Themeaningofthe word‘Good’
What’sinaword?
were aspirational for me, but my science master told them I was only ‘good’, but
Notmuch-ifthatwordis‘good’?Goodmeaning OK,fine,satisfactory,adequate.Likemyschool reports.No‘excellents’,no‘chronicfailures’-just ‘good’.Itdidn’ttellanyoneanything.Myparents wereaspirationalforme,butmysciencemaster toldthemIwasonly‘good’,but Imight‘comeright inthespring.’The sciencemastermeant Iwasdestinedfor mediocrity.Andhe wasrightbecause nearly60springslater, nothing’schanged. Iamstillgood. Itmustbea generationalthing,or it’sinthegenes. BecausewhenIasked mykids-“Howwasyour day?”Igetbacka“good.” Whatdoesthattellme? Howwasyour$10,000 schoolculturetriptoUSA? “Good.”SeewhatImean. Buttheylearned‘good’ fromthebest. Iwaswiththeirunclewhen hemetupwithadyed-inthe-woolcockyclientone day.Thechatwentlikethis.“GiddayGordon, howareyou?”“GoodthanksFrank.You?””Good
thanksFrank.Goodweather.”“Yeah,itisgood. How’sMary?”“She’sgood.”Yougettingthe picturehere?“Margaret?”“Yes,she’sgoodtoo.” “BusinessgoodGordon?”“Yes,goodthanks.” “Ok,seeyousoon.”“Good-o.”
Iwasstartingtowonder–how didIgetcaughtinthisservingof mindlesspap?WasitacornyTV skit?Weretheyextractingthe urine?WasImissingsomething? LaterinthecarIaskedthe unclehowthatconversation advancedman’sknowledgeor understandingofanything.Did helearnanythinggoodfromall thosegoods?
“Heisamanoffewwords, oneofwhichisgood.It’spartly abouteconomyofwords. Whyusetenwordswhenone willdo.Andwhenhetells meheisgood,ittellsme heisfit,heartyandhappy doingwhathelovesmost. Farming.Whenhesays businessisgood,ittellsme hemightbebuyinganew JohnDeereintheNew Year,orRangeRover,and hewillberenewingourcontract. WhenhesaysMargaret’sgoodittellsmehestill lovesandcaresforthewomanasmuchashedid whenhemarriedher54yearsago.” So,allisgood.Andthat’sgood.
science master meant
I was with their uncle when
Wildvenisonforthoseinneed
ATaurangamanhasfigured outawaytousehis loveofhuntingto providehighquality, healthierredmeat tothosemost inneedinthe community.
Businessowner, JasperOsborne hasrallied15 volunteerstocreate HuntforGood, anot-for-profit initiativethathelps controldeerpopulations andhasalreadydonated 400kgofwildvenisonto TaurangaCommunity Foodbank.
NorthIslandwithmydad, cousinsandunclesandnow Iteachmyownkidsto hunt.Alotofsheepand beeffarmsareoverrun withthousandsof deerthateatall thegrass.”
“Theyhavealotofpeople tofeed,”saysJasper.“Igrew uphuntinginthecentral
TaurangaCommunityFoodbankwarehouse managerJordyGastmeierwithHuntfor GoodfounderJasperOsborneandvolunteer DyllanTurnballdeliveringvenisonmince.
Jaspernoticed thatcullingoften resultedinmeat leftgoingtowaste.
“Everyonewe haveapproached hasbeensupportive andsponsors appreciatethe sociallyresponsibleand environmentallyfriendly association”hesays.
“Therearepeopledoing ittoughandredmeat isoftenmissingfrom foodbankparcels,sowe sawanopportunitytofill thatgapwhilealsohelping
NZrampsuptradedisputewithCanada
NewZealandhasescalateditslong-running dairytradedisputewithCanadabyinforming itsgovernmentcounterpartsitistriggering compulsorynegotiations.
TradeandAgricultureMinisterToddMcClay alertedtheCanadiangovernmentand othermembersoftheComprehensive andProgressiveAgreementfor Trans-PacificPartnership earlyonOctober19ofthe developments.
UnderCPTPPdispute settlementprocess, mandatorynegotiations mustcommencewithin15 daysofnotification.
InSeptember2023,New Zealandwonatradedispute, whichfoundCanadawas breachingtheagreementby blockingdairyexporters’access totheCanadianmarket.
commitmentstheyweremakingwhentheagreement wassigned,anditisimportanttheyhonourthem.”
McClaysaidCanadaisnottreatingNewZealand exportersfairlyinrespecttothedairyquotasthat wereagreedandnegotiatedbetweenbothcountries.
“Canadacanendthisdisputebymeetingits CPTPPobligationstous.Iftheycontinue tochoosenotto,theyoweus compensation.”
CanadahaduntilMaytochangehow itadministeredtariffratequotas,butafterit failedtorectifythesituationthecallwasmadeto takenextsteps.
“NewZealandtakesitsobligationsundertrade agreementsseriously.TheCPTPPisoneofthe highestqualityagreementssignedbyagroupoflikemindedeconomies,”saidMcClay.
“Partiestotheagreementunderstoodthe
managethedeerpopulation.”
“Thetimingwasperfectforus,” saysTaurangaCommunityFoodbank managerNickiGoodwin.“We’re tryingtobemoreself-sustainableby usinglocalproduce.Theneedfor foodrevolvesaroundmeatandvegies thataresounaffordable,andyet soabundant.”
“Themostastonishingthingtous isHuntforGoodissowellsetup. They’redoingitall,fromorganising thevolunteerstomeatprocessing, andtheresponsehasbeenamazing. Peoplefamiliarwithvenisoncan’t
believetheirluck.”
Inthelast12months,Tauranga CommunityFoodbankhasassisted 25,000peoplein8,500households. TheHuntforFooddonationsmean thateachfamilygetsa500gpack ofvenisonmincealongwiththe usualchickenandsausagestomake healthymeals.
“Ourfoodparcelsneedtostay within80%oftherecommended dietaryguidelines,”saysNicki.“So beingaleanredmeat,venisonmakes thateasyforustoachieve.”
34ChapelSt,Tauranga www.SpaShop.co.nz
SAVE$5,000
Fromthepointthatnegotiations conclude,Canadathenhas30 daystoresolvetheissuebefore NewZealandcandecideto takefurtheraction.
Theministerhaslet stakeholdersknowofthe development,alongwith Labour’stradespokesperson DamienO’Connor.
AsaresultofCanada’s blockingofdairyaccess,New Zealandexportershavehad lossesworthhundredsofmillions ofdollars,butthatwillnotnecessarily equatetowhatisowedincompensation.
McClayheadedtotheG20ministerialmeeting inBrazillateinOctober,whereNewZealandwas invitedtoattendasaguest.Whilethere,theminister intendedtomeetwithhisCanadiancounterpart. Thisissuehasbeenraisedmanytimesthrough officialsandministers,bothinpersonandonline, butCanadahasnotbudgedtodate.
JoMoir/RNZ
Photo:supplied.
RNZ/CosmoKentish-Barnes.
Ahelpinghandfortheruralcommunity
Nooneeversaidfarmingiseasy,buthelpis athandforthoseinneed.
TheRuralSupportTrustnetworkhas14trusts acrossthecountry,includingWaikato-HaurakiCoromandelwhichhasbeenoperatingfor20years.
CoordinatorWandaLeadbeatersaystherewas aneedforanindependentorganisationtooffer asupporttoallprimaryproducersandtohelp
HIGHCOUNTRYJOURNEYS
Drivefromstationtostationandexperience
Self-driveyourown4wdfromBlenheimtoCadrona,including Molesworthwiththis7day8nighttour.
•‘TheGreatExplorer’
Self-driveyourown4wdfromLakeOhautoCadrona,including MackenzieCountryandCentralOtagowiththis5day6nighttour.
Forfurtherinformationcheckoutourwebsite:
Orcontactusoninfo@highcountryjourneys.co.nz JohnMulholland,Ranfurly|0272288152 www.highcountryjourneys.co.nz
duringadverseweatherevents.
“Itwassetupbyagroupoflike-minded farmerswithapassiontohelpothers,” shesays.
BasedinMatamata,Wandasaysthe networksupportsallthosewhoearn anincomefromthelandincluding farmers,commercialgrowers,contractors, thoroughbredbreedersandbeekeepers amongothers.
Ittakesinlandowners,contractors/selfemployedandemployees.
Wandasaysitdoesnotmatterwhether theissuethatiscausingstressisinthe businessorpersonalinthefamily.
Commonissuesincludefinancial worries,relationshipissues(business/ personal),employmentconcerns, accident/illness.
“Prettymuchanythingthatistroubling them,”saysWanda.
Separatingbusinessandfamily
OneofthosetoreachouttoRural SupportisMichaelHolmanfrom Matamata.
Whileheultimatelysteppedawayfrom full-timedairyfarming,Michaelsays RuralSupporthelpedhimsee“itisbetter ontheotherside”.
The42-year-oldwasinvolvedinfarming for25years,ultimatelybecominga50/50 sharemilkerrunning200cowson55ha.
MichaelsaysheusedRuralSupport threetimesfrom2013to2020on
separatefinancialandfamilyissues.
“Theyhadmyback,”hesaysofRST support.“Theywerebrilliant.”
Whilelovingfarmlife,Michaelsays milkingonhisownandrunningthefarm wasa100-hour-a-weekjob.
“Youneedtohavetimeforyourfamily,” hesays.“Farmersneedtogetoff-farm andprioritiserest.”
MichaelheardaboutRuralSupporton socialmediaandcontactedtheWaikatoHauraki-Coromandelarm.
“Whenyoucan’tgetupinthemorning youknowyouneedhelp,”hesays.“There wastoomuchpressureifIstayedin farming.Itwastherightdecisionforme toleave;I’mpleasedI’mout.”
Michaelsaysthe“mentality”of RuralSupportinhelpinghimwas second-to-none.
“Thepeoplearemagic.”
Akeyfactorinhisultimatedecisionto changecareerpathscamewhenhehad abloodpressuretestataneventrunby
Waikato-Hauraki-Coromandel Rural Support Trust Coordinator Wanda Leadbeater
Rural l Support t inMMattamatta. “Iwaswelloverandwouldn’thavehad itcheckedotherwise.”
Michaelsaysdairyfarmingalsohas variablessuchaspayout,basedonforces includingglobalauctionsandexchange rate,andweathertoface.
“Holdontightfortheridejustdoesn’t cutit.”And,whateverhappens,billsstill needpaying.
Lifeoutsideoffarming
Christmaslastyearsawhim“seemy futurewasoutsidefarming”andgetout offarming,althoughheishelpinga friendoutmilkingforsixmonthsandis keentousetheskillshedevelopedinhis farmingcareertopursueacareerin ruralsales.
“Iloveit,”hesaysoftherecentchange. “Thereisnoweekendwork,andno businessorweatherpressures.”
F Freeand d conffidentiial l support RuralSupportTrustsprovideone-onone,freeandconfidentialpeersupport.
Wandasaysifsomeonecallsthe0800 number(0800787254)theywill connectdirectlywithoneofthe RSTteam.
Messagescanalsobesentvia website/socialmediaifpreferred (www,.rural-support.org.nzand@ ruralsupportwaikato).Thephone number/websiteisthesameforalltrusts, whileregionaltrustshavetheirownsocial mediapages.
Wandasaystogetherwiththecaller,the RSTwillhelpmakeaplanandlookat thenextsteps.
“Ifwecannothelp,wewilldirectthem totherightplace.
“Normallywewillconnectthecaller withtheirownfacilitator–oneofthe RSTteamwhohasanunderstanding
Burgeoningfarmingbusinesses
TheVelocity$100k Challengehashelped start-upsfindsuccess onaglobalstage,and thisyearsixventures scoredakick-startthat couldseeideasburgeon intobusinesses.
Acutting-edgeagritech solutiondesignedto benefitthehealthofcows scoredasupersizedcheque worth$25,000andtook outfirstplaceinthe UniversityofAuckland’s Velocity$100kChallenge inOctober.
LigginsInstitute researchtechnician ElizabethCunnighamand
herteammates,academic stafffromtheAuckland BioengineeringInstitute, FacultyofEngineering andtheLigginsInstitute, sayQuickMasisabout helpinginthefight againstantibiotic
resistanceindairycattle. Lizhaslostcowsto mastitisandhasavery personalconnection totheproblem.She saysQuickMasdelivers answersinlessthan anhour.
Goldoni drives orchard success
of f rural l lifeand d famiily//farmiingand d has experiencewithdealingwiththetypesof issuesthecallerisfacing.”
Wandasaysthefacilitatorwillquite oftencomeouttothefarmormeetthe callerinaplaceandtimethatissuitable.
“Theywillworkwiththemforaslong asneeded.
“Thefacilitatorcanhelplookatoptions and,ifnecessary,helpconnectthemwith wraparoundsupport.
“Wearenottheretotellpeoplewhatto do,”saysWanda.
Extraagencies
Duringadverseevents,suchasfloodsor droughts,theRSTworksclosely withgovernment,agenciesandindustries tooffersupportandinformationto ruralcommunitiesandfarmersviathe 0800number.
Thenetworkalsorunscommunity
events,withdetailsontherespectivesocialmedia pagesandwebsites.
InWaikato-Hauraki-Coromandel,aseriesof “BrunchonUs”eventshavebeenheldthrough AugustandSeptember.
TheRSThasstronglinkswithorganisations includingDairyNZ,Beef&LambNewZealand andtheDairyWomen’sNetwork.
September1sawinauguralNationalRural SupportTrustchairNeilBateupstepdownfrom thetopjob.
WhangareifarmerMichelleRuddell,RSTchair inNorthland,isthenewnationalleaderofthe organisation.
NeilBateup,whofarmsnearMorrinsville,will remainonthenationaltrustandasWaikatoHauraki-CoromandelRSTchair.
ROTORUAA&PSHOW
Weareexcitedtoletyouallknowabout our116thannualA&Pshowcomingupin Decemberthisyear.Thiswillbeafamily dayoutnottobemissed.Thisyear’sshow willbeheldonSaturdaythe7thofDecember 2024,sobesuretonotethedateonyour calendarsnow!
Therewillbesomethingforeveryoneto enjoyatthisfabulousevent,fromShearing andWoolHandlingcompetitionstoAxemen, EquestrianandAlpacaevents,weevenhave DairyGoatcompetitions,WesternRidingand theDairyCattlesectioncompetitionsrunning throughouttheday.
Children’sentertainmentisFREEforchildren 15yrsandunder,somakesureyoutake
advantageofthisifyouhaveyoungchildren. EntertainmentonofferwillbeHorseandpony rides,Bouncycastles,Ferriswheelsabigslide, facepainting,apirateshipandevenaroving balloonist,whichtheIknowthechildrenwill justlove.
Thereisalsolotsoflovelyanimalsondisplay, wehaveGreyhoundslookingforloving homesandtheDonkeySanctuarywillbeon sitewithdonkeysforthechildrentomeet, thesearegreatplacestovisitandlearnhow tolookaftersomeoftheselovelyanimals. TheRotoruaSymphonicbandandCityof RotoruaHighlandBandwillalsobehereto entertainyou.
Ifyouarefeelingenergeticyoucanalways
entertheKingandQueenoftheMountain race.Entriesareonthedayandtherewill alsobeshortercourseracesforthechildren toenter.
Thiseventisagreattestoftherunner’sskill andalwaysgreattowatch.
Therewillbegreatselectionoftradeandfood sitesforyoutoenjoysodon’tmissout,makes sureyoucomealongandjoininthefun!
Forfurtherinformationoneventsorhowto entercompetitionsonoffer-pleasegoto ourwebsitewww.rotoruashow.co.nzTickets canbepurchasedatthegateontheday. Admission:-Adults$20.00Children15years &UnderareFREE.Therewillbefreeparking andEftposavailable.
ManagingrisktoBayofPlenty’swaterways
Dairyinspectionsfor2024arewell underwayacrossBayofPlentyand withapproximately200,000dairy cows,eachproducingabout70Lof effluenteveryday,it’scriticalfarmers aregettingitright.
Whilemostofthiseffluentnaturally breaksdowninthepaddock,about7L ofthisdailycountisproducedduring milkinginthedairyshed.Thiswaste, whenmanagedproperly,canbeavaluable fertiliser.Ifit’snothandledcorrectly,it canputourwaterwaysatseriousrisk. Olderirrigationsystems,inparticular,can leadtoseriousproblemsastheyoftenfail withoutwarning.
Effluentstandards
Council’scomplianceteamiscommitted toensuringfarmersmeeteffluent managementstandardsandwework alongsidethemtoensurethateveryoneis doingtheirpart.Whilemanytakethese responsibilitiesseriously,therearestill someareasforimprovement.
TheWaihīEstuaryinWesternBay ofPlentyisagreatexampleofanarea whereworktoprotectandrestoreour waterwaysispayingoff.Thisestuaryhas
longbeenunderthreat,duetodecades ofdrainingwetlands,changingriversand landuse,aswellascontaminatedrunoff,butmotivatedfarmersareworking
Growing g FutureFarmersneedsmorefarmtrainers
TherecentGrowing FutureFarmers applicationprocess forthe2025student intakehasclosedwith arecordnumber ofapplications.
GrowingFuture Farmersisatwo-year programmeproviding practicalon-farm experiencetobuild confidenceandskillsin youngpeopleentering thesheep,beef,and deerindustry.
Itrecentlywonthe RabobankPeople DevelopmentAwardat theBeef+LambNew ZealandAwards.
Thisyear,the programmehas 131applications, significantlyoutstripping theprojectionof80 placementsforthe 2025intake.
GrowingFuture Farmerschiefexecutive WendyPaulisthrilled somany“amazing youngpeople”have appliedtojoin.
“Thecalibreofthe applicationswas impressive.”
Morestudentsthan everhadapplied toGrowingFuture Farmersastheirfirst choicethisyear,which
wassomethingworth celebrating,shesaid.
“It’sahuge commitmentfora 16–21-year-oldtoleave homeandmoveontoa farmfortwoyears,but witnessingthegrowth inconfidenceandskills overthosetwoyears isincredible.”
Thelargejumpin studentapplications isattributedtomore youngpeoplehavinga clearideaaboutwhere toputtheirenergyas theyfocusonfuture careers.
Wendysaysthe programmeiscurrently inthenextstageofits annualprocess;looking
intomatchingYear1 studentstoavailable farmplacements for2025.
“Ourfocusison encouragingfarmers whoareinvestedin thesustainabilityof oursheepandbeef sector,andingrowing youngpeopleinto greatfarmers,to jointheprogramme sothatwecanoffer morefarmplacement opportunitiestoour longlistofsuccessful studentapplicants.”
Theprogramme encouragesfarmers intheCanterbury, KingCountry,and Kurow/Otagoregions
toconsiderbecoming farmtrainerstomeet thestudentdemand. Ifyouareinterested inbecominga farmtrainer,visit growingfuturefarmers.
alongsideotherlandowners,iwiandregional counciltocollectivelymakeimprovementsthat benefitusall.
Keytechnology
Tostayaheadofanypotentialissues,investingin modernsystemswithfail-safetechnologyiskey. Thesesystemscanpreventcostlyand environmentallydamagingincidents,likethe recentcasewherealocalfarmmanagerwasfined $52,500forallowingeffluenttoleakfroma10cm holeinthesideofaneffluentpond.That’sa situationnofarmownerormanagerwantstoface. Everyonehasaparttoplayinhelpinglook afterourlandandwater.Ifyoususpectthatdairy effluentisenteringawaterway,don’thesitateto act.Callthepollutionhotlineat0800884883. Formoreinformationonthisprosecution,visit www.boprc.govt.nz/environmental-enforcement
DairyinspectionsarehappeningacrosstheBayofPlenty,sonowisagreat timetomakesureyou’refamiliarwiththeenvironmentalrulesandthe conditionsofyourconsent.
Duringthesevisits,ourteamwillbecheckinghowwellyoureffluent treatmentanddisposalsystemscomplywithconsentconditions.We’llinspect keyareaslikeeffluentsumps,pipework,ponds,stormwaterdiversions,and irrigationsystemstoensureeverythingisrunningsmoothly.
Commonissuesincludeover-irrigation,effluentponding,andoverlandflow ofeffluenttowater.Makesureyourteamiswell-trainedandyoursystemsare properlymaintainedtoavoidtheseproblems.
Th The Growing Future Farmers provides practical experience. P Photo: Duncan Brown
Whycalcium,notphosphorus,isthedriver
Asthesupplyofsuitable lowcadmiumphosphate rockdwindles,thecosthas increasedandislikelyto continuetodoso.
Theongoingreductioninthe amountofsyntheticnitrogenfurther limitstheuseofthetwonutrients pastoralfarminghasreliedonfor thirtyyears.
Thesolutiontothenitrogen
situationisalongknownone, growmoreclovertofillthedeficit freeofcharge.
Calciumisthedriverofclover growthandtheavailabilityof high-qualitylimestoneisunlimited, particularlywhenusedtobesteffect.
Calciumhastheaddedbenefitof beingalow-costnutrient. UltimatelyNcostscanbe significantlyreduced,pasture productionlifted,andnutrientloss vialeachinglargelyeliminated.
Thesciencebehindthis isnotnew,andnorisit challengedasthereare manyfarmsituations throughoutthecountry thatsupportthethesis. Itstemsfromthe workundertakenby DSIRfromthe1950s, muchofwhichwas containedintheirSoil BureauBulletins.
Currentmodels
Currentmainstream soilfertilitymodels arebasedonthe conditionsthatbest favourgrasses,and theyarenotthe conditionsthat maximise clovergrowth.
Thegraphson soilandplanttests receivedfrom laboratoriescaneasily beresettoshowthe desiredrangetobe higherorlower.
Atpresentthelevels givenareskewedtowardhigh grasscontentpastureratherthan pasturescontainingcloseto 25%clover.
Standardsoiltestsgivethe desiredpHbetween5.8and6.2. Applyingsufficientextracalcium tostimulateclovergrowthlifts pHcloseto6.3,thelevelwhere theavailabilityofallmajor nutrientsisgreatest.
Inmostpastoralsoilsthere ismanyyearsofphosphorus supplyalthoughonlyasmall portionisavailableforplant uptakeatanytime.
Applyingag.limeincreasesplant availablephosphorus,knownas
phosphatesparing withsoiltestingthe bestwaytomeasure theeffect. Thisextra availabilityis primarilydueto thestimulationof beneficialsoilbiology.Research ontheeffectlimehason earthwormsshowedamarked increaseinboththeirnumbers andactivity.
Moistureandnutrients
Earthwormsimprovephysical soilstructuresallowingmore moisturetoberetainedand plantrootstopenetratedeeply allowingbothmoistureand nutrienttobeextractedfromas fardownas250mm. Itisnotjustearthwormsthat increasenutrientavailability. Mycorrhizalfungicanextend rootzonebyuptoninetimes
andextractbothnutrientand moisturefromsitesunavailable toplantroots. Twentyyearsago,Functional FertiliserdevelopedCalciZest aproductcontainingaglime andsoftcarbonsinoculated withawidevarietyofselected beneficialfungiandbacteria. Appliedat400kg/hainspring, doubletheclovercontentof pasturehasbeenmeasured duringsummer. Thisincreasesbothweight gainofyounganimalsandmilk production,bothhigh incalcium. Summeristheidealtimefor clovers,andthetimewhen grassesgotoseed.Where conditionsfavourclover,gaps arefilledprovidingexcellent groundcoverhelpingreduce moistureloss.Formore informationcallPeteron027 4950041or0800843809.
Morethan150farmbusinesseshavenow receivedvouchersthroughtheSaferRidespilot schemetohelpthempurchasecrushprotection devicesfortheirquadbikesthankstoadditional primarysectorpartnersjoiningtheprogramme. Theincentiveschemeencouragedfarmersto maketheirexistingquadbikessaferbyapplying foraheavilydiscountedCPDviaaredeemable
vouchertothevalueof$400.
SaferRidesispartofSaferFarms’FarmWithout Harmstrategy,designedtopreventharmfrom NewZealand’sfarmingsystems.
SaferFarms’FarmwithoutHarmAmbassador LindyNelsonsaysthefocusonCPDswasaresult offarmersspeakingupabouthowrolloverbars hadworkedforthemandsavedlives.
Lotsofcalciumtogrowthesebeauties.
Takingthestepupfrommilkertofarm ownerhasbecomemoredifficultbutnot impossible,saysaWaikatoadvisertothe dairyindustry.
“Withpassionandbelief,youcanmakeit,” saysMattBartleet,agribusinessconsultant,director andshareholderwithTotalAg.
Matt,withmorethan20years’farmingexperience includingownershipofa700-cowoperationnear Matamataandnowona400hadrystockproperty nearMorrinsville,appreciatesthechallengesand obstaclesthepathtofarmownershipbrings.
Bigpicture
ThebigpictureofdairyfarminginNewZealand atpresentshowshighreturnsformilkwithan associatedriseinherdandfarmprices.
“Thegoalpostshaveshifted,”saysMatt.“Thestep fromsalaryorcontracttoownershipisbigger.”
Oneofthebarriersistherisingcostofcattle, upwardsof$2000perhead,whichhesaysfora 600-cowherd(“therightscale”inthepresentdairy farmingclimate)makesforasignificantinitialoutlay.
IntheheartoftheWaikato,TatuaCo-operative DairyCompanyfarmscontinuetofetchupwardsof $100,000perhectare,withanaverageof$70,000/ha inotherpartsoftheregion.
WhiletheFonterraforecastisforapayout exceeding$9perkilogramofmilksolids,from around$7fiveyearsago,Mattsays$5ofthisiseaten upbyongoingfarmcosts.
Thisincludeslabour,fertiliserandcompliance (suchaseffluentdisposalandmilkcooling),plusany requiredreplacementorpurchaseoffarmequipment andtechnology.
Another$2ofpayoutmaygotoserviceinterest paymentsonoutstandingloans,withthebalance coveringtheincreasingcostofliving.
Mattsaysdairyfarmersalsomustweighup thecostsofchangestotheirfarmmanagement systems–buyinginextrafeed–tocapitaliseon thebumpermilkpricecomparedtostickingwith currentoperations.
Therehasbeena“bigshift”awayfromall-grass dairyfarmingtoincorporatingfeedsupplementssuch asmaizeforgreatermilkproduction.
“Thebusinessmodelismoreprofitable,butyou areexposedtogreaterriskwithanychangein milkprice.”
Economiesofscalemean“youneedtobebiggerto succeed”,hesays.“Thesteppingstonesaregone.”
Mattsaystheexpectation/requirementformore moneytoliveonmeansasmallerfarmthatcanonly generatesay$70,000ayearmaynotbeattractive.
Thepriceofnewinfrastructureonexpensiveland alsomakesitadifficultfinancialpropositiontobuy neighbouringfarmsandstart“fresh”.
Addedtothisarefixedcoststhatneedtobe spreadacrossthetotalfarmmanagementsystem whichproveagreaterburdentosmallerfarmsthan largeholdings.
HIFLOPumpsisthelargestGrundfosPumpdealerin NewZealandandoperatesinAuckland,Rotoruaand Tauranga.Wecarryalargerangeofpumps,spares,and dosingunitsthatwillminimizeyourdowntimeinthe eventofanemergency.Wealsooffera24houron-call servicewhennecessary.Surfacepumps,borehole pumps,dosingpumps,domesticpumps,andfiltration.
72OldTaupoRd,Rotorua.Ph073487516
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• 1/135MatakokiriDrv, Tauriko,Tauranga. Ph077770880
Mattsaysthesmallerfarms become“islands”,withstaffhardto recruitandthecostofinfrastructure tobeconsidered.
says the smaller farms reality check.” Coupled with this, he
realitycheck.”Coupledwiththis,he saysyoungpeoplehaveleftthedairy industryin“decentnumbers”inthelast fiveyears.
Otherlandusesuchashorticulture oramovetograzing/beefcattleisalso beingpursued,whilefarmlandhasbeen “losttourbansprawl”.
Realitycheck
Mattsayssomeofthebestlandis driftingoutofdairyproduction,while farmoremarginalland(thatwas convertedtodairyingmuchlater)has theright-sizedfarmsnow.
Milksupply“exploded”inNew Zealandinthe1990sandearly-2000s, buthesaysarecentdropinthenumber ofdairyfarms–anestimated100in WaikatoandTaranakioverthelastfive years–meansmilkproductionisa“real issue”forprocessors.
Mattsaysdairyfarmersarehaving tomakesometoughdecisions.“It’sa
Corporatefarmingis“becominga reality”inNewZealand,hesays.“They arewell-runbusinesses.”
Mattsaysthisformoffarmownership isinevitableandthe“pathwayofthe future”foryoungpeopleenteringthe dairysector.
Hisbestadviceforindividualslooking tobuyadairyfarmistospeaktoa mentoralongtheway.
“Don’tgetcaughtupwithdistractions suchasthelatesttechnologyornew systems,”hesays.“Runthroughthe books(accounts/budgets)carefullyand properly.”
Mattsaysthereareopportunitiesto behadinthedairysector“ifyoumake thesacrifices”.“It’sallaboutpassionand belief.Youhavetoforgeaheadandget throughthedarkdays.”
Matt
Agribusiness consultant MattBarlett.
OCRcutcreatesafeelingofoptimism
AsIwritethisitisonly65days toChristmasandIcanfeelthe Christmasrushissettinginwith limitedtimetogettheevergrowinglistofjobsdone. TalkingaboutChristmas,itsounds likeanumberoffarmershavetreated themselvestoanearlyChristmas presentbywayofanewtractor. Apparently,tractorandmachinery saleshavereallypickedupfollowing someverytoughmonths. Theoptimismcreatedfromtherecent OfficialCashRatecut,andprojected futurecuts,hasreallychangedthe businessoutlook(mindyouitcouldn’t
havegotmuchworse).Addto thisareasonablemilkpayout, andahighbeefscheduleandwe havesomeimprovedconfidence intheruralindustryagain. Hereishopingforsomemore improvementsforthesheepand goatmilkingfarmersoutthere.
Areasonablespring
Thisspringhasbeenapretty reasonableonebyallaccounts. Wehaveafewgooddollopsof rainandareasonableamountof sunshine.UptoOctober20atthe depotwerecorded73mlofrain forthemonthcomparedto19ml forthesameperiodlastyear.As aresult,thereisstillalotoffeed around.Groundtemperatures haveaveraged15.1degreeswhich isthesameaslastyear.Boythere havebeensomecoldnights–early onthemorningofSeptember28I wassprayingoutablockformaize andnoticediceonthegrass!We delayedourmaizeplantingaweek ortwoduetothis.
Imightbeabitofaclimate changesceptic,butithasrecently beenimpresseduponmeagain theever-growingpressurearound thisand,inparticular,emission reductions.Someofourbiggest customersforourmilksuchas NestleandUnileverhavesome veryambitioustargetsthatwill meanthedairyindustryinNZ willhavetomakesomefurther changes.Scope3emissions,the
indirect emissions occurringbecause oftheactivitiesof anorganisationbut generatedfromsources itdoesnotownor control,istopical.For afarmerthisisthe emissionsprefarm gatefromthelikesofmanufacture ofimportedfeedandfertiliser. It’sgoingtohaveabiggerimpact onwhatfarmerscandogoing forward.
Homegrownfeeds
RecentlyFonterraloosenedits requirementsaroundtheuseof PalmKernalExtractenabling farmerstousemoreofitonfarm, whichIthoughtflewinthefaceof theseemissionreductiontargets, however,Iwasrecentlyprivy tosomeoftheworkFonterrais doingtoreducethis.Homegrown feedsaregoingtobecomemore
and more important ifwearegoingto reduceemissions.In particular,cropssuch asmaizearecritical tothis. Wasteproductsare goingtohavetobe utilisedmoretoreach theemissionreductiontargets tooastheyhaveaverylowrating fromanemissionsperspective. Imentionedinanarticleafew monthsbackthatweareusing kiwifruitmixedwithmaizesilage inastackforsomeofourclients. Wehavealreadysoldmorethan 1000tofmaizesilageinthisform. Wearegoingtorequireabout50 truckandtrailerloadsofkiwifruit togetthemixright. Todatewehavealreadysolda lotmoremaizesilagethanlast year.Sopleasecallmeifyouwant todiscussyouron-farm feedrequirements.
MATRIX®Hi-Mineral continuestobethe trustedtriple-activemineralisedoraldrench forsheepinNZ.Discusswithyourvet,how
HowdoIsubdividemyland?
Subdivisionplanningon rurallandisbecominga muchmorecomplexprocess astheyearspassby. Itisnotjustaboutprotecting theproductivityofourland. Thereisanexpectation,at leastfromsome,thatthe rurallandscapewillremain unchanged.Inreality,with changinglanduseforcedupon usbytheglobaleconomy,that positionisunrealistic.Asis oftensaid,‘theonlything thatiscertainischange’.
Councilrules
Asameansof controllingtheeffects (andperceivedeffects) ofsubdivision,local councilshaveadistrict planwhichsetsout manyrulescontrolling subdivisionplanning. Theserulesarereviewed every10yearsand continuetogettougherasthe countrydevelopsfurther. Becausesubdivisionis somethingthatpeopledon’tdo thatoften,wegetinvolvedright atthestartwhenweareasked “howtosubdividemyland?”. Sincewehavecarriedoutmany subdivisionsovertheyearsin manylocalcouncildistricts, wegenerallyhaveaverygood idea.However,sincerulesare changingoftenandsinceevery pieceoflandhasadifferent historyandlandform,weneed
andexperiencetoproduceaquality economicsubdivisiondesignthat willpassthescrutinyofcounciland anyaffectedpersons.Obtainingthe resourceconsentfromcouncilthen requiressignificantpatienceontop ofthis.
Ifsubdividingoradjusting boundariesareonyourradar thisyearyoushouldcontacta professionalsurveyingcompanyto setyouintherightdirection.
Itisacomplexlegalprocessand youneedtogetoffontheright foot.Lookingonacouncil’swebsite ordiscussingwithadutyplanner atcouncilcanclarifyminimum sectionareasrequiredbutthereis muchmorethattheyaren’tableto assesswithoutafullprofessional application.Wearemorethan happytodiscussopportunitiesfor nowandthefuture,sofeelfreeto giveusacalltoday.
Thecrewoutsurveyingruralland.
toresearchboth thelegaltitleto thelandandthe DistrictPlan. Thisdocument isaminefield ofinterrelated chapterscovering minimum sectionareas anddimensions, landuseallowed,landscape, ecologicalprotection,vehicle access,housesitesand constructionofservices–such aswater,wastewater,power andphone.
RMAlist
Manyofusrememberhow theResourceManagementAct wassoldtous.“Youcando whatyoulike,aslongasthe effectsaremitigated”.Wellthat soundedgreatatthetime,until thelistofeffectswaspublished.
Unfortunately,thislistcontinues togrow.Itseemsthateverytime theRMAisoverhauled–often onthepretenceofstreamlining –lifegetsharderinrelation toresourceconsentsforland developmentandsubdividing.
Ruralproblems
Thecommonproblemswhen planningruralsubdivisions thesedaysincludesatisfying councilthatanynewhouse siteproposedwillnotimpact onnaturallandscapefeatures, willprotectarchaeologicaland ecologicalfeatures,andwillnot impactontheoutlookofthe generalpublicorotherpeople alreadyoccupyingsurrounding sites.Wemustdothisallwhilst utilisingastablebuilding sitewithsafeaccessontothe road.Jugglingallthese,and manymoreissuesduringthe planningexercise,requiresskill
Improving N ’sanimal geneticgainsyste
Agovernancegrouphasbeenformed, followingextensivesectorconsultation,that willseektoimplementtherecommendations fromtheIndustryWorkingGroup’sfinalreport andisformingaroadmapforimproving NewZealand’sanimalgeneticgainsystem.
TheIWGwaschargedwithevaluatingthedairy sector’sgeneticimprovementprogressandrecently putforwardrecommendationstodrivefasterrates of geneticgaininNewZealand’sdairyherd.
TheIWGreportsaidthecurrentsystem for genetic gain in New Zealand was not
fit-for-purposeandthat,asaresult,New Zealand’sgeneticherdhaslaggedrelativeto otheradvanceddairyindustries.
Importantly,theIWGreportnotedits confidencethatNewZealandcancatchupto fullyharnessthebenefitsofgenomicsforfaster geneticgain,unlockingincreasedprofitability andimprovingenvironmentaloutcomes.
Uponthereport’sreleaseinJuly,DairyNZ, LICandCRVallcommittedtomakingchanges forthesector’sbenefitandwilleachparticipate inanewlyestablishedgovernancegrouptotake the report ’ s recommendations forward
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Inwhatshedescribesasa “steeplearningcurve”,one youngEasternBayofPlenty dairyfarmerisembracingthe benefitsoforganicpractices.
ShiannRead-Millsisa25-yearoldcontractmilkerwhoworks alongsideherauntandbusiness partner,LauraRead-Mills.
Shiann’sdairyfarmingbegan inPahiatuainthelowerNorth Island,whereshemovedattheage of10.By14,shewashelpingout andwasmadeafarmingassistant whenshewas21.
ShiannRead-Millswithsomeofthecowsshehasmanaged.
“Myauntwantedmetostep upmyfarmingcareerafterI competedattheNewZealand DairyIndustryAwardsandwas runnerupintheTraineecategory fortheHawke’sBay/Wairarapa region,sowewentintobusiness together,”shesays.
Sidehead??
Afterworkingonconventional farmswithupto600cows,her lastcontractworkingwitha smallerherdof185gaveShiann thechancetoknoweachanimal.
tellwhenacowwasn’tfeeling greatbyitsbehaviourandtest manuallyformastitis.”
Organicphilosophy
Theoverallphilosophyof organicsisaboutbeingproactive insteadofreactive.
“Youcan’trelyonquickfixes.It’s aboutmonitoringanimalhealth andsoilconditionsconstantly andlookingahead,”saysShiann.
health,provideessentialnutrients, andhelpsreduceparasiteload, whilekelpandsalthelpwithmilk productionandappleciderlowers thecellcounttoreducetherisk ofmastitis.”
Fertilisers,supplementsand drugscanbereplacedwith naturalalternativesandShiann hasdeeplyimmersedherselfin understandingthem.
“Weusedanorganicginand honeymixtotreatmastitisplus homeopathicremedieslikewillow barkandleaveshelpwithpain relief.”
Paddockscanbeplantedwitha “mixedsalad”thatoffersnatural healthbenefits.
“I’vedoneseminarsandlearned somuch.It’ssurprisinghowmuch youcanrememberwhenyou’re passionateaboutit.It’sabig learningcurve.Youhavetothink aheadforfutureproblems.”
However,therewardsareworth theeffort.
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“Themilkingshedwas 16-aside,whichenabledusto monitorcloselyandmakesure thecowswerehealthy.Weused homeopathictreatmentsfrom whentheywereyoungtohelp buildimmunity,”shesays.“After twoseasonsthere,Icouldquickly
“Dandelionsareoftenconsidered weeds,buttheyhelpwithliver andkidneyfunction.Chicoryand plantainimprovecows’digestive
“Wedidn’thaveadowncow duringcalvingthisyear.Wewould normallyhavetwoorthreeon thepastconventionalfarmsI’ve workedon.”
Boostyourherdwithpelletisedfeed
High-qualitypelletised feedprovidesacomplete nutritionalsolutionforyour herd,deliveringessential nutrientsthroughout theyear,saystheteamat SealesWinslow.
Whilegrasswillalwaysbeking, thepelletsfillthenutritionalgaps, improvingfeedutilisationand conversionefficiency.Thisleads tobetteranimalperformanceand helpsmaximisethebenefitsof yourgrassthroughouttheseasons.
Pelletisedfeedisusedasa nutritionalsolutionforherds.
“Theinclusionofadditivesinpelletisedfeed isanothergame-changer,boostingnutrient absorptionandreducingwaste,”saysa
spokespersonforthecompany.
“It’seasytotailoreachloadto meetspecificfarmneeds,whether byregion,farmpractice,orbudget. Thepelletsarealsoeasytohandle, flowingsmoothlythroughsilos andin-shedsystems,keepingyour operationscleanandreducingdust.”
WithSealesWinslow,you’llfind arangeoffeedoptionsdesignedto suityouruniqueneeds.Available inbulkandconvenientlydelivered toyourfarm,pelletedfeedis designedtocomplementyour pasture-basedsystemandenhance herdproductivity.Connecttodaywithyourlocal SealesWinslowTechnicalSalesRepresentativeto learnmoreaboutbulkfeedoptionsandensureyour herdstayshealthyandproductive.
Securing g summer gro th for inter feed
Makinglivestockfeedfromgreenhousegases
AcentralNorthIslandMāoritrustis partneringwithgeothermalexpertsandNew Zealandscientistsinaworld-firstprojectto developlivestockfeedfromgeothermalgases. Fundingofnearly$5millionfromTauhara NorthNo.2TrustandtheMinistryfor PrimaryIndustrieswillsupportRotorua-based Upflowandpartnerstoprogresslaboratoryscaleresearchthathasshownhowtwo microorganisms–abacteriumandanalgae–canbeusedtogethertoconvertcarbondioxide andmethaneintoaprotein-richbiomass.
Everyyearinspringorearly summerwhengrassgrowthisat itsoptimumormaizeisready forharvesting,farmersaround NewZealandarebusymaking silageforwinterfeed.
Storingitsafelyandsecurelyhas nowbecomefareasierwith SecureCovers.
CraigLipscombe,ownerofCotake NZLtd,foundtheSecureCovers systemwhilelookingforalternatives tousingtyresonastack.
Thesystemsareinextensiveuse throughtheUK,USandEurope andareconstructedfroma knitted,high-densitypolyethylene, specificallydesignedtowithstand 150km/hrwinds.
ThecleversystemalsousesGravel
Bags,madefromthesamme material, filledwithpeametal,andtiedoff withsuppliedcableties.
Thesetube-shapedbagsareplaced end-on-endaroundtheperimeter ofeachcover,creatingaperfectseal andensuringnooxygencanenterthe stack,saysCraig.
Theyareafarsuperioralternative totyresandcanbeeasilystoredona palletuntilnextsilageseason.
CraigsaysNZfarmersarealsonow findingthatnotonlyaretheyfar easier,cleanerandquickeroption totyres,theyalsopreventrodents andbirds,especiallypukekos,from damagingthesilage.
Thesepestsoftencreateholesinthe plasticsheet,whichletsinoxygen andmoistureruiningthesilage. Formoreinformation,seetheir advertonthispage.
Thisbiomassiscreatedwhenmicroorganisms feedoffgreenhousegasemissionscapturedfrom geothermalpowerstations,suchasthoseusedto generateelectricityinthecentralNorthIsland.
RoundBaleSilage&Hay LoaderWagon ConventionalHay Cultivation&Seeding MaizeSilage Earthmoving DiggerandBulldozer RootRaking Logging TreeRemoval
Thebiomassproducedismadeupofseveral potentiallycommerciallyvaluablecomponents, includingproteinforanimalfeed.
Thefour-yearresearchprojectwillbe thefirstintheworldtopioneerbiomass feedstockproductionfromgasesandrobust microorganismsthatthriveintheextreme conditionsfoundatgeothermalsites.
MPI’sinvestmentof$2.49millioninthe projectcomesfromtheSustainableFood andFibreFuturesFund.MPI’sdirectorof investmentprogrammesStevePennosaysitisan excitingproject.“Ifsuccessful,thiscouldbethe startofanewbiomassfeedstockmanufacturing industryforNewZealand,worthanestimated $500millionperannumby2045,creatingnew skilledjobs.”
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Aleadingindependent co-educationaldayand boardingschoolforYears7-13
AnintegralpartofschoollifeatSt Peter’ssinceitsfoundation,theboarding communitydefinesthevibrantand connectedsenseofbelongingthatall studentswillexperiencelivingon campus,saysStPeter’sdirectorof boardingGregHaines.
Fromthemomentstudentsstepthroughthe doors,theyarewelcomedintoanenvironment thatcherishesdiversity,fosterspersonalgrowth, providesastrongsenseofwhānauandnurtures astrongsenseofcommunity,saysGreg.
“Weplacegreatvalueonpastoralcare andthewellbeingofeveryindividualin ourschoolcommunity.Throughpersonal developmentprogrammesblendingsocialand learningevents,boardersgaincriticalattributes thatempowerthemtobecomethebestversion ofthemselves.”
Whenitcomestoacademiclearning,students havemorethan20subjectsavailabletothem,
StPeter’ssaysboardersgain attributestohelpempowerthem tobethebesttheycanbe.
withYear12shavingachoiceofpathwaysin theformoftheworld-renownedInternational Baccalaureate(IB)DiplomaorNCEA.
“Werecognisethatsomeofourstudents willenteraninternationalmarkettopursue theirdreams,and,inpreparation,wewill supportthemtolifttheirsightsandbroaden theirhorizons.
“Beyondtheclassroom,studentshaveaccess tooutstandingfacilitiesincludingsingle boardingrooms,anequestriancentre,sports centre,climbingwall,25mindoorandoutdoor pools,extensivesportsfields,golfacademywith drivingrangeand6-holecourse,adairyfarm (OwlFarm),anda550-seaterauditoriumto nameafew.Studentsalsohaveaccesstothe GrassrootsVelodromeoppositecampusand forthosewholovetorow,aboathouseatLake Karapiro,a20-minutedrivefromcampus.
“Nomatterachild’sinterests,thereis somethingforeveryoneatSt.Peter’s.”
Forfurtherinformation,seetheiradverton thispage.
Rightaroundtheregion, youngfarmers,orchardists andgrowersareshowing they’vegotwhatittakestobe thecountry’sbest.
PrimaryITOleadson-the-job trainingacrosstheprimarysector. Peopletrainingwiththemthis yearacrosstheWaikato,Bayof Plenty,centralNorthIslandand Coromandelhaveallwonmajor prizesorledtheirindustries.
EarlierthisyearBenPurua,who farmsnearTirau,tookoutthe YoungMāoriFarmerAwardatthe AhuwhenuaTrophy,thecountry’s premiereventforMāorifarmingand relatedindustries.
AhuwhenuaYoungMāoriFarmerofthe Year2024BenPuruaandwife,Primary ITOtrainingadviserNikkiPurua.
Inwinningtheaward,Benspokeof theimportanceoftrainingandthe supporthereceivedfromPrimaryITO tocompletehisqualificationsand apprenticeship.
Furthernorth,TeWhangaiTrusthas propertiesintheCoromandel,Huntly, Pukekohe,GlenbrookandMtRoskill. Itaimstoencouragesecond-chance learners,whomayhavemissedouton educationopportunitiesearlieron,to gainskillsandformalqualifications.
TrusteeAdrienneDaltonsaysthey aimtonurturetheirteam.“Thewhole
ideawasaboutgivingahandup.It’s aboutbuildingself-esteem,mana,and breakingintergenerationalcycles.Thisis afreshstart,andtheyleavetheirpastat thegate.”
InPukekohe,JackHaddonfrom vegetablegrowersBalleBrosinMay tookoutsecondplaceintheAuckland YoungGroweroftheYear.Heenrolled intrainingstraightafterleavingschool. “Igotbittenbythegrowingbug,” hesays.“Ilikeknowinghowthings workwiththebiologyandhealthof plants,andenjoyanythingtodowith chemistry…whatnutrientsdifferent plantsrequire,andthedifferent processesinvolvedingrowing.”
Itwasaftermanyyearsand severalcareers,including shearing,orchardownershipand thepoliceforce,thatWaikato taxidermistMarkWalker followedhislifelongpassionfor theartoftaxidermy.
Fourteenyearslaterhehappily spendshisdaysimmersedinthis fascinatingandskillfulwork.
BroughtuponaKingCountry sheepandbeeffarm,Marklived therurallifeoffarming,hunting andfishingandwasnostrangerto processinghiscatches.
“Itrappedpossumonthefarm fortheirfurwhenIwasinmyearly teens,andIcaughtaferret.TeKuiti taxidermistBarryAldridgehelpedme mountthat.Inthosedayswebuilt thebodyframeusingwood,wire, woolandwrappeditinstringbefore
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applyingtheskinoftheanimal,”saysMark. Markhashuntedallovertheworldandhis taxidermymountshavewonmanyawardsand competitions.
His“hobby”increasedduringhistimeinthe policeforce,untilthedaycamewhenheneededto makeithisfull-timejob.
Markmountsanimalsforlocalclients,aswell asanimalssenttohimfromhunterswhohave huntedoverseas.Hehasalsomountedtrophies forinternationaltouristhuntersfromallover theworld.
“Whattheyhaveincommonisadesireto preserveamemoryofacertainhuntand displayit.”
HesayshuntersinNewZealandusuallyhunt wildgameforfoodsobymountingthetrophy noneoftheanimaliswasted.
Markrefusestomountpetsandsaysthefamily’s ownpetsareburiedathome.
Moderntaxidermy
NewZealandclientssendskinsfromAfrican game,Canadianbearsandwolvesandother trophykills.Therulesforimportinganimal remainsarecomplexandextremelystrictandif theyaren’tadheredto,theywon’tbeallowedto enterNewZealand.
Locally,Markoftenreceivesacompleteanimal oraskinnedheadandcarriesoutthepreparation workhimself.
NowadaysMarkhastechnologyathisfingertips andmoresophisticatedwaysofmountingthe animalsthanusingwireandwood.
“Webuyinmannequinsoftheanimalswhich canbeadjustedandsculptedintodifferentposes.”
Theskillsetrequiredincludeshidepreparation andtanning(skinning,fleshingandsalting), sculpting,anatomyknowledgeofeachanimal, welding,painting,sewing,andtheartisticability toconstructarealistichabitatonwhichtomount andtellthestoryoftheanimal.
“Verylittleoftheactualanimalisusedinthe taxidermy.Theearcartilage,teeth,eyesandmouth areallfake.Wemakethemannequinfitthe skinandthenaddalltherealistictouches,using prostheticsandpaintingbysprayingorbyhand.”
Marksaysittakesabout16hoursofworkto mountanaveragedeerhead,butsomethinglarger, likeafull-size,wholebodyAlaskanmoosetook him192hours.
“Theprocesshasalesspleasantsideaswellasthe artisticsideandifyoudon’tlovetheprocess,you don’tdoit!”
Theimportanceofconservation
Markdescribeshimselfashavingapassionfor animalsandapassionforconservation.Bearing inmindwhathedoesforaliving,thatsounds likeanoxymoron.
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Anunddersttanddingof f anattomyiisoneof f the manyskillsrequiredfortaxidermy.
Markwithsome ofhiswork. Photos:CatherineFry.
Heuseshissevenexperiencesofvisitingand huntinginAfricawithina500,000acre (202,342hectare)conservationareatoillustrate hispoint.
“Humanshaveexpanded,stoppingthenatural movementofAfricangameanimalsacrossthe plainswithman-madeboundaries.Theanimals keepbreeding,andthedelicatebalanceoftheir ecosystemsaredestroyed.
“Theyarecompetingforfoodandwater resourcesandfightingforterritory.Weneedtobe responsibleforpreservingthesehabitatsandthat meanscarefullyregulatedcullingofspeciesthat aren’tendangered.
“Tomethatisconservationandishelpingstop theextinctionofmorespecies.”
OnthepropertyMarkhashuntedon,regulated huntingtakesplaceonlywhenthereisaspecific needto,suchastoomanymalelionsthatseason. Huntersfromallovertheworldpaytohunt andtakehomethe trophyheadandthe localvillagesreceive everythingelse.
“Theyuseabsolutely everybodypartyoucan imagineandvirtually nothingiswasted. It’stheunregulated poachingthatis theissue.Animals, includingendangered ones,arekilled indiscriminatelyfor theirvaluablepartsand therestislefttorotand Ican’tcondonethat.”
InNewZealand, Markisonhislocal
MaungaotamaStreamandWetlandRestoration Trustcommittee.
“It’satinyconservationprojectcomparedtothe Africanone,butwe’retryingtoimprovethewater qualityforthewholecatchmentandpreservethe wetlandhabitat.”
Thegrouphasplanted60,000nativesaroundthe wetlandandispleasedtoseenativebatpopulations increasing,alongwithbirdssuchaskaka,kererū andkotoreke(marshcrakes).
Warmerweatheranddaylight savingbringsmanyKiwisout intothegarden.However,it’s alsounfortunatelythetimewhen gardenersaremostatriskof catchingLegionnaires’diseasefrom bagsorbulkloadsofpottingmix andcompost. With108casesofthedisease alreadyconfirmedacrossthe countrythisyear,HealthNew
Zealand|TeWhatuOraisurging gardenerstotakecare. “Baggedpottingmixandcompost cancontainLegionellabacteria, whichwhenbreathedin,cancause Legionnaires’disease”saysDrCheryl Brunton,MedicalOfficerofHealth fortheNationalPublicHealth Service.“Thisdiseaseisatypeof pneumonia,whichcanbesevereand insomecaseslifethreatening.”
S Scullptiingamannequiinreaddytoappllythheskkin.
Deermountsnearingcompletion.
see whileon safari.
ImmaginelyingonabedinAfrica,inatennt, intheevening,inthemiddleof awildlifereserve. Imaginestaringthroughtheopenflapata triangleofdarkness.Thenimagine,suddenly,in the e silence,aROAR!Asharp,explosive,repeated d ROOAR!Andimaginethehairstandinguponthe e baackofyourneckasyourealise(gulp!)…it’salioon! We’dseenseveralbigcatsthatafternoon.And d asInervouslywalkedthroughthetreestowards s thelit-updiningarea,myheartwasstillbeating g
faster than usual “Youhearthat lion?”Iasked casually. They had, ofcourse.
Ourcampsitesatundertrees–astunning loocation,oozingwithatmosphere.Andasthesun c cameupnextmorning,birdsofallcolourscalled f fromthetrees.Tinysquirrelsforagedinthedry g grass.Cheekymonkeysswungfromtheropes, d daringmetoleavemytentunzipped.Andona n nearbyrockyoutcropsomeangrybaboonsgot intoascreamingcontest.
ButIcouldn’twaittofindoutwhowon. W WewereoffonaGAMEDRIVE…
“Butdon’tworry,”assuredourKenyanfriends. “Lionsnevercomeintothecamp.”Although,just theweekbefore,twoangrymaleshadstageda grandbattleontheoppositebank. “Myparentstaughtuswhatthelion’scall means,”explainedourdriver.Andhegaveafair imitationofadeep,gruntingroar:‘WHOSE LANDISTHIS?WHOSELANDISTHIS? MINE…MINE…MINE!’
Thethrillscamethickandfast:atrafficjamof stripeyzebras…apaintedgazellescratchingan awkwarditch…amassivecapebuffalolooking decidedlygrumpy…andabeautifulleopard, eyeingusnervouslyfromhighinatree. Then,suddenly,wewereamongstthem–elephants,lotsofthem–mums,mainly,ever protectiveoftheiryoung–andaplayfullittle baby,justamonthortwoold. WOW!Anotherordinarydayin Africahadbegun…
Ababoonisoneofmanyanimalspeoplecanseeon thesafari. Photos:JohnCooney.
A close view of a buffalo.
NZAdventuresoffers multidaybackcountry toursthroughoutthe SouthIslandunderthe ownershipofRobbieand ConnieCrickett.
“Thetoursfor2026will besetinJanuary2025,and thiswillbethelineup,”says Connie.“Thetracksweuse areeasilyenoughcoveredby competentdriversinsuitable 4WDvehicles(lowrange transmission)andallterrain tyresingoodcondition.”
Nootherspecial preparationofthevehicleis required.Accommodation ismotels/hotelandforthe mostparteveningmealsand breakfastsareinrestaurants onsite.Lunchesareeither
stationcateredorpicnic.
TheHighCountryHeritage Touris6or7days.“This tourstartsinBlenheimand travelsdownthespineofthe islandendinginCardrona. “Therearestillvacancieson theHighCountryHeritage TourinNovember2025.”
TheWestCoastExplorer Tourisa5-daytourand startsinHanmerSpringsand finishesinGreymouth.It’sa realcontrastfromthebrown tussocksinCanterbury tothebeechforestonthe Westernsideoftheisland.
“TraxofGoldisa6-day tourstartinginFairlieand finishinginAlexandra,it’sa celebrationofthepastoral andminingheritageofthe SouthCanterburyand OtagoRegions.”
The46Southisa5-day y tourwhichremains extremelypopular.The startpointisinGoreand d itfinishesinCromell.A visittotheBillRichardsoon TransportWorldin Invercargillisonday2.
TheBigSkyisa6-dayttour andstartsinFairliefinishhing inAlexandra.“Thisisour r mostchallengingtourand alittledifferentinthatwwe stayanightinOmaramaa, CromwellandCardronaand then3nightsinAlexandrra.
“So,NZAdventures continuestoofferawide rangeoftoursandlook forwardtosharingthese routeswithyou.”
Formoreinformation,seee NZAdventures’adverton n thispage.
TouringtheSouthIslandina4X4isagoodwaytoseethecountryside.
TalkingosteoarthritiswithNewZealand’sfarmingcommunity
EarlierthisyearIhad acallfromafarmer whowashaving significantproblems withosteoarthritis inseveraljoints: notablyhishands andshoulders.
Ihavemanyfarming clientsandnotmany reach50withoutsome jointissue.Inmany casesitstartswithsome accident,ofteninvolvinglivestock.
Inhiscase,hishandswereextremelypainful. Hefounditdifficulttoclosehishandsandthey hurtallthetime.Shoulderarthritiscanbevery nigglyastheshoulderjointis‘open’,meaningit reliesonligaments,musclesandtendonstostay inplace.Thismeanstherecanbealotofreferred paininshoulders.
Thereareessentiallytwowaysosteoarthritis begins.Firstly,damagetothejointfromtrauma. Secondly,overtimecartilageislostwhichcan leadtojointbonestouching.Whilecartilagehas nonerves,bonescertainlydo.
Regardlessofthecause,cartilagelossoccurs withatrifectaofdysfunctionalprocesses:An overproductionofdestructiveenzymes,free radicaldamageofcartilage-secretingcells (chondrocytes)andassociatedinflammation. Istartedmyclientonanintensiveprogramme for3months.Westartedwithadouble doseofmyjointformula.Thisprovided 1600mgofbothhigh-gradechondroitin sulphateandglucosaminesulphateand400mg ofthelatest100%water-solublecurcumin (fromturmeric)extract.
Ihadareview withhimafter 3months. Hesaidthe improvement hadbeen significantto thepointhe nowhasfull useofhishands andwrists.His soreshoulder hadimprovedtothepointhehardly noticedit.Onceagain,thistestifies tothepowerofnutritionalmedicine forosteoarthritis,andindeedwith
manychronic conditions.
Combining highdosesof chondroitin withsupporting glucosamine andcurcumin fromturmeric canbevery beneficial, especially whencombinedwithan anti-inflammatorydiet.Email meforacopyofmy osteoarthritisprogramme.
JohnArts(Adv.Dip.Nut.Med)isanutritionalmedicinepractitionerand founderofAbundantHealthLtd.ForquestionsoradvicecontactJohnon 0800423559oremailjohn@abundant.co.nz Joinhisnewsletteratwww.abundant.co.nz
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•TryBettaflexfor3monthsandseeforyourself. HowcanBettaflexhelp?
•Chondroitinandglucosaminearebuildingblocksofcartilage.
•Supplementationwithcorrectlevelscansupporthealthycartilage functionandcartilagerepairprocesses.
•NewBioSolve® bioavailablecurcuminhelpsjointfunctionwhile gentleonthestomach.
•Researchindicatesthatchondroitinishighlyeffectiveat 800mgdaily.
JohnArtscomments:
“MylatestBettaflexformulaincludesBioSolve® bioavailable curcuminforfasterresults.Thenormaldoseis2capsulesdailybut Irecommendaninitialhigherdosefor1-3bottlestosaturatejoint tissue.”
JohnArts,Founder,AbundantHealth Cautions:Donottakewithanti-coagulant/plateletmedication.Ifindoubtpleaseconsultyour healthcareprofessional.Notsuitableduringpregnancyorlactation.
Formoreinformation pleasecontact NZAdventures
Pleasephone 032188569
Mobile 0275506727 or 0274354267
Email:info@nzadventures.co.nz Orvisitourwebsite www.nzadventures.co.nz
Lookforwardtohearingfromyou
TALK TO THE EXPERTS TALKTOTHEEXPERTS
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ACoffee-to-Go“inthemiddleofnowhere” hasbecomeacommunitygatheringspace aswellasawelcomerespitefortravellers. JimandJennyStuckeyboughttheir4000sqm WaihoupropertysixyearsagoandopenedKōtare MāraRuralCoffeeStoplastApril,toeasetheir wayintoretirement.TheirBaileyRdcircular drivewayquicklybecameasafeplaceforlocal farmerstotakesomemuch-neededtimeout.
“They’rewelcomed,gumbootsandall,”says Jenny.“Ifwe’renotbusy,theysitontheveranda andchatwithus.”
“Farmingcanbequitelonelyattimes,”saysJim. “MyfamilyfarmedsheepandbeefinManawatū soIknowthedairyfarmersaroundherework reallyhardsevendaysaweek.Ithoughtwiththe importanceofwellbeingbeingsuchabigthing, ourcafecouldbeaplacethatpeoplecomejustto get‘offfarm’for10minutesandhaveacoffee.”
“Often,youknowassoonassomeonestepsout ofthecarhowthey’refeeling.Sometimesthey’re notinthemoodtochatandotherdaysthey
R Rural Waihou’s caffeine fix
wantto,”saysJenny.JimretiredlastEastertorun KōtareMāra,namedforthefamilyofkingfishers thatoftenvisitstheirgarden.Jennycontinued herteachingpositionuntilDecemberwhenshe joinedJimbehindthecounter.“Itwashisgreat coffeethatdrovethebusiness,really,”shesays. “Jim’salsogreatatconnectingwithpeople.”
“Wemakeapointofmakingpeoplefeel welcome,”agreesJim.“Evenifwe’reflatout working,wemakeapointoflookingupand saying:‘Goodmorning’andpeoplelovethat.”
Connectingpeople
Surprisingly,it’salsomeantneighbourshave metforthefirsttime.“Wehadsomeonewalk in,once,hesawafamiliarfaceandsaid;‘I’ve beenwavingtoyoufortwoyearsbutI’venever actuallymetyou’,sothat’sbeenreallycool,”says Jim.
“Wealsoseemtohavebecomealittlebitofa destination,”saysJenny.
“WehavepeoplecomingoutfromMatamata, Paeroa,Morrinsville,TeArohaandmanyofthose arerepeatcustomers.”
Partoftheappealisfreshlybakedscones, sausagerollsandmuffinswithcreativeflavour combinationslikerhubarbwithlimecurdand peach-passionfruit.
“Wegetnewpeopleeveryday,”saysJim.“Some arestrangerstravellingthroughwhohappen uponuswhentheycomeoverthehill.Theycan’t believethere’sacoffeetogointhemiddleof nowhere.Weloveitouthere,”saysJenny.
“Weliveinareallylovelyplacewithabeautiful viewofMtTeAroha.Everydayisdifferentand wefeelasthoughwe’remakingadifferencein people’sday.”
DebbieGriffiths
Jenny serves locals at Kōtare Māra
BirdflureminderforNZ
Highpathogenicityavian influenzaisaviraldiseasethat affectsbothdomesticand wildbirds.
HPAIvirusescausehighmortality inpoultry(chickens,turkeysand, quail),andwaterfowl(ducks,geese, andswans),saysastatementonthe MPIwebsite.
StrainsofHPAIhavebeen circulatinggloballyformanyyears, withmanycountrieshavingseasonal outbreakseveryyear.In2020,anew H5N1strainofthevirusemergedin domesticatedandwildbirdsacross thenorthernhemisphereandbegan tospread,saysMPI.
“Thelikelihoodoftheintroduction ofHPAIH5N1onpathwaysthat wemanageislow.Forexample, therearetoughimportrequirements
onriskcommoditiesthatcouldbe contaminatedwithHPAIsuchas poultry,meat,eggs,andeggpowders.
“Asinformationemergesabout thedistributionoftheH5N1strain ofthediseaseinAntarctica,wewill haveabetterunderstandingabout thelikelihoodofHPAIH5N1 reachingNewZealandthroughwild birdmovements,”saysMPI.
“Wehaverobustsurveillance systemstodetectHPAI,shouldit arriveinNewZealand,andweare monitoringdevelopmentswiththe diseaseoverseas.
“We’reworkingcloselywithpoultry industrybodiestosupportyour preparednessforHPAI.Wewantto makesureyouknowtherightactions totaketoreportandcontainthe spreadofHPAIifitarrives,while keepingyourselfsafe.”
MaiinllineSSheettmettalls manufacturetow-alonghay racks,whicharedesignedto holdtwoconventionalbalesof hay,makingthemperfectfor feedinghaytocalves.
Thesecanbeinthecalfshed,but theyreallycomeintotheirown whenthecalvesheadoutsideonto thepaddocks.
AuniquefeatureoftheMainline hayrackisthefront-loadinghay compartmentthatfoldsdownto waistheightforeasyloading.
Haywasteisminimisedfirstly bythepermanentsheetmetalroof whichkeepsthehaydryandanyhay thatfallstothegroundwillstayclean underneaththehayrackandcanstill beeaten,saysaspokespersonfor theorganisation.
“Alsosuitableforgoats,sheep,deer,
h horrsesannd ollder r catttleannd worrks wellwithhaylage.
Madefromgalvanisedsteelbox section,100x100mmgalvanised meshandgalvanisedsheetsteel, theunithasexcellentprotection fromcorrosion.
“Thewidefootprintofthehay rackprovidesgoodstabilityin thewindandwithlargeranimals. Towingbetweenpaddockswith yourquadbikeorfarmvehicleis madeeasywiththetowingeyes.For sandyraceways,wecanaddsome additionalsteeltotherunners.
“Wealsomanufacturearangeof dogkennels,amobilechickencoop, andanextensiverangeoffueltanks forfarmandindustry,completewith allthecomplianceyoumayrequire.
“Thehayracksrecentlyfeaturedon OnceaDayFarmer.Andrewdoesa wonderfuljobofpromotingfarming inNewZealand.”
Peoplelooking g tohave chickenintheirbackyard needtomakesuurethey havetherighthousing forthem,nommatter theweatheer.
TheChookyard’sCChris Brookissharinghertoptipsfor peoplewhowanttohavepoultry butdon’tknowwherretostart.
Chrissaysappropriiate housingiskey.
“Makesurethey’vegot somewherewarmannddry tobe,andsomewherreoutof thehotsun.
“Chickensneedgood fencingbecausethey y will destroyyourgardenss.Theyalso needsomewheredry y fortheir foodwhereitwon’tbbeattackedby sparrowsbecausespaarrowsbringdisease.”
Chrissayshavingffreshwaterandgood foodwillkeepyourcchickenshappy andhealthy.
“Makesuretheirfooodhasagood proteinlevelsomewhherebetween17 and20percentofproteinatleast. Peoplehavetorememmberthatchickens
arenotvegetarians.”
OnethingChristhinksnewchookownners shouldnoteisthatchickensliveforafair r amount oftime.
“YouhaveBrownShaversandtheyliveuntil they’refive,andyourheritagebreedswill l easily liveuntil they’re e 10.
Chrissayspeoplewanting chooksshouldviewed aspetsandnot commodities.
“Allotof peopplethink thaatBrown Shaaversand Hyy-Line chiickensare nollonger ofannyuse afterthhey’re 18monthhsold becausetheybothgo intoamoultatthat stageanddonn’tlayeggs forsixweeks.Thenthey comebackonthhelay butmanypeoplearrequite confusedaboutthat.”
Shesaysthosewhomake e thebest chickenkeepersare“peopllewho see themasapetratherthhana commodity–soyouknow w –ifyou stoplayingyou’regone”.
A feasibilitystudyintosettingup alow-emissionsshippingcorridor betweenTaurangaandZeebrugge inBelgiumviathePanamaCanal hasbeencommissionedbyZespri andoneofitskeyshipping partners,ANL/CMACGM.
Zespriexecutiveofficersustainability RachelDepreesaysshippingplaysa criticalpartinNewZealand’sexportdriveneconomy,carrying99percent ofthecountry’stradebyvolumeand around80percentbyvalue.
“Low-emissionsshippingisacritical partofcarbonreductionforexporters
AllTerrainPollination(2017)Ltduseawetpollenapplication systemforsprayingpollendirectlyontothefloweranddeveloped specificallyfortheNewZealandKiwifruitindustrytoassistgrowers inachievingmaximumresults.
andunderpinsourcollectiveability toachievethegovernment’sgoal ofdoublingexportvalueoverthe next10years.Collectivelyweare alreadyfacingrisingcostsascarbon ispricedintotheeconomyandour marketsandcustomersarestarting todemandtargetsandplansto loweremissionsovertime.”
Shippingfocus
ANL&CMACGMOceania managingdirectorShaneWalden saystheCMACGMGroupis aglobalplayerinsea,land, airandlogisticssolutions,and placesthepreservationofthe environmentattheheartofits strategy,withacommitmentto reachNetZeroCarbonby2050 acrossallitsactivities.
“Inshipping,CMACGM isfocusedonreducingenergy consumptionaswellasusing sustainablelow-carbonenergies wherepossibletoacceleratethe energytransitionofthesector, includingthatofkeycustomers suchasZespri.
“NZisanimportantcountry fortheCMACGMGroup. Thecountryhasageographic advantagethat,withsupport, couldallowNZtoplayaroleas amaritimeenergyhubforthe SouthPacific.”
“Weembarkeduponthisproject withZespriandEYasitis imperativethatwejointlyaddress climatechallengesinthesector tosupportNewZealand’s maritimetrade.”
Depreesaidshippingemissions areoneofthekeychallenges todecarbonisingthekiwifruit industryandmeetingZespri’s climatecommitments.
“Whilekiwifruitisalow-carbon product,shippingemissions makeupalargerportionofthe product’soverallcarbonfootprint at43percent–andthat’swhy actionisapriority.
Globaleffort
“Likemanyexporters,Zespri can’tdirectlyreduceshipping emissionsourselvessowe’re workingwithourshippingand distributionpartnerstoimprove efficiencyandfindopportunities topilotlow-emissionsfuels solutionsasweworktowardsour ambitionofbeingcarbon positiveby2035.
“Thisincludes continuingto advocatefornew portinfrastructure andsupportingthe introductionofmore lowemissionsshipping vessels,fuelsand technology–allof whicharecriticaland whichrequire significantinvestment.
“Theproblemis significantandthe answercomplexbutwe doknowsuccesshere willrequirecoordinated actionacrossgovernment andsupplychains,” saidDepree.
Complex
Thereportoutlines thecomplexityof decarbonisingshipping andwhat’sneeded fromalltheplayers acrossthevaluechain fromexportersto shippingcompanies, fuelcompanies,ports andgovernments,and confirmshowvariedand significantthechange requiredis. Keyfindingsinclude: Europeanportsare alreadymakinglarge investmentstoaccept alternativefuelships (whicharelargerthan conventionalvessels) andsomearealready runningon100percent renewableenergy. Collaborationwith otherNZexportersand acrossthesupplychainis criticaltoshowdemand, reducecostandspeed upinvestment.
KiwifruitisshippedoutofthePortofTaurangaeachyear. Photo:PortofTauranga.
LocatedinTirau,New Zealand,PGOHorticulture andHydroponicSupplies pridethemselveson exceptionalserviceanda widerangeofhorticultural andhydroponicproducts.
edgetechnologysuchasfertilizer dosingsystems,NewZealand andcrop-specificnutrients,and additives,”sayNeville andDaniel.
Ownedandoperatedby NevilleandDanielStocker, theybringmore40yearsof experienceindesigningand installingeffectivesystems, ensuringtailoredsolutionsfor bothcommercialgrowersand dedicatedhobbyists.
“Specialisingingreenhouse automation,weprovidecutting-
“Ourexpertiseinsystem designandinstallationmeans you’llhaveeverythingnecessary forthrivinggrowth,fromsimply Stonewoolrightthroughto advancedhydroponicsetups.
“Whetheryou’reupgradingan existingsystemorembarking onanewhydroponicjourney, wedelivercost-effective, reliablesolutionsforvarious methods,includingNutrient FilmTechnique(NFT),Ebb &Flow,DeepFlowTechnique
(DFT),media-baseddripper systems,andAeroponics.We alsoaddresswatertreatment andfertigationneeds.”
Withstrongtiestoindustry leaders,NevilleandDaniel ensuretheirproductsare rigorouslytestedandtheir adviceisgroundedinreal-world knowledge.
“Ifwedon’thavewhatyouneed, we’lldoourbesttosourceit.
“VisitusinTirautoexplore howwecansupportyour growingambitions.Contact PGOHorticulturetodayfor expertguidanceandquality supplies.Together,let’s cultivatesuccess!”
NZgrowersgetaccesstoSouthKoreanmarket
NewZealandblueberrygrowershavethe greenlighttoentertheSouthKorean marketforthefirsttime.
MinisterforTradeandAgricultureTodd McClayhasunveiledthelong-awaiteddutyfreeagreement,withtheMinistryforPrimary Industriesworkingbehindthescenestogain biosecuritysign-off.
BlueberriesNewZealandchiefexecutive KelvinBezuidenhoutsaysgrowersexpect positivespin-offsandalotofcompetitionfrom localproducersandrivalSouthernHemisphere exporters.“Weknowtherearegoodopportunities forourwindow.
“Therearenotsufficientblueberriesforthemto supplytheirmarketallyearsoit’sreallyuptousto exploittheopportunitywehavebeengiven.”
NZsellsabout80percentofitsexportcrop toAustralia,withSouthEastAsiancountries VietnamandSingaporealsotakingNZberries. SouthKoreanconsumerswillhavetopaya premiumfortheNewZealandfruit.
“Theydohaveachoiceatthemoment,they’ve gottheirowndomesticproduct.
“IntheSouthernHemispherewindow,thereare Chileanblueberriesinthereatthemomentand we’llhavetocompetewiththose.
“Typicallytheirproductwillprobablybeata lowerpricepointsowe’llhavetoproveourselves thatit’sworthpayingapremiumforagreatNew Zealandproduct.”
Growershadbeenlayingthegroundworkata recenttradefairAsiaFruitinHongKongtomake inroadsinthenewmarket.
Kelvinsaystheremovaloftariffscertainlyhelped.
“It’sanewmarket.We’vegottodotheleg-work inthemarkettogetthetradeestablished.”
CycloneGabrielledevastatedcropslastyear, hesaid,butgrowersareontrackthisyearfora bumperharvestthisseason.
McClaysaystheagreementunlocked anestimated$5millioninannualexport opportunities,whileKelvinsaysthatfigureis atargetasgrowersestablishafootholdin SouthKorea.
Anautomaticrobustpestsolution
NZAutoTrapsmanufacturea rangeofNewZealand-made automaticpesttraps.
TheAT220pesttrapisan invaluabletoolforfarmers,offering arobustsolutiontothepersistent problemofpestcontrol.
Designedwiththeunique challengesofagricultural environmentsinmind,thistrap providesanefficient, low-maintenanceoptionfor managinginvasivespeciesthat threatencropsandplantedareas, spreaddiseasetolivestockand
reducestoredfeed,says aspokespersonforthe company.
“Effectiveinthecontrolof mice,ratsandpossums(with theby-catchofmustelids andferalcats),oneofthe keyadvantagesoftheAT220 forusersisitsself-resetting mechanism,whichallows ittoresetupto100times withouttheneedformanual intervention.
“Thisfeatureisparticularly beneficialforlargefarms whereregularmaintenanceof trapscanbetime-consuming andlabour-intensive.By reducingtheneedfor frequentchecks,farmers andlifestyleblockowners canfocusmoreontheircore activitieswhileensuring continuouspestcontrol.”
TheAT220isalsoequipped withanautomaticlure dispenserthatrefreshesthe non-toxiclureatcustomisable intervals,ensuringthatthe trapremainseffectiveover longperiods.“Thisiscrucial formaintainingconsistent pestmanagement,whether itisinremoteandhard-toreachareasofthefarmor nearfeedstorage.
species,alsomakingitasafe optionforusearoundlivestock andpets.
“Thetrapautomatically deactivatesduringdaylight hourstoprotectnative
“Forthoseinruralsettings, theAT220notonlyhelpsin protectingcropsandlivestock
frompestsbutalsosupports broaderbiodiversitygoalsby reducingthepopulationof invasivespecies.Thiscontributes tohealthierecosystemsandmore productiveandefficientfarmland.”
TheAT220pesttrap.
Soughtafterbaitstations
PhilproofLtdmanufactures andsuppliesNewZealand’s leadingpestcontrolbait stationsandproductsfrom theirfactoryinHamilton. Theirbaitstationsareused tocontrolawiderangeof NZpests,includingpossums, rodents,rabbits,wallabies, andferalcats,intheharshest ofenvironmentsaroundthe country.Thesamesinglebait stationcanbeusedtoserve baittoallthesepests.“This isunmatchedbyanyother productonthemarket,and theycanaccommodatepellet, block,softsachetsorpaste bait,”saysaspokespersonfor thecompany.
“MadeinNZsincethemid1990s,theyarethebaitstation professionalsaskforbyname andcontinueprotectthousands ofhectaresofNZbushfrom thedestructioncausedby introducedpredators.
“Thoughdesignedtokeep yourbaitdryandactivein toughbushconditions,theyare justasusefularoundthefarm, inyourbushblock,shelter belts,streamandwetlands.They
GaryandhiswifeAnnalisetookoverPhilproofbackinApril.
aresafer,morepractical,and moreresponsiblethanthepiece ofpipemostamateursuse.”
ThenamePhilproofcomes fromanamalgamationthe originaldesigner’sname,Phil, andthetoughwaterproofand easytouseproducthecreated.
Philproofisundernew ownershipsinceApril2024, afterGaryandhiswifeAnnalise purchasedandtookoverthe business.Bothcivilengineers, theywillbringanewideasand innovativeproductstoPhilproof intheyearstocome.
Protectingfarmsandcommercialproperties
powerful insecticides that work together to provide comprehensive protection for
farms and commercial properties.
RipcordandRipcordXtraaretwo powerfulinsecticidesthatworktogether toprovidecomprehensiveprotectionfor farmsandcommercialproperties.
Ripcordisoneofthebest-known insecticidesonNewZealandfarms, saysBSAF,acompanythatoffers thetwoproducts.
“Withjustoneeasyapplication, itprovideslong-lastingprotection fromnuisanceflies,lice,andticks aroundtheherd.Itslipophilic formulationallowsittobindtothe oilsinanimalcoats,providinga long-lastinginsectrepellenteffect.
“RipcordXtraisapowerful insecticidewithaspecialised formulaforgreaterinsectcontrol andtreatmentflexibilityaround livestock.Itsuniquemicrocrystallineformulationhassuperior residualaction,deliveringcontrol
within30minutesandprovidinglong-lasting protectionagainstawidevarietyofdifficult insectpests.Beingalowdoseformulation, RipcordXtraisacost-effectiveoption forcommercial,domestic,and publichealthsituations.”
protection against a wide variety of difficult insect pests. Being a low dose formulation, R pcord Xtra is a cost-effective option for commercial, domestic, and
RipcordandRipcordXtraare MPIapprovedforuseinpremises processingallanimalproduct, andindairyfarmsanddairy processingpremises,makingita safechoiceforprotectingcows againstflieswithoutanymilk withholdingperiod.
“Protectwholefarmsand premiseswiththisdynamicduo offeringrapid,powerfulandlonglastingprotectionagainstinsect pests.
Ripcord provides treatment
Ripcordprovidestreatment flexibilityaroundlivestock, saysBSAF.
“Theircombinedstrengthwill providecomprehensiveinsect controlandtreatmentflexibility, deliveringcost-effectiveresults withminimalcosts.”
Aresponsiblechoiceforrodentcontrol
Acost-effectiveoptionforlarge pestcontroljobs,Selontraoffers “superiorperformance – working threetimesfasteronrodents thanstandardbaits,”sayspest controlcompanyBSAF.
“Plus,ithasstop-feeding technologyforreducedbaitwastage thatensuressignificantcostsavings.”
Theproductistoutedas“anideal solutiontousearoundbirds,as theyare50timeslesssensitivethan rodentstothecholecalciferolactive”.
FREEpestcontrolbusiness setuptohelpyouwiththecontrolofpests onandaroundyourproperty.Runbythree localBOPguysthatarewillingtohelpout
•Goats•Pigs
•Turkeys•Peacocks
• Deer
• Wallabies
“Thismakesittheresponsiblechoicewhenthere isariskofsecondarypoisoning,”saysacompany spokesperson.
“Selontraalsocontainssafeguardstohelpprevent accidentalhumanconsumption,includinga w warningdyeandthebitteringagentBitrex,which is s usedinaconcentrationthatisundetectableto roodentsbutactsasahumantastedeterrent.This ennsuresthatSelontraisaresponsibleandeffective chhoiceincontrollingrodents.”
Selontracanbeusedinandaround d domestichomes,industrial,commercial,and aggriculturalbuildings,animalhouses,farms, w wharves,publicservicebuildings,hospitals, fooodprocessingfacilities,abattoirs,transport veehicles(includingships),aroundgrainterminals, sttorageareasandfencelines(includingperimeter feencelines).
FormoreinformationonSelontraSoftBait, seeeBSAF’sadvertonthispage.
Whyisragwortconsideredapest?
Ragwort,anativetoEuropeandwesternAsia, wasoriginallyintroducedtoNewZealandinthe 1890sasagardenplant.
0277558572
caleb.waikoha@gmail.com
However,ithasbeenlongbeenrecognisedas aninvasiveagriculturalpestplant,accordingtoa statementontheWaikatoRegionalCouncilwebsite. Ithasunpalatablefoliagethatispoisonoustostock, withheavyinfestationsabletoreducepasture productionthroughoutNewZealand.
Whyisitapest?
Whileragwort,whichhasbrightyellowflowerheads (2cmacross)clusteredattheendofbranches,is primarilyapastureweed,itisalsocommonlyfound inwasteplaces,coastalareas,riparianmargins, shrubland,openforestsandswamps.
Onceestablished,ragwortcanspreadrapidlyand invadecleanpasture.Heavyinfestationsofragwort
reducepastureproduction, inturnreducingthe farm’scarryingcapacity andimposingfarm managementcosts ontheoccupier.It spreadsreadilyoverlong distancesviaitswinddispersedseeds.Seedscan alsobespreadviamachinery andstock.
Ragwortismoreapparentondairyinganddrystock properties,whereitisharmfultograzingcattle, deerandhorsescausingliverdamage(cirrhosis), photosensitisation(skininflammation),jaundice andweightloss.Itcanalsocauseskinirritationand allergiestohumanswhenhandledextensively.
Nativebugscontrolgreenhousetomatopests
Aprojectaimingtorevitalise integratedpestmanagement ingreenhousetomatoesis usingnativebugstocontrol twoofthecrop’smajor insectpests.
PartoftheALighterTouch programme,whichaimsto supportgrowersmovingfrom agrichemicalreliancetoan integratedpestmanagement approachtocropprotection, theprojectisapartnershipwith TomatoesNewZealand. TheNewZealandnative predatorymiridbugEngytatus nicotinaehasbeenidentified ashavingthepotentialtobea usefulbiologicalcontrolagent inthebattleagainstgreenhouse
whitefly(GHW)andthe tomato-potatopsyllid. Demonstrationsitesin commercialgreenhouses throughoutNewZealandduring thepasttwoyearshaveachieved greatersuppressionofGHW andTPPpopulationsusing naturalpredatorsthanwithafull chemicalapproach.
Growerresourcessuchas
Farmersspendingmillionsonpestcontrol
Farmersarespendingmillionseachyearon pestcontrolbutmanyfeellikethey’renot gaininganytraction.
FederatedFarmerslatestpestsurveyof700farmers foundfarmersarespendingonaverage$5.45a hectarecontrollingpestslikedeer,goats,possums, catsandgeese.
ByusingStatisticsNZdataonthetotalarea farmed,thegroupestimatesthetotalspendonpest controlis$74million.
Ontopofthatitsestimateddamagefrompests costsjustover$10ahectareinlostproductionfora grandnationaltotalof$139millionperyear.
FederatedFarmerspestmanagementspokesperson RichardMcIntyresaidit’sahugecostforrural communitiestobecarryingatatimewhenmany farmingfamiliesarealreadystrugglingtoturnaprofit.
“Thisisaveryseriousproblemthat’scosting Kiwifarmersalmostaquarterofabilliondollars everyyear.”
However,morethan30percentofthosesurveyed saidtheirshooting,trappingandpoisoningeffortsare makingnoinroadsintoreducingferalpestnumbers.
“Farmerscanspendafortunecontrollingpestson theirfarmbutiftheneighbourisn’tdoinganything, thepestsjumpthefenceandyou’rebacktosquare one,”saysRichard.
decision-trees,pestactioncardsand ‘howto’videoguideshavebeen developedfromtheprojectand sharedwiththeindustry.Thesecan befoundontheTomatoes NZwebsite. Asaresultoftheproject,the tomatoindustryiscurrentlyshowing asignificantshifttowardsBCA-based pestmanagementprogrammes,with alllargegrowersnowparticipatingin IPMprogrammes,andmanysmaller growersalsosuccessfullyusing biologicalcontrols. Formoreinformation,see Bioforce’sadvertonthispage.
Pestsenjoyingyour gardenmorethanyou?
Use beneficial insects to fight for you instead! NaturalPredatorsandParasitoidsavailableevery weekforthecontrolof:
ThripsMites AphidsFleas WhiteflyFungusgnats Psyllidsandmore… bioforce.co.nz
Bugs can be a problem pest for growers. Photo: Francis Ferrada-Hartley
S Supplying dairying’s concrete needs
Morethanthreedecadesofexpertisein theconcretingindustrycombinedwithan in-depthunderstandingofdairyfarming needscombineinAblePrecastSolutions.
Thecompanyhasbuiltareputationforeffluentand feedsolutionswhichexceedexpectations.
CalebRikasaysAblePrecastSolutionsspecialises inthedesign,manufactureandinstallationall everythingneededtocollectandseparatedairy effluentsoitcanbeeasilystoredorspreadtopasture.
“Wecanprovidewhatyouwantwhetherit’sa completelynewsystemorretrofittedelementsofan existingsystem.
“Ourstonetrapsareagreatoptionforcollecting stones,sandanddebrisbeforeeffluentgetstothe pump,sumporstorageandourweepingwallsystem isapopularchoiceforsolidsseparation.
“Sumps,neededonsiteswithlimitedgravityto
TheAblePrecastSolutionscrewworkonvarious projectsaroundtheregion.
storage,areavailablefrom12mupto125m.”
AblePrecastalsospecialisesinthedesignandbuild offeedpadswhich,thankstoanevengradient,make foreasyscrapingandfloodwashing.
Dedicated d tomaking g adifference
Thenewownersof WhakatanePrecast areexcitedaboutthe opportunitytocombinetheir passionforconcrete,their loveoftheEasternBOP andtheircommitmentto exceptionalservice.
Under the leadership of general manager Jonas Wagner, a seasoned professional with a
strongengineeringbackground andacareerrunninngservice businessesinthecoonstruction sector,thecompany y isdedicated tomakingameaninngful differenceinthereggion. WhakatanePrecasst’s commitmentissummmed upbythesimpleetthos; “StrongTeam,Touggh Products, Lasting Relationships” Whakatane Precast
produuctrangefocussesonthelocal rural, , civilanddrainagesectorsas wellaascustomproducts.While qualittyisattheforefrontoftheir thinkking,theyalsoknowthat havinnggreatstocklevelsiscriticalto ensurrethattheproductisavailable when n theirclientsneedit,saysa spokeespersonforthecompany. AquuickvisittotheiryardinTe Tahi Stisallyouneedtowitnessthe
newpositiveenergyandrelentless workethictheteamisputtinginto thisfantasticlittlebusiness.The yardishumming,stocklevelsare pumping,andtheproductslook amazing.
Ifyouarelookingforquality precastconcreteproducts,at affordableprices,goseeJonasand theteamatWhakatanePrecast,you won’tbedisappointed.
New owner Jonas Wagner.
Potassium,orpotash as it’s known in its f fertiliser form,rrepresents the ‘KK’iin the NPK trioofmostessentialnutrientsforplants.
Although it doesn’t currentlyget theattention that nitroggenandpphospphorusdoes,ppotassiumiseqqually y vitaltogrowtheamountofhigh-qualityfoodwe needforourselvesandouroverseasmarkets.
Whatispotash(potassium)?
COSTEFFECTIVE RETRACTINGROOFSYSTEM
Canberetrofittedto existingconcretewoodor blockbins Uniquespacesaving sectionaldesign
COAST
Thewordpotashcomesfrom“potash”,apotassium productoncerecoveredfromthewoodashesof coastalplants.Priortothe1790s,thiswasathriving cottageindustryintheseasidecommunitiesof developingnationslikeAmerica.Sadlyforthese communities,thissourceofpotassiumwassuperseded bythediscoveryofhugemineraldepositsinplaces likeChileandlater,Canada,Russia,andBelarus. Today,thetermpotashisusedtotalkabout potassiumfertilisersingeneral,butparticularly potassiumsulphate(K2SO4)andpotassiumchloride (KCl),alsocommonlyreferredtoasmuriateofpotash.
PotassiuminNewZealand
Potassiummakesuparoundtwopercentofthe earth’scrust,soit’sanabundantelementaroundthe globe.However,therearenolargemineraldeposits inNewZealand.Andmanyofoursoilsaredeficient inpotassiumorhavebeendepletedoftheirnatural reserves.Soourvolcanicashsoilssuchasallophanicsoil, andourorganicsoilslikepeat,arelikelytoneedpotash. Whilenitrogenandphosphorusarekey componentsinbuildingproteinsandthestructural partsofplants,potassiumfunctionsquitedifferently.
Essentialforgrowingquality pastureandmaizecrops
Potassium
Conventional&organic
MuriateofPotash(MOP)
•Fast-actingsourceofK
•Economical
SulphateofPotash(SOP)
•Fast-actingsourceofK
•Hasaddedsulphur
SulphateofPotash (SOP)
•Fast-actingsourceofK
•Hasaddedsulphur
PhostaK
•Cost-effectivesourceofK
•SlowerreleaseofK
•Hasaddedsulphur,magnesium, andtraces
+Trace elements
Manystudiesmade in the last few decadestellusthatppotassiumcontrols thetransportofwateraroundthe plant.Itcontrolsthemovementof waterinandoutofcellssothatplants remainturgidanduprightwithstrong, sturdystems.
Potassiumalsoregulatestheopening andclosingofthestomataorpores foundonplantleaves.Oneofthe keyrolesofthestomataistoprevent waterbeinglostfromtheplant.But potassium-deficientstomataareslowto close.Thisleavestheplantvulnerable todroughtstress.
Apartfromwatermovement, potassiumisinvolvedin photosynthesis.Thestomatawhich openandcloseforwater,alsoallow gaseslikeCO2andoxygentobe exchangedwiththeatmosphere. Whenthereisadequatepotassium,the gasescanmovefreelyinandoutand photosynthesiscanproceednormally. Additionally,potassiumisinvolvedin activatingenzymestoproduce ATP(adenosinetriphosphate),the plant’sprimarysourceofenergy. AndATPisessentialfortransporting nutrientslikenitrates,phosphates, calcium,andmagnesiumaroundthe plant.SopotassiumandATPare importantformaintainingoptimum utilisationofanyappliednitrogenand phosphatefertilisers.
Apartfromregulatingwater movement,photosynthesis,and nutrientutilisation,potassiumis
vitalforcropquality.Forexample, thestarchcontentofgrains,andthe sugarcontentoffruitaredependent ontheavailabilityofpotassium.Root andtuberdevelopmentincropslike potatoesalsodependonadequate potassiumsupplies.
Potashdeficiency
So,howdoyouknowyouneedto applypotash?Symptomstypicallyappear inlatespring/earlysummeronolder leaves.Someplantswillshownecrosis (leafspots,blight,scab,rots,etc),and chlorosis(leafyellowing).Clovermay showwhitespotsontheleaves.Inall casestheremaybeareducedgrowthrate andadecreaseinturgidity. Pasturewillexhibitapatchwork patternnotunlikethatseenwith nitrogendeficiencywhereurinepatches showmoregrowth.However,there willbeacontrastinwhatgrowsinthe urinepatchesandsurroundingpasture. Withapotassiumdeficiency,both ryegrassandcloverwillbefoundinthe urinepatches,butnocloverpresent elsewhere.Withanitrogendeficiency, theurinepatcheswillbegrass dominant,andthesurroundingpasture willbeamixofryegrassandclover. Asalways,ifashortageissuspected, thebestsolutionistostartwitha soiltest.
Springtime the right time for lime
Makingthemostofthe season’scropsandpasture maybeassimpleasagood applicationoflimethis spring,andRorisonshave theproductandthepeople tomakethathappen.
Farmbudgetshavebeen stretchedtightlyoverthe pastseason,andqualitylime productsmaybethelow-cost solutiontounlockpastureand croppotentialwithoutbreaking theoverdraftlimit.
Oftenasimplecorrectionof soilpHwithalimeapplication
isallittakestomakethemostof thefertilityalreadylockedinthe soilprofile.Limecanbethekey tounlocktheseason’spotential.
“Butevenifyoursoilneeds somethingmorethansimply lime,theteamcanhelpheretoo,” saysacompanyspokesperson.
“Withasolidreputationbased on60yearsofsupplyinghigh qualitylimeacrossthecentral NorthIsland,Rorisonscannow alsoprovidefarmcustomers withawiderangeoffertilisers, soilconditioners,blends,organic productsandtracemineral mixes.Allaredeliveredtothe sameprofessionalstandardour
limeproductsarerenownfor.”
Tooptimiseyourapplication thisspringitmayalsopaytoget someadviceonapplicationrates andtypestomakethemostof thisyear’sfert’budget.
“Knowingyournumbers” whenitcomestoyoursoil’s fertilityiseasierthanever, thankstoRorisonsalsooffering afullsoilandplanttesting service,withinputfromskilled, knowledgeableadvisorswho knowhowimportantitisto getthemostoutofeveryfert dollarspent.
Formoreinformation,seetheir advertonthispage.
DeadlineloomingforHeritageFarmingAwards
Farmingfamilieswithalongheritageoffarming theirlandhaveuntilNovember30,2024, tosubmittheirapplicationintimeforthis year’sintakefortheNewZealandCentury FarmsandStationawards.
Familieswhohavefarmedtheirlandsince1924 orearlierareeligibletoapplyforthisspecial acknowledgmentoftheirhardworkandperseverance.
NZCFSAchairpersonEdwardFitzgeraldsays judgingbythenumberofapplicationsalreadyin, it’sgearinguptobeanothergoodyear.Hesaidthis year’seventheldinMayinLawrencewasanother hugehitwithvisitingfamilies,andthecommittee continuestoreceiveaccoladesfromthosewho attended.“Theawardrecipientsfindthewhole processaveryrewardingandemotionalexperience–fromthegatheringoftheirfarminghistorythrough tothecomingtogetherofextendedfamilyatthe
MrFitzgeraldsaysitisachanceforallgenerations toreflectonthechallengesandachievementsover morethan100yearsandsharethosememories,which areoftenverysimilar,withotherfarmingfamilies.“It reallyisaspecialevening.”
Thecommitteefirmlybelievethatkeepingany farmorstationinafamilyfromgenerationto generationthroughchallengingtimesisanimpressive achievementanddeservestoberecognised.
Todate,morethan630familiesfromthroughout NewZealandhavejoinedthisexclusivecircleof centenariansandsesquicentenarians.Theprogramme hasa“firstin,firstserved”policy(cappedat40 familiesperyear)foreachawardseventandthe committeewillusediscretiononwhethertheycarry applicationsoverintoafollowingyear.Thedeadline forthe2024applicationroundisNovember30.
Furtherinformationcanbefoundonthe NZCFSAwebsite:www.centuryfarms.co.nz
KateFaulkshasbeenvotedto theRavensdownBoardfora three-yearterm.
InwelcomingKatetotheboard, BruceWills,Ravensdownchair, saysvotingshareholdershave madeaprudentchoice.
“ThecombinationofKate’s farmingexperience,foundational governanceexperienceandher passionforourco-operativeand thewidersector,meanssheisan idealadditiontotheRavensdown Board.Iamverymuchlooking forwardtohercontribution.”
Kateisanactivefarmerand directorofAltavadyFarmand
GlenkerryFarm(partofasixfarmbeef,dairyandforestry familyfarminggroup)anda memberoftheNorthOtago SustainableLandManagement GroupSteeringBoard. Since2022,Katehasbeen theboardinternofPort Otagoanditssubsidiary ChalmersProperties. Shehasdevelopedinsightinto scalecommercialgovernance, strategydevelopment,working withseniormanagement, engagingwithregulatory shareholders(OtagoRegional Council),andstaffingandhealth andsafetymatters.
Theteam conducting soiltesting.
Prisonersfindinglife-changingcareersinhorticulture
Fromtheprisontotheorchard, auniqueprogrammeisoffering formerinmatesawayback intosocietybygivingthem careersinhorticulture.
Morethan60prisonershave nowbeenthroughthescheme,run byhorticulturallaboursupply companyThornhill.
WorkerRobertKaiwaifromRuatōria joinedtheprogrammetwoyearsago andtoldRNZhe’slovingthemahi. “Iwasbroughtupworkingtheland,
backuphomeandthat.Gardening andevenonthefarm,mostofthe workI’vedonehereI’vedoneinmy upbringing,”saysRobert. Buthislifehadbeenheadingdowna verydifferentpath–andheendedup inprison.
Reactions
“Ibasicallyjustendedupinasituation andreactedinanot-so-goodmanner, yeahjustviolenceandthatwhichlanded meafive-and-a-half-yearsentence.”
Thornhill’sAccommodatetoWork Schemetakesmenfromprisons
inTongariro,Whanganuiand Hawke’sBay.Onreleasetheyare givensubsidisedaccommodation, threemealsaday,asupportteam, transport,andafullypaid orchardjob.
Neartheendofhissentence, Robertwastoldaboutthe programme,anddecidedto signup.
“It’skeptmeoutoftrouble,kept mebusy–toobusytogogetinto troubleanywhere.Myfocusison workingandsavingup,”hesaid.
Growingup
TuroaPeitaisalsopartofthe scheme,hehadspenttwo-and-ahalfyearsinprisonforgrievous bodilyharm,andonceouthe wenttoworkintheorchardsfor Thornhill. “Iwastrappedinthe cycle,wouldhavedonethesame thingifI’dgottenout.Itwastime formetogrowup,”hesaid.
Beforeprison,hehadbeenliving intheBayofPlenty.
“Iwasheavilyaddictedtodrugs, Iloveddrugsandcrimeandthat... IloveditandIwasprettygoodat it–Ithoughtthatwasmyforte, beingauserandaloser,”Turoasays.
“Mylifenowismean,Ijuststay focusedonmyshort-termgoals bangingout.Drugsplaynopartin mylifeanymore,I’veknockedthat onthehead.”
Althoughithadbeenahard processgettingtowhereheis today,saysTuroa.“Endedupinthe loonybinatonestage,endedupin thementalwardthroughmydrug abuse.”
Schemedevelopment
Thornhillbegantheschemefive yearsagowithjustoneperson,and programmemanagerDrewBibby saidthey’vesincehelpedmorethan
60formerprisoners.“Weare takingthebestpeoplecomingout ofprisonbutwe’renotnecessarily lookingatwhatthey’vedonein thepastorhowbadtheywereor howbadtheirattitudewas,it’s howgoodtheirattitudeisnow,” saysDrew.
Careerpaths
“We’renottryingtoholdthem inthiscareerforgood,Imean therearegreatcareerpathsbutif theyjustwanttogetontheirfeet, getstabilisedforafewmonths andiftheywanttobeabuilder... that’sgreat–we’llfacilitateany careerpathwhetherit’sexternal orinternal.”
Oneofthoseoverseeing theworkisassistantvineyard managerFraserAgnew.
“Everyonedeservesasecond chance–Inormallydon’ttalkto themaboutwhattheiroffences were–they’reherenowwithus andit’smovingforwardsothat’s howIjudgethem,”hesays.
Theprogrammereceivesno governmentfunding,andBibby saidhewasnotawareofany
Contact:
HamishMcKain -GeneralManager/AvocadoGrowerServices 0272202005•hamish.mckain@dms4kiwi.co.nz
WillieHerder -AvocadoGrowerServices 0276673849•willie.herder@dms4kiwi.co.nz
IvonaKopecka -AvocadoGrowerServices 0272664901•ivona.kopecka@dms4kiwi.co.nz
otherbusinessesofferingprisoners workandaroofovertheirhead whentheywerereleased.
Hewasencouragingothersto startsimilarschemes–andsaid whileitdidnotalwayswork out,formanypeopleitwaswhat stoppedthemreoffending.
“Alothavecutthatcycleand alotarestillouttheretoday doingproductivethingsintheir community,”hesaid.
“That’swhywearestilldoingit fiveyearson,everytimeitdoesn’t workit’sabitofabummerbut forthemajoritywearegetting reallygoodresults.”
Theprogrammeisgivingpeople likeRobertandTuroaafuturein thehorticultureindustry.
“Couldn’taskforbetter,and it’salloutdoors–freshair.Ijust likemyfreedom,myoutdoor freedom.Thiskindofworkis whatI’musedtodoingsoI’ll probablycarryonlearningnew things,”saysRobert.
“Youneedagoodroutineaye... it’sgivingmestructureand somethingtowakeupto,” saysTuroa.
WarrenSargent -AvoGreenManager 0279000292•warren.sargent@dms4kiwi.co.nz
MattRoyackers -AvocadoGrowerServices 0272000788•matt.royackers@dms4kiwi.co.nz
ToniMorrison -AvocadoGrowerServices 0272654469•toni.morrison@dms4kiwi.co.nz
TuroaPeita(left)andRobertKaiwaiarepartofThornhill’s AccommodatetoWorkScheme. Photo:AlexaCook,RNZ
NZKGICEOColinBondsays theRSEchangesarearesultof constructivedialoguewithofficials andtheMinister. Photo:NZKGIsupplied.
RSESchemechangeswelcomedthroughtheregion
FollowingtheGovernment announcementtorevitalisethe RecognisedSeasonalEmployer (RSE)Scheme,industry membersandlocalMPsare seeingitasapositivechange forourhorticulturalgrowers.
Changesincludetheincrease tothecapforthenumberof workersby1250to20,750for the2024/2025season.
Schemechanges
Otherchangesincludeworkers beingpaidanaverageof30hours aweekoverfourweeks,lifting thepauseonaccommodation costincreases,payingexperienced RSEworkers10percentabovethe minimumwage,recognisingtheir productivity,improvedflexibility forRSEworkerstomovebetween employersandregions,multientryworkers’visasduringthe season,workertrainingandskills developmentnotdirectlyrelatedto theirrole,noscreeningforHIV andincludingTimor-Lestein thescheme.
NewZealandKiwifruitGrowers IncorporatedCEO,ColinBond, saysthattherecentlyannounced changestotheRSEschemearean excellentresultforthekiwifruit industry.
“Theywerebroughtaboutasa resultofNZKGI,otherindustry bodiesandemployersworkingin constructivedialoguewithofficials andtheMinister.
“RSEworkersplayacriticalrole forourindustry,fillingpositions unabletobefilledbyNew Zealandersandsupportingthe economiesbothofNewZealandas wellasthecommunitieswhichthe workerscomefrom.
“NZKGIwillcontinueconstructive talkstoensureareliableand sustainablesupplyoflabourfromthe schemeforourgrowers.”
DMSHRmanager RachaelTrimblesays DMSwelcomesthe changesanditfeels liketheGovernment havelistened toindustryand responded.
“Wehavehadto absorbsignificant changeandcostover theyears,manyof whichwereinresponse toCOVIDchallenges.
“ForDMS,thechangeshelp ustorealignconditionsforallof ourworkers.
“ThewinsforRSEworkers arehigherpayratestorecognise experience,theabilitytogain skillsdevelopmentandnewvisa conditionsthatallowthemtogo backhomeduringtheirworkperiod toattendimportantevents.”
TheGovernmentissupporting BayofPlenty’shorticultureindustry withthesechanges,especiallythe increaseinthecap,MPforBayof PlentyTomRutherfordsays.
“BayofPlentygrowerswillbe excitedthattheGovernmentis implementingthechangesthey’ve beenadvocatingfor.Thiswill beamassiveboostforourlocal horticultureindustry.
Governmentresponse
“OurGovernmentiscommitted toincreasingthenumberofRSE workersovertimeinlinewith industrydemand,whilebalancing theavailabilityofNewZealanders andaccommodationforworkers.
“OurlocalBayofPlentyindustry canexpectmostchangestobe deliveredbyearlySeptember2024, improvingflexibility,andreducing costsandcomplianceforemployers.
“Ican’twaittoseetheboostthese RSEchangeswillbringtotheBay ofPlentyhorticultureindustryand ourlocaleconomy.”
CoromandelMPScottSimpson, shareshiscolleague’senthusiasm forthechangesbeingmadeforthe scheme.
“Improvingthealreadyvery successfulRSEschemewilladdeven morebenefitstoeveryoneinvolved andbeabigplusforourregion.
“Deliveringthechangesquickly providescertaintyforemployers whileatthesametimegiving increasedflexibilitytoRSEworkers.
“That’sgoodnewsallroundat atimewhentheGovernment istryingtogetNewZealand’s
economygrowingandthriving again.“There’sstillsomefurther worktobedonetoimprovethe wideraspectsoftheschemebut fornowthesechanges,including
increasingthecapby1250RSE workers,willgoalongwayto ensuringthisseasonwillbea goodone.
“It’ssomethingmyNational
PartycolleaguesandIcampaigned on,alongwithourcoalition partnerACT,andI’mpleased it’sanotherelectionpromise fulfilled.”
Above: MP for Coromandel Scott Simpson and MP for Bay of Plenty Tom Rutherforrdarebothenthusiastictoseethepositiveeffectoftherecent governmentchhangestotheRSESchemeinthe2024/2025growingseason.
Photo:AlexCairns
Photo:MarkMitchell
Wenowhavea CNCPlasmaCu er -Profiles, PrivacyScreens,CortenSteelSigns,PropertyNamesEtc
•Cer fiedWelding
•NCBrakePressandGuillo ne Servicesupto6mm@3.1Mtr
•RefurbishingPlantandEquipment
•ServiceVehiclesSetUpForBreak Downs&HydraulicHoses
•Service&Maintain
OnJuly26,KatheDavey-Emmswaspullingoutof EastBankRoad,turningleft,towardMatatā.There wasalineofcarsbackedupacrossthebridgewaiting toturnrightintoherroadand,asshepulledout,a carheadingtowardWhakatānepassedthewaiting cars,crossingthedoubleyellowlineinthemiddleof theroad.
“Inearlygottakenout,”shesaid.
Shewassoshakenbytheincidentthatbythe timeshereachedtheMatatāstraight,shewasalmost intears.
Shesaidtheincidenthighlightedtoherthedanger oftheintersection.
Davey-EmmsmadeapresentationtoWhakatāne DistrictCouncil’sinfrastructureandplanning committeelastmonth,askingthemtoprioritise safetyimprovementstotheintersectionoffthelocal road,whichisusedbysimilartrafficnumberstothe nearbySH30.
Shehasdoneasurveyofpeoplewhousethe intersectiondailyandanonlinesurveythrough ThorntonPrimarySchoolonEastBankRoad.
“Ihavegotfeedbackfrom85peopleinour community,and85peopleagreedwithme.
“Thisisaverybusyroad,wehaveThornton PrimarySchool,EastPackandFonterradownthis road,”shesaid.
Councilresponse
Councillorsacknowledgedtheintersection wasdangerous.
“Ithinkyourpointisdulynotedbyusalland Ithinkwe’veallexperiencedsimilarincidentsas
youhaveoutlinedinyourreporttoday,”councillor AndrewIlessaid.
CouncillorGavinDennisdescribeditasa “deathtrap”.
InfrastructureBevanGraysaidthecouncilhad somechallengesaroundroadfundingsincecentral governmenthadcutallocationstocouncilsinthis areainthepastfewweeks. Afrighteningnear-missincidentrecentlyhasleftan Edgecumberesidentconcernedforthosehavingtouse EastBankRoad’sintersectionwithThorntonRoad.
TransportationmanagerAnne-EliseReynoldssaid thespeedlimitonthatpartoftheroadcouldbe consideredaspartofthecouncil’sspeedmanagement plan,whichwasduetobediscussedatanupcoming workshop“followingthelatestroundofcentral governmentinformation”.
Thespeedlimitiscurrently100km/hr.
ShesaidshewouldtakeDavey-Emms’submission awayandprovidesomeoptionsforcouncillors toconsideratthenextinfrastructureand planningmeeting.
CouncillorJulieJukesaskedReynoldswhetherany changestotheintersectionwerelikelytomeetany NewZealandTransportAgencyWakaKotahifunding eligibilitycriteria.
“Giventhefollowingreportonourfundingcuts, Ithinktheanswerislikelytobeno,butI’mgoingto askanyway.
“Giventhepresent[political]climate,it’svery unlikely,”Reynoldssaid.
“Thereisasmallamountoffundingyettobe allocated,butintermsofprioritisationwithprojects we’vealreadygothighlyprioritised,wewouldneedto lookatwhereitstacksup.”
EastBankRoadresidentKatheDavey-EmmshashighlightedconcernsaboutEastBankRoad’s intersectionwithThorntonRoadinEdgecumbe. Photo:TroyBaker/LDR.
FARM
Anostalgic caravaan restoraation
When Peter Newman handed the reins of his business to remaining interested in the for since 1970 as a cabinet
WhenPeterNewmanhanded thereinsofhisbusinessto histhreesonsin2020, hesteppedbackwhile remaininginterestedinthe companyhehadworked forsince1970asacabinet maker,andthenownedwitha businesspartnerfrom1980 until2004.
In2024,TrailLitecelebratedits 70-yearanniversary,andthemen restoredoneoftheirowncaravans thathadbeensittingintheiryard foryears.“Itwasfirstbroughtto ourattentionwhentheoldowner contactedustoseeifweknewhow olditwas.Itwasfrom1956,two yearsafterthecompanystartedin 1954,”saysPeter.
Waikatofarm
AftervisitingtheWaikatofarmto seethecaravanhimself,Petermade anoffertobuyit.
“Itwasinreallygoodcondition, quiteunbelievableforitsage.”
TherestorationtookPeteraround threemonths,working25-30hours aweekandhereallyenjoyedbeing backonthetoolsagain.
“Mygoalwastorestorethe4.5 metrecaravansympathetically reusingasmuchoftheoriginal materialsasIcould.WhereIcouldn’t dothat,Iusedtraditionalstyle partsmadefrommodernmaterials andabout95%ofthecaravanis stilloriginal.”
Afterremovingthealuminium exterior,somewaterdamagedtimber framingwasreplaced.Around25% oftheoriginalaluminiumwas reused,andtheremainingpanels weremadeusingtheoldpanels asapattern.
“Theexercisewasagreat
opportunitytointroduceour apprenticestosome‘new’old skills,especiallytheroofwhich hasacomplexcompoundcurve atthefront.Theysawhow thingswerebuiltusinggood oldKiwiinitiative.”
Watertight
Modernsealantsnowensure thatthesmartgreyand redpaintedexteriorstays watertight.Someoriginal chromebeadextrusionshad tobereplacedwithaluminium fabricatedoneswrappedwith chromewrap.
“Mostoftheworkinside wasagoodoldcleanand scrubfollowedbysanding, paintingandvarnishing. IsavedtheoriginalFormica workbenchwithitschrome edgedetail.”
VEHICLES & MACHINERY
2024HamiltonMotorhome, CaravanandLeisureShow.
Thesquabsandcurtainswere replacedbutPetersaysheused thesamecolourmaterialasthe originalsquabs,takingcaretoadd thepipingandbuttondetails.
Theinteriorissurprisinglyspacious, withperioddetailsbringingback memoriesofabygoneholidayera beforethedaysofcassettetoiletsand usbports.
Peterandtheteamareproudofthe littlecaravan,anditwillbespending timeinboththeNorthandSouth islandswherepeoplecansharein itsnostalgia.
•FarmDrainage •Dams/Ponds •Demolition •SwimmingPools •HouseSites
ZD1221
30HPKubota3-CylinderDieselEngine CuttingHeight25-127mm,reardelivery ShaftDriveDeck&HydraulicDeckLift
FittedwithLA344Loaderand RCK60Mid-mountmower 23HPKubotadieselengine
Switchingbetweenmowinglawns& frontendloaderworkhasneverbeen easier.TheBXloadercanbeattached withoutleavingthedriver’sseat
Deluxereclininghighbackseat,spacious operatorarea,cruisecontrolandeasyto reachcontrols *Imagewithoutmowerdeck.Price includesmowerdeck.
Therestoredcaravanatthe
Photo:supplied. Photo: supplied.
Peter put the time into sanding, painting and varnishing the wooden cabinetry
A lino oor in keeping with the era