BRUCE IRELAND: OF ANIMAL MAGNETISM
FINLAY CHRISTIE: ALL BLACK, FLYING ‘FIN’
MATT HOYES: TRUE BLUE COUNTRY
Shore
May 16 – June 3, Franklin Arts Centre, 12 Massey Ave, Pukekohe
The natural, rugged beauty of Port Waikato takes centre stage in this exhibition by artists from the Sunset Collective. In addition, there’s still time to experience Abhi Chinniah’s insightful (and colourful) exhibition, Melanin Rising, on until June 17. See www.facebook.com/FranklinArtsCentre for more information about both of these exhibitions.
Auckland Cup & more May 19 & 26, from 5.30pm, Alexandra Park, Cnr Greenlane West & Manukau Rd, Epsom
Featuring a number of horses reared locally, upcoming racedays are set to see trotters and pacers make their mark.
Among the races, we’re betting the HR Fisken ANZAC Cup (May 19) and Trillian Trust Auckland Cup (May 26) won’t disappoint. For a full schedule see www.alexandrapark.co.nz.
Hunua Ranges Regional Park Planting Day
May 21, 10am-1pm, Upper Mangatawhiri Campsite, Waterline Rd, Hunua
Rangers will guide volunteers intent to ensure our community’s natural treasures grow from strength to strength. Equipment will be provided but it’s appreciated if volunteers can bring their own. For details see the events page at www.ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.
Family Concert
May 21, from 5pm, Due Drop Events Centre, 770 Great South Rd, Manukau
It’d be tough getting Strauss, Bernstein, Williams (composer of the music for Star Wars) and more all in the same concert hall together, but thanks to the Manukau Symphony Orchestra, their immortal work is set to raise the roof! See www.manukausymphony.org.nz for details.
PLEASE NOTE: information regarding times & dates of these events was correct at the time this issue went to print. However, readers are advised to check events online for updates.
May 27, Franklin Arts Centre, 12 Massey Ave, Pukekohe
A soulful, bilingual Pukekohe duo, Aro, is heading the billing during the next Franklin Music Night. Also featuring a variety of other local musicians, this free show is how our region will ‘play’ its part for NZ Music Month. For further information see www.aromusic.co.nz or search ‘Franklin Arts Centre’ on Facebook.
Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Futurity Stakes & Ladies’ Day
May 27 & June 21, Pukekohe Park, Manukau Rd, Pukekohe
Pukekohe Park’s field continues to run as hot as ever even while the temperatures drop. In addition to on-track action, some top ladies will be going toe-to-toe as they celebrate during the Lindauer Ladies’ Lunch, specifically for ladies who lunch but who also love a good flutter. For more information visit www.pukekohepark.co.nz.
Warbirds on Parade
June 4, 9am-4pm, NZ Warbirds, Harvard Ln, Ardmore Airport
To mark the anniversary of D-Day, Second World War aircraft will dip their wings over Franklin. With other historic planes also featuring, NZ Warbirds’ birds will perform aerobatics, formation flypasts and aerial displays with military vehicles present and correct on the ground. See www.nzwarbirds.org.nz for details.
Peter Pan
June 10-11, Hawkins Theatre, 13 Ray Small Dr, Papakura
Proof that children can fly, this ballet version of JM Barrie’s timeless tale sees students (aged 5-25) from Howick Dance Studio take to the boards (and the air above them!) at one of our region’s ‘high flying’ local theatres. For more information (including showtimes) contact the studio via www.howickdance.co.nz.
Ionce asked a motor racing legend (o the record) how often he was pulled up for speeding. He said not since he was a teenager, pointing out that if he couldn’t go really fast, what was the point in going fast at all? I have to agree.
Unfortunately, I recently copped a fine, the first in many years, besmirching my record. I honestly thought the limit was higher, but that’s no excuse. However, I was alarmed when the o cer initially said he thought the limit was a mere 30kph! Fortunately, he checked and it wasn’t so low, although I was still a little over the signposted 50kph.
The experience made me wonder, especially seeing as limits on many roads are changing, if there is any resource other than roadsigns through which we can navigate roads most often travelled at the correct speed.
As it turns out, there is a handy guide online. I won’t include the full URL (it’s about five lines long!), but searching ‘National Speed Limit Register’ at www.nzta.govt.nz gets us where we need to go. And, to avoid the tickle (and tickets) of the long arm of the law, we should go there.
Considering limits are now as low as 30kph in certain school zones (and no longer restricted to roads right outside schools) it’s now much easier to fall afoul of the law. What’s more (or less) is that some lower limits may only apply during school hours.
All things considered, I can’t help feel that introducing a wider range of speed limits is bound to cause confusion – even the o cer I mentioned was unsure as to where the limits lay! And yet, ignorance (or confusion) is
no excuse and, if such reductions do indeed save lives, ‘just the ticket’ definitely is just a small price to pay.
On another note, but still speaking of ‘fair cops’, we posed questions to Inspector Matt Hoyes recently, primarily for insights into rural crime prevention. We also interviewed a man who always plays by the rules (well, mostly!), All Black halfback Finlay Christie, and Helen Perry talked turkey (about many animals except turkeys) with local lifestyler, Bruce Ireland. This issue also includes such usual suspects as recipes, news, competitions, books and more.
Until next time, check out the NZTA website as this will help us avoid ‘The Police’ having to ‘put on the red light’. After all: “Every [limit] you break, [they’ll] be watching you!”
Jon Rawlinson, editor
Freephone: 0800 456 789 • www.ruralliving.co.nz
Rural Living is a FREE monthly lifestyle magazine delivered to RD 1,2,3 and 4 rural lifestyle properties in the greater Franklin district and beyond – Pokeno to Drury/Karaka and Clevedon to Waiuku. It is also available from businesses throughout the district's regional townships, including their key community of Pukekohe.
SHEEP-ISH: No man is an island, that’s especially true of Bruce Ireland!
Surrounded by (not quite all) creatures great and small, this local lifestyler has many others to keep him company while requiring his attention.
Although rare Damara sheep are the pride of Bruce’s flock, birds of a feather also feature and many a dog has his day. To read more about Bruce, and to view more photos of his curious crew, see pages 10-12.
info@ruralliving.co.nz
Editor: Jon Rawlinson
DDI 09 271 8036
editor@ruralliving.co.nz
Sales: Kelly Cooke
DDI 09 271 8026
kellyc@ruralliving.co.nz
Art Director: Clare McGillivray
DDI 09 271 8067
clare@ruralliving.co.nz
Design: Claire Robertson
clairer@times.co.nz
Publisher: Brian Neben
Taking virtual reality to a new level, Zero Latency is allowing players to move freely within a large, open warehouse space while interacting through a range of purpose-built games. Since its ‘free roam’ technology was developed eight years ago, Zero Latency now has a home in Auckland’s CBD. We have double passes (valued at just under $120 each) to give away to THREE lucky readers.
Chainsaw Safety Awareness Week (May 22-28) proves there are no short ‘cuts’ to safety. From the right safety gear to ensuring chainsaws are up to task, the correct approach is essential. Thanks to STIHL SHOP, we have a $750 voucher to give away – it can be used to purchase top quality safety equipment or even a new chainsaw. For chainsaw safety tips, see
Acquired by hook or by crook, from fair sales to confiscations and outright theft, land became the subject of insatiable demand as settlers poured into New Zealand during the second half of the 19th Century. In The Fate of the Land, Danny Keenan shares stories of people fighting hard to retain their roots.
Danny Keenan: The Fate of the Land | RRP $65 | Massey University Press quality
By distilling Manuka and Kanuka essential oils from plants growing on their own Coromandel farm, the Manuka Biotic team brings the ‘real oil’ to Kiwi families. The result is potent products designed to help us take good care of our hair and skin. We have THREE family packs (including shampoo, conditioner, bodywash, body lotion and face cream) up for grabs.
Verita
Crime is not restricted to city streets. However, in town or country, our thin blue line is ever-present, often in the background, preventing crime. Recently, we posed questions to Counties Manukau Police’s Inspector Matt Hoyes.
Are you a ‘dyed in the wool’
I grew up in on a farm in the Bay of Plenty. I became a herd manager and worked on another farm at remote Lake Otuhie Station in Golden Bay then spent a further year fencing in Canterbury while I waited for a Police intake. I now live with my family on 20 acres in Ararimu.
My policing career has never had a sole rural focus; I have spent time throughout Counties Manukau, but predominantly Counties Manukau South. Our area spans coast to coast, from Takanini to Meremere, covering both town and country.
What are some major similarities and di erences between rural and urban crime?
our Police’s country cop? di rural and urban crime?
What are your major crime prevention tips for rural people?
We see the same types of crime and calls for service, but the volume is much higher in urban areas, with higher populations. A major di erence is that burglars tend to have more time at rural properties
before they’re seen so they can search and break into cabinets, for example, more thoroughly. Don’t take home security lightly! Install an alarm and cameras, lock sheds and gates, engrave your gear (such as power tools) while recording serial numbers of everything that has one, from motorbikes to firearms. All these things make it harder for criminals and easier for us. Also, people do travel from urban to rural areas to commit crime, so it’s essential people report suspicious activity or vehicles immediately – don’t wait, don’t post it, report it!
How vital are neighbourhood watch groups in rural areas?
They are really good in helping us know what’s happening. Social media platforms are also great but, as we don’t monitor these, call 111 to report crime first hand. Anyone interested in setting up such groups can contact us for help as we will share lots of useful resources and tips.
Rural roads can be more dangerous than in town. How much focus are these roads given?
Police will continue to contribute to making all our roads safer, with a particular focus on restraints, impairment, distraction and speed. We have a vast network of rural roads, some of which have a higher risk of crash and injury, so we police those more heavily.
Is livestock and firearm theft a problem locally?
Livestock theft often goes unreported unless it’s on a large scale, but we’ve not seen a lot of this in recent years. We have no specific data to suggest burglars target firearms; more often, they’re taken from rural properties because they’re more likely to be there and firearm security is too relaxed.
How important is it to ensure firearms are kept out of the wrong hands, even if this means increasing licence costs?
Farmers, pest controllers and the like need these tools, but it’s vital we do what it takes to ensure firearms are only ever used legitimately.
How dangerous are Franklin’s urban areas compared to those in other western countries?
I feel safe in Franklin and it’s everyone’s job to ensure we all feel that way. One of the great things about New Zealand is that we can walk down the street and not have to look over our shoulders. Going by the Global Peace Index, NZ is the second safest country, just behind Iceland.
How involved are police with more general emergency services?
Policing has changed dramatically over the years. We now work closely with partner agencies, addressing causation and the long game. This includes working with emergency services, so police often need to ‘swim outside our lane’. Franklin was heavily impacted during the Anniversary Weekend floods and Cyclone Gabrielle – Awhitu and Port Waikato were cut o completely, there were massive power outages, slips, flooding and a lot of uncertainty. It meant we were heavily involved with multiple rescues, aiding evacuations and more, but so too was the wider community.
‘Better work stories’ or just tougher ones? Do police have adequate mental health support?
There are tough days – lots of tough days! – but it’s the tough days that result in stories about how our people dig deep
to help others, which is so rewarding.
We no longer tell our people to ‘harden up’. We know they are exposed to some really challenging situations (mentally, physically and emotionally), so we have support services in all our stations, mandatory referrals to a dedicated wellness team, a specifically designed wellness app and external programmes. We also have friends and colleagues, workshops, early intervention, focus groups and more. I don’t think we’ve ever been more supportive.
If you could grow any plant or raise any animal (real or imagined), what and why?
I’d grow more natives – I’m involved with Trees for Survival and we’re currently planting out about four acres of poor hillside. As for animals, beefies, good solid Herefords or Angus.
If you could be Minister of Police, what would you do first and why?
Go undercover on the frontline to get a true sense of what happens after the lights go out. I’d draw on this experience when making decisions impacting police and how they do their job.
If you could invite any three people (living or dead) to dinner, who and why?
My best mate, Pete – while not wearing his seatbelt, he was killed by a drunk driver. I’d also invite one of the pioneers of wild deer recovery – they’re legends with many stories of near misses and tragedy. Finally, my future adult grandchildren, if any. I would want to know that things had been made better by our decisions today, ripples in the pond stu . I’d also give them a pep talk about not making the same mistakes as I have!
There are lifestylers who seek pristine, rural retreats with a few animals to ‘mow’ the grass. Then there are those, such as Bruce Ireland, whose busy 10-acre block is also home to dogs, cats, exotic birds and a flock of rare Damara sheep. HELEN PERRY shares their story.
Bruce Ireland could be called a modernday Mowgli – of The Jungle Book fame. The former zookeeper’s active country life involves juggling a variety of roles including sheep farmer, ornithologist, dog trainer, sheepdog trialist and school maintenance manager.
At his Pokeno mini ‘zoo’, domestic and exotic pets appear to speak Bruce’s language while the children at Drury Primary school tap into his knowledge during novel nature study lessons or when raising lambs for Calf Club Day.
“As Calf Club approaches, the kiddies often come to me for lambs, and I’ve built a pen at the school where I can help them raise their chosen pets,” he says.
But Bruce’s knowledge of animals isn’t restricted to sheep.
“I was 27 years at Auckland Zoo and, as a one-time chair of
the training committee, I worked with various animals, primarily birds, four elephants, camels, orangutan and more. Later, after a short spell at the former Franklin Zoo, I had the chance to buy a property at Pokeno and follow my dream of owning land and raising animals.”
Inheriting Wiltshires sheep (from his property’s former owner) Bruce established a flock of Damara sheep to crossbreed with them, thus producing the Meatmaster breed, but more on them later.
“Damara have a reputation for being easy care – in particular they’re self-shedding. That is to say they moult each season and, unless there has been a problem within the fleece, shearing is not needed,” Bruce explains. “Some people think this means a lot of stray wool all over the paddock but not so. When ready to moult, the sheep tend to rub up against
fence lines then birds gather the wool for nests. I don’t have any trouble with shedding at all.
“They have few health issues and are resistant to flystrike and parasites. They are not generally polled and the ewes make great mums as they’re very protective of their lambs. This means a lot less work for my wife, Denise, and I – we both have full time day jobs.”
Also attracted to the breed’s variegated fleece, Bruce says his sheep are great for people who prefer individuality:
“That is, more than a few white sheep in the paddock,” he laughs.
With long, droopy ears and semi-Roman noses, Damara are goat-like in appearance and, having originated in Egypt (before becoming established in Namibia), Africa’s hot dry conditions made them highly resilient to droughts.
See following page for more.
“Over the centuries, Damara sheep have learned to browse,” Bruce says. “You often see them on their hind legs nibbling at tree branches and hedges. But perhaps their most intriguing feature is their long, very plump tails where fat is stored – no tailing for these sheep!”
Although his new, crossbred Meatmasters are slowly gaining popularity, Bruce believes it will be some time before they are valued by the regular meat trade.
“Mostly, I sell to locals who use home kill. The meat is very lean and the tail’s quality fat is valued by some. However, unlike the favoursome, beefy Romneys or Su olks they are smaller in size.”
A standard a flock of some 20 Damara sheep and 15 Wiltshires is enough for Bruce’s 10 acre property, he says, especially considering his role at Drury Primary and heavy involvement in dog trials and training.
“I used to participate in agility competitions too but now I’m too busy running the sheepdog trials at Clevedon and training dogs for other people who just don’t have the time or the skill themselves. In such cases, I use only verbal commands – the owner can then add their own whistles,” he says.
“However, I train my own dogs with whistles and verbal commands and look to achieve a high standard at trials. Last year, one of my dogs, Loch, won at the Trans-Tasman trials in Taupo. That was a good result, but I’d like to see more younger people taking an interest as it’s becoming a dying art.”
In addition to their sheep, four working dogs, two house dogs and two cats, Bruce and Denise have six parrots, including a 13-year-old macaw (from an egg donated to Auckland Zoo), an African Grey and a friendly green
As the Ireland home has quite the menagerie, visitors are assured of a warm and boisterous welcome – with a bird on my shoulder, a cat on my lap and a dog at my knee, I was amazed I could still handle a pen!
Home and away, Bruce is always on the go, as is Denise who’s a former guide dog trainer now working in aviation security. Between work and home, country life provides the Irelands with a kind of diversity which gives them immense satisfaction.
“For me, it’s the best of both worlds,” Bruce adds. “I enjoy being among young people during the day and I especially appreciate their interest in my collection of feathers and zoo souvenirs. However, here on our special patch of land, I can indulge my wider farming interests in a way which doesn’t require a full-on farming career.
Although it may appear to be a simple chore, deworming horses requires specialist, tailored advice, as Dr Kara Watson (DVM) explains.
Deworming horses seems like it should be straightforward, unfortunately this isn’t the case. If horses aren’t dewormed o en enough, they can su er with thri , colic and diarrhoea. A lack of action may even prove fatal.
However, worms can become resistant to treatments if they are applied too o en. As we are already seeing resistance to all medications available in New Zealand for deworming horses, plans need to be adapted to suit your property and your horses.
While no one plan ts all, they should all begin by consulting your veterinarian. Understanding a property’s deworming treatment history, pasture management
practices and a horse’s individual needs is a vital rst step.
Faecal Egg Counts (FEC) will be an important tool helping to develop a treatment plan as well as in monitoring any changes regarding worm resistance on your property. As environmental conditions and the number or age of animals on your property changes, the approach may need to change too.
Pasture management is a very important part of a deworming plan. is may include picking up manure, rotational grazing, holding paddocks out for hay and resting paddocks. Harrowing is not recommended as it spreads worm eggs.
Treatment should be timed and targeted e ectively, using speci c products at certain times of year.
Chicken Red Mites: check chicken coops for red mites, especially at night when they can be seen in their millions. Treat using Exzolt, an effective parasiticide. However, as these nasty mites can be incredibly difficult to kill, a phone consultation with one of our poultry vets is always a good bet
Drenching: it’s important to keep on top of drenching young stock at this time of year to ensure calves are growing well and have a good head start before colder weather arrives. We recommend Turbo Initial drench for calves while Turbo Pour On is perfect for older cattle as it has the added benefit of taking care of any pesky lice that might be lurking in their coats
Anew portal is opening windows of opportunity for growers. Pukekohe’s Kirit Makan is among the first to utilise the Vegetables NZ Weather and Disease Portal, launched in April.
“I’ll be looking at it each week to get good weather information,” he says. “It’s another great tool to help us make decisions around the weather and disease pressures at di erent times of year.”
Mr Makan grows onions, potatoes, leeks, pumpkins and butternut squash on his 50-hectare property.
The free platform is intended to reduce crop losses and allow for more e cient agrichemical use by sharing data from weather stations and disease models, Daniel Sutton from Vegetables NZ explains.
“Weather plays a crucial role in the production of vegetables and having readily available, accurate information helps growers make informed decisions. There’s huge potential for more pest and disease models to be added, based on what will provide the most value for vegetable growers.”
The portal is accessible to commercial growers via www.freshvegetables.co.nz.
With Fieldays returning to its winter timeslot, a new Sustainability Hub is expected to last the distance, as Peter Nation (NZ Fieldays Society) explains.
“We’ve made a strategic decision to use the scale of Fieldays to help educate both visitors and exhibitors so that future generations will benefit from improved sustainability practices,” he says.
Postponed due to the pandemic, Fieldays 2022 was a summer a air, running in December. At Mystery Creek Events Centre, Waikato, the next event is set for June 14-17.
”We are thrilled to welcome everyone back. After the challenges of the past few years and, more recently, the adverse weather events, we are looking forward to bringing everyone
together to reconnect.”
The Sustainability Hub will inform visitors about the latest developments in sustainable farming, renewable energy, water management and more, adds Paula Knaap, Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).
“Embracing initiatives that protect and enhance the environment has a range of benefits. We want to support farmers, growers, and consumers. By showcasing some of the initiatives underway in Aotearoa New Zealand, we can help everyone see that, together, we can overcome the enormity of the challenges.”
Regular favourites (including the Innovation and Careers hubs as well as rural sports and much more) are all back on the agenda. Visit www.fieldays.co.nz to view a full schedule.
This year’s game bird season opened (early May) in the wake of a damning report concerning freshwater quality.
“Fish & Game sta and volunteers are at the frontline of protecting the health of our waterways so we’re devastated at the continuing decline of our freshwater and the impact on many of our freshwater fish, waterfowl, and their habitats, along with the ability for people to enjoy these environments,” ecologist Corina Jordan (Fish & Game NZ) says.
While game bird hunting and fishing are being impacted by poor water quality, the repercussions run much deeper. Unfortunately, the latest Our Freshwater report (compiled by Stats NZ and the Ministry for the Environment) reveals a decline in quality but does little to address the problem, Ms Jordan asserts.
“All New Zealand is doing is monitoring the decline when we need to be taking tangible and meaningful steps to make a di erence. Ultimately, everyone must take responsibility. We need honest leadership from central and local government and a consistent message to communities.”
Nationwide, improved water management by farmers and growers is needed, she adds.
“Catchment community e orts and farming leaders building diverse and resilient farming landscapes are part of the solution and we need to see this supported and upscaled.”
See www.environment.govt.nz to view the report. And, for detailed advice regarding game bird season limits, licencing and firearm safety, visit www.fishandgame.org.nz.
Local gardeners, lifestylers and growers are being advised to keep a keen eye out for an invading pest marching its way across New Zealand. Since making landfall here in February last year, the fall armyworm (FAW – Spodoptera frugiperda) has become widespread, particularly in the North Island.
Ideal conditions saw game bird season o to a flying start during its o cial opening, the first weekend in May.
“Some of the wettest spring and summer seasons on record in many regions meant the waterfowl population is thriving,” Corina Jordan from NZ Fish & Game confirms. The season also brings other benefits.
“For many, it is a sort of pilgrimage about rekindling friendships and family bonds [as well as] harvesting wild kai. It is a great time for strengthening relationships between rural and urban communities, with hunters from all walks of life welcomed onto rural properties.”
Ms Jordan’s comments follow renewed calls by SAFE (Save Animals from
Exploitation) for game bird hunting to be banned
“We allow these animals to be the target of ruthless killing every duck shooting season,” SAFE’S Anna de Roo contends. “The rest of the year, families will feed the swans and ducks at the local pond. [During the season], these same birds will become targets for shooters.”
While some wounded birds may su er, hunters do their utmost to retrieve them, and hunting is vital role for pest control, Ms Jordan adds.
“The collective harvest of wild, free-range game birds provides safe, sustainable, and ethical food for families across the country.”
Hunters should be up to speed with regulations. More information regarding the season is accessible online at www.fishandgame.org.nz.
According to MPI (Ministry for Primary Industries), there have been confirmed detections of FAW moths and caterpillars across Northland, Auckland (including Pukekohe), Waikato, Taranaki and in the South Island. It is considered a threat to a range of crops, especially corn. Work is underway to better understand how damaging this pest may become with Biosecurity NZ working alongside primary sector groups to assess its potential impact. In Australia, FAW has made even greater headway since its arrival there in 2020, heralding calls for further studies into treatment.
“Overseas recommendations are vague and we don’t know how they relate to the Australian environment,” Dr Joe Eyre from the University of Queensland advises. “The current recommendations are to take action based on obvious damage from the caterpillars, which may not be the most economically e cient or the most ecologically friendly time to protect crops.”
Early identification and treatment with pesticides is crucial to stopping their spread, he adds.
For details, or to report a suspected infestations of FAW, search ‘fall armyworm’ at www.mpi.govt.nz.
Locals and others in the primary industries have been on a roll (and on the honour roll) recently, or looking ahead at contests/rewards to come, including:
Despite postponement of this year’s Young Farmer Northern Regionals, Franklin topped the table for the top of the North Island in late April. Lisa Kendall claimed first place followed by a Franklin clubmate, Sam Waugh, with Kaipara’s Zarnie Fergusson in third.
Now aged 31, Lisa will be hoping July’s grand final will be a case of third time lucky (and lucky last) having twice won the Northern Region title and becoming ineligible from next year. Due to a format change, both the District and Regional events ran during the same weekend.
“The last couple of years have been a bit frustrating – with 2020 being cancelled, coming third in 2021 and second in 2022 – I just wanted one last chance at [winning] the final,” she says. “It was tough having two days of competition in a row. Being able to stay switched on mentally the whole time was hard. But it was the perfect warm up!”
Following a range of farming-
related challenges, Sam Waugh (manager of Whitford’s Donald Pearson Farm) was top of the table before being pipped at the post during the competition’s final showdown, the quiz.
“It was stressful at the end,” Lisa concedes. “While you’re competing, you never know what the margin is between you and the person ahead, so I just decided to give it my all and hope for the best.”
In addition to running her own farm in Karaka and a small business – Nurture Farming, which provides assistance to lifestylers – Lisa is a mother of two and a coordinator for the Farm Environment Awards. Considering her hectic schedule, she will need to pull out all the stops to come out on top in July.
“Trying to fit in any preparation will be challenging,” Lisa adds. “I don’t have any set plans, but I know some of my weaknesses, so I’ll be focusing on those.”
Lisa will face fierce competition at the final, Jessie Waite from NZ Young Farmers predicts.
“We’re starting to get a glimpse of the impressive array of skills and talent coming through with the
There were smiles all round as Clevedon Bu alo Co claimed more gold medals at the recent NZ Champions of Cheese Awards. No stranger to success, the local company has clocked up an impressive tally over the years. Included among its award winners this year was the new Whipped Cream Cheese, which secured the Fresh Unripened category. However, it’s not the only fresh fromage from Helen Dorresteyn and her team –see page 39 for details.
next generation of young farmers,” she says. “There’s so much happening right now in the primary sector with science, innovation and new technologies. The future of farming is certainly bright.”
Rural Living first featured Lisa Kendall in our February 2017 issue and Sam Waugh appeared in our July-Aug 2018 edition. See the ‘past issues’ tab at www.ruralliving. co.nz to read more. And, for further information regarding this year’s Young Farmer of the Year finalists, visit www.youngfarmers.co.nz.
Recognised for her passion, drive, innovation and leadership, Donna Cram has been named Dairy Woman of the Year. The Taranaki farmer was among those honoured at April’s Dairy Women’s Network (DWN) annual conference. Working with DairyNZ, Federated Farmers and her regional council, Donna is a positive role model for young women, judges said.
Waikato’s Rachel Usmar was also in the winners circle, receiving recognition from her peers she was named Regional Leader of the Year at DWN’s gala dinner. For details visit www.dwn.co.nz
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For the most part, news cannot be served in bite-sized pieces. However, in e orts to serve readers a balanced diet of news (is there any such thing?), we’ve included the following matter-of-fact morsels to chew over.
While he says rural areas should not grow houses instead of food, development in rural areas is necessary, Franklin Ward Councillor, Andrew Baker, stresses.
Auckland’s rural roads could be among its most dangerous, figures from Auckland Transport (AT) suggest. While Franklin saw the highest proportion of Auckland’s road deaths over a 12-month period, the highest total of DSIs (deaths and serious injuries) overall occurred in the Rodney area.
However, councillors on the Transport and Infrastructure Committee called for more ‘nuanced data’ so such factors as
the amount of unsealed roading, varying populations and sizes of local board areas can be taken into account.
“One of the reasons for bringing this data together is to be able to have good conversations with local boards,” AT’s Wayne Donnelly said. “We won’t knowingly let a dangerous situation continue.”
Original story courtesy of Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter, funded by NZ on Air.
“Planning decisions have created remote, urban settlements that contribute intensely [to emissions] because people have to travel,” he told the Auckland Council’s Planning, Environment and Parks Committee recently. “The only way we mitigate [emissions] is by actually allowing growth to create scale.”
The council’s draft Future Development Strategy e ectively limits the development of rural settlements. However, Mr Baker asserts that, by providing local employment opportunities and infrastructure, such developments can be sustainable.
Public consultation for the draft strategy is expected to begin in June. Original story courtesy of Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter, funded by NZ on Air.
The outlook may remain somewhat uncertain, but what is certain is that strong leadership ensures stronger results. Sharleen Buchanan and Lyn Penney are both trusted leaders within the Real Estate industry and have built great teams around them. Bayleys goes the extra mile to leave no stone unturned when it comes to our clients property sales. Experience the difference strong leadership makes.
Sharleen Buchanan
Pukekohe Branch Manager 021 404 871 sharleen.buchanan@bayleys.co.nz
Lyn Penney
Takanini Branch Manager 021 194
1700 lyn.penney@bayleys.co.nz
There’s no shortage of beefy boys out in the ‘paddock’ during rugby season. However, a Papakuraborn Black Fern is proving players need not be bulky to bring home the bacon.
Stacey Waaka has been selected to lead the ‘good things start with New Zealand beef and lamb’ campaign team.
National party leader, Christopher Luxon, is in agreement with the current government in asserting that farming is: ‘the backbone of our economy’. However, as confirmed during a policy announcement at Donald Pearson Farm (in nearby Whitford) recently, the former Times Media paperboy plans to ensure this backbone won’t break.
“Labour has used regulation to declare war on farmers,” he said. “National’s Getting Back to Farming package will make regulation fit for purpose… I want world-class regulation for our world-class farmers.”
While the current government has introduced a raft of laws and regulations impacting the primary sector, Mr Luxon says National’s plans will ‘supercharge’ the rural economy.
“It’s an honour to follow in the footsteps of other female sporting legends [representing] Beef + Lamb New Zealand,” she says.
The campaign is intended to celebrate the connection between memorable moments and nutrition, demonstrating that good health is essential to achieving our goals.
Virtual hammers were blazing with horse trading in full swing as Rural Living’s previous issue was finalised. The recent Online Yearling Sales matched the pace set by the National Yearling Sales Series held at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Karaka Sales Centre early this year.
“We saw vigorous competition for the quality yearlings on o er,” NZB’s Kane Jones says. “Our buyers have a very good grasp of the online format, with an abundance of information supplied by our vendors.”
Full sales’ results are accessible via www.nzb.co.nz.
Traditionally, the rodent control season starts in early winter as rats and mice move into our buildings – during the harsher months, they look for a bit more comfort with nice, dry nest sites. This year has been a little di erent with unexpected calls coming in most weeks right through the summer. This has, most likely, been due to all the unseasonal bad weather we’ve had.
When rats are living in our buildings, the damage they cause is often extensive. They also pose potential dangers with their gnawing on electrical wires and water pipes much more common than most might think. In fact, that gnawing noise coming from roofs is almost always caused by rats chewing on cables and pipes to keep their teeth nice and sharp – brilliant! When you consider that almost any rodent infestation can be removed for less than a couple of hundred dollars, it’s simply not worth the risk to ignore rodents.
Problems with rats often start when they gain access into ceiling cavities and if one can get in, more will follow. We spend a lot of time in roofs and the amount of rat poo in such spaces can show years of regular use.
Removing any branches close to roofs is a really important step as it’s an easy fix and branches are, by far, the most common means by which rodents gain access. Sometimes, all we need to do is remove a few branches and voila, no more rats! Similarly, it pays to remove vegetation lower down around buildings because mould, moisture and bugs, as well as rodents, don’t thrive in clean and tidy environments.
Sometimes, preventing access isn’t possible and removing branches alone won’t stop a rat problem once it’s become established. That’s when bait stations or traps come into their own. While bait stations containing toxic bait deliver the most e cient form of rodent control, traps can achieve the same results as a well-run bait station programme. There are many types of rat bait available but, sadly, a lot of them just don’t do the business. Personally, I stake my reputation on NZ-made Pesto Rodent Blocks and they have never let me down.
Many will have seen some nifty electronic devices on the market along with claims they can keep buildings rodent free – almost sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? Let’s just say that I’ve seen many of these devices in the homes of people who have still phoned
me desperately seeking a solution to their ongoing rat problems.
Trapping is, by necessity, extremely hands on but it does reduce the risk of ending up with a smelly, dead rat hidden away in a corner. When using poison, it’s impossible to predict whether rats will die inside or outside. However, I often see dried-out, dead rats in roofs but the property owners tell me they never smelt a thing. The way I look at it, even if you do notice a funny smell for a while, it’s preferable to hoping rats, due to gnawing on pipes or wires, don’t flood you out or burn your house down!
Prevention and dealing with minor infestations can be a DIY job but, even then, it can save time and money in the long run to deal with a professional. So, simply give me a call and I’ll help you through the entire process, tackling infestations of any scale or nature.
Mr O’Connor bid live animal exports goodbye and good riddance recently.
“This government is committed to ensuring our farmers stay at the forefront of sustainable and ethical trade and that every part of our food production system upholds high standards of animal welfare,” he said as the ban on exporting livestock by sea came into e ect in late April.
However, should ‘this government’ fail to reclaim the helm of the ‘ship of state’ at this year’s general election, the tide may turn once again.
“Talk [by the National Party] of restarting live exports by sea simply
Government sights were set on budget day (May 18) as this issue was being finalised. In the meantime, our agriculture minister, Damien O’Connor, had some pressing matters, as these summations reveal.
ignores the reality that our consumers overseas take issues of sustainability, climate and animal welfare seriously. This decision is part of a number of moves by our government to protect future export growth.”
The winds of change have not blown quickly; a review of the practice first weighed anchor approximately four years ago. Mr O’Connor asserts this ‘transition period’ was needed to allow a ected farmers time to adjust their supply chains and move to di erent business models. The ban follows similar moves abroad.
“As global consumer trends change we must change alongside them or risk being left behind.”
Damien O’Connor
Further funding should prove a breath of fresh air to cyclone ravaged farmers, our Mr O’Connor expects.
“We understand rural businesses are critical, providing jobs as well as export revenue for us all. It’s important they have access to help now to protect future production.”
Additional funding was confirmed in April but more could follow.
“It was likely there would be more need as people took time to take stock and work through their clean up from Cyclone Gabrielle,” he added. “Helping rural communities to get back on their feet as quickly as possible is a priority.”
Rain, rain, rain… will it never end? As I write this column, we are in the middle of yet another alert and it seems like everywhere is flooded again! While we did have the chance to escape Auckland recently, rain put a bit of a dampener on our experience.
A few weekends ago, I decided it was time that we became less dependant on our children driving us whenever we wanted to leave town. Brian’s eldest son, Mikey, lives in a special disability home in Tauranga and we wanted to visit. Brian’s three boys all live in Tauranga but we picked a weekend when the other two were busy; we were on our own.
We have been to the Mount often but Mikey’s home is in Otumoetai so Tauranga is closer. Not knowing Tauranga at all wasn’t helpful when making a booking to stay overnight – that was my first mistake. I thought we should stay somewhere a little di erent to the usual options favoured for a wee
adventure by two ‘old people’ –yes, I know it is time I accepted our issues! So, I booked into a bed and breakfast in a gorgeous home built in 1882.
It was a beautiful old house, lovely and the location was perfect. But, when we arrived, I think the owner nearly had a heart attack as we two geriatrics stood there with our bags while looking forlorn. The bedrooms were up narrow, steep, wooden stairs. I thought we would be all right once we were in our beautiful room but there was one big problem with that idea. You see, that same night the Chiefs played the Crusaders and there was no Sky TV in our room. Brian was not happy.
I informed Brian that he could watch the game on my phone but
the Sky Go app came up saying it was ‘not supported’. I really hate technology and, at this point, I certainly wasn’t keen about telling Brian that the game was a no go! Fortunately, on our way home from dinner, I tried my laptop and, low and behold, there was the game coming through loud and clear. Brian was happy again and thinking I was so clever.
And then came the rain. A weather warning was announced and as we headed home over the Kaimais. The conditions really were atrocious and scary to drive through. It made me wonder why we headed away when it’s much easier to stay home. So, please let it stop raining. Meantime, Brian says: ‘Go the Chiefs!’
Populist political parties are playing their part in turning democracy into a dangerous game. Using the slogan ‘protecting the lives of ordinary New Zealanders’, a new organisation, ProtectNZ, holds sinister motives, so Grace Marks comes to believe in this dystopian thriller. The Democracy Game is an eerie story about an unsettling future.
Riley Chance: The Democracy Game | RRP $35 | Copy Press Books
This ‘Bear’ is no stranger to the wilderness and the challenges it presents. In this book, Bear Grylls draws on his most extreme adventures to entertain young readers (aged eight and up) while also imparting a valuable lesson that, armed with the right skills and determination, even the littlest among us can rise to any occasion.
Bear Grylls: You Vs the World – Guide to Never Giving Up | RRP $30 | Dorling Kindersley
When a dead body is found on an abandoned isle, Mhairi MacKinnon and her friends fall under the shadow of suspicion. While Mhairi has enjoyed stolen hours with a man who can never be hers while dreading becoming the bride of another she doesn’t love, fate is set to lead her into even more dangerous waters. The sequel to the popular The Last Summer, this book is sure to capture readers’ time and attention.
Karen Swan: The Stolen Hours | RRP $37.99 | Macmillan
If you’re dying to know what happens when a woman receives a call from her sister who’s locked in a car boot, this book is for you! From the pen of Rae Cairns comes another gripping crime thriller which, so we hear, is expected to be as well received as her debut novel, The Good Mother. Will Geneva ever discover what became of her sister? There’s only one way to find out!
Rae Cairns: Dying to Know | RRP $34.99 | HarperCollins
Dean O’Brien (aka Deano Yipadee) may be living on the far side of the ditch, but the author of Dusty the Digger springs from Kiwi roots. In his latest book, he introduces a new character to his popular Nee Naw series. When a couple of kids act the goat, can Dusty the save the day?
Misunderstood and frustrated, Hannah copes with a traumatic accident by escaping into fiction. However, when a mysterious mobile library comes to town, she discovers hidden secrets that are much closer to home. The latest work by an award-winning Auckland author, this book is intended to appeal to teens.
| RRP $21.99 | Scholastic NZ
Leonie Agnew: The Impossible Story of Hannah Kemp | RRP $22.99 | Walker Books
In April, National’s Getting Back to Farming policy was announced. I took MPs Nicola Grigg and Sam U ndell to a morning tea in Otaua for more than 30 farmers.
Nicola is our associate spokesperson for agriculture, biosecurity, animal welfare, rural communities and women; Sam is our spokesperson for horticulture.
Otaua was badly a ected by recent flooding. Largely, a dairy farming region, its farmers have lost many hectares of good grazing land. It will take some months to recover.
Nicola was pleased to outline our new package intended to cut a mountain of red tape and help farmers earn the income on which their livelihoods, New Zealand’s economy, and our standard of living all depend.
Farming is the backbone of the economy. Last year, agriculture exports totalled $41 billion. Our farmers are the best in the world – highly innovative, keen to use technology for better productivity and genuinely concerned about livestock and the environment.
However, farmers are buried under regulations and bureaucracy imposed by Labour. For example, wetlands are so poorly defined that farmers have to go to court to determine if land is a paddock that can be farmed or a protected wetland that can’t be. One farmer told us she spends up to a third of her day on paperwork. She’s not alone. Too many farmers now spend more time and money on admin than on investing in their farms.
‘One-size-fits-all’ rules from Wellington have resulted in massive compliance costs with limited to no environmental gain. Getting Back to Farming ensures regulations are fit for purpose. We will meet climate change goals without shutting down a fifth of sheep and beef farms, as Labour has proposed. National is proud to back our world-leading farmers.
Winter is knocking but, as Tracy Shackleton reveals, Papakura continues to provide a warm welcome.
WELCOME: Yet again, we have new businesses joining our community. While the Sargam Foods bakery on O’Shannessey Street is providing a ‘warm welcome’ with its baked goodies, NZ Fix (also on O’Shannessey) has our IT repair needs covered. What’s more, we’re delighted to see the SPCA open an op’ shop on Great South Road – keep up the good work, SPCA!
ALL BASES COVERED: There was a time when locals would need to venture further afield but, these days, Papakura has a wealth of shopping, services and amenities including:
Food outlets – from butcheries, supermarkets and dairies to cafes, restaurants and takeaways
Haircare and beauty salons – including barbers, hairdressers, nail salons
Health practitioners – including GPs, pharmacists and specialists
Professional services – such as accountants, architects and lawyers
Gyms and the Papakura Leisure Centre
Churches and funeral homes
Real estate agents
Mechanics
And shops catering to a range of requirements and budgets
Papakura Business Association
56A Broadway, Papakura
Papakura 2244, Auckland
Phone 0220997331
www.papakura.co.nz
BUT WAIT, THERE’S EVEN MORE! In addition to the above we have much more on o er locally. See the Directory tab at www.papakura.co.nz for complete listings. In addition, our Facebook page (search ‘Papakura Town Centre’) provides regular updates, including events, covering much of what’s happening in our vibrant community. papakura.town.centre
Once an important military base on the Great South Road, Drury could become a battleground again, or so recent stories suggest. Auckland Council is now expecting developers to contribute a larger share of infrastructure costs for the epic expansion of the town, but it appears it is a little earlier to be beating ploughshares into swords.
If legal wrangles develop as a result, however, they could lead to costly delays, catching ratepayers in the crossfire, Franklin Ward Councillor, Andrew Baker, asserts. Mr Baker voted against the move, which requires developers pay more towards infrastructure costs, over 30 years rather than 10, as previously decided.
“At least one of the major developers has indicated to me that they will consider a legal challenge. However, there would be potential costs to ratepayers whichever way [the council vote] went,” he says. “I had significant concerns as to the accuracy of the information, the process used to determine need and what I believe is a lack of vision for Drury, including what happens to the existing village. I requested a deferral to [address] concerns raised by developers [and] members of the community so we could make a fully informed decision.”
According to Andrew Duncan (Auckland Council’s manager of financial policy), the change ensures developers pay a fairer share towards infrastructure over the long term.
“We plan to gradually deliver infrastructure over the next 30 years,” he says. “Without recovering a share of the costs from early developers, our ability to deliver future investment will be at risk and greater demands will be placed on future ratepayers across the rest of the region.”
Whether or not the change sparks legal battles, it is vital all care is taken early on to avoid major problems and costs further down the (Great South) road, Mr Baker adds.
“We don’t often get the opportunity to build a new city, so we need to make sure we don’t stu Drury up,” he says. “[It should] provide a good mix of housing types as well as some outstanding employment opportunities.”
“We don’t often get the opportunity to build a new city, so we need to make sure we don’t stu Drury up.”
As the Super Rugby season reaches a crescendo, eyes turn to September’s Rugby World Cup. JON RAWLINSON spoke with a talented scrumhalf whose lofty goals could see him rise to these occasions and more.
earching for background about the Blues’ firecracker halfback, a common question is: ‘who is the ginger All Black?’
As there have been a few top All Blacks with ruby locks atop in the past, we would do well to refrain from calling Finlay Christie ‘blue’ (in the Australian tradition) just yet. He asserts he needs to earn that ‘jersey’.
“I guess I am the current one, though,” he says. “I’m holding that baton for now, but I will pass it on at some stage.”
Born in Scotland, with rural roots, Finlay was raised in Pukekohe from age seven, attending Buckland Primary. These days, his flaring red hair may well signal a red flag among his opponents, and be more conspicuous to fans, but his rapid distribution, when ‘feeding the backs’, and agility prove red actually means ‘go’!
his means ‘go’!
“[Speed] it’s a strength of on lot time when
“[Speed] it’s a strength of mine, but I can still improve on it. We have some crazy athletes who can do a lot with the ball, so the faster I can get it out to them, the more time they have to use it,” he says. “I was a gymnast for about nine years; I was about seven when I started, while I was at
school. Gymnastics is great for fitness, strength and flexibility. I think a lot of those skills have transferred over and helped me [with rugby].”
Despite making the grade in First XV rugby at east Auckland’s Saint Kentigern College, Finlay confirms he was no star player. However, his skills caught the eye of (then) Counties Manukau Steelers’ coach (now Blues’ assistant), Tana Umaga.
“After finishing school, I didn’t have anywhere to go for rugby, so I went home to Pukekohe. I didn’t quite know what I wanted to do – I just worked a few odd jobs. I still wanted to play rugby so I joined the Pukekohe Rugby Club. I must have had a couple of all right games [because] Tana came to a Pukekohe training and asked if I wanted to go along to the Rugby Academy.”
Following a stint with the Steelers’ Under 19 squad and Canterbury University, this ‘Fin’ made his mark as a shark joining Tasman Mako.
“I knew stu all about Nelson to be honest, but I’ve absolutely loved it. I’ve made some real close mates and it kickstarted my career. I was brought up in Counties, so I still have a link there, but I’m strongly connected to Tasman now.”
Unfortunately, while he won’t rule it out, Finlay says he has no plans to follow the example of the likes of Stephen ‘Beaver’ Donald or Kieran Read and return home to play for the Steelers anytime soon.
At Super Rugby level, Finlay was on the 2017 Chiefs’ roster before joining the Hurricanes (2018-19) followed by the Blues in 2020. Since then, he has become a crucial part of the Auckland-based franchise.
As Super Rugby Pacific squads make a play for top honours, the Blues’ road ahead won’t be smooth but it’s a little less potholed than earlier in the season. While the Chiefs have been dominant during the regular rounds, the Blues are well placed for a top four spot and a home quarter final.
Lowland Scottish-born Finlay Christie played his part in a rout of the Highlanders way back in round one, but the Blues’ form then ran a little hot and cold, he concedes.
“We haven’t always quite nailed it. In saying that, we’re not far o at all. I’m really confident that, with the group we have and the way we play, we can win us a title this year. That’s the goal and anything short of that will be a bit of a failure in our eyes.”
With the playo s ahead, the Blues (2022 runners-up) remain in contention to secure a fifth Super Rugby title.
“We definitely want to go one better than last year. Looking back, it was a great season, but losing the final isn’t how you want to finish up.”
Winners in 1996, ‘97 and ‘03, the Blues also won ‘a’ title in 2021. While the franchise secured the Trans-Tasman contest, the Crusaders claimed Super Rugby Aotearoa plaudits during a two-part format necessitated by the pandemic.
“We still celebrated winning, but it was sort of weird having those two competitions in one year,” Finlay adds. “We won a final, so we’re definitely allowed to celebrate that, but at the back of our minds, we were thinking it would’ve been better [to win both].”
All Blacks’ selectors may have a headache (a good one!) when it comes to finalising their choice of halfbacks for September’s Rugby World Cup. Among the options, Blues’ half, Finlay Christie, is making a solid case for inclusion. Beyond Super Rugby, the upcoming Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup (July-August) should give him opportunities to impress.
“If I keep doing what I’m doing and I’ll have a chance,” the 14 cap All Black says.
“I’m trying to focus on the Blues, but if I get that right, [All Black selection] might come. I’m trying to keep my goals and my thought process pretty short term – I think that’s the best way for me.”
The other ‘usual suspects’ for the nine jersey (Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara and Brad Weber) aren’t exactly giants, but they are all ‘big for their boots’, likely inclusions barring injury. And, with the likes of Cameron Roigard (Steelers and Hurricanes) and even Finlay’s Blues’ teammate, Sam Nock, knocking on the selectors’ door, competition for World Cup spots is tight.
“I guess they [Smith, Perenara and Weber] have been ‘the guys’ for the last 10 years or so now,” Finlay says. “I definitely don’t expect anything. I need to earn everything and there’s a lot of good nines around the country at the moment so the competition’s going to be tough.”
The location of this year’s Rugby World Cup, France, may bring back grim memories of a certain calamitous cup contest, the 2007 edition. As in 2007, the All Blacks’ pool doesn’t appear too daunting this time around, on paper at least. But the opener (against France) will see sparks fly as two heavyweights compete. And, later, a quarter final clash between the All Blacks and Scotland is not out of the question.
“Growing up, if Scotland was getting up against the All Blacks we’d be going for Scotland,” Finlay adds. “But if the All Blacks were doing the business, then we’d be cheering for them.”
If the All Blacks field their ‘great Scot’ during such an encounter, it’s unlikely the Christie family’s loyalties will favour Scotland, however brave!
Classics took centre stage recently, including own classic, Wayne Martin. As proud owners of classic and vintage vehicles showcased their pride and joy during the Waiuku Steel ‘n’ Wheels Festival, our photographer was on hand to capture the atmosphere. See www.ruralliving.co.nz to view more.
Photos from the event are available for purchase from ruralliving.co.nz
The absence of a civic service for ANZAC Day in Pukekohe seems to have boosted numbers at dawn commemorations. Early in the morning, on April 25, we remembered them.
Tree clearances are dependent on the voltage of the overhead lines. There are two zones;
Growth Limit Zone A
The space around the powerline (measured in metres) where trees must not encroach, even in windy or stormy conditions.
Notice Zone B
One metre beyond the Growth Limit Zone. If your trees are encroaching on the Growth Limit Zone of that line, you will be issued a cut or trim notice. You must respond and take the action required by the cut or trim notice or face a fine in excess of $10,000.
Your trees are your responsibility. Trimming or felling trees around power lines could result in electrocution or serious injury from electric shock - use an approved arborist. Always treat lines as live, and if a tree or object touches a line call 0800 100 202 immediately.
Keep safe, keep clear, keep our power supply flowing.
You may be entitled to a first free trim or removal. Please contact us for more information.
Learn more at countiesenergy.co.nz/trees
Locals on two legs or four can all expect premier prevention, diagnosis and health treatments throughout Franklin.
From maternity to aged care, emergency services to dentists, A&E clinics, GP practices and pharmacies, we have just what the doctor ordered. And, as a town and country region, we also benefit from the services of vets specialising in pets, lifestyle animals
and livestock too.
In terms of major health facilities, Manukau continues to serve the wider southern Auckland area, primarily through Middlemore Hospital and the SuperClinic. These are bolstered by smaller hospitals (public or private) in Waiuku, Pukekohe and Papakura, with plans in progress for a new hospital in Drury and a health hub at the former council o ces in Pukekohe.
In addition, local practitioners cover other health-related services, including acupuncture, cosmetic treatments, beauty therapies and much more to aid mind, body and soul.
See countiesmanukau.health.nz for details regarding public health centres. However, local practitioners will have the right prescription regarding all manner of health needs.
well-being, naturally.
Detecting breast cancer early at its smallest size can lead to a higher survival rate.
At Mercy Radiology we use the most advanced 3D Mammography screening and diagnostics to detect small cancers long before a lump is felt. Make time for your health. Don’t delay.
Book today: radiology.co.nz
COMPLETE RADIOLOGY SERVICES INCLUDING X-RAY, ULTRASOUND, MAMMOGRAM, MRI
We see you clearly E mārama ana mātou i a koe
In the midst of our busy lives, taking care of our health should be our top priority. Regular check-ups play an important part, alongside being able to easily access local healthcare services, as Mercy Radiology’s Michael Quirke (CEO) explains.
As the only full-service radiology provider in the Franklin district, Mercy Radiology is located within the state-of-the-art Franklin Private Hospital, just a brief drive from Auckland’s Southern motorway Pukekohe o ramp. Our team of experienced and caring health professionals takes a patientcentred approach, ensuring that every patient feels heard, respected and comfortable throughout their appointment.
Breast cancer is the third most common cancer in New Zealand, a ecting one in nine women in their lifetime and claiming the lives of 650 New Zealanders a year. Early detection is crucial as 92 per cent of people survive breast cancer if it
is detected in a breast screening. It’s also important to self-check breasts on a regular basis in between mammograms.
The best way to detect breast cancer early is through a check using the latest technology, a 3D mammogram. This advanced technology provides significantly more clarity than a 2D mammogram. A 3D mammogram provides a clearer image and accurate, faster results for patients and it is the standard of care for both breast screening and diagnostics at Mercy Radiology. For those who require more specialised, comprehensive breast care services, our Mercy Breast Clinic in Epsom provides services from screening diagnostics,
surgery, through to treatment, all in one place.
If you are a woman aged over 40, make time for yourself and book in for a mammogram at Mercy Radiology Pukekohe so that, if something is there, we can find it before you feel it! Patients can also access the very latest in diagnostic imaging technology, with services including mammography, ultrasound, x-ray, MRI, and CT.
The branch is open for general x-rays seven days, 8:30am-5pm, with all other services available Monday to Friday. Visit us at 12 Glasgow Road or book online via www.radiology.co.nz. With 14 convenient branches across Auckland (Pukekohe to Silverdale), we are here when you need us.
Staying connected with colleagues, community, friends and loved ones is vital, not only for our social lives but for overall health and wellbeing.
OUR SERVICES:
• Personalised approach to your hearing care
• Professional and independent advice
• The latest hearing technology with prices to suit all budgets
• Government subsidies available to most New Zealanders
• Earwax removal services.
New
Wolfe Hearing is located at 40 King St, Pukekohe
Let us help you look after your hearing health and ensure your brain stays sharp!
Ph 09 239 2687
and hearing screen FREE.
Find out how a visit to Cutting Edge Plastic Surgery could change your life. It’s more than skin deep, but skin health and skin cancer screening is a good place to start, as Adam Greenbaum advises.
It’s all about you at Cutting Edge Plastic Surgery. Operating from our new building in Roulston Street, Pukekohe, for just over a year now, our dedicated team continues to grow a thriving surgical service focused rmly on personalised care. General consultations and all other treatments are conducted in our quiet and friendly practice with bigger operations (under general anaesthetic) at Franklin Private Hospital.
Our new space has also allowed us to o er more services. With SkiNZure, we now have a one-stop-shop for skin screening. A full body skin check is just one call away! What’s more, we save patients the expense of a visit to a mole checking service, as if a problem is found, there’s
no need for another GP visit or specialist consultation. With our practice, one referral provides total body photography, a dermatoscopic examination and a specialist assessment, saving time and money. From skin check to diagnosis and treat-
ment takes a matter of days, not months, reducing the stress of juggling multiple appointments and referrals.
Our team of specialist nurse dermoscopists has more than 90 years’ nursing experience between them, mostly in specialist plastic surgery. And, our specially trained healthcare assistants work closely with me. As a result, Cutting Edge Plastic Surgery is well equipped to support patients with a range of services.
Whether you want advice on skin cancer, optimising your appearance, problems with hand function, or you are considering surgery to reduce, li or enlarge breasts or a ‘tummy tuck’, our focus is on providing the best advice, service and expert care possible.
Although Adam has a commitment for most of August, the rest of the team is raring to go! Book (during the three weeks Adam is away) for a full body skin check with SkiNZure at Cutting Edge Plastic Surgery for 75% of the usual price! Speak to a member of our team for details today.
nd out more check out Adam’s website at www.ceps.nz or phone the practice on 09 238 8881
At Alberts, we are taking part in the Pink Ribbon Breakfast campaign to help support the Breast Cancer Foundation’s vital work. We are super excited to be a part of a local collaboration, initiated by Rowann Marsh (Harleh Lazer Clinic), together with other businesses in the community, hosted at Pukekohe’s Caterpillar Café.
This is such a worthy cause as we know breast cancer e ects so many, either directly or because someone close to them is going through this di cult journey. Personally, breast cancer is close to my heart; my mother is a survivor and I have had annual, or even six-monthly, checks for the past 15 years. So, when I was asked if Alberts would like to be involved, my answer was easy: absolutely!
The Breast Cancer Foundation NZ aims to ensure no one will die of breast cancer in future. While this goal may not be reached soon enough, early diagnosis is crucial. Treatment can then prevent it from spreading and breast cancer rarely kills if it doesn’t spread beyond the breast. Even if it does, the foundation is working to ensure we have treatments to prolong life, just as we have for HIV, diabetes and other conditions that, at one time, used to be a death sentence.
Donating to the foundation helps get us one step closer to zero deaths from breast cancer. To do so, visit www.breastcancerfoundation.org.nz or simply scan the QR code.
Salon quality beauty treatments can be applied at home thanks to these products.
Thanks to Ardell’s new Brow Lamination kit (RRP $33.99), we can achieve glossy, brushed up brows. Designed to lift even the most unruly brows, this kit features a nourishing formula intended to relax hair so we can straighten, separate, and sculpt brows for a feathery, structured finish.
NO FAIL NAILS
For enquiries & bookings contact:
Alberts Hair Salon
Shop 2/23 Hall St, Pukekohe
Ph: 09 238 7576
Shop online at: www.alberts.co.nz
Nail those moody autumn and winter tones with the latest additions to the gel polish collection from Gel iQ. These smart new additions have been devised to allow easier application and removal as well as a glossier finish. With shades including I Lava You, Beyond Olives and Terra Rossa, Gel iQ aims to take us to the top of the class.
Hair Salon explains why it pays to use the top two inches when ensuring we remain… in the pink.
Well known locally for producing a rich range of cheeses, Clevedon Bu alo Co has taken the bull by the horns… both of them. The latest additions to the range, the NZ Champions of Cheese award-winning Whipped Cream Cheese (RRP $11.50) and Spiced Orange Marinated Cheese (RRP $18) are both available at the Clevedon Village Farmers Market and select specialty food stores.
Introducing a little ‘culture’ into our diet, Cathedral Cove has answered our prayers again. Free from refined sugars, fillers, vegetable oils, additives and preservatives, Cathedral Cove Naturals’ new Lite Coconut Yoghurt is intended to deliver the best of what nature intended. Available from select supermarkets and health food stockists (RRP $8.99 per 500g) this dairy-free, glutenfree yoghurt sings with flavour.
Who says snack foods can’t be delicious? Not Chantal Organics! And, this Kiwi company is right to pu out its chest with pride as its new Organic Corn Pu s (RRP $3.99) really do rate on the taste scale. Made from whole grain corn, these moreish morsels are available in three flavours (Bang Bang BBQ, Churro Style, and Peanut Butter) from supermarkets and health food stores.
Faced with whipping up dinner on a chilly winter’s evening, it can be all too easy to reach for the phone, rather than a saucepan, and order takeaways. However, thanks to the latest additions to F. Whitlock & Sons’ range, we can transport ourselves to fairer (and farer) climes sinking into a warming bowl of nutritious, immunity-boosting soup. Whitlock’s latest o erings (Peri Peri Chicken, Moroccan Spiced Carrot & Lentil and Louisiana Style Tomato, Capsicum & Corn Gumbo) are available (RRP $4.50 per 420g can) from supermarkets.
From tempting tipples to tasty treats, life can be ‘fare’ enough, thanks to these new (and recent) additions to shelves.
With game bird season underway, here’s a sure fire hit that aims to impress guests.
1 whole duck (approx. 2.5kgs)
2 cloves garlic
2 French shallots (or brown onions), peeled
1 lemon, quartered
1 apple, quartered
A few sprigs fresh thyme
Remove the duck’s giblets. Pat the skin dry with paper towels and leave uncovered in the fridge overnight.
Preheat oven to 150 Celsius. Score the fat on the breasts with a knife taking care not to cut the flesh. Salt outside and inside of the duck evenly. Stu cavity with the garlic, shallots, lemon, apple and thyme. Close the cavity with butcher’s twine or toothpicks.
Place the duck in a baking dish, breast side up, and bake for an hour. Turn the duck breast side down and bake for another hour. Turn back over and bake for one more hour.
1 cup honey
2 tbsp molasses
3 tbsp orange juice
1 tbsp soy sauce
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
Salt and pepper, to taste
While the duck is cooking, bring the remaining ingredients to a boil in a small saucepan. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes, until the glaze thickens.
Remove duck from the oven and increase temperature to 205C. Brush the duck with the glaze and return it to oven for 10 minutes. Baste duck with the glaze again and bake for a further 10 minutes.
Remove the duck from the oven and leave it to rest for at least 15 minutes. Serve on a large platter garnished with holly leaves, oranges and fresh fruit.
This side dish provides an excellent accompaniment to roast duck – or any other roast meat for that matter – and proves good things really do take… thyme!
16 thin carrots, with stalks
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
4 sprigs fresh thyme
Salt and pepper, to taste
Preheat oven to 220 Celsius. Wash and peel carrots. Remove all except (roughly) 2cm of the carrot stalks. Place them in a baking dish, add olive oil, spices and leaves from three of the thyme sprigs. Season with salt and pepper, mix well so that each carrot is coated. Roast in the oven for about 20 minutes turning the carrots after 10 minutes. Place the carrots on a serving plate, garnish with a sprig of thyme and serve.
A superfruit for good reason, passionfruit provides a nutritional boost to see us through the chills and ills of winter. These recipes (from 5+ A Day – see www.5aday.co.nz for more) are bound to warm hearts and fill stomachs.
Serves eight | Prep’ time: 20 minutes
Base Ingredients
1 cup raw cashews or almonds
1 cup desiccated coconut
5 medjool dates, pitted
2 tbsp maple syrup or honey
A pinch of salt
Topping Ingredients
Flesh of 4 passionfruit
2-3 extra passionfruit, pulped (optional)
2 cups raw cashew nuts
½ cup coconut milk
2 tbsp maple syrup or honey
Juice of a lemon – to pour over top of the slice
Place two cups of cashews in a bowl and cover with water, soak for four hours. Drain and rinse when ready to prepare the slice. Grease a loaf pan and line with baking paper.
Blend the base ingredients together until a crumbly mixture forms. Press the crust evenly into the bottom of the loaf pan and place in the freezer for 15 minutes.
Blend the filling ingredients until the mixture reaches a smooth consistency. Remove the base from the freezer and pour the filling on top. Place back into the freezer for an hour.
When the slice is set, pour the remainder of the passionfruit pulp (optional) over the slice. Cut into squares and serve. This slice is best served cold and will need to be stored in the freezer to ensure it doesn’t melt.
Serves 4-6 | Prep’ time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
1/2 cup passionfruit pulp (six, approx.)
1 vanilla bean pod, seeds only
A few mint leaves, garnish
1 cup milk
1 cup
cream
3 eggs
1/3 cup caster sugar
Preheat oven to 160 degrees Celsius. Mix vanilla seeds, milk, cream, eggs and sugar in a saucepan. Whisk gently enough that the mixture doesn’t froth for about five minutes over the heat until well combined and the mixture is hot – do not boil! Add passionfruit pulp and cook for a further three minutes or until slightly thickened.
Fill six small (or four large) ramekins with the mixture. Pour hot water into a roasting dish (to about half the height of the ramekins) and, carefully, place ramekins in the water bath. Bake for 20 minutes or until there is a slight wobble in the middle of the custard. Set aside to cool slightly, garnish with mint leaves and serve.
Chainsaws are ideal when tackling maintenance in the backyard or on the farm, but these powerful tools must be handled with care. STIHL Chainsaw Safety Awareness Week (May 22-28) aims to make sure we are up with the play when getting down to work.
The first step is to check our safety gear. Boots, safety glasses, earmu s, and even a helmet (for example) should be considered, depending on
the nature of the job at hand.
Always use a chainsaw that’s fit for purpose. Some models may be ideal for trimming branches but may fall short when it comes to larger projects such as felling trees.
It should go without saying, but never use a chainsaw if you’ve been drinking, taking medications or while fatigued. Also, avoid working in bad weather. All of these factors (and more) can lead to accidents.
No power tool is reliable if it’s not in top condition. Regular servicing, particularly if a chainsaw has been left in the shed for a while, is a must.
Finally, don’t let your reach exceed your grasp! Be sure to read the manual thoroughly and consult the experts as jobs beyond our level of experience should be left to the professionals.
For comprehensive advice regarding safe chainsaw use visit the ‘product advice’ page at www.stihlshop.co.nz.
PAKURANGA STORE
64a Ti Rakau Dr, Pakuranga
09 576 5225
Some say Eve tempted Adam with an apple. However, a nice pear might’ve been even more e ective! Although they’re relatively straightforward to grow, not all pears are created equal; some are juicier, some trees need warmer conditions and some require cross-pollination.
The conference variety is a safe bet. It is less susceptible to disease than many other types, can handle more adverse weather conditions and it does not require other trees in order to pollinate. That said, consult your local garden centre team before deciding which trees to plant.
Pear trees thrive in full sun, but winter is the best time to set down roots. In general, they prefer soil ranging from clayey, medium, sandy, or clayey-loam with porous subsoil. Try to plant in slightly sloping or raised ground as they do not like wet feet – this will also protect against damage from frosty air settling in low-lying areas. Work soil in to remove pockets of air.
Soak the roots for around 45 minutes before planting approximately six to eight meters apart, allowing plenty of space for the roots to spread and the trees to flourish. Water thoroughly and add a half cup of fertiliser around the tree at least 15cms from the trunk.
Through winter, Mother Nature should provide enough water, but they may need a little extra come spring. Approximately two to three centimetres each week, when there is little or no rain, should be su cient.
As they have sensitive skin, be gentle when picking pears. They will turn brown at their cores first so pick the fruit while it’s still green allowing it to ripen, at room temperature, for a couple of weeks or so.
No overnight successes, these trees will usually fruit three to five years after planting. However, they can then continue to produce prefect pears for many years, or even for generations, to come.
Rachael Buxton
In a changing world – in which we must readdress what it means to be human, how we learn from each other and interact – we must also reconsider our relationship to nature and our environments.
Biophilic design is the theory that people have an innate connection to nature and creating built environments in harmony with the natural world measurably improves health and wellbeing. We see this in action every day, by bringing plants, aquariums, or a treasured cat or dog into our homes, or simply by flooding it with natural light.
Similarly, living close to the sea, hearing the waves and breathing sea air, for example, adds to our sense of wellbeing and perception of ‘home.’ Rooms with open spaces and floor-length windows, allowing uninterrupted views of a garden, also permit us to breathe and escape the pressures of our daily lives.
Biophilic design is grounded in sustainability, encouraging the use of repurposed furniture, recycled materials, solar energy, electric cars and minimising carbon emissions. Installing a combination of new furniture, manufactured using natural and recycled materials, with repurposed vintage pieces is visually interesting and environmentally responsible. I have always enjoyed retro, vintage and antique shopping – it’s fun and can be, financially, very rewarding.
The use of natural materials (including cottons, linens, jute, flax, wood, cork and natural stone, such as marble and granite) will always prove timeless and sits well with conscious e orts towards sustainability. Applying these products in new ways – whether in a unique colour combination, applied to various surfaces or in unique forms – allows us to reinvent ourselves and our environments while helping preserve our planet.
To incorporate this concept into your home, simply give me a call and I’ll be pleased to help set you on a new path towards a happier, healthier lifestyle.
TRAIN SAILING: Odysseus spent years trying to get home; perhaps if he had a bed like this waiting for him, he would’ve tried a little harder! Dreamed up by the quirky designers at Portugal-based Circu, the Odyssey children’s bed is no boat as its name would suggest. Instead, it’s an on the rails – although o the wall – mode of transport to ‘Morningtown’.
In addition to the bed itself, this crafty carriage also includes a TV and plenty of storage for little ones intent on experiencing big adventures while they sleep.
As with all Circu’s innovative beds, the Odyssey can be shipped – perhaps taking less time than Odysseus did! – to New Zealand. See www.circu.net for details.
By Darren Szaszy, Barfoot & Thompson, Pukekohe
Price falls have continued to hit home but Franklin managed to ‘buck the trend’ recently with average home values in our region increasing by 1.6 per cent to $932,918, recent statistics from QV (Quotable Value) confirm.
However, the picture more broadly isn’t quite so bright. The Auckland housing market has experienced a decline in median price, according to the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ), down by 16.6 per cent year-on-year to $1,000,600.
Owner-occupiers were the most active buyer pool, followed by firsthome buyers in South and West Auckland. There was a decrease in
first-home buyer activity in Central Auckland due to continued di culty securing finance and with many young people moving overseas. Cyclone Gabrielle and the Anniversary Weekend flooding have had an impact with some homes red and yellow stickered, requiring salespeople to be more cautious when appraising property.
In March 2023, there were 1,823 property sales in the Auckland region, a decrease of 24.4% compared to March 2022. The days to sell (45 days) is more than the 10-year average for March, at 36 days. There were 30 weeks of inventory in March 2023, 10 weeks more than the same time last year. Across the region, the median price fell by 0.4% compared to February 2023 and 16.6% compared to March 2022, reaching $1,000,600.
Darren SzaszyIn terms of individual regions within Auckland, the central city’s median price was $1,120,000, Franklin District’s median was $885,000, Manukau City was at $930,000, North Shore City’s was $1,130,000, Papakura District’s was $841,000, Rodney District’s was $1,115,000, and Waitakere City’s median price sat at $920,000.
Despite the decline in the median price, salespeople reported that vendors are not willing to take just any price just to achieve a sale, and buyers who are prepared to commit are buying properties comparable to where prices were at 24 months ago.
New listings continue to reach the market and 1,095 new properties were listed with us in March, giving potential buyers new options, with a total of 4,684 listings at month’s end.
Selling your home during winter can have several advantages. Firstly, there is typically less competition among listings compared to the warmer months. This means that the same number of potential buyers can have a better chance of seeing your property.
Secondly, selling in winter shows that you are serious about selling as you are not relying on the appeal of blooming gardens or sunny weather. This can highlight the unique qualities of your home, making it stand out to potential buyers. Let’s have a look at some tips to help you sell your home quickly during the traditional season of hibernation.
One important tip is to clear your home of clutter. A clutter-free home creates the illusion of extra space and can help potential buyers imagine how they can use each room. Be ruthless when culling unnecessary items, and consider moving extraneous furniture and objects into storage.
You can also hire an interior decorator to help you decide what to keep and what to remove. They can even loan or lease additional items to suit your decor, which can be a worthwhile investment in your sale or have a conversation with Victoria or Jo-Ann they are great at this as they are good at seeling and know what people are looking for.
In winter, many trees have lost their leaves and gardens can look sparse without leafy greens or bright blooms. However, you can still present your garden in meticulous detail by trimming hedges, pruning overhanging branches,
removing any brown leaves and regularly maintaining weed control.
If you have a swimming pool or outdoor spa, ensure that it is cleaned and covered at all times if possible. Mowing lawns and removing inappropriate outdoor furniture can also provide extra ground cover in your garden.
Creating a warm and inviting atmosphere inside your home is essential for both ambience and energy savings. Open fireplaces are a popular example of a feature that can inspire warmth, set the scene, and save on energy costs.
You can also add the aroma of winter spices such as clove and cardamom, the scent of freshly baked goodies, and gentle background music to create an irresistible atmosphere for aspirational buyers.
Before listing your property, ensure that any DIY projects are completed to a high standard. Decking, painting, and landscaping projects should all be finished to create a sense of quality, style, and
aspirational value. A professionally finished deck, pristine garden, or freshly painted walls can all enhance your property’s appeal.
Finally, it is important to showcase your home’s best features in winter. With shorter days and reduced natural light, e ective lighting is crucial for highlighting key selling points. Open-plan rooms can be staged with zoned lighting to create di erent areas within the space, such as home o ices, libraries, and children’s play zones.
Large living areas and dining rooms can also be set up to show how they can be used for entertaining or relaxation. By shining a light on your home’s best features, you can help potential buyers envision themselves living in your property.
If you need help selling your home this winter, reach out to Jo-Ann and Victoria and find out how they can get the best result when selling your home. A er all:
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