BB#25 by BayBuzz

Issue No.25 • S EP/O CT 2015 • $8.00 Including GST

9 772253 262016

Amalgamation Decided. What Next? Grading EIT

Post-Referendum Politics

Going to Goats

High Tech Farming

Taxing Sugar

Spring Fashion

Jetstar Ready to Land

Kiwis Face Disorder

elephant hill Lunch, Dinner, Wine Tasting

Issue No.25 • S EP/O CT 2015

THIS MONTH We’ve voted on amalgamation – 20 views on where to go from here, and political analysis on what next. EIT celebrates 40 years … do we appreciate the asset we’ve got? Goat milk … a new business opportunity for Hawke’s Bay? Smart technologies can lift our farmers’ productivity. How about a tax on sugar? Is NZ ready for the new world order? Plus upcoming events, food, fashion, travel, the culture scene, and Brendan’s humour.

FEATURES

22 WHAT NEXT?

Jessica Soutar Barron

Twenty views on where Hawke’s Bay needs to head

30 GOAT DAIRY: A NEW KID FOR THE BAY?

Bridget Freeman-Rock

Momentum builds for Hawke’s Bay goat milk industry.

36 EIT: THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD

Tom Belford

EIT is flourishing, so who needs a university?

42 FIGHT FLIGHT

Keith Newman

Will Jetstar make a smooth landing?

POLITICAL BUZZ Tom Belford With amalgamation decided, the real politicking is just beginning.

Page 1 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

Issue No.25 • S EP/O CT 2015

JESS SOUTAR BARRON Jess is a wordsmith and project manager whose past gigs have included time with Sky TV, Hastings District Council and Band, as well as three years as a communications managerwith the Metropolitan Police Service. She also produces Fruit Bowl Craft Jam.

KEITH NEWMAN Keith is a journo with nearly 40-years’ experience across mainstream and trade media. He’s won awards for writing about hi-tech, produces Musical Chairs programmes for Radio NZ and has published four books, one on the internet in New Zealand and three others on New Zealand history. MARK SWEET Napier-born, Mark worked overseas in Hong Kong and Scotland, before returning to Hawke’s Bay, and establishing Pacifica restaurant. Re-creating himself as a writer, Mark’s first novel Zhu Mao was published in 2011; an extract from his next novel, Of Good and Evil, has been short-listed for the Pikihuia Awards, will be published soon.

> BEE in the KNOW 08 Pitsch Leiser launches HB Arts Festival. HB Wellness Index. Hot/Not. Zombie app. Info innovation. Strait sailing. They’re Back! Dog’s life. Virtual shopping. HB hazards. Electric rides. Feeling older. Think like a doctor. Events not to miss.

> IDEAS & OPINIONS 76 SMART FARMING KEY TO PAYDIRT Keith Newman

BRIDGET FREEMAN-ROCK Bridget is Hawke’s Bay grown, and a bookworm by vocation, or a ‘literary scientist’ to borrow a German term for the ubiquitous arts degree in English. She freelances as a writer, editor and translator (German), and proofreads BayBuzz, alongside postgrad study and ventures in poetry and fiction.

80 FUNDING LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOR THE FUTURE Lawrence Yule 82 OUR HEALTH MINISTER: SPONSORED BY COCA-COLA Gareth Morgan 84 FIVE TRENDS DRIVING ONLINE USE Matt Miller 86 THE SIREN SONG OF GROWTH David Trubridge 88 GLOBAL CITIZENS IN A WORLD OF DISORDER Colin James

> CULTURE & LIFESTYLE 52 THE SCENE Jessica Soutar Barron

MANDY WILSON Mandy Wilson manages advertising and store sales for BayBuzz. She’s worked in print media in the Bay for 20 years or so (Wow!). In her leisure you can spot Mandy walking or cycling one of the numerous tracks throughout Hawke’s Bay or sipping hot chocolates in any number of cafes. 027 593 5575

HB Arts Festival. Box Fresh veggie gardens. Rock on. Best ballet shoes. The essay returns. Te Kahui Maunga Kura Toi at HCAG. John Vea at MTG. Wardini’s book reviews. Trees for bees. Fermented veggies. Keirunga Gardens. Clearview’s best. Daffodils and orchids.

64 TASTE TENNYSON … AND BEYOND Prue Barton 68 A SPRING FLING WITH FASHION Clare Tanton 74 AFRICAN ADVENTURE Ereni Zachary 96 THE POLITICAL GAMES Brendan Webb BayBuzz articles are archived 30 days after publication at: WWW.BAYBUZZ.CO.NZ For editorial enquiries:editors@baybuzz.co.nz For advertising enquiries:mandy@baybuzz.co.nz

ISSN 2253-2625 (PRINT) ISSN 2253-2633 (ONLINE)

THE BAYBUZZ TEAM EDITOR: Tom Belford. ASSISTANT EDITOR: Jessica Soutar Barron. SENIOR WRITERS: Bridget Freeman-Rock; Jessica Soutar Barron; Keith Newman; Mark Sweet; Tom Belford. COLUMNISTS: Anna Lorck; Brendan Webb; Clare Tanton; Damon Harvey; David Trubridge; Paul Paynter; Sarah Cates. EDITOR’S RIGHT HAND: Brooks Belford. PHOTOGRAPHY: Tim Whittaker; Sarah Cates. ILLUSTRATION: Brett Monteith. CREATIVE, DESIGN & PRODUCTION: Empire Design; Coast & Co. ADVERTISING SALES & DISTRIBUTION: Mandy Wilson. ONLINE: Mogul. BUSINESS MANAGER: Bernadette Magee. PRINTING: Format Print. COVER PHOTOGRAPH BY TIM WHITTAKER Page 2 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

This document is printed on an environmentally reponsible paper produced using Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) pulp sourced from Sustainable & Legally Harvested Farmed Trees, and manufactured under the strict ISO14001 Environmental Management System.

If anyone knows the properties of great wine, it’s Bayleys. As the leading marketer of vineyards in Hawke’s Bay, Bayleys knows how important it is that the region’s wine maintains and grows its reputation for excellence. That is why we are proud to sponsor the awards that celebrate the outstanding quality of the wines produced here in the Bay. We strive for excellence in all we do, and it’s only natural we want to honour those who do the same, not just for their own businesses but also for the region’s wines as a whole. To contact Bayleys regarding viticulture, rural, lifestyle, residential or commercial property please call Napier 06 834 4080 | Havelock North 06 872 9300 | Waipukurau 06 858 5500

FROM THE EDITOR TOM BELFORD

Change

As BayBuzz hits the stands, only a week remains in the voting window on amalgamation. I would hope that BayBuzz readers are highly engaged and will have voted. But if you haven’t yet, please do, whatever your persuasion on the matter. The decision is hugely important to the region, and it’s yours to make. Of course, if you’re reading BayBuzz after September 15th, the fate of amalgamation has been decided. So given the two-month ‘shelflife’ of this magazine, we decided to focus on ‘What Next?’, which indeed is the title of Jess Soutar Barron’s compilation of stimulating advice from twenty representative leaders and influencers in Hawke’s Bay. She asked these folks what the region needed to focus on now, irrespective of the amalgamation outcome. And as with amalgamation, there’s not a consensus. On the one hand, Sileni owner Graeme Avery urges us to think big and set high aspirations: “Hawke’s Bay needs to focus on bigger projects. By doing that we can maximise our economic and social potential. Our future can be about innovation, new technologies and new values, but we need to let go of the past.” And on the other hand, Green Party’s Paul Bailey urges moderation: “There are no big bang project solutions. There are hundreds of small projects, which will make our economy resilient. We should celebrate and strengthen being an SME economy.” So the debate over Hawke’s Bay’s future path goes on. BayBuzz welcomes your thoughts. To try and anticipate how our political leaders might proceed, my Political Buzz feature explores the ramifications of both possible amalgamation outcomes – one that is and one that might have been. In the November/December edition, we’ll delve more deeply into the post-referendum political and governance reality.

Page 4 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

But this edition is not all politics. Look for stories on EIT at its 40th anniversary, HB’s goat milk opportunity, Jetstar, smart farming technology, plus plenty of culture and lifestyle items and info bits, food and fashion, and guest articles by the outspoken Gareth Morgan and journalist Colin James … both certain to provoke your thinking. On a less significant scale, but hopefully of importance and interest to our readers, change is also in the air for BayBuzz. Not so much for the magazine, which, based on the feedback we get, seems to be in an appealing groove, although we’re always tweaking (and can always use more feedback). Instead, much of the change will focus on the online presence of BayBuzz. Truth be told, with all the work involved in upgrading the magazine over the past year, we’ve allowed our website, blog and Facebook presence to suffer. But that’s going to change. Already, drawing from what we see as the best of other online publications, we’ve overhauled the BayBuzz website – www.baybuzz.co.nz – and I urge you to take a fresh look. One new feature you’ll find is an emphasis on video, both to reinforce stories in the magazine (check out our ‘What Next?’ interviews) and to provide timely face-toface reporting of key news and events in the region apart from our print coverage. And my blog – the initial spark for BayBuzz eight years ago – will be rejuvenated as ‘Tom’s Blog’, effectively serving as a more regular ‘From the Editor’ report and commentary. Not all BayBuzz magazine content makes it onto the website, and those main features we do put online are delayed 30 days from magazine publication. But we will now be offering a digital version of each entire magazine, exactly as printed, as a bonus to all BayBuzz magazine paid subscribers … and as a standalone digital offer to readers outside

New Zealand. So if you have a friend or colleague abroad, urge them to check out the digital mag offer on our website. Next to follow will be a re-energising of the BayBuzz Facebook page – facebook.com/ baybuzzhb – where the BayBuzz community can engage regularly with vim and vigour. Stay tuned for that. Meantime, enjoy this edition of BayBuzz.

TOM BELFORD Tom’s past includes the Carter White House, building Ted Turner’s first philanthropic organization, doing heaps of marketing consulting for major nonprofits and corporates. Tom writes an acclaimed blog for professional NGO fundraisers and communicators in North America and Europe, and is a HB Regional Councillor.

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Issue No.25 • SEP / OCT 2015

LETTERS We’d like to hear from you! Don’t be shy. Share your reactions to BayBuzz content and style with the BayBuzz team ... and other readers. We’re all good listeners!

amalgamation

My thoughts on amalgamation in a nutshell. People like yourself Mr Belford, Rebecca Turner, Lawrence Yule need to understand that people like myself are sick and tired of having false hopes,dreams and empire building forced upon us. You have no idea do you of what is good for the people of Central Hawke’s Bay, Wairoa or Napier. Have you or your posse ever been down this way and asked or surveyed the people that this trash is going to affect? If you do not like Hawke’s Bay the way it is then you always have the option of moving out and taking Ms Turner and all the other fools with you. WE DONT WANT OR NEED YOUR AMALGAMATION. Disrespectfully yours Mike Swinbanks.

Tom, this is a great edition, thanks to you and your team. Even though BayBuzz always has articles discussing amalgamation, it is such a complex issue, with much sentiment attached to it that it is difficult for us ordinary citizens to cut through all of that to a clear understanding of what might happen in the event of amalgamation. The future is never certain. I therefore welcomed the delightful ruminations of Marie Dunningham, reflecting the conundrum of many thinking people on the subject. I felt she was chatting with me and we were both trying to work our way through the pros and cons and fretting about ‘what if ’ we vote the wrong way? Paul Paynter’s piece was similarly reflective and gave me an interesting perspective of a landsman’s view of the Heretaunga Plains and the nonsense of the artificially dissected council boundaries and rules. He demonstrated the significance of the Plains and the quality of its soils saying. “the Class 6 Twyford Silt Loam, digging a hole in it, is an emotional experience, I want to take my clothes off and roll in it.” Delightful. Both these articles reflect a love of place which I am sure we all feel – debate that surrounds the amalgamation of Hawke’s Bay is passionate because of that, we all care so much, perhaps too much, to be rational. It’s an emotive subject all right, all the more important then to understand the complexities and to note the hostile gutreactions in the text messages and opinion pages of Hawke’s Bay Today. Thanks for being a platform for discussion and like Marie and Paul, it’s a considered ‘Yes’ for me. Kay Bazzard

Hi Tom, Great editorial in the No24 BB…but a further matter should be discussed and that is the race based nature of the proposed new Regional Planning Committee which is to have 10 Maori persons who will be appointed and have voting rights without them themselves being subject to the voting/election process…in other words a race based arrangement. I am sure you know all this and for my part I would like to see the matter discussed in your Mag. Right now I am of the mind that if we cannot have fully democratic governance we are just exchanging one crock for another. Keep up the good work. Regards, Owen Lawrence

amalgamation It really is a pity you decided to nail your colours to the pro-amalgamation mast. Although of course we need to wait for the results from the up coming amalgamation vote it may have sunk your continuing participation in local government politics. There is a lot to be said for the old conventional political wisdom of ‘having a bob each way’ on controversial issues. It is not sitting on the fence, it is simply waiting to see what the people (who you are meant to represent) choose on contentious policy. You are there to represent the wishes of the people, not to impose your personal opinion on them. Kelvyn Stevens

amalgamation

Excellent issue of BayBuzz. The amalgamation feature was superb, full of specifics which the debate so desperately needs. Nice work BayBuzz. Would love to see this issue dropped into every Napier mailbox. Jessica O’Sullivan

amalgamation A note to say that I thought your article on amalgamation in the latest BB is the clearest, most comprehensive and best expressed view that I, now living outside H.Bay, have come across. Beautifully written cogent point of view. Every so often in my long life, I have found that that amazing quality called “commonsense” has prevailed in matters political. This despite all the spin and financially powerful forces working against it. Somehow I have the feeling that the H.B.amalgamation issue will fall into this category and the only sensible decision will be made. This cause has much to thank an ex-pat American for and I sincerely hope, that in due course, your efforts will be appreciated. For my part, I say in genuine Kiwi-ese “Good on yer, Tom”. Quentin R.

Send your comments, rants, praise, objections to: editors@baybuzz.co.nz Or, if you want to remain anonymous, just mail your comments to:

BayBuzz, PO Box 8322, Havelock North Page 6 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

BayBuzz

Needs You! And Yours. Of course, anyone can just read BayBuzz. And we’re delighted that you do. But here are some other ways you … or someone you know … or an organisation or business in which you are involved … can actually help inspire content for the magazine. Foreign Correspondents Hawke’s Bay sends a steady stream of emissaries out into the wide world beyond our region. We’re not talking Dannevirke, but rather Dubai, London, Shanghai, California, New York … even that weird place called Oz. And they’re both taking in the world, comparing it to home (pluses and minuses), and representing Hawke’s Bay to the ‘unwashed’ who live beyond our borders. Can they write? If so, we’d like to read their stories and observations. Can they shoot a photo (or even a video) or take a selfie of something we need to see to believe? If so, we’d like to view it. In short, BayBuzz is looking for ‘foreign correspondents’ who can show us the world as seen by Hawke’s Bay expats. And either make us envious of their good fortune, or make us happy to be right here! Maybe one of those emissaries is your daughter, son, sister or cousin. Get ahold of them. Tell them BayBuzz wants to hear from them. We have a magazine and a website eager for their dispatches.

Returnees Some Hawke’s Bay expats have ‘seen the world’ … and seen enough!

And home they’ve come. We’d like to know about them too, and hear their stories. What was their overseas experience? Why are they back? Just back from Sydney? We’ve probably heard that one … but give it a try. Just back from Uzbekistan? We’re all ears! Generally, we’ve published ‘returnee’ stories in groups of three or so, under the rubric … They’re Back! We’d like to do this, with your help, with more regularity. Again, they could be your daughter, son, sister or cousin. If they’ve returned to the motherland in the last year or so, get them on our radar screen. By ourselves, we can’t monitor all the borders all the time.

Spies Finally, we need domestic spies. The BayBuzz team is pretty good at scanning the local scene and knowing who’s who and what’s what. But we have blinders just like everyone else … our network needs constant expanding and refreshing. We need BayBuzz readers to alert us to upcoming events, identify individuals and organisations whose special achievements deserve recognition, clue us in to new and

innovative businesses that will help put Hawke’s Bay on the map … and yes, share juicy gossip of community relevance. Naturally, we can’t cover everything and everyone. We’ll leave the ‘normal’ stuff – like hatches, matches and dispatches – to Hawke’s Bay Today. Instead, BayBuzz is looking for the bold, the brash, the brilliant … the undiscovered, unnoticed and unusual. We think our readers have the inside scoop on this kind of stuff. And we hope you’ll share it with us and your fellow readers.

How? It couldn’t be simpler. Whatever kind of content you might be able to share – Foreign Correspondents, Returnees, Spies – all it takes to get our attention is an email. Our computers are never turned off! Of course, we can’t promise that you’ll see each and every submission in print. But nothing ventured, nothing gained. Don’t be shy.

We’re at editors@baybuzz.co.nz Or: PO Box 8322, Havelock North And we’d love to hear from you and yours.

Page 7 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

BEE in the KNOW

Master of the Arts For nearly two years Pitsch Leiser has been manager of Creative Hastings. In that time he's revitalised the annual Blossom Parade, brought monthly jazz sessions to Havelock North through the summer, kicked the Music in the Park series up a notch, and filled the Hastings Community Arts Centre with Page 8 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

show after show of unusual and inspiring work from across the region. Now, he's putting his energy into the inaugural Hawke's Bay Arts Festival. An arts festival has been talked about for years, but Pitsch defied the barriers to actually make it happen. Coming in October; read about it on p.52.

BEE in the KNOW

Hawke's Bay Wellness Index Jobs on Seek.co.nz

Homes For Sale

[23 August 2015]

[Realestate.co.nz]

211

Lamb price at Stortford

August 23, 2015

1,283

AVERAGE

Drunks Taken to Detox/Home

Dwelling Assualts

[REINZ]

[ 19 August ]

[ Down 205 from June]

Homes Sold

292

$108

119

in July 2015 [Up 60% from July 2014]

in June 2015 [ Down 6 from June 2014 ]

in June 2015 [ Down 9 from June 2014]

218

HB Hospital Emergency Department presentations

Giant jaffas given away by Pipi’s in Havelock North

[ 22 Jun – 20 Aug 2015]

[ Down from 2,108 in May 2015 ]

Burglaries

June 2015

[ Down 1 from June 2014 ]

Visitors to MTG

Admissions, July

1,477 [ Including FREE children ]

[Family violence indicator]

7,532 1,805 92 [ Up 462 from same period in 2014 ]

Bay Espresso coffee sold [June 2015]

92 gigabytes of data downloaded, in July, on average, by NOW residential customers.

Hawke's Bay Guest Nights

[Commercial & Private YE June 2015]

1,378 3,897,474

[ Down 285kg from June 2014 ]

[ Up 4.2% year over YE June 2014 ]

What's Hot

What's Not

Amalgamation?

Goat milk

Feral goats

EIT

HB university

Premium economy

Economy

Bistro eating

Fine dining

Rugby World Cup

Pool of Death

Public debates

Apathy

Sugar tax

Sugar

Page 9 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

BEE in the KNOW

Creativity & Innovation Figure.NZ is one of six New Zealand companies selected as finalists in this year’s World Summit Awards for creativity and innovation. The awards are a global showcase of ICT projects, with a special emphasis on those which show the benefits of information and communication technology for the development of communities. Figure.NZ was founded by Central Hawke's Bay woman Lillian Grace. The company collects and shares data on a vast array of subjects in the form of graphs and tables. New Zealand has finalists in six of the eight World Summit Awards categories, as well as Figure.NZ, ARANZ Medical, Pond, Ngā Tapuwae Gallipoli, Wipster and Attitude Live are all nominated. Final judging takes place this month in Azerbaijan.

Zombie App Running is taking off in Hawke's Bay with a number of top long distance runners coming from here – Ruby Muir, Kristian Day – and lots of running-based events happening in Hawke's Bay during the year, including Peak Trail Blazer and Triple Peaks. But all that running needs training and motivation. Here's a great way to achieve both: being chased by zombies...well, not really, but as good as! Thanks to a mobile phone app Zombies, Run! runners can now beat the boredom as they pound the pavement. There's 200 individual missions – with random zombie attacks – that deliver a narrative to runners through their mobile phone headphones. It's gripping, chilling and has just enough silliness to keep you from crying, from fear or fatigue. Page 10 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

SAILED THROUGH WITH FLYING COLOURS

Setting Sail In April, in Picton, on a day when the ferries had been cancelled and a four-metre swell battered the shore, four sailors from Hawke's Bay's Sailability club set out to cross the Cook Strait, each in their own 3.6 metre vessel. One was 19-year-old Hastings man Otis Horne. Horne has been sailing off and on since he was 9, and now spends every weekend he can out on the water. He's a wheel chair user and has congenital spina fida. The Cook Strait crossing was an 11 hour journey, the culmination of many months planning, fundraising and training. "Sailing pushes us to go and be independent, and the Cook Strait trip was an extension of that," explains Horne. The trip was a long one, but peppered with rich rewards including sightings of seals, penguins and albatross. When Horne finally reached the shore at Mana after being doldrummed a kilometre from his

destination, he told his coach he was ready to do it all over again. “As soon as I got out of the boat I said ‘can we please do that again, right now!’” Sailing is Horne's current sport of choice, but since he was a child he has participated in skiing, horse riding, athletics and murder ball. Five years ago Horne had major surgery on his spine and spent many months in hospital unable to move. He sees sailing as a release from those physical constrictions. "I like everything about it. It's freedom and independence, and I like being alone on the water," he explains. Horne, who works as a classroom aide, now has his sights set on greater seas, sailing around the world. Two years ago he participated in a ten day sail with the Lord Nelson tall ship and would like to take a crew position on the boat when it next comes to New Zealand. Horne has recently been shortlisted for an Attitude Award in the Courage in Sport category. The Awards are announced in December.

BEE in the KNOW

The Cook Strait – 22kms at its narrowest point – is described on Wikipedia as “one of the most dangerous and unpredictable waters in the world”. And while Interislander passengers might get a whiff of that danger on any of the regular storm-tossed crossings, the fact takes on new meaning when you’re in a little boat just inches from the sea. The ferries were cancelled again on the morning we crossed. After a three-day southerly storm, fivemetre swells were predicted in the Strait – although that was hard to believe during the three-hour tow out through a perfectly calm Marlborough Sounds. But just past Long Island, on the edge of the Sounds, the wind picked up above 15 knots and within 20 minutes the four colourful Sailability Hawke’s Bay yachts were heeled over sailing full tilt into the forecast five-metre swell. This was the challenge the sailors - Dennis, Katy, Otis and Sam – had signed up for. While all of them had sailed in tough conditions previously, they had never been so far from land, or in such big seas. On the Sailability rescue rubber ducky, Paul and I kept track of the yachts as they bobbed in-and-out of sight in the swell. Up ahead, Mark and Gav on the bigger Bridgeman rescue boat held the course. This was a well-planned trip. We were about as safe as you could be in the circumstances. In spite of all our precautions, however, the middle of the Cook Strait still felt like a risky place to hang out in a little boat. But whenever Paul and I buzzed over in rescue to check the sailors were ok, they just smiled and waved us away: they were having too much fun to be afraid of these dangerous and unpredictable waters.

David Chaplin Page 11 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

THEY'RE

BEE in the KNOW

BACK!

Think Global, New Head At Act Local Racecourse ‘Think global, act local’ sums up recent returnee Georgina Langdale. After an illustrious career spanning PR, policy and planning, including stints at the United Nations and Kew Gardens, Georgina is now applying her eco-know-how to her own small business, a medicinal apothecary, Archeus, in Poraiti, making beauty and health products. Georgina grew up in Central Hawke's Bay and returned in 2011, but was still working for the UN, so weeks were spent in Ethiopia and weekends here in the Bay. She moved back full time about a year ago. "With the UN I found myself thinking 'This is amazing work but I want to do the doing - I want to go home'", she explains. "I have five acres here and I want to look after that in a way that works with nature not against it, so my global thinking is informing my local action." With her work for the UN, Georgina developed tools for economies to determine their conservation and environmental bottom line. "We wanted to ask 'What is the value to society of nature?' And 'What is the cost if we degrade the eco-system we rely on?'" Living in London, Georgina was running a PR business working on cultural projects. The opportunity arose to use her skills at Kew Garden and her focus moved from the arts to the environment. "I'd been a conduit for culture and I thought I'd like to do this for nature because she needs a lot of voices," she says. That commitment is at the heart of her cottage industry Archeus. "I'm really enjoying being back. Hawke's Bay is a great place. It's got everything going for it to be a great region," says Georgina. "I just wanted to get my hands back in this soil because this is the landscape that nurtured me."

Butch Castles is the new CEO at Hawke's Bay Racing. He's a Bay boy through and through who snuck down to the races when he was in high school and is now thrilled to be back, in a more official capacity. "Anyone who's grown up in the Bay yearns to get back, because it's a great place to live and work," he says. "This role is an excellent opportunity for me to broaden my skills and challenge myself." Butch believes Hawke's Bay is vital to New Zealand racing. "Spring Carnival has an extremely important place in the racing calendar. We have a better surface than most places in the spring because of the climate," he explains. "That can spring board the horses into Australian campaigns and provide the New Zealand horses a run early in their season." Butch has worked at the Hawke's Bay facility before. Twenty three years ago he helped organise some events there. "Those were the halcyon days of the $2 million stakes. There were some wonderful horses back then," he says. Butch left the Bay in 1988 and has worked in racing ever since aside from a stint in a brewery. Most recently he's spent ten years at Auckland Racing Club at Ellerslie as executive manager of racing. He is a regular panelist on Track Side racing television show, Weigh In.

Page 12 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

BEE in the KNOW

DOG'S

LIFE Lovely adoption stories are coming out of the Hastings animal welfare centre now that it's been through a review and changes are being made. The pound is working hard to rehome unwanted dogs and is seeing some success stories. This is happening alongside significant changes in the bricks and mortar and the processes and policies of the place.

Clynton Chadwick, one of the animal control officers, says a particularly soppy ending came a few weeks ago when an Auckland couple saw a dog for adoption on the HDC facebook page. "The woman flew down to meet the dog," explains Chadwick "And she was really happy with it so then she flew down again with her husband the following weekend, in a private jet, to pick the dog up!"

"It was a really unusual, funny looking dog too. It looked like it had stuck its paw in an electric fence!" adds Chadwick.

The couple recently called the pound to tell them how well the new addition was settling in.

Adopting a dog from the Animal Welfare Centre costs $250 to cover de-sexing, registration and microchipping. Dogs

Virtual Shopping Collectively we spend $1.6 billion shopping on overseas websites. Two-thirds of online shoppers have made a purchase from an overseas website in the last three months, up from 61% in 2014. More than 60% of those say that they couldn't find what they were looking for in New Zealand, according to research company Neilsen. The biggest change in the figures is the number of repeat purchasers. Over half of those who bought online did so six or more times. In 2010 it was a third. Event tickets, music, consumer electronics, games and consoles, sports equipment, flowers, insurance, home appliances and alcohol all saw strong growth in the last year, but the majority of shoppers are buying travel-related services, followed by clothing. Book sales have moved from third into fifth place.

suitable for adoption are listed on the HDC Facebook page. P.S. The dog featured in this photo, making friends with pound boss John Payne, was recently adopted by a family with three young sons. They've named her Molly.

The Big 5 Online Shopping Sites Figures are visitors per month: Trade Me

1,917,000

The Warehouse

871,000

GrabOne

648,000

Amazon

638,000

Air New Zealand

577,000

In the past year: 1,952,000 adults shopped online 18.2 million items bought 21% more money spent than in the previous year $4.6 billion in value Page 13 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

BEE in the KNOW

Hawke's Bay Hazard Hub Members of the public looking for information on hazards affecting their property now have a central online portal they can access, thanks to Hawke's Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management. The portal is also designed as a tool for those involved in development looking for information to make regional and local land-use decisions. Building upon existing HBRC information, the plan is to add more information as it becomes available, including earthquake fault lines, earthquake liquefaction, tsunami, coastal erosion and flooding. Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Manager Ian Macdonald says the website is expected to grow as further hazard information becomes available. “Providing accurate public information on natural hazards is vital to reducing our long-term risk to these events. It allows decision makers and individuals to make informed decisions based on the risks they face,” says Mr Macdonald. The portal can be found at:

www.hbemergency.govt.nz/hazards/portal

One a Second Flees Disaster The number of environmental refugees worldwide has dropped, but the trend is still on the way up. In the last year 19 million people have been displaced, mainly due to typhoons, floods and other weather-related events, which are becoming more frequent and more intense, according to the Norwegian Refugee Council. Ninety percent of those affected were in Asia, with China, India and the Philippines particularly hard hit. “Our historical analysis reveals you are 60% more likely to be displaced by disasters today than you were in the 1970s,” says Alfredo Zamudio, director of the council’s Internal Displacement Monitoring Center. The number of people displaced is lower than in the previous two years, but the trend is still moving upwards. According to the council's report, the number of people fleeing disasters has averaged 26 million a year in the last seven years, which equates to one person every second. Page 14 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

ELECTRIC RIDES Norway gets a lot right in terms of their attitude and take-up of eco-friendliness. Electric vehicles are no exception. There are over 8,000 registered in Norway, up 2,500 since last year. Simply put, one in three new cars are electric. It seems the clincher is incentives. Electric cars are exempt from VAT and purchase tax, which can add 50% to the cost of a new vehicle. And drivers don't pay road, tunnel and ferry tolls. There's also free parking, free use of charging ports and freedom to use bus lanes. These are just sweeteners though, while drivers get hooked on the vehicles. The benefits are going to be phased out over the next 10 years. Hopefully by then the electric car buzz will be here to stay.

BEE in the KNOW

THINK LIKE A DOCTOR

Feeling Older? Researchers have found that people age at different rates. Duke University in North Carolina has looked at 18 physiological markers in nearly one thousand 38 year olds, including their blood pressure, organ function and metabolism, to assess their biological age. Some of the 38 year olds were indeed 38 but the majority were biologically in their mid-40s, many had biological ages in the 50s and a few were 60. A few were found to be 28, biologically ten years younger than they actually are. The results determine the pace of ageing, with some ageing three years every birthday. The goal of this study is to target ageing instead of the multiple separate diseases that people develop as they get older. “As we get older, our risk grows for all kinds of different diseases. To prevent multiple diseases simultaneously, ageing itself has to be the target,” says Daniel Belsky at Duke University who is leading the research. This research falls out of the Dunedin longitudinal study that is being used by researchers in a number of disciplines all over the world, including Duke University. The Dunedin study has been studying the same group of people since they were born in the mid-70s.

Ageing is also fluid when you take into account how time seems to go faster the older you are. Designer Maximilian Kiener has developed a simple yet beautiful illustration of this. You can see it online at: http://bit.ly/1KtvffO

Gripping Stuff Lancet medical journal has settled the ageing issue once and for all. Your grip strength can predict future health, disability and even death. The stronger the squeeze, the better your chances of a healthy, long life. Grip strength (or lack thereof) is apparently a very good predictor of cardiovascular problems. Research is underway to find generalisations across countries and socioeconomic circumstances. For a completely unscientific test of your own grip strength, you can use bathroom scales: squeeze them closed and hold for 30 seconds. As a rule of thumb, 64kg is considered excellent for men, for women it's 38kg. Average is 50kg for men and 30kg for women. Anything under 40kg is considered poor for men, for women it’s 20kg.

Newspaper puzzle pages have been given a contemporary twist in the New York Times. ‘Think Like a Doctor’ poses a medical problem, provides case notes and test results, and asks readers to diagnose the case. There's a lot of information provided and the range of suggested answers to the riddle shows how much care and consideration readers put into their diagnoses. It's a combination of succour for hypochondriacs and fodder for the fanbase of TV shows like Bones and House. You can find the puzzles at:

http://nyti.ms/1erP3lL

Strokes Grow Auckland University of Technology neuroscientists are working on what could be the world’s largest-ever health study. Their research specifically looks at strokes and they're using mobile technology to collect data and epidemiological insights. The study uses mobile app Stroke Riskometer, available in multiple languages. It 'crowd-sources' medical information by getting individuals from around the world to input their own data. “This has the potential to save countless lives and billions of dollars worldwide,” says AUT's Professor of Epidemiology and Neurology, and project leader, Valery Feigin. With an estimated 1.75 billion smartphone users around the world, the potential scale of the research is immense.

Page 15 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

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The BUZZ around the BAY The Australian Police Show Invisible Sun Thursday 10 September Playing all your favourites from 80s pop sensations the Police, at the Cabana in Napier.

Sarah Spicer & Stevie Tonks Up Close & Live Tour Thursday 10 September Stars of the 2015 season of X Factor, these are two of the best top 10 acts as voted by the public. On this tour, promoters promise, there are no backing tracks, it's all real singers and real musicians performing live. At Level 1 Nightclub, Cnr King & Eastbourne Sts, Hastings.

Stevie Tonks

Elijah - Napier Civic Choir Friday 11 September Soloists, choir and orchestra perform Mendelssohn's dramatic interpretation of the resurrection of a dead youth, the bringing of rain to parched Israel, and the bodily ascension of Elijah on a fiery chariot into heaven. Soloists are Soprano Anna Leese, Mezzo-soprano Elisabeth Harris, Tenor Declan Cudd and Baritone Joel Amosa, at Waiapu Cathedral of St John the Evangelist.

Spring Fling - Spring ... Flutter & Fling Dance Saturday 12 September Spring is in the air and it’s time to get out and about... This is the first in a series of CHB focused events to welcome spring. Join the CHB Theatre for a Spring Flutter and Fling Dance with the Hawke’s Bay Big Jazz Band, at Waipawa Municipal Theatre.

Page 18 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

Eb and Sparrow

Runway Red Cross Saturday 12 September

Camilla Samper Opens Friday 18 September

Celebrating 100 years of Red Cross in style. Parading down the catwalk volunteer models of all ages, shapes and sizes will wear handpicked clothing from the Hawke’s Bay Red Cross retail stores. A special feature of the show is the inclusion of original nurses’ uniforms to recognise 100 years of Red Cross in New Zealand. This year guest models from Napier City Rovers FC will grace the runway in clothes from Rodd & Gunn. This event has been a sell-out two years running so get in quick. Venue is Napier War Memorial Conference Centre.

This shows runs through to 1 October at the CAN in Napier. In the middle of Camilla’s exhibition the HBFASNZ (Hawke’s Bay Floral Arts Society) will fill the CAN with lovely smells and beautiful flower displays. The two exhibitions complement each other and will make an absolutely stunning show.

Bostock NZ Spring Racing Carnival - Windsor Park Plate Saturday 19 September

Eb and Sparrow Sun Son Album Release Saturday 12 September

As the spring sunshine streams in, the racing action moves up a notch with New Zealand’s highest rated race, including the headline Windsor Park Plate Group 1 event. This day is regarded as one of the pivotal races of spring. At Hastings Racecourse.

Hitting the big time all over NZ but originally from Hastings Eb & Sparrow have a new album Sun/Son out and are touring to launch it. They play Common Room in Hastings.

ITM Cup 2015 Magpies v Bay of Plenty Saturday 19 September

New Zealand Edible Garden Show Saturday 12 September The New Zealand Edible Garden Show is a “must attend” event celebrating all aspects of the “edible garden” from garden to table. This event will appeal to everyone from seasoned gardeners to complete novices, enthusiastic cooks, lifestylers, families, youth and anyone who wants to embrace a healthier way of living. At Hawke's Bay A & P Showgrounds.

Blossom Parade Saturday 12 September A traditional and beautiful way to welcome in the spring. Enjoy the colours, craziness and carry-on of the annual Blossom Parade through Hastings.

2014 saw a niggly Steamers side turn up to McLean Park to challenge for the shield. A strong Magpies performance saw them off pretty easily but will it work in this year or will this add to the fire in the belly of the BOP side. The battle of the Bays is at McLean Park.

Blossom Parade

The BUZZ around the BAY A Midsummer Night's Dream

Big Daddy Wilson Tuesday 22 September

Anna Coddington & Lips Thursday 24 September

Three years ago Big Daddy Wilson, from North Carolina in the USA, toured New Zealand for the first time in a well received and successful tour. Now he's back, with plenty of new songs and a brand new CD to bring along for the ride. Playing EastEnd Cafe & Bar.

Solo artist Anna Coddington and NYCbased duo Lips are take to the stage as a three-piece for the first time ever. Performing at The Cabana.

Big Daddy Wilson

The Vodafone Season of A Midsummer Night's Dream Saturday 19 September In an unprecedented artistic coup, the Royal New Zealand Ballet is thrilled that Liam Scarlett, one of the most sought-after choreographers working today, will create his first full-length, main stage production, for the Royal New Zealand Ballet, in 2015. Touring nationwide and in Hawke's Bay at Napier Municipal Theatre.

Poukawa Lake Challenge Sunday 20 September Situated 20km south west of Hastings in the Poukawa district, this event has something for everyone. The course is mostly off road on a limestone/gravel track with approximately 1km being on road. There are a variety of courses available, depending on your fitness level and passion. At Te Aute Trust Road, Poukawa.

National Boys' Choir of Australia Sunday 27 September The choir's concert is entitled "Sailors, Pirates and High C's" and is being presented in North Island venues. The boys will also take part in the Cathedral morning service at 10am on the same day. In Hawke's Bay they'll be at Waiapu Cathedral of St John the Evangelist.

The Church Tour 2015 The Lost Highway Thursday 1 October The Church Tour 2015 presents one of its most tantalizing line-ups in its seven year history, with four of New Zealand’s most lauded, singular and extraordinary musical talents: Delaney Davidson, Tami Neilson, Barry Saunders and Marlon Williams. They play Waiapu Cathedral of St John the Evangelist.

Bostock NZ Spring Racing Carnival - Livamol Classic Saturday 3 October Another great day at the races. Gather the crew and get gussied up for the gee-gees. At Hastings Racecourse.

Page 19 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

The BUZZ around the BAY The Original Gypsy Fair

The Original Gypsy Fair Saturday 3 October

Pecha Kucha Night Tuesday 13 October 2015

Now in its 26th season The Original Gypsy Fair is back, this time at Flaxmere Village Green, bringing an interesting range of hand-crafted products, many of which are made before your very eyes, including glass blowing, leatherwork and woodwork.

Pecha Kucha Night is an event for people to share their obsessions, collections, passions and afflictions in front of a live audience! The presentation format is based on the idea: 20 images x 20 seconds, so each presentation is 6 minutes and 40 seconds. Doors open at 5.30pm at the MTG in Napier.

South Pacific Sunday 4 October Brought to you by the producer of Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story, Oklahoma! and The Pirates of Penzance travelling tours of the past two years, this musical transports audiences to a Rodgers and Hammerstein war-time romance. Venue is Napier Municipal Theatre.

Dinner with Matt Moran, Anthony Puharich & Felton Road Saturday 10 October Celebrity chef and cookbook author Matt Moran will join with “beef supplier extraordinaire” Anthony Puharich for a fabulous weekend destined to delight devoted beef lovers. Venue is The Farm at Cape Kidnappers.

Page 20 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

Netball Festival Day for Yr 1-4 with Irene van Dyk! Celebrate junior netball with activities, games and autographs. Everyone is welcome from those who are junior netball experts to those newbies who have never played before. Venue is Regional Sports Park in Hastings.

The Cricket Ball - Rematch Saturday 17 October

FAWC - the Food and Wine Classic Opens Friday 6 November

Hosted by the Clifton County Cricket Club this fundraising ball will be the most glamorous do of the season. Dress is extraordinarily extraordinary! At Cheval Room, Hastings Racecourse. Tickets from cliftoncricket.co.nz/2015-ball/

A great way to experience the best food and wine in the Bay with some very innovative and inspiring events on offer. Tickets go fast so be quick. At various venues throughout the region.

Hawke's Bay A&P Show Wednesday 21 October – Friday 23 October Hawke’s Bay on Show is an iconic event steeped in history. It's as close as town and country will ever get! At Hawke's Bay A & P Showgrounds in Hastings.

Hawke's Bay Arts Festival Tuesday 27 October Tuesday 8 November

Matt Moran

ANZ future FERNS Netball Festival Day Saturday 31 October

The inaugural Hawke’s Bay Arts Festival will take place in the famous Spiegeltent with an offering of world-class entertainment from international and local performers set within a venue worthy of its own show. The Spiegeltent, built in 1920, has spent her life at festivals and fairgrounds throughout Europe and beyond. On at the domain in H.North.

Hastings Christmas at the Races Sunday 8 November 2015 Break open the bubbles and don the sun frock or best blazer for an early Christmas and a bit of a flutter, at Hastings Racecourse.

New Zealand International Film Festival On until 20 September at Cinema Gold Havelock North and Century Theatre at the MTG in Napier, a huge range of must-see films from all over the world.

michael whittaker

tania kerr

simon tremain

anna lorck

claire vogtherr

marie dunningham

nic magdalinos

roger king

graeme avery

richard brimer

neil barber

tim turvey

chris perley

andrew frame

dr russell wills

paul bailey

kim thorp

rachel cornwall

paul paynter

tracee te huia

With amalgamation sorted ...

What Next? STORY JESSICA SOUTAR BARRON

This edition of BayBuzz hits the shelves just as the Great Amalgamation Debate draws to a close with completion of the referendum. By the time you read this, we’ll have made a collective call on the future of our region. Whatever the outcome, politicians will continue posturing, council officers will continue planning and drawing up policies, interest groups will continue fighting for funds and a place on the priority list, but hopefully we’ll all be ready to move on and start getting stuck into building our future. We’ve had our say, and we’ll be rolling up our sleeves and getting on with the real work: making stuff happen. Amalgamation or not, the debate has stimulated people to think about what this region needs to take it into the future. Is there any consensus on what we need to do next? BayBuzz reporter Jess Soutar Barron asked some of the great and good of Hawke’s Bay about their big ideas for the region: What happens next? What projects and plans should we pursue? Where do our priorities lie? For some the answer is short, sweet and focused: on youth, or jobs, or tourism. For others it’s more complex and involves shifting thinking, uniting strategies and trying to successfully unpick some of the wicked problems we find before us. Whatever their official portfolio – some in business, some in the arts, a few in politics, some in community wellbeing – all those who contributed ideas wear multiple hats. They are typical of the people who will get things started, put in the work, make things happen, see projects through. They are the motivators, employers, influencers, innovators, thinkers and leaders who will push Hawke’s Bay to be its very best.

Tracee Te Huia General Manager Maori Health HBDHB

The gap between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’ needs addressing. Hawke’s Bay is one of the most beautiful regions in Aotearoa yet it has some stark health and social statistics despite best efforts of all sectors. Children shouldn’t be looking for their next meal and filling old detergent bottles with hot water to keep warm. They shouldn’t be coming into hospital at the age of 14 to give birth and they certainly shouldn’t be battered and bruised by those that are responsible for their safety.

“Our future can be about innovation, new technologies and new values, but we need to let go of the past.”GRAEME AVERY My big idea is that elected representatives, local MPs and CEOs of key organisations come together to form a governance group that agrees a key set of priorities for Hawke’s Bay’s most vulnerable and focuses on them. The Governance Group would establish one centralised hub that would coordinate the health and social response to vulnerable populations and their families. Provider organisations would be linked to ensure the funding, delivery and monitoring of outcomes is explicit and accountable. Success would be warmer housing, more household funding, more kids staying in school and higher level qualifications being achieved. If we work together to change the environment in which these families live in, then we would

create an opportunity for breakthroughs in our current results. If we begin with what matters most to these families then they will engage and respond. If we don’t re-engage them back into society and make them feel included we will need more prisons, mental health units and detention centres. These families have potential for developing and succeeding we just need to see this for ourselves and respond accordingly – that’s the game changer. The opposite of addiction is not ‘sobriety’, it’s connection.

Paul Paynter CEO Yummy Fruit Company, cider maker

Asking what Hawke’s Bay must do is a bit like asking a Miss Universe contestant: “If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?” People have always liked to fantasise that we might live in a benevolent dictatorship where, if politicians would only do the right things, the world would be a regular abode of bliss. But no one has the glorious solution for our woes, much less the authority to put it in place. I sure don’t want to hand over the cheque book to well meaning do-gooders to have a go. From a local government perspective, the objectives are all about refinement: harmonising rules, looking for efficiency gains and the better allocation of resources. If I had to offer an idea for my backyard I’d say

This icon indicates video interview available at www.baybuzz.co.nz

Page 23 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

“There are few more exciting growth trends in the world at the moment than the appreciation of high quality natural foods with great provenance ... it is an area where we could be globally famous.” KIM THORP

tim.co.nz

stop building all these fancy parks, cycle lanes and even potential trams in Havelock North and spend ALL this money in Flaxmere and Camberley. Rich people take their kids to the necessary places in their second BMW, but for the less well off, easy access to resources and facilities is critically important.

Rachel Cornwall Owner, Red Consulting

The answer does not lie in one silver bullet. Stop pinning all hopes on big projects, and large corporates riding over the Ruahine Ranges to save the economy. Collectively we need to think like a main centre now. Individually we need to stand on our own two feet. Ask for excellence from our teams. Don’t try and be everything to everybody. Encourage single minded focus. Be a little selfish and drive growth out of that focus. Celebrate our leaders. Foster fresh and diverse leadership. Create centres of excellence - we already have national leaders based here in horticulture, viticulture and the red meat sector. Position around these and develop them further. Encourage more ethnic diversity in the workforce, look beyond the current demographics. Hire the millennial child. Hire future leaders, commit to developing them within your business. Succession planning is confronting but your future may be in your next hire. Don’t feel threatened by them. Create a culture of success and excellence that centres on customer need – and deliver to that.

Page 24 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

Kim Thorp Owner, Black Barn, and ad man

I think our first ‘must do’ as a coordinated region is to focus on skilled job creation – particularly for younger people. It feels to me the epicentre of this should be based on well-entrenched Hawke’s Bay fundamentals rather than plucking random employment trends out of the sky. To me this epicentre is food production, which for a wealth of good reasons has been at our heart for decades. I think our opportunity is to then closely link this to tourism – another huge and unrealised opportunity for young, skilled job growth. There are few more exciting growth trends in the world at the moment than the appreciation of high quality natural foods with great provenance. From growing and exporting, to training and education, to wining and dining, to attracting visitors it is an area where we could be globally famous, be true to our roots and be a hugely exciting region in which to work, learn, live and play.

Paul Bailey Green Party Candidate for Napier

Regardless of the amalgamation vote I think local bodies need to work on improving transparency and consultation. Statutory obligations should be seen as minimum standards, and not the target. Any bureaucrat that imagines that Lord Market will provide the best solutions needs to be put out to pasture. Hawke’s Bay needs to work out how it is

going to adapt to climate change without the use of industrial solutions. We need a strategy on how to move our economy away from being commodity based, to being value based. As a community we need to work out what our common values are around issues such as water and energy. There are no big bang project solutions. There are hundreds of small projects which will make our economy resilient. We should celebrate and strengthen being an SME economy. Not work towards being a corporatocracy, which only increases inequality between businesses and individuals.

Dr Russell Wills Pediatrician and Children’s Commissioner

Every child in Hawke’s Bay deserves the opportunity to achieve to their potential. However we all know that far too many do not. Too many Hawke’s Bay children arrive at school not ready to learn and without the skills to listen, learn and make friends. Too many leave school without qualifications and are not in education, employment or training. Whatever the result of the referendum, I would like to see us come together – local government, education, social services, health, iwi and business leaders – to do whatever we can to ensure that all children in Hawke’s Bay achieve. Imagine the power of a single plan that brings us all together with the vision of Hawke’s Bay being a great place to be a child. Who wouldn’t want to live there? Who wouldn’t want to do business there? I know I would.

Andrew Frame Blogger and political commentator

Hawke’s Bay needs to stem the flow of their talented youth leaving the region. The number of 10-20 year olds in Hawke’s Bay is greater than the number of 40-50, or 50-60 year olds. But there is a massive demographic canyon between those sets of figures. That’s because each year over 1,500 Hawke’s Bay youth finish high school, with around 80% of those leaving the region – mainly for further education. Most never return. As a region we need to do more to empower and encourage our youth to stay in Hawke’s Bay. We need to make it worth their while. Minimum wage retail, seasonal and hospitality jobs are far too fickle and low-paying to be attractive. So let’s institute ‘earn as you learn’ initiatives: apprenticeships and paid internships in all facets of Hawke’s Bay business! If our councils are prepared to put around $2 million into attracting tourists to the Bay for a day or two, imagine the social and economic benefits of a similarly priced programme to retain more of our youth here in solid, well paying work for the whole year!

Whanganui is big enough to entertain and small enough to keep it real. Enjoy arts, music, the landscape and our rich heritage. Spend a weekend.

TAKE A

NEW LOOK

Chris Perley Consultant / writer in land use policy and practice

Hawke’s Bay could continue to focus on competing with the Third World by being a cheap producer of a few volatile commodities; to ‘trade off ’ the environment and work standards to benefit fewer and larger outside-owned corporations; and to ignore the risks of our market, energy and climate futures. Or we can think strategically about creating, multiplying and retaining value, and managing for those future risks. The quality and diversity of what we produce matters far more that the cost of production, so anything that reduces the Hawke’s Bay brand such as GE, we reject. We focus on diversity down and across valuechains, on easy start-ups for locally-owned quality SMEs; these are our champions that ensure any value multiplies and stays local. We position ourselves as a great environment, with great quality, high priced goods and services, and a community that loves culture, creativity, discussion and action over hierarchy, control and media spin. The challenge is to have community, local government and business work together and to refocus on strategic thinking rather than short-term expedience, and to see our culture, environment and economy as dependent on each other. The future of degradation is a colonial Third World status.

Tim Turvey Winemaker, Clearview Estate

Hawke’s Bay needs to become an exciting place to live and work. I don’t mean Art Deco, great weather, beaches, wineries, food outlets, etc; we already have these. We need to emulate Queenstown as an adventure tourism destination as we do have the weather for most of these outdoor pursuits. Here are ten ideas: 1. A flying fox, luge or similar off Te Mata Peak 2. Some amazing cycle runs 3. A wave/surf park on the Marine Parade 4. Sky wire, canyon swings, zorb etc 5. Bungee 6. Waterslides 7. Big game fishing 8. Water-skiing –either boat or motorised wire 9. Motorsport passenger rides or 4WD-off road rallying 10. Quad bikes to the cape/airboats up the rivers & swamps

For more information visit:

whanganuinz.com

Page 25 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

“We must start at the top, with one shared vision of what Hawke’s Bay wants to achieve, where Hawke’s Bay wants to position itself in the world and what Hawke’s Bay wants to be known for.”

TANIA KERR

tim.co.nz

Page 26 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

Neil Barber Owner Masonic Hotel, Chair of Hawke’s Bay Tourism Industry Assn, Board member Art Deco Trust and Napier City Business

We need to significantly increase the economic contribution of tourism to the Hawke’s Bay Region. Hawke’s Bay Tourism in conjunction with its stakeholders has developed an exciting seasonal plan to achieve this goal. A plan which will allow all elements of our varied and attractive region to be channelled into a cohesive and compelling campaign, which will increase our appeal to potential visitors. Hawke’s Bay Regional Council have listened to the arguments and provided additional funding to enable an increase in our marketing activity outside the region to attract potential visitors. Now is the time to make it happen, by all councils (if we still have them) committing their marketing and promotional resources towards following a single region-wide strategy led by HBT. We want our share of the projected growth in New Zealand’s Tourism industry. It is time to ‘Get Me To Hawke’s Bay’.

Richard Brimer Photographer

My big idea would be the protection of our coastline; this is quite important to me as being a resident of Te Awanga for over 30 years I have become quite attached to it! I like the idea of an artificial reef as it would not only give protection but would create surf and safe beaches, which will bring people. We live in a beautiful part of the world and I would hate to see it wash away.

15 Bachelor Degrees

Owner, Sileni

Hawke’s Bay needs to focus on bigger projects. By doing that we can maximise our economic and social potential. Our future can be about innovation, new technologies and new values but we need to let go of the past. In 20 years Hawke’s Bay could have a university with faculties for world leading agri-business, Asian studies and tourism research and education; two four-star plus hotels; a major convention and conference centre, an airport with a jet-capable runway of appropriate length and associated facilities; a major food company; a major kitset-type furniture manufacturing company – the Asia/ Pacific export hub, for example, for IKEA; an incubator for start-up IT companies to focus on agri-business. If we can tick several of these boxes, the people of Hawke’s Bay really will have achieved something. We would be moving forward with the rest of the world.

Roger King Chair, Creative HB

I want to see immediate progress to protect the most vulnerable places on the coast. I dream of a Hawke’s Bay that actively supports creative entrepreneurs, and encourages a raft of New Zealand (and international) creatives to live and work in the region. Alongside that I want each Hawke’s Bay community to have its own voice, while the council pressures the government into significantly, and positively, providing regional development support. At a more local level one of the greatest things we have here is an opportunity to create some meshing between creative activity and the business world. What innovation

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We need not focus on one project but many. To lift the performance of the region we need to have effective leadership. We need to be singing from the same song sheet and have a collective focus to recognise our potential. To ensure our continued relevance, we cannot perpetuate the status quo; we cannot be reliant on any one sector or a single opportunity. We must exploit our natural assets, our desirability as a tourist location with an enhanced business sector, which can offer employment opportunities that are equal to the lifestyle opportunities. It is our people that make our community; accordingly we need to focus on creativity, ingenuity and enhancing our skill base. We need to adopt a sales mentality. We must sell our region; we must sell and grow our human capital, we must be dynamic and able to react quickly to the national and international economic drivers to create momentum and growth. I am sold on Hawke’s Bay and its potential – and believe that collectively with vision and leadership we must sell our region’s

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Page 27 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

“My big idea would be the protection of our coastline; this is quite important to me as being a resident of Te Awanga for over 30 years I have become quite attached to it!”

RICHARD BRIMER

tim.co.nz

opportunities, assets and creativity. We have the infrastructure and the talent and now need the vision and the drive.

Marie Dunningham Grey Power

Let’s cut the jargon first. “A better future for you, your kids and the region.” Yeah right. “To move forward” - to where? “For the region to fulfil its vast potential”. Weasel words with no substance. So, the nitty gritty: Savings, unity, a regional view, sustainability, sharing, protection of the environment, more production but with regard to the effect on the district, no unnecessary duplication, no bitter parochial infighting, simplicity of transaction costs and an improved governance structure. Yes, I expect better regional governance. I don’t expect better leadership. That is up to voters. And, so far, our voters are few, tend to vote for a known name and are ill-informed about the qualities the candidates bring with them when they stand. So, if we get more of the same I won’t be surprised. I expect real savings but I don’t expect to see it in my rates bill. Any savings would be better spent on council work. Since when did your rates ever come down? I expect projects like the Ruataniwha dam to be discussed regionally, to be in the best interests of the whole region, environmentally and financially before they go to the public, before they go to court and before they cost the ratepayer millions before they even begin. I would hope to see far better environmental coordination. I want to see all

Page 28 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

our rivers cleaned up and cared for. I don’t expect much improvement in the lives of those who are low income or jobless. But I do expect such an improvement to be a goal. New jobs don’t always go to those who need work. I would hope to see much better cooperation between the two cities so that they are complementary. For instance a cooperative roles for both art galleries. I would hope to see Hastings Opera House fixed, whatever the cost. We should be proud of it regionally as I think we are of the architecture of Napier.

Claire Vogtherr Owner, Holly Bacon

One Plan, one vision for the whole of Hawke’s Bay, one regional LTCCP , one centralised consistent regional consent process. Continued joint development of the successful regional promotion for economic, tourism and business growth We may or may not have a unified governance structure post vote, but all in power, whatever that might look like, must work together with an understanding of the absolute necessity to achieve consistency of goals and planning as Hawke’s Bay - not Napier, Hastings, Wairoa or Central Hawke’s Bay. One vision, one agreed plan, so that all collective resources can be put into achieving the growth and recognition our beautiful region both deserves and requires. Those working to unite Hawke’s Bay behind a shared vision and purpose do not need the dissenters to agree with them, they

simply need to continue to move forward making every decision as one Hawke’s Bay until it simply becomes reality.

Anna Lorck PR practitioner and Labour candidate for Tukituki

Jobs for locals first: this must be a key target for our region, to get our young people into work early and upskill our workforce so Hawke’s Bay people get the jobs when they flow from a booming apple industry and food growing region. I want to see more private/public partnerships that support businesses who commit to employing locals first, and do more to show our future generation that no matter where you come from there is always something better out there, if you are prepared to work for it. Alongside this we also need a migration strategy to attract greater investment and bring more business to be based in Hawke’s Bay, as part of regional economic development. If we tackle these two challenges and get them working in tandem, Hawke’s Bay has every opportunity to lead regional New Zealand, and the country. For this progress to happen we must also ensure fresh thinking, positive attitudes and strong leadership to lead the charge for change, with people who can take our region forward. I do hope all councillors who have served more than 12 years, which is a significant contribution, seriously consider making way for new leaders, and any who have been there longer than 16 years retire.

Simon Tremain Managing director, Tremains Real Estate

So, we are post-amalgamation and I am more than hoping we are now one BIG combined region with one BODY making decisions for our amazing province. There are so many ideas for the economic growth of Hawke’s Bay but for me it all makes so much more sense if we look at these with a regional focus. What is best for our region, not for the individual cities. It is near impossible to achieve my ‘wish list’ without amalgamation but here goes: 1. Everything from development levies to dog licenses are applied for under the same rules and regulations across our region. Let’s work at local government level on saying YES to opportunities and look at how we make things happen for our people and those that want to live here. 2. When a major corporation/strategic opportunity such as Jetstar comes to our region they only need to see ONE body to ensure they are given the very best options available and get to see the region’s key influencers. Jetstar must be part of Hawke’s Bay and we must win their business. 3. The Ruataniwha Dam must go ahead in some form with financial sustainability key to long term success, but short term risk is required. This project is huge for the region and key to bringing employment and growth into our rural population. 4. The Hawke’s Bay Sports Park and the huge goals set by Bruce McTaggart and his team are inspiring and visionary – let’s embrace them and deliver more and more events for the region. Everyone loves to visit the Bay – let’s bring them in and keep them coming back. 5. Let’s drive new social housing developments with government funding and personal ownership giving our lower socio-economic communities aspirations.

Tania Kerr Farmer

We must start at the top, with one shared vision of what Hawke’s Bay wants to achieve, where Hawke’s Bay wants to position itself in the world and what Hawke’s Bay wants to be known for. Not just for next year but for the next 10, 20 and 50 years. Each community needs to contribute to this vision, as it should include not just large regional goals but local goals as well. Then we need to follow with a plan of how we get there. Our planning must be coordinated rather than pulling in five different directions. As a single population of over 150,000 people (the 5th largest in NZ) we will have much more ‘clout’ than our five individual councils. I would like to see one chief executive for all of Hawke’s Bay. That individual is then charged with the responsibility of making the vision and plans happen. We must make changes, as the status quo structure is not acceptable.

Michael Whittaker Owner Te Mata Mushrooms, Hastings Business Assn Chair

We need to focus on attracting more people to come and move to Hawke’s Bay. The region needs to promote itself as a great location to live, work and play, we need to market ourselves as NZ’s best provincial option. Central Business District revitalisation is dear to my heart and both cities need to do more to create city centres that people want to come and work, shop and be entertained in. CBD vibrancy is critical and we need to do a lot more to ensure that our city centres thrive not die!

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Page 29 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

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Lydia and Sean Baty, with kids

Goat Dairy:

A New Kid for the Bay STORY BRIDGET FREEMAN-ROCK

As conventional dairy’s volatile commodity prices continue to dismay and its hoofmarks mar our clean green image, there’s a new infant formula industry using goat and sheep milk keyed for the Bay, promising more lucrative returns, a smaller ecological footprint and a vertical production chain from raw supply through to packaged product. Two New Zealand companies have recently confirmed their intention to establish processing plants and a supply network here to feed into a large and growing global niche market. In exchange, we offer the perfect climate (dry, sunny), cheap land, infrastructure, and a supportive local government. But how to grow the industry and coordinate a regional approach are both up for discussion. The worries are, if Hawke’s Bay tarries another region might snap up the opportunity, or, on the other hand, we rush headlong into production before securing a consumer base, chasing the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.

Alternatives to dairy Infant formula is classed as a ‘nutraceutical’ (sitting between food and pharmaceuticals) – it’s a highly regulated, highly defensible product designed to mimic breastmilk. Global demand is growing, particularly in Asia where breastfeeding rates continue to plummet. New Zealand is already, steadily, tapping into that demand (as is every other country with grass and cows); its infant formula exports increased by $390 million last year. But there’s a gap in the market for goat and sheep milk products, presenting us with an opportunity to diversify our dairy industry and, if we’re quick, carve

a leadership role in what is an emerging growth market. The precedents are there, as a nation we’re known for our dairy innovation and farming expertise. Indeed, the Dairy Goat Cooperative (DGC) in Hamilton, with its suppliers clustered around the Waikato, produced the world’s first goat-milk infant formula in 1988 and continues to be a major global player. Goat milk is the closest alternative to breastmilk – it’s more digestible than cow milk with better micronutrient uptake, it has probiotic properties and a lesser allergenic burden. While sheep milk, particularly high in calcium, vitamin D and protein, can be tolerated by those with lactose sensitivity (roughly 70% of the world’s population). With its high fat content, sheep milk also makes fantastic cheese, butter and novelty products like ice cream, and freezes well, meaning whole milk can be stored (and shipped) for later processing. The West may be just discovering alternatives to bovine, but small ruminants have been a traditional source of milk for poorer farming communities around the globe for centuries. In other words, there are already consumers (particularly in South-East Asia) with a taste and preference for these products, as well as a discerning global elite who will pay top prices for healthy, premium products. There have been attempts in New Zealand

to establish a sheep dairy industry since the early ‘90s, with genetic research and breeding programmes now in a third phase. A steering group formed earlier this year to develop a coordinated business model and national brand along the lines of Zespri kiwifruit. There are currently five commercial sheep dairies in New Zealand, including the world’s largest operation, Blue River Dairy in Southland (now Chinese owned). While sheep dairy makes intuitive sense for Hawke’s Bay, says HBRC’s senior land management advisor, Ian Millner, goat dairying is already on our doorstep.

A boon for the Bay In early July, more than 200 delegates from as far afield as Taranaki, gathered at the Infant Formula Conference held in Napier, a turnout Catherine Rusby, conference organiser and food and beverage manager for Business Hawke’s Bay, was delighted with, having budgeted for only 100. The atmosphere was tangibly zinging, with Gregg Wycherley confirming that his Auckland-based company, Fresco Nutrition, plans to build a $31 million spray dryer in Hawke’s Bay to process goat milk from its Manawatu and Hawke’s Bay farmers. At present Fresco produces goat milk formula for the domestic market (the only NZ company to do so), as well as nutritional tablets and powders for overseas, but

Page 31 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

“I’m excited because it’s playing to our strengths – our farming expertise, production knowledge, our logistical capabilities, such as the Port – while also developing processing facilities and new skills.” CATHERINE RUSBY

tim.co.nz

will be expanding into Asia once they’ve established a reputable New Zealand brand. “We want to be demand-pull, not supplypush,” says Wycherely. The following week, Chris Berryman of NZ Dairy Products, announced he too would be setting up shop here, with a $80 million processing plant, 70 jobs and a particular focus on producing the world’s first ‘Shegoa’ (sheep and goat milk blend) infant formula for the Asian market. According to Rusby, Berryman had been weighing up Canterbury but was so overwhelmed with the support and interest

and it’s long-term, sustainable. I’m excited because it’s playing to our strengths – our farming expertise, production knowledge, our logistical capabilities, such as the Port – while also developing processing facilities and new skills.” Economist Sean Bevin, at the behest of the regional council and Business HB, undertook an economic assessment of the potential industry for the region. It’s a 10year accumulative projection, forecasting conservative linear growth based on the indications of Fresco Nutrition and an uptake of 18 farms. Bevin estimates an

“What an opportunity this is for Hawke’s Bay! We can do everything here, from primary production through to processing, packaging and shipment.” shown by the Hawke’s Bay community that it tipped him in our favour. As Rusby exclaimed, “I’ve never seen so many excited farmers in my life!” She says since the conference she’s been inundated with calls from farmers wanting to convert to goat dairy and from businesspeople wanting to invest. Personally, she’s thrilled about the prospects: “What an opportunity this is for Hawke’s Bay! We can do everything here, from primary production through to processing, packaging and shipment. This is a value-added opportunity for us,

Page 32 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

eventual $1.5 billion revenue across all industry activity (both direct and indirect income) and 178 new jobs. Or, using valueadded GDP as a measure, we’re looking at $363 million value-added to our Hawke’s Bay economy by 2024, a figure which represents 9% of the current GDP for the region’s total agricultural sector and 30% of our pastoral GDP alone. Rusby’s quick, however, to concede “It’s all speculation. But you have to start somewhere, and so far all the signals are really positive.”

Young, gutsy, pioneering Lydia and Sean Baty, with the financial and practical support of Lydia’s parents, David and Jo Phillips, have converted 41 ha of the Phillips’ family farm (270ha sheep and beef near the Tukituki) to a goat dairy. It’s the first in Hawke’s Bay, and the costly investment in a 3,900m2 purpose-built loafing barn, stainless steel milking carousal (installed with future automation in mind), and the effort of hand-rearing 650 goats sourced from all round the country last year, has taken vision and singular determination. Unable to get a foothold into the DGC “golden triangle”, for a while there was uncertainty around who they would supply, but they persevered regardless, selling fresh milk to local company Origin Earth, and earlier this year, becoming a contract supplier for Fresco Nutrition. They plan to have increased their majority Saanen herd to 1,000 by the end of the season, and to double that again once they build a second identical barn over summer. Lydia says sheep and beef were no longer bringing the returns they needed, and with Plan Change 6 coming into effect, they had been motivated to look at alternatives to cow dairy. The figures on goat dairy were compelling (with a gross profit margin 3-4 times higher than bovine dairy), and the intensive scale provided a succession plan that would enable her, as one of four siblings, to go into farming.

The father-daughter team have been generous and supportive of anyone trying to get into the industry: sharing information, welcoming visits, even selling goats to local farmers and keeping them on while they establish themselves. It’s good for them too in the long run, Lydia says, to get an industry up and running. But it’s not just about the money or the entry card; goats are full of personality and curiosity, “we love working with them,” she says. During the kidding season, she’s in amongst the goats daily, soothing, monitoring, helping with complications. Many of her goats are birthing multiple kids, some even 4-5. “Because goats are small we can handle them ourselves – there’s no way in the world I’d want to get in with a calving cow!” The milking life of a goat is eight years, but Lydia believes if they’re looked after well they’ll go longer. She cares passionately about her “girls”, and says she’s only had one mortality so far this year, a testament to the Baty’s husbandry.

Controlled management Goats, particularly pregnant and lactating does, don’t like cold and wet conditions; they are also highly susceptible to pastoral parasites and disease, and contrary to perception, are fussy, selective feeders with

“It’s all speculation. But you have to start somewhere, and so far all the signals are really positive.” unique dietary requirements. Hence dairy goats are barned, with some outdoor access, and cut and carry fed for more controlled management and higher productivity. Barned goats don’t produce much effluent and there’s virtually no nitrate leaching. Sheds are filled with fresh dry wood shavings to absorb liquid and well aerated so urine and faecal matter dries out quickly. The organic matter is cleared out about twice a year, and in the best case scenario applied as fertiliser to land for cropping. The collected effluent is hugely concentrated (high levels of nitrate, phosphate, potassium), and thus presents a high-risk profile because it’s essentially been “simmered down like a pot on a stove”– the opposite of a dairy cow system where the effluent is diluted. Ian Millner has modelled different land-use scenarios and worked out that a profitable, efficient goat dairy needs to be on a scale of at least 600-700 does, and ideally integrated into an arable farm system where farmers have the most control of all: “It’s about de-risking your business by utilising

Ian Millner your asset in a more reliant manner.” He says if it’s managed well then “it’s a pretty benign system”, but if not things can go “spectacularly wrong”. Ultimately, this will depend on “what you feed your goats, how sharp you are in working the systems, and scale”. “If your land is solely used for intensive goat dairying,” Millner explains, “you’re going to have to work harder to manage your outputs than if your goat dairy is integrated into an arable system, such as a sheep and beef farm.”

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Page 33 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

The Baty’s goats birth as many as 4-5 kids

While there are no specific council guidelines around managing goat dairy effluent, Millner is “relaxed” that the current processes will be enough to ensure good management. When applying for a goat dairying resource consent, farmers will need to produce both a nutrient budget and a farm plan, and Millner says any potential issues with effluent management will be redflagged at this stage. He’s confident that the industry itself will ensure best management: “It’s rare these days to get a completely new industry coming into the region, and there’s no doubt that the new farms will be state of the art, using the best technology available and the latest science.” Happy, healthy goats make a better conversion of feed into milk, says Millner, and farmers will be manipulating concentrations of nutrient to give the goats a balanced diet and maximise their returns with little waste. But Craig Prichard, professor in leadership and management at Massey, believes a robust agriculture needs to be diverse with different entry levels to suit the farmer, and not just offer one model. For example, in Hawke’s Bay, Andy and Kat Gunson milk 70 ewes for Origin Earth’s award-winning artisan cheeses, and such enterprises, while comparatively small, play an important role in creating a profile for alternative milk products, educating people’s palates and raising awareness, as well as helping develop best farm practice.

Page 34 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

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Animal welfare and management is critical, both for consumer perception and farm sustainability. Diseases, like ketosis, are a serious problem, where industry mortality rates for dairy goats can be up to 30%. A goat produces bigger offspring and more milk solids for her body weight than a cow, placing her under considerable oxidative stress, and requires high energy dense food, such as lucerne, maize, pea hay. She needs lots of iodine to produce milk, in direct conflict with the low-level set for infant formula compliance. She’s also sensitive to high levels of sulphur (found in conventional superphosphate programmes), which contributes to sub-acute ruminal acidosis (common and often fatal), and is unique in her requirement for copper.

What to do with the boys? No one wants to talk about the boys, the buck kids that have no future in a dairy. Currently the options are limited to a petfood company in Wellington, an option Lydia Baty rejects as “cruel” for the live transport entailed. She’s involved with an SPCA companion programme but it’s not a solution, and ultimately there will need to be a parallel industry developed. No one wants to really talk about water either – it’s political – but the question must be asked: how much is premised on the assumption that the Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme will go ahead? Intensive

farming is thirsty business, but what demand and how this will be met remains unclear. Ian Millner has no doubt that there will be challenges ahead, and acknowledges that water is one of them, but he’s confident we can deal with them as they come. Catherine Rusby agrees, and says she’s encouraging farmers to get together, to share information: “If we want to bring up an industry from scratch, then we have to collaborate.” But she won’t be advocating a cooperative model as she believes “the industry has to evolve.” In the longer term, Rusby sees the need for a champion to take this forward but is confident that this will all ‘bubble up’ in due course. In the meantime, “We’re really focused on at least one of these guys getting their processing plants happening, because any farmer taking the punt wears that cost of the industry not taking off. Let’s help them get there. It’s not about local government funding this (that would undermine our integrity) but there are innovative ways to work with them to spread costs, remove some barriers, and get things happening.” Rusby believes Hawke’s Bay’s climate and infrastructure will ultimately place it as the obvious choice for goat dairying, but: “It will be 5-10 years before we can sit back and say, ‘Look at our beautiful industry’; as with anything worthwhile, it takes time to build.”

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EIT awarded 383 bachelor degrees in 2014 and 2,241 qualifications

EIT:

The Little Engine That Could STORY TOM BELFORD

To some in Hawke’s Bay, EIT is a high achiever, prudently – and successfully – moving students along educational pathways that will earn them sustainable employment in occupations in high demand within our region and beyond. To others, including many influencers (many of them university-educated outside Hawke’s Bay), EIT, whatever its acknowledged achievements, is nonetheless a reminder of something our region lacks … a full-fledged university. Which of these views should prevail? What do they do and offer at EIT anyway?

The reality As it celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, EIT’s mission is to “provide high quality, relevant and accessible tertiary education for the well-being of diverse communities”. Today, 7,815 students are studying at EIT in Hawke’s Bay … a small army. [Note: EIT now includes the Tairawhiti Campus in Gisborne, which adds another 2,400 students.] EIT has had no problem attracting its full complement of students, in fact exceeding

government funding and seat caps (meaning EIT must itself fund the education of students accepted over the ‘capped’ level). Typically there are waiting lists to enroll in some programmes, although CEO Chris Collins says, “we’ve never turned away a student.” Every four years, EIT is externally evaluated by the NZ Qualifications Authority. In the review just completed, EIT was awarded the highest rankings possible – Highly Confident for Educational Performance and Its Capability to SelfAssess. Effectively, A+. Further, in the latest government evaluation of its research performance (PBRF ranking), EIT ranked second amongst all institutes of technology in the country. EIT achieved a higher percentage of the top ranked researchers than any other institute of technology, and prolifically generates research papers, articles, books and presentations.

Clearly EIT is highly regarded by its education peers. It is an educational institution for which Hawke’s Bay can be duly proud. All the more so when one looks at the nature of EIT’s student body, which of course reflects Hawke’s Bay’s demographic base. More than 70% of EIT’s students – one of the highest rates in the country – fall within one of the government’s ‘Priority Learner Groups’. These are categories deemed highest priority for educational advancement – Maori, Pasifika and youth under age 25. The government expects us to “close the outcome gap” between these groups and the general student population, says Mark Oldershaw, EIT’s relatively new deputy chief executive. “Given our high Maori population, this is an important part of our future as a region,” adds Collins. With an annual budget just over $60 million, EIT spends a bit over $12,000 for each equivalent full-time student. About 67% of revenue comes from government (with no government inflation adjustment for the past four years); 24% from student fees. The perception of most in the community is that EIT, as a ‘technical institute’ is mainly focused on foundation and trade employment-related certificate programmes. And indeed, most of the student population (62%) is studying in qualification Levels 1-6. Business people around the Bay give EIT high marks for building close relationships with regional employers, providing successful pathways to employment through programmes like the Trades Academy (in partnership with 19 area secondary schools) and the Youth Guarantee scheme (which provides added support to Levels 1-3 foundation students). EIT is one of the nation’s largest providers of these two programmes – with 292 students and 278 students respectively.

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Page 37 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

Chris Collins, CEO and Mark Oldershaw, Deputy Chief Executive

tim.co.nz

EIT:

Student Stats 13

Degrees EIT offers

7,815

Students studying at EIT HB

38%

EIT HB students studying degrees

EIT HB students aged under 25

2,241

Qualifications awarded – 2014

383

Degrees awarded – 2014

33%

% degrees awarded to students < 25

101

Post grad qualifications awarded

428

International students studying at EIT

2015 YTD FIGURE

Page 38 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

“Skills drive economic development … We are the central training provider,” says Oldershaw, “and the stakeholders recognise that very much.” Hastings councillor Jacoby Poulain, who sits on the EIT Council (governance body), comments: “EIT prides itself on developing strong partnerships with industry, employers and the community. These relationships are purposed to position graduates for strong employment outcomes and to assist industry and our community with skilled labour.” But while EIT is nationally recognised as a leader in school-to-work programmes, the picture is more complex, as the chart above, showing distribution of students by programme level, illustrates. What might surprise many is that the single largest area of programme provision at EIT is Level 7 – degree level – with 38% of all students. EIT offers degrees in 13 programmes (see sidebar, p39), as well as

four master’s degrees (including one of the few nursing master’s degree in New Zealand), and awarded 383 degrees in 2014, led by 192 nursing degrees. “People don’t understand that,” says Collins. “They think if you want a degree or post-grad you’ve got to go away to a university.” And EIT’s degree graduates are successful. Staff tracking indicates that all early childhood graduates from 2013 and 2014 are working in ECE, and 70% of nursing graduates had secured RN positions within three months of graduating. In recent years seven of the eight finalists for the New Zealand Young Viticulturist of the Year award studied at EIT, as did the 2014 winner, Paul Robinson. As Chris Collins observes, EIT is “two schools in one”, providing foundation, applied vocational, professional and higher education programmes that cater to Hawke’s Bay’s clearly established and diverse needs

across the tertiary education spectrum. And both types of students and programmes are required to make the economics of the institution work. EIT is strong and viable because it covers the full range, with sufficient students numbers in some programmes to enable support of other programmes with fewer students. Reflecting back on its mission statement – “to “provide high quality, relevant and accessible tertiary education for the wellbeing of diverse communities” – EIT appears to deliver well … high quality, relevant, accessible, diverse programmes.

Should EIT offer more? At the end of the day, no formal stricture prevents EIT from offering whatever academic programmes for which there is demonstrated sustainable student and industry demand. Legislatively, “there’s nothing we can’t do … we can offer the full range” says Collins. Indeed, theoretically, EIT could offer more degrees – in history, physics, anthropology, whatever – but it would require a change in legislation and an Act of Parliament to be rebranded as ‘EIT University’. “We have the name protected”, he comments. AUT University in Auckland (formerly Auckland Institute of Technology) is the model for such evolution. “One of our goals for some years has been

to provide as wide a range of vocational and academic portfolio as possible so people do not have to leave the region,” says Collins. “There are some more specialist areas where people are going to have to leave town … If there are programmes that would be educationally and financially viable, we will run those programmes.” That said, the government allocates the funding cap for each institution and agrees to an approved ‘mix of provision’ of programmes that each institution offers. So if EIT did wish to offer quantum physics, it would not necessarily get government funding for that programme unless EIT could demonstrate clear evidence of local community and industry demand. And practically, the ‘chicken and egg’ issue is critical mass – the numbers of students are simply not there to support a still wider programme offering … let alone a law or engineering school. Still, “We need a university!” is a refrain often heard in Hawke’s Bay influencer circles. During the amalgamation debate, for example, A Better Hawke’s Bay offered a ‘blueprint’ with this proposition: “There is scope … to facilitate a university campus being setup in Hawke’s Bay, possibly in conjunction with EIT. At the moment Massey University has campuses in Wellington and Auckland as well as its main campus in Palmerston North. With Hawke’s

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Page 39 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

Bay’s huge wealth of natural resources and some of the best food production in the world it makes a lot of sense for an agriculturally focused university to be attracted here. While Massey or Lincoln are obvious contenders, some of the Australian, US and UK-based universities are all looking to expand and we should be looking to bring them here. “Not only does a university campus in Hawke’s Bay give an option for our young people to stay here after school, but it will bring in a flood of other people; students and academic staff will all want to move to Hawke’s Bay to conduct research, study and work while enjoying our fantastic weather and lifestyle.” An attractive aspiration … but a fantasy? Collins notes a couple of perceptual issues. First, many current influencers would have gone to school when only universities offered degrees and polytechnics just provided lower level trades training. Polytechnics have only been in the degree and post-grad space for the last 10-15 years; it’s a different world now and that’s not fully comprehended. Second, he uses the historical English example of towns and cathedrals. In a past era, to think of yourself as significant as a town, you needed to have a cathedral. It seems today the university is the cathedral. “There’s a symbolic aspect to it. If we have our own university, we must be significant as a region.” We all commonly know of this as ‘cathedral envy’.

The ship has sailed Unfortunately, the university ship has sailed, leaving Hawke’s Bay waving from the dock. Some blame this outcome on the inability of competing Hastings and Napier to agree upon a location when the prospect was on the table, but that’s another story. However much community leaders and wistful parents might pine for a Hawke’s Bay University, that is simply not going to happen. At least not financed from the taxpayers’ purse. Successive governments have signaled clearly that “no additional universities will be created in New Zealand, anywhere,” says Collins. Indeed, he suggests that fewer universities might be in the cards, given financial realities. He picks Lincoln to go. Plus, the government forecasts up to an 8% drop in tertiary students over the next five or so years. Moreover, under existing legislation, if EIT were to become a university, it would need to drop all the programmes it provides in the foundation and training/trades areas, leaving a gaping unmet need in the region – 70% of school leavers don’t go to university. The fallback option, establishing a Hawke’s Bay ‘outpost’ of another existing university, has been tried but failed. Massey

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in fact ‘inherited’ a small campus back in the mid-90’s on Prebensen Drive in Napier and attempted to make a go of its satellite presence. However, the overhead costs were simply too high in comparison to the small student base that materialized. Programmes were dropped one by one and the Massey presence has disappeared other than through extramural distance provision. However, stopping short of a university, perhaps a more viable option could be a dedicated ‘centre of excellence’ aligned with EIT. This opportunity might be presented by the Government’s recently announced interest in creating 2-3 ‘Regional Research Institutes’, allocating $25 million toward this purpose. The institutes would be public/private partnerships, requiring commercial entities or private sponsors/ benefactors to be involved. In response to this announcement of potential financial largesse, EIT recently hosted a group of stakeholders – councils and private sector players – interested in advancing a proposal to Government focused on lifting the productivity bar for Hawke’s Bay’s agricultural sector (with a likely initial emphasis on horticulture).

“There’s a symbolic aspect to it. If we have our own university, we must be significant as a region.” Such an institute – perhaps housed at EIT – might be seen as a ‘centre of excellence’ dedicated to improving farming practices in Hawke’s Bay via original applied research and identification of pertinent ‘best practices’ and technologies (scanning globally), and then delivering practical advice and training to the region’s farmers and growers. “The hands-on and private partnership model of the polytechnic fits really well here,” says Oldershaw. “EIT would absolutely be up for hosting a facility like that,” adds Collins. “We would facilitate making it happen, providing space … we’d go for it, we’d contribute to it. But it has to have a strong private sector interest behind it.”

Other initiatives EIT, competing against tertiary institutions throughout New Zealand, aims to increase its share of international students. These very valuable students pay their own way; full fare, so to speak. It’s presently a $2 billion industry. International students represent a way for EIT to bolster its revenue at a time when government funding has flatlined. The government does not cap the number of international students; and instead wants to double their numbers. In 2014 international students at EIT numbered more than 700, representing 49

different countries. To stimulate interest, EIT operates an India Liaison Office in India (in collaboration with UCOL) and in 2014 launched an Auckland International Campus offering English language, ICT and business studies to foreign students – because up to 65% of international students remain in Auckland. EIT hopes that its Auckland beachhead, important to grow in its own right, can also serve to entice foreign students to try a Hawke’s Bay education. Both execs realize this is a tough sell … “Mumbai is a bit different than Auckland, let alone Hastings!” Further, EIT has formal working arrangements with ten institutions in China, India, Germany and South Korea. For example, working with the Hastings District Council, EIT has developed cooperative programmes with China’s Shandong Province with respect to student exchange and viticulture education. Closer to home, EIT takes seriously its commitment to meeting the tertiary education needs of the Maori community – 36% of EIT HB students are Maori, well above the regional population percentage; 65% in Tairawhiti. With high Maori participation rates achieved, EIT plans to focus more on quality and outcomes. As the 2014 Annual Report notes: “further work is required to ensure greater Maori student success in programmes, and this has been identified as a key institutional priority going forward.” About to start his twelfth year at EIT, Chris Collins sees the key challenges as maintaining critical mass, growing the international student base and overseas and industry partnerships, and doing better with EIT’s Maori population. Mark Oldershaw adds that the education environment is fast changing, and EIT must constantly strive to be relevant and top of mind to both students and its employer partners. The fact is, we have an important, highly achieving, multi-dimensional educational institution hidden away in Taradale (people don’t see us, muses Collins). One that’s nationally recognised and highly regarded by its peers outside Hawke’s Bay; but perhaps under-appreciated as an asset by us locals, looking for more glamour. A sturdy VW; not a flash BMW. The Stephen Stills lyrics come to mind: If you can’t be with the one you love, honey Love the one you’re with You gotta love the one you’re with Don’t be angry, don’t be sad Don’t sit crying over good times you’ve had Well there’s a girl sitting right next to you And she’s just waiting for something to do Maybe our community should celebrate EIT more.

Mike Purchas expects Air NZ to defend its market

Flight Fight STORY KEITH NEWMAN PHOTOGRAPHS TIM WHITTAKER Air New Zealand’s sky high fares into and out of Hawke’s Bay have long been viewed as an artificial cap on economic development, accentuating the region’s remoteness from the main centres. When Jetstar began eyeing Hawke’s Bay Airport as one of four routes it planned to compete in, the region’s political luminaries came out in force, crunching the numbers and restating every positive thing they could about backing the Bay. Within weeks of Qantas-owned Jetstar announcing it would play off eight regions for the privilege of its presence, twin city mayors Bill Dalton and Lawrence Yule and their CEOs and Business Hawke’s Bay had collaborated on an enticing proposal. Napier’s Labour MP Stuart Nash took out a full-page advert and Tukituki MP Craig Foss created a Facebook page called Hawke’s Bay Supports Jetstar Flights which has 15,396 likes as BayBuzz goes to press. You could cut the air with a turbo prop. So which destinations would host Jetstar’s fleet of five 50-seat Bombardier Q300 aircraft: Hamilton, Rotorua, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Tauranga, Nelson, Invercargill or Hawke’s Bay? A decision was expected in early September when tickets would go on sale for December flights.

Competition expected State-owned Air New Zealand knew its

monopoly was under challenge, given the 37.5% increase in Hawke’s Bay passengers in the decade to June 2015 and projected growth of 15% in 2016, and responded quickly with selected discounts. A spokesperson said the airline said it already faced competition in most centres but would defend its patch and continue to invest heavily. It had already upgraded to 68 seat aircraft between Hawke’s Bay and Christchurch and larger planes would join Auckland and Wellington routes over the next 12 months bringing on around 40,000 additional seats, up 6.5%, in 2016. Despite Hawke’s Bay Airport’s “song and dance” about growing to 475,000 seats a year, Hastings City councillor Simon Nixon reckons “that’s pathetically small” compared to what decent competition would stimulate. Although Tourism NZ statistics suggested 15-20% of New Zealand flights were business-related, he says a survey “a few years ago” showed around 50% using Hawke’s Bay Airport were business people. Nixon concludes Air New Zealand has been “suppressing the non-business sector through high fares and limited capacity”. What we’ve been missing out on, he says, are those visiting friends and family and for recreation and holidays who simply can’t afford the fares. BERL (Business and Economic Research Ltd) estimates a 1% reduction in airfares

generally equates to a 1.5% increase in the number of travellers. Nixon estimates even a 25% fare reduction, could see Hawke’s Bay Airport traffic grow 40% to around 900,000 seats, providing a potential $50 million economic injection.

Multiplier effect Mike Purchas, a member of the Business HB and joint council group that put the business case to Jetstar, agrees “you only ever feel you are getting a fair price when there’s competition in the market.” It’s generally accepted that a competing carrier brings reductions of 15-20%. “Having a second carrier will result in massive spin off benefits for tourism, business and other areas – there will be a multiplier effect.” Jetstar New Zealand head Grant Kerr, told BayBuzz its low fares model has resulted in up to 40% reductions in other regions. Either way, says Purchas, “that’s transformational … for Hawke’s Bay.” The immediate impact would take out costs being borne by Hawke’s Bay residents and visitors with the increased volume of travellers “blowing tourism numbers out of the water”. Commercial decisions would be made within a couple of years. “Existing businesses would move more staff here, they would travel more frequently and new business would be encouraged.” Purchas’s own Sportsground.co.nz may

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“Just try and get an early flight to Wellington on Monday or Tuesday and back Friday and you’ll be paying top fare if you can get a seat.” SIMON NIXON

relocate its sales office from Auckland. “It’s difficult to operate a business here when your major suppliers are outside the Bay.” Jetstar says decisions on new routes are all about “commercial viability and which regions offer the most potential for growth”, something local stakeholders were confident of.

Monopoly exploitation Simon Nixon, a long-time advocate for expanding the airport and adding a competitor, says Hawke’s Bay had to be in the running as it handles double the passengers of most other competing regions. In the past he’s accused Air New Zealand of “monopoly exploitation”, something he says a government-owned business should never justify simply on the basis of lack of competition. He even asked the Commerce Commission to look into it without success. Most business people won’t drive to other regions or use Grab-a-Seat offers a month in advance and have little choice other than to accept fares on the day and time they need to travel, says Nixon. “Just try and get an early flight to Wellington on Monday or Tuesday and back Friday and you’ll be paying top fare if you can get a seat.” Checking well ahead for a mid-August flight to Auckland on a Thursday returning Sunday, BayBuzz found the cheapest combination was $248 - $298. The longer you left it the closer it got to $500. The average fare to Wellington was $233 and Christchurch $358. A comparable flight from Auckland to Wellington and return would be

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$188, with the lowest cost portion being $49. Simon Nixon tried to arrange connecting flights to Hawke’s Bay for his son and girlfriend who arrived in Auckland from the UK late in January; $230 each was deemed exorbitant so $75 flights were arranged to Rotorua. The family booked accommodation in Rotorua “did all the tourist things” then drove to Hawke’s Bay. Discovering equally high return fares they hired a car, left a week earlier than planned and drove to Taupo to spend their money before heading back to the UK.

More bums on seats Nixon believes Jetstar will be a game changer for Hawke’s Bay “more so than anything else in my 40 years in the region”. The tourism and visitor industry would be major beneficiaries “with more people flying in for events such as league, rugby, cricket and a lot more coming to visit families.” Concerns about sustainability and long term commitment or the undermining of Air New Zealand’s service levels were among initial criticisms. In June, Napier Mayor Bill Dalton, while welcoming competition, warned Radio New Zealand National listeners Jetstar might scoop the cream out of the business. Scavenging the 7am flights to Auckland and Wellington and the 7pm return flights, could erode Air New Zealand’s profitability and threaten the frequency of its flights. In the past Origin Pacific and Ansett tried to compete but failed to maintain profitability. “Historically Air New Zealand is very good at defending their regional markets,” says Purchas, although he believes “more

bums on seats” would mean a sustainable model for both airlines. While it would be naïve to think loyal Air New Zealand customers would stay that way, Purchas suggests the public are fickle. “While they’ll typically vote for the cheapest carrier, there’s a tendency to favour whoever is defending the market rather than the new entrant.” Both players prefer a partnership approach to secure loyalty. Air New Zealand’s Starfish campaign offers discounts for committed businesses and there are further plans for marketing and tourism events, including a renewed three year commitment for Art Deco Weekend and the Hawke’s Bay International Marathon. Apart from long overdue competition, the airport itself is facing significant changes. Our local councils as joint 50% shareholders are engaged in a war of semantics over the name; Napier approved Ahuriri Airport Hawke’s Bay while Hastings wants Hawke’s Bay Ahuriri Airport. Meanwhile the Crown is required to offer first option on its 50% shareholding, valued at around $9 million, to Mana Ahuriri Incorporated as part of its Treaty of Waitangi settlement. And sign off on a new $6-8million terminal extension is imminent, with an expectation it’ll be operational for the 2017 Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Championships. Simon Nixon believes airline fees and car parking revenue from doubling the number of travellers could boost Hawke’s Bay Airport’s annual profits by a million dollars.

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Political Buzz BY TOM BELFORD

Has Mayor Lawrence Yule slain the hydra-headed local government monster? Or has it devoured him?! For ‘early bird’ readers, when BayBuzz comes off the press, scarcely ten days will be left in the amalgamation countdown. For more leisurely readers, the verdict is already known, and one side is celebrating, the other licking its wounds. As I write this article, two political scenarios await Hawke’s Bay. If amalgamation succeeds, the end point – and the path to it – is very clear, even though the details of our new governance arrangements will take months to resolve. Sorting those hundreds of details will be the task of an 11-member Transition Board (two elected members from each council, plus a chairman appointed by the Local Government Commission), a staff Implementation Team appointed by the Commission, and an interim chief executive appointed by the Board, working in support of and with delegated powers and responsibilities from the Commission. Their job is to have the final structure in place and ready to operate – roles clear and staff at their desks – by 1 November 2016. If amalgamation fails, our future direction is far murkier. The lack of a ‘legislated’ pathway forward will open the door to either a splendid – and unprecedented – display of regional statesmanship and collaboration

or political bickering and stalemate that reinforces the status quo. And in either case, assuming the vote is reasonably close, neither ‘victor’ will be likely to claim an overwhelming mandate. And that’s without factoring in that the overall voting turnout – if recent local body elections are a reliable guide – is likely to be less than 50% of eligible voters. In other words, quite possibly, fewer than 30% of the region’s voters will have decided the matter, either outcome. One might hope that reality would be chastening to both sides. Here are some ramifications of those two scenarios.

Amalgamation succeeds Amalgamation will not end short-term political strife. The work of the Transition Board could well prove contentious. Four of the councils have opposed reorganisation, and yet they will appoint eight of the ten Board members. Much depends upon whether those eight members seek to undermine the implementation process or instead approach their task as enablers of the referendum-approved outcome. The same can be said of the council staff seconded to the Implementation Team to work on

through the nitty gritty organizational detail – Who sits where? What are their responsibilities? Who do they report to? How much do they get paid? And then there are the other two key appointments – the interim chief executive and the Board chairman. The former is appointed by the Board – it would not seem sensible for the Board to appoint an existing chief executive who has vigorously opposed reorganisation. But stranger things have happened. The chairman is appointed by the Commission (which presumably means the involvement of Local Government Minister, Paula Bennett), who might consider two options. One is an ‘impartial’ outsider of national standing with change management experience; someone expected to cut dispassionately through any lingering parochialism and obstructive machinations from any quarter. The downside to this approach is that to some (especially on the ‘losing’ side) it would smack of Government imposing its will on us locals. The other option, one local residents might find more palatable, would be a Hawke’s Bay leader with established mana and ample governance experience. An individual supportive of reorganisation, but

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The work of the Transition Board could well prove contentious. Four of the councils have opposed reorganisation, and yet they will appoint eight of the ten Board members. hoping to ensure next October a HB Council is elected that is truly committed to the reorganisation and its promised benefits.

Amalgamation Fails tim.co.nz who has managed not to antagonise other key stakeholders around the amalgamation issue. Someone like Kevin Atkinson, seasoned chairman of two of Hawke’s Bay’s most significant regional organisations – the DHB and Unison – and an individual with undeniable civic commitment to our region. Either way, your nominations please! The politicking won’t stop with the Transition Board or its implementation process. If amalgamation wins, dozens of current elected officials will be pondering their futures – there are 56 seats to be contested. Election into the new council and local boards will be a ‘scant’ thirteen months away. Will opponents of reorganisation decide they’ve ‘had enough’ and withdraw from local politics? Will some decide that local boards are more suited to their interests than the council, or vice versa? Will new prospects consider standing, because they believe the new structure offers a better opportunity to make a difference? Of course the highest profile position

will be Mayor of Hawke’s Bay. And under the assumption of amalgamation passing, Mayor Lawrence Yule will have vanquished his political critics – elected and nonelected alike. More than anyone, he put the issue on the table and championed it. Most would expect him to stand and attempt to reap the reward for the political risk (and abuse) he’s taken. On the other hand, what becomes of a high profile opponent of amalgamation, like Mayor Bill Dalton? Can he credibly aspire to lead a structure he’s campaigned so vigorously against? Might a pro-amalgamation ‘regionalist’ Napier candidate emerge as a ‘bridge-builder’ – Chris Tremain, for example? Or might new entries to the mayoral contest emerge? In a situation of such total flux, one would not expect erstwhile candidates – at any level – to be coy for long about their aspirations. In fact, it’s quite possible that a team of candidates – avowed supporters of amalgamation – might band together

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Page 48 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

If amalgamation is defeated, it’s not so clear what mandate has been given and how it might be pursued. Undoubtedly, for some opposing voters, their message will be that the status quo is working just fine, thank you. For them, ‘No!’ has a simple meaning. But the vocal leaders of the opposition – like Mayor Dalton and MP Stuart Nash – have moved away from that position during the issue campaign. Before the referendum outcome, simply defending the status quo is (has been) deemed a ‘too head-in-the-sand’ stance politically; which isn’t to say that some local politicians, with amalgamation defeated, won’t be entirely happy to revert to business as usual. So business as usual cannot be dismissed as an outcome. But it’s not a path forward. So, if not business as usual, what? And what is the political process for moving in some other way beyond the status quo? Even if amalgamation is rejected, only the politically deaf will not have heard public support for serious teamwork on behalf of a shared vision for the region.

The Great (Spin) Debate

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CHB Mayor Butler, with his usual savoir faire, called upon Mayor Yule to resign if amalgamation were defeated. As foolish as that comment was, it does illustrate the problems ahead in this scenario. The ‘natural’ leaders of any form of local government improvement would be the four mayors and HBRC chairman. But will they feel any greater need or incentive to collaborate with the ‘threat’ of amalgamation gone? Can they overcome the personal invective the campaign has produced? How do they posture themselves – individually and as a working team – between now and the October 2016 local body elections, which will elect members and mayors to the same existing councils? Does Mayor Yule exit local politics? Who stands for mayor of Hastings? Does a major battle emerge for control of the Regional Council? And when councillors are not worrying about re-election in the coming year, just how high will their collective and collaborative sights be aimed?

Will there be a sustained push for more ‘shared services’ – the solution most proffered by amalgamation opponents pre-referendum? And will these tackle and capture opportunities of real significance? Will there be an effort to move toward ‘one regional plan’ in some form? The five councils have just adopted their Long Term Plans, so this exercise won’t get underway again for two years, after the next election. In the meantime, we are reliant on ad hoc collaboration on situations like the possibility of a Jetstar entering the region. More ‘radically’, will there be an effort to identify specific local government activities that are indeed regional in scope, importance and execution – like tourism promotion, economic development, major infrastructure/facility investment, coastal protection – and actually pursue and fund agreed priorities on a regional basis? And finally, what about the socio-economic issues raised during the amalgamation debate? Are those simply declared, as Stuart Nash would have it: Not our job? Apart from occasional one-to-one nego-

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Page 49 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

tiation on ‘routine’ matters, the only forum that exists bringing together the five mayors/chairman and their chief executives on a regular basis is the East Coast Leaders group, chaired presently by HBRC Chair Fenton Wilson, which meets every two months. But those are private meetings, with no mechanism for public accountability. Perhaps a step forward would be for this group to operate in public – with agendas, minutes, action items … even the occasional deputations from the region’s interest groups. Even knowing what is on and not on the table for discussion would stimulate greater accountability – who are the movers; who are the obstructors? And faced with that, a greater sense of collective purpose might emerge. An even wider group exists – the Intersectoral Leadership Group – chaired by Mayor Yule. Napier CEO Wayne Jack leads the work programme and working parties. This group meets quarterly (roughly) and includes local body leaders and representatives of other major agencies and institutions like EIT, the DHB, the Police, Ministry of Social Development, and others. This sounds like an interesting and potentially important forum; however, the statistics would suggest it has done little to stem Hawke’s Bay’s socio-economic decline! Mayor Yule on occasion has called for a more innovative approach to prioritise,

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coordinate and allocate the nearly $1 billion in central government funding that now enters the region through various disconnected silos to address social, employment and income support needs. While this could be an approach for the Intersectoral Group to develop and champion, arguably the proposition could be better advanced by a single council in the amalgamation scenario. No doubt the citizenry at large thought that local governance as an issue and

the politics surrounding it would be put to bed – with great relief – by the amalgamation referendum. However, the reality is that Hawke’s Bay will simply move to the next phase – either getting on with implementing the amalgamation decision or figuring out how to make good on the assurance that the region will do just fine without it. And either way, the October 2016 elections will be the proving ground for who has the right answers.

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Page 50 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

Rob Merwood – Information Systems Manager, Furnware, with Klaus Ebach – Regional Business Manager, Vadacom

New Love in the Life of Bay Businesses Hawke’s Bay businesses can now switch to a phone system they love. tim.co.nz

With the entry of kiwi cloudtechnology company Vadacom to the Bay, local businesses can have a corporate-quality phone-system and PBX within their operating budget, with no capital expenditure required. Our man in the Bay

Klaus Ebach is now representing Vadacom from his base in Napier, having previously worked at Gen-i (today known as Spark Digital), following a long career in the Information and Communication Technology sector. “Mobile and internet technology is transforming business,” says Regional Business Manager Ebach, “enabling better productivity and more efficient working when on the road or from remote locations. I’m excited to be able to work with businesses in the Bay to help them take advantage of the massive opportunities to cut costs and work smarter.”

Local businesses saving

Vadacom not only works with Xero to help with their global expansion, but now works locally in the Bay with clients such as Napier-based accountants Gardiner Reaney, who are now saving money, having replaced their out-dated

phone system with a modern cloudbased one, which enables them to integrate their mobile phones.

Napier dealership and a system for its new Stortford Corner dealership. “It became apparent to us how much

“It became apparent to us how much Vadacom stood out in respect to product and service.” Steve Ward, General Manager, Bay Ford / Bay Mazda Napier. ExportNZ Hawke’s Bay 2015 ASB Exporter of the Year award winner Furnware has just signed up to Vadacom and is looking forward to using Vadacom’s cloud based solution to improve communications between staff located around the world. Furnware needed a solution that would scale to meet future demands and chose Vadacom as it meets that criteria. Hawke's Bay’s home of Audi, VW and Skoda; EuroCity was excited by Vadacom’s computer-based system which allows complete visual knowledge of where staff are at any time (whether on site or off site) and more importantly, enables messages and telephone calls to be directed to them. Bay Ford and Bay Mazda was looking for a replacement phone system for its

Vadacom stood out in respect to product and service. The time Klaus spent with us to ensure our needs were absolutely covered was a credit to them. We have finished up with a phone and communication system that will ensure clear contact within our group, and more importantly, clear communication with our clients. Engaged phones are going to be a thing of the past,” says Steve Ward, General Manager, Bay Ford / Bay Mazda Napier.

Free business briefings

Vadacom will be hosting free business briefings with local partners on the potential of cloud-technology phone systems at various locations in the Bay. To register, call 022 657 3004, or email klaus.ebach@vadacom.co.nz.

CULTURE and LIFESTYLE

Mirror, mirror The Hawke's Bay Arts Festival opens in Havelock North at the end of October in a temporary space known as the famous Spiegeltent. It's a round tent lined with mirrors that was built in the early 1900s in Belgium and has travelled the world as a 'pop up' venue for festivals and touring shows, it reeks of cabaret, vaudeville and circus. In the 1930s Marlene Dietrich stood on a stage in this very same tent and sang ‘Falling in Love Again’. For the last 30 years the tent has been based in Australia but has been brought to New Zealand a few times over the years, including stints at the Wellington International Arts Festival. A number of confluences mean the tent is now coming to Hawke's Bay, as the venue for our inaugural Arts Festival. First, the Opera House was unexpectedly closed down; then the Taranaki Arts Festival was bringing the Spiegeltent to the country looking for a partnership with another festival to share costs; next Pitsch Leiser, manager of Creative Hastings, saw the potential of using the famous tent as a focus for a fledgling festival and decided to go for it. "You've got to see the opportunity when it's staring you in the face, you've got to have the balls to say 'How can we make this happen?', and the tenacity, enthusiasm and passion to go on that ride and see it through," says Leiser. The Arts Festival programme includes some international acts already in New Zealand for other festivals, some world-class New Zealand acts, and a couple of local performers of international calibre who happen to be based here. Critics have said that it takes years of planning to pull together a festival, that there should have been more consultation, a strategy, more contemplation and deliberation. But Leiser has calculated the risks and the returns based on his 30 years working in the arts and now the tent is on its way, as is a full programme of performers fresh from other festival dates. Leiser started with the seed money: $50,000 came from Creative New Zealand, $85,000 from Hastings District Council

Page 52 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

Casus Circus

CULTURE and LIFESTYLE

(money that was allocated to the Opera House operating budget), Napier City Council kicked in $10,000. From there, Leiser moved fast but efficiently, harnessing the enthusiasm he personally had for the project. In a matter of months he had tapped into every fund, grant and trust he could find, coming up with $400,000. "The response from all our sponsors was 'Hallelujah, this is what we've been waiting for,'" he says. Hastings District Council is also underwriting the festival to $50,000. This will kick in if ticket sales fail to meet the threshold of 45% on all houses. If the festival can't make those targets, says Leiser, Hawke's Bay doesn't deserve an Arts Festival. "I've been here two years and I have a real sense that people are hungry and crying out for a bit more of a quality cultural experience," Leiser says. "There are fantastic, magical things happening here but they're not accessible to general audiences." When the Opera House closed it left three distinct and large holes in Hawke's Bay. First, audiences lost a key venue. Second, businesses lost the flow-on from events held there. Third, promoters and performers lost the opportunity to come to Hastings or in some cases to Hawke's Bay at all. "Touring acts are simply missing us out," explains Leiser. "Promoters who have been finding Hawke's Bay difficult to understand, have chosen not to come here. The lack of decent venue just tips that towards 'let's not bother', so we've missed out." "We have to build and maintain those relationships so they will feed back into the Opera House when it opens, so promoters feel, 'It's not dead, it's just changed.'" "By developing an arts festival which includes the best acts available at the time we plant a seed that can be built on and then we grow this festival to a region-wide fixture that celebrates local and imported talent," explains Leiser. "This festival gives us an opportunity to bench mark against the best. It gives us inspiration, it gives us hope, it gives us an experience that otherwise we only get in big cities. Having this in the local park is magic." The 'local park' is Havelock North Domain. Basing the festival there does little to mitigate the lost revenue of the Opera House's own neighbouring businesses, but Leiser argues that the benefits of the location out-weigh the deficits. "Havelock North Domain is accessible and practical and all the infrastructure we need is there. It's easy." He also says housing the Spiegeltent in Hastings, in the Civic Square for example, could put off festival goers, as well as sending the security bill "through the roof." "You don't get anywhere unless you trust

your instincts and step out of your comfort zone. For me it's a unique opportunity to make a difference in Hawke's Bay. Pulling this off – and I'm confident we will – will be a game changer in this region. It will change the way others view the region and how the region views itself." The Hawke's Bay Arts Festival runs from 27 October to 8 November. The full programme is available at www.hbaf.co.nz or at the i-Sites in Napier and Hastings.

Festival Favourites Knee Deep - Casus Circus (AUS) Beautiful, sensual, emotional physical theatre. Won best circus show at the Avignon Arts Festival. “Full of extraordinary skill and brute strength, but also exquisite beauty.” The Guardian newspaper

“This is high-octane acrobatics – beautifully executed, intensely watchable, and full of images that linger long in the memory.” London's Time Out Magazine

Modern Maori Quartet (NZ) A whole new twist on the traditional Maori showband. Musicians James Tito, Maaka Pohatu, Matariki Whatarau and Francis Kora are all graduates of Toi Whakaari NZ Drama School, together they're quintessentially Kiwi but also very international. Pass the Gat (NZ) Bay-bred musician Thomas Oliver is joined by Warren Maxwell and Louis Baker

"By developing an arts festival which includes the best acts available at the time we plant a seed that can be built on and then we grow this festival to a region-wide fixture."

in a gathering of masterful Kiwi singersongwriters combining their rich blend of brilliant musicianship and melodies. MAMIL (NZ) A new show from actor Mark Hadlow tells the very personal and funny story of how he joined the roadracing cycle culture as a middle-aged man. Hadlow plays all twelve characters in this one-man show. I put a spell on you (HB) Margot Wuts closed the 2003 Wellington International Arts Festival with a tribute to jazz great Nina Simone. Now she brings this show to Hawke's Bay with a seven piece band.

For the Kids Beards, beards, beards The tale of one young girl’s increasingly inventive efforts to grow the world’s most magnificent beard. A madcap and hilarious musical romp of physical comedy and clowning.

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CULTURE and LIFESTYLE

GROW YOUR

OWN

Paying forward good deeds is a growing trend and two Hawke's Bay organic gardeners have found a practical way to do just that. Anna Archibald and John Creek of Box Fresh help people build raised garden beds, either holding their hands through the process or selling them a DIY kitset. But alongside their blossoming company they are helping many families get their own organic home garden up and running, by donating time, skill and materials. When Box Fresh sells a kitset they put some of the profits aside and when they have enough they put that money into building a donated raised garden for a family in need. "We have this amazing connection with Flaxmere because we've done a lot of work with that community, but we'll donate a garden to someone elsewhere if they are going to appreciate it," says John. The idea came out of Anna's experience working with John and Vicki Bostock on growing vegetable gardens and fruit trees at Te Aranga Marae. When that project ended Anna knew she wanted to continue work in this area and, with John Creek, founded Box Fresh. Anna and John are huge advocates for eating seasonally to counteract negative food fads found in Hawke's Bay, "We want more people to grow their own veges. That links them to fresh fruit and veges and eating seasonally, which means better health." The first three things Anna and John suggest for budding gardeners are: 1. Put in a vege garden, and it doesn't need to be big. 2. Decide on a tree: is it for shade? Is it for fruit? Is it deciduous? If yes, the leaves are excellent matter for the compost bin. 3. Compost! And make it a good mix of greens and browns. Visit Box Fresh at the Edible Garden Show (12-13 September) or online at boxfresh.co.nz. and learn how they can help you set up your garden and how you can help them pay forward more gardens to worthy families.

Page 54 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

Another Flaxmere family garden from Box Fresh

Rock On What started as a ingenious gift for a small grandchild has become a thriving little business in Haumoana. Annie and Dave Evans had the first germ of the idea that became the Rock-It Board two years ago and since then have sold 1,500 units around the country and overseas. The product looks deceptively simple. It's multi-layers of ply that are glued and moulded under pressure then crafted. But the curvature is such that it can be used safely to rock, and is then utilised by people in the fields of child development, education, physical therapy and rehabilitation including by physiotherapists, osteopaths, and occupational therapists. Annie Evans explains the boards are made from sustainable pine grown in New Zealand, which is important to the company and their customers. "The finishing is really important too, it's finished with a natural product that is also sturdy, hardy and long lasting," Annie says. From young children at kindergarten right through to seniors with limited mobility the Rock-It Board facilitates low-impact, rhythmic movement and exercise. It's a simple solution for a full range of balance, coordination, mobilisation, core strength, circulation, and flexibility issues. Dave Evans makes each board in his home workshop in Haumoana and they are shipped to individuals, rest homes, schools, kindergartens and health professionals all over NZ, Australia and Asia, with enquiries beginning to come from further afield. "I think the simplicity appeals a lot, it can be in your living room, it's nice to look at and non-invasive, and it's easy to store," says Annie. "People really love that it's a nice natural product; it's so simple it's almost zen-like."

Dave Evans

Rock-It boards can be found at

www.rockitnz.com Dave and Annie have also put together two pamphlets that help people find ways to use their board: Get Moving with Rock-It and Rock-It in Education.

En Pointe

Above the shops in Waipawa there's a ballet studio with all the romantic clichés one would hope for: chandeliers, gleaming barre, mirrors en masse, swathes of diaphanous lilac. "We'll bend over backwards to make sure dancers are pain free," Esther says. The issue is the majority of the ballet industry doesn't know any better, and once feet are damaged and poor technique in terms of using the feet for en pointe work has been cemented it's very difficult to fix the problems. Esther came to the conclusion that not all pointe-shoes (those dainty satin slippers that clad a dancers feet when they are on their very tippy toes) are created equal. And it was in the 1990s, while in the UK, that Esther found a Russian company making shoes that met her exacting requirements in terms of design and sizing options. So convinced was Esther of her mission that she rang the local council and asked them to take away her existing ballet slipper stock under lock and key. Two hundred and fifty pairs of brand new pointe shoes were disposed of in the council's secure landfill. Esther Juon Here too is a treasure of the ballet world on an international level, largely unacknowledged, dedicated and passionate, Swiss ballet mistress Esther Juon. A member of the education board of the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science, Esther speaks at IADMS conferences all over the world. She is also a member of the Paris-based International Dance Council. Esther's mission is a very specific one, she wants to see young dancers focus more on their feet. "We only get one pair and they have to last us a very long time," she says. In the 1980s Esther designed a system based on anatomy and physiology where the architecture of the shoe would support the engineering of the foot, and with correct fitting (there's a plethora of width, shank and arch sizes) and a complementary exercise regime, en pointe could be achieved without doing damage to the dancer. In explaining why dancers want to achieve en pointe she says wistfully, "We all want to fly." The ballet industry has been built on the misconception that ‘en pointe’ and ‘in pain’ go hand-in-hand, but Esther insists they don't have to.

"It is an involved process," she says. "It takes commitment and dedication, but we would rather prevent damage and pain than try and fix it later." From then on Esther would only sell the shoes that offered correct support to aspiring dancers' feet. And she'll only sell them after she's taken each dancer through a rigorous assessment, fitting, technique and exercise programme. She turns away dancers she believes aren't ready to dance en pointe, and laughs that she's really in the business of not selling shoes. Getting it right from the beginning of a dancer's career is vital and Esther would like to see all young dancers have their feet correctly assessed and fitted. "It is an involved process," she says. "It takes commitment and dedication, but we would rather prevent damage and pain than try and fix it later." Esther Juon can be found online at juonpointe.co.nz or in her dance studio on Waipawa's main road.

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CULTURE and LIFESTYLE

THE RETURN OF THE ESSAY Bridget Williams Books has been behind some excellent imprints â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a couple reviewed in these pages â&#x20AC;&#x201C; over the last few years, but their latest publishing programme presents the bijoux best of books. BWB Texts is a response to the e-book phenomenon, but also provides an opportunity to showcase work by some exciting young authors. Busy with other commitments, 20,000 words feels 'doable', where a full book may be out of the question at this point in their career. Tom Rennie is the publisher responsible for BWB Texts and says the programme is "a happy confluence" between him, commissioning editor Geoff Walker and Bridget Williams' response to the rise of digital publishing. The majority of texts are also available as hard-copies and are reasonably priced. New forms of publishing are being explored in the non-fiction world in

particular with academic and journalistic writers responding to a change in audience wants and needs. Long-scroll journalism forms are appearing online in such places as the New York Times, and publishers are releasing short hard copy forms, such as Penguin Shorts and Storycuts. It's been called a revitalisation of the essay, and many of the authors carried by BWB are certainly among New Zealand's best writers, including Albert Wendt, Paula Morris and Owen Marshall. BWB has explored ways of distributing the texts including paper and hard back and in omnibus or annual forms. At first it was a challenge to get a retail footprint, explains Tom Rennie. "But the last twelve months have been very heartening," he says, "with independent booksellers around the country coming on board to carry the titles."

Hannah August In the last couple of months, BWB has published short form works from Andrew Deans, Ruth, Roger and Me, about life growing up under the shadow of 1980s economic reform; and Hannah August, No Country for Old Maids, about New Zealand's perceived 'man-drought'. "That's a characteristic of the programme," says Rennie. "We can bring in new nonfiction writers and attract authors who may not be able to commit to the time of writing a long-form book. It opens a new terrain in terms of commissioning." BWB Texts are available online at bwb. co.nz or in the Bay as paperbacks at Poppies, Wardinis, and Beattie and Forbes.

ESSAY COMPETITION To celebrate the return of the essay, BayBuzz is running a short essay competition. We are inviting readers to submit their essay (600-800 words in length) on the topic: A Slice of Life in Hawke's Bay. We have two BWB Texts up for grabs for the two essays we deem the best of the best. Send your essays to: editors@baybuzz.co.nz Tom Rennie

TE KAHUI MAUNGA KURA TOI

CULTURE and LIFESTYLE

MAORI ART FROM TE WANANGA O AOTEAROA Te Kahui Maunga Kura Toi brings together Maori art by three decades of carvers, weavers and multi-media artists from Te Wananga o Aotearoa. The show is at Hastings City Art Gallery from 12 September through to 22 November. Although the show is part of a national 30-year anniversary celebration of Te Wananga o Aotearoa, in Hawke's Bay the wananga has been servicing the tertiary education needs of Ngati Kahungunu and the wider community since 2001. Te Kahui Maunga Kura Toi exhibits works by 50 Maori artists who are staff, graduates or students associated with the Maunga Kura Toi – Bachelor of Maori Art programme. Te Kahui Maunga Kura Toi will also include a series of wānanga events with demonstration workshops by carvers, weavers and multi-media artists, including a curatorial floor talk by Chris Bryant-Toi

"When our new CEO - Te Taiurungi, Jim Mather, began to lead the wananga, he could not understand why the institute, and what it continues to do, was a 'best kept secret'. Well this show is going to publicly blow our cover, as it's no secret that people like Sandy Adsett, Tamoti Karetu, Jacob Scott and many others have been at the forefront of tertiary education in the Maori world. And they live and work right here in the Bay."

Bringing Home the Gold Winning national recognition for the quality of our design and print work

BrebnerPrint

Design | Print | Deliver

68 Taradale Road, Napier | Phone: 06 974 3650 brebnerprint.co.nz

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CULTURE and LIFESTYLE

BOOK REVIEWS

Title: The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend Author: Katarina Bivald Publisher: Chatto & Windus Price: $35.00

Title: Under the Table: Poetry by Ben Fagan Author: Ben Fagan Publisher: PiM Press Price: $15.00

Title: The Last Four Days of Paddy Buckley Author: Jeremy Massey Publisher: Penguin Price: $35.00

Sara has led a sheltered life in Sweden, quietly reading and selling books. She strikes up a pen friendship with elderly Amy, and travels well outside of her comfort zone to the US to meet her dear friend for the first time. Upon arrival, Sara learns that Amy has died, but the residents of her town, Broken Wheel, are expecting her. She is given Amy’s home to stay in and taken under the wing of the dusty, dying town’s people.

Ben Fagan’s Under the Table combines poetry and rhythmic prose, reminiscent of the deliberate sound placements of The Streets.

Paddy Buckley works in Dublin's premier undertakers where every day he is reminded of the grief he feels for his recently departed wife.

The main thread of the story is about how Sara gives back to Broken Wheel; using Amy’s library, she opens a book shop. The way she organises the books causes interest and scandal among the local populace – with sections entitled ‘Guaranteed Happy Ending,’ and ‘Gay Erotica,’ Amy is clearly hoping to cater for a wide readership.

The writing reaches out to us through shared experience: that party, that golden childhood moment, that dreadful experience when we really stuffed up. The poems’ strength lies in their relevance and resonance – like the guy at the party in Games: “He had that common combo of good looks and horrible personality.” Yep. Met him.

This is a book for people who want to read about people. It has humour, romance, redemption, poignancy and … well I’m not going to say if it’s a guaranteed happy ending or not, unless you ask me.

There are wonderful lines that make you think, ‘yes, that’s exactly right,’ like this one: “Nostalgia is a memory of a memory.” There are lovely texts from Dad – a mix of sound advice, real wisdom and love. In the end, what we are left with is the sense that here is a young man who has seen and done some of the things we’ve seen and done – the difference is that he notices, and hands our experiences back to us to acknowledge.

Lou.

When driving home late one night in the pouring rain, he runs over a pedestrian who steps in front of his car. He gets out to render first aid but is mortified to find that not only is the pedestrian dead, but that he recognises him as Donal Cullen, the brother of Dublin's most notorious and vicious gang land boss. Hoping that no one has seen, he makes off in a state of panic. Things go from bad to worse when the next day he is tasked with arranging the funeral for Donal. This is a black comedy in the truest sense. Paddy is a hugely likeable character and you genuinely fear for him as his life spirals downwards, out of control. The Last Four Days of Paddy Buckley was a hugely enjoyable read with a great sense of farce, and would make a fantastic addition to any book case or book club. Wardini.

Louise & Gareth Ward – www.wardini.co.nz Page 58 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

Wine: Stories from Hawke’s Bay

Wine Stories from Hawke’s Bay In November, BayBuzz is publishing a book on the history of Hawke’s Bay wine – from first vines through today. The ‘coffee table’ book is written by Mark Sweet in a lively style that tells the history of HB’s iconic wineries and personalities, supported by heaps of stories and anecdotes about the key individual players and events. Peter Cowley of Te Mata Estate has authored a comprehensive ‘soil to bottle’ feature describing the growing / wine-making process, and the attributes that yield world-class wine here in HB. Illustration includes extensive archival images and original photography shot by Tim Whittaker. *Only $59 including free shipping in NZ for orders until 31 October 2015.

PREVIEW & PRE-ORDER your copy now @ www.winestorieshb.co.nz

CULTURE and LIFESTYLE

Trees for Bees Tree Crops Association Hawke's Bay is keen to find trees that buzz and is setting out to crowd source data on the subject by encouraging people to get involved in its Trees for Bees survey. The honey bee pollinates over 80% of our food producing crops. To stay healthy, happy and thriving bees need food throughout the year and so planting decisions should reflect this, whether in home-gardens, public parks or for horticultural purposes. "Most of us walk around not noticing bee trees, but once you focus you actually hear the trees with the bees in them. If you hear the bees in the trees then that's the type of tree we're looking for because the bees really like it," Chris Ryan explains. "We call these trees 'buzz trees'." There are plenty of bee tree lists available at garden centres or councils but Tree Crops has found these limited and narrow. "In New Zealand we tend to think natives are the answer to everything, but when you look at the number of plants that are suitable for bees, exotics win hands down. Exotics are likely to be found flowering in every month of the year and we're looking for plants that bloom in times when other trees aren't flowering." Chris explains: "We've got to do something about increasing food supply for bees. A weak hive in winter means they can't bulk up numbers by the spring. We need to find plants that will flower in the spring to increase bee numbers and in the autumn to sustain the bees over winter." The survey is available to anyone to be part of, and the more people the better. "It can be as simple as recording what's in your garden, or by doing a regular walk, even just around the block, or through a local park," Chris explains. "It's an accumulative value. Everyone sees plants, everybody can add to the sum of knowledge." Chris can help with plant identification, and is contactable at toptreeman@clear.net.nz or on 877 6651. Survey packs are available from Clare Buckner, clare@tekoha.co.nz

Chris Ryan

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Nadia Kersel

Cultural Roots Nadia and Matt Kersel live in an old school off State Highway 50, so when they were looking for a name for their new business they didn't have to look very far. Old School Ferments is just starting out in the Fruit Bowl of New Zealand delivering up three fermented foods as an introductory range, each with its own roots and culture (and considering we're talking fermented vegetables, both those puns are intended). "We want our ferments to be accessible so people living a modern way can have this old school addition to their diets and their pantry," explains Nadia. Kimchi is a Korean mixed vegetables; curtido, a South American slaw; and sauerkraut, a German cabbage concoction with dill and mustard. "Being able to ferment what's here in Hawke's Bay is a big part of what we are about," says Nadia. "All of our veges are local and we often use what's in our own garden." "If you look at this cabbage, it just needs love. That's what really amazes me about this product, we take something simple like cabbage, add time and love and unlock a superfood within. It's technically still a raw food, it has all its vitality still in it. When you eat it your body goes zing. It kick starts your digestion." The depth of flavour in each ferment gives a diverse range of opportunities for using the products, which Nadia and Matt insists go well with everything. "We're all about flavour, punch, spine and zest. We're trying to liven food up a bit, make it funky, bring some new life and attitude," Matt says. Fermented food is an ancient concept that has enjoyed a resurgence of interest in recent times thanks in part to the take up of raw foods, superfoods and the Paleo diet. "It feels like the paradigm for food is changing. People want real food, nutrient rich food. It makes us feel heartened to offer something so good and so healthy out to our community," says Nadia. Follow Old School Ferments as they bring their products to market at ... facebook.com/oldschoolferments

CULTURE and LIFESTYLE

Keirunga Gardens Keirunga Gardens will transform into a wonderland of whimsy and arty ephemera come November, with art and craft blossoming alongside the carefully kept flower beds and labyrinthine pathways. A home of the arts and crafts for fifty years, Keirunga is now taking its works outside as many of the groups based there get involved in the inaugural Sculpture in the Gardens event.

The event opens on Friday evening 13 November and runs through to Sunday afternoon 15 November. Parking is below the gardens and those who are able are encouraged to walk up the path. There will be space for people to picnic and the event will go ahead whatever the weather.

Convenor Kay Bazzard, herself an accomplished ceramicist, has been in awe of the ideas sparking at the Gardens, saying the event is pushing people out of their comfort zones. "I've been blown away with the submissions. The members are really getting into it, seeing the possibilities that present themselves when you take your work outside," says Kay.

'Special Baby' Hits the Bottle

Groups involved include those making miniatures, weaving, folk art, life drawing, photography, fibre art, book arts, quilting and theatre. For Kay the event is also an opportunity to show off the beautiful surroundings of Keirunga. "Everyone should know how special it is," she says. "We are very privileged to have such a peaceful, tranquil place to do our work." Kay Bazzard

KUDOS to Tim Turvey and Helma van den Berg for bottling the most expensive white wine in New Zealand with their 2013 vintage of Clearview Estate Winery's Endeavour Chardonnay. Oenophiles have waited three years to see this wine again as it's only made when the vintage is considered stunning. Vintage 2013 has been called the Vintage of the Century. Turvey says, “This wine epitomises all the reasons why we planted and started making it nearly 30 years ago. It has intensity, balance and flavour with a structure that has audacity; there’s freshness and complexity. To make a wine such as this is something I really look forward to. It’s my special baby.” The limited-run wine is handpicked, hand-crafted and largely hand-bottled and packaged. It sells for around $150 at Clearview’s cellar door and is available at selected wine retail outlets. Page 61 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

CULTURE and LIFESTYLE

Golden Daffodils “When all at once I saw a crowd, a host of golden Daffodils” They say presenting someone with a bunch of daffodils will ensure happiness. Maurice Menneer of Daffodowndilly Farm, glows with happiness! As he looks upon swaths of bright yellow cups and trumpets, he takes a deep breath and says, “When you love something, you can never call it work”. Maurice started planting Daffodowndilly Farm in 1990 with seeds his father sent to him in 1970 from England. “When we arrived it was nothing but sheep and skylarks!” Today, with over forty international varieties of daffodils, it's a sight to behold. Maurice was raised by parents who both graduated from university with botanical degrees. He has kept the family passion for daffodils thoroughly alive, with speciality early blooming varieties such as ‘Rijnveld’s Early Sensation’ and ‘Malvern City’.

Maurice Menneer

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Margot Wuts and Arlo

My first time ... at the orchid club Margot Wuts, jazz singer, mother and orchid enthusiast I've always loved being in the garden and the act of gardening itself, but indoor plants have a chequered history with me. My attitude towards them is probably a result of failing to see any real purpose other than a token splash of green around the place. Vegetable gardens have flourished, while my indoor plants were lucky if my plant-watering friends visited for a coffee, immediately coming to their rescue with a splash of sympathy and water. I'd always had a couple of orchids around the place, usually being shoved about on the bench or gathering dust on top of the piano; not flowering, ever. When the time came to move house I bundled up the neglected houseplants and moved them with us. In the kitchen of the new house, a bay window with glass walls and a glass roof became the perfect spot for the orchids. To seal the deal I purchased orchid food and tried to zap some life into them. The rewards were substantial to say the least. The orchids started to show a lust for life that had been missing for a long while. I'd caught the bug and searched every shop I went into looking for orchids who were fading and unwanted. Before I knew it my small collection had swollen to seventeen and growing! Before long I had a small torch and a measuring tape on my kitchen bench, which I used every day to check on the health of my plants, for which I have almost unseemly adoration. I had to meet other people who felt the same way as me about this amazing plant. I discovered The Hawke's Bay Orchid Society, who meet on the first Monday of every month. The evening of the first meeting I took

care with my outfit, the whole time wondering if I really was brave enough to go by myself into the den of the orchid mavens. My nerves got me to the meeting a bit too early, but at 7.15pm, cars started to pull up outside the hall. A wee one pulled up right beside mine and curiosity very quickly overrode trepidation. In the passenger seat was the most beautiful orchid I had ever seen, it was impossible for me not to walk over and introduce myself to the driver, Biddy, whose kind eyes had a twinkle that immediately put me at ease. As we walked together into the hall Biddy introduced me to more members, most of whom were also carrying an amazing assortment of plants. There were four tables of orchids at the front of the hall and Biddy explained these were for the ‘best orchid of the meeting’ prizes each month in four categories: species, hybrids, cymbidiums and novice. Each meeting everyone brings along their best orchid of the moment and there is a competition. There is also a popularity contest that is judged by all the members voting at the meeting. I was excited to be a part of that one, although found it nearly impossible to choose a favourite! The month before my first meeting, Biddy had won the cup and had cleaned it and brought it back only to win it again with the very orchid that had coaxed me out of my car. I sat and soaked up the amazing amount of knowledge in the room; here I was, surrounded by the Ones Who Know. For my every question, the answer was in this room, somewhere, and I knew I would be back to find it! My second meeting has just been and gone and this time there was no carpark apprehension. I bounded from my car clutching a purple phalaenopsis I have been coaxing into splendour on my kitchen bay window. Inside the hall, amidst the orchid experts, I carefully placed her, Penelope to her friends, on the novice table. And when the time came for judging, guess who took home the popularity prize for the favourite flower of the day. Yours-truly! The newly ordained orchid aficionado!

Hawke’s Bay’s Food Service Professionals The Star brand of Star Fish Supply and Star Food Service has been a well-known business icon of the Hawke’s Bay region since 1964 and is still growing from strength to strength. This legacy is led by director, Andy Claudatos whose infectious drive and passion for his team to succeed both in their personal and professional lives form the solid foundations by which the company is supported today. The Star brand incorporates everything Hawke’s Bay from proven environmentally sustainable fish catching practices through to servicing the local food wholesale market with over 4000 different lines of quality food products. Both Star Fish Supply and Star Food Service are conveniently located in Dunlop Road, Onekawa. For many years now, Star Fish Supply has been working with the fishing vessel Nancy Glen 2 and multiple other different corporations including government agencies and local iwi on sustainable fish catching practices for Hawke’s Bay and has achieved proven positive results. The high costs of sustainability has been absorbed by the Star group in order to present a sustainability caught quality fish to local restaurants and clubs at no extra cost.“It’s not about the cost, it’s about longevity of a resource and this in turn supports our values of sustainability

and protecting this natural resource which is Hawke’s Bay”, says General Manager Nigel Bryant. The company also runs a new entrant training programme both at sea and within our land based companies. The sister company Star Food Service, has a vision of diversification and listening to customer needs and acting upon them. Part of this vision is achieving lower competitive pricing for the customer, Star Foods Services is a proud member of the national buying group Food First and has strong local business relationships with Watties, McCain, ENZA, Keighleys, and Homegrown Juice Company to name but a few. Due to a local food wholesaler closing their doors in mid-August Star Food Service is expanding their retail business to support this extra demand and have employed some

of this local food wholesaler’s ex-staff. The team at Star Food Service has extensive experience and product knowledge in all your foodie requirements, from seafood to poultry, dry goods to frozen and everything in between they are happy to answer any question you have. Star Food Service showroom is open Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm and Saturday 8am till 12pm, but best of all you don’t need an account to shop with us. WE ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!! “Star Food Service is your one-stop catering shop for all functions: we are your food service professionals. From small work shouts through to large events, we have everything you need and at wholesale prices”.

GOOFY CAKE SLABS BULLET TUNA – 2.0kg $7.00 per bag*

BERLEY BOMBS – 1.5kg $3.85 each*

* prices exclude GST

Chocolate, Banana & Carrot 42cm x 31cm 8cm $22.66 per slab*

MIXED SAVOURIES Mince, Mince & Cheese, Potato Top, Bacon & Egg Sausage Rolls (50 per tray) $19.95 per tray*

STAR FOOD SERVICE SHOWROOM IS OPEN MONDAY TO FRIDAY 8AM TO 5PM AND SATURDAY 8AM TILL 12PM AT 32 DUNLOP ROAD, ONEKAWA, NAPIER, HAWKE’S BAY

CULTURE and LIFESTYLE

TASTE TENNYSON AND BEYOND BY PRUE BARTON

A hop, skip and a couple of big jumps down from Marine Parade into Tennyson Street, a feeling of the ‘the times are a changing’ is taking place and a new kind of energy is permeating through this precinct. Since we opened Mister D Dining in 2012 at 47 Tennyson there is new retail growth and a sharpening of the hospitality trade. Looking out of the window one might even imagine a Parisian feel with the striped awnings of Alexanders and Linens to Love and the colourful window displays at Caravan and Cotton On. Tables out on the pavement at Ujazi, Cafe Divine and Groove Kitchen Espresso give the street early morning life and even when it is ‘snowing’ outside diehard locals brave the cold for that early morning coffee fix. Stepping into the homeware worlds of Madisons and Brocante is like a dream come true and major romanticising can be spent in these spaces. Joyously this is the first time for me in business that my restaurant hasn’t been placed next to a hamburger joint!! In 2012 the art deco Masonic Hotel completed a major renovation and

Prue Barton

Page 64 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

restoration under the guidance of owners Neil Barber and Craig Hay. The hotel rooms, bars and function facilities have been renovated and this hospitality hub is now restored to its former glory. Sipping cocktails under the eaves of the huge expansive balcony one might imagine you are on set in a Somerset Maugham play or in the Raj era, but with the sound of the sea in the background. You are then jolted back to a New Zealand scene with the ocean before you and the 100-year-old pohutukawa and the newly commissioned Paul Dibble cast bronze Gold of the Kowhai sculpture and across the road the brand spanking new MTG. New to our hub is Georgia - Specialty Coffee on Tennyson. Enquiring where the name Georgia came from, Bennie the owner responded it was his favourite name for a girl and they have three boys!!! Coffee comes first here and they are passionate about its heritage. Using the Flight brand they offer alternate brew methods and even have a guest grinder on hand. Pastries from Yabon Artisan Bakers complete the package. Next in line to open in September is Bistronomy with chef James Beck at the helm. The F. Thorp and Co building built in 1932 is under renovation with a transformation to a smart Scandi-style bistro with a long eat bar, casual plates and a small tasting feast menu. Currently there is an ardent desire for many modern chefs to drop the high prices and stuffy atmospheres that used to be associated with ‘fine dining’ and present gastronomic dishes in modern, fun, accessible bistro settings. Positioned right next door is Indigo, the acclaimed Indian restaurant. If you enjoy a

Mister Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bar serves BayBuzz favourite, Makerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mark bourbon

Tennyson Street buzzes with food and drink options

James Beck opens Bistronomy

Masonic Hotel provides seaside anchor

tipple this is a ‘no brainer’ of a destination as owner Paul is clearly a whisky aficionado and his shelves are groaning with every whisky imaginable. Further down Hastings Street in the newly renovated post office building is Cafe Adoro where Hans and Paul create coffee happiness all day long. Monica Loves, down the lane off Tennyson opened last December. This bar is fast becoming a haunt and the locals are certainly giving it the nod. On offer are cocktails, craft beers and a well thought out local and international wine list. Wok-fried salt and pepper prawns, crispy chicken with miso mayonnaise lead the charge on the bar menu with nightly specials featured on a blackboard menu. This bar translates as fun and modern catering to a range of ages and groups. Receiving an award in the 2015 Gisborne-Hawke's Bay Architecture awards, Nott Architects in conjunction with Paris Magdalinos Architects and Jacob Scott used the industrial setting, creating a stylish, intimate interior and exterior space, rejuvenating one of the lost interior laneways of Napier. Winter is the time when restaurants pull out all the stops and create their own events to encourage folks to leave their fires and venture out. One recent event at Pacifica packed a large punch with guest chefs Michael Meredith (Merediths Auckland) and Steven Beere from Mint Restaurant ‘putting on the ritz’ with a nine-course degustation menu matched with local and international wines. Courses that stood out were the ‘snails and chicken mousse, swordfish and chia seeds’ matched with the Saint Clair Gruner Veltliner 2013 from Marlborough; ‘Squid rice risotto and cauliflower puree and cold

smoked oyster’ matched with the Quarter Acre Sauvignon Blanc 2013 Hawke’s Bay; and ‘Egg yolk, artichoke, paua and chicken skin’ matched with the Osawa Prestige Collection Chardonnay 2013 from Hawkes Bay. Jeremy’s food is daringly innovative, original and creative, and so his recent success at the 2015 Cuisine Awards for Best Regional Restaurant is exciting news for our region. As part of winter FAWC, Mister D Dining’s event “Goat’s Head Soup” certainly rocked the Tennyson Street Casbah. An impressive Moroccan fit out with lanterns, Moroccan rugs, opulent velvet curtains completed the vibe and Mister D and his band of merry rockers played the entire Rolling Stones album. Guests merged between Monica Loves and Mister D Dining for drinks and cocktails with a generous feast dinner being served to communal tables. Highlights from the menu included whole baked snapper with chermoula spices and braised fennel, lamb tagine, Bostock organic chicken baked with Mister D’s harissa, and a traditional goat’s head soup (definitely not for the faint hearted!). Guests and staff dressed Moroccan-style creating that event buzz. There is definitely excitement in the air and some of the older players – Groove Kitchen Espresso, and ethnics Sangham Indian Tandoori Restaurant and China Light – continue to keep the southern end of Tennyson Street padded up. The new kids on the block are regenerating an enthusiasm to the street, creating a uniqueness, vibrancy and prosperity, bringing back a welcoming destination for tourists and locals. Thanks Pat for your foresight and commitment … Tennyson Street is just getting started.

CULTURE and LIFESTYLE

We’re open every day, so why not join us for... Brunch Continental or cooked 8:00am to 10:00am

Lunch Set lunch or à la Carte 11:30pm to 2:30pm

Dinner Lodge menu or à la Carte 5:30pm to 8:30pm

See you soon! 17 Omarunui Road, Taradale, Napier p. (06) 844 5774

Georgia Specialty Coffee, new to Tennyson

№9-5733

ormlielodge.co.nz

Page 67 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

A SPRING FLING WITH FASHION BY CLARE TANTON

You’re ready to leave your heavy jacket at home and embrace the sunshine, but a mere glance at the contents of your wardrobe makes you heave a sigh of despair. BayBuzz, with the help of three local boutiques, is here to bring you some fresh fashion inspiration. Our assistant editor Jess Soutar Barron and our photographer Sarah Cates are both busy working mums. Between them they have seven children; both work, study, have ‘to-do’ lists longer than your average arm, and even manage to find time to do the housework (maybe…sometimes). Having survived winter in their old duds, it’s high time for a spring makeover. Their first looks are ideal for a spring wedding or an afternoon at your favourite winery. Next, a coffee date or lunch with the girls. And then, what to wear for a leisurely morning at the Farmers’ Market, a stroll along Marine Parade or a weekend mooching around the local shops. The magic began with a visit to Industry, the hip hair salon nestled in the heart of Havelock North. The lovely ladies there managed to tame Jess’s unruly mane and transform it into a shower of gleaming curly locks. Sarah relinquished her practical ponytail in favour of letting her hair down, and both were transformed with an injection of colour, subtle makeup in Sarah’s case and a bold red lip for Jess.

“Jess looks fantastic in the bright coloured longer length top ... and the slim pant elongates her body.” The red complemented perfectly Jess’s outfit from Diahann Boutique where Rebecca Bruce dressed the daring duo for their first look. Jess thrills with a burst of bright vibrant colour. She wears Verge Acrobat Skinny Pants with a divine Toby Chagall Print in citrus and red. To add a touch of glamour, Andrea Moore Flash sunglasses in tortoiseshell round off the outfit. “Jess looks fantastic in the bright coloured longer length top,” says Rebecca, “and the slim pant elongates her body.” Sarah wears a magical Happy Ever After Trelise Cooper dress in duck egg blue. Described as “what Marie Antoinette would wear to a cocktail party in 2015,” it has plush, elaborately textured fabric contrasted with a contemporary structured shape, topped off with colourful beaded detail. “This dress is perfect for a wedding or cocktail party,” advises Rebecca, “The structured shape is fitting through the waist which is flattering to Sarah’s figure.” To complete the look Sarah shows off her never ending pins in shoes from Lolita.

Diahann Boutique Joll Road, Havelock North p 06 877 5327 Ruataniwha Street, Waipukurau p 06 858 8675 Shop online at www.diahannboutique.co.nz Opening hours Havelock North Monday - Friday 9 - 5pm Saturday 9.30 - 2pm Sunday 10 - 2pm Waipukurau Monday - Friday 8.30 - 5pm Saturday 9 - 1pm

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“... like PJs you can wear to the supermarket and out for coffee and nobody knows, it’s that comfortable.” Spring fashion this year is “fun and feminine with an edgy twist,” says Rebecca of Diahann Boutique. Whether you prefer to charm in delicate pastels, or make a splash in bold colours, either of these looks will have you ready for celebrating in style this spring. Jess and Sarah visited Dale Cooley at Papillion next for advice on a casual everyday look, before stepping out for a much needed coffee break at Yabon Artisan Bakery. Jess wears possibly the most comfortable yet stylish outfit known to woman: a Kowtow Building Block Oversized Dress and Kowtow Building Block Oversized Pants. “I wear Kowtow myself,” says Dale, “and I love it. It’s fair trade organic cotton, easy to wear, easy to match and washes well.” The outfit is “like PJs you can wear to the supermarket and out for coffee and nobody knows, it’s that comfortable.” Navy and white stripes is a ‘must-have’ look for spring this year. Jess’s look is topped off with an Elk necklace and Lina shoes from Zierra. Sarah is dressed in World Pompidou Jeans in brown floral, a Mesop capped sleeve linen tee and Mesop denim jacket. “People are often afraid of patterns worn on the bottom half,” says Dale, “but don’t be.” An Andrea Moore Apple of My Eye Necklace and Piper shoes from Zierra add extra sparkle to the ensemble.

Jess and Sarah dressed by Papillon

Page 70 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

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“I don’t ever dress anybody by a complete set of rules, it’s much better to have an open mind.” When updating your wardrobe this spring, Dale advocates throwing the rule book out the window. “I don’t ever dress anybody by a complete set of rules, it’s much better to have an open mind.” This even applies to your clothing size. “I had one woman come in and buy a top in a larger size to wear as a dress. All her friends loved it and started coming in and doing the same thing.” After a coffee in the sunshine the final visit was to Nicki Plowman Kaftans and Resortwear. In her den of vibrant colours and lush exotic fabrics, Nicki helped Jess and Sarah find outfits to master the finishing look, perfect for mooching around Bellatino’s Food Lovers Market with its delectable local produce. Sarah embraced her inner bohemian in a crinkle dress and hippie beads, which suit her height and complement her lush long tresses. Jess fell in love with the Chikan white top and plush Kantha Coat. The ensemble makes for a comfortable, colourful and glamorous look. Each piece of clothing at Nicki Plowman’s is hand stitched from vintage saris, making every item unique. The vast range of luxurious fabrics and exquisite patterns speak of summer, sand and lazy days at the beach. Having thoroughly enjoyed the experience Sarah and Jess have discovered some new favourite looks they plan to wear this spring at the market, out and about with friends, and to special occasions, and have hopefully given you some fresh inspiration along the way.

NICKI PLOWMAN www.nickiplowman.com 9 Napier Road, Havelock North, Hawke’s Bay p + 64 6 877 7183 Opening hours Monday - Friday 10 - 5 Saturday 10 - 4

Jess and Sarah dressed by Nicki Plowman

Page 72 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

AFRICAN ADVENTURE BY ERENI ZACHARY

Samburu warriors dancing

Africa was our second major trip. Our first was to the Galapagos and the Amazon. Both were inspired by David Attenborough’s BBC documentaries, which my son watched from the age of three. He watched these over and over again, until he knew them by heart. At the age of five, when we took our trip to see the Galapagos wildlife, my son knew already what the guide was explaining to the adults in the party. ‘Seeing it in the real’ at that young age, after learning about the wildlife at home, was a priceless gift. Africa came when my son was seven. That’s the minimum age recommended for travel to Africa. It’s still the age of wonder, and an age when electronics haven’t become part and parcel of their day or week. Exploring the real world is still more attractive than gaming in fantastical worlds. Even before we left for Africa, we had months of preparing. Visitors to these countries are required to have various immunizations, some of which require weeks between doses. We visited a travel doctor who checked what was needed for each country. We organised a mobile pharmacy and got documentation to allow us to carry medications with us. Luggage was also a consideration, as small aircraft typical in Africa require soft bags and impose limits on weight.

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Clothing was a rather more interesting preparation issue for me, as it meant choosing a safari-oriented wardrobe! I imagined linen trousers of various khaki hues, classy sandy-coloured sandals and a matching wrinkled linen jacket for the cool evenings (anyone who’s seen Bertolucci’s The Sheltering Sky knows what I mean). In boring reality, practical clothes for Africa include quick dry socks, quick dry shirts and quick dry trousers. These can be washed in the evening then dried overnight. It complements the luggage weight restriction issue. Last but not least, cash. Very close to departure I realized that American dollars in cash would be needed in large quantities to pay for a ‘visa’ from one country into the next. And it was not until I got there that I found, at the end of one’s stay in a lodge, tipping staff was encouraged (albeit in special envelopes to be left in the room). As most stays in any one lodge lasted from one to three nights, I ran out of small dollar bills pretty quickly. The trip was arranged for us by Kate at the House of Travel in Havelock North and

we also met with Jenny, the Africa specialist who, after listening to what we wanted to do, recommended the countries to visit, accommodation and the timing of the trip. Luckily, our school holidays coincided with the time of the great migration, and so our trip could be built around ‘the greatest spectacle in the animal kingdom’. We flew from Napier to Nairobi. Gorgeous Eliziban, our contact person in Africa, met us at the airport and drove us on our first safari through Nairobi National Park to the Emakoko Lodge. Our first stop was a much anticipated visit to the David Sheldrick elephant orphanage, where as adoptive parents of a young elephant called Kainuk, we were able to walk around the compound, see the babies in their beds, the older ones come back from play, and feeding time. The following day, our adventure would start in earnest. It had been suggested by Jenny that we stay in Samburu, in the north of Kenya at a lodge where the local Samburu young warriors spend time with children and teach them survival skills. All the staff came from the local community, and as with most lodges there was a symbiotic relationship between lodge and the surrounding area. Young warriors are young men who have been through a rite of passage, and who are expected to live away from home and develop their survival skills and their social placing. They took my son on outings to make fire,

detect animal movement according to clues on the ground and in the trees, make a bow and arrows and practice shooting little dikdiks, which were, of course, too fast for him. We travelled south, staying in the Masai Mara where we saw the great migration as hundreds of zebras attempted to cross the river to the side where the grass was plentiful. Mercifully the lounging crocodiles were not hungry (probably still digesting last year’s meal!) and left the zebras to swim across in peace. We saw warthogs being chased by a group of lionesses, hyenas threateningly watching carefree lion cubs scampering in the grass, a male impala guiding his harem and their young, a black rhinoceros and enormous water buffalos. We also had a very cute family of warthogs sleeping outside our tent. Later, when we stayed in the Serengeti, we saw the wildebeest as they slowly moved towards the Mara, leaving the dry plains behind for the promise of grazing further north. One day, hours into our drive, we stopped to observe the animals heading for a river. A limping wildebeest met his unfortunate death when two previouslylounging lions we had seen saw him as their next meal. The next day we saw one of the same lions, sitting quite content with an enormous, now-satisfied, belly. The Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara were our last stop before flying to Dar-Es-Salam via Arusha in order to fly to Johannesburg and on to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Besides the Falls themselves, a highlight was riding an elephant called Hwange. These elephants were orphaned, and the money raised supported their keep and their minders. The last country we visited was Botswana. We had the most amazing view from the Muchenje Safari Lodge of the Chobe River as it meandered through vast areas of flat land

Learning survival skills in Kenya crowded with all sorts of animals who were attracted by the water. We visited the Chobe National Park and went on a peaceful boat trip down the river, spending a lot of time observing the hippos, crocodiles, elephants, birds, greater kudu and monitor lizards coexisting in and out of the water. Our last few days were spent at the Okavango Delta, a 16,000 sq km floodplain fed by the Okavango River. At our last lodge in Nxabeha my son had a rather surprising encounter with a venomous snake, which, he takes every opportunity to remind me, could have bitten him. He adds that for that particular snake there is no known antidote. Which makes it a splendid lifetime story of imminent peril survived by a seven year old. Every place we visited had something new to offer us. The landscape, the people, the animals, the temperature, the lodges, and the history differed from place to place. Our hosts shared their knowledge readily and were marvellous with children.

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Page 75 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

Sponsoring insight into smart farming in Hawke’s Bay

SMART FARMING KEY TO PAYDIRT BY KEITH NEWMAN

LandWISE’s Dan Bloomer brings latest technology to farming

tim.co.nz

The rising cost of land, encroaching urbanisation, volatile primary sector markets and legislation requiring more rigorous environmental management are forcing Hawke’s Bay farmers, croppers and orchardists to prepare for a smarter future. Moreover, smarter farming techniques and collaborative research may hold the key to unlocking lost potential in our land. Dan Bloomer manager of the LandWISE experimental MicroFarm in Hastings is convinced it’s time for a “dirt to the market” overhaul of farming practices, and for farmers to get up to speed with the agrarian computer revolution. He’s one of the primary sector champions pushing for a review of the value chain, better soil and plant management and an independent and collaborative Future Farming Centre. A three-year intensive cropping project at the MicroFarm recently returned a 40% onion yield, which Bloomer discovered was a New Zealand average. “We’re doing the soil cultivation, but we’re not capturing the value. Something is going wrong.” For a start, he says, farmers need to use computer-based technology to improve productivity and management practices at a sub-paddock scale. “The use of technology in farming today can be compared to the office typing pool and filing cabinet of the 1980s.” Bloomer says GPS guided and trackmatched tractors, ploughs, hoes, planters,

Page 76 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

harvesters and sprayers that minimise overdriving, compacting and over spraying are a great start, but much more needs to be done. Huge potential might be unleashed by “throwing the current system up in the air, trying to make it land in a different way ... and putting it into a new structure ... so everyone gets a better return.” That’s not an easy challenge when millions of dollars are invested. “Looking at one piece at a time doesn’t give you an idea of how changes in one area impact another.” Bloomer’s convinced remote sensors and drones or UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) can reveal where crop or pasture growth is stunted so it can be analysed and fertilised appropriately.

Freshwater focus One of the major drivers reshaping farming is the need to comply with the stringent conditions of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2014 (NPS-FM). The Hawke’s Bay Regional Council is

responsible for limits, targets, monitoring and compliance. “It’s the biggest game in town,” says HBRC acting land manager Nathan Heath. Under the new regime, simply increasing stock numbers to boost production will no longer cut it. “It’s a big numbers game now and the amount of work that needs to be done can be overwhelming,” says Heath. Remaining profitable may depend on “the smart farming proposition which is almost a paradigm shift” and some, suggests Heath, may not survive the new rules. “The cap on nitrogen loss into Lake Taupo resulted in a significant change in who was farming and where. While it’s unclear what the impact will be here there’s a risk the same thing will happen.” The way forward will require diversification, more intimate knowledge of land use, better farm management systems and the use of computer technology to inform best practice. A range of tools and resources include budgeting packages that model nutrient cycles, including Overseer or Spasmo, to help mitigate nitrogen or phosphorous levels, farm plan templates and accreditation systems. HBRC may assist by recommending more proactive farm management systems, “a different class of stock, crop rotations or timing for activities might be more cost effective”. Heath says part of HBRC’s role is to facilitate moving “from competition to collaboration”, brokering access to

important data sets and encouraging people to come up with new ideas. “You have to add value without increasing your environmental footprint.”

Future Farming Centre Dan Bloomer is also convinced the next leap forward for the Hawke’s Bay primary sector will be finding a common platform for smart people involved in the sector to collaborate. He imagines researchers, water and soil scientists, plant modellers, agronomists, consultants and local and central government working together to transform the region’s productivity. Currently each operates within their own framework. Patch protection and the way government funding is structured are obstacles to integrating that knowledge. Although the Government’s National Science Challenges encourage collaboration, Crown Research Institutes with responsibility for different aspects of farming still compete for funding and are expected to return a profit. While visionaries are trying to point the way forward, Bloomer says a huge amount of their intelligence is going into writing funding applications and producing reports with little time left “to do the actual science”. Competing across soil, plants and animals is “kind of silly” because the farmer has to work with all of them, although a change may be in the wind. A group of influential Hawke’s Bay growers, farmers, advisors, researchers and investors has floated the idea of a Future Farming Centre, a hub to coordinate access to research and resources. And the timing of a $25 million government seed fund to help establish four regional research institutes couldn’t have been better.

After meeting in July, HBRC, Hastings, Napier, Wairoa and Central Hawke’s Bay councils in a rare show of unity agreed to put their joint economic development resources behind the proposal. They’re supported by EIT, Business HB, Plant & Food Research, Pipfruit NZ, Hawke’s Bay Vegetable Growers, LandWise and others. Dan Bloomer has been asked to front the bid and figure out how this aligns with the Future Farming Centre plans. “If we can capture the synergies this could spin off whole new businesses and innovations and open export options to take our products to the world.” Initially he sees the focus on horticulture and cropping through soil and farm systems innovation, weather prediction, ICT (information and communications technology), sensing capabilities and mechanical engineering with input from consultants and primary sector support industries. “When an opportunity like this comes along and councils actually agree to a common purpose it’s really positive and can drive things forward.”

Rethinking land use Land condition and soil types vary significantly across Hawke’s Bay with only one percent of the soil resilient enough to be used without it being degraded, says HBRC’s Heath. Smart farming is about finding alternative uses based on suitability for crops, pastures, production or forestry. “In the majority of cases we have a wrong combination of land use based on suitability of the soil.” All up HBRC has about ten research programmes underway and is investing a million dollars over the next decade rolling out higher resolution soil and sediment mapping and related data sets as a baseline for understanding the land.

“While visionaries are trying to point the way forward, a huge amount of their intelligence is going into writing funding applications and producing reports with little time left to do the actual science.” The council is using SedNET to identify sediment changes in hill country and farm and stream bank erosion and investing with Landcare Research in mapping the region’s soil. “We can no longer rely on blanket approaches we need higher resolution satellite images so we can be more targeted.” S-Map (http://smap.landcareresearch. co.nz/home) is moving from the original 1:250,000 and 1:63,000 scale to at least 1:50,000 with more data on soil properties and behaviour. Flux metres across a range of farms and public property will help determine nutrient levels and inform farm planning and more targeted environmental investment with the initial focus on cleaning up the Tukituki River. Although there’s no “blatant pollution”, Heath says there’s now a line in the sand. While many farmers may have ignored the impact of their practices on the region’s waterways they’re now being forced to address this because “there are consequences if we don’t.”

Deer diversification There’s significant potential for diversification, including in the high country under the ranges where summer moisture is

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retained and it’s ideal for breeding deer hinds. Richard Lawson and his wife Emma run Glenbarr, west of Ongaonga, as part of the family’s Riverslea Trust; they have deer, cattle, crops including malting barley, silage, maize and grain, and are experimenting with new grasses. The Lawson’s use their own bore to irrigate but believe the Ruataniwha Dam, just over the hill, could be a game changer. “It will open many more gates and opportunities for finishing the deer, cropping and seed production.” The seed they’re testing is only grown in the South Island. “If we get more water opportunities seed production should increase … making it worthwhile for companies exporting those feeds to set up shop in Hawke’s Bay.” While deer numbers dropped from a high of 20,000 down to about 12,000 in recent years, Lawson, who spent six years as chairman of the Hawke’s Bay Deer Farmers Association, says it may be time for some farmers to get back into the game. He has 800 breeding hinds and sends all their progeny, via local company First Light Venison, to Venison Packers in Feilding for processing and packing. The high cost of becoming compliant, including fencing off rivers and streams, didn’t help the industry in recent tough years; neither did strong incentives from the dairy industry to move to milking. That left “10-15% of Hawke’s Bay farms with deer fencing in place and with dairying now struggling, the outlook for venison is looking ‘quite good’,”says Lawson. The Deer Industry New Zealand and the Deer Farmers Association are working with like-minded Hawke’s Bay farmers to develop smarter farming practices so they’re more cost effective, efficient and environmental friendly. They’ve also released a second revision of the Deerfarmers Landcare Manual covering best practice, management, fencing, welfare and environmental issues to ensure investors know what they’re getting into. Lawson says deer farming has entered the digital age. For him that’s meant computer budgeting through to electronic tracking (EID) and monitoring of animals “so we know where they’re coming from, where they’ve been and who they’re going to.” He’s making use of aerial mapping and GPS for marking out paddocks and relies on strong communications links with seed and fertiliser reps and contractors. “We need to keep informed about what’s new, what works for us and what hasn’t worked for others.”

What farmers need While hundreds of developers are chasing primary sector business with their gizmos, Dan Bloomer says they often fail to link their technology with what farmers actually need.

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HBRC land manager Nathan Heath, in his prime, talking soil

That was highlighted on the final day of the LandWISE Farm of 2030 conference in May when a group of 20 farmers and researchers looked at the practicality of the offerings. In the end, Bloomer says, the researchers changed the way they thought about how technology could “add value and provide solutions to the people on the land.” One inspiring solution involved GPSguided, weed killing robots that navigate around a farm before heading back to base for a refill. They can work within designated areas 24/7 using sensors to detect different weed types then apply the appropriate herbicide through inkjet style nozzles or dig out or zap resistant weeds with microwaves. Bloomer, says advances in sensors, automation technology and artificial intelligence (AI) are “really game changing” and he wonders how Hawke’s Bay’s innovative software and robotics developers might apply this thinking in a different context. Using sensors to identify urine patches in a paddock also looks promising with robots flushing the soil behind cows as they move between break fences and into the dairy shed. A prototype, on a quadbike was demonstrated at the FarmWise conference.

Drone rangers Like quadbikes, drones with increasing battery life and the ability to carry cameras and smart electronics could become an

invaluable part of the farmer’s arsenal. Not only can they potentially tell you where you need to send the sheep dogs or find lost animals, they could identify where grass or crops need more fertiliser or irrigation. However the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will have to change the rules which state the operator must always have drones within view. Meanwhile trials are underway in Hawke’s Bay with dozens of wirelessly connected traps that register when predators are caught, potentially saving around 70% in the cost and labour of pest control. RFID (radio frequency identification) tags add value to livestock management as part of the gate to the plate tracking and are even being used to keep data on hay bales or wool fleeces. Smartphones are essential tools for the sector when combined with apps that read sensors, process images to detect plant or soil health, control irrigation or generally assist management processes. And yet, even in not so remote areas, the decade old dilemma of cellular coverage remains an inhibitor to uptake. Wireless hotspots can help but wider access is often negligible or non-existent. Rather than wielding a big stick, HBRC’s land use manager Nathan Heath is confident farmers, aware of their own properties in extremes of climate, are innovative enough to identify the right smart farming solutions.

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FUNDING LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOR THE FUTURE BY LAWRENCE YULE

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Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) has just completed a significant study on the long term funding of local government. It is not a ‘Trojan horse’ for more funding, but a genuine attempt to look at the long term funding options for Councils. The study was governed by a committee made up of local government, financial experts, private sector members, and national organisations including Federated Farmers

Page 80 • Issue 25 • Sep / Oct 2015 • BAY BUZZ

and the New Zealand Initiative. Objectivity was the reason for allowing some of our biggest critics into the process. Importantly, this is the first strategic piece of work commissioned from within the sector to look at the long term picture. The work was driven by fundamental changes that are occurring to our population. The advent of urbanisation, ageing of population and need for significant investments in long term infrastructure require a long term view. As was recently announced in the Government Infrastructure Plan, data and knowledge form the basis of long term thinking. The study found that half of the councils

in New Zealand would lose population in the next 30 years. And most of New Zealand’s future population growth will occur from Taupo north. We see this in our own region where Wairoa is predicted to lose 2,000 people in the next 30 years and Central Hawke’s Bay 1,200 in the same period. The larger centres of Napier and Hastings will gain 2,900 and 6,400 respectively. Even though these cities are projected to grow, they are still way below the national average. At the same time as our population shifts geographically, so too does the average age … upward. This is especially true in Hawke’s Bay. The ageing of the

population means that more people are on fixed incomes as a percentage of the total ratepayer base. We all know of people on fixed incomes who struggle to meet increasing council and other costs. The combination of these two factors mean that in the decades ahead the current reliance on property-based rating will not be sustainable. Our five councils in Hawke’s Bay have just completed their Long Term Plans for 2015-2025. Here are their projected rate increases over that period: • • • • •

Wairoa District 53% Napier City 49% HB Regional 46% Hastings District 30% CHB District 27%

With adverse trends affecting our region’s rating base, how will our local government(s) meet these expectations … without reducing service levels? While the Government is naturally cautious about the LGNZ review, they have not dismissed the findings. The Crown has a natural interest in looking for maximum efficiency from councils before they consider new funding options. The key themes of the review were the following: 1. An effective partnership between local and central government around shared goals and strategies, pragmatic testing of new ideas, and strong incentives for both arms of government to perform. 2. Recognition of the value of the private sector and community by recalibrating relationships with those sectors to incentivise partnerships and the achievement of shared goals. 3. A local government structure which is open to innovation in service delivery,

range of community amenities funded through development contributions.

funding and financing (within an environment of strong fiscal discipline). 4. To provide a diverse set of funding tools for New Zealand communities to respond to the different challenges they face, with property rates as a cornerstone supplemented by revenue sources to equip local communities to meet current and future opportunities.

These key actions will form the basis of LGNZ’s advocacy over the next five years. In summary they are represented as improved relationships, improved efficiency and a culture of innovation. Within this mix nothing is off the table. A powerful but new concept has also emerged around incentivisation. While the options may appear clinical, they are completely new and could radically change the incentives for efficiency and structure. Yes, there will be some concern from the tourism sector and road users about increased costs; but equally you could argue they are currently not paying enough. Secondly, concepts such as ‘special zones’ which foster economic growth by removing planning and bureaucratic compliance are new concepts for New Zealand. In summary, the conclusion of this review shows what local government must adapt if it is to keep up with fundamental macro changes. Doing what has always been done will not work, nor will it be supported by the ever tightening wallet of the ratepayer. While big projects like wastewater and water plants were heavily subsidised by the Crown when they were built in the 1960’s, the Crown is not likely to re-enter this space unless the reason is compelling and communities are supportive. A recent reputation survey showed that there was lots of work to do in terms of the public’s confidence around efficiency and spending. It is clear to LGNZ that change is needed, and we are pulling out all stops to make this happen. Ratepayers will benefit from a wider use of funding tools, a sustainable urban and rural New Zealand and a culture of innovation. It may not mean rates will go down but they will go further!!

Out of these themes came 10 key actions: 1. An agreed priority and action plan to advance ‘special zones’ for growth to test new ideas and drive economic prosperity. 2. When new centrally imposed costs are considered (and particularly where national benefit applies) a cost benefit analysis and agreed cost sharing with central government should be mandatory. 3. Mandatory rating exemptions should be removed. 4. The application and administration process of the rates rebate scheme should be simplified to increase uptake. 5. Better guidance is needed to assist councils in making decisions on tradeoffs about whether to fund services from prices (user charges) or taxes. 6. Road user charges, targeted levies and fuel taxes should be allowed where it is economically efficient.  7. Councils should be able to retain a share of any value uplift arising from additional economic activity related to local intervention and investment. 8. Local authorities should receive a proportion of any mineral royalties attributed to local activities. 9. Allow councils to levy specific charges and taxes on visitors where economically efficient. 10. Reconsider the decision to limit the

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OUR HEALTH MINISTER: