BB#51-Jan-Feb-2020 by BayBuzz

N 51 • JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 • HAWKE’S BAY UP CLOSE, IN DEPTH

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E-bikes on a roll Should Kiwis fly? Global warming & your health Fiction: HB in the 60s

Jan/Feb

Changemakers

51 BayBuzz January/February 2020 Twenty special HB people to watch in 2020. E-bikes on a roll. BayBuzzâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s summer fun days. Air travelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s soaring carbon footprint. Boats for every sailor. Cryptocurrency & the future of cash. Global warming & your health. What next for EIT? Flaxmere finally blossoming. Adapting our vineyards to climate change. Napier gets cool. Bah! to New Year resolutions. Our changing diets. Novel depicts HB in the 60s. Cover photo: Florence Charvin. Above: Junior Surf Carnival at Westshore. Photo: Tom Allan

82 Napier Got Cool! You ask around and no one seems to be able to pinpoint the exact moment, but sometime over the last year or so it happened … Napier got cool. Lizzie Russell invites you to come and play this summer.

Bee in the Know 8 Surf Life Savers

52. Dreamboat Builders. Photo: Florence Charvin

Did You Know? Improving your Hawke’s Bay IQ.

12 Events / Lizzie Russell

16 The Heat Is On! Global Warming Update

Features 20 Changemakers 2020 / BayBuzz Team Our picks of twenty HB people who will make a difference this year.

60 Less Cash … The Future Of Money / Keith Newman Forget cheques … Are you ready for cryptocurrency?

36 Easy Rider / Jess Soutar Barron The e-bike phenomenon meets Paul Paynter.

44 Aviation: NZ’s Emission Elephant In The Room / Paul Callister & Wallace Rae Reducing the carbon footprint of flying presents daunting challenges.

52 Dreamboat Builders And Big Fish Stories / Keith Newman Meet Hawke’s Bay’s most passionate (and successful) boatbuilders.

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Ideas & Opinions 64 Renaissance Of Paharakeke / Flaxmere / Pat Turley Are the planets finally aligning for Flaxmere?

70 Your Health And Climate Change / Tom Belford From floods to heat stroke to dangerous bugs … Watch out!

72 Evolving EIT / Matt Miller Dealing with disruption – education ‘reform’ at EIT.

74 Our Vineyards Face A Changing Climate / John van der Linden The impact of global warming and how our wine industry will adapt.

Above: 20. Napier Got Cool!. Photo: Tom Allan. Below: 78. One Fun Day. Photo: Florence Charvin

Culture 76 Fruitful Summer / Lizzie Russell

78 One Fun Day / BayBuzz Team

82 Napier Got Cool! / Lizzie Russell

86 The History Speech / Mark Sweet

92 Me 2.0 / Jess Soutar Barron

94 Future Food / Alexandra Tylee

96 A New Year Of Being Old / Mary Kippenberger

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 • BAYBUZZ • 3

Featured Contributor

Articles online at: baybuzz.co.nz

Max Parkes and Giselle Reid, Unit Design As we hustle away on the Summer issue it seems like a good time to give you an insight into what it takes to get an issue of BayBuzz to print. It's a huge team effort involving coffee, elbow grease, some late nights and a healthy dose of vigorous debate, in true BayBuzz fashion. Luckily we are blessed with an extremely talented and enthusiastic bunch of writers and photographers, many of whom drop in during design week with gifts of extra elbow grease and home baking. We co-ordinate efforts from our sunny design headquarters in central Hastings, Tom all the while keeping an eagle-eye on proceedings from his lair high above the Tuki valley. We think it's one of the best jobs in Hawke's Bay.

Editorial enquiries editors@baybuzz.co.nz Advertising enquiries Mel Blackmore mel@baybuzz.co.nz 021 911 098 Reach BayBuzz by mail BayBuzz, PO Box 8322, Havelock North

The BayBuzz Team EDITOR: Tom Belford ASSISTANT EDITORS: Bridget Freeman-Rock; Lizzie Russell SENIOR WRITERS: Rosheen FitzGerald; Bridget Freeman-Rock; Keith Newman; Lizzie Russell COLUMNISTS: Kay Bazzard; Andrew Frame; Matt Miller; Paul Paynter; Jess Soutar Barron; Pat Turley EDITOR’S RIGHT HAND: Brooks Belford PHOTOGRAPHY: Tom Allan; Florence Charvin ILLUSTRATION: Brett Monteith DESIGN: Unit Design Max Parkes; Giselle Reid DISTRIBUTION: Mel Blackmore ONLINE: Mogul, Liz Nes BUSINESS MANAGER: Charleen Downie PRINTING: Format Print

Photo: Florence Charvin

BayBuzz Regulars

ISSN 2253-2625 (Print) ISSN 2253-2633 (Online)

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

4 • BAYBUZZ • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

Tom Allan Tom Allan is Hawke’s Bay born and bred. He’s a designer, photographer and videographer, and yoga practitioner. When Tom’s not behind the lens, he runs Studio Ossian, a co-working space in Ahuriri.

Florence Charvin

Andrew Frame Andrew Frame is a 41-year-old husband, father, and life-long Napier resident. He writes the www.napierinframe.co.nz website and promotes all things Hawke's Bay on social media.

Lizzie Russell Lizzie has been working in the arts and communications in Hawke’s Bay since returning in 2010. Along with her work for BayBuzz, she also runs Tennyson Gallery in Napier.

Pat Turley Pat is a Hawke’s Bay-based property strategist and valuer at Turley & Co (www.turley.co.nz). He is a volunteer organisations board member, chair of the Maraetōtara Tree Trust, and a volunteer BayBuzz writer.

Keith Newman Keith is a journo with over 45 years’ experience across mainstream and trade media. He’s won awards for writing about hi-tech, produced music programmes for Radio NZ and published five books, one on the internet in New Zealand and four on New Zealand history.

Hawke's Bay is the adopted home of French photographer Florence Charvin. Florence likes to photograph people and what they are passionate about.

F R O M T H E ED I TO R TO M BEL FO R D

Happy New Year! BayBuzz is looking forward to a busy 2020 on all fronts – freshly-elected councils, dynamic businesses, and heaps of inspiration and engagement in store from our cultural community. That’s why our lead feature in this edition focuses on 20 Hawke’s Bay achievers who we expect will be doing especially cool stuff in the coming year. Some at a neighbourhood level; some globally. From new food experiences to social entrepreneurs. Many of the faces, many of them young, will be new to our readers, but I’m sure when you see their profiles and learn of their aspirations you will be keen to cheer them on. That’s the good news. 2020 will undoubtedly also bring its share of problems, mostly continuations of familiar vexing issues. None more daunting than climate change. As you read this in the summer heat, looming ever larger and immediate is the reality and present impact of global warming. Every edition of BayBuzz will address this issue. Always with our factual updates in The Heat Is On, and supported regularly by more in-depth features – in this edition, the impact of air travel, Aviation…NZ’s Emission Elephant in the Room, a piece on a signature HB industry, Our Vineyards Face a Changing Climate, and my column, Your Health and Climate Change. The aviation article is admittedly

6 • BAYBUZZ • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

long and dense. But plow through … the consequences of our flying, particularly our overseas jaunts from our remote nation, are huge. One overseas flight can easily nullify all your comforting day-to-day efforts to lessen your personal climate impact. Many kiwi travelers are scratching our heads over this conundrum, yet a tiny percentage even make use of Air NZ’s carbon offset option … which is merely that, an offset, not a reduction. Looking elsewhere into the future, Keith Newman describes our changing money ecosystem in Less Cash … The Future of Money. And in Renaissance of Paharakeke/Flaxmere, Pat Turley reports on exciting positive change and vibrancy in that community. Given that it’s summer as you read this, we have a bit of lite fare, from boating (we build the best), the BayBuzz team's favourite summer day trips, to e-biking (a made-for-HB phenom). And familiar faces, Alexandra Tylee and Mary Kippenberger, serve you observations on changing diets and growing old, respectively. Finally, in a bit of a departure, we’ve included a taste of fiction. Our veteran writer Mark Sweet has written his second novel, The History Speech. It’s set in the Hawke’s Bay of the 60s, and as the book jacket blurb deliciously teases: “Callum Gow’s family and their social circle are influential and prosperous, but below the

surface intrigue thrives.” We’ve offered some excerpts here. But do yourself a favour and read the book. It’s a conversation-starter! Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Tom Belford tom@baybuzz.co.nz

P.S. Before you move on, let me draw your attention to what’s become an annual summer subscriber promotion courtesy of Black Barn, joined by Clearview Estate, Birdwoods, Pipi, and The Urban Winery. Black Barn donates a spectacular lodging, food and wine ‘getaway’ grand prize for our Draw, and our merchant friends provide $20 gift vouchers you can use at their places. All YOU need to do is subscribe newly to BayBuzz OR gift a subscription to a friend or rellie. Do either and you will receive a $20 gift voucher … plus you’re entered in the Draw. Details are on page 18.

Tom has been a two-term HB Regional Councillor. His past includes the Carter White House, building Ted Turner’s first philanthropic organisation, doing heaps of marketing consulting for major non-profits and corporates.

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Photo: Tom Allan

Surf Life Savers Whichever New Zealand beach you end up on this summer, you’ll probably see a Surf Life Saving presence. During the 2018/2019 year lifeguards around the country assisted 1,619 people to safety from dangerous

8 • BAYBUZZ • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

situations, took part in 418 searches, provided first aid 2,573 times, and took preventative action to keep people safe on the beach 118,100 times. Here in Hawke’s Bay, the beaches are patrolled by members of four clubs – Waimarama, Ocean Beach, Westshore and Pacific (on Marine Parade).

BayBuzz offers thanks to all the fantastic surf life savers doing their thing this summer. All the best for a safe season! Surf Life Saving NZ receives no direct central government funding, so help them to keep helping everyone at the beach by donating at surflifesaving.org.nz

We’ve got an amazing Hawke’s Bay Summer sorted 7 Days

The Bistro flings open its doors to the Summer courtyard for lunch under the vines or drinks at the bar. Dinner Thursday to Saturday nights. The Black Barn Kitchen for packing a picnic, filling the fridge or filling a stocking for Christmas.

Sunday December 1

Sol Lounge from 4pm ~ K2K, Peach Milk & Aw B with local support ~ Bistro

Saturday December 7

The Black Barn Growers’ Market opens 9 ~ noon every Saturday of Summer

Sunday December 22

L.A.B, House of Shem & Tomorrow People ~ Amphitheatre

December 27 ~ 30 January 2 ~ 6

Black Barn Openair Cinema ~ Amphitheatre

Friday January 10

Drax Project, Paige ~ Amphitheatre

Saturday January 11 Sunday January 19

Nest Fest ~ Amphitheatre Sol Lounge from 4pm ~ Daniel Farley & Sam Lovli with local support ~ Bistro

Friday January 31

Fat Freddy’s Drop ~ Amphitheatre

Saturday February 1

Fat Freddy’s Drop ~ Amphitheatre

Thursday February 6

Waitangi Day Growers’ Market from 9am ~ Growers’ Market

Saturday February 29

MidLife Crisis ~ Summer Encore ~ Amphitheatre

Sunday March 1

Sol Lounge from 4pm ~ TBC with local support ~ Bistro

Sunday March 8

10cc with AutoMatic 80’s ~ Amphitheatre

Sunday March 29

Sol Lounge from 4pm ~ Frank Booker with local support ~ Bistro

Plus Cellar Door 7 days ~ Outstanding accommodation always blackbarn.com for all bookings and more info

5: Watering Hazard

Did You Know?

1: Restaurant Successes Hawke’s Bay had another strong showing at the 2019 Cuisine Good Food Awards in late November. Congratulations to Mister D’s Prue Barton (a BayBuzz regular) who was awarded Kenwood Restaurant Personality of the Year and to the team at Pacifica who won Pāmu Best Regional Restaurant. Bistronomy, Black Barn, Craggy Range and Elephant Hill all made the list of Cuisine’s Top New Zealand Restaurants for 2019, along with Mister D and Pacifica.

There you are, within the water restriction hours, on the correct oddor-even day, standing in your yard with a hose, willing your flagging veggies and shrubs to stand up against the Hawke’s Bay heat. You’re careful these days not to introduce toxins to the garden through pesticides, but you might want to check your hose! A recent US study has showed high levels of toxic lead and phthalate chemicals are still present in many garden hoses, and that half of the vinyl (PVC) hoses tested contained electronic waste (e-waste) vinyl contaminated with toxic chemicals. 32 garden hoses were tested for lead, cadmium, phthalates, bromine, PVC plastic; antimony, and tin (indicating organotins). Water from select hoses was also tested. Such chemicals have been linked to birth defects, impaired learning, liver toxicity, premature births and early puberty in laboratory animals, and hormone disruption, among other serious health problems.

5 3

2: Quiet Hour Countdown supermarkets around the country are now offering a weekly ‘Quiet Hour’ on Wednesdays from 2:30pm, to make grocery shopping easier on the eyes and ears by reducing noise, lighting and other distractions. Countdown’s Quiet Hours have been developed with the support of Autism New Zealand, who have provided advice on how best to support customers with sensory needs in-store. Lighting throughout the store is reduced, in-store radio is turned off, checkout volumes are lowered, trolley collection and shelf-stocking is kept to a bare minimum, and there are no PA announcements except in emergencies.

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3: Rats! Chinese New Year is coming on January 25th. Happy Year of the Rat!

4: Sun Smarts As a general rule, you’re never safe from the sun during the Hawke’s Bay summer. But there’s a handy website to remind you of that. You can check out sunsmart.org.nz (or the Metservice) for daily alerts on the hours that sun protection is needed, based on regional weather conditions. Another way to remember you need to slip, slop, slap and wrap, is to keep an eye on the shadows…. The shorter the shadow, the stronger the UV rays!

What to do? • Buy a PVC-free hose: Polyurethane and other non-vinyl hoses are much less likely to contain chemicals of concern. • Let it run: Always let your hose run for about five seconds before using, since the water that’s been sitting in the hose will have the highest levels of chemicals. • Avoid the sun: Store your hose in the shade. The heat from the sun can increase the leaching of chemicals into the water. If you do store it in the sun, let the water run cool before use.

6: Rongonui MTG Hawke’s Bay has opened a year-long (until November 1) special exhibition highlighting Ngāti Kahungunu taonga and other treasures. Rongonui: Taonga mai ngā tāngata, ngā wāhi, me ngā takahanga (Treasured taonga from people, places and events) includes significant Māori taonga relating to famous people, places and events. It is an opportunity to learn more about major rangatira, Māori-Pākehā relationships, famous battles, land loss and contemporary Māori artists. The exhibition shares taonga not often on display, and all items except one are from the collection. This object of particular significance to Ngāti Kahungunu is the hei tiki Te Arawhiti, which originally belonged to Kahungunu, the ancestor which all iwi descendants whakapapa to. It is approximately 700 years old and usually resides at Whanganui Regional Museum.

9: Turning 100 We’re looking forward. 2020 is going to be huge. But take a moment and check out how far things have come in the last century. Here’s a list what’s turning 100 this year:

7: Leap Year!

8: Swimming Safe

2020 marks a leap year. In the US, leap year coincide with presidential elections. The first version of the leap year was way back in 46BC. The practice of adding the extra day began with the creation of the Julian calendar and a decree by Julius Caesar. Make your extra day memorable!

Head to hbrc.govt.nz/hawkes-bay/ swimming to keep an eye on the latest local recreational water quality results. Regional Council staffers will be checking 38 beach and river sites all over Hawke's Bay each Monday through summer and, updating the results on the website by mid-week.

• Band-Aid adhesive bandages • The Jungle Gym • The Treaty of Versailles • Women receiving degrees from Oxford University • Women voting in the USA • The German confectionary company Haribo • Qantas • The canonization of Joan of Arc • The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton • The first aerial crossing of Cook Strait, from Christchurch to Upper Hutt

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 • BAYBUZZ • 11

February 19-23: Napier Art Deco Festival

BayBuzz Event Guide

January 11 (and Saturdays through Summer) Summer Session at Abbey Cellars Relax and wile away a summer Saturday at Abbey with live local music, wine, pizzas, platters, Fat Monk beers, cider and ice cream. eventfinda.co.nz

January 9 A Summer’s Day Disco at Park Island

January 11 Backyard Blues Festival at The Filter Room

Shake it in the sunshine to some classics from the 70s, 80s and 90s, including KC and the Sunshine Band; Earth Wind and Fire Experience feat. Al McKay; Boney M feat Maize Williams’ and The Australian BEE GEES Show. premier.ticketek.co.nz

January 10 Drax Project at Black Barn Vineyards Drax Project are doing a big summer tour, and bringing emerging kiwi acts along for the ride. blackbarn.com

January 10 & 11 The Bowie Show at The Paisley Stage Mark the fourth anniversary of the passing of David Bowie and celebrate his genius courtesy of The Bowie Band. eventfinda.co.nz

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Bands for the bluesy, cruisy afternoon and evening include Swamp Thing, Dusty Rhodes & the Blues Mobile, Sons on Henrik and Devil’s Elbow. eventfinda.co.nz

January 11 Nest Fest The line-up for the second annual Nest Fest includes The Murlocs (AUS), Gabriella Cohen (AUS), Sam Wave (NZ), Los Telepáticos (Spain) and Mild Orange (NZ). blackbarn.com

January 11 Another Day in Taradise at Moana Park Winery Now in its 15th year! Wine, beers, food, music and sun, sounds like paradise. Ha! moanapark.co.nz

January 17 & 31 and February 7 & 14 Markets at the Park at Sports Park Hawke’s Bay Enjoy the sports park in a whole new way with acoustic music, lawn games, food vendors and stalls. eventfinda.co.nz

January 17 Black Clash at McLean Park The second Rugby vs Cricket T20 supergame is coming to Napier! Can Team Rugby take the honours again? blackclash.co.nz

January 25: Project Prima Volta: Growing Opera Stars

January 18 Chinese New Year Gala at MTG Century Theatre The NZ Blossom Art Group will showcase Chinese ethnic and folk songs, music and dance to celebrate the arrival of Chinese New Year. mtghawkesbay.com

January 25 Burns Night at the Taradale Club

January 18 The Bridge Pa Wine Festival 2020

Whiskey, kilts, bagpipes – celebrate Bonnie Scotland at the Taradale Club. eventfinda.co.nz

Gather a crew and climb aboard the Hopon/Hop-off buses to take in the delights of Abbey Estate, Alpha Domus, Ash Ridge, Oak Estate, Paritua, Red Metal and Sileni. eventfinda.co.nz

January 18 The Lady Killers – Summer Series at River Park Event Centre, Waipawa

January 19 (and February 2, 16) Sundaze with the Puketapu at Sacred Hill Cellar Door Kick back with music, food from the Puketapu and wines from Sacred Hill amongst the Dartmoor countryside. eventfinda.co.nz

Make a night of it – there’s free camping for ticket holders! eventfinda.co.nz

January 19 (and February 23) The Sunday Sessions at Te Awanga Estate

January 18 Salsa Groove at The Urban Winery

Bring a picnic or buy platters and pizzas for a cruisy afternoon on the lawn at Te Awanga. eventfinda.co.nz

Get ready to dance to Salsa Groove – a five piece salsa band down from Auckland. urbanwinery.co.nz

January 18 Absolute Bowie Tribute at Common Room Celebrate Bowie with three bands playing 50 of his classics over four hours at Hastings’ favourite local. eventfinda.co.nz

January 19 Centralines Summer Series – HB Jazz Club Big Band at Nelly Jull Park, Waipawa Family-friendly fun in the CHB sun! eventfinda.co.nz

January 25 Potts Classic at EIT Institute of Sport and Health See some terrific athletes from around the country in action. eventfinda.co.nz

January 25 Project Prima Volta: Growing Opera Stars at MTG Century Theatre The stars of Festival Opera support PPV students in a special performance brought to us by the Dame Malvina Major Foundation. eventfinda.co.nz

January 25 & 26 Napier Port Harbour to Hills 2020 The fourth annual multisport event offers several options including a Middle Distance Triathlon, Aquabike and an Aquathlon. harbourtohills.co.nz

January 26 (and February 23) The Ossian Street Vintage Market Popping up on the last Sunday of each month, this market in Ahuriri is a great spot to hunt out vintage treasures and special collectibles. eventfinda.co.nz

January 26 Alice Foulds at Paisley Stage Kicking off her national show, Alice Foulds will be supported by our own Danica Bryant on the Paisley Stage. eventfinda.co.nz

January 31 & February 1 Fat Freddy’s Drop at Black Barn Vineyards Classic kiwi act at a classic Hawke’s Bay venue – summer at its best! blackbarn.com

February 1 Australasia’s Top Stevie Ray Vaughan Tribute Show at The Cabana Tony Painting and The Power return to Napier to share the Stevie magic. eventfinda.co.nz

January 18: Absolute Bowie Tribute JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 • BAYBUZZ • 13

March 7: MCL Construction Triple Peaks 2020

February 2 Kingsley Spargo at Common Room This show marks the recent release of ‘Chasing Spirits’ and features special guest poet Kim Meredith. undertheradar.co.nz

February 6 A Tribute to Elton John at Abbey Winery Missed out on tickets to Elton at the Mission? Head to Abbey and enjoy Michael Stodart and his band’s non-stop two and a half hour homage. eventfinda.co.nz

February 7 Blind Boy Paxon at The Urban Winery

February 19 – 23 Napier Art Deco Festival February 8 The Mutton Birds at The Cabana Lucky Napier – these Kiwi legends are only playing here, Wellington and Dunedin so don’t miss them. undertheradar.co.nz

February 16 Centralines Summer Series – The Monotones at Nelly Jull Park, Waipawa

February 27 The Big Bike Film Night at MTG Century Theatre

More family fun in Waipawa for just a suggested gold coin donation on entry. eventfinda.co.nz

Here’s your annual chance to see the world’s best cycling short films in one place on one night. eventfinda.co.nz

American blues extraordinaire Jerron ‘Blind Boy’ Paxton stuns with his unparalleled skill across the banjo, fiddle, piano, harmonica, guitar, and the Cajun accordion, bringing the past into the present. urbanwinery.co.nz

February 8 Outfield Festival at Te Awanga Downs Headlined by Ladi6, Outfield promises to be a celebration of music, food, arts and community, with a strong focus on sustainability and environmentally friendly festival practices. eventfinda.co.nz February 8: Great Gable at the Outfield Festival 14 • BAYBUZZ • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

Glam up and hit the Art Deco events. There’s fun for everyone – from Home Tours and city walks to major attractions like the SoapBox Derby, Depression Dinner, Festival Opera, Great Gatsby Party, Steam Train rides and the Vintage Car Parade. artdeconapier.com

February 28: Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals

February 28 Ben Harper and The Innocent Criminals at Church Road Winery Renowned American singer-songwriter and multiinstrumentalist and his band traverse a myriad of musical landscapes from blues, rock and reggae; to soul, funk and folk. undertheradar.co.nz

February 29 Opening of ToiToi Starting early with a dawn ceremony and finishing up with a street party to celebrate the arrival of Hastings’ cultural centrepiece, phase one is complete! toitoivenues.co.nz

February 29 Hurricanes vs Sunwolves at McLean Park It’s Super Rugby time already! eventfinda.co.nz

February 29 Midlife Crisis – One More Night at Black Barn Vineyards

Looking for a new dentist? With so many choices available, it’s important to decide what you are looking for. Here are some tips: Is cost important? Get a quote, but make sure you are comparing apples to apples. Materials, size and time all affect standard procedures.

Looking for quality? Check out online reviews. Ask about guarantees for dental work.

Looking for a modern approach?

These local legends just keep coming back for more. Have a dance and a drink with them in the Black Barn Amphitheatre for another of their final shows. blackbarn.com

For a start, check out websites; are they up-to-date and easy to engage with? Ask about digital dentistry. Is it a paperless practice?

March 1 (and March 15) East Pier Triathlon and Duathlon Summer Series

Convenience?

With events and distances to suit all fitness and experience levels, here’s your chance to get into Triathlon. eventfinda.co.nz

March 1 Lindisfarne College 2020 Gala

Look for ease of location and after hours appointments. You never know when you might need your dentist.

Stalls include Produce, Books, White Elephant, Clothing, Sports Gear, Cakes, Tombola, Auction, Plants, Picture Frames, Morning Tea, Hamburgers, Ice Cream, Candy Floss, Waffles and Toys. eventfinda.co.nz

March 7 MCL Construction Triple Peaks 2020 Run, walk or mountain bike the challenging but beautiful 55km track in this iconic Hawke’s Bay event. triplepeakschallenge.co.nz

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 • BAYBUZZ • 15

CLIM ATE

The Heat is On! Global Warming Update Underwater New research published in Climate Central shows that rising seas could affect three times more people by 2050 than previously thought, erasing many of the world’s great coastal cities. The paper shows that around 150 million people are now living on land that will be below the high-tide in thirty years. Most of southern Vietnam could go, and with it much of Ho Chi Minh City and surrounds. The economic and commercial hubs of Bangkok, Shanghai and Mumbai look to be at particular risk. Egypt’s Alexandria and all of its cultural treasures could be lost to the

rising waters, and Basra, the secondlargest city in Iraq, could be mostly underwater by 2050. John Castellaw, once the chief of staff for United States Central Command during the Iraq war, and now advising the Center for Climate and Security remarked that rising sea levels, “threatens to drive further social and political instability in the region, which could reignite armed conflict and increase the likelihood of terrorism, so this is far more than an environmental problem,” he said. “It’s a humanitarian, security and possibly military problem too.”

Price Tag:

US$140 billion/year is what it would take to make the changes humanity needs to adapt to a warming world, according to Conservation International. That’s less than

0.1%of globalGDP 16 • BAYBUZZ • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

Going under? Basra, Alexandria, Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok

The Flood-on Effect As well as the 150 million people living coastally who could be affected, another 300 million living higher than sea level could be displaced by chronic floods resulting from the higher sea levels. The most extreme impact will be felt in Asia, where China, Bangladesh, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand are home to 75 percent of the 300 million people who will be living below chronic flood levels.

Branding Exercise Branding guru Aaron Hall recently questioned the branding of ‘Climate Change’. “Is there a better way to convey the urgency of the situation, while also encouraging folks to take action? Could the tools of branding and brand naming create a more resonant, powerful name?” So, naming specialists from London, New York, San Francisco and Shanghai came up with the following options:

• Global Meltdown, Global Melting • Climate Collapse, Climate Chaos • Boiling Point, Melting Point • Scorched Earth • Emission Critical • Planet Critical • Pre-Extinction • The Great Collapse • Earthshattering Any better ideas, BayBuzz readers? We’d love to hear them

Zero Carbon The long-delayed Zero Carbon Bill passed essentially unanimously and became law on 7 November. Action is coming:

About Terns Researchers at Newcastle University have used electronic tags to monitor Farne Island Arctic Terns over 47 migrations across two study years, 2015 and 2017, and report how climate change may affect the birds’ behaviour. There were marked differences in the birds' behaviour and distribution between those tagged in 2015 compared with those tagged in 2017. This coincided with a substantial change in ice conditions, with high ice cover in 2015 followed by unusually warm conditions which led to the break-up of the ice in late 2016 and lower ice cover than normal throughout the following year. "We now know that krill are the main food source for the Terns so it seems likely the warmer weather during 2016/2017 led to reduced krill abundance and so the birds were forced to forage in different areas,” said lead researcher Dr Chris Redfern. "And in fact, in that second year, the birds converged on the Shackleton Ice Shelf rather than being spread out along the East Antarctica coastline. "Polar regions are particularly sensitive to climate change and even small shifts can have major implications throughout the entire food web,” Dr Redfern said. "This is why it is critical to understand how seabirds such as the Arctic Terns are affected by environmental change, both short and long term."

An artist’s impression of how urban areas in Copenhagen will be converted to store water during heavy downpours.

Great Danes Copenhagen is working to become the first carbon-neutral capital by 2025. The city has switched from coal to sawdust pellets left over from logging and lumber production to heat the water that runs from central plants to homes. With a goal of getting at least 75% of residents’ trips done by foot, bike or public transportation, more cycling incentives have been introduced, a new subway line encircles the city centre, and the annual resident central city parking fee has risen from $1.48 to $148. Copenhagen mayor Frank Jensen said the green sales pitch got more buy-in after a 2011 downpour in which 6 inches of rain fell on Copenhagen in less than three hours, causing massive floods and more than $1 billion in damage. “All the citizens of Copenhagen could see … We have to act.”

• The Climate Change Commission will determine the first three carbon budgets (covering 2022-2025, 20262030, and 2031-2035) by February 2021, and the government will respond by the end of that year. • The Commission will now make recommendations on gross emissions reductions and offsets through planting trees. This is vital, as current roadmaps to reach net zero by 2050 involve planting enormous numbers of trees. • The focus has shifted slightly to emphasize domestic reductions over purchasing overseas reductions. • Legal accountability has been strengthened, although there is still no legal recourse if a carbon budget is missed. • The Commission is asked to advise in 2024 on whether to include international aviation and shipping in the target.

The Last Word U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, speaking ahead of December’s two-week international climate conference in Madrid, commented that the problem is not lack of solutions: “What is still lacking is political will. Political will to put a price on carbon. Political will to stop subsidies on fossil fuels. Political will to stop building coal power plants from 2020 onwards. Political will to shift taxation from income to carbon. Taxing pollution instead of people.”

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 • BAYBUZZ • 17

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A new decade has arrived, and a chance to slough off old ways, explore fresh ideas and opportunities, and be open – hopefully, warily, zealously … as the case might be – to whatever comes our way. For some it might be small shifts; for others, big audacious goals. But little or large, to BayBuzz the future is looking bright in many pockets of the Bay. As Hawke’s Bay launches into the new year, BayBuzz has identified 20 people (for 2020) we plan to watch as they take on the year ahead: risktakers, innovators, gamechangers or just plain inspiring. We see the wind shifting in the corridors of power and wonder if it’ll last. We see more women coming forward, including in our land-based leadership.

We anticipate our experiences of dining out becoming more informal, putting eating together at the heart of our community. And we are excited by our cultural diversity, with virtuosos of diverse talent contributing to our enjoyment of the arts. We’re noticing healthy diversity in ‘business’ too, as social entrepreneurs marry smart enterprise with social and environmental good; some are growing our economy by bringing people in, others by exporting IP out.

And, we’re preparing for an outpouring of regional pride as the Bay’s best begin their search for Olympic Gold. Welcome to our twist on trendspotting, taking a casual – but not uninformed – punt on what the future holds for Hawke’s Bay. We might or might not have the trends right, but we are confident about our selection of twenty outstanding people to watch. Which isn’t to say there aren’t many other worthies you might propose. What do we have to shout about? Who’s leading the way? And, who’s on their way to taking the lead? Here are twenty notables we think will contribute importantly to Hawke’s Bay in the year ahead. JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 • BAYBUZZ • 21

Power shift 2020 will see shifting political winds as representation becomes younger and more diverse. That move was seeded last year with shifts at a local level and it’ll be this year those shifts begin to make real change in the region.

Hinewai Ormsby BUSINESSWOMAN, COUNCILLOR

Hinewai Ormsby was the highest polling candidate for the Napier Constituency of Hawke’s Bay Regional Council in the recent local body elections, edging alsoelected incumbent Neil Kirton by almost 300 votes. Being new to local body politics makes that quite a remarkable feat. What makes it even more special is she is also HBRC’s first female, youth (the Local Government NZ cut-off defining “Youth” is 40) Māori councillor. Hinewai and her husband Cameron run Napier Māori Tours, which won the Culture and Heritage Award at the 2018 HB Tourism Awards. Rather than catering to wine, or architecture lovers, Napier Māori Tours focuses on the more cultural, natural and spiritual aspects of the area. “Our passion is to share our Māori values, our way of life, and the caring for our precious environment.” Their website says. “Our native Māori language, cultural traditions, and customs, ground us so that we are the kaitiaki (guardians) of our land and water.” Hinewai’s goal for 2020: “To empower and enable social responsibility about how we can make a positive difference for our environment. It’s also about where our Hawke’s Bay communities can take action, and we see a regeneration movement from the ground up.”

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Shayne Walker HEALTH CHAIRMAN

Possibly no one on our list will be more watched in the coming year than Shayne Walker, recently appointed as chairman of the HB District Health Board, replacing veteran Kevin Atkinson. Shayne’s career began in 2004 as a parole officer for the Department of Corrections. In 2012 he began a three-year stint as Māori Health Manager for the HBDHB … his only professional experience in the health arena. He then became general manager of Maungaharuru-Tangitu Trust, one of nine Waitangi Treaty Settlement groups in Hawke’s Bay managing redress from the Crown for their respective hapu. Since January 2019, Shayne has been head of Māori business for BNZ. Sprinkled across these positions, Shayne has held numerous Māori leadership roles. Last year he campaigned unsuccessfully against Ngahiwi Tomoana for the iwi-elected position of chairman of Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc, our region’s dominant iwi group. Without question, the health profile of Māori in Hawke’s Bay (and nationally) is abysmal. From that perspective, it is not surprising that the government might select appoint a Māori chair of our DHB. But while the $500m-plus DHB is on the front line in addressing these vexing health challenges, it is clear that with Māori the problem is rooted in poverty, unhealthy housing and lack of education … DHB labours on the social casualties. So, with much to improve under the glaring spotlight, and big shoes to fill, Shayne Walker might also find himself on a ‘hiding to nothing’.

Peleti Oli BARBER, COUNCILLOR

First-term Hastings Councillor, Samoan-born, Flaxmere-raised, runs a barbershop in Hastings. There’s a big year ahead for Oli, not just as a councillor but with a range of other initiatives. He and wife Jonique are introducing a course on barbering into Mangaroa Prison. “That’s a personal goal,” he says, rather than a political one. In the run up to the 2019 election Oli called together influential people in Flaxmere to ask where his priorities should lie. What came up was the need

for a youth hub, and ways to expose people to help that’s available for social issues and needs, especially new New Zealanders. “Education for parents is important, even just help speaking English.” His primary concern is mental health. “It’s close to my heart.” He talks openly about his brother Someh’s suicide in 2012 and the changes he made to his life following that. “I know Council is about making decisions, but I have a deeper purpose … We’re losing loved ones left, right

and centre.” In 2019 Oli got involved with Men’s Medicine and, although he predicts 2020 will be too busy for him to be hands-on in the programme, he’s a massive champion of it. Access to housing is also a major goal for Oli in 2020, both politically and personally. He says it’s a significant and multi-faceted issue, and more than just academic for him and his family. “We know what it’s like, we’re renting, it’s hard. We’re in the middle of it, we’re experiencing it.” Photo: Florence Charvin

Doing good while doing business 2020 will see social entrepreneurship building in the Bay as companies put care for the environment and social welfare front and centre, meeting multiple bottom-lines.

Drew Bibby LIFE-CHANGER

His family’s business, Thornhill Horticultural Contracting, provides seasonal employees to HB growers. So Drew Bibby would probably not call himself a ‘social entrepreneur’, but that’s what he is … meeting an economic need and a social need at the same time. In late 2018 the Bibby family bought the Angus Inn in Hastings, and transformed it into a residence for both overseas seasonal workers and for those in special need of transitional accommodation – usually work-motivated men just-released from Mangaroa Prison. With further expansions now underway, the facility will be able to accommodate nearly 500 residents, offering lodging, meals and even pastoral care (watching over their health, money managing, family issues). For those referred by MSD and the Prison, the key Photo: Florence Charvin

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factor is willingness to work. Over their stay (2-3 months), these individuals – about two dozen so far – are trained by Thornhill for long-term employment in the hort sector, earning income as they train. From that income they pay a modest fee for the lodging, food and other services they receive. For former prisoners, the stay is critical to getting back on their feet, often, as Drew put it, “breaking the cycle” that might otherwise lead them right back to the counterproductive living environments (drugs, alcohol, violence) that led them to prison. The facility is 100% drug/ alcohol-free. The project is financially self-sustaining and “still an experiment”, but the real reward, says Drew, are the times when residents tell him, “I’d be back in prison if it wasn’t for this place” and “You’ve changed my life”.

Emma Horgan HOUSING INNOVATOR

Chris Lambourne POWER TO THE PEOPLE

The powerhouse behind Waingākau Village is Emma Horgan. The project, with 120 future homes for 300 Flaxmere residents, offers innovative pathways to home ownership – supported rent, rent to buy, supported ownership, full ownership and co-operative ownership. This year project manager Horgan will see 52 houses being built in partnership with Taiwhenua o Heretaunga, a similar co-housing village plotted with another iwi partner, and a new ‘agri-hood’ project initiated – a term used to describe a new way of developing housing projects in tune, aligned and integrated to sources of food. “We need to start living near our food supplies, not just taking from the land without considering impacts,” Horgan explains. She takes a biodiversity approach to her project management, interweaving te ao Māori and tikanga. Horgan has an impressive corporate resume, but her current and future leaning is very much radical environmental and social response. “We’ve got to change the way we live and work, regenerate communities, business models and the environment.” “I’m scared for the future and if we don’t get ready for change we’re in trouble,” she says. “But climate change is an opportunity to also change the way we do things.” As well as running projects in Hawke’s Bay with her own small team, Horgan is training practitioners around New Zealand. She’s driven by a desire to create empowerment, hope and tools for professionals and individuals to use practically. “The system is broken and we need to fix it.”

Chris Lambourne is appalled so many people are “energy poor”, spending more than 10% of their income on power, snuggling into sleeping bags or rugging up to save power in the winter. He’s project managing a plan to create a solar farm that will deliver low cost power to 1,500 people in 400 low-income households in Flaxmere and Camberley through the Power to the People Trust of St Andrews Presbyterian Church. He says an additional electricity payment to beneficiaries in the winter doesn’t really address the issue for those in rental homes. Lambourne, who worked for the Ministry of Justice, helped TVNZ manage its digital transition and has a background in strategic planning in the electrical industry, says the project is about addressing poverty and social justice by making people’s homes warmer. There’s strong support from HDC which has land use designated for renewable energy, alongside funding from various parties, including a $500,000 loan “in principal” from HBRC. An initial site at Roy’s Hill fell through but Lambourne has another and a back-up site in mind for the ‘farm’ that will deliver to the homes through Unison’s network. “While there are government and regional policies that support this, it’s really about finding a method of actually doing it”. He’s hopeful the Trust will have secured the land and funds for the $2.7million solar farm of up to 4,000 panels by the third quarter in 2020.

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Recentering the cultural scene 2020 will witness a shift in cultural centre in the region with the reopening of the Hawke’s Bay Opera House, but also a broadening of the creative sector that includes exporting talent grown here to other parts of the country and the world.

Miru Shimaoka VIRTUOSO AND DUX

Miru Shimaoka, dux at Taikura Steiner School, is one of hundreds of youth leaving the Bay this year, taking their talent with them, hopefully to polish up natural skill with life experience and bring it back to make our region richer. He is heading to the School of Music at Victoria University for a degree in Classical Performance. Born in Japan, Miru came here as a four-year-old for a life his parents knew would be quieter and more relaxed. That desire has meant their son’s talents have needed to be strongly selfmotivated. “The struggle with being from a small place is you’re not pushed,” says Shimaoka. “Growing up here, it’s hard to find teachers and people to play with, or workshops to be part of, competition.” The upside, he says, is self-reliance, “I’ve managed to get there without that environment, so my inner strength is built up.” Hawke’s Bay has fed Shimaoka in unexpected ways, “One of the best experiences was busking, people stopping and smiling … It’s made me want to be a performer, make people happy, bring joy, entertain, inspire.” An accomplished violinist, Shimaoka is also a pianist, actor, writer with published short stories and poems, and polyglot. Alongside Japanese and English, he’s also picked up German and Spanish. “I love languages, the more you speak the more you can learn. If you speak a language, you think in that language and it’s a window into the mentality of that culture.”

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Megan Peacock-Coyle ARTS ENERGISER

Toitoi Hawke’s Bay Arts and Events Centre opens on Saturday, February 29th. Manager Megan Peacock-Coyle says the opening festivities themselves – including a dawn ceremony, Homecoming concert, street party and an open day on March 1 – will represent Toitoi’s mission of “Honouring the past, nurturing the present and inspiring the future.” “We’re going to tell the story of Heretaunga, using and involving local community talent, and showcasing what we can do in the space.” Toitoi is a next-generation venue, Megan says. It’s a traditional space (i.e. a theatre) being used in a modern way, in this case with a multi-cultural approach and a focus on participation in the arts. She and her team are looking forward, planning and contracting the programme of events for 2020 and beyond. Megan is by nature collaborative and inquisitive, and says she’s looking forward to scouting out exciting shows from overseas and bold New Zealand work, and combining that with diverse local talent. “It’s really important to us that people understand that Toitoi is a place for them,” she says “And the way we can do that is with the programme. So we’re making sure tangata whenua will be in there performing, and that multi-cultural organisations have an opportunity to come into that space, and a lot of that is about understanding the different ways cultures operate.”

Charlie Wallace GUITAR GURU

Leaving school at 15, Charlie Wallace found himself back there the very next year, but on the other side, teaching his former fellow students to play the guitar. “I taught myself to play mainly from random & scrambled information I found online,” he says, but in doing so he realised there must be an easier, more structured way to help others. So, before Xero or other NZ tech companies had recognised Hawke’s

Bay as a great location to base their online operations, Charlie started teaching guitar online to people all over the world in 2014. Originally a one-man-teachingband, filming in the bedroom of his Napier home and putting in long hours to serve clients all over the globe, www.GuitarMasteryMethod. com now has 14 staff around the world, and a more automated system allowing them to reach over 389,000 registered students and

51,000 subscribers on YouTube. For 2020 Wallace is looking to develop Guitar Mastery Method even further. “In the last 12 months we made $5.2m in revenue. In 2020 we want to double that.” His band, Black Smoke Trigger, has also just recorded the album “Set it Off” with legendary rock producer Michael Wagener, which is currently at #12 in the US Hard Rock Charts. Fame and further fortune await! Photo: Florence Charvin

Eating at the heart of the community 2020 will see a move towards a more relaxed flavour of dining. Community-centric and family-friendly offerings with wholesome soulfood will attract diners to make eating out a regular occurrence rather than just for special occasions.

Gretta Carney HAPI AND HAPORI CHEF

Hastings Street in Napier has become a hub of terrific organic food, thanks in large part to Gretta Carney and her team at Hapi. It makes sense therefore, that when the café space at Chantal became vacant, it would get its own Hapi treatment. There was a suitably winding and organic journey through the second half of 2019 to get the large space – now known as Hapori (meaning ‘community’) – to where it is now, an espresso bar and community kitchen. The ideas for using the space are still bubbling away and uses will be added during 2020. So far there’s a community gallery space, a market area in the courtyard, textile artist Nicki Gabriel is working on a macramé Photo: Florence Charvin

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installation which will form a semi-enclosed meeting space, cooking groups are using the commercial kitchen after hours, and there are regular lunches prepared by foodies and cooks from a range of cultural backgrounds. “There’s a yearning that people have to prepare food from their traditions, and share it,” Gretta says. A qualified classical homeopath, Gretta is always looking at things in a holistic manner, so Hapori also has a focus on social enterprise. “This is a space where people can start to develop and explore their audiences, which may lead on to them having their own food cart, or their own space. They can test to see if they might have a business.”

Laura Crespi & Daniel Pistone SAZIO RESTAURANTEURS

Sazio is the new kid of the cool 200 block in Hastings. 80% Pasta, 100% Pizzazz it embodies the new wave of relaxed, communal, authentic food offering. “The vibes we try to create and the environment is casual,” explains Crespi. “We want to cater to the people, they’ll make it a regular thing!” With business partner Daniel Pistone, Crespi is bringing together a concoction of her Italian heritage, his Argentinian flair, and their new home’s comfortable honesty and innovative tendencies. “Our two cultures are about being together,” says Crespi. “We are going to pay respect to our traditions, but with a twist.”

The basis of the menu is honest to goodness pasta, with a simple menu of standards and an ever-changing one of specials. “Our people cook what they have and that’s what we want to do here … that’s the start of the story: Cook what you have,” says Pistone. Crespi tells of her earliest experiences with pasta – cooking with 25 cousins! “Every Sunday morning, wake up and make pasta with my Grandmother … that’s the roots, we’ve put our history into the mix … it’s an old style in a new way.” Crespi sees their approach to food culture as more approachable, more understandable and more accessible than some of the fine-dining trends seen recently. “It’s not chemistry, it’s food,” agrees Pistone. Photo: Florence Charvin

Riding the boom 2020 will see business diversity reign as the Bay continues to enrich its economy by creating a business ‘ecosystem’ that supports professionals coming to live and work here and online businesses, alongside tourism and grassroots ‘refilleries’.

Tom Wallace SOFTWARE EVANGELIST

Hamish Saxton TOURISM IMPRESARIO

Hamish arrived on the HB scene, “feet under the desk”, this past September, having recently served as chief executive of Tourism Dunedin. With over 30 years in the tourism biz, he can credibly say, “Tourism is in my blood … It’s the industry I’m really passionate about.” It’s a load to carry in HB, where tourism is credited with generating about 10% of the regional economy. Hamish says the full value of our visitor economy is still not really understood – “not just the obvious beneficiaries, but also the fuel pump and supermarkets.” Building that understanding is a key goal for 2020, which he hopes will translate into broader financial support for HB Tourism from such businesses, catering to both tourists and visitors. Hamish wants to do a better job of sharing HBT’s plans with its various stakeholders – “an ‘open door policy’, we will listen … are we doing what needs to be done?” “I’m a great believer in partnerships,” he says. Hamish wants to create initiatives that will attract more co-investment from industry players in collaborative marketing efforts, for example, leveraging HBT’s website and online audience and reaching key markets. If one word were to describe Hamish’s focus, it’s relationships.

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After uni, Tom Wallace went searching. He knew he wanted to launch a tech business of some kind … “something you could build in Hawke’s Bay and sell around the world”. Not surprisingly, his search landed close to home, building upon insights gleaned from his dad’s property development business. He saw an unmet need for an integrated software package, cloudbased, highly-automated that would help those managing commercial and residential properties with all aspects of their business – from scheduling maintenance to collecting rents. In 2013 his software service – Re-Leased – was launched, based in Ahuriri. Today, Re-Leased employs about 30 in HB (aiming toward 50 by year’s end), with offices in London, New York, Melbourne and Auckland, servicing 800+ customers worldwide, generating nearly 80% of its revenue overseas. Tom says Hawke’s Bay will always be “our long-term technical centre to support our growth”, earmarking $10m to double the firm’s size here. The NZ average salary for software developers is $95k. The associated jobs at Re-Leased involve sales, marketing and design … none of these folks, mostly under-age 40 (Tom’s 31), are earning peanuts. The company will grow “as long as we can hire great people”, says Tom. Many of them need to be imported to HB, although an IT internship in association with EIT aims for one recruit each six months. Re-leased is impressive, but Tom’s broader vision is even more so. His ultimate goal is to build a “business ecosystem” that attracts and nurtures a diversified tech and professional community and sector in Hawke’s Bay … one far less vulnerable to the weather.

Nicola & Adam Mossman REAL WORLD MERCHANTS

In the ground floor of Hastings’ shiny new development Tribune, Nicola and Adam Mossman have taken their online business into the real world with a flagship store. Next for the natural, plant-based skincare company is a new shop in Napier, coupling the contemporary, minimalist Real World brand with Art Deco flair. Real World has been online for 3 years; their Hastings shop opened in September 2019. It came from a “need to be visible,” explains Nicola, and a desire to hear from customers. “It means in the future we can make products people are asking for, and respond directly to their needs.” The Mossmans are proud to be part of the changing

face of Hastings. They’ve used local craftsmen and suppliers to fit out their shop and ‘refillery’. “We use people within a stone’s throw from us because we trust them, we do business with them often and we share a customer base so we understand each other.” The Mossmans have a number of threads to their business, including supplying 50 shops around NZ, having a strong online following, a healthy book of commercial clients and, from May, two shops. “Hastings is a destination shop, next is getting into the tourism crowd in Napier.” In 2020, they will add more product lines that are uniquely HB. “100% of our range is made by us, we locally source ingredients, now we want to work with ingredients that HB is known for.”

Tackling rural norms 2020 will see more women taking charge in the rural sector. Rather than just taking on traditional roles, women are leading the way in land-based business including agriculture, horticulture and viticulture. There’s a long way to go but the outlook looks bright.

Kahlia Fryer RISING FARMER

Kahlia grew up and lives on her family’s Ashley Clinton dairy farm and, as she put it, is “never far from animals”. When BayBuzz reached Kahlia on a Friday afternoon she had just finished the paperwork on selling some rams and was about to go wakeboarding. Her energy flooded the conversation. She recently won a nationwide Young Farmers Excellence Award and just returned from extensive overseas travel, which gave her a chance to “just take a break” and think about her future. She had been “go, go, go” and is “trying to get better on the non-work side”. In the coming year she’ll be working at the Showgrounds helping plan next May’s Hort Field Day, and then the A&P Show. But Kahlia’s already thinking beyond that. She earned an AgComm degree from Lincoln (2016), debt-free from casual work and scholarships, and the two related themes when she talks about her future are business and governance. For a 25-year-old, she has strong governance experience, having been student association president at Lincoln and presently serving on the Board of HB Netball. As for business, Kahlia is germinating an idea around providing business admin services to farmers. “The farmers I’ve worked with are all willing to change, and want to do better,” she says. Her notion is that farmers’ time is best spent on the real work of farming, and her aim would be to relieve them of the admin burden they carry. AgFirst, hire her or be swallowed!

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Julianne Brogden PREMIUM WINEMAKER

2010 marked the beginning of Julz Brogden’s second wine-making career, crafting wines here in Hawke’s Bay that win the highest accolades from both her local peers and connoisseurs like Bob Campbell (“profoundly impressed”), Robert Parker and Michael Cooper. Her first career, begun 22 years ago, was spent in California’s Napa Valley where, she says, the environment is “highly competitive and passionate” with top-end winemakers “striving for perfection for years”. She credits her experience working there with familyscale, premium-focused winemakers as giving her the skills to now produce top-flight wine on her own. However, the intensity of that environment led to physical and mental exhaustion, and she returned home to Hawke’s Bay, repaired herself, and emerged with a new mantra … Balance.

Julz is aware of her limits, so while her commitment to quality is unmistakable, her business will “grow at its own pace”. In the coming year, working with fruit she rates as good as Napa’s, she will turn 15 tonnes of grapes (“from awesome growers”) into premium wine under her own Collaboration brand – some exported to France, Japan and Singapore – and a similar amount for other labels. Collaboration is presently co-located with wellknown winemaker Kate Radburnd, but Julz’ goal is to “find a permanent home for my wines and paintings” (a reference to the commissioned art that inspires her distinctive labels). “The beauty of it all, I’m not putting myself under pressure … it has to happen naturally, organically.” Balance.

Lucan Battison MILK MERCHANT

It’s mid-morning on a Wednesday and there is a sound coming from the road at the top of Napier’s Botanical Gardens that hasn’t been heard for around 20 years … the clink of glass milk bottles. Lucan Battison, who runs the Barefoot Bottles Milk Truck is doing his weekly visit on Napier Terrace, one of over a dozen stops he makes around Napier each week. A small group of nearby residents cluster around his converted ambulance, chatting and waiting to get their glass milk bottles refilled. Lucan has been doing these suburban stops, as well as the Saturday Urban Farmers’ Market in Clive Square for almost a year now and recently branched out into doing home deliveries each Friday to around 80 customers. Lucan’s truck is fitted out with rows of fridges filled with 20 litre containers of milk from Havelock North dairy company Origin Earth. Lucan says he regularly sells out of ten of these containers every day. That means, with this refill service, he is removing up to 100 x 2 litre plastic milk bottles from circulation in Napier each day! “My main goal for 2020 is to push the doorstep deliveries and get as many Hawke’s Bay homes on my list as possible … essentially minimising the region’s plastic circulation,” says Lucan. Photo: Florence Charvin

Going for gold 2020 is an Olympic year and the region will get behind our sports stars as they take their talents offshore in search of gold, while others are just starting their athletic journeys.

Regan Gough PRIMO CYCLIST

Aimee Fisher PRIMO KAYAKER

As a kid Aimee Fisher was very ambitious. “I always had these crazy, big dreams of being the next Irene Van Dyke or Michael Phelps, which was not that successful … turns out I’m better at sitting down sports. We spent a lot of time paddling around Lake Tūtira with fishing lines off the back of the boat when I was young. I would paddle for 5 minutes and then let Dad tow me around, so I started kayaking at a really young age. Since then she has amassed an impressive resume: HB Secondary Schools Sports Academy, double HB Sportsperson of the year (2016 and 2018), multiple World Kayaking titles, Olympian. In 2020, the Tokyo Olympics are Aimee’s focus: “My aim is to be selected into the K4 (4-person) again and I would like to push for a K1 (solo) spot too which is decided in February. I think about the Olympics a lot. It’s the moment I’ve been dreaming of since I was a kid. It’s been on my radar for so long that it’s hard to imagine life after the games, let alone the day after racing. I would love to go there and genuinely race to my full potential, to express all the hard work over the last decade. If that means a great result then awesome, if not the sun will still rise.”

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Born in Waipukurau, but living in Cambridge for the last 3-4 years to be close to training facilities and the team base, Regan Gough has spent a large part of his life on two wheels. Regan started out doing Central Hawke’s Bay’s ‘Tour De Beautiful’ and the larger, Hawke’s Bay regional ‘Tour De Bay’ from a very young age – either on the back of his mum’s bike, or on a tandem with his dad, once he was old enough to compete himself. The wheels have barely stopped turning since. With a supportive local community and groups such as Ramblers he started making a name for himself, receiving the ‘Emerging Talent Award’ at the 2014 Halberg Awards and then as part of the New Zealand Team Pursuit squad who came 4th at the 2016 Rio Olympics. 2020 sees Tokyo hosting the Olympic Games. The nature of cycling, with fitness and injury being big factors, means the team won’t be announced until March/ April, but Gough is obviously hoping to be part of the squad again, this time with more metallic results. “2020 is purely focussed around Tokyo. To be there and on the podium is a massive motivator. Everything between now and then is a stepping stone for the big dance in August.”

While most students will be spending this time of year relaxing and unwinding, for Kaitlin Cotter it is quite the opposite. The 17-year-old Napier Girls’ High graduate was named in the 2020 Black Sticks Women squad in November and has only just come back from playing in Australia for the NZ Under 21 team. The Black Sticks Women begin their international season on Saturday 1st of February when they play Belgium in Auckland, and then there is the small matter of the Tokyo Olympics in July. That is in addition to Kaitlin winning the Hawke’s Bay Schools’ Sportsperson of the Year Award, along with the Female Sportsperson Award, the Female Hockey Player Award and the Jarod Cunningham Youth Sports Scholarship in October. “It’s pretty cool that I’ve been selected for the Black Sticks and getting my first international cap is something to look forward to. It will be a hard year with full-time training as well as study, but I’m looking forward to playing with and learning from those who have been in the squad for some time. A goal would be to make the team for the Olympics, but that will be tough with the squad available.”

20 Kaitlin Cotter

HOCKEY SUPERSTAR

Kaitlin Cotter. Photo: Planet Hockey Magazine

BayBuzz takes a look at everything E-Bike. Story by Jess Soutar Barron, photos by Tom Allan.

‘E’ is for ‘Easy as’ Don’t go shopping with a cynic. It’s a buzzkill. The first issue is power. The man in the bike shop tries to tell Paul Paynter the “rules” cap the e-bike’s speed at 25kph. Paul scoffs: “Can we tweak that? Get it up a bit faster?” The man gives him the side eye and laughs, then let’s on kiwi tinkering got one of his bikes up to 70kph. Then it took the old boy who pimped it only 10 minutes from the farm at Eskdale into town. “That’s not a bike!” says Paul, that’s a motor scooter. Perhaps the attraction is looking like you’re biking when you’re not actually biking, when the motor is doing all the work, Paul suggests. The e-bike man pushes that idea aside, explaining e-bikes are pedal assist, meaning you must keep pedalling. The idea of Paul taking one of these things home already seems less and less likely. To get the most out of it, it’d need to go on the Skoda. Most of these beasts are so heavy they’d need a bike rack with a bottom mount rather than being

38 • BAYBUZZ • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

simply suspended. Then we find a tiny-tyred fold-up that’d fit in the boot. “That’s pretty awesome,” Paul agrees. “A lot of people seem to have e-bikes now, they think they’re amazing,” Paul says. “These older guys trying to look cool.” He catches sight of himself in the shop window, pulls his stomach in under his sensible polo shirt. “Boomers can bike a bit but they run out of puff.” The pedal-peddler tells a story of a couple who hired e-bikes to get out to Clifton and back. They took it too easy, used the throttle too much, ran out of battery in Clive. “Rang me up and asked what they should do,” he tells us. “I told them to pedal.” An e-bike is a push bike at the end of the day. “…With a lithium battery,” Paul reminds us. Then the shopping trip becomes a science field-trip. “We have a couple of push bikes in the back shed we’ve had for 25 years,” says Paul. “You can still get on them and go.” These batteries have a life of 3-5 years. “Then what?” No one really has a plan, they’re

piling up. “Like batteries for Priuses,” Paul explains. “We haven’t quite worked out how to dispose of them.” E-bike batteries put pressure on resources. Going for a peaceful ride in the country suddenly becomes an environmental conundrum. I suggest a test ride to shake Paul out of his inconvenient truth. He balks. “I’d be too anxious, I’d want my helmet.” We leave. Coming past the container wharf we watch a couple on a conventional tandem and muse on the powerdynamics of an e-variety. “Would it have a double throttle? Then who’s in control? Who’s pedalling?? It’d be a bone of contention.” Anxiety is sky high by the time we get to our next stop and Paul hasn’t even fastened his trouser clips. The tandem two-some make it there at the same time we do. The hawker is offering to have them back to try an e-bike next time. They explain they’re celebrating their wedding anniversary and probably shouldn’t push it. When she sees us she explains that she hires mainly, but sells too. “To

people who hire first then fall in love and have to have it.” Paul looks sceptical. She pulls a step-through commuter bike, coloured red, out from the rack. “A low step through is the biggest thing for older people,” she tells Paul as she steers towards him, a matching red helmet swinging from the handle-bars. “Five levels of assistance: eco…tour… sport…turbo.” “That’s four,” corrects Paul. “…Pushing.” She gives him an iceblock. And suddenly the uncertainty falls away and Paul climbs on. “It’s amazing how fast it is,” I muse as he disappears towards the Port. Now that Negative-Nelly has a taste for it we head over to the Mecca of Mountain Biking, Havelock North. “Fifty percent of e-bikes go to new bikers,” explains the man in the shop. “People who haven’t had a bike ever or not for a long time.” On the other hand, he says “Pro mountain bikers all train on e-bikes too … in two years they went from hated to universally accepted.”

Paul frowns, thinking of all those batteries. Now at 40,000 e-bikes sold a year, the problem is mounting, literally. “People who get one then want to upgrade, they want something no one else has,” explains the mountain man. “If you get it in the same colour the missus won’t notice,” suggests Paul. We peruse the racks of bikes. In cost they top out at $11k. The purveyor of e tells us he just sent a $16k one to Christchurch. The average is $8k. Paul considers the pros and cons of extending his shopping to his two boys. Before he knows it his theoretical bill includes two kid’s e-bikes at $4k each. He says he’s not sure his boys even know how to ride bikes. “Most of our buyers are men in their mid-forties,” says the cycle-monger. “Lots of men come in to buy a bike ‘for their wife’ but they want it in their size.” “Do they get the wife in for Head Office buy-in on the colour?” asks Paul. “Us e-bikers,” says the bike seller, “We’re all chubby, hairy and our wives don’t love us. On e-bikes we feel like a champion without doing the work.”

“Does it hurt when you fall off?” Asks Peevish Paul. “We wear knee pads.” The bike man claims e-biking’s the new golf. “In fact, all golf courses should become mountain bike parks.” The bike-man’s biggest tip is: Do a demo. “If you’re going to do it, do it right.” He invites the Pedalling Pedant on a ride, to “join a crew”. “We can show you the trails, the etiquette, there’s a lot of technique. We won’t tell you the tricks the first three times so we can have a giggle when you fall off.” Our resident iconoclast nods politely, but I know he’ll be busy that day, whichever day it is. He texts me during a rain bomb a week later, “I just passed a guy biking home in this downpour, I thought ‘Nup, not for me’”. He’s a fair-weather cruiser. For Paul, ‘e’ stands for easy and enjoyable, not everyday, and certainly not environmental. The e-bike buzz goes back in the rack. His last missive reads: “The hard core cyclists have contempt for soft summer cyclists, but that’s my lot.”

Barbara Beach hires e-bikes from her Fish Bike stand by Ocean Spa. She has a fleet of 23 e-bikes, all trail or commuter bikes, and 30% of her hires are for e-bikes. “It’s 80-100km to Hygge and back,” she says of the Clifton eatery popular with visitors. “You have to pedal but you can still do that in four hours including an hour for lunch.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 • BAYBUZZ • 39

Arnaud Malek was the first person to sell e-bikes in New Zealand and is one of the industry’s self-appointed watchdogs and critics. He’s based in Taradale and up until a month ago sold in 30 outlets, but now has a select few carefully positioned around NZ. He sold his first bike in 2011 with no competition in the market. Now there’s 52 competitors. With a population of 5 million, and with 1.5 million too young or not able, and 1.5 too old or not interested, that’s a tight market to share. Flying Cat was started with a school friend, a designer based in France. He and Malek originally had their bikes made in China. Today the bikes are made in Slovakia after Malek and his partner work on a full-size plastic model first. “Then it’s made in aluminium and we decide on the specs for the bike,” Malek explains. Flying Cat carefully consider each component meaning customers can get close to bespoke when looking for their perfect e-bike. Whoever you are and whatever you like to do, there’s an e-bike for you.

Safety last

Bikes aren’t all bells and baskets though and the uneasy truth about the e-bike boom is no-one’s checking on safety. “Certification of prototypes, which

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“They were invented to get rid of cars now they’re just a big boy’s toy. People here don’t commute. They only use them in the weekend, to have fun on the trails, they’re too scared to ride on roads.” ARNAUD MALEK, FLYING CAT

is compulsory in Europe and Australia, isn’t here,” explains Malek. “When they come into New Zealand they check for spiders but not for safety, there are no standards.” The standard in other parts of the world dictates an e-bike must be 250watts maximum, limited to 25km per hour, with humanly-powered pedals and security on the brakes, which can cut power in case of emergency. Here and in the USA there’s no standard. For that reason, manufacturers consider New Zealand prime testing ground. “Big brands see what reaction we have: shop owners, brand owners,

the public,” says Malek, explaining consumers then see those bikes that wouldn’t meet standards overseas as ‘standard’ e-bikes and it’s challenging for sellers of actual e-bikes to manage customer expectations. They want throttles, they want speed, they want power. They don’t want to pedal if they don’t have to.” Now the e-environment means that actual e-bikes, of high-quality and with price-tags to match, are harder to sell. “Cheap ones are dangerous but there’s no rules around who can sell them,” explains Malek. Throttles are a big issue. Most European-designed bikes don’t have them but many New Zealand buyers expect them. Malek reacted to that need and adapted one of his designs to accommodate a throttle. “But when it arrived I took the throttle off right away”. For him, it lifted the bike away from being a true e-bike. “I wasn’t being faithful to my own spirit.” Malek has spent the last few years lobbying policy makers – NZTA especially – for change, trying to push for a standard. The issue came to a head in 2014 when the Otago Rail Trail considered banning e-bikes and in response Malek threatened to sue them. “They said e-bikes were too loud, too fast and too dangerous.” Malek explains that’s a direct result of the lack

of standards, meaning any electric bike can be sold as an e-bike when strictly it’s not. All e-bikes are tarred with the same brush. “Something that’s got 300 watts and goes 40 km is still considered an e-bike here, that’s dangerous.” Another consequence is potential buyers see Malek’s bikes, which all meet the European and Australian standards, and turn up their noses: they don’t seem fast or powerful enough. “Now when I go to shows people say, ‘That’s not an e-bike!’ People have formed a perception of what e-bikes are,” he says. With so many variations on what an e-bike is, from size of motor to placement of battery, buying an e-bike can be a minefield and it helps to have an expert on board. “There’s so much crap, so many myths, so many urban legends,” explains Malek, who encourages people to do their homework and talk to those in the know before they buy. “The e-bike is here to help you out so it needs to fit you so you can form one, you and the bike together.” Malek’s frustrated at New Zealanders hesitance in using bikes instead of cars, with e-bikes first being introduced to replace the need for a car. “They were invented to get rid of cars now they’re just a big boy’s toy.” “People here don’t commute. They only use them in the weekend, to have fun on the trails, they’re too scared to ride on roads,” says Malek, who’s keen to see more people use e-bikes as their primary transportation. “There’s no sweating, no parking problems.”

Uphill battle

Hilton Taylor owns Revolution Bikes in

“Pre-2015 bikes were designed then an e-bike version was designed from the original. Now it’s the other way around. A lot of companies spend more now on designing e-bikes.” H ILTON TAYLOR, OWNER OF REVOLUTION BIKES

Havelock, specialising in mountain and cargo e-bikes. He was one of the first outlets to sell Malek’s Flying Cat bikes, but has a wide range of other brands too, and is proud of carrying ranges other places don’t have. He’s with Malek on the importance of getting industry knowledge before buying. About five years ago e-bikes really took off in New Zealand and the market began to be flooded with cheap

copies of bikes that wouldn’t meet standards overseas. Another switch has been bike designers’ focus. “Pre2015 bikes were designed then an e-bike version was designed from the original. Now it’s the other way around. A lot of companies spend more now on designing e-bikes. They’re set up for weight and balance as an e-bike then turn that into a non-e.” He explains the impact e-bikes have

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We’re taking to the sky to understand our water better.

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You may see a low-flying helicopter towing a large hoop hanging from a cable from around 20 January 2020 until the beginning of March. We have lots more information on our website, check out hbrc.govt.nz and search #3Dwater.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 • BAYBUZZ • 41

had on the mountain biking scene, which is huge in Hawkes’ Bay. “E-bikes and regular mountain bikes don’t mix. But it’s not supposed to be super-fast, it’s just supposed to be easier,” he explains. “E-bikes can do more runs therefore have more fun…We can do three-times the runs with a third of the effort,” Hilton says. “I can be up the Peak and back in 40 minutes at lunchtime.” Taylor says e-bikes are snowballing in Hawke’s Bay. “Someone buys one, his mates have a go, they come and get one.” But he emphasises the importance of trying a number out before purchasing. He frequently offers to host people on demo rides, but hiring one is also a good way to try before you buy.

If you’re commuting or cruising the i-Way, that’ll be a different bike to the one you’ll want if you’re taking on Eskdale or Te Mata. For anyone with a camper or caravan a fold-up e-bike (or two) is now a ‘must have’.

Kiwi can-do

Tony Ward is a semi-retired farmer who’s slinging out his shingle in Te Awanga for kiwi-designed e-bikes Melo Yelo. The bikes are sold through a network of mechanically-minded mainly retirees rather than through shops. He defends thumb-throttles on NZ e-bikes, and laughs at the suggestion the addition reflects the Kiwi culture of innovating to make life a bit easier. “Give it a bit of a boost and off you go!” he explains. “You could be falling behind the group…zip it up a bit, or come to a hill and give it some throttle.” He stresses the importance of learning about the bike and how to use it rather than expecting to just jump on, using the throttle rather than the gears does drain the battery, for example. “Like anything, you don’t get something for nothing!” Says Ward. “Save it for when you’re coming back.” Melo Yelo makes a range of bikes that reflect the Kiwi way of life including a model specifically for golfers that can tow a cart bag, and a beach cruiser-type. Their most popular model is a step-through ‘townie’ that’s easy to get on and off. He’s conscious of the footprint e-bikes have and is watching new tech closely: “It’s all changing very quickly, with new models all the time.” He agrees it’ll take a culture shift rather than a technology shift to really move people out of cars and onto e-bikes; there’s still a focus in NZ on e-bikes for recreation rather than commuting. But he says once people try them they’re hooked. “Once you get one you don’t want to go back,” says Ward. “Especially us oldies, at our age it opens up a whole world because you can get out, but you can also get back!”

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Before you buy: 1. Try one E-bikes come in a whole lot of different configurations and every rider is different. Don’t just buy on looks, think about which bits of you need help and buy something to support those bits.

2. Get to know your gears Understanding when to apply which gear is the trick to getting the most out of your e-bike battery. Mechanical gears still play an important part in getting up hill and down dale. The more you rely on the battery the quicker your battery will run down. Pedal assist is the key term. Use as much of your own energy as you can then save the battery for when you really need it.

3. Know your weaknesses If the motor is in the crank then the movement of your leg is a down motion and it puts less strain on your joints and your back. If you have knee issues then having the motor in the back, and therefore using a forward motion on the pedal, will help.

4. Have a plan for breakdowns Some dealers will come to you when something goes wrong. Membership-based roadside breakdown services, like AA, will also come out for e-bikes. If you buy a bike that meets European and Australian safety standards then push it to go faster or harder than it’s meant to, you might find your bike ends up in the shop more often than you want it to.

5. Be real about batteries The batteries are an issue (see BayBuzz #50). They weren’t built with recycling in mind. They don’t last beyond five years. The good news is technology is improving rapidly resulting in quicker charging, batteries that hold charge better and achieve greater distances, and recyclability is becoming a higher priority. Hydrogen technology is also something to watch. It could be that in 20 years lithium is seen as the beta tape of battery tech.

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Aviation: New Zealandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s emission elephant in the room

Air transport contributes to 4.9% of human-caused climate change.

We must begin now to decarbonise New Zealand’s aviation industry. By Paul Callister & Wallace Rae

Why? Because air transport contributes to 4.9% of human-caused climate change. In Europe plans are being developed with an aim of decarbonising aviation, alongside ongoing investment in alternative low carbon land-based transport, primarily electric rapid rail including bringing back night trains. New Zealand has yet to fully acknowledge the aviation and shipping challenges we face – or even grasp the opportunities that could come from such transformation. We have no long distance rapid rail vision either. An important step for New Zealand would be making sure emission reduction goals for both domestic and

international aviation are included in our carbon targets. As a majority shareholder in Air New Zealand, the government has both a direct and indirect interest in solving this problem for an airline readily promoted as sustainable. However, due to network expansion in recent years its emissions have been increasing while in May this year the company announced it will buy eight Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner long distance aircraft. Phased in from 2022, these will overlap the 777ER 200 aircraft until 2025, and could be flying for the next two decades. A claim was made that the airline would save 190,000 tons of carbon emissions per year and become more sustainable, yet the airline is still expanding and extending its network to Taipei, New York, and Chicago. The result will be an increase in carbon emissions not a decrease. More significantly there is no mention of how fossil fuels will be amended or replaced with either biofuel or synthetic fuel. Despite some early experiments with biofuel, Air New Zealand’s sustainability strategy relies heavily on efficiency gains and on promoting an ineffective, voluntary, carbon-offset scheme. Based on their own information sent out to Frequent Flyer members in early 2019, under 2% of their frequent flyers offset their flights through the Air New Zealand offset scheme (similar to the level seen throughout the world).

Courageous strategies needed

Is it realistic to think that in the short term humans can keep flying at current and potentially expanding levels and concurrently decarbonise the industry? In the short term, the answer has to be no. A reduction in actual flying,

Abridged and reprinted with permission from authors and Pure Advantage. www.pureadvantage.org

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 • BAYBUZZ • 45

particularly internationally to and from New Zealand is the only practical option to meet near-term emission reduction targets. However, this has significant implications for the tourism industry and for New Zealanders wishing to travel overseas. But what of the longer term? New Zealand will rely on the larger nations to develop renewable energy capability to power planes and therefore we need to expand our sources for renewable electricity. Studies from Transpower and others show the challenge to electrify land-based transport is daunting, so any attempt to electrify domestic air transport adds even more complexity as well as substantive R&D expenditure. Theoretically, we can replace much of our fossil based, liquid fuels with low carbon or non-fossil based alternatives. But right now all these alternatives are more expensive than fossil fuels and most involve significant renewable electricity generation and storage. If the cost of flying was based on a more realistic price of $100/tonne CO2e as suggested by the Productivity Commission, the cost of a return trip to London would increase by $1237, or about 50% of the current fare. This is on the basis of the climate effect of all greenhouse gas emissions and the greater effect these gases have when they are emitted at high altitude. It is not simply the price of carbon that matters most. We need to make difficult choices about land use and power generation. For example, should we consider nuclear energy as a viable option for dramatically increasing electricity output in order to manufacture low carbon aviation fuel? Hard to imagine our ‘nuclear free moment’ for climate change actually means we embrace nuclear energy. With the global race to decarbonise on, these choices may need to be made quickly.

The challenge

Eating less meat, catching the bus or driving an electric car can all help reduce both our personal and national carbon footprint, but for New Zealanders a single economy class return trip to Europe dramatically elevates one person’s carbon footprint by an estimated 6 tonnes according to one carbon calculator and as much as 8 tonnes of CO2 by another. Yet the government’s new Tourism Strategy released only a few days after

46 • BAYBUZZ • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

the introduction of the Zero Carbon Bill talks about sustainability, but it does not directly address the contribution the aviation industry makes to global and local emissions. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the World Meteorological Organisation, air transport contributes to 4.9% of human-caused climate change. Another challenging metric is the IATA forecast that the number of people travelling by air will double to 8.2 billion a year by 2037, with Asia and the Pacific leading the way. The forecast for jet fuel is a staggering 9 million barrels a day by 2040.

Voluntary carbon offsets are also an option ... But hardly anyone offsets voluntarily, with fewer than 2% of Air NZ flights being offset. In New Zealand, domestic aviation, although important, is not the key contributor to the growth in aviation emissions. According to the NZ Productivity Commission’s LowEmissions Economy report , domestic aviation contributes about 6% of all national transport emissions, but remained relatively unchanged between 1990 and 2016 as the shift to larger and more fuel-efficient aircraft offset the increase in domestic air travel. It is international aviation that accounts for the massive growth in aviation emissions. Yet when countries, including New Zealand, consider their emission targets, emissions from international aviation have generally not been counted. The Productivity Commission notes: “International aviation and shipping emissions are not covered under the Paris Agreement. The main reason for this is that attributing these emissions to a specific country is more difficult than for other emissions sources. For instance, if a plane flies from Auckland to London with a stopover in Singapore for refuelling, it is not obvious how the emissions liability from these trips should be allocated.” The Commission further notes that countries are required to report separately their international transport

emissions based on fuel supplied. The NZ data, collated by the Ministry for the Environment, shows that emissions rose 362,000 tonnes, or 11% in just one year between 2016 and 2017. MfE calculates these emissions have increased by 178% since 1990. Not surprising. Inbound tourism has been rising steadily and is forecast to keep growing. For instance, a recent Dominion Post article reports a 75% increase in visitors from China between 2015 and 2018, with Air New Zealand quoted as suggesting that there are “currently 48 million people in China actively considering a trip to New Zealand”. Both our geography and demography mean that international aviation represents a huge contributor to the country’s emissions profile. We are separated by vast distances from all other major population centres. We are a nation of migrants and travellers, with many New Zealanders having family members living abroad.

The international community

In 2016, the International Civil Aviation Organization announced that it will implement a Carbon Offset and Reduction Scheme (CORSIA) that aims to prevent any growth in international aviation emissions above 2020 levels. Any growth in emissions must be offset by certified emission reduction units. Sixty-six parties, including New Zealand, have volunteered to participate in the initial phase between 2021 and 2026. However, only those routes where both affected parties participate in the scheme are covered. This scheme relies on offsets rather than working to reduce the use of fossil fuels. Throughout most of the world, aviation and shipping stand out as industries that are yet to develop realistic plans for emissions reduction. New Zealand is no exception to this. In various reports, very little is said about how aviation can decarbonise. This stands in stark contrast to the responsibility and pressure placed on many other industries, such as farming, to reduce their emissions. The only suggestion relating to aviation emissions proposed by the Productivity Commission is to increase the cost of flying, primarily through a substantial increase in the price of carbon. The Commission cited estimates (Concept Consulting 2017) that an emissions’ price of $100 per tonne of CO2e (currently around $22) could reduce domestic air travel demand by

up to 12%. There is not currently the political will to dramatically lift the price of carbon in New Zealand. While aviation fuel for domestic flying could be taxed, thus raising the cost of flying, a 1944 international agreement prevents taxes being placed on fuel used for international travel. And while efficiency gains are being made, they are swamped by the growth in air travel. Voluntary carbon offsets are also an option, endorsed by the Green Party, and planting carbon sinks are a necessary part of our overall strategy to bring down greenhouse gas levels. But hardly anyone offsets voluntarily, with fewer than 2% of Air NZ flights being offset. Ultimately, offsets do not reduce the use of fossil fuels and may sometimes even incentivise people to keep flying more or feel better about their emissions footprint.

What are the alternatives?

One is to make the personal decision to fly less, an option promoted by a New Zealand based Fly-less Kiwis Facebook group. Youth climate-change advocate Greta Thunberg also promotes this option as do some high-profile, climate scientists including Kevin Anderson. If voluntary action does not result in a reduction in air travel, financial disincentives to flying could be implemented. For example, caps on the number of international tourist arrivals and/or a more significant entry fee to the country could be introduced; the latter aimed at reducing New Zealand’s attraction to low budget tourists. Or, as in Scotland, a departure tax could be charged, as previously the case here. Another option with an unimaginable range of considerations could be to make it more difficult to build new or expand existing airports. In France

Smarter Thinking Online.

a group of left-wing French parliamentarians want to ban a large part of their domestic flights. A similar idea was promoted by Green politicians in Switzerland in 2018 while in the UK’s Green Party floated the idea of a frequent flyer tax. But most of these possibilities are politically unattractive. Even if the amount of air travel was reduced through any of the above methods, a significant amount of ‘residual flying’ will still occur. Essential services will remain, such as air ambulances and air-based search and rescue missions. Then there are ‘love miles’, such as flying to visit grandchildren or sick relatives who live overseas.

Only five airports have regular biofuel distribution today – Bergen, Brisbane, Los Angeles, Oslo and Stockholm. Many academics and businesspeople claim their flying is essential to maintain national and international connections. Numerous NZ businesses or for that matter our primary industry exports could not have grown without international air travel. At the other end of the spectrum, environmental advocates argue that given the extent of the climate crisis facing us, the damage caused by New Zealanders heading off for a cycling holiday in Europe is no longer justified. And what about large sporting events? It is estimated an extra 800 flights were scheduled to transport British fans to

the Champion League final in Madrid this year. Dare we mention the Rugby World Cup in Japan?

Alternative aviation fuels

Any alternative fuel options would need to provide robust and highly sustainable performance across a range of criteria, including: safety, pollutants, high-altitude climate impacts, water demand, land requirements, and renewable energy production. There appear to be two theoretical options to maintain air travel while reducing greenhouse emissions. The first is using battery electric planes powered from renewable sources. The second is creating low carbon synthetic liquid fuels. In the medium term, some short commercial flights are likely to be made by new designs of electric planes. However, one of the main challenges with electric planes is the energy density of their batteries and weight which, unlike liquid fuels, do not get lighter as the flight progresses. At the 2019 Paris airshow Israeli startup Eviation Aircraft was reported as taking orders for a US$4 million electric plane. The aircraft is rated to fly 1,046 km at around 805 km/h with three electric motors on the tail and one on each wingtip. The prototype carries a 900 kWh lithium-ion battery, about nine times bigger than Tesla’s largest automotive battery. However, the plane carries just nine passengers. In 2017 Airbus, Rolls-Royce, and Siemens announced they would collaborate on a hybrid-electric technology demonstrator expected then to fly in 2020 called the E-Fan X. Using batteries to power flying would require significant increases in production of electricity from renewable sources.

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 • BAYBUZZ • 47

Photo James Coleman

Until there is some ground-breaking technological breakthrough in the foreseeable future, international flights in and out of NZ will continue to use liquid fuels, allowing the existing stock of aircraft to keep flying through 2050. To keep focus on emission reduction targets airlines will need to blend lower carbon synthetic fuels with fossil jet fuel. The Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative, (CAFI) was formed in 2006 in response to three concerns regarding aviation fuels: supply security, affordability and price stability, and environmental impacts. Membership includes few airlines outside the US, notably Cathay Pacific and Lufthansa. Air New Zealand is not listed as a member. However Air New Zealand is a member of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group (SAFUG) who have signed a sustainability pledge, stating that a key driver to a carbon neutral aviation industry is advancing and adopting sustainable biofuels. However judging by recent updates progress has been slow. Members of SAFUG subscribe to fuels that minimally impact biodiversity; meet a land, water, and energy use sustainability standard; do not compete with food crops; provide a positive socio-economic impact; and do not require any special fuel handling equipment, distribution systems, or changes to engine design. The EU and Nordic countries are mandating biofuel content for transport fuels. Finland approved a law last year that sets a gradually increasing proportion to 30% biofuel as a target for 2030. The Norwegian government

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announced last October that airlines operating in Norwegian airspace will have to use 0.5% biofuels in their fuel by 2020. If biofuel is a viable solution what mandates and infrastructure will be necessary? Meeting a modest 2% of demand for aviation fuel would require at least a US$10 billion investment in new refinery capacity. Alt Energy, now World Energy, has just completed a refinery conversion to produce 600 million litres of jet biofuel per annum. Only five airports have regular biofuel distribution today – Bergen, Brisbane, Los Angeles, Oslo and Stockholm. The 15 million litres produced in 2018 comprised less than 0.1% of total aviation fuel consumption. One limitation of biofuel in aviation would be the amount of land area required for cropping. Using solar energy to convert organic matter to biomass is very inefficient. For example, to supply our domestic jet fuel requirements from a suitable energy crop such as Jatropha or Camelina, our calculation suggests the crops would utilise up to 70% of New Zealand’s arable land. A smaller contribution to biofuel production through using waste fats or algae-based production may be possible and this is being explored in New Zealand by the NXT Fuels group. It’s possible most early production of biofuel in New Zealand will go to decarbonising road-based transport. A simple process (esterification) can convert waste vegetable oil and tallow into a product suitable for blending into standard diesel for heavy transport.

This is the route taken by Z Energy which is producing 20 million litres a year at its Wiri plant from 10% of the total New Zealand tallow production. The B5 blend will make a modest contribution to CO2 reduction when used by large commercial transport fleets such as Fonterra, Fulton Hogan, Downer, South Fuels as well as Air New Zealand land transport. However, vegetable oils and fatsbased sources must be processed beyond simple esterification to meet technical standards and be a blend option for jet fuel. Hydrogen certainly has its supporters as a transport fuel and in the longer term should play a role in powering land-based transport, but will still require major investment in new infrastructure. Liquid hydrogen may be compressed and cooled to below -240°C to liquefy, but even in this form the volume required is 4 times greater than traditional Jet Fuel to store the same energy. Building an airframe to safely accommodate long distance flight and 200 to 300 passengers currently seems impractical although not impossible.

Emerging technologies

LanzaTech, a New Zealand company now established in the US, uses a bacteria as an intermediate agent which converts waste carbon monoxide from steel mill exit gases to ethanol. This ethanol can then be converted to jet fuel. A more direct route to liquid fuels of all types would be through the hydrogen reduction of carbon dioxide to a mixed carbon monoxide/

hydrogen gas stream which may then be converted to liquid fuels. The CO2 may be extracted from air or more economically from industrial exit gases. A prime source would be the CO2 extracted from Kapuni natural gas. Quantafuel, a start-up, has devised a process of converting unrecyclable plastic waste such as blended composites, and thermoset plastics, which cannot be reformed and generally go to landfill. The process can produce a range of hydrocarbons suitable for jet fuel and low sulphur diesel. The technology has potential to extend to wood and municipal waste. The first commercial plant is based in Denmark, expected to be in production this year. The process is low carbon and cost competitive when compared with refinery production of jet fuel, with an estimated fuel resource in excess of 200Mt of waste plastic and increasing. Electric Power to Liquid fuels (PtL) is another alternative to producing sustainable fuels. Provided there is available a low cost supply of low carbon electrical energy, this is a more scalable alternative. Carbon dioxide is extracted from the air and reduced in a power cell by steam electrolysis to produce carbon monoxide and hydrogen.

In 2017 New Zealand imported 111 kilo tonnes and produced 313 kilo tonnes of jet fuel.

This gas mixture is transformed at high pressure and temperature in the presence of a catalyst to liquid fuels. Nordic Blue in partnership with Sunfire and Climeworks AG have begun the engineering of a PtL facility that is expected to be operational in 2020. At a projected price of 2 euro/L this represents an approximate 4 times premium to the current jet fuel price of USD 0.5/L. Economy of scale will reduce this cost. To prove the concept Norwegian and Scandinavian countries will support the project by insisting on the increased use of sustainable fuels over their airspace. At the end of May 2019 in Rotterdam the Hague Airport and a European

consortium signed a cooperation agreement for a study aimed at developing a demonstration plant that produces renewable jet fuel from air. This plant aims to be the first worldwide to offer renewable jet fuel from air to the market. In 2017 New Zealand imported 111 kilo tonnes and produced 313 kilo tonnes of jet fuel. To make this amount of jet fuel using the Nordic Blue technology would require 9000 GWhr of power or about 20% of our current annual electricity production. New Zealand is dependent on fossil fuels for 60% of our energy requirements and to forego coal, natural gas and oil is a significant challenge. Energy harvested from low energy intensity sources such as biofuels, solar energy and wind power is not yet adequate for decarbonising the land-based economy, let alone also keeping New Zealanders and our increasing number of visitors flying to and from our shores. If we wish to keep flying, reduce our carbon footprint and secure a viable low carbon energy future, we need to consider other ways we can generate electricity to create liquid fuels. What about nuclear? Now that’s the other big elephant in the room.

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 • BAYBUZZ • 49

“ This is your Captain speaking” By Stuart Ainslie CEO, Hawke’s Bay Airport Clearly the ‘Flygskam’, i.e. flight shaming movement is being heard around the globe. Do I think people will stop flying as a result? No, not necessarily, but I do think that the additional focus will have an impact on traveller behaviour in the short to medium term. Flights into Hawke’s Bay are fundamental for supporting growth, thriving communities, small to large businesses and the tourism industry. Out of every passenger flying into our region there is an economic impact of approximately $395 per person. That’s nearly $300 million into the local economy. Low carbon doesn’t need to mean higher fares but the aviation industry has a critical role to play in shaping its destiny as well as how their customer sees their contribution to low carbon futures. It is encouraging to see EasyJet announce that it will be the world’s first major airline to operate net-zero carbon flights across its entire network, after announcing it would offset all jet fuel emissions during November 2019. The British budget airline said that it would start offsetting all flights which it said would cost about £25m in the next financial year through schemes to plant trees or avoid the release of additional carbon dioxide. My view is that Air New Zealand should follow this lead and make the offsetting of all flying mandatory for travellers. Or better still just swallow it up, taking EasyJet’s lead and offsetting all jet fuel emissions. That said, I don’t believe that carbon offsetting is ultimately the long term answer. The critical issue will be how airlines can influence suppliers to make progress on alternate fuels (i.e. biofuels), engine technology, aerodynamics and electric/hybrid aircraft. There is no one silver bullet rather a collection of advances that together could make a significant difference. Do Air New Zealand have enough global clout to lead in this space? If not is there an opportunity for them to work with other airline partners such as Qantas to accelerate change? Qantas recently announced that it will slash its net carbon emissions to zero by 2050, becoming only the second airline group in the world after British Airways to make the commitment predominantly through fuel efficiency and carbon offset schemes. Of the 4.9% that air transport contributes to climate-affecting emissions, airport infrastructure contributes less than 5% of this. That said, airports clearly need to be part of the solution, for example reducing ground fuel burn related directly to

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inefficient ground operations and infrastructure. Airways, our air services provider, are also essential in enabling the efficient use of New Zealand’s air space through Performance Based Navigation and new technologies allowing a reduction in fuel usage. Hawke’s Bay Airport management have committed to an ambitious goal of becoming the most sustainable New Zealand airport, having already signed up to the Airports Council International’s independent (ACI) Airport Carbon Accreditation scheme aiming to be Carbon Zero within the next three years. In conjunction with this we are also looking at the feasibility of a significant renewable energy project on airport land. New Zealand’s sector lengths are ideally suited for trialling the first Major City to Regional Airport electric hybrid aircraft routes. Airbus have signalled that they could potentially build an emission-free, 100-seat regional aircraft by the early 2030s. Hawke’s Bay Airport is open for business! Of course it all starts with us and we can make the decision to fly less, offset our carbon, train ride rather than fly, but will we do the same when it comes to the significant carbon footprint that our data appetite uses on a daily basis? The energy consumption of data centres is set to account for 3.2% of the total worldwide carbon emissions by 2025 and they could consume no less than a fifth of global electricity. Are we prepared to trade experiencing the real world for a virtual one? I expect we’ll continue to see growth in flying year on year but as greater awareness builds on the impacts of climate change, major airlines will push much harder for suppliers to bring forward solutions that enable significant reductions in aviation carbon emissions.

Unison is pleased to sponsor robust examination of energy issues in Hawke’s Bay. This reporting is prepared by BayBuzz. Any editorial views expressed are those of the BayBuzz team and do not reflect the views of Unison.

ABOVE: Stuart Ainslie. Photo Tom Allan.

LEADING A SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FUTURE The way people think about energy and how it is used is changing. We still need energy to power our lives, but how we interact and use the electricity system will look very different in the future. To prepare for this ‘new energy future’, at Unison we understand we need to evolve, adapt and transform what we do, and how we do things, so that our electricity system and business is sustainable well into the future. This has seen the business introduce a refreshed vision, ‘Leading a sustainable energy future’. Unison Chief Financial Officer, Greg Morgan, has been leading the implementation of the new vision across the business as part of consolidating the company’s strategic direction and prioritising initiatives. “Change is happening around us which means we can either take a leading role and position ourselves for the future, or risk becoming irrelevant. “This has already seen solar, battery and EVs becoming more popular and affordable. In time, energy will flow back and forth with people taking electricity from our network, while also selling or providing it to others. This will mean customers have higher expectations and want more choice, flexibility and great customer service. “These will all impact Unison and we need to evolve, adapt and transform how we do things, so that our electricity system and business is sustainable well into the future. “Leading a sustainable energy future is about operating in a way that harmonises between being a successful business, maintaining and enhancing our social licence and protecting the environment,” Greg says.

Captions (top-bottom): Unison Field Inspection Surveyor, Bob Wallace educating Kimi Ora School students on electrical safety; Lunch-time! Unison’s Commercial team providing a postpresentation BBQ lunch; Weeding around native trees and shrubs along the Maraetōtara River.

BRINGING UNISON’S VISION TO LIFE In keeping with this refreshed vision, Unison’s Commercial team enjoyed getting out and about in the community last month, supporting sponsorship partner Maraetōtara Tree Trust’s (MTT) planting programme and spending time with students at Kimi Ora Community School in Flaxmere.

The rewarding day saw the team weeding around native plants and shrubs along the Maraetōtara River, before heading to Kimi Ora School to cook lunch for the children who had been clued up on electrical safety following an interactive presentation by Field Inspection Surveyor, Bob Wallace.

Long summer days invite a frenzy of activity on the ever changing marine vista of Hawke Bay with leisure craft, recreational fishing vessels and yachts heading out for day trips or in pursuit of the big ones that donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get away.

Dreamboat Builders

& big fish stories STORY BY KEITH NEWMAN

Photo: Florence Charvin

Jason Dickey laughs, wondering out loud, how Hawke’s Bay could ever have developed a boat building industry and such a strong boating community. “It’s against the odds. It’s not like we have one of the most outstanding stretches of water. It’s rather challenging and there’s not a lot of islands to go boating to.” The path to deeper waters is invariably intersected by kayakers pulling backward through the rippling waters and a growing number of jet ski joyriders creating their own waves, often perilously close to paddle boards, dinghies and swimmers who’d prefer not to be rocked in their wake. Further out on the horizon are powerboats, leisure cruisers and a growing forest of mainsails as visitors and locals weave with the changing winds. The fleet includes many locally built craft, testament to a low-key but world recognised artisan and hobbyist boatbuilding industry. On the commercial side, Senator Boats started in 1997 by Wayne McKinley in Onekawa pioneering alloy pontoon boats; including a global first with its Sealegs fitted heavy duty allwheel drive amphibious rig. Brian Firman’s Profile Boats has created a niche for rugged casual or serious fishing craft, while husband and wife team Jason and Tristin Dickey are creating award-winning aluminium hulled superyacht style mid-range boats. Jason Dickey laughs, wondering out loud, how Hawke’s Bay could ever have developed a boat building industry and such a strong boating community. “It’s against the odds. It’s not like we have one of the most outstanding stretches of water. It’s rather challenging and there’s not a lot of islands to go boating to.”

Launching points

Between Mahia and Napier or south from Porangahau to the Cape Coast

typically requires a beach launch and because of the gravelly shore and thump and dump of the waves, preferably an aluminium hull. For shelter and protection there are ramps at the Napier Sailing Club or Hawke’s Bay Sport Fishing Club at Ahuriri, and trailer floatation launch and retrieve from Clifton Marine Club. The Napier Sailing Club, founded in 1891, is one of the oldest in the country with moorings at a premium as boat lovers from larger centres migrate and claim their place. Havelock North-based David Cranwell waited four years for a pylon mooring which has been on hold for an additional three awaiting his 1950s L. Francis Herreshoff twin sail 28 ft double ended Rozinante yawl. He’s dreamed of launch day since finding the design plans in a Rudder magazine 40-years ago. When BayBuzz called in November he was still sanding, painting and assembling the cockpit to complete the job begun by master boatbuilders. David, a horticultural consultant and “finder and a minder”; supplying wine

Jason and Tristin Dickey. Photo Tom Allan.

and apples for one of the biggest supermarket chains in Europe, admits he’s a terrible yacht club member. “I pay my dues and that’s about it.” Wainamu (water sandfly), the only one of its kind in the country, is a day sailer ... “a crazy dream” ... with a narrow 6ft beam comfortably seating six and expected to be launched “around Christmas”. So where will he take her? “Nowhere ... out for a couple of hours, sail around, come back, have a glass of wine and talk about how great it was.” David is only one of dozens of Hawke’s Bay hobbyist boat builders or restorers, bringing life back to classical pieces of boating history because they appreciate what has become a dying art.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 • BAYBUZZ • 53

The journey to get David Cranwell’s dream sailboat on the ocean has been driven by sheer determination, immense patience and a Sirenlike allure as his shapely historic vessel nears completion.

Photos: Florence Charvin

Boatbuilders in demand

The Pandora industrial area is home to Profile Boats and Dickey Boats, who’ve both gone through major growth spurts in recent years with customer demand pushing them to the max. Jason and Tristin Dickey are into quality not quantity having built about 100 high-end aluminium hull leisure boats with a team of about 35 people. Dickey Boats produces its Semifly range in 45’, 36’, 32’ and 28’ models, a smaller custom range of trailer or dry-stackable boats and its ocean-crossing LRCs (Long Range Cruisers), all tailored to customer requirements. Clients might pay anywhere from $200,000 to $2 million and most orders are word of mouth. The company has orders for one range running into 2022. Most sales are outside the Bay; and a growing

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percentage exported to Switzerland, Sweden, the Bahamas, Europe, Australia and the Pacific. Neighbouring Profile Boats recently signed with Excel Boats of Union City, Tennessee, who searched the world looking for a partner to produce at least 1,000 ruggedised boats for use on the ocean and large lakes. Boats will be built under licence at a new US factory.

Thrill of the catch

Growing demand including orders from Australia and Fiji forced Firmans Marine Centre and Profile Boats at Prebenson Drive to add a new 500sqm shed in December. When company owner Brian Firman wants time on the water it’s often on his private launch moored at the HB Sailing Club or a Profile 735 Platinum for fishing expeditions around the Bay. If you’re connected into Hawke’s

Bay’s boating and fishing networks the word soon gets out about ‘what’s being caught where’ and when the snapper are in close or the kontiki guys and surf casters are doing well, says Brian. As a youngster Brian recalls the thrill of spinning for kahawai off Westshore bridge with his father Ray and purchasing a small dingy with a 9.8 hp Mercury motor at age of 13-years for boat fishing. That led him into the boat building business and many years of competing in events including the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council Nationals. Nothing has yet topped the adrenaline rush of an energy draining twohour battle to land a 406 kg black Marlin off the Hole in the Rock in the Bay of Islands in 2001. Brian dropped his 37 kg line off the back of charter boat Striker during a tournament with his struggle captured by a documentary crew; crowds gathered at the

David is similarly proud of another piece of marine memorabilia, the 18ft Norwegian sailing clinker, Oslo Jolle designed in 1936 and built for his father John Cranwell and the family in 1958 from plans he acquired in America. weighing station and it was “all over the TV” that night. It was “a once in a lifetime fish for sure”. He remains hopeful for another outing as spectacular. “Still on my bucket list is a broadbill ... a big deep water swordfish ... probably the hardest fighting fish you would catch on a rod and reel.” Brian is heartened that recreational fish stocks appear to be replenishing after he and others, including lobby group LegaSea, campaigned against commercial overfishing.

Luxury in aluminium

Jason and Tristin Dickey’s happy place is also on the water. Jason, originally from Taradale has always had a passion for fishing and power boats and Tristin who grew up in Whakatane is a keen sailor. “We like people who are excited

about their boats and we love the water — sitting on a surfboard, kayak or on a boat with family or clients.” Jason spent many years as an engineer aboard superyachts sailing the great oceans of the world, where he took a strong interest in design and became aware of a gap in the market. His goal was to design and develop smooth riding 30-60-foot launches with an aluminium hull; a niche between the American fishing boat market and harbour boats for lakes and waterways for entertaining and family use. The couple returned to live in Auckland in 2005 working on their plan between career commitments; Tristin as senior human resources manager and Jason on three-month contracts as chief engineer on a 180 foot superyacht owned by an un-named American businessman. With a prototype design and the

need for construction space, they relocated to Napier and began work in an old Ahuriri woolshed while looking for more permanent premises. The Dickeys took a risk, invested their savings and bet on their future. In May 2007, only weeks after they’d competed their Dickey Semifly 28’, it was delivered to the Hutchwilco Boat Show in Auckland.

Design efforts awarded

Their efforts were rewarded when their alloy design with ‘plumb’ bow (vertical to the water) and luxury superyacht finish took out the national award for best aluminium fishing boat of the year. Within seven months they had completed a commission for a larger Dickey Semifly 32 and the orders kept coming. In 2011 they moved to a larger 2,200 sqm site in the Pandora industrial area, expanding the factory three

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 • BAYBUZZ • 55

Dickey Boats workshop. Photo: Tom Allan

times since. Jason thinks like a shipbuilder with Dickey Boats structured from day one to use the same engineering whether it’s a 22 or 65-foot boat. Leading edge automation and computer numerically controlled (CNC) technology ensures aluminium panels are precision cut for each design. Today the focus remains on the quality finish with everything done on site from aluminium cutting and shaping to cabinetry, flooring, upholstery, teak decks and electrical and plumbing work. Recently a new paint shop was added. By 2014 they had produced 50 boats and were fitting smart CZone technology that displays all the boat’s systems on an iPad to monitor and manage navigation, communication and pumps or select the desired mode for fishing, cruising or night use. Most Dickey Boats are trucked off to new owners around the country although there are times Jason does an ocean trip with the owners, crossing the Tasman or to the Pacific Islands. There have been many boat shows and memorable awards from the

56 • BAYBUZZ • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

Hutchwilco NZ Boat Show and boating magazines. “It’s nice for the ego but I’d rather see a happy customer. The awards, however, are important for our team, a third-party acknowledgement that they’re doing good work.”

Little moments worthwhile

Jason credits wife and business partner Tristin as the business brains behind the success of Dickey Boats. “We have a lot of similarities but different points of view, there’s good creative tension and times we both need bringing back on track.” People come to Jason and his team because they think outside the square and while there have been big successes, it’s the little moments of achievement that make it all worthwhile. “Every problem has multiple solutions, the challenge is to come up with a really good one.” No matter how successful that fix or invention might be, he says it’s important to “keep doing the core part of your business really well and not let little side projects take you off the path”.

The Dickey Boats team is now taking a deep breath. “We’re busting at the seams ... Growth takes a lot of energy and we’re in catch up phase.” Besides, finding enough talent for further growth is a real challenge. “There’s a massive shortage ... we’ve run out in New Zealand ... in the short-term we have to find people from overseas.” Meantime, he says there’s a huge responsibility for businesses like Dickey’s to invest in apprentices to develop the right boatbuilding skills for the future.

Raising the profile

Firman’s Marine and Profile Boats is also battling to meet existing customer demand and on the lookout for skilled people, mainly welders and fabricators, to add to its 33-strong team. The family business started with a service station in the 1950s, adding a caravan centre in the 1960s, then a marine section. When the caravan business was sold in 2000, Brian Firman became sole owner of Firmans Marine Centre, which today sells Buccaneer and

Jason thinks like a shipbuilder with Dickey Boats structured from day one to use the same engineering whether it’s a 22 or 65-foot boat. Leading edge automation and computer numerically controlled (CNC) technology ensures aluminium panels are precision cut for each design. Quintrix boats and Yamaha and Mercury marine products. Sister company Profile Boats, acquired and redesigned by Firman’s from 2008, delivers a range made in Hawke’s Bay. “We develop the hull and put packages together, fit them out in the right way with the right motors for going off the beach, off Napier or taking it to Taupo. We rig the package to suit the purpose,” says Brian. “We fit cray booms on the side, rig them up for game fishing with poles or extra lights if they’re around the lake edge ... radar

and radios ... the list is longer than your arm.” Profile are mainly trailer boats although they recently delivered a big commercial cray boat and a few dinghies, including models that can be taken down to the beach on quadbikes. Key design factors are speed, stability and practicality. “Lake people are more into speed while sea people are more into practicality, having things that work at sea when fishing or diving.” Firman has navigated a 10-metre alloy boat delivery from the Bay of Islands to Norfolk Island which took 25 hours and then there was the three-day epic delivery of a 65-foot Ekman 65 Powercat from the Bay of Islands to Brisbane. The market has been particularly buoyant for the past three years indicative of a strong Hawke’s Bay economy with a high percentage of Profile Boat sales over the Internet. Locals buy a few recreational fishing boats but most go out of Hawke’s Bay. “It could be tradies or anyone who has a bit of spare money” including, he says, a small but growing number of women.

Shapely slice of history

The journey to get David Cranwell’s dream sailboat on the ocean has been driven by sheer determination,

immense patience and a Siren-like allure as his shapely historic vessel nears completion. It’s “form and function” that captivates David, who appreciates art and owns classic and modern Citroen cars. “I’m not mechanical but I love the design and that goes for the boats as well. There’s some ugly ones on the water but people love them to bits.” It’s been a sentimental journey, a nod to his ancestry with the 28 ft 1950s yawl named Wainamu after his great grandfather’s wooden tugboat which once towed rafts of kauri logs down Henderson creek to the mill at Freemans Bay, Auckland in the 1880’s. His uncle Trev planned to build a Herreshoff 28 (H28) in the 1950s; gathered the kauri for the ribs, hand adzed the pohutukawa keel, then got married and sold it. After wondering how to progress his 40-year old design plans, David was spurred to action by a 1998 magazine article on the H28 written by master craftsman Doug Hylan in Maine, the home of world famous Herreshoff boats. He ordered a kitset frame from Hylan and after the container arrived the parts, pieces and even the skills to complete the job began to come together.

Toitoi Homecoming

Join us as we breathe new life into Toitoi – Hawke’s Bay Arts & Events Centre Dawn Blessing Saturday, February 29 Gather outside Toitoi at 5.30am

Community Festival Sunday, March 1 10am-2pm

See www.toitoivenues.co.nz for more information and tickets to our other upcoming shows

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 • BAYBUZZ • 57

Brian is heartened that recreational fish stocks appear to be replenishing after he and others, including lobby group LegaSea, campaigned against commercial overfishing.

Brian Firman Photo: Tom Allan

Piecing it together

David’s preference for kauri, one of the best in the world for boatbuilding, was a long shot as it was scarce and costly. Following a conversation with Peter Yealands, one of his main wine suppliers, he got a return phone call that seemed like an answer to a prayer. Yealands had purchased a Blenheim vineyard years’ previously when the former owner was building a 50 ft fishing boat which was now overgrown with box thorn. “Did I want some kauri for that boat?” It was going for the price of removal so David and Clive-based cabinet maker and wood wizard Peter MacLean flew down to examine it. “It had beautiful inch and three quarter kauri planks ... exactly what was needed.” Ian Emerson of Emerson’s Transport bought the three tonne of timber and a massive West Australian Karri keel back to Hawke’s Bay on a backload. Over several weeks the thousands of 31/2 inch Silicon bronze screws holding planks to the ribs were removed at David’s Havelock North shed. Pretty soon he knew he’d need expert help to secure the planks to the complex hull shape of his H28. Someone who claimed to have the right skills botched it even further, so he called on Robert Brooke “the doyen

58 • BAYBUZZ • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

of all things to do with wooden boat building in Auckland”. Brooke’s advice was “put a chainsaw through it and burn it ... find a builder to work with” or get in touch with Sicilianborn Marco Scuderi, master wooden boat builder in Helensville, “who will build you a boat you’ll be proud of”. Marco started from scratch with the kauri planks and timber from the old keel milled by Andrew Watts in Waipukurau to became the cabin sides, cockpit coamings, cabin roof beams and cabin and cockpit floor. A gift of two 44 gallon drums of recycled lead was built into the 1.5 tonne keel; specially made bronze fittings were imported from the US and square timber found for the mainsail and mizzen.

Sculpture takes shape

In mid-2019, after five years away, the Herreshoff Rozinante 28’ returned to Hawke’s Bay. “Marco’s worked magic,” say David, running his hands over the long sweeping lines of the hull. “She’s beautiful ... a piece of sculpture.” When BayBuzz visited there were still parts to put in place and much puttying, painting and piecing together for the quality fit out he’s been dreaming of. He’s similarly proud of another piece of marine memorabilia, the 18 ft Norwegian sailing clinker, Oslo Jolle

designed in 1936 and built for his father John Cranwell and the family in 1958 from plans he acquired in America. It’s the boat he learned to sail in — recovered from a leaky shed in Parnell — completely restored by Peter MacLean with David sanding, painting and finishing it with 13 coats of varnish. He concedes Hawke’s Bay is too dry and it needs to be in the water far more often than it is, but he’d never sell it. It’s a family heirloom, the only one of its kind in New Zealand and “another beautiful testament to form and function”. David’s next project is restoring a 100-year old pre-WW1 8 ft clinker dinghy with the owner’s name still on a bonze plate on the transom. “It needs major work but she’s a piece of New Zealand maritime history.” Brian Firman won’t say what his next project is but admits he’s “always working on something” and while Jason and Tristin Dickey are at production capacity they admit there’s a new model in R&D they’re trying to keep under the radar. There’s something about boatbuilders. While still working on current projects they always seem to be imagining the next, perhaps learning from the last or letting their creative imagination go wild like the changing winds on Hawke Bay.

THE NEXT 12 MONTHS Hawke’s Bay Airport’s $20.2 million expansion upgrade is now over two-thirds of the way to completion following the opening of the new departure area to the public on November 5th. With both departure and arrival areas now functioning, the focus moves to connecting them in what Chief Executive Stuart Ainslie describes as the exciting part of the project. “Over the coming 12 months the project will come to life. The central precinct will see a new Café & Wine Bar created in the heart of the terminal along with a specialty retailer merchandising a broad range of travel essentials and iconic local products. Air New Zealand is also investing significantly in this final stage with an impressive fitout for their regional lounge which will swell to more than three times its current size.” The transformation is not limited to the building. The landside forecourt is also being completely re-modelled via a design that will improve safety and accessibility as well as embedding physical and natural design elements to connect it with the region’s environment and people. Prominent local artist and designer Jacob Scott has been working with project architects Design Group PMA to weave a cultural overlay into both the internal fit-out and adjoining forecourt. The brief is to connect the terminal and its landside precinct with the narrative of the award-winning Watchman Road project.

“We want this place to celebrate all the things that make Hawke’s Bay great.” Stuart Ainslie Whilst the airport is undergoing an impressive physical change, Ainslie is perhaps more excited about what is being achieved culturally and where the airport is heading as it embraces its vision to be New Zealand’s most Sustainable Airport. “We acknowledge our responsibility to the people of the region and its future generations. We are an airport, but we are also custodians of the land we occupy which is why we have developed a sustainability

framework and signed up to the globally recognised Airport Carbon Accreditation Program. “We are committed to managing, reducing and ultimately neurtalising our carbon footprint. We’re at the beginning of this journey but we’re working on some exciting things behind the scenes that we hope to be able to share over the coming months.” Another important area of focus is giving more opportunity for the customer voice to shape decision making. Hawke’s Bay Airport recently joined the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) programme which involves surveying 350 departing passengers twice a year. The results provide insights as to how the airport’s customer satisfaction across a wide range of functions compares with other member airports from around the world. The results are being shared across the business as the airport looks to identify areas for improvement. The consistent methodology also enables the business to review the success of its customer centric initiatives. Ainslie is quick to point out that the ability for the Airport to administer the surveys relies on the tireless work of its team of more than 30 volunteer ambassadors. “They are hugely valued members of our team; they are our eyes and ears and do an amazing job”. Two key areas highlighted for improvement are the airport’s carparking experience and retail selection. Ainslie says that investment is being made into both these areas as part of the wider airport redevelopment. “We will be watching our ASQ metrics closely as we look to refine these areas – we have set the bar high and expect to see improvement” he says. With another year of construction ahead the airport realises that some people are probably getting a little tired of the temporary nature of some of the infrastructure. Ainslie advises that the whole airport team sincerely thank the public for its patience. “We will be focusing on doing what we can to keep disruptions to a minimum over the next 12 months, we acknowledge the project’s duration is lengthy but that is the nature of this kind of development and we are sure that the final outcome will be one that the region is very proud of.”

Less Cash … the Future of Money Story by Keith Newman Over fifteen years ago I quipped in my Auckland Metro technology column that we were entering a less-cash world with smarter cards and more online transactions, but a cashless society was as likely as a paperless toilet. Shifts happen and sometimes they creep up on us unprepared. Fast forward and we’re on lightspeed fibre with pervasive mobile devices functioning as social media computers with cameras and apps for everything including online shopping, banking, and financial services. There’s less rattle in our pockets, more use of smart watches and phones for transactions, and heightened chatter around wave pay proximity cards and the imminence of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. We’re being urged to give up the paper trail for accounts and receipts and as I recently discovered at Kiwibank, cheques and deposit books will soon be history. There are fewer bank branches and those that remain are skimping on personal tellers, and like supermarkets, opting for self-service ATM-style machines. An indicator of what’s ahead is the smart hardware wallet, a battery powered smart card-sized device with associated mobile app. These super cards can store data online, convert multiple currencies and crypto funds on the fly and function as standard credit cards. So far only one ATM in Auckland accepts them. As for paperless toilets, have you been to Japan?!

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Electronic money

Meanwhile Kiwi siblings Alan and Janine Grainger have been brokering the buying and selling of 74 major and alternative cryptocurrencies on their Easy Crypto site since 2017 and are now turning over more than $2 million a month. The emergence of this new electronic money is based on ‘blockchain’ technology, an intelligent peer-to-peer distributed database with multiple layers of encrypted security that continually checks for hacking or broken links. The rapid evolution of cryptocurrencies has caught global banking giants and regulators off guard. The IMF and World Bank, at their annual meetings in Washington in October, conceded their roles and future economic stability were at stake as they wrestled with the future of money. Concurrently the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ), responsible for monetary policy and a sound and

efficient financial system, warned New Zealand was “nowhere near” ready for a cashless society. We haven’t even begun to have the right social or policy conversations ahead of the inevitable changes these new technology platforms will bring. RBNZ claimed 90% of us “preferred” to pay electronically; three-quarters used cash at least once or twice a week, and had cash in our wallets, purse or pockets, while six percent used only cash in the period surveyed. Cash use was most common at farmers’ markets and roadside stalls. Some used cash for convenience or because they valued their privacy.

Cash decline concerns

RBNZ warned if cash use continued to decline it might be unprofitable to have ATMs or for businesses to supply cash to the public. It was concerned about its role, about upgrading cash vaults,

What Is Cryptocurrency? Traditionally buying and selling has required banks or credit card companies to manage the transaction and take a fee for doing so. International payments are often costly and take time to clear, but we have trusted these agencies with our money and personal data. By contrast, a cryptocurrency is a digital-only medium of exchange, using the science of cryptography, to protect and verify the information using complex maths. This digital money moves directly between buyer and seller, removing the middleman, and the network, which cannot be fooled, keeps a permanent record of that transaction. The cost is significantly lower than bank charges and there’s little or no delay even between countries.

Dr Emre Erturk, EIT principal lecturer. Photo: Florence Charvin

and the impact on the digitally disadvantaged who relied on cash as a main means of exchange. EIT principal lecturer Dr Emre Erturk who has a PhD in the international economics of information technology, says cryptocurrency will be disruptive in a “gradual and very deep way” and banks will need to revise their systems to accommodate the changes. However, he says, that’s “not philosophically what the creators of cryptocurrency and blockchain necessarily want”. They want to overturn or at least

revolutionise the future of money in the same way Uber continues to challenge the taxi industry or Airbnb the accommodation market. “They’re looking for independence, not a centralised system that relies on banks or a regulator.” Erturk, a self-confessed cryptocurrency geek, says some of the largest tech and finance corporates and top researchers in the world are watching or participating in this rapid evolution. There are currently around 1,000 cryptocurrencies in a field described

by one writer only months ago as “extremely volatile and anarchic with limited governance”. While mostly used by hobbyists and often traded as an investment by those with enough extra cash to play around in this nascent market, the field is narrowing.

FANGs for the memory

Tech commentators suggest each of the FANGs (Facebook, Amazon, Netflix and Google) will have cryptocurrencies within two years, either competing or

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amount in circulation continues to rise, but the Reserve Bank only knows where about 25% of that is. There’s evidence some no longer trust banks and are keeping it outside the system. The RBNZ also revealed that shops and individuals aren’t technically obliged to accept cash and can insist people pay electronically, although they can’t refuse it for debt payment. Apparently no state agency has a mandate to ensure cash continues or to manage a scenario where reduced cash disadvantages or socially excludes people. The RBNZ warns commercial operators that ignoring the wider benefits of cash could lead to “a market failure” and require government intervention. RBNZ Governor Adrian Orr wants the power to insist banks provide access to cash while warning us to be better prepared to face “the cash equivalent of falling posted letter volumes”.

Banks creaming it

CoolWallet - A mobile hardware wallet for digital assets. Photo: Florence Charvin

co-operating with other players like Microsoft, IBM, and Apple. With the right kind of backing, alignment with an acceptable exchange rate, and options to merge or consolidate with existing credit card companies, Erturk suggests cryptocurrency could quickly become less geeky and ready for global use. New developments include Ether, easier to create and exchange than the original resource intensive Bitcoin (now a generic term), and Libra, floated by Mark Zuckerberg’s social media giant Facebook, with the backing of Uber, PayPal, Visa and others. Libra, a “low-volatility e-currency” scheduled for 2020 is underpinned with a “secure, scalable and reliable” blockchain network governed by the non-profit Libra Association based in Geneva, Switzerland. No member will control more than one percent of the “pseudo-anonymous” network which will operate as “a true public service” with no

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personal data held and key details visible only to members. Libra will have to comply with laws and regulations in all jurisdictions; users will have access to custodial wallets and businesses will have to comply with Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations. It won’t be tied to a single currency or have a fixed value in any real-world currency but will be backed by bank deposits and government securities from stable central banks.

Kiwi crypto wages

All of this may appear removed from life in New Zealand, but in this age of global networks nothing is isolated. IRD guidelines released in August on how to declare tax on wages paid in cryptocurrency make this present reality. Unlike Libra’s plans, payments are based on the New Zealand exchange rate in the same way as PayPal, ApplePay, GoogleCoin and others piggyback on real currency or credit cards. While we are using less cash the

Traditional banking systems and financial regulators face some serious challenges amid growing public frustration that foreign banks are creaming it at our expense. According to KPMG the big four Australian-owned New Zealand trading banks raked in $5.77 billion profit in 2018, mostly sent offshore. They have covert or overt charges on just about every transaction from bank fees to currency exchange rates, cashing cheques and using contactless or payWave cards. The cashless or less cash, low or no fee digital pushback won’t require costly bricks and mortar offices and staff to manage and maintain and represent a kind of revolt against the existing system. For example, the TransferWise zerofees debit card is a response to the fact Kiwi travellers are being “over charged by banks” who took $1.55 billion from offshore card users in 2018. It’s Platinum debit Mastercard can store up to 40 currencies with local bank account numbers making it free to use while conversions are half a percent and withdrawals of up to $NZ350 at overseas ATMs, are two percent. Westpac Australia launched a ‘digital only’ partnership with 10X Bank to try and keep younger tech-savvy customers from defecting to open and app-based neo-banks offering easy to open and use accounts, like the new Facebook Pay, enabling payments to emails and mobile phone numbers. New Zealand trading banks are

apparently in wait and see mode, bracing for the inevitable disruption and perhaps erroneously believing most customers are satisfied with the status quo.

Mainstream penetration

Most developed economies are now looking at becoming cashless. In Sweden, notes and coins account for just two percent of transactions by value and South Korea is planning to phase out cash completely in 2020. New Money Review editor Paul Amery says the transition is happening more rapidly than most people are aware, predicting “cash will have completely disappeared in five years”. If banks don’t help transition their customers to some form of cryptocurrency, that could, he suggests, undermine confidence and accelerate defection to the new platforms. Personalised financial eco-systems, with smart loyalty cards for bulk-buying collectives, are already emerging around goods and services and using artificial intelligence to recognise and target customers. Based on our social media and purchasing profiles, interests and financial capabilities, they make it simple, attractive and affordable to click and buy on-line. Take VeganCoins, “a cruelty-free cryptocurrency” introduced in March 2018 to build greater solidarity among the world’s 300 million vegans or FairCoin, launched in 2014 as “an ecofriendly, post-capitalist cryptocurrency”, based on a circular economy with payments only released to accredited suppliers. While that might be fine for niche groups, EIT’s Emre Erturk harks back to the Middle Ages when every fiefdom had its own coins or medium of exchange. “At some stage you need to have structure around that.” Realistically they’re only as good as their value in relation to bigger cryptocurrencies and their ability to be translated back to a real currency. “Cryptocurrency is probably at the stage where it needs to move from that kind of chaos.” To achieve mainstream penetration, greater integrity and stability is needed to get beyond stock exchange-like fluctuations where users fear market manipulation from investors buying and dumping. Erturk says the market still awaits a compelling reason to transition and that might mean governments getting on board and some are already

“IRD guidelines released in August on how to declare tax on wages paid in cryptocurrency make this present reality.”

using blockchain for high-level secure services. New Zealand, he suggests, could start with its RealMe online client identification then use an official crypto currency for passports, immigration, parking tickets or traffic fines. A catalyst for more rapid adoption might be China, the US or the EU accepting an official cryptocurrency. Eturk cites “network theory” as one way to understand what might happen: A system, service or network becomes exponentially more successful as the number of users grow and the value to the customer or consumer increases. “It could suddenly snowball,” he says.

Digital laundering dilemma

The digital challenge is coming hard and fast at a time when financial, border control and tax agencies are toughening their controls. Under a proposed Australian law change, cash transactions by businesses or individuals over $A10,000 would be criminalised with fines up to $A25,000. This alleged “assault on economic freedom”, which could jump the Tasman, has been stalled for further review in February 2020. Meanwhile the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2017 caught many law abiding New Zealanders off guard when banks, lawyers, real estate agents and accountants were forced to revise their terms and conditions. More detailed proof of identity was required with cash transactions over $10,000 and international payments over $1,000 flagged to safeguard our “least corrupt nation” status. This follows claims that about $1.35 billion in proceeds from fraud and illegal drugs is laundered annually through New Zealand businesses. Meanwhile, the IRD estimated small business underpaid tax by about one billion in 2017 and the World Bank claimed our shadow economy was over

$20 billion. Some commentators claim cryptocurrency undermines consumer protection, could destabilise global monetary policy and accelerate the misuse of money laundering and financing of crime and terrorism. Erturk says it’s no different than the internet, which can be used for good like education, science, research and news, but also for porn and criminal activities. “Criminals always find a way to misuse and launder money and already have their own cryptocurrency networks.”

Cashless conundrum

Despite more people shopping online and using less cash, Erturk says “some will always want that personal touch of talking to a person or going to the cash register”. While banks won’t disappear in the short term, he says, they need to be open to all options and demographics. “If you only rely on virtual money then the economy will shrink. You need cash to keep the economy going as well as new relationships with proven cryptocurrencies.”. Erturk is cynical about wild predictions of the world going cashless within five years. “It’s like saying we’re going to be flying in spaceships ... we’d like science fiction to take place sooner but I think it’s an evolving, vetting process before deciding on what works best.” What we’re witnessing is not simply a catch-up game, it’s a new race for independent, faster, cheaper and more intuitive local and cross-border transactions and the traditional banking systems are being outflanked. Next generation click-to-pay direct marketing and consumerism, enabled by fibre, 5G wireless and the Internet of Things (IoT), is insinuating itself deeper into our lives. We can’t hold back the digital universe; cryptocurrencies don’t discriminate between country or currency, card or device, and it’s too late to put a paywall around New Zealand, the old walls have already been breached.

NOW sponsors the BayBuzz Technology Series to enhance public understanding of our region’s technology achievements and opportunities. Analyses and views presented are those of BayBuzz and its editorial team.

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The Renaissance of Paharakeke/ Flaxmere

Principal Matt O’Dowda with students at Kimi Ora Community School, which will be radically redesigned with a works vote of $6m to replace leaky buildings.

The Renaissance of Paharakeke/ Flaxmere Paharakeke (Flaxmere) was born in 1967. The plan for a new satellite suburb 7 km to the west of Hastings’ centre was a long time in the making, and civic leaders promised much, though considerably underdelivered. Story by Pat Turley. Photos: Florence Charvin But 50-odd years on, renaissance is underway. The word ‘potential’ keeps popping up. What’s in view is startling. The community and her leaders are taking the arid westerly corner of Hastings back. Flaxmere is definitely on a roll. The Hastings Council is committed to investing more and it’s about time. Flaxmere’s advocates seemingly battling against the odds have made beautiful headway regardless. Councillor and JP Henare O’Keefe, and Te Aranga Marae trust are stand-outs, lately too the truly innovative Waingākau Village cohousing project by Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga. Central Government is investing $6m in adjacent Kimi Ora Community School. The rebuild has triggered a first in New Zealand that is astonishing. Regional Council chairman Rex Graham – a Te Aranga Marae trustee – says: “Flaxmere produces winners.” Rex reckons, “Flaxmere produces more All Blacks than Remuera ... certainly more than Havelock North.” Past and present Flaxmere Heroes calendars illustrate this great point. Flaxmere fifth term councillor O’Keefe is upbeat and he’s adamant: “We are taking our community back … on every level.” Henare was 2012 Kiwibank New Zealand Community hero and is Hastings’ official Ambassador.

History

Hastings’ fast-growing population in the middle of last century created pressure for urban expansion. In her book A History of Hastings, Mary Boyd says options vigorously debated included developing the Irongate Road area … “[not] highly productive land.” The prospect of amalgamating Hastings and Havelock North was strongly opposed by Havelock residents. Historian Boyd records that in 1958, Wellington-based town-planning firm Gabites and Beard explored three options: (a) consolidation within Hastings-Havelock, (b) redevelopment of obsolescent housing, (c) a new satellite suburb for 4,000-6,000 people “on land west of the city of very low, natural soil fertility.” Gabites and Beard were firmly in favour of option (c), and according to Boyd they urged the Council to:

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The project plans “a supportive and aspirational intergenerational community ... where people look out for each other, contributing to the thriving, positive community.” EMMA HORGAN

Emma Horgan for Waingākau cohousing villages.

“take the initiative in planning, purchasing, developing and financing the suburban satellite as the whole of Hastings might depend on it.” The consultants may have been poorly selected, or perhaps political lobbying triumphed. Hastings councillors resolved to expand westwards on to land then thought to be “not too valuable to agriculture,” (Flaxmere was in fact established on prime viticultural land), and building started in the late 60s and early 1970s. According to Council’s 2007 ‘Flaxmere Town Centre Urban Design Framework’, in the mid-1960s the council envisioned Flaxmere to be “an idealistic garden suburb … more desirable than Havelock North and with all the modern conveniences [and more].” In its early days, Flaxmere was subdivided into quarter-acre sections. By the 1980s planning rules allowed quarter-acre sections to be intensively

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subdivided and building rules permitted poor-quality housing. The 1960s civic leaders’ progressive vision was woefully underdelivered and ruinously abetted by 1980s government housing policy. Councillor O’Keefe points out that people understandably grabbed at “hope and promise” and were badly let down or, worse, exploited. Government in the mid-1980s promoted homeownership to its state house tenants and others assisted by 10% purchaser deposits and Housing Corporation mortgage loans. But 10-15 years later, in many cases, Flaxmere West homeowners’ partially repaid home loans considerably exceeded the market value of their property. Their recently built homes were a liability, and some were abandoned. The suburb’s housing market spiralled downward; negative equity was increasingly common. Understandably, this was matched

by inadequate housing maintenance. By 1996-1998, many Flaxmere West houses were selling for $25,000 to $35,000. Investor landlords were mopping-up. This cyclically vicious event severely impacted Flaxmere’s entire community – not just its 1980s high-economy high-density housing areas. The leading causes of Flaxmere’s housing market catastrophe were poorly executed Government housing policy, badly inadequate building standards regulations, and seriously wayward town planning. What occurred was a state-sponsored and Councilallowed property bloodbath with no effective backstop. Hastings Councils and Governments in effect stood by. It was pretty much out of sight and out of mind. The Council’s 2005 and 2007 plans’ goals for Flaxmere were not achieved. The

fallout is still rippling for Flaxmere and its community, with wider Hastings and Hawke’s Bay still paying a price. Paharakeke is today populated by about 10,000 people occupying about 3,000 houses – of this 3,000 people live in Flaxmere West. But despite decades of considerable neglect by central and local government – things are looking up.

Values

residential RV increase 43.3% 2016-19. Flaxmere’s growth is 1.56 times the average valuation uplift and the Land Values uplift that determines council rates is considerably steeper. Flaxmere homeownership overall is around 45% and the late 2019 weekly median house rent excluding flats, was $360 compared to Hastings/ Clive $390, rural Hastings $440 and Havelock North $480 per week. Flaxmere West’s rate of homeownership is very modest, and stiff market rents often mean that multiple families occupy tiny houses. The property values uplift story coincides with a high rents’ underbelly.

Community

The community has plenty of soul, including a marae, an internationally recognised park, a well-used aquatic centre and an artful and upgraded community centre with a boxing academy, and an excellent library. The large Hastings suburb is also home to four primary schools and Flaxmere College.

The Flaxmere Park, alongside Havelock North Village Green, and Cornwall Park, was recently awarded the internationally prestigious Green Flag Award which recognises horticultural standards, cleanliness, sustainability, and accessibility among other measures. Flaxmere Park has beautiful mature trees and new facilities including a modern playground. Flaxmere has a well-attended 5 km parkrun course organised by Philip Shambrook, which was the 29th in New Zealand and 1,870th in the world. The parkrunners’ family of just over 5 million worldwide turn out on Saturday mornings for a 5 km run, jog or walk. People are travelling from afar to participate. On Monday and Wednesday for 7 years, Henare and Pam O’Keefe run a popular programme for kids at the Flaxmere Boxing Academy. Flaxmere West is located 2-3 km from Flaxmere town centre concentrated facilities and is considerably less well-serviced, and without regular public transport. Many westerly residents are without cars. Te Aranga Marae, in Flaxmere’s westerly quarter, is partially enveloped by the new Waingākau development that is also adjacent to Kimi Ora Community School. The marae offers a cultural heart and runs a community garden with fruit trees offering fresh food free to Flaxmere residents.

Heroes

Totara Health has sponsored the U-Turn Trust Flaxmere Heroes Calendar for ten years. Flaxmere is

C&C001665SummerB

Property metrics since 2003 and recently released rating valuation figures tell a land economy buoyancy tale. Flaxmere’s house value appreciation over 15-20 years has outperformed some coastal and urban locations for Hawke’s Bay. In 1998, Flaxmere recorded 27 house sales equating to 2.3 per month and a total value of $2.2m. In 2018 transactions were 237 or almost 20 per month summing $56.1m. In 2018 the median house sale price was $230,000 – up 156% in 20 years with growth highest since 2003. The 15-years 2003-2018 study by valuers and land economists Turley & Co measures Flaxmere’s median residential property value change at 142% or 6.1% per annum compound. Flaxmere’s annualised value growth outpaced residential property over the 15 years for Napier Hill (3.2%), Mahia beach (3.3%), Bay View (4.1%), Westshore (4.4%), Taradale flat areas (5.5%) and Waimarama (5.7%). The 2019 three-yearly Rating Valuation reassessment for 2,976 residential rating units at Flaxmere reflects average Capital Value of $307,100. The Flaxmere RV has risen 67.4% compared to district-wide

Flaxmere West’s rate of homeownership is very modest, and stiff market rents often mean that multiple families occupy tiny houses. The property values uplift story coincides with a high rents’ underbelly.

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high-achievers, givers and leadership starling; from teachers, coaches, employers, sports stars, musicians, to people who serve in the military or police force. And the calendars reflect a winners’ community. The inaugural calendar hero for November 2010, was baritone Phillip Rhodes. His mentor, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, announced in 2018 Phillip would debut at Covent Garden London. The internationally famed singer is an O’Keefe family foster child – one of 200. Newly-elected Pasifika councillor Peleti Oli featured in the 2019 calendar. Peleti is inspirational in Flaxmere and a multiple categories winner for NZ Barber of the Year. The 2014 calendar features NZ success muso Tipene Harmer; international performer and songstress Toni Huata in 2013. Flaxmere-grown All Blacks featured or mentioned in ten years of calendars include Roger Randell, Taine Randell, Ben Tameifuna and Josh Kronfeld – one a decade so far. Other NZ international sports reps from Flaxmere include Benjamin Evans in taekwondo, Taylor Greening in indoor netball, Paul Cooke in NZ Colts, Angela Stubbs in softball, Candis Cardie and whānau for touch rugby, and shearing international champion Dion King. Many Hawks, Magpies, and Super Rugby players are Flaxmere

born-and-bred, and successful Ross Shield teams are often stacked with Flaxmere kids. Hastings Council senior asset manager Craig Thew, who grew up in Flaxmere, is a calendar hero. And so too is councillor Damon Harvey, whose parents built their first home in Flaxmere. Tragically, Patrick Tama O’Brien, the March 2018 hero, was brought home to Te Aranga Marae in November 2019 after he died in a collision on the Hawke’s Bay Expressway. Pat was a 2006 Hawk and a 2017 world champion kickboxer who loved helping the community. He was responsible for the longest running Hawke’s Bay charity boxing event “Battle for Life”, raising funds for grassroots organisations working within the health and social community sectors and suicide prevention. Flaxmere people frequently are front-and-centre representing Hawke’s Bay and their country, and often in the world’s biggest arenas. Chairman Rex Graham says, “Flaxmere is mainly really outstanding people doing really good things.”

New stuff

Hastings Council has a strategic projects team focused on ‘Fabulous Flaxmere’. It has numerous plans and initiatives in view including for Flaxmere West.

Reverend Jill McDonald and Chris Lambourne, for Te Rā Power by St Andrew’s Church.

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Mayor Hazlehurst says, “We have a committed Council who know it is time for Flaxmere to shine.” The Council has a “big vision” focused on housing needs, “fit for purpose Council facilities” and better and increased retail opportunities in the town centre. “Flaxmere Village services a lot more than its ten-thousand strong community – it is a major hub for the wider area.” The Waingākau Village cohousing project beside the marae and led by Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga is innovative and bold. The project’s leading message translated from te reo says: “A person nurtured in [the] community contributes strongly to society.” The four cohousing villages with 74 houses plus conventional housing on 15.5 hectares aims to make homeownership more accessible without compromising quality. The project plans “a supportive and aspirational intergenerational community ... where people look out for each other, contributing to the thriving, positive community.” The cohousing villages’ design includes communal car-less green spaces for families, and village centre housing will be unfenced. It will border a ‘food forest’ and integrate with Te Aranga Marae, the marae’s community garden, and be closely associated with reworked Kimi Ora Community

School. The three will share spaces without fences and integrate community aspects. The seriously creative whānau ‘village to raise a child’ cohousing project is designed and led by Emma Horgan for Regenerative Ltd assisted by Taiwhenua’s Waingākau Housing directors Mike Paku, Christine Hilton and George Reedy. By last November fourteen houses were sold with a next stage waiting list. The Waingākau Village website tells a fuller story. Neighbouring Kimi Ora Community School is radically redesigned with a works vote of $6m to replace leaky buildings. Principal Matt O’Dowda is understandably excited about the Te Aō Maori and Pasifika storytelling, curriculum-centred fabulous design, and cultural raranga/weaving. The Peterhead School years 5-6 syndicate leader Amy LeQuesne is designing (with this writer for Maraetōtara Tree Trust), a science-based classroom programme for a Maraetōtara River visit by about 120 kids studying the life of tuna (eels), other river ecology and the waterway’s health. The Braithwaite Trust is the funder. Energy poverty reduction is the aim of St Andrew’s Church. What’s unacceptable is a person who for decades has her hot water off to save electricity expense – for bathing she heats water on a stove. St Andrew’s aims to establish a solar farm near Flaxmere and be a not-forprofit ‘gentailer’ connected to Unison’s network. The St Andrew’s charity’s Te Rā Power beneficiaries would be the highest needs Flaxmere people. The initiative led by Chris Lambourne has Hawke’s Bay Regional Council

“What’s unacceptable is a person who for decades has her hot water off to save electricity expense – for bathing she heats water on a stove.” CHRIS LAMBOURNE

support. The church and Chris identify that power poverty aggravates social and health challenges, and the opposite is true – reduced energy costs and warmer houses considerably amplify better lives. The social payback is huge. Te Rā Power planning partners includes research by EIT. The conversation includes the District Health Board, the HDC and others. Te Rā Power has provisional sites for a solar farm of 1.5 hectares of panels generating 1MW peak, or 1,400MWhrs annually – estimated enough for 400 homes. The goal is an incrementally scalable solar farm that would supply 800 energy-improvised customers. The core aims are 25% lower electricity costs and control for the charity’s beneficiaries, providing a research platform and inspiring similar initiatives.

Henare O’Keefe, the Te Aranga Marae trust and many others have converged, yielding the iwi-led ground-breaking Waingākau Village, the Kimi Ora Community School culture-focused redesign, town-centre and community facilities betterment (as promised by Hastings Council) and St Andrews’ solar electricity project. A significant uplift in Flaxmere property values will support new housing and existing housing reinvestment, and potentially assists the economics of town-centre revitalisation, and new businesses. Add current high employment and mega-low interest rates – it all points to a perfect storm of the best kind. Flaxmere’s turn is considerably overdue, after about 40 years’ wait for sustainable upside. But it is the putting right that counts. As Flaxmere further unleashes its potential, the community will likely set a new standard for a culturally rich and diverse suburban place. Its predominately Māori and Pasifika renaissance should stand-out as an urban social bellwether for Hawke’s Bay. If HDC and the government suitably step-up, then persistent aspirations for Flaxmere could, at last, be broadly realised. The whole community has a stake, so wouldn’t that be awesome!?

Outlook

The DD Smash forecast “… otherwise it’s over the top!” has a suitable vibe. The Flaxmere community is clearly on the up – its positive momentum is set to build substantially, assisted by overdue Council support. Mountains of hard work by many battlers for many years, including

Pat Turley is a Hawke’s Bay-based property strategist and valuer at Turley & Co (www. turley.co.nz). He is a volunteer organisations board member, chair of the Maraetōtara Tree Trust, and a volunteer BayBuzz writer. Rosa Turley researched Flaxmere history. The contents of this article are not for property decisions reliance.

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I DE AS A N D O P I N I O N TO M B E L FO R D

Your Health and Climate Change For most of us the equation is pretty simple: too much heat = too much sun = sunburn … or worse, skin cancer or heat stroke, both possibly fatal. So, we take the practical step of protecting ourselves from too much sun, as you might have done before reading this magazine relaxing at the beach or on a deck chair. What about ‘planetary sunburn’ … global warming? What are its health effects? They range from the obvious – deaths from wildfires and extreme weather events to the much less obvious, arising from ecosystem changes (e.g., ‘new’ germs and diseases), and social/economic disruption (e.g., migration stresses, malnutrition). Nearly 20 NZ health organisations have signed the ‘Health Professionals Joint Call for Action on Climate Change and Health’, which advocates a broad mitigation programme including health sector planning to prepare for the “locked in” health impacts of climate change that are already unavoidable. The Royal Society of New Zealand published in a report in 2017, Human Health Impacts of Climate Change for New Zealand, resting upon some 167 footnoted sources. It began simply: “Many of the fundamental building blocks for health and well-being are threatened by climate change.” Globally, the impact numbers are huge: 250,000 additional deaths per year by 2030 as a result of heat exposure, diarrhoeal disease, malaria and childhood undernutrition. Reductions in global food availability, and fruit and vegetable consumption in particular, are estimated to result in a further

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Risks to human health associated with climate change are greatest to children, the elderly, people with disabilities and chronic disease and low-income groups.

per year above 25C in the future (compared to 20-40 currently). Extreme temperatures mean more deaths. The Report cites estimates from Auckland and Christchurch where it’s estimated that the number of heat-related deaths amongst those aged over 65 when temperature rises 1C, 2C or 3C over 20C would double, triple and increase fivefold, respectively. Add well-documented occupational health risks – from heat stroke to renal failure – amongst outdoor workers in agriculture, forestry and fishing. Those with diabetes or cardiovascular disease are especially sensitive to heat stress. And then there’s aggressive behavior, violence and suicide. Says the Report (with relevant citations): “Hospital and emergency room admissions increase at temperatures above 18–20 for those with mental health or psychiatric conditions. Individuals with mental illness are especially vulnerable to high temperatures or heat waves.”

Indirect issues

500,000 climate-related deaths worldwide by 2050. Sea rise displacement, extreme heat and destabilising water shortages will lead to severe stresses affecting health and mental well-being, if not life-threatening chaos and violence. In NZ, as globally, the Report notes that risks to human health associated with climate change are greatest to children, the elderly, people with disabilities and chronic disease and low-income groups. Those with the least resilience to heat, life and safety-threatening weather events, infrastructure damage and essential service disruption.

Direct impacts

The Royal Society report ticks through the direct health impacts of climate change first. Increased flooding, fires and infrastructure damage – these can cause impacts lasting for weeks and months. Displacement – the stress of coastal retreat. Then there’s the heat itself – many places in NZ will see more than 80 days

The Report anticipates that droughts, floods and increased temperatures will lead to water contamination and toxic algal blooms (like the highly dangerous blue-green algal blooms more frequently appearing in HB waterways like the Tukituki). “As average temperatures rise, the seasonal and geographic range of suitable habitat for blue-green algae species is projected to expand with potential impacts on drinking water supplies and recreational water use.” Marine risks will also increase. “The projected impacts of climate change on toxic marine algae include changes to the geographic range of both warmand cold-water species, changes in abundance and toxicity, and changes in the timing of the seasonal window of growth.” Gambierdiscus, an algae that causes illness from eating contaminated fish, could spread from Pacific Islands, where it is already a significant health problem to warming waters around NZ. And referencing a risk Hawke’s Bay has already faced, the Report predicts: “Climate change … will increase people’s exposure to waterborne diseases caused by bacteria, viruses and protozoa, such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium … Changing weather patterns, including

more extreme rainfall events, flooding, and higher temperatures, are likely to interact with agricultural run-off, and affect the incidence of diseases transmitted through infectious drinking and recreational water.”

Food availability and safety

Given the food focus of our regional economy, Hawke’s Bay might want to pay special attention to the impact of climate change on what we grow. [John van der Linden writes in this BayBuzz about global warming and winemaking.] So, here I’ll quote the Report directly: “Changes in air and water temperatures, rainfall patterns, and extreme events can also shift the seasonal and geographic occurrence of bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi, and other pests and chemical contaminants. This can lead to reduced food safety prior to, during and after the harvest, and during transport, storage, preparation and consumption. For example: • Higher temperatures can increase the number of microorganisms already present on fruit and vegetables. • Sea surface temperature is directly related to seafood exposure to microorganisms and biotoxins. • Extreme events like flooding have been identified as a factor in the contamination of irrigation water and farm produce, and the E. coli contamination of shellfish.

• Changing environmental conditions and soil and water properties may lead to increased levels of heavy metals in the food supply. For example, higher temperatures increase the rate of toxic methyl mercury formation by microorganisms in marine waters and sediments, with implications for elevated levels of mercury in fish. Fish are a significant source of mercury in the New Zealand diet.”

More health worries

The Report notes the impact of increased temperatures, extreme weather events (including drought) and displacement of people from their homes and communities will all have “significant mental health and well-being consequences … from minimal stress and distress symptoms to clinical disorders such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress and suicidal thoughts.” It suggests these impacts might be greatest amongst our rural population, where suicide is an already-significant problem. The impacts continue … More fire events predicted in the east and north of NZ mean more particulate matter in the air, with associated asthma and cardiovascular ill health. Changes in NZ climate (including more CO2 itself) will yield more pollen over longer periods and increase its spatial distribution, again a worsening condition for those with respiratory

conditions. And last but not least, carriers of new diseases. The number and distribution of organisms, not limited to mosquitoes, ticks and fleas – that can transmit infectious diseases will be affected by temperature and rainfall change. We’re conceivably facing Nile virus, dengue fever, encephalitis (these now in Australia) and Zika virus (now in Pacific Islands). The Report concludes: “…links between climate change, mosquito populations, and the lifecycle of diseases are likely to increase the range and incidence of diseases such as malaria and dengue fever, which may become significant in areas where temperature is currently the limiting factor.” Do we have your attention yet? Global warming is not cool!

Note: Another good NZ-specific paper, ‘Health and equity impacts of climate change in Aotearoa-NZ’, was published in 2014 in the NZ Medical Journal. You can also follow the ongoing work of the NZ Climate & Health Council (www.orataiao.org).

Royston Hospital is pleased to sponsor robust examination of health issues in Hawke’s Bay. This reporting is prepared by BayBuzz. Any editorial views expressed are those of the BayBuzz team.

www.royston.co.nz

500 Southland Road, Hastings 4122 P: (06) 873 1111 F: (06) 873 1112

Ensuring your healthcare needs are met so you can get the very best out of life

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I DE AS A N D O P I N I O N MAT T M I L L E R

Evolving EIT The future of Hawke’s Bay hinges on how well we educate our people. I am talking to Brenda Chapman, marketing director at EIT about how education has changed in her time in Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti and the huge changes that are set to transform the education scene in 2020. When she first started at EIT, the institute was only half its current size, digital marketing was in its infancy, and the main marketing channels were those stalwarts of the 20th century, radio and newspapers. Getting the word out about EIT’s offerings was much simpler. How things have changed. But the job is still the same: “We help people get the education they need … to enable them to do what they want”. Originally from Canada, Brenda worked in roles at the Port of Napier before changing direction and joining the Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) as its head of school for education and social sciences. Changing tack again soon after, she applied for the role of director of marketing at EIT in 2000 and has been in the role ever since. I first met Brenda when she asked us to prepare a digital strategy for EIT in 2010. Since then, digital remains the biggest challenge and opportunity facing the education sector. Education, at its heart, is about transferring information, and this is what the Internet does best.

Digital disruption

As a result of the rise of digital, any industry that is based on the transfer of information is a target for disruption: sectors like the media, entertainment, phone companies, the postal system, travel, real estate, and financial services have all seen huge upheavals as old business models were swept aside. Education is no different. In EIT’s case, most courses have an online component, and many courses can be done entirely remotely. The old days of having to turn up to lectures to listen to someone talk for an hour seem like a long time ago. Modern learners, like Netflix viewers, prefer to

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consume educational content in their own time. This is particularly true for part-time students who wish to study while holding down a job. Already, 13% of EIT’s students are not on campus at all. They are spread all around the region, in marae, regional learning centres, at home or learning from work. This number is only going to grow as our infrastructure improves and the next generation of digital natives leaves school and looks around for training opportunities. In fact, the era of the full-time tertiary student is probably coming to an end. Brenda foresees a future where education is much more tightly integrated with industry, and most students will be working and studying for degrees at the same time. Perhaps the student will do two days of theory per week and the rest of the time will be spent applying the theory to practical work on the job. This already occurs for EIT’s primary and early childhood teaching degrees. The regions tend to be very parochial about their educational institutes, which tend to be a key part of each region’s identity, and talk of mergers or restructuring is usually greeted with hostility. In 2011 EIT merged with Tairāwhiti Polytechnic, in Gisborne, and it was a huge challenge to create a coherent brand which retained the essence of the two organisations. Brenda considers this project her most important challenge in her time at EIT and considers it a success. Crucially, the merger has been well-regarded in Gisborne.

Brand extinction?

Fast forward to 2019 and now the EIT brand itself faces possible extinction. The Ministry of Education, led by Minister Chris Hipkins, has conducted a review of the New Zealand tertiary education sector and decided that all 16 of the country’s polytechnics and its industry training organisations (ITOs) will be merged into a national super-entity with a working name of The New Zealand Institute of Skills and Training

(NZIST). The changes are due to take effect on April 1, 2020 and the transition is expected to take some years. The stated aim is to address widespread skills shortages across industry sectors, with more on-the-job learning. And with less duplication it should result in cost savings. A lot is still to be decided, especially around funding. One of the most significant potential changes is that apprenticeships that currently sit with industry training organisations (ITOs, which are national bodies that co-ordinate structured training for employees), will merge with the polytech sector. Brenda is excited about this change. It will give EIT even more practical, work-based learning to supplement its current range of education and training options. But she admits she has mixed feelings about the upcoming merger. Building the EIT brand has been her primary focus since she took the job in 2000, and she feels sad that it might be lost. It is an important part of the region’s identity – as much a part of the Hawke’s Bay story as Napier Port, art deco, wineries, and fruit orchards. She hopes that the NZIST will allow the regional campuses to retain their own identities. One of the aims of the merger is to reduce duplication of services, and there is a chance that Brenda will end up on the wrong side of the restructure. But she is not losing sleep over the possibility. And she firmly believes that Hawke’s Bay has all the necessary attributes to continue to be a great region into the future: “We have great infrastructure and transport links, a dynamic business community, great lifestyle for young families, culture, art, food and wine, and no traffic congestion!” Hmmm … that last one might be in jeopardy!

Matt Miller co-owns web company Mogul Limited, based in Havelock North, but serving clients around the world, including BayBuzz. His beat for BayBuzz is digital trends and cool businesses.

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I DE AS A N D O P I N I O N J O HN VA N D E R L I N D E N

Our Vineyards Face a Changing Climate Hawke’s Bay is New Zealand’s second largest wine region after Marlborough, providing substantial income and employment within the vineyards, wineries and service industries and for the associated tourism, food, accommodation and travel sectors. Hawke’s Bay’s diverse range of geography, soils, meso-climates, skilled viticulturists and winemakers mean that the region produces fantastic wines from a wide range of varieties, and this is confirmed by the number of national and international awards the region regularly wins. The range of Hawke’s Bay special vineyard sites include the world-renowned Gimblett Gravels appellation with its unique combination of warm summer temperatures, low summer rainfall and stony, alluvial, low-fertility, free-draining soils which grow the classic red grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Syrah. Hawke’s Bay also has many great inland vineyard sites that have a high diurnal temperature fluctuation, which is very important for producing white wines such as Chardonnay, Albariño, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc. The warm daytime temperatures and the cooler night-time temperatures of these inland sites allow the white varieties to ripen slowly, while developing flavour, aroma and sugar in natural balance with the acid to give them freshness with fruit richness. Wine strongly expresses ‘Terroir’, or specifically the climate, soil and how the people grow grapes and make the wine. While climate and soil play a huge part in wine quality, it is also the people who decide what vines to grow where and how they are managed. With the changing climate and increased

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extreme weather events, it will also be the people who decide how to adapt their vineyards to these changes. Hawke’s Bay produces a diverse range of wonderfully naturally balanced wines. If the climate changes and the growing seasons become too warm, then the resulting wines get out of natural balance with overripe flavours, high pH, low acid and high sugar (high alcohol). If the grapes are picked early in these conditions to get lower alcohol and higher acid, then the flavours, aromas and phenolics (tannin) will not be ripe. So what can we do?

“We are making vineyards more climate resilient by continually evolving how we grow, by building resilient vines, looking after our soils and exploring techniques, new varieties and sub-regions.”

Adapting vineyards

There are two main challenges to adapt our vineyards to changing climates. Firstly, making the current vineyards more resilient to the climate extremes and managing the vines to produce consistent wine styles. Secondly, exploring new sites, new varieties and new techniques to respond to the changing climate. Here are the weather challenges to which our vineyards must adapt. Warmer winter temperatures. While there a fewer frosts, warmer winter temperatures will result in less winter chilling for the vines resulting in poor and uneven budbreak. This could lower yields, increase ripeness variability and reduce wine quality. Warmer winter temperatures can also increase pest pressure from reduced winter pest mortality and can increase the threat of new pests and diseases establishing in New Zealand. Higher summer temperatures and higher light intensity. Higher summer temperatures can result in vine stress, sunburn of the fruit and a change in the flavour and structure of the wine. The grapes can ripen too quickly with

the wine being out of natural balance, with high sugar resulting in high alcohol, lower flavour and low acid resulting in flabby, white wines without freshness and structure. This can be partially addressed by leaving more leaf cover over the fruit, however it is a fine balance, as too much shade can also change the flavour profile of the grapes and contribute to increased disease which also can affect quality and yield. Adopting slower ripening techniques, such as trimming to make smaller grape canopies can also slow sugar accumulation to achieve this natural balance. The best long-term strategy in a warming climate is to find cooler, higher altitude inland sites to allow the grapes to ripen more slowly. Planting later ripening varieties in these warmer sites is another way that natural balance can be achieved. More drought. While vineyards use less water than many other crops and some older vineyards on deeper soils are dry-farmed, younger vineyards on very stony sites still require irrigation.

Most water in Hawke’s Bay comes from artesian bores, however during droughts some of these bores must be shut off, resulting in water stressed vines and poor yields of poor-quality fruit. In the case of severe water stress, the vines will defoliate resulting in the compete loss of crop. Storing water in dams is the way that many parts of the world adapt to drought, however productive land is required in a dam, and they are expensive. The vine’s water requirement can be partially reduced by ‘conditioning’ them in spring by applying less frequent irrigations resulting in smaller diameter xylem vessels that will help it cope with water stress later in the season. The use of seaweed sprays also helps the vine cope with some degree of water stress. Another key vine conditioning technique involves burying an irrigation dripline 30 cm below the soil surface. Water is applied directly to the deeper vine roots only when required and this results in less water loss due to evaporation, less weed competition and encourages a larger, deeper root system that in-turn becomes less reliant on regular irrigation. The other key benefit of a deeper root system is that they will not absorb water from heavy rainfall events as the grapes ripen, thus avoiding dilution, splitting and rots later in the season. Water scheduling for some vineyards

is now carried out using a scientific instrument called a ‘pressure chamber’ to directly measure the vine water stress, rather than methods in the past that only measured the soil moisture content. This means that the vines are watered only when required and this improves quality and helps builds vine resilience … and obviously conserves water. Drought can lead to more fires and smoke taint in wines from forest fires is an issue that Australia regularly faces. New Zealand has also had fires near vineyards recently and so smoke taint is a real threat that could result in complete crop loss. One positive of drier summers is less disease pressure for some diseases such as botrytis, downy mildew and Phomopsis, however the incidence and severity of other diseases such as powdery mildew may increase. Protecting the soil. A healthy soil is essential to make quality wine, so viticulturists protect and build healthy soils by adding organic matter to help it hold nutrients, water, sequester carbon and to encourage microbial activity for nutrient cycling. This practice will partially help buffer against drought. New sites, varieties and techniques. As the climate changes, viticulturists need to explore new sites, new grape varieties, including new clones and rootstocks, and continually evolve vine management techniques. As temperatures increase, more white varieties will be planted in cooler, inland, higher-altitude

sites to retain acid freshness, flavour, aroma and natural wine balance. Outstanding Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc vineyards are now grown in the inland, elevated Crownthorpe and Maraekakaho valleys, as well as pockets of central Hawke’s Bay. Chenin Blanc and the Spanish white variety Albariño are recent additions to these plantings, with experimental plantings of other varieties too. On the hotter plains, viticulturists are experimenting with later ripening varieties like Grenach, Tempranillo, Petite Verdot, Durif, Tannat and some Italian varieties such as Barbera. While the changing climate can be viewed as a threat, it is also an opportunity to continually improve the wines. Given the fantastic natural resources of Hawke’s Bay, our skilled viticulturists and winemakers will adapt to these climate challenges to continue to bring you your favourite wine to enjoy for many decades to come. And who knows, in a few years you might even discover a new favourite variety from a new site!

John grew up in the Esk Valley and has been involved with growing grapes since age 9. He developed and managed his own vineyards and lectured at EIT for 10 years in horticulture and viticulture. He has been a viticulturist for Church Road Winery, Crossroads, Yealands Estate and the Villa Maria family of wines.

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LIZZIE R U S S EL L

Fruitful Summer

BayBuzz

Juiciest nectarines, plump peaches, red-fleshed plums, sun-ripened strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, boysenberries, chin-dripping apricots, poppin-good cherries, delectable melons – Hawke’s Bay does it all, and we do it best. This is home to 31% of the approximately 1,840 ha of summerfruit orchards in New Zealand (Central Otago accounts for 59% and the remainder is grown in Marlborough, Canterbury and north of Auckland). Summerfruit is the term for what was previously known as stonefruit, and covers the delicious five – peaches, apricots, nectarines, plum and cherries. In the autumn, the Bay is Apple Central, but in these hotter months, before they arrive, summerfruit is queen. A major employer of Hawke’s Baybased students, backpackers, seasonal workers, full-time horticultural professionals and RSE staff, the industry has plenty of innovation going on. More modern planting techniques

(trees closer together for more efficient land use), new varieties, increased machine harvesting and fresher marketing make summerfruit an exciting slice of Hawke’s Bay’s local primary economy. But there’s still a sweet old-fashioned element to it. In the summer around here you’ll still find some of the finest produce at old-school roadside stalls, with friendly local faces manning the station or the classic honesty box standing watch. Pull over, fill a basket of the colourful goodness. It’s a vibrant, healthy and cost-effective addition to any kitchen or gathering. Throw together a glorious fruit salad, blend some goodies up into a super smoothie, take the ‘seconds’ and get preserving for the cooler weather, or just make a mess on the steering wheel as you tuck into it on the road. Fresh Hawke’s Bay fruit is health food and snack food, so efficient you can even gobble up the wrapper! Eat the rainbow this summer!

Culture

Photo: Florence Charvin

Culture

L I Z Z I E R US S E L L

P H OTO S: FLORENC E C H A RV I N

We yearn for long, chilled-out summer breaks, with sunshine and good food and good books and good sleeps, but a batteryrecharge can also come from a single-day adventure. Lizzie Russell asks the rest of the BayBuzz team for their picks for a day out this summer. Roadtripping in a beaut car with the windows down, or taking the waewae express around the neighbourhood, sometimes it only takes a day.

One Fun Day

Culture

Culture We’ve been well-and-truly warned off unnecessary air travel lately, and who wants to get too far away from our little piece of Paradise in the summer anyway? Not our designer Max Parkes. A long time Te Awanga local, Max starts his One Fun Day with coffee down the road at his mate Richard’s. “He makes better coffee. We drink coffee and talk shit basically, it’s a tradition.” The day is spent out there at the beach, hanging out with friends and family, swimming and taking it easy, perhaps with a refreshing Campari & Tonic. The finest Te Awanga days end with a gig in the TA Hall, Max says. “There have been some incredible gigs there - hanging out with everyone and seeing a great band on a balmy night by the sea is very hard to beat” Then it’s a simple stroll home with the luxury of not having to drive. Max might bump into BayBuzz senior writer Keith Newman, who’s also out and about enjoying the charms of the Clifton Coast. Having breakfasted on the bounty from the home mini-orchard, Keith walks through Te Awanga, “passing the tight anarchy of freedom campers parked to the left, and the row of hopeful fishing rods,” and heads past the new sculpture Te Waka Huhua (the Waka of Plenty) and on to Clearview for a light lunch and a Coastal Chardonnay. Then it’s a meander through the reserve, watching the surfers, and a reroute through the campground that’s been there since the 1930s, passing the character-filled homes along Kuku St back to the track and on to Clifton,

I’m keen to see just how far you can get away to and return from in one single day. If I take the yellow Mini, that’s not going to be far. where visitors used to load up for a half day tractor and trailer trip to the gannets until that was put on hold following last year’s slip. An afternoon coffee at Hygge with the papers and the view all the way to Mahia, then home as the day cools. No car needed for a trip around the world of Te Awanga. Designer Giselle stays close to home too. “There are certain things that are just so good they have to be done regularly, and being creatures of habit, our two daughters insist on at least four or five visits to Black Barn market over the season,” she says. Hawthorne coffee, Yabon pastries, a seat in the shade. “We see the same people and possibly even have the same conversations… but every year the girls are older (and so are we) and it has grown into one of the firm memories of what we did as a family when the children were little.” Bread, vegetables, fruit and maybe flowers are gathered up and carted home, via the Waipawa Butchery in Havelock North. “Life pretty much revolves around planning the next meal in our household!” Then it’s an afternoon at the Village Pools followed by a BBQ at home, and perhaps another swim to cap things off.

Photo: Giselle Reid

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Andrew Frame is Napier to the core. So his Fun Day keeps him in the pretty city. “A walk along Marine Parade, visiting Pania of the Reef, standing out on the end of the viewing platform, looking down at the waves. Then a wander through town with coffee or lunch from a local cafe like Six Sisters, or an ice cream from Lick This!” Editor Tom Belford, an American expat, has discovered a little spot of classic kiwi beach magic at uncrowded Mangakuri Beach. “Summer is enjoying the beach ... even though I barely go in the water. With Ocean Beach and Waimarama only 15-20 minutes away from my home, for a more ‘special’ visit to the beach, it’s a day trip to deserted Mangakuri Beach, below Elsthorpe.” The many boulders on the beach and in the water give Mangakuri greater visual appeal he says. Assistant Editor Bridget Freeman Rock heads in the opposite direction for her hit of that archetypal beach day. Waipatiki Beach is filled for her with childhood memories of the rope swing into the lagoon, fishing for cockabullies’ and cooling off under the Nikau forest before climbing up to the lookout. Depending on the tide, she’s off

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then for a coastal walk to Aropaoanui, where there’s a waterfall and a swimming hole. “There’s nothing like a bracing, sweetwater skinnydip, washing off the ocean salt on a hot day.” Bridget’s day draws to a close driving back towards the glittering lights of Napier in the dark, still slightly smoky from a driftwood fire on the beach. Northern Hawke’s Bay beckons photographer Tom Allan too. His Fun Day happens to fall on a Sunday so he heads up to Lake Tutira for a visit to Guthrie-Smith, the arboretum and education centre that sits on 90 hectares of what was naturalist, author and farmer Herbert Guthrie-Smith’s sheep station. The day also takes in White Pine Bush for a walk, Tangoio for a swim or a surf, and perhaps a coastal mission from there around to Stingray Bay. Photographer Florence Charvin hits the road and heads for the west coast Whanganui! She discovered on a recent trip that the River City is endowed with scenic walks, a picturesque main street with the best hanging baskets, excellent cafes, loads of art and a surprisingly bohemian vibe. And you can get there in under three hours, over the windmill-covered Saddle Road.

Jess Soutar Barron loads up the kids and her mum and heads south through Central Hawke’s Bay to fit in as much as she can in One Fun Day. That means the delights of the Wairarapa. The three main attractions for the day are Stonehenge Aotearoa, the Clareville Bakery (for the best sourdough) and the Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre at Mount Bruce. That’s where they check in with Kahurangi – the very personable, only hand-reared kokako in the country. A bonus of the big day in the car is that the teenager is keen to drive as much as he can, so he’s behind the wheel the whole time! And me? Similar to Jess, I’m keen to see just how far you can get away to and return from in one single day. If I take the yellow Mini, that’s not going to be far. But ideally I’m heading up the coast. I love a road trip. It’s twenty years since my family and another convoyed up and around the East Coast, staying in camping grounds, BBQing, bickering, swimming, sunburning. On this Fun Day it’s windows down, music up. Google says it’s four and a half hours to Tolaga Bay. I’ll be back in time for an evening enjoying the urban delights of Napier!

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LI ZZI E RUSSELL / P H OTO S: TOM A LLA N

Culture

Napier Got Cool! You ask around and no one seems to be able to pinpoint the exact moment, but sometime over the last year or so it happened … Napier got cool.

Happy hours have been added, event news is being circulated regularly, local promotions are getting attention through e-news campaigns and more signage on the streets. During FAWC in November, the Progressive Cocktail party which took in Kolachi Eatery & Bar, Monica Loves, Vinci’s Pizza, Bistronomy, Mamacita, Market St, Matisse, Cafe Tennyson + Bistro, Emporium Eatery & Bar, and Lone Star Cafe & Bar reminded us how lucky we are to have such a great range of drinking and dining establishments in walking distance. There is talk of lighting projects and way-finding tools coming in the next year or so to make

I’m talking the inner city … Ahuriri watch out! Lots of little elements – poetry on external walls, so much good coffee, the walkability of the main shopping and dining area, the galleries clustered nice and close, the sea breeze – have been there for ages, but 2019 seemed to bring them and more together to create a fresh, urban, uniquely Napier vibe. We share the Art Deco City with throngs of cruiseshippers by day in the summer. They wander about in groups, buses fill Marine Parade and Tennyson Street at the start and end of the visits, the footpaths and shops get a little congested as mostly American, Australian and British accents fill the air in the cafes. But when they sail off on their mammoth floating hotels to Tauranga or Wellington, and the sun drops low in the big Hawke’s Bay sky, we’re left with our inner city, which is growing livelier and more interesting by the week. This summer, stick around. Napier’s after-five economy is growing. Much effort has been put in by the Napier City Business Inc team over the last year as they’ve explored ways to get us using our town more. It started with a beer bike serving crafties at different eateries in the winter and spring, getting those of us who work in the central city out for a drink and a chat at the close of the business day. This little test series showed the appetite for the local hospitality operators and the punters.

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Culture

The outdoor spaces at both are humming by the time five o’clock rolls around, and you’re sure to bump into half of the city’s service workers and professionals. 84 • BAYBUZZ • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

enjoying Napier on foot even easier. In the meantime, how about you start at Matisse on Herschell Street, perusing the epic wine list. If it overwhelms you, even better, just get one of the clued-up staff to select for you. Perhaps pop to Emporium for their Friday night special cocktail creation, and soak up the opulent décor – it’s lovely and cool in here when it’s hot out. Keen for a classic pub experience? Around the corner to The Rose for what ails you. Want to eat really, really well? Bistronomy, Central Fire Station, Mister D – take your pick, or do a course at each. You could spend the whole evening at either Market St (the ghosts of the old Cri have been vanquished, promise) or over the road and down the alley at Monica Loves, but why not bounce about between them? The outdoor spaces at both are humming by the time five o’clock rolls around, and you’re sure to bump into half of the city’s service workers and professionals, along with a healthy smattering of international working-holiday types and tourists who decided to stick

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around for just a little longer. You’ll find great margaritas and Mexican at Mamacita on Tennyson Street, mouth-watering Thai food at Sai Thai on Emerson and worldfamous-in-Hawke’s Bay pizza at Vinci’s on Hastings Street. Park up with a slice in their alleyway outdoor seating area or get it ‘to go’ and kick back on the lawn by the cathedral fountain. We’re lucky with this pretty little city. After a summer’s day at the beach or home or, heaven forbid, work, take a stroll into town. Even if you live in Havelock or Hastings or CHB or Wairoa, join us. There is no immigration office, no entry toll booth, no passport required. Come and play!

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Fiction

The

History Speech Photo of Mark. Also Knowledge Bank photos

By Mark Sweet

NOV EL EXC ERP T / M A RK SW EET

Editor’s Note: Mark Sweet has been a BayBuzz writer from the very beginning in our tabloid days. He is also a writer of fiction, and we are delighted to feature some excerpts from his latest novel, The History Speech. The publisher’s precis that follows provides context for the excerpts.

Culture

In 1960s provincial New Zealand, conventional middle-class lives are not always as respectable as they appear. Callum Gow’s family and their social circle are influential and prosperous, but below the surface intrigue thrives. In this atmosphere, Callum is coming to understand his own identity and where he belongs. When his grandfather’s life is threatened, Callum confronts authority and power. In doing so, he uncovers forces hellbent on destruction, but he also attracts kindred souls determined to find resolution and harmony. All the while, Callum is composing his history speech.

Chapter Four ‘I have an appointment with the hairdresser,’ his mother says, a hand brushing back her hair where she usually wears a clip. ‘I’ll drop you at the library. I’ll only be an hour.’ ‘I want to see Granddad,’ he says. ‘You know we’re not seeing him at present, Callum.’ ‘Why not?’ ‘Daddy told you when he had his little talk. Remember?’ ‘He told me Granddad wasn’t talking to him because of business. He said Granddad was too old to understand the future now Britain was joining the EEC.’ ‘That’s right.’ ‘But Granddad and me never talk about business or the EEC.’ ‘It doesn’t matter. This is a family thing. We stick together.’

‘That’s not fair on me and Granddad.’ ‘It’s your grandfather who’s not being fair.’ ‘How come?’ ‘Didn’t Daddy explain?’ ‘No, he didn’t. Not properly.’ ‘The Works need to expand, but Granddad doesn’t want to, so he’s not letting us merge with Selby’s.’ ‘So Daddy won’t talk to him?’ ‘It’s the other way around.’ ‘Granddad won’t talk to Daddy?’ ‘That’s right.’ ‘Or you?’ ‘We stick together in these matters.’ ‘But he’ll talk to me. I know he will. Please, Mummy.’ It has been a month since the fallout. ‘Fallout’ is the word his father uses for the rift. His father had told him that merging with Selby’s would make

them the biggest meat processors in the province; third biggest in the country. Selby-Gow was too good an opportunity to miss, he had said. ‘All right. You can see Granddad, but on one condition. You must not tell your father.’ Agreeing not to tell his father was a strategy that had evolved slowly, but one he and his mother were exercising more and more. ‘Thank you, Mummy.’ His grandfather’s house was built in 1928, and withstood the great earthquake of 1931, although the chimneys collapsed, and some roof tiles popped and slid to the ground. In the house next door a baby was killed when a marble clock fell off a mantlepiece onto the cot in which she was sleeping.

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Hastings in the 1960s. Images: The Knowledge Bank.

He breathes deeply as he parts thick velvet curtains separating the entry lobby from a long hallway, and walks slowly down the darkness toward where he can hear his grandfather muttering. He doesn’t want to hear what his grandfather is saying to Ralph Gibson, so he bangs his fist heavily on the door frame, and shouts, ‘Granddad.’ Slowly, his grandfather looks away from the photograph of his friend from the war, his eyes far away, like a consumed reader’s disturbed from their page. ‘I’ve come to see you, Granddad,’ he says. ‘Scotty?’ ‘Yep.’ ‘Come to see me?’ ‘Yep, and I think we should turn down the pork bones.’ ‘What pork bones?’ ‘It’s Friday. Mrs Maaka always does pork bones on Friday.’ ‘Very good,’ says his grandfather. He pulls open a drawer at the side of the desk, and places the photograph, face up, on top of a small leather-jacketed book, underneath which, wrapped in muslin, is the revolver he brought back from the war. ‘Can I make you a cuppa, Granddad?’ ‘That’d be grand. Thank you, Scotty.’ His grandfather has called him Scotty since they first met when he

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was five years old. He had been born in Edinburgh, and had a Scottish accent at that time. Traces remain in the way he rounds his vowels and drags out the letter ‘r’. ‘Do you want regular or posh tea, Granddad?’ ‘Let’s have posh.’ Posh tea is kept in a tin and had with a slice of lemon and no milk. Regular is from the yellow Bell paper box and had with milk, poured before the tea, although his mother does it the other way round. She says people who pour their milk first don’t know any better. That way the milk is scalded, she says. His mother and his grandfather agree about heating the teapot first with hot water, but not about the milk. He doesn’t take sides when the subject comes up, although he was more impressed by his grandfather’s knowledge of the boiling point of milk than his mother’s explanation that that’s the way they do it in Scotland. When they sit down at the table, waiting for the tea to draw, he says, ‘Granddad, you remember telling me that Ralph was your best friend at school?’ ‘Both schools.’ ‘But were you sometimes not friends … you know, sometimes, for a while?’ ‘You mean did we ever fall out for a

while?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Sometimes.’ ‘So it’s all right sometimes.’ ‘Sometimes.’ His grandfather is cleaning his pipe. It comes apart in three pieces. ‘Need some more pipe cleaners,’ he says. ‘You want me to go to the shop for you, Granddad?’ ‘We can go together after we’ve had our tea. Now. You can be mother.’ His grandfather smiles, and he smiles back, and he pours the tea, and his grandfather turns on the radio, and they sit listening to The Archers, each blowing the surface of the tea before taking an air-filled sip. They both like Mr Ambrose best. When they reach the corner across from the shop, and he goes to cross the road, his grandfather tugs at his sleeve. ‘Have to go to the next shop,’ he says, pulling him back. ‘But they’ve got pipe cleaners there, Granddad.’ ‘It’s not that, Scotty. The shop changed hands. Bought by a Pommy.’ ‘A Pommy bastard?’ ‘That’s right.’ He’ll never forget the day he learned about Pommy bastards. Can’t shop there then, eh?’ ‘That’s right.’

Chapter Six He likes doing the rounds with his mother. They start in the Village at the butcher. She tells Mr MacPherson what she wants to cook, and he finds her the best cuts of meat. His mother talks a lot with Mr MacPherson, and he has noticed how her accent grows thicker and her words flow faster when they talk about the people they both knew in Edinburgh, and about black puddings, and single malts. She signs the book, and, as always, Mr MacPherson passes him a saveloy wrapped in white bread and says, ‘There you go laddie.’ When they leave his shop, they stamp the sawdust from their shoes on the grate outside. If the blacksmith is working at his forge he will often stop and watch him while his mother shops for groceries at the General Store. Today, the heat from the fire blows a warm draft across the footpath, and the clunk clunk of metal hammering on metal draws him toward the stable door. His mother nods and walks on. He squats down, and waddles under the two-tier stable door, which is closed at the top. The inside is so dim; his eyes grab every shred of light as they focus on the black form with a smudged head on top, glowing orange from the fire in the forge. He edges along to the bench in the corner of the room where the blacksmith lets children sit. He is not alone. A girl sits staring intently, her chin clasped in her hands as if to steady her gaze. He recognises her. He too is drawn to the scene Angie McDuff fixedly watches. In one hand the blacksmith holds his hammer, its head as big as his fist. In the other he grips a pair of metal tongs, with which he places the horseshoe into the forge, before beating it into the shape of a horse’s hoof, while it’s still red hot, with blows that shake the floor. The blacksmith plunges the horseshoe into a bucket of water. Steam rises in a mushroom cloud, and vanishes like the morning mist. Angie is on her feet, clapping vigorously, and she is under the door before he realises she is gone. His mother stands beside the open boot of the car being stacked by the grocery boy, who looks at her with a silly grin as he passes her by. She’s smoking a cigarette; she exhales in wispy trails from the corner of her mouth, and when she finishes, she throws the half-smoked cigarette to

the ground at the grocery boy’s feet, and stabs at it with her foot. ‘Cooey,’ a voice calls from the veranda of the store. Bea Whitehead is a friend of his mother’s. ‘I like your hair, Kathy,’ says Bea. The grocery boy’s head bounces up and down. ‘That’s all, thank you,’ his mother says, and the boy blushes. Callum looks away, hoping Bea won’t try to kiss him, and sees the Miss Bannisters pulling up in their Model T Ford pick-up. He waves to them. ‘God, look at this, will you?’ Bea says, with her nose screwed up. ‘They always wear lovely clothes,’ his mother says. ‘But those trousers the big one’s wearing,’ Bea sneers. ‘They’re slacks,’ his mother says. ‘Wool, and beautifully tailored.’ She waves to the Miss Bannisters, who smile but don’t raise their hands. ‘You do know they’re lessies, don’t you?’ Bea says, her hand cupping her mouth. ‘Don’t be silly, Bea,’ his mother says. ‘They’re sisters.’ ‘That’s what they say, but …’ ‘Shh.’ His mother drapes an arm around his shoulder, and says, ‘Bea. We’ve got the rounds to finish. See you at the McDuffs’ on Saturday.’

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Chapter Nineteen Only after he hears his father’s car leaving does he come out of his room. His mother is sitting in the sun drinking coffee and smoking a cigarette. ‘I don’t want to go to school today,’ he says. ‘Do you feel sick?’ ‘No.’ ‘Then you must go to school.’ ‘We’ve got swimming practice,’ he says, ‘and I don’t want anybody to see this.’ He pulls up his pajamas top and shows her his back. The skin is broken in places and crusts have formed over the wounds. ‘I’m so sorry,’ his mother says. He doesn’t tell her he has scratched the welts to make them appear worse. ‘I’m having the Humber serviced today,’ she says, as she dabs his

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 • BAYBUZZ • 89

The

y His or t Speech Mark Sweet

Mark Sweet

wounds with red liquid poured from a bottle onto cotton wool. He winces and sucks his breath. ‘We must get cracking. The appointment’s for 9 o’clock.’ ‘Can we go to The Farmer’s Tearooms?’ ‘Yes of course.’ The Farmer’s Tearooms are opposite Tourist Motors where they take the car for servicing. His mother always chats with Mr Blake, and while they’re talking he wanders around the yard looking at the cars for sale, and he can’t help sniggering when he sees the big sign saying, ‘Rootes Group.’ ‘I need to go to Westerman’s first,’ his mother says, and they walk the block to the big departmental store. While she shops he stays by the counter and watches people. An old woman brings a stack of sheets and pillow cases and pays with notes. The assistant writes up an invoice, which she folds around the money and fastens with a rubber band, before stuffing into a canister. She places the canister in a tube that curls like a snake from the counter, twisting across the roof, ending in a glass framed office high above. With the push of a button the canister is propelled inside the tube, and by the time the purchase is wrapped in brown paper and tied with string, the canister has returned with the change. At the Farmer’s Tearooms he insists on taking the lift even though they have one floor only to travel. As he’s

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closing the grated metal doors a voice calls out, ‘Wait for me,’ and Pauline Grosser squeezes her backside through the gap before he has time to prize them open. ‘Have you heard about Beth?’ she says breathlessly. ‘Yes, it’s very sad,’ his mother says, ‘but I didn’t know her. Did you?’ ‘Oh yes, she’s younger but we were at school together. Always a wild one was Beth.’ ‘John said it was a car crash. Do you know any thing more?’ ‘Well,’ Mrs Grosser lowers her voice and looks around although there’s no one else in the lift, ‘They would say that, wouldn’t they?’ ‘What do you mean?’ ‘She was into drugs, didn’t you know?’ ‘You saying she OD’d?’ ‘OD’d? ‘An overdose.’ ‘Most likely, isn’t it?’ ‘I don’t know. Why not just say so?’ ‘Oh, you know Anne and John.’ ‘No, not really.’ ‘Well,’ Mrs Grosser sighs with a heave of her chest. And she edges closer. ‘Those accusations about John doing things to her.’ His mother’s eyebrows crumple and she shakes her head. ‘Just to get money, of course,’ Mrs Grosser says quickly. He heaves the lift doors open and his mother and Mrs Grosser are bound in chatter as they queue at the long counter in front of glass cabinets stacked with sandwiches and rolls and pastries. He chooses a chocolate éclair, a pink lamington crusted in coconut flakes, and he asks for a banana milkshake. They sit at a table by an open window overlooking the street below, and he counts the cars passing by, quietly naming the makes; Ford, Humber, Holden, but his attention is drawn to Mrs Grosser when she says, ‘So sorry to hear about GT. Pete tells me you’re putting him into Gonville. For his own good of course.’ His mother is shaking her head in a sign for Mrs Grosser to stop talking but she doesn’t pick up the cue, and says, ‘So sad when they go senile. My poor old father was the same. The war was too much for him in the end.’ ‘Please Pauline not now,’ his mother says firmly as a waitress brings their drinks to the table. Mrs Grosser winks, and quickly says, ‘That Dutchman makes a good coffee. How’s your milkshake, Callum?’ He wants to spit some at her through

his straw, but instead says, ‘His name is Mr Van Bohemen.’ ‘What a funny name. You’d think they’d change it to make it easier to say, wouldn’t you? Make it easier to fit in.’ He sneers at Mrs Grosser, and goes back to counting cars, and when he sees Jack Barlow’s green Zephyr pulling into Tourist Motors, he nudges his mother and says, ‘It’s after eleven. The car will be ready now.’ Jack Barlow is talking with Mr Blake, beside a brand new Chrysler Valiant, and he likes the way Jack smiles when he sees them. ‘What a lovely surprise,’ Jack says. ‘You going to buy it?’ he asks. ‘What do you reckon?’ ‘It’s the V8. 5 litre. Really good car,’ he says. Jack Barlow ruffles his hair and he doesn’t pull away. ‘That’s it then,’ Jack says to Mr Blake. ‘The young fella likes it so I’ll order one now.’ ‘What colour you gonna get?’ ‘What do you reckon?’ ‘Silver, definitely silver.’ ‘Done,’ Jack says. Mr Blake seems pleased, and says, ‘We’ll go to the office, shall we, and do the paperwork?’ ‘Sorry,’ says Jack, ‘I have to get out to the beach. I’ll come back Friday if that’s okay. Same time.’ ‘That’s just fine,’ says Mr Blake, ‘I’ll have everything ready for you then.’ And turning to his mother, he says, ‘All’s well with the Humber, Mrs Gow, I’ll get you the keys.’ The Humber is parked at the front of the yard. The tyres have been blackened, the paintwork and chrome trim, cleaned and polished. ‘Callum,’ says his mother, ‘Could you go with Mr Blake for the keys please.’ Glancing over his shoulder he sees her standing very close to Jack, and when he returns his mother is twisting a strand of hair in her fingers, and by the way she’s looking at Jack, he knows she likes him, a lot. ‘Callum dear,’ she says, ‘Jack’s asked if you’d like to go out to the beach with him.’ He hesitates because uppermost on his mind is telling his grandfather about the plot to put him in a rest home. ‘I have to pick up my crayfish pots,’ says Jack. ‘Could do with some help.’ ‘In a boat?’ ‘Yeah.’ ‘Okay,’ he says.

Five-year-old Josie with music therapist Will Derbershire at Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust, Tamatea. Photo: Florence Charvin

CHANGING LIVES THROUGH MUSIC Singer/songwriter Hinewehi Mohi established Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust in 2004, after experiencing the huge impact music therapy had on her daughter Hineraukatauri, born with cerebral palsy. From small beginnings, with just one therapist and one client, the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre has now expanded to several regions including a Hawke’s Bay centre, opened in June 2018. Led by Registered Music Therapist, Will Darbyshire, demand for services in Hawke’s Bay has grown rapidly, and the centre now offers 20 music therapy sessions for up to 30 clients each week. A $4,000 grant from Hawke’s Bay Foundation helps provide subsidies for clients who are unable to pay, ensuring no one is turned away due to their financial circumstances. “With the support from this grant, we have been able to see a wider range of clients and continue to expand our services into underserved areas of the community,” says Will. The centre works predominantly with children with cognitive, physical and mental health challenges such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and autism, among others. During each 30-40 minute session, clients are able to interact and communicate with their therapist using instruments, voice and movement. Sessions are tailored

to the needs and goals of each individual, helping to improve concentration and develop sensory, motor and communication skills. “Regardless of age, humans have an innate response to music, and I am continually amazed at how easily and readily my clients engage with music,” says Will.

JOSIE’S STORY Five-year-old Josie Torr is a bubbly, happy and sociable young girl, who loves to be surrounded by people. At nine months old, Josie developed symptoms of Rett syndrome, a regressive neurological disorder, which affects speech, movement and coordination. Josie is non-verbal, is unable to walk and suffers from frequent seizures, explains Mum, Anna. “She can’t tell us what’s wrong or what she wants to do, so she communicates using her eyes and her expressions.” From a very young age, it was clear that Josie loved music and that it helped calm her when she was upset. In August 2018, Josie started weekly music therapy sessions with Will Darbyshire at Raukatauri’s Tamatea base, the effect of which has been “amazing,” says Anna. “As soon as Will starts strumming his guitar, she’s full of smiles and helps him to strum with her foot.” Each half-hour session is tailored

to how Josie is feeling on that particular day. “Will plays music to her, and if she’s in an interactive mood, she might join in by making sounds and playing a drum with her feet or the chimes (her favourite) with her hands. If she’s tired she will just watch Will and listen,” says Anna. “When she is happy she blows raspberries, so Will encourages her to do this along to the music.” Anna says one of the best things about music therapy is the chance it gives Josie to lead things, with Will taking his cue from Josie. “It’s such an awesome opportunity for people to communicate and express themselves.”

HAWKE’S BAY FOUNDATION: A better and more lasting way to give Hawke’s Bay Foundation is a simple way you can support your local community. Our smarter giving model turns your initial donation into a growing fund, with the income being used to support local charities for generations to come. To find out how you can make a lasting difference in your community, visit hawkesbayfoundation.org.nz

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 • BAYBUZZ • 91

Culture MO U T H Y B R OA D / JES S S O UTA R B A RRON

Me 2.0 As the last strains of an incomprehensible Auld Lang Syne drift into the night we reach for our Zentangle journals and jot down these words: In 2020, I will be a better version of Me. It feels so good to promise to be better than yesterday. Especially when yesterday we drank a bottle of bubbles after nothing but a devil on horseback and a lick of the dip bowl. The hang-over of a decent New Year’s lasts a week then we find that journal and remember the promises we made to ourselves, while we lie on the couch bingeing The Good Place. “This year I’ll make time for myself”, we vowed, listing the must-dos. “Me-time will be essential, time to just Be.” In the new decade the new me will start each day with acidulated water; with shots of kefir or kombucha; my good gut bugs won’t know what’s hit them. The old me barely drank plain chlorinated water, the New Me will do better. The New Me will ferment. For an hour a day I’ll tend my SCOBY, feed my sour-dough-starter, soak my legumes, sprout my grains and manicure my micro-greens. I’ll preserve things, obviously, collect wind-fall apples, and pick-yourown-peaches. I’ll spend an afternoon a month making kasundi, just for the joy of gifting it on to others. I’ll be bountiful, grateful and smug. I’ll take time to reflect on Mother Earth’s wonders, mindfully eating a raisin, mindfully watching a cockroach, mindfully raising tomatoes from heirloom seeds I collect myself. In 2020, Me 2.0 will commit ten minutes every day to mindfully being at one with nature. We all have little lists like these; designing our future selves. We have time in the holidays and it’s easy plotting dramatic renovation, especially when you’re a doer-upper like me. We tote up totals, projecting the time-costs of being Better at being ourselves. It seems a worthy investment, a little more focus, prioritising, employing time-saving tricks to put more time

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into Being. Everywhere we turn we get reinforcement that we need recalibrating, that we’re not enough as we are. Bettering ourselves has become a competition. To better oneself is to do one better. I’m better, beat that. In 2020 I’ll do yoga. Every day. Hot yoga, calm yoga, yoga where you just lie still and think about yoga. An hour at a time. I’ll walk more, in nature, being mindful. I’ll walk for a really focused hour in the evening, then I’ll journal my experiences. I’ll use my journaling to practice positive thinking. I’ll spend half an hour Manifesting by Visualizing. Half an hour finding my Purpose. Half an hour Goal-Setting. Half an hour investigating my Ikigai. Half an hour nailing my Nunchi. I’ll read self-help books every morning and actually do what they say: Unfuck Yourself, Busy as Fuck, Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck, Calm the Fuck Down, Let that Shit Go, Best Self: Be You, Only Better. In the evening I’ll get hygge and curl up under an afghan I’ve crocheted myself to read quality literature: Big books that win awards. I’ll spend an hour Instagramming so everyone can see how much time I’m putting into being Me. Mainly resolutions are about weight, wealth, health, cleaning, quitting and learning stuff. Spending quality time with friends and family is high on the Top Ten too. By January doing that seems way harder than learning Spanish or going keto. Mental health know-how tells us we need to be with people, so I’ll spend January joining groups, signing up to clubs and volunteering time. Three hours a week seems fair … at the Sallies, RDA, Nourished for Nil or on the board of something not too strenuous, something wholesome that doesgood, without too much financial responsibility. Getting on top of money is high on the to-do list. I’ve resolved to spend an hour on Sundays budgeting, to ensure I spend less, save more, give more away. I’ll do a budget and a meal plan:

an organised life is a happy life. I’ll Kondo some clutter just to round off the weekend. Weekends will also be about sleep, not any old sleep but optimal sleep with no blue light and melatonin supplements I’ll make myself. I’ll hook up to an REM sleep tracker on my Apple Watch, which I won’t look at because … blue light. I’ll plot my 40-winks topping up with power naps on weekdays. And between home and work and home again I’ll shop consciously. I’ll buy more organic, more free-range, more ethically-produced fair trade. I’ll support Collectives and Co-ops. I’ll bulk buy because of dolphins. I’ll spend Tuesdays filling my glass canisters at the eco-kiosk, foraging for mushrooms, going to Bin Inn to use the peanut butter machine, driving out to Pure Blend to refill my shampoo, conditioner, Earth-friendly body wash bottles. Of course, this year I won’t use glad wrap, only beeswax cloths … I’ll make from upcycled organic cotton. I’ll spend Friday Nights creating and making, and baking healthy snacks for friends to illustrate my kindness and my empathy (using chia seeds I’ve soaked overnight as an egg replacement, because free-range just doesn’t mean free-range anymore). New Year’s resolutions have me mapping out a schedule that’s demanding but rewarding. I’m taking things on, giving things up, improving myself, prioritising Me Time to such an extent that there’s no time to just be Me. Which is a relief because that Beta Me was so last year and this 2020 Better Me is all about the new and improved.

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Culture

Photo: Florence Charvin

Culture FO O D / A L E XA N D R A T Y LEE

Future Food Well here we are, 2020 … that happened fast! I have never felt the need to make New Year’s resolutions, but as this is a round number it does make me ponder a little on what’s next. And also, to look back and consider how we are all doing, what has changed and what stayed the same. We are not quite living in the future of the Jetsons yet, are we? Not in Hawke’s Bay, anyway. Their Food-aRac-a-Cycle, (a machine where you pushed a button and out popped anything from roast beef to a croissant) seems a long way off, though with 3-D printed food now a reality, maybe not. But really, you cannot beat the feeling of digging potatoes out of the ground or, failing that, buying from someone who has lovingly grown them from seed. And while technology is certainly pulling us into our future, I think there is a very strong trend where food, what we eat and how it’s produced might just take another part of us in a different direction. I remember when it was a little bit freaky to be a vegetarian. We all had a Moosewood Cookbook in our student flats, but we would still eat a grilled chop every so often with our lentils. But not only is vegetarianism mainstream now, veganism is going the same way. You can buy vegan Boysenberry Trumpets in the supermarket and restaurants pride themselves on how many plant-based dishes they offer. And even though I have all of my farming great, great, great and great grandparents yelling in my ears, so it can be hard to hear or have an original thought, I do still believe this trend is going to keep increasing, not just because people prefer it, but out of necessity. I wonder what my grandchildren will be eating some forty years away in 2062 when the Jetsons was set? Who knows? What were we eating forty years ago in the eighties … lots of quiche? Still I don’t think this is a fair comparison. Things are changing much faster now and for different and more urgent reasons.

If my descendants live in Hawke’s Bay, then let’s hope that we have continued the work many are doing now to make this province an example for any one caring to look. Organic, sustainable horticulture and agriculture is becoming the norm. And so, while, like the Jetsons, they may be driving flying cars and have personal maid robots to help them dress in the morning, they will still be going out to the garden each night to gather vegetables, and eating meat that has spent a happy life in a tree-filled paddock eating organic grass. While what and how we eat each day is to a large extent decided by how much time we have, maybe in the future people will have more time so they can go back to cooking as our grandparents’ generation did. Certainly, I believe the trend to eat food grown locally will not just continue, but increase. Maybe it will not just be about having meat-free days, but also days when you only eat or drink what is grown within 100km. This is not hard, just don’t open your pantry door as it is all the spices and condiments we have become so used to that you will not be able to use on those nights. And it’s certainly not all bad when you can have quinoa grown on the plains of Taihape and world-class Syrah from the Gimblett Gravels. Here is a recipe that while, yes, it is or can be vegan and gluten-free, this in no way defines it. It is simply a modern cracker that has been adapted and changed with the needs and wants of our changing world. Now we take crackers for granted. They are relatively cheap to buy, and are a delicious and useful way to deal with all sorts of catering emergencies. But if you are gluten-free, vegan or have allergies to some nuts then you will need to take out a second mortgage if you want to regularly buy crackers that suit your diet. So, I have developed this recipe, which is very quick to make, and you can very easily interchange the nuts and seeds with ones you have or prefer.

Modern Crackers Pre-heat oven to 180°c. 1 cup cashew nuts ½ cup sunflower seeds ½ cup ground flaxseeds 1 tsp flaky salt Small handful of thyme 5 calendula flowers (optional) 1 egg*

Method Put the cashew nuts, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, salt, thyme and the petals from 1 calendula flower into a food processor and whizz them up until they are like a coarse flour. Add the egg and blitz until the mixture comes together in a lump. Place a sheet of baking paper on the bench and put the cracker dough in the middle. Sit another large piece of baking paper on top of the dough and press down to flatten. Using a rolling pin on top of the paper, roll the dough out until it is 2-3mm thick. Next peel back the paper and sprinkle the petals from the rest of the flowers on top of the dough. Put the paper back on top and roll over again lightly so the petals get squashed into the dough. Remove the top paper again, then carefully lift the bottom piece of paper and place it and the flattened cracker dough onto an oven tray. Cut the dough into rectangles or squares. Then cook them for 15-20 minutes until they are light brown and crisp, checking after 10 minutes to make sure they are not burning. Once they are done take them out of the oven and let them cool on the tray for a few minutes before you slide them onto a cooling rack. *Crackers can be made egg-free by swapping the egg for a chia egg: chia egg = 1 tablespoon of chia seeds + 3 tablespoons of cold water, whisk together and let sit for 10 minutes.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 • BAYBUZZ • 95

Culture L ET T E R FR O M T H E C O UN T RY / M A RY KI P P ENB ERGER

A New Year of Being Old A new decade. Seemingly minutes ago I stood in the still half-light that heralds dawn, watching from Napier’s Marine Parade as the new century slipped into view. Strangers, lining the shore, looking neither left nor right, silhouetted their presence as night took its leave. Then, as if with one accord, with no nod to the moment nor each other, they melted back to the lives from which they had come. Twenty years ago! I was still young… ish. I had children in their teens and not a grandchild in sight. My face stayed up where I left it the night before and there were no involuntary noises to be heard from any part of my good self. Somewhere over those twenty years a line was crossed, a baton from fading middle age to a guiding hand under an elbow was passed. I’m not sure that I want to peek through the curtains and imagine what lies in store over the next ten years. Feels a bit front of the elevator and it’s a long way down. However, I write in the last moments of 2019. I don’t need yet to peer or peek. But the present gives little comfort. Today I got half-way to school, groaned and turned mid journey. Hapless grandchild James, now 14 years, looked mildly puzzled. Late for school again due to grandparent misadventure. I would need to write him a note, but when your grandmother forgets to transition completely from pyjama to day wear and is the school counsellor then a u-turn is inevitable. My attachment to night attire has become a recent theme unlike my attachment to ‘inside out’ which has gained a respectable history spanning some few years. Recently I bought a very sensible Toyota Corolla 2012 with 60,000kms on the clock. One NZ owner and

96 • BAYBUZZ • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

Clarice Anderson. Photo Mary Kippenberger

serviced every 15,000kms. Pre CVT transmission. Murray our long-suffering mechanic smiled his relief. The car needed to be picked from Taupo. I booked a 7.30am Hastings bus and set the alarm for 6am. Apparently it went off, but I didn’t. My alarm gave up its insistence at about 6.30am and I opened a reluctant eye right on 7am. I yelled causing Peter to leap a good foot from dead asleep to awake. “I’m going to miss the bus!” I cried. I threw an old raincoat over baggy PJ’s, thrust my feet into jandals, grabbed a hessian carrier bag and stumbled unbrushed, dishevelled and groggy to the ute. An empty Sunday morning road combined with a bus behind time saw me crawl into a window seat with seconds to spare. The two and a half hours slid easily by and I was deposited without incident at the depot. By this time an insistent thought had me shuffling to the Superloo where I didn’t spend a penny, I spent fifty cents. Both shocked and relieved I returned to the street, observing Taupo in its finery. Taupo observed me back with a ‘tut tut tut’. Invisibility and old people often make good bedfellows, but old bag ladies are one indiscretion too far. $300

at Farmers, $60 at Number One Shoes and I was invisible again, ready to pick up my tidy little car and introduce her to life on the farm. If she could have cried, I think she would have. Back to today. After school I went to the Woburn Rest Home to pick up 97-year-old Clarice Anderson and her seeing eye dog, Chaz. Clarice quite rightly has decided to reverse her numbers and she is now 79 years old. Clarice moved this week after living in her Jellicoe Street home for 60 years. She has been teaching Speech and Drama for 80 years and continues to teach and lead a community choir. She is funny, organised, kind, creative, active and generous and I am just one of thousands who love her. Many of her drama and musical resources have come home to Te Rangi Farm where we hope they will continue to support and inspire young people. Kia kaha Clarice. We are humbled by your trust. Here’s to many more years in your fine company. So maybe I should peek into the future and whatever it might bring. Push through the challenges, appreciate the daisies, laugh lots and live life until every minute is full. Being old is really quite the privilege.

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