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Team effort leads to triumph for farmers
The comprehensive free trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates is the fastest yet negotiated in New Zealand’s history.
Negotiations with the UAE began in May, the talks were concluded four months later, and the NZ$1.3 billion a year agreement was signed, sealed and delivered in Wellington this month.
I am incredibly proud to be part of a government that shows that kind of performance and commitment. I am also proud of the hard work the large team of officials did behind the scenes to bring this about — they were outstanding.
This high-quality trade agreement will have immense and long-reaching benefits for farmers and our downstream industries. It gives New Zealand duty-free access for 98.5 per cent of our exports to the UAE, rising to 99 per cent after three years. The UAE is one of New Zealand’s most significant markets in the Middle East, with goods and services exports totalling NZ$1.1 billion in the year to June 2024.
Key exports to the UAE include dairy, industrial products, meat and horticulture. The UAE is a big market, and this free trade agreement is one of our most important ever, particularly for farmers.
Nor is it the only recent good news for farmers from a new government that understands global trading and how to manage it. There is also the rapid removal of restrictive Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) that affect $9.8 billion worth of New Zealand’s trade.
So far, significant progress has been made in eliminating NTBs, and more efforts are underway. Success comes down to understanding global marketing and politics, building personal relationships, and, above all, getting out there and doing it.
That is precisely what has been adeptly executed by a great team, and, as a farmer, I couldn’t be more delighted or proud.
Barbara Kuriger, MP for Taranaki-King Country
by Barbara Kuriger, MP for Taranaki-King Country
Woodchopper’s life treads the boards
by Denise Gunn
The life story of Taranaki’s world champion woodchopping legend Ned Shewry has inspired a stage production to be performed in New Plymouth later this year.
Ned was born in Stratford in 1889, moving to Kōhuratahi as a child. As a teenager, Ned took up farming with his older brother in the area.
Four years later, 21-year-old Ned won his first woodchopping competition at Whangamōmona. In 1911, he won the New Zealand Axeman’s Cup, followed by the Eltham Axeman’s Carnival.
Ned’s woodchopping career was put on hold while he served in the first world war. After saving an officer’s life while under fire, he was awarded a military medal for bravery.
For the next 23 years, until his retirement in 1934, Ned was a consistent winner of many competitions in New Zealand and Australia, setting several world records.
When he was 45 years old, Ned retired from competitive woodchopping and bought a farm in Ōpunake. He later farmed a smaller property at Bell Block.
In his later years, Ned was a keen gardener and had involvement with Pukeiti Gardens and the Taranaki Rhododendron Trust. He died at 73 in August 1962 and is buried at St Mark’s Church cemetery in Lepperton.
The concept for the stage production TIMBERRR…! followed a suggestion by a television producer to the show’s cocreator Matthew Chamberlain.
“The inspiration of the show came from a blend of historical research and by-
chance personal encounters. I discovered Ned’s story in a book and knew it had potential,” said Matthew.
His research took him to explore Puke Ariki Museum and Taranaki Research Centre, home to some of Ned’s personal trophies and axes. Matthew also connected with Ned’s nephew Rob Shewry who shared a wealth of stories about Ned.
The stage production is centred around Ned Murphy, a fictional character inspired by the life story of Ned Shewry. The show is set in 1940s Taranaki.
“The show’s themes resonate with anyone who has grappled with pride
and ego, but it is also an embodiment of the true spirit of New Zealand rural life, showing how even the most stubborn hearts can learn and grow from unexpected encounters,” he said.
TIMBERRR...! will be on stage at the TSB Showplace on Thursday, December 5, with two shows only.
Tickets are available through eventfinda.co.nz or at the New Plymouth Isite Visitor Information Centre on Ariki Street.
Stage production TIMBERRR…! hits the stage at the TSB Showplace in December
TBY DENISE GUNN
Ratapiko Dorpers, established by Boyd and Anne Young, has built a solid reputation for selectively breeding top-quality Dorper sheep for the past 16 years.
he 64ha eastern Taranaki hill country property has been in the Young family since 1964, when Boyd began developing the land. A Perendale flock, brought in from the steep Awakino hills, originally ran on the farm.
In 2005, the couple purchased their first white Ratapiko Dorper rams from Premier Dorpers. Three years later, Boyd and Anne registered Ratapiko Dorpers.
The stud’s success lies in selective breeding, with its white Dorper bloodlines tracing back to Sunnyvale, Westoby, Dynamic and Downsouth studs. Ratapiko’s black Dorper sheep originate from Gracelands and JR studs.
BREEDING HARDY DORPERS
“We have used AI from Dell, Maple, Douwana and Jilikin Downs studs, and imported mainly outcross white Dorper rams from Etiwanda stud in New South Wales,” said Boyd. “Other rams come from Bellevue, Gossamer Down, Jilikin Downs and Burarang studs.”
Breeding easy-care and hardy Dorpers that will perform well on hill country is the couple’s goal.
“We see Ratapiko Dorpers as not just a terminal sire but also a maternal breed.”
Ratapiko Dorpers’ breeding programme focusses on several factors, with an emphasis on good feet, worm resistance, good shedders, a strong constitution and eczema testing.
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eye muscle scanned and tested with WormFEC. They are also foot scored. After 10 years visiting Dorper studs in Australia to select genetics through AI, the couple feels they now have enough bloodlines in their flock.
“Our Dorper stud has now been going a full 16 years on our hill country. As well as good structure, we are making steady progress with faecal egg count (FEC) worm resistance, eczema resistance and now IMF intramuscular fat and methane.
“We did our first methane test in July 2021 and found four of our bloodlines were good for low methane. Two of these bloodlines were also top for worm FEC.”
Boyd discovered there seems to be a connection between these two traits in other breeds, too.
Boyd developed electric tree guards from everyday fencing materials
“Our top eczema bloodline was also good for methane, so I was pleased with that. We will have our next methane test, hopefully, before the next mating.”
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Following an Integrating Trees and Shrubs for Wellbeing, Resilience and Profit workshop, organised by the couple’s daughter Fiona, Boyd became interested in planting Japanese fodder willow, Kinuyanagi. Environmental engineer and landscape planner Kama Burwell delivered the workshop presentation, which was held in Ratapiko and featured a visit to the Young’s farm. Boyd is growing these willows to stabilise their hills and to provide high-quality stock feed in a drought. When spaced 10m by 10m apart, Kinuyanagi can also qualify for ETS.
The Youngs found the condensed tannin levels in Kinuyanagi willow are four times higher than the Tangio variety. “This means it should reduce methane and worm parasites more than Tangio.”
Boyd and Anne have established their own nursery on their farm to grow Kinuyanagi, using sheep manure to boost growth.
As the Kinuyanagi willow is very palatable to pests and livestock, Boyd also developed electric tree guards for robust protection, entering his invention in the Innovation Awards at this year’s Mystery Creek Fieldays. Boyd’s electric tree guards were selected in the prototype section and featured in the Innovation Hub.
“I have developed these electric tree guards out of everyday fencing materials to protect our Kinuyanagi willows and natives. The Kinuyanagi willow only grows to eight metres high by eight metres wide.
“The protector consists of a 2.3m length of wire netting tied in a circle attached by pinlock insulators to a batten screwed to a 1.65m iron standard.
“Due to use of screws and pinlock insulators, the tree guards can be easily dismantled and reused every two years. After taking away the protectors, I put on chicken wire to stop ring-barking.”
Dorpers have been an ongoing retirement challenge for Boyd and Anne,
now linking their flock, the Kinuyanagi willow and electric tree guards. Boyd is also a qualified junior Dorper judge.
“The older I get, the more easy-care I want them to be,” said Boyd.
Boyd and Anne Young breed Dorpers on their eastern Taranaki hill country farm
Boyd and his daughter Fiona with the electric tree guards at this year’s Mystery Creek Fieldays
Boyd said the mains fence connects the electric tree guards by overhead wire with drop wires.
TWILTSHIRES AND SHORTHORN FIT FARMING SYSTEM
BY DENISE GUNN
Breeding hardy, hill-country sires is the aim of Aaron and Amanda Harris’s Wiltshire sheep and Beef Shorthorn farming operation in east Taranaki.
he couple grew up on sheep and beef farms. Aaron lived most of his life in Pohokura, while Amanda spent her childhood in nearby Huiroa.
“We spent some time living urbanly while obtaining trades, before returning home to Pohokura when our first daughter was born in 2011,” said Amanda.
In 2010, the Harris’s bought their first Wiltshire sheep.
“We bred up from there. All progeny have been recorded since 2012 and are now entered in SIL. The Wiltshires’ ability to forage rougher terrain and their maternal instinct stood out to us at the start.”
Aaron and Amanda found the savings in animal welfare costs were an added benefit in later years, particularly as the price of wool declined.
Shorthorns arrived on the farm in 2017, starting with five in-calf R2 heifers.
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The docility of the Shorthorns is just one of the breed’s many attributes that appeal to Aaron and Amanda
Aaron’s parents had used the breed in their commercial herd.
“This was the catalyst to start our own registered stud and use Shorthorns in our commercial herd. The Shorthorn breed offered an excellent crossbreeding option that was early maturing, which was important to our store breeding unit.”
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“Their excellent docility were also attributes that we liked,” said Amanda. As a medium-sized breed of cattle, the Shorthorns suit the contour of east Taranaki’s hill country. Aaron and Amanda own two blocks along SH43. Their 159ha property was purchased in 2015. Two years later, they bought their second block, which covers 387ha.
The Harris’s Shorthorn herd began with the purchase of five in-calf R2 heifers
Following the purchase of their first 100ha effective property, Amanda said they found it challenging to remain profitable enough to gain equity, with such little scale.
“An opportunity came along to purchase another block, and with the support of our families, we had leverage to purchase this additional land.
“This meant we also had more scale to purchase additional capital stock for both Shorthorn and Wiltshire studs and improve our genetic base.”
They also began leasing Aaron’s family farm in July 2022. The three blocks, covering a total of 1,274ha effective, are operated as one unit named Mill Valley Farm.
“We are mostly a store property, with the majority of lambs sold store and calves as weaners. Any prime lambs are sold to Te Kuiti Meats.”
“We have been proud of the genetic gains we have made with both cattle and sheep, selecting animals with leading
traits, and seeing that materialise in progeny. This gives us real confidence in our farming operation and what we can offer to our clients.”
Since holding the first purebred twotooth Wiltshire ram auction three years ago, the couple have continued with consecutive and successful sales.
Mill Valley Farm is generally summersafe country, with an average annual rainfall between 1,800 to 2,000ml.
Amanda said they are noticing some minor climatic shifts with each season, experiencing wetter summers and milder winters.
“Typically, summer can produce hot humid conditions up to 32 degrees, which is usually offset with cold winter and spring conditions, often with severe frosts in spring. The coldest frost recorded is minus seven degrees.
“These conditions usually complement each other but require us to move trading stock off before winter.”
On the two blocks the couple own, significant pasture renovation on 12ha of land has recently been completed. This also involved around 2.5km of fencing waterways, water reticulation and riparian planting.
“We were able to more than double our flat or cultivable land,” she said.
Renovating a villa on the property to branch into the agritourism market has provided diversification to their farming operation. It has also exceeded expectations with an average annual occupancy rate of 78%. Community service is important to the couple with involvement in different off-farm roles.
Aaron is the presiding member of Huiakama School where the couple’s two daughters, Ruby and Lucy, attend. He’s also a council member and vice president of the NZ Beef Shorthorn Association. Currently, Amanda is in her second term as a Stratford District Councillor — Rural Ward.
Achieving a 100% Wiltshire shedding flock and providing a platform to sell their bulls at auction are among their shortterm farming goals.
“With both programmes, we aim to continue to focus on breeding progeny that mature early, withstand environmental pressures and muscle well,” said Amanda.
Photo credits: Loren O’Connor Photography Two-tooth Wiltshire rams at Mill Valley Farm
Their 530-acre Arawhata farm was originally part of Okirae Station, farmed by four generations of the Campion family. The former sheep and beef farm later became part of a dairy operation.
“It ran as part of a dairy farm and was intensively farmed. We’ve fenced to
make smaller paddocks to make it more convenient for us,” said Lisa.
Initially, Karl and Lisa grazed dairy heifers while building up cattle numbers, through rearing calves.
“This is the first year without dairy heifers. We are now solely rearing calves and selling as yearlings,” said Lisa.
FAMILY, FARMING AND RACING
BY DENISE GUNN
In the seven years since purchasing their Fordell farm, professional jockey Lisa Allpress and her husband Karl, a racehorse trainer, have put in the hard yards to improve their property.
The couple aims to rear 200 beef calves this season to increase their numbers.
“We also have about 20 cows we breed from to build up our Hereford herd.”
Bulls are sourced from Mike Cranstone of Riverton Herefords in Fordell. “We’ve got about 100 ewes, too.”
Originally from Stratford, Lisa considered studying to become a veterinarian when she left school. That plan changed while riding trackwork as an 18-year-old on a working holiday in Japan.
“I spent a year in Japan and started riding track work when I returned to New Zealand.”
Lisa took up an apprenticeship as a jockey with racehorse trainer Kevin Gray and his son Stephen in Waverley. During her four years as an apprentice, Lisa clocked up 100 winners.
“The Grays have been like a second family to Karl and I. Karl worked there for four years when he finished school.”
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.
Lisa’s love for horses is the key to her success
Lisa
A move to Palmerston North followed, where Lisa freelanced for a year. She then took up a contract in Singapore, becoming the first female jockey to win a Group One race there.
After a three-month contract in Japan in 2002, Lisa returned to New Zealand and married Karl. The couple initially settled in Matamata with Karl working in partnership with racehorse trainer John Sargeant.
“When we had our family we realised we needed more family support. So we moved to a property in Maxwell about 17 years ago,” said Lisa.
The couple’s two sons, Josh and Angus, help out on-farm whenever possible. The eldest is studying at Lincoln University, and the youngest is in Year 12 at school in Whanganui.
Lisa’s career has seen her race successfully in New Zealand and overseas, clocking up numerous milestones on the racetrack. In Saudi
Arabia, Lisa made history as the first female jockey to win a race there. She is also the first female jockey in New Zealand to ride 1,000 winners across the finish line.
“I’ve had 1,948 career wins, but overseas had about 85 international wins between Singapore, Malaysia, Japan and Saudi Arabia. I really want to be the first woman that may ever ride 2,000 winners in New Zealand. I think the closest is on around 1,100.”
In 2021, Lisa’s success on the racetrack was recognised in the New Year Honours list when she was awarded Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the racing industry.
“It’s definitely a career I love and wouldn’t change.”
She said her love for horses is the key to success. “If you love riding and are passionate about it, the more you ride — the better you get. The better you ride — the better horses you get.”
A fall during a race at Riccarton in August has seen Lisa temporarily sidelined as she recovers from back surgery and concussion. The injury also prevented Lisa travelling to Japan where she was invited to attend the World All Star Jockey’s Series at Sapporo Racecourse.
She said that recovering from falls is one of the challenges jockeys face.
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“The hardest thing is not being able to get back on. It’s a start of the healing process getting back on. I never feel completely better until I start riding.”
The Allpress’s farm is proving to play a large part in Lisa’s recovery.
“I love to farm, going for a walk and getting out in the garden. I’m hoping to get the all clear to ride at home around the farm at the end of October.”
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Karl and
Allpress’s 540 acre farm in Fordell
Optimal bedding for animal wellbeing
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Keeping livestock warm, dry and healthy is crucial to the success of any farming or breeding operation. Moorey Animal Bedding Supplies offers a range of products, all produced with the health and wellbeing needs of livestock in mind, giving your animals a good start in life.
For the past 25 years, Moorey Animal Bedding Supplies has serviced Waikato and the central North Island. As a business, it prides itself on being the leading supplier of bulk and baled shavings, woodchip and chipper fines throughout the North Island.
The company now operates out of its new depot in Tirau, which includes a purposebuilt shavings storage unit, filled with a ready supply of product.
Considered the gold standard in bedding material, all shavings offered by Moorey Animal Bedding Supplies are kiln-dried and chemical-free. This helps to keep animals warm, dry and healthy throughout the year.
Moorey Animal Bedding Supplies has a consistent supply of wood shavings all year round and currently has good stock available for delivery in the Waikato, Manawatu, Wairarapa and Taranaki regions.
The 100% biodegradable wood shavings can be supplied in bulk on-farm via a dedicated fleet of truck and trailer units and walking floor trucks. Customers also have the option of purchasing baled shavings (approximately 100kg), which are suitable for sheds and other large livestock operations.
Moorey Animal Bedding Supplies delivers a range of animal bedding requirements around the North Island
For ease of use and handling, Premium Dust Free Pet Packs (approximately 18kg) of shavings are also available in the product range. The sealed plastic bag ensures the shavings remain clean and dry, and are ideal for calf stalls, poultry sheds and dairy goat bedding.
In addition to wood shavings, Moorey Animal Bedding Supplies also offers New Zealand radiata pine wood chip and chipper fines. These products are being produced on-site in Hinuera, and are a popular option for the
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by Andy Bryenton
Tuatara’s test of the toughest
When we talked to Tuatara Machinery’s director, Geoff Hill recently, we cut right to the chase and asked him why people should buy a Tuatara off-roader. His response was immediate.
“They’re built of steel, not plastic — they will go where other ATVs won’t,” said Geoff. “They’ll carry more, tow more, and they are cheap and easy to service. Many customers service them themselves, thus avoiding the $150 hourly rate that many dealerships charge.
“The Tuatara is not a recreational vehicle, like many of the competition, it’s a commercial vehicle that is designed to work and one that has extreme versatility in uses.”
Instead of being based on a lineage that goes back to motorcycles, Tuatara’s stable of hard-working UTVs come from a design ‘blank slate’, totally informed by the needs and wants of New Zealand’s farmers.
“Our design comes from talking to farmers,” says Geoff. “I’m always listening to feedback from our customers in the field, and we incorporate that knowledge into our design. Tuatara is designed for hard work.”
This leads to some unique points of difference, hardwired into the DNA of the whole range, petrol and electric. It starts with a solid steel construction for strength, foregoing plastics for more rigidity and toughness. Then the Tuatara is powered up with either a modern water-cooled threecylinder, 69-horsepower petrol engine or a choice of two electric options delivering up to 175km of range — all hardened against the elements. Like any serious off-roader, it’s equipped with locking diffs to deliver superior traction when it’s needed.
The petrol engine comes from the lineage of motor cars, not bikes, meaning that it’s quiet, economical and extensively tested.
The electric motor gets water cooling too, to make sure that it ticks one of the biggest boxes Kiwi farmers demand — total reliability. Geoff reckons that farms are a good fit for electric vehicles, which are used during the day and charged overnight. They also have the benefit of greatly reduced maintenance and running costs and improved ease of use.
The overall design of the Tuatara emphasises the ability to go anywhere, and feedback from customers bears this out. Geoff has been sent videos of his machines towing two-tonne utes out of sticky situations, pulling 1,000 litre calf feeders, and getting to places where other UTVs fear to tread.
The Tuatara boasts an over-all carrying capacity of 750kgs, which it manages with ease. It also comes with a winch with a twotonne pulling capacity, just one of the many standard accessories supplied.
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by Andy Bryenton
Fast-track bill selection made public
The coalition government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill has forged ahead despite controversy, with opponents saying that it will degrade the environment for short-term gains, while its supporters stress the need for forward-thinking projects to boost the economy.
Early this month, two lists were released by the government, detailing the 149 projects spanning mining, housing, roading and infrastructure that made the first tranche and a further 195, which will have to wait.
The list of projects included with the bill as it proceeds through parliament is big on electricity generation, affordable housing developments, roads of national significance and resource extraction. The projects that weren’t selected are not out of the running, either. They will have to wait to apply, once the Fast Track Approvals Bill is law.
“The independent advisory group recommended to ministers a total of 342 projects for inclusion in the bill. Cabinet chose to include 149 of them after taking into account the capacity from expert panels to assess these projects,” says Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop.
“Narrowing down the projects from the total of 342 recommended by the advisory group to the 149 which will be listed in the bill wasn’t easy. The make-up of the final list is not a reflection of the quality of projects which weren’t chosen in the end, nor is it a sign that any future application to the fast-track process for these projects would be unsuccessful.”
This is good news for the backers of projects that did not make the final 147, but information, which has proven
less popular with opponents of specific projects. They now know that companies could still take advantage of the process to ignore previous Environment Court rulings and resource consent rules at a later date.
“The ministers for infrastructure, transport and regional development were delegated authority to determine which
projects were to be listed in the bill,” Mr Bishop said.
This means that Shane Jones assessed the mining, quarrying and aquaculture and farming projects, Simeon Brown assessed the transport and energy projects, and Chris Bishop assessed housing and land development projects.
All say they took diligent steps to avoid conflicts of interest in their decisionmaking process.
You can see the whole list of firsttranche fast-track projects at beehive. govt.nz/release/fast-track-projectsreleased, including all proposed for the local area.
“The Fast-track Approvals Bill will help cut through the obstruction economy, with the 149 projects announced demonstrating our commitment to supercharge growth,” says Chris Bishop
Taranaki Garden Festival
Events to enhance festival experience
An extensive range of eventful adventures are lined up for the Centuria Taranaki Garden Festival.
Festival manager Jessica Parker said 32 events are on offer during the 10day spring celebration, from foraging to floristry, day-tripping to twilight tours.
“Our events during the festival are to enhance the experience of our visitors, and they also showcase a number of other opportunities that people can experience when visiting Taranaki.
“Most events are also held in our gorgeous gardens and some are in the evening. We’ve made sure there is something for everyone.”
There are 45 open gardens, five new and five returning, for the 37th festival. Each garden offers a wide variety of styles from subtropical to floral feasts, country to urban, and formal to flamboyant.
Flower fans can indulge in a Forage Floristry Experience with Sarah Bird and friends. In this workshop, the trained florist and her co-hosts will teach you how to create a wearable floral piece using foraged findings from the garden that embraces the venue near Inglewood.
“It’s really about realising what’s already available to you, and how you can create something beautiful from that,” said Sarah.
Attendees can expect to learn key techniques such as wiring and taping, while connecting with nature. When everyone’s creations are complete, there will be light refreshments and time to share.
“We’ll have a little morning tea, or, if it’s the evening session, a glass of bubbles.”
Three workshops, perfect for beginners, are scheduled for Saturday, November 2, and Saturday, November 9.
A wild foraging journey with author Helen Lehndorf will be held at Oak Valley and Tairoa Lodge on the first weekend of the festival.
“I want to spark lively conversation about wild weeds and nature connection,” said Helen, author of the recipe-packed memoir, A Forager’s Life.
Participants will discover what’s available in their own backyard, see weeds in a new light, and learn about the healing powers of plants used in teas, tinctures and tonics. Helen’s events are part of the Mitre 10 Garden Speaker series.
The Day Tripper tour, which takes visitors from north to south across Taranaki, will visit five gardens while enjoying the company of fellow garden enthusiasts.
Jessica said this new tour provides people with an easy way to explore the
Author Helen Lehndorf will take visitors on a wild foraging journey gorgeous gardens without the hassle of driving. The tour begins at the Festival Hub which is based at the Plymouth International Hotel this year.
In the evening, the new Twilight Tours take place with Terry Parkes, owner of New Plymouth’s Nice Hotel, which is also a festival special interest garden.
“We start with a glass of bubbles and blinis, do two gardens, and have a bit of a talk,” said Terry.
Terry will offer commentary on the bus between visits to Saxton Sanctuary and Hurworth Country Garden. The evening wraps up with canapēs back at Nice Hotel. Further information is at gardenfestnz.co.nz.
Taranaki Garden Festival
Garden festival set to delight
Gardeners are putting the final touches to their gardens before opening the gates for the Centuria Taranaki Garden Festival in November.
Festival manager Jessica Parker said 45 gardens and a full programme of events, including a train trip from north to south, are part of the 37th festival, running from Friday, November 1 to Sunday, November 10.
A selection of new gardens and old favourites across the region are included in the festival line-up. Among the new gardens in this year’s festival are The Vicarage in New Plymouth, Ngā Pātiki at Ōakura, Beechwoods at Tariki, the Christiansen Garden at Hāwera and Stratford’s King Edward Park.
“We love to have new gardens joining our festival family to complement our regular festival gardens,” said Jessica.
“We are excited to welcome back the Himalayan Garden of Tranquility, Nikau Grove, Over the Rainbow, Saxton Sanctuary and Oak Valley, all returning after a short break. It’s always exciting to see what new projects they have been working on,” said Jessica.
“Our long-term festival gardeners are also dedicated to refreshing their gardens to make sure there’s something of interest for all visitors, especially those who come back year after year.”
With Taranaki’s rich volcanic soil and consistent rainfall, plants of every
type thrive in the region. Visitors always comment on the wide variety of gardens on offer during the festival each year.
“Visitors enjoy the wide variety of gardens we present, because we have
everything from sub-tropical to public parks, large country gardens to small urban properties, edible feasts to floral treats.”
This year, visitors will discover the new Festival Hub at the Plymouth
Festival fun in our regional gardens
1-10 November
487 Mangorei Road, New Plymouth
Michelle Wilson photographe xhibition r, e
1- Nov, am- pm 3 9 4
Taranaki Symphony Orchestra Ensembles & VIBE coffee van
Guided ouse ours h t
Guided walking tour
1686 Upper Manaia Road, Kaponga
Guided tour with rhododendron ollections xpert c e
7 Nov, 10am-11.30am
Mark Harris photographer, OCEAN + EARTH exhibition
Guided walking tour Daily, 10am-12.30pm 2-3 Nov 9.30am-4pm 4-10 Nov, 8am-2pm Daily at 2pm Daily at 2pm Daily, 8am-2pm Daily, 8am-12pm
The Baking Co. Festival pop-up cafe
International Hotel, where they can buy tickets, find itinerary advice and learn all that Taranaki has to offer from the dedicated hub team. Included in the programme are 32 events running throughout the 10 days.
“Our events during the festival are to enhance the experience of our visitors, and they also showcase a number of other opportunities that people can experience when visiting Taranaki.
“Most events are also held in our gorgeous gardens, and some are on in the evening. We’ve made sure there is something for everyone.”
Jessica said the festival makes a huge impact on the region’s economy, as well as providing a joyous event celebrating the beauty of nature.
“Most importantly, what makes our festival so special are our gardeners who open their gates and welcome our visitors and locals alike, sharing their knowledge, passion and enthusiasm for gardening.
“Our festival is an award winner because of their hard work and dedication. They are truly the heart of the festival.” Visit gardenfestnz.co.nz or phone 06 759 8412 for further information.
P U K E I T I
2290 Carrington Road, New Plymouth 1-10 Nov, 10am-4pm Jana Branca, pop-up artist studio and exhibition Jana Branca, artist floor talk
Jana Branca, fine art workshop book at: jbranca art@gmail com
6 Nov, 10.30am-12pm
Guided tour with rhododendron ollections xpert c e
Oak Valley on the outskirts of New Plymouth is one of five returning gardens in this year’s festival
STEPPING BEYOND THE NUMBERS
BDO Taranaki more than just Accountants
Get in touch today to see how we can pair up in helping reach your goals
CHRIS HARVEY DONNA GREENLEES RYAN STOCKMAN ryan.stockman@bdo.co.nz donna greenlees@bdo.co.nz chris.harvey@bdo.co.nz
The Last Thing You Want To Talk About
ADVERTORIAL
Holistic approach to skincare
by Denise Gunn
Skin Synergy provides all-round skin medicine to enable your skin to perform at its best for you, for longer.
Esme Reid, the face behind Skin Synergy, is a qualified, registered nurse with a passion for skin health. She obtained dermoscopy and skin cancer training through the Skin Cancer College of Australasia and HeathCert Education Australia.
Offering a unique, holistic approach to skin health, Skin Synergy provides full-body dermoscopy examinations and skin cancer care, along with skin health treatments to support the skin.
“I’m passionate about and thoroughly enjoy all aspects of skin health,” she said.
Esme’s nursing background covers 18 years of experience in various fields of patient care, as well as seven years in skin cancer and cosmetic areas. Skin Synergy clients can rest assured they are in good hands.
“I respect that both areas of skin medicine that I provide require a high level of trust from my patients. It is really important to me to build that trust.
“I am proud that as the owner of Skin Synergy, and the only face within the business, patients can have trust in my services and that they are always going to be seen by me.”
Although there’s often a real sense of anxiety around undergoing a skin check, Esme provides reassurance and empathy to what can sometimes be a stressful scenario. On completion, she shares in her client’s sense of relief with many mentioning they shouldn’t have put off getting a check.
“Early detection is key to survival rates and successful treatment of skin cancer,” she said.
As Esme works with clients to provide solutions to their skin health, she enjoys seeing the confidence they gain when their skin begins the transformation to glowing and healthy.
“Do not put it off any longer. Make skin screening a part of your physical WOF. Nurture your skin so it can continue to work at its best for you.”
Esme wants to reach as many people as possible to educate them on the importance of prioritising skin health. She recommends wearing sunscreen every day, even through winter.
“UV radiation remains present and continues to harm our skin through winter, too. It’s important to maintain a healthy and high-functioning protective barrier between you and the harsh elements of Taranaki’s environmental factor,” she said.
Skin Synergy is located at 106 Vivian Street in New Plymouth.
Further information is available at skinsynergy.co.nz. Contact Esme at 027 890 9452 or esme@skinsynergy.co.nz.
BRIAN DARTH FUNERAL SERVICES
Esme Reid, the face behind Skin Synergy, is a qualified, registered nurse with a passion for skin health
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Scrapers
RMA successor takes shape
by Andy Bryenton
Like the deposed Labour administration before it, the coalition government is proposing two laws to replace the Resource Management Act; however, they differ in fundamentals.
RMA reform head Chris Bishop says that with the repeal of the Labour government’s attempts to replace the RMA, and subsequent fixes and patches to see the nation through until a final replacement is done, two out of three stages of the coalition plan are in place. While Labour proposed the Natural and Built Environments Act and a Strategic Planning Act, the coalition intends to enact one law for environmental protection and another to boost progress in urban environments.
While this may sound similar, the focus of these new laws is based on the sanctity of property rights, say the ministers working on the RMA’s successor.
“Putting property rights at the centre of resource management means ditching rules that invite every Tom, Dick, and Harry to vexatiously object to peaceful use and development of private property. Rules should only restrict activity with material spillover effects on other people’s enjoyment of their own property or on the property rights of the wider natural environment,” says Infrastructure Minister Simon Court.
“The RMA was passed with good intentions in 1991 but has proved a failure in practice. In the last two decades, New Zealand has experienced higher house price growth than any other developed economy, many environmental metrics have declined, and our infrastructure deficit has got worse,” says Chris Bishop.
Cabinet has agreed on the core design features of the new Resource Management laws. These include narrowing the focus of the RMA system to managing tangible effects on the environment, simplifying council plans, promoting national standards for certainty across all civic and regional authorities, and importantly, shifting the focus away from consenting before activities can get underway, and towards compliance.
There’s also an imperative to cut back on the litigation that impedes so much current development and building. The possibility has been tabled of a rapid, low-cost dispute resolution service for neighbours and property owners, and shorter, easier-to-understand legislation with fewer points to wrangle.
Infrastructure Minister Simon Court admits that replacing the RMA is important and complicated work
“This is important and complicated work, and we are determined to avoid the mistakes of past reform efforts by governments in the past. Rather than kicking the issue of ‘fixing the RMA’ off to a judge or lawyer to spend years studying before a report is even produced, let alone actioned, the government is making it clear from the outset what the design of the new system will look like,” Mr Court said.
by Andy Bryenton
A new future for an old favourite
Bricks are the building material that made the first cities possible, but their use as a mainstay of construction declined during the rise of prefabricated options.
Now, however, brick is back, for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is its timeless appeal and sheer endurance. A solid investment is still colloquially referred to as ‘bricks and mortar’, and the fireproof, insulating, solid and timedefying properties of brick have been joined by some new innovations.
One criticism of traditional brick was the need to fire it, a downside in our modern, carbon-emissions-conscious age. That’s why the concept of the hyperpress brick is so appealing to those who want to build using the textures and architectural possibilities of brick, but don’t want to use the old clinker-firing technique. Ironically, the hyperpress method takes a leaf from the earliest brickmakers’ workbook.
Brickmakers in ancient Sumer pressed clay and mud from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers into moulds with fire ash, making mud bricks of incredible durability. Constructions made with these have endured longer than Egypt’s pyramids in parts of modern-day Iraq. In this effort, these builders likely copied and refined methods going back even further, pioneered in Africa.
Modern hyperpress brickmaking uses a very small amount of cement, about nine per cent of the brick, as a bonding agent, and a tiny amount of pigment for aesthetics. The rest, up to 90 per cent of the brick, is formed from waste rock, recycled concrete crushed up into powder, and waste products from smelting. Fly ash from burning waste to generate energy is also sometimes used, sealing it up out of environmental cycles.
There’s no sand, no quicklime and no kiln. Instead, massive pressure is brought to bear on the raw materials, forging them into a solid brick using kinetic squeezing in a kind of titanic vice. The result is approximately 1,000 kilograms less of CO� emissions for every tonne of bricks produced. Add to this the fact that hyperpress bricks are a way to recycle waste and sequester fly ash and that no liquid, solid or gas waste byproducts come from the pressing factory itself, and this new technology looks like a cleaner way forward.
Taking things back to the source, African innovators are solving housing issues
Traditionally strong and aesthetically pleasing, brick is enjoying a renaissance, thanks in part to new manufacturing technologies
with soil-cement blocks, pressed using a solar-powered, truck-portable brickmaker. By modernising the techniques used in ancient village construction, buildings
as varied as schools in Uganda, wildlife monitoring stations in Kenya and homes in Mozambique are being formed, one brick at a time.
keithbakercartage2020@gmail.com
Visa changes frustrate contractors
by Paul Campbell
Rural Contractors New Zealand members are frustrated at having to work through more layers to get visas approved for skilled seasonal machinery operators ahead of the imminent season start.
“I have been seeing a significant increase in my members asking for assistance of late,” says CEO Andrew Olsen. “While I try to help, dealing with the daily influx of confused and disgruntled rural contractors asking for help is wearing a bit thin. We are not an immigration advisory service but we sure feel like we’re paying a price for the lengthy checking and processing times.
“I had hoped the second year of the accreditation requirements would have been smoother, but it’s not what we’re seeing. We have New Zealand employers applying for reaccreditation, and time frames for this have blown out, meaning further delays in being eligible to apply for visas.
The vast majority of businesses can’t afford an immigration adviser to navigate the complexity of accreditation or visa applications. So there’s a lot of hit and more miss than the previous year.
“I do acknowledge that in response to lobbying and Immigration Minister Erica Stanford had announced rural contractors could use the Special Purpose or Event class of visa (SPEV). However, in mid-
August MBIE advised the SPEV visa was now the SPWV visa (Specific Purpose Working Visa).”
This had come with additional conditions, including a need to advertise a role for which Olsen says there were no trained and available Kiwi workers. However, around 80% of applications were approved in three weeks and feedback from members indicate the SPWV is currently the preferred visa class.
“The government has also acknowledged there is a case for looking closely at what a seasonal worker visa looks like. In our case, many of these workers will return several years in a row, already have a NZ bank account, IRD number and an accredited employer backing their visa, so wouldn’t it make sense to design a visa around that?
“This is an opportunity for the government to take pressure off, and allow Ag NZ to get on with the business of doubling exports.
“The government must also consider changes alongside its review of vocational training. For our members, the career pathway is a shambles, and we foresee
IMPORTED STEEL SHEDS
a significant reliance on skilled overseas workers in the mid-term and until vocational education training sorts itself out.
“Rural contractors don’t support having to send workers to polytechnics for training for weeks and months on end. They want their workers to be able to pick up micro-credentials on the job and build these if they wish into a qualification.”
76% of New Zealanders are concerned about “fake news” and its implications
Andrew Olsen, Rural Contractors New Zealand CEO
by Andy Bryenton
Professional with potential
This September sees a new flagship side-by-side off-road machine take to the trails from CFMoto, and it rewrites a lot of the rules for this sector of the market.
The new U10 Pro range comes with bigger figures and superlatives, as befits an evolution of the brand. First up, the three-cylinder engine at the heart of the U10 Pro gains variable valve timing, once thought to be the preserve of performance cars.
Anyone who has felt the power boost of a VVT system kicking in will immediately see the benefit of using this technology on a UTV. The 998cc triple kicks out 90 horsepower, and a handy 94.5 Newtonmetres of torque, all-important in conquering tough terrain. The VVT edge means (to get technical) that torque is on tap from down low at 3,000 rpm, all the way up to 7,000. That’s a broad band of heavy-hauling grunt.
Unsurprisingly, this extra oomph has an effect on the towing and load-bearing capabilities of the U10 Pro. You’ll find this new CFMoto machine easily capable of towing more than 1,100 kilograms and accommodating a further 454kg in a hydraulic tipping tray. However, these big figures are not the only thing to appreciate when you take a look at CFMoto’s new offering.
“The U10 PRO range is more than just an upgrade; it’s a revolution in what a full-size UTV can offer,” said CFMoto New Zealand general manager John Holding. “From its powerful new engine and advanced transmission system to its state-of-the-art interior technology, the U10 PRO is designed to exceed the expectations of even the most demanding users.”
Now, you may have noticed Mr Holding mentioning state-of-the-art interior technology, and done a double take there. Surely he’s not talking about the latest ute or SUV? Well, maybe not, but there are comparisons and crossovers aplenty. First, the U10 Pro comes with an eight-inch touchscreen, just like a top-spec road vehicle. Then there’s the automatic parking brake, fully adjustable steering wheel and push-button transmission system which would not be out of place on the forecourt of a big automaker.
Most luxurious of all comes an addition to the top of the CFMoto U10 range, the Pro Highland. This side-by-side comes with a completely sealed cabin with HVAC
QUOTES
or
COWSHED
like a luxury SUV. A tilting glass windshield and electric side windows come as standard on the Highland model, too. Which means that there’s nothing to fear
from the weather at all. Big off-road tyres and long-travel suspension dominate the mud outside, while the driver keeps toasty and dry (or summertime cool) inside.
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by Amy Fifita
Creating nutritional balance
As with all living things, nutrients are important for growth and health; when growing crops, having well-maintained soil is vital.
A healthy soil sustains plant life and relies on soil organic carbon, biological organisms, and chemical and physical factors. Soil organic carbon improves structure, feeds bacteria, fungi and fauna energy and sequesters carbon from the air. Worms, bacteria, insects and other organisms are a sign of healthy soil, as they assist in decomposing organic matter making its nutrients available. Having an abundance of biological organisms also creates a resistance against pests and pathogens.
Chemical factors impact the pH levels. The best pH level can differ according to the crop and can increase productivity, nutrients and growth, and complement the biological ecosystem. There are various ways to promote them with fertiliser application and ensuring minimal soil compaction.
Having a good drainage system in place is vital for preventing soil compaction. Other methods include adding organic matter and minimising vehicle and livestock traffic to ensure the soil is not compacted and under pressure.
With the groundwork complete, create a maintenance plan with tasks like liming to make the soil less acidic,
creating water balance, reducing erosion and improving soil structure. Keeping on top of maintenance will enhance the soil, so it is rich in nutrients and organisms.
Soil tests provide landowners with a detailed report of what fertilisers to apply to the ground. If one has been done in the past, having another test will allow you to track how your recent methods have affected the land.
Its benefits provide knowledge for farmers and growers to move forward and enhance their soil to its optimal health. Once details are known, people can create nutritional balance and improve their crops.
Liming helps make the soil less acidic, allowing plant life to grow and thrive
by Paul Campbell
Merino shearing’s feminine skills
Notable in the 63rd New Zealand Merino Shears held earlier this month were the women who are emerging strongly in the sport, with Pagan Rimene providing a triumph when she won the open woolhandling title for a fifth time.
Pagan is the daughter of Dion Morrell and former Golden Shears open woolhandling champion, Tina Rimene. She claimed a place in the trans-Tasman series coming up in Western Australia, where she will be out to extend her unbeaten record in New Zealand teams, after she and Taihape woolhandler Sheree Alabaster won the world teams title in France in 2019, and then trans-Tasman tests in Dubbo, NSW, and Masterton in the ensuing summer.
With more than 30 open final wins to her name, she was last to finish to card the highest time points. Being about a sixth of the total, her expertise with the board job, oddments and fleece points gave her a winning margin of almost 50 over runner-up Foonie Waihape, originally from Gisborne. Third was Monica Potae, from Kennedy Bay.
With 41 in the heats, Rimene was seventh in qualifying for the semi-final, which saw the elimination of defending champion Tia Potae, but saw her go into the final with the number one ranking. She is planning two months in Australia before returning to New Zealand for mainshear and a run at the New Zealand 2026 World Championships selection series.
“Rimene is planning two months in Australia to be back in New Zealand for a run at the New Zealand 2026 World Championships selection series.”
West Australian shearer Danielle Mauger, in her first season in the South Island, carried on almost from where she left off last season in the north when she became the third woman to win the Merino Shears’ Senior shearing title. Shearing the four sheep in 12m 22.62s, she was third to finish but strung together match-winning quality to claim victory by 2.345 points.
The last female to win the event was Te Atakura Crawford, from Te Karaka, in 2013. The Merino Championships attracted 145 individual entries, with 91 in the two shearing grades and 74 across the three woolhandling grades, a combined increase of 11 from last year.
Credit: Robyne Murray Woolhandler Pagan Rimene after winning her open woolhandling title for a fifth time
DAIRY & LIVESTOCK
Quad safety incentive success
More than 150 farm businesses received vouchers through the Safer Rides pilot scheme to help them purchase crush protection devices (CPDs) for their quad bikes after additional primary sector partners joined the programme.
The incentive scheme encouraged farmers to make their existing quad bikes safer by applying for a heavily discounted CPD via a redeemable voucher to the value of $400.
Rabobank spearheaded the initiative, which was led by Safer Farms. Support came from ANZCO Foods, LIC, Craigmore Sustainables, PGG Wrightson, FMG Insurance, Silver Fern Farms and retailers Trax Equipment and Quadbar.
Safer Farms’ Farm without Harm ambassador Lindy Nelson said there had been a high demand for the vouchers.
“In addition to the 110 vouchers already issued, we were able to provide a further 43 vouchers, thanks to additional funding from FMG Insurance, PGG Wrightson and Silver Fern Farms after the initial allocation.
“Forty per cent of the first allocation has already been redeemed via Trax or Quadbar, which is really encouraging.”
However, demand for the vouchers exceeded supply, with 88 applications missing out.
“These farm businesses are still eligible for a 15 per cent discount on CPDs from Quadbar. We’re delighted FMG is also going to be running a client competition to win two CPDs.”
Safer Rides is part of Safer Farms’ Farm Without Harm strategy, designed to prevent harm from New Zealand’s farming systems. Nelson said the focus on CPDs was a result of farmers speaking up about how rollover bars had worked for them and saved lives.
From 2019 to 2023, there were 22 quad bike-related fatalities nationwide — most involving rollovers and steep grades.
“For many farmers, quad bikes are an integral part of the job. Installing a CPD on an existing vehicle can make it a safer option for you and anyone who is using that bike,” says Nelson.
“Crush protection devices provide space underneath an upturned quad bike by spreading the bike’s weight. This protects the rider by creating space for
survival or allowing the bike to roll off the occupant.
“We urgently need to find ways to make quad bikes safer. Based on feedback collected from applicants, cost is a major barrier to purchasing a safety device.
“Farmers want to keep themselves and their people safe. There is a big job ahead to make safety devices more widely available for those who want them. We will continue working with our programme partners to implement a long-term plan.”
More farm businesses will have safer quad bikes after receiving vouchers from Safer Rides to purchase crush protection devices
Wanganui’s home of; ITALJET, LAMBRETTA, LIFAN, PGO, SYM, SCOMADI, ZNEN Scooters As well as HANWAY and SWM Motorcycles
