Northern Farming Lifestyles, August 2023

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

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Journalists: Ann van Engelen | Andy Bryenton | Amy Fifita | Paul Campbell

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Rural survey grim reading

by Chris Penk, MP for the Kaipara ki Mahurangi electorate

As we near the end of a long, hard cold winter, many people in our rural communities are doing it tough. Readers of Northern Farming Lifestyles will already be all too well aware of that fact.

Recent results released by Federated Farmers of its Farm Confidence Survey made particularly grim reading, however, as the malaise already being felt in many areas has only spread.

Only four per cent of farmers expect their profitability to improve in the next 12 months. With more than 70% expecting profitability to worsen, farmers continue to lack confidence and are unlikely to invest under current conditions.

It’s Cattlestop Time again!

Features:

• Solid Concrete means no rattly/rusty steel bars!

• Long enough they won’t jump across.

• Rounded tops so they don’t tip toe across.

• No more getting out in the rain to open the gate!

SH1

While the survey shows yet another record low, it is far from the first record low in the past six years of the Labour and Greens governments. They’ve overseen six years of deteriorating farmer confidence scores across the Rabobank, ANZ and now Federated Farmers farm confidence statistics. Farmers are bearing the brunt of a government that does not understand agriculture and is determined to pile more and more regulations on the core of the New Zealand economy.

It was only a week ago, before that recent dire survey, in other words, that Fonterra announced a $1 billion cut to how much it expects to pay dairy farmers. Lamb prices have also fallen 25% in just the past 12 months.

Meanwhile, it’s been six months since Cyclone Gabrielle wreaked havoc on many farms at the top of the North Island. A lack of certainty has plagued those affected ever since. With tax revenue falling significantly as company profits fall, it seems sadly inevitable that, without a circuit breaker, farmer confidence will continue to worsen.

Chris Penk

The good news is that a circuit breaker opportunity will present itself in mid-October. All political parties and candidates should be challenged to explain how they will make the life of rural communities much more hopeful and prosperous. In the case of my party, National, we’ve highlighted through our Getting Back to Farming policy that we want to cut red tape to restore farmer confidence.

The rural sector can again be the driver of economic growth across New Zealand. Still, the government needs to provide the conditions to succeed, including by getting out of the way of our productive farming sector. That’s what we’re proposing to do. It’s surely cause for optimism after all.

Championing sustainable farming

by Ann van Engelen

Sarah Harris, the general manager of the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust, encourages farmers and growers at any point of their sustainability journey to enter the Ballance Farm Environment Awards and help continue to grow a healthy future for farming.

The awards champion sustainable farming and growing, celebrating good practice and innovation across the primary sector.

“Being part of the awards programme is a positive way to receive feedback on your business, help identify strengths and learn from others who are passionate about the food and fibre sector,” says Sarah.

“Through the BFEA programme, farmers and growers have the opportunity to showcase, benchmark, and improve the sustainability of their operation through a constructive process where agribusiness professionals provide feedback, recommendations and commendations.”

The judges take a holistic approach to the feedback and award allocation process by evaluating the overall farm system, including water and soil, climate stewardship, biodiversity, waste management, people and wellbeing, business health, biosecurity and animal care.

“After a successful introduction, the BFEA will again feature the Catchment Group section, continuing to showcase the great work being done by catchment groups throughout New Zealand, from our high country to the lowlands, uniting our rural and urban communities along the way.

“The CGS recognises the efforts of a rural community working together to

improve water quality in local rivers, streams, lakes and wetlands. The initiative is designed to celebrate the efforts of catchment groups and help inspire other communities with examples of good practice.

“The BFEA programme is supported by a range of leading agribusinesses and regional councils throughout the country, many of whom sponsor award categories and provide valuable professional advice and feedback to entrants through the judging process.”

Though there are some region-specific awards, the main award categories include the Ballance Agri-Nutrients Soil Management Award, Bayleys People in Primary Sector Award, Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Award, DairyNZ

Sustainability and Stewardship Award and the Hill Laboratories Agri-Science Award. Also up for grabs are the Rabobank Agri-Business Management Award, Norwood Farming Efficiency Award, NZ Farm Environment Trust Biodiversity Award and the NZ Farm Environment Trust Innovation Award.

“Entries close at the end of October, with farm visits taking place in November and December. Regional awards events then take place in March and April 2024, providing a great forum to connect as an industry, share stories and celebrate the great work happening across the primary sector.

“The supreme winner from each of the 11 regions involved in the awards goes through to be considered for the Gordon Stephenson Trophy at the Trust’s National Showcase at Claudelands in Hamilton on June 20 2024. The recipients of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy then become 2024’s National Ambassadors for Sustainable Farming and Growing.”

Entries can be made online at nzfeawards.org.nz.

Spring Sowing

The 2023 National Ambassadors for Sustainable Farming and Growing, Steve and Kellie Nichol with their farm manager Grant Bezett (holding frame), and his wife Janette alongside Ballance’s Sales general manager Jason Minkhorst

CREATING A NORTHERN WONDERLAND

BY AMY FIFITA

“Iwas born in Whangārei and grew up in Australia with pineapples, sugar cane, bananas and other tropically grown fruit that were locally grown and consumed,” Aaron said.

“I came back to New Zealand to finish my schooling and went to university to study for a management degree majoring in marketing and public relations. I worked in the music industry for various years before working in hospitality and teaching English in Korea. I have done a range of things and learned various skills.

Aaron Millar began with a block of leased block of land that was a former quarry processing site and turned it into a haven for fruiting banana trees

“Once I discovered I could grow plants, I fused all my teaching, marketing and sales skills for the banana industry. I didn’t appreciate tropical fruits when I was growing up, but as an adult, I am getting into it and have a connection to the fruit I now grow.

“As I started to get into the banana industry, I wanted to start playing around and do something myself. I was sick of looking at all the pampas, tobacco leaves and gorse on the leased old quarry processing land.

“A few years ago, I was doing backyard gardening with people and working in

A BOAT, OR JUST DOING SOME MAINTENANCE?

hospitality. I slowly worked myself out of hospitality into full-time backyard vegetable growing for people.

“My guru Hugh Rose, the original Tallyman, encouraged me to not worry about what ground I’m growing on and to ensure that the bananas are fed so they will do well. He was right. It’s clay and blue

rock on the site because the land is an old quarry processing site.

“My first instinct for solving a problem is not opening my wallet and paying someone to do a deal at a market rate. I have always been a fan of being smarter, faster and more efficient. I always try to do a deal or a trade.

Aaron Millar began with a site without good soil and developed the land into a banana plantation

in Ruakākā.

“I studied permaculture, and it taught me to minimise your input while still creating an output. When I learnt how to prune fruit trees, a man down the street had some fruit trees that needed pruning and he had a mulcher on his tractor. I traded my work for some mulching.

“The plants that are in the front yard all came from various backyards. I did the digging myself and hired a small digger and did some of it by hand. When I needed assistance, I traded educating people at a workshop, and they would help me in the garden. That is how I keep my overheads down.

“I can’t dig a hole with a spade and have to use a big blue metal pry bar and find the rocks and open up the clay. I planted in the holes and put mulch around them so it could break down and feed the soil and the bananas. With time, that creates healthy soil, and now there are heaps of microbes, fungi, worms and all sorts of organisms living in it.”

Aaron recently joined the committee for the Tropical Fruit Growers of New Zealand, which focusses on educating people about growing tropical fruits.

“We get to learn from each other and teach each other how to grow the best fruit

possible and work out the infrastructure of logistics with this new industry. My personality trait finds joy in learning and putting it into practice. The information is there, you have to put the time in, and it all comes together.

“People are blown away by it to the point where they do not want to buy the locally grown Cavendish because it is too similar to what they are used to. Everyone is eager to taste something different. I love sharing it with other people who get inspired by it.”

Aaron’s friend Reece Hunter of Hunter Landscaping, helping harvest stems and tidying up a new plantation

Aaron also runs interactive workshops to educate people about banana cultivation

REPURPOSING RIVER FINDS

BY ANN VAN ENGELEN

“Igrew up in Tahiti, right on the beach at Bora Bora, and my father was a woodworker,” said Moehau.

“Dad made furniture and things like beds, bars and reception areas for the resorts as well as items for other people. My sisters, Kahaia and Leilani and I grew up with dad in the workshop or on the boat fishing with him.

“French is the national language of Tahiti, but our father was American, so we spoke English. I wanted to be an oceanographer and studied Biological Sciences at University in California. Just before starting grad school in Hawaii, I was offered a job on the Survivor USA TV show with my sister.

“It was on the job that I met my partner, who is a Kiwi. When our daughter Moeavai was due, we returned to Tahiti for her birth, and then came to New Zealand because he works here in the film industry.

“We lived in Auckland, but I was miserable. One day we visited Mangawhai, and I thought I could cope here, so we moved. I certainly miss island life — food and my family. My mum’s still in Tahiti, but my dad died in 2017.

“In recent years, I became interested in having indoor plants but was shocked at the prices. The plants I wanted grow everywhere in the islands — some grow like a weed in our backyard. For affordability, I decided to start taking cuttings and growing my own.

“My sister had an idea of putting the cuttings into test tubes, and I started looking for pieces of raw-edged wood to put the tubes in.”

Moehau found a small Far North family business which recovers logs from river beds and queried if there would be suitable offcuts.

Moehau’s son Hoku is often found helping his mum by placing the appropriate-sized test tubes into the tube prop slots

Growing up in Tahiti, Moehau Pearson learned a variety of woodworking skills from her dad and now uses native timber salvaged from rivers for her products at Mokalei Designs.

Growing up, Moehau learned a variety of wood working skills from her father in Tahiti

“They collect the native wood that fell into the water as it travelled by raft down the river in Northland years ago. The family invited me to visit, and I now get beautiful pieces, including kauri, rimu, mataī, tōtara and pūriri. The logs have been in the river mud for more than 100 years.”

The minerals in the mud preserved the wood well and some pieces have beautiful dark colours.

“The guy’s great-grandfather would’ve been one of the lumberjacks working at the sawmills back then, which makes the wood extra special. They let me go through the yard and choose the pieces I like, and when I run out, I select more.

“It is one of the last supplies of the old growth that they’ve recovered. They use a

barge with a crane and divers who probe the mud for logs and bring them up to the surface.

“One cool thing is they have a big seedling nursery at their lumber yard, and they replant native trees on the banks when they remove wood from the water. If I hadn’t found them, I would’ve found such beautiful timber as the offcuts are usually put in the fire.

“I pressure wash the pieces to remove the mud and stand them up in my workshop. I cut what I want and decide how many test tubes to put in it. Sometimes it’s one — sometimes it’s six or more. Then I plane the wood, ensuring it sits well and sand where necessary before deciding what plant will suit it.”

Moehau has plants and herbs like rosemary, mint and basil.

“You can also use a single flower or groups of dried flowers. One lady brought some to put sand in from the various beaches she visits. Because it’s so special, I use the wood for different purposes like spice racks too.

“I use linseed oil and beeswax on top, and that’s when the wood comes alive, and the colours come through. It is so satisfying. I put fresh oil on every few months to bring the colour back to life. If the wood gets wet, water spots can appear, but if you buff it with beeswax or olive oil and they vanish.

“Moeavai and our son Hoku like helping. Hoku enjoys finding the right size test tubes and putting them in holes to finish the holders. I go to different markets and have my Mokalei Designs Facebook page. I started in December 2021, and I am still learning but loving it.

“My business is called Mokalei Designs because Mokalei was the name of our dad’s fishing boat. Mokalei is the first letters of my and my sisters’ names. We decided to keep using Mokalei because it reminds us of our childhood and the most beautiful place on earth.”

“My mum was a single mum raising two girls and was always involved in community things like Playcentre, St John and the school,” says Lish.

“She volunteered to help with things we were involved in, and I think she passed the bug to help others on to me. We attended Kaiwaka Primary School and Otamatea High School. I wanted to be a marine biologist, but my guidance counsellor said I wasn’t clever enough, so I didn’t pursue it.”

Being from a local family, people offered Lish employment.

“My first job was working with calla lilies at the nursery before it became Kauri Park Nurseries, and then I worked at the worldfamous fish and chip shop with Dave and Anita. I had my boys in 2004 and 2005

VALUING VOLUNTEER WORK

BY ANN VAN ENGELEN

and started volunteering at Playcentre, and became the centre’s president.

“When the boys went to school, I became a teacher aide and loved it, but it wasn’t consistent. Greg and Paula Jaques offered me a job at the Kaiwaka Four Square, and I became a part of their family and have been here ever since.

“I then signed up with the volunteer fire brigade to give back to the community. Greg and Paula supported me as their way of giving back too, and now I work for Ant and Jess, and they have carried on supporting my role.

“Having had years of being involved in St John with my mum, blood, guts and death never scared me as we were always crash test dummies for mum for training. We always had fake blood on us, so I was never bothered by it.

YOUR GIFT CAN LIVE ON AT SWITZER DONATION OR BEQUEST/LEGACY

Governance of Claud Switzer Memorial Trust by community representatives defines the Trust as a community organisation. We are not corporate, and as a not-for-profit registered charity, we are grateful for any additional support.

For over 67 years, Switzer Home and Hospital has provided care to those in need in our community. This was made possible through the original generous bequest of Claud Switzer in 1954.

If you would like to consider making a donation or leaving a bequest, we will use it to enhance the care of Switzer residents by:

• Supporting our ongoing day-to-day service delivery

• Embracing new programmes and models of care

• Purchasing new equipment

• Improving and expanding our facilities

If you would like to leave a gift in your Will to help us continue providing these services and ensure the security of the Home’s future, please consult your lawyer.

If you wish to discuss gifting/bequests further, you are welcome to contact Tina Mills, CEO, on 09 408 8824 or email tina@switzer.org.nz

“I joined the brigade when a close friend, who was also a teacher aide, died in a car accident. People said if I had

been in the brigade then, I would have been a good support for her through that time.”

WHY DONATE TO SWITZER?

A bequest/legacy is a beautiful way to support the work of Switzer beyond your lifetime. It’s a gesture of kindness that means a great deal to the people we care for. Your generosity will ensure our service remains accessible to families in the Far North.

Lish Reynolds joined the Kaiwaka Volunteer Fire Brigade as a way to help the community on the suggestion of friends

Lish Reynolds was born and bred in the small farming community of Kaiwaka and is the fifth generation in her family to call the little town of lights home while spending many hours volunteering in the community.

a fifth-generation family member, Lish says she loves everything about the

Lish joined the Kaiwaka Volunteer Fire Brigade just before Covid.

“When Covid happened, we had to shut down, so my beginning was put on hold. Then I had to be in for a while before I could do my recruits course. I’m 43 years old now and am currently starting my journey to become a qualified firefighter.

“I love everything about the brigade and being part of a team and something big while helping the community because I know so many people from working at the Four Square. I like the community connection and what we do to help when we can.

“We do a lot of ambulance support and are often the first response to medical events or accidents because they are so busy. Our team is qualified in co-response for first aid and has oxygen and our skill sets if we arrive at the scene first. We

attend car accidents and support police and other rescue tenders as well.

“We aren’t a rescue tender, so we can’t cut people out of vehicles, but we support other crews in what they need, and of course, put out fires. It really is a big family, and the guys are so good. They never put me in any situation that I don’t feel comfortable with. They’re very understanding and accepting of my personal limits.

“There are so many scenarios that we attend, and happy endings are always good. When I go to sad things, I feel happy that we’ve been able to support the family. If someone passes, I feel happy that I was there for the person at that time and was able to chat with them or be with them in their time of need.

“There are so many great people in the world, and you have no idea what they are

doing. People often say that I am extremely good at what I do, but I see it as talking to people as they go through their trauma.

“I try not to say no to things because our community is awesome, and it’s growing. We have so many people who don’t put their hand up for the accolades because they are serving from the heart.

“We have neighbours and family who look out for each other, and I have always thought that we are a little hidden gem. People go through town as if nothing is here, but there is a lot here.

“Kaiwaka has always had a great vibe, and that’s something we don’t want to lose.”

As

Kaiwaka community

As a team member at Four Square Kaiwaka, Lish enjoys serving the community in her many roles

BRAND NEW TRANSPORTABLE HOME

Brand new transportable 94m2 home currently being built in Dargaville by Inspirational Homes.

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ADVERTORIAL

Inspired to innovate

by Alan Wheatley

A quiet and much-needed housing innovation by TL Build Ltd is taking shape in a modest yard behind a former panel beater’s workshop in Dargaville.

Its new project, Inspirational Homes, specialises in constructing transportable houses; the rst one, a two-bedroom, is already well on the way to completion. These are not tiny homes, modi ed sheds, semi-agricultural buildings or converted containers, nor the cookiecutter creations so many others are turning out. They are architecturally designed and professionally built fully transportable homes.

Locals Tim Pratt and his wife, Leah O’Driscoll, are the driving force behind the family-run company. Tim started the highly successful Dargaville High School Building Academy more than 11 years ago, while Leah is a former successful motelier and real estate agent. Joining them on the building site is leading hand Phil Crawford, another experienced building local.

The project is run under Tim’s Licensed Building Practitioner qualification, which is essential, especially when training apprentices. While TL Build offers one, two, three and four-bedroom professionally designed and architecturally approved homes, this rst build is a 94-squaremetre two-bedroom home, with bathroom and en suite, and monopitched roof. The actual drawings

are signed off by local architectural draughtsman Gordon Lambeth.

Tim says the turnaround time for each build will be approximately 12 weeks. The company is also embracing new technology. TL Build uses new Swedishdesigned adjustable steel screw piles that are screwed into the ground to hold the bearers the house is built on and ensure

Leon

they are 100 per cent level. While the houses are built to plan, Tim says there is scope for some customisation.

“Obviously, the customer can choose house colours, the style of the roof — mono-pitched, gable or hip style, Weathertex, Linear Board or Weatherboard exterior cladding, a single bathroom or a bathroom with

ensuite, ttings and ooring, and of course, what goes into the kitchen, in the way of bench tops, colours and layout of ttings.”

Tim and Leah emphasise they try to source as much locally for each build as they can; adding sourcing materials, services and ttings within Kaipara can only be good for the whole region.

“It’s already starting to move well. We’ve only been building for a few weeks, but already we’ve had a huge amount of interest, and a lot of that has come from the farming sector, which is where we envisage a lot of our customers will be.

“Our whole approach is innovation. For example, we are using ply for internal lining and ceilings that not only provides a really nice internal ambience, but delivers superior bracing, which means little or no risk of damage during transportation compared to conventional linings.”

Tim says they work with their clients at every step. “Our product is affordable and high quality and will always t in with clients’ design preferences.”

He also says they are more than happy to talk about price for a brand new, superbly built home, and working within people’s budgets. Visit the website at tlbuild.nz.

Pipi

Sparky

Fairburn

through winter power cuts.

Heat Output 16kw (estimated). A number of Lion wetbacks options are available to heat your hot water.

Credit: Alan Wheatley

The innovative team behind TL Build Ltd — Tim Pratt (left), Leah O’Driscoll and Phil Crawford

NEW VENUE AND DATE

RUGBY PARK

MURDOCH STREET, DARGAVILLE

SEPTEMBER 1st & 2nd 2023

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DARGAVILLE

WEARABLE ARTS

PIONEER

Music uplifts wearable arts

by Andy Bryenton

Only a few short weeks separate us from Dargaville’s 2023 Wearable Arts extravaganza, and elements of art, music, design and performance are coming together to reveal the shape of an unmissable event.

Choreographing the various strands of creativity that make up the finished show is underway, and what’s on offer promises to fill the giant marquee booked for the wearable arts to bursting point. In terms of music, composer and performer Brian Baker has been hard at work not just collating cover tracks to suit the mood but composing a score to match the themes of the competition.

“There are three major parts I have been working on, which correspond to the three themes that will be explored by the wearable arts creations on stage,” says Brian.

“The reuse and recycle category has been a fun piece to compose, using the sounds of upcycled materials as instruments to really get into the metaphorical space. For the environment and nature category, I’ve taken a real Kiwiana approach, with a pacific-reggae sound and native birdsong. Avant-garde lives up to its name and will be a surprise.”

As well as these main themes to complement and uplift the visual art of the contestants, and the additional projections and art by AwhiWorld, Brian has worked with the talented young cast of dancers who accompany the production.

“For them, I’ve composed energetic hip-hop style tracks, but then there’s the Alice in Wonderland theme, which allows us to get very psychedelic,” he says.

To add to this long list of musical compositions, Brian will also finish the evening with the performance of a new song he’s written and rehearsed just for the wearable arts.

Of course, the music is just one part of what organisers are calling a ‘feast for the senses’ at this year’s wearable arts extravaganza. Right now, staging, lighting, dance choreography and the competitor’s artworks are reaching a final pitch of perfection. All will be revealed when the curtain goes up on September 1 and 2. Those privileged enough to get a first glimpse behind the scenes advise that the calibre of entries this year is superb.

Tickets are on sale now via iticket.co.nz or by calling 050 848 4253. it’s expected that all shows, including the Saturday matinee, will quickly fill up as September approaches. Get hold of yours soon, and prepare to experience the triumphant return of wearable arts to the northwest.

Local MP

Music, movement and dance will frame a stunning selection of artworks, when Dargaville hosts the 2023 Wearable Arts in September

“Get prepared to experience the triumphant return of wearable arts.”

Outstanding season start

Just Avocados Ltd (Katikati) commenced packing avocados from Northland for the new season in early June.

Fruit volume picked has been limited to sale in the New Zealand market, with export commencing shortly.

Glen Dunseath, CEO of NZ Operations at Darling Group, says the packhouse machinery and Just Avocados’ team have had an outstanding start to the season with new technology and learnings from last season contributing to ef ciencies and cost savings.

“The packhouse team has the machinery humming, and the knowledge garnered from last year’s development of the new MAF RODA fruit handling line is showing real bene ts.

“Larger pack runs combined with a small seasonal team has meant Just Avocados has reduced the cost per tray and maximised our daily packed numbers compared to last season.”

Just Avocados has also been able to start the season with a signi cant reduction in waste produced by pallet wrap. The packhouse is using a new eco-friendly wrap (NT804 Macro Wrap), which is fully recyclable and ventilated.

“The new pallet wrap has brought about a reduction in waste per pallet from 205 grams of netted wrap to 84 grams of Macro Wrap.”

Dunseath says it is early days, but based on forecasted throughput for the next one to three seasons, the use of NT804 Macro Wrap will produce projected environmental savings of 1,395kg and cost savings of $8,600 a year.

“We have also dropped the use of corner-boards because of Macro Wrap’s superior pallet securement, which sees the cost savings push out to $40,000 plus per year.”

Currently, this product is used right throughout the Australian avocado sector and is well-established in other sectors of New Zealand horticulture. However, it is in early stages of use in the avocado industry, with Just Avocados as the front runner.

Planting plantain reaps dividends

by Andy Bryenton

Farmers across New Zealand will be watching with interest the progress and success of a trial in the Tararua District, which has just won a major environmental award.

PACKED, AND SOLD

The humble plantain herb has helped researchers earn a top environmental award and could save farmers millions of dollars each year in catchments nationwide cannot be understated,” says Dr David Burger, DairyNZ’s sustainable dairy manager.

The Tararua Plantain Project hits on several hot topics in farming and farm-related regulation and legislation right now, such as nitrogen leaching, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and water quality improvements. It’s all being achieved, to various levels, by the adoption of a grazing herb cultivar called plantain, which has been deployed and monitored on 11 farms. A further 77 have taken up plantain planting despite not undergoing rigorous monitoring.

The project, which scooped the Primary Industries New Zealand Award earlier this month, is a DairyNZ-led initiative in collaboration with Agricom, the Ministry for Primary Industries, Fonterra, and Nestlé. Delivery partners include AgResearch, Horizons and Massey University.

“The impact of the Tararua project as a blueprint for farmers to take up plantain

“Research shows Ecotain plantain in pastures can reduce nitrogen leaching from dairy farms by 20 to 60 per cent. Plantain also has the potential to reduce on-farm greenhouse gas emissions. This game-changing project has community at its heart, with dairy farmers, community members, iwi, DairyNZ and partners working together to reduce environmental footprint.”

Plantain’s effectiveness has proven potent. The national programme’s farm trial research at Massey University has shown that mixed pastures containing 30–50% plantain can achieve reductions in nitrate leaching from dairy farms of 20–60%, helping to reduce nitrogen losses to waterways.

Farmers never asked for co-governance

by Hon Shane Jones

Red tape is creeping across the farming landscape of New Zealand. Nowhere is this more evident than the ill-conceived and impractical National Policy Statement (NPS) for indigenous biodiversity, which takes legal effect on August 7 2023. The objective is to prevent the loss of indigenous biodiversity and protect its mauri.

Vague and open to interpretation, it institutes co-governance and tangata whenua consensus decision-making into environmental law. Sadly, this major shift in our law threatens our primary sector. Weighing the tradeoffs and cost-benefit analysis between biodiversity, economic development, job training and growth are important discussions when considering resource management and land use.

The NPS is clearly an attempt to ram through a zero-growth ideology. It’s an implementation millstone for local governments while layering on the emotional and social priorities of the current Labour/Green regime. Cultural piffle and climate change shrillness drowns out facts and common sense.

This NPS is a major setback for all landbased industries, including mining, and fails to give equal weight to economic, ecological, social and cultural factors. It will undermine investment and hobble the ability of farmers to operate unless they seek permission from local government. Regional towns and households will suffer as environmental activists and ongoing litigation stall farming, mining, forestry and overall efficiency. Litigation avoidance will become more important than biodiversity and mauri protection.

Landowners in New Zealand have always enjoyed the flexibility to adjust activities to maximise economic value. Frankly, most Māori want to develop the potential of their land to increase output and productivity too. Let’s protect our farmers’ property rights while encouraging cost-benefit analyses and efficacy. Our primary sector and its ability to sustain, grow and innovate is more

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(Part two)

important than ever to boost our nation’s economic growth.

No one, especially farmers, voted for tangata whenua co-governance to be embedded into the Resource Management Act. After the next election, this NPS must be penned, trucked and sent to the abattoirs.

by John Arts

When creating or upgrading a health supplement, I use research and best evidence to build a successful formula.

An example of this is the (Aging Clin Exp Res, 2021) peer-reviewed study into the effectiveness of highgrade chondroitin sulphate (CS). It concluded that high grade CS at 800mg was effective at reducing symptoms of osteoarthritis. This study was so profound that it resulted in the adoption of CS as a prescription medicine in Europe.

I used this study to help me formulate my joint supplement. I included 800mg (daily dose) of highgrade CS in my formula, along with 800mg of Glucosamine sulphate and 200mg of new-generation Biosolve® curcumin extract (from turmeric). I have recently added BioSolve Curcumin because it is fully water soluble with superior absorption and is gentle on the stomach.

I then evaluated chondroitin suppliers, and most were bovine or marine sourced. I found that avian CS has a higher proportion of important chondroitin-4-sulfate and is, therefore, better absorbed. I chose the highgrade avian CS.

I have now built up a signi cant record of people using this formula over the past eight years. While reallife results always vary, those who have implemented my recommendations

and followed the review process had real bene ts, with most saying that the supplements have resulted in greater comfort and mobility.

As an example, a person I am currently helping has had worsening osteoarthritis in both knees, with X-rays showing signi cant deterioration in her right knee. We started her on a programme that included a double dose of my joint supplement and 4,000mg of omega-3 sh oil. She has reported signi cant improvements over the past four months and is now able to walk freely again.

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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• Chondroitin and glucosamine are building blocks of cartilage.

• Supplementation with correct levels can support healthy cartilage function and cartilage repair processes.

• New BioSolve® bioavailable curcumin helps joint function while gentle on the stomach.

• Research indicates that chondroitin is highly effective at 800mg daily.

John Arts comments:

“My latest Bettaflex formula includes BioSolve® bioavailable curcumin for faster results. The normal dose is 2 capsules daily but I recommend an initial higher dose for 1-3 bottles to saturate join tissue.”

(John Arts, Founder, Abundant Health)

Abundant Health

“Most people say that the supplements have resulted in greater comfort and mobility.”

“This NPS is a major setback for all landbased industries and fails to give equal weight to mining, economic, ecological, social and cultural factors.”

Hon Shane Jones

NEW

Vertical farm greenhouse

by Amy Fifita

Discover what you can do with a shipping container on your property aside from item storage, like making it a place for plants to thrive.

The cost of living and sustainability are currently ongoing topics talked about on many platforms. The world is changing in various ways, and one of those ways is altering how we approach food production and recycling.

People have become creative with repurposing metal structures, and shipping container glasshouses are one of the newer innovations. Once the conversion is achieved, users can control factors like temperature meaning horticulturalists can grow produce all year round.

By taking off the roof of the cargo vessel, you can build glass or plastic onto the top and grow your luscious greens. There are alterations to the idea, like a cabin and a conservatory on one side purposed for fresh vegetables to flourish in.

Converters should be diligent when sourcing a container; the structural dignity must be sound to increase its usable lifespan. The modular farm system can cost more than buying

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a greenhouse outright, but has its benefits.

However, it is cheaper than establishing a hydroponic horticulture system. It shelters the produce from the weather and is ideal in harsh and weather-chaotic climates, and some converters say it is better for the environment. That may be true, if it is done right.

One way of achieving a sustainable system is by utilising solar power, makeup air and condensated water; another factor that should be considered like carbon dioxide monitoring.

The idea is great for people with limited space who want an abundance of fresh food, and it helps obtain your produce locally. The controlled environment inside the containers means that growers don’t need to use pesticides and other chemicals like traditional cultivation.

There are various companies that can assist to transform a container into a glasshouse or with a good plan it could be a do-it-yourself project.

save space and can produce ample food

Lifestyle BlockS

Food for the bees

by Liz Clark

During the winter months, food scarcity for bees and other beneficial pollinating insects is thin on the ground; however, some plants provide sustenance.

Throughout winter, bees and butterflies still need nectar to survive the cold days and nights. With the global issue of pollinator populations declining, especially in the case of bee numbers, providing a consistent food source is becoming a necessity in the garden. Fruit trees, flowers and vegetables are predominantly reliant on pollination by bees and other insects to set fruit and seed.

Shrubs and trees

You can’t go past the camellia for reliability when it comes to winter flowering. The flowers provide a rich source of high-quality protein-rich pollen — single flowering cultivars are the best option for bees to access.

Kowhai is a reliable late-winter flowering tree that provides not just food for bees but also for native birds such as tūī, which are also nectar-feeders. This native tree has also been developed by horticulturalists as a dwarf variety — Dragons Gold. It flowers in late winter and into early spring. Its compact growing habit makes it suitable for smaller urban gardens.

Mānuka Winter Cheer is another reliable flowering shrub suitable for smaller gardens reaching 1.5 metres in height at maturity. A fast-growing shrub, it puts out a profuse amount of bright deep-red flowers — mainly in late winter to early spring.

Winter flowers

Cornflowers top the list as favourite nectar sources for bees and butterflies. Flowering throughout winter, these plants can be easily grown from seed as an annual and planted in the garden or pots.

Snapdragons flower well throughout the winter months. Another that is easily germinated from seed and grown as an annual. With a profusion of cultivars available in many shades, these will provide another reliable source for visiting pollinators.

Calendula is always reliable. A great companion plant for winter vegetables, these plants are frost-hardy and also utilised by visiting bees. Easy to grow and selfseeding. These also come in various colours available from your local garden centre. Other plant varieties

The list is extensive; here are just a few of them. Flowering from autumn onwards borage is a good start. Also, consider pineapple sage, rudbeckia, native hebes and lavender as options for keeping the pollinators catered for.

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Be emergency prepared

by Ann van Engelen

Lifestyle block living is rural living, and an emergency, be it weather or other event, is always a contingency.

The Rural Support Trust is encouraging people to check out Emergency Management Southland’s format to help people to, first and foremost, make a plan in case of any emergency events.

In an emergency, it’s important everyone on your property knows the best way to leave your home if necessary, where to meet and how to contact one another if separated. Have a list of all household members, their contact numbers and specific needs and requirements you may have.

Decide where to meet following an emergency situation and keep contact details for someone outside the area that you can all check in with if you can’t meet up. Plan for the impacts of a disaster, including loss of power, communication, isolation and what that might mean for your whānau.

Detail how to turn off water, electricity and gas, if required. Other useful tips can be found on the getready.govt.nz or the eqc.govt.nz websites.

When creating your supplies kit, consider your needs for a week at home, with no power, no running water, no internet, no cellphone coverage. Make sure you can stay warm, prepare food, have drinking water and any medication you may need. Don’t forget baby formulas and toddler food if necessary.

If the power fails, use your fresh food first, then refrigerated and frozen foods. Use tinned and dry foods last. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature. The fridge will keep food cold for about four hours if it is unopened. With doors closed, a full freezer will keep

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No job is too big or small and Richard loves to see a job completed properly.

Skilled in all aspects of drainage – subdivisions/commercial, private domestic jobs, farms etc. Septic tank and water tank supply and installation and also custom drainage design. Whether you are building a brand new home, placing a relocatable on a section, adding a cabin, creating a subdivision, driveways, parking areas, landscaping, need a soakage field or just have problems with surface flooding on your backyard, you name it – we can do it.

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In an emergency, ensure your animals have a good chance to be safe the temperature for approximately 48 hours; 24 hours if it is half full.

Once food reaches the temperature of five degrees or above for more than two hours it greatly increases the risk of growth by microorganisms that can cause illness. Don’t use frozen food that has thawed or refrigerated food that has warmed up. The only exceptions are butter/margarine, hard cheeses, raw eggs still in eggshells, fruit and vegetables. If in doubt, throw it out.

Plan for pets and animals on your property. Arrange for a neighbour to check on them if an emergency occurs and you’re not home, if it is safe for them to do so. Others suggest, if possible, ensure animals have access to safe ground, if necessary, and have extra food out for them if it is safe for you to do so.

Finally, know how to get information and connect with people in your community and local Civil Defence. More information and an emergency plan template go to cdsouthland.nz.

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Get your house in order

by Andy Bryenton

While it seems as simple as ABC, many let the enthusiasm get in the way of a careful plan that will allow the right tradespeople get their tasks done at the right time for a seamless build.

When you’re renovating, there are lots of jobs to be done by professionals, even if you’re a DIY expert. Knowing when to schedule the pros is a big part of planning a perfect project.

It all starts with the main features of each room. For a kitchen, this means the appliances and whiteware, which cabinets and benches must be built to accommodate. In a bathroom, it’s worth sorting out the big items like shower cubicles and bathtubs, as well as the design language of your tapware and fittings, before even sketching up a plan for the room. In bedrooms, you’ll want to know if you’re aiming for super-kingsized sleeping luxury or a space which doubles up as a home office. In living areas, technology such as sound and vision dominates.

For a big build or a back-to-the-bones renovation, it helps to think of your home as a living body. Structural work on the skeleton of the home comes first, followed up by the wiring and piping, which makes up the metaphorical nervous system and circulatory system behind the walls.

Calling

in electricians and plumbers

before the gib board goes up makes their task so much easier, and lower labour costs are your reward. The same goes for taking the chance to install ventilation and recessed lighting at the same time as you peel off the roof for replacement or repair.

The walls and ceilings come next, though sometimes it’s best to leave things like light fittings, heat pumps and even interior doors out until the painting is complete for a neat finish. Carefully labelled wires and pipes protected from the painting process can then be connected up as appliances and fixtures which need to be permanently installed take their places. Once there’s no danger of paint being dropped on brand new floors, it’s time for linoleum and carpet to be laid down, with special care taken in wet areas where covings often come up to protect the joins between the floor and certain cabinet items.

All this seems straightforward, but it’s the nature of renovations that projects often lead on to others, and there’s sometimes no clear timeline unless you stop to make one. The benefit of a

solid plan is that certain themes, such as colours, fixture aesthetics, textures and sight lines, can all carry through for a more harmonious finish. You’ll also get the grateful thanks of your local tradespeople, who won’t be stepping on each others’ toes.

Wealth taxes alive and well

by Colin Hannah — Federated Farmers Northland president

There is plenty of discussion around the collection of ‘wealth taxes’ in New Zealand.

Much of this has already taken place with the passing of the government’s forced legislation over the last six or so years, which has transferred what should’ve been paid from income tax to support regional and district councils to implement change. This, in fact, has been loaded on to rates collected from landowning individuals and or companies.

Landowners, both rural and urban residents, have been contributing to legislation direction that has seen large increases in the rate burden. The rate

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burden isn’t shared equally across the region as not all beneficiaries of the rate take are ratepayers.

Taxation is fair in that the taxpayer contributes their share based on income. Increase in rates directly related to legislative change is another form of wealth tax, when the impact from legislative change imposed by any administration causes a disproportionate increase beyond inflationary pressures and, in reality, should’ve been funded by the government.

Feeders. If you aren’t satisfied in both the workmanship and the effectiveness, we will refund your purchase price in full, up to 24 months following purchase.

The Northland Regional Council has increased its rate take 53% over the past three years. What percentage of this increase is because of burgeoning legislative impact? Should the NRC, on behalf of its ratepayers and nonratepayers, push back and tell the government they also need to contribute to relieve our overburden or risk a ratepayer revolt?

Many Northlanders, good law-abiding citizens I have spoken to recently, aren’t

far off a revolt. These are not people who have gone down rabbit holes and believe in every conspiracy theory known to man.

Last year, the NRC forced the Significant Natural Area implementation on the Far North District Council. At a meeting called by fed-up Far North District ratepayers, the nearly 500 landowners in the room were opposed to SNA.

That was because SNA is blatant property theft from hard-working New Zealanders. The mood of that meeting was understandably intimidating, which should have been noted by the bureaucrats in Wellington who had forced the SNA regime on NRC.

Now, to be a company director of many New Zealand companies, you are required to have skill sets across a range of educational and experience prerequisites. However, to be a councillor, you don’t need any skills to be running what are large business operations, and this is starting to show.

The skill-sets required by councillors are no different to a board member, and it would appear we are lacking those skills in Northland’s councils.

Ratepayers must first accept some of the blame for such a poor voting turnout over the years, leaving us with the calibre of councillors we have. Successful companies are not run on ideology, and you don’t have to look too far to observe a number of dysfunctional councils around New Zealand.

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Emissions Trading Scheme options

by Andy Bryenton

The government has proposed four Emissions Trading Scheme alternatives to make it less attractive for farmers to sell up and convert land to carbon-credit forestry.

The proposals come as farmers are being asked to make submissions on the ETS scheme, and industry advocacy groups call for mechanisms to slow or prevent the conversion of productive land into carbon forests. Both they and the political opposition are vehement that the system needs to change, with acknowledgement of on-farm CO 2 sequestration being a key principle.

“Farmers are part of the solution, not the problem,” says Todd McClay, National’s spokesperson on agriculture, speaking in Dargaville last week.

“If you can measure carbon, then we should be able to give money for carbon being sequestered on farms. This is already happening overseas but isn’t recognised by the government here. There is a role for forestry to play, but we are seeing an increase in forestry land, so we need clearer long-term rules for this industry.”

“Many farmers are very concerned about the number of whole farms being sold for exotic forestry as a result of the carbon price and the effects on rural communities,” said Beef and Lamb New Zealand CEO Sam McIvor.

The four possible changes to deter carbon forestry and encourage polluters to invest instead in technology to reduce their emissions are as follows. Firstly, the government could ‘decouple’ incentives for emissions reductions, and incentives to offset emissions. That is seen as the most drastic option, creating two different carbon credit markets.

The second option is for the government to directly affect the rules around how many forestry-generated carbon credits can be used by each ETS user. Credits generated by carbon forestry could be restricted or artificially given a lower value to manipulate the market.

The final two options are variations on this theme; one would increase the price of carbon credit units by increasing demand for credits generated by means other than forest planting, while the other would reduce the amount of credits offered by the government via auction.

All of these options are an aboutface from the current regime, in which New Zealand is one of only two nations on earth allowing 100 per cent of CO2 emissions to be offset via forestry. The other is Kazakhstan.

The government states no changes will be enacted until after the October general election, which may see a change of administration with a radically

different ETS policy. However, farmers have been urged to engage and make their feelings known via the Ministry for the Environment’s website.

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“Many farmers are very concerned about the number of whole farms being sold for exotic forestry as a result of the carbon price and the effects on rural communities.”

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Taking the natural view

by Andy Bryenton

In Northland, sections with a scenic view are a big drawcard for those looking to invest in and live in the region.

The vistas presented by the rugged west coast, picturesque east coast, rolling farmlands, forested hills and mercurial harbours are a big reason why people wish to quit the city and establish a slice of paradise in the mid-north. As good designers and builders know, the proper placement and concept of a home to inhabit such scenes of beauty is critical.

One of the greatest architects of the past century, Frank Lloyd Wright, considered many of his creations to exist ‘simply to support windows onto nature’. His passion for the natural environment culminated in homes like Fallingwater, a house in a forested part of Pennsylvania with a natural waterfall running through it. To Wright, windows and views were of utmost importance, and if a building needed to demolish nature to exist, it should never be built at all.

“The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes. If you foolishly ignore beauty, you will soon find yourself without it. Your life will be impoverished. But if you invest

in beauty, it will remain with you all the days of your life,” said Wright.

It’s a sentiment modern home builders share and express in many ways. There’s an increasing trend away from the ‘cut, clear and level’ path of section preparation as people become more eco-conscious about their homes and more inclined to want to fit in with nature. Recent winners of New Zealand’s home of the year awards have been partially submerged in hillsides, have had turf and grass looping up and over rooflines, or have been nestled amid long-established specimen trees, which may have been only slightly trimmed to allow for construction.

Moreover, there’s a fresh inclination for new home builders to approach their designer or architect with a selection of views they’d love to frame with modern windows, defining the aspect and inclination of kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms and decking. The ubiquity and power of panoramic mobile phone cameras have made it possible to

capture these views and take them into the offices of designers and constructors to discuss.

“Nature is the inspiration for all ornamentation. Study nature, love

nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you,” said Wright. It’s a little piece of wisdom which fits perfectly with modern thoughts on building with, not on top of, the natural world.

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Great architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s views on fitting into nature have inspired a philosophy which works well with New Zealand’s natural vistas; this is his Fallingwater house in Pennsylvania, USA

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Power from transparency

by Andy Bryenton

A company from Western Australia has pioneered a new power generation technology that could soon become the norm for any structures with windows; solar panels, which serve as perfectly transparent windows.

Clearvue sandwiches a sheet of nanoparticles between layers of glass. These particles are so tiny that they can be seen through. They allow energy from the sun to be ‘shunted’ to the edges of each pane, where they are turned into electricity using a similar method to conventional solar panels. The result, in a structure like a greenhouse, office building or even potentially a home, is multiple small power sources, which can be tapped to perform tasks which would otherwise draw electricity from the grid.

It’s the holy grail of photovoltaic innovation and the brainchild of Victor Rosenberg, who launched the company ClearVue back in 2011. He steered the start-up through development and into listing on the stock market but has recently appointed a new chief executive to take the now fully tried, tested and functional product to the world.

“You’ve got the governments, particularly the US and the UK, passing regulations where you’ve got to comply with new

standards for buildings, and that’s exactly our point of difference,” said Mr Rosenberg in an interview just last month.

“We are part of the carbon reduction movement. I’m here to support new CEO Martin Deil, but I want him to carry the big load now. You need a younger person, but someone who is really experienced, and I believe, in Martin, we have got such a man.”

The time is right for ClearVue to take the global stage. The building integrated photovoltaic market is soaring as companies seek to become carbon neutral, and the annual spend on this kind of tech tops the US$16 billion mark. What works on a large scale for commercial greenhouses, high-rise office towers sheathed in glass and university campuses today will inevitably fuel a revolution in home solar power tomorrow. After all, those favourable northward views which capture the sun demand big picture windows, and who would deny the utility of those same windows cutting back the power bill each month?

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A race against the reindeer

by Andy Bryenton

Half of 2023 is now behind us, and spring is on the way, offering a window of opportunity to take care of all those home and garden tasks put on hold by a rainy and storm-lashed summer.

It might seem that we’ve all got a lot of time ahead of us before Christmas, but the truth is sobering. It’s only 16 weeks until students clock out of school for the year, and the madness of the merry season takes over. That leads to some worrying mathematics.

Consider this; we all have to sleep for approximately one-third of every day. Each time the earth spins, we have to get our heads down for eight hours or so, to avoid going completely mad and becoming the kind of person who buys everything they see on late-night

infomercials. Thus, we can adjust that figure down to 12 weeks just to account for time spent snoring.

It gets worse for those of us who don’t have a famous actor, politician or billionaire in our parentage and thus must head out to work each day. With many of us working more than eight hours, it’s a very conservative estimate to shear off another entire third of what’s left of our waking hours. That leaves us with just six weeks of free time until Christmas.

Now, without getting into the details, we’re going to have to spend quite a bit of that time taking care of the necessities of life. Time in the bathroom alone could account for an entire other week, meaning we’re down to five. Also, while those renovation and landscaping jobs are important, they can’t replace food, drink, and time spent watching the All Blacks. Let’s conservatively call that another week.

What this means, in a bald assessment of facts, is that there’s really only a month left to get it all done before Christmas. In that time, you’ll have to take account of unseasonable

There’s no time to snooze — add up the time left before the Christmas holidays, and you might be shocked

weather, fixing tools and gear which have decided to give up the ghost after a winter in the shed, supply chain snarl-ups, and visits from that dastardly little leprechaun they call Murphy.

What does this all mean? Two things. Firstly, according to the maths, it’s time to book in advance for spring and summer jobs now because if you think the schedule above looks busy, imagine what it’s like for your local tradespeople. Secondly, while you can’t entirely trust statistics from a humourous newspaper column, there’s a big nugget of truth in this one.

Kiwi technicians challenge Australia

by Andy Bryenton

Rugby has traditionally been the battlefield of friendly rivalry between Australia and New Zealand; now, a team of Kiwi tractor and machinery technicians are challenging their neighbours across the ditch.

Nine New Zealand finalists will fly out to challenge the best of the best in their field at the 2023 John Deere Technician of the Year Awards. This contest has been run for the past three year, and spans the skills technicians need in industries such as agriculture, forestry and construction. While the Kiwi contingent comes from different backgrounds, including photocopier repair and sports, all know their way around big diesel machines.

“Technicians require a unique combination of mechanical knowledge, proficiency in digital technology and advanced problem-solving skills, and becoming a finalist in the annual awards is a testament to the hard work and dedication our technicians inject into their roles,” said John Deere Australia and New Zealand managing director Luke Chandler. There were more than 60 applicants to represent New Zealand when the contest kicks off in Brisbane this month. The tasks they will face under the scrutiny of watchful adjudicators will span all aspects of keeping big machines from the field and forest operational. There are multiple awards and categories to aim for.

Greg Bishop of Otago Farm Machinery and Bryce Dickson of Brandt Whangārei will compete for Agriculture and Turf Service Technician of the Year. Parts

Technician of

Year hopefuls include Brandt Gisborne’s Mollie Clarke and Jimmy O’Donnell of Drummond and Etheridge in Blenheim. Nick Fargher of Brandt Feilding and Mark Haughton of Drummond and Etheridge Rolleston could come back as Construction and Forestry Technician of the Year. Dylan Bruce and Paige Hunter, also from Drummond and Etheridge in Rolleston, and Tom Fyfe from Brandt Rotorua will compete for apprentice of the year titles.

“Each finalist has a proven track record of helping farmers and businesses unlock

greater productivity and sustainability achievements through technology, and they should be very proud of rising to the top of a very competitive field,” says Luke Chandler.

“While they’re all diverse in their experience and background, what they have in common is a deep enthusiasm to learn and commitment to deliver exceptional aftermarket service to their customers,” said John Deere Australia and New Zealand’s director of aftermarket and customer support, Emma Ford.

As the original Kiwi Welldrillers, we pride ourselves on our professionalism, integrity and reputation, for a job well done.

Bryce Dickson will travel from Whangārei to Brisbane to compete in the fourth annual John Deere Technician of the Year Awards

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Space oddity is down to earth

by Andy Bryenton

Toyota’s CH-R may just have been the biggest design departure for the giant automaker since the radical MR2 AW11 back in the 1980s.

Nevertheless, just like the wedgeshaped mid-engine sports car, that bold exercise in design has paid dividends. Initially aimed at a younger, funkier crowd, there’s been big support for the original Ch-R from people of all ages, who, it seems, were ready for a crossover SUV that didn’t look the same as the rest.

Now there’s a new model on the way. Toyota has given designers carte blanche to embrace futurism, rendering a machine that looks like a concept car from the 1970s rather than a mainstream offering for 2024.

“The C-HR has gained a loyal following among New Zealand buyers looking for a sharply styled small SUV, and this all-new model takes its dynamic good looks, performance, and features to an even more premium level, befitting its European origins,” says Toyota New Zealand vice-president of new vehicles, Steve Prangnell.

Two-toned, crisply folded and aggressive, the new CH-R manages to look more radical than the Lamborghini Urus, which may have informed some of the aesthetics in its front end. However, this is no super-luxury school-run trophy. The CH-R has been designed for ordinary daily driving, and under the skin, inside those doors with their Tesla-like fold-away handles, is a very practical car indeed.

What else would you expect from the architects of the Corolla?

There will be a choice of two engines when the hybridised CH-R hits New Zealand shores. First up is a 1.8-litre petrol motor with hybrid electric assistance that comes from a new evolution of the tech that we know from the Prius. Despite being the smaller of the two engine configurations,

this one still delivers 15 per cent more power than the current CH-R. For those who want to experience performance more in line with what the new machine’s styling promises, there’s a spicy GR Sport edition with a two-litre hybrid powertrain. The ‘GR’ badge stands for Gazoo Racing, the tuning boffins who serve as Toyota’s version of AMG or M

Sport, and it’s been worn by some truly mad and inspiring cars in recent years. The other big difference to the sporty CH-R is a true all-wheel-drive layout, which will add grip and deliver all 145 kilowatts to the ground. That’s only 20 kilowatts less than the power developed by the latest Lexus ISF in its blacked-out special edition. All Sales enquires contact: Rob or Sheldon 09 425 8439 sales@warkworthtoyota.co.nz All Service enquires contact: 09 425 8439 after 9am service@warkworthtoyota.co.nz

The shape of things to come; Toyota’s CH-R manages to look more like a space cruiser than SUVs made by far more expensive, outrageous brands

From Maungatūroto to the big leagues

by Andy Bryenton

Young motor racing competitor Ben Morrison has featured in these pages before as he has risen through the divisions; now he’s made it to the big leagues of his sport.

This year, Ben takes on the best of the best in midget car racing, in command of a 400 horsepower machine weighing 400kg. Piloting this super-fast car on a dirt track amid a field of veterans doesn’t faze the young racer, who says he’s grateful for the opportunity.

“It’s time to step up to the next class, and this is the pinnacle class for me,” says Ben. “I have been training for this for the past 15 years, ever since I was four years old. I’m very lucky to be there, as not many people ever get this opportunity.”

Ben’s parents purchased his custom-built midget car, a class that is so powerful it can wheelstand down the back straight, built from ultra-light materials like carbon fibre and titanium. It will be the first year Ben races with his own professional pit crew against top contenders with multiple championship trophies behind them. To win, everything must be tuned to perfection.

“Everyone is on a level playing field at this grade, and we’re all looking for that extra one-tenth of a second,” he says.

With racing set to begin in October, Ben says he’s quietly confident but humble enough to recognise that this is a big step up. Nevertheless, he says he’s out there to race and to win with

Ben Morrison tearing up the track in last year’s midget car racing series; this year, he’s made it to the premier league of his sport, taking on New Zealand’s best racers the podium in his sights. After all, big US racing teams have their eyes on this competition, and an international career is a possibility.

“The biggest audience for this kind of racing is the US, and I would love to race there one day to represent New Zealand,” says Ben.

The engines for his new midget car come from Toyota in the US, each one custommade to withstand the rigours of flat-out competition. Tyres, too, are custom, with each topping $500 in value. Some last only one race before they need to be replaced, so sponsorship from local well-wishers is vital and greatly appreciated.

For now, it’s all about the mental and physical preparation needed when Ben hits the track alongside some of the best in the sport. While he’s humble enough to acknowledge the pedigree and skill of his rivals, it’s his aim to stand tall atop the podium by season’s end.

From fine art to faster agriculture

by Andy Bryenton

The maize industry thrives thanks to constant innovation in machinery; a process which has delivered multi-function combines and advanced harvesting tools so advanced that some are now driven by AI.

None of this would have happened if not for an old painting and a pair of farming brothers with an appreciation for art and engineering. The Baldwin brothers of Nickerson, Kansas, lived a long way from the cultural centres of New York and Paris. Still, they enjoyed fine art and benefitted from living in an age when photography could bring the works of the historic masters into small-town libraries and universities.

The pair were inspired to create a new kind of harvesting machine thanks to a painting by Jean-Fracois Millet, which depicted poor peasant women searching in a harvested field for any dropped

grains of corn. With the desire to use mechanisation to improve harvests, the Baldwins had two aims; to leave nothing behind as ancient methods did, and to maximise the harvest, meaning nobody would go hungry.

The painting was called The Gleaners. The Baldwins called the machine they invented the Gleaner. It was the first self-propelled combine harvester based around a tractor, and it put together mechanisms for reaping, threshing and winnowing. By 1923 the Gleaner was ready; its motive power came from the reliable Fordson Model F.

Farmers loved the machine and the name, which hinted at meticulous operation and frugality.

The dust bowl era of the 1930s, as chronicled in The Grapes of Wrath, was cruel to the Baldwins, and their company was bought up by Willaim Brace. Under Brace family management, Gleaner’s factory produced machinery for the war effort in the 1940s. Gleaner became part of AGCO in later years.

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