from the EDITOR

from Rural Living - February/March 2023

PORT(UGAL) WEATHERS THE STORM

New government regulations (in e ect from the beginning of this year) and rules from retail chains have resulted in eggs being thin on the ground, or on supermarket shelves at least. Throw in bird ﬂu abroad, a recent ﬁre, as well as ongoing fallout from Covid and a war and it’s… a perfect storm. That said, it’s a storm that’s been brewing (in part) for more than a decade.

Speaking of storms, the impact of the January ﬂoods should come as no surprise, considering climate change has been high on the agenda for many years. And, as this issue was ﬁnalised, a cyclone threatened. Similarly, climate change, and increasing encroachment into the wild, has long seen the likelihood of a pandemic as widespread as Covid increase. Yes, we were warned.

And yet, adapting to deal with foreseeable consequences (such as more extreme weather) seems to have taken a backseat to attempts to delay or prevent the inevitable – at least among suits behind desks, as opposed to those in boots on the ground. The tragedy is that these issues, including the egg shortage, were all so predictable.

With regards to our latest issue, we caught up with: woodturner, Jim Millar, the new chief executive of Franklin Family Services, Robyn Driver, and a talented artist, Danielle Fernandez. In addition, we’ve included our usual compliment of competitions, news, books, recipes and more... just as one might have predicted.

So sit back, sink in (too soon?) and enjoy reading our latest e orts. Finally, remember that, while hindsight is 20/20, foresight is (by far) more useful.

Jon Rawlinson, editor

FILLIES & FASHION: With the prospect of winning million-dollar prizes, many a top contender saddled up and headed to Pukekohe Park recently. And yet, in addition to the fast and furious action on track during the recent Karaka Million, glitz and glamour was also the order of the day with fashionistas steeling the spotlight too. To read more about this premier raceday, and to view more photos, see pages 14-15.