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As we near the end of what has undoubtedly been the busiest year of my decade in politics, I want to express my gratitude for your support.
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
Barbara Kuriger, MP for Taranaki-King Country
by Paul Campbell
Regional focus on summer safety
Waikato residents and holiday visitors should be aware of the region’s annual Operation Neptune water safety drive running for almost three weeks during the summer boating peak between Boxing Day and January 12, covering popular coastal, lake and river boating areas across the Waikato region.
This includes Raglan and Kawhia in the west, the Coromandel Peninsula, along with the Waikato River from Port Waikato through to Lake Karapiro and Lake Arapuni down to Lake Ohakuri. Maritime officers will be patrolling coastal and inland waters in force, boosted by 25 extra staff deployed on nine council-branded vessels.
Officers on patrol may issue breach notices that can result in fines of up to $200 for each offence. Last summer, staff had over 1,000 interactions with the public, with 393 bylaw breaches identified, with 94 formal warnings issued and 299 infringements.
“Boat users are responsible for being familiar with Waikato Region boating rules before they head to the water. We want boaties to have fun, but there will be plenty of others in and on the water and we want them to stay safe,” says Waikato regional harbour master Chris Bredenbeck.
“While the boating public will notice our personnel out conducting boating safety checks and enforcing the boating bylaws, the reality is that boating safety education stops at the boat ramp.
“It’s the skipper’s responsibility to ensure they know the rules and comply with them on the water. We’ll be looking closely at whether boaties are following the rules, including those around personal flotation devices, speed limits and the need for towing with an observer.”
People on vessels six metres or less need to wear their lifejackets while the vessel is underway. Larger vessels are required to have one for each person on board, but they’re only required to be worn under certain circumstances, such as bar crossings or times of heightened risk. This is a different rule to some other regions.
Waikato region boating rules are on the council’s website and the MarineMate mobile phone application are prominently displayed on signage at boat ramps around the Waikato. Water Safety New Zealand has
also issued a summer warning after four incidents in just 24 hours early this month, including in the Waikato River at Hamilton, and chief executive Daniel Gerrard has noted the year’s drowning tally is nearing 70.
Regional harbour master Chris Bredenbeck (right) on board patrol vessel, Kaimahi, with deputy maritime officer Barry King
FBY AMY FIFITA
or Mark Chittick, the journey started when his parents, Gary and Mary, were farming in Martinborough in the Wairarapa. After moving closer to Masterton, they later relocated to Manawatū.
“Growing up very hands-on, we were farmers with horses and of horses, and that is still our philosophy now,” said Mark.
“With generations of agriculture behind us, we want to do the best we can to rear the best animals we can in whatever we do. We are currently rearing thoroughbreds to race.”
A LEGACY OF CHAMPIONS
While the pride of the Chittick family is Waikato Stud, Mark’s most memorable moment of horse breeding is from his time in the Manawatū.
“Breeding thoroughbreds and racing horses has been my life for as long as I can remember. Living in Manawatū was a grace period for me because I loved the farming side of it. As a schoolboy, I struggled to concentrate in the classroom because I wanted to be on the farm.
“One of my most memorable moments was with our young stallion, Centaine, when his oldest were two-year-olds. I was in my late teens, and there were only two Group 1 races for two-yearolds, and he quinellaed it winning first and second.
“It was a big occasion because we were battling away with a young stallion and
The team get the horses up to a specific level of education and fitness before they go to race in the Waikato Stud colours
getting him going, and he kicked off on a pretty low level, so for him to get a result like that on the day, was massive. I will never forget it.”
The Chittick family purchased the then 430-acre, stud in 1993. The foundation was laid by Texas oil millionaire Nelson Bunker Hunt between the late 1960s to the 1980s before he fell on hard times and Elders Finance took it on.
“When we purchased Waikato Stud 31 years ago, it was 430 acres, and has
grown to 2,000 acres. Back then we had 8 to 10 permanent staff working with us, and now, we have 30 to 35 permanent staff working alongside us. We have had massive growth.
“We get the horses up to a certain level of education and fitness before they go to race in our Waikato Stud colours. Those fillies go into our broodmare band eventually, so we have retained them on pedigree, and they will be broken in and pre-trained on-farm before going off to trainers.”
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With three generations living at Waikato Stud, the Chittick family has carved a legacy
Mark and Gary Chittick have put their all into breeding the best thoroughbred horses they can
Since taking charge of the stud from his parents, Gary and Mary, Mark and his wife, Pippa, have brought up their children, Charlotte, George, Harry and Charlie. With some of the Chittick children flown the coop, the couple continues the family legacy.
“We are a family-owned and run business. Despite our stud being over 2,000 acres, we operate as a tight-knit community and they have been working hard since August.
“November was our busiest time as we were still foaling and breeding but the whole team is like family, and when we do get success on the track, everyone thoroughly enjoys it and is proud the hard work paid off.”
“One of the most important parts of our business is fresh stallion blood and we have always kept a close eye on our next potential colt on the racetrack for our stallion barn, so that is an ongoing process.”
The diligent efforts of the Chittick family and those who have worked under them have been proven time and time again with the stud holding many accolades. For Mark, it is proof that hard work pays off as they continue the stud’s prestigious reputation.
“We are a hands-on family business, and it is a lot of hard work, but we are proud of the results like being New Zealand Breeder of the Year on 10 occasions. My father has been inducted into the hall of fame.
“Stallions, Starcraft and O’Reilly, have been inducted into the hall of fame, too, and Savabeel is about to be. Those are milestones we are proud of and we have consistently achieved the same results.
“It is a lot of work but we are continuing to do the best job to breed the best racehorses possible. We have been hands-on operators, so we have the philosophy of working hard and when we get a result, we can play hard.”
Mark and Pippa Chittick brought
their children Charlotte, George, Harry and Charlie at the Waikato Stud
A THREE-THREADED PASSION
BY AMY FIFITA
Adam Thompson has spent his life with a rural fervour, and after spending time in finance, has branched out to grow trees and create environmental solutions for farmers.
“My parents were market gardeners, my grandparents were market gardeners and my great-grandparents were viticulturalists. It is a deep-seated history in my family to grow plants,” said Adam.
“When I was a child, my parents sectioned off a vegetable garden for me, and I had one when I was flatting. My grandfather, on the Thompson side is Clive, and he was a businessman and father, so there is lots of inspiration from those previous generations to grow plants as a business.”
Growing up in Kaitāia, Adam’s parents Daryl and Angela Thompson were market gardeners living on a rural block before venturing to the Waikato to pursue dairy farming. There, Adam grew up in the dairy farming industry before fencing after he left school.
“After fencing, I spent 15 years in finance as a mortgage adviser and started my own firm, which I still own a share in. I enjoyed finance, playing with numbers and understanding cash flow, but I wanted to return to growing plants.
“Growing things is where my heart lands. Before buying the farm in 2018,
In 2019, Adam stepped out and began his commercial nursery offering a different approach for farmers
we lived on a 30-acre block, where I ran cattle and grew trees as a hobby.
“I learned a lot in that time and gave away my trees to friends with farms, and
started growing more and more. During my weekends, I went out hiking, exploring and adventuring, anything involved in the rural space.”
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Longing to get his hands into the soil again, Adam purchased a farm in 2018 and started the Restore Native nursery.
“Before going commercial in 2019, I started seeing things from a farmer’s perspective. Trees were getting more expensive, and were being grown by people who didn’t have the connection to farming or the rural requirements.
“For me, it was an opportunity to approach the situation differently, like growing them in trays to make it easier to get on-farm. Farming sites are different to landscaping where you can drive your trailer alongside it and put everything in.
“We wanted to find better ways to do it and provide a wraparound service.
We sell trees, if the farmer wants the trees to plant themselves, but also offer planting, maintenance, spraying and site preparation to ensure those trees thrive.”
With trees becoming more expensive to purchase, Adam strives to cap his prices. He works alongside 10 fulltime and 12 seasonal staff, each with a passion for conservation and making a difference.
“We grow more than one million trees on our Cambridge farm. Our team are from all walks of life, from a former restaurant and bar manager to former teachers, all excellent humans with an environmental passion.”
Adam does not only offer solutions to farmers, but he provides an example on his 100-hectare beef farm.
“I split my time, 80% in the nursery and 20% on the farm where I run beef-bred cows and finish livestock. I keep things simple, planting a lot and retiring areas on the farm that need it.
“My big passion is to create a model where you farm the good areas that are profitable, but environmentally sensitive sites like waterways and steep hillsides, can be planted into natives. It creates more biodiversity and protects the environment.”
For Adam, his nursery and farm are where three passions meet — conservation, farming and horticulture.
“It is a massive alignment of what I have grown to love throughout my life, and there are three threads to that. The conservation and environmental element is from time spent in the bush.
“The farming element to it comes from growing up on farms, farming myself, and wanting to work with farmers and make life easier for the rural community. The third aspect is growing plants and trees for farmers.
“I love finding good cost-effective solutions for farmers and being able to look after them. We can do a full service for people and provide advice or trees, but our commitment is to make it easy for farmers. That is the thread that weaves through rural life.”
Adam Thompson’s children, Clara and Maverick, inspire him in his endeavours
Adam grows more than on million trees on his Cambridge farm
SPEND & SUPPORT LOCAL IN WAIKATO
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. With summer fruits in season, markets provide people with the opportunity to have fresher treats than many store-bought produce.
The Waikato Farmers’ Markets take care of two markets in the region — Hamilton and Cambridge. Buyers can expect many options, from fresh fruit and vegetables to meat, nuts and other goodies.
Explore the Cambridge Farmers’ Market at Victoria Square, on the corner of Victoria and Alpha Streets, every Saturday from 8am to noon. The Hamilton Farmers’ Market is at The Barn, Claudelands Events Centre, Gate 3, Brooklyn Road, on Sunday between 8am and noon.
Local wines, organic produce and other treats can be found at the Tamahere Farmers’ Market on the third Sunday of each month, from 8.30am to 1pm. Shoppers can find the delicious occasion at 12 Tamahere Lane.
On the second Sunday of each month, collectors can attend the Cambridge Trash ‘N’ Treasure Market from 8.30am to 1pm at the Memorial Park Rugby Grounds. The market has food, pre-loved items and new wares on offer. It is put on by the Lions Club of Cambridge Charitable Trust.
Discover more local treats at the Te Awamutu Produce Market at the Selwyn Park i-site weekly on Thursday between 1.30pm and 5.30pm. The Scout group will be holding the Te Awamutu Record Fair at 11 Scout Lane on Saturday, January 25, from 11am to 3pm.
The Te Awamutu Council Carpark Market is on Saturdays from 8pm, at 101 Bank Street. Held monthly on the last Sunday, people can attend the Pirongia Market at the Pirongia Memorial Hall on Crozier Street.
Gardeners can swap their plants at the Te Awamutu Crop Swap on the third Sunday of each month from 10am at St John’s Church Hall. The Thames Market is every Saturday at 700 Pollen Street, from 8am to noon, offering fresh produce to artwork.
Shopping at your community market helps boost the local economy
Soaring numbers means no stopping
Christmas is a time of joy but for many, it is also a time made harder by a cancer diagnosis. At the Cancer Society’s Lions Lodge in Hamilton, there is no stopping for Christmas as guests continue to arrive from around the region for their lifesaving treatment.
Emma Kettlewell knows how this feels as she stayed at the lodge earlier this year while being treated for stage three cervical cancer.
“I had a horrendous Christmas and New Year’s. I’ve never struggled with my mental health ever, and those were the darkest six weeks of my entire life. It was awful,” she says.
Increased demand has meant the lodge is now open seven days, with occupancy more than double the rate of five years ago.
Lodge manager Henny Swinkels says the festive season can be especially difficult for
guests who are going through a gruelling treatment programme while far from their loved ones.
“This is one of the hardest times of the year for our guests. Thankfully, we have more than 40 volunteers who give up their time to help staff make the lodge a ‘home away from home’. We also have a regular rota of baking from our volunteers that never fails to bring some festive cheer.”
“To find out I could stay at the lodge was a huge relief. Every single person has been
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invigorating and full of life. It’s like a home away from home,” says Kettlewell.
The Cancer Society Waikato/Bay of Plenty is not directly government-funded, and relies on the generosity of donors to keep its doors open all-year round.
Make a special gift this Christmas, and help bring joy and comfort to people with cancer during the toughest of times. Donate to Cancer Society Waikato/Bay of Plenty by visiting cancer.org.nz/donate-here.
Emma Kettlewell says her stay at the lodge was healing
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Devoted to bikes
Grant McKinnon is the proud new owner of Bob’s Bikes and intends to continue the service and also expand into e-bikes.
“I bought the store from Bob Puru, after seven years of running Van Dyks Bikes in Putāruru. Upon discovering Bob was going to close the store, I thought it would be worth having a chat with him,” said Grant.
Bob has been a longstanding figure in the community, and his store has been a community hub. With a heart for ensuring the
only bike store in the area stayed open, Grant decided to step into ownership.
“After a bit of negotiation, we managed to come to an arrangement for me to buy the store, and keep the only bike store in Matamata open.”
Grant has a passion for mountain biking, and seeks to expand and provide people of any age and skill level with electronic bikes.
“I am a keen mountain biker, and recently made the switch to an e-bike, which I love, so we will be expanding the range we carry in store.
“It is awesome to have the e-bike option for people who may not have the fitness for a standard bike. They can now get out and enjoy scenic rides around our wonderful town.”
Despite expanding the e-bike options, nothing much will change. Grant will continue to provide customers with excellent
service providing repairs, maintenance, bike accessories and Envy scooters.
With a new owner secured, Grant is dedicated to continuing the service and keeping the shop as a Matamata cornerstone. While the shop has changed hands, community and bikes will remain the focus at Bob’s Bikes.
The shop is located at 60 Firth Street, Matamata. For more information, visit Bobs Bikes Matamata on Facebook or contact Grant on 07 888 0021 or at bobs.bikes@xtra.co.nz.
Grant McKinnon is the new owner of Bob’s Bikes and will continue to provide excellent service to bike enthusiasts in Matamata
SPEND & SUPPORT LOCAL IN WAIKATO
A rocking summer
by Amy Fifita
Greenstone Entertainment is presenting the Summer Concert Tour, a four-act line-up with some iconic names announced.
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The performance is on Saturday, January 25 2025 from 10am to 6pm. Aussie rock legends Cold Chisel and Icehouse will perform at the Taupō Amphitheatre alongside Bic Runga and Everclear.
This is the tour’s 15th year, and with it come many celebrations. Cold Chisel is appearing as part of The Big Five-O Tour to celebrate their 50th-anniversary tour, and will be playing fan favourites like Khe San and Cheap Wine.
Since the group formed in 1973, the band has played pub rock, RnB, hard rock and rock and roll songs for audiences to enjoy. Current members are Ian Moss, Don Walker Phil Small, Charley Drayton and Jimmy Barnes.
Icehouse is another iconic Australian rock group set to take the stage on the Summer Concert Tour. Most-known for Electric Blue, Great Southern Land and Hey Little Girl, concertgoers can enjoy some nostalgic sounds.
The band has produced 16 albums in its 45-year existence, and will bring that experience to concertgoers next year. Icehouse played at the Summer Concert Tour in 2017.
US rockers Everclear return to New Zealand after seven years, with Art Alexakis saying they are excited to reconnect with
their Kiwi fans. The group formed in 1991, and has been active since then.
In its prime, the band found success with platinum sales in Sparkle and Fade, So Much for the Afterglow and American Movie Vol One: Learning How to Smile.
Finally, New Zealand icon, Bic Runga will entertain audiences with her pop rock and folk rock tunes. The multitalented performer sings and plays the guitar and drums and comes from a family of musicians.
People may know her from her 1997 single, Sway, the song that gained her international success. Book online at greenstoneentertainment.co.nz.
Kiwi musician Bic Runga will be joining international rock artists on stage at the Summer Concert Tour
Getting your ship in shape for summer
by Andy Bryenton
Excellent ocean angling and family excursions are the payoff for a hard year’s work for many boaties, so December’s a good time to take a look at what you need to be safe out on the waves.
Lifejackets
Your boat almost certainly needs them if it’s small enough to fit on a trailer, and they’re better today than they ever were. Ditch the fluoro orange couch cushions and get kitted out with better, easier to use lifejackets with the coastguard’s old4new deal, where they’ll give you a hearty discount off a new lifejacket in exchange for your old uncomfortable one. Check old4new.coastguard.nz for where you can take advantage of this offer.
Download the app
The coastguard isn’t just providing a lifejacket switch-up for the summer of boating ahead. Their programmers have also designed a neat app for your mobile, which takes advantage of the new, more comprehensive coverage experienced across both of the North Island’s coasts. It’s free at coastguard.nz.
Gas by thirds
The general rule for fuel is that you should have one third to get to your favourite spot, one third to get back, and a further third, just in case. If this is your first trip since getting the boat out of hibernation, replace old stale fuel and
other boating essentials. Extra rope, a boat hook, a simple tool kit, extra warm clothing and an alternative power source (like oars or a mini outboard) are the things you should pack, even before bait and tackle.
With the basics covered, every trip out on the water this summer will be safer for you and the crew. When there’s no worries in the back of your mind about whether you have the necessities, you can get into a proper zen state of fishing bliss.
check those inline fuel filters before you hit the water, too.
Two ways to talk
Your mobile is a great asset when out boating, but there’s always room for a backup. The same goes for your marine radio. Having both of them in good working order is a must if you plan to stay safe.
Stash the essentials
Grab a floating, easy-to-see bag and pack in those things you’d definitely need in an emergency. We’re talking flares, a distress beacon, a waterproof VHF radio, a whistle, a torch and a first aid kit. If the worst happens, this bag could be a lifesaver. As well as an emergency stash, always think about the
A captain who knows his ship and crew are safe is a captain who can concentrate on landing the big one
Solutions from the sun
of us ignore online ads
by Andy Bryenton
Alternatives to the electrical grid have taken off in recent years, with many homeowners now looking at adding the cost of a solar installation to their build and renovation for 2025.
Global energy from solar panels jumped 26 per cent in the past year to a massive 270 terawatt hours. That’s enough to power the entire state of New York, including the city that never sleeps, nearly twice over. There are three factors driving this growth: environmental consciousness, cost and the efficiency of solar panels.
to 24 per cent. Scientists are confident that the baseline will be 30 per cent by 2030. Couple this with the efficiency of modern batteries, and advancements in storage technology spurred by the rise of electric vehicles and hand-held devices, and the formula for massive solar uptake is apparent. While only 1.5 per cent of Kiwi electricity came from solar in 2023, the trend is accelerating, and it’s estimated that there are more than 45,000 solar systems on roofs right now, with a similar number of householders considering the shift. 76%
this that also slashes monthly household bills is a win-win scenario, especially when the choice appears to be between solar power and the dire prognosis of decimating the rural sector with measures like carbon afforestation.
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The issue of cost has been a big factor in New Zealand, where a long, attenuated power grid, some recent catastrophic shortages and failures, and a political debate about the direction of the electricity market have collided with the uptick in new home construction, needed to dig the nation out of a housing crisis. It makes sense to cut overheads, and it makes even more sense to build energy resilience into new homes. At the same time, the housing squeeze and a desire to move away from the big centres has seen a slow but steady rise in off-grid living, tiny home solutions and alternative power add-ons.
Environmentally, the message that we need to reduce carbon emissions is clear and omnipresent. A smart way to do
Best of all, the panels popping up on rooftops nationwide are better than ever. When solar photovoltaic technology was first invented in the 1950s, most panels only captured six per cent of the energy they received from the sun. Today, materials tech has pushed that figure out
Solar panels are becoming less expensive as production ramps up worldwide, with China leading the charge
FROM THE GROUND UP
It’s not just the panels on your roof which matter; battery technology has also improved immensely
The widely publicised collapse of large solar provider SolarZero last month was not down to problems with the technology. If anything, more affordable solar technology had led to better margins for firms in the industry. When key investors, the global finance giant BlackRock pulled out, it was a matter of finance, not science. While it’s an economic parable about how end consumers source their solar technology, the unfortunate circumstances faced by this single provider don’t reflect the trend toward less expensive, more efficient solar energy for homes.
The trend toward more ubiquitous solar generation might actually accelerate, if new products incorporating photovoltaic technology make it to the market swiftly. Michigan State University in the US has developed clear solar panels which, while less efficient than the blue and black silicon cells we are used to, could be deployed anywhere people currently use glass. There’s estimated to be up to half a billion square metres of glass in New
Zealand, and all of it could potentially be creating voltage.
More possibilities also exist. A subsidiary of electric car giant Tesla is looking at mass production of solar roof tiles and shingles, replacing a building’s entire roof with invisible solar panels. In Japan there’s even experimentation with solar paint, which could cover large surfaces and generate even more charge. At the same time, a mineral called Perovskite is being trialled to replace silicon in solar panels, making them even more efficient.
One global trend, which could directly benefit Kiwi solar adopters in the coming year, is the tariffs planned by the incoming Trump administration in the US.
With the 47th president vowing to impose harsh tariffs on China, he’ll be cutting off the US solar installation industry from the world’s biggest supplier; China makes 70 per cent of all photovoltaic panels. They’ll still need a market, and that could mean enticing discounts for New Zealanders.
It’s not just homeowners who have jumped into the solar game. Waikato seems to be perfectly situated to soak up the sun, with almost the same amount of sunshine hours of famously sunny Nelson. Power generation companies have already established solar farms across the North Island, with more planned. Taking note of their high-end cost-benefit analysis, and planning solar power for your renovation or build seems like a sensible option to explore.
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by Andy Bryenton
First to the top in construction
Long before metal frames and powerful cranes allowed people to build skyscrapers, the cathedral builders of the Middle Ages reached for the heavens with stone and wood.
For centuries, the great cathedrals of Europe were the tallest buildings our ancestors knew. Impressive even by modern standards, their scope and size can be seen by just how long it takes to build such an edifice. The Sagrada Familia, in Barcelona, is still under construction after more than 140 years, and that’s with modern machinery in the mix.
A whole new kind of team was needed to build the great cathedrals of the mediaeval age, and how they worked together changed the nature of work itself. Previously, feudal serfdom meant that nearly everyone was an unpaid servant of the nobility and the crown, but the special skills of stonemasons, glaziers and other artisans needed to raise cathedrals meant that these professionals formed guilds, demanded payment and established the start of the middle class.
The most important cathedral builder was the master mason, who knew the seemingly arcane mathematics and geometry needed to design a gigantic church. They were the ‘rock stars’ of mediaeval building, and usually members of the same powerful guild. Stonemasons like Godwin Gretysd, who built Westminster Abbey, were paid more than some powerful noblemen.
Their cadre of stone-shapers, quarrymen, apprentices and overseers were usually literate, too, a rarity in that earlier age.
Some of these masons spent their whole lives on a single cathedral. Peter Parler, the cathedral mason of Prague, not only made that city’s holy place his life’s work, he also passed it on to his son and grandson. The third-generation Parler finally saw the work completed. To ensure that their plans were kept down the decades, some masons etched them into the stone floor of the cathedral itself. Parler did this, carving his diagrams into the floor of the cathedral crypt so his successors would not lose paper plans to fire or damp.
Specialist blacksmiths arose to build the iron reinforcing joints and the frames of ornate windows. Glaziers learned the secrets of coloured glassmaking from Venice to adorn the great work. Wood was cut and sawn in massive quantities by scaffolders, who also invented a new type of crane powered by a giant human treadmill, allowing one man to heft 600 kilograms. All of these professionals passed on their skills in secret to apprentices, and, by doing so, earned royal charters, freedom from serfdom and rich wages.
The vast multi-generational crews who raised the cathedrals of Europe built wonderful tributes to their faith, but also made sure that skilled artisans became a class of their own, paving the way for social change.
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This single window alone, designed for Chartres Cathedral in the 1300s, represents several new technologies and skills
WATER MATTERS
BIOROCK: the non-electric wastewater treatment system
In 1988 a Dutch civil engineer was working on the design of remote game lodges in South Africa where no services were available; guests were kept warm by outdoor fireplaces.
It was these fireplaces and the chimney effect that captured his imagination. He believed there must be a way of treating domestic sewage to secondary effluent quality without
using electricity, using natural aspiration to produce sufficient air flow to provide the necessary oxygen for aerobic digestion. After trialling installations with different piping
POND AND DAM LINERS
arrangements, a prototype BIOROCK was born, with a low-level air inlet and a high-level air outlet working like a fireplace.
Initially, BIOROCK units were constructed of fibreglass, a labour-intensive process at
a non-competitive price. The relationship in 2010 between BIOROCK and Rotomade SA, a Luxembourg-based roto-moulding company, saw the development of various models certified compliant to the structural and effluent quality requirements of CEN standard EN 12566-3.
BIOROCK (NZ) Ltd was formed in 2013, and the now-called ECOROCK 2000, was tested and certified compliant with AS/NZ 1546.1:2008 and met the effluent quality requirements of AS/NZS 1547: 2012.
A BIOROCK system is a two-stage process, a septic (primary) tank for anaerobic digestion and sedimentation and a bioreactor (trickling filter) filled with layers of BIOROCK media.
Clarified primary-treated effluent distributed across the top of the media, gravitates through the media to the base of the bioreactor tank and is discharged to a pumped or gravity disposal system.
Air, introduced into the bioreactor through an air inlet flows through the media providing oxygen for aerobic digestion, travels through the top of the primary tank removing H₂S, and discharging through a high-level outlet fitted with a wind-driven ventilator, thus reducing the possibility of odour and damage to the media.
RMA reforms freshwater plan delay
by Andy Bryenton
The coalition government has intervened in the complex matter of freshwater management rules, adding a new section to its Resource Management Act Amendment Bill, which will stop regional councils from rolling out new water rules.
The Resource Management (Freshwater and Other Matters) Amendment Bill returned to parliament for its final readings and came into force on October 25. This bill restricts council powers to notify freshwater plans before the coalition finishes its work on a replacement to the former government’s National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management.
“The government is taking this step to provide farmers the clarity they need around freshwater management, and to minimise inefficiencies and duplication for councils, and prevent unnecessary costs for ratepayers,” said Agriculture Minister Todd McClay.
The repeal legislation extends the date that councils are required to notify freshwater plan changes, by three years to December 31 2027.
“Labour’s NPS-FM is extremely complex and expensive for farmers and councils to
implement. Despite that it won’t deliver the outcomes for freshwater that New Zealanders would expect,” says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop.
“Ratepayers and farmers need certainty, and they don’t deserve to have their money wasted,” said Todd McClay.
“By delaying plan notifications, we are providing certainty to farmers that their planning efforts will be in sync with national direction.”
“Labour’s NPS-FM is already set to be repealed. Yet some councils continue to trudge ahead with new freshwater plans, wasting ratepayer money and resources on something that will soon be redundant and have to be reworked anyway.
“The proposed amendment will stop ratepayer money being wasted and restore certainty for farmers and other resource users,” said ACT’s farming spokesman Mark Cameron.
