Rural Living June/July 2013

June/July 2013

www.ruralliving.co.nz

SUITS and GUMBOOTS Our new look Rural Living

LEAVING EARTHTALK Awhitu couple ready to uproot

Win!

Loads of prizes up for grabs

Pukekohe 09 238 7019

Pukekohe 09 238 7019

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covershot

brian pitches in

Rural Living publisher, Brian Neben, is a classic ‘gumboots and suits’ kind of guy who typifies Rural Living’s market.

He swapped city living and a professional career for a rural lifestyle block at Runciman. His ‘country lad’ column features in Rural Living every month.

Photo Wayne Martin

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: Maree Aucamp DDI 09 271 8090 Email: mareea@ruralliving.co.nz Classified Advertising: 0800 456 789 Email: classifieds@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

From the editor...

Welcome to our new look Rural Living – firmly pitched at the ‘suits and gumboots brigade’ that make up our wonderful community.

I’m hoping our first revised edition will give ‘farmers’ and ‘townies’ a thirst for more because the team here is full of enthusiasm for this new direction which provides us with greater scope to inform and please our lifestyle market.

While the primary focus will remain on rural matters, the ‘living’ section will encompass a range of other topics of interest to our readers. These will include the likes of health, beauty, fashion, food, motoring and travel.

There will be an array of monthly competitions for those who love to be winners and a sneak look into the lives of many local personalities.

Of course, that’s just the start.

Finally, looking ahead, I’ll be giving you my regular spin on the month and what we have in store so, I do hope Rural Living, in its new set of ‘overalls’, provides ample reading and gives you all a great deal of pleasure.

The team and I have had loads of fun putting it together and we offer a big thank-you to our advertisers for their support and to the many others that have encouraged us in this new direction – now, just enjoy!

Helen Perry Editor

inside RURAL Page 6-7 Earthtalk@Awhitu – end of an era in sight

Page 8 Brian’s Diary – a country lad’s perspective

Page 10-11 Syndication – your entry into harness racing

Page 12-13 Farming chores for July

Page 16 Producing premium avocado powder using 100% natural New Zealand-grown fruit

Page 19-21

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Fieldays – round up of New Zealand’s best for the farm

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.

Growing your own hops for homebrew success

Page 26-27

Page 28 Call to dob in drink/drivers on rural roads

4 — Rural Living — June/July 2013

Every month, Rural Living will bring you our regular ‘country lad’ and ‘city girl’ columns from the magazine’s owners, Brian and Reay Neben, who are, themselves, small block owners in Runciman.

And we will still feature Ditch Keeling’s invaluable pest control column which this month looks at pesky possums.

In this first new look issue we continue to tell you all about the good life as we see it with articles on horse syndication, growing hops, home orchards, stamping out evergreen buckthorn and hints for what to do on the land during July.

Our feature stories focus on the maturing of Earthtalk@ Awhitu and its proposed sale by owners Charmaine Pountney and Tanya Cumberland and also on a Franklin man who has made a business of growing vanilla in Tonga.

The Lost Springs – hidden paradise in Whitianga.

Living Page 29 Competitions – prizes galore for everyone

Page 30-31 Heilala Vanilla plantation has local roots

Page 32 Reay’s Diary – our city lass does the social rounds

Page 33 Race day lunch – chance to shine

Page 34 Fashion brings out the animal in us

Page 35 Jon Rawlinson discovers The Lost Springs

Page 36 Now’s the time for orchard planting

Page 42 Roast Day goes global

Page 45 Motoring – Kia Sorrento R

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Rural Rural Living Living — — June/July June/July 2013 2013 — —5

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‘Growing’ up the country While making a living from the land is usually reserved for the big boys, even small lifestyle block holders can turn a little green into gold by working smarter, as JON RAWLINSON recently discovered.

It’s often said that learning is half the fun; but, for Charmaine Pountney and Tanya Cumberland, teaching is also in the blood.

Since settling on their 28-acre block on the Awhitu Peninsula, the couple’s skills, gleaned from educational and social institutions, has provided the basis for developing their own piece of paradise.

Tanya says the property now features cottages for farm or home stays, orchards, a timber plantation, an expansive veggie garden and native wetland.

“When we first started, 21 years ago, my brother said we’d never make a sustainable living from selling fruit and vegetables on a small holding, so we would have to sell knowledge,” Tanya says.

“We set up our business, Earthtalk@awhitu, to manage

visitors for tours and courses.

This was necessary to make the property economically, as well as environmentally, sustainable.

These days, however, because our orchards are so productive and there’s a bigger market for organic produce, a family could

Charmaine, left, and Tanya adjusting garden sculptures in celebration of Matariki, Maori New Year.

6 — Rural Living — June/July 2013

actually make a living from it.”

Prior to moving to Awhitu, Charmaine was principal at Auckland Girls’ Grammar School, and later, principal at Hamilton Teachers’ College.

Then, following a merger, she was appointed dean and principal of the School of Education, Waikato University. Tanya was previously assistant regional director of social welfare in Auckland.

“Originally, we both came from Auckland,” Tanya says.

“I had a cottage in Laingholm and Charmaine was in central Auckland before shifting to Hamilton. We decided to pool our resources and live a healthy life. It was quite a change for both of us after years of working in institutional industries in big cities.

“Both our families had gardens, growing their own veggies.

I had about 20 years experience in gardening, although it was in backyard and community gardens. It was all small scale; this was a much different prospect!”

Before purchasing the property, the pair hit the books.

They enrolled in the Open Polytechnic with Tanya studying Farm Forestry and Biological Husbandry and Tree Crops, and Charmaine studying Farm Machinery, Farm Water Systems, and Farm Bookkeeping.

“They were excellent courses and helped grow our knowledge. If you like learning, you can learn anything, and there are so many resources available to lifestylers these days,” Tanya says.

However, on their first morning at the property, Charmaine says the pair was still over-

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INDEPENDENCE DAY LOOMS FOR EARTHTALK FOUNDERS whelmed by the scale of the project that awaited them.

“The first morning was daunting, we woke and it was pitch-black and there was a wild south-westerly. There was a huge puddle in the middle of the paddock and a dead pine tree; that was about it. We wondered what we had done!”

After enlisting expert assistance, their dreams soon began to take shape.

“We asked Permaculture designer, Kay Baxter, to put together a design plan,” says Charmaine. “It was a sensible approach. After planting a shelter belt, we developed the parts that were basic to our needs, starting, as permaculture does, close to the house with the herb and veggie gardens, then the first orchard and the chooks, slowly developing outwards.”

Today, Charmaine and Tanya continue to work closely together, accentuating one another’s strengths.

“Although we do the decision-making together Tanya has concentrated on the land management, and I’ve focused on the administrative work, including accounts and communications,” Charmaine says.

“We used to have a joke that Tanya did the propagation and I did the propaganda, but that’s not strictly true anymore.

Because we are looking to sell the property, we both take care of propaganda and neither does much in the way of propagation!”

Although Charmaine Pountney and Tanya Cumberland have enjoyed almost 21 years at their Earthtalk property in Awhitu – since July 4, 1992 – the time has come to move on.

“The property has been on the market,” says Tanya, “We’ve had three open homes and a lot of interest, but purchasing a property like this is a big decision, people need time to think about it.”

The 28-acre property has a lot to offer, including from organic vegetable gardens and orchards, to cottages, a timber plantation and native wetland.

“We hope people with a commitment to organics or healthy growing will take over, but they could do it differently from us, perhaps running a café or a learning centre; all the options are there.”

Tanya’s partner, Charmaine, adds the pair is ready to embark on a new direction in life.

“It’s a question of age and development, both for us and the land. We want to start the next stage of our lives while we’re still young and fit enough to enjoy it.

“Also the land has reached a point where people could

do a variety of interesting, new things, we don’t have the energy to take forward any of those projects.

“Of course we’d love to find people who will love and cherish the property but it will be their land and their responsibility. There are lots of things new owners could do that we haven’t even thought of, or they might just come as a family, enjoy the lifestyle and have great pleasure being part of this wonderful community.”

For more information about Earthtalk, visit www. awhitu.co.nz.

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Rural Living — June/July 2013 — 7

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Staying on top of chores Brian Neben publishes Rural Living and is also an avid lifestyle farmer

COUNTRY LAD Once again I start the diary with comment on the weather.

In fact, because we rural people are so dependent on rainfall and the sun and also need to know what the wind is doing and to avoid frosts, the weather is one of our most talked about subjects.

This year, after one of our worst droughts in several years, the rain arrived just in time to get the grass growing followed by mild conditions which, so far, have made it ideal to carry out all those chores and to again ensure the property is in good order.

At present, we are cleaning up the last of the leaves from our London plane trees, which is one of my worst annual jobs.

A few years ago we built two large compost bins next door to each other.

They are three metres by three metres and 1200mm deep.

Because we dug the compost bins out of a sloping piece of land it means we can back in the

trailer and drop the contents straight into the bin.

When it is time to empty them, we remove the timber planks from the truck and, with the assistance of a neighbour and his front end loader, we empty out the bins which will have been composting for about 12 months.

Ultimately we end up with high grade soil which is used to complement our gardens.

As well as raking up leaves there are lots of other projects under way. For example, I have been running my harrows over the paddocks while the grass is wet with really good results.

And, while we have a plentiful supply of water, it is a good time to clean out the troughs.

It’s surprising the amount of finds in the bottom debris one fi of them not to mention all the green, slimy algae floating on the top at this time of year.

I noticed a dairy farmer up the road applying fertiliser last week so this is a job I hope to undertake before the spring.

I also have to adjust gate catches at present as many of the posts have moved during the drought. There is nothing worse than dealing with catches whilst lifting hay and buckets of feed.

I am also about to start spraying several of my paddocks for

Brian sweeping leaves into his compost bins. broadleaf. I notice that wherever the horses have grazed they leave the weeds. I think this is the ideal time for tackling this project as the grass is still short and the weeds are flourishing.

Other tasks on my list are to clean out the breeding boxes for my teal ducks and on top of that my chook house needs a good fill in clean too. All this seems to fi my busy day which makes it all worthwhile.

A quick update on Elsuduko – he was getting ready to head off to the races two weeks ago but we noticed he had a slight dose of colic.

Thankfully, the vet was able to attend to him quickly and within an hour or two he was back to normal.

He is now back in work and should be racing in the next two weeks. Will give you an update on this next month.

Chat to you then, Brian

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RURAL RURAL

Animal talk from the vet

By Dr Dr Ilyse Ilyse Jennens Jennens By Franklin Vets Vets Franklin Rural living living this this time time of of year year Rural brings the the excitement excitement of of seeseebrings ing newborn newborn lambs lambs and and calves. calves. ing However it it can can also also be be chalchalHowever lenging even even for for the the most most expeexpelenging rienced farmers. farmers. It It is is important important rienced to be be well well prepared prepared to to prevent prevent to problems occurring occurring and and to to problems quickly identify identify and and deal deal with with quickly these as as they they arise. arise. these While the the vast vast majority majority of of While animals give birth on their animals give birth on their own without without hassle, hassle, it it pays pays to to own know what what to to expect expect and and when when know to intervene intervene or or call call for for help: help: to n First First stage stage labour labour (vague (vague colic, colic, n restlessness) lasting lasting longer longer than than restlessness) 6 hours hours 6 n Second Second stage stage labour labour (active (active n pushing) lasting lasting longer longer than than 2 2 pushing) hours hours When intervening, it is important to stay clean and to use plenty of lubricant to avoid

damaging the the mother. mother. If If unfaunfadamaging miliar with with the the process, process, call call your your miliar vet for for advice advice or or assistance. assistance. vet Late pregnancy pregnancy and and early early Late lactation places places aa huge huge metametalactation bolic demand demand on on the the mother. mother. bolic There is a large requirement There is a large requirement for energy energy and and minerals minerals such such for as calcium calcium and and magnesium. magnesium. as In cows, cows, metabolic metabolic problems problems In are often often seen seen soon soon after after givgivare ing birth, birth, the the most most common common of of ing these being being milk milk fever fever (calcium (calcium these deficiency), whereas whereas ewes ewes may may deficiency), present with pregnancy toxaepresent with pregnancy toxaemia (sleepy (sleepy sickness) sickness) or or milk milk mia fever in in late late pregnancy. pregnancy. fever Heavily pregnant pregnant and and animals animals Heavily that have have recently recently given given birth birth that should, therefore, therefore, be be monitored monitored should, closely for for signs signs of of depression, depression, closely loss of of appetite appetite and and any any other other loss unusual activity. activity. Contact Contact your your unusual veterinarian early early for for advice advice if if veterinarian you have any concerns.

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in young young animals animals is is get get enough enough in colostrum into into them them early. early. colostrum Calves and and lambs lambs get get no no Calves immunity from from mum mum while while in in immunity the womb, womb, and and rely rely on on good good the colostrum intake intake in in the the first first 12 12 colostrum hours to to develop develop an an immune immune hours system. Human intervention may be needed if newborns do not feed from the mother.

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Rural Living — June/July 2013 — 9

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Syndication – way For many years owning any type of racehorse fell mostly into the domain of the wealthy, but now syndicates make it possible for people of various means to enjoy racehorse ownership as this article on harness racing syndicates explains.

Syndication or shared ownership is fast becoming the most popular means for people to race horses.

In the harness racing code (pacing and trotting), the most successful in this area, has been the Auckland Trotting Club syndicates.

In fact, the syndication of yearling pacers over a 15-year period, has been called, “the most successful horse racing syndication programme in the world”.

The club has had 31 winners from 36 horses to the races (an amazing 86% winners-to-starters), for a total of 173 wins and 266 placings, with $5,304,557 in stake earnings – truly a phenomenal success story.

As an authorised syndicator of standardbreds (harness racehorses), The Auckland Trotting Club has over the last 15 years formed 14 syndicates, each comprising either 40 or 50 shares and each racing two, three or four horses.

These horses were all purchased by the respective selected prominent trainers

at the yearling sales and have been, or are currently, raced by the various ATC syndicates.

To date, all 14 syndicates have proved very successful. From the very first ATC Trot Power Syndicate, to the most recently formed Auckland Trotting Club 2013 Syndicate, they have raced such successful horses as: n Midknight Rumpus (6 wins, $41,215, winner of the NZ Sires Stakes Three & Four Year Old Series Final) n Matai Mackenzie (6 wins, $302,676, winner of the Group 1 NZ Two Year Old Championship, Group 2 NZ Welcome Stakes, Group 1 NZ Sires Stakes Two Year Old Final, Group 1 Great Northern Derby, and named 1999/2000 NZ Two Year Old of the Year) n Linford Christie (6 wins, $72,732, including 2nd placing in a heat of the 2005 InterDominion Series) n Awesome Armbro (19 wins, $648,754) n Changeover (29 wins, $2,426,765 – winner of $1.2m 2008 NZ Cup, named NZ Three Year Old & Five Year Old of the Year and then sold to stand at stud) n Spy (10 wins, $102,431) n Kobe Bryant (7 wins, $123,700)

n Tintin In America (16 wins, $934,305, including five Group 1 wins, the NZ Sires Stakes Two Year Old Final, the Three & Four Year Old Harness Jewels, the Australasian Breeders’ Crown Three Year Old C&G Final and the NZ Messenger Championship, setting an incredible five NZ records) n Charge Forward (8 wins, $97,413, winner NZ Sires Stakes Heat, setting a NZ Two Year Old Record) n Major Star (2 wins, $29,910 mainly as a 2YO in NZ & Australia).

Once the last horse in each syndicate is sold they are disbanded but currently there are three ATC syndicates in existence with all horses showing potential. Each of these syndicates is looking forward to further promising results in the near future.

Already last year’s syndicate has two 2-year-old workout winners and all three of their horses have qualified to race as two year olds.

By being part of a syndicate, members enjoy the thrill of owning and racing harness racehorses and of being very involved in harness racing, initially at Alexandra Park but also the Auckland/Waikato area.

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10 — Rural Living — June/July 2013

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forward in horse racing They may even venture further afield in New Zealand and Australia.

Advantages of being part of a larger syndicate include the comparatively low costs; an opportunity to share in the ownership of well bred horses trained by some of the country’s best trainers; making new friendships with like-minded people; total involvement in the harness racing industry and the chance to participate in social events and travel throughout the year.

This year the Auckland Trotting Club has again followed its successful formula by purchasing three richly bred yearlings for syndication.

At this year’s Australasian Classic Yearling Sale, the Auckland Trotting Club 2014 Syndicate’s three yearlings were selected by top trainers Tony Herlihy, Barry Purdon, and Geoff Small.

The horses are Bettor’s Pocket (Bettor’s Delight – Pocketfullofposies); The Faithfull (Bettor’s Delight – Running On Faith) and Major Change (Art Major – Dancingonmoonlight).

The share price of $1,964.04 provides a 1/50 share in the ownership of the three yearlings and the monthly fee of only $160.00 (less than $37/week) per share, covers all costs.

Also, this year, the North Island Standardbred Breeders’ Association has launched a new initiative in syndication.

You, too, could part-own a trotter or pacer.

Through the Auckland Trotting Club, as an authorised syndicator, the association is forming a syndicate to allow people to race two well-bred fillies with members of the champion Chiefs Super Rugby team.

You can join Liam Messam, Aaron Cruden, Brodie Retallick, Bundee Aki, Michael Kainga, Nick Crosswell, Lelia Masaga, Solomona Sakalia and Asaesli Tikoirotuma in racing the fillies.

After this year’s Australasian Classic Yearling Sale, held at Karaka in February, the NISBA were successful in arranging to lease the two well-bred fillies from their respective breeders.

These fillies did not reach their reserves of $30,000 each but their respective breeders

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53413

Phone: 09 238 5226 Fax: 09 238 5206 Mobile: 0274 990 652 Email: geoff.small@xtra.co.nz Website: gsmallharness.co.nz

while wishing to retain the fillies for future breeding, agreed to lease both without a right of purchase to the NISBA Breeders No.1 Syndicate.

Hence, there is a chance to race the fillies selected by the current two leading North Island trainers Steven Reid and Geoff Small. They are Unforgiving (Art Major – Pure Envy) and Everlasting Grace (Bettor’s Delight – Jessie Grace).

As there is no right of purchase in the lease of the fillies, there is no purchase price to buy into this syndicate, just a monthly contribution payment of just $147.50 (approx. $34/ week) per month.

This will cover a 1/40 share in

Photo supplied

the racing lease of the two yearlings and all the training and associated ongoing costs.

Also included with each share is one annual subscription to the NZ Standardbred Breeders’ Association for the life of the syndicate. If you are already an association member, this will pay your subscription for that period.

Involvement in either of these syndicates will provide many hours of fun and entertainment.

If you wish to join or obtain further information, contact manager, Rob Carr phone (09) 291-9034 or mobile: (021) 2276444; email: rob.carr@xtra. co.nz or post to PO Box 202101, Southgate, Takanini, Auckland 2246.

Offers You... ♦ HAVAR – (First crop of NZ Cup Winner Changeover) ♦ Breeding – Changeover/The Black Pearl ♦ Age – Yearling colt ♦ Update – Has been broken in and spelled, ready to come back into work for his second preparation. A lovely big strong type with manners and a well gaited pacer ♦ Costs – 10% share @ $6000 If you are interested in experiencing the Thrills and Excitement of Harness Racing and need advice from someone who will have YOUR interests at heart...

Contact Geoff or Aria Small Rural Living — June/July 2013 — 11

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On the farm this month

Ensure fencing is up to scratch and repair if necessary.

July usually means winter is well and truly here and if temperatures have been relatively mild up until now it doesn’t mean there isn’t some pretty nasty weather to come.

Spring may seem some way off but now is the time to check machinery is serviced ready for spring when it does arrive.

Check fences and water supply, clean out all troughs and put mesh over them to prevent young lambs drowning, but secure in a way that young livestock can drink from them easily.

Check your farm security systems – rural areas are not immune from crime.

Here, in northern parts, it won’t be long before we see the first lambs being born and that means ensuring you have enough feed (for all livestock) especially after summer’s drought.

Animal welfare should be top priority for people of the land and this year, because feed may be short, keep an eye out for any stock that may look too lean.

Seek advice if unsure about animal health on your property.

On smaller lifestyle blocks, grazing may not be a problem but, for those who do keep livestock, it’s always wise to rest paddocks, giving them time to recover – you can’t leave stock in the same paddock and expect the grass will keep growing or grow fast enough to provide sufficient sustenance.

If applying dressings, be sure to apply in smaller quantities rather than in one big hit and keep the spreader clear of streams or wet, boggy parts of the paddock.

On properties where livestock is minimal, pugging may not be such a big problem but it should still be avoided at all costs.

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Phone 0800 456 789 • info@ruralliving.co.nz • www.ruralliving.co.nz 12 — Rural Living — June/July 2013

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SHEEP sheep

Be prepared for early delivery of calves.

If heavy rain is on the horizon take livestock off the pasture.

Better still, here’s hoping you fine weather to used all that fine prepare a proper stand-off pad effluent with good drainage so effluent won’t run into waterways.

Ensure electric fences are working well. This will prevent stock breaking out on to saved pasture. Electric fences can also be used to create strip grazing while resting large paddocks.

For those expecting some young to be born on your properties in spring be sure you have built up enough feed including supplementary feed such as hay or silage.

When feeding out silage or hay keep waste to a minimum.

Consider feeding out in two lots so stock make a good job of cleaning up what they are given otherwise some will go to waste and that’s costly.

Young cattle will need priority feed and this should not be neglected because if they stop growing it will take a lot more feed for them to catch up. Loss of condition can have a lasting

effect on their eventual weight and size.

Those lifestylers expecting calves should have all gear ready and be prepared for early deliveries – that’s not uncommon. If calves and yearlings have dull coats and start scouring, then check with your vet before buying drench. Worms may be the cause, but it may be something else too.

If you intend to rear calves, make sure everything is ready for the new season and if you haven’t reared calves before, then talk to an experienced calf rearer.

Don’t rear more than 10 calves to start with although it could be that most lifestylers will be considering only one or two as a life experience for children in the family.

So, if buying calves get them from one farm in one consignment rather than buying them in ones and twos from saleyards.

– Content courtesy Dr Clive Dalton www.lifestyleblock.co.nz ■ See free first first aid seminar to n lifestylers on page 9.

Ewes coming up to lambing may be thin and need extra feeding. Thin ewes mean low lambing percentages, lower birth weights and more lamb deaths due to exposure and starvation.

Check with your vet about the equipment needed for lambing, and make sure you know how to use a stomach tube correctly to feed a starving lamb.

Save and freeze some colostrum from early lambing ewes (or a cow) for emergencies. There are also some good proprietary products available.

Have an old electric blanket handy to warm up starved lambs as it’s more effective than dunking in warm water, which was the old trick.

Erect some small lambing pens to hold ewes with multiples, to make sure they get properly bonded and fed in the fi rst 12 hours. first Use lamb covers for twins and triplets and check them regularly to see that their tummies are full. Feed any individuals that are not getting their share.

As a ewe reaches peak lactation 2-3 weeks after lambing the best feed should be kept for then, and any late-lambing ewes should be put on short feed.

It’s a risky time, as a spell of cold winds can cut feed drastically at this time.

Be alert for metabolic diseases in ewes that are thin,

Are you ready for calf rearing?

or you can see from the size of them that they are carrying multiples.

Close to lambing, a ewe’s appetite always drops and she may be prone to sleepy sickness if the weather turns rough. Watch for caste ewes that get on their backs and can’t get up again, as they can die fast if left there over night.

Check with your vet about vaccinations needed before lambing, and any worm drenching of young sheep that may be scouring on any new fresh feed.

Be on the watch for abortions (which are often hard to fi nd) and consult your vet find) if there is more than one.

A ewe with a prolapse or “bearing” can ruin your day, so consult your vet quickly on how to treat it. They need urgent help to prevent infections and suffering.

Dag and crutch all ewes before lambing. If you prelamb shear then make sure you have extra feed and shelter available and use snow combs to leave more wool on the sheep.

– Courtesy of Dr Clive Dalton www.lifestyleblock.co.nz

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Helping grow the country Rural Living — June/July 2013 — 13

RURAL �������������������������������������������������������������������������������

biTes bites noThing There’s nothing like a dame!

There was none more worthy of being made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit than Nganeko Minhinnick whose services to Maori and Conservation were recognised in this Queen’s Birthday honours.

Rural Living acknowledges and commends Dame Nganeko’s contribution to her people and the land and joins with others in saluting her achievements. We wish her well and to all other Franklin residents who received awards – well done!

dig this This greenie!

Dig Congratulations to greenfingered Ryan Ward, the Pukekohe-based student, who has just won a $2,500 horticultural scholarship from Agcarm.

The 20-year-old, who is studying for an Agricultural Science degree at Massey University and just loves to get dirt under his fingernails, will spend his grant on living expenses, study and travel. When he finishes his studies next year, he’s looking to a career in the great outdoors.

Appreciative of organisations such as Agcarm which support horticulture at a tertiary level, Ryan said this support encouraged people to get involved with the industry.

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Facts and snacks on Takanini’s menu It’s often said success starts at breakfast and, as many lifestylers know, producing strong stock as pets or for the pot begins with the right advice.

On Saturday, July 6, advice is set to be served in large portions, with a side of Popcorn, to boot!

Debbie Kidby, Takanini Feeds’ Drury store manager, says the upcoming Animal Stuff Fun Facts Day (9am-2pm) at the business’ Drury location (222 Great South Road) will offer fun, facts, goodies and giveaways, as well as a special appearance by Popcorn the Clown.

“We have many prominent specialists on hand to share their knowledge while the kids are entertained with balloon animals, magic and more by Popcorn, who’s also an expert, in his own field at least!”

Heading the bill is Robyn Mauger from Nutritech, who will be answering equinerelated questions.

“Robyn is a qualified vet nurse, registered thoroughbred trainer and came through a pony club system in her

youth,” says Debbie. “In fact, she even worked for Blyth Tait as a groom in the run up to the Sydney Olympics.

“She’s passionate about horses and loves solving nutrition problems, so it’s a wonderful

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Virbac, will be represented

by Terry McCathie who will present the animal health product provider’s new horse drench, Strategy T. The Natural Product Company will offer free samples of its most popular horse supplements, while Paul from Pet Express will discuss halters and leads for lambs, calves and other pets ahead of this year’s calf club season.

In addition, Dale from Acres Pet Products and a representative from Purely Pets will demonstrate their locally produced pet food alternatives.

“It’s quite the expert lineup. Both new small block farmers and veterans alike will benefit from this event, and maybe have a few chuckles along the way, too.

So, come join us, Saturday, July 6, from 9am-2pm, at 222 Great South Road.”

Popcorn the Clown will keep youngsters amused at the Animal Stuff Fun Facts Day.

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Cock-a-doodle do!

It wasn’t roosters crowing in Rural Living’s Franklin backyard last month – it was the paper’s combined editorial, sales and production teams that were shamelessly preening their feathers and making more than a bit of noise about the five awards won at this year’s annual New Zealand Community Newspapers’ Association conference.

The Prime Minister, John Key opened the conference at the Mercure Hotel in downtown Auckland where the awards dinner was held that night with more than 50 newspapers competing for accolades. Entered as an associate member of the CNA, Rural Living took out the following awards in associate categories: n BEST HEADLINES – Winner – Helen Perry, editor, Rural Living n BEST ADVERTISING PORTFOLIO – Winner – Rural Living n MOST IMPROVED NEWSPAPER FRANK VEALE MEMORIAL TROPHY – 1st equal – Rural Living n BEST SENIOR JOURNALIST – Winner – Jon Rawlinson, senior journalist, Rural Living n BEST PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR – Winner – Wayne Martin, photographer, Rural Living Afterwards managing director, and Franklin resident, Reay Neben, said she was absolutely delighted by Rural Living’s success.

“With several of the paper’s team, including Brian and I, living in Pukekohe or surrounds, we have a strong affinity with local businesses and residents, especially other lifestylers, and believe that the paper can offer not just sound advice on living in the country but provide a fun approach to rural news.

“Rural Living’s raft of awards reflects the very hard work and dedicated dynamic talents of all the team and has confirmed our faith in the product and the wonderful district we serve.”

From left; Karla Wairau, Wayne Martin, Helen Perry, Reay Neben, Brian Neben, Emma Smith, Jon Rawlinson and Maree Aucamp Rural Living — June/July 2013 — 15

RURAL �������������������������������������������������������������������������������

Shute’s fruit high and dry Consulting a higher ‘powder’ is a new priority for The Waikato Innovation Park.

Following trials, the country’s only open access product development spray dryer is now set to help Bay of Plenty company, Avocado Oil New Zealand, dry avocado pulp into a high value powder for use in cosmetic, nutriceutical and food products.

The dryer – known as FoodWaikato – is part of the New Zealand Food Innovation Network, a national network of science and technology resources.

Plant manager Dave Shute, says drying fruit is just one example of the diverse nature of the FoodWaikato facility.

“Our plant has been up and running for one year now and we’ve primarily been drying milk products.

So, drying avocados – in fact fruit of any kind – is new territory for us.

“Although quite challenging, we learned a lot during the trials and we’re now gearing up to help Avocado Oil New Zealand with commercial production of the avocado powder.”

He says avocados are just one example of food products that will go through the FoodWaikato plant this year.

“We are talking to around 10 different companies at the

powder.

Dave Shute with the new avocado powder.

moment who want to do trials with us and several of those are fruit and vegetable products,” says Dave.

“We want to get the word out to food innovators within New Zealand and throughout Australasia that we’re here to help. If you have a great idea

for a new dairy, fruit or vegetable product that requires drying, come talk to us!”

Executive director of Avocado Oil New Zealand, Brian Richardson, says it had been a long process to prepare for commercial production of its new avocado powder, Avopure.

“With access to FoodWaikato’s product development spray dryer, it has finally become possible,” he says.

Photo supplied

“The powder we have developed will be the first premium avocado powder available which contains no added fillers or carriers and contains higher levels of potassium, fibre and energy.

“Avopure uses 100 per cent natural New Zealand-grown avocados, ensuring all the nutritional and skin benefits of avocados are retained.”

Avopure will be sold initially in the US, Japan, China and Australia.

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RURAL

Want Waste stops want It’s often said ‘there’s money in muck,’ and perhaps none know this better than Stuart Keven, founder of Bio-Cosmo Technologies.

However, the local businessman is more interested in developing technology to help grow a better world.

“New Zealand may project itself on the world stage as being ‘clean-green,’ but, in a lot of ways, that’s little more than a marketing ploy. We send a lot of waste to landfills, because dumping charges here are low and price simply rules the day.

“Landfills are an okay system, but one of the greatest downsides is the release of methane gas into the atmosphere, which is ultimately more damaging than CO2. And, it’s a waste sending so much recoverable material to a landfill when it is a valuable resource.”

While green waste can be composted in any backyard, protein is difficult to break down.

However, the Bio-Cosmo process can tackle food waste that many other processes can’t.

“Hatcheries and poultry farms, for example, generate huge quantities of waste, including birds and offal, to landfills.

But, thanks to our process, and some very willing microscopic workers, that’s not necessary.”

Accepting such food waste, Bio-Cosmo has undertaken successful trials at its Wiri plant, transforming materials into fertiliser which would otherwise go to a landfill. Providing the

Stuart Keven right conditions, within closed digesters, it is rapidly biodegraded using special bacteria.

“The results are promising.

Hopefully, we can move to a more commercial model soon.

“Not only will customers save on waste management, because waste can be transformed into highly effective fertiliser, our process will also be a boon to farmers and gardeners.”

Bio-Cosmo’s small pack fertiliser (Outcrop) is available for gardeners from its Wiri plant.

Detailed information about its effectiveness is available online (www.biocosmo.co.nz).

Stuart says Outcrop seems to act as a ground conditioner and plant stimulant by activating soil microbes; however, the proof really is in the eating.

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While the Bio-Cosmo process is already used to a limited degree in New Zealand, Stuart has received keen interest from abroad. He says feasibility studies are underway with a view to setting up large plants offshore.

“Governments and businesses are increasingly realising that we can’t go on the way we have; thanks to Bio-Cosmo, we don’t have to. We have been most fortunate to have the services of Terry Atkinson BSc in spear-heading the testing programme. Technical information is available on our website or by contacting Terry.”

Stuart, also owner-operator of Keven’s Department Store in Pukekohe, was inspired to develop the technology during a visit to Japan in the 1990s.

“The Japanese were looking at in-home composting, but it really wasn’t tenable. I saw that, if employed on a larger scale, it could be very effective.

“However, Bio-Cosmo really is a labour of love. I just can’t stand to see this beautiful world become a dumping ground when, with a little hard work from a lot of microscopic helping hands, we can turn waste into fertiliser that can ultimately feed millions.”

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www.ruralliving.co.nz 18 — Rural Living — June/July 2013

Evergreen buckthorn berries, leaves and flowers.

Photos supplied

Will this buck stop here?

Evergreen buckthorn (Rhamnus alaternus) is considered a serious threat to coastal areas, where it can form thick stands and interfere with native plant regeneration.

Thanks to the Waikato Regional Council, which is currently working with land occupiers to eradicate this pest in its area, we have some information about a plant that’s proving a thorn in the side of New Zealand’s biosecurity efforts.

Originating from the Mediterranean, evergreen buckthorn was introduced to New Zealand as an ornamental plant. It is common in Auckland and on islands in the Hauraki Gulf. In the Waikato region, it is currently limited to a few localised sites in Hamilton city, Coromandel and Te Kauwhata.

Looking much like a shrub or small tree, standing roughly five metres tall, it can grow up to 10 metres. However, its growth may be stunted in exposed places. It has thick foliage with glossy green leaves and small, green, fragrant flowers from May to November.

Evergreen buckthorn is sometimes confused with native plants such as coprosmas, because it is a relatively nondescript plant with variable features, and can be hard to identify.

One way it can easily be distinguished from natives is by its two small holes at the leaf base and its buckthorns – matching bumps on the top of the leaves.

Evergreen buckthorn can quickly take over stream and forest margins and disturbed forests, changing the structure of native ecosystems.

A multi-stemmed, evergreen shrub, it is tolerant of dry or exposed conditions and produces a lot of berries from a young age, which are easily dispersed by birds. It may also grow from suckers.

Leaves of evergreen buckthorn can be variable; they are dark green, glossy on top, oval to elliptic and up to 6cm long.

Their edges can be smooth, or with blunt or sharp teeth.

Its young shoots are angular, purplish and hairy, while the flowers – 3 to 4mm in diameter, without petals – are greenish in colour and bloom in small clusters.

Fruits of the plant grow up to 7mm long in clusters. They are glossy, dark red in colour, changing to black when ripe.

Individual plants are either male or female.

Landowners can choose to remove evergreen buckthorn, or, in the Waikato, they can request assistance.

Small plants up to 30cm can be uprooted, but care needs to be taken to grub out all of the roots. Physical control is ineffective for larger plants, however, as they readily grow from stems or re-sprout from roots.

Stumps can be cut and all stems from the base treated immediately with a suitable herbicide, such as Vigilant® gel or glyphosate.1.

Alternatively, spraying the foliage of small plants comprehensively with Metsulfuron (such as Escort) or Triclopyr (Grazon, for example), can prove effective.

While councils are removing established plants and seeking out new infestations, early detection of infestations of evergreen buckthorn is vital to achieve their goals. If you think you have seen this pest, contact your local plant pest contractor.

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RURAL

Fieldays puts best foot forward

By Jon Rawlinson If it weren’t for your gumboots, where would you be?

Well, Fred, I’d be stuck traipsing around looking for my car with very sore feet!

Unfortunately, my first visit to Fieldays at Mystery Creek in Hamilton recently ended in a rut, thanks to unsuitable shoes and a flat battery when, at last, I located my car. However, with more attractions than you could shake a cattle prod at, the event itself was highly entertaining and informative.

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From tractor pulls, saw skills, Suzuki Extreme Air motorcycle demo, the fencing competitions, Ag Wear fashion show and even a appearance by the Egg Man in the Kiwi’s Best Kitchen (goo goo g’joob), Fieldays certainly provided more than just a little bit of country.

It was a Mecca for farmers of every kind. The small block lifestylers I spoke to were like kids in a candy store with many practical products attracting their attention and giving them something to dream about.

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Freephone (0508) 550 550 Rural Living — June/July 2013 — 19

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Cruelty Free Week 15-19 July 2013

ty Free Week 15-19 July 2013

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Cruelty Free Week 15-19 July 2013

From previous page Despite resolutely resisting delightful goodies from a myriad of snack stalls, in case they spoilt my supper, one scrumptious article had a way of making me... eat.

I simply couldn’t resist the invasion of flavour offered by bratwurst from Fritz’s Weiners; well done, you!

Unfortunately, there was no likely lad from Franklin to put his foot in it and secure the Golden Gumboot trophy in the Fieldays Rural Bachelor of the Year Competition (covered recently in Rural Living).

Instead ‘Naki lad, Simon Washer, took home the prize.

Could this be because our boys are too busy working hard to look gorgeous or just that savvy Franklin country lasses have them all tied up?

Either way, who wants to be a bachelor boy anyway? Except

‘Barking Mad’ on the catwalk.

Cliff Richard, but that’s a different story!

Speaking as one who has always relied on the ‘kindling’ of strangers to fuel his fire, the

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The Innovations Den, Den, and, and, particuparticuInnovations larly, the the Kindling Kindling Cracker Cracker – – aa larly, novel invention invention for for splitting splitting novel firewood – – was was of of real real interest. interest. firewood Named Grassroots Grassroots Young Young Named Inventor of the Year, Ayla Inventor of the Year, Ayla Hutchinson, the the clever clever girl girl Hutchinson, behind this this ‘cracker’ ‘cracker’ clearly clearly behind represented the the no no 8 8 wire wire ingeingerepresented nuity of of the the next next generation generation of of nuity rural New Zealanders. rural New Zealanders.

After aa long, long, yet yet entertainentertainAfter ing day, day, replete replete but but with with sore sore ing feet, and a head full of ideas, feet, and a head full of ideas, II allowed those those country country roads roads to to allowed take me home. take me home.

Next year year Fieldays Fieldays is is set set Next for June June 11-14 11-14 and and I’ll I’ll be be back, back, for armed with with aa better better camera, camera, armed more time time to to wander wander and and much much more more suitable shoes! more suitable shoes!

A right right A rurAl rural roundup roundup After four days and 125,127

After four days and 125,127 visitors, the recent 45th New visitors, the recent 45th New Zealand National Agricultural Zealand National Agricultural Fieldays closed its gates leavFieldays closed its gates leaving organisers to celebrate a ing organisers to celebrate a successful event. successful event.

NZ National Fieldays CEO, NZ National Fieldays CEO, Jon Calder, said with 28,445 Jon Calder, said with 28,445 visitors passing through the visitors passing through the gates on the final day (June 15) gates on the final day (June 15) it was a positive conclusion to it was a positive conclusion to the event and an indication that the event and an indication that the primary sector was alive the primary sector was alive and well. and well.

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“This year, year, as as we we “This celebrated 45 45 years years celebrated of Fieldays, Fieldays, it it was was great great of to see see such such aa large large number number of of to businesses making making record record sales sales businesses and leads. leads. The The positivity positivity evieviand dent across across our our exhibitors exhibitors and and dent visitors sends sends aa strong strong signal signal visitors that there there is is confidence confidence and and aa that buoyant mood mood across across our our buoyant agricultural and and primary primary agricultural sector. sector.

“It’s likely likely that that the the “It’s most significant results most significant results though will will continue continue though long after we close our gates. gates. long after we close our The many connections that The many connections that are made made at at Fieldays Fieldays with with are domestic and and international international domestic businesses will will translate translate businesses into future deals and transinto future deals and transactions carrying on into the actions carrying on into the future. While While it’s it’s often often hard hard future. to quantify, these are subto quantify, these are substantial and valuable to our stantial and valuable to our economy.” economy.”

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Changing way dogs and owners communicate Have you ever wondered what your dog gets up to when your back’s turned? turned? Is he or she scratching, barking or pining for your return?

Well, now you can have all this information at your fingertips, literally!

A groundbreaking, clever new product, designed by Kiwis and made right here in New Zealand, has just come on the market that can tell you all this and more. Potentially, it will benefit some 700,000 dogs living in New Zealand!

Heyrex is a revolutionary health-monitoring tool that watches over your dog 24/7, teaching dog owners new tricks by helping address serious, lifethreatening problems that may otherwise go unnoticed.

No matter what time of day it is, Heyrex observes a dog’s behaviour, so caring dog owners feel reassured about their beloved hounds, around-theclock. clock.

This innovative device can help identify many dog health conditions, including degenerative joint disease, cardiac conditions and behavioural disorders.

So how does it work?

A small monitor fits comfortably on the dog’s collar and wirelessly sends the dog’s daily behaviour back to the Heyrex

server. server. This information can then be accessed by the dog’s owner throughout the day, just by logging on to the Heyrex website using a smartphone or computer.

Heyrex CEO, Nathan Lawrence says that after seven years of product development, Heyrex’s original inventor, David Gibson, sadly passed away in 2011.

we came up with Heyrex – it will keep a watchful eye on your dog at those times of the day you can’t be by its side.

“There has never been a product like this before and we’re

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22 — Rural Living — June/July 2013

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A dog’s life!

Man’s best friend is living longer thank to advances in animal health and nutrition.

However, as with their human owners, better diagnostics mean conditions such as congestive heart disease are being seen more often.

Dr Catherine Watson from the New Zealand Veterinary Association’s Companion Animal Society, says many dog owners fail to recognise the early symptoms of heart disease in their pets, putting the signs down to ‘old age’.

“In overlooking early warning signals, they may be missing the opportunity to give their pets a better quality life as a senior ‘petizen’,” Dr Watson says.

“Heart disease can affect a significant proportion of older dogs, particularly of certain breeds.

“Behavioural changes such as a reluctance to go for a walk are often signs of an underlying condition.

“Even subtle changes in behaviour are a reason to contact your vet because these are the first signs of illness.”

The top ten signs of congestive heart failure for dog owners to look for include: n Coughing – minor coughs tend to last a few days but if coughing persists longer seek

advice from your local veterinarian. n Difficulty breathing, including shortness of breath, laboured or rapid breathing. n Changes in behaviour such as tiring more easily, being less playful, reluctance to exercise or accept affection, being withdrawn. n Poor appetite especially if combined with other symptoms on this list. n Weight loss or gain – while weight loss is more common; some dogs with heart disease develop a bloated abdomen. n Fainting – seek veterinary help immediately if your dog collapses or faints. It could be a sign of one of several serious illnesses, including heart disease. n Weakness – while this comes with old age, if combined with other symptoms there could be something else going on. n Oedema – swelling of the body tissues particularly in the abdomen and other extremities. n Restlessness, particularly at night. n Isolation – distancing itself from you and other pets.

The NZVA recommends annual health checks for pets and twice a year checks for dogs over the age of 11 (depending on the breed).

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RURAL �������������������������������������������������������������������������������

Hold your horses

By Jon Rawlinson Since Francis Ford Coppola’s infamous film, The Godfather, horses everywhere have been racing to get a-head on screen, and that’s not just in ‘Khartoums.’

However, thanks to an article in last month’s Rural Living, the infamous white horse of Waiuku is set to make his debut on network television. Yes, it seems our paper has created a TV star!

And his celebrity doesn’t stop there. Officially named Charlie White, he has his own Facebook page. Owner, Billy Hol, says interest in this really ‘raced off’ following our article.

Often seen hoofing it throughout the Waiuku region, Charlie recently made an appearance at Fieldays, modelling Western gear, and earlier in the month, was spotted partying at the Kentish Tavern – perhaps following a win on the geegees – and even cheering, ‘till he was more than just a

little horse, watching netball while wearing a team strip.

Originally named Charlie Horse by kidding Billy’s grandfather, Charlie White may be set for a new screen name, however. Following calls for readers to suggest a name, we received more than just a few proposals, but we think Rural Living reader, Stanley, has backed a winner. He writes: “I always look out for him as I enter Waiuku on my way to our property in Awhitu. On June first, he was wearing a red scarf as he peered over the fence, facing and welcoming on-coming traffic. But, when I left Waiuku the next day, he had gone; what a mystery! So, I would like to put forward for consideration the name, Mystique.”

Thanks, Stanley. Billy says he is a little intrigued by Mystique (aren’t we all?), but whether or not he adopts this new moniker for his faithful steed, either way, we can now clearly assert that Billy has indeed been through Waiuku on a horse WITH a name!

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RURAL

Possum control on lifestyle blocks

By Ditch Keeling Coastal Pest Solutions Ltd

Establishing a bait station programme: Philproof mini bait stations should be placed at 100 metre spaces around bush fringes/ boundaries or at the rate of 2/hectare in bush.

They can be nailed to the base of trees or attached side-on to the tree at head height.

I favour getting them as high as possible as this removes

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Ditch with a freshly filled and lured bait station. all risk of access by pets and stock. When attaching side-on, the addition of a second nail through the centre hole at the base of the station keeps it level and allows for easy re-filling simply by lifting the base off the lower nail, tilting the station 45 degrees to the side and pouring the bait straight into the mouth of the station.

Filling the stations: Fill each station with 500 grams of pest-off Possum pellets – cutting down a plastic bottle to make a cup to hold 500grams makes this very easy.

The annual filling regime for these stations is based on three fills at or around one month intervals commencing in early autumn; and three times again at one month intervals concluding mid-spring.

This equates to six fills over two pulses or 3kg of bait per station per year.

As with all toxins, follow

manufacturer’s guidelines for safe and efficient use. Removing any uneaten bait will allow you to further calculate what your property requires annually and leaves the stations empty, clean and tidy until next season.

Additional lure: For best results bait stations should be lured with a “blaze” of scented flour (as in pic).

You can make an effective lure by adding a small amount of cinnamon and icing sugar, aniseed (or anything else that smells great) to the required amount of flour then smear a handful of this in a line leading to the mouth of the station each time you fill them.

Bait stations and bait are available from Philproof Ltd www.philproof.co.nz.

If you want to establish a bait station regime but need some help setting it up contact me through www.coastalpestsolutions.co.nz.

TRAPINATOR

The traditional winter possum control season is now in full swing, so if you haven’t started, here’s a few pointers to help you on your way.

The autumn-spring control season is based on dealing with possums during breeding i.e. reducing numbers before new young become independent during autumn; and further control immediately prior to spring to afford the best possible conditions for breeding bush birds.

This approach is well timed to coincide with the winter reduction in the amount of naturally available food items, thus making baits and lures more effective.

Pulsing control efforts during these two periods of the year also reduces both the level of effort required and the associated costs.

Trapping, shooting and poisoning are all viable means of achieving possum control but if you are after a standardised method requiring minimal input then establishing a permanent bait station regime for use in autumn and spring makes a lot of sense.

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RURAL________________________________________________________________________________

Hops — growing a better While many may raise a glass of store-bought beverage from time to time, one Tuakau gardener enjoys the fruits of his own labour, downing a pint or two of home ‘grew’ beer!

Looking to combine his love of gardening and brewing, landscape gardener (and self-professed hop-head) Glen Brassey found a better way to get his hops off, as he explains: Although it’s not your usual garden plant, the common hop (Humulus lupulus) is a musthave for enthusiastic homebrewers who are also keen gardeners, as it offers much to both landscape and palate.

Because cuttings – be sure these are from female plants – are mostly available during winter, now’s the perfect time to ‘hop to it!’

While I primarily grow them to use in homebrew, my hops certainly have become a talking point among visitors to my garden.

How, where and when to plant

Hop cones (flowers) should be snipped when they are thin, light Photo supplied green and papery.

Cuttings are usually available online. Begin by selecting a spot in the garden that receives full sun to part shade.

Because hops require support, you will need to erect a light structure, with vertical strings to support the vines – these can grow up to six metres tall. Personally, I’ve found bamboo poles an effective option.

When cuttings arrive, they should be planted as soon as possible. I’ve found July to be the perfect month to plant.

Prepare a bed roughly one metre square and to a depth of about 12cm, with loose, freedraining soil, mulch and compost.

Plant just a few centimetres below the surface and space about a metre apart. Provided the plants are well bedded in, once the weather warms, the shoots will come away.

Care To help hops reach their full potential, limit leaders to four per plant.

When the vines reach 15-30cm in length, they will need to be trained to grow up the strings. In the southern hemisphere hops will naturally wrap themselves anticlockwise, so it pays to train them in the same direction.

Because some vines can grow 20cm per day during their growing cycle, they will use a lot of nitrogen, so soil may need conditioning.

From January onwards, buds will appear on female plants; these should be fed with flower fertiliser.

Water thoroughly – a few times a week should do – but, to prevent mildew from developing, be careful to limit watering to just the plant roots.

And remember to apply more mulch during the summer months.

Rural Living is available FREE from selected advertisers and the following locations: Pukekohe Barfoot and Thompson, 68 King St PGG Wrightson, 153 Manukau Rd Pukekohe Library, 12 Massey Ave Kevens Department Store, 73 King St Franklin Vets, 86 Harris St Tuakau H.R Fiskens, 295 Tuakau Rd Tuakau Meats, 23 George St Profarm Tuakau, Cnr Madill Rd and George St

26 — Rural Living — June/July 2013

Pokeno Pokeno Bacon, Great South Rd Bombay Autobahn Patumahoe The Butchers Shop Cafe, 4 Patumahoe Rd Waiuku Franklin Vets, 2 Court St Karaka Animal stuffs, 671 Karaka Rd

Drury Animal Stuffs, 222 Great South Rd Drury Butcher, 232a Great South Rd Town & Country Vets, 257 Great South Rd Ardmore Animal Stuffs, 192 Airfield Rd Hunua John Hill Estate, 144 John Hill Rd Clevedon Clevedon Rural Supplies, 13 Papakura Clevedon Rd, Clevedon Village

Rural Living is delivered on the first week of each month. Copies will go quickly so be quick to collect yours from any of the following outlets. An electronic versions is also available at ruralliving.co.nz

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brew Harvest When the cones (flowers) are thin, light green in colour, and papery in consistency, snip the vines to remove them from the strings. Unless basketball is your game, you will need a ladder for this! I’ve grown mine next to a balcony to make access easier. a little easier.

Cut leaders back to just above ground level with secateurs; this will allow new shoots to develop from the same root mass come spring.

Processing While the big boys may get fancy when it comes to processing, this can easily be done at home on the kitchen bench.

Hops can be dried by spreading in a shallow pile in a sheltered area. Mix them each day to ensure moist cones are brought to the surface. This method should take a few days

RURAL

Selfconfessed hop-head Glen Brassey, right, grows a hop plant near a balcony for accessibility, far right.

Photo supplied

to complete.

Alternatively, they can be dried in an oven; just make sure to keep the temperature low, around 50-60 degrees Celsius.

Whether air drying or using an oven, you will know the hops are ready when the inner stems of the cones break easily, snapping rather than bending.

storing Storing When dry, hops can be used for brewing. However, unless planning on quite the party, it’s likely you will have more hops than

can be used fresh. Fortunately, hops can be frozen; simply pack them into an airtight container first.

to produce an ancient and satisfying beverage enjoyed by millions.

Homebrew kits are available at stores nationwide, and recipes can be easily located online; www.ratebeer.com http://www.ratebeer.com/ ShowHomebrewRecipes.asp is one of my particular favourites.

But, when it comes to the ‘how to do’ for my next batch, I could tell you, but maybe some secrets are best left kept!

Happy growing and brewing everyone.

Uses Apparently, hops can be used for medicinal purposes; as remedies for such maladies as anxiety and insomnia. Maybe there’s something in that because, after a few beers I feel at ease and, depending on exactly how many, quite ready for my bed!

In my garden, hops are grown for one reason only, and that’s

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The brewery is a self-contained three tier gravity feed unit consisting of three 59L stainless steel pots and a counter flow heat exchanger, replicating the commercial process while trolley mounted. The unit is approximately 1800mm x 1000mm x 600mm and moves freely through a door with all the pots easily removable for cleaning. The heating required is achieved through gas burners fed from a single bottle.

• Water is heated in the top vessel to the correct temperature prior to mashing.

• The second vessel is the mashtun which has a removable perforated bottom plate. The wort is drained off below the false bottom into the kettle, leaving the spent grain behind.

• The wort is then boiled in the kettle and the hops are added as required. The kettle has a fine mesh filter to retain the hops in the vessel once it is drained.

• The boiled wort is drained from the kettle through a counter flow heat exchanger ensuring the wort temperature is reduced to the optimum yeast pitching temperature as it is run into a separate vessel for fermenting.

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Rural Living — June/July 2013 — 27 DDN0367 Farra Stnls Advert.indd 1

20/06/13 11:48 AM

RURAL________________________________________________________________________________

Dousing drink driving Rural residents reluctant to ‘dob in’ friends and neighbours they suspect of drink/driving could be contributing to persistent drink/drive offending in country areas.

Speeding and drink/driving were key areas of concern among rural residents according to an online rural crime survey conducted by Rural Women New Zealand.

More than 80 percent of people surveyed said speeding was a problem in their community and 75 percent said drink/driving was also a problem.

Rural Women New Zealand’s national president, Liz Evans says while urban people are getting the message not to drink and drive, in rural communities on-going offending is having serious consequences.

At the Rural Women NZ national conference in Christchurch recently, John

Perham of Crimestoppers and Assistant Commissioner (Road Policing) Dave Cliff agreed that rural people needed to move from being bystanders to being active participants in helping police make rural communities safe.

They felt that rural residents often knew who was regularly driving drunk, but were reluctant to ‘dob in’ friends and neighbours.

Mr Perham said by calling 0800 555 111 and giving information about offenders to Crimestoppers anonymously, the police could then act on tip offs.

He said in most years 80 people were killed drink/driving but the numbers of people whose lives were affected was much higher.

For every 100 drink/drivers killed, 50 passengers and 20

others were killed, and 1,000 were seriously injured.

In addition to speeding and drink/drive concerns, 70 percent of respondents also said that theft of fuel was a problem, while just over half saw theft of vehicles, or of items from a vehicle, as an issue.

In terms of machinery theft, such as quad bikes, Mr Cliff said it raised the question: ‘where were the keys?’ “Let’s engage in a little bit of self-protection,” he said.

Mr Cliff added that family violence was considered as the most important area when it came to crime prevention.

“When children are exposed to violence in the home on an ongoing basis, boys in particular become less likely to be empathetic and more likely to become offenders themselves,” he said.

“Whereas when girls are exposed to ongoing domestic violence they come to believe it is perfectly normal, and later, that having a partner who is violent is normal.”

For full survey results visit: www.ruralwomen.org.nz/ news-and-inspiration/ruralcrime-survey-results.

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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 July 30, 2013. Winner notified by phone or email.

Win! A copy of Wild Kitchens While some of us may prefer not to tread softly and shoot a big gun to bag bounty for the table, we can still delight in wild food dishes encompassing the best meat – boar, venison, goat, tahr and turkey – our country has to offer. Head judge and creator of the Monteith’s Beer and Wild Food Challenge, Kerry Tyack, includes recipes from past competitions, as well as innovative new dishes from Kiwi chefs in his new book, Monteith’s Wild Kitchens: The Best of Monteith’s Beer and Wild Food Challenge.

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Here’s a handy prize for lifestylers and farmers short on feed this winter. Animal Stuff, which has branches at Takanini, Karaka and Pukekohe has given us a $50 feed voucher to give away to one lucky reader. It can be used against any kind of feed depending on the winner’s particular needs – a great prize to bag at this time of the year – thanks Animal Stuff!

Thanks to Johnson’s® we have one amazing face and body care pack to keep your skin glowing all winter long! Featuring a wonderful array of Johnson’s products to cleanse, exfoliate, moisturise, hydrate and nourish the skin, this superb prize pack contains: Johnson’s® Body Care Extra Rich Moisturising Cream Body Wash and Body Lotion along with Johnson’s® Face Care Daily Essentials Gentle Exfoliating Wash, Nourishing Cream Wash, Refreshing Gel Wash, Moisturising Day Cream and Nourishing Facial Cleansing Wipes.

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WIN! photography session

WIN! $50 voucher from cafe kaos Who in the district doesn’t love Café Kaos in the heart of Pukekohe? It’s a rare retro treat with novel décor, convivial ambience and superb food. And, now, thanks to Kaos management, Rural Living is giving devotees and the uninitiated a chance to win a Kaos voucher to the value of $50 – your chance to enjoy one of the best.

Here’s your chance to win a one-hour portrait session at a venue of your choice – studio, at home, or a rural setting around or close to Pukekohe (conditions apply). You can choose to keep the session for yourself or make it a family event. This prize package, valued at $310, includes a 5x7 inch print – what a wonderful way to grab a snapshot on life!

Rural Living — June/July 2013 — 29

LIVING________________________________________________________________________________

Business ‘bean’ growing While Paparimu may be a long way from tropical isles in the sun, the close-knit Franklin community has had a growing influence on the people of one Tongan island as JON RAWLINSON discovered.

Jennifer Boggiss – driving vanilla growth in Tonga.

Tonga.

Photo supplied

When a devastating cyclone ripped through Vava’u in Tonga, some 10 years back, former Paparimu farmer John Ross lent a hand with an aid project which would evolve into a new family business, Heilala Vanilla.

Now, as the company launches its new Heilala Vanilla Foundation – which aims to further John’s charitable work – company director and John’s daughter, Jennifer Boggiss, says her father’s philanthropy stems from the family’s rural roots.

“My father spent all his life at the farm [in Paparimu] and my mum was born and raised in Ararimu. It was the most perfect place for me to grow up, in a secure, safe and very tight rural community,” she says.

“Dad started the vanilla plantation in Vava’u as part of an aid project he initiated after the cyclone. We holidayed there each year for a few years and the entire family fell in love with the people and the place.”

In developing Heilala Vanilla – which takes its name from the national flower of Tonga – John established more than just a company growing beans in Tonga to be processed in New Zealand, he also formed a

partnership with the people of Vava’u.

“Dad was a dairy farmer, however, he also grew corn and squash, and vanilla growing was an expansion on this,” says Jennifer. “He visited various vanilla-growing countries to gain a better understanding of this unique crop.

“He’s a man of many talents, incredible energy, and has a calm, yet entrepreneurial spirit.

“He worked incredibly hard and, as a retired dairy farmer, wasn’t about to head to the bowling club! Instead, at 72 years old, he became instrumental in re-building the vanilla industry in Tonga.”

Established on the principles of fair trade, the Heilala Vanilla Foundation is a registered charity which, on completion of harvest, donates a percentage of sales of vanilla beans from Vava’u to worthy causes.

Jennifer says each year trustees will decide on a new project to support, the first beneficiary being the home economics department of the Vava’u High School.

Although John now lives in another Franklin suburb, Maraetai – while Jennifer lives in Tauranga – he is actively

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LIVING

real good involved with both the company and the charity.

“When the dairy farm sold, my parents wanted to move to the seaside – Dad’s boat was kept at Pine Harbour and Maraetai appealed – while still retaining ties to the Papakura community,” Jennifer says.

“Because Dad now looks after the growing and crop supply in Tonga, he spends up to six months a year in Vava’u and the balance here.”

The year her father’s farm sold, Jennifer and husband moved from Auckland to a semirural Tauranga property.

“We have a small greenhouse on our property in Te Puna, with approximately 20 vanilla plants – the greenhouse needs to be heated and humidity created. Vanilla grows typically 20 degrees either side of the equator so Vava’u Tonga is the perfect environment.”

And success certainly runs in the family, Jennifer’s brother, Geoff Ross, built a successful global brand with 42 Below.

“Having witnessed his journey over those 10 or so years from garage to the Bacardi boardroom was probably my greatest inspiration. I think if I can do with Heilala Vanilla what he did with vodka, although obviously in a smaller way, I will be proud. However, vanilla will never move as fast off the shelf as vodka.”

However, the vanilla company’s products have experienced their share of notoriety.

“Seeing Heilala Vanilla in the Masterchef pantry on TV recently made my heart sing,” Jennifer says. “I have also been delighted to see our products named on the menus of some award-winning restaurants around the globe and on the shelves of prestigious retailers.”

John Ross works on the plantation in Vava’u.

Photo supplied / Jason Burgess

Quota International of Papakura Inc.

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Rural Living — June/July 2013 — 31

LIVING _______________________________________________________________________________

Socialising around town Reay Neben is a Franklin resident and publisher of Rural Living.

CITY LASS This month has flown by and we have celebrated a family birthday every week which, of course, has meant buying lots of gifts.

Over the past month we have also wined and dined all over the city; sometimes in new places, sometimes in old favourites. One major event was the wedding of our sales consultant Maree at Beaufords in Totora Park.

I had forgotten all about this fabulous setting and its lovely old house in the middle of the bush. The drive in through native trees was beautiful and, with the sun shining, the setting was unique.

Maree and Johann had a small intimate ceremony and I must say that the service and meal at Beaufords was lovely. A perfect venue for weddings or any other small function.

Now, back at home the deck is at last finished. The tiles are laid and the builder has nearly completed his task.

What a procedure but we now have an outdoor room where the floors need vacuuming and washing after we have been out there. Before the alteration we

Johann and Maree Aucamp with wedding guests from left, Tony Dawson, Dave and Karla Wairau, Photo supplied Reay and Brian Neben and celebrant Kathy Bigwood. could sweep crumbs etc through the gaps in the decking!

Actually, we have created a whole new room. Not sure how to describe it, really; calling it a deck is not at all reflective of the large (and expensive) indoor/ outdoor area we now enjoy.

However, the renovation has put out of my mind any thoughts of other alterations, for the time being at least.

We have been into the city a few times lately and I must say I do love it or I did.

While we are so lucky to have everything we need out here, occasionally a trip to the city is like a holiday. It had been so

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long since we last visited the lower end of Queen Street and surrounds.

So many changes and not so many of the iconic buildings we used to know.

I was keen to visit the new (to me) Britomart precinct thinking it would be like any other big city train station area.

Well, it was Sunday and there were no trains so, that was that but the shopping around about was exquisite and the cafes and bars really trendy.

However, much as I enjoyed the visit, I must admit that when we headed for the motorway I thought to myself, “glad I

don’t have to do that again for a while!” I think that’s called, finding one’s comfort zone.

Another visit to the city was to attend our national newspaper conference which was held at The Mercure in Customs Street.

Rural Living won numerous awards and I must congratulate the members of our team who were recognised by the industry. We enjoyed a wonderful night as you should when you win prizes.

I hope you enjoy the new look Rural Living and that readers continue to support the advertisers who support us.

See you next month – Reay

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Race on foR lunch tickets Back from warmer parts and finding the cold weather a bit bleak? Well, cheer up ladies, the sun’s about to shine on your day.

Yes, the Counties Racing Club annual Ladies’ Lunch with its meld of fashion, food and racing fun is all set to go on Wednesday, July 10.

Aimed at those with a passion for excitement and a yen to win big time, this well supported event is a seasonal date local socialites never miss.

Not only is there a chance to collect off one of the eight horse races but there are spot prizes, giveaways and displays not to mention a welcome drink on arrival and a mouth-watering

Last year’s Ladies’ Lunch was enjoyed by all. buffet lunch from a foxy chef... oops, I mean master chef M.C. Fox. What’s more, the best dressed female will go home with an Annah S voucher valued at $3500 to host an in-store event for 10 people – now how good is that?

Whether you are a guest of one of the many companies involved, or just intend-

ing to join a friend for a day of girl talk and titivation, there’s ample opportunity to forget the weather and relax in style.

Companies behind this funfilled day include Annah S, Catwalk Clothing, Phoenix Make-up, Scent, Michael Hill Jewellers, Adberry Equine Services, Caci Clinic Pukekohe, Diosa Hair Salon, Louie Thomas Jewellery, Change of Address,

Ladies ’ Lunch Wednesday, July 10

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Fashion & Beauty Display 8 Live Races Spot Prizes & Giveaways Buffet Lunch & Dessert

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Paradise found...

While the beaches of the Coromandel may prove quite the attraction during summer, when the sun doesn’t have its hat on, what does the town of Whitianga have to offer? JON RAWLINSON found a haven that proved a pleasure, despite the weather.

Secluded pools in native surroundings complemented by gourmet food. experience The Lost Spring’s other offerings.

Fortunately, as meals and opulent cocktails were served poolside, we didn’t have far to travel.

After a morning of strenuous relaxation, we both felt a little peckish. Generally speaking, The Lost Spring Café menu is well priced, with mains averaging around the $20-30 mark, however, we opted to share the Mixed Grill Platter ($44).

Featuring organic lamb koftas, organic razorback wild boar sausage, organic steak, freerange chicken, prawns and a stuffed jacket potato with dipping sauces, this platter fairly

had our taste buds tingling.

Although the portions weren’t enormous, all items were loaded with flavour and a delight to partake.

Following another leisurely swim, my partner booked for an Island Facial treatment. At $150, the hour-long pampering session left my wallet a little worse for wear. But a happy lady makes for a happy life, so in that respect, it was worth every cent!

Partner returned, to find me relaxing in the hotter of the two pools with a good book. She extolled the virtues of therapist, Nadya van Amelsfort and her practised hands.

Just when we thought we had had at least glimpsed everything The Lost Spring had to offer, the sun set and we were left bathed in excellently appointed lighting.

It must be said that, due to the price tags accompanying the spa treatments, The Lost Spring is probably not an anytime retreat – at least not for poor, starving journalists.

But with one-hour swim passes available for $35 ($60 for day passes), professional service, reasonably priced food and beverages, and package deals on offer, it seems a basic taste of opulence doesn’t have to cost the... earth.

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Hidden away on Cook Drive, surrounded by its residential neighbourhood, The Lost Spring is easily missed.

However, those who find their way through its palisade-like gates will soon discover an oasis where luxury is available on tap.

On the invitation of the Lost Spring team, my partner and I recently stopped by for a quick dip; instead we found ourselves immersed in luxury that kept us swimming past sundown.

At the heart of this mini resort are its two geo-thermal pools – one hot, one soothingly warm.

Temperatures, I understand, can range from a mild 32°, to a scintillating 41 degrees C. Surrounded by beautifully maintained native bush, it was easy to forget that the busy ‘metropolis’ of Whitianga was just a stone’s throw away.

Clever landscape design shields visitors from the world, allowing romance to flourish.

Due to the chill in the air, partner and I were most reluctant to leave warm waters to

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LIVING________________________________________________________________________________

Winter time to get fruity

By Anna McNaughton Winter is perfect for planting your home orchards and there is still time to plan, prepare and purchase trees suitable for your property and the area in which you live.

If you live in a townhouse there may only be room outside for a feijoa hedge, a couple of espaliered apples and a lemon tree in a tub. However, if you are lucky enough to have land there could be scope for the wide range of fruits which thrive in our district.

Choosing varieties to plant are limited only by your tastebuds and whether you need to stick to easy-care, low maintenance varieties or are happy to cultivate plants which require special conditions plus tender, loving care.

The first consideration is the site. Ideally, the sunniest, most sheltered spot will be perfect.

Most of Franklin is blessed with good, free-draining soils but prevailing south-westerly winds can be problematic.

If you don’t have a sheltered nook, planting a shelter belt or erecting a windproof shelter will be necessary.

In most cases, staking at planting time is essential while pruning is a skill which will pay dividends. Right at the start begin training and shaping trees so that they are easy to harvest and do ensure you are promoting fruiting growth, not removing it!

When it comes to mulching, be careful not to heap mulch against the bark of the trunk but be aware that mulching is a great way to protect the tree’s root zone from drying out.

Well rotted lawn clippings or animal manure make ideal mulches.

Sprinkle fertiliser onto the mulched root zone for best utilisation of plant nutrients – fruiting plants will need to be well fed if they are to be top producers.

Grassed areas between trees can be mowed (plan tree spacing around this). If you don’t have a ride on mower, small livestock 36 — Rural Living — June/July 2013

Above, a well-planned orchard will provide five-plus a day; left, No. 8 wire protects trees from loose livestock.

can usefully mow for you!

We have a no.8 wire stockproofing system (pictured) which effectively sheep-proofs trees. Geese and ducks can be effective ‘mowers’ too as long as they are fenced in.

Traditional orchards will have a mix of deciduous fruiting trees such as apples, pears, peaches, plums and perhaps a quince or persimmon for variety.

In addition, consider a range of evergreen citrus and feijoas.

If you can provide a really sheltered environment, the subtropicals – tamarillos and bananas – will cap off a fine orchard.

Obtain trees from a specialist nursery or at least one where you can discuss your

requirements. Ensure varieties available will perform in your district and that pollinators are available where required.

We have found a great website www.tastytrees.co.nz which has a fantastic range of apples – heritage and new; dessert and cooking varieties; early mid and late season and even cider apples.

The site offers climatic recommendations enabling the choice of the best for the district in which growers live.

Another great website is www.edibles.co.nz. This company, Incredible Edibles, propagates a huge range of fruit trees offering many of the “new” superfruits including some smaller, shrubby varieties which will fit into a garden.

Lemons are probably the easiest and most versatile citrus fruit to grow. At our place we have three varieties to give a year-round supply as well as being an insurance against borer, the main enemy of sprayfree orchards.

Grapefruit are equally hardy and are great producers.

Oranges, tangelos and mandarins need maximum shelter and sunshine to produce quantities of sweet fruit.

Feijoas must be the ultimate, easy-care fruit tree, happily working as a living hedge or shelter belt while producing, producing, producing.

We invested in a mixture of hedging and grafted named varieties, which gives us great pollination and fruit set, and a long, long fruiting season.

This versatile fruit can be eaten fresh, frozen, baked, chutneyed and jammed as well as juiced or made into wine. We never have a problem finding a home for spare fruit.

Guavas are another favourite not just with us but with the native pigeons too so, collecting ripe fruit for jelly making is a race against the local birds.

Once established, a home orchard can supply the recommended “five-plus a day” fruits most of the year, saving on the food bills.

Eat fresh-picked, while fruit still has maximum goodness and flavour or, alternatively, produce home-grown preserves, baking and desserts. These old fashioned pleasures never pall.

Finally, don’t delay, plan your orchard – mini or maxi – now and head to the nursery. In the next two or three years, you’ll be reaping the rewards.

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Words often carry more than one meaning. Even a little word, such as ‘perk’, can mean different things to different people. Similarly, ‘free’ and ‘fee’ are very alike in look, yet worlds apart in terms of meaning.

While the dictionary defines ‘perks’ as: ‘money, goods, or other benefit to which one is entitled’, power company, Mercury Energy, it seems has a whole new meaning in mind.

Moving to a new home in Pukekohe, we received our ‘Perks’ programme booklet, with discount vouchers and a ‘welcome to the neighbourhood’ letter. However, the welcome was short-lived; a few months on I’ve discovered there’s no such thing as a free ‘perk.’

Noticing our Mercury account had been debited – with no explanation, online at least – to the tune of $2.50, I requested an explanation, expecting this to be a simple oversight. Seven days later (after I had paid our bill) I received a rather vague reply: “With reference to the Perks rewards programme, the dates for the first debit is to take place on the due date of your bill… this will take place each month where the Perks fee is applied to your account and debited on the due date of each invoice.”

My response was to access Mercury’s Perks’ website to unsubscribe. Considering discount vouchers are so common these days – particularly through sites such as GrabOne, Yazoom and Dailydo – I simply don’t wish to pay for ‘perks’ that can be obtained elsewhere without charge.

However, the website shows no obvious way to unsubscribe from the programme and, when trying to log in, using my Mercury username and password, access was denied.

I contacted Mercury again, asking to be released from ‘Perks’, and received the

following response: “You were signed up for Perks when the account was opened for your property... this particular offer was for a 3 month free trial and after that ended the membership fee of $2.50 would have been charged on a monthly basis. All of this information should have been made clear by our staff.”

The missus was told about ‘Perks’ and explained we didn’t wish to sign up, but was told, following the trial, the company would contact us to confirm whether or not we wished to continue; they didn’t!

However, to Mercury’s credit, this issue was swiftly resolved.

The representative went on to say: “I have removed the Perks from your account and also credited your account with the $2.50 Perks fee you were charged for this month.”

A good result, but still, I am at a loss to understand how Mercury could have the audacity to call a programme ‘Perks’ and then charge a fee.

I benefit from perks at work, including coffee, newspapers, and the use of the ‘net to write angry letters to certain organisations, but have never had a ‘perks’ fee deducted from my pay packet. In light of recent events though, maybe I best check with the boss!

antique fair to benefit kidz First Most households have inherited or collected antiquities which are sometimes displayed in china cabinets but more often than not are stashed away in cupboards, their value usually unrealised.

But once again members of Quota International of Papakura are giving locals a chance to have their treasures valued and also put on sale at the club’s annual Antiques Fair this month.

From Friday to Sunday, July 12-14, the Drury School Hall will be packed with a huge variety of antiques all in aid of the Middlemore Foundation and ultimately, Kidz First Hospital.

First held 24 years ago, the

Antiques Fair is Papakura Quota’s major annual fundraiser with well over $220,000 having been raised for various worthy causes since the event began.

With some 11,000 children being admitted to Kidz First every year and many thousands more treated in hospital support situations, this year the focus is on the health needs of South Auckland children.

Funds raised will assist family support areas at Kidz First and help in the purchase of specialised equipment.

The fair kicks off with a gala night on the Friday giving guests a first look-see and an early chance to purchase items that take their eye.

Tickets for this event are $20 each from The Wardrobe, Country Floral & Gifts, Papakura or at the door.

Some 20 dealers from all over New Zealand attend the fair and this year, antiques valuer, Norman Young, will also be available during the weekend to value family treasures – cost, $5 per item with a maximum of three items per person.

A cafe bursting with delicious food baked by Quota members will operate all weekend providing fair visitors with plenty of sustenance while they dig and delve for personal treasures.

Tickets to enter the fair on Saturday or Sunday, 10am4pm cost $5 at the door.

LIVING

real estate Everyone wants to be a lifestyle farmer – well not quite but the lifestyle property market saw a 16.4% (+260 sales) increase in sales volume in the three months to May 2013 compared to May 2012.

According to the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand, 1844 sales were recorded in the three months to May 2013 compared to 1,584 sales in the three months to May 2012.

Ten regions recorded increases in sales compared to May 2012. Auckland recorded the largest increase (+152 sales), then Waikato (+58 sales).

The national median price for lifestyle blocks rose from $475,000 for the three months to May 2012 to $509,500 for the three months to May 2013.

The median price for lifestyle blocks in Auckland rose by 12.6% in the year to May 2013, and rose by 9.7% in Waikato.

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‘Kaotic’ meal no dog’s breakfast

By Jon Rawlinson Roll over Ponsonby, and tell Remuera the news!

If Kaos in Pukekohe is anything to go by, there’s a new destination for the cafe sect that’s spinning a record all of its own!

East Auckland born and raised, I was lucky to have some of the country’s finest cafes right on my doorstep.

However, after recently moving to Pukekohe, I discovered this Auckland satellite town is

alive with cafe culture.

Setting the benchmark, to my mind, is the eclectic Cafe Kaos on Edinburgh Street.

When plates were laid on the table before us recently, our order – big breakfast ($18.50) and eggs Benedict ($17.50) – was right on the money.

The eggs were cooked to perfection and our plates heaving with fresh goodies, without a tinned baked bean in sight! But there’s no need to rave, suffice to say that Kaos served us simply

the best cafe breakfast I can recall.

But it’s the extra touches that really add to this cafe’s flavour, including record sleeves lining the walls, an old TV as a menu board, plastic animals as table markers, and even the back room doubling as a picture theatre.

If the devil’s in the details then so are the saints; Kaos exemplifies how the right impression can turn a quick bite to eat into a dining experience.

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Cooking up holiday fun The mad scramble of planning activities for the last school holiday break may still be a fresh memory but it doesn’t have to be déjà vu all over again thanks to an easy online programme for the family.

Helping take the load off parents’ shoulders, It’s My Turn to Cook Tonight is a FREE nationwide programme that teaches children ages 5-16 all about cooking, food and nutrition.

And because everyone needs to eat anyway, how about making it a fun and rewarding experience?

Participants stand to win a range of attractive prizes including Hoyts movie passes, Stevens giftware and Crayola packs, iPod shuffles as well as a top of the range Bosch mixer.

Hosted by bubbly Tauranga teenager Claire Gourley, who’s had her fair share of “been there, burnt that” and whose motto is, “I don’t do complicated”, the interactive programme runs during the upcoming school holidays from July 15-17.

What’s more, mums, dads, caregivers and grandparents are all welcome to participate and supervise so they can embark on the same journey and hand the apron over to the little ones!

So how does it work? Head to www.itsmyturntocooktonight.com where a wealth of information is available.

Watch step-by-step YouTube videos, participate in live chats, upload images, attempt challenges, and download tips and

Claire Gourley with proud participants of the online programme.

recipes – the website is your oyster!

The broad-ranging programme covers everything from good food choices and reading labels, to kitchen safety, budgeting and nutrition tips – all of which help children gain confidence in the kitchen and on the web.

The challenges are fun, practical and designed to teach children practical food skills necessary for adult life.

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table settings and ‘random acts of food kindness’ as well as achievement certificates, are all motivational and inspirational ways of helping children build a healthy relationship with food and instil a lifelong love of cooking.

Everything is monitored to ensure a safe and constructive environment in which children can learn and interact.

Thousands of children and their families who have participated in past programmes are

raving about the yummy dishes they have whipped up in the kitchen.

Ten-year-old Rebecca is now “totally hooked” on cooking, and Wendy Campbell says how “spoilt” she and her husband feel, coming home to cooked dinners and having gorgeous meals as well as dinner parties.

So, join the It’s My Turn to Cook Tonight team and go on a rollercoaster culinary ride come the July holidays. You and the children will be inspired.

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Year of the global roast A roast dinner is as much a part of the family dining table in New Zealand as it is in Britain, home of the early colonists who came here for a new life bringing with them this oven baked tradition.

What’s more, over the years other immigrant nationalities have adapted the roast to their Kiwi way of life with Croatian immigrants, the Selaks family, a case in point.

The family’s original vineyard in west Auckland was frequently the venue for large family and industry celebrations where the roast took centre stage, very often cooked on an outdoor spit over glowing coals.

Today, the humble roast, be it beef, lamb, pork or chicken, is a favourite in rural districts,

and enjoys wide ranging ethnic interpretations.

So, for this year’s celebration, the 2013 Selaks NZ Roast Day is going international.

The annual acknowledgement of New Zealand’s favourite Sunday meal will explore roasts of the world with ambassador Nici Wickes bringing together a selection of recipes influenced by international tastes and flavours.

And with the upcoming global roast feast set down for early August, the aim is to celebrate the important things in life – friends, family, the art of conversation and a tradition of amazing food and wine – not hard for country folk.

So, save the date – Sunday, August 4, 2013, nationwide, in

your dining room or someone else’s. Be sure to make it a family event or one you share with good friends.

For recipes, meal inspiration, expert roasting tips and competitions visit www.selaks.co.nz/ roastday

Win! Crozier’s free range turkey Here on the right side of the world, we don’t celebrate Easter at the beginning of spring, or May Day in November, so why is mid-winter Christmas so popular?

Well, in mid-winter we don’t need to fork out savings on gifts that go unappreciated, or be subjected to 30 days of the Twelve Days of Christmas. Instead we can gobble down our favourite fare and forget the stress.

And, at the centre of the Christmas feast, any time of year, is the humble turkey.

But, while everybody’s heard about the bird, here are a couple of things you may not know:

n Talking turkey: this adage means to speak plainly. It is thought to have originated back when the sound of turkeys gobbling on US frontier farms was common, and where people had no time for idle chitchat.

Another story tells of a pilgrim sharing the proceeds of a hunt with a Native American, offering him two buzzards while he kept an ‘equal’ share of birds – two turkeys for himself.

The Native American announced his displeasure by stating: “Stop talking birds, let’s talk turkey!” n Cold turkey: this expression has come to mean ‘to quit

abruptly and without assistance.’ It owes its existence partly to people’s bad habits.

It first gained use among those suffering withdrawal symptoms from certain substances, where blood is drawn away from the face, making their skin reminiscent of cold, plucked turkeys.

These birds are perfect Christmas fare and for three generations, Crozier’s has raised approximately 15,000 free-range turkeys on 80 acres in Ashburton every year.

Famous for their flavour, Crozier’s turkeys can be ordered from butchers nationwide. www.croziersturkeys.co.nz

be in to win Thanks to Selaks, Rural Living is giving away THREE Roast Day celebration packs containing two bottles of Selaks Wine and a NZ Roast Day apron.

And courtesy of Croziers we have a voucher for a turkey up for grabs.

To be in the draw to win either prize simply visit w w w . ruralliving. co.nz and click on the competitions link then fill in the appropriate form.

One entry per email address/person; entries close July 30, 2013.

Winner notified by phone or email.

Subscribe to Rural Living

June/July 2013

www.ruralliving.co.nz

SUITS and GUMBOOTS Our new look Rural Living

LEAVING EARTHTALK Awhitu couple ready to uproot

Win!

Loads of prizes up for grabs

42 — Rural Living — June/July 2013

Rural Living is a stimulating magazine delivered to RD addresses in the Franklin district. It is designed to provide readers with varied rural information, which is both informative and helpful to the lifestyle market, as well as a ‘Living’ section providing for all aspects of living.

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE: For your free e-edition of Rural Living delivered straight to your inbox go to www.ruralliving.co.nz/ subscriptions/e-edition For a copy of Rural Living mailed to your letterbox go to www.ruralliving.co.nz/subscriptions/print subscriptions. Postage costs $49 inc GST per annum.

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LIVING

BITES milestone for jeep The Jeep Wrangler is one of the most iconic vehicles in the world, and its enduring popularity has been made clear with the onemillionth JK model rolling off the assembly line at the Chrysler Group’s Toledo, Ohio assembly complex.

The Jeep Wrangler is the latest descendant of the original Jeep which was born in the heat of war in 1941. It’s starred in countless films and TV shows and became the original sport-utility vehicle (SUV), representing freedom, authenticity, adventure and passion.

Malibu shares styling cues with the new VF Commodore which also launches this month.

Malibu’s all right Holden’s mid-size Malibu, which goes on sale this month, has been engineered to suit rough kiwi roads.

As a global vehicle, Malibu is sold predominantly in left-hand drive markets.

Not only has Malibu been reengineered in right-hand drive, Holden Vehicle Dynamics Specialist Engineer Michael Barber and his team have developed a local tune for the car’s suspension.

“The challenge with adapting a global car for our local markets often begins with the tyres,” he said.

“As a global vehicle, sold predominantly in left-hand drive markets, Malibu was originally specced with a left-hand drive tyre.

“As we’ve found through testing for Cruze (and Barina CDX), we can get much greater handling performance that meets Holden’s characteristics by choosing a right-hand drive bias tyre.

“We’ve specified a super strong 17-inch tyre for the CD and the Malibu CDX is equipped with the same 18-inch Bridgestone performance tyres that are fitted to the VF SV6 and SS Commodore.

“This simple tyre change helps us deliver a superior driving experience on the right hand drive roads around New Zealand.”

In addition to tyres developed specifically for Holden’s requirements, the engineering team was also able to create a

hard core

new suspension set up with a unique damper tune to deliver a comfort-oriented ride.

Malibu combines sharp exterior styling with a highlyspecified interior and technology package that includes the innovative new Holden MyLink infotainment system as standard across all models.

Available in two trim levels, CD and CDX, with either a 2.4 litre DOHC petrol engine or optional 2.0 litre common rail turbo diesel, all Malibu models feature a standard six-speed automatic transmission with Active Select.

Recommended retail price ranges from $42,900 for the petrol CD model to $45,900 for the premium CDX sedan with the same powertrain.

Chrysler is going hard core with its muscle car 300 SRT8.

SRT8 Core puts the focus on the core values of American muscle car motoring – the intoxicating driving experience that can only come from a 347 kW 6.4 litre V8 Hemi engine and the performance value for money that made US muscle cars auto legends.

300 SRT8 Core accelerates from zero to 100km/h in under five seconds, has a 280km/h top speed, and a tarmac shredding 637Nm of torque.

Backing up the grunt is a unique performance suspension system, with 245/42ZR20 Goodyear Eagle RS-A tyres and ‘launch control’.

Fully factory trained technicians State-of-the-art workshop facilities and equipment New Holden and Nissan Vehicles Access to over 300 used cars Onsite finance and insurance

APPARELL

EBBETT

MARQUE OF EXCELLENCE

APPARELL

PHONE 0800 405 050

Cnr Edinburgh & Tobin Sts • Pukekohe E: ross@ebbett.co.nz • www.ebbett.co.nz 53841

Rural Living — June/July 2013 — 43

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

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

Wedding, funeral and event flower specialist @ Professionally designed flower bouquets and arrangements @ Lovely gifts including chocolates, soft toys, Italian soaps and balloons @ Daily deliveries Mon to Sat throughout Auckland

Ph (09) 2929 540

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

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17 Papakura-Clevedon Rd (Main Rd) Clevedon Village michelle@clevedonďŹ&#x201A;owers.co.nz

100% Natural Mineral Pools

Come and relax with us at Miranda Hot Springs in our thermal fresh mineral water. Centrally located, we have three pools to suit all swimmers.

We are closed on Christmas Day.

Miranda Hot Springs â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 100% Natural Mineral Pools

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Andrew Laker Area Manager M 021 855 858 E andrew@provista.co.nz www.provista.co.nz

595 Front Miranda Rd, R.D.6, Thames Phone: 07 867 3055 | Fax: 07 867 3187 Email: info@mirandahotsprings.co.nz Web: www.mirandahotsprings.co.nz

Order online www.clevedonďŹ&#x201A;owers.co.nz

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Get your traditional handmade bacon, sausages & ham from our friendly staff at

20 Subway Rd, Pukekohe or

Great South Rd, Pokeno or

OPEN 7 DAYS

09 295 1000 0800 66 00 44

420 Mt Eden Rd, Mt Eden

for lunch and dinner

Fully Licensed Bar snacks ~ Takeaways ~ TAB facilities ~ New menu & dining lounge

13 Mauku Road, Patumahoe Phone 09 236 3783

Phone 09 239 2086 www.pokenobacon.co.nz

53438

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

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Environmentally safe, non-caustic cleaning Ovens, Hobs, Extractors, BBQs, Microwaves Fully trained, experienced personnel Minor repairs undertaken

Paintless Dent Removal

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BOOK YOUR OVEN CLEAN WITH THE PROFESSIONALS NOW BY CALLING

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ď ° Saves time, money and aggravation ď ° Vehicle remains original ď ° Enhanced resale value ď ° Typical time taken to remove dents (30 mins) ď ° All work guaranteed ď ° Mobile service ď ° Free quotes

We supply a wide range of commercial & domestic:

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

44 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Rural Living â&#x20AC;&#x201D; June/July 2013

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Phone 027 235 8271

53422

Neville Your Local Technician

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

& trailers ď Ź D65 Bulldozer & scoop ď Ź Low loader ď Ź Grader ď Ź Excavations ď Ź Dams

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Building Site Preparation Site Cleaning and Base Filling Driveways and Landscape Shaping Free Quotes

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ď Ź Building sites ď Ź Demolition

ď Ź Horse arenas ď Ź Metal/sand/

slag supplied ď Ź General cartage

Experienced Operator 28 years+

Craig Nicholson Earthmoving & General Cartage

50390

Y ENVIRONMENLTYALL FRIEND

BURIED ON YOUR LAND Horses ~ Cows ~ Sheep ~ Etc Phone Richard Logan

Mob 0274 976 058

Water - Septic - Retention - Specialty Tanks 53434

Ph/Fax: 09 238 4047 or 021 987402 600 Buckland Rd, RD2, Pukekohe

KEVIN PLATT BOB CAT SERVICES 0274 928 701 ah 09 238 6923

s &OR ALL YOUR CONCRETE TANK REQUIREMENTS s 7E BUILD n GALLON WATER TANKS Water tank repair and recondition specialist Concrete Tanks Tried & True

53426

ď Ź Tip trucks

DAVIS ANIMAL BURIAL TANKS

BOBCAT & TRUCK HIRE

ď Ź 5.5 tonne digger

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

53414

ď Ź 20 tonne diggers

Great Prices!

Great Finance Rates!

Great Cars!

TRADES WELCOME

53428

219-229 Manukau Road (old Mitre 10 building)

Ph 09 239 1799 Open Sat & Sun

Fax 09 239 1798 Mob: 027 282 6459 Geoff Dickey - Director

0HONE %MAIL JAN@TUKKATHYME CO NZ 7EBSITE WWW TUKKATHYME CO NZ

s 7!4%2 &),4%23

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Farmtech Services 53423

53846

EXPERIENCED NZ WOOL BOARD CERTIFIED SHEARERS (MACHINE & BLADE)

0800 782 521

Ces & Jan Mayall

Ph w/w (09) 425-7104 or Ak (09) 276-1219 or mobile 0274-853-234

Sheep, Goats, Alpacas, Llamas

53436

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s 7!4%2 05-03 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Sales & Servicing

s $ECKS s 0OST $RIVING s 2ETAINING 7ALLS s 2URAL 2ESIDENTIAL &ENCING

From One Animal Upwards

Alan Wilson Plumbing 235 9066

PUMP & WATER SPECIALISTS

CONTRACTOR

Totally mobile shearing service.

Bombays to Kaiwaka.

Or:

53797

Grant Escott FENCING

s grant.kylie@xtra.co.nz

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

MR CLIP LTD &ROM SIMPLE BEGINNINGS ¯ NATURE´S BLEND OF NATURAL FOODS FOUND IN THE WILD PROVIDING THE BALANCE OF VITAMINS AND MINERALS REQUIRED FOR OVERALL GOOD HEALTH 4UKKATHYME IS FED AS PART OF THE OVERALL DIET TO COMPLEMENT RAW MEAT ½SH AND BONES

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Phone 238 9885 Mobile 0274 789 857 Main Highway, Paerata

53407

N availaow Farmlable at n stores ds Strongly constructed with galvanised steel Feeder lid opens when chook stands on platform Waterproof Two sizes

Large holds 18kg $250 + pp Medium holds 9kg $195 + pp

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: UĂ&#x160; Â&#x2C6;Â&#x201C;iĂ&#x160;UĂ&#x160; iĂ&#x152;>Â?Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;->Â&#x2DC;` Neil 021 724 327 or Bruce 021 270 6828 Office 09 299 64 86

www.bennettfertilisers.co.nz

For happier, healthier more productive chooks, contact us:

Phone 07 552 5225, 027 276 9794 or 027 497 6021

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

SATISFACTION GUARANTEED OR MONEY BACK!

50387

Email: mark@grandpasfeeders.com Web: www.grandpasfeeders.co.nz Postal: Windsong Farm, 364 Whakamarama Rd, RD7 Tauranga 3179

53791

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

GRANDPAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CHOOK FEEDERS are made to save you time and money by eliminating the need for daily feeding and stopping the significant amount of food lost to rats, mice and wild birds. This is the ideal feeder for 1-50 chooks, allowing you to enjoy the goodness of your own farm fresh eggs without attracting pests and their associated diseases.

GRANDPAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FEEDERS â&#x20AC;&#x201C; developed and sold in NZ for over 15 years have become hugely popular and are now considered standard equipment for keeping poultry.

Rural Living â&#x20AC;&#x201D; June/July 2013 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 45

53406

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Creche 4040n Les Mills classes weekly Les Mills classes weekly 40 Les Mills classes weeklyequipment n Cutting edge cardio n Creche 40 Les Mills classes weekly Creche Creche n Huge amount ofequipment premium n Cutting edge cardio Creche Cutting edge cardio equipment Cutting edge cardio equipment strength equipment n Huge amount Cutting edgeofcardio equipment Huge amount ofpremium premium Huge amount of premium n Personal strength equipment strength equipment Huge amount oftrainers premium strength equipment nPersonal 12weekchallengeandbootcamp equipment n strength Personal trainers Personal trainers Personal trainers n12week Discounts for and family members week challenge andboot boot camp week challenge and boot camp n 12 challenge camp 12 week and boot camp family members Discounts familymembers members nDiscounts Sky TVchallenge n Discounts forforfamily SkyTVTVand andfree Wi-Fi Discounts forfreefamily Wi-Fimembers n Sky TV Wi-Fi n

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