Taranaki Farming Lifestyles, June 2024

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

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Journalists: Denise Gunn | Andy Bryenton | Amy Fifita

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On the right road

by Barbara Kuriger, MP for Taranaki-King Country.

The announcement this month by Transport Minister Simeon Brown that the coalition government is committing almost $4 billion for the next three years to pothole repair and prevention is welcome news.

Our roads have been neglected for far too long and getting them fixed is something the National Party promised in its campaign. We are delivering on that promise. Still, I wonder if you picked up on a couple of juicy little morsels in that announcement.

The first is $1.9 billion of that fund is earmarked for local roads. That is really good news for us in the rural sector. It would be fair to state that our state highways are in a bad way, but our rural roads are worse, and it is great to see that simple fact has been recognised and not forgotten. I have said such to Simeon.

The second factor is the word ‘prevention’.

What that tells me is that we have another example of a government that is looking to the future. This is at a time when we have enough on our plate to correct so much that has been neglected and corroded in the recent past.

The roads are a good example of that. Not only is the fund committing to repair the existing potholes plaguing our roads, (and there were an estimated 62,000 of them last year alone), but a hefty amount of that $4 billion fund is earmarked for improving our roads, their structure and foundation — to prevent potholes!

Again, I make the point: this is a government that plans for the future, not one that, literally in the case of roads, patches over the present and the past.

We also had the good news this month that the government is committing to the resumption of oil and gas exploration. That is clearly good for Taranaki, and if it reduces our reliance on low-grade imported coal for electricity generation, it is good for country and climate.

by Andy Bryenton

Agritechnica’s Pacific expansion

Not too long ago, people would have expressed disbelief that major new cars would debut at Beijing’s annual motor show, but times have changed.

It’s a similar story in the world of tractors and agricultural machinery. For a very long time, Agritechnica, the gigantic European showcase of agricultural technology, was the Geneva Motor Show of farming. However, in late May a new contender in the Asia-Pacific region has proven that the demand for farming innovation is truly global.

“The many records this year prove that it is the most successful Agritechnica Asia trade fair to date. As an organiser, and as an agricultural society serving international farmers, we are immensely proud of this achievement. We look forward to expanding this concept in Asia,” says Katharina Staske, the managing director of DLG Asia Pacific, who hosted the show.

Agritechnica Asia was held in Bangkok, Thailand for 2024, and it’s a bellwether event for farming in the region. Exhibitor numbers were up by 40 per cent, making it the biggest event of its kind in the AsiaPacific area. A total of 353 exhibitors from 28 nations packed into Bangkok’s convention centre to display the latest in tractors, machinery and innovations.

Firms based in Australia and New Zealand rivalled those from host nation Thailand, engineering powerhouse Germany and regional manufacturing giant China in sheer floor space covered.

More than 12,000 attendees came to see the cutting edge in agriculture, and close to half of these were from other Pacific-rim nations rather than Thailand.

A huge turnout was matched with new products, and not just from names which would only be familiar to Asian farmers. Of the 222 tractors on display, Valtra, Claas, Case IH, Deutz-Fahr, Fendt, John Deere and Mahindra were just some of the big names that have participated in Agritechnica Asia. This kind of event brings added focus to the entire region, and while New Zealand is only a small market compared to some others served by the big show in Bangkok, such a display brings the top names in farming closer to home.

This is only the fourth time that Agritechnica has been hosted outside of the EU, and it’s proven to be a winning formula. Next year, the show moves to Vietnam, another fast-growing economy with an appetite for smarter farming. That’s good news for Kiwi businesses looking to travel a shorter distance to see what’s new, and also a golden opportunity for local innovators who want to put their products in front of a motivated global market.

by Denise Gunn

Winners of the Share Farmers of the Year title at this year’s Taranaki Dairy Industry Awards have a strong track record for farm performance.

Daniel Barnard and Jess Matthews moved to Taranaki in 2021 to take up a lower-order sharemilking position. They are now in their third season on Roger Dickie’s 500ha, 1,600cow farm at Waverley.

Nine years ago, the couple set out together on their dairying career as contract milkers in Wairarapa.

Jess grew up on a coastal sheep and beef station in the region. After working in the rural industry for a few years, she headed overseas on her OE.

“I worked in Melbourne and then Chicago before travelling around America and Europe,” said Jess.

Working outdoors and with animals made dairying a natural career choice for

Daniel. In 2003, he left his hometown of Lower Hutt to attend Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre in Masterton.

His dairy career began as a farm assistant in south Wairarapa. From there, he worked on several farms around the lower North Island, eventually obtaining a farm management position.

before establishing Barnard Agriculture in 2014. Daniel went contract milking in south Wairarapa the same year and the couple met when Jess returned from her OE in 2015. Jess decided to join him on the farm.

Two years later, the pair wanted to take the next step in the industry, which involved moving to Southland.

When an opportunity arose to work as a zookeeper at Wellington Zoo, Daniel stepped away from his dairying career for 18 months. He returned to a role as herd manager on a farm near Bulls

Daniel and Jess contract milked in Southland for four seasons, with a herd of 500 then 1,000 cows, before moving to Taranaki.

Jess Matthews and Daniel Barnard won the 2024 Taranaki Share Farmers of the Year title

Jess tends to calves with two of the couple’s children Archie and Bella

Jess said moving away from their families and support network when they started their family was difficult.

“We gained enough large herd experience to secure the large-scale position we have now, back up north closer to family.”

The couple have three young children.

With a shared focus on people, Daniel and Jess enjoy working with their large team and seeing them achieve their goals.

“We have a solid understanding of all the levels of the dairy farming ladder, meaning we can relate to staff well and have built a strong team culture where everyone enjoys coming to work,” said Daniel.

The pair also credit dairying for the farming and business connections they’ve been able to make.

While in Southland, Daniel and Jess built up equity through residential

investments. They bought a house in Invercargill, adding to its value by fully renovating the interior while the herd was dry.

“We have been able to use the available equity in our three residential properties, and cash savings from lower order sharemilking, to buy a herd of cows next season,” said Jess.

The couple are working towards farm ownership and are excited to be moving into 50/50 sharemilking next season.

“We both like how rewarding of hard work the dairy industry is. The ability to grow and challenge yourself is always there, and to be able to give our kids a rural upbringing.”

During their time in their current position, Daniel and Jess have seen production figures rise.

“Our first year was 631,000kgMS, last season 698,000kgMS and this season’s

target is 700,000kgMS,” said Daniel. “This season is the driest it’s been in the last three seasons. Otherwise it’s typical south Taranaki coastal environment.

“We have to irrigate in the summer because it’s very windy and sandy soils dry out fast.”

Supplementary feed is grown on the property.

“We grow 30ha of chicory, 15ha of turnips, 20ha of kale and 60ha of maize.”

The couple believe New Zealand will continue to lead the world in efficient food production and look forward to the ever-continuing advancements in farming.

“We would like to see the general public and New Zealand public proud of farmers again,” said Daniel.

“We intend to be hands-on farmers for the foreseeable future and look forward to seeing if our kids want to be involved in working on the land.”

The couple enjoy giving their three young children a rural upbringing Harvesting maize silage

A family farming legacy

by Denise Gunn

The Brophy family’s farming legacy has been honoured with a Century Farm Award through the New Zealand Century Farm and Station Awards programme.

Four generations of the Brophy family have had involvement with their Warea farm since 1911.

James Brophy, an Irish immigrant, arrived in New Zealand in 1869 to work in the goldfields on the west coast of the South Island. When the gold ran out,

James and his wife Mary moved north to Taranaki, searching for suitable farmland. In 1876, the Brophys settled in Okato and raised their family. The couple’s sixth child, Patrick married Catherine Doyle and they moved their 10 children to coastal Taranaki, purchasing section 75 in June 1911.

The 160-acre property on Bayly Road, advertised as receiving the full benefits of fertilising salt spray and free of noxious

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weeds, was sold at 30 pounds an acre.

Although Patrick owned the farm, he didn’t live on the property. Instead, he had staff take care of the day-to-day management.

When he passed away, the farm was bequeathed to son Kevin and his wife Rosealine. The couple lived on and farmed the property with their three boys.

Originally Jersey cross cows were milked on the property until tuberculosis wiped out the herd in 1960. A Friesian herd was purchased as a replacement. In 1984, the farm was purchased by Kevin

and Rosealine’s son Garry and his wife Jan. The couple established a Friesian stud, named the property Silverbay, and raised their three children Kate, Jeremy and Lucy there.

A herd of 240 cows were milked on the farm and additional land purchased.

“It was a spring calving herd, calving early July,” said Jan.

“Embryo transplanting was also carried out.”

The herd was initially milked in a walkthrough shed. Later, a herringbone shed was built and in 1990 it was extended to

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Garry and Jan with their children Jeremy, Lucy and Kate

Three generations of the Brophy family on Silverbay

30-aside. In the farm’s early days, milk was transported in milk cans on the back of a truck to the Pungarehu factory.

Garry said a lot of different crops, including chicory, turnips and maize, were sown over many years.

“The whole farm was regressed with grasses that withstood the wind and sandy conditions, because of the beach location. Over the years there has been a lot of drainage, water reticulation and contouring of land to make the productive farm it is today. Proliq was used for supplementary feed as well.”

Compliance issues and costs, along with added regulations, are listed among the farming challenges the family faced.

When Cyclone Bola made landfall in 1988, galeforce winds and torrential

rain lashed the region, causing massive damage to infrastructure, housing and electricity supplies.

“We had a young family at the time and it took some time to get the farm back to normal. We then installed a generator at the cowshed and one at the house in case of future events,” said Jan.

Garry and Jan also began planting trees to provide shelter to stock, along with riparian planting.

The farm receives an average annual rainfall between 800–900ml a year. A westerly wind is almost constant.

Although the district experiences moderate temperatures, summers are managed with drought-resistant grass and plenty of supplements in the form of silage or hay.

“Only once do we remember having snow on the rocks at the beach. Several times, the small streams going through the property became raging rivers with heavy rain off the mountain finding its way down the coast.”

Jan said living in the Warea community was a highlight for the family.

“With a local school, fishing club and a strong farming community around us, it was a great place to bring up children. It was the days of the red school bus which was filled with children off our road.

“Now the farms are bigger and there are not so many children on the road.”

In June last year, the Brophy farm was sold and Garry and Jan retired to Ōakura. The farm continues to be some of Taranaki’s richest dairy land.

After purchasing the farm in 1984, Garry and Jan established a Friesian stud

Drought-resistant grass and supplements help with feed requirements during the summer

The original advertisement for the 1911 auction of coastal dairy farms

QUICK DIRECTORY

The maturing Tuatara utility vehicle

by Geoff Hill

Tuatara Machinery has been manufacturing all-steel off-road utility vehicles for more than ten years. This time has allowed for a progression of significant upgrades to be undertaken, which continue to the present time. Many of the improvements have come at the recommendation of our customers, whose advice and opinions we value.

I think it would be a mistake to try to compare the Tuatara with the plastic, four-wheel motorbike “putt-putts” with their limited carriage and towing capacity. The Tuatara is a genuine utility vehicle that is designed for towing and carrying substantial weights and to pretty much go wherever it is pointed. Tuatara owners will bear testimony to this.

examine the battery health of the vehicle from literally anywhere and even to do software updates remotely.

Steady improvements have been made with our eTuatara in the past four years, with one of the major innovations being a remote diagnosis capability. This allows us to

Four years ago, saw the introduction of our all-electric eTuatara, which was based on the same platform as our petrol model. This allowed us to capitalise on the lessons learnt in the design of the petrol Tuatara, with the only significant change being the means of propulsion. The take-up of the eTuatara has exceeded our expectations, with sales in the region of 70% EV and 30% petrol. I believe the reasons for this have been the low running costs (ie approximately 3 cents per km on electricity) as well as the reduced servicing costs due to the simplicity of EVs as compared with ICEs (ie internal combustion engines). Farming actually suits the EV option due to the fact that most farmers don’t exceed more than 40km a day and can charge the battery overnight.

Further groundbreaking upgrades, and new vehicle model additions will be introduced in coming months so please watch this space.

We process and pack your: CATTLE, PIGS, SHEEP AND DEER. Do you want some Salami’s or Sausages made up there are plenty of flavours for you to choose from.

Our quality meat will not disappoint. The beef, pork and garlic sausages are still a huge favourite. Juicy steaks, boerewors, oxtail, beef cheeks, and plenty more to choose from.

Also, a variety of dried meats; biltong, chilli-bites, meat sticks, biltong chips and salami’s. Koeksisters and rusks are also available.

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by New Zealand First

Helping the sector flourish

New Zealand First recognises the critical role of a thriving primary sector as the engine

Improving primary sector profitability is crucial for New Zealand to remain competitive internationally and to put value back behind the farm gate.

By developing our international connections and trade options, the government is planning to double New Zealand’s exports in the next ten years. A significant portion of this will be achieved through agriculture and forestry.

We are getting provincial New Zealand thriving again with $1.2 billion to establish the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF). This includes protecting our rural communities with an initial investment of $200 million into flood resilience infrastructure.

We know that investing in proactive strategies is more cost-effective than paying to rebuild after disastrous weather events. For every $1 invested in flood protection, it is estimated between $5–$8 in direct losses are avoided.

Rural communities are where our heartland industries thrive, and regional investment not only protects our primary productive base but also supports primary industry growth.

Changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) and the introduction of Fasttrack Consenting legislation will also dramatically impact our rural sector. Streamlining consenting and bureaucratic processes, and removing

red and green tape for initiatives such as irrigation, water storage, and flood protection schemes is imperative. These measures are aimed at expediting the implementation of infrastructure projects, facilitating economic growth, strengthening community resilience against natural disasters, and ensuring that the communities surrounding these projects can prosper.

Previous investment through the Provincial Growth Fund has positively impacted our regions through projects such as water storage in Northland and Hawke’s Bay, and flood resilience infrastructure in Canterbury. Further investment through the RIF will continue to bolster these areas against future weather events and environmental planning burdens.

New Zealand First made clear commitments in our coalition agreement that will back farm environment plans, reduce regulatory hurdles for farmers, and solidify our dedication to a commonsense approach to agricultural sustainability. We are deeply committed to championing our country’s hardworking rural sector and celebrating the unique kiwi industry that our export economy relies on.

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Individualised tuition builds confidence

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

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

For more than 35 years, NumberWorks ’nWords has provided support for children’s learning with its specialist maths and English tuition services that help children of any ability get on track with their learning or extend children who aren’t being challenged.

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

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

Children receive one-on-one teaching from tutors who explain new concepts, and the students cement their understanding with practice using computer-based exercises. This combination of individual instruction plus independent practice is

designed to create a confident learner in the classroom.

NumberWorks’nWords is a fun, supportive environment that will help your child gain a love of learning. Many children who struggle academically suffer from a loss of learning confidence. Tutors at NumberWorks’nWords provide constant feedback on progress and award certificates for achievements.

Based on success, children who attend NumberWorks’nWords experience a positive change in mindset about their capabilities. You can help your child with maths or English by calling Arthur Yeo on 06 354 3211 for a no-obligation free assessment at Numberworks’nWords Palmerston North. It’s a great place to learn.

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

At Honda Hub, we understand that a new season or job can be stressful with not only the settling in but also figuring out where to take your equipment for its servicing. We have you covered with a store in both Hawera and New Plymouth and can provide you a collection/ drop off when you are too busy to get into us or we can head out to you and service your equipment on-farm.

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WELCOME TO THE REGION

by Andy Bryenton

A bridge to natural wonders

The opening of an impressively large suspension bridge across the Manganui Gorge is a milestone on the path toward a bright future for Mount Taranaki and Egmont National Park.

The $1.2 million suspension bridge spans 100 metres across the gorge and forms part of the extensive, forwardthinking Taranaki Crossing Project, a joint venture between Ngā Iwi o Taranaki, the Department of Conservation, and Kānoa, the Regional Development and Investment Unit. In total, the Taranaki Crossing project received $13.4 million from the old Provincial Growth Fund, but other funders have come on board to add their part to this legacy undertaking.

Last month, a blessing was enacted by Ngāti Ruanui, to formally open the structure and link together sections of trail, for better walking and tourism access. In excess of 100 guests were present to witness the karakia and dedication, putting the capstone on a build, which began in November of 2023.

“This has been a challenging build in an at-times hostile environment — with plenty of reminders of why safety was one of the key drivers for this part of the project,” says DOC’s HaurakiWaikato-Taranaki regional director Tinaka Mearns.

“We knew from the outset this would be an impressive structure once finished, and so we’re delighted that an eye-catching and important part of the Taranaki Crossing visitor experience is completed.”

Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Ruanui Trust Deputy Tumu W’akaae Ngapari Nui says the bridge marked a new era of co-governance for the maunga.

“We have worked alongside DOC from design to construction, including the gifting of taonga. That makes this bridge a destination in itself,” he says.

“The bridge’s stunning visual appearance fits well into the mountain landscape and is a unique part of the cultural interface Ngāti Ruanui brought to this project.”

Visitors to Taranaki’s iconic maunga can look forward to easier trails and fantastic views, thanks to an ongoing and successful Taranaki Crossing Project harsh alpine conditions. It’s even been engineered to stand up to the unlikely advent of a one-in-250-year avalanche. Beautiful as well as functional, the new bridge features prominent artwork contributed by Ngāti Ruanui.

The metrics alone are impressive. The bridge sits close to 50 metres above the floor of the gorge and is built to withstand

Under the shadow of the maunga, the new bridge appears to float above the forest, but its impact will be almost immediately felt as a positive boost for trail hikers and walkers. It replaces a

previous path, which descended deep into the gorge and up the other side; a treacherous route once prone to washouts in adverse weather.

New lights for festival

Nine new light installations, including one previously delayed in Taiwan, are all set for New Plymouth District Council’s TSB Festival of Lights: Winter Pop-Up this month.

Octopoda, an interactive installation, was due to feature at the summer TSB Festival of Lights four years ago but got stuck in transit. Designed by Amigo and Amigo of Australia, the piece features eight tentacle drums that invite audience participation to create a unique display of colour and light, animating the Octopoda’s musical mind. New Plymouth District Council events lead Lisa Ekdahl said Octopoda is just one of the many surprises in store for festival fans this year.

“The TSB Festival of Lights: Winter Pop-Up has fast become a favourite on the local events calendar, and the team has been working hard to pull together some stellar entertainment featuring country, blues, kapa haka and fire poi to electronica. All nine installations have not been seen before in New Plymouth.

“The best part is it’s free, and no matter what your interests, we’ve got something that is sure to light up your winter.”

Now in its third year, the festival will light up winter for the Matariki long weekend from Thursday, June 27 until Sunday, June 30. The light installations will feature in

several locations from Huatoki Plaza to the Coastal Walkway in New Plymouth’s city centre.

Ariki Street will be closed while the festival is on to make it easier for people to get around the various locations. Centre City is offering free parking for up to two hours via its St Aubyn Street entrance between 5pm–10.30pm each night.

Te Puna Umanga Venture Taranaki general manager — destination Brylee Flutey emphasised the economic and cultural significance of the event.

“We are proud to support the TSB Festival of Lights: Winter Pop-Up again this year through our administration of New Plymouth Major Events Fund.

“At a time that is traditionally quieter for visitors, this event presents a compelling reason to visit and experience our region like no other, generating vibrancy, fun, connection and an opportunity for locals and visitors to engage with Puanga/ Matariki and build their understanding around this culturally significant time.”

Further information is available at festivaloflights.nz.

Octopoda is one of nine new light installations for the New Plymouth District Council’s TSB Festival of Lights: Winter Pop-Up

Recharge battery additive for maximum performance

“Every battery you buy and every battery you own is sulphated. Sulphation reduces charge holding capacity and corrodes internal lead plates, resulting in premature battery failure,” says Gerard Anselmi from Recharge Battery Additive.

“It was very nice to get a call from Rick Ashley in Kati Kati who said, and I quote: ‘Having owned and operated garages for the last 40 years, I believe I know a good product when I use one. I have used Recharge in batteries on many occasions with impressive results. From bringing them back to life and as periodic cleansing every two years. My own vehicle has the original battery still going strong to this day at 19 years. This has been verified by two battery dealers. Recharge is an awesome product,’ Rick Ashley, RJ Automotive, Kati Kati, Bay of Plenty.

“Lead-acid batteries die prematurely from sulphation build-up. A Recharge treatment will dissolve the lead sulphate build-up turning those sulphur ions back into sulphuric acid holding electrons,”

says Anselmi. “It is a simple formula. Treat batteries early, repeat every two to three years and keep them charged. The earlier you treat them, the less damage is done, and the longer they will go.”

The two-litre treats 42 x N-70s or about 20 bigger truck batteries, so it’s about $7 to treat an N-70zz. Please visit our website recharge.net.nz for more information. Recharge is also available at some Farmlands stores but, unfortunately, not all — due to freight costs.

Yes, you can treat sealed batteries by drilling into each cell treating and resealing with polyurethane windscreen sealant, is best. Recharge is also great for deep-cycle batteries. Email gerard@recharge.net.nz for more information.

COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

Moving to green pastures

by Andy Bryenton

June 1 was Gypsy Day or Moving Day for farmers all across New Zealand, a

origins in the very distant past, and its roots in the calendar of the seasons.

For many years, the traditional moving day for farmers has gone by the title of Gypsy Day. It’s a moniker with little to do with the real Roma people except its name. The naming of the day is said to be no insult to Europe’s travellers but rather a favourable comparison. It is a gentle nudge at the farmers and sharemilkers themselves, taking their whole household to the open road to move farms in a way infinitely less graceful or ordered than the convoys of the travelling folk. Bystanders must have laughed to see whole herds and homesteads unsteadily hitting the highway.

In New Zealand, some opine that the selection of June 1 as a day for all rural transactions and contracts to take effect was decided when the State Advances Corporation came into being in 1894. Stories abound of clerks in Wellington spending a frantic week and an even more

frantic June 1 making sure that manual paperwork for thousands of farms was put to rights in an era before computers.

Even earlier than the use of the term Gypsy Day, farms changed hands on June 1 in mediaeval England for a very important reason. In the world of livestock, the most important resource for a farmer was hay. The productivity of a farming area was measured by how much hay could be mown to tide cattle over the cold winters.

June 1 was the traditional beginning of the hay harvest when peasants with scythes went into the fields to reap fodder for their animals. Before this harvest was the best time to buy a farm, and assess its worth. The date was kept by the local priest, who kept track of the calendar to observe important religious holidays and the phases of the farming cycle.

The move to the southern hemisphere turned this upside down, but there’s another important factor in Kiwi farming,

as winter turns

It’s a natural progression to see June 1 as the start of a different part of the cycle of the rural seasons.

This year, sharemilkers and new farm owners on the move for June 1 were echoing those days of yore. In modern times, the start of June also brings International Milk Appreciation Day, which fits in nicely with this old farming tradition.

Cattle hit the road on a traditional Gypsy Day move; while livestock trucks are more commonly used today, the image of the mobile farmstead remains in the popular imagination which comes at this time of year. Cows begin to dry off and calving looms,

colder.

Connecting community with time

by Denise Gunn

Exchanging skills, time and knowledge on a voluntary basis instead of using currency is growing in the region through Taranaki Timebank.

Timebank was created in the 1990s by US law professor Edgar Cahn. The movement has since grown worldwide.

In 2012, Taranaki Timebank was established in New Plymouth thanks to the efforts of coordinators, sponsors and funders. Four years later, the community network expanded into Hāwera.

Timebank South Taranaki coordinator Michelle Busby said timebanking is a form of reciprocal volunteering.

“Everyone’s time is valued equally. One hour of work earns one time credit for any skills exchanged.

“Your Timebank account keeps track of your time credits. You exchange these for services offered by other members.”

Recent exchanges include gardening, transport to the airport, proofreading, errands around town, compost worms and mending clothes. Feedback received has been extremely positive. One member said there is so much potential for Timebank to be the village that we all need to feel connected to and to thrive.

Another member found Timebank welcoming and helpful for those new to

Hāwera to become involved in the community. Michelle said Taranaki Timebank has a dedicated steering committee to oversee all the important, and sometimes boring, behind-the-scenes tasks that keep Timebank ticking over.

“We are growing timebanking communities around the region from Waitara and further north, and to Waitōtara. We don’t have a north Taranaki coordinator but would like one.”

Taranaki Timebank also holds groups and regular workshops covering various topics.

“Currently we have a few fantastic things we are focussing on including kai resilience and upsewing,” said Michelle.

Upsewing Taranaki is held twice a month at Creative Space on Princes Street in Hāwera, and all skill levels are welcome. Textiles that would otherwise go to the

and upcycled to create useful items.

“There are mentors available to help with your sewing, too.”

A Building with Pallets Workshop, run in conjunction with Sustainable Taranaki,

will be held in Hāwera on Saturday, June 29. Cost is $10 a person.

“We are also running a Slow Stitch Workshop in New Plymouth on July 20 at $30 a person,” said Michelle.

To find out more about Taranaki Timebank — visit taranakitimebank.org.

Timebank South Taranaki coordinator Michelle Busby during an Upsewing Taranaki session landfill are repurposed

Animal bedding you can rely on

Moorey Animal Bedding Supplies, a trusted leader in premium kiln-dried/untreated shavings, remains focussed on its commitment to quality and sustainability.

Despite recent supply chain disruptions, Moorey has successfully maintained a steady stock of untreated and kiln-dried pinewood shavings to service the North Island market.

Here’s why our premium stock stands out:

1. Comfort and versatility: Our shavings are comfortable and suitable for all livestock, whether large or small.

2. Absorbency and cleanliness: They keep pens dry and clean, ensuring optimal hygiene.

3. Durability: Made from quality New Zealand timber, our shavings are long-lasting.

4. Eco-friendly: Pine shavings are biodegradable, allowing for easy disposal.

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Eltham Construction 027 764 7006 25 North Street, Eltham farmsupplies@elthamtimber.co.nz | sales@elthamtimber.co.nz | construction@elthamtimber.co.nz

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5. Superior insulation: Keeping your animals warm and dry during cold nights, while also assisting in the prevention of bacterial and fungal growth.

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Farming advocates back fast-track bill

by Andy Bryenton

Two influential farming advocacy groups have weighed in on the coalition government’s proposed fast-track legislation, broadly supporting its provisions.

DairyNZ and Federated Farmers have made formal submissions to the select committee, which is hearing views and opinions on the proposed legislation.

DairyNZ noted that while the fast-track legislation would have little impact on individual dairy farmers, many in the sector could benefit from big, regional-level resource resilience works.

‘Projects in scope for fasttracking could include those that increase the resilience of the agricultural sector through enabling infrastructure that assists adaptation such as water storage, irrigation or flood protection,’ wrote DNZ in its submission.

Federated Farmers was also on board with plans to speed up the implementation of major projects.

‘Federated Farmers supports the aim of the bill to enable faster approval of infrastructure and other projects that have significant regional or national benefits. We agree that consenting major infrastructure and other projects in New Zealand takes too long, costs too much and places insufficient value on the economic and social benefits of development relative to other considerations,’ it stated.

However, a notable piece of advice included by both organisations was the insistence that a fast-track regime should not serve as a release valve for a poorly scripted replacement to the current, ungainly Resource Management

Act. DairyNZ and Federated Farmers mentioned the recommendation of a sunset clause, which would usher out the fast-track process as a new, better RMA surrogate was phased in.

‘We believe that reform of the RMA should ultimately enable the development of infrastructure and other projects. Once the RMA has been replaced and regional councils have implemented new regional environmental frameworks, there should be no need for a stand-alone Fast-Track Approvals Act. We therefore recommend a sunset clause is inserted in the bill’, wrote Federated Farmers.

‘The Environment Select Committee should consider that this bill is required for a temporary term to meet its purpose of enabling delivery of infrastructure and development projects with significant regional or national benefits until the RMA has been replaced,’ stated DNZ.

Support for Chris Bishop and Shane Jones’ fast-track legislation has come from rural sector advocates