S OOR D E UR S
UT
ATE &G
FAR NORTH DISTRICT ONLY JASON WADE
November 2023 Edition
Phone 09 407 6789 Mobile 021 715 341 Email info@futuredoors.co.nz
A legacy to encourage Pages 4–5
Hope in the harvest
Planning ahead for Northland’s tall trees
P6
P8
Farmers surf for a break
P20
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NovEMbER 2023 NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
QUICK INDEX
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NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
by Paul Campbell
NovEMbER 2023
Rural telethon to feed families in need
3
The country’s second annual rural telethon, The Big Feed, is back this December, aiming to raise as many meals as possible to distribute to families in need and to bring rural and urban communities together across the country. It’s being hosted by farmer-led charity Meat The Need, which facilitates donations of livestock and milk from farmers, as well as cash, to turn into meals and distribute to more than 110 food banks across the country. Co-founder Wayne Langford said this year’s telethon is important, and the ultimate goal is for no one to go hungry. “The cost of living crisis is placing huge pressure on people, families and food banks throughout New Zealand and the demand for Meat the Need services has increased massively,” he said. “It’s also really, really tough on farms at the moment. Over 50% of dairy farmers are making losses, and the same for sheep and beef. “We want to use the telethon to not only try and raise as many meals as we can but bring communities together with a bit of fun, humour, banter and no doubt some hilarious challenges and competitions. It’s been a bloody tough year for everyone. We want to shine a light on all the positive stories and things that are going on in the food and fibre sectors so that everyone can reflect and end the year on a high.” Donations for The Big Feed can be made on the day by farmers pledging their livestock (sheep, beef and deer) or their milk through the Meat The Need website. Cash donations can be made through the website, an 0800 number or a text number
SPRAYING
Wayne Langford and Matt Chisholm hosted The Big Feed last year
to make a $3 donation. A hundred per cent of all donations will be turned into mince and milk and donated to food banks. “This isn’t just about farmers giving back. We want the whole country to get in behind The Big Feed and ensure those in need have access to quality protein. Together, we can put food on the table and help fill empty bellies,” Langford said. With demand for food banks increasing by 165% in the last three years, there are opportunities for anyone across the country to support by hosting fundraising events to feature as part of the telethon. “To meet that demand, we’re asking businesses and organisations, groups
FENCING
and individuals to get in behind The Big Feed and help by hosting their own fundraising event either on the day or beforehand,” he said. The event will be hosted on Thursday, December 14, running for approximately 14 hours from 6am, live streamed from the hub at Lincoln University and distributed through Meat the Need’s website and YouTube channel. Langford and TV host Matt Chisholm are co-hosting the event, set to feature a raft of challenges, panel discussions, interviews with celebrities and other
ambassadors, highlight processors, food banks and farmers and incorporate live crosses from locations across the country. “Christmas is a tough time of the year for many people, and our indications show that this year, there will be more people feeling the pinch. It’s a great opportunity to come together as a community, make a difference and give back to those who are struggling right now.” Last year, The Big Feed became the country’s first-ever rural telethon and raised 1.2 million meals for food banks across the country.
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NovEMbER 2023 NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
O T Y C A G E AL
E G A R U ENCO
BY ANN VAN ENGELEN
The late Cynthia Collier was well known in her local farming community as a passionate supporter of Rural Women New Zealand.
C
ynthia’s family has established a $5,000 grant in honour of her to assist projects and initiatives that support rural communities through RWNZ. “October was mum’s birthday month, and this year marks the 10th anniversary
since her passing,” says daughter Jo Romanes. “Sadly, my dad, Henry, passed away a couple of months ago, too. I think Mum would love to know that she’s being remembered through the continued work
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of people like her to build community connection and support. “Mum and dad met as teenagers, and they married young. They were absolutely devoted to each other and had a very long, happy marriage. Mum supported everyone around her with kindness and generosity. Dad was absolutely devastated when she died from pancreatic cancer at age 75, and suddenly, he was left alone.” Henry managed the family farm in partnership with his brothers Gordon and Arthur in the earlier years, and he loved everything about the land. “Dad lived and breathed farming, and it had always been hard to get him to leave the farm, but later in life, mum and dad discovered international travel, which they both adored. Mum
discovered a new side of dad as he met people all around the world and became quite outgoing.” Cynthia was raised as a dairy farmer’s daughter in the Rangitikei and Manawatū districts. Farming was in her blood, and she took the transition from dairy to sheep and beef farming in her stride when she and Henry married and began a life together. “Mum played a huge support role in the family. She married dad when she was 19 and moved to the family farm, which was quite isolated — it’s 30 miles from Taihape. In the old days, it was all about letting the men folk get out to have the freedom to work the hours they needed to. It was certainly different back then to now in a sense. It was simpler, and roles were more defined.
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Henry Collier enjoyed many years of farming the family land thanks to Cynthia’s support
the efforts on the farm, there was always a lot of understated toil going on in the background for the lady of the house. “The school was the heart of our community, and a lot of the focus was centred around it. There was always much fabulous home baking done by the ladies whenever a community gathering was taking place or when someone needed to be supported in the district. “Mum drove the school bus for decades on a roster system with other women, many of whom were related because the Collier family is an old farming family in the area, dating back well over a century in the area.” Cynthia was also a keen photographer.
“We have thousands of photos of other people, especially dad on the farm. He was a great model, and accustomed to mum always having her camera. Mum was a very keen and able gardener and took over the original family garden at the homestead, which adjoined her brotherin-law Gordon’s famous Titoki Point. The garden was open to the public for many years, and the Wakarua team provided hospitality and bus trips for people to come and view their work. “She and dad also sang in his sister, Helen Gordon’s church choir, which they enjoyed immensely.
“Mum now has quite a number of greatgrandchildren who never met her. So, to us, the grant is one way to bring her memory to the fore, as she was such a kind person and a passionate supporter of women, children and good causes. She would love to know her memory is doing something to celebrate and help other women in similar circumstances.” The Cynthia Collier grant will be awarded annually for the next three years, with the first grant being awarded in mid2024. Applications will open from the end of November and close on April 30 2024. For more information, go to ruralwomennz. nz/our-funds-and-grants.
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Henry and Cynthia married at a young age and were devoted to each other their whole lives
Cynthia loved encouraging people of all ages, including children at the local school
“I don’t think it was easier for women then as there was a lot of hard toil, and it must have been also hard on mental health. You were expected to just get on with it, which mum and the women around her did, but there was isolation and expectation in performing those roles. “I think that had a lot to do with the off-farm escapes mum had with Rural Women. She really enjoyed that fellowship with others who were going through the same thing and supporting each other. “Most families had quite a few children. Mum and dad had four, and life wasn’t always as glamorous or as easy as it may have been perceived to be. Running the house, bringing up the kids, and supporting
November 2023
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NovEMbER 2023 NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
HOPE IN THE
HARVEST
BY AMY FIFITA
James Aitken has always had an eager interest in aquaculture, and after the Covid lockdowns thwarted him from pursuing overseas endeavours, he and his family bought oyster farms in Mahurangi.
“I
grew up on a sheep and venison farm in Central Hawke’s Bay but was born to fish. I loved the ocean — fishing, diving and boating. Fortunately, I always knew that I wanted to do fish farming. Before I left high school, I began to farm freshwater crayfish and Oranda goldfish in the back streams of the farm,” says James.
“Tim, my father taught me fishing and eeling in the local rivers. He wasn’t as interested as I was, but we learnt how to do it together. It is great having a business together because we get to spend time with each other.” James spent much of his childhood away from his family, boarding at Hereworth School and Rathkeale College.
“College was great because I got to join the clay bird shooting team, which did well and did fly fishing in the river that bordered the school. I went to Otago University after that and majored in ecology and minored in marine biology. My main reason for going to Otago was because I wanted to see what the fishing and diving were like there. “After university, I spent three years at New Zealand King Salmon running a hatchery in North Canterbury. Following that, I did a year and a half in Nelson doing salmon feed trials in a
James Aitken has had a heart for the ocean and aquaculture from a young age
recirculating aquaculture system at an agricultural park.” James reflects that the time spent in Nelson was a significant period of his career that enabled him to network with people in the industry.
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NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
James wishes to reintroduce other species, like pipi and cockles to the oyster farm site
“I learnt a lot and gained many contacts who have assisted me greatly with the oyster farm. I was meant to begin working on salmon farms in Scotland, but the Covid lockdowns cancelled my plans. I began seeking opportunities in New Zealand and saw oyster farms for sale in the Mahurangi Harbour. It was perfect. “Coastal water access is all leased from the Crown because no one should own the seabed or the ocean. It is difficult to establish new aquatic farms, but the sites were already established. In a couple of months, we will transition from the stick-farming oyster system to the new personalised and modernised process to make things easier and have a better quality oyster. “Stick farming oysters is a dated and low investment with a high physical cost
and minimal control to estimate stock and growth rates of your product. You hope that you have a good harvest. “I am changing to a combination system of flip-farm oysters, oyster baskets, tumblers and wild catch spat and hopefully some hatchery spat. It will increase the quality and productivity and halve the workload. Removing the old system will hopefully reduce the build-up of mud sediment. The benefit is that when I stop working like a madman, I can take the team out for a fish on the water. “Oysters are an undiscovered superfood. They are one of the most sustainable forms of proteins you can get and are just behind mussels and tofu on environmental impact. They eat
NovEMbER 2023
James (back) with his workers Kerry and Kade at the Mahurangi Oysters site
everything and are a natural filter feeder. They can rejuvenate the local ecosystem, harbour and waterways and provide a habitat to marine life, sea birds, fish and seals.” James also aspires to reintroduce some other aquatic species at the Mahurangi Oysters sites, such as cockles, pipi and seaweed, to the farm’s ecosystem and do some sea grass restitution. “The possibility of trying and learning new things is exciting. Oysters will allow
me to do new things. The beautiful Mahurangi is a hidden gem. It is an amazing spot and close enough to Auckland for restaurants and good customers. It has been an interesting three years, starting our business at the age of 25 years old.”
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NovEMbER 2023 NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
PLANNING AHEAD
FOR NORTHLAND’S TALL TREES Commercial wood production runs deep in Northland’s history, dating back to the conservative use made by Māori and onward to colonial exploitation of the mighty kauri forests that once dominated the region.
BY PAUL CAMPBELL
A
t Matakohe stands the only national quality museum devoted to recording the history of the kauri from prehistory to the first export of spars and masts for 18th-century sailing ships and the milling and gum digging that was the economic backbone of the country’s early economy. The Kauri Museum records that the harbour areas of Whangaroa, Bay of Islands, Hokianga and Kaipara were extensively used, with trees first being felled selectively close to the water and milled as machinery moved inland. It has been estimated that approximately a million hectares of land was covered with forest containing a kauri element. Today, though, kauri stand protected, and exotic plantations have sprung up on marginally productive Northland lands. As the period between harvests is an extended one, traffic through Northport, which handles Northland’s export production, has reduced.
The company says the most recent Northport Wood Availability Forecast conducted last year by Forme Consulting Group, an independent forest advisory firm, showed that Northland’s total annual harvest is projected to continue reducing until 2030, then remain steady until approximately 2035/36 before starting to rise again, peaking at around 2045. Chinese demand for logs remains soft, with the result that exporters continue to ship fewer logs through Northport and other New Zealand ports than in previous years. “In this context, it is encouraging to note the resumption of log exports to India after around two years, due largely to the resolution of various issues to do with fumigation,” a spokesman says. “The bulk carrier Sarika Naree left Northport for Kandla in late October, with 43,000 cubic metres of New Zealand pine aboard, some of this from Northland forests.”
Headed for Northport and the export trade
Christmas Messages
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Me
Me
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HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON, FROM ALL OF US HERE AT THE NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
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BRAXTON EPERE
ANN VAN ENGELEN
ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER
JOURNALIST
Special thanks to all of our loyal advertisers, and those who have come on board in 2023 to help spread the message for their businesses. After a year of challenges, you all deserve a relaxing and festive time with friends and family. We will return again in the new year to get 2024 off to a happy, positive and profitable start.
What another great year of writing it has been here at Northern Farming Lifestyles. For me, it’s a privilege to be trusted with the people’s stories that I get to tell and I’m grateful for each opportunity - thank you. With December, and Christmas fast approaching, I hope each and every one of you stay safe, stay happy and enjoy the Summer season. Ann.
braxton.epere@integrity.nz
ann.vanengelen@integrity.nz
NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
Cut timber is code marked with its destination
Modern forestry has had something of a cyclical reward for those who have planted for timber production, and a consultant with NZ Forestry and managing director, Jeremy Waldegrave, reflects on the current state of play in the modern industry. “The emissions trading scheme production forest category offers a good opportunity for landowners to diversify their income by using carbon income to assist in financing their forest asset being developed,” he says. “Production forests are suited to a lot of Northland’s under-utilised and uneconomic land, both at paddock and farm level. This includes areas of heavy weed infestation, where poor pastures can not be overcome, heavy clays where year-round stocking creates soil erosion issues and steep aspects where stock often doesn’t like going.
November 2023
9
Loading at Northport, where shipments have resumed to India
“The Northland forestry sector is going through a period of change with ‘peak harvest’ having passed and everyone is right-sizing for the next decade ahead. The large corporate forest owners’ annual harvest level peaked in the last 5 to 10 years roughly and has come down as forests grow their second and, in some cases, third rotations, whereas the private forest estate mostly planted in the 1990s passed its peak harvest in the last five years. “This means there have been some large establishment programmes the last few years, and a lot of silviculture is coming on-stream with the tending of the next rotation. There are challenges for most silviculture contractors keeping their staff employed year-round as the trend has gone away from pruning mostly, so summer work is a bit lean. Some forest
owners continue to prune, which creates the opportunity for higher average sales revenue at harvest. “We have seen a reasonable amount of conversion of uneconomic agricultural land to forests in the last five years, which is helping to bolster the work for people from many of the north’s small towns.” Jeremy says Northland was unfortunate to lose its largest domestic sawmill with the closure in 2020 of the CHH Whangārei mill. “The remaining mills in Northland did not have the capacity to take the extra framing grade sawlog that became surplus, unfortunately, meaning that volume materially had to go to Northport where most of the industrial grade logs end up. The sawmills we have left on Northland tend to operate in niches other than the Waipapa Pine mill, now owned
by Fletcher Building, which is the region’s largest framing timber mill. “It would be great for the industry to have some further scale in domestic processing, but most people understand that running large-scale manufacturing businesses in New Zealand is very challenging given the overhead costs in comparison to other countries. “In August this year, we saw the enactment of the Log Traders and Forestry Advisers regulations, which had been a parting gift from Shane Jones before the 2020 election. It is ironic that the regulations just came into force after three years, and as far as I know, there had materially been no issues on this front. National has indicated a willingness to repeal this legislation, which will be positive, as it is an unnecessary piece of legislation adding cost and little benefit.”
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November 2023 NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
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There are many benefits to on-campus learning! Studying on campus gives you hands-on, practical experience to get you career ready so you can hit the ground running. In fact, some skills such as in nursing, cooking, or sport and exercise can only be learnt in a practical environment, making it the best option for many learners. With opportunities for training in trades, services, health and wellbeing, and much more, we have the courses you need to get into the career you want. Learning on campus allows you to interact with your tutors, learn valuable skills, and is perfect for handson learners who work best in a practical environment. It also allows you to interact with your classmates, engage in on-campus activities and can help you build valuable connections both in your field of study and in the wider community.
With multiple campuses to choose from around Tai Tokerau, we bring the learning to you so you can fit study in around your life and responsibilities, without the need to travel long distances. We not only offer full-time study for degrees, diplomas and certificates we also have many part-time options for those who can’t commit to a full load of study, as well as short courses to help you gain key skills in specific areas. This gives you the opportunity to further tailor your learning to your lifestyle, making it easier for you to undertake training and reach your goals. If you want to make your learning work for you then enrol with us at NorthTec | Te Pūkenga and get more flexibility. Enrolling now for 2024.
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NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
Albany Dargaville Kaikohe Kaitaia Kaiwaka Kumeu Mangawhai
Albany Mowers & Machinery Farrand & Mason Ltd Kaikohe Lawnmowers & Chainsaws Ltd Kaitaia Tractors Ltd Kaiwaka Motorcycles Ltd Kumeu Chainsaw & Mower Services Mangawhai Small Engines
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November 2023
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Mangonui
Mangonui Mowers & Chainsaws Ltd
09 406 0584
Silverdale
Gatmans Mowers & More
09 426 5612
Waipapa
Northland Honda
09 407 7736
Wairau Valley Gardening Aids Ltd
09 444 9493
Warkworth
Rodney Honda
09 945 3989
Whangarei
Regent Lawnmowers and Cycles
0800 438 296
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November 2023 NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
SPOTLIGHT ON
WHANGAREI
The treasure called Whangārei Whangārei is New Zealand’s most northern city and is the home to a vast variety of both rural and urban businesses, walking parks, beaches, art centres and more. In 1839, Whangārei began as a timbermilling site, but the first Europeans fled to Auckland for a time during the 1840s when war broke out in the Bay of Islands between Māori factions and British troops. The area stagnated for a time until the kauri gum trade and shipbuilding brought new settlers. Rural activities in the district include citrus fruit growing along with other orchards, dairy, sheep and cattle farming. The small town of Hikurangi was well known for its coal mining and dairy factory, and Kamo was home to a brickworks and coal mine. Today, the Whangārei Harbour is the entrance to deep-sea fishing grounds for charter boats and private fishing vessels alike. The town is also the distribution and transport centre for smaller towns in the region. As well as being close to many beaches, attracting swimmers and surfers alike, the town has a wide variety of eateries, shops and services. Art and craft lovers appreciate that it is home to the famous Hundertwasser Art Centre with Wairau Māori Art Gallery, which has become a well-sought-after tourist location, along
The Quarry Garden is a well-loved visitor location
with Reyburn House and the Quarry Gardens subtropical oasis. The area has many walking tracks, including the Whangārei Falls track,
AH Reed Memorial Park, the Hātea River Walk, the town basin loop and Mount Manaia. These attractions see many locals and visitors alike
enjoying the scenery and tranquillity of the area. Kiwi North, with the kiwi house, museum and heritage park, is a place to learn about our native birds, view historic artefacts and inspect some 19th-century buildings. Visitors can learn how the local environment formed, what its native flora and fauna are, who lived here and why and how this is reflected in the city today. One story tells of skeletons of the nowextinct moa being discovered in a cave on the property of a private landowner. These lay undiscovered for more than 2,000 years, with their finder being presumably the first human ever to set foot in that cave. Also on display is the magnificent kauri waka, which is more than 200 years old and bridges and links cultures and eras through varying utilisation by different peoples. Sport is also a big part of the city’s culture, with Semenoff Stadium the place for many rugby games and festivals. We mustn’t forget that Whangārei is also the home to Northland Rescue Helicopters — the angels in the sky servicing from Cape Reinga to Auckland and beyond.
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NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
SPOTLIGHT ON
NovEMbER 2023
13
WHANGAREI
Happy coastal trails by Amy Fifita
Whangārei offers various adventures for walkers and hikers to wander and witness the city and its harbour from different viewpoints. There are many walking tracks within and surrounding the city. People who adore oceanscapes have plenty of coastal walkways to choose from. Walkers can enjoy views of not only the Whangārei Harbour but also other bays north and south of the urban areas. The Tamaterau Coastal Walkway is a half an hour round trip. Wayfarers can admire the stunning pōhutukawa trees that border the shoreline and harbour views. This track is well-established and is suitable for most people. For more able or experienced people, the Manganese Point track is close by. This walk features a beach at the end of a one-way 10-minute descent with stairs through native bush. For an idyllic day, it is an opportunity to pack a picnic and towels for a beach day for the family. Portland Track will also offer roamers water sights and showcase the settlement’s connection to cement making. It is a winding track that takes strollers through the mangroves. The concreted track is a 40-minute return walk. Huitau Pā is a walkway that holds cultural significance to the area. Located at Taiharuru, the track overlooks McGregor’s Bay and gives a clear perspective of the Hen and Chicks Islands. Curious
For those who prefer a challenge, the Whananaki Coastal Walkway is a six-hour return trip. However, travellers can veer off the path and traverse to the Capitaine Bougainville Memorial Walk or to the Te Araroa Trail Morepork-Onekaninga Track maintained by the Department of Conservation.
Carpet Inspection & Repair Services:
The Morepork-Onekaninga Track on the outskirts of Whangārei features the longest footbridge in the Southern Hemisphere
individuals are advised to avoid the cliff front as it is badly eroded. Ocean lovers who enjoy being surrounded by water can visit Matakohe-Limestone Island, which is a boat ride away. The island is dog-prohibited as it is a haven for
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kiwi chicks, but there are paved and unpaved trails for people wanting to explore. Visitors will find the remnants of the 19th-century Limestone Island cement works.
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“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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09 435 5007 • 021 0809 0752 • leslie.drainage@gmail.com
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NovEMbER 2023 NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
SPOTLIGHT ON by Liz Clark
WHANGAREI
The creative centre of Northland
For those after a taste of the arts, the city of Whangārei is the heart of the arts and culture movement for the Northland region. Created in 2019, 15 murals make up the Street Prints Manaia art trail of largescale works painted by international street artists on several buildings located in the central business area and were gifted to the community. The thematic Tuia te muka Tāngata — Weaving the Threads of Humanity encompasses works ranging from cultural nuances to genres incorporating personal histories and super-realism. Works such as Tuia Te Muka Tangata by Aucklandbased artists Charles and Janine Williams, Manaia by Brazilian artist Mateus Bailon and Respect Tomorrow by Bryce
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Williams and Jasmine Fuller, Whangārei are just a few of the highlights of these standout works. In the town basin are 16 unique sculptural works featuring many different artists, each with their unique creative talent, brought together in these installations. On the trail, the first sculpture encountered, Te Kakano (The Seed), is a collaborative architectural piece created in the form of a koru that uses all the elements of Hundertwasser’s style. The many sculptures touch on a range of themes, including heritage, mythology and cultural traditions, using a range of mediums such as steel, clay, wood and stone. Contributing artists include Kim Groeneveld and Trent Morgan, brothers Thomas, Stanford and George Wihongi,
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Manos Nathan, Warren Viscoe and Anna Korver. The jewel in the crown for Whangārei is the Hundertwasser Wairau Māori Art Centre. Designed in 1993 by internationally renowned architect and artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, the centre is the first gallery in the world to feature art by contemporary Māori artists specifically.
Another standout is Northland’s only public art gallery, which is free to enter. The Whangārei Art Museum was established in 1996 and houses a heritage and contemporary art collection. The museum curates several exhibitions throughout the year, with the current one, An Inverse Unit of Time, a group show of combined artists on display until February 25 2024.
bring back the birds! Kiwi Coast is back at the
Whangarei Summer Show! Come and find us at site P6 and join in some fun family activities and chat with the Kiwi Coast Crew! Find out how to clear out pests, care for kiwi and get your forest bursting with birdsong!
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The Hundertwasser Wairau Māori Art Centre is the crowning glory of the Whangārei art scene
Plus – we’ll have our kiwi themed range of fundraising merchandise available including limited edition t-shirts, hats, toys, books and more! Get yourself kitted out for summer or pick up some great Christmas gifts that help raise funds for Northland kiwi. www.kiwicoast.org.nz
@KiwiCoast
NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
SPOTLIGHT ON
November 2023
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WHANGAREI
ADVERTORIAL
Whangarei A&P Show: where memories are made Favourite childhood memories are made at the Whangarei A&P Show; make yours on Saturday, December 2 at Barge Showgrounds, Whangarei. For one day, the whole town comes together, a blend of urban and rural, in a spectacular mix of animals, entertainment, excitement and competition. Whangarei A&P Show is about demonstrating pride in the land and the produce it generates while bringing communities together and creating the types of experiences childhood memories are made of. Whether holding a warm, cuddly little animal in the petting area or listening to the judges talking about the largest bull on the showgrounds, it would be hard to leave the show without learning something. The array of creatures at the show is the largest in one place in Northland. There is everything from the humble honey bee to the magnificent hairy and horny Highland cattle. A visit to Cowley’s Farmyard and Bates and Keen Family Farm petting tents bring animals up close for young and old alike. Jersey is the feature breed at the show, with Jersey NZ’s North Island Championship being held. Show-goers will see an excellent line-up of Jersey cattle competing for the championship title, and they can taste coffee containing Jersey milk, courtesy of Bella Vacca, and Kowhai Creamery ice cream made from Jersey milk.
Memorable moments are set to be made at this year’s upcoming Whangarei A&P Show on December 2
Beloved show favourite Fresha Valley Suzie Moo also has a special guest this year who will be helping Suzie demonstrate where milk, butter and cream come from. Other memory makers at the show include haybale tractor rides, GJ Gardner Homes’ Big Dig sawdust dig, mounted games, wood chopping, shearing, highland dancing, vintage tractors and cars and Jake Whitaker’s thrilling extreme stunt show. Whangarei A&P Show is the perfect family day out, with lots of free things
to see and do. The performance stage will be alive with action, including Billy Black the Woolman, musical groups, Kaitaia Community Voices Choir and story time with Barnacles and Atlas, featuring a lovable fourlegged, furry visitor. Don’t leave the
show without visiting Johnny’s Mobile Egg Cup World or seeing Santa for a free photo. The show is on Saturday, December 2, from 9am–4.30pm. Tickets are only $5 for school-age children, $15 for adults, and under-fives are free.
Join Suzie Moo &
meet her special guest One Epic Show Day 9.00am - 4.30pm, Saturday 2nd December Get ready for the most exciting day of the year the 142nd Whangarei A&P Show!
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The show celebrates rural excellence, knowledge and animals of all shapes & sizes. Jersey cattle take the spotlight as the feature breed this year and Suzie Moo has a special guest for you to meet on Saturday December 2 at Barge Showgrounds – don’t miss it!
Win A Christmas Ham
Tickets: Adult $15 • Students $5 • FREE for 5yrs & underr
FREE ACTIVITIES
FREE SHOWS
GJ Gardener Homes Big Dig Sawdust Treasure Hunt for fabulous prizes, Vintage Tractor Hay Bale Rides, Doug the Digger, Farm Yard and Petting Area - Bates & Keen Family Farm! Takehome photo with Santa and a Learning Trail prize draw for $500 grocery vouchers
Fresha Valley Suzie Moo, Billy Black the Woolman, Teach a Townie to Feed a Lamb, Motorcycle Stunt Show, Live Family Entertainment and more
COMPETITIONS Baking, Making and Creating in the Home Industries, Dairy and Beef Cattle, Horses, Ponies, Sheep, Dairy Goats, Pet Lambs and Goats, Highland Dancing, Chainsaw Action, Woodchopping and Northland Excavator Competitions and – Shearing!
First 100 people/groups through the main gate at 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm & 2pm get a ticket to win a Ham sponsored by The Butcher Shoppe, Paramount Plaza, Tikipunga. (Lucky draw on performance stage each hour after entry)
EXHIBITIONS & DISPLAYS Circus Kumarani, Creative Northland & Whangarei Library - Be inspired by Natural Fibre and Clay, Cattle, and Sheep Breeds, Tractors, Farriers in Action, Military Vehicles, Classic and Vintage Cars and more
PLUS SHOPPING
Cheers Arts and Craft Alley, featuring some of Northland’s finest artisans selling their innovative and original works. Added to the great lineup of trade exhibitors, there will be bargains and treats for everyone - just in time for Christmas!
Great Coffee, Food and Refreshments. Plus lots of free activities - from oversized Board Games to Miniature Horse & Cart Rides, and Morris Dancers. Fun activities include Bouncy Castles, Bumper Balls, Laughing Clowns, Mechanical Bull and Wave Rider
Clinton Collier 114a Bank Street, Whangarei Mobile: 021 634 750 Email: cojo@maxnet.co.nz
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Barge Showgrounds 474 Maunu Rd, Whangarei • www.whangareishow.co.nz
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November 2023 NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
November 2023
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NOVEMBER 2023 NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
Protect our land from bureaucracy by Colin Hannah — Federated Farmers Northland President
The Northland Regional Council has a discussion document out called the Freshwater Plan Change, which could have massively detrimental social and economic impacts on our community. As a passionate Northland farmer, I urge all Northland farmers and lifestyle block owners to read this document and submit in opposition to the proposal. There hasn’t been a cost analysis of this proposal, as required under Section 32 of the RMA. Our analysis of the figures provided shows they are, at best, spurious. The National Policy Statement (NPS) on freshwater has set some baselines, however, councils are allowed to come up with their own, provided they’re not less than the NPS. However, the NRC is aiming for a 300% increase in the NPS. Crazy? So, what’s the impact on you? Scary — that’s what. The NRC states there are around 250,000 hectares of Northland farmland that require stock exclusion, including the unprecedented banning of grazing steeper hillsides. Northland has approximately 617,000 ha in pasture, cropping and horticulture. Making that amount of land unproductive would significantly hurt Northland’s economy by removing $275– $300 million in income annually. The trickle-down effect could be a cost of more than $1 billion to the region, a massive impact on towns and communities. Yes, you can plant trees on ‘stock-excluded hillsides’, but most
Colin Hannah, Federated Farmers Northland president
landowners can’t afford that cost. Then you will need consent to harvest, and there’s no guarantee you will get
consent. Farm values could easily drop below the equity held in farms — all because of a freshwater bylaw. The
banks may quickly come knocking on your door. So, you now have an uneconomic unit, and you and your family will need to find work in town to keep your head above water — if you can find a job and afford the fuel to get there. The 10-metre setback is the preferred choice by the council, 300% more than currently recommended nationally. That means putting fences 10 metres back from either side of your waterways. Again, you lose grazing and will not be compensated by the NRC for those costs, nor the ongoing lost income or the obvious devaluation of your increasingly unproductive property. The setback will become a major fire risk throughout the region as it will link up with many of the existing and new forests around our region in drought conditions. It will exacerbate the transfer of weeds and other biosecurity pests. NRC’s recommended method is manual weeding instead of using chemical sprays. Again, it’s crazy to think that any farmer would have the time to weed kilometres of waterways multiple times a year when their focus is running their businesses and looking after their stock. Oh, and you will need consent to spray gorse and blackberry, but that consent can be opposed by landowners downstream.
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CLOSING: Dec 22 2023 REOPENING: Jan 15 2024
Ltd
dargaville.depot@ritchies.co.nz
Ph: 0800 466 793
Phone: 09 439 7418 | 027 481 6680
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Ph: 09 439 5989
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www.foxysweetie.co.nz CLOSING: Dec 23rd 2023 REOPENING: Jan 15th 2024 Online orders available during this time only
NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
NovEMbER 2023
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Christmas Preparation
With Christmas in mind
by Ann van Engelen
Next month sees many households celebrating the Christmas season, visiting friends and family and taking a few days out of their daily routines. For those living in rural communities, it can mean preparing stock and other animals in your care to be looked after while you are away, even if for one night. For lifestyle block owners, it’s just as important to ensure your animals have a good water supply and food source for the time you are away. Don’t forget your dogs, cats, birds and fish need care too. If possible, have a friend check in daily — it is far easier for stock to have a mishap than some people realise. Now is a good time to check your boundary fences to ensure your stock stays within your property boundary. Stock wandering on railway tracks and roads is a major safety hazard. If you own straying stock which damages the roads or its roadsides, or if they contribute to an accident on the road, you will be liable for the costs associated with repairing any damage, and you may face criminal charges. If you find wandering stock, it is suggested to call the local animal control or, in an emergency, the police.
With the country expecting a drought this summer, be mindful of checking water lines, troughs and your water tanks. If they are low now, it may be a good time to order a load from the local water carrier. Once summer holidays hit and people begin visiting coastal and rural areas, water usage is known to rise dramatically and it’s not always easy to get a load on the day you need. It’s also a good idea to remind any urban visitor of the importance of limiting water usage. Things such as turning the taps off when brushing your teeth, not having toys that need a sprinkler attached for children and taking short showers all help. A rural life means we have commitments that may keep us close to home. If that is the case, there’s no reason we can’t have friends over for a simple meal, a day of games or an on-farm adventure for our urban friends. Ultimately, the Christmas season is to be enjoyed, no matter your beliefs, it’s a time to have guests, visit friends or spend quality time together.
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NovEMbER 2023 NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
Christmas Preparation by Ann van Engelen
Farmers surf for a break
Farmers across New Zealand have been taking a break through the Surfing For Farmers initiative for five years. “The programme gives our rural people the opportunity to ride the waves and engage with fellow farmers, rural families and industry professionals,” says national coordinator Sarah Shanks.
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What we haven’t got we can get!
Photo credit: Jamie Troughton — Dscribe Media
It is with thanks to local sponsors that Surfing For Farmers is available to farmers at no cost
“What sets SFF apart is its commitment to accessibility, as all equipment, lessons, and refreshments are free of charge. This ensures that the programme remains inclusive and accessible to all individuals who can benefit from it, regardless of their financial circumstances.” Founder Stephen Thompson won the Beef and Lamb FMG Rural Champion
Award recently for his commitment to farmers through the programme. “We don’t do it for the awards — we do it to help farmers to get off-farm and create an environment to have a break every week during summer,” says Stephen. “I got the idea from watching the documentary Resurface on Netflix. It’s about taking soldiers who went to
Afghanistan surfing to help deal with post-traumatic stress disorder from the war. I thought, why can’t we use salt water therapy for farmers and be the ambulance at the top of the cliff rather than the bottom of the cliff? “Science has proven salt water is therapeutic. Being in the salt water helps you get away from everything — there are no dogs, people, cell phones or drama. The Surfing For Farmers programme is free, with all equipment provided if needed. “The idea is to come and have a laugh. The boards are big and designed for everyone, no matter your age or ability. We want farmers of any type to come and have a crack, step away from the farm, enjoy a surf, a Kiwi BBQ and share stories and time with others.” The programme started at Ahipara on Thursday, November 9, contact Alison Whiteford 027 499 9021. It starts at Sandy Bay on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 — contact Rachael Anderson 027 216 4505. Waipu Cove on Thursday, January 11, with Sophia Wood, call 021 227 4379.
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NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
NovEMbER 2023
21
Christmas Preparation Avoiding the grumps
by Liz Clark
As the reminders start filling up the advertising spaces heading towards that day of joy for the nation and it draws nearer, the rush will be on to get those last-minute things done. It’s a matter of ‘calm the farm’, so to speak. Stop a moment and clear your head before going like a bull in a headlong charge and ending up with a pickle of a problem in the process. Of course, this is being written somewhat tongue-in-cheek, knowing what it is with children in tow, unprepared and forgetting just about everything on the list for the big Christmas shop. Rural living usually involves a long trip into town to pick up everything needed for the big day, when the family all come together for a great time. Coming from a rather large family myself, when you add in the additions, such as nieces and nephews and possibly grandchildren, it becomes an exercise in patience, especially when shopping time comes and there are younger children in tow. On the day before the big trip into town after the necessary jobs are done on-farm, organising the things the little ones will need for a long day is better than leaving things to the following morning. Get the water bottles filled and put them into the fridge, along with lunchboxes filled with snacks and other goodies to keep the tummies filled throughout the day. These
part of preventing grumpy children and harried adults, too. Using a list, too, will help you get through the day, and before you know it — it’s back home, everything done and no grumps to be seen.
Fresh Flower Bouquets and gift ideas • Wedding and cake accessories • Venue dressing • Balloons, cards & soft toys • Flowering Plants A child’s smiling face makes all the difference if you plan your Christmas shopping day right
can be put into a small chilly bin or cooler bag with a chiller pad to keep things cool and fresh on a hot summer’s day. Ensure there are hats, sunblock, extra nappies, wipes and some bags to store any used nappies until they can be sorted out at home and disposed of. Favourite toys are another must-take which will keep
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a little person amused. For babies sitting up, something as simple as a brown paper bag can keep them amused while going around the supermarket or store. Take frequent breaks throughout the day, such as at a playground where the children can run around and release some energy. Taking plenty to eat is an essential
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22
NovEMbER 2023 NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
Christmas Preparation A time for memories
by Ann van Engelen
While Christmas can be a time of joy, it can also be a time of pressure for many people; therefore, it’s important to know that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a memorable day. Don’t forget, some people don’t have friends or family nearby, so if possible, consider who may be in your world and include them in some part of the season.
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A picnic, a BBQ or a simple lunch, it’s the small things that make big impressions. Many families now have a limit of maybe $5 a gift, allowing more for the little people in our lives if they need something in particular. Planning food and trips away can be made easier by visiting friends or family in one area on the same day, saving on fuel costs. Many hosts enjoy receiving home-baked gifts. Things as simple as biscuits, cake or homemade jams are often heart-warming. Many people now give each other upcycled items as a fun way to show appreciation to loved ones. They pass on special blankets, books, pre-loved toys and clothes that are in good condition. Taking advantage of sales and discounts helps when you have a specific list to avoid impulse buys. If you can, plan ahead and buy gifts gradually throughout the year rather than rushing at the last minute. If you’re hosting a Christmas lunch or dinner, ask your guests to bring a
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contribution. If you tell them what you’d like, a vegetable dish, salad, or fresh fruit, it helps and enables everyone to keep their costs down. It will make them feel good to be able to bring something and save you time in the kitchen. Don’t forget that using children’s artwork for wrapping paper is fun. Family and friends also enjoy receiving framed pieces of art created by the small and notso-small people in their lives. Wrapping a gift inside a tea towel, scarf or pillowcase makes a fun experience, too. Families often do Secret Santa, with each person buying one present for a
selected person. With a price limit on the gift, many a laugh can be had. The rules are up to you. Some people have a list of what they would like to give their Santa ideas, and others class it as a random act of fun. At the end of the day, Christmas is a time to enjoy each other and check on people you may not have seen for a time, whether in person or by phone. It’s about people stopping, even if for an hour, to appreciate what they have in life, whether it is other people, animals or doing things they love. It’s about creating memories, whether big or small.
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NovEMbER 2023
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Christmas Preparation
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Marsden Metal Group is a locally owned business operated by Gordon and Janine Abernethy, who are there for all of your waste bin, scrap metal and clean-up projects. “My dad Gordon has been in the industry for most of his whole life. Mum and dad started their own business in their 60s,” said MMG spokesperson Leanne Campbell. The business has two sites — Ruakaka and Dargaville. It deals with waste bins and bags, scrap metal and construction waste recycling options. Recently, Gordon and Janine’s son Bruce returned to New Zealand to work in the family business. “He lived and worked in Melbourne in the industry for the last 15 years. Being the second generation, it gives more energy and global ideas to the business. “Dad always had a pull north, but he never understood why. In his late 60s, he discovered that his biological father was from the Ngapuhi iwi. It is exciting to operate in Northland. We are committed to the region and to employing locals. “Our team prides itself on service. Gordon always says, ‘The most important thing you can offer your customers is a
solution no matter what your product is’. We know our customers well and aim to get items picked up or dropped off within two days.” Gordon and Janine’s passion for community support includes working with people in difficult circumstances. “It is important to us. Our company tries diligently to be non-judgemental to our employees. When Ra applied for a job with us, she was nervous that we would distrust her truck-driving ability because she was a woman. She is now highly respected for her driving and customer service amongst our waste bin customers. “Recently, we invested in a new truck with a rear-mounted crane. It is perfect for large loads in remote locations or big clean-up jobs. Luke, who drives this bright green big rig, comes from farming and understands rural customers’ needs.” The yards are at 482 Marsden Point Road, Ruakaka and 52 Beach Road, Dargaville, and are open from Monday
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24
NovEMbER 2023 NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
Christmas Preparation Calling young farmers
The search is on for New Zealand’s top young farmers and entries for the FMG Young Farmer of the Year contest series have opened for 2024, with talented young individuals around Aotearoa encouraged to have a shot at rural stardom. The competition, now in its 56th season, boasts a strong track record showcasing not only the future of farming but the best talent New Zealand’s food and fibre sectors have to offer. Seven regional final competitions will be held across the country between February and April. Those who top their field will qualify for a spot on the national stage. NZYF chair Chloe Jones is hoping this year’s contest attracts a wide range of people, including those without a farming background.
“No matter your skill set, there’s something you can bring to the table. I’ve been in clubs where we’ve had rural nurses, butchers and diesel mechanics. It doesn’t matter who you are. If you have an interest in the food and fibre sectors, then it’s worth giving it a go. “Contestants can enter one of three categories depending on their age. They’re tested on a range of skills, from fencing and operating machinery through to cooking, woodwork and irrigation.
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“Our primary-age contestants, some as young as five, enter the AgriKidsNZ contest. It’s heaps of fun and a great way for kids to work together to solve complex challenges.” High school students working in teams of two are eligible for the FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year competition, while those who’ve left school compete alone, battling it out for the prestigious title of FMG Young Farmer of the Year and $90,000 worth of prizes. “It’s essentially a quest for the ultimate all-rounder, a reflection of the skills required to be a Young Farmer. Every
competition is different, and contestants start each day not knowing what skills they’ll be tested on. It definitely keeps things interesting. “The FMG Young Farmer of the Year category is a crowd favourite. This year’s grand final winner, Emma Poole, was the first female in the history of the competition to top the podium.” Hamilton will play host to next year’s grand final. The three-day competition will take place July 11–13 2024. Exact locations and event details are yet to be confirmed. Participants can enter via the New Zealand Young Farmers website.
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NovEMbER 2023
25
Christmas Preparation
Showcasing young Māori farmers
Entries are open for up-and-coming young Māori working on dairy farms around the country to enter the Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer Award. Inaugurated in 2012, the award is designed to recognise the achievements of young Māori in the farming and horticulture sectors. In a three-year cycle, young Māori involved in horticulture and sheep and beef are also recognised; in 2024 the competition is for dairy. “Māori agribusiness continues to grow, and for this to be sustainable, the industry needs young innovative leaders,” says chair of the management committee, Nukuhia Hadfield. “One of the pathways for developing this cohort of leaders is with the AYMF award. The growth of the sector also means that there are new career opportunities for rangatahi. In the relatively short time the award has been running, it has brought to the fore some outstanding young Māori men and women who have already excelled in their careers. “Since becoming finalists or winners, they have moved up to new and more responsible roles, and many have become inspirational role models.” Nukuhia urges young Māori wāhine and tane to enter this competition and asks that their employers and mentors encourage them to do so. “Past finalists and winners have said that being involved in Ahuwhenua opens
Quinn Morgan (centre) receiving the Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer Award in 2021
up new opportunities and networks and gives them the self-confidence to achieve their full potential. The Ahuwhenua whānau that runs the competition is both welcoming and supportive — entrants will have a great time.” “Winning the Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer Award will bring many new benefits and contacts, but also new responsibilities,” said winner of the 2021 AYMF Dairy award Quinn Morgan.
“I feel that I now have the responsibility to uphold the mana of the Ahuwhenua competition and to shine that light on the young farmers coming through. Now that I have made it and those who have gone before me have pulled me through, I am going to reach back and pull the next group of young farmers through as well.”
Entry forms and further details are on the Ahuwhenua Trophy website. Entries close on Friday, February 9, and the finalists will be announced in late March 2024. The winner will be announced at the Ahuwhenua Trophy awards dinner on Friday, May 17 2024.
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November 2023 NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
GSH 40
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$349
GS 451 50yr
39.0cc 1.9kW 2.6HP 16” Bar & Chain
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$849
SPARTA 441T 50yr
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$399
TORNADO 398
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$ $449
TORNADO 5108W
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$349 Powerhead only
BC 270 S
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$999
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$499
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44cc 1.83kW 2.5HP Bull Handle
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108cm (42”) Side Discharge Stiga ST 550 Twin Engine Electromagnetic Blade Engage Hydrostatic Drive Optional Mulch Kit
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NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
NovEMbER 2023
RURAL WHEELS
27
Ranger gets electric boost
by Andy Bryenton
The best-selling vehicle in New Zealand is set to get an electric option, with a hybrid plug-in Ranger ute on the horizon from Ford. It comes just in time to wave goodbye to the so-called ‘ute tax’ which so vexed the rural public, but more on that elsewhere. For now, tradespeople, farmers and those who love the original big Ford utility will be looking with interest at a machine that promises lower emissions and better economy and more torque than the all-diesel variant on sale today. “We are very excited to soon be offering the Ranger Plug-In Hybrid to New Zealand customers,” said Ford New Zealand managing director Simon Rutherford. “New Zealanders are rapidly transitioning to electrified vehicle solutions. The Ranger plug-In hybrid will play a key role not only in Ford’s global sustainability efforts to reduce emissions from transportation, but also in helping meet the varied needs of our valued customers here in New Zealand. We anticipate that a more sustainable, low emissions solution will appeal across retail, business, rural and urban customers alike.” Electricity combines with 2.3 litres of turbocharged petrol power to deliver a raked towing capacity of 3,500kg, four-wheel drive, and the claim of more torque than the big turbo diesel, which has become a favourite around New
Zealand. As a plug-in hybrid, the new Ranger will allow for approximately 45 kilometres of fuel-free driving in full electric mode. As far as looks go, Ford has resisted the urge to create a retro-futurist rocketship or an edgy design study like Tesla’s Cybertruck. The hybrid Ranger looks like a Ranger, which is smart thinking when you are already the topselling ute in a vicious market. The appeal of this machine may well be that it doesn’t wear its electric heart on its sleeve and instead presents itself as what it is intended to be — a stablemate of Ford’s great all-rounder. One very handy addition to the mix is the inclusion of Pro Power Onboard, which effectively makes the whole ute into a large, quiet generator. Power outlets embedded in the tray and cabin will allow hybrid Ranger drivers to use electric equipment on the go, charge up the batteries of laptops and power tools, and never be far from a plug. There’s a year to wait, until 2025, before Ford says the first of these utes will hit the road locally, but it’s expected that they will make quite an impression when they arrive. Customers asked for a solution that would give them the best of both worlds, and this might well be it.
The FT-Se is already being compared to the classic AW-11 MR-2 mid-engined sports car, based on this prototype from Tokyo’s Mobility Show
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28
November 2023 NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
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FIND YOUR CFMOTO DEALER Gatmans Mowers & More 2200 E Coast Rd, Silverdale, Auckland P: 09 426 5612 Northland Powersports 15 Rewa Rewa Road, Raumanga, Whangarei P: 09 437 5451 Maungaturoto Motorcycles 117 Hurndall Street, Maungaturoto P: 09 431 8555 Rob Titter Farm Services 55 Station Rd, Kaikohe P: 09 401 1774 Rouse Motorcycles 1 King Street, Hikurangi, Northland P: 09 4338 471 *Valid from 1/11/2023 to 31/12/2023 or while stocks last. Ride away prices quoted exclude GST. Visit www.cfmoto.co.nz for more information.
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NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
NovEMbER 2023
RURAL WHEELS
by Andy Bryenton
29
Toyota’s future shocks
Toyota designers have rocked the Japan Mobility Show with six new models, each of which is a departure from tradition. The mobility show is all about transport in all of its forms, and it’s an important fixture on the calendar for Japanese automakers. This year, Toyota ran a large stand with six prototype vehicles under the headline ‘find your future’. There was something for everyone among the machines crafted by the auto giant’s research and development team, including new incarnations of a pair of classics. First up, a fully electric Land Cruiser was revealed, picking up the baton from the recently released hybrid version of the venerable off-roader. Dubbed the Land Cruiser Se, its name means ‘sports electric’, and it will have big boots to fill, both here and across the Tasman. In both markets, the Land Cruiser has become the byword and benchmark for tough dependability, and the Se model looks set to step up to the plate with similar capabilities to its petrol predecessors. Right now, it’s just a concept, but it looks the part. Also, turning heads was another good fit for the Kiwi market, a fully electric ute. The EPU or Ecological Pickup looks like a Hilux from the near future, eschewing the folded-steel aesthetic of Tesla’s Cybertruck in lieu of a more traditional appearance. However, it’s all battery power under the hood. There’s plenty of room in
The FT-Se is already being compared to the classic AW-11 MR-2 mid-engined sports car, based on this prototype from Tokyo’s Mobility Show
that double cab and on the large, wide, flat deck, unencumbered by the need to accommodate internal combustion drivetrain and exhaust components. “It’s great to see the development focus is not just on vehicles but on a sustainable future. Toyota is accelerating product development, emphasising its serious dedication to next-gen batterypowered mobility. At the same time, there is a real commitment to building
vehicles that meet customers’ demand for a vehicle that fits into their lifestyles,” said Toyota New Zealand chief executive Neeraj Lala. The star of the show, however, was a car that had been long anticipated and often written off as a pipe dream by enthusiasts. The sporty, low, MR2-inspired FT-Se broke cover at the Mobility Show and immediately caught the imagination of sports car lovers
worldwide. Just as the original MR-2 delivered luxury supercar performance and looks on an affordable budget, it’s hoped that the FT-Se will go into production to become a worthy successor. Certainly, there are exotic electric speedsters out there, but an FT-Se, which comes with an MR-2 style price tag, would put that kind of fun in the hands of the masses and win hearts and minds for Toyota.
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30
NovEMbER 2023 NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
DAIRY & LIVESTOCK
Fieldays rural awards are open
by Paul Campbell
It’s time for shed tinkerers, ingenuity enthusiasts and work-shed warriors to get busy with entries now open for the Fieldays Innovations Awards that recognise creativity, resourcefulness and groundbreaking ideas that can emerge from the most unexpected places. “Fieldays 2024 happen from June 12 to 15. Whether you’re a farmer with a clever new tool to boost productivity, a visionary engineer with an invention to change the entire industry, or a student with an idea that you think might just work, your innovation can have a lasting impact,” says national programme manager Steve Chappell, “We also love to see entries from established Fieldays exhibitors showing their new innovative products. It is great for the first-timers to be situated alongside a company that has a global presence. The Innovation Awards showcase the best innovations from NZ and around the world and are a must-see part of Fieldays.” Entries are encouraged from across the primary sector, which refers to dairy, meat and wool; forestry; horticulture, including viticulture; seafood, including aquaculture and fishing; arable and agri tech, including food tech and green tech. “Last year saw an increase of entrants from the sustainability and green-tech areas, highlighting the diversification of farming currently happening in New Zealand, but we also saw strong representation from the traditional on-farm or on-orchard solutions from across the sector,” says Chappell. The globally renowned awards programme encompasses a diverse range of categories, ensuring that innovation at every stage of development and from all walks of life is celebrated and supported.
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Joint problems — dealing with the causes (Part one) by John Arts
I have been helping people with knee osteoarthritis for over 25 years — I have been helping one client with this for nearly two years.
Innovation section winners this year are Wilderlab: (from left) Susan Welsh, Amy Gault, Cari Bendersky and Shaun Wilkinson
The Young Innovator of the Year Award once again recognises the importance of fostering the next generation of food and fibre innovators who bring fresh perspectives and bold ideas to the primary sector. Open to entrants in all three categories who are 19 years and under. “This highlights those innovators unafraid to push boundaries from a young age and think outside the square.” Fieldays continues to evolve the awards each year, and this year, there is a new People’s Choice award (that all exhibiting entrants are eligible for) with a prize for the winner and also for one lucky voter. For more about the Fieldays Young Innovator of the Year Award category, register at fieldays.co.nz/innovation. Entries are open now until 1pm Wednesday, April 24 2024.
When we first spoke, he needed to take pain relief to walk for exercise. After six months, he said the pain had completely gone and no longer needed pain medication. Any successful programme to improve joints affected by OA should address the underlying disease process. OA is a disease that is characterised by cartilage loss due to both mechanical and biochemical processes. The major process is the loss of cartilage caused by progressive damage to specialised cells called chondrocytes. These cells live in the matrix of cartilage and are responsible for maintaining and repairing cartilage by secreting new cartilage where required. However, these cells are vulnerable to destructive processes brought about by trauma, such as sports injury, or disease processes, especially oxidative damage. It means cells and cell structures have been damaged by free radicals. The body’s response to this is our antioxidant defence systems
to neutralise free radicals before they can cause damage. The greatest source of discomfort in OA is inflammation in the joint capsule, resulting in pain, swelling and, in some cases, heat and redness. While bone on bone can only be repaired by surgery, the discomfort from inflammation and cartilage loss can respond very well to nutritional therapy. The most important joint support compound is high-grade chondroitin sulphate. Research suggests at least 800mg daily. I like to start most on an intensive programme delivering 1,600mg of both chondroitin and glucosamine and 400mg of a newgeneration 100% water-soluble curcumin extract. That, combined with therapeutic doses of omega-3 fish oil, can make a real difference. John Arts (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.
Abundant Health Bettaflex New Super Joint Formula
Summer pricing on rubberware, liners, filter socks and sleeves on now until 12th February 2024.
What is Bettaflex?
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Adrian & Jenny Savannah Kaukapakapa ph: 09 427 6393 or 0274 816 599 info@glenbrookfarms.co.nz www.ardg.co.nz
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FE Gold Accredited • 40 Years of Testing FE Tolerance: Rams Tested at 0.7 in 2023 • Worm FEC Gold Accredited: Worm FEC Testing for 20 years • All animals DNA profiled = 100% accuracy • All animals are dag score evaluated
Ram Sales in December ryy by & January appointment
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• World Leaders in FE Tolerance:
• Bettaflex is a joint support formula to promote healthy joint cartilage function • Bettaflex has 400mg (per capsule) of high-grade avian chondroitin, 400mg of glucosamine and 100mg of BioSolve® bioavailable Curcumin (from turmeric). • Try Bettaflex for 3 months and see for yourself.
gea.midnorth@gmail.com
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021 569 661 | Garry Wilson
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enhanced formula
BEST BUY! $99.95 for 3 bottles freight-free or 1 bottle for $36.95 plus $5.99 postage 60 Capsules per Bottle
How can Bettaflex help? • 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
Cautions: Do not take with anti-coagulant/platelet medication. If in doubt please consult your healthcare professional. Not suitable during pregnancy or lactation.
TO ORDER PHONE: 0800 423 559 Or order online at www.abundant.co.nz Abundant Health Ltd, PO Box 8348, Cherrywood 3145
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CONTACT YOUR LOCAL CAN-AM TODAY Hikurangi/Whangarei: Rouse Motorcycles Ph: 09 433 8471 Kaitaia: Kaitaia Tractors Ph: 09 408 0670 Warkworth: Warkworth Motorcycles Ph: 09 425 8535 WARRANTY & EXTENDED SERVICE Factory Warranty 2 years / 15,000 km, whicveer comes first Service Intervals 200 hours / 12 months / 3000 km 2 years 15000kms.