I wish you all a joyful Christmas, an excellent holiday if you are taking one, and, of course, a successful and prosperous New Year.
Looking back at 2024, it has been a year of productivity and delivery, decisive action and significant achievements for the new coalition government — particularly for the farming sector.
In our first year, we aggressively cut red tape, enabling the farming sector to thrive without unnecessary burdens. We restored common sense to the rules governing intensive winter grazing and stock exclusion, paused the roll-out of Freshwater Farm Plans, and implemented practical guidelines for on-farm water storage. These actions are equipping our rural communities for success.
We took bold steps by removing agriculture from the Emissions Trading Scheme and disbanding the ineffective He Waka Eke Noa partnership. We significantly ramped up funding for AgriZeroNZ to develop essential emissions reduction technologies, and we are actively reforming gene technology regulations to foster innovation.
Furthermore, we raised the cap on the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme and increased investments in Rural Support Trusts and local catchment groups to strengthen rural resilience. We relentlessly pursued enhanced trade relationships to secure superior returns for our farmers. This year, we expanded opportunities for New Zealand’s primary exports by securing major trade agreements with the UAE and Gulf Cooperation Council, allowing for 51 per cent tariff-free entry from day one. We successfully eradicated $733 million in non-tariff barriers and reinstated log exports to India.
Still, I suppose on a more personal level for me, the stand-out achievement is the restored recognition by the new government of the importance of the rural sector to the New Zealand economy. This government stands firm in its commitment to, and confidence in, the primary sector’s ability to deliver for New Zealand. We will continue to partner with the sector to ensure rural communities are supported and we continue to all move forward together.
Barbara Kuriger, MP for Taranaki-King Country
by Barbara Kuriger, MP for Taranaki-King Country
Mayors help find employment solutions for rural youth
With rising unemployment around New Zealand, 36 of the country’s smallest and most remote councils have teamed up with Mayors’ Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) to find employment solutions for youth.
In August, unemployment figures showed 33,000 more New Zealanders were jobless compared to the same time in 2023. People, ages 15–24, who were not employed, in training or education made up almost half of the newly unemployed.
Four years ago, the MTFJ’s Community Employment Programme (CEP) was established as a nationwide partnership with the Ministry of Social Development. The focus was to get more young people into sustainable employment.
The programme highlights the power of localism by promoting communityled solutions for youth employment, education and training. Working with Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ), 36 councils were contracted from rural and provincial areas to run this programme.
One of the councils leading the way is Stratford District whose recent success has seen 18 young people move into ongoing full-time roles since July.
Stratford District Council mayor Neil Volzke said MTFJ and their CEP has been rewarding for everyone involved.
“Businesses looking to hire should reach out to the council for assistance.
“We know young people in our district have been affected by rising unemployment, so the support of local businesses, of all sizes, to work with CEP on employment placements has been crucial.
“If you’re struggling to find the right person for the job, we can help. That includes providing driver training, helping fit an employee out with their gear and tools, and even providing financial assistance if they’re eligible.
“It’s win-win. Businesses get access to local and keen employees while the programme helps our youth to thrive in the workplace.”
Businesses working with MTFJ in this region include Adan Larsen Builders, Electric Avenue Taranaki, Savvy Gas, RJ Edgar Ltd, Quintin Oakes Builders, ITM Stratford, Northern Dairy, Central Traffic Services, Dairymaster and others.
“MTFJ helps provide young people with the right information so that when they approach an employer, they come work-
ready with the basic tools,” said builder Adan Larsen.
Electric Avenue electrician Steven Needham highly recommends MTFJ to other employers.
“They’re easy to deal with and there’s not a lot of red tape. It’s great to make use of young local talent,” he said.
Dontaye Fleming, 17, was placed with RJ Eager in an apprenticeship, and 18-year-old Ephraim Ingram gained vital work experience as a building labourer.
“Originally, I didn’t know where to start. The programme helped me with the connections, helped me with my CV and set up interviews. They also showed me jobs that weren’t advertised,” said Dontaye.
Emphrain said MTFJ has been helping him find work.
“I couldn’t have done it by myself. They’ve been a big help in buying all the tools and putting me on a defensive driving course to help make me more employable. I would highly encourage any young person to get in contact with them,” he said.
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From left: Stratford District Council mayor Neil Volzke with builder Adan Larsen
STRONG START FOR STUD
TBY DENISE GUNN
With an initial focus on supplying beef bulls for heifer mating in the dairy sector, Myles and Vanessa Cartwright also decided to register their Hereford cows with New Zealand Herefords.
he purchase of six heifers from Panorama Stud, near Feilding, and 20 in-calf cows from Ardo Herefords in Rangitīkei, formed the foundation of the couple’s herd in 2022. Their stud, Maata Herefords, is located on eastern Taranaki hill country, near Eltham.
Myles’s parents, Robert and Rosemary, purchased the farm in 2017. The 360ha property runs Romdale ewes, hoggets and Friesian/Hereford-cross yearling steers. Calves are also reared, and a small number of Angora goats were introduced this year to potentially control weeds. Up until 2021, Myles worked as farm manager on the property until he and Vanessa became equity partners. Myles said they run an intensive system on the
easier country, with young cattle either reared as calves or purchased weaned from his parents.
The couple’s first season with their 20 in-calf Hereford cows was a busy one as they also welcomed the arrival of their second son Hunter. Myles grew up on an Inglewood dairy farm with a drystock run-off.
“I always had a passion for farming for as long as I can remember,” he said.
After finishing NCEA Level One at 16, Myles studied at Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre for six months, gaining levels one, two and three papers in agriculture. He then returned to his family’s dairy farm and worked as an AB technician for CRV.
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Myles’s parents began leasing his aunt’s small dairy farm, which he managed while still helping out on the drystock runoff. During the quieter periods on the dairy farm over the summer, Myles gained more
sheep and beef experience working for Bevan and Mary Proffit.
“My passion for sheep and beef farming grew, so I was thrilled when my parents purchased the Maata farm.”
The couple chose Herefords to increase their farm’s
Central Hawke’s Bay was home for Vanessa. “My mother was a stay-athome mum and my dad was a stock truck driver. From a young age, I loved going to my grandparents’ sheep and beef farm in the weekends and school holidays, and helping them on the farm,” she said.
“I also loved going in the truck with dad, travelling all over New Zealand picking up various livestock.”
When Vanessa was about 12, her mother began working on the sheep and beef farm, which they eventually lived on. Vanessa was employed to help out in the weekends and school holidays.
“I then attended Massey University where I got a Bachelor of AgriCommerce. After I graduated, I went dairy farming in Himatangi, and moved to Taranaki in 2017 for a dairy farming job.
“After I moved in with Myles, I worked at the vets as a rural animal technician
Some
until we had our first son, Arjay, in 2020.”
Myles’s parents always reared Hereford Friesian-cross calves and since purchasing the farm, he and Vanessa have, too.
“I’ve always been impressed with the hybrid vigor of the Hereford cross.
With my background in dairy farming, I’ve always been passionate about genetics,” said Myles. “I thoroughly enjoy the breeding aspect of farming, seeing breeding values and seeing the genetic gain.
“We chose Herefords, as we are always trying to find ways to increase the profitability of our farm. We are hoping to grow the herd eventually to 100 Hereford cows.”
Vanessa said they are aiming to breed bulls to be used over heifers with highcalving ease and low birth weight.
“Within doing so, lifting the profitability of dairy farmers with
decreased bobby numbers. We also are trying to have good growth rates to get stock away quicker.
“Good temperament is a must while still maintaining a cow that is able to be used as a tool on the farm to run on the hills with the ewes. For us, this means only looking to have a mature weight for the cows of 500–550kg, otherwise, they cause too much damage
to tracks and hill faces, and tend to die of gravity poisoning.”
With Myles’s experience as an AB technician, the couple is able to purchase semen from bulls to improve their herd faster.
“Our goal is to sell the majority of our bulls via private treaty as yearlings while still being able to sell some two-year-olds as well,” said Vanessa.
Myles and Vanessa Cartwright with their sons, Arjay and Hunter
A yearling bull at Maata Herefords
ENVIRONMENT AWARD INSPIRES STUDENTS
BY DENISE GUNN
Uruti School pupils were surprised, delighted and proud when their school won an Environmental Action in Education award at the recent 2024 Taranaki Regional Council awards ceremony.
The eight pupil school won the award for empowering tamariki to take action to protect and restore the environment. Students were also inspired by the ongoing environmental work around the region.
Teacher Diane Scott said the environment has always been a strong focus of learning at Uruti School, starting in 2010 when the school joined the Paper for Trees programme.
“All paper was recycled, once used on both sides, and trees were given for the amount of paper waste diverted from landfill. Trees received were then planted in the school environment.
“This sparked interest in reducing, reusing and recycling all school waste.”
Since then, Uruti School has provided numerous environmental learning opportunities for its pupils.
Established in 1898 with 23 students, Uruti School has long been part of the community, celebrating its 125th jubilee last year. Currently, the school’s eight students range from years four to eight with three prospective new entrants for 2025.
“Students all work in one classroom with individualised learning programmes in the core learning areas,” said Diane.
Eleven years ago, students became involved with trapping pests to help save
the kiwi population in the Uruti Valley. This programme still continues, with more than 100 traps placed along 8.5km of local roads.
Local farmer Harry Hall now monitors the traps and takes the data into school for pupils to record. The different predator species, which includes weasels, stoats, feral cats, hedgehogs, rats and mice, are graphed and information is sent to the Kiwi Trust.
“Traps are set with bait provided and monitored on a monthly basis. In the past, we have trapped predators at school as well. Harry is also a local legend,” said Diane.
In 2015, the school won a Taranaki Regional Council environment award for predator control and kiwi protection work. It also became an Enviroschool.
That same year, work began on developing an orchard and strawberry gardens along the school boundary. This was followed with planting kũmara, pumpkins and other vegetables as well as poppies.
After staff and students developed a vision for their Enviroschool policy in
Maketawa John Deere Museum
Four years ago off the back of his dairy farm, Barry Bishop started the Maketawa John Deere Museum. Barry’s Museum is full of vintage classic John Deere Machinery. He now has a collection of over 20 green and yellow beauties. The oldest tractor Barry currently owns is a 1936 John Deere BN, he imported it from the states. Take a step back into the world of John Deere.
Former pupil Quinn Bendall with an orchard harvest
2017, a bottle greenhouse was built, a worm farm established and chickens were raised for egg production.
Uruti School won an Environmental Action in Education award at the 2024 Taranaki Regional Council award ceremony: (from left) Ida Conder, Dylan Hawkes, teacher aide and office administrator Jody Robertson, Wyatt Scarle, teacher Diane Scott, Elsie Conder and principal Joanne Thomas
Uruti School earned a bronze Enviroschool status in 2017. A silver Enviroschool status was awarded the following year.
“Environmental learning has blossomed from that time in the school and further afield with numerous projects.”
Local iwi Ngātai Mutunga worked alongside the students to monitor frogs in the area and complete an estuary survey at the Urenui mudflats, too.
“Students, with the help of Dr Emily Roberts from the Taranaki Regional Council, did a BioBlitz of the school, recording species found on the i-Nature website. This knowledge was helpful when students were tasked with a backyard diversity project during Covid-19 lockdowns,” said Diane.
Students also looked at the biodiversity at Pukeiti Gardens with Dr Roberts. While
riverbank planting at Onaero Beach camp, students noticed penguin nesting boxes and prints in the sand dunes. This observation led to the pupils designing penguin signage, which were painted at school and printed commercially.
Students, iwi and Taranaki Regional Council representatives installed the signs together. Hand-painted signs were also made for dotterels at Tongapōrutu.
Enviroschools facilitator Richard Carr assisted students in making new bird boxes to place around the school. He also helped some of the older students to design and build a system which collects water from the bottle greenhouse roof. This is used to water the school’s raised garden beds.
A three-bay compost bin system, built from wooden pallets, collects autumn leaves and other organic material.
“Current kaupapa with our iwi Ngāti Mutunga are observing the monitoring of tuna and micro-organisms in the Uruti River, as well as the Curious Minds Kōura learning, recording and reporting,” said Diane.
“Environmental learning is now an integral part of Uruti School’s philosophy. It is not an add-on. It is everyday practice and learning focus, which is evidence of our school values in action.”
Judges commended the school for its comprehensive approach to environmental education and empowering students through hands-on experiences.
A pōhutukawa tree, presented to Uruti School as a gift from local iwi Ngāti Mutunga, was planted by students and local iwi representative Anne-Marie McKay
THE WONDERS OF GARLIC
BY AMY FIFITA
Venture Taranaki and LA Alexander Trust’s Ross Redpath worked alongside secondary school students, sharing his passion for agriculture and horticulture, to trial garlic crops in Taranaki.
“Iwas an agriculture and horticulture science teacher for 35 years before being employed by the LA Alexander Trust, a Taranaki-based agricultural trust, as an agricultural education and project adviser,” said Ross Redpath.
“The role has a broad scope, and I am still involved in teaching year 13 students in schools that don’t have the capability or capacity to deliver the Level 3 AgHort Science programme.”
The garlic project sits under a Venture Taranaki initiative — Branching Out. After being approached by Branching Out project manager Michelle Bauer, Ross saw value in doing garlic trials in secondary schools.
“One of many crops under trial, Venture Taranaki is gathering data about the viability of scaling up garlic in the region. Schools were involved in trialling and comparison.
“Last year we trialled three varieties, Turban, Printanor and Tessa, although some schools only had two. It was a relatively hands-off year. The schools did minimal maintenance.
“We took an approach of ‘if it grew, it grew, and if it failed, it failed’. Some excellent learning was taken from that, with some varieties and sites being more successful than others.
“That was followed by a day, organised by Venture Taranaki, where many of the schools involved had a group of students
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With horticulture and agriculture students investigating, the trial provided students with real-world options and encouraged them to think about farming and business.
School students visited Bell Block’s Longridge garlic processing factory as part of their studies
attend a garlic processing factory just out of New Plymouth at Bell Block. The company takes garlic, moving it from the raw bulb form into peeled catering packs for restaurants.”
The Longridge garlic processing plant moves the raw bulb form into peeled catering packs for restaurants
“Students discovered there was a value-added component to the crop and production. They learned it was not the case of just growing it. It was about thinking about what can be done to make it more viable and create profit.
“Venture Taranaki also organised a visit to the Novotel, which took the different varieties of garlic and looked at ways it could be utilised. They produced a beautiful selection of menu items with garlic in it.
“An interesting part about that was they gave us a selection of garlic bread made from three different garlic varieties.”
Ross likens garlic to other produce like apples that have distinguishable varieties like Granny Smith or Pacific Rose apples.
“When we buy garlic — we just buy garlic. We don’t appreciate the variation of taste across the varieties, which is as much of a variation as apple varieties. Some are strong, mild or nutty, and when the students realised that not all garlic is the same, it created the context
for great discussion and was a good learning experience.”
This year’s season provided further learning for students and the project with a new variety introduced.
“The trial continued this year, and I went around the mountain taking photos and observing how the plants were going and different varieties’ growth rates.
“Students took height and other key measurements during the growing phase, and at harvest, dried it and then took the individual bulbs and weighed them. They then compared them to the different varieties at each school and to compare them across schools.
“The schools all have very different microclimates and that also provides good data that can be observed, analysed and discussed.”
“Turban, interestingly, was the one that grew the best. Printanor is considered the normal commercial variety of garlic in New Zealand. Rust was an issue at some sites but not all.
“Many people suggested that we couldn’t grow garlic commercially in our moist climate but when you start talking to people, they say they have grown garlic for all their lives.
“From a commercial perspective, it is a crop that could easily have different scales of production, from your home gardener growing 20 bulbs for their own use to someone selling it at a farmers’ market, through to full-scale commercial production. It lasts about a year if stored carefully.
“New Zealand consumers prefer locally grown garlic. However, commercial production has to be profitable, otherwise you won’t be in production for very long. This whole exercise has been a fantastic learning opportunity for Taranaki agriculture and horticulture science students.”
With the schools contributing to the data pool, Venture Taranaki also coordinates several other field trials on sites across the region.
Read part two next year.
Merry Christmas
As we approach 2025, we are filled with enthusiasm and anticipation for the future. The journey we have undertaken together has been extraordinary, and we are grateful for each one of you who has played a role in it. Please stay tuned for updates regarding our upcoming projects and events as we continue to grow and explore new opportunities. Here’s to a year rich in joy, success, and treasured moments together. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Branching Out field technician, Sam Humphries, planting garlic at one of the trial sites
by Denise Gunn
Dedication to clients achieves results
Born and raised in coastal Taranaki, real estate agent Dallas Green has always held a strong connection to the region.
Dallas is off to a flying start with Robert Angus Real Estate. His strong work ethic is already proving successful with a growing track record.
He brings a diverse knowledgeable background to the industry and his warm, sincere and friendly approach produces results.
The 66-year-old has clocked up experience in farming, engineering and sales throughout his life.
Dallas worked on a drystock farm at Rahotu on leaving school, giving him an insight into the agricultural industry. On moving to Inglewood, he bought a poultry farm, raising broiler chickens for 17 years. When Dallas sold that business, he worked as a farm machinery and vehicles salesman.
“After that, I bought an engineering business in Auckland and had that for eight years, then moved to Matamata for four years,” he said.
However, the call of the mountain proved strong so Dallas returned to Taranaki, joining the team at Robert Angus Real Estate.
“With my life skills and experiences, I relate to people and the properties they require.”
Effective communication and understanding his client’s property requirements is key to achieving results.
“Meeting people is reward in itself and I just want to get things going for them,” said Dallas.
He specialises in all areas of real estate and is available to take on more listings, particularly rural.
“I cover all of Taranaki. No distance is too far.”
Motorsport is one of Dallas’s passions.
“I’ve been involved with different motorsports throughout Taranaki and New Zealand. My uncle had a racing car when I was about five and I haven’t been able to get them out of my system. I’ve met a lot of people through the sport.”
Dallas is client-focussed, bringing integrity and an eye for detail to the table. This, combined with a patient down-toearth attitude, contributes to Dallas’s skills for negotiation.
With a trusted reliable manner, Dallas is committed to helping his clients, whether buying or selling, to cross the finish line.
Contact Dallas on 027 448 1841 or email dallas@robertangus.co.nz.
Real estate agent Dallas Green is committed to helping his clients
by Liz Clark
Shadow of the mounga
Towering over verdant farmland and dominating the landscape is the 2,518-metre Mt Taranaki, also known as Pukeonaki or Pukehaupapa — mana whenua venerate its peak.
According to iwi tradition Taranaki once existed in the centre of the North Island with the other volcanoes. Taranaki and Tongariro fought each other to win the beautiful Mt Pīhanga, and after a great battle, Taranaki was defeated and fled west. A valley, now containing the Whanganui River, was gouged out during his flight.
Guided by his guardian rock Te Tokaa-Rauhoto, he turned towards the north and rested. While Taranaki rested, Pouākai mountain extended a ridge to stop him from continuing his journey. Now, Taranaki remains frozen in place and his guardian rock rests at the marae at Pūniho Pā. Taranaki was named after Rua Taranaki, the first ancestor or tupuna of the Taranaki iwi, one of several iwi in the region.
Captain James Cook named the volcanic cone Mt Egmont in January 1770, after John Percival, the second Earl of Egmont. The name remained in use by early European settlers. After two unsuccessful attempts, naturalist Ernst Dieffenbach, accompanied by whaler James Heberly from Wellington first ascended the summit in December 1839. The first European woman to climb Taranaki was Jane Maria Atkinson, who accompanied her husband Arthur and five others in February 1855.
In 1865, the mountain and its surrounding area was seized by the
government under the New Zealand Settlements Act 1863, as a means to establish and maintain peace in the midst of the second Taranaki war. In 1881, formal protection of the volcanic cone and an area of 9.6 kilometres surrounding its slopes was gazetted by the government. A further area, encompassing the volcanic remnants of Pouākai and Kaitake, was added on to the reserve, which was gazetted as Egmont National Park in 1900.
Taranaki Māori advocated for several generations to have the name Taranaki restored to the mounga. That took until 1986, when the New Zealand Geographic Board gave approval for a name change, and the following year, the peak was given two official names: Taranaki and Egmont. In 2020, the mounga was officially named Taranaki, and Egmont National Park was renamed Te Papakura o Taranaki.
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Photo Credit: Phil Capper
Mt Taranaki at dawnrise
SHOP LOCAL – SUPPORT LOCAL
Summer market madness
by Amy Fifita
With summer being the season most people like to get out and about, it is also an opportunity to discover and purchase from local talents.
Community markets are great places to explore what your part of the region has to offer and a way to support local families to thrive.
Enjoy the selection at the Urenui Community Market on the third Sunday of every month between 10am and 1pm. Attendees can expect a crafts, fresh produce and other creations at the community centre on Takiroa Street. Waitara has two markets. The Waitara Night Markets draw the community together on selected dates at the Otupaiia Marine Park from 5pm to 9pm. Visit its Facebook page for more information.
The Waitara St John Market is on the first and third Sunday of the month from 9am until 2pm, at the St John Hall, 41 Domett Street.
New Plymouth is abundant in markets. The Taranaki Farmers’ Market is every Sunday at Huatoki Plaza from 9am to noon. The last Sunday of the month provides an opportunity for people to buy second-hand goods, plants and other items at the Picker’s Market at the Ferndale Hall, from 10am to 2pm.
Also in New Plymouth, the Kids Market for new and pre-loved toys at the Mangorei School Hall is on the last Sunday of each month from 8.30am to 11am. Inglewood has its Car Boot Sale every Sunday on Matai Street, from 8.30am to 2pm.
The Shed Market showcases locallymade treats at 37 Moa Street on the second and fourth Sunday of the month, from 9am to 2pm. The Prospero Market, at Prospero Place in Stratford, features fresh produce and handmade crafts on the last Saturday of the month, from 9am to noon.
The Hāwera Saturday Markets are at the town square, from 9am to 12.30pm. Kaponga Market and Car Boot Sale is at 13 Egmont Street, from 9am to 3pm, monthly on the second Saturday.
The district has plenty of other markets that can be found at sustainabletaranaki. org.nz/news/local-taranaki-marketsin-2024.
Shopping at your community market helps boost the local economy
QUICK INDEX
SHOP LOCAL – SUPPORT LOCAL
BY PROFESSIONALS IN YOUR COMMUNITY NOT “EXPERTS” ONLINE
by Amy Fifita
Events to remember
As summer ramps up and the weather becomes more suitable for outings, there are many ways to get out like enjoying a stage performance.
Music lovers can take advantage of the vast line-up at Rock the Bowl at Brooklands Park Drive, New Plymouth on Sunday, December 29. The event promises a collection of local and international acts.
New Zealand rockers Shihad and other performers Pendulum, Lady Hawke, Elemeno P, Home Brew and Sublime with Rome will be playing. Genres range from hip-hop and rock to synth-pop.
The Egmont Country Music Festival will kick off at 2pm, on Friday, January 10 2025 at the Clifton Rugby Club in Waitara. The three-day affair will feature Kiwi performers Denver and Beyond, Keinan Ngapo, Shamika Hoeta and Neil Mackenzie-Hall, with a special Australian guest, Allan Webster.
People can enjoy the full weekend experience or buy tickets for a day. For enquiries and bookings, email Lynn at crawfordlm50@gmail.com.
For concertgoers wanting a more modern vibe, L.A.B, Stan Walker, Corrella, Aaradhna and AJA will be entertaining at the Bowl of Brooklands
Summer is a great time to go out and enjoy various acts
on Saturday, January 11 2025 from 3pm to 10pm. The set is the first of three the line-up will be doing in the country with more gigs booked in Taupō and Whangārei.
People under 16 must be accompanied by a legal guardian. To purchase tickets, visit loop.co.nz.
18 2025. People have two opportunities to view the 50-minute act at 10.30am and 1pm at the TSB Theatre, 92–100 Devon Street West, New Plymouth.
Young families are not left out with Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat live on-stage performance coming on Saturday, January
Fancy a laugh after a busy New Year? Enjoy Sarah Millican Late Bloomer at the TSB Stadium, 1 Rogan Place, New Plymouth on Thursday, January 23 2025 at 8pm. The event promises a humorous hour and a quarter, at Sarah Millican’s expense. Go to Ticketek to book tickets.
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DAIRY & LIVESTOCK
Fagan flies in to win
by Paul Campbell
King Country shearer Jack Fagan has won his second New Zealand Corriedale shearing championship, after he flew in from Western Australia for his successful bid to regain a title he won for the first time two years ago.
With fastest time in the final and best quality in pen-judging he won by 2.37 points from 2020 winner, Scotland international and Southern Hawke’s Bay farmer Gavin Mutch. Southland shearer and defending champion Nathan Stratford, with four wins in the event dating back to his first in 2005, was third.
Fagan, son of Sir David Fagan, who won the title 13 times between 1984 and 2009, shore the 12 sheep in 13min 19.56sec.
Southern Hawke’s Bay shearer Laura Bradley firmly established herself as possibly New Zealand’s, and even the world’s, most successful female competition shearer when she won the senior final as well as the women’s event.
She’s now had seven wins in the senior class and is on the brink of becoming the first women to be promoted to open class based on competition results. She has won three successive women’s events this year, at the Golden Shears in Masterton and the New Zealand Shears in Te Kūiti at the end of last season, and now, the Corriedale championships.
sheep in 12min 1.13sec, beating Wairoa shearer Bruce Grace by 15 seconds, with Bradley next in 12min 27.84sec.
The senior final was also triumph for the north, with Taumarunui shearer Taelor Tarrant first to finish, shearing the seven
Fagan made an even more successful trip of it by winning the Waiau Rugby Club Speedshear open final in North Canterbury with a fastest sheep of 22.8 seconds.
The only remaining competitions in the North Island before Christmas are the Whangārei A&P Show, also with a speedshear, on December 7, when the Rotorua A&P Show shearing and woolhandling championships will also be held.
Photo Credits: Thomas Lambert
Te Kuiti shearer Jack Fagan into the pen during the New Zealand Corriedale Shearing championship open final in Christchurch winning the event for a second time
Laura Bradley, winning the senior final at the New Zealand Corriedale shearing championships taking her closer to being the first woman to graduate to Open class competition
DAIRY & LIVESTOCK
Pine plan meets opposition
by Andy Bryenton
Federated Farmers has come out in stern opposition to proposals from the Climate Commission, which could encourage the carbon afforestation of farmland.
“The proposal would see large swathes of productive farmland sacrificed in the name of emission reductions,” says Federated Farmers meat and wool chair Toby Williams.
“That would be the death knell for sheep farming as we know it in New Zealand, but also our small towns, rural communities and the families who call them home.”
This response came after the Climate Commission floated the idea of exceeding Paris climate agreement targets, pushing for a greater than 50 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions much earlier than anticipated. Currently, the target is set for the year 2050, but the government has been under pressure from the United Nations to roll that date back to as early as 10 years from now.
“New Zealand needs to have a serious conversation about these targets and how much they are going to cost us as a country, and I’m not just talking about financial costs,” Williams says.
“If the only way we can meet our international obligations is to plant entire communities in trees, undermine our productive sectors, or buy offshore units, then we have a serious problem.
“I think most reasonable New Zealanders would absolutely reject
any future for our country that involves planting some of our most iconic rural landscapes in a blanket of pine trees.”
That 2035 target would leave New Zealand with 12 to 15 per cent fewer dairy cows and a drastic 18 to 24 per cent fewer sheep and beef cattle. The estimate is also predicated on mass planting numbers: more than 400,000 hectares of pine and a similar amount of native forest in a decade.
“This all may sound good to some policy analyst sitting in Wellington playing with a spreadsheet, but in reality it will be a total disaster,” Williams said.
“When you dig into the numbers they might add up, but that doesn’t mean they make sense, particularly for our small towns and rural families being surrounded by a wall of pine trees.
“More trees will mean fewer sheep, fewer cows, fewer jobs, fewer people and billions of dollars less export income every year. That’s a recipe for nothing but total economic ruin.”
It’s the contention of those who agree with this stance that the government needs to take action. Farmers are calling for Wellington to tackle this looming crisis for the rural sector and the regions, before the face of the Kiwi countryside is changed forever.
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Staying safe on the water
Boaties are being urged to be aware of others when they head out on the water this summer.
Port Taranaki harbour master Tony Parr said while it’s always great to see recreational boat owners exploring the Taranaki coastline, those at the helm need to take care and avoid collision with other water users, including other vessels, swimmers and foil windsurfers.
“Summer can be a very busy time at the port. We want
everyone who is using the water to stay safe and get home safe,” says Parr.
“The message to recreational boat users is to be aware others out on the water. The last thing we want to see is a tragedy, which could have easily been avoided.
“It’s a simple message. We’re asking those underway in a boat to keep a good lookout and maintain a safe speed to ensure you’re not going to hit anyone else.
“This could include coming into close proximity to big ships entering and leaving the port, and also to swimmers and divers. Slow down to five knots within 200 metres of a boat with a blue and white dive flag.
“A windsurfer is technically a sailing vessel, so you need to keep out of its way, unless it is overtaking you. The same applies to rowers and paddle boarders. You need to keep out of their way, too.”
Maintaining a good lookout and a safe speed makes it easier to spot hazards and other users. Boaties need to be aware of the five-knot limit in inshore parts of the port area.
“Sticking to the speed limit gives recreational boat users time to react and avoid collision with others harbour users.”
Maritime New Zealand’s
rules for navigational safety (Parts 91 and 22) provide further advice. Otherwise, good information is available at the Maritime New Zealand website.
Tony’s tips for staying safe on the water
• Don’t leave shore without a fitting lifejacket for everybody on board your boat
• Check and double check the weather before setting out
• Take two forms of communication with you
• Make a trip report with Taranaki Coastguard before you set out (VHF Radio Channel 61)
• Watch out for the wake from your boat
Recreational boat users are encouraged to use safe practices to avoid collisions with other watercraft on the water this summer
Tuia Taitonga Southlink
are expecting a hot summer
Water
Restrictions are likely this Summer - fix leaks and conserve water now
more important than ever for u to fix leaks and conserve water herever possible as streams are now under more pressure due to variances in rainfall, temperature and increased land and water use and/or losses which, all add to impacts on cultural values, the environment and aquatic life
Recent legislation and regulation hanges point us all to respect and ue water, via Te Mana o te Wai As t of new Taranaki Regional Council consent conditions, if rivers where we take water from drop to a certain level, we must introduce water restrictions.
Checking your water meter is one of the best things you can do to see how efficient you are being with your water use, or whether there are any leaks on farm Generally, there should be little water use in the middle of the night
By reading your meters in the evening and checking it again first thing in the morning, the difference in the readings could be due to water leak(s) See the example pictured to the right For instance overflowing stock water troughs lose a lot of water and so do leaks from water pipes If not repaired promptly, leaks will also add significantly to water bills – which consumers are liable for Water resources in our rural water
schemes are always in high demand during the peak season The water supply is limited and it is important that all users do what they can to manage their water use efficiently to ensure there is enough water to go around One of the easiest things to do is to check your meter and check for leaks
You know your property best; some obvious checks include:
• Is there a tank filling overnight?
• Is there a ballcock set too high in a trough causing constant overflow?
• Is there water flowing through the milk pre-cooler?
• Undertaking a simple meter reading overnight could save a lot of time, money and save impacts on the environment
Check troughs regularly
An important preventative measure for leaks is having a maintenance system for water troughs that staff know
• Use time bringing in the cows to look out for anything on the farm that might need attention, such as overflowing or empty water troughs
• Tilting troughs slightly toward the race will make it easier to spot water loss on the drive by
• Carrying spare parts and tools on the farm bike allows for the immediate repair of simple problems
• Schedule in regular trough maintenance Include replacing troublesome ballcocks and checking balls, strings, arms and pins Have a system to record and sign off these checks
What are we doing?
To prepare for the expected long, hot summer,
• We are assessing our own networks for leaks and fixing them where possible and practical.
• We also check the quarterly meter readings and notify property owners if there is higher-thannormal water consumption
• We are conducting leak detection in targeted areas and notifying property owners of potential leaks
If you discover a leak outside of private properties, please contact our contact centre and report it by calling 0800 111 323
The easiest way to stay
The fastest and easiest way of hearing about water restrictions, or any other Council news, is by downloading the free mobile app, Antenno
Antenno sends you alerts and notifications about places and topics that you care about it doesn’t ask for any personal information or log in details, so it’s a nice and easy way to stay informed
There are two ways you can use Antenno; to recieve
notifications from Council about the places you have marked as important to you, or by reporting back to Council on issues that need sorting or feedback for us
Other ways to stay up--to-date are by:
• liking and following our Facebook page Simply log in to www.facebook.com and search for ‘South Taranaki District Council’
• Heading to our website www southtaranaki com
He karere tā te Kaunihera ō Taranaki ki te Tonga News from the South Taranaki District Council
