Manawatu Farming Lifestyles, May 2023

The Manawatu Farming Lifestyles is published with pride by Integrity Community Media, a privately owned NZ company.

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Journalists: Denise Gunn | Andy Bryenton | Amy Fifita

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Manawatū well represented in

by Denise Gunn

awards

Manawatū dairy farmers impressed the judges to take home prizes in the 2023 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards.

The gala dinner, held in Auckland on Saturday, May 13, saw Josē Hamber and Sarah Powell well placed in the prizegiving line-up.

Josē was runner-up in the Dairy Manager of the Year category. He also won the DairyNZ People and Leadership Award.

Originally from Auckland, Josē chose to study agriculture, graduating with a Bachelor of AgriScience at Massey University. After winning the Northland Dairy Manager of the Year competition, Josē was approached to manage Cheltenham Dairies.

For the past two seasons, Josē and his wife Kirby have worked for Colin Beazley on Rob and Frances Crothers’ 350ha, 1,100-cow property in Cheltenham.

Judges describe Josē as a family man who has a passion for the dairy industry and his role within it. It was also noted that Josē showed strength in human resources, and valued his staff and the contribution they make to the business.

“It is very evident Josē is diligent, works hard and has high personal standards, and he emphasised to staff that they are part of a food-processing business, meaning shed hygiene and milk quality is a priority.”

Judges also observed Josē’s strength in pasture and animal management, commented how well he and Kirby operate as a team, and their community involvement.

Jack Symes from Canterbury/North Otago won the 2023 Dairy Manager of

the Year award. He is the farm manager on Brian and Judy Symes’ 160ha, 630cow property at Southbridge.

Third placegetter in the Dairy Trainee of the Year section was Sarah Powell. Sarah grew up on a 90ha dairy heifer grazing and beef farm in Northland. She currently works as a farm assistant on Fonterra’s 283ha, 600-cow Longburn farm.

“Up until my current position, I hadn’t spent any time working in the dairy industry,” she said.

Sarah also won the Federated Farmers General Farming Knowledge merit award through her strong technical knowledge.

Northland’s Bill Hamilton won the Dairy Trainee of the Year award, followed by

Hayden and Bridget Goble from Taranaki took out the 2023 New Zealand Share Farmer of the Year title. The couple are 20% variable order equity partners together with Bridget Mooney, Kevin Goble and Diane Goble on their 200ha, 565-cow property near New Plymouth.

Brayden Johnston of Canterbury/North Otago in the runner-up position.

Runner-up was Waikato farmer Aleisha Broomfield. Aleisha is a 50/50 herdowning sharemilker on the Dibble family’s Tauhei Farms Ltd 86ha property, milking 245 cows.

The 2023 New Zealand Dairy Manager of the Year runner-up Jose¯ Hamber

Sarah Powell placed third in the 2023 New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year

TITIPOUNAMU RETURNED TO ANCIENT HOMELAND

BY DENISE GUNN

Bushy Park Tarapuruhi, north of Whanganui, recently welcomed the arrival of 60 titipounamu or riflemen, translocated from Mount Taranaki.

The translocation of these tiny birds to this predator-free sanctuary was made possible due to the generosity of local hapū Puketapu, Pukerangiora and Ngāti Tawhirikura, all of the iwi Te Atiawa. This move follows a similar successful translocation of 60 titipounamu from Mount Taranaki to Rotokare Scenic Reserve in 2019.

Bushy Park runs as a partnership between Forest and Bird, Bushy Park Trust and members of local iwi Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi (Tamahereroto, Ngāti Pukeko, and Ngāti Maika hapū).

Kura Niwa, from Pukerangiora hapū, said it was the second time titipounamu had been moved from the maunga in recent years to help establish a population elsewhere.

“A decade ago, we would never have thought we would be leading a process of taurima (adoption) for manu, so we are thrilled our titipounamu population is doing so well that we are able to undertake this tikanga.

“We look forward to connecting more with our whānau, Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi, and seeing how the manu go in their new kāinga (home).”

Danny Broughton, from Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi, said the relationship between Bushy Park Tarapuruhi and Ngaa Haapu o Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi is one of fostering and understanding.

“Kaupapa such as manu translocations gives us a common purpose to work together and achieve. A kaupapa that requires respect of culture, processes and above all, the best for the manu, and ultimately, our ngahere.”

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From left: One of the 60 titipounamu is released by Forest and Bird CEO Nicola Toki and Bushy Park volunteer Zoe Stone

Using mist nets to catch the birds, the 12-person catching team was led by a translocation specialist Kevin Parker of Parker Conservation. The titipounamu were then transported individually in specially built boxes.

Each bird was weighed, measured, then banded with a unique number and colour combination, all while being held for as little time as possible to minimise stress. The bands enable the birds to be identified individually after their release.

As the process requires a special Department of Conservation permit, the entire process took two years to get to that point. Kevin said the timing around this project relied on the weather and the availability of the birds.

“Catching is always weather dependent as we cannot work in rain or high wind. Our top priority, as always, is to minimise stress on these birds.”

A limit of 60 titipounamu was permitted and thought to be sufficient for a robust population at Bushy Park. Forest and Bird’s chief executive Nicola Toki said it is a delight to see the titipounamu flitting through the canopy at Bushy Park.

“Providing a home for these wee birds has required a careful and concerted effort by many partners and experts. We’re extremely grateful for the support we’ve received to make this hapū-to-hapū project a reality as we welcome these special ambassadors from Taranaki to their new home.

“Bringing these birds back to their ancestral home at Bushy Park Tarapuruhi helps us to restore the missing pieces of the ecosystem in an important habitat site.”

Nicola said the translocation is a credit to the many volunteers contributing between 500 to 600 hours a month.

“As well as input and advice from all involved that we can provide a safe predator-free environment for titipounamu and other at-risk species, to not only survive but to thrive and repopulate the ngāhere.”

Bushy Park sanctuary manager Mandy Brooke said the toutouwai and tīeke populations have been so successful they’ve been able to translocate some to start populations in other places.

“It would be wonderful if our new titipounamu population is equally successful in breeding.”

This ancient species of wren is New Zealand’s smallest bird weighing just under seven grams. Follow-up checks on these new additions to Bushy Park will include pre-breeding and post-breeding surveys in the coming year.

The translocation of titipounamu to Bushy Park Tarapuruhi is part of Forest and Bird’s year of centennial celebrations.

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Photo credit: Alina Huff

Forest and Bird CEO Nicola Toki and Bushy Park sanctuary manager Mandy Brooke during the release of titipounamu

Photo credit: Jacqui McGowan

From left: Translocation specialist Kevin Parker and Kura Niwa (Taranaki hapū) release a titipounamu into Bushy Park Tarapuruhi

Daniel’s father used to drive logging trucks, and whenever he had the chance, Daniel tagged along with him.

“My first job in forestry was in Whanganui, where I live, for a guy called Murray Williams of Williams Forestry Harvesting.”

Since starting out in the forestry industry at 17, Daniel has driven a loader, learning on the job. The 38-year-old now owns a Tigercat 865 and established HCD Contracting two years ago.

“I used my initials and my two daughters’ initials in the business name.”

Currently, Daniel is working as a subcontractor for Clint Newland of CJ Newland Logging Limited.

“We’ve been all over the show. When I first started the business, we worked in Lismore Forest, and then went over to

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Hunterville for a bit, then Turakina, and then ended up back here again.”

Early starts are part of the job, and Daniel’s working day begins at 2am. “I hop in the ute and come out here, then start loading the first truck at 3.30am.”

Throughout the day, Daniel is at the helm of his Tigercat 865, either loading logs on to trucks or stacking away timber cut by the processor.

“We usually work 12 to 14-hour days,” he said. “It’s pretty good. I like it because you are busy all the time. There are good people in the industry, and everyone gets on.”

Daniel said the only drawback is when the markets slow. “That hinders everyone, and when the markets are down, we don’t get our normal hourly pay.

“The last couple of years have been up and down. We are having a good

run at the moment, though, so it’s a chance to put money in the bank to counteract it.”

Entering the Golden Loader Forestry Championship was Daniel’s first opportunity to put his work skills to the

BY DENISE GUNN

Winner of this year’s inaugural Golden Loader Forestry Championship, Daniel Purcell, grew up around the industry.

test. The contest was held during the Ford Ranger NZ Rural Games in Palmerston North and drew entrants from all over the North Island.

“Nerves were the biggest challenge,” he said.

Doug Rowan Riana Smith

A line-up of competitors who travelled from around the North Island to take part in the Golden Loader Forestry Championship

Fourteen competitors raced against each other and the clock to load and unload a truck and trailer through a series of heats, semi-finals, followed by the final. Health and safety, driving abilities, loading care, as well as speed were all taken into consideration by judges.

The competition, funded by the Forestry Growers Levy Trust, and organised by the Southern North Island Wood Council, was open to those currently working in the sector in machine operating positions.

Team members from John Turkington Limited and McCarthy’s Transport managed the championship. “It was a well-organised event,” said Daniel.

New Zealand Rural Games founder Steve Hollander said it was a long-term ambition of the rural games to host a forestry championship alongside traditional sports that helped build our nation.

“Forestry is a huge part of rural Aotearoa. It’s only fitting that we celebrate its role by creating a championship highlighting the skills required to drive forestry machinery.”

Southern North Island Wood Council chief executive officer Erica Kinder said the rural games provide forestry with an excellent opportunity to lift the sector’s profile.

“Forestry is growing and currently contributes $6.6 billion to our economy

and employs between 35,000–40,000 people.”

As New Zealand’s fourth-largest export earner, forestry and wood products are just behind horticulture. She said the forestry industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors within the food and fibre sector.

Daniel’s ultimate goal is to have his own full logging crew. “I’m trying to work towards that in my five-year plan.”

BY DENISE GUNN

HELPING TO MEET THE NEED

Previously working for BNZ, PGG Wrightson, and most recently FMG for the past 13 years, Nicki and her family moved to Manawatū when she took up a promotion.

“We moved here in early 2020 as I was promoted into a role heading up our Agribusiness Centre in Feilding. Prior to this, we were based in Canterbury for 18 years,” said Nicki.

Nicki is currently FMG’s head of claims. Although born and raised in Dunedin, Nicki has spent most of her life working and living in rural communities.

“I married a sheep and beef farmer almost 29 years ago, and although our farming journey finished in two to three years in our married life, I have continued to either live in rural communities or work in the agricultural sector.”

Nicki’s husband, Rory, is senior business manager for MyFarm. “Our children are grown up and working in Wellington and Christchurch respectively,” said Nicki.

She became involved with Meat the Need late last year. “Our board is there to provide governance, and we have eight on the board, including the chair and our

support person. Our board is based across the country. We have meetings monthly, via teams, and meet face-to-face twice a year.”

In 2016, Nicki graduated from the Agri-Women’s Development Trust (AWDT)

Escalator programme. She credits this programme with helping her and thousands of women around New Zealand with opportunities to grow, develop and find their purpose.

Meat the Need’s newest board member, Nicki Mackay, brings close to 30 years of experience in the financial services sector to the position.

Farmers across the country can also donate milk, through Miraka and Fonterra, to families in need

Meat the Need donates to food banks throughout New Zealand

“It involved working alongside 13 other women and two incredible facilitators, Lindy Nelson (MNZM and founder of the trust) and Loshni Manikam. The programme enabled us all to learn and grow in both the leadership and governance environments.

“It is a programme I continue to support and would recommend to any rural women looking to clarify their leadership and governance journey.”

Meat the Need cracked one of its short-term goals in October, achieving one million mince meals. These mince meals are provided to more than 100 food banks

and community organisations throughout New Zealand.

“In July, we launched our nationwide partnership with Fonterra, now meaning farmers across the country can donate milk to families in need. Our goal for our first year with Fonterra and with our other partner Miraka, is to provide one million milk meals to food banks and community organisations.”

Meat the Need’s other immediate goals are advocating for more farmers to get behind the movement. That will demonstrate how the primary sector, in particular farmers, can make a massive difference to food poverty in New Zealand.

“We ultimately believe no one in New Zealand should go hungry. We know farmers and the primary sector can play a big role in achieving this. We want to change the landscape of food parcels, ensuring mince and milk are included in every food parcel, and ensuring every person has access to quality nutritious protein.

“We believe if everyone plays a small role in helping to address food poverty, then collectively, we can make a massive difference. What we hope for in the future is every farmer playing a small role in supporting us to achieve this.”

Nicki said farmers are generous people who, since Meat the Need’s inception, have made such a positive difference in the lives of those struggling with food insecurity.

“It’s wonderful to see the primary sector playing such a big role in helping families in need. I would just like to encourage rural New Zealand to get involved by donating just a little of what they produce when they can.

“I’m super excited to be part of the Meat the Need team. I always wanted my first board role to be a give-back and one I could get really passionate about.” To find out how to make a donation, visit meattheneed.org.

HUGHES GLASS

A food box, including donations from Meat the Need, being packed at the Christchurch City Mission

Top line-up at Pine Park bull sale

by Denise Gunn

A line-up of top-quality bulls will be up for auction during Pine Park’s Angus bull sale on Thursday, June 8.

Three generations of the Sherriff family have bred registered Angus cattle in the Rangitikei for nearly 100 years. Ed Sherriff and his wife Kirsty took over Pine Park after farming in partnership with Ed’s parents, Philson and July.

8th

Vendor: Edward Sherriff

Phone: 021 704 778 or 06 327 6591

Email: edsherriff@farmside.co.nz

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Pine Park’s home block, just north of Marton, is the venue for the annual bull sale. This year will mark the bull sale’s 49th year.

“We’ve sold on-farm for 22 years, but we used to sell up in Taihape at the Beef Breeders sales for 26 years,” said Ed. Around 35 bulls will be up for sale. “This year, we’ve got a couple of new sires that have sons in the sale. Kaiwara 480 is breeding exceptionally well for us. His son is in the sale this year and has quite a lot to offer.

“Homebred sire Pine Park P29 is in his rst year with sons on the ground for sale. He’s left some very good breeding cattle. They are very meaty.”

Ed said both of those sires have good data on paper with a lot to offer the commercial breeder. All bulls have been BVD tested, vaccinated and semen tested.

“We use the morphology test to make sure the semen is up to standard. It gives our buyers peace of mind.”

Pine Park bulls are all performancerecorded through Angus New Zealand, which is a trans-Tasman evaluation.

“We guarantee them for fertility and soundness.”

Pine Park runs 220 breeding cows, which graze on the family’s hill country block. Bulls are brought down to the home block for nishing.

A bull walk, in the lead-up to the sale, is set for Thursday, May 25 from 2–4pm. “Everyone is welcome to attend,” said Ed.

On sale day, the bulls will be displayed in groups of four or ve to allow ease of viewing. The Pine Park bull sale is set to be held on-farm at 312 Tutaenui Road, Marton, on Thursday, June 8, from 11.30am.

For further information, contact Ed on 021 704 778 or email edsherriff@ farmside.co.nz.

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The Pine Park Angus bull sale will be held on-farm on Thursday, June 8 from 11.30am

Kaiwara 480 is proving to be an exceptional sire and has a son in this year’s sale

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To GPT or not to GPT

by Andy Bryenton

Everyone is talking about the smart artificial intelligence program ChatGPT, a virtual assistant involved in everything from more efficient web searches to cheating in university examinations.

First of all, what is it? Chat GPT is not ‘alive’, and although it’s powered by the principles of Artificial Intelligence, it’s not a self-aware robot mind like those from science fiction. However, it has been programmed by very smart people to pretend to be such a mind. It can talk to you in a conversational way, and help you write emails, letters and reports.

That’s a godsend for some industries which rely on fairly generic communication. Customer service, replies to frequently asked questions and the kind of research you could easily perform using Google or Wikipedia are handled in a snap by Chat GPT.

You can find it embedded in Microsoft’s Bing search engine and apps such as Wisdom AI or ChatAI Powerbrain. Some of these apps throw in the ability to create images, too, and can generate everything from movie scripts to blog posts for you. It’s different from previous ‘smart’ assistants like Alexa or Siri due to the level of detail ChatGPT enjoys. It understands language much better.

Now, this is where the troubles begin for ChatGPT’s disruptive power. There’s nothing wrong with having a smart computer brain write a ‘boilerplate’ letter answering a customer’s question or snapping off an email apologising for being unable to attend a meeting. However, ChatGPT can do much more. Those letters stand for Generative PreTrained Transformer, meaning that it can appear to write whole new reports. Reports on the level of school and university essays, say educators.

That is obviously an issue for qualifications, but there are limitations to the AI’s technology. As it uses

The biggest buzz in tech is ChatGPT, but what is it really, and how can you get a closer look at the latest in artificial intelligence?

information from the Internet to create its arguments, it can return inaccurate or invalid responses, and it has a weakness regarding fact-checking. Moreover, because the Internet can be a toxic place, especially in subjects such as religion and politics, ChatGPt can sometimes throw out biased, offensive or inappropriate content. Using it without double-checking its work can prove risky.

It’s a fun tool to use and could save you lots of time in terms of those little communications keeping the wheels of commerce rolling. However, when it comes to articles like this one, it lacks something humans have; the ability to have a real opinion. It’s also prone to what’s known to writers in a joking way as the ‘Hollywood Movie Problem’. This problem references the tendency of studio executives to play it safe and turn out remakes of the same story with the same characters.

Take a look at ChatGPT, and you’ll be amazed at how far AI technology has come. It’s not at the point where we can build an electronic William Shakespeare, but if you need to write a quick email explaining one of his plays to a friend, it could be just the thing you need.

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andMagnesium general health

by John Arts

Science buffs will know that magnesium and calcium are in the same column in the periodic table. It is unsurprising that these two essential minerals control nerve and muscle function.

In muscles, calcium dominates magnesium when muscles contract. Magnesium should then dominate calcium in the relaxation stage. If magnesium is low, then calcium dominates both stages.

What this really means is that inadequate magnesium is a recipe for cramping, stiff, sore and tired muscles. A tell-tale sign of low magnesium is muscle cramps, especially at night. We must be aware that dehydration, low salt intake and some drugs, notably stains, can affect muscles. While muscle cramps are uncomfortable, it is the effects of low magnesium on the heart (cardiac) muscle that are frightening as it can affect electrical impulses and blood ow in the heart.

The best way to think about magnesium is its effects on ‘tubes’ in the body, especially blood vessels.

Our muscles contain tiny blood vessels that bring oxygen and nutrients to our muscles. With suf cient magnesium, our blood vessels should open (dilate) after contraction. Low magnesium does

the opposite, whereby blood vessels narrow and can then spasm.

In our skeletal muscles, this can bring muscle tightness and cramps. In smooth muscle that lines our blood vessels, this can cause blood- ow restriction and can lead to hypertension. It is not just blood vessels that are affected; it is our heart muscle, eyes, lungs, gastrointestinal tract and, in women, their reproductive tracts. That is why magnesium is so helpful for PMS.

For people without symptoms, I recommend my multi-mineral/vitamin/ antioxidant complex as it includes magnesium. If you are symptomatic, I recommend adding my triple formula magnesium that combines marine magnesium, magnesium citrate and magnesium glycinate.

John Arts (B.Soc.Sci, Dip Tch, Adv. Dip.Nut.Med) is a nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health Ltd. For questions or advice contact John on 0800 423 559 or email john@abundant.co.nz. Join his newsletter at abundant.co.nz.

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Where is Winter?

What a mild start to Winter we are having, and up until now the grass has kept growing, but that should start to slow down as soil temperatures start to drop.

Now is the best time to service your outdoor power equipment including ride on mowers, log splitters and chainsaws – most of us are mowing fortnightly, giving us time to get our machinery serviced. With the torrential downpours we have experienced over the past week or two – don’t

be tempted to mow long very wet grass….or suffer the breakage of one (or multiple) belts.

Rob has two tip trailers for customers to borrow so you can bring your gear in, just give him a call and he can book in a day and time for you.

Central Mowers were unable to keep up with demand for generators after the dramatic weather events including cyclones, but these should be back in stock in the near future. If you

would like to put your name down for one, please call in and the team can make sure that they help you pick the right product.

As an independent retailer, Central Mowers continue to grow from strength to strength, and have recently employed an additional mechanic Sean, who comes to the team with over 15 years’ experience as a small engine mechanic. For those trusted brands like Masport, Lawnmaster, Echo, Shindaiwa, Oleo-

Mac, Hustler, Cub Cadet, come in and talk to an expert for old-fashioned good, honest advice.

For great service and industry knowledge please visit Rob, Megan and the team at Central Mowers, your home of outdoor power equipment servicing the Manawatu region for over 12 years. 696 Tremaine Avenue, Palmerston North. Phone 06 355-2967. Visit centralmowers.co.nz or nd them on facebook.

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This one’s for real

by Andy Bryenton

In 1964, Ford officially unveiled a car which would change the way automobiles were sold, and which redefined their place in the pop culture of America and the rest of the developed world.

That original Mustang took its name from one of the most beloved icons of the US; the wild horses which were tamed by cowboys in the old west. No doubt there were rugged men in stetson hats and leather chaps who looked at pictures of the car, and told each other that it would never be as good as the horse.

It’s funny how history goes, because, of course, the Ford Mustang became the best selling sports car of all time. Now, there’s a new version, and those who love the old, petrol-powered Mustang have divided opinions as to whether the Mach E, an all-electric Mustang, is the ‘real deal’. I’m delighted to announce that in all kinds of ways, it certainly is.

Of course, it’s different. Back in ‘64, Ford wanted to appeal to teenagers and young couples, with a car that promised excitement and freedom. Arguably it was a taller order for the engineers of the new Mach E, who had to wrap up that feeling for power and nimbleness while adding back seats, four doors and a spacious boot. They have, however, once again built a new kind of car. An electric vehicle that’s a joy to drive.

First of all, while it looks different from the original, many of the design cues of the Mustang carry over. There’s still a sense of speed to this machine, even standing still. You’ll find the cabin to be

clean, modern and uncluttered, with most controls accessed via a large and crisp touch-screen. The dials are where they should be, and easy to read, and there’s not one feature of information, safety, entertainment or modification left out. Here, we get to the main thrust of what makes a Mustang. Those who say it’s just a particular big V8 are missing the point. It’s not the presence of a specific power plant; it’s what it enables the car to do. The Mach E does exactly what a Mustang should; it exhilarates, it surprises, it makes you grin, and it makes the road more interesting to drive on.

If anything, it’s a tremendous achievement that Ford’s engineers have managed to make this thing so quick off the mark, and given it the poise to sweep from apex to apex like a sports car, when it’s capable of carrying so much more. There’s a second boot in the front, too, because it’s electric. However, I’d bet that storage space will not be on your mind when you test the Mach E. Instead, you’ll

be thinking about how Ford has achieved satisfying feedback through the wheel, and a suitably muscular sensation of torque and zest, without resorting to the internal-combustion tech they pioneered for a century.

Ford invites you to come to your local dealership and try it out; it’s as far advanced today, as that old ‘64 original was ahead of the horse.

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New & existing PURETEC FILTRATION

Ford’s Mach-E Mustang divided international commentators — right up until they drove it. Now it’s your turn to take a closer look, as it’s arrived in Dargaville

“While it looks different from the original, many of the design cues of the Mustang carry over.”

Individualised tuition builds con dence

Maths and English are foundational skills that must be mastered for students to achieve academic success in many other areas of the curriculum.

These skills are complex and don’t come easily for many children who can get left behind in a classroom of 30.

For more than 35 years, NumberWorks’nWords has provided support for children’s learning with

its specialist maths and English tuition services that help children of any ability get on track with their learning or extend children who aren’t being challenged.

The secret to NumberWorks’nWords’ success comes from world-class tuition software, tutors who are subject matter experts, and individual tuition programmes tailored to each child’s particular needs.

Every child who comes to NumberWorks’nWords Palmerston North receives an assessment to determine their strengths and weaknesses. Once Myra, the centre manager, understands a child’s capabilities, she creates a learning plan in consultation with parents that focusses on closing learning gaps or extending their knowledge, not teaching them what they already know.

Children receive one-on-one teaching from tutors who explain new concepts, and the students cement their understanding with practice using computer-based exercises. This combination of individual instruction plus independent practice is designed to create a con dent learner in the classroom.

NumberWorks’nWords is a fun, supportive environment that will help

your child gain a love of learning. Many children who struggle academically suffer from a loss of learning con dence.

Tutors at NumberWorks’nWords provide constant feedback on progress and award certi cates for achievements. Based on success, children who attend NumberWorks’nWords experience

a positive change in mindset about their capabilities.

You can help your child with maths or English by calling Myra Reitsma on 06 354 3211 for a no-obligation free assessment at Numberworks’nWords Palmerston North. It’s a great place to learn.

Left to Right: Ally Lyons, Arthur Yeo, Amanda Dever-Tod and Myra Reitsma

House and Building Movers. This has been achieved through the simple, practical no-nonsense business principles and plain hard work. Customer Satisfaction is our ultimate aim for every move.

Protect your machinery with Lanolin

A small investment to stop rust will lengthen the life of farm machinery like quad bikes, ATVs, trucks, loaders and fertiliser spreaders, to

name a few.

The protection comes from Prolan, an iconic by-product of New Zealand’s sheep industry — lanolin. Prolan makes natural, environmentally friendly lubricants and corrosion inhibitors, which are getting noticed on the other side of the world.

Prolan owners Murray and Julie Shaw now export their product to Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, the UK, Netherlands, Canada and even Guam. Prolan is used for wind turbines and cranes and by pump manufacturers and trucking rms.

Prolan NZ Director, Murray Shaw, said the company has an extensive range of products made from lanolin (wool grease), secreted by sheep to protect their eece in harsh conditions. We’ve replicated that action to protect a range of surfaces.

“We spent a lot of money researching how to take the lanolin and blend it with natural products to make industrial lubricants,” says Murray. “I’m so proud of the ground we’ve made in our export markets. We’re well ahead of our competitors. It’s solid progress, and it’s exciting.

“Prolan’s rust treatment more than doubles the life of farm machinery. A quad bike, for example, costs around $20,000 and often only has a life of four to ve years on a dairy farm. Washing and drying that bike

and applying a coating of Prolan will prevent the chassis of that bike (or any other farm implement) from developing rust — effectively doubling or tripling its life.”

The Prolan can be applied by a compressed air paint system and, once

dried to a waxy surface, will withstand water-blasting.

“Where paint hardens and cracks as the implement exes under use, the Prolan coating remains exible, preventing any ingress of moisture,” Murray said.

“It’s so versatile — everyone should have a can. We live in a coastal country, so anyone with a motorhome, a boat, a trailer or a quad bike would bene t from the anti-corrosive properties. Even small jobs like a squeaky door hinge or a sticky shower door are an easy x with Prolan.”

It’s also environmentally friendly — taken from nature to protect nature!

See us at the Mystery Creek National Agricultural Fieldays — Site F11.

Vehicle chassis coated with Prolan Extreme

The new Firearms Registry is coming

New Zealand will have a firearms registry from 24 June 2023. If you’re a firearms licence holder, you’ll be required to provide information about your arms items from this date.

We want to enable the legitimate use of firearms for feeding our whānau, conservation, farming and recreation while keeping our communities safe.

The Registry is one of the ways we’re strengthening how we manage firearms in New Zealand. With responsible firearms licence holders doing the right thing and filling in the Registry, it will help keep track of legally owned firearms and prevent their transfer to those who use them for criminal purposes.

Registry goes live on 24 June 2023

You can quickly and easily register your firearms on our website at any time. Just click on MyFirearms. Otherwise our Registry and Services team will be available by phone to help during business hours.

The Registry will help us make New Zealand safer. It will give licence holders more confidence when buying or selling firearms, as the Registry will let you know if you’re dealing with a current licence holder and if the firearm has been reported stolen.

You must tell us about any firearms in your possession within 5 years.

There will be no charge for registering your firearms.

Activating circumstances

You have until 24 June 2028 to register your firearms. However there are some circumstances where you must provide information for the Registry in a shorter time frame. These are referred to in the Arms Amendment Regulations as ‘activating circumstances’. You can find information on these timeframes at: firearmssafetyauthority.govt.nz/registry

Applying for a licence or endorsement

Selling or buying a firearm

Exporting a firearm

Manufacturing a firearm

Supplying or receiving a firearm other than temporary transfer that is under 30 days

Modifying a firearm from non-prohibited to prohibited, or prohibited to non-prohibited

Notifying us of a change in circumstances, such as a change of address

Loss, theft or destruction of a firearm

Importing a firearm or ammunition

If you’re subject to any compliance or enforcement action under the Arms Act

When one of these circumstances happen, we’ll contact you and let you know what you need to do. However, it’s up to you to ensure you keep your information up to date.

Details needed to register your firearms

Firearms licences online

Non-prohibited firearms (including Specially Dangerous Airguns)

Prohibited firearms

Pistols

Restricted weapons

• Type (rifle, shotgun etc)

• Make

• Model

• Action

• Calibre/gauge

• If it has a non-detachable magazine (and, if so, its capacity)

• Identifying marking (serial number)

• A photograph of the firearm (if requested)

Apply for a firearms licence and update your contact details online using MyFirearms: a secure, online portal available at www.firearmssafetyauthority.govt.nz

For more information on Te Tari Pūreke and any legislative or regulation changes that may affect you, go to www.firearmssafetyauthority.govt.nz

Te Tari Pūreke – Firearms Safety Authority is responsible for managing firearms in New Zealand.

High offset hurting rural sector

by Andy Bryenton

New Zealand’s emissions trading regulations allow polluters to offset 100 per cent of their greenhouse gas emissions by planting trees; it is the only nation on earth that permits this.

Even Kazakhstan, the only other nation to allow 100 per cent carbon offset, has strict rules about carbon afforestation, and due to these rules there are no examples of this happening in practice there. In New Zealand, however, rampant carbon forest planting has eaten up arable land. Sheep and beef farm purchases have risen from 7,000 hectares in 2017 to 52,000 hectares in 2021 and dairy figures are similar.

Now, a report comparing NZ’s local regime to other international ETS frameworks has been published. It makes for sobering reading, putting New Zealand behind countries like Taiwan, Mexico, Korea and China and well behind the European Union and Britain, which have stopped carbon afforestation altogether. That comes after the International Panel on Climate Change called ‘planting large scale non-native monocultures, which would lead to loss of biodiversity and poor climate change resilience’ one of the worst practices to fight climate change.

“We are absolutely not anti-forestry, and there is a place for some carbon offsetting, but we are very concerned about the volume of carbon offsetting,” said Beef and Lamb New Zealand chair Sam MCivor on receiving the report.

“Some limits are needed to slow the rapidly increasing amount of sheep and beef farmland being purchased for forestry conversion as a result of the increasing carbon price. New Zealand’s lack of conditions means fossil fuel polluters can keep avoiding the need to

cut back on fossil fuel use and instead offset their pollution by using carbon credits generated on our farms through the wholesale planting of pine trees.”

As early as last year, Dame Anne Salmond, a respected University of Auckland professor, was calling for a rethink of the scheme, which has robbed the primary sector of so many hectares.

“It is now beyond doubt that New Zealand’s primary strategy for tackling climate change, offsetting through the Emissions Trading Scheme, with the financial incentives it gives to the largescale planting of monocultures of exotic

pine trees, runs in the opposite direction to international scientific advice,” said Professor Salmond.

Warning, too, came from local observers, such as former civic councillor and current farmer Richard Alspach, who has opposed carbon afforestation in Northland for decades.

“Nick Smith and the government he was part of deliberately collapsed the carbon market so that they could claim

compliance with the Kyoto Protocols while doing nothing to curb our real carbon emissions,” said Mr Alspach. “This left us exposed to the current situation where farming and rural communities are being sacrificed to avoid the country as a whole having to front up to an addiction to the burning of fossil fuels.”

The 2023 International Emissions Trading Schemes and Forestry Report has proven how we stack up against other countries, and it’s grim reading for the primary sector. Unless, says BLNZ’s Mr McIvor, farmers can be empowered to be the solution.

“We believe much of New Zealand’s need for sequestration from forest offsets could come from the integration of trees on sheep and beef farms. This allows food production to continue, maintains rural employment and ensures export revenue,” he says.

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Hear all the special moments For professional services & independent advice from qualified experienced audiology professionals.

Independent, locally owned & operated.

• Hearing aids, all types and models

• Hearing assessments

• Hearing aid repairs & servicing

• Hearing aid batteries & supplies

• Approved Assessors for ACC, War Pensions

• Enable NZ & WINZ

• Specialised ear plugs for flying, musicians and noise reduction

• FM systems, Wax removal by suction

www.audiologyclinic.co.nz

Palmerston North Clinic 0800 551 177 hear@audiologyclinic.co.nz

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The Hub, Allardice Street, Dannevirke Whanganui Clinic 0800 551 177 hear@audiologyclinic.co.nz

224 Victoria Avenue, Whanganui

Dame Anne Salmond, a respected professor, warned of carbon afforestation imbalance; now a paper has ranked New Zealand as first internationally for this discredited practice

“We are absolutely not anti-forestry, and there is a place for some carbon offsetting.”

Ensuring safe drinking water is top focus

Aqua Filter Manawatu — The Better Water Company takes the guesswork out of wondering if drinking

is safe and up to standard in rural homes.

Business owner Rob White has long held an interest in safe, better-tasting drinking water, initially starting as a business customer.

“I was a customer for 20 years and enjoyed the quality of water provided. Many people want safe, better-tasting drinking water. It is a growing concern we can nd solutions for.”

Aqua Filter was established nationwide in 1994, including servicing Manawatu. Rob bought Aqua Filter Manawatu — The Better Water Company four years ago, and demand has grown year on year.

“I love the knowledge and resources available from a nationwide network. It helps us nd the best solutions for our customers.

“Rural, be it lifestyle blocks or farmhouses, have their own challenges with water supply off the roof or from a bore. The company has proven solutions to ensure safe, quality drinking water is on tap in rural homes.”

Rob understands many people have used tank water all their lives with no problems.

“We also understand some people, over time, have appeared to build up a low level of immunity to some

microbes. However, because these do grow inside your tank, if the water supply systems aren’t regularly maintained and attention is paid to the quality of the water, you can get to a level where it becomes an enormous health hazard.

“We like to remain cautious and would like people not to take risks, providing peace of mind around drinking water quality. We have seen many very ill families consequently.

“I personally don’t think drinking tank water, which is potentially risky, is a healthy way to improve immunity. I am sure there are better ways when it comes to keeping your immune system pumping.

“If you would like to improve your water, an experienced technician is available for a site visit to discuss requirements,” said Rob.

“There is no charge for this visit. A water sample is often taken with results generally available within seven days. If required, a solution will be recommended.

“There is no question that at some stage, many tanks will have E coli in them, originating from bird droppings on the roof.”

Rob said an effective UV system is generally the solution to rainwater runoff from the roof.

“Bore or spring water is a little more complex but this can also be sorted.”

With a fully stocked van, technicians can service all major brands on-site. The Palmerston North-based business wants great solutions for its clients with guarantees of workmanship, and offers a comprehensive after-sales service.

The Aqua Filter Manawatu team

SINGLE

DOUBLE

TRIPLE

Service at the highest level

Auto Super Shoppe is New Zealand’s largest automotive service group. We are locally owned and nationally known, with more than 100 workshops nationwide.

As a member of the Auto Super Shoppe network, we pride ourselves on providing the highest level of customer service and satisfaction while taking care of your vehicles.

We are located near the Feilding Sale Yard end of Manchester Street with ample off-street parking to accommodate the varying sizes of utes, trailers and campers, not to forget about the family motor vehicle.

Our team of technicians come from various backgrounds allowing us to cover most vehicle complex components that require sound knowledge and skill set to ensure our staff can x any technical issue with your vehicle. Today’s vehicles have a complex electronic system and computers, and we have an auto electrician technician on-site who specialises in this area. We have invested heavily with up-todate electronic diagnostic equipment and software, with our technicians receiving ongoing training in major European brands.

No matter what you are looking for, our automotive services include car servicing, WOF, vehicle repairs, tyres, wheel alignments, brake repairs, cambelts, car air conditioning, vehicle batteries, CV joints, engine management and diagnostic.

We are your local expert, and our focus is, and always has been, building a relationship with our customers, that Kiwis can trust, knowing their vehicle is in capable hands. Delivering quality service and repair work at a fair price

is just one of the ‘Best Service Practices’ we operate under. You will be greeted by our friendly Front of House staff, who will be happy to assist with your booking or look after you when you call.

SUPER SHOPPE - FEILDING

We also welcome online bookings from our website or just phone to make an appointment. Visit autossfeilding.co.nz. We’re located at 4 Manchester Street, Feilding — phone 06 323 3800.

Auto Super Shoppe Fielding prides itself on providing the highest level of customer service and satisfaction

From the screen to the pasture

by Andy Bryenton

Valtra tractors are taking gamers out of virtual reality and into the field in real life, with a challenge in France pitting YouTubers and influencers against each other and the clock.

Real-life farmers may be bemused to know that one of the top video games out there for young players is known as Farming Simulator. The franchise is a blockbuster on the same level as motor racing title Gran Turismo, and it features a full stable of very real brandname tractors, harvesters, implements and other machines. Players have to turn a patch of arable land into a modern farm, by ploughing fertilising, sowing, harvesting and sending their produce to market.

With all this hype, and a new edition out for 2023 on Xbox, the Lycée Agricole du Bourbonnais, a farming training centre in France, has once again challenged players to take their skills into the real world. The teachers at this school, which spans the years of late high school and early university in Kiwi terms, wish to attract gamers to real farming as a career.

To do this, they will gather experts and industry representatives at their farm in rural France on May 13 and challenge the top Farming Simulator champions in the virtual world with a day of haymaking. The young players will drive real tractors donated by Valtra, a major sponsor, and get among the action of mowing, raking, baling and stacking feed.

How serious are the stakes? Well, in Europe, Farming Simulator is a big

Farm Simulator’s promotional stand at GamesCon; the popular game has been adapted into a challenge introducing young people to farming reality enough deal to have professional players, who give hints and tips, evaluate virtual machinery when it’s released into the game from real-life models, and boast thousands of youtube fans. Bastien Couture, one of the hosts of the ‘Farming Reality’ challenge, goes by the name Stervio online and has close to 400,000 followers. He and fellow influencer Germain Chousel will be there in the field to encourage the competitors.

The first ever Farming Reality challenge was born in 2021, when the French government’s Ministry of Agriculture was looking for a novel way of getting young people interested in farming. Noting the extreme popularity of Farming Simulator as a game, it took the step of making the game real as a publicity stunt. The response was huge, and there has been a definite impact on the number of young French students keen to make farming a career.

Of course, the game is good fun for those involved, who will get to drive real Valtra tractors and immerse themselves in the complete experience of a virtual world come to life. But there is a serious side, too; having proven that they have what it takes to manage a modern farm in a digital realm, competitors will be offered the opportunity to receive formal training in the industry to turn their pastime into a serious, profitable job for life.

Freshwater Community Grant applications open

Applications have opened for the 2023 Horizons Regional Council’s Regional Freshwater Community Grant.

The fund, previously offered as the Whangaehu Catchment Community Grant, was restricted to projects in and around the Whangaehu catchment area. This financial year, the fund has been expanded to cover the entire region and renamed the Regional Freshwater Community Fund.

Community groups with projects that support Horizons freshwater interests are welcome to apply. These projects include initiatives which encourage engagement with freshwater, education around water quality issues, or projects which involve interventions to improve water quality.

There is $100,000 available through the fund for the new financial year.

Horizons councillors Wiremu Te Awe Awe and Fiona Gordon are part of the Jobs for Nature Governance Group, which reviews applications and grants funding.

Cr Te Awe Awe said this fund was previously restricted to certain catchment areas, but this year has been expanded to accept applications from across the region.

“Our freshwater team are excited that the fund is available to the whole region for the first time.

“When working with our communities, we often hear a range of ideas from people who are working with and around our

Horizons

waterways. However, funding is a frequent roadblock which often halts progress.”

“We are hoping that this fund allows a barrier to be removed for these projects, and that we see some innovative ideas come through in their applications as a result,” he said.

Cr Gordon says improving freshwater quality is one of Horizons’ priority areas.

“Being able to provide financial aid with a new contestable fund targeted at community groups is a wonderful way to help empower people to get their projects off the ground.”

“Expanding this fund to allow for regionwide applications is something Council

is pleased to do, and we look forward to seeing what kinds of projects our communities are working on,” she said.

Previous successful projects, which applicants received funding for under the catchment-focussed grant, ranged from fencing and planting, to building of a walkway encouraging people to interact with a stream or river. Projects focusing on predator trapping or slipways which improved the state of the environment in the surrounding area were also funded.

More details on eligibility criteria and applications are available at www. horizons.govt.nz

Applications close on Friday, June 30 at 5pm.

councillor Wiremu Te Awe Awe

THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING LOCAL

BUY,EAT, WORK , PLAY

76% of New Zealanders are concerned about “fake news” and its implications

“Our team is excited that the fund is available to the whole region for the first time.”

Power to the people

by Andy Bryenton

It’s been 50 years since Subaru brought its Pleiades-inspired badge and an appetite for all-wheel-drive power to these shores, and it’s worth a look back at their greatest hits as they celebrate.

From rallying triumphs to ubiquity on the roads as one of the nation’s favourite estate car manufacturers, Subaru has come a long way since 1973. While the company had been active in the Japanese market since the 1950s, when it debuted the tiny air-cooled Subaru 360, it was five decades ago that it burst on to the local scene, delivering the Leone sedan and, soon after, the Brumby mini-ute. Things went from strength to strength as Subaru became known for reliability and economical power.

Futuristic models such as the Alcyone, and its successor, the SVX, proved that Subaru designers could mix it up with the visionaries of Europe, and popular models such as the Legacy, WRX and Forester found a place in many family driveways. Some special models, such as the Blitzen, with its twin turbo system designed by Porsche, are coveted classics today. So, too are some of the cars associated with Subaru’s world-beating

record

connection there.

It was in 1980 that the name of Peter Raymond George Bourne would become entwined with the racing pedigree of Subaru. As part of the team who captained a Leone in the World Rally Championship that year, the Pukekohe man better known to fans as ‘Possum’ began to carve out a reputation that would see him become a household name.

Fellow racing legends Colin McRae, Petter Solberg and Richard Burns also took the wheel of AWD, turbocharged

Legacy and WRX rally cars which belted out a string of victories. A whole generation pinned up posters of the blue and gold Subarus, and people who were young in those days still look up at the sound of a snarling boxer-four, hoping to catch a sight of one of the roadgoing examples.

Subaru luminaries gathered early this year to celebrate 50 years of all-wheeldrive action under their starry banner. It was a chance to say thanks to all those who have helped make the brand a local favourite.

“Decades ago, I remember extra airbags as an option on Legacy and asking for disc brakes on Impreza,” said Subaru

of New Zealand managing director Wallis Dumper at a gala event celebrating the five-decade milestone earlier this year.

“I remember robust discussions about dropping 50% of our model range to go 100% AWD only and replacing those 2WD units with the Forester. I remember replacing 33% of our sales when we phased out Legacy to go Outback only.

“I remember more robust discussions with our ad agency about moving the brand to high ground — not grinding it down in fleet volumes to retain customer value. The reason why I’m recalling all this is to remind us that 50 years of AWD has gone quickly.”

Subaru is celebrating 50 years of all wheel drive power in New Zealand; their WRX STI rally cars epitomise that legacy

in motorsport. There’s a big Kiwi

“Subaru luminaries gathered early this year to celebrate 50 years of all-wheel-drive action under their starry banner. It was a chance to say thanks to all those who have helped make the brand a local favourite.”