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december ■ CHRISTMAS christmas brass and Voices November 26, 4-6pm, Crossroads Methodist Church, 25 Broadway, Papakura Carol is very busy at this time of year, perhaps even more so than Santa!

Seasonal favourites are on the song sheet as Papakura City Brass and South Auckland Choral Society work in harmony during this afternoon event. More information available via southaucklandchoral.co.nz. aPo 4 Kids christmas November 26, 10am and 11.30am, Town Hall, Queen St, Auckland City It’s beginning to sound a lot like Christmas!

So, it’s time to head down to the centre of town for a concert designed especially for preschoolers with sing-alongs par for the course. See apo.co.nz for details. tuakau christmas Parade November 30, from 3pm, George St, Tuakau Santa and his crew will be jingling their way through Tuakau once again this year,

by George! Give Tuakau Lions president, Robert Bell, a bell (on 09 236838) for more information.

Pukekohe Park christmas at the races November 30, Pukekohe Park Raceway 222-250 Manukau Rd, Pukekohe Do you know what you’re getting for Christmas? As anyone with little ones will tell you, the mind practically races!

So, rather than leave it all to chance, why not treat yourself to an early Chrissie party at Christmas at the Races? While November 30 is Pukekohe’s time to shine, also check out events at other nearby tracks (Alexandra Park Raceway, Ellerslie Racecourse and Te Rapa Racecourse). For details, see theraces.co.nz.

operatunity’s 15th anniversary gala December 1, 11am-1pm, Hawkins Theatre, 13 Ray Small Dr, Papakura From musicals and music hall, to skits, panto and more, Operatunity presents a birthday bash and Christmas concert featuring a variety of performances. More information via daytimeconcerts.co.nz. christmas @ sunkist & santa Parade December 3, from 12pm, Sunkist Bay Reserve, Beachlands To get into gear before Christmas (one day on, 364 off isn’t such a bad workload!)

‘Santa’ will be making his way to nearby Beachlands for a celebration of all things festive. See pohutukawacoast.nz/events. the great Kidscan santa run/walk (auckland central & auckland south) December 7 & 8, from 6.30pm, Victoria Park, Victoria St West, Auckland City, and Barry Curtis Park, Stancombe and Chapel Rds, Botany Downs Join in the fun as Santa Claus, Saint Nick, Pere Noel, Viejo Pascuero, Dun Che Lao Ren, Kerstman, Joulupukki, Weihnachtsmann, Kanakaloka, Mikulas, Babbo Natale, Hoteiosho, Julenissen, Swiety Mikolaj, Ded Moroz, Jultomten and Father Christmases from many walks of life suit up during a run/walk to raise funds for KidsCan. Details for all 19 events via lacticturkey.co.nz/SantaRun.

Auckland Live Summer in the Square

coca-cola christmas in the Park December 10, from 7.30pm, Auckland Domain, Park Rd, Grafton Sleigh bells ringing, children singing and a fat man in a suit? Who could ask for anything more for Christmas? But, of course, one of New Zealand’s biggest festive bashes offers plenty more than this, including entertainment by some of the best Kiwi performers in the business. For a full schedule of this year’s show, see coke. co.nz/christmas-in-the-park. christmas in the city December 17, 4-9pm, Garden Pl, Hamilton Busy sidewalks, city sidewalks will soon play host to many a festive reveller during Hamilton’s Christmas In the City. From live entertainment (including bands and dance groups) to street performers, food stalls and more, this free event is also likely to see Santa grace us with his... presents. So, dust off those silver bells, silver bells and head on down to Hamilton because soon it will be Christmas day.

■ FAIRS, FESTIVALS & FETES waiuku nZ steel christmas Parade December 10, 11am-4pm, Waiuku Town Centre On the 15th day before Christmas, my true love gave to me... a few hours peace on earth and goodwill to one man while she went off to the Waiuku NZ Steel Christmas Parade! However, the TV can’t begin to compare to this, simply one of the best Christmas parades this side of the North Pole! Visit waiukutown.co.nz/calendar.

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auckland live summer in the square December 1-23, Aotea Square, 50 Mayoral Dr, Auckland City It’s hip to be (in the) Square this summer as entertainment of all sorts takes centre stage. From music to arts, street performers and workshops, this series boasts a lunchtime concert with New Zealand Opera and even a street ballet

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using supermarket trolleys performed by The New Zealand Dance Company. And, after a break for Christmas, festivities will resume. See aucklandlive.co.nz. silo Park – summer season December 2 – January 29, Silo Park, Beaumont and Jellicoe St, Auckland City From movies alfresco to markets and more, Silo Park is celebrating summer on the waterfront. See silopark.co.nz. the original gypsy fair December 3-4, 9am-5pm, St Aidan’s Reserve, Great South Rd, Takanini Much like the Highlander, when it comes to gypsy fairs, there can be only one... original, at least. From handy crafts to crossing palms with silver, this fair is again expected to deliver plenty of entertainment. See gypsyfair.co.nz. hunua Villages summer fete December 10, 11am-4pm, YMCA Camp Adair, 2487 Hunua Rd, Hunua Whether engaging in a little daring-do on a famed obstacle course or simply perusing market stalls and enjoying a wide range of entertainment, fete awaits those who visit Camp Adair this month. See facebook. com/HunuaFete for more information. the extravaganza December 26-28, 9am-5pm, Raglan Rugby Club, cnr Cross St and Park Dr, Raglan Arts, crafts, entertainment and more will be on the agenda in Raglan when a taste of gypsy life rolls into town. This event combines traditional gypsy attractions – such as Tarot reading – with all the fun of the fair. See gypsyextravaganza.co.nz.

put their feet up over summer, more adventurous sorts are sure to venture to the Auckland Botanic Gardens. In addition to the Gondwana forest and a display in the visitors’ centre, Dinosaur Encounters (on during most weekends) promises an experience fit for a Rex! See aucklandbotanicgardens.co.nz/whats-on.

■ CHARITY EVENTS touch & go November 27, 1-4pm, Christian Aviation, 459 Airfield Rd, Ardmore Airport, Papakura For millions living in the world’s most isolated places, even a small accident or minor illness can be life threatening.

Fortunately, thanks to the hard work of the Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), answers to prayers for help often arrive on the wing.

To demonstrate just how MAF is able to reach out to those in need, members of the public are invited to get up close and personal with its aircraft and crew. More information available via mafnz.org.nz.

Kawakawa bay christmas in the Park December 11, 6-8pm, Village Green, Kawakawa Bay Festive tidings will be delivered by the sack full as Kawakawa Bay lays on its annual Christmas celebrations, featuring music, refreshments, games and more. See kawakawabay.org.nz for details.

faulty towers & murder at hotel balle balle November 25-December 17, 7.30pm-12am, Red Shed Palazzo, 64 Jesmond Rd, Karaka Just when we thought it was safe to return to the Red Shed, Basil, Sybil and Manuel are back with another serving of delicious comedy based on the legendary, Fawlty Towers. And, the Bollywood-themed Hotel Balle Balle is becoming a serial thriller with another show set to return. For show times see redshedpalazzo.co.nz/dinner-theatre. animals – seeing the sentient being November 29-December 1, times vary, Allpress Studio, Browns Mill Building, 8 Drake St, Freemans Bay Art plays its part in speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves. Organised

by Paws Awhile animal sanctuary to raise funds to ensure this safe haven for neglected farm animals and pets continues, this exhibition and auction will feature work by some 30 artists. See seeingthesentientbeing.com. grease December 7-11, showtimes vary, SKYCITY Theatre, cnr Victoria and Federal Sts, Auckland City Rydell High’s senior class of 1959 is back in action during these summer day nights in a performance certain to deliver groove and meaning... whatever that means! Full details via skycityauckland.co.nz/whats-on. joseph and the amazing technicolor dreamcoat December 9-10, times vary, ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre, 50 Mayoral Dr, Auckland City Hey, Joe, where you going with that coat in your hand? Into the city to see the National Youth Theatre Company perform one of Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s iconic masterpieces perhaps? Yes, the next generation of Kiwi thespians takes to the stage in this musical epic inspired by the world’s most popular book. See nytc.co.nz.

■ HOME & GARDEN dinosaurs in the gardens Now - February 5, Auckland Botanic Gardens, 102 Hill Rd, The Gardens The dinosaurs are here! While lounge lizards may prefer to kick back and

■ ART, MUSIC & THEATRE

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From the editor... throughout the gardens, it was community spirit at its best although we had to drag eldest grandson away from the Adopt a Dog section otherwise I think we’d have gone home with them all!

Well, that’s about it from me other than commending our own great team on their efforts to bring you another Rural Living.

This month we’re at home with Auckland’s new deputy mayor, none other than Franklin Ward Councillor Bill Cashmore and we discover a lighter side to equestrian extraordinaire, Tina Fagan.

You’ll also read about another local artistic talent, see some super give-aways and find out why there nothing like a clown to bring on the laughs. And that’s just a smidgen of what’s inside so, you know what to do now – grab a cuppa and enjoy!

some very happy moments. I was delighted when my seven year old grandson took out four firsts and a third in his Puni School athletics day.

Then his younger brother, just four and a half, was told that on turning five he will go into his club’s gymnastic development squad – shades of his grandfather’s skill many decades ago not to mention our daughter’s ability when it came to vault, bars, beam and floor.

Then there was the lovely family outing to the Parnell Festival of Roses. I was so impressed by the many volunteers decked out in colourful costumes who made an enormous effort to ensure children’s entertainment was all about lively fun.

And it was fun especially when my little family (a.k.a team Jaberwockies) delved into the proffered fancy dress bag and donned costumes to compete against the Butterflies in a Wonderland croquet competition. Wish there were more events like that!

With food, stalls and music, not to mention the gorgeous roses in bloom

Helen Perry, Editor

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o you know, I was going to comment on the Donald Trump election and then, suddenly, I just couldn’t be bothered.

I think enough has been said for now and the US presidency will play out one way or another as we all watch things change either for better or for worse.

What’s more, at the end of the day, no matter how people voted they will have no more say than they ever did which is the way of politics everywhere. And, at least for now, the sky hasn’t fallen in even though the earth may be shaking!

Yes, it’s been a funny old month in many ways. As well as the upheaval in the US there’s been another ‘upheaval’ in our own backyard – the 7.5 earthquake that struck near Culverden and caused infrastructure devastation along the South Island’s east coast all the way to the Wellington CBD. This also resulted in two of deaths and saw Kiwis once again come to the realisation that these are still tumultuous times.

On the other hand there have been

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4 — Rural Living — November-December 2016

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Wa

CHIPPING AWAy FOr WIN: Working for Pukekohe’s AS Wilcox & Sons may have allowed Andrew Hutchinson to grow his knowledge of the horticultural industry. However, it wasn’t until recently that he well and truly made the grade.

This month’s cover shows Andrew out standing in his field; rather apt considering he needed to be outstanding in his field to claim the 2016 Young Horticulturalist of the Year title.

To read more about his latest win, see page 13. And, also see last month’s issue where we talked in depth with this dedicated young grower.

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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DISCLAIMER: Articles published in Rural Living do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers or editor. All material is provided as a general information service only. Times House Publishing Ltd does not assume or accept any responsibility for, and shall not be liable for, the accuracy or appropriate application of any information in this magazine.

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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Rural Living — November-December 2016 — 5

Wild horses couldn’t drag Tina from ballroom bliss

Family aside, Tina Fagan has two all-consuming passions: horses and ballroom dancing.

Now her exceptional talents in both are to showcase in front of an audience of thousands at a prestigious horse show. She talked to ANGELA KEMP.

I

f you were lucky enough to see a performance by Tina, and her horse Rock Star, at the Riding with the Stars event at Claudelands in Hamilton earlier this year, you won’t be surprised to learn she has been asked to be a choreographer at the international equestrian event, Equitana, when it comes to New Zealand for the first time in 2017.

The Claudelands audience was awestruck by the pair’s dramatic performance which so impressed the organisers, they asked Tina to choreograph Equitana’s evening finale.

Equitana is billed as a combination of entertainment, education and competition and will bring the ‘best of the best’ to New Zealand across a wide range of disciplines including dressage, show jumping, eventing and more.

It will take place over four days in November next year at the ASB Showgrounds in Auckland.

Tina has already started preparing for the show and is currently assembling a team of 12 equestrians from across the country who can combine horsemanship with outstanding performance skills.

The niece of shearing legend, Sir David Fagan, Tina is riding high after recently winning the second Kaimanawa Heritage Horse Stallion Challenge at Equidays with cheeky bay, Bullwinkle. She was the challenge’s first time winner two years ago with Rock Star whose natural showmanship befits his name.

Tina trained both Kaimanawas at the Starlight Farm Sportshorse Stud she runs in Pukekawa where she keeps some 30 horses offering lessons, mentoring, clinics and camps to students across all walks of the equestrian scene.

Her skills are also in demand to train, produce and source quality horses for both national and international clients.

And if one arena isn’t enough, Tina is also a qualified ballroom dance teacher and along with her partner, former professional dancer Marcus Ashwell, runs Dancewell Studio workshops in Pukekohe and Hamilton.

She says finding the time to run her equestrian business, teaching dance, 6 — Rural Living — November-December 2016

Tina Fagan with partner Marcus Ashwell and their children, Hannah and Twyla.

training the Kaimanawas and caring for two young daughters Hannah (4) and Twyla (3), can be a “bit of a juggling act”.

However teaching riding and dancing have a lot in common, Tina says. They share a common synergy.

“Both horse-riding and dancing are creative sports and they are also very emotive sports. Flitting between teaching kids and adults equestrian skills to when I step into my dance shoes and go into the studio just seems to flow through.”

Another thing riding and dancing have in common is the lack of age limits for participants. “I teach all ages on horses which is just the same with dancing, you can do it as long as you can walk.”

Tina attributes her love of dancing to giving her the edge in the KHH Challenge.

“Everyone says there’s something different about my presence and I believe it’s the dancing that helps bring that out. When you are doing the Kaimanwa Challenge you do have to perform and please a crowd, it’s your job to stand up there and be something else.”

Photo supplied

Marcus, a former Australian Dancesport Champion, is helping Tina with preparations for Equitana including cutting the music and compiling the lighting list.

Kaimanawas – little horses with big hearts In the Kaimanawa Heritage Horse Challenge, trainers have 150 days to tame, geld and train their newly-mustered and randomly-assigned Kaimanawa stallion, one that has never before been touched by humans.

Tina and the other participants had to build trust and develop a relationship with the horse to ensure the best possible performance.

It was launched to showcase the beauty, versatility and trainability of the wild horses that are found in the Kaimanawa Ranges of the central North Island.

A series of events sees horse and rider teams compete in preliminary classes and the highest placing horses are chosen to compete in the finals at Equidays. www.ruralliving.co.nz

Tina shows her style on Bullwinkle (above), and on the dance floor (right).

Trainers are then required to present a freestyle performance to showcase their Kaimanawas abilities and talents.

Tina said she was both delighted and surprised to win the challenge for the second time.

“It’s always hard work, I never take anything for granted. No matter how well you prepare a horse something can always happen that surprises, excites or disappoints; it can go either way. I do a lot of work with unstarted, unhandled, semi-feral horses so this type of contest really fits me. I enjoy the performance and bringing out the horses’ personality so they can really show themselves off.”

She said there was no secret to her success, it’s all about understanding

Photos supplied

horses. “Because I am doing it all the time you can work on the little changes to make the horse progress in the right direction.

“When I start working with Kaimanawas, I begin from the back of another horse or on the ground beside another horse. I’m less threatening when I can be part horse.”

The stallions have just five months to become Challenge-ready which Tina says is a big ask.

“The great thing about the Challenge is seeing these horses advance quite quickly and they are straight into being loved and very useful ponies.”

The KHH mission is to increase successful adoptions of wild horses and to promote the horses versatility

and trainability. Only 300 wild horses are permitted to remain in the wild and biennially some 200 wild horses are in need of adoption during the musters.

For more about Kaimanawas visit: www.kaimanawaheritagehorses.org.

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Rural Living — November-December 2016 — 7

A time to remember Brian Neben publishes Rural Living and is also an avid lifestyle farmer

COUNTRY LAD

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y the time you read this I will have attended the Tuakau Settlers annual luncheon held in the Tuakau War Memorial Hall. I have been privileged to attend this annual event for the past few years, my connection being that I attended the Tuakau Primary school a long, long time ago.

Although our family lived in Tuakau I spent five years of my young life in the Wilson Home, Takapuna, so, when I was discharged from the hospital at the age of nine, I was in Standard 1 ( now Year 3).

My first classroom was upstairs in the council chambers at the War Memorial Hall as there was a lack of classrooms at the school.

The next year, being in Standard 2, it was a thrill to finally attend a proper school but because I had never been amongst so many children at once it was quite scary.

Once I became accustomed to it, I had a most happy time and really loved the school and my fellow pupils, many who will be attending the luncheon.

In summer there were so many places for me, my sisters, and friends to go swimming. We spent many hours at the Centennial Park pools (sharing with the eels) which were built in the creek running through the bottom of the park. It was only creek water – no added chemicals – but it was great fun and I can’t remember

As a child Brian (left with teacher) spent five years at the Wilson Home, Takapuna.

anyone being sick or catching bugs and things from the water.

Another regular swimming spot was at Barnaby’s Pools. These were also part of a creek which had been dammed at one end with a waterfall at the other. Quite often there were cows drinking from the creek which we were not concerned about in those days. No PC rules then.

Another top swimming hole was in the pool at the bottom of the waterfall behind the Tuakau Dairy Factory.

The water there always seemed clean and refreshing although it became very polluted a bit further down the creek

where the dairy company discharged much of its waste.

We also swam in the Waikato River at the spot from where they recovered sand, just along from the bridge. It was almost like being at the beach – wonderful. But I think that is enough reminiscing for now.

In a recent article I mentioned our horse, Will Desire, had gone off the boil.

Trainer, Geoffrey Small decided to give him two weeks of swimming and that did the trick. During the past two weeks he has had a good third placing and easily won his next race – here’s hoping this continues. Go the ABs.

PROUDLY MAKING STOCKFOOD SINCE 1957

The Staff at H.R.Fisken and Sons wish you (and your animals!) a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Safe New Year.

01012-v10

Closed the Stats - Open Sat 24th Dec and Sat 31st Dec

8 — Rural Living — November-December 2016

www.ruralliving.co.nz

Bobby abuse back in practice Animal rights advocate group, Farmwatch, has launched scathing criticism of the Ministry for Primary Industries initiatives to protect bobby calves from abuse, JON RAWLINSON reveals.

L

ate last year, Farmwatch footage prompted a Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) investigation and strengthening of regulations regarding the treatment of bobby calves.

However, late last month, the animal rights group released a new video (accessible via farmwatch.org.nz), which appears to show animals being dropped, dragged and thrown.

“It is our belief, based on three years of investigations, that cruelty is endemic in the dairy industry,” Bobby calves away fate.

Photo courtesy Farmwatch “It is absurd Farmwatch investigator, cannot be onto the ground, kicking and hitting them, John Darroch, says. “We that the public should taken seriously and dragging some under a gate,” he says. believe assurances [by have to rely on a given the “The reality is, we’re not going to MPI] that calves are being fact that no see problems fixed overnight but with well treated amount to volunteer organisation pro-active continued and ongoing education and deliberately misleading such as Farmwatch monitoring is the introduction of new, strengthened the public and are aimed taking place. regulations we would expect fewer at protecting the dairy in order to find out It is absurd incidents of this nature.” industry.” how calves are being that the public He adds that recently-released footage, In July, a Huntly treated.” should have to also depicting mistreatment of bobby slaughterman was sentenced rely on a volunteer calves, warrants a full investigation. as a result of investigations (see organisation such as “Throwing, dropping and dragging calves secondary story). However, John Farmwatch in order to find in the way the [new Farmwatch] video says he is deeply disappointed by MPI’s out how calves are being treated.” shows is unacceptable. The behaviour we overall response. have seen is deeply disappointing given “MPI acted shocked at the results of that MPI and industry have worked very our investigation last year. Farmwatch, hard to promote best practice in animal SAFE and the SPCA engaged with welfare in every part of the supply chain them, suggesting a range of welfare A Manurewa man now faces jail for cruelty leading into this bobby calf season.” improvements, which could have offences brought to light by Farmwatch While some new regulations concerning significantly improved the lives of bobby footage. bobby calves came into effect in August calves. Instead, MPI implemented Earlier this year, Noel Erickson pleaded this year, more will follow ahead of calving regulations which effectively legalise the guilty to charges of cruelty or ill treatment season 2017. mistreatment of calves.” of an animal at a Te Kauwhata pet food “MPI takes any form of animal abuse While he acknowledges that the Ministry processing plant in August 2015. However, seriously. Bobby calf welfare is a matter of may be shorthanded – with only 17 following an appeal by MPI, his sentence collective responsibility and that includes dedicated animal welfare inspectors and of 10 months home detention and 200 Farmwatch coming to the party and letting approximately 1.9 million bobby calves hours of community work has now been us know as soon as they have evidence of born this year – John says more could be replaced with two years imprisonment. ill-treatment,” says Mr Orr. “When we have done.

Gary Orr from MPI welcomes this evidence, we investigate thoroughly. If “MPI has the resources to place cameras decision. further action is warranted, we will take it.” on fishing boats and carry out stakeouts “Erickson’s offending involved a More information about new and for illegal Paua gathering, [but] it’s unwilling significant number of calves who were impending regulations concerning bobby to do either of these to ensure calves are treated with extreme cruelty. There was calves is available on Dairy NZ’s website, being treated appropriately,” he adds. clear evidence of abuse including of dairynz.co.nz.

“Any reassurances from [the Ministry] Erickson throwing and dropping calves

MPI reacts

www.ruralliving.co.nz

Rural Living — November-December 2016 — 9

Man of town and country Councils everywhere can always use a little more cash.

However, following the recent local body elections, does Auckland now have more Cashmore than even a SuperCity can handle? JON RAWLINSON speaks with Franklin Ward Councillor and Auckland’s new deputy mayor, Bill Cashmore.

I

first met Bill Cashmore early last year when I mistakenly stopped at his place in Orere. I had arranged to interview his son, Young Farmer competitor, Rob, who lives next door. During a brief exchange I complimented him on his beautiful villa. He said: “Yes, it is… but it’s a bastard to paint!”

It’s this straight-forward, pragmatic, no bull approach which has endeared Auckland’s new deputy mayor to many in the Franklin region.

After recently dropping by again, I was pleased to find his ‘salt of the earth’ character seemingly unchanged by promotion to higher office. I start by asking (somewhat sheepishly) if this former Young Farmer of the Year competitor finds it just as tough to herd councillors as livestock.

“They’re different animals, of course.

While I can always put sheep on the back of a truck and send them to the works, I can’t do that with elected officials,” he quips as his wife (Lynnette) laughs in the background.

Bill forges ahead with deadpan expression: “It’s a different game but, seriously the same principles – pragmatism, employing common sense and being prepared to get stuck into hard work – are required for both.”

For five generations the Cashmores have worked the land in Orere. However, finding the time to run more than 1000 cattle and ‘the thick end’ of 10,000 sheep is not easy for a busy public servant.

Since being named deputy mayor, he says he has been ‘mind-blowingly busy’ often working more than 12 hours a day.

Fortunately, these days, son Rob keeps a keen eye on the family’s flock.

“The boys had me on the big tractor this morning, but it’s the first day off I’ve had in weeks. Over winter, I didn’t see the farm in daylight for months. Rob sees me 10 — Rural Living — November-December 2016

regularly to talk through things, but he runs the farm completely,” Bill says.

“Some days I do wish I was back sheering sheep, but I like a challenge and as this [being named deputy mayor] is probably going to be the biggest challenge of my life, I’m going to give it everything I’ve got.”

Although (until recently) Bill may not be widely known beyond the borders of Franklin, he has a quarter of a century of public service to his name.

“When I was 30, I was elected to the Clevedon Community Board and, halfway through my term, I became chairman.

It was a waste of my time. It just wasn’t effective as legislation didn’t allow community boards to do much. So I flagged that,” he explains.

Following various roles with the Auckland Regional Council, Bill served as a Federated Farmers executive and a representative to the Animal Health Board.

However, when Auckland’s councils merged in 2010, Bill’s hat was soon back in the local body ring.

“I was concerned that all the money would be spent on the central city.

Fortunately, that hasn’t happened.

[Since amalgamation] we’ve seen the foundations laid, setting in place the overarching plans and policies. It’s not perfect, but we’ve seen more done for this city in the last six years than we’ve seen in the previous 20.”

Earlier this year, Bill ran unopposed as Franklin Ward Councillor. I suggest this was because the beggars dared not to take him on.

“I’m not the kind of person people need to be afraid of,” he answers, with a cheeky grin. I can hear Lynnette laughing again, as though she knows something I don’t!

He continues: ”I thought I would be challenged but wasn’t surprised to run unopposed. I was

The two faces of Bill Cashmore.

humbled by it. I like campaigning because it’s a good way to remove all B.S, but I’m straight up and down so I’ve been doing that for the last three years anyway.”

Believing life experience to be the most important quality for a councillor, Bill says an understanding of Auckland’s rural areas is important, something which both he and Mayor, Phil Goff, can offer.

“Auckland has the largest rural district in New Zealand, and probably one of the more productive ones.

“Rural production into Auckland is worth three billion dollars a year; that’s a pretty big number from a relatively small number of people,” he says.

“And, that’s where green-fields development will go and even heavy industry – such as at Glenbrook.

“So, that rural voice doesn’t have to come from a farmer, but it definitely needs to be from people who are from our rural areas.”

Although Bill’s focus may have broadened somewhat since his appointment as deputy mayor, it seems Frankliners will not see the metropolis gobble up all of this farmer’s focus.

“Franklin is part of Auckland City. It’s my first love. But all councillors have a role to deliver regional outcomes.

“Whether you’re from Franklin or Howick or Orakei doesn’t matter, you have to make decisions based on regionwide benefits.”

Asked if he has any ambitions to go one better and contest the mayoralty next time, Bill doesn’t hesitate – does he ever?.

“No. That would be the worst job and I have no aspiration to do it.”

Lynnette interjects with precise punchline timing: “He’s not allowed to anyway!”

Bill laughs. “I’m 59 now and I don’t want to work forever,” he confirms. “But I suppose the main reason is that my wife would kill me!” www.ruralliving.co.nz

Photos Wayne Martin

When Bill met Phil What happens when a mayor-comelifestyler (Phil Goff) chooses an old school farmer (Bill Cashmore) as his deputy? They set about running a SuperCity, of course!

New Zealand’s largest metropolis may not seem suited to a couple of landed gents but with Phil’s experience in national politics and Bill’s council expertise, this rural duo could prove to be just what the SuperCity needs.

“We’re getting on pretty well. Phil’s held a broad range of portfolios and has massive experience in Parliament.

Council’s different to central government, but he’s working hard at getting to grips with it, and part of my role is to help him do that. We’re working well together,” he says.

“Someone made a crack about Auckland now having ‘stale white bread, two old guys.’ Well, for one, we’re not that old; two, we’re not stale; and, three, I’m not going to apologise for being a man.”

As near neighbours (one from Clevedon, the other, Orere) the new Auckland Mayor and his deputy’s had some history prior to claiming the city’s top jobs. However, it wasn’t until this year that the two began a close working relationship.

Despite being a stalwart member of the National Party, Bill believes that a bipartisan approach is often required in local politics.

“We both have social consciences about doing the right thing for our fellow man,” he says. “You bring your views and experiences to the job, but leave politics at the door – in a manner of speaking – and just get on with the job, issue-by-issue.” www.ruralliving.co.nz

Rural Living — November-December 2016 — 11

Long road ahead for country kids?

While some may exaggeratedly claim to have travelled miles to school every day, this is a reality faced by many rural children of today, and Federated Farmers claims the Government is not going far enough to assist them.

Rural parents face an agonising choice between hours swallowed by travel, or forking out for boarding fees which exceed government allowances, Rick Powdrell from Federated Farmers believes.

“It’s a key issue for remote, rural people. Farming families want a good education for their children, and with the increasing complexity and technology of the primary export/agri-business sector, that’s important for New Zealand too.”

While the Ministry of Education’s Access Barrier and Multiple Barriers boarding allowances are available to such pupils. However, Federated Farmers contends that, as boarding school fees have “out-paced” any such assistance, a review of such allowances for farming families living many kilometres from their nearest school can’t come soon enough.

And, distance schooling isn’t always a realistic alternative due to unreliable rural internet services, Mr Powdrell adds.

“With study via computer, they’re not able to get that life learning that happens when you’re at a boarding school with hundreds of other kids, and the range of extras that schools offer.”

Rural Living understands the Ministry of Education is currently considering a review of these allowances.

Clevedon Show a no-go F

or more than a century, animals (and people) have come in much greater numbers than two-by-two to the annual Clevedon Agricultural & Pastoral Show. This year, however, the show could not go on. Instead, continual wet weather effectively flushed plans for the event down the drain.

Clevedon A&P’s secretary and treasurer, Danielle Wright, was devastated that rain and insufficient drainage required the event (scheduled for November 12-13) to be cancelled.

“We have been in continual communication with Auckland Council regarding [drainage] issues and their potential effect since we were moved to the rural end of the grounds five years ago,” she says.

“Although, we are right behind council to ensure the drainage is implemented, it is imperative that this work is completed before next year’s show.”

While unable to offer any guarantees as to when drainage work will be undertaken, Auckland Deputy Mayor and Franklin Ward Councillor, Bill Cashmore, is hopeful it will be tackled soon.

“Three years ago, when I was on the [Franklin] Local Board, we organised drainage for the sports grounds and we were looking at drainage for the rest of the park, but it comes down to priorities; to money,” he says.

“I will put my political shoulder to this particular wheel but, when it comes to the hard yards, the decision is made by the local board and it will be down to them as to where it falls in order of priority.”

Mr Cashmore (a long time Orere resident) adds that he believes shows should take place in March, when weather is often less inclement.

“The best thing they can do is change the timing of the show – which I suggested to [organisers] years ago – when there’s more certainty about weather. They could make a month of it, with the Franklin A&P Show [in February] and Clevedon a couple of weeks later.”

However, Danielle confirms any change to the show’s scheduling is unlikely.

“Auckland already has four A&P shows during the February and March period. Our show has been held in November for most of its 108 year history. It is traditionally a spring show and the intention is that it remains a spring show, the only one in Auckland City.”

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Our Hutch’ wins

P

ukekohe’s AS Wilcox & Sons has grown more than it bargained for, producing its first Young Horticulturalist of the Year champion.

Andrew Hutchinson (technical support for AS Wilcox & Sons’ potato supply team) claimed one of the industry’s top prizes following a competition at the Auckland Botanic Gardens earlier this month.

“I’m very happy with the win, but it’s still sinking in,” he says.

“Right now, I’m just looking forward to the summer without study!”

Andrew qualified for the competition by first claiming the Young Veggie Grower and, later, Young Grower of the Year titles. He faced numerous tasks designed to test competitors’ skills across disciplines demanded by a modern career in horticulture.

The Waiuku resident claimed the overall title, reaping an impressive prize haul including $7500 for study travel and accommodation to a horticultural destination of his choice and $1000 worth of ICL Specialty Fertiliser products. He also claimed further prizes for winning the T&G Best Practical Activities, Fruitfed Supplies Leadership, Primary ITO Career Development and Countdown Best Speech awards along the way.

“I’m considering travelling to Peru to look at new potato varieties next year. I may even swing by the Galapagos while I’m in the area, which would be amazing.”

Jeanette Barker from Auckland Botanic Gardens (representing Amenity Horticulture) claimed second, and Paul Southan (Landscaping New Zealand) finished third. To read more about Andrew, see Oct-Nov issue at www.ruralliving.co.nz.

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Septic Tank Owners How you can save money by keeping your septic system effective and healthy 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.

Problematic septic tanks – treat with Septi-Cure™.

Prevent septic system problems – treat with Septi-Cure™.

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Rural Living — November-December 2016 — 13

Seeing red!

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ith summer fast approaching (and let’s hope it’s a good one!) it’s time to look at the bane of every chicken owner’s life – the dreaded RED MITE! These are a perennial problem that we just can’t ignore for the health and wellbeing of our flock.

There are many products on the market aimed at eliminating these pesky little critters but the most important thing to remember is, that like most biting insects, they have a very short life cycle Whichever method of extermination you prefer, it will be effective only if you break the life cycle.

This means that once aware of the problem you need to take action quickly and spray weekly for at least three weeks to ensure that you kill successive generations BEFORE they start multiplying again.

My preferred method is having my houses dusted liberally with SMITE powder (chemical-free and available from Chook Manor North) as a preventative measure. If an outbreak does occur, I then use SMITE PROFESSIONAL spray, followed up with weekly applications until I have them under control again.

Most failures to clear up a mite problem are the result of people just spraying a product once and then thinking they have solved the problem. In the meantime the +/- 1% of mites that weren’t killed will start reproducing again within the week and before you know it, the problem’s back.

As egg production starts to ramp up, it is also a good time to have a close look at the diet you provide to your birds.

Remember, an egg is essentially protein with calcium wrapped around it – so make sure that your feed is a good source of protein as you can’t expect birds to lay eggs if they are not being fed well. By feeding a high protein, balanced diet, birds should provide you with optimum egg production.

Sprouted grains are an excellent treat along with meal worms and the like, but the main basis of your birds’ diet should be a good quality layer pellet – eggs will only be as good as the diet you provide your flock.

Not all layer pellets are created equal so do some research as to which is going to best provide your birds with all they need.

I, personally, prefer the Weston Milling feeds, which have the added advantage of having a meat-based meal as their source of protein. Our certified organic range from Denver feeds is an excellent, well balanced feed for those who are fully organic.

And, last, but by no means least, the essential to all life – water! Now is the time to review watering systems to ensure that as the long, hot days of summer approach, your birds have access to fresh, cool, clean water at all times.

If you have reticulated water to your runs there are several options of smaller 5ltr troughs/ mini cups or nipple drinkers which ensure continuous fresh water.

Alternatives include either hanging or standing water buckets.

www.ruralliving.co.nz

chicken fertiliser

– the right shite!

T

ake a low dairy payout then throw in a remarkably wet spring – this has been one out of the bag!

For many people, it’s been a case of getting back to basics and growing grass that has proved to be a winning solution.

In a year when sales volumes were expected to be down on previous years, the team at Bennett Fertilisers as been pleased to be proved wrong, says Daniella Watene, director of Bennett Fertilisers.

“Chicken fertiliser is a natural, costeffective product that produces grass, and lots of it! And in a year when every cent has counted this is exactly what many farmers have needed,” she says.

A valuable resource containing mostly organic matter, chicken manure supplies beneficial nutrients, helps hold moisture, improves soil structure and encourages organisms such as earth worm.

This makes it ideal for use on lifestyle blocks, pasture, maize crops, market gardens and orchards.

Operations manager at Bennett Fertilisers, Neil Clark says being a natural fertiliser, chicken manure is a more cost-effective, environmentally-friendly alternative to using harmful chemicals.

“Due to its unique composition, chicken manure is a good source of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N,P,K) and provides all the desirable nutrients needed for plant growth,” he explains.

“It can also boast a number of other valuable macro nutrients including sulphur, sodium, calcium, and magnesium as well as a number of micro nutrients.

“Chicken litter is not only fast reacting, but offers sustained, slow release of nitrogen and phosphate. This continuous

Application rates Application rates will vary depending on individual property needs but as a general rule the recommended application rate is:

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◆◆Pasture 2.5T to hectare or 1T to the acre ◆◆Cropping 5T to hectare or 2T to the acre

release of nutrients results in reduced leaching.”

A major advantage of chicken manure is its high organic content which helps build organic matter and increase the humus content of soil.

With the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods, this in turn fosters increased water holding capacity and increases the summer production and resilience of pastures.

“At Bennett Fertilisers we enjoy collaborating with our customers to work out what they need to make their land work for them,” Neil says.

“Every customer and every piece of land has different requirements and it’s our job to find a solution for them.

“Whether customers need 20kg bags for vegie patches, an eight metre load for lifestyle blocks or the big 27 tonne loads for larger crops and farms, we have an experienced sales team assisted by drivers who have been delivering and spreading chicken fertiliser for many years.

“This ensures our customers receive reliable advice and service delivery.”

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Growing veggies to feed a growing family is no easy task to master, let alone managing a lifestyle block and turning out books to boot!

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Covering the what, where, when and how of vegetable gardening, Growing Vegetables is designed to be a hands-on handbook for even the least experienced gardener.

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Rural Living — November-December 2016 — 15

Kokako takes crown!

T

he peacock may have traditionally cornered the market on pride but Kiwis (the human kind that is) can be truly proud that they have voted the endangered kōkako New Zealand’s Bird of the Year.

Run by Forest and Bird, the competition attracted nearly 20,000 votes with kōkako scoring 3614 votes ahead of second placed, kea with 2408 Just prior to the Millennium, the appealing slate-grey kōkako with its blue wattles and a deep organ-like call was threatened with extinction – there were just 660 left in 1999.

But, today, their numbers have passed 3000 and populations are recovering thanks to predator control and translocation programmes.

The kōkako’s successful campaign to win Bird of the Year was led by Auckland’s 16-year-old Oscar Thomas with help from the Rotoehu Ecological Trust in the Bay of Plenty.

His interest was aroused when, as a 10 year old, he was part of a class visit to

A North Island kōkako Callaeas wilsoni, captive, at Mt Bruce Wildlife Centre, New Zealand.

By Doug Mak via Wikimedia Commons

Tiritiri Matangi Island.

“I didn’t see a kōkako that day, but it was worth the return trip. It’s haunting call and ghostly appearance has fascinated me ever since” he says.

“It (kōkako) has the most beautiful call of all New Zealand’s birds and it’s the loudest in the forest. It sings with a deep, fivenote call that makes the tui sound like an elaborate train wreck.”

Oscar hopes the Bird of the Year title will raise awareness for the kōkako and all of New Zealand’s birds, many of which are threatened with extinction.

“I wanted to show people how special all our native birds are and what we stand to lose. Some 80 per cent of New Zealand’s birds are classified as at risk or threatened and if we don’t do anything to help them, they could be gone forever.”

Other high-scoring birds in the competition included the fantail (piwakawaka) with 1508 votes, the albatross with 775 votes, tui with 597 votes and the karearea (New Zealand falcon), 527 votes.

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Local larder leader at Food Awards the awards celebrate innovation and excellence in the food and beverage industry.

Wanganui’s Coastal Spring Lamb claimed the Massey University Supreme Award, as well securing the Export Innovation and Chilled Foods Award categories thanks to its lamb rack.

Judge, food writer and cookbook author, Nici Wickes, says the quality of products entered this year was inspiring.

“Judging was quite an onslaught of tasting but someone has to do it! It was a fantastic job and we were really delighted with the diversity of products and the level of innovation.”

The cream of the crop rose to the top at the recent New Zealand Food Awards. Amongst the winners was Clevedon company, The Larder Project, which was highly commended in the Artisan Food Producer category for its Sesame and Linseed Bread Mix. Organised

by Massey University,

Cheese makers’ raw deal G

lenbrook Cheese Company owner, Lyn Haycock, won’t back down on her stance regarding increased food safety auditing costs for cheese makers. She says the hike in costs is placing undue pressure on small, artisan producers.

“There cannot be a ‘one size fits all’ approach to how MPI’s [Ministry for Primary Industries] costs are passed on, because they will most certainly put businesses like mine out of business!” says Lyn. “The audit costs should not be subsidised by the tax payer, but MPI and auditors, AsureQuality’s, bloated bureaucracy and inefficiency should not be subsidised by us!”

Her comments come in response to an article in Rural Living’s Oct-Nov issue (see e-editions at ruralliving. co.nz) which included statements by Food Safety Minister, Jo Goodhew.

Ms Goodhew said that audits were generally undertaken annually,

for domestic-only dairy producers, by independent auditors/verifiers who set their own prices.

“Costs will vary depending on the location of the verifier, the complexity of the business and the processes they use. If cheesemakers can demonstrate different ways of ensuring they produce safe food in a way that works for them, while meeting regulations and requirements, they can build this into their risk management programmes,” She said.

However, Lyn says

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she understands (from a member of staff at AsureQuality) that the increase in cost is (among other things) due to the need to train more auditors necessitated by changes to the sale of raw milk, which came into affect earlier this year.

“The auditor training is done by MPI and they charge for it. While I don’t know how much this costs, I believe it is substantial.”

Lyn agrees with the Minister that audits are essential to ensuring food safety, but she believes levels of auditing should reflect past performance, business size and the value of service provided.

“Costs are based around a big, corporate model which is totally inappropriate at the level of the artisan producer. We are not a million dollar business; we are a small business that makes its biggest sales at a farmers’ market and weekend gate sales.

“It is disappointing that the Minister should dismiss concerns under the spin of ‘food safety at any price’ and that ‘it’s a competitive market’.”

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Rural Living — November-December 2016 — 17

Lifestyle irrigation W endy and John Gush have a lifestyle block in Hastings where they graze a number of well loved and regularly exercised horses.

In the harsh, dry summers of the Hawkes Bay it was necessary for them to irrigate their block to keep the grass soft underfoot in the jumping ring and to ensure grass growth.

For some time the Gush’s had an old alloy pipe-style irrigation system which was cumbersome to move and could be dangerous for some of the stock.

Frustrated by their current system, and sensing it was time for a change, they looked into other options but struggled to find anything suitable for the lifestyler until they came across Irripod and the range of “end of line” pods they offered.

The manufacturer claims the end of line Irripod system is easy to move and uses less water than other irrigation systems.

The Gush’s were delighted to discover they would need only two pods to irrigate

The Irripod irrigation system – easy to use.

Photo supplied

their whole place and didn’t require a specialist to install the system.

Wendy and John are more than happy to share their experience. They claim that Irripod is exactly what they need and does the job perfectly.

They appreciate the convenience of the product being straightforward to use, easy to move around in a pattern to cover as much of their property as required and they can also easily shift the system into the jumping ring at short notice.

“All you do is pick up the Irripod by the handle and carry it to where it is required, it doesn’t matter if it’s running or not as you are only dragging a 25mm poly pipe along with the Irripod, so it’s not heavy or cumbersome,” says John.

Irripod irrigation lines are strong, lightweight and flexible. This flexibility means the system is suitable for many different end uses including orchards, lifestyle blocks and general domestic use.

For more information please contact an Irripod Market manager. ◆◆ North Island: Barry Wallace 021 963 125 email: barry@irripod.com ◆◆ South Island: Nigel Henigan 021 963 432 email: nigel@irripod.com Or visit the website www.irripod.com and request an Irripod informational DVD.

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Over

the gate

with

Pukekohe

Cornflake

(AKA justin lane)

the clown

Send in the clowns? Don’t bother, they’re here. Well, at least one of them is anyway. From Pagliacci, to Krusty (of The Simpsons’ fame) and Ronald McDonald, it seems no one even raises an eyebrow at grown-ups sporting makeup and bizarre costumes. However, what lies behind the comically exaggerated smiles? This month, we posed a few questions to Papakura local, entertainer and the man behind Cornflake’s Magic World.

What does Cornflake’s Magic World offer?

We have a wide range of entertainers with options for birthday parties, corporate events and preschools. This includes a bunch of lovely entertainers: Popcorn the Clown, Fairy Flakes, Captain Crunch and Magic Maize. We also have balloon twisters and face painters.

Our magic shows are designed to delight children but they have a similarity to the movie Shrek in that it has humour accessible to both kids and adults. Parents are often amazed at how much the children get into the show, they crack up laughing, and roll around.

I believe kids want to feel loved and understood. Our show is about making kids feel happy; we want them to feel good about themselves. That’s a big part of a clown’s role, to not only have fun with kids, but to empower them as well.

Alan Watson a Grand Master Magician used to tell me there are two important words: ‘Show’ and ‘Business’. A professional showman focuses on 10% show and 90% business. I have performed more than 8000 shows and I’ve loved every minute of it!

Will you miss performing?

Yes, but I’ll be happy to be in the background, working on the business and holding regular team workshops, teaching the art of showmanship, magic and empowerment.

Justin Lane – the man behind the mask.

What have you enjoyed most about performing as Cornflake?

started my own little business performing as Cornflake the Clown. Over the years it became Cornflake’s Magic World.

This job has shaped my life in a wonderful way. When you give joy, you receive just as much joy in return.

There has been a recent social mediafuelled fad of scary clowns intent on frightening people. Is this giving clowns a bad name?

Have you ever undertaken any formal training as an entertainer? Did you receive support from anyone in particular?

If you could grow any plant or raise any animal (real or imagined) what and why?

Yes, most definitely! However, I think people can tell the difference between an evil person dressed like a clown and a professional clown who brings joy.

Sometimes, kids can be unsure of a clown because he looks a little different, and the exaggerated features can take them by surprise. But giving children a genuine smile and some time to get comfortable is often all they need.

Yes, from my mum! I joined a junior magic club when I was 10. Mum would take me there and to all my shows every weekend until I got my driver’s licence. She was my biggest supporter. I didn’t have any professional training as such, but I picked things up from other entertainers along the way and eventually created my own style.

When and why did you decide to become a children’s entertainer?

How old are you and, by now, aren’t you getting a bit tired of performing as this character?

It may sound like a cliché, but it was a childhood dream. I would borrow books from the library on magic and learn new tricks, which I would perform for the kids at school – Ardmore Primary. I literally became the class clown! When I was 13, I

I’m 29 now and my goal has always been that I would perform until I am 30. When I reach my 30th birthday (on April Fool’s Day – funny, that!), I will no longer be performing, but I will still involved on the business side.

20 — Rural Living — November-December 2016

I would raise a black magic cat. I think they look cool!

If you could be Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage for a day, what would you do first and why?

Easy. I’d give all clowns a paid day off!

If you could ask any three people (living or dead) to dinner who would they be and why?

Michael Jackson because he’s the greatest showman and entertainer of all time!

Secondly, I would have to invite Snoop Dogg. I really like his energy, he’s funny, and he’s all about peace and love. My third guest would be Vince McMahon, the creator of WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) because I am intrigued by his creative genius. www.ruralliving.co.nz

The Cornflakes Magic World team (from left) Popcorn the Clown, Captain Crunch, Cornflake (aka Justin Lane), Fairy Flakes and Magic Maize.

LAND

We’ve got And quality homes to go on it

Here at Stonewood, we’ve secured prime sections in Beachlands and at the Valley Road Estate, Pukekohe. With a great range of quality homes to suit your budget and lifestyle, we offer a complete house and land solution. But you’ll want to hurry, because sites are very limited. Visit our on-site sales office or give us a call today.

Pukekohe Sales Office: 1 Lisle Farm Dr

Beachlands Showhome: 83 Jack Lachlan Dr

Sales Office 027 478 5858

www.stonewood.co.nz 14395

www.ruralliving.co.nz

Rural Living — November-December 2016 — 21

Funky Perlas Potato & Courgette Salad 22 — Rural Living — November-December 2016

www.ruralliving.co.nz

Christmas colouring competition

Help H the Help Mr. H find the Help Mr. Mr. H find find the HOOK HOOK for for his his fishing fishing rod. fishing HOOK for rod. his rod.

H

Q

– kids chance to win! ◆◆4-7 years – Win a Stirling Sports voucher valued at $30, a Love Lis colouring book, Cafe Kaos voucher and a Love to Learn voucher ◆◆8-12 years – Win a Stirling Sports voucher valued at $50, a Love Lis colouring book, Cafe Kaos voucher and Love to Learn voucher.

And, when you’ve completed your competition entry just have some fun testing your observation skills with these puzzles.

Send your colouring entries to The Editor, Rural Living magazine, P.O. Box 259-243 Botany, Auckland 2163. Entries close December 31, 2016, Winners notified by phone early January, 2017.

How items are How many items are How many many items are there there in the cart? inthe the grocery grocery cart? there in shopping And how many are outside And how many are outside it? it?

ANSWER: ONE AND THREE

H

ey kids, bring out your felt tips, paints and crayons and be in to win! Summer abounds with colourful fun so, as school holidays move into full swing, and Christmas cheer raises our spirits, Rural Living is putting a little extra ‘colour’ and a dash of ‘fun’ into our pages especially for children.

START HERE We have some great prizes for youngsters who enter our Yuletide colouring competition designed

by Pukekohe artist Love Lis, and sponsored by A.S. Wilcox, the Pukekohe-based vegetable growers whose carrots, potatoes and onions are sure to be a part of festive feasting.

There are two categories:

cart? And how many are outside it?

ANSWER: TWO AND SIX

ANSWER: ANSWER:THERE THEREARE ARE10 10ITEMS ITEMSINSIDE INSIDEAND AND12 12OUTSIDE OUTSIDE(THE (THEFISH FISHARE ARENOT NOTINSIDE).

INSIDE).

ANSWER: ONE AND THREE

ANSWER: ONE AND THREE

START ◆ www.facebook.com/Stirling Sports Pukekohe ◆ www.lovetolearntoys.co.nz ◆ www.facebook.com/Cafe Kaos HERE

Wilcox Perlas.

Fresh from the fields.

ANSWER: TWO AND SIX

Make the most of them while they’re here!

ANSWER: TWO AND SIX

For more recipes visit perlas.co.nz or wilcoxgoodness.co.nz 14335

Rural Living — November-December 2016 — 23

www.ruralliving.co.nz ANSWER: ONE AND THREE

ANSWER: ONE AND THREE

Words for the

birds & bees

D

on’t suggest we tell you about the birds and the bees and the flowers and the trees, and asking old Mr Cole is a waste of time too! However, ask Ian Morton from Creative Woodcraft for a few tips about attracting birds and bees into the garden and you won’t be left to figure it out on your own. ◆◆Going native: native plants can help turn your garden into a veritable larder for bees. In turn, they will keep you fed by pollinating fruit trees and vegetables ◆◆Go, go bio: beneficial insects, which prey on pests, can clear the way for bees to feed. Consider introducing lady bugs (for example) which gobble down such nasties as aphids, mites, white flies, and scale insects ◆◆Location, location, location: warm homes, house happy (and productive) bees. As bees pollinate early in the day, houses should be situated where they will receive early morning (but not all day) sun.

Mount houses on a stable surface – such as a wall or fence. ◆◆Feed their needs: it’s a common misconception that birds benefit from a little daily bread. This is best avoided.

Birds’ dietary requirements can vary depending on their species; sugar water being particularly good for nectar feeding birds such as tui, bellbirds and waxeyes, for example. ◆◆Right at home: birds of many a feather will flock to your garden if appropriate shelter is provided. Install bird houses and water baths to attracted more feathered friends. ◆◆Safety first: cats can climb trees and birds aren’t exactly besties with these beasties! Ensure bird houses and feeders are beyond the reach of cunning felines.

For more hints and tips, as well as plenty of hand-crafted bird and bee houses, see creativewoodcraft.co.nz and beegap.co.nz.

Win! A Beekeeper’s Year Follow three novice beekeepers from setup to sampling the sweeter side of apiary and closing down for the winter. Designed to be an essential introduction to apiary, this book covers equipment required, how to manage hives, and how to keep bees healthy and pest and disease-free. Complete with charts and photos, A Beekeeper’s Year is ideal for anyone looking to turn their backyard into a hive of activity.

Rural Living has a copy of this book to give away.

To be in to win, simply complete the entry form at ruralliving.co.nz/competitions. One entry per person/ email address; entries close December 31, 2016.

Winner notified by phone or email. ◆◆Janet Luke: A Beekeeper’s Year | RRP $29.99 | New Holland

Engineering Supplies & Service • Bearings & Seals • Steel Sales • FASTENINGS – all types • Chains & Sprockets • Galvanised & High Tensile Chain • Wire Rope • V-Belts • TOOLS • Manufacture of replacement machine parts

Rabbit Control is fast, efficient and achievable Coastal Pest Solutions are working in your community – trapping, shooting, poisoning and dog work. Non toxic rabbit control is available.

• Possums • Rabbits & Hares • Ferrets, Stoats & Weasels • Rats & Mice • Feral Cats • Goats • Pigs • Deer • Pest Bird Control • Wasps

Protect your land and environment from all animal pests, call us today!

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

24 — Rural Living — November-December 2016

Email: info@coastalpestsolutions.co.nz • www.coastalpestsolutions.co.nz 11655

Since 1957

www.ruralliving.co.nz

. . .

E D INSI As our region booms it pays to turn over a new leaf and investigate what leading local businesses are doing to stay up with the play.

See inside for inspiring better business stories.

BABY LOVE! Parents-to-be can be justifiably excited by the opening of Baby on the Move Pukekohe – a onestop-shop for all those items every precious infant needs.

INTERIOR STYLE! Seeking a complete new look or just some special touches for the home calls for a visit to KOKO Classics outlet store in Drury where it’s all about gorgeous, vintage, industrial and classic interiors.

GOODIES GALORE! Christmas is coming and beautiful Country Style Gifts and Homewares, in the heart of Pukekohe, is packed with luxurious personal items, boudoir surprises, contemporary fashion and decorative pieces to please. www.ruralliving.co.nz

It’s a Matter of Trust

At your service across Franklin W

elcome to another Franklin Business Showcase – the ideal opportunity for local businesses, and those beyond our border, to tell readers of the great opportunities available to them across a wide range of retail, commercial and professional services.

Many company owners are also local residents, some residing in Franklin for a number of years. These are people who believe passionately in the services and goods they provide and say they genuinely want to ensure Franklin people receive the best in every way possible.

In this issue, we feature superior companies such as Supreme Organisers, Pukekohe Decorators and Door Finishes, Baby on the Move, Tuakau Quality Meats, Country Style Gifts and Homewares, Koko Classics and Baby on the Move.

So why traipse to the city or go miles in every direction looking for the right company to meet your needs when there is every likelihood you’ll find it here, on your own doorstep, among professionals who believe they empathise best with local requirements?

Readers will find a cavalcade of useful information ranging from ways to improve their homes inside and out to quality childcare and many other useful services.

Close at hand so they are easy to access, Franklin businesses cover virtually every requirement.

For those building new or considering renovating check out Nick Bosanac Builders and if in need of quality childcare you will find it at Suits and Gumboots Country Daycare.

All readers need do, is pick up the phone and call them or, alternatively, log on to individual websites where they can see a full update of team members, services and goods offered plus buying opportunities such as shopping carts, special deals and other information.

Everyone from rural residents through to townspeople can benefit from learning more about companies that believe they bring the very best service to the area and which pride themselves on their integrity and the fact that they the offer quality products and well know the region’s demographic and needs.

But, first, take a look through the Showcase, read the stories behind many able companies, see if the service you require is here and if you don’t need it today, file away the magazine for day when you do need it – Franklin is home to some of the best!

Rural Living — November-December 2016 — 25

Clutter and mess causing distress?

Collette Barker

An eXciting new business is helPing locAls with An Age-old Problem – decluttering And household orgAnisAtion

C

ollette Barker, a master organiser at Supreme Organising, is giving help where previously there was very little. While the role of professional organising has been showcased by horror stories seen on foreign reality TV shows such as Hoarders (and that does make up a small part of the work they do), professional organising is really the secret weapon of everyday people.

It’s wonderful to think how privileged we are to amass the mountain of possessions that we do. But, when that collection grows and starts to overwhelm us, it becomes a problem that needs addressing. Most people use skilled professionals to cut their hair, fix the car and to make their clothes because it’s faster and cheaper to get the job done by someone who knows how to achieve the best results.

In our busy lives time is at a premium. Urgent things just keep coming at us and life can get in the way. Sometimes the process of making those hundreds of decisions, one after the other, creates so much anxiety that the job is never finished.

As a result you end up feeling worse and in a bigger mess, than at the outset. In fact, sometimes it means you avoid having visitors because there’s just too much to tidy up before they arrive.

In cases where two or more people, with varying levels of personal organisation are working in the same space, it often helps to have someone objective in the middle to avoid straining a valuable relationship. While there have been many books written on the subject of organising, a book can fall short whereas a personal coach can stand beside you, see the whole picture and navigate you all the way to the finish line.

Is it about throwing all your stuff away to become a different person? No! A professional organiser can help you develop new skills and create order where it was previously lacking. And, it’s not about perfection either because perfection is the enemy of progress. It’s about fitting the life YOU want into the space YOU have.

A large part of the process is creating systems to keep the order

26 — Rural Living — November-December 2016

so you don’t end up back where you started. What’s more, there are individual processes and varying needs, so no ‘one size fits all’.

The benefits go further than just a tidy space. Clearing the clutter in your physical space also helps clear the clutter in your mind and in relationships too. Imagine feeling calmer, more in control and more able to focus on the things in life that really matter.

No more searching for things, or having to buy a new item because you just can’t remember where you placed the one you already owned.

What would you do with the extra time, money and sanity Collette can save you?

If you need help call: Phone Collette Barker 027 415 4744 Email collette@supremeorganising.co.nz www.supremeorgansing.co.nz www.ruralliving.co.nz

The bold and beautiful A ‘must visit’ store with a ‘must have’ collection!

T

here’s nothing more exciting than re-inventing space – in the home or workplace. Regardless of whether decor is tired, dated, cluttered or just plain boring or you have a brand new footprint to work with, there’s one place that offers inspiration galore.

KOKO Classics is well known in the interiors world, and Franklin locals are extra lucky to have an outlet store right in the heart of Drury Village. This treasure trove of rare and original pieces is packed with designer style at enviable prices not available at the flagship store in Newmarket.

While primarily focused on end of lines, ex-shop floor and original pieces, shoppers will still discover market-leading interior solutions with the emphasis on incomparable industrial and classicinspired furniture and homewares to ensure highly individual outcomes.

Director Miles Frizzell says the KOKO Classics vision has always been to provide unique concepts and designs.

“Subsequently it’s not hard to find eclectic, clever combinations among our range of ever-evolving products from around the world.

And no space is forgotten – bedroom, living, dining, outdoors, foyer, office and beyond.”

Miles says KOKO Classics combines an eclectic but refined aesthetic of industrial and vintage-inspired pieces, such as reclaimed elm dining tables, leather sofas, occasional chairs, cowhide rugs, iron industrial entertainment units and coffee tables to rare accessories for indoors or out.

“We are a family-run business and understand the need to combine comfort with class whether customers are seeking opulent elegance, rustic charm or contemporary creativity,” he says.

“Importantly, our products come from all over the globe – antiques from Europe and India, cowhides from Brazil, reindeer skins from Finland and luxurious sheepskins from Iceland, Arctic rabbit fur throws and a myriad of ‘gems’ from India, China, Europe, America and more.”

Koko Classics Outlet Store, 232 Great South Road, Drury (between Mobil Fuel Station and the Drury Butcher) Hours: Mon-Sat, 11am-6pm. Ph 09 378 6451

14559

OUTLET

www.ruralliving.co.nz

Rural Living — November-December 2016 — 27

Extraordinary daycare frAnKlin And north wAiKAto Are well Known As ‘suits And gumboots’ country but those thinKing thAt eQuAtes to lifestyle fArmers with city Jobs should thinK AgAin becAuse, As scores of locAls Know, suits And gumboots is All About the two country dAy cAre centres winning heArts in PoKeno And te KAuwhAtA.

J

ason and Tarina Moorefield’s, vision, hard work and desire to give children the best possible start in life can be credited with the success of Suits and Gumboots Country Day Care with centres in Te Kauwhata and Pokeno.

Creative indoor and outdoor spaces, a welcoming ambience and, of course, an curriculum which allows children to explore, create and be challenged are all part of an environment that is winning praise from both parents and children.

28 — Rural Living — November-December 2016

A Te Kauwhata local for more than 22 years, Tarina says she and Jason opened their local Suits and Gumboots Country Day Care just over five years ago. “Then as the Pokeno Village Estate began to grow, welcoming many young families to the area, there was definitely a need for quality day care there,” Tarina says.

“We believed our business model and values, coupled with a rural-based philosophy, could be successfully replicated into the explosive growth being enjoyed at Pokeno.”

www.ruralliving.co.nz

Two and a half years ago the 368 sq m centre was still in the planning stages, a year later it had opened and, like Suits and Gumboots Te Kauwhata, it struck a chord with families.

Known for its bacon and ice creams, Pokeno has seen rapid growth over the past three years. When State Hwy 1 was diverted away from the village 14 years ago some people doubted the village would survive but Tarina says its strategic location to Auckland and the Waikato and new subdivisions make it a sound choice for families looking to the future.

“It is handy to Pukekohe with all its facilities and Pokeno itself is set to receive a new supermarket and added amenities in the near future.”

With so many “suits and gumboots” families moving from the city to the area, it was inevitable that a childcare centre, appropriately called “Suits and Gumboots Country Day Care” would naturally become a part of the development.

Typically, Suits & Gumboots people are family households aged 35-54 years, some with school aged children, who tend to live on lifestyle properties on the outskirts of cities rather than on actual farms. They often commute to the city and work in professional or technical occupations. Pokeno’s semi-rural community, with affordable housing and not too far from work or town, has proved a fit for many who fall into this category.

Both centres proactively take the children into the community making connections with local schools, businesses and community groups. “Our team values a whanaungatanga (family orientated) feel to the centre and we see it as a hub that brings people together,” says Tarina, whose own community commitment has included being a volunteer St John ambulance officer for 17 years before she swapped to the volunteer fire service three years ago.

The curriculum at Suits and Gumboots Country Day Care is largely based on child-led learning. The teachers use the “Notice, Recognise, Respond” planning method to identify the children’s interests and offer opportunities to extend those interests where possible.

They incorporate 12 foundational topics throughout the year which involve common subjects such as sun safety, personal hygiene, fire safety and Matariki. These foundational topics are happening in the background alongside the current interests of the children. “We welcome enquiries at any time and are happy for parents considering Suits and Gumboots for their child or children to arrange a visit. Just give us a call and meet our team of teaching staff.”

Today, the Moorfield’s philosophy is simple. At Suits and Gumboots Country Day Care the children learn about their identity – who am I and where do I come from?; belonging (where do I fit in the world) and fostering respective relationships with themselves, family, the community and the environment.

Working on building relationships has been a key focus for the centre over the past 12 months. The children have commenced visits to Pokeno School, liaised with other community groups and even invited many friends of the community to visit and play. www.ruralliving.co.nz

Suits and Gumboots Country Daycare 12 Helenslee Rd, Pokeno. Phone 0800 464656 www.suitsandgumboots.co.nz Rural Living — November-December 2016 — 29

carol adds style to country living

F

irst impressions may be “cute and little on the outside” but Country Style Gifts and Homewares, tucked neatly into 60 King Street Pukekohe, is big on charm with a wealth of irresistible homewares and exquisite gift ideas. Owner, Carol Walker, has cleverly brought together an eclectic selection to satisfy everyone ranging from interior finishing touches to personal pampering.

This beautiful store is greatly admired ad a true destination shop for locals and visitors. Whether it’s a fabulous scarf, colourful jewellery, a cool cotton nightgown, or a stylish merino wrap, fashionistas will be surprised to find a selection of individual and incomparable garments in the mix - although they will have to be quick as the latest delivery was snapped up within a week.

Country Style was established 28 years ago and was originally around the corner on Queen Street until relocating some three years ago to its current location on Pukekohe’s main street.

Favourite items include Blunt umbrellas, Morris and James pottery, MOR bodycare, Crabtree & Evelyn body care and food, gorgeous bed linen and mohair throws, Swarovski earrings in stunning colour choices, and delicious chocolates from Devonport Chocolates and Bennetts of Mangawhai. New clutch purses and handbags from Olga Berg are a perfect choice for discerning shoppers.

Country Style also offers New Zealand-themed Christmas decorations including flat pack Christmas trees – ideal to tuck into a card – a great selection of “Secret Santa” gifts, and stylised pohutukawa-design scarves at just $20 each which are proving to be a best seller.

The store also has crackers and serviettes and is known for its greeting card selection. Gourmet gift baskets, complimentary wrapping, gift exchange cards and gift vouchers are also available.

Carol and her assistant Diane Hunt, enjoy catching up with their regulars and welcoming new customers. So “for style in the country” make a beeline for Country Style – you won’t be disappointed!

Ange (centre) joined by some of the staff at Baby On The Move, Pukekohe.

all you need for baby

“W

e’re having a baby” is the kind of announcement that sends ecstatic couples and their families into ‘nursery mode’ – stocking up on all the things a precious newborn will need. And the place to go in Franklin is Baby On the Move Pukekohe, part of a nationwide franchise, with access to great deals and exclusive products.

This superb store, in the Mega Centre, Manukau Rd is packed with quality products including well-known, reputable brands.

It’s a one-stop-baby-shop for baby capsules, toddler seats, buggies, strollers, cots, high chairs, toys, baby carriers and more.

What’s more, owners Mike and Ange Hook know their products inside and out so whether parents decide to rent items or buy new, they can help – “we’re always happy to put together a competitive baby package to suit individual needs,” Ange says. “I’m especially excited by our product range with its emphasis on quality, safe child seats. Because it is extremely important to have child restraints installed correctly, we have gone through vigorous training to become certified restraint technicians and we offer FREE installation on all car seats purchased from our store. Importantly, we leave nothing to chance – remember not all car seats fit all cars.”

To ensure safety, Ange encourages parents to try before they buy – an exclusive service for parents purchase a car seat from Baby on the Move. As parents of a young infant themselves, Mike and Ange like to spend time with parents, going over products and answering questions so they can make an informed choice on items.

Importantly, they will also advise on other products such as finding the right buggy. “Parents sometimes go through several strollers before they find the one that best suits their needs. We’re there to help them make the right choice.”

Hire or buy new, the choice is yours.

Baby On The Move Pukekohe stocks high quality, well known brands, and our rental equipment is cleaned and maintained to the highest standard.

Car Seats Buggies >> Strollers

Country Style Gifts & Homewares 60 King Street, Pukekohe Phone 09 238 3320 Email sales@countrystylegifts.co.nz www.countrystylegifts.co.nz 30 — Rural Living — November-December 2016

Bassinets and Cots Breast Pumps >> Baby Carriers

Highchairs Portacots >> Exersaucers

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

Every $ spent inst25 ore earns $1! ,

09 963 1898 / www.babyonthemove.co.nz

ing Every th ed for yo u n e a n d yo u a by yo u r b

PUKEKOHE Unit 6, Pukekohe Mega Centre, 182 - 196 Manukau Road, Pukekohe.. Email pukekohe@babyonthemove.co.nz.

OPEN Monday to Saturday, 9.30am - 4.00pm or by appointment.

14562

www.ruralliving.co.nz

Pig of the litter for Christmas W

hile a certain colonel may have kept his secret recipe a secret, there’s at least one ingredient which goes into Jim Smyth’s specialty which is widely known. “What’s the secret to my ham glaze? A healthy portion of care and attention.

Sorry, but that’s all you’ll get from me on the subject!” he laughs.

He may not be prepared to dish out the details about his hams, but the experienced butcher is more than willing to serve up top cuts a-plenty, particularly as the festive season draws near. However, locals looking for Jim to employ his home kill skills best call him quick! “If you’re planning on a festive feast, book early. We usually do about four or five beasts a week, but demand goes through the roof come Christmas,” he advises. “About half of our trade comes from people with a few animals who’re wanting to stock their freezers. I guess it’s become such a feature of our business simply because we provide a quick, clean, effective and (importantly) humane service.”

Luckily, townies too can ensure their goose (or turkey, chicken or even deer!) will be cooked come Christmas because Tuakau Quality Meats stocks every product and every cut one would expect from a top class butcher’s shop.

And, as for what exactly makes Jim’s ham glaze so good, well, because he’s still not talking, there’s only one way those who are yet to try it will ever find out! “To see what’s in stock, and, often enough, fresh off the block, pay us a visit at 23 George Street here in Tuakau.

We’ll be happy to discuss your needs and ensure you have a very merry, and full-filling, Christmas!”

Fine finish, right start W

hen just one door closes it opens a world of opportunity because, although Mike Watson may not finish first, he’s sure to provide the finest of finishes! “With some jobs, speed can be of the essence but, when it comes to providing superior results, there’s no substitute for care and attention,” explains Mike, director of Pukekohe Decorators & Door Finishers. “We can provide all sorts of solutions, assisting with almost any type of painting work, but one thing’s the same with every job we undertake, and that’s our dedication and attention to detail.”

From seamless finishes in painting and plastering, to wallpaper hanging over more than a decade, Mike and his team have developed a reputation for the quality of their work on residential and commercial premises throughout Franklin, greater Auckland and northern Waikato. “We’re kept pretty busy, there’s no doubt about that!” Mike exclaims. “I guess, from our free, no-obligation quotes, to covering furniture and flooring while we work and removing all waste materials when we leave, we’ve been providing a comprehensive service. As with the smallest of details, people notice and appreciate our efforts.”

TUAKAU QUALITY MEATS

Family owned and operated

Photo Wayne Martin

Christmas bells are ringing in the orders for festive hams from Tuakau Quality Meats. Smoked, cooked or ready for the oven – full of flavour, low on water content and big enough to feed the family! Don’t delay, place your order now – Jim and his team are at the block ready to deliver. Also ask about our famous sausages, lamb, beef and pork roasts for holiday feasting and our own cured and smoked bacon – home kill service available too. Tuakau Quality Meats – specialising in traditional meat and meat products – a cut above the rest and service with a smile!

09 236 8732

Painting and Decorating

Homes/Commercial – Roof Painting Kitchen Spray Painting – Stopping Wallpapering – Airless Spraying Doors – Pools 103c Manukau Road, Pukekohe

Tuakau Quality Meats, 23 George Street, Tuakau.

Phone 09 236 8732 14526

www.ruralliving.co.nz

Pukekohe Decorators & Door Finishers Ltd

12509

Bevan, Jo-Ann and Jim Smyth.

And, as the company carries liability insurance and strictly adheres to OSH guidelines, work will be conducted in a safe environment, adds Mike. “There’s no need for our customers to dwell on a crack or shoddy painting; once our team is finished, no detail will go overlooked.” For a top quality finish, begins by calling Mike and team (09 238 1163) or visiting www.doorfinishers.co.nz.

P. 09 238 1163 E.WATSONS5@IHUG.CO.NZ W. WWW.DOORFINISHERS.CO.NZ Rural Living — November-December 2016 — 31

Building Beautiful Futures QUALITY - DISTINCTIVE - TIMELESS

We offer your family...

Off plan & custom built homes Renovations & additions Alterations & small projects

Get in touch today...

32 — Rural Living — November-December 2016 027 458 3038 www.bosanacbuilders.co.nz

We build forever ho

mes.

www.ruralliving.co.nz 12934

Couple inspire trust F

ranklin is growing – fast! New subdivisions are everywhere making it one of the most exciting places to live right now.

That’s because there’s also a real sense of community built on a belief that this part of the SuperCity is a wonderful place to live and raise a family, to retire and enjoy the leisure years or to seek new business opportunities as industry expands too.

Local company, Nick Bosanac Builders is proud to be a part of this growth ensuring its new builds and renovations are of the highest standard. Nick (the construction expert) and wife Kylie, (the admin guru) say their guiding principle – Building Beautiful Futures – has three-fold meaning: n To create beautiful homes where their clients’ futures can unfold n To build futures for their company family to grow with them n To make positive contributions for the wider community

If you answered, ‘yes’ to any of these, then it’s considered Restricted Building Work. This means it needs to be designed and carried out by a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) or other relevant qualified tradesperson and council input may be required.

“So, before you DIY, consider your time, and the impact on your partner and family. Weigh-up the task vs. the potential cost of disaster and remember, it’s better to prepare and prevent, than repair and repent!’

Nick suggests DIY (unless highly skilled) be avoided when it comes to additions, remodels, cladding, roofing, foundations, insulation, carpet, exterior paint, plastering or health & safety measures. And for those who want to avoid mistakes and have a professional do the job, then he says the team at Nick Bosanac Builders knows its stuff.

“We are an independent building firm, and a family business,” Nick says. “This means clients work with the same great team from start to finish and we will build to any plan. We believe your home should be a reflection of who you are, where you have come from and where you want to go.”

A fourth generation builder, Nick grew up inspired by the opulent, architecture of Detroit’s golden era. During his apprenticeship he worked for Walbridge, the biggest construction firm in Michigan State with jobs taking him to residential and commercial sites including football and baseball stadiums and state of the art skyscrapers. He also worked on restoring the original Ford factory museum and the Henry Ford township of Greenfield Village.

For most people, a home will be their most expensive purchase.

Nick believes such an investment should be made with a company who understands exactly what the client is looking for when it comes to lifestyle, family needs, and the future. “Building a home can be daunting but we aim to make it easy by having all the resources to help you achieve your goals,” he says. “We can help design your dream home or, alternatively, bring us your plans; we are well equipped to ensure your new home, renovation or addition is just as you want it.”

When the opportunity to work in New Zealand arose, he jumped at the chance! Here, in Pukekohe, he met Kylie and, as well as falling in love with the country, he fell in love with the girl! “New Zealand and, of course, Franklin is a wonderful place to live and raise a family,” says Kylie. “What’s more, having also become totally committed to the business, I just love the opportunity to work with locals and new residents who want their houses to be homes.

Well aware that many people have DIY skills and may feel they can do a renovation job for themselves, Nick warns: “Rules and regulations have changed a lot in recent years. It’s important to do your homework before rushing into a job which could turn into a logistical nightmare if paperwork is wrong or Worksafe requirements are overlooked.”

When it comes to the big jobs Nick says it pays to ask yourself: Will I…. n Need an architect? n Compromise weather tightness? n Want to change/add to the structure of my home? n Need to alter/add plumbing or electrical work? www.ruralliving.co.nz

“Our shared passion is to create special spaces which will eventually be filled with exceptional moments and memories.”

To talk building or renovating call Nick Bosanac Builders today or pop into their new showroom 31a Rangi Road, Takanini, Open Mon-Fri, 9am-2.30pm or by arrangement.

Phone 021 989 636 Email nick@bosanacbuilders.co.nz www.facebook.com/nickbosanacbuilder/ www.bosanacbuilders.co.nz

Nick and Kylie Bosanac Rural Living — November-December 2016 — 33

Win!

To enter the draw for any of these competitions visit ruralliving.co.nz, click on the competitions link then fill in the form. One entry per person/email address; entries close December 31, 2016. Winner notified by phone or email.

WIN! VEGGIE SPIRALIZER

WIN! DALTONS CONTROLLED RELEASE FERTILISER Gardeners will be very happy with the new Daltons Controlled Release Fertiliser exclusive to The Warehouse. This ultimate fertiliser with 7 in 1 organics takes the hassle out of monthly fertilising by delivering plant nutrients efficiently over a six-month period. Seven organic ingredients have been combined into one pellet which is mixed in with Osmocote and wetting agent, Zeolite). Rural Living has three tubs of Daltons Controlled Release Fertiliser (RRP $18 each) to give away PLUS a pair of Red Back gardening gloves from Omni Products.

Every chef appreciates a helpmate and George Foreman has punched out the perfect kitchen companion – a standalone, electric spiralizer ideal for creating vegetable and fruit ribbons, noodles, slices and spirals. Black with a chrome trim, it features dishwasher safe parts, a 1.35L container (with lid), four blades and a motor, which performs up to four times faster than manual spiralising to make meal preparation easy. The good news is Rural Living has one George Foreman Veggie Spiralizer (RRP $189.99) up for grabs – will you be the lucky winner?

WIN! $60 SOUS CHEF DELI VOUCHERS Most Kiwis know about Simon Gault’s prowess as an internationally acclaimed chef, his association with Masterchef NZ and his connection to a number of successful restaurants. And, locally, anyone who has visited Sous Chef Deli in Spartan Rd, Takanini will also know Simon has another winner is this store which stocks gorgeous pantry products out of Italy as well as France and Spain and carries Simon’s Home Cuisine range of homewares. Now Rural Living is giving readers a chance to win $60 worth of Sous Chef vouchers and the opportunity to explore this great outlet!

Win! Betty Crocker pack

WIN! REVITALISING DAY CREAM SPF15 Beauty-savvy readers know a regular skin care regime will help keep their skin looking great all year round. Manuka Doctor ApiNourish Revitalising Day Cream SPF15 (RRP $49.95) is designed to deliver the perfect balance of intense hydration, protection from the sun by way of the SPF15 inclusion, and nourishment to your skin.

Containing active ingredients including Purified Bee Venom (PBVTM), UMF 18+ Manuka honey and royal jelly, as well as shea butter and vitamin E, this day cream works to boost moisture levels, stimulate natural collagen formation and restore the skin’s elasticity. Rural Living has a 50ml jar to give away.

34 — Rural Living — November-December 2016

These days, there may be few who look like Donna Reed, but at least we can all claim to cook like Betty Crocker, thanks to the American brand’s handy packs of baking mix. Even in a little kitchen, it’s reasonably easy to rustle up a batch of Triple Chocolate Fudge Brownies before snuggling in to watch Lucy (or Shortland Street) with a cuppa.

Decadent, moist and chewy, these sweet desserts (RRP $5.99 per 500g pack) are available from supermarkets nationwide. However, Rural Living has THREE packs to give away to one lucky reader!

Win! Give a Man a Horse Some would contest that Sir Patrick Hogan, (one of the world’s leading figures in the bloodstock industry), enjoyed the luck of the Irish after selecting a certain young stallion sight-unseen. However, as this book recounts, the Cambridge Stud owner relied on much more than good luck in ensuring his ill-tempered Irish mount (aka Sir Tristram) would become a champion.

Originally published in 2007, Give a Man a Horse has been updated in a new edition as this compelling tale carries on. ◆ Dianne Haworth: Give a Man a Horse | RRP $39.99 | HarperCollins NZ www.ruralliving.co.nz

Artistic style Angela’s trademark

Angela relaxes at home in her winning conservatory.

Photos Wayne Martin

Room with a view

best in country Rural Living contributor ANGELA KEMP found herself in the news after being named supreme winner in the NZ House and Gardens Interior of the Year competition. By bringing the outside in she created a green oasis in her rural home.

N

obody could have been more surprised than Angela when her name was announced as this year’s winner of the country’s prestigious interior design competition run

by NZ House and Gardens. She still finds it hard to believe her small conservatory caught the judges’ eye.

True it’s not on a grand scale, contains just a couple of wicker chairs and a coffee table in the way of furniture – well, that’s Angela’s modest assessment – but it’s packed with a heck of a lot of plants.

“The plants are the thing. I took inspiration from the Wintergardens at Auckland Domain and set out to create an exotic sanctuary where we could relax and read especially on a stormy day,” she said.

Angela, and husband Geoff, a senior lecturer at the University of Auckland, had the conservatory built when they moved to their Pukekawa villa five years ago.

“It had always been my dream to have a conservatory and it’s the favourite room in the house especially over winter when it’s full of orchids, palms, bromeliads, ferns and anything else I can squeeze in,” she says.

“There is a stone water feature which is a focal point and a colourful rug I bought at Trade Aid in Pukekohe which seemed to impress.”

And, that might be a bit of an

www.ruralliving.co.nz

understatement as the judges applauded Angela’s originality and creativity describing the room as, “truly a world apart”.

Angela entered her room in the ‘out of the ordinary’ category whose finalists included another Franklin resident, Mark Eisig of Hunua.

Mark’s entry was a 100-year-old railway worker’s hut he moved onto his farm which he rents out for a “glamping” experience.

Judges called it “a tiny, perfectly formed space. Mark has created an adults’ playhouse; a bolt-hole for a fun weekend”.

But it was Angela who beat all-comers including the winners of the living room, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and indoor/ outdoor categories to carry off the supreme award.

She won a luxury stay at The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs, Northland and a $1000 cash prize but says she is most pleased to have received the winners’ trophies made by Canterbury glass artist, Lorraine Natusch.

“The trophies are glass houses, one in a colour called rhubarb which looks peach in natural light but transforms to a glorious lime green under certain light. The other is pink which also magically changes colour.

“Lorraine couldn’t have known it at the time, but she was making glass houses for a glass house winner and that gives me the biggest thrill of all.”

Angela Kemp says she decorates her home much the same way an artist creates a painting – layer by layer. “There’s usually something that I love the most about a particular room and that’s my starting point. In the conservatory it was the water feature which immediately made the room extra special. The gentle sound of trickling water is very soothing.

“All I did was add lots of greenery but I layered it up by placing large palms at the back down to flowering pot plants on the floor.

The effect is lush and just a teeny bit like the Wintergardens I was trying to replicate.”

In the evening it is lit by table lamps and is the first thing you see when arriving at the property.

“On a winter night it’s shines out like a welcoming lighthouse, both magical and serene.”

Unlike most other finalists in the NZ House and Garden Interior of the Year competition, Angela isn’t an interior designer, nor has she had any training. “I feel very humbled to be judged alongside some of the most talented professionals in the country and still can’t believe I won.”

Amateur she may be but Angela’s designs must have the X-factor as she was also a finalist in last year’s competition in the ‘Creative Space’ category. She entered her living room which judges called “a joyfully eclectic mix of colours and treasures, we loved everything about it”.

Of special note was the large window seat in the bay window which was upholstered in bright chevron and teal floral fabrics, a perfect spot for lounging with a book while gazing down the valley towards Onewhero.

Needless to say, Angela’s love of decorating means the room now looks entirely different and she is already thinking about entering it in next year’s awards.

“For me, decoration is never complete, it’s ever evolving.

But it always has to be warm, comfortable and welcoming. We live in a home not a show house.”

Rural Living — November-December 2016 — 35

We’re on the move...

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

CITY LASS

w

hat a difference four weeks makes. In our case, we made a major decision this month that it was time to sell our home. Just the right time we thought. We have lived here for 21 years and it has been fabulous, allowing us to achieve all the things we wanted when we settling in the country.

Sometimes, it’s hard to explain to people that although the house was built in the 1980’s there isn’t a wall, or anything else, that is the same as that which we bought all those years ago.

Back in 1995 we lived on an acre of land on Ormiston Road, Flat Bush. At that time, Ormiston Road was in the country but the acre of land didn’t allow Brian to follow his dream of having a broodmare.

Then, my brother-in-law, who was in real estate, rang to say he had found a property we might like in Runciman Road.

We drove in the gate and that was that, I had to have it!

Our Ormiston house was not yet on the market but with a six month settlement available on the new place we thought all would be fine. So we made an unconditional offer.

Typically, our Ormiston property took seven months to sell so there was a lot of stress before all was finally done.

The property cost more than we really had to spend so I promised Brian that all

Reay and Brian’s beautiful home and acreage – a far cry from what it was 21 years ago.

See advertisement page 55.

the house needed was a bit of paint and papering.

Six months was a long time to ponder on this so, I secretly contacted our friendly architect and showed him the plans of the original house.

I still have the fax (from 21 years ago) on his thoughts about what we could do and a note on the bottom – ‘ For C ....sake Reay, don’t let Brian see this!’ And, with that, he had included a great sketch of his vision.

Two years later plans were drawn up for the first of many alterations to the house.

Over time, we have added more than a thousand square feet and not one wall is in its original place. We love the property but the house, thanks to me, is now too big and with everything done I would like one more challenge.

The friendly architect, who has overseen

every change to this house, and two previous houses, will hopefully have one more hurrah in him to do another house, albeit on a smaller scale. This time I will keep my promise to Brian and not go mad with changes.

But, honestly, the rubbish that we have collected over 21 years is just ridiculous.

We have been filling up garbage bags with the help of my Waiau Pa friend who is the best throw away person I know – she has been a godsend.

I thought I had cleared out the dressing room but she took one look and suddenly five more rubbish bags were filled. I think everyone needs a friend like her as she just says it how it is and after 45 years of friendship I think we understand each other pretty well. Where to from here?

Who knows. But one thing’s for sure – we are not leaving the area!

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Summer fling!

The Liann Bellis Spring/Summer 2016/17 collection includes the The Patriot, reacquainting fashionistas with a sartorial favourite – romantic summer dressing.

Fresh-looking florals, soft ruffles and bold colour are a reminder of the warmer months ahead. The ‘ethnic dress’ is a vivacious midi-length dress designed with a botanic motif in a burnt orange and bright persimmon hue.

Pair with crisp white sneakers, strappy sandals or a leather slide to create an effortless, en vogue look in tune with the effervescent spirit of summer.

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Rural Living — November-December 2016 — 37

An artist

on the wire

When tourists flock to the Manukau Heads, they will often stop for a photo op’. As a result, work by one local artist will likely be been seen in albums around the world.

JON RAWLINSON spoke with Brenda Vester, a rural woman who takes a No.8 wire approach to creativity.

T

get great comments about the sculptures,” he phrase ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ she says. does not apply to Brenda Vester’s While, initially, I’d stopped to take a home on Grahams Beach Road. closer look at the boat, it is sculptures that Blissfully unaware of how far I’m really here to see. Fashioned from wire, I’d travelled during a spring day on the they began life when inspiration shone... picturesque Awhitu Peninsula, I see the from a lighthouse. skeletal shell of a boat high above sea level “Late last year, the [Manukau Heads] and simply have to stop.

Lighthouse trustees were looking for I soon realise, while rattling off shots on sculptures by locals. I really wanted to my point-and-squirt camera, that I’m in enter something but, at that time, I hadn’t the right place all along. Brenda greets me even begun making any. A couple of weeks warmly at her front gate.

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Left: Princess Diana. Above (LtoR): a work in progress by Ollie, and the Unknown Sailor at Manukau Heads Lighthouse. Photos Jon Rawlinson & Wayne Martin

Figuratively speaking, a project intended to be a pot plant holder took on a life of its own, becoming (quite literally) a figure.

“The first sculpture almost started designing itself! I began seeing that the bowl was taking on the shape of a human head.

“Then, I created the spine, the arms, the skeletal figure of a person and it’s now one of my sculptures at the Lighthouse.”

Known as the Forgotten Sailor, Brenda’s first sculpture stands as a poignant reminder to visitors that behind an area of extraordinary beauty lies a tempestuous and tragic history.

“The reason I chose the Forgotten Sailor for the lighthouse is that there have been a lot of lives lost over the years at the Manukau Heads. I think it’s important to remind visitors of this. The lighthouse is a really busy tourist attraction; it’s an honour to think so many people have seen my work.”

Her next piece (which is also at the Lighthouse) saw Brenda draw on her youngest daughter, Katie, as muse and model.

In total, this passionate sculptress has fashioned approximately 16 wire works to date, mostly life-sized representations of celebrities and specific people, whom she knows personally.

Included in her collection are: Princess Dianna; tennis star, Novak Ðjokovic; herself and her children. Among them is a figure of her younger son, who tragically passed away in 1999. She says the process of making this sculpture was particularly therapeutic.

“It definitely helped. Having a sculpture of someone you’ve lost is a comfort, a great way to keep the memories alive.

When I make any of these sculptures, it’s like I’m connecting with them; it’s quite an unusual feeling.”

One of Brenda’s most treasured pieces, of Jesus Christ, was on display www.ruralliving.co.nz

Awhitu Peninsula artist, Brenda Vester, shares her work.

at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Waiuku last Easter weekend. She says it may resume pride of place at the church come Christmas, and she might explore the possibility of entering works into next year’s Franklin Arts Festival.

Brenda is not the only artist in the family. Ollie, her husband, constructs a wide range of woodcrafts ranging from furniture and gifts to funeral urns. A ship’s

Photo Wayne Martin

wheel he produced is also on display at the Lighthouse.

“Ollie’s quite arty as well; I have my wire, he has his timber. Art is really fulfilling; it’s a fantastic hobby. I have a real passion for it and once I start on a piece I just simply can’t stop until it’s finished!”

Pieces by this creative couple are available for sale and both will work on commission.

Rural Living — November-December 2016 — 39

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Amanda Kamani with her sons, Xavier, left, and Tobias.

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14339

hen it comes to staving off a potentially devastating medical condition, a little dab could well do it.

Auckland mum and nurse, Amanda Kamani, says she welcomed an application of a sugar gel for her sons, administered as part of a University of Auckland trial.

“I was really keen. This is an amazing trial because if it works it’ll be so good – if you can give all babies at risk this sugar gel, and then most of them don’t end up with low blood sugar and everything that goes with it, it’s a big step forward,” she says.

According to researchers, as many as a third of babies born in New Zealand are at risk of neonatal hypoglycaemia, which involves a sustained dip in blood sugar levels following birth. Left untreated, it can cause developmental brain damage.

Amanda’s first born son, Tobias (now aged three) took part in a preliminary trial designed to find the best dose of sugar gel to use.

Her second son, Xavier (six months), took part in a larger trial, dubbed hPOD (still underway), comparing dextrose gel with placebo in newborn babies at risk of this condition.

“The gel was rubbed in his mouth and he stayed with mum – I could still hold and cuddle him. Then they tested his blood sugars – a prick on his heel – which they would have done anyway because he was at risk for low blood sugars.”

The preliminary pre-hPOD study has revealed that dextrose gel given an hour after birth can lower newborns’ risk of developing low blood sugar.

Babies born smaller or larger than usual, pre-term babies and babies, whose mothers have any form of diabetes, are particularly vulnerable, says Dr Jane Alsweiler, researcher, senior lecturer at the University of Auckland Medical School and paediatrician at Auckland Hospital.

Low blood sugar often requires babies to go into an intensive or special care unit, separating mother and baby as they are trying to establish breastfeeding in the first days after birth. Currently, there is no established preventative, and many at-risk newborns are given formula, which can disrupt breastfeeding.

“We’re very excited about the results. Using dextrose gel to prevent low blood sugars has the potential to stop babies being separated from their mothers in hospital and to improve their long-term development, without any disruption of breast feeding.”

Amanda adds that pregnant women should consider taking part in the trial. “It has the potential to make such a huge difference for so many babies and their families,” she says.

“Even though it might sound scary, it’s only a little bit of gel; the blood sugar testing they would do anyway. Furthermore, you still get to be the mum and do all the mum things first.”

For see liggins.auckland.ac.nz and search for: hpod-study. www.ruralliving.co.nz

Your dental

Natasha Harris from Alberts Hair Salon, Pukekohe brings you the latest in hair trends from across the globe.

warrant of fItness by yvonne Vannoort, the dentist Just as your car benefits from regular checks, so do your teeth! A regular check of your car keeps it functioning well, avoids inconvenient, and often costly, breakdowns and keeps it running longer.

It’s a similar situation with teeth... a check up can avoid problems that can become costly and painful. A dental WOF checks for decayed and/or cracked teeth or fillings as well as checking all areas of the mouth and the gums.

It’s also important to check other areas such as the jaw joints, wisdom teeth, a cancer check, your bite, medications that affect your teeth, diet and nutrition. X-rays show what is happening in the bone around the teeth and 3D X-rays show more than we’ve been able to see previously. Decayed teeth can often be sorted with a simple filling. If untreated, and left, the tooth may need to be extracted or, if you’re determined to keep the tooth, have a root canal. The earlier we can help the better.

You would think that teeth with cracks in the fillings would be sore, some are, others are not. Those that are not sore will often have decay under and around the broken filling as the tooth is no longer sealed by a filling. These can reach the point of toothache before you know something is wrong and then the tooth may need to be removed.

Teeth with an actual crack in the tooth, rather than a filling, are more likely to be sore to bite on especially if you catch the cracked part with a hard piece of food. They can be sore to hot and cold drinks too. Cracks in teeth are often hard to see.

Sometimes the cracked part of the tooth will fall off. We see this often with teeth that still have mercury-amalgam fillings Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss so we need to identify and treat this as early as we can. Apart from causing smelly breath, gum disease has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, strokes and low birth weight babies. Gums act as a barrier and when they are infected and inflamed, bacteria gets into the blood stream because the barrier has been compromised.

A system that benefits many, is a six-monthly visit to one of our very gentle hygienists with a yearly check by one of our dentists and X-rays mostly two-yearly. Prevention is better than cure – your overall health depends on it!

e

ach summer a woman’s hair goals shift – a new cut and a new colour.

With summer in full swing, it’s natural to want to go blonde. But for those of us that weren’t born with this lovely colour there are a few factors to consider before becoming a blonde bombshell and saying goodbye to brunette. To achieve the most natural blonde, you will need to consider: ◆ skin tone and eye colour – the goal is to achieve a contrast between your hair and your complexion to allow your features to pop. ◆ starting depth and condition, lifestyle, home hair care – the colour process doesn’t stop at the salon! Your new shade requires special care so invest in a sulphate-free, colour-safe formula to cleanse and care for your new blonde locks – our KEVIN.MURPHY washes and rinses will do the trick.

Techniques come and go. Balayage, which was around years ago, is back and hugely on trend.

Rooting is another popular colour technique we love here at Alberts; it’s a bit like someone taking an eyeliner and smudging the root line to blend out the obvious line. Handpainting a shadow on the roots, creates that light-to-dark graduation and helps the colour to soften into the regrowth.

Though we still love creating and seeing the beautiful results for those of you still keen to be a clean bright blonde, we absolutely love Colour.Me by Kevin Murphy.

Life is busy so natural looking, low maintenance blondes and brondes are huge at the moment. With our blonde and bronde clients we are using their natural root colour as much as possible as this reduces the harsh regrowth line.

For clients who need coverage of white hair, we love that the new trend on global colour is multi-dimensional. This means that the hair captures more natural lights and is a lot softer rather than having blanket coverage as in the past.

When it comes to colour, the team at Alberts really know their craft. For appointments please call 09 238 7576.

You should love visiting New client consultation $168 Includes: • Full mouth xray plus two bitewing xrays • Full mouth examination • Treatment planning Contact us now for your appointment

166 King St, Pukekohe • info@thedentistpukekohe.co.nz

Shop 2/23 Hall St, Pukekohe | 09 238 75 76 | www.alberts.co.nz

Ph 09 238 4619 • www.the-dentist-pukekohe.co.nz 13201

www.ruralliving.co.nz

01513

Rural Living — November-December 2016 — 41

Great Southern reads Flying (or should that be fleeing?) south for the summer might be a popular way to escape the ever-reaching clutches of the expanding Super City. However, both hardy outdoors’ sorts and even those content to be at one with the cafe culture can experience a little taste of the majestic scenery the South Island has to offer thanks to such top new and recent releases as these.

So Far, So Good

A Bunk for the Night

From Milford Sound to Nelson Lakes National Park, intrepid photographer, Craig Potton, traversed the Southern Alps during a three-month tramping and mountaineering trip with friends.

Years on, this author, TV presenter and publisher brings his experiences to life. A story of youthful adventure, So Far, So Good reflects on what it means to spend an extended period of time in the wilderness, amidst some of the most magnificent scenery New Zealand has to offer. ◆◆Craig Potton: So Far, So Good | RRP $49.99 | Potton & Burton

Should a city hotel or motel look a little worse for wear, there’s no need to worry; there will be another just around the corner. However, when it comes to backcountry huts, after spending hours or days trekking through the bush, trampers simply have to love the one they’re with!

Fortunately, in A Bunk for the Night, Shaun, Rob and Geoff provide a detailed guide to 200 of the best backcountry huts (in both the North and South Islands), most of which are available for public use.

Featuring well-known tramping huts, to others along paths less travelled, this book is a handy guide for anyone looking

to spend more than just a few hours exploring our great outdoors. ◆◆Shaun Barnett, Rob Brown & Geoff Spearpoint: A Bunk for the Night | RRP $49.99 | Potton & Burton

Merino Country Remaining stationary can be tricky for anyone with itchy feet, but it’s darn near impossible for anyone crossing some of the wildest and wooliest sheep stations of the South Island!

From the towering peaks of the Kaikoura Range in the north, to the glacial waters of Lake Wakatipu in the south, Merino Country takes in some of New Zealand’s

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42 — Rural Living — November-December 2016

www.ruralliving.co.nz

Win!

To be in to win one (or possibly more than one) of these books, enter via ruralliving.co.nz/competitions.

One entry per person/email address (for each book); entries close December 31, 2017. Winners notified by phone or email.

most spectacular high country in a richly illustrated book. ◆ Paul Hersey and Derek Morrison: Merino Country | RRP $60 | Penguin

a way home Forget houses of bricks or sticks, in A Way Home, Jillian tells the inspirational story of one woman’s quest to build a house of straw! After settling in small town Central Otago, with son-in-law Sam as her builder and mentor, Jillian set about building a strawbale house from the ground up, while rebuilding her life in the process. ◆ Jillian Sullivan: A Way Home | RRP $39.99 | Potton & Burton

fiordland

photo journalist shares a collection of photographs which capture a region of remarkable beauty. With this simply-titled book, Andris is liable to inspire a fresh generation of artists as he illustrates why Fiordland continues to draw his focus. ◆ Andris Apse: Fiordland | RRP $79.99 | Potton & Burton

Fascinated by the majestic scenery, but frustrated by his inability to communicate his wonder at ‘discovering’ Fiordland, Andris Apse decided to become a photographer. More than half a century later, this accomplished artist/

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Install & Repair • Head Units • Speakers • Batteries • Amplifiers • Subwoofers etc • Security Alarms • Alternators Rural Living — November-December 2016 — 43

Pet watch!

S the importance of Movement

By Dena Baxter, Suits & Gumboots Country Daycare

T

he freedom to move is perhaps one of the most important things an infant can have. Through movement, infants gain control over their bodies but most importantly, movement stimulates the brain to develop.

New research shows when infants’ brains are stimulated through movement, the connections between neurons are reinforced, strengthening the circuitry of the brain.

Infants are, in fact, entirely capable of learning to move on their own. Newborns’ have reflexes that enable movement.

Their legs naturally push when their feet touch something and their hands grasp when they suck.

As infants grow they have a natural urge to roll over or to rock on their hands and knees. Their bodies strengthen progressively when they are allowed time and space to move on their own.

Refraining from placing infants in positions which they cannot get into themselves, ensures developing bones and muscles become strong enough for new challenges.

Actions such as propping up infants to sit before they can do so themselves is harmful for the spine as it is not yet strong enough to support their body weight.

We are surrounded by advertisements for contraptions for infants e.g. exersaucers, high chairs, jolly jumpers. However, placing little ones in contraptions can place extra strain on their developing bodies.

Now, I hear you asking, “How can I give my baby the freedom of movement needed for him/her to develop in their own time?”

During play time, place your baby on his/her back, on the floor. From here there is freedom to move.

As neurons in the brain connect, your baby will develop control of its body. Bones and muscles will become strong enough to accomplish many different movements and baby will naturally begin to roll, crawl, sit, then walk.

Suits & Gumboots Country Daycare 12 Helenslee Rd, Pokeno.

46 Waerenga Rd, Te Kauwhata Phone 0800 464656 www.suitsandgumboots.co.nz 44 — Rural Living — November-December 2016

ummer’s the time to be out and about but ‘pet detectives’ – curious cats and adventurous dogs – can find themselves in trouble so be sure to check houses and gardens for anything that may cause pets harm. Thanks to their curious nature, both dogs and cats can sniff, lick and chew their way into trouble and at this time of year pollens and grasses can see pets suffering allergies and itchy skin. The SPCA together with Southern Cross Pet Insurance offer the following tips to help keep pets safe and happy over the season: ◆◆Compost: Keep compost free of human foods that are toxic to pets. ◆◆Fertiliser: Use fertiliser that is free of toxins, and make sure pets are indoors when spraying gardens and lawns. ◆◆Slug, snail and rat bait: Keep snail bait out of reach and in a pet proof container. Salt is an alternative or buy pet-friendly baits. ◆◆Poisonous plants: Plant poisoning is fairly common for pets – plants found in many Kiwi gardens such as aloe vera, daffodils and even tomato plants can be toxic for your animals. Check out more harmful plants and keep them out of reach of your pets. ◆◆Harmful litter: Make sure any loose litter items are removed from you property, animals have a way of pushing their noses into open tins and containers while any glasses left lying around can break and cause injury. Also keep electric cords and power cables out of the reach of pets, including rabbits which are renowned for chewing through them.

Despite your most careful attention, pets can still get up to a bit of mischief and sometimes need unexpected visits to the vet.

Pet insurance will help ensure unexpected accidents and illnesses can be taken care of financially. And, remember, if you have any concerns about your pets’ health or behaviour contact your vet for advice.

WIN! Did You Hear a Monster?

When Clarice Caroline hears things which go ‘bump’ in the night, it might just be a monster. Although she’s not the bravest little girl – she always wears her helmet, just in case!

– it turns out she’s more courageous than she thinks, as this book reveals.

Complete with a bonus CD (which features songs by The Little City Critters and a read-along version of the story), Did You Hear a Monster? is a delightfullyillustrated picture book, ideal Rural Living has a copy of this for young readers. book up for grabs. Enter via ◆◆Raymond McGrath: Did eastlife.co.nz. One entry per You Hear a Monster? | RRP person/email address; entries $19.99 | Puffin/Penguin close December 31, 2016. Winner Random House notified by phone or email. www.ruralliving.co.nz

Crackering on Christmas sale W Crafty club’s

ith Christmas crackers, it’s the same every year – one big bang followed by a feeling of mutual disappointment.

Store-bought Christmas crackers may promise much but, so often, they deliver very little – lacklustre prizes (if any), with a sticker or two, a paper hat and a cornball joke, if you’re lucky.

Fortunately, thanks to two dollar shops and these instructions, even DIY skilldevoid, far from arty-crafty types can ensure a cracking Christmas every year.

You will need: ◆◆Sticky tape ◆◆Scissors ◆◆Christmas wrapping paper ◆◆ Toilet roll tubes (one per cracker plus an extra) ◆◆ Bonbon snaps (available from Spotlight) ◆◆Ribbon ◆◆Prizes

To create: Cut wrapping paper into pieces slightly wider than two rolls and long enough to completely cover them when rolled. Cut one toilet roll in half – this will serve as a ‘spacer’ to hold the ends of the crackers in place.

Place the intact tube at the edge (in the middle) of a piece of wrapping paper and tape it to the paper.

Thread the bonbon snap through the roll (make sure it is centred) and tape to the

inside. Place the two spacers either side – do not tape these.

Slowly roll the paper around the tubes until covered. Fix the centre tube in place with tape. Tie ribbon at the point where one of the spacers and the central roll meet.

Fill open end with toys, jokes, lollies etc. Close this end and also tie with ribbon. Decorate and trim excess paper from each end before gently removing the spacers.

Note: other cardboard tubes, cut to the same size, can be used instead of toilet rolls.

– Thanks to reader, Sheryll Stevens, for these handy hints and photos

Long before plastic was considered fantastic, generations of craftsmen turned out wooden toys.

And, while Santa may be busy with iPads these days, it seems skilled locals are keeping this tradition alive.

To ensure local children (and adults too!) can expect beautiful, handcrafted gifts this Christmas, Franklin Woodturners Club is gearing up for its annual Christmas Sale, as club member, John Moat, explains.

“The club has members who are local and international prize winners in woodturning competitions, so this will be the place to come for original and unique native timber items.”

For almost 20 years, the Franklin Woodturners Club has been focused on fostering and encouraging the art and craft of woodturning.

In addition to toys, patrons can expect to find peppermills, bottleopeners, bowls, platters and much more.

“Come and have a look and grab a bargain at the clubrooms (23a Collingwood Road, Waiuku) from December 1-24, 9am-6pm,” adds John. “We’ll have plenty of beautiful items for sale, all of which are works of art!”

Buying or Selling?

Let Me Help!

With 30 years experience and a huge local and overseas database, we can move mountains!

M. 021 955 141 I E. c.cooper@barfoot.co.nz Papakura Office 09 298 8029 www.ruralliving.co.nz

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Cherry Cooper Rural Living — November-December 2016 — 45

44 East St, Papakura.

Open 7 days, 7.30am-9pm 01799

On brink of New World!

A

new era in supermarkets is set to begin in Papakura bringing with it a ‘New World’ of discovery.

For months, residents have watched the store’s progress. Now, the 3382 sq metre, state of the art New World supermarket, with entries from Wood & East St, will open on December 6, the result of careful and creative planning.

In fact, the ‘new’ in New World Papakura, takes on special meaning as this spacious store encompasses many more grocery lines and speciality areas.

While the contemporary design is sure to delight New World regulars, there is every reason for ALL locals to check out this fantastic new supermarket with pocket-pleasing opening specials and amazing customer service. Of course, the policy of going the extra distance to please has always been a focus of this committed New World team.

Owner/operator, Peter Lynch says he’s thrilled with the new design.

“We are all impressed with lovely sense of flow and the contemporary architecture which allows so much light into the store.

We’re especially keen for shoppers to see our specialty areas where they will be spoilt for choice,” he says.

And, indeed, ‘choice’ sums it up perfectly. In the deli are fresh sandwiches, salad-packed rolls, gourmet pizza, cold cuts, healthy salads and daily roasts available by the slice or ask for a roll filled with thick slices of ham cut off the bone.

A hot food counter offers fresh rotisserie chickens plus a variety of meals for those in a hurry and other savoury items, too.

Then there’s the seafood section.

Because New World is served by its own fresh seafood depot, fish and shellfish come to the store ultra fresh – white fish, salmon, smoked fish, fresh mussels,

oysters, prawns, and many seasonal treats.

Forget boat and rod – here seafood lovers are assured of a feast fit for Neptune!

And, fresh doesn’t stop there. From the butchery, with its array of choice cuts, to the extensive fruit and vegetable section, it’s fresh and nutritious all the way.

Hit the bakery and you’re in for more.

It’s all about bread and more bread, the offering of rolls, buns and specialty loaves, gi-normous. Relish fresh cream products, pastries and the bakery’s own cakes, too.

Gluten-free, organic and free-range products have their place and there are many international flavours. A multitude of brands pack grocery aisles while quality wines and craft beers are a given.

So, if anyone thought doing the weekly shop was boring, then this supermarket is set to prove them wrong – New World Papakura is all about a fresh shopping experience with tasty elements for all.

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46 — Rural Living — November-December 2016

www.ruralliving.co.nz

Fresh

is coming to Papakura.

New store opening Tuesday 6 December 29-31 East St

www.ruralliving.co.nz

Rural Living — November-December 2016 — 47 14544

A Christmas Mission Thanks to this recipe from the good folk at Napier’s Mission Estate, Christmas dinner can be considered a mission easily accomplished. Although the below is from the estate’s winter menu, it is sure to make an excellent addition to any festive table.

beef sHort rIb With beetroot pappardelle pasta

WINe MATCH – mission Vs Pinot noir 2014

ingredients: ◆ 5kg bone-in beef short ribs, cut crosswise into 2” pieces ◆ Salt and freshly ground black pepper ◆ 3 tbsp vegetable oil ◆ 3 medium onions, chopped ◆ 3 medium carrots, peeled, chopped ◆ 2 celery stalks ◆ 1 tbsp tomato paste ◆ 1 x 750ml bottle dry red wine (preferably Cabernet Sauvignon) ◆ 10 sprigs flat-leaf parsley ◆ 8 sprigs thyme ◆ 4 sprigs oregano ◆ 2 sprigs rosemary ◆ 2 fresh dried bay leaves ◆ 1 head garlic, halved crosswise ◆ 4 cups beef stock ◆ 2 tbsp of flour

Add flour and tomato paste; cook, stirring constantly, until well combined and deep red, 2-3 minutes.

Stir in wine, then add short ribs with any accumulated juices.

Bring to a boil; lower heat to medium and simmer until wine is reduced by half, for about 25 minutes.

Add all herbs to a pot along with garlic.

Stir in stock. Bring to a boil, cover, and transfer to oven.

Cook until short ribs are tender, for about 2-2 1/2 hours.

Transfer short ribs to a platter. Strain sauce from pot into a measuring cup.

Spoon fat from surface of sauce and discard; season sauce to taste with salt and pepper.

method: Preheat oven to 250c. Season short ribs with salt and pepper.

Heat oil in a large pan over mediumhigh heat.

Working in 2 batches, brown short ribs on all sides, for about 8 minutes per batch Transfer short ribs to a plate. Pour off all but 3 tablespoons dripping from pot.

Add onions, carrots, and celery to pot and cook over medium-high heat, stirring often, until onions are browned, for about 5 minutes.

Country Cafe

method: In blender, blend yolks, purée, and salt together, add enough water to bind to small crumb. Knead till smooth.

Roll through pasta machine to second to last setting. Roll up the pasta and slice with knife, finger width slices.

Blanch in boiling water for 4-5 minutes drain. Toss through short rib mix. Garnish and serve.

Guylian’s original marbledchocolate sea shells are made from the finest West African cocoa beans and filled with a delicious, roasted-hazelnut praline. Guylian is the world’s favourite Belgian chocolate and is the ideal, indulgent gift for someone special.

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

Weddings - Birthdays or any special occasions

48 — Rural Living — November-December 2016

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Palazzo

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◆ 500 g plain flour ◆ 1 tbsp beetroot purée ◆ 4 yolks ◆ Pinch of salt

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Red Shed

Pasta:

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Hot Spots red shed palazzo Recommending this cafe is easy for two good reasons: the food and service are that good and directions couldn’t be more straight forward: head along Karaka Rd and look out for the big... red shed! Along with their team, Paul (a chef with 30 years’ experience) and Kristina Smith serve quality food amidst beautiful, family and animal friendly, garden surrounds.

Creative breakfasts, morning and afternoon teas, gourmetstyle lunches and moreish cakes and desserts are all on offer at this fully licensed slice of rural paradise, open 8.30am-4pm.

Closed from December 24, 2016. Reopen January 6, 2017.

64 Jesmond Rd (just off Karaka Rd), Drury Ph 027 213 1440 www.redshedpalazzo.co.nz

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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 – the rural environment persuading head chef Barry Armstrong, to leave the city and bring his skills to the country. Producing great food ranging from nibbles and platters to a seven-course degustation menu there is food for everyone and every occasion. Great for families, couples and groups to spend a few hours Open Wednesday to Sunday with late nights Thursday to Saturday. Closed from Christmas Day and reopening Wednesday January 4.

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

poco loco restaurant Welcome to Franklin’s original Tapas restaurant! Poco Loco means “Little Crazy” in Spanish, so come along for a different and fun eating experience. We have been serving the people of Franklin since 2004 utilising fresh, seasonal, local produce using authentic Mediterranean and Spanish recipes with a Kiwi twist. Italians call it antipasto, Chinese call it yum char and Spanish call it tapas. It’s a delightful way to enjoy great food in a fabulous local restaurant with friendly service. Sat-Sun Brunch 10.30am-3pm, Tues-Sun Evenings from 5pm till late.

15 Queen Street, Pukekohe, Email info@pocoloco.co.nz Phone 09 238 1607 www.pocoloco.co.nz www.facebook.com/pocolococafenz/

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Rural Living — November-December 2016 — 49

50 — Rural Living — November-December 2016

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barfoot.co.nz

Rural Living — November-December 2016 — 51

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1

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sales volumeS fall, prices stay firm

By David Powell, Barfoot & Thompson, Pukekohe

A

nationwide drop in the volume of property sales with a 9% fall on September 2016 sales, and a 14% fall compared with October 2015 has been reported by the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand.

Auckland experienced a lot of strength in the upper end of the market but the lower end appears to be wavering due to the impact of LVRs. The REINZ data suggests that the impact of the revised LVR rules is having more of an effect on lower-priced sales compared to higher price sales, with a surge in the percentage of sales over $1 million and a noticeable decline in the number of sales below $400,000 compared to 12 months ago.

The normal spring “bounce” in the number of listings has so far been quite weak this year. The number of properties available for sale across all regions in New Zealand fell 7391 (-24%) between October 2015 and October 2016.

REINZ Analysis for October 2016 Region/Location

Oct 16 Sep 16

Median Price Metro Auckland Rodney District Outer Auckland Auckland Region Waikato Country Waikato/BoP Northland Region

$900,000 $862,500 $695,000 $868,000 $365,000 $460,750 $399,000

Oct 15

$855,000 $780,000 $816,500 $738,000 $680,000 $620,000 $825,000 $748,250 $380,000 $290,000 $458,500 $380,000 $390,000 $360,000

Volume Sold Metro Auckland 1820 Rodney District 152 Outer Auckland 315 Auckland Region 2135 Waikato Country 217 Waikato/BoP 1138 Northland Region 241

2143 193 403 2546 299 1525 261

summer on way

By Kylie Bosanac, Nick Bosanac Builders Limited

T

hank goodness summer is finally on its way and I, for one, could not be happier!

The strawberries are ripe and juicy. Christmas is around the corner and plans with family and friends are firming up for the festive season.

The sun is out and the breeze is warm with the allure of the great outdoors increasing. Here in New Zealand interacting with our surroundings is paramount during this season. But this is when we also find ourselves stressing over our homes. If the flow or fit is not quite right, now is the time to think about fixing it!

For some of us, this means adding to, or renovating an area of the home; for others, it means maximising outdoor living.

Honestly, over the summer months we reckon you can never underestimate the space value of a patio or deck, a pergola, a tent, she-shed, man cabin or shade tree in providing additional space for you and the people you care about to hang out and enjoy each other’s company till all hours of the night… or next day!

Such areas don’t have to be complicated or expensive, just functional and maybe a little pretty. T’is the season, after all!

If you are stuck for ideas as to how to make the most of what you have or how to jooj it up a bit, check out our pin board: https://nz.pinterest.com/bosanacbuilders/outdoor-living-roll-onsummer/ Soaking up all this sun can be pretty tough, just ask our team! So we wanted to share a summer spritzer for you to try when it’s hot outside and you need to chill! This recipe is one our guys and gals can’t get enough of:

Nine to Five Mojito Mixers Squeeze half a lime in the bottom of a glass. Crush a sprig of mint into the juice with the back of a spoon or a pestle. Add crushed ice and dry lemonade – try sparking water for a guiltless option! Add a dollop of strawberry or passionfruit pulp to the top, another sprig of mint and a slice of lime. Stir and DRINK! Here’s to longer days, barbecues, camping, beach trips and family fun time. For extra help brainstorming your outdoor dreams, drop us a line or pop in! We have a wide range of resources to help inspire you. Call into our new showroom/office 31a Rangi Rd, Takanini, Mon-Fri, 9am-2.30pm or by arrangement. Visit us on Facie!: www.facebook.com/nickbosanacbuilder/

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Rural Living — November-December 2016 — 53

Why have a

family trust?

By Sarah Hagenson, Lawyer, Arnet Law

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amily trusts are becoming a popular means of property protection and asset management.

The creation of a trust occurs when a person, known as the settlor, transfers the ownership of property to people called the trustees.

The trustees are required by law to deal with the property only for the purposes specified by the settlor. A common specified duty of a trustee is to make payments from the trust property to people called beneficiaries.

There are several reasons why people establish a family trust as a means of property protection and asset management, including: ◆◆New business ventures ◆◆Relationship property or family protection claims ◆◆Inheritance protection for the next generation ◆◆Retention of assets where rest home or hospital care may be needed ◆◆Ease of estate administration ◆◆Management of assets where someone is unable to manage their own affairs.

When used correctly, a family trust can be an effective way of protecting property and managing assets.

There are, however, legal avenues that will allow for property transferred into a family trust to be clawed back should there be evidence that the intention of the trust was to defeat creditors’ rights or the rights of a spouse under the Property (Relationships) Act. Similarly, your eligibility for the residential care subsidy could be affected should you gift your property into a family trust rather than gradually forgiving the debt owed to you.

If you are thinking about establishing a family trust or have a family trust and want to know more, then contact us at Arnet Law. We’ll be able to help assess whether a trust meets your needs and help determine what is required to meet your objectives.

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For Sale

O

nly rarely does one find a home that has everything you could possibly want, however, this is one such home.

Designed to interact seamlessly with its lush, beautifully laid out and immacuately maintained gardens and ultilising various levels to achieve a most effective layout, all of the living areas link perfectly, ultimately flowing into gorgeous, scenic undercover and al fresco living venues.

The formal sections are elegant and luxurious, the top quality kitchen magnificently equipped and visually stunning and the family living areas offering an exemplary level of both comfort and style. There are four beautiful bedrooms – the master suite with dressing room, air conditioning

www.ruralliving.co.nz

679 RUNCIMAN ROAD, RAMARAMA

and underfloor heating in the en suite. There are two more family bathrooms, three living areas and the flexibility to create an annexe for visitors.

Outdoors, numerous nooks cater for lazy day relaxation as does the large, fully fenced salt water pool. There’s an art studio tucked away in the gardens, numerous sheds and storage, water tanks and ponds. In fact, you name it and it is most probably here! We believe the discerning buyer with an eye for quality will be quick to inspect.

PRoPERty FEAtURES: • 4 bedrooms • 2 car garaging • 2.9 hectares • Barn and out buildings

BY N EG OTI ATI ON Price Guide – High $1m buyers

VI EW I N G Saturday/Sunday 11.30am-12noon www.barfoot.co.nz/583331

Scott McElhinnEy 027 210 8887 / 09 237 3125 s.mcelhinney@barfoot.co.nz Pukekohe 09 238 7019 barfoot.co.nz

• 3 bathrooms • Wi-Fi, alarm and HRV • 8 paddocks • Artist’s studio

Rural Living — November-December 2016 — 55

Season’s Greetings from us at Central At Central Landscape and Garden Supplies Drury we wish you all the best these holidays.

Spruce up those outdoor areas with our wide variety of barks and mulches to really make those outdoor areas pop!

Open Hours: Monday - Friday: 7am - 5pm, Saturday: 8am - 4pm, Sunday: 9am - 1pm Auckland 56www.centrallandscapes.co.nz — Rural Living — November-December 2016 • 09 294 8410 • 141 Great South Rd, Drury,www.ruralliving.co.nz 14032-v3

Here comes the sun... flowers

L

ooking out on a summer’s day what better sight could there be than sunflowers in bloom?

The sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is an annual plant recognised by its showy flowers, wide, hairy stems and coarse leaves. Big, brash and truly fantastic, these Americans may be loud but they definitely have something to shout about.

If our theory holds true – that, there are so many Americans in the world, they need to be loud to be heard! –then this American woman is an excellent example, with a large, brilliantly coloured flowering head, reminiscent of the sun itself.

This majestic beauty grows quickly – to up to three metres in six months – turning many other flowers into shrinking violets!

While Vincent van Gogh was so moved by beauty he cut off his ear, it wasn’t the sunflower that prompted such drastic action; instead all he did was paint these bonny blooms!

Of course, sunflowers have been grown for their tasty seeds since being introduced to Europe in the 16th century with the first industrially produced sunflower oils emerging in the early 19th century. The leaves are commonly used as cattle feed and the stems in paper production.

Ideally planted between October and December, sunflowers can be grown from seeds or as young plants. Whether for their stunning good looks, or tasty seeds, summer just wouldn’t be the same without these heliolatry honeys lifting their heads and moving them from east to west to follow the sun.

How, where and when to plant Take a container (approx 5-10cm in width), fill with seed raising mix and moisten. Sow 2-3 seeds in each container at a depth roughly three times the diameter of the seed. Water gently.

Sunflowers prefer a soil temperature of 10-30°C. Seedlings should be kept indoors until the last frost has passed and in an area which receives as much light as possible. Once the seedlings have sprouted, remove weaker plants.

Next, it’s time to send these beauties out into the world! As their name suggests, sunflowers love the sun; so always plant in a sunny, sheltered spot. Dig holes at least 50 percent larger than your pot and turn out the plants. Be careful not to shake the soil from their roots. Space plants approximately 25-35cms apart. Fill the holes with soil and water gently.

Sunflowers require support so tie the plants to a nearby wall or fence, or use a wooden stake to ensure they don’t blow over.

Keep soil moist especially in warmer weather.

Harvest At around 10-11 weeks, when the backs of the flowering heads become brown, sunflower seeds will be ready for harvest.

To give them a helping hand, cover heads with paper bags when heads begin to turn yellow and the petals fall. This will keep moisture out and prevent birds from harvesting the seeds before you do.

Cut stems roughly 30cms down and remove, with paper bag intact. Simply shake heads gently and seeds will fall into the bag.

Dan’s Ti2p0s16 December

It’s a full-on growing time, so with a few simple garden tasks completed, you can put your feet up and enjoy Christmas in your own piece of paradise!

In the Vegetable garden • Leek Planting Tips – Digger prefers the newspaper wrapped seedlings from Awapuni Nurseries: www.awapuni.co.nz/online-shopping. It is best to drop leek seedlings into deep holes around 20cm deep and let the soil gradually fill in the hole by itself. By planting so deeply you are blanching the leeks (creating the white part). Old gardeners tip: cut off half the green foliage straight after planting • Watering is best done daily, or minimum three times a week at the roots of your vegetable plants. Adding straw or other organic mulches around edibles reduces the amount of water required • Herby heaven – imagine a table at Christmas groaning with the weight of smart salads packed with lots of herbs – that’s perfect because basil, coriander, mint and dill are fast-growers and need constant harvesting!

• Potatoes – Continue to hill up the ones that are mid-season ripening, but look out for the yellowing tips of the early season spuds – you might get a feed in time for Christmas Dinner!

• Get your bug-life in balance – there’s a lot of leafsucking and munching going on, so control whitefly, aphids, scale and mites with the all-organic Aquaticus Bugtrol.

The Ornamental Garden • Water as a feature – the hotter it gets, the more we appreciate water outdoors. Birdbaths, bowls of water lilies or other aquatic plants are an easy way to enjoy water in the garden. A good design effect can be achieved with a ‘dry riverbed’ – usually this is a serpentine path of stones with curving base giving the effect of sides of a riverbank • Red is traditionally the Christmas flower colour (a la Pōhutukawa in flower), but any garden looks great with hot shades of pinks, reds and corals – colours of geraniums, petunias and impatiens – annuals that are easy to grow and flower quickly • Deadheading roses, giving spent lavender flowers a trim and cutting back spring flowering shrubs – all give the summer garden an instant makeover!

14033-v3

www.ruralliving.co.nz

Rural Living — November-December 2016 — 57

Right ‘Hon’, Guy! When the Minister for Primary Industries is on the case, the Rural Living team isn’t far behind with its take on reports from the offices of our Guy at MPI.

Technically speaking...

Of ‘gross’ emissions

While agriculture has long been driven by hard work, Nathan Guy believes today’s farmers must work smarter.

“We know there are some exciting advances in agricultural science and technology coming, as well as some great commercial tools already available,” he expressed to crowds at the recent Canterbury A&P Show.

“But, for farmers, it can be difficult to know what tools are right for them, and to judge how much to invest. We want to understand how we can better support farmers to make those decisions,” For this reason, a new technical advisory group will soon be created focused on how to accelerate the use of smart agriculture technology.

“Technology has major potential to support higher productivity and more sustainable use of natural resources in farming. It can be used in a wide range of applications, such as using soil moisture sensors to fine-tune irrigation, monitoring animal health and fertility, and determining the perfect time to harvest fruit and crops. Monitoring and measuring is now an important part of managing natural resources sustainably.”

DIRA consequences While deregulation of the dairy industry may be off the menu for the time being, Mr Guy has confirmed that, following submissions, changes are to be made to

Nathan Guy.

Photo supplied

the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act 2001 (DIRA).

“A report from the Commerce Commission earlier this year found that competition is not yet sufficient to warrant deregulation at this point,” he said.

“Once sufficient competition is in place, competitive pressure, rather than the DIRA regulatory provisions, should drive the efficiency of New Zealand dairy markets.

Competition helps keep businesses efficient, giving individual dairy farmers more options and choice.”

Details of the changes to DIRA are available via mpi.govt.nz.

That special Mr or Miss Right might be tough to find. Even tougher if one has a propensity for emitting disagreeable gasses! Fortunately, Dr Wright has been on the case.

Both Nathan Guy and Climate Change Minister, Paula Bennett, recently welcomed a report from Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Jan Wright, which calls for “a multi-pronged approach” to curbing New Zealand agriculture’s impact on the environment.

Mr Guy believes the report provides a robust and objective examination of how emissions from agriculture (which make up 49 per cent of New Zealand’s gross emissions) are created, as well as options for reducing them.

“We’re grateful to Dr Wright for her thoughtful and accessible report. We look forward to the Biological Emissions and Forestry Reference Groups building on the Commissioner’s work,” he said.

“We’re pleased she has recognised that our farmers are already amongst the most productive and efficient in the world.”

He added that the report highlights that the issue requires a broader discussion.

“Planting the right trees, in the right place, at the right time can buy us time to find options to reduce biological emissions from agriculture... the Government is also investing $20 million a year in research into developing new mitigation options such as a vaccine to reduce emissions from agriculture, which is a very promising long term option.”

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Rural Living — November-December 2016 — 59 11872

A more modern Land Cruiser 70

T

oyota’s rugged and dependable Land Cruiser 70 Series has been updated for 2017 with revisions to the model range, significant safety improvements, and a digital upgrade.

Apart from a slightly remodelled bonnet, the 70 Series exterior is unchanged.

However, there is a raft of changes lurking underneath the utilitarian styling that doesn’t look much different than when it was introduced more than three decades ago.

The truck meets EURO 5 emission regulations with the introduction of a Diesel Particulate Filter.

Vehicle Stability Control, Active Traction Control, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Hill-start Assist Control, Brake Assist and a reversing camera are standard across the five variant range.

Starting from $75,780, the Land Cruiser 70 Series has both single and double cab variants available in LT and LX grades. The Troop Carrier now adopts the Wagon name and is available as an LT grade; it is the ultimate blank canvas with two seats and van-like cargo space.

Land Cruiser 70 Series continues with a 151kW, 430Nm 4.5-litre V8 turbo diesel engine but features improvements in performance and efficiency due to the new fuel injectors. Combined CO2 emissions are down to 281g/km, alongside combined fuel consumption reductions resulting in an 8-10 per cent decrease from the outgoing model.

A suite of technology had dragged the 70 into the digital age with cruise control as standard, a 6.1” display audio unit with Bluetooth connectivity, CD player and USB port. The display also performs as a monitor for the reversing camera.

Single cab variants receive additional enhancements to improve the structural

Dual Automatic Locking Hubs (D-ALH) are standard, as is the previous High Country Pack option with front and rear diff locks. This is the double cab variant.

The double cab’s rear seat area has a reasonable amount of leg room (left). The interior, which is very much a case of function over form, now has a handful of modern convenience and safety features (right).

integrity of the cabin and a chassis that is larger and stiffer, and now they have the maximum 5-star ANCAP safety rating.

Side curtain airbags and a driver’s knee

airbag, adjustable seat belt anchors with pre-tensioners and an Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) complete the single cab’s safety feature overhaul.

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60 — Rural Living — November-December 2016

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Rural Living is available FREE from selected advertisers and the following locations: Pukekohe RD1 Pukekohe, 239 Manukau Rd. Cafe Kaos, 44 Edinburgh St. Barfoot and Thompson, 68 King St. Pukekohe Library, 12 Massey Ave. Franklin Vets, 86 Harris St. Papakura Franklin Vets, 365 Great South Rd. Pokeno Pokeno Bacon, Great South Rd. Waiuku Franklin Vets, 2 Court St.

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Rural Living is delivered in the first week of each month. Copies will go quickly so be quick to collect yours from any of the following outlets.

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

Clevedon Clevedon Dairy, 14 Main Rd, Clevedon Village Clevedon Rural Supplies, 13 Papakura-Clevedon Rd, Clevedon Village Te Kauwhata Te Kauwhata Pharmacy, 14 Main Rd.

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LAND SUbDIvISION

Building or Buying or Selling?

• Residential, Commercial & Industrial Plan Approval and Compliance Inspection Services • Pre-purchase Inspection Reports • Building Advice • Unauthorised Building Resolution Ph 272 2269 Fax 272 2270 Email: info@bldgcert.co.nz Unit 23/2 Bishop Dunn Place, Botany South, Auckland 2013 PO Box 217 012, Botany Junction 2164 www.compassbuilding.co.nz

on elliot

Visit to discover a huge range of stylish, quality tiles

URbAN & RURAL LAND DEvELOpMENT pROpERTy & TITLE INvESTIgATION

Mosiac Tiles

fARM pLANS & AERIAL phOTOgRAphS RESOURCE MANAgEMENT AppLICATIONS bUILDINg SET OUTS

62 — Rural Living — November-December 2016

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Contact

ACCREDITED BUILDING CONSENT AUTHORITY

00796

01085

• 10 Year Guarantee • Complete Project Management • Design Service, Renovations • 50+ Designs • Green Homes • Finance Assistance • Award Winning We offer a high level of workmanship and expertise

Woodgrain Tiles

29b Elliot Street, Papakura • www. tilesonelliot.co.nz Phone 09 214 6044 • email sales@tilesonelliot.co.nz Open Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, Saturday 8am-1pm

01057-v2

www.ruralliving.co.nz

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directory

l 20 tonne diggers l 5.5 tonne digger l Tip trucks

& trailers l D65 Bulldozer & scoop l Low loader l Grader l Excavations l Dams

For the best advice and friendly service IN TWO GREAT LOCATIONS

PROFARM RURAL & LIFESTYLE

l Tree Removal l Drainage l Roading

l Stopbanks

1

l Building sites l Demolition

l Horse arenas

2

l Metal/sand/

slag supplied l General cartage

Experienced Operator 28 years+

18 Elliot St, Papakura.

Ph 09 298 7767.

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

Craig Nicholson

Cnr Madill & George St, Tuakau.

Ph 09 236 8228.

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

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

6

3

Earthmoving & General Cartage

4

5

01421

00980

01109

BOBCAT & TRUCK HIRE

MR CLIP LTD

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

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

PH 09 237 0050

01322

COUNTIES BULK SPREADERS

PETER J. Y VALLELTD

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

From One Animal Upwards EXPERIENCED NZ WOOL BOARD • CERTIFIED SHEARERS

Ph 0274-853-234 Mr.Clip.Ltd@gmail.com 03290

40 CROSBIE ROAD, PUKEKOHE

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

Totally mobile shearing service.

Bombays to Kaiwaka.

CONTRACTOR

ANd

GREASE TRAP CLEANING

• BULK CARTAGE OF METAL • SAND • FERTILISER • LIME

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

39 Firth St, Drury

p: 09 294 7611

Free quotes – Competitive rates

e: msport@ihug.co.nz John: 0274 923 669 Robbie: 0274 967 430

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

00983

Ph 09 238 3485 Mob 0272 750 028 drainlayer.net.nz

SST SERVICES

• Decks • Post Driving • Retaining Walls • Rural & Residential Fencing

14143

01260-v2

SEPTIC TANK

Grant Escott FENCING

COUNTIES BULK HAULAGE

DRAINLAYERS

Sheep, Goats, Alpacas, Llamas

02335

Call us for all your farming supply needs

WALKERS

Whether your land is for your livelihood or your leisure, we help you get the best from your soil and stock with our complete spreading service

YOU NAME IT – WE’LL KILL IT! Controlling your pests since 1988

Mobile 0274844083 Ph 0800241501 / 092986029 Email stupinny@gmail.com

Phone 238 9885 Mobile 0274 789 857 Main Highway, Paerata

www.karakaspreaders.co.nz 02055-v2

www.ruralliving.co.nz

12671

MIKE JULIAN Freephone (0508) RURAL H20 (0508) 787 254 Mike mobile 021 765 629

Water Tank Cleaning (While full or empty) Water Tank Maintenance Water Deliveries ~ Swimming Pools Filled

0800 SUCKA1

Or:

0800 782 521

Alan Wilson Plumbing 235 9066 Certified Plumbers and Drainlayers

11713

• Insects and rodents • Domestic and commercial • Consultancy work

03183

PEST CONTROL

Rural Living — November-December 2016 — 63

www.ruralliving.co.nz

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64 — Rural Living — November-December 2016