of their meal.” Allott said there was a good mix of volunteers helping out and around half of them were new.

“We hope that good feeling around volunteering will carry into the next year,” Allott said. The Christmas lunch was originally started by the New Life Church as a way of gathering up

those who could be feeing lonely on Christmas Day. But once they moved to Tinwald and had other things on their calendar, it went into recess until 2007 when Rosey Crone, a social worker with Presbyterian Support at the time, recognised its genuine need and resurrected it. This community asset has been going from strength to strength ever since and is still very much focused on gathering up the lonely and asking them to join the community Christmas family. The move from St Andrew’s Church hall, was made in 2017 when the numbers suggested a bigger venue was needed.

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Tuesday, December 29, 2020 Ashburton Guardian

NEWS 3

‘pea soup’

gime that sets targeted reductions going forward, and there will be a lag effect before the benefits of those changes on-farm will be seen in the environment, but we are already on that journey and have been for a long time.” The ECan report into the high country lakes identified nitrogen

inflows from natural wetlands as a major contributing source, Clark said, as well as discharges from the septic tanks at the Lake Clearwater settlement as a source they have not been able to quantify, along with nutrients coming off farmland. “Much of the land around the

perimeter of Lake Clearwater has been owned for many years by the nature heritage fund.” Most of the land around the lakes is no longer farmland and the area that remains farmland “is not an intensive farming environment and the LWRP has put stringent controls on that anyway”. Coming off a dry winter, Clark said the reductions to inflow into the lake may have increased the chances of an algal bloom as well. Concerns relating to the water quality in the Ashburton Lakes resulted in the formation of a cross-sector working group in 2019 initiated at the request of runanga. This group is comprised of the statutory agencies with responsibilities for resource use in the area – ECan, DOC, LINZ, Ashburton District Council and Fish & Game – working with local landowners. ECan staff recently reported back to the Ashburton Water Zone Committee regarding the working group’s progress over the past 12 months. Work has increased knowledge about water and nutrient flows into the lakes, allowing for an improved assessment of potential actions or mitigations. Further research is undergoing review and will be released next year. As it stands ECan conducts summer water quality sampling at two LAWA-monitored swim sites in the area – lakes Camp and Clearwater – to monitor suitability for recreation. Both lakes show low E. coli levels,

however, ECan reports that recent samples from Lake Clearwater reflect the trend of deteriorating water quality with nutrient-enriched algal growth and high levels of chlorophyll-a. This is consistent with observations of water discolouration of water in the lake. Further test results revealed that an additional sample contained high levels of cyanobacteria, resulting in the Canterbury DHB’s Community and Public Health

Camp and Emma. These stations measure water temperature and level, and will assist with the overall understanding of the ecology of the high-country lakes. Martin believes more than monitoring needs to be done. “Neither district nor regional councils are doing enough to protect fresh water. “There are standards in place and monitoring is occurring, but after 15 years of failing to meet

They need to take action now. We could lose these incredible natural lakes and essential habitats. I worry it may already be too late unit issuing the health warning – one of several currently in place across Canterbury. ECan will now begin weekly sampling for cyanobacteria at Lake Clearwater alongside routine E. coli sampling. Testing for cyanobacteria will also be undertaken at Lake Camp this week and was found to have low levels of E. coli and lower levels of algal growth than Lake Clearwater. At this time Lake Camp is rated suitable for swimming. ECan has also recently installed two monitoring stations in lakes

their own standards the Regional Council has not taken the actions necessary to actually stop intensification and the extensive use of fertilisers. “They need to take action now. “We could lose these incredible natural lakes and essential habitats. “I worry it may already be too late.” Martin suggested stronger compliance and enforcement systems, like the ones for Lake Taupo, need to be in place to protect the Ashburton lakes and other lakes around New Zealand.

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4 NEWS

Ashburton Guardian Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Wakanui farmer Eric Watson harvests his world record feed wheat crop in February. YEARENDER

A record breaking year of arable By Heather Chalmers heather.c@theguardian.co.nz

A bumper harvest and Mid Canterbury farmer Eric Watson’s breaking of his own previous world wheat yield record were the highlights for the arable sector in 2020. Grain production exceeded one million tonnes for the 2020 harvest, after favourable growing and harvesting conditions. Crop management and the weather also aligned for Wakanui grower Eric Watson who took out the Guinness World Record for the highest wheat yield for the second consecutive time. Watson produced a 17.398 tonnes per hectare wheat crop, beating his previous record crop grown in 2017 of 16.791t/ha. On average, irrigated wheat yields in New Zealand are about 12t/ha. Watson said the Guinness World Record was nice recognition of the hard work and new innovations put in place. “While we were thrilled with the record result in 2017, we saw ways in which we could make improvements and achieve an even higher yield. “By trying new cultivars, switching to liquid nitrogen and monitoring plant health more regularly we were able to achieve another incredible result.

Wakanui farmer, Eric Watson with David Weith of Bayer Crop Science. “Because of the high wheat yields we can grow on our farm we are pleased if we see yields increase year-on-year by 100200kg/ha. So, to beat my last crop

by almost 600kg/ha exceeded even my hopes,” Watson said. Planted in April 2019 and harvested on February 17, 2020, the feed wheat variety was Kerrin.

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New Zealand’s $2.1 billion arable industry, much of which is centred in Mid Canterbury, is a quiet achiever behind many everyday essential products.

The Foundation for Arable Research said that while many of the products made from arable crops were easily identifiable, such as bread, beer and oils on supermarket shelves, the industry was also critical to the $20 billion livestock industry as the source of seed for pastures and grain and silage for complementary animal feed. New Zealand’s arable farmers supply 60 per cent of the world’s radish seed, 50 per cent of the world’s white clover seed and 40 per cent of the world’s carrot seed. Because it is smaller than that of many other grain growing countries, the New Zealand arable industry is able to adopt new crops, systems and production methods relatively quickly in response to market signals. For the year ending June 2021, arable exports are forecast to increase by 5.3 per cent to $305 million, according to the Ministry for Primary Industries’ situation and outlook forecast released in December. This builds on the significant growth the previous year (up 23 per cent), the report said. Uncertainty in the ryegrass and clover seed export markets tempered MPI’s growth forecast, while the outlook for vegetable seeds remains positive. Arable exports are forecast to rise another 1.6 per cent to $310m in 2022.

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6 NEWS

Ashburton Guardian Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Environmental restoratio Sometimes being part of the change means putting your hand up and taking the lead. And that’s what nurseryman Richard Wisker has done. He talks to reporter Sue Newman about being a key player in the wetlands restoration planting chain.

or Richard Wisker it’s been a long journey from pumpkin growing in the front paddock on his family’s market garden in Christchurch’s Horotane Valley to his work today raising native seedlings for waterway restoration projects. There was never any question, however, that Richard would make his living from the soil, it was just a question of in which direction he’d go. And while he has never been a hard core conservationist, he was fringe greenie enough to know he wanted to be involved in helping undo the environmental damage wrought by generations of Kiwis. “This is the stuff that spins my wheels,” he said. From his sprawling complex of glasshouses in Rakaia, Richard and his team are now critical players in huge conservation projects that involve mines, a dairy company, a corporate or two and a few small scale biodiversity enthusiasts. He’s been passionate about restoration projects for years and those projects and plants are his lifeblood today. It’s been a long, slow journey in making progress, he said. “About 13 or 14 years ago I tried to get the dairy sector interested. I started with a wetlands project at Waterton as my introduction to restoration on some scale and I got 90 per cent of the way there with the project, but it was around the time of the global meltdown and everyone’s money dried up.” Richard didn’t give up. He continued with his standard nursery production for landscapers and he continued to look for opportunities to secure restoration project contracts. Fourteen years down the track, Richard reckons dairy farmers have got the message and there’s now plenty of enthusiasm – and incentives – to crack on with restoring wetlands and streams. And as that enthusiasm has grown, so too has his commitment. “I didn’t think I’d be quite as involved as I am, but no way was I saying no. We’ve waded right into this, Traditionally we weren’t a highly valued industry, but now everyone wants to save the planet.” After the Waterton project went quiet, Richard became involved in the West Coast’s mining sector as a

Thousands of eco-sourced seedlings begin their life and their journey back to their West Coast homeland in Richard Wisker’s greenhouses.

contract grower of native seedlings. It was a project designed to succeed. That contract too was hit by a financial crisis of a different kind.

project in that its seeds are eco soured. That might be a buzz word in biodiversity circles, but it’s something that’s far harder to do

The real change comes when we change our farming practices, when there is less intensification. Farming needs more diversity. With the price of gold rocketing up, conservation and restoration gave way to mining and the project was temporarily parked up, but eventually it kicked into life and the results have been terrific, he said. Reefton’s Oceanagold mine project is counted as one of Richard’s big success stories. It’s a unique

in practice than in theory. True eco sourcing means obtaining seed that has not been at risk of cross pollination and raising it in a nursery, with young seedlings planted back in their natural habitat. The site mixing of seeds and plants over generations has meant opportunities for true eco sourcing are few, he said.

The Reefton seedlings are planted in a wetland area around a lake, one that has been seriously contaminated. Filtration plants have been used to purify the water and the goal is to get water quality to a point where the filtration plants can be removed and vegetation can provide any purification required. “We’ve contributed about 100,000 plants a year to the mine and this year it’ll be 106,000 with 40,000 of those being beech trees and manuka.” It’s a collaborative project with colleague Deane Keir collecting the seeds, and Richard giving them life in his nursery. Mine restoration work is now part of Richard’s stock in trade, but he’s also continuing to work in the dairy industry on a large scale, forging a solid contract with dairy company Synlait through its Whakapuawai project. This has seen the company establish an industrial scale nurs-

ery to propogate native plants. Ultimately more than one million native tress and shrubs will be grown annually and the company’s goal is to plant four million native trees on farms and on community land by 2028. The project was launched by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in December last year. Synlait is breaking new ground in the conservation area, with its large greenhouse complex. It has also bought two dairy farms neighbouring the Dunsandel plant to be turned into gardens, green spaces and an education centre. The 15 hectare block will include a wetland which will cleanse the waste water from the factory. It will also provide walkways and exercise areas for staff. What Synlait is doing is an absolute commitment to a project that will help farmers complete the waterway and wetland restoration projects they need to help them meet new freshwater quality

Tuesday, December 29, 2020 Ashburton Guardian

on is all about small steps

standards for their farms, Richard said. He has high praise for the Synlait project, saying it will also have science running alongside with data recorded on vertebrate and vertebrate count prior to planting and at periods after planting, giving it absolute integrity, he said. Working in the restoration planting field was most definitely a lifestyle business, Richard said. “When you have more than 200,000 plants in the nursery we’re on deck 24/7. It’s like farming really, no different, but this is my passion.” By supplying plants on contract, the guess work is taken out of the business and that, Richard said, means you can keep a cap on the orders you accept against capacity. “But in saying that we’ve been at capacity for the last five years.” He’s among a small group of plantsmen involved in restoration projects and while he knows every little bit helps in the race to restore

damage done to the environment over decades, the world is already 20 years behind the eight ball, he said. “It all comes down to awareness, but riparian plantings are a bandaid really. The real change comes when we change our farming practices, when there is less intensification. Farming needs more diversity.” Richard says he’s not a greenie, simply someone who cares about the environment and who is trying to come up with solutions. “We need inter-generational regeneration. We can’t try to do it in one generation because we’ll look at it and see the task is too big and that means we’ll never start, but we need to start now.” While restoration projects were mainly allied to rural areas, Richard is keen to see urban corporates become involved as partners in large scale projects. “You don’t have to be frontline to be part of the change,” he said.

Richard Wisker and best friend Florence the chocolate labrador.

8 NEWS RETROSPECT

Ashburton Guardian Tuesday, December 29, 2020

May 2020 At the end of each year, Guardian staff choose the best of the year’s photos to share with you all and reminisce.

Above – Several Ashburton streets were blocked off by police after a device that looked like an explosive was found in a yard at a South Street property on the morning of May 8. Below – The beer never tasted so good as what it did on May 21 when it flowed from taps once again as bars and pubs throughout Mid Canterbury and the rest of the country opened for the first time, marking restrictions easing under Alert Level 2.

Top – As New Zealand reached extraordinarily low case numbers of Covid-19, it remained business as usual at the Ashburton Community Based Assessment Centre, which as of May 5 had conducted 475 assessments and tests since opening for Covid testing in March. Above – Thirty people learned they were set to lose their jobs following an announcement from Bunnings that they proposed to close seven stores, including Ashburton’s. Below – Merv Gilbert found a mysterious cluster of mushrooms formed along his fenceline that from an initial few grew within a week to more than 100 heads and the grouping had intensified so much so that it reached more than a foot high. Landcare Research’s Bevan Weir identified the mushrooms as Coprinopsis atramentaria, the common inkcap.

Tuesday, December 29, 2020 Ashburton Guardian

NEWS RETROSPECT 9

Above – As Mid Canterbury prepared to move to Level 2, the scrim and scaffolding came down from the Murney Main building project and Ashburton’s tallest building was revealed in all its glory.

Methven Skatepark designer Sam Kircher got to test out his handiwork first hand.

Above – Ashburton business The New Zealand Sock Company is experiencing strong growth in online sales thanks to some swift managerial thinking which led to facemasks being added to the production line. Below – Henry and Joy Green have been through the hardship of war, but nothing prepared them for seven weeks apart as Covid-19 lockdown shut the resthome’s doors. Henry, 92, had visited his wife of 62 years every day until the lockdown, but was back by 85-year-old Joy’s side at the first opportunity.

St Joseph’s School pupils (front, from left) Lulu, Maddy, Ruby, (back) Ally Cloe, Mariell and Pearl were all pleased to be back at school on May 18.

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10 NEWS RETROSPECT

Ashburton Guardian Tuesday, December 29, 2020

June 2020 At the end of each year, Guardian staff choose the best of the year’s photos to share with you all and reminisce.

Above – Police examine the scene where three cars were involved in a fatal crash on State Highway 1 near Chertsey. The double fatality on the edge of Chertsey came in the same week of an early-morning crash involving eight teenagers in Rakaia. Left – Contractors work on underground pipe laying in stage one of the Ashburton CBD revitalisation project. Right – He Waka Tapu staff handed out boxes of Weetbix from their Tancred office, thanks to Auckland organisation KiwiHarvest. He Waka Tapu gave away 960 boxes of the popular breakfast cereal to the community in the first two weeks of June. Left – Ashburton MenzShed president Jim Armstrong was delighted to be flicking on switches and picking up hammers after Covid-19 lockdown forced them to down tools and go home. Right – Staff from Quigley feeds – Luke Clucas, Mark Goddard, and Mike Davis with the first container load of bales ready for Kiwirail to take north to the drought-hit Hawkes Bay as the Mid Canterbury Feed Run donated around 1000 bales.

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Tuesday, December 29, 2020 Ashburton Guardian

Left – Thousands of snowboarding and skiing enthusiasts made their way to Mt Hutt Skifield for the opening weekend which was the biggest in the skifield’s 47-year history. Right – Clydesdale half-brothers Flash (left) and Blue enjoyed their day at the Mid Canterbury Vintage Machinery ploughing match held at Rob and Alan Begg’s Wakanui property. Below – Winter weather hit hard with freezing temperatures and snow in the foothills in early June.

Above (from left) – Travis Stringer, James Wood, Casey Rose, Gudrun Weber and Roger Farr from the Ashburton Trust Event Centre celebrate the arrival of Alert Level 1 on June 9. Right – Six months after he ‘died’ on a Central Otago racecourse, harness racing driver Ricky May returned to race driving at Addington, after catching up with Ellie Barron who had performed CPR on May until paramedics took over.

NEWS RETROSPECT 11

12 OPINION

Ashburton Guardian Tuesday, December 29, 2020

OUR VIEW

Covid threat remains a reality By Jonathan Leask jonathan.l@theguardian.co.nz

hen Covid-19 first came to be, we all thought it was going to be another Sars or swine flu type situation. Fast forward 12 months and we are still in the grips of a global pandemic, and over 1.7 million people have died. Fortunately in New Zealand that figure is just 25, and we are currently in a position where we have been able to enjoy the freedom of moving about the country, enjoying the festive period with family and friends. Other countries are not so fortunate. Back in January, American president Donald Trump promised the world that “we have it totally under control”. Then in February Trump said the virus was just going to disappear “like a miracle”. It hasn’t. Far from it. While Trump is busy claiming voter fraud without evidence and focusing convincing the world he actually won the election, America is sailing deeper into troubled waters with the virus. After a post-Thanksgiving wave it’s been estimated someone is dying from the virus every 30 seconds in America. At one point Trump called out New Zealand for our lockdown response, and that it had not worked when our second wave hit. Our second wave was like a ripple compared to the tsunami sweeping the States. While we were accused over managing the situation, America has mismanaged it. While Jacinda Ardern was not everyone’s choice for leader, you have to give her credit for guiding us through the dark times – steadfastly supported by Ashley Bloomfield. Just look at America and the UK now and we know things could have been a lot worse. We are fortunate in so many ways with how it has played out here. But we need to keep our guard up. Just as the vaccines roll out new strains have emerged in Europe. The threat may again be on the distant horizon, but it’s still within striking distance. We have to rely on our border security being as tight as humanly possible, we all have to still do our part – just in case. So while you are enjoying your summer holidays, keep up the Covid protocols so hopefully we can be granted our collective wish for 2021 – a Covid-free year.

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Tuesday, December 29, 2020 Ashburton Guardian

OPINION 13

OPINION

Year of missing joy Lamia Imam reflects on what she missed out on in 2020, and what she hopes is still to come.

he year 2020 has been a weird one for everyone. By weird I mean financially taxing, mentally draining, lonely, heartbreaking, or maybe even rewarding. Perhaps it was some or all of the above for many people. We have learned to make sacrifices and adjustments. We have learned risk management, and that not everyone’s risk meters are the same. We have navigated personal hardships, societal failures, and great loss globally, and yet we navigated these difficulties alone. I happened to be in New Zealand when Level 4 lockdown was announced and learned a lot about the science behind “the rules”, which helped me navigate my own self-imposed lockdown in Texas when I returned to my home. While I watched friends take on new fitness challenges, creative endeavours, or professional triumphs, I decided on my own mantra – that I was not going to do anything to better myself. I was not going to learn a new language or skill or read x number of books every week. I was not going to compete on social media to be a better version of myself. I spent my days doing what I had always done – the barest minimum. I tackled my boredom by marinating in that boredom – playing hours of “Plants vs Zombies” on my phone, doom-scrolling US election news, and cooking meals. I read some books but it wasn’t any more than I would read in a normal year. I binged on Netflix, but I have always done that. I refused to turn on my video for work meetings, having been a remote worker for two years prior to the pandemic. I told my manager that video meetings were only for instances where we would otherwise meet in person. She agreed and adopted my approach. That was my professional triumph! What I learned this year is that we champion individualism while having little but contempt for most individuals. While NZ survived its way out of the pandemic (so far) by the grace and competence of its government, I watched my fellow Americans do everything possible to make lives difficult for frontline workers in healthcare and retail here in the US. While some people made sacrifices to stay in, even by themselves, others sacrificed lives for a drink at a bar.

I missed my best friend’s wedding, Eid celebrations with my family, Friendsgiving, and an adventurous first year of marriage with my husband, which are all things I had taken for granted. I always assumed these would always be a part of life, humming away in the background. Those who have been lost this year are never coming back, and there will be permanent missed weddings and celebrations for many families. I have a friend who is a bubble of 1 and I talk to her often. We sometimes cook together on video

while we catch up on gossip and discuss policy solutions to problems we will never get to solve. We gave each other book and movie recommendations that were never followed up on. We argued about incremental versus revolutionary change. We sought solace in each other in times of loneliness. But mostly she helped me forget that I was constantly terrified to the marrow of my bones of getting sick, that I was stressed from lay-offs at work, that I was paralysed by disdain for my failures and

inability to cope despite having a paycheck and a roof over my head when so many people lost everything. When I saw spontaneous dancing on the streets as it became clear that Trump lost the US Presidential Elections, I was reminded of the joy that has been missing this year. My hope is for joy to make a comeback for everyone in 2021. – Lamia Imam is a Kiwi who lives in Austin, TX and is a regular contributor to RNZ on politics and social commentary.

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14 SPORT RETROSPECT

Ashburton Guardian Tuesday, December 29, 2020

May 202O At the end of each year, Guardian staff choose the best of the year’s photos to share with you all and reminisce.

Above – A surge of mountain bikers blazed the new Ashburton Bike Park downhill trail which was completed in May. Left – Ashburton’s Veronica Wall had her rowing programme turned upside down when Covid-19 began to envelop the globe. She was in the final week of Spring Break from Yale University in America and had travelled to Tennessee for her first rowing meet of the season. In a whirlwind few days she would soon find herself back on a plane to New Zealand, with her rowing season canned and schooling year left in a shroud of doubt.

Above – English rugby imports Jo Bucknall and Lorne Mellonie, were champing at the bit to get onto the Mid Canterbury paddock. The players arrived in the region from the UK in March and were set to represent Celtic, but had a longer than expected wait to take the field.

Above – Hamish Trott and Nicky Dryland in action at the Celtic Squash Club which was one of the first outfits to resume competition sport in the region at the end of May.

HAPPY NEW YEAR Ofﬁce closed from midday 23 December, reopening on Wednesday, 13 January.

P h o n e 03 3 0 8 - 3 1 9 1 | Fa ce b o o k www.fa ce b o o k .co m / R M Fs i l va a s h b u r to n | www. r m f s i l va .co. n z

Tuesday, December 29, 2020 Ashburton Guardian

SPORT RETROSPECT 15

June 2020 At the end of each year, Guardian staff choose the best of the year’s photos to share with you all and reminisce.

The Ashburton Squash Club hosted a “have a go” open day where New Zealand World Juniors squash coach Nick Mita offered a series of coaching tips.

Hampstead withstood everything Celtic threw at them to register an historic 25-19 victory in Mid Canterbury’s Watters Cup. it was Hampstead’s first Watters Cup competition win in over a decade.

Colleen Lindsay was a well-deserved recipient of the prestigious Robilliard Trophy in the 2020 Mid Canterbury Sports Awards, after more than 60 years involvement with local basketball.

Goalie Caitlin Muir produces a save in her Tinwald side’s 5-0 victory in Division Two hockey.

Methven centre Victoria Talbot sets herself for a pass during the return of Saturday netball on June 27.

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16 YOUR PLACE

Ashburton Guardian Tuesday, December 29, 2020

TEST YOURSELF Test yourself with the Guardian’s quiz

1: When did Dr Seuss publish How the Grinch Stole Christmas? A: 1948 B: 1957 C: 1966

2: When was Love Actually released? A: 2003 B: 2005 C: 2006

5 2 1

3: When did Mariah Carey release All I want for Christmas? A: 1990 B:1994 C: 1998 4: In which country did the Christmas tree tradition originate? A: Sweden B: Norway C: Germany 5: How many ghosts show up in A Christmas Carol? A: 2 B: 3 C: 4

4 3

5 2 1 4

1 3 4

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4 9 Community comes together for 2 Christmas 6 7 8 3 6 Just part of the big crowd enjoying the Ashburton Christmas Community Lunch on Christmas Day.

6: In which country is it tradition to eat KFC for Christmas dinner? A: Japan B: China C: Russia 7: In Home Alone 1, how old was Kevin? A: 7 B: 8 C: 9 8: According to tradition, when should you have your Christmas decorations down by? A: Dec 31 B: Jan 2 C: Jan 5

EASY SUDOKU

8 6 9 4 9 7 1 5 9 3

9 4 1 7 2 1 4

SATURDAY’S ANSWERS

4 8 2 3 5 7 4

1 6 3 8 2 7 9 5 4

4 2 9 5 1 6 7 8 3

8 5 7 9 4 3 1 2 6

Write to us!

Answers: 1: A 1957, 2: A 2003, 3: B 1994, 4: C Germany, 5: C 4, 6: A Japan, 7: B 8, 8: C Jan 5

DAILY RECIPE

8 5 6 3 7 4 2 1 4 1 3 6 9 2 5 8 NZ king salmon and 9 7 2 1 5 8 4 3 duck egg tagliatelle 1 2 7 5 3 9 6 4 2 C fresh rocket, iced Duck egg pasta 1 C3 fresh8 fennel, 1 duck egg, beaten 6 4shaved 1 7 9 5 1 C grapefruit segments 1¼ C all-purpose flour valencia ½t sea salt 5 ½seaC9salt 4 orange 2 8vinaigrette 6 3 7 and black pepper to taste ½t white pepper ingredients required for Cheese & Lime crème toss 4 5 (per 9 serve) 6 1 8 2 7 Additional assembly ⅛ C dry vermouth NZ King salmon steak ½ C crème fraiche 2 140g 9 butter 7 4 3 1 6 1T 8 unsalted ¼ C petit basque cheese, freshly grated ¼ C parmesan cheese, freshly grated Duck 1 duck egg yolk 2 pasta 5 in 7a food 9 3■■ Combine 6 egg 1 alltagliatelle 8ingredients sea salt to taste white pepper to taste fresh lemon juice to taste 1T fresh basil, chopped Valencia orange vinaigrette 1½ cups valencia orange juice tbsp white wine vinegar ½ C lavender honey 2 C olive oil sea salt to taste white pepper to taste Fennel grapefruit and rocket salad

PHOTO HEATHER MACKENZIE

processor. Pulse until the dough gathers into clumps. ■■ Transfer to a work surface lightly dusted with flour. Knead by hand until dough forms a smooth elastic ball - about 3 minutes. ■■ Roll out into a sheet 60mm thick. Cut sheet into broad strips that with fit into a pasta roller. Run by hand through the roller, starting thick and decreasing at each pass until you reach the #4 setting.

9 Pass one more time. 7■■ Cut the pasta strips into 31cms by 76mm in length sheets. Lay the finished lengths 6 on a lightly floured work surface. Dust each with a little all purpose flour and roll 8 each into a log. Cut each log across into 1cm wide - do not unroll. Cover each 2 slices log in plastic wrap and refrigerate. Petit basque cheese & Lime crème toss 1■■ Bring vermouth to a boil over medium Reduce heat to low. Add creme 3 heat. fraiche, petit basque and parmesan cheeses. 5■■ Cook until melted - do not boil! ■■ Whisk until smooth then remove from 4 heat and whisk in yolk. Editor, PO Box 77

■■ Season with salt, pepper and lemon juice. Fold in basil. Reserve, keeping hot. Valencia orange vinaigrette ■■ Place all ingredients except oil, salt and pepper into a blender. Puree until smoothly combined. ■■ Add oil slowly with blender on low. Season to taste. ■■ Using funnel transfer vinaigrette to plastic squeeze bottles & refrigerate. ■■ Discard any products not used within 3 days.

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6 8 5 1 3 4 2 9 7

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2 7 6 3 9 1 5 4 8

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Fennel grapefruit and rocket salad ■■ Combine ingredients in a large bowl. ■■ Add valencia orange vinaigrette and toss. Season and refrigerate. To Serve ■■ Heat oven to 375°F/200°C. ■■ Unroll duck egg tagliatelle sections. Drop into boiling salted water and cook to al dente. ■■ Drain water from tagliatelle and add petit basque cheese & creme fraiche. Toss until pasta is well coated. Reserve, keeping warm. ■■ Heat a cast iron skillet over high heat until very hot. Sear top side of salmon to get a nice crust, 1-2 minutes. ■■ Finish in oven to desired internal doneness. ■■ Return skillet to medium heat. Add butter to skillet and rapidly baste salmon to encase. ■■ Transfer salmon to plate lined with a towel to drain excess butter. ■■ Lay a bed of pasta in a large warm bowl. Place salmon on top of pasta. Arrange fennel grapefruit and rocket salad next to salmon & serve immediately. Recipe courtesy of Seafood New Zealand www.seafood.co.nz

Tuesday, December 29, 2020 Ashburton Guardian

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18 SPORT

Ashburton Guardian Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Jack Jones makes a run during the College game earlier this year. PHOTO HORIZON IMAGES LIMITED

Aiming for further heights By Adam Burns adam.b@theguardian.co.nz

A try in such a big game, and at such a crucial point of

the match. It was the stuff that dreams were made of. But it was all the peripheral things which made it the ultimate schoolboy rugby moment – the run, the rivalry, the celebrations and of course the aftermath. It may only be the start for Jack Jones, who owned this particular point in time. The gamebreaking try by the Mid Canterbury teen in the College game resonated with the rugby public as it beat out nine other nominations to win Sky Fan Try of the Year award at the recent New Zealand Rugby Awards. “It was amazing to be honest,” he said. “It was quite an honour to be put up against Ardie Savea and Laumape and that. “It was quite exciting for me and the family overreacted a bit.” Down 27-21 with six minutes left and a Christchurch Boys’ player in the bin, front rower Jones received an offload from lock Fiti Sa before breaking out of three tackles on a beeline towards the posts. It brought Christ’s College back to within one with a regulation kick to come and sent his teammates, hundreds of black and white clad College diehards and Sky Sport commentator Ken Laban into raptures. College went on to win 28-27 in what was only their second win in 20 years over their traditional rugby rivals. “The feeling was amazing with all the College supporters coming onto the field,” he said. “Just being able to basically give College one-

ups on Boys’ High was the main idea but also to play rugby and have fun was the end goal.” Although a front rower by trade, he has exhibited a good turn of pace and proven to be a dynamic ball runner for Christ’s College in the UC Championship. “I try to keep that (level of fitness) in the off season ... I don’t want to lose it,” he said. Having grown up in Methven, his initial rugby background began in the heartland. Jones played three years of club rugby for his home club before playing a season at Hampstead. He has played various age grade rep football for Mid Canterbury over the past few years before being offered a scholarship to Christ’s College. Jones will return to the Christchurch school for his senior year in 2021 where he is set to again be an integral part of the 1st XV setup. He is determined to hold down a regular starting spot in the team, which is coached by former All Black captain Reuben Thorne. As far as highlights go looking back at his rugby year, it is unlikely the win over Boys’ High back in July would be surpassed. Despite Christ’s missing out on a top four spot in the UC Championship, he said he had reveled being part of a strong group. “The culture within the team and being able to play with your best mates is the highlight which I got out of it. “(Reuben’s) a bloody good coach, he listens then teaches which is really good.” As for next year, the target for Jones is fairly straightforward, in which he hopes to be the “biggest and fittest”. The youngster is going the right way about it.

Reuben (Thorne) is a bloody good coach, he listens then teaches, which is good – Jack Jones

Jack Jones cuts a fierce figure during Christ’s College’s haka ahead of their clash with Christchurch Boy’s High School.

Tuesday, December 29, 2020 Ashburton Guardian

SPORT 19

ELLERSLIE

No time for Mai Tais as Karaka looms Covid-19 hit plenty of racing plans when it closed the industry down in March, not least that of promising mare Mai Tai. Mai Tai was getting set for her second start following a fourth placing on debut when lockdown hit, forcing trainer Jamie Richards and owners Llanhennock Trust – made up of the Hawkins family from Wentwood Grange

in Cambridge – to wait until the current season to get her career going. But she hasn’t disappointed, topping off a very good five months with victory in the Stella Artois 1500 Championship Final (1500m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day. “Jamie’s thought a lot of her for a while, and he was gutted when

lockdown came because she was entered to run the day we stopped racing and he was pretty confident that she was going to win,” Dean Hawkins said. “He’s been a bit frustrated when she didn’t win a couple of times this season, but it’s all worked out really well for her to pick up a great race like the Stella Artois Championship Final.”

have a couple of weeks let-up and a week on the water walker, and then he’ll find a nice race for her and then work back from there.” Mai Tai is the third and final foal of Tropical Punch, a Group Three-placed Faltaat mare bred by Llanhennock Trust. Tropical Punch died while foaling Mai Tai.

Banks Peninsula harness Today at Motukara Raceway

1 Thank You - Jim & Susan Wakefield Trot Nzd $8000 7 0X009 Living Delight F Baigent Sh Tomlinson John Morrison 8 827X0 Adhika B A Waldron 2170M 12:10

1 600X7 Majestic Rollon J & A Lethaby A Lethaby G W Hunt 2 37078 Foreigner G W Hunt 3 0X60x Sunny Valley Bronson Munro J R Dunn 4 X3803 Sally Lindenny K D Townley G D O’reilly 3 5 00020 Crazy N Love G & N Hope Ben Hope 0 B J Ford 6 54384 Blink N Bones B J Ford 9433 7 08896 Tres Magnifique D Iremonger S Iremonger X5979 R T May 8 50100 Make My Sundon A M Best 4 Rosedale Farm 2021 Yearling Draft Mbl Pace $8000 9 1760X Jaguar Bay Brad Williamson K Tomlinson 99650 2000M 13:55 10 0378X Rusty I Am P Wakelin S Noble P Wakelin 47050 1 Idealingold K M Barron B N Orange 11 80028 Faith No More Laura Mckay Laura Mckay 60866 2 Nukumai B A Waldron R T May 12 93496 Bk Dawn P J Wakelin S G NobleJ Young 0090X 3 35032 Cristiano Buccini G & N Hope Ben Hope 13 020X5 Majestic Action Yesberg M J Williamson 09452 A L Lethaby 4 Bettor Achiever D Feast 14 7X470 Some Time L A Smith J W Smith J W Smith 7282X 5 Jordy J B Mcdermott John Morrison 15 08392 Orlando Magic M P Jones B N Orange 0000 6 0 Piece Of Gold K Dixon M J Williamson 16 94002 Kowhai Sundown M P Jones S J Ottley 0000 7 24 Classie Washington T Chmiel T Chmiel 7 Dakins Group Junior Drivers Mobile Pace $9000 2 Canterbury Print Services Mobile Pace Nzd $8000 8 Phone Tap B R Negus J J A Young 2000M 15:40 2000M 12:45 9 0 Arts Centre J Gameson Craig Thornley 1 04200 Highland Reign B R Negus Anj Mugford 1 08900 Sheezagoldengirl R Thornley S Thornley 10 62 Still Truckin K M Barron K M Barron 2 87500 Refine J Mcdermott Kerryn Tomlinson B N Orange 2 07603 Magic Sign G T Court 11 Num Chalk Wakelin Noble P Wakelin 3 67100 Westburn Bliss I Court Sam Thornley 3 9X609 Kowhai Shadow M Jones S J Ottley 12 73 Play It Now G & J Dunn J R Dunn 4 8700X Takemybreathaway G Scott A Cameron 4 06700 Hey Tonight R B Ward J R Dunn Sarah O’reilly 13 Glamour Boy G O’reilly Sam Payne 5 69X65 Silver Lady K M Barron K M Cox 5 20084 I Miss Mum Ms K M Cox T M 14 Emma’s Girl J Gameson Williams 6 47231 Sudaman D White SMarkham G Thornley J W Cox 6 44005 Play By Ear B R Negus 5 Robson Environmental Services Ltd Pace $8000 7 02241 Skidaddle Jesse Alford 7 82724 King Arthur Joseph Gray Joseph Gray 8 X1974 Mad Lu Li Ms K M Cox Sh Tomlinson G D O’reilly 8 05750 Maldito Vicki Sell 2170M 14:30 9 56180 Sister’s Delight M Heenan John Morrison 9 68669 Silent Shadow W Stapleton L F O’reilly 1 7 Ideal Grace K M Barron B N Orange 10 44X1 Jonique J Cox & A Hoffman Mark Hurrell 10 909 Hurchana T M Mcmillan Sarah O’reilly 2 A L Lethaby Billie Vista J & Lethaby 11 57048 Times Are A Changin Ward M Williamson 3 4346 Teds Legacy M Edmonds M P Edmonds 11 21420 Kusanova Trent Yesberg Sarah O’reilly 12 474X2 Immer Besser K D Townley Laura Mckay 12 X2253 Not Over W R Stevenson R D Close 4 625 Taumata Vc C J & J Defilippi J Herbert 13 X50x1 Sport Mental Matt Purvis K Newman 13 60007 Bombolla B Mowbray Craig Thornley R T May 5 2 Jenny Gump S J Adlam 14 8X13 Idealindreams S A Dolan Devon Van Til 14 56370 Perfect Cut B R Negus J J A Young 6 A Rocknroll Star G O’reilly G D O’reilly Kallianassa Trent Yesberg Mark Hurrell 8 Crate & Barrel Leeston Mobile Pace Nzd $8000 3 Ben Skelton Fencing & Landscaping Pace $8000 7 8 X337x Daggy Lamb D S Reardon L F O’reilly 2000M 16:11 2170M 13:20 9 00 Prodigal Trouble A Soal M G Heenan 1 24876 Magicol Ideal Cam Jones J R Dunn 1 00003 Key Reactor Joseph Gray J J A Young 10 7 Shady Ruler T Yesberg M J Williamson 2 5214X Stavros The Terror G Court B Orange 2 5000X Jonty Kev Sam Smolenski J R Dunn Seapris G P Mrs N M Hope Ben Hope 3 9081 Dashtothebeach B R Negus J W Cox M J Williamson 11 3 64277 Starkers E J Latimer R D Holmes 12 73758 Buckingham R Holmes 4 08X74 Lilac Change D A Taylor Sarah O’reilly 4 05006 Sense Of Occasion Edmonds M Edmonds J R Dunn 13 0X Leander K A Dixon 5 56970 Senorita Margarita B Negus J J A Young 5 0X0x4 Kennedy Sue Blake B N Orange 6 36865 Flamboyant Sue Blake John Morrison 6 4099X Lexi Lindenny R Rowland Craig Thornley 6 Peter Smith Trot Nzd $8000 2170M 15:07

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A maiden winner in mid-October, Mai Tai won a rating 65 contest at Te Rapa on Waikato Cup day which had her primed for Boxing Day, where she showed a good turn of foot to burn off Super Strike to win by 1-1/4 lengths. “What Jamie said before the race is that win, lose or draw, she’ll go out for a bit of a break,

Nugget Ridge B Negus G D O’reilly A L Clark Night Watch A L Clark Andover Harry R Cameron R Cameron Royal Diedre F Fletcher Sam Thornley Go Marg B Graham Grant Archer Buffy Northstains B Negus J J A Young Silverlinings D G Burrows Ben Hope Break Free K V Hadfield K V Hadfield Shes So Right F Baigent Kerryn Tomlinson Bacardi Pride M P Edmonds M Edmonds Summars S R Wilson R D Close R J Dunn J R Dunn Yuri Ready I Am Wakelin Noble P J Wakelin Bourbon On The Rocks J Versteeg

9 10 11 12 13

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Hells Shadow A D Stuart R D Close Dallas Grimes Ineka Lee J C Hay Betstars Blue Jean W StapletonL O’reilly Little Rain Ms W Stevenson J Herbert Fun In The Dark B R Hill R T May Koromiko Eyre B R Negus Mr Asia J Bromley Craig D Thornley Saginaw R M Cameron R M Cameron Vincent Van Gone G D O’reilly S R Mcnally Lydia D A Taylor

1X1 Sweet Belle G D O’reilly

G D O’reilly

11 Fill.co.nz - Fuel On Demand Handicap Trot $10,000 2810M 17:43

1 33229 Idle Stuartia R Austin Craig Thornley 2 09565 Momentous A R Garters G D O’reilly 3 16577 Take After Me G Scott R L Houghton 4 63500 Ali Lindenny D Thompson R D Holmes 5 23001 Call This Fun A B Ford Jason Ford 6 88336 Alvira Hest A W Faulks J J A Young 7 80708 Arran Chief A W Faulks A W Faulks 9 Paul Renwick Joinery Ltd Motukarara Xmas Cup 8 X7276 B D Yasothon C P Iggo R T May S R Mcnally 9 04000 Monrika M E Howard (Hcp Pace) Nzd $13,000 2810M 16:44 10 7X072 Sun Swinger K Williams M Williamson 1 42001 The Kaik Kimberly Butt K A Butt 11 10333 Sioux Princess M Jones S J Ottley 2 07741 Got You Covered R J Dunn J R Dunn 12 87959 Boyz Invasion M Heenan M Heenan Grant Ross 3 00X08 Clive Don Ross 13 65080 Globe Trekker J & A Lethaby A L Lethaby 4 30453 Longview Lady K M Barron B N Orange 14 49825 Valley Star Mrs A M Best 5 00015 Buckskin Robert Davis Sarah O’reilly 15 5X101 Mataderos R J Dunn J R Dunn 6 X0611 No Nukes Skipper CJones R D Close 16 33108 Majestic Hurricane K Barron B Orange 7 85312 Gilligans Island G Court Sh Tomlinson 17 5142 Doff Your Cap Leonne Jones R J Butt J C Hay 8 84521 Yossi J C Hay 9 13321 Laver Geoff & James Dunn G D O’reilly 12 Next Race Day 24 January 2021 Pace Nzd $9000 10 18522 Cheezel R W Todd R T May 2170M 18:09 11 80087 Dadndave T S Trathen T S Trathen 1 04088 Madame Frost E Crawford M Williamson 10 Agricultural Mechanical Services Mobile Pace 2 98513 Art Collector W Stapleton John Morrison 3 19006 Spanna A D Sewell Sarah O’reilly Nzd $9000 2000M 17:16 1 02335 Glen Elgin Tomson K Barron B Orange 4 03061 The Go To Man J Wederell T S Chmiel G D O’reilly 5 12080 Maurice G & Js Dunn 2 X4130 She’s Tough B Mowbray M Williamson 6 451 On The Buzzer K M Barron B N Orange 3 51432 Ultimate Sassenach Mark Hurrell 7 32831 Mongolian Marshal G Court Sh Tomlinson 4 07090 Comfortably Numb R Ward John Morrison R D Close 8 76367 Pay Me Visa A D Stuart 5 05424 Playa Vista R J Winter Craig Thornley 6 219 No Time Like Now G Court S Tomlinson 9 19601 To Ri Caitlin J Cox A Hoffman Mark Hurrell 10 04800 Bonnie Boy Mrs A M Best Jack Best 7 00600 Playboy Prince E J Latimer 11 70029 Caesar’s Quest Mcdermott Laura Mckay 8 08718 Already Gone R B Ward J R Dunn 12 749X7 Prospect Park Gameson CraigThornley 9 67751 Corravally Star B R Negus J W Cox R D Holmes 13 0373X Proviseur I R Court 10 4810 Serious Moonlite A Stuart R D Close 14 0908X Regatta 11 37X41 John James Preston J J A Young 15 67307 Arizonawildcat D Halliday J R Dunn 12 02261 Southerly Change R T May 16 X6302 Ava Adore Wayne Smith K M Cox K A Butt 13 38870 Sagano Kimberly Butt 17 66263 In Chevron We Trust 14 7X86x Mossdale Art Ben Hope 18 49506 Classy Kid J & A Lethaby A L Lethaby 15 42510 Handsome Harry S Mcnally S R Mcnally

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20 SPORT

Ashburton Guardian Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Federer out of Aussie Open Six-times champion Roger Federer has withdrawn from the Australian Open as he continues to work his way back to fitness from two knee operations earlier this year. Australian Open officials were not immediately available to confirm the report. The 39-year-old Swiss last played a competitive match at the season opening grand slam in January before he had to undergo surgery on his knee. He later required a second operation. The start of the Australian Open has been delayed for three weeks until February 8 due to the country’s strict border rules to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. Federer, who had been training at his off-season base in Dubai, had told AO organisers that the delayed start to the tournament could benefit him. However, his agent Tony Goldsick told the Associated Press that Federer was not quite ready to return. “Roger has decided not to play the 2021 Australian Open,” Godsick said.

“He has made strong progress in the last couple of months with his knee and his fitness. “However, after consultation with his team, he decided that the best decision for him in the long run is to return to competitive tennis after the Australian Open.” Meanwhile, Britain’s former world number one Andy Murray has been awarded a wildcard for the tournament. The main draw entry for the first Grand Slam of 2021 comes two years after Murray, the five-time runner-up in Melbourne, played what he feared would be his final professional match there, losing in the first round to Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut. Murray went on to have hip resurfacing surgery in January last year but made his comeback to win the Antwerp title nine months later. He missed most of the 2020 season due to complications with his hip and struggled for form on his return after the Covid-19 hiatus, suffering a second-round defeat in the US Open before falling in the opening round at Roland Garros.

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Puzzles and horoscopes Cryptic crossword 1

Tuesday, December 29, 2020 Ashburton Guardian

Simon Shuker’s Code Cracker

13 15

ACROSS 1. Drying frame right in the centre of the non-u home (5) 4. Ursa Minor? (4-3) 8. What may give one some purchase? The pound – always! (5) 9. Go and look for former spouse study: around London first (7) 10. One of the first gardeners eternally curtailed (3) 11. Examined how am replaced by awkward friend and made clear (9) 12. In which to dry malt, as in first part of Bible (4) 13. In Berlin, it’s the wife who’s responsible for a fur turn-out (4) 18. They test a collier involved in sex-change (9) 20. Rewarded monetarily but, having lost head, required assistance (3) 21. Were there ten I’d tees for? (7) 22. Easterner and Southerner in all neutral leaders (5) 23. Imagined it was expected to be in numbers (7) 24. Casts off the engine-works (5) DOWN 1. Was not served, so took what one wanted (6,7) 2. Newspaper pieces concerned with prospects (7) 3. With justification got scholarly, having abandoned start (6) 4. Radio signals, having begun badly, disrupted sleep (6) 5. Seem to have a fruit quietly consumed (6) 6. Do some dental work off the top of one’s head? (5) 7. Sweets produced by those who use their loaf, no doubt (5,8) 14. Come to see what’s genuine is energy (7) 15. When it’s cold between, the West will initiate it (6) 16. Struck the ball when one was at the top (6) 17. Tries such things as Lamb wrote (6) 19. A sound from a timer is being imitative (5)

WordBuilder WordBuilder

WordWheel Insert the missing letter to complete an eight-letter word reading clockwise or anti-clockwise.

Y E P R A WordBuilder Y E P R A

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21 22

ACROSS 1. Singing star (4) 8. Sociable (10) 9. Unfinished business (5,3) 10. Curves (4) 12. Fitting (6) 14. Allow (6) 15. Hydrophobia (6) 17. Examines (6) 18. Rip (4) 19. Shrinking (8) 21. Punch-up (10) 22. Friends (4)

DOWN 2. Aggressive or provocative (colloq) (2,4,4) 3. Donkey’s years (4) 4. Shooting star (6) 5. Destitute (4,2) 6. Demur (8) 7. Inquires (4) 11. Lose your nerve (colloq) (7,3) 13. Matter of highest importance (8) 16. Stern (6) 17. Organise into a system (6) 18. Clump of hair or grass (4) 20. Barrel (4)

037

How many words of three or more letters, including plurals, can you make from the five letters, using each letter only once? No foreign words or words beginning with a capital are allowed. There’s at least one five-letter word. Good Verywords Good of 21 three Excellent 27 How 15 many or more letters, including plurals, can you make from the five letters, using each letter only once? No foreign words or words beginning with a capital are allowed. There’s atsolution: least one five-letter deer, doe,word. doer, Previous dor, dree, ode, ore, red,27rede, Good 15 ere, Veryerode, Good 21 Excellent redo, reed, rod, rode, roe, roed

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Your Stars

eight-letter word reading clockwise or Previous solution: GRACIOUS anticlockwise. Previous solution: GRACIOUS

PUZZLES 21

ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 19): Submissiveness is appropriate some of the time, but if you let others have their way too often they will begin to encroach on your space and ultimately take it over. Defend what’s yours today. TAURUS (Apr 20-May 20): Go on and position yourself right in the middle of the action (Hint: It’s never far from where a Sagittarius is...) and enjoy the sense that this is where you belong. GEMINI (May 21-Jun 21): They’ll set out to find the treasure, and you’ll set out with them – not so much for the gold, but for the adventure. Your focus will be wide where theirs is narrow. Together you’re the perfect crew. CANCER (Jun 22-Jul 22): The heart you offer your loved ones is soft but supportive – like a memory foam pillow. And yet, you can be as hard on yourself as a marble sculpture of a pillow. Go easier on the you-to-you relationship. LEO (Jul 23-Aug 22): Magic words fly from your lips. First, you say, “I’m doing it,” and next thing you know, you really are. No prior experience necessary on this one. You’ll learn everything along the way. VIRGO (Aug 23-Sep 22): Ever the planner, this marks an unusual time when many of your wishes are floating above the stratosphere, far beyond realism. Perhaps you were just thinking too small before. Spend an hour brainstorming. LIBRA (Sep 23-Oct 23): You feel that you don’t have enough resources to properly do your job. But more resources won’t help now, since what you really need is a vision. Let yourself dream and moonbeams will light your way. SCORPIO (Oct 24-Nov 21): To say that a conversation is eye-opening would be a serious understatement. You learn way more than you need or want to know. You can use this, though not right now. Tuck it away for later. SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22-Dec 21): If you let others decide what to do, you won’t be blamed if it doesn’t work out. On the other hand, your ideas are so great now that it will be worth it to bear the risks of responsibility and leadership. CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 19): In matters of work and finance, your judgment will be particularly keen this morning. One shrewd decision will favourably affect the scene for weeks, if not months to come. AQUARIUS (Jan 20-Feb 18): You’re not ready to show your work, but you will be soon. When it’s time, you’ll still feel unready... but you’ll have filled in at least five more blanks. Today’s progress will bring great satisfaction. PISCES (Feb 19-Mar 20): Your ability to deal with difficult people is astounding. It could be argued that in your presence they are no longer “difficult” as you have a calming effect.

Previous cryptic solution

Across: 1. Picturesque 8. Leech 9. Precede 10. Veteran 11. Lover 12. Resign 14. Edible 18. Delta 19. Situate 21. Rossini 23. Omaha 24. Darning-wool 7 5. Quelled Down: 1. Palaver 2. Creates 3. Usher 4. Expend 6. Ewe 7. Cheer 13. Glazier 15. 1 Bravado 16. Eyeball3 2 17. Assisi 18. Dirge 20. Thong 22. Sad

9 3 6 5 Across: 1. Actors 5. Hiccup 9. Ensure 10. Winner 11. Isle 1 2 Rued 4 12. Tramping 14. Rattle 16. Rotten 19. Chokes up 21. 22. Appear 23. Idiots 24. Masked 25. Sphere. 5 8 6 Previous solution: deer, doe, doer, Down: 2. Canasta 3. Opulent 4. Scentless 6. Idiom 7. Consist www.thepuzzlecompany.co.nz 4 Troupes 3 dor, dree, ere, erode, ode, ore, red, rede, 8. Paragon 13. Atrophies 14. Reclaim 15. redo, reed, rod, rode, roe, roed 17. Tarnish 18. Elector 20. Erase. 6 29/12 6 84 4 7 2 PREVIOUS SOLUTIONS Sudoku Fill the grid so that every column, every row and 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9. 63 923 2 7 8 5 4 1

2 6 4

3 4 2 9 8 7 9 5

Previous quick solution

3 8 6 5 2

4 3 9

3 7 6 1 2

8 7

5 8

3 9 4

1 5

8 4 1

1 9 5

6 HARD

MEDIUM

8 2 6 3 9 7 5 4 1

1 6

3 8 2 9 4 6 5 7 1

1 5 8 5 9 4 21 3 7

4 7 9 872 6 3 6 5 7 1 3 2 5 28 1 4 7 6 8 1 5 9 4

5 24 9 6 1 3 52 8

3 1 4 2 7 9 5 6

2 8 3 9 7 1 6 4 5 6 3 8 76 9 7 1 2

6 7 2 38 9 85 64 3

7 8 3 2 9 5 6 1 4

1 9 2 6 7 4 5 3 8

4 3 1 8 5 7 9 6 2

5 2 9 4 3 6 8 7 1

2 5 7 9 4 3 1 8 6

9 1 8 7 6 2 4 5 3

6 4 5 3 1 8 2 9 7

8 7 6 1 2 9 3 4 5

3 6 4 5 8 1 7 2 9

8 1

8 9 39 1

22 CLASSIFIEDS

Ashburton Guardian Tuesday, December 29, 2020

SITUATIONS VACANT

Local Democracy Reporter – Ashburton

• • • • • •

Able to spot a strong story and make it come alive for your audience Able to meet the highest standards of accuracy, fairness and balance Understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi / Te Tiriti o Waitangi Knowledge of te reo Māori Knowledge of local government processes Excellent writing skills

This is a full-time role for a fixed term. Assistance with relocation costs may be considered. Applications close 31 December 2020. Your CV, cover letter, work samples, etc should be sent to Matt.M@theguardian.co.nz Visit RNZ’s website for more information about the LDR service: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/ldr

Daily Diary TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29 9.30am ST DAVID’S UNION CHURCH. Walking group meets outside church. 48 Allens Road, Allenton. 10am - 4pm NZ ALPINE AND AGRICULTURE

SUMMER CAMP ADVENTURE Holiday Programme

Advertising Representative

Are you an outstanding reporter looking for a new challenge in public-interest journalism? Ashburton Guardian, with the support of RNZ and NZ On Air, is hiring a multimedia journalist to join the Local Democracy Reporting (LDR) programme. You will be covering local authorities and other publiclyfunded organisations, but also going out and talking to the people affected by these organisations’ decisions, sharing their stories, and coming up with your own stories on similar topics. You will report to Ashburton Guardian’s Editor. You will receive extra training and support from RNZ, and your work will be made available at the same time to all of the programme’s media partners, including RNZ. We are looking for someone with as many of the following qualities as possible. You don’t need all of these to apply, but you do need to have at least two years’ experience in daily news journalism. •

PUBLIC NOTICES

You will be selling into our newspaper, monthly rural publication and community app. Delivering great local content & news around the district and South Island. Enabling local clients to promote their businesses effectively, through a variety of media. The skills required for this position include: • Great knowledge and passion for ALL things sales & customer service • Sales and office experience • Good level of English, both verbal and written • Organised and confident • A great personality and enjoy dealing with people In return, we will provide you with an attractive base salary and uncapped commission structure.

SCOUTS 3 DAYS

• • • • • •

$60HE

FOR T 3 DAYS

A variety of activities to suit all interests Ages from six to eighteen for all youth Weekly programmes with Fun activities A great way to meet and make new friends for Youth and Adults Adults are welcome to join as Leaders or Committee Members All Adult Leaders are Trained in First Aid and the New Zealand Outdoors

9am - 3pm ASHBURTON AVIATION MUSUEM. Static displays, collection of aircraft and memorabilia on display. Ashburton Airport,

Girls and Boys age 10 - 13 years, good to average fitness required.

Non scouting children welcome ADVENTURE PLUS! For enquiries, please email turkeys@xtra.co.nz or binghamfamily@outlook.com Ph: 308 5678

ADULT ENTERTAINMENT

Level 2, 73 Burnett Ashburton Members|ofMembers I.B.A.N.Z & Ltd. LevelSt, 2, 73 Burnett St,|Ashburton of Brokernet I.B.A.N.Z & NZ Brokernet NZ Ltd.

L A U ANNERAL GEN

2020 ENCOUNTER AND THE ART GALLERY. Open for viewing. Mt Hutt Memorial Hall, 160 Main Street Methven. 1pm - 3pm ASHBURTON AVIATION MUSUEM. Static displays, collection of aircraft and memorabilia on display. Ashburton Airport, Seafield Road.

Seafield Road. 10am - 4pm NZ ALPINE AND AGRICULTURE ENCOUNTER AND THE ART GALLERY. Open for viewing. Mt Hutt Memorial Hall, 160 Main Street Methven.

Tuesday: Fine. Northeasterlies, fresh in the afternoon and evening.

Midnight Tuesday

Canterbury Plains

MAX

19 MIN 8

Tuesday: Fine. Areas of cloud developing at night. Northeasterlies, fresh in the afternoon and evening. Wednesday: Morning and evening cloud, otherwise long fine breaks. Isolated showers south of Timaru from afternoon. Northeasterlies. Thursday: Becoming cloudy. Patches of light rain or drizzle. Northeasterlies.

Around The Region Tuesday

BOOK YOUR

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M A S

Tuesday, March 29 at 7.30pm

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Wednesday: Areas of morning and evening cloud, otherwise fine. Northeasterlies.

Canterbury High Country

MAX

21 MIN 11

Tuesday: Fine apart from areas of morning and evening cloud. Wind at 1000m: Light winds. Wind at 2000m: Light winds. Freezing level: Above 3000m. Wednesday: Mostly cloudy. Scattered rain developing south of Mount Cook in the morning, easing in the evening. Isolated showers further north from afternoon. Wind at 1000m: Light winds. Wind at 2000m: Light winds. Freezing level: Above 3000m.

+ GST

4cm 1 column

PLUS A LAMINATED POSTER*

18 10 19 12 19 12 Thursday: Mostly cloudy with isolated showers. 18 8 18 12 18 10 Light winds, northwesterlies developing in the 21 8 20 9 19 9 evening. SUN PROTECTION ALERT 19 8 20 11 19 10 16 10 19 13 18 12 PROTECTION REQUIRED : 05 9 : 05 am – 6 pm 18 8 20 11 20 11 Wear a hat and sunglasses For the very latest weather information, including Weather Warnings, visit metservice.com © Copyright Meteorological Service of New Zealand Limited 2020 Compiled by Christchurch Darfield Lake Coleridge Methven Rakaia Timaru

GRAZING

LAMB Grazing wanted. Good prices paid. Please TWO Asian lady special, phone Jason 0274 288 402. good massage, excellent service. in/out calls. Phone 022 572 5823.

The application form will include these questions: • Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in New Zealand? HOLIDAY • Do you have experience in a sales role? CCOMMODATION • Do you haveLevel customer service experience? Level 2, 73St, Burnett St, Ashburton Members I.B.A.N.Z & & Brokernet NZ Ltd. Level 2, 73 Burnett St,|Ashburton |of Members of NZBrokers I.B.A.N.Z &A Brokernet Level 2, 73 Burnett Ashburton | Members of I.B.A.N.Z 2, 73 Burnett St, Ashburton | Members of I.B.A.N.Z & Brokernet NZ Ltd. NZ Ltd. PNZRLtd. O F E S S I O N A L Call David Rush Level 2, 73 Burnett St, Ashburton | Members of I.B.A.N.Z & Brokernet • Do you have experience working towards targets couple (ex-Ashburton) today on 03 307 and KPIs? are returning home for work assignment 1990 for expert • Do you have experience in a cold calls sales from January 11 for advice and a free no environment? about a fortnight. obligation risk Would appreciate the assessment. If this is you, please send your CV and cover letter to: opportunity to house sit in Ashburton, Sonia Gill, Sales Manager, PO Box 77, Ashburton 7740 cats problem. We 2, 73 Burnett St, no Ashburton | Members of I.B.A.N.Z & NZBrokers Level Level 2, 73 Burnett St, Ashburton | Members of I.B.A.N.Z & Brokernet NZ Ltd. Or email sonia.g@theguardian.co.nz would look after your Level 2, 73 Burnett St, Ashburton | Members of I.B.A.N.Z & Brokernet NZ Ltd. valuable home. Please 73 Burnett St, Applications close Thursday, January 14, 2021 ring or text 027-354Ashburton 1234. Thank you. Applicants for this position should have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa and a current New Zealand driver’s licence.

Ashburton Weather

A low is slow-moving to the east of the North Island. Another low, and associated fronts, are spreading onto the south of the South Island this evening from the Tasman Sea. A narrow ridge of high pressure lies over central and northern New Zealand. A front moves up the South Island tomorrow, while a southerly flow eases over the North Island. On Thursday, a weak ridge spreads across New Zealand, weakening again on Friday and Saturday.

Tramping, Biking and 1 night camping

Contact 0800 SCOUTS or mania-o-roto.zoneleader@scoutmail.org.nz

PHOTO WITH YOUR LISTING

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30

New Zealand

20, 21 and January 2021 Scouting is worldwide and22 offers life skills to8am boys- 5pm and girls

Thursday: Becoming cloudy. Chance of light rain or drizzle. MAX

Readings to 4pm Monday Temp °C Maximum Minimum Grass min 24hr Rain mm Month to date Wind km/h Strongest gust Sun hrs on Sun Month to date

Ashburton Airport 16.1 2.1 -0.6 0.0 64.0 E 28 3:31pm 3.2 195.8

Methven 15.3 1.3 – – – – – – –

Christchurch Timaru Airport Airport 17.6 15.9 4.2 3.1 0.4 – 0.0 0.0 62.0 39.0 E 28 E 31 3:44pm 12:56pm 4.1 – 195.7 –

Tides, Sun and Moon Tuesday

21 MIN 10

Wednesday

Thursday

Ashburton H 4:10am 4:23pm 4:50am 5:02pm 5:30am 5:43pm Mouth L 10:17am 10:27pm 10:58am 11:10pm 11:41am 11:55pm Rakaia Mouth Rangitata Mouth

H 4:06am L 10:22am H 3:54am L 10:01am

4:21pm 4:49am 5:04pm 5:31am 5:49pm 10:34pm 11:05am 11:18pm 11:49am 4:07pm 4:34am 4:46pm 5:14am 5:27pm 10:11pm 10:42am 10:54pm 11:25am 11:39pm

Data provided by NIWA

5:50am 9:21pm

5:51am 9:21pm

8:35pm 4:45am 9:32pm 5:29am 10:22pm 6:22am

full Dec 30

last qtr Jan 6

new Jan 13

first qtr Jan 21

Tuesday, December 29, 2020 Ashburton Guardian

FAMILY NOTICES 23

DEATHS

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HANRAHAN, Catherine Joan (Joan) – On December 24, 2020. Passed away peacefully at Rosebank Hospital and Rest Home, Ashburton, aged 90 years. Loved daughter of the late Patrick and Mary Hanrahan. Much loved sister and sister in law of Beatrice and the late Iain Weir, Monica and the late Brian Hanrahan, and Mary Hanrahan (Sister Mary). Dearly loved aunt of all her nieces and nephews and great aunt of all her great nieces and nephews. Special thanks to the Rosebank residence and staff for their love and care of Joan. Messages to the Hanrahan family c/- PO Box 472, Ashburton 7740. A Requiem Mass to celebrate Joan’s life will be held at the Church of the Holy Name, Sealy Street, Ashburton TOMORROW Wednesday, January 6, commencing at 11.00am Followed by interment at the Rakaia Cemetery.

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Ashburton Guardian Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Jack has lofty future in mind P18

MIDWEEK SPORT

Back on the bike

The top New Zealand cyclist George Bennett has confirmed he’ll race two events in New Zealand in the New Year.

Bennett returns to NZ roads The top New Zealand cyclist George Bennett has confirmed he’ll race two events in New Zealand in the New Year. The World Tour pro will race for the New Zealand team in next month’s UCI-sanctioned Gravel & Tar race in the Manawatu, and February’s Road Nationals in Cambridge. Bennett, who rides for the Dutch Jumbo Visma Team is currently in his final week of isolation after making a late decision to return home for the summer. Bennett, New Zealand highest ranked rider at 26 in the world, will lead a young New Zealand team for the one-day race on January 23rd that includes five gravel sections in the 140km road race. In a coronavirus-affected 2020 World Tour season, Bennett celebrated with a victory in the Gran Piemonte in Italy and three days later he finished second a close second in Il Lombardia. In doing so he became the first New Zealand rider to podium in a

famed Monument, one of the five such races grouped as the most prestigious one-day events in cycling. Bennett was fifth in the Vuelta a Burgos and the Tour de l’Ain before playing a key support role in over 6400kms of back-to-back Grand Tours of the Tour de France and the Vuelta a Espana, won by his Jumbo Visma team-mate Primoz Roglic. “I will do the Gravel & Tar with the national team which will be cool. I won’t be anywhere ready for real racing but it will be fun to do a domestic race again,” said Bennett. “I always love to race in New Zealand. “Normally that is just the nationals. It reminds me of how it was before it all got too serious on the World Tour. That is the real passion for me doing it. “I was lucky growing up that I got to race with Julian Dean and Hayden Roulston and those guys. That was always a real thrill. They were never easy on it, they raced us hard and taught us a lot.

This is a cool opportunity to be involved with New Zealand Cycling at a grassroots level.” Bennett said he and partner Caitlin Fielder were initially planning to remain in Europe for the shorter off-season. “We then decided we should get back to see everyone, especially as things were getting quite bad over in Europe. We had a spot in iso so we jumped in, which meant Christmas Day in isolation but that’s not the end of the world. “New Zealand needs to be very thankful for the situation we are in. I spent two and a half months not even allowed to go for a walk and completely locked into a room. “When you see what is happening in the rest of the world, you have to be so careful and not take the situation for granted. “New Zealand has done a pretty special job of stamping it out, enjoy summer, enjoy what we have because who knows how the situation will evolve.”