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Bold Steps Support Rural Communities
by Grant McCallum, MP for Northland
This government knows that farmers and rural communities are the backbone of New Zealand’s economy.
Do you need to replace a door latch, or redo all the wiring and plumbing aboard? Are you planning a fishing trip or a holiday with the family? At Cater Marine, we stock a wide selection of products for leisure and commercial yachts and launches from Anchors to Zincs and everything in between. We also offer dive refills.
Unit 16, Opua Marine Park Baffin Street, Opua Bay of Islands
Eighty per cent of all exported goods originate from the primary sector, and over 359,000 Kiwis are employed due to rural activities. They are a key driver in our economy, and we, as a government, trust them implicitly to carry out this function with characteristic efficiency.
That’s why at year’s end, and as a farmer, I can look back with immense satisfaction that we played our part with a year of delivery and support for the rural sector.
As a government, our commitment to the rural sector is unwavering and effective. In our first year, this government swiftly slashed red tape, enabling farming to thrive. We restored common sense to intensive winter grazing and stock exclusion rules, paused the roll-out of Freshwater Farm Plans, and introduced practical guidelines for on-farm water storage — measures that will empower our rural communities to succeed.
We removed agriculture from the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), disbanded the ineffective He Waka Eke Noa partnership, significantly increased funding for AgriZeroNZ to develop vital emissions reduction technologies and
are in the process of reforming gene technology rules.
We raised the cap on the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme and increased investments in both Rural Support Trusts and local catchment groups to bolster rural resilience.
We are also relentlessly pursuing enhanced trade relationships to secure greater returns at the farm gate. This year, we have expanded opportunities for New Zealand’s primary exports by securing significant trade agreements with the UAE and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), allowing for 51 per cent tariff-free entry from day one. We’ve eradicated $733 million in non- tariff barriers and reinstated log exports to India.
This government has complete confidence in our primary sector to deliver for New Zealand, and we look forward to continuing to partner with them to ensure that rural communities are supported, and costs are reduced so that we can all get ahead.
Finally, my team and I wish all farmers and the farming community a Merry Christmas and a prosperous and successful 2025.
Grant McCallum, MP for Northland
Showcasing canine skills
The Tux Yarding and Handy Dog event held at the Kaitaia A&P Showgrounds was hosted by the Mangonui Sheep Dog Trial Club last month.
It was a highly successful event, with competitors bringing dogs from around the North Island. Approximately 140 dogs ran in the two competitions at the regional event, showcasing the skills of Huntaway and heading working dogs and their owners in the yardingtype environment.
Top honours in both events went to former Northlander, now Waikato-based, Leo Jecentho, in the handy dog event with Huntaway, Chev, and the yarding event with heading dog, Zap.
Leo had already qualified the maximum number of dogs for yarding at previous Tux events. That meant the qualifying places, for the North Island run-off in Taupō, went to Northlanders Rhys Dackers, with Shade, and Tony Comins, with Hope.
The Bay of Islands club member Clare Thomson judged the handy dog event, with King Country’s Nigel Sinton judging the yarding event. Both events had strong performances with only two points separating the top three competitors in each event.
On the first day, torrential rain and generally unsettled conditions made it interesting, while the Saturday was more settled and winterless. On both days, the sheep were consistently good but would
punish any mistakes by man, woman and dog.
Merv Cameron was an icon of dog trialling in Northland, and, as part of this event, his memorial trophy was once again up for grabs, previously being held by the Broadwood Sheep Dog Trial Club. This year, it was perhaps fitting that it went to Merv’s home club of Mangonui. Congratulations went to Rob Scrafft and Colin Jay for combining to score the top club aggregate of maiden and open competitor in yarding.
As with any event in sports, it took a great crew of volunteers and sponsors to pull it off. Congratulations was given to convenor Colin Jay and the team at the Mangonui SDTC, along with secretary
Purina Tux, Mangonui Transport and Landcorp.
Top five results
Handy Dog top five: Leo Jecentho with Chev, Murray Child with Chase, Scott McRae with Rain, Craig Pearson with Elvis and Shaun Haynes with Lou.
Yarding Challenge top five: Leo Jecentho with Zap, Rhys Dackers with Shade, Leo Jecentho with Cloud, Tony Comins with Hope and Murray Child with Bruce.
Upcoming events
• January 25 and 26 2025, Helensville SDTC (Inland Road, Helensville)
• February 1 and 2 2025, Omamari SDTC (541 Omamari Road)
• February 7 and 8 2025, Bay of Islands SDTC (142 Hariru Road, Ohaewai)
• February 14 and 15 2025, Tangowahine SDTC (venue to be confirmed)
• February 20, 21 and 22, 2025, Broadwood SDTC 100-Year Centennial Trial and Northland Centre Championships (1200 Waiotehue Road, Broadwood)
Dog owners and their canine companions attended the Kaitāia A&P Showgrounds for the Tux Yarding and Handy Dog event in November
Tony Comins with his dog, Hope, at the Tux sheepdog trials last month
Anna Blair. The organisers also thanked sponsors
Immersed in breeding
by Amy Fifita
After growing up surrounded by the Red Devon breed, Colleen and her husband Ross Hunter used
Red Devons.
Colleen was brought up around Red Devons by her late mother Lee Fulton, while the breed gained traction in New Zealand in the 1970s.
After marrying Ross, they spent over 20 years living next door to her mum’s farm, learning about Red Devons and farming in general, before moving to their 62-hectare farm in Arapohue in 2017.
“We had just bought the farm when a line of my late mother’s cows came on to the market, so we quickly bought them.
Very fortunate to have this opportunity, it was one of the best moves we ever made,” said Colleen.
“Arriving at the farm, we invested the first five years putting everything into the herd, building up the numbers and establishing a quality herd that performs. Good cattle sell themselves and are a pleasure to farm alongside.
“We’re almost back up at 35 spring calving cows after retiring the autumn cow calving herd this year. I relish the
opportunity to get away off the farm for a quick break again before the winter season sets in.”
Calves are weaned at six to seven months of age with cows on the other side of the fence, so all the calves are relaxed and ready to advance through winter.
“We wean the calves when they are ready, not by date and that way they grow quickly. We want the best of the bull calves to weigh 300-plus kilograms at weaning, and regardless of what the
season presents, they always do. The best weaner heifers come in at a respectable 260 to 280kg.
“We run the majority of our heifers through the winter for mating at 15 months old, and the surplus are sold vetted in-calf at 18 months old. We are getting a consistent line of calves, and out of the 19 heifers mated this season, there is nothing that I wouldn’t put in my herd. They are outstanding young heifers with a bright future ahead of them.”
Once a scene in the distance, Maungaraho Rock rests not far from Colleen and Ross Hunter’s farm
Colleen is passionate about breeding Red Devons and takes pride in producing quality stock
“There were some impressive bulls bred in the earlier years via artificial insemination, and whilst we could put the heifers into the herd, we couldn’t utilise those bulls because they were too closely related to our herd.
“Now we have a split genetics herd, which allows us to use these bulls ourselves. The upcoming 2025 calving will give us a new fresh line of AB calves, which is very exciting. We choose to use Australian bulls and they work particularly well over our cows.
“We will keep the best progeny for our own breeding and run a selected few bulls on to two-year-olds for incoming enquiries. Some naturally-bred, low birth weight polled bulls are kept for heifer mating and sold at 15 months old. The remaining bulls are steered, and there
is always a waiting list for these quality, quiet, growthy youngsters.”
Colleen understands the benefit of taking good care of the weaners through winter.
“We strive to give our cattle the best start in life. While they are youngsters, we take good care of them because they are either ours or a buyer’s future herd.
“Once the females join any herd, they are working cows. The bulls are treated no differently. They all need to be in good working order with all vaccinations up to date. We put a lot of effort in when selling any cattle, so they arrive at their new farm with no surprises.
“Buyers have all the information to purchase sight unseen, aside from the photos I send to them. The cattle are always well-handled, attractive and in
forward condition. Everything is done and we are proud of what we present for sale.”
Colleen and Ross’s passion also expands into helping new breeders with their own Red Devon herd.
“We had a lot of help to get started and it’s nice to be in a position to help others. Ross and I both enjoy seeing other’s new herds progressing. I love Dargaville, it is refreshing.
“The people and small-town vibe is a wonderful place to live. The Red Devons also benefit from the slower pace in our lives.”
Colleen can touch her stock, something she says she has been able to do since getting her first calves
Harbour project spreads its wings
by Paul Campbell
The $300 million Kaipara Moana Remediation project is headed for international recognition with a nomination for HRH Prince William’s Earthshot prize as well as offering its expertise, gained over its initial three years, to rural areas across the rest of the country.
The 10-year Kaipara Harbour restoration project invests to restore wetlands, fence off rivers and streams, plant trees and regenerate forest on erosion-prone land, and also deliver wider benefits of interest to the environment portfolio, including thriving biodiversity, carbon sequestration, primary sector resilience and reduced climate change impacts.
The Earthshot national nominating agency is Victoria University of Wellington,
and KMR was one of only two nominated in the nature restoration area. CEO, Justine Daw says for those “outside the Kaipara Moana catchment, KMR freely shares our resources, in line with our role as a national exemplar for best practice in environmental restoration.
“KMR is also a supporter of a national digital platform created for environmental projects and programmes to share their resources. Through the platform, we have made available many of our underpinning
documents and other information of value to communities, landowners and groups taking environmental action across New Zealand.”
The Earthshot Prize was launched by Prince William in 2020 to search for and scale the most innovative solutions to the world’s greatest environmental challenges. Every year, the winners with the best chance of helping achieve the identified Earthshots are awarded significant funding each to scale their
solutions, with all finalists receiving tailored support from a global alliance of partners.
Daw says on-the-ground advice and guidance from the KMR team right from the start ensures that Kaipara catchment area projects are delivered successfully, and that landowners and groups have the knowledge they need to take action right away.
“If you are working with KMR, our trained field advisers walk alongside
Justine Daw is “immensely humbled” the KMR team has been selected
Poroti farmer Fraser Chapman with his children (from left) Arabella, Matilda and Freddie
you and provide wrap-around support to ensure your project meets our funding criteria and can be delivered time and cost-efficiently. If you are outside the catchment we freely share our resources.”
The significance of KMR’s positive impact on the environment in partnership with farmers is being acknowledged by Northland MP and co-chair of the Blue Greens, Grant McCallum.
The Maungatūroto farmer was given an overview, followed by a tour of Mandy and Rob Pye’s beef farm at Ruatangata West, near Whangārei, where he was shown extensive native plantings and an associated fencing programme to keep livestock out of waterways.
“I encourage all farmers to get on board and make a difference. It’s a real privilege having this national funding available, so it is important to keep up the good work,” said Mr McCallum. “I will do what I can to support the KMR team and farmers
to make the most of the opportunity on offer and really optimise the investment.
I congratulate KMR on their success and the deserved accolades they have received of late.”
The environment at Poroti in Northland has benefitted from the restoration project where, as a child growing up on the family farm, Fraser Chapman dreamt of fencing off a stream and planting it in natives.
Decades later, he is doing just that in partnership, and he believes the collaboration has accelerated his dream by 10–15 years, due to access to funding and advice and support. Last year, an area of land was fenced off where thousands of natives were subsequently planted.
Fraser is a third-generation farmer on land his grandfather first developed.
“Dad and I had already fenced off our waterways but wanted to fence off other areas to retire from farming and we still had to get to planting natives. In years to
come, I really want to put in a whole lot of species, separate to mānuka and flax, including more ake ake, rimu and kauri.”
Fraser runs the 319ha dairy farm alongside his parents, Wayne and Linda, and with plenty of help from Fraser and Alice’s children, Arabella, Freddie and Matilda. They milk 500 KiwiCross dairy cows once a day and produce around 170,000kg of milk solids a year.
Fraser believes 100ha of hilly and less fertile land should be reserved for a beef unit, meaning they will look to reduce their dairy herd by around 100 cows in the next few years. Of that 100ha, 40ha already earmarked for retirement will be planted in natives over the next decade or two.
Fraser and Alice own a further 70ha where they run the replacement dairy heifers on. In time, they will look at a native planting regime there too. For now, the focus is on retiring land on the home block and doing the job right.
KMR nursery staff met to plan and compare notes at a working day at the St John Hall in Kaiwaka
Northland MP Grant McCallum (second from left) next to KMR’s Justine Daw and leading Kokopu beef farmer Rob Pye (centre), surrounded by some of the KMR team
Solace in rural living
by Amy Fifita
For musician INora Flowers, the countryside holds memories of her Lithuanian upbringing, but
Growing up in the largest city in Lithuania, Vilnius, visiting her grandparent’s farm provided a sanctuary for INora. There she learned about growing food, farming and a place of rejuvenation.
“I was sickly as a child, and whenever I was ill, my parents would deliver me to my grandparent’s house in rural Lithuania to recover. I would also go there during the school holidays,” said INora. “They had cows, chickens and pigs, and my
grandmother gave me a little patch of dirt. I planted the earliest potatoes, and they laughed at me because they thought it was bad soil and the plants would freeze in the April snow. That year, the whole family had the first potato dinner from my little garden. I started planting wild plants like strawberries and that is where I got the hook for gardening, and now, plants are like my companions. My surname has found me just right — Flowers. It is easy and simple living.”
With a rural childhood background, INora sought a country lifestyle when she settled in Maungatapere four years ago. She has been in New Zealand for 13 years.
“Northland reminds me of my childhood, and the birds and old trees here inspire me. With all of the trees around, my orchard and gardens are filled with birds like pigeons and tūī, and moreporks sing for me at night. Living rurally gives me serenity, and we have always lived on the
outskirts of Whangārei. I was looking for that peace, and the countryside is where I have discovered it.
“That peace lives in my heart. I can do my open voice exercises, go outside, and know I am mostly talking to cows, and my neighbours are birds. A perfect exercise for me is to mimic the birds that live here and I can sing loud wherever I like.”
Drawing from the advice of INora’s friend, who told her, ‘When I understood that I would never be younger and more
INora Flowers found solace in a rural setting not just in childhood, but in adulthood as well
Since 2022, INora has begun singing live as well as continuing to make her music accessible on YouTube and Spotify
Photo: Teja Flowers
beautiful, everything became easy’, the musician was inspired to get out of her comfort zone.
“Since 2022, I have begun singing live. Before then, I was only recording my music and posting it on YouTube and Spotify. I have also started to experiment with my songs, and am not afraid anymore.
“I was like a mouse, and now, I am like a cat, curious and courageous, which makes me feel like I am reaching not just my listeners’ ears, but their hearts.
“My former producer Brian Baker told me: ‘You have 3.5 minutes of song length to deliver to the world’. I live by that, and it is my focus.
“Being a solo performer, if I can do it in the deepest way I can, it works. Singing statically is boring for the audience and me, so I had fun delivering my performance. I am a one-person theatre.”
Since breaking out and performing live, INora has performed for Lithuanian Days Aotearoa, run by the Lithuanian Society New Zealand, and the Fringe Festival in 2022 and 2024 in Whangārei. INora is also grateful for the relationships she has forged and the people who have inspired her.
“I took deep into the Brian Baker idea that ‘everything grows’. Everything we think, not just plants, but our plans, thoughts, ideas and possibilities.
“Nina Samone is a fabulous musician who said, ‘as artists we must reflect our time’, and I am inspired by her bravery and how she delivers her music to the world. I code my messages but those who need them always find them.
“If you look through life with music, you find out what is happening in the world. People know the musicians
give you an idea of what the time was like.
“Special thanks to Lithuanian Council for Culture and Foundation North for financing the Lithuanian Days Aotearoa concert, Modern Dreams of an Ancient Heart, and the Lithuanian Society of NZ and Creative Northland for their support.”
INora likens Northland to a superfood bowl for creatives where poets, thinkers, philosophers, musicians and writers can thrive. For INora, it has been a place where she could grow her talents as a performer and artist.
“I love Northland’s open landscapes and being able to be free. It feels like home and makes me feel close to all the elements. Northland is between two bodies of water pushing together, which gives me a power I had never experienced in Europe.”
INora says that old trees and birds inspire her, both are abundant where she lives
INora enjoys gardening, something that began during her youth in Lithuania
by Amy Fifita
Doors open to leadership
New principal Te Paea Adams has been welcomed into the Kaihū Valley School community.
After living in Auckland, Te Paea sought a slower-paced lifestyle and more family time and ventured north. After spending three years at Motatau School, she gained her first principal role at Kaihū.
“Moving to Motatau provided time for me to learn and understand how rural communities work,” said principal Adams. Te Paea took on leadership as a kāhui ako across-school teacher in Auckland and a literacy lead at Te Kura Reo Rua o Motatau.
“I took on board structured literacy and plan to implement it here, and I am excited about it all.”
Under Vern Stevens’ mentorship, Te Paea is learning about the role and the area, while refreshing the curriculum and reviewing school values to suit current students. The values are manaakitangi (we respect, care and show gratitude), whanaungatanga (we all belong), kaitiakitanga (we are kaitiaki of our environment) and tū kaha (to stand strong and be resilient).
“We are heading in a new direction for the school, drawing from the previous values and personalising it to meet the needs of our tamariki now.
“Our school has a strong connection to te ao Māori and we are going to emphasise that further next year. The vision from the whānau is to weave te ao Maori through our whole curriculum.”
Vern and Te Paea are currently discussing different approaches with the school board to help the children flourish.
“Everything we do is for our tamariki. We have nine students from new entrance to year eight, and being a small school, it
children.
“I’d love to see more children here. We have abundant resources with a beautiful scene in the background, and continue to be involved in programmes like Garden To Table, Enviroschools and the Breakfast Club.
“It has been great upskilling and meeting new people. We have an open door policy, so come and see us.”
Te Paea is grateful to the board, staff and stalwart figures like Cindy Dobson and Te Roroa kuia Sharon Murray for their support.
He
Te Paea Adams with her son, DJ, and mentor Vern Stevens is awesome to have one-on-one time with the
by Paul Campbell
Shearing gun a travelling man
Northland shearer and New Zealand’s top-ranked Shearing Sports New Zealand Open competitor last season, Toa Henderson, has made a successful one-day 1,000km round trip from Northland to launch a new campaign at the Taranaki Shears.
Toa Henderson left home in Kaiwaka, at 5am, arrived at the Stratford A&P Show in time for the heats, semi-finals and a 15-sheep final he shore in 11min 18.86sec, and was back home in the north before midnight.
It was hardly the first time he’d put the shoulder to the wheel, having made the same trip to win at Stratford two years ago. Last season, he shore 22 finals for 13 wins as far afield as Kaikohe and Gore, including winning both the South Island and North Island Shearer of the Year finals.
With a drive of over five and a half hours ahead of him, and in a good field of 18 entries, Henderson wasn’t about to spend any more time on the board than necessary. In the four-man final he was first to finish, beating defending champion and three-times winner, Southern Hawke’s Bay farmer and former Taranaki farmer Gavin Mutch by 17 seconds in the race, and 1.051 points in the final result.
Toa, who has had 33 wins in open finals in the seven seasons since returning from West Australia, was to shear at the recent Whangārei sports event and may be appearing over the summer with
shows scheduled for Kaikohe and North Kaipara. His sights are also firmly set on a series of competitions next year, leading up to world championships set for the Masterton Golden Shears event in 2026.
In the Stratford contest, Masterton shearer Matene Mason had easily the best quality points, not enough to haul back a six-points’ time deficit but good enough to claim third place. Fourth was Gore-based Lionel Taumata, who had a good weekend with speedshear wins..
Among those who missed out on places in the final were Otorohanga shearer Digger Balme, who was next-man-in, in aiming for his first final in his 39th year of open-class shearing, and New Zealand trans-Tasman team member Jack Fagan, who won the New Zealand Corriedale in Christchurch on November 15.
Waikato shearer John Cherrington made it one title in each island this season when he won the senior final. Despite having best time board and pen points in a showdown of eight sheep he was able to claim victory by just 0.835 points from runner-up and Woodville shearer, Laura Bradley.
admin@jcnorthland.co.nz • 020 4077 6652
Top shearing sports competitor, Kaiwaka-based Toa Hendersen, a prize-winner on the board
Kaipara Moana Remediation reaching new environmental heights
New Zealand’s largest harbour restoration programme has been recognised nationally and internationally for its immensely positive impact on the environment.
Not only has Kaipara Moana Remediation been a finalist in the 2024 Sustainable Business Awards, but was also named on the ‘Next 95’ list by the Sustainable Business Network.
The ‘Next 95’ list recognises innovators, entrepreneurs, projects and organisations that can help make Aotearoa New Zealand a global beacon of sustainable business.
KMR Pou Tātaki Justine Daw says she is immensely humbled that she and the KMR team have been selected for their leadership as part of this new national list.
However, she is even more humbled that KMR has been nominated for the 2025 Earthshot Prize, an initiative inspired by President John F. Kennedy’s ‘Moonshot’ challenge in 1962 to land a man on the moon within a decade.
The ten-year global initiative aims to identify and support programmes and initiatives that can accelerate and scale the environmental innovations needed to repair and regenerate our planet across five categories.
Daw says on-the-ground advice and guidance from the KMR team right from the start ensures that KMR projects are delivered successfully, and that landowners and groups have the knowledge they need to take action right away.
“If you are working with KMR, our trained field advisors ‘walk alongside’ you and provide wrap-around support to ensure your project meets our funding criteria and can be delivered time and cost efficiently,” she says.
“Our experts co-design your project with you, targeting ‘hotspots’ in the landscape. Through the project, KMR specialists collaborate with you to ensure your project achieves the best environmental outcomes on the ground.”
The significance of KMR’s positive impact on the environment - in partnership with farmers - is being acknowledged by Northland MP and co-Chair of the Blue Greens Forum, Grant McCallum.
The Maungatūroto farmer attended a hui with KMR in November where he was given an overview of KMR’s progress in scaling up rapidly across 600,000 hectares. That was followed by a tour of Mandy and Rob Pye’s Kōkopu beef farm at Ruatangata West, where McCallum was shown extensive native plantings and an associated fencing programme supported by KMR to keep livestock out of waterways.
“I really appreciated meeting the Kaipara Moana Remediation team and being briefed on a unique initiative. They are clearly doing great work,” says McCallum.
“KMR is providing an outstanding opportunity for landowners in the Kaipara Moana catchment in Northland and Auckland to shift the dial on reducing sedimentation into the Kaipara Harbour. I encourage all farmers to get on board and make a difference.
Fencing this summer?
Thinking of planting next winter?
Come and join the over 800 landowners and groups across the catchment who are already working with KMR!
KMR offers:
• Free advice - we walk the land with you to discuss your aspirations and project option
• Funding – KMR pays up to 50% of the cost of eligible projects to reduce sediment
• Planning and support – our Field Advisors prepare a plan to access KMR funding and provide support through the project.
Contact our team on hono@kmr.org.nz if:
• Your land is in the Kaipara Moana catchment
• You are thinking of fencing this summer, and/or planting next winter (2025)
• You’d like to know more about how KMR can support you.
“It’s a real privilege having this national funding available, so it is important to keep up the good work. I will do what I can to support the KMR team and farmers to make the most of the opportunity on offer and really optimise the investment. I congratulate KMR on their success to date and the deserved accolades they have received of late.” For more information or to sign up, visit our website or email us.
Come and join us!
National Party Northland MP Grant McCallum, second from left, with KMR Pou Tātaki Justine Daw and environmentally focussed Kōkopu beef farmer Rob Pye (centre) –surrounded by some of the passionate KMR team
Marsden Metals has won the prestigious WRMK Employer of the Year award, for the best workplace in Northland.
As part of the Northland Business Excellence Awards, the environmentally active metal recyclers beat out tough competition for top honours early this November.
“It’s so nice to receive recognition through this award; we would not be anything without our team,” says Marsden Metals’ spokesperson Leanne Campbell.
Leanne acknowledges the specific challenges of working in metal recycling, and how it differs from other professions in terms of the physicality of the job.
“The last few years have been a difficult financial time for many in Northland, and we know that the cost of living crisis has impacted all of our team. So, we try to think of innovative ways to support our team, both at work and in the rest of their lives,” says Leanne.
“If we can save them the cost of fuel to and from work and the cost of medical treatment, then that frees up their income to be spent in other ways.”
‘This is a company that impressed the judges for their authenticity and commitment to the wellbeing of their staff,’ said the business excellence awards judging panel
The Marsden Metals Dargaville team is proud to be part of Northland’s best working environment
in their summary. They offered practical solutions to real-life problems, invested in their people and punched above their weight in offering a workplace, which catered to the
varying needs and abilities of their team. They demonstrate that you can run a highly successful business while putting people and the environment at the forefront.’
Marsden Metals remains a family business, with the first generation of founders still clocking in to work each day in their 70s, and a third generation gaining qualifications to carry on the legacy into the future.
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John Arts comments:
“My
An artist’s journey
by Amy Fifita
From founding the Bream Bay Combined Arts Group with his wife Anne to donating books to invest in the literacy of youth, Colin Coutts has a heart for the community.
with airseeder & Drilling Effluent, Lime & Fert Spreading Digger, Scoop & Trailer Work
Once avid felters with a focus on wall hangings, Colin and Anne have entered pieces in the Waipu Wearable Arts Competition four times. Colin had to stop felting due to a shoulder injury leading him to another artistic outlet and became the published author of two books — All Creatures Short and Tall and The Milk Run.
“After a very boring 12 months, I decided to turn my hand to writing, which
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I could do with one hand and loved it. Deciding to write books for children of the 5 to 12-year age group, I based my stories on our time living in the country north of Whangārei. It is where our children grew up on a block of land, where we grew flowers for the commercial market.
“I have been lucky enough to have watercolourist and BBCAG member Annie Hemsley bring my words to life, with her magic brush hand doing the illustrations. I have published two books at this stage, with a third at the publishers.”
Upon discovering that New Zealand’s standard of reading for young children was at an all-time low, Colin sought a solution to the problem.
“I thought maybe there was something I could do to help with this problem. In hopes of igniting excitement and the adventure of reading, my project was to donate two books based on New Zealand country life to junior school classes and libraries.
“The idea has come to fruition with local Bream Bay School children taking it
Colin and Anne Coutts have a passion for art and bringing people together Colin Coutts was an avid fibre artist before venturing into writing
on board. I will trial my project by gifting books to Mangawhai to Kaiwaka, in the south, and to Portland in the north.”
Starting with nine people consisting of artists, potters and fibre workers, the art group held two successful exhibitions at the local boat club in 2016. Anne and Colin drew the local artists together to create a centre for people who create and enjoy art.
“We formed a fairly tight-knit organising group, and over the following few years, we hosted artists from Mangawhai to the Far North in four annual large exhibitions at the big marquee at Marsden Cove,” said Colin.
“I thought it was about time we established a home for art in Bream Bay, so the group was formed. After much
2PILOTSNOWSERVICINGNORTHLAND
searching, we located a suitable building, which needed lots of renovation. It was carried out throughout the Covid era, and we held our first sessions at the end of 2019.”
Colin says weekly sessions of the various art forms are well attended. Once a nine-member crew, the group now has 47 members and holds three committeeorganised exhibitions a year.
“Anne has been keen on fibre art for several years and continues to look after the Wednesday fibre group, guiding new members through the ins and outs of wet and needle felting.
“When Anne is not felting, she’s at her pottery bench at home or, on a Tuesday, she runs the pottery studio at the Art Cottage, where she holds the position
Nicky Maccabee and Delwyn Simpson of Maccabees Far North Honey would like to take this opportunity to wish
of kiln master, and is responsible for the loading, firing and unloading of the members’ artworks.
“Throughout her working life, Anne always worked with her hands, so she finds working with clay is not too dissimilar. Anne’s pottery finds a ready market with the public at our Bream Bay Combined Arts exhibitions.”
A highlight for Colin was getting asked to be interviewed by a group of local year 6 and 7 children. In whatever he does, Colin has a flare for community and art, whether it’s bringing artists together or investing in the future generations.
“It is funny where my inspiration comes from sometimes, although imagination is where your main inspiration comes from.”
that special someone. If you purchase from us at the markets, you can get the special market price.
Find us: - Saturdays at the Old Packhouse Market, Kerikeri - Thursdays at The Bay of Islands Farmers Market, Paihia - Sundays at the Hobson Ave carpark Email farnorthmanukahoney@gmail.com for free recipe ideas.
www.farnorthmanukahoney.co.nz
The Bream Bay Combined Arts Group holds at least three exhibitions a year
Margaretha Wilson and Anne Coutts with a fibre group combined wall hanging
SPEND & SUPPORT LOCAL IN NORTHLAND
On sparkling shores
by Liz Clark
Around the shores of the Whangārei Harbour lies many discoveries; whether getting out on the water or exploring the many bays — there is something special for everyone.
Head on down to the town basin in Whangārei to take in the view of vessels on the water, while enjoying a bite to eat at one of the many cafes in the precinct. While visiting, take the opportunity to view the Hundertwasser Museum, Burning Issues Gallery, Clapham’s Clock Museum and the Whangārei Art Museum all within close proximity of each other. Enjoy a walk along the Hātea River, and view the many sculpture installations throughout the journey.
From the town basin, a cruise can be taken out to Matakohe Limestone Island, now an ecological and heritage jewel within minutes of the city. Alternatively, in good weather, boats, kayaks and paddleboards can be launched from Onerahi to reach the island. Groups can also book a trip on a barge through the island’s ranger for a more in-depth exploration.
Once on the island, explore the walking tracks, the historic pā site and the ruins of the former cement works once a prominent industry on the site. In more recent times, efforts have been
made through the Friends of Matakohe Limestone Island to restore lost native vegetation and fauna.
Pest eradication has removed weeds, rats and ferrets, allowing the reintroduction of kiwi, nine endemic lizard species, stick insects and Auckland tree wēta, plus many more species of birds. Visit matakohelimestoneisland.nz for more information.
On the eastern side of the harbour is the Reotahi Walkway, which adjoins the nearby marine reserve. Traversing the Reotahi Marine Reserve, the coastal walkway is an easy stroll, which includes the ruins of the former Whangārei freezing works, established in 1911 and closed in 1921, after a major fire.
Views of nearby Marsden Point, with its former oil refinery and port facilities, add a fascinating feature, while shade can be found under mature pōhutukawa trees. A boat ramp and toilet facilities are nearby. For more details visit wdc.govt.nz.
The Hātea River provides a haven for vessels and the start of an adventure around the Whangārei Harbour
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Spa Pools, Bar and Wine Fridges and Inflatable Boats
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COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS
NEWS YOU CAN TRUST
BIOROCK: the non-electric wastewater treatment system
In 1988 a Dutch civil engineer was working on the design of remote game lodges in South Africa where no services were available; guests were kept warm by outdoor fireplaces.
BIOROCK (NZ) Ltd was formed in 2013, and the now-called ECOROCK 2000, was tested and certified compliant with AS/NZ 1546.1:2008 and met the effluent quality requirements of AS/NZS 1547: 2012.
Leslie Drainage
It was these fireplaces and the chimney effect that captured his imagination. He believed there must be a way of treating domestic sewage to secondary effluent quality without using electricity, using natural aspiration to produce sufficient air flow to provide the necessary oxygen for aerobic digestion.
“Locally owned and operated Drainage Company in Whangarei. All aspects of drainage covered as well as earthworks and landscaping. Residential, commercial, rural or urban. Phone us for a free quote.”
Richard Leslie of Leslie Drainage Ltd based in Whangarei has been a drainlayer for around 20 years, following on from his father before him. Northland is his home and he has grown very well known in the area for his vast knowledge of his trade. Together, with his wife Karyn in the office, Leslie Drainage services anywhere between Wellsford through to Cape Reinga.
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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After trialling installations with different piping arrangements, a prototype BIOROCK was born, with a low-level air inlet and a high-level air outlet working like a fireplace.
Initially, BIOROCK units were constructed of fibreglass, a labour-intensive process at a non-competitive price. The relationship in 2010 between BIOROCK and Rotomade SA, a Luxembourg-based roto-moulding company, saw the development of various models certified compliant to the structural and effluent quality requirements of CEN standard EN 12566-3.
A BIOROCK system is a two-stage process, a septic (primary) tank for anaerobic digestion and sedimentation and a bioreactor (trickling filter) filled with layers of BIOROCK media. Clarified primary-treated effluent distributed across the top of the media, gravitates through the media to the base of the bioreactor tank and is discharged to a pumped or gravity disposal system.
Air, introduced into the bioreactor through an air inlet flows through the media providing oxygen for aerobic digestion, travels through the top of the primary tank removing H₂S, and discharging through a high-level outlet fitted with a wind-driven ventilator, thus reducing the possibility of odour and damage to the media.
WATER MATTERS
Water source for life
Family-owned and operated, Cory and Christine Jamieson ensure all your water needs are met with Kiwi Welldrillers NZ Ltd’s bore, pump and maintenance services.
The company was originally established by Kevin and Shane Brown to drill oil, gas, gold and mineral exploration. Since its humble beginnings, the company has changed hands and grown, now focussing on providing water bore and pump services amongst other things.
“We are a small familyowned business. Cory had been drilling for several years for Kiwi Welldrillers NZ and then we purchased it from his previous boss,” said Christine.
Specialising in water bores, pump installation, and bore and pump maintenance, the team have clients’ water needs covered.
The experienced team prides itself on providing a professional service with integrity and reputation. The tight-knit team is expected to grow in 2025.
“We currently have eight staff onboard, but are expanding and
looking to bring on apprentices next year, so we can start training our own drillers.”
Servicing residential, developments and commercial properties and lifestyle and farm blocks, the pump specialist team covers from mid-Waikato to Cape Rēinga. The company also specialises in non-corrosive bore construction guaranteed for a decade.
Bores are a popular water source, and the company can provide expert knowledge and construction of a well for drinking or irrigation. The specialists can also do a pump test on new bores to ensure the sustainability of the bore and that the right pump is selected.
For more information or to explore what the crew can help you with, visit kiwiwelldrillers. co.nz/home. To talk to one of the team, call 0800 822 822 or email info@kiwiwelldrillers.co.nz.
of New Zealanders are concerned about “fake news” and its implications
Christine and Cory Jamieson own and operate Kiwi Welldrillers NZ
by Andy Bryenton
Getting to grips with six-wheel
Can-Am offers a six-wheeled answer to the question of heavy offroad transport, but does the addition of more power and load space mean less mobility?
With a massive 1.37-metre by 1.82-metre flat deck bed and 1,360kg of towing capacity, the Defender 6x6 DPS is an imposing beast, with room for three burly blokes up front. It would need this space, and all of its 82 horsepower to tackle the challenge we’d set. That’s because the testing ground for Can-Am’s big six was to be one of the biggest offroad motorbike events in Northland, the 30-kilometre Tangiteroria Trail Ride.
The ride attracts hundreds of motorcycles and quads, most of them tuned and fettled to handle ridges, hills, mud bogs, jumps and chicanes. Notably, it’s not in a forest, but rambles across farmland, making it a perfect simulacrum of the kind of terrain a Kiwi farmer might ask the big Can-Am to tackle.
The test was easy. With one of the seasoned race marshals on board, we’d have to go where the bikes did, and follow them around the course. Could the 976cc V-twin heart of the Defender 6x6 DPS help it battle through, or would two-wheeled agility find places where the big machine couldn’t follow?
The first thing that we noticed was the ride. Those big tyres and long-travelling
suspension ironed up the bumps, which were visibly giving some bikers a shuddering, juddering time. Coming down hills the Can-Am was measured and never slid out of line, and going up, it grabbed on with all six wheels and hauled. The added traction of two extra driving wheels conquered the muddy conditions even when some rain began to fall mid-course, and while some of the trickier corners and deeper bogs unseated a few riders, the Can-Am soldiered on.
On a wide-open course like this, with no pinch-points that could slow down a side-by-side and give the edge to a bike, it was incredible to witness just how the big Defender went wherever it needed to. It even seemed calm and composed going uphill in a full six-wheeled drift. On steeply angled banks, the extra weight, length and grip inspired confidence.
The end result was a total success.
The Can-Am 6x6 proved to be the perfect marshal’s vehicle, with enough space to rescue stuck bikers and the agility to reach them, anywhere on the track. That means it’s a solid choice for farmers who want to go anywhere and carry more tools and gear to use when they get there.
The Can-Am Defender 6x6 DPS was tested to see if it could tackle a motorcycle off-road trail, and it excelled
by Andy Bryenton
Plug-in Ranger ready to roll
Ford’s Ranger ute, in its many variants, has been a firm favourite in New Zealand for two decades, regularly
and topping the sales charts.
The shift toward electrification largely passed by the big four-door ute, barring, of course, the controversy stirred when a tax was levied on such vehicles by the previous Labour government. The protests, which followed, showed how much farmers and tradies loved their trucks, and highlighted a gap in the market for an electrified option.
One answer came from freshly-minted US government efficiency czar Elon Musk and his oddly proportioned flying wedge, the Cybertruck. Others leaned away from aesthetic futurism, and Ford brought out the F150 Lightning, a big beast that didn’t ignite the same kind of passion as the Ranger in New Zealand. It might be that the US market likes a bigger ute than we do, after all. Then came the good news, bad news combo we’d been waiting for. Electric utes were just around the corner, but they would be hit with road user charges.
Now, there’s the announcement that Ford has added electricity to the Ranger. It’s not a fully electric ute, but it is a plugin hybrid, or PHEV. That means a lower RUC bill, and a lot less fuel expenditure, too. Doing the maths, it balances out nicely, and this is not a monstrous big freeway cruiser like the F150, either. It’s a
Ford has jumped into electrification with a plug-in hybrid Ranger, but it’s not the company’s first foray into voltage Australia and New Zealand president and CEO Andrew Birkic.
proper Ranger, with the amenities, driving manners, footprint and utility people here have come to appreciate.
“The Ranger PHEV delivers the benefits of electrification together with the hardworking performance that has built Ranger a loyal customer base in New Zealand and Australia. We ensured our first PHEV pickup would be a hugely capable tool for work and off-roading, as well as a smart vehicle with the tech, connectivity and EVonly capability for family life,” said Ford
That means not giving up any of the towing power or load-carrying ability farmers and tradies demand, while still using electricity to cut down on running costs. To do this, Ford built a whole new drivetrain for the Ranger PHEV, combining a 2.3-litre EcoBoost petrol engine with a 75kW electric motor and an 11.8kWh battery. This means up to 45 kilometres on electric power alone, around town, and
ample get-up-and-go on the highway. The addition of a striking Stormtrak special edition just makes this a more enticing option; a balance of economy and power. Think of this, then, as a sugarfree cola that tastes as good as the original. Better for you, but not in any way a compromise.
Looking back on 2024
by Colin Hannah, Federated Farmers Northland president
I would like to acknowledge the efforts of the Northland farming community this year, and also thank Northern
Farming Lifestyles
As a group of volunteers, the Northland Federated Farmers team work extremely hard for the Northland’s rural sector while still running their farming operations and businesses 24/7.
Together, we have done a huge amount of lobbying on behalf of rural landowners (that’s right, not just Federated Farmers members), and that will continue throughout 2025.
That’s because farmers remain in the firing line from overzealous regulations from local government, primary industry bodies and other central government agencies.
You only have to take a drive around Te Kamo, on the outskirts of Whangārei, to see the utter waste of money on countless speed humps to comprehend how our ratepayer money is being wasted, rather than be used wisely to improve our rural roads in Northland.
Meanwhile, the interest in things agriculture seem to have increased from both ends of the spectrum, favourable and unfavourable.
Whilst the future is beginning to look more positive, the on-farm costs are still lingering over all farmers like a cloud. Most farmers in the north have
for giving us a voice.
experienced a relatively kind winter and a good spring and Fonterra are telling me that despite the drop in cow numbers, and less farms, the milk supply is tracking very much the same level with the previous year. Beef farmers are finding replacement costs higher than in the past.
Farming is an intense occupation, so we are always focussed on the mental wellbeing of farmers. We have participated in 12 Rural Support Trust community dinners north of the harbour bridge. These are important for bringing farmers together and allowing them to share their feelings and get concerns off their chest.
Often it only takes little things to create further anxiety in communities. An example of this, in recent times, has been the media focus around urgent medical attention in our region — Dargaville Hospital in particular.
Well, I want to reassure people that in Dargaville Hospital there is a highly qualified, experienced and dedicated team that enable that hospital to run 24/7. They have the full support of Northland Federated Farmers, and we thank them for their care.
and Milfos parts and servicing from Helensville to the Cape!
Call Garry Wilson on 021 569 661 or email gea.midnorth@gmail.com
Besides my role as president, I am also a national committee member of the Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network. Yes, it is true we have a shortage of skilled medical professionals nationwide, but that does not indicate a system that is going to let you down.
After hours, if your medical condition is judged to be life threating you will likely be transported to Whangārei or Auckland Hospitals, depending on the diagnosed condition. Simple.
In Northland, we are blessed to have the life-saving backup of our world-class Northland Rescue Helicopter crews
who fly over 1,000 missions annually. Their paramedics, pilots and engineers are highly trained and skilled, and I unashamedly recommend donating at nest.org.nz/donate because they need our help to cover annual operational costs.
& weighed back.
• All beasts vac packed & hung on the bone minimum of 7 days.
• Operating for 22 years.
• We know our job well. MERRY CHRISTMAS to all our customers. Thank you for your custom from Andrew and Sommai, and the team at Dr Hud’s.
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