Rural Living December-January 2014

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December/January 2013-14

Fair cop! page 35

www.ruralliving.co.nz

Selling point JOE WALLS HAMMERS OUT BIDS

page 16-18

TAKING A PUNT on Will Desire page 4, 8

RURAL | FASHION | BEAUTY | FOOD | GARDEN | HOME | MOTORING | TRAVEL

Pukekohe 09 238 7019

2 — Rural Living — December 2013 - January 2014

Pukekohe 09 238 7019

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Rural Living — December 2013 - January 2014 — 3

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From the editor...

Hi everyone, Amazing – one minute it’s all talk of Christmas and a flurry of gift buying then, suddenly, we are heading for the New Year with a bit more celebrating in the offing.

As we leap from 2013 to 2014, I sense a feeling of optimism, nationally and locally. On our real estate front, both lifestyle and residential sales have been motoring along with new building taking off in Patumahoe, Pokeno and also around Pukekohe township itself.

I understand many retailers were happy with festive shopping outcomes and, on the other side, the pre-Christmas weather

was pretty well perfect for haymaking.

In general, those enjoying life in Franklin, seem contented with their lot be it farm, lifestyle block or inner urban patch.

My wish for the community is that this optimism will help promote personal and business confidence. Sitting back on our ploughs, garden seats, or waiting room seats is not the way to growth.

While some caution is always called for, those who plan wisely, go forward boldly and put in the hard yards, have every chance of prospering. But that doesn’t mean completely sacrificing family time and a little personal

pampering. A good management strategy will ensure work and play are balanced.

Of course, right now, it’s still holiday time for many people and some will only now be setting out for a few days away.

Do remember those safe driving rules. Please, if towing caravans or driving mobile homes, and travelling more slowly than other traffic, remember to pull over if a long queue has formed behind your vehicle.

It only takes a few minutes to let traffic pass and forestall congestion frustrations.

While we may not be responsible for the actions of others we do need to consider our

inside RURAL Page 6-7 A Publication of Times House Publishing Ltd

Freephone: 0800 456 789 Ph: 09 271 8080 www.ruralliving.co.nz info@ruralliving.co.nz Editor: Helen Perry DDI 09 271 8036 Email: editor@ruralliving.co.nz Sales Consultant: Kate Ockelford-Green DDI 09 271 8090 Email: kate@ruralliving.co.nz Caroline Boe DDI 09 271 8091 Email: caroline@ruralliving.co.nz Art Director: Clare McGillivray DDI 09 271 8067, Fax: 09 271 8071 Email: clare@ruralliving.co.nz Manager: Karla Wairau DDI 09 271 8083, Fax: 09 271 8099 karla@timeshouse.co.nz Publisher: Brian Neben

Page 25

Page 8

Jo’s plum lifestyle choice

Page 26 Page 27 Reay’s Diary

Page 28

Over the gate with Wendy McGowan, new president of Rural Women New Zealand

Beach on a budget

Page 12

How sweet it is

Bumpkin Banter and images from down on the farmlet

Page 16-18 Best bets at Karaka from horse’s mouth

Page 20-21 Legal obligations on animal care

50 Stonedon Dr, East Tamaki, AKLD PO Box 259-243, Botany, Auckland 2163 Ph: 09 271 8080, Fax: 09 271 8099 Like us on facebook DISCLAIMER: Articles published in Rural Living do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers or editor. All material is provided as a general information service only. Times House Publishing Ltd does not assume or accept any responsibility for, and shall not be liable for, the accuracy or appropriate application of any information in this newspaper. All the material in this newspaper has the protection of international copyright. All rights reserved. No content may be reproduced without the prior written consent of Times House Publishing Ltd.

Living Win! – prizes galore

Page 9

Holden makes trax – pages 40-41

4 — Rural Living — December 2013 - January 2014

Helen Perry Editor

covershot

Ian Cooper – turning good land to many uses Brian’s Diary – a country lad’s perspective

own decisions on the road and sometimes we are our brother’s keeper too!

Well, enough philosophy… for those heading back to work shortly, I hope you are refreshed and ready for new challenges; for those on holiday, relax, enjoy and have a great time.

To you all the very best for an exciting year ahead.

Page 32 Page 33 Summer dining guide

Page 35 Jolly good – fellowship

Page 36 Real estate overview by Kevin Seymour

All eyes are on Brian Neben’s yearling, Will Desire, in the hope he will have a promising track future in harness racing. After Brian’s successful pacer Elsudoku was recently sold to Australia, the Rural Living publisher decided not to send Will Desire to the New Zealand Bloodstock yearling sales at Karaka in January, 2014.

Rather, he will keep him and put him with trainer Geoff Small at his harness racing stables, Zenola Farm, with a view to see him debut on the racetrack towards the end of 2014.

Photo Wayne Martin

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Rural Living — December 2013 - January 2014 — 5

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Blooming on a small block In order to live his lifestyle dream and provide his family with a rural home close to town, Ian Cooper has turned his small block to many uses over the years. Here he talks with Anna McNaughton about his journey.

In 1995 Ian Cooper was just two years out of university, having majored in botany and accounting, when he started hunting for an affordable piece of land.

A four-acre slice of hillside with a barely liveable C1910 cottage, close to Pukekohe, proved to be the affordable small block he was after.

Initially sharing the cottage with rodents and a huge bees’ nest, Ian went to work on renovating the home and returning sour pastureland to the plough.

“Old horseshoes, goats’ bones and rocks were regular finds while turning the land,” he says.

“But the soil was good, volcanic loam, ideal for outdoor flower growing, which was the plan.”

The advantages of Ian’s degree were reinforced with the practical benefits of having grown up with his parents’ garden centre business which meant the flower growing venture was well researched and planned from the start.

Branding proved essential for the marketplace – PickMe Flowers soon became a soughtafter name securing a good place in the auction room and the attention of the buyers.

“Communicating with buyers was essential to stay ahead of the all-important fashion trends in cut flowers for both local and export markets,” Ian says.

“We grew a variety of flower and foliage plants, which required great attention to detail when it came to the

Ian Cooper hands-on cycle of soil preparation and planting, growing the plants, keeping the gardens bug and weed-free, picking, packing, cool-storing and marketing.”

Plants included sunflowers, asters, calendulas and cannas for foliage. One successful plant

6 — Rural Living — December 2013 - January 2014

was solidago or golden rod.

“An autumn flowerer, this plant had to be grown under lights so that when artificial light was withdrawn the plants were fooled into flowering in time for our summer market,” says Ian.

He also grew novelty plants such as ornamental gourds, pumpkins and chillies, although sunflowers, asters, marigolds and cannas were the bread-andbutter plants.

Apart from a two-year stint exclusively on the land, the business was fitted in around fulltime work so Ian and wife Vicky could finance a new family home.

Now, that house is home to Ian, Vicki and their boys, Alex and Josh. It has one fascinating feature – an attached glasshouse which forms a useful extra living space but is also filled with amazing tropical plants.

Bananas thrive in the warm shelter producing large hands of delicious fruit much more easily than outdoors and Vicki has favourite recipes for baking with the surplus.

Giant passionfruit and star fruit also thrive, along with tropical seeds which Ian enjoys trialling.

Sitting high on the hill, the Cooper home overlooks acres of regimented vegetable plantings on the flat volcanic land below while lie of their own land is now in complete contrast to that which Ian first started on.

“The need for family time dictated a change from intensive flower production to tree planting,” he says.

Natives and exotics now thrive behind the shelter belts which once protected the flowers. Fruit trees are also a large part of the new direc-

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shears to you!

Photos Wayne Martin

Tropical plants flourish in an attached glasshouse which acts as both extra living and a garden. tion. Avocados, a mixture of Hass, Fuerte and Reid, have been planted with a view to an enterprise for the boys as they, and the trees, grow.

What’s more, an extensive orchard is filled with choice varieties, the family’s horticultural skills being used to graft their own tried-and-true favourites.

Varieties include: ■■ Pears – Williams’ Bon Chretien, Doyenne Du Comice, Winter Cole.

■■ Plums – Sultan, Billingtons, Elephant Heart, Omega, Santa Rosa, Black Doris, Coe’s Golden Drop, Hawera, Duff’s Early Jewel, Fortune, Purple King, Satsuma, Louissa.

■■ Apples – Kingston Black, Egremont Russet, Red Jonathon, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Stayman’s Winesap, Beauty of Bath,

Monty’s Surprise.

At this stage, fruit from the orchard is for family use only but may be developed further down the track.

In addition, a permaculture-style vegetable garden, conditioned by laying hens, completes the transformation to a great Franklin family lifestyle in the country.

Nevertheless, the Cooper’s are within a few minutes of thriving Pukekohe enabling them to enjoy the best of both worlds.

“Although I now commute to Penrose for work, I come home to the lifestyle I’ve always wanted and, these days, I don’t need to work hard at keeping everything immaculate.”

How many sheep can five men shear in eight hours? Well, a massive 2638 if aiming for a world record like the team of five who claimed the honour in the woolshed at Cashmore Farms near Clevedon this month.

The Cavalier Woolscourers Ltd eight-hour, five-stand world lamb shearing record attempt was organised by Waikaretu shearing couple, Sam and Emily Welch with shearing contracting partner Tony Clayton-Greene.

The men’s individual tallies were headed by the 2012 national series champion Angus Moore who sheared 607 sheep.

Others taking part were Sam Welch, himself a world two-stand record holder (his tally 573) Te Akau shearer Coel L’Huillier (518), Sam’s brother, Richard (491) and Peter (Puddy) Totorewa, from Rangiruru (449).

The record was the biggest shearing record in New Zealand for almost nine years. It was recognised by the World Sheep Shearing Records Society which had eight judges present, including two from Australia.

On this occasion Emily Welch, who featured in Rural Living earlier this year and who set a women’s shearing record of 648 lambs in nine hours in 2007, was content to be part of the management and support crew.

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Rural Living — December 2013 - January 2014 — 7

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Make hay while sun shines Brian Neben publishes Rural Living and is also an avid lifestyle farmer

COUNTRY LAD This year proved to be aptly suited to my hay-making earlier in the month.

We had been constantly catching the weather (as one does at hay-making time) when we received a call from our contractor, Ken Hastings who, by the way, is also a neighbour. His message was brief: “We’ll be cutting your hay tomorrow!”

The next day started out a bit cloudy but then Ken arrived, the sun came out and we were underway with our hay. The next day was even sunnier so the hay was turned and dried. It looked a picture.

Mid-morning on the third day, the hay was heaped up ready for baling then came some of the loudest thunder we have heard in a long time with rain not far away. Luckily Ken arrived with his baler and made short work of the baling.

Running just behind Ken we were able to pick up the bales and get them stored in the barn.

Then, as we made our way back to the house the rain started and kept going for at least an hour.

By this time, the job being

After selling Elsudoku to Australia Brian has his hopes pinned on Will Desire for a bright future. finished, and us into our second beer, we could sit back and relax.

This year has been one of my best ever hay harvests thanks to the weather man and by putting the time and effort into the hay paddocks early on. In winter I grazed them fairly heavily then waited for spring.

I then treated the grass with a broadleaf spray, waited seven days, repeated the spray process and three months later – perfect hay free of dock, thistles and other pesky weeds!

Now, on to my foal naming competition; I thought I would have a winner by now but the names keep on coming.

However, by the time you read this the competition will have finished and we will select the winning name over the holiday period.

This will be announced at the end of January beginning of February edition of Rural Living. To date there have been 62 names submitted so it’s not an easy task to pick the right name but it has been such a

pleasure perusing all the clever options. I really do thank you all for your entries.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you all for reading our magazine each month and for the marvellous feedback I have received throughout the past year.

And now that Christmas is behind us I wish you all a very happy and prosperous New Year. I hope life in our lovely part of Auckland and the country remains good for you all, Brian

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Over

the gate

With

Wendy McGowan

Established in 1925 by women who wanted better social and economic conditions for rural people, Rural Women New Zealand has been an advocate for such communities ever since. Rural Living talks to new national president, Wendy McGowan.

Are you from a farming background?

My husband Rusty and I farm 260 hectares in Kaharoa as a dairy support unit. Like many rural women, I also have a job off the farm. I have a nursing background and currently work as a play specialist at Rotorua Hospital’s Children’s Unit.

financial requirements and data input for their agriculture businesses and partnerships. Women make an important financial contribution in a broader sense, running businesses alongside the farm, often employing local staff.

Our Enterprising Rural Women Awards have uncovered a high level of innovation from women who have set up businesses that can act as a buffer to fluctuating farm incomes. Some become the main source of revenue.

How did you come to be involved with Rural Women?

I joined RWNZ 37 years ago.

It’s been great, offering many opportunities to meet other likeminded people, become involved in the community and develop leadership skills. It’s a great honour to have been elected national president for the next three years, following my term as national vice-president and national councillor for Bay of Plenty/Coromandel.

How important is it that such an organisation exists?

Very important. RWNZ is the leading representative group that promotes and advocates on rural health, education, land and social issues. While many things have changed since the 1920s, some things are fundamental and don’t change, such as the need to feel connected, to be part of a community and to make a difference. We give people the chance to achieve more for their communities than they could on their own.

What can you bring to the role of national president?

I aim to build on our goals to be dynamic, vibrant, leading, innovative and visible at all levels. Encouraging women living in rural communities to voice their concerns and support one another is what we do well.

What has been your organisation’s greatest triumph?

What really touched the hearts of our founders were stories of backblock women; of their loneliness and illness and the lack of help. Living conditions were

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Wendy McGowan extremely difficult; there was the unceasing toil, the mud track roads, the rivers un-bridged.

There was a need for someone to step in when they were ill or had to leave home to have a baby so members set up the Women’s Division Emergency Housekeeping Scheme. In 1927 advertisements appeared in newspapers for ‘housekeeper, willing to do anything’ and ‘bush nurse, with surgical and midwifery certificates’. Eventually, we ran a training scheme, sending capable women out to farms – women who could take charge of six or eight children, cook, wash and even milk a few cows.

This became our key work, with administration run in-house on a voluntary basis until the 1990s when the work became highly regulated. Today, RWNZ is still involved in the homecare sector through our company, Access Homehealth Ltd, which has contracts with the Ministry of Health, District Health Boards and ACC. Carers and support

workers help people suffering illness or disability, recovering from accidents or operations and people needing assistance for independent living.

What aims does the organisation have for 2014?

We are excited to be leading a UN International Year of Family Farming 2014 project, networking to organise events to highlight the importance of family farms. For most provincial areas, economic prosperity is still dependent on the results of food production and innovation achieved by families. It’s also an opportunity to strengthen the links and understanding between rural and urban people.

How vital is the role of women on the land and are their efforts appreciated?

With the downturn in the price for commodities, women play an important role, either in their own right or as the extra hand in busy times. They often manage

Are there more women involved in farming these days?

I feel more women are farming in their own right, perhaps more so in the dairy industry than meat and fibre. They start early in the process, helping the sharemilker, moving on to become the sharemilker and then into owning their own farms. Many women who lose their husband/partner also continue farming.

What barriers do women face in farming industries?

I think the barriers have been reduced in that we all like to see people prosper rather than fail.

Farming and farmers are exceptional in that we all share information to try and improve our lives and farming enterprises.

What is the first thing you would do if you were Prime Minister?

Breathe a huge sigh! I would try and improve the lives of all New Zealanders, especially the lower socio-economic group. I see education as the key to enable people to help themselves.

If you could invite any three people to dinner – living or dead – who and why?

Dame Jenny Shipley, who could teach me a number of things I still need to learn, Barack Obama – he seems to have the mix right, I admire him – and Sir Elton John, he could play the piano to me all night long!

Rural Living — December 2013 - January 2014 — 9

Head ‘em up, Move ‘em out, Ride ‘em in!

Keep those stories rollin’ Hey readers, Rural Living is keen to corral all your humorous rural rants and anecdotes so we can feature them regularly in our monthly magazine.

We’re always looking for stories from down on the farm or the lifestyle block and from townies too.

Who’s been caught short in the paddock, kicked in the cow shed, butted in the bottom or toughed it out when the power’s failed or the broadband’s slow… beyond belief!

Our Bumpkin Banter page is just one regular feature in Rural Living. Check out Over the Gate, the state of the local real estate market, farm management advice, pest control and Reay and Brian’s monthly diaries.

We welcome, too, any information about rural events from throughout the district and about people of interest. Yep, Rural Living knows the best trails (and tales) lead to Franklin where the community spirit is always rearin’ to go!

Email us at info@ruralliving.co.nz

www.ruralliving.co.nz 10 — Rural Living — December 2013 - January 2014

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Farm nasty darkens area Hemlock, infamous as a poisonous plant which is as toxic to humans as it is to livestock, isn’t commonly seen in Franklin but it is lurking. ANNA McNAUGHTON spotted it blooming merrily on the Patumahoe/Kingseat road.

Spread mostly by machinery, our roadsides and waste grounds are favoured habitats for the harmful hemlock.

Worse still, if it leaks into pastures, it requires diligence to eradicate completely.

Hemlock is pretty in flower and looks innocent with its lacy white flowers borne on tall (up to 1 metre) stems accompanied by ferny leaves.

However, it is easily distinguished from its non-toxic cous-

ins, carrot weed and fennel, by its foul smell and pink-purple speckles on hollow stems.

Livestock normally leave this unpleasant plant unbrowsed but hungry animals can inadvertently ingest it. Small quantities can lead to birth defects if ingested by early-pregnant heifers; large quantities can depress respiration and cause death.

Children have been poisoned after playing with the hollow stems or making ‘salads’ with

the ferny leaves. It’s not a plant you want to harbour on your place and well worth clearing

from road frontages if it has taken up residence there.

Grubbing can be effective but every part of the parsnip-like root needs to be dug up, bagged and burnt.

Spraying is most effective when the plant is at the small crown stage but it can be sprayed at any stage. Ensure all livestock are excluded after spraying and keep well away until the plants have decayed.

Glyphosate (Roundup), Tordon (granules okay for rosette stage otherwise liquid spray) or Metsulfuron (Escort) can all be used but are most effective on younger plants.

keep Eye out for oxeye Imported from Europe, the oxeye daisy with its bold come-hither appearance has become an invasive pasture pest in New Zealand, Australia and the USA. Leucanthemum vulgare, also known as great oxeye, goldens, Marguerite, moon daisy, maudlin daisy, field daisy, butter daisy, horse daisy, maudlinwort and white weed, may look like a pretty damsel, but it is a plant pest currently adorning Franklin roadsides. What’s more it seems to be increasingly invading pasture.

It’s hard to hate the oxeye daisy, with its yellow eye and white petals, but it creeps into pasture and begins to take over.

Unpalatable to stock, the plant’s small rhizomes form a mat stronghold. Chipping out with a grubber is do-able with a small infestation but attention to detail is required – every rhizome must be removed.

It is one of those weeds, along with ragwort and penny royal, which can sneak into your place with bought-in hay; another good reason to check standing hay before purchasing.

If you see tell-tale flowers popping up in areas where hay has been fed out, get onto them before they have become too comfortable. Ideally, bag up and burn all parts of the grubbed-out plants, as flowers will mature and drop seeds if

left on the paddock.

Large infestations require more drastic action. Tordon Max will control oxeye but will damage clover in pasture; Preside will control oxeye without damaging pasture grasses or clover. A severe infestation will require springtime treatments for two or three years.

A perennial weed, oxeye daisy can also be a host for several viral diseases affecting crops.

It is commonly found in poor and wetter pastures especially where there is pugging.

While this sunny flower may not be wanted in our pastures, interestingly its medicinal properties have been used to ease whooping-cough and asthma.

As a tonic, it acts similarly to chamomile flowers.

The flowers are balsamic and when boiled with leaves and stalks and sweetened with honey the mixture is said to relieve chronic coughs and bronchial catarrhs while externally, it is serviceable as a lotion for wounds, bruises and ulcers.

However, experimenting with homemade potions is not advised without proper advice.

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• Mobile: 0274 942 170 • Office: 09 235 0494 Rural Living — December 2013 - January 2014 — 11

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Bumpkin Banter Another month of Bumpkin Banter – comical anecdotes, cute photographs and other bits and bobs sent in by our readers. Keep sending us your briefs, trivia and photos of country life – email to info@ruralliving.co.nz.

Wether you go I will go too!

Back in the day when our family nearly became lifestylers – we owned a two-acre site on the outskirts of Botany south – tending our itty-bitty piece of land was a learning curve.

We never did build on the property but for several years (before selling) we seemed to spend every waking hour maintaining an overgrown hillside and clearing rampant gorse.

To help keep grass down we employed the services of eight sheep and never did heed the warning not to make pets of your ‘staff’.

This resulted in a few heartaches such as failing to save the life of one wee deserted lamb which, despite being taken home to our inner city townhouse, didn’t respond to our resuscitative efforts.

And then there were the antics of one recalcitrant wether

which were constantly overlooked until head finally ruled heart. When a kindly neighbour brought him home after his umpteenth escape, we decided this ram-bunctious mutineer had to go.

We called in the ‘butcher’, a farmer friend who carried out the awful deed and that was that. Or so we thought. About a week later another much more efficient and knowledgeable neighbour phoned to say, “I’ve got your wether here!”

We were dumbstruck. We never did find out who owned ‘wether one’ but as a result ‘wether two’ lived to be a grand old age. I never again had the heart to send him to that great sheep farm in the sky.

PS: I will remain nameless just in case there’s a farmer out there still wondering where his wether went!

It’s been a blue ribbon year for young Cody Johnson and his award-winning calf Rifle. Cody, pictured sitting astride Rifle after the 2013 Karaka School Calf Club Day, went on to take his pet to the Franklin group day and then the Clevedon A&P Show. He won two firsts and a second at the Franklin event and then at Clevedon proudly took out Champion Leading and Reserve Champion Supreme. The honours have now inspired this young man of the land to do even better with next year’s calf!

12 — Rural Living — December 2013 - January 2014

Bear-back! Charlie White, Waiuku’s very own wandering white horse with the cult following, is continuing his antics during the holiday season by popping up in unexpected places. After concerns were raised for his health when seen lying on the back of a ute, being taken who knows where, he popped up alive and well in a Waiuku paddock where he appeared to have kicked out the usual equine residents.

Here he is stocking up on his Christmas party supplies before heading off for a spot of ‘bear’ back riding. No doubt he wanted to lay in a few bevvys to drown his sorrows after unsuccessfully standing for ‘mare’ in the local body elections....or maybe, in the same spirit, he was off to a luxury stable (hoping for an upgrade, of course) with his little friend?

tui time – yeah, right

By Helen Perry I’ve often chatted with gardening friends about the (mostly) welcome return of tuis to urban gardens. I, for one, have been overjoyed that a small group has now frequented my large town section for three or four years.

So much so, that whenever I heard homeowners bemoaning the seemingly endless descant these vocal birds can be guilty of I always solemnly swore, “Never me. I could listen to them all day, every day!”

Well, those words came back to bite me in recent weeks. Or, rather, to give me a tiny reality nip! Outside our bedroom window is a large bottlebrush.

In full scarlet bloom, it soon attracted two or three tuis but one in particular made itself

right at home, on the very topmost branch.

For weeks now (even though the blooms are fading) he has started his calling at about 5am (well before first light) and usually continues till nearly 9pm.

I never thought the day would come when I would say, “damn bird” but, recently, I did. The perfect alarm clock, I rarely mind his ongoing tooting but after a very late night and a restless sleep, Tui Time nearly became, Time’s Up, Tui. Did I ever do a rant ending with, “I’m going to kill that bird!” But all man about the house could say as he pulled the covers up over his ears was, “Yeah, right!” And, he nailed it.

Noisy or not, the tui stays but in the meantime, I’ve purchased some earplugs. Let’s see how they work!

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Makimaki

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Vet Talk with Franklin Vets

– Kindy’s Guinea Pig Miracle

By Dr Andrea Wong, BVSc MACVSc (Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care) Franklin Vets Waiau Pa Kindergarten faced a dilemma after their two resident female guinea pigs became pregnant.

Close companions Snowy and Sugar went on a homestay with one of the children and were inadvertently housed in a cage with a male guinea pig. The average duration of a guinea pig pregnancy is 68 days.

5 weeks along, Dr Phil MacLeod at Papakura Franklin Vets confirmed the pregnancies by ultrasound.

During a normal guinea pig pregnancy there is a gradual relaxation of the ligaments of the pelvis which allows separation of the pubic symphysis (a junction in the bones of pelvic floor).

Just before the pups are born, this separation should be 2-3cm allowing the pelvic canal to be wide enough for the birth.

Typically guinea pig sows start breeding before 7-8 months

Sugar keeps a motherly eye on Makimaki.

Photo supplied

of age. If bred for the first time after this age, the pelvis fails to separate properly resulting in a much narrower pelvic canal and difficulty giving birth.

Obesity, large foetuses, and poor uterine contractions can also be contributing factors.

At 2½ years of age it was likely that Snowy and Sugar would have severe complications with the birthing process.

Inability to deliver the pups

could even result in the death of both mother and baby. With a lifespan of 5-6 years they were also approaching middle age.

When the pregnancies had reached full term, Sugar managed to give birth to two pups but they did not survive.

Anticipating delivery problems and in an attempt to save the unborn pups, an elective caesarian was carried out for Snowy. Guinea pigs

do not tolerate the stress of anaesthesia and surgery well, and the prognosis for recovery is guarded.

“Anaesthesia and surgery is always a risk for small mammals such as guinea pigs, rabbits and chinchillas,” explains Dr Wong.

“They require higher doses of anaesthetic drugs, about the same as what you would give a 20kg dog.

“Their small size means that they are more prone to stress and hypothermia, and they are susceptible to post op infection. It is not easy working in miniature!”

Snowy never fully recovered from her surgery. Fortunately, with no pups of her own Sugar stepped in as foster mum and the pair became inseparable.

Makimaki lives happily with Sugar at Waiau Pa Kindergarten.

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Rural Living — December 2013 - January 2014 — 13

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The never-ending water management story

No one was singing ‘rain, rain go away’ when the heavens opened in the first few days of December swamping Franklin and Waikato with heavy downfalls.

Just days earlier, temperatures hit 26 degrees Celsius in nearby Hamilton, the thirdhighest November temperature since records began.

The deluge was welcome news for Waikato farmers where the soil was drying out and visions of last summer’s drought came to the fore.

With Niwa reporting late November early December as drier than normal in those parts, it is timely to remember that good pasture relies on rain.

And we all know how Franklin’s western parts – Awhitu peninsula for example – can often

miss out on falls of rain.

In fact, because rain is crucial to pasture growth keeping track of weather patterns and forecasts is essential not only for farmers but for lifestyle block owners who run even just a few cattle or other livestock.

These days most folk will check weather sections of the newspaper or go on line to consult the MetService – try taking note of the evapotranspiration rate.

This is what goes into the air from the soil every day and compare it with what rain falls.

The loss can be frightening.

Spring growth in our area was excellent and many folk got in an early cut of silage and hay.

By now silage should all be done but some properties may manage a second cut of hay

which will go a long way to boosting food stocks if the dry sets in and extra feed is needed down the track.

However, it’s wise to remember that grazed pasture is the cheapest feed. Silage and haymaking cost money and time, and grain or concentrates are by far the most costly livestock feeds. Therefore keeping pasture in good condition will help keep animals healthy and save money.

When it comes to weeds – pasture maintenance is always time-consuming and expensive, both good reasons to try and maintain both new and existing pasture for as long as possible.

Sensible grazing management and suitable fertiliser applications will go a long way to achieving pasture longevity

but in every likelihood, weeds will infiltrate.

Of course, the best time to use herbicides for weed control in established pasture is during autumn, early winter or early spring when weeds are actively growing. But weeds can still be removed manually, grub out thistles and pull ragwort if you see these flourishing.

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14 — Rural Living — December 2013 - January 2014

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take simple steps to prevent sheep suffering...

Thirst for advice When planning to buy a lifestyle property it’s easy for the novice to imagine neat green, healthy paddocks, bare of weeds, ready to provide lush sustenance to a few animals.

But humane landowners will ensure there are trees or shrubs to provide shade (and feed) in hot dry summers.

And, of course, this raises the question of water for the animals regardless of whether it’s a few chickens, the children’s pony or a herd of goats.

Yes, it is imperative to maintain fresh, clean water in good sized troughs and have them checked by a neighbour if you are going away.

While the amount of water livestock needs will depend on the type of animals plus age, size, weight and whether they are pregnant or lactating, come summer their thirst will increase. And, again, the

amount may vary according to the amount of shade on offer.

Providing an ‘average’ figure is not ideal but newcomers to small block farming need some guidelines and the following may help.

But, remember, it’s always better to err on the side of caution, i.e. provide more water if at all unsure and consult your vet or a veteran farmer for more advice if needed.

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As Christmas approached, Franklin, like neighbouring parts of Auckland, was struck by the kind of weather usually experienced in February.

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Dealing with either one is not nice. There is no real treatment for facial eczema which causes liver damage and secondary skin damage.

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to administer oral zinc boluses such as Faceguard and Time capsules and you won’t have a problem to deal with. Don’t leave this simple task until it is too late.

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Rural Living — December 2013 - January 2014 — 15

From the horse’s mouth With New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale at the Karaka Sales Complex set for January, JON RAWLINSON took time out to talk to a man about horses.

While some claim the gift of the gab, Joe Walls has his patter down pat. The New Zealand Bloodstock (NZB) chairman and head auctioneer will again take centre stage at the upcoming National Yearling Sales.

After more than 40 years in the industry, Joe says no amount of fast talking can take the place of good horse sense.

“I don’t speak very fast.

Auctioneers in America speak quite quickly, Australians and New Zealanders are similar, but in England they’re slower. It’s important to create urgency, but that doesn’t mean you have to yell or be quick, it’s more important to be understood,” he says.

“I stress to the junior auctioneers that good diction is essential. If people can’t understand, there’s no way they’re

going to trust you with their money. Early in my career I was involved in amateur operatics as well as radio and television, so that taught me how to express myself well. I guess I try to impart that knowledge to the younger fellows.”

But there are hazards of the trade which can leave some auctioneers feeling a little horse!

“On any day I can do between 80 and 100 lots; sometimes, such as during the Karaka sales, I’ll do seven days of that, so that’s six or seven hundred horses called,” he says.

“When I was young I used to get a sore throat and I see others who have trouble. They try too hard, get nervous and strain their voices. I tell them they need to be careful and use their microphones, because once they’ve lost their voices, they’re done for the week. Voices do

become hardened over time though.”

Building trust with vendors and buyers is crucial and success at sales can come down to a single moment, Joe says.

“The horses are two and a half years in the making and we put them in the ring for just a minute and a half, so I guess it gives people comfort to know that their work is taken care of by someone they can trust.”

Since joining the industry as a stock clerk in the 1970s and later becoming CEO and then chairman of NZB and its early incarnations, Joe has forged his reputation from more than just talk.

“You also need to have a good understanding of the product, from a horse’s pedigree and ancestry, to physical attributes.

I see many of the horses I’m going to sell beforehand and

most of the others in the catalogue too.”

While Joe says obtaining a good price for vendors is important, a fair price for both parties is the ideal.

“It’s very important that we don’t sell buyers a lemon because they won’t come back!

It’s the same with any industry, repeat business is important.

We work hard to get people here from all over the world for the sales so we can’t afford to muck it up.”

Trackside, Joe has always had an eye for runaway success stories. “If the definition of a successful horse is one that wins races, then yes I have owned some. But champions are few and far between and I haven’t had one of those yet,” he says.

“Most recently, I’ve raced a couple of fairly moderate performers, including a mare named Cape Treasure which won in New Zealand and Singapore. She’s back in New Zealand now with a good colt at

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16 — Rural Living — December 2013 - January 2014

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Auctioneer Joe Walls, centre, with Clint Donovan, left, and Richard Haynes, right. Photo supplied Right, Zabeel x Better Alternative from the 2013 sales. foot by leading young sire Darci Brahma. I also raced Rimsky who won twice in this country before going to Singapore where he won twice more.”

Each year, Joe purchases at least one horse and confirms even when he hands over the reins at NZB, he intends to stay in the game to some degree.

“When racing is in your blood you never give it away completely. It’s a way of staying in touch with friends. And, if you get a good horse, it’s always a thrill, so the thought of retirement goes right out the window!”

Looking back on his 44 year career to date, Joe says he has been most fulfilled by his calling.

“My father looked after racehorses, so that grew my interest and I became fascinated with horses. I started in Hamilton, going to the sales and working with auctioneers. I was always keen to try my skills and started after about 12 months. It’s been fascinating for me ever since.

“New Zealand’s become one of the great nurseries in the world through horses such as Sir Tristram and Zabeel.

“I’ve been instrumental in procuring good stallions and I’ve travelled extensively marketing horses for the sales. It absolutely has been a most satisfying career.”

Not yet ready to head out to pasture, Joe remains actively involved with NZB wherever

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Horse traders to hit Karaka Lots of Lots are set to put their best hooves forward in January and February as Karaka hosts the New Zealand Bloodstock (NZB) Yearling Sales Series.

1372 Lots have been catalogued across six days: ■■ Premier Sale (January 27-28) – 469 ■■ Select Sale (January 29-31) – 613 ■■ Festival Sale (February 2) – 290 In excess of 160 progeny of stakes-winning mares will be showcased, including the offspring of more than 20 Group One winners.

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Rural Living — December 2013 - January 2014 — 17

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As the National Yearling Sales at Karaka draw near, chairman of New Zealand Bloodstock, Joe Walls, says even those with less to spend can find themselves handling a champion.

“If there weren’t bargains then the richest people in the world would have all the best horses! Someone can buy a horse for $10,000 and it could become the best horse in New Zealand.

“We work in a business where we sell dreams, sometimes they’re fulfilled, sometimes they’re not, but that’s the reason people keep coming back.”

The long-time Patumahoe local says Franklin’s own could grab the brass ring.

“Two of the most impressive studs in New Zealand are based here, Westbury Stud and Haunui Farm. Both are highly professional.

“I was at Haunui last month looking at their horses. It’s one of the best producers of bloodstock in this country and produces a great line of horses every year,” he says.

“Franklin’s a good place to raise horses. The Waikato is generally known as the best horse country, but Franklin has good, strong farming country and its proximity to Auckland is a great advantage.”

He says colts sired by such

Lot 109, Fastnet Rock x Distinctly at the 2013 Karaka Yearling Sales. stallions as Zabeel, High Chaparral and Fastnet Rock look to be on course to secure top dollar at this year’s sales, but there’s unlikely to be a dark horse in the herd.

“I haven’t seen anything that I think will storm the show; I think it’ll be down to those three or four better sires to top the sale.

“Usually, if there is a dark horse, it comes from a stallion that’s pretty well recognised.”

However, prices can climb should buyers become enamoured with a particular lot.

“It might happen two or three times in any particular sale,”

says Joe. “A couple of people will lock horns on a horse and it’ll make twice what I, the vendor or anyone else thought it was going to make.”

Overall, Joe expects sales to remain steady.

“The last two or three years have been fairly stable. We went through a period of large growth during the mid 2000s, but I’d imagine this sale will be quite similar to last year in terms of results.

“Everyone wants a sale that’s up, however we’ll probably go through an even period for a couple of years before any real upturn.”

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18 — Rural Living — December 2013 - January 2014

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The remarkable horse

By Neil Houston, Veterinary Associates Without a doubt, one of the most awe-inspiring things about our equine companions is their remarkable athleticism.

Their sheer power, grace, and refinement of movement have captivated the imagination of people throughout history.

Part of this fascination is because of their remarkable abilities.

Within an hour of birth a thoroughbred foal can run faster than a human ever will and the galloping horse runs at just over 50 km/h.

In humans, an elite crosscountry skier had the highest measured VO2 max or oxygen

carrying capacity, while measurements of almost twice as high may be reached in the thoroughbred racehorse.

A thoroughbred can gallop at more than 50km per hour.

When comparing with other animals of the same weight, researchers found the lung and heart volumes to be twice as large in the horse.

The equine heart is an incredible pump; at rest heart rate is 40 beats per minute (bpm) and pumps 40 litres of blood every minute.

The maximum heart rate at a full gallop can exceed 240 bpm, slightly more than humans can achieve, and is pumping over 240 litres of blood per minute.

With a total blood volume of around 50 litres the galloping horse pumps its entire blood volume every 12 seconds!

Typical heart weights are in the 4.5-5kg range.

Phar Lap had a heart that weighed more than 6kg.

New Zealand birds flock to net While some men may pull out all the stops to pull the birds, two likely lads have found the best way to capture NZ birds is... in-the-net!

Following soon after the release of Paul Scofield and Brent Stephenson’s book, Birds of New Zealand, Auckland University Press has just released its first app, based on the popular photographic guide.

Paul says the app will allow people to more easily identify New Zealand birds when out and about.

“Now that more and more people are using smartphones every day, identification should become much easier for everyone from dedicated experts to amateur birders,” he says.

“This will increase the opportunity for members of the general public to make remarkable findings, such as the recent instance that brought the reclassification of the thought-to-beextinct, South Island kokako.”

Birdwatchers can personalise the app with their observations, build a list of bird sightings, also use sound for identification and

store the list on their device or export it via email.

The ‘Bird Compare’ feature allows users to compare two birds on the same screen (including recordings of variant bird calls) and Smart Search functionality supports bird identification by bird type, size, colour, physical features and habitat and can display information region by region basis.

The Birds of New Zealand app is now available from the Apple app store for $NZ38.99; Android and Windows versions will be available soon.

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Rural Living — December 2013 - January 2014 — 19

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Animal welfare – caring for your herd or family pet

By John Sheddan, partner in Gore law firm Bannermans Caring for animals is a moral obligation for us all, or is it?

Whether you are responsible for a farm full of animals or have a family pet, you have legal responsibilities towards them.

Animal welfare is protected by our Animal Welfare Act 1999.

This legislation provides that the owner or person in charge of an animal is responsible for: ■■ Its physical health and behavioural needs ■■ Treating or humanely putting down sick or injured animals ■■ Ensuring animals are not kept in pain or distress or sold in this condition, unless the sale is for the purpose of the animal being put down ■■ Not deserting an animal

without making provision for its needs ■■ Not ill-treating or killing an animal such that it feels pain or distress, and ■■ Ensuring that animals are fit to be transported.

Codes of Welfare Administered by the newly established Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI), the Act provides for Codes of Welfare to be developed which provide minimum standards of care and also provide recommendations for best practice.

These codes include guidelines for the care of animals for circuses, zoos, companion animals such as cats and dogs, through to sheep and beef cattle, dairy cows and pigs.

You can find out more about the codes on the MPI’s website,

www.mpi.govt.nz Farm animal welfare is administered primarily by the MPI’s animal welfare inspectors whereas companion and domestic animals in urban areas are covered primarily by the SPCA. Veterinarians also have some obligations under the Veterinary Council of New Zealand Code of Professional Conduct and therefore vets are very active in promoting and monitoring animal welfare.

Often, vets will deal directly with the animals’ owners when they are confronted with situations they may find in the course of their practice, with very successful outcomes.

Animal welfare inspectors have the ability to: ■■ Enter land, premises and vehicles to inspect animals

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Dealing with complaints Currently once complaints are assessed, the animals’ welfare may warrant inspection either immediately or in the next couple of days to assess the actual situation and to decide if a formal action plan needs to be put in place to secure the affected animals’ welfare.

Welfare issues may underlie serious and ongoing issues in relation to animal ownership.

Early identification of any concerns, however, will ensure that the situation can be readily addressed with minimal suffering for those animals.

Worst case outcomes can result in the destruction of animals and criminal charges being laid.

The penalties under the Animal Welfare Amendment Act 2012 are “in the case of an individual, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to a fine not exceeding $50,000 or to both; or in the case of a body corporate to a fine not exceeding $250,000.”

It’s important to remember that “animals are sentient – they can feel pain and distress – and as a humane society we have responsibilities to ensure our animals’ needs are met.”

– Reprinted courtesy of NZ Law Limited’s newsletter, Fineprint.

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Rural Living — December 2013 - January 2014 — 21

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“The Government has signalled that it has other options, and if Chorus is financially compromised by the ruling that could well lead to taxpayer support.

“One thing is for certain the future of the internet is not copper but fibre. Whether that’s point to point in town or to light up rural wireless broadband and 4G cell towers, we need to move forward with the technology.”

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As discussions continue over the rollout of ultra fast broadband, Federated Farmers says rural people could be cut short.

Federated Farmers’ telecommunications spokesperson, Anders Crofoot, says the organisation is concerned the Commerce Commission ruling regarding broadband pricing may delay the rollout of the Rural Broadband Initiative (RBI).

“We are watching the political stalemate over who should set the access price to the copper network in comparison to the newer fibre network closely,” he says.

“We’d be deeply concerned if the rollout were delayed, it is essential for rural connectivity and regional economic development. If there is the merest hint money may be taken away from it in order to patch a shortfall from the Ultra Fast Broadband project, rural communities could lose out.”

Federated Farmers supports the Commerce Commission’s ruling, he says, however worries it may prove a “pyrrhic victory for taxpayers.”

ANZ is offering a new, low interest package to help farmers count the cost of environmental sustainability.

The bank’s managing director, Commercial and Agri, Graham Turley, says while fastgrowing Asian markets are producing opportunities for Kiwi farmers, increasing agriculture production is creating challenges for managing environmental stresses.

“If our farming sector is to realise the opportunities available, it must mitigate the effects of growth on the environment.

An increasing number of dairy farmers are adopting new tech-

nologies to increase production and reduce their environmental footprint,” he says.

The Farm Development Package features a loan at 4% p.a. for fulfilling compliance on effluent management, water quality management and water and energy conservation.

It also includes a loan for productivity improvements such as farm conversion, feed systems, milking technology, stock housing and irrigation, Graham says.

“This package makes it easier for farmers to comply with environmental regulation, and achieve sustainable production.”

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RURAL

Timms possum trap – The mainstay of the small run holder

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Ditch Keeling puts a Timms possum trap in place. encourages, the animal to take a sideways bite and this changes the angle of the head as the trap goes off.

This in turn can result in a clean miss or an animal firmly captured but not killed cleanly.

Small cubes of apple or carrot can be used but I favour carrot as it lasts for up to 10 days.

Baits should ideally be slightly wider than they are high as this encourages a straight-on approach and results in good clean kills.

Carrot rings cut at 10-15 mm thick are ideal. Push one of these onto the baiting prong (through the centre) until the carrot hits the bend in the steel.

Additionally, a lure in the form of scented flour sprinkled in a line leading to the trap (about a foot long) is a great addition and will always result in more captures.

Mix standard flour with a small amount of concentrated

cinnamon or aniseed, vanilla essence or anything else you have that smells good; they all work well and the kitchen pantry is probably the best place to start.

Be sure to peg Timms traps firmly to the ground and don’t leave them set when very young children are about.

People also ask how safe Timms traps are around pet cats. I will always leave the final decision to the property owner but I can honestly say that I have never heard of a cat being caught in a Timms trap when baited as prescribed above.

What’s more, I would have no problem having them around my cat (if I owned one).

Happy trapping and have a great New Year from the team at Coastal Pest Solutions.

Please help us to provide the advice you require by sending all pest animal questions to info@ coastalpestsolutions.co.nz.

TRAPINATOR

Although the official possum control season (autumnspring) is over, it would be rather ambitious to assume that our winter efforts have removed them all.

Possums are much more widespread during the summer months making it difficult to target a large portion of the population, hence the wintertimed possum season.

That’s not to say the damaging effects of possums disappear over the summer. Many land owners make contact with people like myself asking what can be done to protect flowers, fruit and vegetables during the off season or while they are away on summer holidays.

The good news is that there is a growing range of possum killtraps on the market and a few of these show some potential but the one that has continued to impress me the most is, without doubt, the Timms kill trap.

Many readers will be familiar with these bright yellow plastic traps as they have been on the market for something like 25 years or more.

There must be hundreds of them out there mouldering away under fruit trees, still doing the business after all this time. At $35-$55 each they represent real value for money and I have yet to find any other kill trap that is as efficient and reliable as this unit.

Baiting is crucial for these traps to function properly and whenever I have had someone less than impressed with the trap’s performance it has turned out to be a baiting issue.

The most common mistake by far is to bait the trap with half an apple or similar fruit, this is far too big as the weight affects the trigger mechanism and makes it harder for the animal to set it off.

Large bait also allows, even

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Rural Living — December 2013 - January 2014 — 23

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Clean Machines for Country Lanes Pests hitchhiking their way across the country could find themselves barred by the farm gate, should new biosecurity practices prove effective.

Federated Farmers and the National Pest Control Agencies have developed a hygiene guideline and logbook for farm machinery known as Keep it Clean.

Federated Farmers’ biosecurity spokesperson, Dr William Rolleston, says the guide is designed to raise awareness about the risk of pests being spread by machinery movements.

“The importance of farm gate biosecurity is graphically underscored with PSA forecast to cost the Kiwifruit industry $885 million over the next 15 years, not including the loss of equity.

“This is why Federated Farmers has joined with the National Pest Control Agencies to promote Keep it Clean.”

He says there are at least 80

pest species known to be typically moved by machinery.

“The pastoral sector is facing the spread of pest plants, such as Chilean needle grass, while trying to contain pest insects, including the Great White Cabbage Butterfly.

“Some of the established pests expanding their range are field horsetail, alligator weed, hornwort, Manchurian wild rice and

Phytophthora taxon Agathis, also known as Kauri dieback.”

The Keep it Clean booklet is a basic but important guide and logbook for farmers which features two key messages, says Dr Rolleston.

“First, to clean your machine with ‘when, where and how’

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suggestions and second, to record the clean-down in your logbook. This becomes not only a tangible commitment to good hygiene practices but a record that could help trace sources of new pests or weeds.”

Chairperson of the National Pest Control Agencies (NPCA), Bill Martyn, adds he is delighted with Federated Farmers’ backing of the initiative.

“We see this as stage one of a longer process. We want to see the adoption of standards by contractors being rewarded and that there is some real meaning and added value to the contractors and those who employ them.

“This is another tool in the pathway management of pests and unwanted organisms and in the development of biosecurity at the farm gate as a concept.”

Fax 09 238 6019 • Email wallaceheron@xtra.co.nz

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24 — Rural Living — December 2013 - January 2014

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Win!

living

To enter the draw for any of these competitions visit www.ruralliving.co.nz click on the competitions link then fill in the form. One entry per person/ email address; entries close January 31, 2014. Winner notified by phone or email.

WIN! The Gentle Art of Preserving Here’s a chance to win a great book that goes far beyond jammaking and bottling fruit. For those with a heart for making the most of land and sea, The Gentle Art of Preserving, by Katie and Giancarlo Caldesi, covers everything from smoking fish Scandinavian-style to the art of Italian-cured ham and salami.

It also offers recipes for pickles, chutneys and jams – every reason to take advantage of seasonal fruit and vegetable harvests. Easy-to-follow steps, beautiful illustrations and fascinating reading, make this a ‘must have’. The Gentle Art of Preserving by Katie and Giancarlo Caldesi. Published by Kyle Books. Distributed in NZ by New Holland. RRP $59.99

WIN! BEAUTIFUL BOTANICALS BY ECOYA

WIN! Cec’s twin home-style Muesli pack

The sensational fragrances of New Zealand and Australian botanicals, discovered by Captain Cook on his voyage of discovery in 1770, form the basis of a new range of fragrances blended with exotic botanicals from around the world. BOTANICALS by ECOYA includes the Metro Jar ($49.95), the Mini Metro ($24.95) and the Reed Diffuser ($69.95) featuring four unique fragrances – Midnight Orchid (luscious, commanding, sensual); Palm Leaf & Tiare Flower (fruity, refreshing, energising); Banksia & Bergamot (decadent, smooth, calming); Jacaranda & Plum (mystical, intriguing, exotic). The Metro Jar is also available in the limited edition Coral & Narcissus. Best of all Rural Living has a Palm Leaf & Tiare Flower by ECOYA Mini Metro Candle and a Reed Diffuser to giveaway. The range can also be purchased from www.ecoya.com and exclusively from Stevens.

Cec’s Smart Start Gluten-Free Muesli is sure to delight Kiwis with special dietary needs, particularly those with diabetes and gluten-intolerances. A light, deliciously moreish, fruit-free muesli, low in sugar – only 3.4g per 30g serving – it contains sunflower, sesame and pumpkin seeds, almonds and cashews, puffed rice, rice bran oil, honey, cornflakes, vitamins, desiccated coconut and quinoa. But for those who crave a little fruit, there’s the new Cec’s Autumn Harvest Homestyle Muesli, made with oats, sunflower, sesame and pumpkin seeds, dried currants and cranberries, almonds and cashews, canola oil, honey and desiccated coconut. Be in the draw to win one of two twin packs containing Cec’s Smart Start Gluten-Free Muesli, 400g (RRP $13.99) and Cec’s Autumn Harvest Museli 500g (RRP $13.50).

Available from specialty food stores and participating supermarkets.

WIN! Quartet of bait stations Thanks to Coastal Pest Solutions, property owners scurrying to deal with rat or mice problems may soon be saying goodbye to these unwanted visitors. Ditch Keeling has kindly given Rural Living two fully-baited mice stations and two fully-baited rat stations for our competition page. These extremely effective bait stations will help rid barns, sheds and the house, too, of rodent invaders, many of which make a beeline for cover when hay is cut or sections are cleared. Now, one lucky winner won’t have to worry if the cat’s away because, with this prize, the mice won’t play!

WIN! Tempting Fate by Jane Green Summer is a great time to catch up on leisure reading and our friends at Penguin Group (NZ) have given readers a chance to win Tempting Fate, by Jane Green (RRP $37). And just to tempt you...In 20 years of marriage Gabby has never doubted her love for Elliott – even when he refused to give her the one thing she wants most. Time and youth seem to be slipping by, then Gabby meets Matt , young, handsome and successful. In one reckless moment, she destroys all she holds dear. Consumed by regret, she tries everything to repair the home she has broken. But are some betrayals too great to forgive?

Win! A ShooAway and say goodbye to flies When dining outdoors this summer there’s bound to be a few pesky insects to spoil the party. However, thanks to ShooAway, a quiet, chemical-free product, it’s easy to ensure unwanted guests only deliver a flying visit! ShooAway’s soft touch blades, with holograms on the ends, spin and scatter light, repelling flies. When touched, the blades pause, making it safe to use around children and glassware. Eco-friendly, quiet and unobtrusive, ShooAway is effective and easy to use. And, because ShooAway runs on AA batteries it’s ideal to take on holiday, picnics or camping. Rural Living has TWO ShooAways (RRP $24.95) to give away!

Rural Living — December 2013 - January 2014 — 25

Moving experience In search of a rural lifestyle, Jo Plummer moved to Karaka and, despite establishing roots on a five-acre lifestyle block, she’s been on the move ever since. After speaking with her husband – Mark Plummer, see article next month – JON RAWLINSON discovered Jo too is a good sport when it comes to living on the land.

Working as a Pilates instructor while juggling an active family and a lifestyle block can make for a busy life. However, long time local, Jo Plummer, says her commitment to fitness has helped her take life’s challenges in her stride.

“Fitness and exercise are crucial for wellbeing and I’ve always believed in being a positive role model for my kids; besides that, I need to keep fit to keep up with them all! Exercise has been a huge part of my life, it was instilled in me as a child and, as a parent of four, it’s crucial.”

While Jo says country air is good for the body and soul, life on the family farm is not always plain sailing.

With her husband, Mark – head physiotherapist for the Blues and Auckland rugby teams – regularly away on business, she relies on the support of family and friends.

“With Mark away so much I need to keep the place ticking over. Having

a fit body helps me stay on top of everything and I have an amazing support network,” she says.

“Mark worked for the Black Caps when we met, so our relationship was always long distance. The mantra, ‘distance makes the heart grow fonder’ is true, but after 19 years of marriage, I think we’re a bit past trying to still prove that!”

Although, prior to moving to the area in 1997, the couple’s experience of lifestyle farming was limited, Jo says she had developed a taste for the country while growing up on her parents’ 2.5 acre property in Flatbush.

“Mum and dad still live there, but the area looks nothing like it did when I was young. When Mark and I made the move to Karaka, we had a one-year-old and I was 20 weeks pregnant. Not long afterwards Mark went on a cricket tour, so I had a few months on my own. I wondered what the heck we had done!”

26 — Rural Living — December 2013 - January 2014

In 2002, Jo retrained in childbirth education, founding a new business, Birthwise. However, she says she is yet to put these skills to practical use on the farm, at least.

“Thankfully we have only once had an animal pregnant and delivered on our block. We had called a farmer to look at a cow we wanted to sell.

He told us the cow was not going anywhere as she was pregnant. We were gobsmacked and we’re still unsure how she became pregnant because we only had cows on the farm and she had never run away to neighbouring paddocks!

“The day she laboured I was out there telling her to get up and walk around. I had heard so many stories of first time cows getting into trouble delivering so I came inside to phone the local farmer and by the time I got back out, she had delivered – I missed the whole thing; I was gutted!

Nowadays, my experiences are shared with farmers in my antenatal

Jo and Mark Plummer at home on their lifestyle block in Karaka.

classes trying to compare their farming birthing experience to their wife’s; often with hilarious results!”

The couple’s children, Josh (17), Harry (15), Ben (12) and Piper (7) all help out on the farm where they have grown up with animals. “I think all kids should grow up with animals, regardless of where they live, so they can gain confidence when around them and learn to be responsible for something other than themselves.

“Our lifestyle only allows us to have chickens (for the eggs) and our Ag Day animals, calves and the like. We keep them, fatten them up and put them in the freezer; it’s a good way to teach the kids about the circle of life!”

With Josh, Harry and Ben attending school in the city, Jo says country living does pose some logistical challenges, but they benefit from the best of both worlds – the town and country experience.

“We love the lifestyle and the peace and quiet it affords. I have a Pilates studio at home and the ambience is divine. Walking into my studio each day, looking out at the gardens with the sun streaming in; it really is a wonderful way to live!”

________________________________________________________________________________

LIVING

Hectic, happy month ends Reay Neben is a Franklin resident and publisher of Rural Living.

CITY LASS The mad festive rush is over, the presents have all been opened and now there’s time to reflect. Each year I think I will be better organised but, no, the last minute panic invariably sets in.

This year our Christmas was celebrated differently. Instead of one Christmas Day gathering with all the family together, we had some family on December 21 (they were heading overseas the next day) and we had others on Christmas Day. I thought this would be strange but it turned out to be very pleasant and much less stressful but I will still try to be more organised next year – promises, promises.

I must say that shopping in Pukekohe was a pleasure. I had to go into Newmarket just prior to Christmas and couldn’t get out of there fast enough; so many people and nowhere to park. With the heat of the day, walking the length of Broadway was no fun. That was my only trip out of area for pressie shopping.

I did find a bit of time to indulge in some ‘me therapy’ and had my nails done at Queen Nails, near Crosbies. I have been there a few times now. The

Christmas wrapped up for another year – bring on 2014. girls are so nice and friendly making the experience very pleasant, I can heartily recommend it!

meaning to do over the past year. It is also a good time to catch up with friends and, maybe, if it is wet we will go to the movies.

With a son and his partner heading off to England for Christmas I decided that they had no idea of what real cold is so, off to Georgia Boutique I headed and bought them merino and possum gloves and other accessories to keep them both a little warmer in those freezing temperatures.

The house I mentioned in my column last month was sold at auction. I didn’t go but there was a huge crowd of cars in the street on auction day. Some lucky person has a beautiful home to move into after Christmas.

We are not going away this summer.

I consider it a real treat to stay home and get done the jobs I have been

Driving around our area it seems that lifestyle blocks and in town too, houses are selling really fast. The

word has got out that this is the best place to live but not if you have to travel on the motorway every day.

It’s getting worse and worse with traffic backed up past Drury every day. The new Papakura interchange doesn’t really seem to have eased things – perhaps this coming year will reveal some new plan to cope with the congestion.

Well, that’s my ramblings for 2013 and now I wish all our readers a very happy New Year. See you in 2014, Reay

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It’s official, ladies love a ‘Stubbie’ man! That is according to a recent survey of 1,000 Kiwis commissioned by Stubbies.

Yes, those who wear short shorts around the farm, or anywhere else for that matter, are likely to draw the ladies’ eyes to their thighs, with almost half of women surveyed saying they would like to see more leg – 48% of 18-24 year-olds and 51% of ladies aged 55-64.

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And beneath the rugged exterior, women believe men should box clever, with 52 percent picking cotton boxers as best. Men, on the other hand, preferred to keep things brief, 47 percent said fitted briefs are most manly, 28 percent backing Y-fronts, and just 12 percent smooth for silk.

Asked to describe a good Kiwi bloke, women said: Gumboots, Stubbies and DIY; men were more likely to say: Myself, Speight’s or Barry Crump.

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28 — Rural Living — December 2013 - January 2014

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In addition, the survey found, while 20 percent of women believed men opening the door for them was characteristic of a real man, blokes viewed that as the least manly, preferring, instead, to stand up for their mates and spend time in their sheds; no surprises there!

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LIVING

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smoother finish and helps lift ingrown hairs. RRP $39.95 and only available from www.beautybible.co.nz

• Vaseline has launched its first antiaging lotion just in time for summer!

Packed full of valuable ingredients like AHA, pro-retinal and Vitamin B3 to combat signs of aging and reduce wrinkles, it firms skin, evens out tone, refines and promises visible skincare benefits with regular use. RRP $9.69 (225ml), $15.30 (400ml)

• Karen Murrell Moisture Stick instantly boosts your lips with a hit of lip-rewarding hydration and protection. It can be applied over your favourite lippy or used as a lip gloss or lip plumper, making it the perfect makeup essential for a busy summer social diary. RRP $29.95

• Say goodbye to dull, flaky skin with Exfolimate, a precision-designed tool which lifts and removes dead skin cells and debris from your face and body without the fuss of scrubs and loofahs that only rub the surface of the skin without actually removing the problem. It’s the perfect tool for blokes too, as it can be used before shaving to prepare skin for a

• Nivea Men Originals Protective Moisturiser SPF15 is the perfect daily moisturiser for the man who wants 4-hour moisturising care while actively protecting skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays. RRP $13.49

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Rural Living — December 2013 - January 2014 — 29

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Plan your Perfect Cruise Holiday with a Specialist Cruising is fast becoming the popular holiday choice for many travellers.

However, with so many options available, it pays to have a cruise specialist to help plan your perfect cruise holiday.

P&O have pioneered cruising in the Pacific and offer an extensive range of cruises which include a wide variety of shore activities throughout the islands as well as activities onboard each ship.

The team at Cruiseabout Pukekohe can steer you in the right direction, finding the right cruise for you and taking care of every detail to tailor-make an itinerary just for you. This can include flights, pre and post-cruise accommodation, or even adding on a tour. Cruiseabout Pukekohe is a one-stop shop!

Consultant Rachel Chalmers, says that P&O cruises are particularly popular because of the huge range of great value for money options they

offer. “The majority of what you need onboard is included in the fare, from main meals to onboard activities and entertainment, even the Kids’ Clubs which stay open late. All that’s left for you to worry about is relaxing and having a good time.

“If you’re looking for a holiday that ticks every box, then a P&O cruise is a great option. They offer superb cuisine, brilliant sightseeing and more than 50 activities on board each day – you can do as much, or as little, as you like! Come and talk to

the team at Cruiseabout Pukekohe to hear about all of the options.”

And the best bit about cruising?

You’ll wake up to a new paradise each morning – so sit back and let the holidays come to you. It’s so easy with your cruising specialists

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The best way to cruise the world, is to start at Cruiseabout Pukekohe.

Phone them on 0800 86 88 66, or visit the team at Unit 2, 20 King Street, Pukekohe. www.cruiseabout.co.nz

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*Travel restrictions & conditions apply: Prices are correct as at 29 Nov 2013 & are valid for sale until 31 Jan 2014 unless otherwise stated, withdrawn or sold out prior. All prices are subject to availability. Selected travel dates apply. Airfares are additional. General conditions: Prices are per person twin share, in NZ Dollars, unless otherwise stated. All prices & offers are subject to change & can be withdrawn at any time. Cruises are based on interior twin room categories (unless otherwise stated). Prices are inclusive of all discounts, charges & taxes (which are subject to change). Savings has been applied to advertised price. SAVE price is based on fares launched into the market from September 2012.To be read in conjunction with P&O Cruises booking & passage conditions which passengers will be bound by. Additional levies, government charges & other applicable fees may apply & are beyond our control. Oceanview rooms may have an obstructed view. All prices are based on payment by cash or EFTPOS only. Prices are valid for new bookings & are not combinable with any other offer. Once sale ends, offers may revert to a higher price but also may be further discounted. Accommodation required pre/post cruise & gratuities are not included, unless otherwise specified. The cruise line may change prices or amend &/or cancel any itinerary without prior notice. Cruise inventory is allocated at the cruise lines’ discretion. Minimum & maximum stay restrictions may apply. Seasonal surcharges & blackout dates may apply depending on date of travel.

Packages are based on consecutive night stays. Flight Centre (NZ) Limited trading as Cruiseabout. The cruises, accommodation, airfares, coach & small group tours & any other components included in your holiday are provided by carriers & hoteliers with their own terms & conditions, which your booking is subject to. Full terms & conditions are available at www.cruiseabout.co.nz/termsandconditions. † Price Guarantee Terms & Conditions: Applies to genuine cruise quotes from all cruise lines and registered travel agencies and websites. Quote must be in writing and must be presented to us prior to booking. Fare must be available and able to be booked by New Zealand passport holders who are also New Zealand residents when you bring it to us. Fares available due to membership of a group or corporate entity or subscription to a closed group are excluded. Quote must be for same dates and cabin category. We will beat price by minimum $1. For full terms and conditions see www.cruiseabout.co.nz/sail-free CPK1127795

30 — Rural Living — December 2013 - January 2014

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Fruit-full seizure ACCREDITED BUILDING CONSENT AUTHORITY

Biosecurity staff at Christchurch Airport couldn’t wait to get their hands on these luscious melons recently.

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When an unclaimed bag was found on the baggage carousel following the arrival of a charter flight from the Ukraine, staff recorded one of the biggest fruit seizures at the airport, some 40kg of whole, voluptuous Ukrainian melons.

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Craig Jorgensen, team leader from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) says the juicy fruit could have been harbouring harmful pests.

“There have been outbreaks of Mediterranean fruit fly in the Ukraine.

As melons have the potential to carry this serious pest, they would have been stopped at the border.”

One of the passengers believed the bag may have been meant to travel domestically only, but ended up on

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Customs fruit find one in a melon. an international flight, says Craig.

“It’s also possible that a passenger was afraid to claim the bag, believing they had broken our biosecurity rules.”

While it is not illegal to travel with fruit and other foods, they should be declared or disposed of before leaving the airport’s secure arrivals area, lest one risk committing... a melon of a felon!

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Rural Living — December 2013 - January 2014 — 31

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How sweet it is!

An Auckland artist is getting ‘Straight’ to the point, making more than just a moment with Chelsea.

Partnering with Greg Straight, Chelsea Sugar has released a Golden Syrup collectors’ tin. Greg says he was thrilled to be approached to provide the artwork, putting his own spin on an iconic brand.

“Chelsea was completely happy for me to work from an open brief.

They wanted a genuine piece of art.

I have included recurring themes in my artwork so that it truly is my creation,” he says.

Greg took inspiration from the natural beauty that surrounded the Chelsea building in Birkenhead.

NZ Sugar senior manager, Tracey McKay, says she is delighted with his work.

“Greg’s artwork flawlessly

encapsulates the New Zealand culture, which is at the heart of the Chelsea brand.”

Greg has also coined a series of art prints inspired by Chelsea Golden Syrup, for display in galleries nationwide.

WIN! A CHELSEA PRIZE PACK Be in to win! Thanks to Chelsea Sugar, the Times has a fantastic $350 prize pack to give away to one lucky reader. It contains a signed limited edition Chelsea Golden Syrup tin and a signed Greg Straight Kiwiana print based on the Chelsea theme.

To enter the draw visit www.ruralliving. co.nz then click on the competitions link and complete the form. One entry per person; entries close January 31, 2014. Winner notified by phone or email.

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Winston Churchill said, ‘a pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.’ JON RAWLINSON talks to a local focused on turning today’s troublesome youth into tomorrow’s success stories.

After recently securing a Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship – comprising $5,500 grant – Glenbrook’s Brendon Crompton, national manager of the charity Blue Light, has his sights set on new horizons for young offenders in NZ. “Blue Light runs a programme for young men called, Prosper,” he says, “Funded by Cyfs [Child, Youth and Family], it’s a 12-week mentoring programme I wrote based on research from overseas.”

Thanks to the grant, the former police constable and also Waiuku community board member, will head to the United Kingdom in April to investigate similar programmes designed to set youth offenders

on the straight and narrow. “I’ll be looking at how other programmes work and are funded, and to make sure what they’re doing is appropriate for New Zealand, considering such aspects as cultural differences. The aim is ultimately to help reduce youth reoffending.”

knowledge and experience. “The Police can’t raise money, we can. At Blue Light, we enable officers and people from our communities to run programmes to help disadvantaged kids undertake leadership programmes and even work with the most serious of offenders.

After initially training as a teacher, Brendon was involved on the front line of policing working primarily with youth offenders in Papakura, Papatoetoe, Manurewa and Otara before becoming national manager with Blue Light.

“Probably 90 percent of adults in prison were once youth offenders; they don’t get to the age of 25 and go burgle your house! Unless we intervene at a young age, offenders will go on to clog up our prisons.”

He says his work with the youth charity, which operates in partnership with the Police, has enabled him to combine the benefits of his

Following a stint as a Franklin district councillor from 2007-2010, Brendon again answered the call of local politics this year. “I originally stood for council because I was sick of

Brendon Crompton complaining! I thought if I’m going to complain, I should step up and be accountable too. It was a great change of pace, but there were also some nice overlaps, such as being the chair of the safer community council, and helping develop the Franklin Youth Advisory Board,” he says.

“After a break, I was approached this year and asked to stand for the Waiuku community board, so I did. I thought it was time to have another go. My trip to the UK won’t help from a council perspective, but reducing youth offending is a pretty good start to making our area a safer place.”

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LIVING �������������������������������������������������������������������������������

Great Franklin lifestyle

By Kevin Seymour, Harcourts Pukekohe

enhancing rather than diluting the area’s special personality.

Well, what a great month in the property market. I think all of us in this industry, from sales people and solicitors to building inspection companies and other related professionals, have had a busy time with buyers and sellers benefiting.

In writing a market comment I could have quoted figures and spouted about the Auckland market’s effect on us. In real terms, most of us know that what we own is worth more than what it was a couple of years back.

We all get the vibe when looking through the papers or on line at realestate.co.nz etc.

Those looking at buying have been proactive in making decisions, getting due diligence done quickly and ensuring the offers are as simple as possible. It is a lesson a few have learnt on the way that time and other buyers wait for no one.

The main street in Pukekohe is buzzing, new business are opening.

Large franchises are moving in; they don’t do that lightly. They research and study before they commit.

I hear in real estate circles that a few records have been broken during this last quarter, a good sign for us all.

The feeling of buoyancy in the outer reaches of the Auckland market is creating a confidence not seen for some years.

Builders have work for months ahead, which leads on to the allied trades and eventually to the retail sector.

Franklin is a growing economy that, with sound decisions on infrastructure, careful planning by local government and a guiding hand by central government, should have permanency.

Franklin is a great place to live and raise a family, semi-rural, still with the “calf club” school and community spirit. The convenience of living a few minutes from Auckland, an exciting and beautiful city, is a bonus.

It seems the Franklin spirit is alive and well and looks as though the migration by former city dwellers is

In summary, I am glad I moved here; all of us have the potential to have a successful 2014 especially those of us in this area, south of Auckland.

So here’s to the year ahead – happy buying and selling, oh, and may the force be with the Shield-holders!

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Rural market looks solid As a perceived housing shortage has Auckland bursting at the seams, it seems all roads lead to Franklin.

However, while new residential developments may appear to be springing up throughout our region, rural property expert from Barfoot and Thompson, Scott McElhinney, says lifestyle living is not in danger.

“Franklin is certainly growing, as we all know, but the council has catered for this within the Urban Plan,” he says.

“At this stage, there’s no indication of rezoning rural properties to residential. It’s quite clear what’s allowed within rural zones and development is strictly monitored.

The areas where we’ll see development of more housing are those close to existing residential developments, so our lifestyle and rural zones will remain intact, at least for the time being.”

The Ramarama lifestyler, says Barfoot and Thompson, Pukekohe, has been struggling to meet an increasing demand for lifestyle properties through 2013.

Mark this date in your diary for the

“Well priced properties have been selling within really good time frames so, depending who comes to the market after Christmas, we could well be short of properties soon!”

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Scott believes the buoyancy of the market is set to continue.

“There is always good demand for well presented lifestyle properties and this has been especially so during 2013.

“With the positive activity we’ve seen leading up to Christmas and an election looming next year, it is a little difficult to predict, but I’m feeling very positive.”

What’s more, the recent Reserve

Bank decision to exempt new residential construction loans from the loan-to-value (LVR) restrictions introduced from October, is unlikely to affect the local rural property market, he says.

“I believe that this is more to stimulate the growth of the areas already earmarked for residential development; I can’t see it directly impacting on rural property.”

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Rural Living — December 2013 - January 2014 — 39

LIVING _______________________________________________________________________________

Small Holden on right Trax Spot high spec LTZ by its 18” alloy wheels, fog lights and chrome door handles.

By Alistair Davidson

If you’re planning on dragging a bunch of fence posts up a muddy hill, Holden’s new Trax probably isn’t the vehicle for you.

But if you’re after a small, five-door wagon that’s deceptively roomy inside and has the style and visibility you’d expect from a modern SUV, Trax is worth considering.

One of the better looking, small two-wheel drive SUVs around, Trax is built on the Holden Barina platform and uses Holden Cruze drivetrain.

Korea-built, Trax is a global car that’s sold in more than 140 markets.

The chassis and drivetrain have benefitted from almost two years of local development to ensure that it’s suitable for Kiwi roads.

Holden got it 90 per cent right.

Trax rides well. There is some body roll, as you’d expect from a tallish, small SUV, but it’s nowhere bad enough to be unpleasant.

The steering is light and lacks feel. Bear in mind that this is predominately a city car, so for that reason it could be seen as a plus.

Both the entry level LS at $32,990 and the $35,490 LTZ are powered by Cruze’s 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 103kW and 175Nm. A Gen II six-speed automatic transmission is standard on both models.

Although Trax is a small SUV with a reasonable size engine, performance is adequate rather than inspiring.

Trax has been awarded the top five-star safety rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).

Fuss-free around town and at cruising speeds, Trax sounds busy and the engine noise filters through to the cabin when it’s worked hard, such as overtaking or when tackling hills.

Both models have six airbags, a rear view camera, stability control ABS, brake assist and brake force distribution, and traction control.

Holden claims 7.6-litres per 100km/h; during Rural Living’s week-long test, which included open road and city driving, our LTZ achieved 8.6l/100km.

Dynamically Trax is acceptable; safety, equipment levels, packaging and styling is where it shines.

Trax also has Hill Descent Control and Hill Start Assist.

Rather than enhancing the driving experience, these two features are carried over from the four-wheel drive Trax variants. Holden New Zealand has no immediate plans to offer all-wheel drive here.

Technophiles will love Holden’s

MyLink. Basically it’s a smartphone on wheels. MyLink enables access to Pandora Internet Radio, Stitcher News Radio, TuneIn, and BringGo navigation apps by connecting a compatible device running those apps to the car.

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living

In a sign of the times, MyLink doesn’t have a CD slot; it seems that CDs are going the way of vinyl so you’ll need a smartphone, iPod or some other mass storage device to play your own music library.

What Trax does have, and it’s a first for this motoring writer, is a household style 240v three-pin plug socket so you can plug in, use and charge a laptop etcetera.

Cabin space is better than expected, Trax being a good example of small on the outside, big on the inside.

Holden says that Trax will accommodate five adults. In reality it’s more of a four adult and one kid deal, which is still impressive considering its Barina lineage. Leg room is good, and headroom is ample thanks to the tall SUV-esque styling.

The interior is comfortable and

Some drivers will like the large digital speedo, others will think it’s a bit 1980s. Either way, it’s an odd combination of large analogue style rev counter and digital everything else. well styled, but suffers from an abundance of hard plastics, particularly around the centre console/gear shift area.

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NEW ZEALAND FASHION ONLINE

n Airless Spraying ď Ž n Roof Painting ď Ž n Exterior Painting ď Ž

Monday-Friday 7am-6pm Saturday 8am-6pm Sunday 9am-5pm CLOSED PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

Textured Ceilings

Paintless Dent Removal

Bruce Cameron 0274-988-412 acraflex@gmail.com

NEW ZEALAND FASHION ONLINE

Shop 2, 33 Edinburgh St (next to Pizza Hut) Pukekohe Phone 09 239 2964 54269

ď ° ď ° ď °

n Re-sprayed ď Ž n Removed and Painted ď Ž Industrial and Epoxy Coatings, Floor Coatings etc

WWW.FASHIONZ.CO.NZ

“IT’S FIXED or IT’S FREE�

QRcode codegenerated generatedon onhttp://qrcode.littleidiot.be http://qrcode.littleidiot.be QR

DENTS REMOVED NO PAINTING

GUTTERS NEED CLEANING? all properties & roof-types

ď ° Saves time, money and aggravation ď ° Vehicle remains original

ď ° Enhanced resale value

NO MESS, NO FUSS.

ď ° Typical time taken to remove dents (30 mins) ď ° All work guaranteed

WE LOVE THE JOB YOU HATE!

ď ° Mobile service ď ° Free quotes Neville Your Local Technician

wash

• 3Solutions to suit all s OLUTIONS TO SUIT ALL budgets BUDGETS

Call Max now 0800 333 101 or 021 161 3059

53422

www.guttersolutionz.co.nz

Franchises available 53586-v2

Service & Value

Waterblasters

• House soft wash • Roof cleaning • Gutter cleaning • Pre-paint cleaning • Fence and walls • Deck cleaning • Path cleaning WE ALSO OFFER...

Window cleaning Carpet cleaning Pest control Furniture and upholstery cleaning Ph 0508 932 532 (0508 WE CLEAN), mobile 021 366 615 Email: ofďŹ ce@bestpropertyservices.co.nz

www.bestpropertyservices.co.nz 50392

2014 42 — Rural Living — December 2013 - January 2014

Advanced Concentrate Makes up to 80 litres!

For use around the home, including: weatherboards, bricks, roofs, fences, tiles, cement boards, windows, driveways or any surface that needs a freshen-up. Great for car, boat and caravan.

â– Streak-free finish N â– Spray on & wash off N

GUARANTEED GUARANTEED

Commerical / Industrial / Residential

show n’shine

HOUSE

•/ On-board recording s N BOARD RECORDING camera for precision CAMERA FOR PRECISION cleaning & screening CLEANING SCREENING

54027

Phone 027 235 8271

•.

No more blocked & s O MORE BLOCKED overflowing gutters OVERmOWING GUTTERS

W! E N

â– Formulated for NZ conditions N â– Concentrated so you use less N

Septic tank cleaning Vacuum loading Grease trap cleaning • Locally owned • 24/7 service UĂŠ ÂœV>Â?Â?ĂžĂŠÂœĂœÂ˜i`ĂŠUĂŠĂ“{Ă‰Ă‡ĂŠĂƒiĂ€Ă›ÂˆViĂŠ • Environmentally friendly disposal UĂŠ Â˜Ă›ÂˆĂ€ÂœÂ˜Â“iÂ˜ĂŒ>Â?Â?ÞÊvĂ€Âˆi˜`Â?ÞÊ`ÂˆĂƒÂŤÂœĂƒ>Â?

â– High soap build and lifting agents N to get all the dirt off AG â– Non-corrosive N to application equipment, hoses, fittings, pumps

RIQUALIT Y APPR SANITISEOVED AS A R FACTOR FOR FARM, NON-CO Y, FOOD & NTACT AR EAS

SEPTIC TANKS SHOULD BE CLEANED EVERY 3-5 YEARS

www.homesafeproducts.co.nz www.homesafeproducts.co.nz

FREEPHONE 0800 687 378 Ahrs 09 236 3277 Mob 027 507 2004 E septiclean@slingshot.co.nz

PO Box 231, Tuakau 2342.

Ph 09 238 5959, Fax 09 238 5676.

Email: rod@chemgroup.co.nz

51307-v2

Marketed by: CHEMSAFE MANUFACTURING 53403 53403

53979-v3

100% Natural Mineral Pools

53800

FRANKLIN MARKET

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DIRECTORY

Franklin Car and Truck Rentals

SUBARU AND EUROPEAN SPECIALISTS

The only 24-hour Taxi Service covering the whole of the Counties Manukau district.

53427

10 Subway Road, Pukekohe Ph: 09 238 9026 Mob: 027 5599 388 Email: psauto@xtra.co.nz

www.psautomotive.co.nz

Garden

The ultimate online resource for the gardening community garden-nz.co.nz offers information and advice on home gardens, fruit, vegetables, herbs, flowers, trees and shrubs.

It also includes great giveaways, competitions and a comprehensive directory of products, services and more.

WWW.GARDEN-NZ.CO.NZ

We supply a wide range of commercial & domestic:

■ Carpets ■ Vinyls ■ Auto & Marine carpets ■ Cork, Porcelain & Glass Tiles ■ Mat overlocking ■ Floor preparation ■ Concrete grinding ■ Quality installation

53435

Our services include: Holmes Flooring Ltd, 1 Mellsop Ave, Waiuku.

Ph 09 235 0586, Fax 09 235 0589, Mobile 0274 990 298 Email holmesflooring@clear.net.nz

Freephone

0800 BIOLOO (246566)

Fully Qualified Arboricultural Specialists 202 Manukau Rd, Pukekohe Ph: 09 239 0136 or 021 399 298

email: vanb@wave.co.nz Web:

54026

NZ’s BEST Gardening Website

For a FREE no obligation quote contact our friendly team

54180

09 238 83 88 52 Manukau Road, Pukekohe www.franklintruckrentals.co.nz

5IF 6MUJNBUF 5PJMFU

53578

Garden

Cars/trucks/utes/vans/trailers.

Premium and budget vehicles.

Taillift/2 ton/3 ton (car licence only) trucks available.

09 295 1000 0800 66 00 44

www.urbantreecare.co.nz

53589

5IF 6MUJNBUF 5PJMFU

www.bioloo.co.nz

Luxury Portable Bathrooms

JOHNO BUILDERS

Simple to set up, pleasure to use.

• General Maintenance • Renovations • Building Reports • Bathroom & Kitchens

For all occasions where a portable toilet just won’t do!

Ideal for: • garden weddings • extra guests • family occasions

Ph 09 235 8693 or 0274 912 016 54266

53430

www.bathroomsforhire.co.nz 027 282 5856

50389

Need your garage or bedroom back?

E125091

Responsible business with lasting relationships in the community

Home Loans, Business Loans, Insurances www.kiwimortgages.net.nz Freephone 0508 33 22 11 Ph 533 7567, 021 030 8135 info@kiwimortgages.net.nz

HAVE YOU THOUGHT OF SELF STORAGE? Various sized units with monitored individual alarms.

LET’S STORE IT

202 Manukau Rd, Pukekohe Ph 09 239 0128 51923-V2

Rural Living — December 2013 - January 2014 — 43

DIRECTORY ������������������������������������������������������������������������

DAVIS NEED WATER? TANKS

WATER CARTAGE

• For all your concrete tank requirements.

• We build 3000 – 8000 gallon water tanks.

Water tank repair and recondition specialist Concrete Tanks Tried & True

www.johnsfarmletservices.co.nz

Tuakau Based NZ Registered Household Water Carriers

Order online or phone Water tank cleaning available

12,000 Litres

0800 327 653

Y ENVIRONMENLTYALL FRIEND Water - Septic - Retention - Specialty Tanks

53426

0274 804 295

53966-v2

52297-v3

WATER

PUMP & WATER SPECIALISTS • WATER FILTERS

WATER TANK CLEANING Farmtech Services FREEPHONE

Ph Neil for a quote: 021 794 148 anytime, A/H 09 232 8540

Certified Untreated Water

• WATER PUMPS – Sales & Servicing

0800 826 525

53423

FRANKLIN

COUNTIES BULK SPREADERS • GROUND SPREADING • LIME • FERTILISER • UREA • LS100 (50/50 Foul Manure & Lime Mix)

MR CLIP LTD Totally mobile shearing service.

Bombays to Kaiwaka.

COUNTIES BULK HAULAGE • BULK CARTAGE OF METAL • SAND • FERTILISER • LIME

EXPERIENCED NZ WOOL BOARD • CERTIFIED SHEARERS

Ces & Jan Mayall

Phone w/w (09) 425-7104 or Ak (09) 276-1219 or mobile 0274-853-234 Mr.Clip.Ltd@gmail.com

Sheep, Goats, Alpacas, Llamas

MIKE JULIAN Freephone (0508) RURAL H20 (0508) 787 254

0800 SUCKA1

53850

From One Animal Upwards

Mike mobile 021 765 629 Water Tank Cleaning (While full or empty) Tank Repairs & Maintenance Water Deliveries ~ Swimming Pools Filled

53559

Or:

Boyd (09) 233 4466 0274 978 685

0800 782 521

Alan Wilson Plumbing 235 9066

53420

Brenton (09) 236 3639 0274 921 916 53452

ROY F PARKER & SON LTD Servicing Franklin for over 45 years Sales, Service & Design of:

1

2

6 3

5

• Bores

• Pipes & Parts

• Pumps

• Filtration

• Irrigation • Pool & Spa

148 Manukau Rd, Pukekohe

4

52010

53791-V2

www.parkerspumping.co.nz

FOR ALL YOUR WATER NEEDS

CHICKEN MANURE FERTILISER A natural, cost-effective all-year round N.P.K. fertiliser for pasture, maize crops, market gardens & small blocks.

We supply, cart & spread.

We also supply: • Lime • Metal • Sand Neil 021 724 327 or Bruce 021 270 6828 Office 09 299 64 86

44 — Rural Living — December 2013 - January 2014

CALL IN AND SEE US

• Service of all farm, industrial, agricultural irrigation and domestic pumps • Water filter systems – Design and install • Water tanks – Agent for RX and Aqua • Deep well pump sales and service • Pool pump sales and service – chemical supply • Bore pump design, installation and supplies • Full range of galvanised, alkathene & pvc pipes and fittings • Drainage supplies • Bulk sand and cement

14 Constable Rd, Waiuku.

Ph 09 235 8268.

50387

53562

www.bennettfertilisers.co.nz

09 238 9588

24-Hour Callout Service • Pump & Well Services • Plumbing – Drainage – Concrete Supplies

�����������������������������������������������������������������������

ROULSTON FENCING

FARM RURAL

Grant Escott FENCING

CONTRACTOR

FENCING CONTRACTOR

No job too small or too big Fencing, Retaining Walls

• Decks s $ECKS • Post Driving s 0OST $RIVING • Retaining Walls s 2ETAINING 7ALLS • Rural & Residential Fencing s 2URAL 2ESIDENTIAL &ENCING

PHONE MIKE

If you want the fencing experts you need to call us for all your post and rail, yard, electric and conventional fencing.

Also retaining walls and general excavation.

Free quotes – Competitive rates

NICK LIEFTING CONTRACTORS LTD Reg. Master Fencer

53846

027 258 1588

027 236 8753 • 09 236 8753 s grant.kylie@xtra.co.nz

Phone (09) 236 0570, Fax (09) 236 0258, Mobile 0274 941 846

54264

ROBERT CURRIE CONTRACTING

Call us for all your farming supply needs

PARTNERShIP T/A RW & NS PARTNERSHIP

021 109 9778 | 09 236 9947

For the best advice and friendly service

Absolute Care

IN TWO GREAT LOCATIONS

PROFARM

Domestic / Park Hedge Trimming Fine hedge trimming with sicklebar cutter for trimming new growth mounted on lightweight tractor fitted with turf tyres.

Mower/Mulcher with catcher at rear of tractor for clippings or open areas of grass.

RURAL & LIFESTYLE

18 Elliott Elliot St, 18 St, Papakura.

Papakura.

Ph 09 298 7767.

Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; Sat 8.30am-2.30pm

54235-V2

Cnr Madill & George St, Tuakau.

Ph 09 236 8228.

Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; Sat 8.30am-12noon

53445

Paul 027 628 8077 paul-knight@xtra.co.nz www.absolutehedgecare.co.nz

ANIMAL BURIAL

Wayne Wright Agricultural Contractors Owner/operator Haylage • Big squares and round bales wrapped s "IG SQUARES AND ROUND BALES WRAPPED

Available for: Conventional Hay Making | Mulcher Mowing | Post Ramming | Farm Maintenance 54260

DAIRY EFFLUENT SPREADING

BURIED ON YOUR LAND 53167-V2

Horses ~ Cows ~ Sheep ~ Etc Phone Richard Logan

53414-v2

a/h 09 233 4446 www.animalburial.co.nz

PEST CONTROL

YOU NAME IT – WE’LL KILL IT! 9/5 .!-% )4 n 7% ,, +),, )4 Controlling your #ONTROLLING YOUR pests for 24 years PESTS FOR YEARS

DENNIS LOXTON

(021) 388 369 (09) 238 8759 A/H E: tomorrowsgrass@gmail.com

54223

Phone 294 6100 or 0274 798 169

Mob 0274 976 058

WALKERS • )Insects & s NSECTS rodents RODENTS •$ Domestic & s OMESTIC commercial COMMERCIAL •# Consultancy s ONSULTANCY work



Cartage available #ARTAGE AVAILABLE Also: All types of fencing, stockyards, !LSO !LL TYPES OF FENCING STOCKYARDS

post & rail, etc. Post rammer available.

POST RAIL ETC 0OST RAMMER AVAILABLE

Phone 238 9885 Mobile 0274 789 857 Main Highway, Paerata

Rural Living is delivered

Rural Living is available FREE from selected advertisers and the following locations:

on the first week of each

Pukekohe Barfoot and Thompson, 68 King St. Pukekohe Library, 12 Massey Ave. Kevens Department Store, 73 King St. Franklin Vets, 86 Harris St. Papakura Franklin Vets, 365 Great South Rd. Pokeno Pokeno Bacon, Great South Rd. Waiuku Franklin Vets, 2 Court St. Mitre 10, 25 Bowen St.

month. Copies will go quickly so be quick to collect yours from any of the following outlets.

An electronic version is also available at ruralliving.co.nz

54288

Fencing Specialist Residential & Rural Stock Yards Retaining Walls Landscaping

Hay • Round bales • Conventionals s 2OUND BALES s #ONVENTIONALS • Big or medium squares s "IG OR MEDIUM SQUARES • Mowing, conditioning and rowing s -OWING CONDITIONING AND ROWING • Selling of hay s 3ELLING OF HAY • Buying of standing grass s "UYING OF STANDING GRASS

DIRECTORY

Bombay Autobahn.

Tuakau H.R Fiskens, 295 Tuakau Rd. Tuakau Meats, 23 George St. Field Fresh Fruit & Vege, 3/53 George St. Profarm Tuakau, Cnr Madill Rd and George St. Ardmore Animal Stuff, 192 Airfield Rd. Karaka Animal Stuff, 671 Karaka Rd.

53407

Drury Animal Stuff, 222 Great South Rd. Drury Butcher, 232a Great South Rd. Town & Country Vets, 257 Great South Rd. Hunua John Hill Estate, 144 John Hill Rd. Clevedon Clevedon Rural Supplies, 13 Papakura-Clevedon Rd, Clevedon Village Patumahoe The Butchers Shop Cafe, 4 Patumahoe Rd.

Rural Living — December 2013 - January 2014 — 45

53406-V7

Mangatangi

Bombay 584 Pinnacle Hill Road – $PBN

85 Stubbs Road – $1,275,000 + GST (if any)

The Time Has Come

Home With A Heart This attractive property offers peace and tranquillity and is an oasis for shattered city nerves. Be tempted by the authentic, family friendly villa sited on a private road surrounded by 84 acres of rolling useable acres. Offering excellent road frontage with ample shedding, barns and stockyards and a stream boundary. This property deserves your consideration if you are looking for grazing for horses, beef or sheep and has been run as a successful farm for many years. Don’t pass this by.

View

www.harcourts.co.nz/PW131115

Carola Hehewerth P 09 238 4244, mob 0275 973 558 E carola.hehewerth@harcourts.co.nz BCRE Ltd Licensed Agent REAA 2008

• 3.392 hectares (8.3 acres) of land • Farm shed and four car internal garaging • Five bedrooms, spacious open plan living The owners have decided it’s time to relinquish their greatest asset and make it known this property is for serious sale. A first class 5 brm family home, farm shed and four car internal garaging on 3.392 hectares, minutes from Bombay and motorway – ideal for those who want it all! Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity.

View

Karin Verryt Mob 021 103 7404 E karin.verryt@harcourts.co.nz BCRE Ltd Licensed Agent REAA 2008

www.harcourts.co.nz/PW131017

Maria Davis P 0800 224 071 E maria.davis@harcourts.co.nz BCRE Ltd Licensed Agent REAA 2008

Another successful marketing campaign!

1832 Miranda Road, Miranda is SOLD Need more lifestyle properties urgently.

Call Kevin NOW if you are looking for a sale!

BCRE Ltd 54241

Licensed Agent REAA 2008

www.harcourts.co.nz 36a

M: 0800 345 563 P: 09 238 4244 E: kevin.seymour@harcourts.co.nz

Contributor to realestate.co.nz

57 King Street, Pukekohe, Auckland 1800 www.pukekoheproperty.co.nz