Rural Living March 2017

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ruralliving.co.nz

March 2017

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RURAL | FASHION | BEAUTY | FOOD | GARDEN | HOME | Living MOTORING Rural — April-May 2016 — 1

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Largest Rural/Lifestyle Sales Team PUKEKOHE | TUAKAU PUKEKOHE 68 King St, PO Box 147, Pukekohe | bus. 09 238 7019 | fax. 09 238 7018 | www.barfoot.co.nz/pukekohe

febRuaRy n ST PATRICK’S DAY St Patrick’s Festival - auckland March 5-12, times and locations vary In the lead-up to the one day a year when almost all of us desire to be Irish (followed by a morning when most of us wish we hadn’t been), Auckland is celebrating. Kicking off with the Irish Fair Day on March 5, the party culminates in the hallmark Parade and Irish Music and Dance Festival (March 12) in the city, leaving plenty of time to recuperate, ready for Saint Patrick’s Day itself. For this year’s events, see stpatrick.co.nz. the Four Fathers March 17, from 7.30pm, Waiuku Cosmopolitan Club, 4 Victoria Ave, Waiuku Locals who miss out on seeing The Four Fathers, as the band bashes out the rock of the Irish, are bound to be left... green with envy. What’s more, as patrons are invited to dress up, this St Pat’s celebration seems certain to guarantee a ‘craic-ing’ good time. Contact the club via waiukucossie.co.nz for details.

n ARTS & EDUCATION nanogirl’s explosive Science World March 5, 11am-12pm & 2-3pm, Vodafone Events Centre, 770 Great South Rd, Manukau Intended to excite young minds with science, this live show presents Nanogirl and her assistant, Boris, as they engage in experiments and experiences designed to show how the world really works.

By blowing things up, the pair expects to blow youngsters’ minds during this Auckland Arts Festival event. See aucklandfestival.co.nz/events or pacific. org.nz/whatson for details.

Craig

Trudy

Brendon

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2 — Rural Living — March 2017 Moore Ashby Boyce

Draped Nude

by Matisse, The Body Laid Bare Exhibition

the body laid bare March 18 – July 16, 10am-5pm, Auckland Art Gallery, Cnr Kitchener & Wellesley Sts, Auckland City Every day we all get into the nude, but do we really get nude? Auckland Art Gallery is set to lay bare the naked truth behind some of the world’s most beautiful, sensual, provocative and inspirational art works. From history paintings to sculpture – including Draped Nude by Matisse, Picasso’s Nude Woman in a Red Armchair and Rodin’s The Kiss, which is travelling outside Europe for the first time – The Body Laid Bare is an ‘exhibitionist’s’ dream come true! See aucklandartgallery.com. the Journey of a million miles – Following Steps March 18 – September 3, Edmiston Gallery, New Zealand Maritime Museum, Cnr Quay & Hobson Sts, Auckland City While kiwi may be native to New Zealand, we Kiwis aren’t; at some point, all of us (or our ancestors) immigrated here – be it by waka, sailing ship, steamship or aeroplane. To celebrate our nation’s history of migration, artist Tiffany Singh draws on music, audio and digital technology, sharing a rich range of experiences of moving to a new land. See maritimemuseum.co.nz.

n FESTIVALS & EXPOS once upon a mind (auckland Fringe Festival) February 23-24, Kingseat Hospital, 833 Kingseat Rd, Kingseat If it’s true that: “the darkest corners of our universe lie not beyond the heavens but deep within our minds,” then get set to be led down some dark paths indeed! As the Auckland Fringe Festival continues, the former Kingseat Hospital takes centre stage. See aucklandfringe.co.nz.

Sue

Stephanie

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McCardle Alderlieste

James

Heard

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transport and heavy equipment expo (t.h.e) March 2-4, Mystery Creek Events Centre, Mystery Creek Rd, Hamilton Heavy metal is set to rock Hamilton in THE event of 2017. Held every four years, T.H.E Expo sees exhibitors showcase the latest (as well as vintage and classic) machinery, equipment and vehicles. So, load up the lorry, crank up the car, or fire up the bike, because all roads lead to Hamilton in March. See theexpo.co.nz.

Stampede music Fest March 4, Pukekohe Park Raceway, 222-250 Manukau Rd, Pukekohe As country music fans descend on Pukekohe soon, organisers will be expecting to see more than just a trickle; in fact, they’re expecting a stampede!

Crowds will be treated to the stylings of LeAnn Rimes and Scotty McCreery – both all the way from the USA – and iconic, home-grown stars including The Warratahs, Gray Bartlett, Brendan Dugan, Jodie Vaughan, Eddie Low, Pukekohe’s Dennis Marsh (of course!) and many more. See stampedemusicfestival.co.nz.

Hadley

Pierce

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Graeme

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Hurringwww.ruralliving.co.nz Willson

Community Calendar TUAKAU 22 George St, Tuakau | bus. 09 237 8310 | fax. 09 237 8331 | www.barfoot.co.nz/tuakau

motat Prohibition Party March 4, 7-11pm, MOTAT, 805 Great North Rd & Meola Rd, Western Springs Dress up and get back into the swing of things by stepping back in time to the roaring twenties! Celebrating the glitz and glamour of the prohibition era, this R18 evening will feature many a gangster or flapper and... all that jazz, see motat.org.nz. auckland arts Festival 2017 March 8-26, locations Auckland-wide Billed as a ‘non-stop showcase of New Zealand and international arts’, this fest’ is set to serve a feast of theatre, dance, music and visual arts, classical to contemporary. For a full schedule of events, see aucklandfestival.co.nz. balloons over Waikato March 22-26, locations vary, Waikato All eyes will soon be on the skies above Waikato as fun takes flight during this festival. With dozens of hot air balloons above, towns throughout the region below will host a range of events featuring family entertainment, live bands, fireworks and more. See balloonsoverwaikato.co.nz.

n SPORT, FITNESS & MOTORING auckland cup Week March 4-11, Ellerslie Racecourse, 80 Ascot Ave, Remuera New Zealand’s richest days of racing are under starters orders. Featuring the Vodafone Derby Day (March 4) and the Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup Day, this event sees more than just a dollar or two on the line and on the nose! See ellerslie.co.nz/auckland-cup-week.

parking lot, Jags, rollers, Bentleys, Ferraris and the like will strut their stuff proving that there is more to motoring than fuel efficiency. See briteurocarshow.nz motat military Day March 5, 10am-4pm, MOTAT, 805 Great North Rd & Meola Rd, Western Springs Martial the troops this month and head on over to MOTAT as all things military (including plenty of vehicles) are mobilised for inspection. Visitors of all ages are invited to come dressed in combatants’ garb. See motat.org.nz. the hamilton lake Fun Run and Walk March 12, from 8am, Hamilton Yacht Club, Innes Common Hamilton Lake, Hamilton Road runners will set sail from Hamilton Yacht Club in March, taking part in four, eight or 11 kilometre fun runs or walks. See hammarathonclinic.org.nz. beachlands Kids obstacle Duathlon March 15, 9am-1pm, Te Puru Park No matter which path we choose in life, one thing’s for sure, there will be plenty of obstacles along the way. That’s certainly the case at this event as Year 4-8 students tackle the Beachlands Kids Obstacle Duathlon. Weaving its way through Omana Regional Park and nearby streets, the event begins with a run and bike ride MOTAT Military Day

huntly half marathon March 19, 9am-12:00pm, Rugby Park, Riverview Road, Huntly Serious runners will be in the hunt to cross the line in Huntly first. However, with 10k, 5k and kids’ 2km courses also on offer, even those who’d prefer to walk (or March) along at their own pace are welcome too. See huntlyhalf.co.nz.

n MUSIC, THEATRE & COMEDY Dirty Dusting March 3-4, from 8pm, OSPA Theatre, 24 Hall Road, Onewhero If a good night out replete with plenty of saucy belly laughs is your idea of heaven, get ready to have... the time of your life!

When three cleaners face redundancy, dirty talk could ensure they’ll get rich quick as this revealling comedy... reveals. See ospa.org.nz for details. guy Williams - Why am i like this?

March 19, 6.30-7.30pm, Pukekohe Town Hall, cnr Massey Ave & Edinburgh Street When it comes to Kiwi comedy, even his detractors would have to admit that Mr Williams is a funny... Guy! But why is he the way he is? Find out when this former Billy T Award-winner comes to town in a show that addresses gender and racial privilege in New Zealand in 2016. Tickets from $15 via eventfinda.co.nz carmen with l’arlésienne March 29 – April 1, times vary, ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre, 50 Mayoral Dr, Auckland City Two of French master-choreographer Roland Petit works will spring to life thanks to the Royal New Zealand Ballet. From the immortal story of the free-spirited Carmen, to the tragic tale of L’Arlésienne, this double bill is expected to bring everyone to their feet. See rnzb.org.nz.

auckland brit & euro classic car Show March 5, 10am-3pm, Lloyd Elsmore Park, Sir Lloyd Dr, Pakuranga Cars will be the stars when this show (sponsored by our good friends at Times Newspapers) hits the road in Pakuranga.

While the Nissans and Hyundais wait in the

David Kevin Scott Hunter www.ruralliving.co.nz Powell Lim McElhinney Utatao 027 485 9321 027 4987 8223 027 210 8887 027 482 2488

followed by an obstacle course. Details available via bsgevents.co.nz.

Simon

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Vendt

Ian

Chris

Nick

— March 2017 —3 CroftRural Living Hirini Bates

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From the editor... the management of high risk offenders.

But have things improved? Well, a more effective public protection order has been instigated which means some prisoners ending their sentence won’t rejoin society.

That may ease some fears but I’m not convinced authorities will recognise (and acknowledge) the danger signals more quickly than in the past and ensure those convicted of rape, aggravated assault, and murder remain out of the public arena.

While I don’t fancy waking to another rape, child death, stabbing or brick assault on the news, I think we all know such things aren’t going away. And, I guess it’s too much to expect that those responsible for the Chris Turner assault shouldn’t walk free again. Maybe it’s time to re-look at ‘life-long’ sentences for the worst of our criminals and remember victims, and their families, are guaranteed a lifetime sentence.

re-offending (including by people on bail), to be ignored and many end in tragedy.

So, am I crazy to ask if our judges seem out of touch with just how bad some folk really are? Some sentences are proving inadequate as punishment, failing to deter future offending, but in my mind, offenders need to realise punishment is an upshot of wrong doing. While, I’m not so unrealistic to suppose every prison term will halt re-offending, what is the alternative when talking serious offenders?

Protection orders, electronic monitoring and probation don’t always work – the 2015 rape and murder of Blessie Gotingco

by Tony Robertson comes to mind.

I wasn’t the only one gobsmacked by the government enquiry which cleared the Department of Corrections of any responsibility for Mrs Gotingco’s death despite a psychological report on Robertson, together with his record of serious offending, suggesting some foresaw him as a danger. Surely, the child abduction and molestation crimes which jailed him for eight years sounded alarm bells? Thankfully, that enquiry resulted in 27 recommendations aimed at improving

Helen Perry, Editor

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ooking on the bright side of life is not always easy – did I just state the obvious? Much as I believe we Kiwis live in a country that’s been blessed, I’m also noticing more incidents that are making it less God’s own and more of the devil in disguise.

Crimes, called ‘petty’, but which can profoundly affect victims – burglary, theft, car conversion, vandalism and, worse, assault and abuse – continue to plague us.

Many readers will have heard about the vicious attack on Chris Turner, co-owner of Papakura’s, Red Earth restaurant – what prompts these toe rags to beat a man to a pulp for no good reason?

I constantly find myself asking when did kids stop lifting a few lollies and start stabbing dairy owners? And, when was it okay to use being high on meth as an excuse for raping a three-year-old?

There was a time when I was firmly in the rehabilitation camp and I still believe many offenders, especially first time offenders, can be reformed with the right assistance. But I’ve come to believe rehabilitation is a long shot for some.

There are too many reports of serious

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4 — Rural Living — March 2017

Matingarahi

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Wa

Pot lUCK! in (similar) wise words to those of Benjamin Buford Blue (aka Bubba): ‘You can boil ‘em, bake ‘em, sauté ‘em. There’s mashed potatoes, roast potatoes, scalloped potatoes, pan-fried potatoes, deep-fried potatoes, stir-fried potatoes. There’s potato salad, potato chips, potato bake, shrimp and potato pie...’ In other words, wherever there’s an AS Wilcox, there’s a way! To discover which spuds are right for which dishes, see pages 33.

info@ruralliving.co.nz editor: Helen Perry DDI 09 271 8036 editor@ruralliving.co.nz sales: Kate Ockelford-Green DDI 09 271 8090 kate@ruralliving.co.nz Jackie Underhill DDI 09 271 8092 jackie@ruralliving.co.nz art Director: Clare McGillivray DDI 09 271 8067 clare@ruralliving.co.nz Publisher: Brian Neben Level 1, The Lane, Botany Town Centre, Chapel Road, Auckland PO Box 259-243, Botany, Auckland 2163 Ph: 09 271 8080, Fax: 09 271 8099

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All the material Mangawara Woodleigh Ruawaro in this magazine has the protection of international copyright. All rights reserved. No content may be reproduced without the prior written consent of Times House Publishing Ltd.

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Settling In build SOUTH EAST WAIKATO FRANKLIN

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Whole lot of selling...

D rawing lots is easy; picking winning lots is quite another thing. However, when the final hammer fell at New Zealand Bloodstock’s (NZB) annual Yearling Sales series recently, plenty of punters had made a play at doing just that.

Overall, results across the Premier, Select and Festival sales were down, with the aggregate dropping to $82,015,500 from last year’s record breaking take of $86,193,400. The median slipped slightly ($55,000 to $50,000), the average, from $88,042 to $86,973, and the clearance rate from 80 to 78%.

In addition, fewer Kiwi buyers were prepared to ‘pony’ up the dough, purchasing $6.7 million less in bloodstock than during the 2016 series, NZB managing director, Andrew Seabrook, confirms.

“Our flat domestic racing industry has had a disappointing effect on the Select Sale and the negative impact it is having is even more evident when looking at the

This year’s highest selling lot (Lot 10 O’Reilly Volkrose) commanded this year’s top price, $825,000 during the Premier Sale.

Photo Trish Dunell

Premier and Select sessions combined... less has been spent by domestic buyers who have historically underpinned the middle market.”

However, a boost in buying from abroad ensured Premier Sale results remained strong, contributing to an improved

aggregate of $58,407,500, up from $55,687,500.

See nzb.co.nz for detailed sales’ results.

To read more about Andrew – as well as one of NZB’s front running initiatives, gavelhouse.com, see Rural Living’s February issue – via ruralliving.co.nz.

million DollaR meloDy going, going...

GONE?

After almost half a century, NZB (New Zealand Bloodstock) auctioneer, Joe Walls, (pictured centre) laid his hammer down for the final time at the recent Karaka Yearling Sales.

Despite moving to fresh fields on the Coromandel Peninsula in 2014, it seems retirement comes gradually to some. “I have no regrets about the decision but I was a little emotional at the time, especially when I received a standing ovation,” the former Patumahoe local says.

“I will remain as chairman at NZB and will keep in contact with the many friends I have made in the industry. I will continue to be involved, especially around sale times, looking for that elusive champion.”

This year’s Karaka sale was Joe’s 45th in succession which, he believes, is a company record.

To read Rural Living’s in-depth interview with Joe, see our Dec-Jan 2013 issue, accessible via ruralliving.co.nz. www.ruralliving.co.nz

A former Haunui Farm filly (Melody Belle) and a Kiwi jockey (Opie Bosson) made beautiful music together during a charttopping performance at the Karaka Million recently.

The dark horse darling secured New Zealand’s richest race at odds of $32.40 by a length and a quarter after taking the lead as the field headed for home.

“It’s a huge buzz,” trainer, Jamie Richards says. “The team have done a great job with this filly and Opie gave her a great ride. It shows the difference a jockey like him can make in a million-dollar race.”Unfortunately, Opie claimed more than he bargained for, receiving a charge for careless riding.

Owners (Fortuna Melody Belle Syndicate) purchased the latest in the famous Belle dynasty from Karaka’s Haunui Farm for just $57,500 at last year’s NZB’s Yearling Sales. Haunui Farm also sold the 2015 Karaka Million winner, Hardline.

Rural Living — March 2017 — 5

s p o t Buckland comp

Some contests are, unashamedly, ‘rigged’ and that was the case when the country’s ‘best big rig’ drivers converged on Tauranga late last year for the 2016 Truck Driver of the Year competition. A Buckland local ultimately claimed top honours, as JON RAWLINSON explains.

trucker

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op of my list for Thursday: call the 2016 Truck Driver of the Year to firm up plans for an interview. He’s a little concerned that we might make him come across as a bit flash; he tells me he’s no Burt Reynolds. You betcha he’s not, but this modest (yet irreverent) truckie is sure has heck 100%, uniquely, Stuart Howard.

“Everyone said I was a bit of a dick for entering (family included) but who’s the dick now? I got 10 grand, mate! For now, it’s going into the bank; there’s always plenty of room in there,” he laughs.

“I didn’t do this to get any more work, though, honestly. I was actually very embarrassed when I heard I’d won and even thought about giving the money back. I’m not one to have extravagant stuff and show off. I like to keep a low profile.”

While Stuart may not seek notoriety (or fame) I suspect this larger-than-life character would have as much chance of avoiding it as a big rig dodging a rogue rabbit running down the motorway!

Securing victory during this drivers’ championship was no walk in the park. After qualifying at regional level, Stuart competed for the national title in Tauranga. Competitors completed a written test and vehicle inspections then demonstrated their skills behind the wheel.

After scores were tallied, Stuart was shocked by the result, announced at the subsequent Road Transport Industry Awards Dinner.

“John Baillie from Papakura only got one question wrong. When they read out the finalists, his wife looked at him, they both looked at me (I know them well) and I think he was about ready to get up when they read out my name as the overall winner instead... A lot of jaws dropped. There were a few guys who’re 6 — Rural Living — March 2017

Above: Stuart Howard – latest in a long line of truckers. Below left: Robin Howard – Stuart’s grandfather. Below right: Frank Fearon – Stuart’s great-grandfather.

Photo Wayne Martin/supplied

very competitive and I think they were a bit bummed out.”

Despite his win, the 36-year-old concedes he’s far from perfect.

“I got my licence when I was 17, so, yeah, I have spent plenty of time on the road. But I’m the first to admit that I’ve made my share of F-ups! A man who’s made no mistakes has made nothing.”

Along with brother, Patrick, and father, Terrance, Stuart hauls virtually anything rural-related, (except livestock), from kiwi fruit and wool, to poles, timber and posts.

“I went to Buckland School, my dad went there and my grandfather [Robin Howard]. My grandfather had trucks and so did my great-grandfather [Frank Fearon] who started with a horse and cart. Thinking about it, the amount trucks cost to run these days, we might need to go back to that. I don’t know about the emissions, [from horses] though!”

Unfortunately, employing quality drivers to share the work load(s) is not so easy.

Today’s rigorous licensing conditions discourage youngsters from taking on the trade, Stuart believes.

“These days, you go up in classes [of licence], so it takes much longer; they could be in their 20s by time they’re allowed to drive big rigs. In the meantime, they just won’t be paid enough to drive smaller trucks.

“I reckon kids driving in trucks with their dads are riding along with their heroes.

By the time they’re 17 or 18, they can probably drive better than most, and feel it’s not worth their while to spend all that time getting licences to do what they already know how to do.”

I ask whether Stuart is himself hero to a fifth generation of the family ready to carry on in his tyre tracks, or whether he and a partner are preparing for the revving of little engines. He euphemistically quips: “Let’s just say that, although I’ve got the pencil, I have no paper to write on at the moment...” www.ruralliving.co.nz

Howard – on trucking The Reverend William T. Cummings propounded the theory that: “there are no atheists in foxholes”. That may be true but, after meeting Buckland’s Stuart Howard, I’m certain that there must be plenty of philosophers driving trucks!

While the 2016 Truck Driver of the Year confirms that logistics is a “(tr)ucking tough” way to make a living, it does provide time to conjure up theories about the complexities of the human situation.

“Why do old people drive so slow?”

Stuart poses one such thesis. “When I’m old, I’m going to drive fast everywhere.

The less time I have left to live, the faster I’d want to get things done! Doesn’t that make more sense?”

I shrug; I don’t dispute this line of logic.

During his almost 20 years on the road, traffic congestion has worsened but (ironically) Stuart holds no truck with impatient city folk driving on rural roads.

“Traffic is shocking; it’s unbelievable how they’ve let it get that bad. Driving along I’ll get some BMW driver flashing his lights and carrying on, thinking trucks need to give way to him. But I’m curious... when he

Having freight on the roads employs more people and they collect plenty of money from road user charges. If trucks were off the roads, well, we wouldn’t have very good roads then would we? Trucks pay for the roads. Simple as that.”

❝

crosses railway tracks, does he think the trains will stop for him?”

I answer his rhetorical inquiry by proposing my own rule of thumb: ‘thou shalt give way to anything bigger than you’. Stuart seems to turn this over in his mind then adds: “Surely, cyclists have that the wrong way around. Sometimes I think that, if they want to ride decked out in all that lycra,

they should head down to the Pukekohe race track, go round, put the bike back in the boot, go home and leave the roads to us! It’d be much safer that way, eh?”

He agrees, however, that awareness of truck drivers’ lack of visibility is, overall, down to the driver rather than the vehicle.

Or, to put it another way: “Yeah, I guess some people are just dumb.”

I translate the facial expression which follows my next question as: ‘what are ya?’

I’m beginning to think I’ve asked a stupid question; he obviously does not believe freight should be resigned to rail in order to free up roads for other motorists.

“Having freight on the roads employs more people and they collect plenty of money from road user charges. If trucks were off the roads, well, we wouldn’t have very good roads then would we? Trucks pay for the roads. Simple as that.”

Asked what advice he would give to motorists in smaller vehicles as to how to behave around trucks, Stuart is characteristically blunt (yet cuttingly funny) at the same time: “Work from home, mate!”

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Rural Living — March 2017 — 7

The chickens came Too Brian Neben publishes Rural Living and is also an avid lifestyle farmer

COUNTRY LAD

w

Short of grass on your lifestyle block?

The new henhouse from Butcher Building – just the ticket.

However, we had a small problem – no hen house at the new property!

Fortunately, a week or so prior, we had been visiting Pam and Lindsay Turner and saw their new henhouse which looked to be just what we wanted. It had be built

by Paul Butcher from Butcher Building in Pukekohe.

A quick visit to Paul and, despite being busy, his team came to the party and had it built and delivered within three or four days – great service, as is so often the case among Pukekohe people.

Some months ago I wrote in my column about my broodmare Willowbrook chewing the rails on the gates and posts in her paddocks. As mentioned, I had a lot of helpful replies from readers and

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one in particular suggested I try salt licks, I think that helped the problem but, unfortunately, it didn’t solve it. Willow kept trying it but still had a good chew.

Following that article I had a call from a nice young lady named, Stacey Hart who is studying animal psychology and was very interested in Willow’s antics. She was keen to use this as a case study. Stacey has now visited Alabar Stud to study Willowbrook and has also visited us to examine the mess made of our rails and gates.

Because of the move, I haven’t had a chance to catch up with Stacey but hopefully will have some results for next month.

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ell, after living in our house for 22 years we have moved and what a task it has been.

One has no idea how much stuff one accumulates over the years until it has to be shifted or thrown out.

Unfortunately, in this day and age we live in a throw-away society so many of our treasured items such as DVD, videos and even some old tapes just had to be dumped.

I was able to dispose of many of our multitude of books but with some conditions.

Most second hand bookshops wanted good paperbacks but there is no market for autobiographies, reference books, encyclopaedias or do it yourself books. In fact, it took one large and one small skip to dump all our unwanted items.

However, we were able to sell our remaining nine sheep to the people who purchased our property and we had sold the steers prior to that. Our broodmare Willowbrook is currently residing at Alabar stud and we are hoping our yearling sells at the sales.

I had decided to give our six hens to the new property owners but in the end I couldn’t part with them as they are really quite special. As chicks, three of them were given to us as Christmas presents in 2015 so I just couldn’t leave them behind.

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Where there’s a wool...

K iwi competitors proved a cut above at the World Shearing and Woolhandling Championships and the supporting Southland All Nations Championships in Invercargill recently.

In the World Champs individual Machine Shearing event, New Zealand’s John Kirkpatrick claimed the title, defeating Scotland’s Gavin Mutch, with fellow Kiwi, Nathan Stratford, rounding out the top three. John and Nathan also won the Machine Shearing team event.

In woolhandling, Joel Henare and Marry-Anne Baty delivered another onetwo punch, finishing first and second (respectively) as individuals, and first in the team event.

When it came to the blade, South Africa’s Mayenseke Shweni secured the Blade Shearing individual title as well as the team event, with countryman, Bongani Joel. However, the Kiwis weren’t far behind. Tony Dobbs claimed second both as an individual and with Phil Oldfield in the team event.

A complete list of winners for both championships is available via worldshearingchamps.com.

Remembering Michie This year’s World Champs may have provided plenty of cause for celebration but, closer to home, commemoration was

Hawke’s Bay’s Rowland Smith wins Open Machines title during the supporting Southland All Nations Championships Photo supplied

the order of the day as a local shearing legend was laid to rest.

For more than 20 years, Bob Michie competed at Golden Shears finals and in three Trans-Tasman test matches for New Zealand.

He died on February 11, aged 76, and received a fond farewell at Graham’s Funeral Home in Tuakau a few days later.

The Rural Living team would like to extend our condolences to Bob’s friends and family.

Please, Mr Postman

– RD deliveries cropped The postman may always knock twice but, due to falling demand, he or she will soon no longer deliver six days a week to RD (Rural Delivery) addresses.

Already, approximately one quarter of NZ Post’s rural customers only receive deliveries Monday-Friday; the remaining three quarters will follow suit as of April 1.

However, Mark Stewart from NZ Post

www.ruralliving.co.nz

advises that subscription newspapers and parcels will continue to be delivered on Saturdays.

“Letter volumes continue to fall sharply, whereas the number of parcels and other products in our network is increasing,” he says.

“We’re continuing to work hard to bring new business on board to maintain a commercially viable rural

network for us and our contractors, and to give our rural customers the best possible service. We need rural delivery to be in good shape for the future.” ◆◆NZ Post confirms that this reduction in services will affect 22 RD runs across the wider Franklin and North Waikato regions. Deliveries on the RD3 Waiuku route have already been reduced.

Rural Living — March 2017 — 9

Hannah aims

higher

Her ‘old man’ may be an All Black but former Te Kauwhata Primary School student, Hannah Cameron, is committed to charting her own course in life, as JON RAWLINSON explains.

I

t’s fair to say that Hannah Cameron’s life to date has taken her along roads less travelled, at least as far as her gender is concerned. Serving as NZ Young Farmers’ Waikato/Bay of Plenty Regional Chairperson (while also working as a flying instructor) she has excelled in areas often seen as the domain of men.

Hannah believes, while women have long played an essential role in farming families, New Zealand’s primary industries can benefit from more than just a little ‘women’s work.’

“The phrase ‘just a farmer’s wife’ needs to be reassessed for a start. There are some pretty amazing women doing some pretty amazing things and a lot of seriously strategic brains among women involved throughout the primary industries. It would be a serious disservice if this resource were to continue to be under utilised and underdeveloped,” she says.

“Young Farmers is still a more male than female organisation but, if you look at committee members across all regions, it’s more like a 50/50 split.”

Hannah is currently the only woman to hold a regional chair position with Young Farmers but says the organisation is undertaking a concerted effort to ensure more women take their place alongside men at the highest levels. Indicative of this approach is an increase in the number of women taking part in the annual Young Farmer of the Year competition.

During the contest’s seven regional finals in March and April, Lisa Kendall from Karaka and North Waikato’s Jo Jordan will

aim to take their place at the Grand Final.

During the competition’s (almost) 50 year history, no woman has ever claimed the national title, but Hannah says it’s high time that changed.

“I would like to see at least one of the regions represented at the Grand Final by one of the female competitors; however, as an organisation, we still have work to do to prepare them. I would love for a woman to win but, if not, at least we know we have some very strong competitors ready to step up in the future.”

Although Hannah’s role is largely focused on helping administer the organisation, the former Te Kauwhata dairy farmer’s daughter doesn’t shy away from getting her hands dirty during the Young Farmer of the Year competition.

“I have competed at district level the past couple of years but I went terribly!

My skill set is probably better focused elsewhere, although I can drive a tractor and quads, too. For me, it’s more of a learning experience than about competing. I can’t really stand up in front of our members and say they should enter if I don’t enter as well, can I? And, it’s actually really good fun!”

Hannah says working with Young Farmers has allowed her to put her studies (in outdoor education and business) to good use, while drawing on her rural upbringing.

“Young Farmers is very good at developing future leaders. They’re a pretty impressive group of people. [The organisation] excels when it comes to

❝

I would like to see at least one of the regions represented at the [Young Farmer of the Year] Grand Final by one of the female competitors... I would love it if a woman could win but, if not, at least we know we have some very strong competitors ready to step up in the near future.”

teaching an understanding all the roles within a committee, for example. There’s not a lot available to a younger age group for developing such skills.”

Now living in Hamilton, the driven 27-year-old credits her local upbringing for providing her with the strong grassroots she’s needed to achieve.

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Hannah Cameron – farming and flying her passion.

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strangers to achievement – Matt is head coach at the Waikato Rowing Club, while Georgia is a lawyer. As children of former All Black, Counties and Manawatu mid-fielder, Lachie Cameron, it’s fair to say achievement is in the Cameron kids’ blood.

“We had an amazing childhood on the farm. Mum and dad would always discuss what was going on so we were always very involved. Of course, we were a source of free labour, too, something country kids can relate to!

‘Character building’, I believe it’s called.

“All three of us are very lucky. Our parents have always supported and encouraged us to do whatever we wanted, as long as we were passionate about it. They brought us up to work hard and smart, so that’s what we’ve done.”

And, hard work has served Hannah well so far; so much so that she became one of the first recipients of the inaugural NZ Young Farmers Excellence Award late last year.

“I didn’t even realise I’d been nominated; I didn’t have a clue until I found out I’d won!” she exclaims.

“Considering we have so many fantastic people doing great things within the organisation and beyond, it really is an honour.” www.ruralliving.co.nz

Pitch perfect approach

T

hose who dream big may well benefit from having their heads in the clouds. Ironically, Hannah Cameron’s day job (as a flying instructor for CTC Aviation), has required she remain well and truly grounded.

“Flying is probably [safer than driving a bus]... there’s less stuff to hit!” she laughs.

“For 99% of the time it’s pretty unexciting.

That’s why we need to train so hard and stay focused, to ensure we’re well prepared in case something goes wrong.

“I have a running joke that, every day, my students try to kill me! But they’re learning; there’s a reason why they need an instructor. There have been a few ‘fun’ times when students haven’t listened, but nothing too frightening.”

While she devotes much of her spare time to working with NZ Young Farmers, Hannah also has her sights fixed on the next step (or giant leap) in her career.

“Probably within the next five years I’d like to be with an airline and, later on, flying long haul with international, widebodied jets. I’m working towards my ATPL (Air Transport Pilot Licence). I don’t need this now, but I will, if I get an airline job, to become a captain,” she explains.

“My happy place is as I take off, leaving

the world behind me. But the main reason I chose aviation as a career is that I wanted a challenge and there are plenty of those!”

However, she adds that, in an industry where approximately four percent of international pilots are women, she will need to work hard to reach the top.

“Four percent is extremely low. To be a good pilot you need good hand and feet coordination, be intelligent enough to learn all the manuals and also to deal with the non-technical side, thinking ahead, reacting well and staying calm if things go wrong. In this sense, there’s nothing to make aviation more a barrier for women than for men.”

As in the farming world,, Hannah believes gender parity in the aviation sector ultimately requires young women to realise that opportunities are there for the taking.

“There have been some exceptionally talented female pilots – Jean Batten, for one, and Amelia Earhart. So those of us within the industry need to demonstrate that this really is an achievable career.

“Many little boys want to be pilots; I think we need to get more little girls knowing they can do it too. It’s hard, you need to be very passionate but why wouldn’t you want to travel the world and make a good living from it at the same time?”

Rural Living — March 2017 — 11

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wolfram sprEngEL

German-born Wolfram Sprengel, best known as The Psychic Wolf, came to New Zealand in 1989. He has since settled on a Bombay lifestyle block from where he practises.

In astrological circles there are many types of psychic gifts and types of readings – tarot and angel cards, numerology, clairvoyance, channelling, psychometry, palmistry and more. What is your psychic gift?

A medium connects people on this planet to those that have passed to the other side.

That would be me. Psychics use different tools/gifts such as those mentioned. I use my vision and see spirits or situations and issues related to the client. I have used tarot cards in the past but, once again, they are a visual tool. I have pretty much always had the ability to see things and initially took this for granted. It was only when I realised that what I was dreaming and seeing (clairvoyance) was becoming more and more accurate that I took it seriously.

What do most people hope to achieve through your clairvoyance?

In my experience, closure and getting on with life. When someone in a family dies suddenly it can leave a gaping hole for years to come. That’s when I try to help. Imagine coming home to find your two-year-old daughter has been run over or your partner has died while you were shopping? When we experience such devastation it’s hard to see how we will ever cope again. That’s where I can step in and open communication with the loved one who has left. That final goodbye, finding out what actually happened, or a simple ‘I love you’ has a big impact. To know that loved ones on the other side are okay brings great comfort to people.

The stereotypical image of psychics is of a gypsy fortune teller in a tent with a crystal ball. How representative is such an image in today’s world?

I don’t know if this is accurate anymore. I, myself, have not come across a gypsy. The image of a psychic has changed due to modern technology especially computers and the internet. I can do readings with anyone around the world. Skype and 12 — Rural Living — March 2017

FaceTime make it possible to carry out personal readings anytime, anywhere and it’s easy to find me through my website.

Almost all clients take their iPhone along to record readings for themselves. CDs, phone readings and cassette tapes are now being replaced by newer devices. It is possible that some clairvoyants use crystal balls but I have no personal knowledge of this. I tried it and I found it was not the right tool for me. Every psychic will eventually find a tool that works best for them. For me, clairvoyance is fast and accurate.

Do people fear ‘bad luck’ predictions?

Fear is what stops people coming for a reading in the first place especially if they have not had one before. They are scared of what I might see and of what messages may come through. As far as ‘bad news’ goes, it is a matter of perception. Many see it as a blessing and are grateful for the information that I pass to them. Bad news can become something positive; it can be used to make changes or alter decisions.

Do you predict events such as lottery wins, death, weddings, accidents etc?

Predicting is probably not the correct word here. I have never seen death. It is not my job to do so. I am shown images and I have learned that all the information I am shown is what the client is ready to receive.

When it comes to personal gain, e.g. Lotto, I don’t get any information. If I did, do you seriously believe that I would be that silly and tell you the jackpot numbers! I would cash in myself! On the other hand, I constantly see weddings, pregnancy, accidents, fraud and affairs.

There is a lot of scepticism surrounding psychic abilities. Some simply don’t believe, what would you say to them?

Sceptics are not my issue. They have an issue. I know what I do is helpful and important. I don’t force anyone to come and see me. It is done by free choice. If nobody gets anything out of a reading I

would have no clients but I have a very high number of returning customers. For sceptics, seeing is believing whereas I consider believing is seeing.

Do clients contact you because they want to make contact with people who have passed over or do they want your predictions/advice on everyday matters?

Some clients want to connect with loved ones that have passed over and some come to enquire about day to day problems. If someone wants to connect with a loved one that has crossed over, I often find that once a connection is established, people on the other side want to communicate and don’t stop.

Sometimes, they show concern for and want messages passed on to people who aren’t present. Clients also ask about all sorts of things such as whether their partner is having an affair, is there a new job coming up or is a house move likely?

What top 5 topics do people ask about?

In no particular order, relationships, contacting loved ones, family matters, finances, wellbeing.

Have you developed your own intuitive abilities or are they simply a natural gift which can’t be developed further?

Anyone who wants to do it can. It takes a lot of trust, belief, passion, patience and the willingness to learn. Will every football player become a world champion? No. Can you learn to be a good football player?

Absolutely yes! Does talent help? Yes, no doubt about it. I always had it to some extent but never paid much attention.

Eventually, it came down to use it or lose it, so I started using it. It has been a thrilling journey so far and will continue to be so.

Do clients prefer face to face meetings or do they use the phone or skype these days? Has technology the industry?

I have never done a phone reading. I www.ruralliving.co.nz

Wolfram Sprengel aka The Psychic Wolf – “For sceptics, seeing is believing whereas I consider believing is seeing.”

Photo Wayne Martin

love face to face meetings be it person to person or on Skype or Face Time. I discovered very quickly how important personal contact is for my customers. I have been to public readings by other psychics and I didn’t like it. Because I am very aware that readings are personal and sensitive, I wouldn’t like to share the information given to me with a room of 200 people and then have to deal with it.

But, there is no right or wrong way. Every psychic does what works for them.

Do you watch the TV show Sensing Murder? If so, why aren’t more cases being cracked as a result of the show?

Yes, I have watched Sensing Murder and it is amazing. I know that a lot of cases have been helped by the programme. I won’t comment on it as such. Those who want to know more should read Kelvin Cruikshank’s book in which he describes the many issues they face.

If you could grow any plant or raise any animal or your Bombay property what would it be and why?

Ha, that’s a good one. At the moment I grow tomatoes, kohlrabi, beetroot, snow peas, beans, cucumber, watermelon, potatoes, capsicums, cabbage, lettuce, herbs, lime, lemons and avocado. Why? Because good produce, which isn’t sprayed to death, is so expensive in NZ. If you could invite any three people (living or dead) to dinner, who and why?

My wife, my boy and my dog because they give meaning to my life. My readings are full of events in which life changes in a second. A heart attack, a car crash, an affair, a work accident or texting while driving is all it takes to rip a family and life

apart. Enjoy the moment, live in the now and always say ‘goodbye’ when leaving home. Spend time with your family and loved ones while you can. It won’t last.

Someone will die first. When it happens, the pain and agony is unbearable.

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Rural Living — March 2017 — 13

by Jon Rawlinson

o

ften enough, ‘the media’ is blamed for blowing news stories out of all proportion. However, if (for all we know) an unexploded arsenal of military ordnance could lie just beneath the surface on a Pukekohe roadside, we should be forgiven for engaging in speculation.

Soon after a ‘suspicious object’ was discovered by road workers last month, police issued a statement confirming that it had been dealt with by the NZDF Bomb Squad and posed no danger to the public.

However, we were still left to wonder exactly what said object was and, depending on its nature, whether Beatty Road should now be considered more minefield than thoroughfare.

Was it a bomb, an unexploded shell, or even an alien spacecraft which missed the

DEFUSING RUMOURS... mark on its way to Roswell? Rural Living contacted Auckland Transport (AT), NZ Police and NZDF for clarification.

Fortunately, after a number of emails and phone calls, we can at last firmly insert a spanner into the works of the local rumour mill. A police spokesperson confirmed: “The item was a small, World War One-era projectile with an attached fuse.

The fuse had been attached later and

Thank you

was not compatible with the projectile.

The munition was confirmed to be inert (empty) so no risk.

“We are not aware of any on-going risk to any members of the public, but of course if something is brought to our attention, we will follow it up.”

The fact that the fuse doesn’t match the shell suggests the offending article is most likely a one-off discovery, rather than part of a buried arsenal which could one day blow half of Pukekohe sky high!

Judging by the following response from a spokesperson from AT, it seems the council-contracted road workers are neither fazed (nor ‘en-fused’) by their find: “The contractors are happily back at work and, as a precaution, they have a metal detector on site.”

2017

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It’s not all about drench...

By Ilyse Jennens, BVSc (Dist.), MANZCVS Drenching grazing animals is often seen as the single solution to dealing with internal parasites (worms).

However, resistance by internal parasites to drenches is an increasing and serious issue facing not only large commercial farms but can affect anyone who grazes animals. Therefore, any use of drench should be part of an overall control plan.

Unfortunately, there is no simple recipe to suit everyone and advice specific to your property should be sought.

Grazing strategies: Adult animals (except goats) generally have good immunity to worms and can be used to “clean up” pastures grazed by younger animals that haven’t yet had time to develop sufficient immunity. Avoid having only young stock repeatedly grazing the same paddocks year after year.

Cows are affected by different worm species to sheep and goats or horses and alpacas so

Illyse Jennens

different animal groups can be used to “clean up” worms of other animals on the property by alternatively grazing paddocks.

Effective drenching: Effective drenching involves targeting treatments to animals that require treatment as well as good drench selection and technique.

The need for treatment can be monitored by collection of dung samples and assessment of the number of eggs present (faecal egg count). Faecal egg counts can also be used to

monitor the effectiveness of the drench used.

Adult stock generally have good immunity and don’t require routine drenching. The exceptions are barbers pole worm (Haemonchus) which can affect adult sheep and alpacas typically in summer/ autumn, and goats that tend to be susceptible to parasites throughout their lives Time drenching to when high numbers of worms are likely to be present. Worms grow best in warm, wet conditions so numbers on pasture are highest during spring and autumn.

Select a combination drench that contains two or more active ingredients and it will help to slow the development of drench resistance to the individual ingredients. (Beware: praziquantel doesn’t count as an action family here) Ensure animals receive the correct dose for their weight and are not under-dosed.

For more information about drench selection and how best to control parasites on your property, we invite you to contact us at Franklin Vets.

MARCH CHECK LIST n Facial eczema is a real risk through to May for cattle and sheep. Ensure animals are protected; zinc boluses are generally the best option. n Barbers Pole is a bloodsucking parasite found in sheep and alpacas, causing them to become pale and weak; deaths can occur. While most drenches will control it, we recommend using a product with specific and persistent activity such as Genesis Ultra®. n Flystrike in sheep is a real issue at this time of year.

Prevention is better than cure and involves avoiding dags by tailing, crutching and worm control, shearing prior to summer followed by regular treatment with protective sprays. n Fleas and Ticks are a real nuisance for pets, and fleas can be laying eggs in your house too!

There are some great safe and long-lasting flea control products available for dogs and cats, such as Bravecto which lasts for 12 weeks with one treatment.

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If you would like further advice on parasite control and what product is best suited to your property, please contact your local Franklin Vets clinic. Papakura and Pukekohe clinics are open 7 days.

Rural Living — March 2017 — 15

Shell shuckers caught Two rookie recruits couldn’t believe their luck when gut instincts during a routine patrol led to one of Auckland’s largest paua busts recently.

The duo of newly-appointed Ministry for Primary Industries’ (MPI) fisheries officers located a suspicious vehicle near Cornwallis Wharf (opposite the Awhitu Peninsula), MPI South Auckland team manager, Jacob Hore, reports.

“They felt something wasn’t quite right so waited for the occupants to come back then pulled the vehicle over as it left the area. They discovered four people in possession of 260 paua, 258 of which were shucked and all were undersized.”

The officers seized the paua and dive gear used in the alleged offending. Unfortunately, as most of the paua were dead, having been removed from their shells, they could not be returned to the sea. “This is great work by two of our more junior fisheries officers. [It] represents the largest paua gathering offence detected in the Auckland region in more than 10 years.

It’s fantastic to see our new officers using their initiative and delivering great results.”

Mr Hore expects the illegal ‘shuckers’ will face charges under the Fisheries Act.

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A proposed new refuse and recycling drop-off facility in Tuakau should shake off the big stink that swept the area when a privately run drop off service in Pukekohe was closed last year. But those expecting the new facility to have opened on February 20 will be disappointed.

The Waikato District Council and Smart Environmental initiative at 100c Industry Lane, Tuakau has been delayed.

Because the scope of services currently permitted under the site’s resource consent needs to be increased, a new resource consent process has to be undertaken.

Waikato District Council general manager (service delivery), Tim Harty says the new service will bring greater flexibility to rural residents in the northern part of Waikato but he acknowledges that its announcement was premature and that the correct consenting process needs to be completed.

“We are working through the process of sorting out these issues with our partner, Smart Environmental and will do so as quickly as possible,” Mr Harty says . “We understand the frustration that the delay may cause and we apologise to residents for the inconvenience.”

He adds that once resource consent for the new facility is complete, the plan is for the Smart Environmental yard to be open to the public six days a week, Monday to Saturday, 9am to 3pm, for the free drop-off of domestic recycling as well as prepaid stickered bag refuse drop-off.

Businesses will be able to drop off commercial volumes of recycling, but a charge will apply and will be set by Smart Environmental.

Due to the introduction of the Tuakau facility, monthly collections at Pukekawa, Onewhero and Glen Murray have ceased and residents have been told that will remain the case. www.ruralliving.co.nz

sting

Feeling the

By Ditch Keeling, Coastal Pest Solutions

I

t feels a bit ironic to be writing about summer pest control while the rain beats out its primal rhythm on my tin roof – but that’s Auckland for you! Up until this rain hit we were flat out with two, and sometimes three, rabbit jobs a night.

Hundreds of rabbit burrows have been fumigated and I cleared a mammoth wasp nest up a cliff at Mahurangi a couple of days ago.

Everything that generally does well in summer has been quite slow to kick off this year but, boy, it has come on in a hurry now.

Last week I was called to an impeccably kept 10 acres at Te Hihi. “Just three burrows under the house,” the owner informed me as I looked at the evidence of 50 plus rabbits across his lawn.

Head torch on, shovel and fumigant trailing behind I dragged myself under the building. I could see the three he had mentioned straight away – huge, fresh piles of dirt beside each excavation and the unmistakeable smell of bunnies was fighting with ancient dust to be the first to clog my nasal passages.

However, looking toward the back of the house I could see more fresh dirt in the very low crawl space. Oh joy – it’s a good thing I’m seriously claustrophobic because it helped take my mind off the fact that I was about to start using fumigant in a very confined space. I really must have been so very bad in a past-life!

In the end I found, and fumigated, 15

❝

he nest was around T three metres all up and I figure there were up to 500,000 wasps were living there. They sure did not like me breaking up their home up.”

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of summer massive rabbit holes, all in-use and so established that I was falling through the ground in some places. Another year of that and they could very well have undermined the pilings of the house.

I went on to shoot just 14 after dark and the owner tells me he hasn’t seen a bunny since. What’s more, the family dog is now lying around looking dejected without strange noises under the house to bark at.

It seems as though every rabbit on that 10 acres was living right under the lounge!

We are now starting to receive regular wasp calls and the one at Mahurangi was the first monster of the season. Mahurangi Regional Park, north of Auckland is an absolute cracker of a spot so I jumped at the chance to spend three hours in traffic to climb a ladder up a cliff and tackle a huge German wasp nest.

It had become so big that the swarm was starting to build satellite nests around it – obviously not the best thing for public safety at one of our most beautiful parks.

My trusty Land Cruiser struggled in deep, soft sand out to the nest as my not so trustworthy Junior Ranger did his best to direct me further into the soft stuff.

The nest was around three metres all up and I figure there were up to 500,000 wasps living there. They sure didn’t like me breaking up their home.

So, very long, hot drive, nearly stuck on the tide line, up a ladder being attacked by half a million wasps – best job in the world bar none!

Yes, the summer season is in full swing and I say bring it on!

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Rural Living — March 2017 — 17

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Sobering statistics reveal seven children have died between 2013-2015 as a result of farm accidents. What’s more nearly 20,000 children have been injured on farms in the 12 years leading up to 2015.

Accidents involving children on the farm are rife in summer so it is the responsibility of farmers to ensure children are not put at risk.

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to stop children having fun on the farm or helping out mum and dad with jobs...but farms come with big machines, big animals and big pressures. Children and their parents need to be aware of the risks farms present and work to manage those risks.”

Mr McCone says many risks can easily be managed, for example, by using vehicles suitable for passengers, fencing artificial ponds, covering pits, or even creating ‘safe kid zones’ in dairy sheds, or working together with neighbours as farmers have always done.

“Over recent years, of the 14 deaths of children under the age of 10, seven involved the child being near the parents working,” he says. “If you’re used to working alone, and get stuck on a job or problem, then it’s easy to forget about the kids.”

Furthermore, all three deaths involving children aged between five and 15 since 2013 involved a child operating a quad bike.

“Kids love playing around vehicles like the quad bike or the tractor so walk around the vehicle first and check children are a safe distance away before starting the engine,” Mr McCone says.

“A few seconds extra care will prevent what could be a tragedy.

“Quad bike riders under-16 years are 2.5 times more likely to be injured compared to drivers aged 16–34 years old. Although those aged under-16 years old represent just 16% of users, they account for between 37%-50% of all injuries.”

Only those trained and experienced should operate a quad bike, Mr McCone adds.

Parents or carers should lock doors to stop children getting into areas they shouldn’t and remove keys from vehicles children aren’t to drive.

There are plenty of useful tips and guidance on keeping children safe on farms in WorkSafe’s, Managing Health and Safety – a guide for farmers which includes a section on children on farms. The guide and other farm health and safety resources are available at www.saferfarms.org.nz.

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Septic tanks and multi-stage septic systems are delicately balanced environments. It does not take much to upset them.

Common practice is to ignore the septic system until problems occur. Good and best economical practice is to always keep your septic system well maintained.

A malfunctioning septic system can become a health hazard.

When a system is not maintained or operated as a delicately balanced environment, problems occur. These problems include nasty odours, leach line blockages, untreated liquid rising to the surface, toilets gurgling and taking time to empty.

At this stage your septic system is a serious health hazard to you and your children. Human waste produces faecal coliform bacteria, a source of viral and bacterial gastroenteritis as well as Hepatitis A and other diseases. Hepatitis can be a debilitating condition and cause long-term harm to children.

There are only three remedies.

One: stop using the septic system until it recovers. This can take over a month and is not normally practical. Two: excavate your septic system and relocate it. This is very costly and time consuming, sometimes requiring new resource consents and different systems. Three: treat your septic system with Septi-Cure™ every six months.

Septi-Cure is cost effective.

By far the most cost effective solution is to pour one litre of Septi-Cure™ down the toilet bowl every six months. This simple action will help keep your system working at top efficiency by reducing solids and scum. Instead of emptying your tank frequently, the reduction in solids and scum saves you expensive pump out costs. Your irrigation field and leach lines will become clear of slimes and blockages so nature can handle the gradual seepage and evaporation for you. When this is happening your system

will be operating effectively and not endangering you or your family’s health.

What is SeptiCure™?

Septi-Cure™ is a concentrated mixture of selected naturally occurring micro-organisms.

These harmless tiny organisms live and multiply by feeding on waste material. When introduced to your septic tank system, they go to work straight away digesting waste material, reducing solids and scum, allowing your septic system to start operating to its maximum efficiency. As they progress through to your irrigation field they feed on the slimes that prevent seepage and evaporation. When seepage and evaporation return to normal, you have reduced the risk of contaminating groundwater and the environment as well as reducing the chances of infection for you and your family.

Eventually, they get washed out of the system and have to be replaced to continue their work.

This is why you introduce SeptiCure™ to your septic system every six months for maximum efficiency.

A satisfied customer in Hamilton has been using Septi-Cure™ for three years.

He says this allows them to have an odour-free septic tank with low maintenance costs. He also says that his service person is amazed at how well SeptiCure™ works, keeping their tank in very good condition.

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Rural Living — March 2017 — 19

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he NaturalFlow wastewater system is revolutionising domestic water waste and sewage treatment processes in New Zealand.

Using power-free aerating processes – as opposed to mechanical pumps – NaturalFlow harnesses Mother Nature’s recycling processes, in an enclosed ecosystem that stimulates the natural forest floor.

Nature is one huge recycling mechanism.

The NaturalFlow system utilises these mechanisms of nature by harnessing its forces that have been quietly working together for thousands of years to break down and decompose waste all around us, and positioning them in an enclosed ecosystem module that simulates the natural forest floor.

It will treat and break down your wastewater – just as nature does – and then

sysTem reintroduce it into the environment when it is perfectly safe to do so.

Waterflow NZ spent more than a decade researching and developing the NaturalFlow system before integrating it into the New Zealand market. Homeowners from Cape to Bluff now have access to advanced water treatment solutions which are synonymous with clean, green 21st century ideals.

The NaturalFlow System uses vermiculture to reduce the solids by up to 95 per cent, creating, in the process, valuable water soluble nutrients that can be recycled safely back into the environment.

“No other system has the capacity to reduce solids by this amount. We are very much working with nature in our processes, keeping it simple, and using power free natural aeration processes instead of mechanical pumps, reducing maintenance requirements to very little.”

aDam anD KaRen Say: “We have lived with a NaturalFlow waste water system now for four years. We chose NaturalFlow because we wanted an environmentally-friendly system that didn’t require expensive, ongoing maintenance.

Our system has delivered exactly what we wanted. We have a system which requires no electricity, no pumps, makes no noise.

“I can’t recommend NaturalFlow enough. If you want a simple, low cost, environmentally friendly sewage treatment system you really can’t go wrong with NaturalFlow!”

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Win!

To enter the draw for any of these competitions visit ruralliving.co.nz. One entry per person/email address; entries close March 31, 2017. Winner notified by phone or email.

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Rural Living has FOUR jars (RRP $34.99) to give away to four lucky winners.

Win! Franklin Home & Lifestyle Expo double passes If you build it, you must come... along to the Franklin Home & Lifestyle Expo – April 8-9 at Pukekohe’s PIA Hall.

This trade fair is set to provide plenty of inspiration (as well as innovative products and services) for designing, building, renovating or even furnishing our homes. After a hugely successful inaugural event last September, organisers couldn’t wait to roll up their sleeves and get stuck in once again. For details, see franklinexpo.co.nz. In the meantime, Rural Living has 10 double passes up for grabs! www.ruralliving.co.nz

Father’s Day may be a long way off but Rural Living is giving readers a chance to make dad’s day every day with this fabulous Remington lithium-powered, Smart Edge Active Hybrid Shaver valued at RRP $299.99 Its numerous features include long hair trimmers which pre-trim long hairs effectively so that they are ready to be close shaved by the advanced foil shaver. Easy to clean and 100% waterproof, the pivoting neck and flexing cutters offer ultimate skin contact and comfort. There is a convenient pop up trimmer for detailing sideburns and facial hair. Enjoy up to 50 minutes cordless use and a 120 minutes, full charge.

It also has a 5 minute quick charge. The good news is we have one of these top of the line Remington shavers up for grabs – be in to win!

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Feeding hungry little ‘monsters’ can be a never-ending task but Farrah’s NEW Snack Wraps are perfect for children who are always on the go! Farrah’s Snack Wraps come in two monstrously delicious variants: White and Cheesy.

Perfect for lunchboxes, your child can enjoy yummy and nutritious lunches, setting them up for the day’s adventures.

Farrah’s Snack Wraps, featuring Farrah’s friendly monsters: Sprigs, Gizmo, Sprocket and Axel (RRP $5.49) are available at supermarkets nationwide. Rural Living has three Farrah’s prize packs to giveaway, each containing Cheesy Snack Wraps, White Snack Wraps and a Farrah’s Lunchbox. For super speedy, monster recipes visit www.farrahs.co.nz.

Who rules the roost in Jay & Sarah’s kitchen? Find out in this new book by popular My Kitchen Rules NZ contestants, Jay Wanakore & Sarah Chase. Focused on modern, healthy and budget-friendly food, this book presents recipes for achievable dishes for the ordinary Kiwi cook.

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Home sweet home!

Reay’s cats are safely contained in the property’s aviary during the day while they become accustomed to their new home.

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

CITY LASS

w

ell, it’s done and dusted.

The big move is over and although I swear I am never going to move again, really it all went well. We moved the household last Thursday and I couldn’t believe that even after filling two skips, and loading a lockup, we still have too many paintings and accessories.

We are slowing getting the new house in order and with the help of my Waiau Pa friend, her daughter and my Pukekohe daughter, by the end of the first day all the beds were set up and the bathrooms ready to go.

The Saturday before the move, the owners of the house allowed us access to the property so I was able to bring all my garden pots and garden art across.

Again, so many things! We were extremely lucky to have had family and friends of the younger generation available for lifting and heaving all the heavy things.

Two big trips with two trailers and we were done but scattered all around the property is a little bit of us! Thank goodness we had early access as I don’t know how we could have done it all in one day.

I have certainly learnt a lot about packing but unfortunately not a lot about throwing away. It was lucky that we had the Christmas break to get stuck in and because the weather was awful over that

time I did get a lot of the packing done even though Brian was out of action after his accident.

Now that the move is behind us, it is exciting to be at the new property especially as the house and gardens need updating! And, that’s what I love doing.

I didn’t want to buy a house that was perfect, it’s just not me.

It’s also been fun measuring driving distances – Waiau Pa friends will be seven minutes away when they move into their new home, Pilates (Jo Plummer) is six minutes away and Patamahoe village is just seven minutes away.

The only distance that is awful to negotiate is my daily commute to Botany.

This week it took an hour and a half going into work but coming home (not on the motorway) took only 45 minutes so that

was much better.

I have now collected the cats from All Seasons Pet Resort and, at this stage, we are not having a lot of sleep. Jessie’s not too bad but our Burmese, Billy is going spare! The sooner he gets a chance to go outside he’ll find there’s a lot of rabbiting for him to do.

I have to say that all the people out here have been fabulous and really helpful. I had Craig from Illuminate come and do all the dismantling of the TVs etc and then he set them up at the new property. Today a Kevens rep is coming to measure up for blinds – so many new things all in a week.

While, Brian and I were really sad to leave our old home, we now have a new and exciting challenge ahead so, roll on the new year... and I’ll keep you all updated!

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fResH colouRs, luminous ResulT Natasha Harris from Alberts Hair Salon, Pukekohe praises new COLOR.ME range by Kevin Murphy

As an expansion to our The effect of cancer, and cancer treatment, on appearance can existing COLOR.ME really lower spirits. That’s why we started our Look Good Feel Better range of toners (Natural, workshops over 25 years ago. The work we do helps women, men and teens with cancer improve the way they look, making a real Beige and Silver), the difference to their confidence, strength and positivity. new shades of Lilac, Ice Cancer, and cancer treatment, has many impacts. One that The support we give is free to anyone with any cancer, and and Apricot, are ideally can be very hard to bear is the toll it takes on appearance. extends right across New Zealand. We rely entirely on donations, At Look Good Feel Better we’ve been supporting women, men suited for enhancing, the generosity of the cosmetics industry and the work of volunteers and teens with cancer for over 25 years. Our workshops help refining or softening people with cancer improve the way they look, letting them to keep going. By donating to Look Good Feel Better you help face the world with more confidence, strength and positivity. hair colour while leaving make a difference to people’s lives when they need it most.

The support we give is free to anyone with any cancer, and And every dollar goes directly to running the workshops. hair in a healthy, shiny extends right across New Zealand. We rely entirely on donations, Please visit our website or find us on Facebook to contribute. the generosity of the cosmetics industry and the work of condition. volunteers to keep going. By donating to Look Good Feel Better www.lgfb.co.nz LookGoodFeelBetterNZ I love the stunning you help bring smiles to faces that have had little to smile about.

And every dollar goes directly to running the workshops. dimension and luminous Please visit our website or find us on Facebook to contribute. results I am able to www.lgfb.co.nz LookGoodFeelBetterNZ achieve with the new COLOR.ME pastel hues.

It is so quick and easy to create the most Pastel hair isn’t desirable, on-trend going away shades while leaving hair anytime soon, but in a luxuriously touchable MSc MB ChB FCS(SA) FRCSC FRACS condition. The results are it is constantly mind-blowing. evolving.”

In keeping with KEVIN MURPHY’S commitment to offer a product that is as gentle on the environment as it is on the client, the new toners are ammonia and PPD-free and are formulated with naturally derived ingredients such as honey, pomegranate and shea butter.

And, like everything else in the KEVIN.MURPHY brand, COLOR.ME never tests on animals!

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my favouRiTe THing Pukekohe Business Association chair, Margaret Holmes – queen of the highway.

Photo Wayne Martin

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To kids of the ’60s, Peter Fonda on a choppered Harley will ever remain the iconic image of a free-wheeling biker. So, when Margaret Holmes – Pukekohe Business Association chair, and co owner of accountancy firm, The Engine Room – dons leathers and mounts her Canam Spyder, it’s little wonder some folk are surprised to see a beancounter turn easy rider.

W

hen Invited to tell Rural Living about her ‘Favourite Thing’ Margaret Holmes didn’t hesitate – “it’s my bike, or rather trike – a bold bronze Canam Spyder, which I bought two years ago!

Most people assume it’s my husband’s so it’s a surprise when they see me up front and Malcolm riding pillion.”

A horsewoman all her life, Waiuku farmraised Margaret says she finally gave away four-legged transport to satisfy a yen to explore the country on, not two wheels, but three.

“Even though I rode bikes when growing up on the farm, it’s really been about horses for years. Yet, when I told the family I was buying a bike, my brother said, ‘why don’t you buy a sports car? It’s safer.’ I replied, “you ride a hunter, don’t you think that’s dangerous – bikes don’t buck or bolt!”

Margaret’s 22-year-old daughter, Sarah

www.ruralliving.co.nz

was also a little sceptical says her mother.

“But now I think she quite likes hopping on the back and going for a spin.”

Furthermore, Margaret says the trike is extremely steady and she needs only her car licence to be legal on the road – “it really is every stable.”

Since buying the bike, Margaret has joined the Spyder Riders but most of her touring has been done with husband Malcolm.

“We went around the South Island last year and we’ve done a couple of trips up north. I try to get away whenever I can but when all else fails, I can always go for a coffee!”

And, earlier this month Margaret joined Ulysses Club bikers on their charity ride across Auckland to raise funds for the Westpac Helicopter Trust.

“We all put in $10 each and there were more than 400 bikers so with added funds from the sale of T-shirts they raised in

excess of $5000.”

While Waiuku was home to Margaret when growing up, she has lived in Pukekohe for the past 25 years and set up her King Street business some 15 years ago.

“I’ve been the PBA chair for more than seven years and while it was full on in the early days, now it is more of a true governance role.”

Nevertheless, her two ‘jobs’ keep Margaret’s feet firmly planted on the ground so when she can apply some pedal, it’s respite from business.

“There’s a lot to like about heading out on the road – some of it’s the adrenalin rush, some of it’s the people you meet and some of it’s thinking purely about what you are doing, nothing else.

“It’s about not being knocked off the road by a mad driver overtaking on the double yellow lines – really it’s about being alive!”

Rural Living — March 2017 — 25

Karl Budge

– baseline to boardroom

From ‘Serena-gate’ to Jack Sock (fittingly) claiming the men’s title, the recent ASB Classic served up plenty of drama. However, behind the scenes a former Pukekohe local was pulling the strings, as JON RAWLINSON reports.

W

hile some sports may struggle to put bums on seats, or satisfy palates of fans in the stands, the Auckland Open (ASB Classic – men’s and women’s) has been routinely netting first rate financial returns. By providing a satisfying experience for players, sponsors and fans, tournament director, Karl Budge, is tasked with ensuring Tennis Auckland’s cash cow continues to make with the milk.

“I don’t want to compare our tournaments to just any other international; I want to compare them to Wimbledon. If we do that, the rest will take care of itself. We’re leading the women’s tour and we’re right up there with the men’s in terms of how to run a successful, modern tournament – that’s what gets me out of bed in the morning,” Karl says.

“When I took on this role, I was told: ‘it’s not a grand slam.’ I used to be head of sponsorship for a grand slam [the Australian Open], so trust me, I know! But, if we act like it is, we might just become the best WTA [Women’s Tennis Association] international event, or (who knows?) the best summer event in New Zealand.

Once all the sums are done, Karl expects the Classic will deliver its best ever returns, netting some $2.5 million. While many top seeds (including the Williams sisters), failed to fire, he believes they were as successful on court as in the counting house.

“No one thought Serena or Venus Williams would ever play in New Zealand...

Christ, we had the women’s world number one playing here, that’s pretty phenomenal! If we could go back to January and know how it was going to

play out [with Serena knocked out in the second round] wouldn’t you take it? Of course you would!

“The only time you’re guaranteed to see a star player is in the opening round. That’s why we’ve invested so much [off court] with music and food, so that it’s a great day out regardless of who’s on court.”

Karl has a point. If the world’s best always won, sport would be pretty damn boring!

With regards to the Williams sisters’ controversial hotel bill – reported at more than $30,000 – Karl says, thanks to contra agreements, Tennis Auckland’s net cash contribution was insignificant.

“That was a storm in a teacup! We put them in Sky City for a reason; we get free rooms there... the real impact of that bill was negligible and in line with amounts

Made to... match Former ‘Counties kid’ Karl Budge has negotiated the corporate ladder with aplomb rising to manage one of New Zealand’s premier sports events. And yet, when asked about rumours linking him with Tennis NZ’s CEO spot, his Kiwi humility is immediately apparent.

“I’m always asked about next moves but I don’t like talking about it. I might have a profile but...” despite Auckland Tennis’ boardroom being inhabited by us alone, he leans in to whisper: “I’m just doing a job!” He grins like a kid who’s pulled the wool over the world’s eyes.

“I think I’m motivated by a chip on my shoulder, When I left school at 16 some wouldn’t have thought I’d go on to achieve what I have. I kinda like that; I like being the underdog.”

Tennis NZ’s top dogs could do much worse than to bark up this particular underdog’s tree.

26 — Rural Living — March 2017

Karl’s road to Tennis Lane may have involved a much less direct route from his old hometown of Pukekohe than the Southern Motorway could provide, but that’s where it began.

“At school, I remember Mr [John] Murdie telling me to stop talking sport, that it’d never get me anywhere,” Karl reflects. “But, as I said to the kids when I returned for last year’s prize giving, that’s bollocks! To me, passion outweighs everything; it will get you everywhere!”

As a youngster, Karl played rugby, tennis and cricket, developing skills which would later serve him well. “I played a lot of cricket, and wanted to take that further. I thought I was probably good enough, but I now realise just how far away I really was,” he says.

“However, sport gave me confidence – that I was more than just a small town boy – and insight into people. That’s the beauty of sport; you mix with people

from all walks of life, while learning structure, leadership and discipline.”

While I’ll leave the details to his future biographer to divulge, suffice it to say that he has worked in a variety of roles around the world, with the WTA (Women’s Tennis Association), the Australian Open and the Oceania Football Confederation, to name a few.

Today, with five ASB Classics under his belt, Karl’s more settled. It seems that this Budge won’t be budged from his current position anytime soon.

“I’ve worked all over the world [but] I’m in a different space in my life now.”

He pauses and looks down at the court from a boardroom where he often holds court. He continues: “I’ve had opportunities elsewhere in the world but I’m lucky with this role. The Classic is big enough that it can make an impact but small enough that I can do plenty of cool stuff with it!” www.ruralliving.co.nz

Karl Budge – king of courts.

Photo Wayne Martin

expected. Sky City does plenty of business from the ASB Classic each year, so, if they have to give away a few free hotel rooms and food, they’re pretty happy to do so!”

To further ‘square the ledger’, he asserts Serena’s remarks about windy weather – experienced during her notorious second round defeat – resulted more from disappointment in her own game.

“It was just a case of a player being pissed off and lashing out... she lost a match she knew she shouldn’t have. I’m sure Serena will remember that wind for as long as she lives, but weather’s weather and she won’t hold that against us.

“I caught up with her in Melbourne [during the Australian Open] and our relationship is fine; I’ve known her for 12 years and it’s not going to change. I think there’s a strong chance she will be back next year; she won this year’s Australian Open after playing here after all!”

And with plans for a new stadium with retractable roof under way, the prospects of attracting stars in the future look good.

However, to a certain extent, Karl’s role will always require he play nursemaid to the stars and supplying a certain type of water or chicken soup (or even a karaoke machine for Serena!) is a small price to pay to ensure they’ll return to play another day.

“I’d rather players come and ask than walk away disappointed. It’s all part of developing close relationships; most know they can come have a whiskey in my office with me at night. It means, when deciding where they’re going to play next time, I know we’ll be in with a shout.”

The Classic’s success stands in stark contrast to New Zealand’s low club

numbers. And, at the highest level, Marina Erakovic alone is the only Kiwi close to cracking the world’s top 100. Encouraging youngsters to kick the football into touch and pick up a racket is “critical” to the success of tennis here, Karl believes.

“We’re often judged by how many top players we create, but I look at it differently.

Last year, a dozen kids or so secured scholarships in the USA; we have a real success story building, but we’re not doing a good enough job telling it.”

By serving as a shop window for tennis, the ASB Classic is bringing “everyone’s

second-favourite sport” to the fore in our own backyard, Karl contends.

“I’m a dollars and cents guy. It’s not strictly that un-emotive, but these tournaments are our biggest fundraising tools... to some extent, I measure my success by how much we generate.

“We’re always going to struggle to produce talent because our best athletes aren’t playing tennis, and for every Maria Sharapova or Roger Federer, there’re a thousand who don’t make it. We have to turn social players into high performance players; that’s the journey we have to take.”

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Rural Living — March 2017 — 27

Learning to do things for themselves

By Diane Osbourne, Suits & Gumboots Country Daycare

A

s we study Early Childhood we learn about a range of philosophies – Reggio Emelia, Pikler, and Montessori, to name a few.

As a parent I didn’t initially realise that I, too, followed some of these philosophies. The one I would like to share with you is Pikler, which is also part of our philosophy at Suits and Gumboots Country Daycare.

The Pikler philosophy believes that children should not be put into positions they cannot get themselves out of. With older children, this means giving them the chance to find solutions, and empowering them to do things in their own time.

At Suits and Gumboots this is seen in practice, for example, when we talk children through mastering the monkey bars. By empowering children through language and encouragement, they gain confidence to try and to have faith in their abilities.

Through experience, children who consistently have things picked up after them, or who have jobs done for them, grow up relying on others and often lose confidence to try something themselves.

When my son was 10 years old he climbed a huge tree outside our house. My husband immediately went for a ladder to help down. I stopped him, and explained to both husband and son, that if the lad could get up there by himself then he could work out how to get down.

At first my son was a bit upset, but we talked him through it and he managed to climb down all by himself. He was very impressed with this, even boasting as he told friends and family.

If we take the time to talk to children, giving them support verbally to solve their problems instead of doing it for them, we encourage an attitude of wanting to try and to explore.

Children may fall, but children will learn that while falling is okay, it’s the attitude of getting back up, that counts.

As children get older they may need to try a few times before succeeding, but they need to try. This is part of developing a great positive attitude.

Suits & Gumboots Country Daycare 12 Helenslee Rd, Pokeno.

46 Waerenga Rd, Te Kauwhata Phone 0800 464656 www.suitsandgumboots.co.nz 28 — Rural Living — March 2017

Win! diary

of a wimpy kid – double down

Greg’s mum has given him quite the fright indeed, ahead of Halloween. She’s ‘suggesting’ he set aside his video games – lest they turn his brain into mush — and explore his ‘creative side’.

Of course, this will never do!

Fortunately, Greg may just have the perfect plan to get his mum off his back by making a movie. What’s more, he might become rich and famous in the process... then again, perhaps not. Whether Greg’s latest scheme will prove successful, or (as with so many other best laid plans) prove to be the root of even more problems, soon becomes apparent as this twisting tale unfolds.

The bestselling Diary of a Wimpy Kid series has become a favourite amongst children worldwide as they cheer for a kid who never fails to surprise. ◆◆Jeff Kinney: Diary of a Wimpy Kid — Double Down | RRP

$17.99 | Puffin/Penguin NZ Rural Living has one copy of this book up for grabs.

To enter, visit ruralliving. co.nz. One entry per person/email address per book; entries close March 31, 2017. Winners notified by phone or email.

Win!

house of robots – robot revolution

The robots are revolting... and they’re not too happy with how humans are running the shop either!

The latest addition to James Patterson’s popular ‘Robots’ series sees Sammy’s under appreciated mechanical helpers causing chaos. Employing pranks (such as glue in shampoo bottles and flying toast missiles) to get their message across, the robots are on strike and demanding better care.

Can Sammy and his sister restore the peace or at least keep these robotic Rural Living has a copy of this revolutionaries in check until book up for grabs. To enter, visit their mom saves the day? All ruralliving.co.nz. One entry per will be revealed! person/email address per book; ◆◆James Patterson: entries close March 31, 2017.

House of Robots – Robot Winners notified by phone or email.

Revolution | RRP $18.99 | Arrow (Young)/Penguin NZ www.ruralliving.co.nz

the importance of

good facial development

By Yvonne Vannoort, The Dentist

A

sa dentist seeing many children, I am aware I have the opportunity to assess not only the health of children’s teeth but also their degree of facial development. My aim is to help children achieve a well balanced face with a functional bite and symmetry of the facial bones which in turn promotes a healthy body.

Facial growth is mostly complete by age 12. Factors influencing favourable facial growth are good nutrition, normally functioning facial muscles and tongue, and breathing well.

The way muscles in the mouth and face function, especially the tongue, is crucial for good facial development. The tongue needs to rest in the roof the mouth as this stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, helping the body to relax.

In infancy, the tongue functions differently when a baby is breastfed compared to bottle fed and these patterns of function become lifetime habits.

Breastfeeding elevates the tongue to the roof of the mouth; the negative pressure induced by this action draws milk out of the breast and the baby swallows.

Bottle feeding is passive; the milk requires little pressure to reach into the mouth, the muscles work differently and less intensely. The tongue does not need to exert pressure in the roof of the mouth.

Pacifiers change the position of the tongue in the mouth and also the way the tongue functions. Tongue function patterns determine how the palate grows which in turn develops the nasal passages.

Breathing well through the nose is critical to a well developed face .

Children may develop the habit of mouth breathing because of: ◆◆ A tongue tie that tethers the tongue to the floor of the mouth ◆◆ Allergies resulting in a blocked nose ◆◆ Sensitivities to foods that result in blocked airways. ◆◆ Enlarged adenoids and tonsils ◆◆ A deviated septum of the nose ◆◆ Sleeping in an overheated room or with too much clothing If you suspect your child is mouth breathing, these are signs to look for: Watch them during the day; their lips should be together other than when they are talking or smiling. The lips should also be together when they eat and swallow as the tongue normally elevates to the roof of the mouth during a correct swallow.

This tongue movement during a swallow, which occurs some 2000 times a day, is important in expanding the upper jaw to the proper size. A strong muscle, the pressure that the tongue exerts on the bones of the palate is the body’s way of developing correctly.

During the night, check your child’s mouth is closed while he or she is sleeping. Children who mouth breathe will often drool on the pillow and have a restless sleep. They may wake with a blocked nose and be irritable or hyperactive during the day because they haven’t slept well.

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Consider your child’s digestive system and bladder function. Children who mouth breathe may be constipated as digestion is not as effective as it is when they nasal breathe.

Because they lose carbon dioxide from their system when they mouth breathe, children may also bed wet. Carbon dioxide is a muscle relaxant and without it, smooth muscles, such as the bladder, contract and then cause the bladder to empty.

As the face matures, the effect of mouth breathing on its development can be a longer face than usual, a retruded lower jaw and small chin. The cheekbones may be flatter and less pronounced because the middle of the face is less well developed.

The dental arch is the shape formed by all the upper or lower teeth. Teeth are often crowded and a narrow dental arch forms which results in a narrow smile. A ‘gummy smile’ is often seen if the upper jaw grows lower in relation to the skull than usual and more gum is usually noticeable above the teeth.

Children may develop dark rims under their eyes – called venous pooling – as the blood under the eyes drains less efficiently when the middle part of the face is not so well developed.

When we identify the basic need to breathe through the nose, provide good nutrition and check for correct muscle function, we can direct facial growth and promote overall health.

There are options to help achieve optimal facial development depending upon the age and needs of a child. A consultation with one our dentists, who have studied orthodontics, is a great way to explore your child’s facial development.

WIN with

New client consultation $168 Includes: • Full mouth xray plus two bitewing xrays • Full mouth examination • Treatment planning

Contact us now for your appointment 13201-v2

166 King St, Pukekohe | info@thedentistpukekohe.co.nz | Ph 09 238 4619

www.the-dentist-pukekohe.co.nz

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www.ruralliving.co.nz Rural Living — March 2017 — 29

Sheds ahead at cafe awards

Leaving many a sophisticated city eatery in their wake, two local cafes have scooped rich rewards at the Meadow Fresh New Zealand Cafe of the Year Awards.

Red Shed Palazzo

The Sugar Shed

F

or the second year running, Drury’s popular Red Shed Palazzo has received plaudits as the country’s Best Rural Cafe. Last year, the local eatery shared the title with Carterton’s Clareville Bakery.

Co-owner, Kristina Smith, says her team is “over the moon” with the result.

“It’s proof that we are on to a winning formula and that our dedicated, hardworking team are committed to ensuring our high standards won’t slip,” she says.

“With Glenbrook’s Calendula Cottage Cafe winning the Auckland regional People’s Choice Award late last year and The Sugar Shed in Pukekohe also picking up an award this year, I think Franklin is beginning to rival the city centre as a hub for Auckland’s finest cafes.”

Competition judge and renowned food writer, Kerry Tyack, was hugely impressed with Red Shed Palazzo.

He says the judging team holds no hesitation (or should that be reservation?) in recommending it as a ‘must visit’ cafe.

“It’s bold, kitsch, cluttered and interesting with undeniable warmth. No other rural café has quite the mix and match of seating options, the menu of generous portions and a genuine welcome,” he says.

“At Red Shed Palazzo you will share the

space with a fantastic variety of customers such as the local book club members to classic car enthusiasts and those passing through and everyone will leave happy! It’s a true country gem.”

Sugar Shed, sweet success The Sugar Shed in Pukekohe has been served its just desserts, receiving the first ever Award for Innovation at Cafe of the Year. Judges said the Roulston Lane cafe (which specialises in coffee and desserts) demonstrated innovative use of social media to drive customer engagement.

“It feels wonderful, surreal and humbling

Country Cafe

to receive an accolade such as this,” owner and first time awards’ entrant, Fiona Logie, says.

“As food is our core item – and we eat with our eyes – enticing photography is key. If food looks good on screen, it brings the customers in.

“We often see diners snapping pics of their food which are posted, shared and viewed many times. Social media can be incredibly powerful and, used correctly, it’s a vital business tool.”

While Capers in Rotorua secured the overall Meadow Fresh NZ Café of the Year title, Franklin’s ‘twin sheds’ were the only Auckland entrants to claim top awards... eat your heart out Ponsonby!

So, where are you going for a great night out? What about.......

Dinner Theatre at its Best Hilarious Faulty Towers show

WINNER of RuRal cafE of thE yEaR 16 & 17

Red Shed

Palazzo

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30 — Rural Living — March 2017

Breakfast/Lunch – licensed OPEN 7 days 8.30am - 4.00pm

64 Jesmond Rd, Karaka Ph (09) 294 6687 Email: eat@redshedpalazzo.co.nz www.redshedpalazzo.co.nz

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Deer... Duncan While many still enjoy having a cow, man, it seems there is another protein which has become rather ‘deer’ to our hearts.

Kiwis are increasingly calling for venison to become more widely available, a recent survey by Duncan NZ contends.

Results indicate that while more than a third of us (37 percent) eat red meat at least 3-5 times per week (12% every day), 23% tend to treat themselves to venison just once or twice a year. However, 80% of respondents said they would eat this meat more often (at home or at restaurants) if it was easier to procure.

Vinnie Duncan from Duncan NZ is encouraged by the survey’s findings which appear to support the company’s 2016 move to supply consumers direct.

“After exporting premium quality venison to overseas markets for much of our 27 year history, we thought it was about time we gave Kiwi consumers a chance to enjoy it,” the Whitford local says.

“Our Bistro Fillet from Pämu Farms has been developed specifically to appeal to a consumer that wants ease of preparation, along with a consistency of taste and tenderness.”

Zhoug Summer Salad Bistro Fillet Looking to put a little zing into those summer/autumn lunches? Then try a little zhoug!

Thanks to Chef Graham Brown and the good folk at Duncan NZ Venison for sharing this cracking recipe.

Ingredients: ◆◆ 6-700 grams Bistro Fillet venison (from the Pämu Farms range) ◆◆ 1 teaspoon oregano ◆◆ 1 orange, juice & zest ◆◆ 2 teaspoons olive oil ◆◆ Sea salt & cracked pepper ◆◆ 1 tablespoon sumac powder ◆◆1/2 cup rockmelon, peeled & sliced ◆◆1/2 cup watermelon, peeled & sliced ◆◆12 medjool dates, soaked until soft ◆◆ 4 kumara, sweet yams or blue potatoes, peeled, diced, steamed and refried until golden ◆◆ 1/8 cup coriander leaves, ripped ◆◆ 4 basil leaves, ripped ◆◆ Venison cooking juices, whisked with olive oil ◆◆3 garlic clove, peeled and cut in half

Method: Pat dry Bistro Fillet, rub in olive oil, then orange juice, zest, sea salt & ground pepper. Scatter with sumac and oregano.

Seal venison in a hot pan until golden all over, then place into an oven at 180°C for six minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 48°.

Remove Bistro Fillet from oven, allow to rest, and strain the juices into a separate bowl. Whisk a little olive oil in with juices and a little zhoug to create a dressing.

Slice the venison into even medallions and lay onto a plate. Arrange the melon, dates, kumara and herbs on top. Drizzle over the dressing, and add a splash of the zhoug dressing. www.ruralliving.co.nz

Zhoug dressing Ingredients: ◆◆ 8 cardamom seeds ◆◆ 2 teaspoons black peppercorns ◆◆ 2 teaspoons caraway seeds ◆◆ 2 cups coriander roots ◆◆ 2 cups watercress, blanched and chopped ◆◆ 1-2 chillies, mild green and de-seeded ◆◆3 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed

◆◆Sea salt ◆◆Water to suit

For more recipes, or to buy Duncan NZ venison, see duncan-nz.com.

Method: Toast the seeds, then blitz to a powder.

Place the coriander, chillies, watercress, garlic, salt and water in a blender, add the spices, and blend to get a nice consistency.

Add a little water if necessary.

Rural Living — March 2017 — 31

Hot Spots RED EARTH EATERY & WINE BAR Red Earth eatery & wine bar offers a premium dining experience in Papakura, with fare ranging from smaller Tapas-style sharing plates and platters to full meals. Gluten-free and vegetarian options also available. Red Earth’s truly extensive wine list offers a wide selection of fabulous wines from around the country and the world. For those after something extra special, there is a cellar list for more exclusive bottles too! Pop in and see our friendly team for a fantastic time – Red Earth caters for couples and larger groups, 7 days a week, 11.30am till late!

255 Great South Rd, Papakura Phone 09 296 9027 www.facebook.com/redearth.winebar

CANOPIUS Offering healthy, tasty options for breakfast and lunch, plus a great cabinet selection to have on the go, Canopius’ cleaneating concept brings fresh, free-range products to Papakura and surrounds. With most everything, including its famous spelt muffins and raw desserts, made in house, Canopius’ focus on unprocessed foods aims to please. Whether enjoying eggs benedict or kumara latkes in the café, or ordering fresh sourdough sandwiches to be delivered to the office working lunch, Canopius is on the job.

145 Great South Road, Papakura Open Tues-Fri 7am-4pm Sat-Mon 8am-3pm Phone 09 2991180 www.canopius.co.nz www.facebook.com/canopiuscoffeehouse 14950

14976

turanga creek A fantastic place to relax and enjoy fantastic wine and food. The farm’s stables have been turned into a restaurant, function room and cellar door. Our Down to Earth philosophy is all about giving you great flavours from products that have real traceability. We have showcased this in a sharing style menu. Eggs, lamb and vegetables are all provided from our farm. Great for families, couples and groups to spend a few hours, open Wednesday to Sunday with nights Thursday to Saturday.

133 Whitford Park Road, Whitford Phone 09 530 8936 www.turangacreek.co.nz

the kentish hotel Built in 1851 by Mr Edward Constable who emigrated from Maidstone Kent, in England, The Kentish Hotel caters to today’s clientele but is steeped in history. Mr Constable went on to apply for a publican’s special licence, and on January 10, 1853, he was granted licence number 47. That special licence still continues today and the hotel lays claim to being the longest, continuous liquor licensed hotel in New Zealand.

Today, it boasts a high class restaurant which serves delicious seasonal foods and it also offers hotel guest rooms upstairs.

5 Queen St, Waiuku. Phone 09 235 8367 Email info@thekentishhotel.co.nz www.thekentishhotel.co.nz 14378-v3

32 — Rural Living — March 2017

15004

www.ruralliving.co.nz

LONG DRINK RACES EAST When Finnish-born Formula 1 driver and former world champion, Kimi Räikkönen, goes on a ‘bender’ he’s most likely to be negotiating some of the world’s most testing and convoluted racetracks.

However, back in his homeland many Finns have probably enjoyed their own ‘benders’ when imbibing what is often called the national drink, or rather the Hartwall Original® Long Drink.

A refreshing mix of Finnish artisan gin and grapefruit, the Original Long Drink has charmed Finns for 65 years, ever since it

was first concocted by Hartwall for the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki.

Now Räikkönen has teamed up with the company to help this ‘cocktail in a can’ conquer the world and it was the race driver himself who initiated the collaboration.

“I only take part in projects if I have full faith in them and can stand behind the product. Original Long Drink is an iconic drink for Finns and people call it

the national drink of Finland,” he says.

“Original Long Drink has created a whole new category of ‘long drinks’ in Finland, better known as “lonkero” among the Finns. I believe that there are millions of people who will love the drink once they try it.”

CEO of Hartwall, Kalle Järvinen, says the beverage is currently sold in 15 countries world-wide with new market openings in Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong. He expects Asia to become a big market overall.

Floury or waxy – wHy iT maTTeRs Feeling chipper but don’t know enough about your spuds?

Thankfully, Pukekohe-based growers, AS Wilcox knows them inside out and gives us the low down on which varieties are best for different dishes.

T

here are two main parts of a potato – water and starch. The more starch in the potato the more ‘floury’ it is. The more water, the more waxy the potato is in texture.

It is important to remember both are different when cooked. To determine which category a potato falls into, the percentage of dry matter is measured – in other words, the percentage within the potato which is not water.

Some potatoes have moderate amounts of starch. These potatoes fall into the general purpose category and will tend to perform most tasks, although perhaps not with as good results as those which clearly fall into the floury or waxy categories.

For boiling, salads, braises and stews use waxy, smooth-textured potatoes. Waxy

www.ruralliving.co.nz

potatoes have high water content and are low in starch.

They have a dense texture and retain their shape during cooking. They don’t absorb a lot of oil or dressing.

Varieties which tend to be waxy are most early, new season potatoes; Nadine, Draga, Frisia, Jersey Bennie, Red King Edward, Highlander, Osprey, Tiffany, Annabelle, Gourmandine and Marilyn.

For mashing, wedges, roasting, chips and baking, use floury potatoes. Floury potatoes are low in water content and high in starch. They have a dry and delicate texture, break up easily when cooked and absorb a lot of liquid and flavour.

Varieties which tend to be floury are IIam Hardy, Red Rascal, Agria, Fianna,

Floury

Waxy

Victoria, Laura and Marabel.

Some potatoes can be used for most end uses. These good all-rounders have a moderate starch content and are not too floury, nor too waxy. They are called general purpose potatoes.

Varieties which tend to be general purpose are Rua, Desiree, Moonlight, Rocket, Van Rosa, Karaka, Driver, Vivaldi, Purple Passion, Maris Anchor and Summer Delight.

So if you are planning on making potato salad some time during the remainder of the summer, or thinking about roast potatoes for a Sunday dinner, ensure you have the right variety, that way you will enjoy the right result.

Rural Living — March 2017 — 33

www.perlas.co.nz

Wilcox Perlas.

Fresh from the fields.

Now available.

Make the most of them while they’re here!

34 — Rural Living — March 2017 14333

www.ruralliving.co.nz

Funky Potato ThaiPerlas Chicken & & Courgette Perlas PotatoSalad Curry Cook in: 30 25min min What you’llneed: need: What you’ll

How youdo doit:it: How you

400g into chunks 400gPerlas Perlas,cut halved

For you need medium-sized wokaor Boilthis therecipe Perlas inwill water fora 15 minutes with lidlarge on until just

12tbsp sunflcourgettes ower oil medium

frying panDrain with and deepleave sides. until Placecool. the pan medium heat in cooked.

Boilover theagreen beans

1200g onion,green finelybeans sliced

and cook onion in the sunfl ower oil for minutes water forthe 5 minutes,drain and leave to2-3 cool.

Toast until the pine

500g chicken breasts 50g rocket leaves

soft, the green and continueinto cooking nutsstir in ainpan while curry slicingpaste the courgettes ½ cmfor pieces.

3150g tbsp cos green Thaihearts curry or paste lettuce

aToss further minutes. Add Perlas, soy, coconut milk the 2courgettes andthesliced Perlas together in and a bowl with

1similar can reduced fat coconut milk

water and bringoftoolive a simmer.

Once addPlace the chicken a tablespoon oil and saltsimmering, and pepper. the Perlas

25gtbsp soy sauce fresh mint

and beans and foruntil 15 minutes. andgreen courgettes intocontinue the pancooking and cook nicely Finally charred, then

200ml waterpine nuts 20g toasted

mix the cornflThis our with sauce depending from the dish keep warm. may1 tbsp be inof3the batches onand the size of

1Juice tsp cornfl our of 1 lemon and zest

yourstir pan. a large serving bowl add rocket, cos lettuce, then to In thicken slightly.

Finish with thethe chopped

100g halved 3tbspgreen olive beans, oil

green beans, mint and pine nuts. Mix the lemon zest, juice and coriander and serve.

150g fetacoriander cheese, crumbed 10g fresh

olive oil in a small bowl. Pour the dressing over the Perlas and courgettes and mix well. Then toss them with the salad and serve with the feta cheese crumbled over.

Salt and milled pepper

www.ruralliving.co.nz 14334-v2

Serves: Serves: 44

Rural Living — March 2017 — 35

Time to store dry firewood ahead of winter At Central Landscape & Garden Supplies Drury we stock our famous ‘ECO Hot Mix blend’ to get you all prepared for winter, plus we do deliveries - easy!

Open Hours: Monday - Friday: 7am - 5pm, Saturday: 8am - 4pm, Sunday: 9am - 1pm www.centrallandscapes.co.nz • 09 294 8410 • 141 Great South Rd, Drury, Auckland

36 — Rural Living — March 2017

www.ruralliving.co.nz 14032-v6

irish moss

seeing double on St Pat’s Day

W

hat could be more ‘Irish’ than a moss that’s not a moss? The common name, Irish moss, is used as a moniker for a number of plants, including the first of our plants, the connection with which is more than just dubious; in fact it’s downright... fishy!

Chondrus crispus At home along the rockier sections of coast in North America and Europe – particularly in Ireland – Irish moss (Chondrus crispus) is actually a form of algae. Ranging in colour from yellow-green to red or brown, it grows to roughly 20cm in length in a branching, fan shape.

Not content with looking for four-leaf clovers, historically, Irish folk thought this type of Irish moss to be a lucky charm which would usher prosperity into the household.

In more recent years, however, it has been widely used in a variety of edibles and considered to be a super food. As with other red seaweeds, Irish moss is often harvested for its carrageenan content, which is used as a thickening product in processed foods, gelatinous desserts and ice cream.

Containing high amounts of sulphur, calcium, iodine and potassium, and a range of vitamins, Irish moss has been used to treat a variety of ailments from intestinal and bladder disorders, to bronchitis, influenza and even tuberculosis.

In addition, primarily because of its vitamin K content, it is also added to cosmetics to alleviate skin problems, including sunburn and eczema, and to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

What’s more, those enjoying a tipple or two on St Pat’s Day might even find it present in their brew! Similar to starch or cellulose, carrageenan is a perfect clarifying agent in homebrewed beer, because, when added to the wort, it attracts proteins to be removed from the mix once cooled.

Sagina subulata Also known by the name Irish moss (or Scotch moss), Sagina subulata is a slow-growing perennial that forms a dense ground covering.

Preferring moist soil, this European native features slim leaves and numerous small flowers, just 4-5mm in length, with white petals. Ideal in rock gardens or between pavers, this particular Irish moss forms a cushion of greenery, bringing the garden alive with a cascade of blooms in late spring to early summer.

Thriving in full sun or part shade with free-draining soil, Sagina subulata is relatively easy to grow. And, let’s face it, whether or not we’re born (or formed) in the Emerald Isle, come March 17, all can pretend for the day to be a little bit Irish, if not in name, then at least in nature. www.ruralliving.co.nz

Dan’s Ti0p17s March 2

It’s dry firewood time! All our yards have our famous ECO Hot Mix blend in their yards – order your load now. You’ll be warm and toasty this winter!

Growing Food • Plant out for autumn: Perfect time to plant brassicas, spinach, Florence fennel, beetroot and kohlrabi in rich well-composted soil.

• Place straw under pumpkins and melons as they ripen: as the soil begins to cool, it will hold more moisture, which can cause ripening crops to rot off.

• Passion vine hopper is a small insect that devastates passionfruit and many other plants. An effective spray is pyrethrum which is organically derived, but it must be done weekly for a few weeks to be effective. Spray in the evening when bees are not around.

Other Work • Seasonal top-up of fertilizer: give the ornamentals in your garden a bit of a boost. That’s camellias, rhododendrons and other acid lovers like daphnes, azaleas and magnolias. And many other garden plants and hedges can be fed now by spreading Blood & Bone around them.

• Plant spring flowering bulbs – tulips, daffs, hyacinths and crocuses – if it’s too early for your garden, they’ll benefit from 6 weeks ‘fridge time’, stored in paper bags.

• Go for Gold in the late summer garden: there are many plants that reflect the seasonal change ahead and look good from now on – flowers such as rudbeckias, heleniums and some shades of daisy all reflect this.

The Lawn:

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Rural Living — March 2017 — 37

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Book puts house in order!

Thoughts of our own demise are often pushed back of mind but such is the uncertainty of life, forward planning for one’s end is a wise move. HELEN PERRY talked to an entrepreneur who has compiled a book to help others ‘get sorted’ before their passing.

Lynnette Kidd – her book a boon to personal planning.

Photo Wayne Martin

E

ven those who know putting their houses in order is the sensible thing to do are often reluctant to address the nitty-gritty of such issues. But not Lynnette Kidd.

At 69 she embarked on the task of researching and compiling straight forward advice and documentation to help other people put their affairs in order so they could confidently say of their personal and estate wishes, “I am sorted.”

But, this was no overnight endeavour. Instead, it took three and a half years, with extensive legal advice, to complete the comprehensive 20-page booklet.

“It covers a wide range of personal and financial issues people should heed so that on their passing family members are not left with a tangle of unfinished business,” Lynn says. “Many of the directives are the kind most people give little or no thought to while they are well and life is good.

“However, if attended to early they can get on with living, assured their wishes for all aspects of their affairs can be attended to with little difficulty should they no longer be able to speak or act for themselves or in the event of accident, illness or their passing.”

In fact, it was a serious health scare that provided Lynn with a wakeup call and ultimately set her on the ‘get sorted’ path.

“When I retired to Australia’s Sunshine Coast, life was wonderful for a while. Then I was taken seriously ill. Fortunately I qualified for the Australian Medicare but when I was recovered enough to return to New Zealand I did. I realised how much in my life needed sorting out.”

Lynn says while most seniors will have made a will and some may have attended to enduring powers of attorney, the majority may not have looked beyond those documents to something like an advanced care directive.

“And younger people may not have even done that much,” she says. “Yet the unexpected can happen at any time. That’s when we often realise nobody knows about our funeral wishes, where we bank, how to access our computer passwords, whether we wish to be medical donors, resuscitation wishes, or the type of care we want should we suffer a stroke or be involved in an accident that leaves us in a vegetative state.”

Fully understanding for the first time how important it was to consider her future health and welfare, funeral details and the need to document personal history, property and finances, Lynn also realised what a knotted web that could be.

Subsequently, her book, which is divided into four parts – important reading; health and welfare; funeral details and wishes; personal property and finance – begins simply with a basic checklist, and introduction, an explanation about the book and issues to be aware of.

Lynn leaves no personal stone unturned. She has 40 — Rural Living — March 2017

allowed for every conceivable request or piece of information to be covered from family and medical history through to naming one’s pallbearers.

Those who read the book for the first time are nearly always astounded at the detail and sweeping issues covered.

“Some people may find it confronting, and it is,” Lynn says.

“None of us like to think about the end of life or the awful possibility of being totally incapacitated. But once dealt with, those nagging thoughts of, ‘I should do something about this’ or ‘I must tell the kids where that is’, can be put to rest.“ Lynn makes it clear that it is important to ensure those sections which need to signed in front of a lawyer or JP and sometimes a GP, and witnessed should be attended to. She advises leaving copies with a lawyer, executor of one’s will and family member or in a bank deposit box.

“As long as people know they are there and they can be easily accessed when necessary, you will be able to say, ‘I’m sorted’ and get on with life.”

Is my house in order?

Would your family cope if something untoward happened to you?

Accident, illness or death can be overwhelming for family and friends.

Record your wishes in this comprehensive book/document I Am Sorted to give you and your loved ones peace of mind.

I Am Sorted – RRP $45 Available at Readaway Books, Howick, Paper Plus Howick and Highland Park.

Enquiries 021 178 5221 14391

www.ruralliving.co.nz

Time to consider prices rise, water easements volumes ease greater choice

By Sayuree Ram, Lawyer, Arnet Law

A

dry summer is a timely reminder to consider the importance of water easements, particularly for rural properties.

An easement grants the owner of one property the right to do something on someone else’s property. There are several types of easements including the right to convey electricity, a right of way and the right to convey and drain water from one property to another.

An easement instrument records the existence and description of the easement. Once the document is created and signed, it is registered on the titles of both or either property.

It is important to be clear about the terms of each easement when purchasing a property or granting an easement to a neighbouring property. The Land Transfer Regulations 2002 imply certain rights and powers into easements unless they are specifically altered in the easement instrument.

With respect to the right to convey water, this includes the right to take and convey water in free and unimpeded flow from the source of supply. It also includes the use of pumps, pipes, storage tanks and water purifying equipment.

The regulations prevent the grantor of the easement from doing anything on their land which may cause the purity or flow of water to be diminished or polluted.

The rights and obligations implied by the regulations are couched in fairly wide terms and grantors of easements may wish to consider altering the rights in the easement instrument, particularly if the water supply on their property is limited. For example, the grantor could regulate the water supply by limiting the amount of water that can be taken or specifying the uses to which the water can be put.

Many rural property owners have informal or “gentlemen’s” agreements regarding access to neighbouring water supplies.

These agreements may persist over several years, however, it is important to note that they do not amount to easements and are not legally binding. If the property enjoying access to the neighbouring water supply is sold, the new owner has no right to access the water supply in the absence of an easement.

For more information on easements, contact one of the property law experts at Arnet Law.

By David Powell, Barfoot & Thompson, Pukekohe

T

he REINZ January analysis has confirmed a reduction in sales volume compared to January 2016 and a continuing firming of prices in the Franklin and Waikato Country regions. It is now taking longer to sell properties at the same time as the level of housing inventory has increased . This means greater choice for buyers. Market fundamentals remain the same with a rising population, housing shortage and historically low, although potentially rising interest rates. The March data will provide a clearer picture of where the market is likely to head through 2017.

Median Price Auckland Region Outer Auckland (Franklin+) Rodney Auckland Metro Waikato/BoP Waikato Country Volume Sold Auckland Region Outer Auckland (Franklin+) Rodney Auckland Metro Waikato/BoP Waikato Country Housing Inventory Auckland Region Waikato/ BoP

Jan 17

Jan 16 $805,000 $720,000 $715,000 $630,000 $897,500 $793,750 $830,000 $750,000 $462,000 $380,000 $390,000 $309,000 1,247 1,526 240 285 112 130 1,007 1,241 725 964 141 157 16.6 weeks 14 weeks

11.1 weeks 13 weeks

The Auckland Region shows January 2017 median price is up 11.8% on January 2016 figures. The number of sales is down 18.3% on January 2016. Waikato/BoP region has a 21.6% increase in median price since January 2016 but the number of properties sold in January 2017 was down 24.8% on January 2016.

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17/10/16 2:51 pm

apartment living ADVERTORIAL

O

ne can agree that Auckland is a tough market to find value. It always has been. For Kurt and Paula Schultz it has been that search for value, and the successes that have accompanied that search, that led them to Papakura.

One of their success stories was the seismic and commercial upgrade, along with residential re-development of the iconic Stanley Lofts located in the heart of what is now the Papakura municipal centre.

With extensive urban renewal planned for the area, their latest new build, South 83 is their next success story.

When Paula and Kurt Schultz started in property more than a decade ago, their aim was to find just what every Aucklander, and these days every potential Aucklander, was looking for – value.

From buying high yield apartments in the Britomart area before it was the Britomart area, to buying distressed assets post GFC and adding layered value, they have created great living spaces for occupants, whilst also passing along added value to downstream purchasers.

Now, with many a profitable venture behind them, they have aimed their focus squarely on Papakura and for excellent reason.

In 2013 the couple saw an opportunity to develop in an area that had great bones and a real soul but was also undervalued.

They turned the Stanley Building, which was in desperate need of repair and required seismic strengthening, into Papakura’s first premium apartment development.

“Being ex-airline pilots, travel has taken us from Asia, to Europe, and to the Americas. We have observed first hand the smart urban renewal that has worked in places such as Hong Kong’s Lan Kwai Fong, New York’s Meat Packing District and even Panama’s, Casco Viejo,” Paula says.

“The opportunity to see what has worked in some of the world’s trendiest cities has given us a real insight into what is possible in Papakura.”

Having successfully (for them, and the purchasers) completed their first premium Papakura apartment development, they set their eyes on something truly grand, a game changer for the area, and came up with the idea for South 83.

The first of it’s kind in Papakura, South 83 will feature everything a premium development should have, at prices well 42 — Rural Living — March 2017

below those found in similar buildings on the city fringe.

A high 2.7 m stud, state of the art security and access system, superior fit out with Bosch appliances, a tranquil atrium area, floor to ceiling windows and some surprisingly beautiful outlooks make this pet-friendly building, not just another apartment, but a residence to be enjoyed.

With so much on offer, together with the obvious and continued increase in boutique food and retail services, it is no surprise there has been keen interest in both South 83, and formerly the Stanley Lofts apartments, Kurt says.

For those with a keen eye for property, and in particular a sense for that hidden gem that will be the “next big thing”, South 83 is the obvious choice, he says.

“Of course, with South 83 the choice is easy when one considers that services from retail grocery and food – fast and slow – to medical and fitness facilities are virtually at the front door.

“And out the back door, walking and running trails link the residence to numerous parks and green spaces and to the new Pahurehure inlet boardwalk. All are sure to please humans and K9’s alike.”

Need to access the city? Rail is little more than five minutes walk, with a covered walkway for much of the way.

It is clear that those with a keen eye for the best of future prospects and the ability to ‘lock and leave’, be they first home buyers or empty nesters, will find the value that they have been looking for in South 83. www.ruralliving.co.nz

South 83 Affordable Luxury

New York New loft living comes York to loft living South 83 offers a wide range of onecom Papakura Papakura at South 83. Concrete, brick at South 83. C plus study, two & three bedroom and wooden and flooringwooden combine with a flooring layouts. balconies and a premium fit co sleek and sleek elegant designer and kitchen elegant design out featuring Bosch appliances are and bathroom and to create bathroom an apartment to create standard in all residences. And, your for unparalleled for living. unparalleled living pets will love it as much as you will.

Show Suite Location: 153 Great SOuth Road, Papakura Opening Times: Thurs, Fri & Sat 11am-2pm Websi t e: southei g htthree. c om South 83 Contact Kurt: 0210363263 sales@southeightthree.com Paula: 02102274438 paula@southeightthree.com

S

Affordable Luxury

Show Suite Location: 153 Show Great SOuth Road, Suite Papakura Lo Opening Times: Thurs, Fri & Sat 11am-2pm Openin Website: southeightthree.com W www.ruralliving.co.nz

Contact Kurt: 0210363263 sales@southeightthree.com Contact K Rural Living — March 2017 — 43 Paula: 02102274438 paula@southeightthree.com Paula: 14984-v2

welcome home

By Kylie Bosanac, Nick Bosanac Builders Limited

H

Bring the outside in First Windows & Doors have a number of solutions from bi-fold through to sliding doors to make the most of your outdoor space.

PH 09 238 8828 franklinfirst.co.nz 00809-v3

44 — Rural Living — March 2017

We Build Beautiful Homes.

Bring us your plans, or let us design you something unique.

We take pride in assuring that all work is of the highest quality.

Licensed, Quality Builders Off Plan & Custom Built Homes Modern and historical home experience Attention to detail We manage it all, design to finish!

Renovations & Addtions

Let us build your Forever Home www.bosanacbuilders.co.nz 09 236 8413

021 989 636

01633-v3

14483

ello Franklin! And, hello summer! Over the next year we will take you through some of the ‘Ins and Outs’ of building homes in the hope that you will find inspiration, direction and motivation for your build project. But, to kick things off for our new readers, I wanted to introduce us: Nick Bosanac Builders is a business with FAMILY at its core.

Not only are we a family, but you are a family too! We know how important it is to have a great experience as you go through the process of building your home. And, as we work with you, we feel we are building a beautiful future for you and your loved ones.

Nick, the Boss, has always been passionate about construction.

As a 4th generation builder, with a keen eye for structure and spatial design, he knew he was destined for a tool belt, muffin-top and a builder’s crack.

Twelve years ago he moved from rural Michigan in the USA to Pukekohe, NZ to pursue his dreams. He runs the company’s business operations and our amazing crews to ensure your home is as beautiful as you dreamed it.

Next is me: Kylie. My role is primarily client care, with advertising, admin and kid wrangling thrown in the mix. I was born and raised in Franklin and I am passionate about style. It’s such an individual thing – none of us are the same and trends are constantly morphing around us. WE, too, are constantly morphing, as we experience life! I love helping families see plans and ideas for their homes become a reality.

Then, we have our fabulous building team of qualified builders and apprentices. Our guys are also passionate about the industry and keen to take on new challenges. I would say that the top three things our clients say about our team are: ◆◆The workmanship is great! ◆◆Every time we come to site, the guys are always happy and are having a good time while they work! ◆◆Nothing is too much trouble!

Choosing the right builder for your project can make all the difference to your building experience. If you would like to talk about how we can help you and your family to build your beautiful future, get in touch with us today! kylie@bosanacbuilders.co.nz | 027 458 3038 or pop down to our showroom / office 31a Rangi Road, Takanini Monday - Friday 9am-2:30pm or by arrangement. We’d love to hear from you!

nick@bosanacbuilders.co.nz

www.ruralliving.co.nz

Right ‘Hon’, Guy! As Minister for Primary Industries, the Right Honourable Nathan Guy often works in areas which are of particular relevance to our local readership. So, it’s easy to forget that we need to share this campaigner for truth, justice and the country way of life with our fellow country-men (and women). This month, we take a special look at some of ‘our’ mate, Nate’s, recent endeavours further a-field.

Put out by DRought Rain may have been thin on the ground around our neck of the woods lately but, compared to Northland, we’ve been practically soaking in it!

Fortunately, it seems a few pennies from Heaven (or government at least) could help ensure farmers won’t be left high and dry. Following a recent report from Mr Guy’s office, extra funding has been made available for drought-stricken regions such as Northland.

“Farmers have been working hard and preparing for these conditions, but things are getting tough... there is significant soil moisture deficits, low pasture covers, low supplementary feed, and maize crops have struggled. Many rural people can be reluctant to ask for help, but it is important for them to know that support is available,” Mr Guy said.

The funding is designed to offer assistance through local organisations such as Rural Support Trusts, and Rural Assistance Payments (RAPs) are being made available to farmers facing severe hardship.

In addition to Northland, the Government is also keeping a close eye on parts of the East Coast of the North Island, while continuing to support farmers in North Canterbury.

QuaKe RelieF RumbleS on...

Farmers shaken to the core by last year’s earthquakes could soon find their requests for assistance are grant-ed.

Mr Guy recently confirmed that applications for funding from the Earthquake Relief Fund have been extended to March 31.

“Farmers and growers have a really busy time on the farm over summer.

“With the earthquake, that has been compounded by assessing and repairing damage to family homes and buildings,” he said.

“A number of locals have told me they

need more time to gather information, so this extension will make sure that everyone eligible has the opportunity to apply.”

Capped at $50,000 per applicant, with $5,000 excesses, grants are designed to contribute towards repairs, covering a maximum of 50% of costs.

“Combined with EQC and home insurance claims, some people were feeling the time pressure. This gives more time to estimate work needed to repair uninsurable infrastructure such as access tracks and pasture.”

Our southern cousins requiring an extra hand on the farm as a result of November’s earthquake and aftershocks can also seek assistance by calling 0800 FARMING.

Win! John Key – PoRtRait oF a PRime miniSteR (uPDateD) Proof that you can’t keep a good PM down, this book tells the story of a kid from a state house who became (love him or not!) a ‘Key’ player in New Zealand politics.

Since its initial 2014 release, this book has been updated to cover the latter years of John Key’s career. To be in to win a copy of this informative and entertaining biography, see ruralliving.co.nz. ◆ John Roughan: John Key – Portrait of a Prime Minister | RRP $40 | Penguin Random House

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46 — Rural Living — March 2017

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l Stopbanks

l Building sites l Demolition

l Horse arenas l Metal/sand/

slag supplied

Experienced Operator 28 years+

Craig Nicholson

www.ruralliving.co.nz

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

12671

01260-v2

l General cartage

Earthmoving & General Cartage

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

00980

Boyd (09) 233 4466 0274 978 685 Brenton (09) 236 3639 0274 921 916 01114

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

03290

01421

Cnr Madill & George St, Tuakau.

Ph 09 236 8228.

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

BOBCAT & TRUCK HIRE

• Bore Pump Sales & Servicing • Water Pump Sales & Servicing • Water Purification • Water Tanks • Water Testing • Electrical • Filters

PH 09 237 0050

40 CROSBIE ROAD, PUKEKOHE

01322

Call us for all your farming supply needs

Rural Living — March 2017 — 47

www.ruralliving.co.nz

02231-v11

48 — Rural Living — March 2017