The Waikato Farming Lifestyles is published with pride by Integrity Community Media, a privately owned NZ company.
Phone: 0800 466 793 Email: info@integrity.nz
Postal Address: PO Box 474, Dargaville Physical Address: 107 River Road, Dargaville
Editor: Deb Wright 021 639 696 deb.wright@integrity.nz
Journalists: Ann van Engelen | Andy Bryenton | Amy Fifita
Advertising: Donna Eves 027 525 8223
Production: Gavin Bainbridge | Anna Fredericksen | Kelsey Harrison | Liz Clark
Accounts: accounts@integrity.nz
Distribution: Laurie Willetts Printed by: NZME
Website: farminglifestyles.co.nz
19,680 copies DELIVERED FREE to every rural delivery address in Waikato and King Country.
More good news for rural New Zealand
by Barbara Kuriger, MP for Taranaki-King Country.
The creation by the National-led coalition of a Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) is welcome news, and a significant step forward for the rural sector, promising a brighter future.
It is exactly the shot in the arm we need after years of neglect, during which our basic infrastructure was allowed to deteriorate, and much-needed projects that could have produced sustainable growth and prosperity for the provinces were either put on hold or cancelled altogether. It’s time to farewell years of neglect and welcome a new era of development and progress.
Barton St, Casabella Lane, Hamilton 07 839 0039 www.midasdiamondjewellers.co.nz
Kuriger MP for
The RIF creates a 30-year pipeline for infrastructure work. This will provide a national view of projects being planned, offer an assessment of infrastructure priorities, and will be able to showcase a stable and secure pipeline of work to attract consistent investment in New Zealand. A transparent 30-year pipeline will deliver more long-term certainty, enable more effective planning and reduce project costs.
Its provision for Fast Track legislation will provide a foundational reset of how
we consent and deliver infrastructure projects for New Zealand. Don’t we need that? We all know it is hard to build things in this country. Consenting processes cost $1.3 billion a year, and the time taken to obtain a consent has nearly doubled in the last five years. We will cut red tape and make building the big stuff we need easier to reduce our infrastructure deficit. So, the RIF is a win-win situation for the provinces — on so many levels. Let’s not forget that the announcement comes hard on the heels of last month’s announcement by minister Simeon Brown of a $4 billion pothole repair and prevention fund.
There is a lot more to the RIF than I can cover here, and I recommend visiting growregions.govt.nz/new-funding/ regional-infrastructure-fund/ to find out more. Suffice it to say, right now, I haven’t felt so good about the future of provincial New Zealand in a long, long time.
COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS – NEWS YOU CAN TRUST
National rural MPs out there supporting their communities; photo taken at this year’s Fieldays (from left): Tim Costley MP for Otaki, Barbara Kuriger MP for Taranaki-King Country, Melissa Lee List MP for Mt Albert, Scott Simpson MP for Coromandel and Ryan Hamilton, MP for Hamilton East
by Paul Campbell
Kiwi shearers have been busy showing the flag in Europe representing Wools of New Zealand Shearing Sports with some notable success, including two back-to-back doubles in the UK and in France.
The latest successes came at the July French championships, in the mediaeval southwest France town of Martel, where shearers David Buick, of Pongaroa, and Jack Fagan of Te Kuiti, beat the French team of brothers Gilles and Pierre Renton in a rare New Zealand test on the continent.
Fagan had also won the French final in 2016 and 2017, following father Sir David Fagan’s exit from 33 years in open-class shearing with victory in the event in 2015.
The wins came after a similar double at the Great Yorkshire Show, including a win over England. The Kiwis have now won two of the three tests on the annual northern tour, with a three-test series against Wales to come after this edition went to print.
Both the test and the open final, of 20 sheep each, were exciting spectacles as Fagan and Pierre Grancher, from Creuse in Central France, battled for the time honours, finishing almost blow for blow.
Grancher was first-off in the test, winning the race by four seconds from Fagan and shearing the 20 sheep in 14m 6s, but the King Country shearer had the best quality points and claimed individual honours by 6.6 of the Kiwis’ winning margin of 8.65 points.
It was much closer in the open final, in which Fagan again posted the better quality points,
but was also first-off, his 13m 24s pipping Grancher by just two seconds, but claiming the overall win by just 1.2 points.
Team manager Mark Barrowcliffe, of Piopio, said the events and Fagan’s experience on the “tricky little sheep paid dividends.” The sheep were a French breed.
A regular in France and a fluent French speaker, Fagan has now won 22 open finals, along with 63 speedshear victories. The New Zealand team earlier scored a big double at the Great Yorkshire Show in England with a test match win in the Open Championship.
Shearing in a match of 20 sheep each, David Buick and Jack Fagan beat the England team of Adam Berry and Nick Greaves by just 0.55 points, while Fagan won the great Yorkshire Open final by 1.05 points from runner-up Richard Jones, of Wales, with Buick in third place.
Barrowcliffe said he, Fagan and Buick were a happy team after the test match win, after being beaten by Scotland at the Lochearnhead Shears on June 29, and heading into a three-test series against Wales.
“The boys shore well all day,” he said. The 18man Open championship semi-final was “very tight”, and as manager, he was “over the moon to get both David and Jack into the final. Jack lead from the front and showed real grit and determination to keep the pressure on.”
SEPTIC TANK CLEANERS
Jack Fagan in winning form in Yorkshire, UK
Value in growing
by Amy Fifita
Attracted to New Zealand for its nature and quality agricultural products, David Ruan and his wife Hong immigrated from China to New Zealand to begin their horticultural dreams.
“Iwas born in South China and graduated from Fujian Agricultural University, now Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in horticulture in 1990. Hong and I met while we were studying there,” said David.
“After graduating, I managed horticulture projects at a local government office. I had experience working with
farmers in the area and became good friends with some of them. I thoroughly enjoyed it. At the beginning of the 21st century, I started learning about foreign countries on the Internet and began looking for a new life overseas. The remote South Pacific held a wonderful allure for me, particularly New Zealand.
“It was close to Antarctica, surrounded by sea and boasted a clean and superb
He says this
natural environment, including its worldrenowned quality agricultural products.”
After immigrating to Auckland in the early 2000s, David and Hong began growing vegetables in Drury in 2007.
“We rented a 35-acre property where we grew zucchini, beans, cabbage, broccoli, lettuce, Asian greens, beans, pumpkin, eggplant, capsicum, beetroot, potatoes, spring onion and coriander.
“We hired seasonal workers for planting and harvesting. Growing vegetables is not an easy job, and I heard some people say if you don’t mind hard work, go gardening.
“At the beginning, we decided to grow spray-free vegetables and provide fresh and healthy products to the community. Sometimes, customers say you have the best vegetables and that makes me feel rewarded and proud of my work.
Hong and David Ruan immigrated to New Zealand after being attracted to the country online
David loves watching his plants grow and finds peace in working in his garden
“My family enjoys eating fresh vegetables from our own garden and although I work hard, growing brings me relaxation and a peaceful mind. Nurturing living things and watching them flourish is a great source of pleasure and satisfaction.”
Moving to New Zealand provided David and Hong with a community-orientated lifestyle, one that they appreciate and enjoy.
“New Zealand people are friendly and kind. I was grateful my neighbours helped me escape hardship at the beginning of my Drury garden. I had purchased a second-hand tractor that often broke down and my dairy farmer neighbour,
Laurie, happily assisted me. Sometimes, his manager brought his tractor for me to use. My other neighbour, a Christmas tree farmer, suggested growing beans and beetroot, veggies people loved, and introduced me to the Clevedon Farmers’ Market, which helped my business greatly.
“In 2008, I started selling my vegetables at Clevedon Farmers’ Market, and market manager and owner, Helen, suggested that I create a logo or business name for my garden. I soon found Suncakes was a good name, since fresh produce relies on solar energy, and the sun leads us to a bright future.”
David sold his produce at the Clevedon and Howick Farmers’ Markets between
2008 and 2014 before relocating to Waikato.
“In Auckland, I rented a property, and living there became expensive when looking to buy land, so I decided to move to the Waikato. Our neighbour opposite our Drury garden let me park my new tractor inside his property for a few years and generously transported my tractor to Waikato.
“In Waikato, I had the freedom to grow produce I wanted, like blueberries and asparagus, and it was a good place for long-term planning. We sell a range of seasonal vegetables at the Waikato Farmers’ Markets. We grew and sold
DAFFODIL
similar vegetables when we were in Auckland, but produce asparagus and blueberries, too. During the weekend, we have a vegetable stall at the Cambridge and Hamilton Farmers’ Markets and supply to wholesalers in Hamilton and Auckland, and shops in Raglan and Tauranga.
“Waikato is a great place for growing, and has great people just like Auckland and other parts of New Zealand. I appreciate our customers’ support at the farmers’ market. They are friendly, kind and sincere, and their loyalty makes me feel that my work is valuable and meaningful.”
DAY FRIDAY 30TH AUGUST 2024
“With
Hong met David while they both attended the Fujian Agricultural University in Fuzhou, China
David and Hong grow many vegetables and provide fresh produce at farmers’ markets, wholesalers and shops
Freedom in bees
by Amy Fifita
After Ben Stinson was introduced to beekeeping through employment, he and his wife Robyn began their family apiary.
grew up in Cambridge and went to Hautapu School, where our children Kiedis and Juno now go,
and then went onto Saint Peter School in Cambridge. I grew up very much playing as much as I could,” says Ben.
“I’ve always loved the outdoors and the physical nature of the job, and dealing with nature is what drew me to beekeeping. In 2009, I started beekeeping at Cambridge
Beach Products, and worked there for nine years.
“I took it as a summer job after many winters as a snowboard instructor. We started up our own beekeeping business in 2018 and named it Black Shepherd Apiaries.”
Ben’s wife Robyn comes from a farming background and enjoys the freedom that beekeeping provides for her family.
“I grew up in Farro on a sheep and beef farm and went to Auckland Diocesan School for Girls in Epsom where I was a boarder from year nine. Every weekend, I competed in showjumping around the country with my family.
“We are a small family operation. Ben, myself and our two children, seven-yearold Kiedis and five-year-old Juno, plus we have one full-time beekeeper. We like the
seasonal side of beekeeping. It gives us the freedom to spend time as a family, so we don’t miss out on anything while our children are growing up.
“Beekeeping does have difficulties, especially, because we rely on the weather. We have to plan for the worst and hope for the best and also the world’s economy.”
Robyn and Ben’s honey has received many awards since they started the apiary in December 2018.
“Our honey won the 2021 Bronze Medal for our Kānuka at the Outstanding New Zealand Food Producer Awards. In 2023, we won the Clover Silver and the Mānuka Gold at the Outstanding Food Producer Awards and the Mānuka Gold at the Artisan Awards. This year, the Kānuka Gold Outstanding Food Producer Awards.
Kiedis (second from left) and Juno enjoy helping their parents Robyn (left) and Ben (right) with beekeeping during the summer period
Robyn says she likes the seasonal side of beekeeping because it provides them with more family time
“It’s a real thrill to win these awards and to be recognised with gold medals from some amazing judges, makes it worthwhile. There’s always a lot of work to enter these awards and lots of paperwork.
“Also knowing and trusting our work with the bees and the packing process is all done on a small scale so quality control is a top priority ensuring our honey is of the highest quality.
“We sell clover, kānuka, rewarewa, mānuka, wildflower and tawari honey, honeycomb and beeswax candles. A majority of it is sold in bulk. Otherwise, it is done online or at the Hamilton Farmers’ Market twice a month. We also do a
fundraising initiative that schools and sports teams and clubs love doing.”
Being a family operation, Kiedis and Juno also enjoy helping with the bees.
“Our children love the bees, helping out in the summer whenever they can. They love going into some of the stunning kiwifruit orchards our bees pollinate over the spring and help to bring the hives home for summer and the honey flow.
“We are always planning to expand but don’t want to be so big we lose control of everything. We are setting up our apiaries now, so one day our children have the opportunity to take charge of the business.”
DAFFODIL DAY
Robyn also has a flare for fashion design and has featured her beekeeping pursuits in photoshoots for her Ooby Ryn label.
“I am very much a creative. I had my fashion label Ooby Ryn for 10 years showing at Air New Zealand Fashion Week numerous times. After my Ooby Ryn store, I started up a bespoke bridal range under the name Robyn Stinson Designs making exquisite one-off bridal gowns.
“After my second baby, Juno, I took a break from bridal wear and was doing antique furniture upholstery from home. We know heaps of people in the area and are grateful for all their support.”
Robyn also has an interest in fashion and has featured her beekeeping on photoshoots for her label
Kiedis and Juno love being around the bees and exploring the kiwifruit orchard the bees pollinate in spring
A passion for the perfect cut
by Amy Fifita
Starting in his late 30s, veteran woodchopper Bruce Liddington discovered his love for the sport after entering forestry as a career.
“Iwas born on a sheep and beef farm and brought up rurally my whole life. As I got older, my dad, Ivan, got into dairying, mostly in Te Miro, up by Cambridge, where I mainly had my schooling,” said Bruce.
“Dad always worked on a farm, and wanted me to get into woodchopping, but in my younger years, I enjoyed rugby league, basketball and other sports.
“After leaving school, my dad retired and moved to town, and I worked on a dairy farm for a few years. Working around the Patāruru and Tokoroa area, created an appeal for forestry, so I decided to try it because dairying wasn’t for me.”
Forestry allowed Bruce to play sports during the weekends, keeping him active so he could play well at sporting events.
“I have been in the logging industry since then. It was physical, and, back then, you worked hard for your living because it was before all of the mechanisation came out.
“Everything was manually felled and cut, although, bulldozers were used to pull everything and I went home physically tired. It was extremely dangerous, and they probably turned to mechanisation for
health and safety. Woodchopping became an interest in my late 30s, but once I got into it, I loved it and regret not getting involved earlier. I got all my training blocks and gear through my work and enjoyed the challenge involved in learning and getting better.
“It is an individual sport, although, later on, you can join a team, but it is still about what you do and how you do it. The sport
Bruce Liddington was the first place chopper in the C Division Underhand Championship in Taranaki in 2019 Bruce won the Tom Proctor Memorial for placing first at the beginning of 2020
allows competitors to be on the same level because of the handicap system with contestants chopping as learners or experts, and still having the opportunity to win.
“Everyone starts on a handicap of three, and for every $50 you win, you get a second put on to your time. If you win $100 in one race, you get two seconds added to your time and then you start on five seconds. There is also a lift system involved. As you put in money to enter a race, you earn credits so you can get a lift. It is for people, who may have had a $1,000 chop, which is a big win, but places them out of their chopping ability range. It allows people to return to the level they should be cutting at.
“There are people still chopping in their early 80s, and still competitive with the opportunity to compete because of the handicap system. I am 65 years old, and have been competing for more than 30 years.”
Bruce is in his fifth year of competing with the New Zealand Veteran team, a highlight of his sporting career.
“Being in a New Zealand team and winning a series against Australia were my career highlights; the Australian team was a strong contender. It is an honour to represent the country, no matter what sport you play.
“Getting into the veteran’s team gives you some trips away, and since I’ve been with them, we have competed at least
once a year, and I’ve been to Australia and Tasmania.
“Younger contestants have an opportunity to travel across the world, and with the sport popular in many countries, people can go on chopping holidays.
“Woodchopping is an excellent sport and I would like to see it grow in New Zealand. It is mostly family keeping the sport alive, and it can get expensive to buy gear.
“The community of woodchoppers are a great bunch of people, and you can always socialise well with them, especially veterans. I can go to Australia, and everyone is happy to help you with anything.”
OVER 950 4x4s Utes ‘n’ Vans
Team Bruce down in Waimate competing in the Veterans NZ and Australian Veterans tri-series Teams Races Photo: Stihl and Southland/Otago Axemans Club
Bruce has been in the logging industry for more than 30 years, a career that led him to take up woodchopping as a sport
A highlight for Bruce was being in the New Zealand Veteran Woodchopping Team and winning against Australia
Have YOU protected your property to alert you when this type of thing happens?
Are your CCTV Cameras giving you the results you would really like to have? Well now with the latest technology - Crystal Clear Cameras are available to everyone. See the face of that person of interest clearly, read the number plate of that vehicle or see what they put in their pocket like never before. Call us today, and we will see how we can help you! Let us show you the future - because it’s here NOW!
Install a Gate Alert System so you know when someone enters your property. Available as 1 to 4 Gate Systems. Prices start at $750.00 + GST for a single gate.
SMALL BLOCK FARMS TOO!
Experience the difference - because the difference is experience.
For: Shopping Malls, Commercial, Residential, Farms/Rural Properties, Schools etc.
The standout solution for electrical needs
Contact Electrical is a family-owned business servicing the residential, business and rural communities for more than 40 years, with branches in Hamilton and Te Awamutu.
Dean Hollobon, 64, started Contact Electrical at the age of 22 after working on and gaining experience on various projects, ranging from dairy sheds and pump services, light and heavy commercial and Think Big projects.
Within two years, the business had grown, and Dean found he could not keep up with the demand on his time and invited Phil Hollobon to join him in business. Phil, now 63, joined him when he was 22.
“Business has flourished, and we have gained significant experience in all electrical fields. One thing we are particularly proud of is training approximately 60 apprentices and getting them through their trade. Many have gone on to form their own companies,” says owner-operator Phil Hollobon.
“We have the depth of experience that allows us to say we can do almost everything electrical.”
Long-established, Contact Electrical can expertly take care of customers’ electrical requirements, including stove and water heater repairs, replacing or installing new lights and power points, kitchen and bathroom renovations, heat pump installs, solar system installs, car charging points, etc.
“We have years of experience — so lean on us for advice,” says Phil.
Contact Electrical has a solid reputation for customer service and experience and a diverse and experienced team of wellqualified tradesmen who are customerorientated and keen to help.
“We have a great team of guys and girls who can professionally help you get your repair or new install done quickly, safely and with the correct certification.
“We provide easy access to electrical services by having an 0800 number. Call our friendly and helpful office administrator Michelle, to take your call and book your job in.”
Call Contact Electrical on 0800 545 454, email admin@contactelectrical.co.nz or visit the website contactelectrical.co.nz. Located at 79 Colombo Street, Frankton, Hamilton — 24/7 on-call service available.
ADVERTORIAL
Can my joints improve?
by John Arts, founder of Abundant Health Ltd
I have been working with someone who has had problems with his knees; he had damaged one knee some time ago.
In more recent times, his ‘good’ knee had started to deteriorate from osteoarthritis. Eventually, his ‘good’ knee became worse than the knee damaged in an accident.
During a monthly review, he told me the results were amazing. He has much less pain and is more mobile. He has come from a position where working was becoming increasingly difficult to now being more confident about the future.
There are several lessons we can learn from this. The first is that our bodies have an extraordinary ability to heal. However, this healing is dependent on the smooth operation of our healing systems.
In many cases, healing is restricted because the body system designed to heal the damage is somehow faulty or has stopped functioning. The outcome of this is always disease.
In this case, we made several changes. The first is to try and identify foods that either cause inflammation or in some way restrict healing. Two of the most
important groups of nutrients are fats, because they govern the inflammatory pathways, and antioxidants, because they protect our cells from damage. We can also cheat a bit but in a good way. I see effective Joint health supplements as the ultimate cheat. We can target specific compounds that have a direct therapeutic function in sore joints. Doing so can often reverse the discomfort and reduction in mobility by adding therapeutic levels of chondroitin sulphate to greatly impact the health and stability of cartilage.
Adding water-soluble curcumin (from turmeric) we can reduce inflammation and swelling in the joint capsule. Next edition, we continue this discussion and look at the second lesson we can learn.
John Arts (B.Soc.Sci, Dip Tch, Adv. Dip.Nut.Med) is a nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health Ltd. For questions or advice contact John on 0800 423 559 or email john@abundant.co.nz. Join his all new newsletter at abundant.co.nz.
What is Bettaflex?
• Bettaflex is a joint support formula to promote healthy joint cartilage function
• Bettaflex has 400mg (per capsule) of high-grade avian chondroitin, 400mg of glucosamine and 100mg of BioSolve® bioavailable Curcumin (from turmeric).
• Try Bettaflex for 3 months and see for yourself.
How can Bettaflex help?
• Chondroitin and glucosamine are building blocks of cartilage.
• Supplementation with correct levels can support healthy cartilage function and cartilage repair processes.
• New BioSolve® bioavailable curcumin helps joint function while gentle on the stomach.
• Research indicates that chondroitin is highly effective at 800mg daily.
John Arts comments:
“My latest Bettaflex formula includes BioSolve® bioavailable curcumin for faster results. The normal dose is 2 capsules daily but I recommend an initial higher dose for 1-3 bottles to saturate join tissue.”
(John Arts, Founder, Abundant Health)
Health & Wellbeing
Try a taste of blue
Mamaku Blue has more than 40 years of history growing Highbush blueberries and green gooseberries and recently added strawberries to its berry options.
Berries are available fresh in the season and frozen all year round. Mamaku Blue is also a producer of many delicious and award-winning products, such as PURE 100% blueberry juice and PURE 100% gooseberry juice, both recently awarded a BRONZE medal at the Outstanding Food Producer Awards for the 250ml size.
Mamaku Blue offers complimentary tastings and a relaxing place to slow down. Enjoy views of volcanic-made surroundings with blueberry orchard scenery while you are filling up with scrumptious blueberry and gooseberry meals from the cafe menu. They have gluten friendly options available and very helpful staff that will do their best to accommodate your dietary needs. Real fruit ice creams are served what ever the weather.
For history enthusiasts, the Mamaku Blue building includes a private collection Museum of Mamaku from more than 100 years ago. If you would like to know more about blueberries, horticulture and Mamaku Blue business venture — book the guided tour. Mamaku Blue is open daily, and closed only on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day. You can visit the online shop at mamakublue.co.nz.
Talk about it
by Liz Clark
The stress of running a farm and being isolated in a rural area can, at times, affect farmers’ mental and physical wellbeing.
Stress and burnout are some of the main factors affecting farmers nationwide. If not managed properly, they can lead to physical and emotional exhaustion, cynicism, detachment and feelings of ineffectiveness.
It’s the nature of farming that, more often than not, things are out of a person’s control and can’t be helped. However, it can take its toll and lead to depression, affecting everything from work to relationships. Talking about it can help.
Connecting with friends in the same industry and spending time together sharing experiences can make a world of difference. It’s really important to talk about things affecting life. It can help a lot and those it’s shared with can understand the challenges faced.
Talking about it can change a perspective and come up with a better solution for coping with a challenging situation on-farm, whether it’s with the family relationship, finances or how the farm is being run. It’s not easy to open
up to others, but shouldering the burden of being distressed about a situation can cause mental health to suffer.
Reaching out for help isn’t a sign of weakness but one of strength. Don’t be afraid to take a positive step forward and open up to others about the challenges being faced on-farm. Rural organisation Farmstrong has resources available online to give advice and support to farmers feeling stressed and without answers. Visit farmstrong.co.nz for tools and resources on how to make life a little easier and improve wellbeing.
Fill up on blueberry goodness with MAMAKU BLUE PURE 100% blueberry juice. Contains over 1200 cold pressed blueberries, nothing else added.
Taking time out off the farm with the family can make a world of difference in wellbeing
Rural Building/sheds & shelters
by Andy Bryenton
History under the hammer
Some may say that the most important human invention was the wheel, while younger generations would swear it was the
phone, but builders might opine that the humble nail is what holds society together.
In the earliest days of building, dowels, dovetails, grooves and joints held wooden structures in place. Nails were an invention of the ancient Egyptians, who made them from bronze for temple building, and erect the big scaffolds used to carve their monuments. This all happened five and a half thousand years ago, but the rest of the world did without for much longer.
The oldest building firm still in existence, Japan’s Kongō Gumi company, spent 40 generations perfecting wooden temple construction in this style. Famously, the great temple of King Solomon in Jerusalem was said to have been built with no nails at all; every stone and timber finished perfectly before being assembled on the site.
By Roman times, nails made of iron were commonplace, but they were still made and driven by hand. Blacksmiths poured hot metal into long, square-sided moulds, then clipped off the desired length and hand-hammered the points sharp. Nails were used as currency among
the poor of rural Britain in Saxon and mediaeval times; a silver penny from the year 780 was worth exactly 100 nails.
Modern nails and techniques began with the invention of the wire nail in the Victorian era. This innovation didn’t have building in mind but was a response to the need for pins in the growing clothing trade. Tiny nails were also needed to create cigar boxes and other wooden containers people of that era used instead of plastic containers.
The biggest change in how nails are used came from an unexpected problem, a frustrated engineer and a grandiose dream. The pneumatic nailgun was the invention of Morris Pynoos, who was called upon to build Howard Hughes’ immense wooden aeroplane, the Hercules H-4, otherwise called the Spruce Goose.
Conceived as a wager to prove he was the master of aeronautics, the Spruce Goose was the biggest wooden aircraft ever to fly, and building it was a massive challenge. Morris was tasked with holding
the entire huge hull together while the glue that secured it dried. He decided to use nails to pin the boards in place, but hammering them in by hand would be an impossible task. Inspired by the rivet
guns of boatbuilders, he developed an airpowered gun to fire the nails in. When the glue was dry he pulled each one out, and the immense aircraft was light enough to get off the ground.
• Suppliers of distinctive door handles and fittings
• Consult us for hardware to enhance your home p. 07 846 1235 e. sales@handle.co.nz w. www.handlesandbrass.co.nz
our showroom: 12 Somerset Street, Hamilton
If Howard Hughes had not tried to build his immense Hercules H-4 out of wood, the nail gun may never have been invented
Rural Building/sheds & shelters
by Andy Bryenton
Wood waste spun into homes
Timber is the building material of choice for many Kiwi builds, used for framing, floors, exterior cladding and many more decorative tasks inside the home.
However, it’s still deployed in a way that our ancestors would recognise: sawn from logs into planks and boards, then nailed
STEEL FRAMED KITSET BUILDINGS
into place. It’s a tried-and-true method, but it’s one that’s being questioned by industry innovators, who seek alternatives to try and bust a worldwide housing shortage.
“People can’t find homes, they’re very expensive. We also have an ageing population, so there’s less and less people who are electricians, plumbers or builders,” says Habib Dagher, from the University of Maine, in the northeast US.
stalled by bad weather. They can also only print walls, with timber used for everything else. ASCC’s design prints whole houses out of wood.
Like New Zealand, this part of the world is experiencing a housing squeeze, and like New Zealand, it’s a place that grows a large amount of pine timber. Processing large volumes of wood leads to inevitable wastage, but the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Centre (ASCC) has devised a solution.
Printing homes from concrete is a relatively new concept, but it’s happening worldwide, from a whole new 3D-printed neighbourhood in Austin, Texas, to the world’s biggest 3D-printed structure in Dubai. There are problems, though. Concrete printers work on-site and can be
A normal 3D filament printer lays down tiny dots of plastic, layering them into elaborate and durable shapes. The machine Mr Dagher and his colleagues have crafted uses a filament made up of clear resin and particles of wood, processed from what might otherwise become waste. When the machine, the largest of its kind in the world, gets to work, it creates solid pieces of wood, and not small ones. In 2022, the ASCC unveiled a 55sqm housing module printed in one piece, with external and internal structures all included. Tradies would simply have to add windows, doors, pipes and wires to finish it off.
The machine is not up to full strength yet. A forthcoming next-phase prototype
aims to produce one so-called BioHome3d every 48 hours. The modules are made indoors by the immense printer, and can be trucked out to a site and bolted together to make a large home, or stand alone as a cabin.
While this kind of tech will never replace human builders, it’s a look at a future alternative which could increase building flexibility. It’s also a fine option for a nation with massive timber processing capacity, like New Zealand.
The University of Maine’s gigantic 3D printer, designed to print entire houses from wood and resin composite, in one piece
by Liz Clark
Keeping out the chill
solution. It’s an investment in their long-term wellbeing.
Many dairy farms nowadays use herd shelters as standoffs and feed pads for their herds. These shelters have a slatted concrete floor and a bunker beneath to catch the effluent. Light from above allows warmth and keeps the animals well-sheltered in adverse weather.
After being out in the paddock for a few hours, cattle will most often wander back to the shelter and remain there for a good part of the day. With paddocks easily turned to mud after the herd has grazed them, a herd shelter is a viable option.
Shelters play a crucial role in boosting feed efficiency for cattle in general. By keeping the animals warmer, shelters reduce grass consumption requirements during the colder months. More importantly, with stricter animal welfare regulations, shelters are no longer just a luxury but a necessity in modern farming practices.
In the paddock, cattle near calving need a sheltered area and will often choose to give birth under a tree or near
a shelterbelt if one is available. Planting shelterbelts of mixed natives and exotics fenced off from stock can provide a microclimate where grass will grow better and the soil potentially warmer. Stock benefits by being sheltered from prevailing winds in winter and providing shade in the heat of the summer. Lamb survival rates are higher when ewes are
For smaller blocks, a shelter with three sides will provide protection against the elements for stock out in the paddocks. A shelter can be as simple as some stacked hay bales for walls and roofing iron or a structure using posts timber framing and long run roofing iron. Alternatively, kitsets
or ready-made shelters are available for purchase from local suppliers. Ensure any shelter provided is free of sharp edges to prevent injuries.
Nothing beats experience, and with more than 20 years industry experience serving the Central North Island we strive for our workmanship to always be excellent quality.
We work on projects of all size, from small residential jobs to large commercial projects - and we’ve never turned a job down because it’s too small. So get in touch with the team at ASAP today for free, no obligations quote.
The right shelter for your animals can make a difference for their welfare during winter able to birth in a dry, sheltered area out of the wind.
HEATING KIWI HOMES
Rural Building/sheds & shelters
by Liz Clark
Housing for equine friends
Keeping horses comes with many responsibilities, including providing adequate shelter to protect them from the heat of summer and the chill of winter.
These days, the move towards providing yards and stalls for horses on properties has been more the domain of lifestyle blocks or stud farms and training facilities. However, in the last few decades, companies have sprung up providing solutions for housing equines, from pre-planned designs to portable stalls to fit into an existing building.
Size matters when it comes to loose boxes. Allow a minimum of 3.6m x 3.6m for an average-sized riding horse, but much larger for taller breeds. If plans are in place for breeding, the foaling boxes, too, should be at least four by four metres or larger to allow room for the mare to lie down during the foaling process. It also will provide adequate space for the mare and foal afterwards. Ceiling height matters. While 2.4m would be adequate for ponies and miniature horses, a much greater height is needed for animals more than 14.2hh. Allow at least 3.6m or higher, if possible, for full-sized horses.
When designing a horse stall, it’s crucial to consider several factors. The door should be 1.2m wide and open outwards into the yard or breezeway between stalls. Natural light during daylight hours, along with adequate ventilation and
A stable for your equine friend takes thought to come up with the best design solution for both your needs short-term confinement. It’s important to note that equines need to be able to go outdoors and have fresh air. Continuous confinement should be avoided. There are minimum standards for horses and ponies under the Animal
drainage, are essential for a healthy living environment. The stall should also be well-sheltered from adverse weather conditions, with provision for shade during the day. The floor should be a non-slip, flat surface, and drainage should be provided to prevent a wet, unhygienic area.
Stables are also useful if you have an animal with an injury that will need
Welfare Act. Talk to your local rural building company about what design is best for the needs of your horse and fit the budget.
by Liz Clark
Before you build
With an increasing number of rules for building in rural areas, getting it right from the beginning will save time, money and headaches.
The best source of information is the council’s planning department. Talk to your local council if you’re planning to build a home, a shed or another structure on your land before rushing ahead and getting in the digger to clear the building platform.
While it may seem cheaper and easier to get a kitset, for instance, it pays to talk to the planning team about whether or not the plans for the build meet the building and resource consent requirements. A reputable building company can supply all the plans and site drawings for the proposed building. In some instances, where the proposed building is non-compliant with the district plan rules, such as a relocatable house, resource consent will be required.
Engaging a locally-based rural construction professional can save time and money
The best plan of action for any build is to use a local licensed building practitioner who knows the local council rules and
regulations to get construction underway. Alternatively, a well-established company with a locally based team can provide the expertise required to navigate local council rules for rural builds and obtain the necessary building consent to get construction underway. Always research before committing to a building project and ensure the best professionals who know the region are engaged to make it happen.
Built small with pride
Small Spaces is a family-run business with more than 20 years of experience in the construction industry and proudly provides clients with tiny homes and portable rooms.
Directors Anthony and Jonny are both qualified builders and have been involved in all aspects of the building industry ranging from new houses, alterations and regulatory services.
We have designed and constructed more than 350 portable rooms and tiny homes, and are the go-to name in portable rooms around the country. Our team is extremely passionate about the work that we do to deliver a product that is second to none every time.
At Small Spaces, we offer several portable room and trailered house designs as standard, all of which provide unique possibilities when you need more space.
Our cost-effective rooms and trailer houses are for those who need a simple, elegant space for a sleepout, office space, studio or trailer home. We believe in creating stylish, affordable and usable spaces that fit a wide range of needs. You can use one of
our current designs or work with one of our team to create a unique space that perfectly fits your needs.
Tiny homes are becoming a way of the future. They are the perfect space-saving accommodation option for yourself, your workers and or your family and friends. If you are in the market or want to discuss your portable room or tiny home needs further, then get in touch with us today.
Discover the ultimate outdoor adventure
Mark your calendars for August 23–25, as the NZ Fishing, Hunting & 4X4 Expo 2024 is set to take place in Rotorua, offering a weekend packed with excitement, learning and family fun.
Exhibitor line-up
This year’s expo features a stellar lineup of more than 100 exhibitors showcasing the latest in fishing gear, hunting apparel, hunting equipment, and 4X4 accessories. Explore the newest boats, side-by-sides, quads and drones designed to enhance your outdoor adventures.
Meet industry experts, enjoy hands-on demonstrations and discover innovative products from top brands.
Workshops and demonstrations
Gain valuable knowledge and skills through workshops on jigging on lakes, rifle sighting, and boat safety, top water fishing and back country first aid. Perfect for beginners and seasoned adventurers, these
sessions provide practical insights to improve your outdoor experiences.
Big Fat Trout Fishing Competition
In partnership with Eastern Fish & Game, the Big Fat Trout Fishing Competition is open to any Rotorua lake and tributaries. Entry is free, with any expo ticket, weighin and prize-giving are at the expo. Win fantastic prizes!
Exciting competitions and prizes
On-site we have amazing door prizes, from Helisika experiences for you and two mates to 4X4 packages and fishing gear; more than $10,000 of prizes. Purchase your tickets online to double your chances of winning fantastic door prizes compared to buying them at the event.
fun and community support
The expo is family-friendly with a kids’ zone, featuring bouncy castles and treasure hunts. Enjoy wild food options and unwind at the DB Ultra Bar, making it a perfect day out for everyone. A portion of each entry fee supports Eastern Fish & Game, helping to preserve our cherished outdoor experiences.
Get your tickets now
Secure your tickets now and join us for an unforgettable weekend. Online purchases double your chances to win incredible door prizes — $5 a person or $10 for the family. Visit wildnzexpo.co.nz for more information and to purchase your tickets. Experience the thrill, learn from the best, and connect with fellow outdoor enthusiasts. See you in Rotorua!
Family
LIVESTOCK, DAIRY & CALVING
Waikato youngsters triumphant
A keen trio from Te Waotu School in south Waikato has won the title of AgriKidsNZ Grand Champions, winning three out of
of the competition overall.
Jackie Sneddon, 12, Ben Barbour, 12, and Joshua Barbour, 11, had grins that stretched from ear to ear as they made their way to the top of the podium.
“I’m stunned and in shock,” said Jackie.
“This is our second year together. We went to Timaru last year for the grand finals and came fifth — we work really well together as a team,” Ben said.
Longbeach Primary School’s team, made up of Henry Pottinger, Edward White and George Lash were the AgriKidsNZ runnersup, and Pippa Muir from Seddon School won Contestant of the Year.
Greer Neal, Olivia Strachen and Leah Wilson (the Milking Manics) from Duntroon Primary School came in third place.
The next generation of young farmers, the AgriKidsNZ competitors, also tackled a range of challenges during the event, including modules, quizzes and an AgriKids race-off as part of the grand final weekend.
Shamus Young, 18, and Hayden Drummond, 17, secured the 2024 FMG Junior Young Farmers of the Year title. Their quick thinking, practical know-how and farming skills earned praise from judges as they successfully navigated the high-pressure challenges.
“We’re really excited,” said Hayden. “We put a lot of work into this.”
The duo from Otago Boys’ High School in Dunedin were awarded one of the country’s most prestigious farming accolades at the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final in Hamilton.
The competition was fierce, with 13 other teams from schools nationwide rolling up their sleeves to secure the coveted title.
Shamus and Hayden won the farmlet and face-off challenges, and dominated the quickfire quiz rounds and practical farming race with their agricultural knowledge. Both have a background in fourth-generation farming.
Shamus said he was pleased the hard work had finally paid off. “The competition is so broad, so you’ve got to do well at everything.”
Brans and Liana Redpath from Napier
High School finished up in third place.
The FMG Young Farmer of the Year Contest is proudly supported by FMG, Ravensdown, WorkSafe, Ministry for Primary Industries, Milwaukee, Woolworths, Honda, Lincoln University, Massey University, PTS Logistics, New Holland and Bushbuck.
“It’s always a good feeling to represent your region and school, and do them both proud,” Hayden said.
Mt Hutt College students James Clark and Jack Foster were the runners-up, while
AgriKidsNZ Grand Champions Jackie Sneddon,
Ben Barbour and Joshua Barbour from Te Waotu School in south Waikato
FMG’s Dani Imlig (left) with 2024 FMG Junior Young Farmers of the Year Hayden Drummond and Shamus Young from Otago Boys’ High School
Kaela
Girls’
Want happy cows and calves? Takanini Feeds can help. Why not give us a go? Your herds will love our feeds. Takanini Feeds manufacture and specialise in stockfeed - meals and pellets for dairy and calf. Our manufacturing plant is a modern, FeedSafe accredited mill. We have our own fleet of trucks, with experienced drivers that do all our own farm deliveries.
Takanini Feeds: can help increase your productivity for your milking herds specialises and can custom make to suit your requirements are the specialists especially for in-shed feeding systems delivers freshly made feeds from plant to farm direct into storage systems! delivers to Waikato, South Waikato, Hauraki Plains, Matamata and further
Call Takanini Feeds now for a quote and a quick delivery turn around For orders please email orders@takaninifeeds.co.nz or call 0800 225 333.
www.takaninifeeds.co.nz
• 60-70% reduction in lameness
• Up to 450 hrs labour saved per year
• Open new breaks for cattle, horses and sheep
• Releasing cows for milking (ideal for feedpads)
• Break-feeding or Holding back after milking
• One-off cost & Solar Powered
• 24 mth warranty, Excellent backup
by Liz Clark
Well-fed calves promote growth
Traditionally, once-a-day feeding has been the standard for feeding replacement heifers; however,
benefit from twice-daily feeds.
The one-feed strategy doesn’t provide calves with enough for their daily nutritional needs or allow them to take up what they need for growth and vitality. If they don’t get enough in the morning feed, hungry calves result — it can become a welfare issue.
Feeding calves milk twice daily for the first month allows them to drink and digest adequate amounts, providing the energy they need to maintain good growth and health. It also provides more energy for positive natural behaviour, such as running and playing.
When using milk replacer, the best strategy is to gradually replace colostrum and whole mik feeds by adding in small amounts of milk replacer and slowly increasing the amount until the colostrum or whole milk is fully replaced and the calves can cope with the replacer. Calves will scour if placed straight on to milk replacer — mixing with colostrum or whole
milk will reduce the risk significantly. Raw milk carries the risk of Mycoplasma bovis and other infectious diseases that will be unwanted in the herd. Always ensure the milk is traceable whether selling it or purchasing. DairyNZ provides a milk traceability form on its website.
Maintaining the hygiene of feeders and any equipment used for mixing milk is essential. It will prevent the build-up of bacteria, which can cause calves illness and, in some cases, death. Calf losses can be prevented by ensuring everything is maintained and nothing left to chance.
When choosing a milk replacer product, the key components to consider are protein and fat. Always select a well-proven milk replacer product available from rural supply outlets. Protein should be dairy-based since calves do far better on these compared to plant-based proteins. Check the information on the product bag regarding protein source. Calves
require around 22–25% of protein on a dry matter basis to support growth and development.
Milk replacers provide less fat than whole milk, ranging between 18–22% on a dry matter basis. The higher fat diet can be beneficial for calves during colder periods by providing extra energy for warmth. Further information can be found at dairynz.co.nz.
Twice daily milk feeding of calves promotes healthier growth and vitality
