Rural Living April/May 2021 by Times Media

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APRIL 20 MAY 21 PLEASE NOTE: information regarding times & dates of these events was correct at the time this issue went to print. However, due to the pandemic, events may be postponed or cancelled. In some cases, tickets may be limited or social distancing measures employed as appropriate. Readers are advised to check events online for updates.

■ANZAC DAY ANZAC Day services/parades April 25, various times & locations Whether we commemorate ANZAC Day by standing at dawn in our own driveways, attend services at Auckland War Memorial Museum, Pukekohe War Memorial Hall, the Papakura Cenotaph, or other local locations, we will remember them! After two years of events impacted by tragedies, there is even more reason to show our support to the few to whom the many owe so much. For up-to-date information regarding parades and services, visit www.rsa.org.nz. Wings Over New Zealand April 25, from 10am (approx), NZ Warbirds Association, 824 Harvard Lane, Ardmore Airport We love a parade but NZ Warbirds is set to take this to (literally) a higher level! Marking ANZAC Day, the conclusion of this year’s poppy flight (details at www.poppyflight. co.nz) and the anniversary of the first New Zealand flight of a North American Harvard, NZ Warbirds will be dipping its wings in tribute. Visitors can expect static displays, guest speakers and more. This event is designed to march in step with other ANZAC Day events so keep an eye on www.nzwarbirds.org.nz or search ‘NZ Warbirds Association’ on Facebook for up-to-date information.

Ardmore, Pilots with Corsairs at RNZAF Station, Museum NZ Force Air apher, photogr Photo RNZAF 1944.

Warbirds Now – June 30, opening times vary, Papakura Museum, Level 3, 209 Great South Road From the Papakura Military Camp to Ardmore Airport, Papakura has long held a close connection to the RNZAF, as this exhibition reveals. Presented in association with NZ Warbirds Association and the Papakura Local Board, Warbirds runs until the end of June but serves as a perfect addition to ANZAC Day commemorations. See www.papakuramuseum.org.nz.

■COUNTRY CALENDAR Young Farmer of the Year - Northern Regional Finals April 17, from 8am, Pukekohe Showgrounds, 58 Station Road, Pukekohe Featuring rising stars of the primary industries, this event will put contestants through their paces with a range of hands-on challenges as they attempt to reach the Young Farmer of the Year grand final. Keep an eye out for our local champ’, Lisa ‘can-do’ Kendall. Visit www. fmgyoungfarmercontest.co.nz/regionalfinals-/northern.

■EXPOS & FESTIVALS Polyfest April 14-17, 9am-5pm, Manukau Sports Bowl, 1 Boundary Road, Manukau

A four day celebration, this event sees traditional music and dance (in particular) take centre stage. While focused on Maori and Polynesian heritage, this inclusive festival also explores many other cultures – from India and Sri Lanka to Korea – which help make NZ a diverse place to call home. Details via www.asbpolyfest.co.nz.

■ MUSIC, MUSICALS & THEATRE Our:House – Fields: Festival April 25 (ANZAC Day), 2-10PM, Ellerslie Racecourse, 100 Ascot Ave, Remuera Some would suggest having a house situated in the middle of a street is sheer ‘Madness’, but how about making a racecourse home to house music? Featuring Josh Butler, Otosan, Body Ocean, Chores and many more acts, this concert seems set to electrify audiences despite (ironically) being held at an outdoor venue! Details via www.facebook.com/ OurHousePresents. Single Asian Female April 27 – May 15, times vary, ASB Waterfront Theatre, 138 Halsey Street, Auckland City Pearl Wong is no diamond in the rough. A first-generation Chinese immigrant and a single mother, she attempts to ensure her restaurant, Golden Phoenix, need never rise from the ashes while she copes with a wayward teenage daughter intent

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on kicking back against her heritage. Will Wong’s indomitable spirit see her through? See www.atc.co.nz/whats-on. Tennessee Waltz May 12, from 11am, Hawkins Theatre, 13 Ray Small Drive, Papakura, and May 13, from 11am, Pukekohe Town Hall, 14-16 Massey Ave, Pukekohe A hoedown showdown set to raise the roof, this show pays homage to country music, featuring songs by some of the best ever to wear a Stetson from John Denver and Johnny Cash to Dolly Parton and more. www.operatunity.co.nz/concerts.

■ARTS Auckland Writers Festival May 11-16, various times & locations, Auckland Book now! A celebration of the written word, this annual festival sees some spectacular scribes present their works and offer insights into everything from process to product. From Nobel Laureate and former Booker Prize-winner, Kazuo Ishiguro, Dr Hinemoa Elder, Patricia Grace, the inimitable Tom Scott and many more, this year’s line-up promises to tick all the boxes. See www.writersfestival.co.nz. The Walters Prize exhibition May 15 – September 5, Auckland Art Gallery, Wellesley St East, Auckland City

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Sand to Mud Fun Run

NZ International Comedy Festival

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Showcasing outstanding contemporary works, this exhibition offers an eclectic variety of the way Kiwi artists see our world. This year’s award finalists are: Fiona Amundsen, Sonya Lacey, Mata Aho Collective and Sriwhana Spong. Visit www. aucklandartgallery.com.

Waiau Pa Hop 2021 April 18, 10am-2pm, Clarks Beach Yacht Club, Torkar Road, Clarks Beach Easter may be in our rear-view mirror but that’s no reason we can’t hop on! The classic Waiau Pa Hop takes visitors on a ride back in time to when rockers and hot rods rolled. www.facebook.com/WaiauPaHop.

■COMEDY NZ International Comedy Festival May 4-23, times and locations vary, Auckland After the year (or more!) we’ve had, laughter is just what the doctor ordered. Featuring a range of top comedians, this year’s festival is expected to deliver a dose designed to tickle our funny bones and make our sides split. See www. comedyfestival.co.nz for details.

■FITNESS, MOTORING & RACING BMW M Town April 13-18, 9AM-5PM, Hampton Downs Motor Sport Park, Hampton Downs Road, Te Kauwhata Designed for petrolheads with a passion for BMWs, this event provides the perfect opportunity for drivers to put their skills to the test on one of New Zealand’s best motor racing circuits. However, those who would rather watch the action from the safety of the stands will find plenty on offer too. Search ‘BMW M Town’ at www.bmw.co.nz.

Nicola

Sand to Mud Fun Run April 18, from 10am, Karioitahi Beach Ironically no ‘roar’ deal for any involved, this annual fun run (organised by Waiuku Lions) is ready to get set and go! See www. facebook.com/WaiukuLions/events.

Easter Handicap Day April 24, from 11.30am, Ellerslie Racecourse, 100 Ascot Avenue, Remuera Just as champion horses can leave a winning run until late, so too can a marquee racing event. Held after Easter this year, the annual Easter Handicap is set to prove quite the treat. www.ellerslie.co.nz.

■FAMILY FUN Papakura Street Fest’ May 8 (or 15 - rain date), 10am-2pm, Great South Road, Papakura From arts, crafts and food stalls to live entertainment, this free street party will see one of our region’s most vibrant precincts kick up its heels for a good old shindig. See www.papakura.co.nz/events.

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Macrae Rural LivingHiggie — April-May 2021Bates —5

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from the

HOUSING BLUES EDITOR to many work places especially if you’re being encouraged to bike. Can you imagine pedalling from Pokeno or even Drury to say Manukau, let alone the city? Think about that – up hill and down dale – when it’s pouring with rain, and you have a couple of bags in tow! The mind boggles and, while that is not necessarily what’s expected of those expensive cycleways, with additional electrification (Pukekohe to Papakura) and new train stations still a ways off, plus motorways still heavily congested at peak times, inconvenient cycling may be called for! However, in encourging people to outlying suburbs, and also onto public transport, perhaps the Government needs to accept that buses and trains may have to run at a loss – present daily fares are expensive and are likely to remain so if the Government invites private enterprise to pitch in. Perhaps, loss of revenue in the way of fares could be offset by the lower carbon emissions achieved by fewer cars on roads and less congestion on motorways. With fewer cars in use, public transport might actually be more profitable than now

because of passenger increase. But, I digress, perhaps the solution to home affordability is higher wages – somewhat unlikely for many people in these uncertain times. Cap land prices, and rents, too, and it might prevent escalating housing costs. As usual, I am just tossing around a few thoughts, based on community concerns that buying a home is fast slipping from the grasp of even relatively well-paid people. When I see an ordinary 1960s home fetching more than $1.2mlliion, I fear home buyers will continue to struggle unless wages go up with a wham. But then the issue of inflation starts all over again. I guess we can’t win.

Helen Perry, Editor

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osh, will our housing troubles ever be over – I doubt it, or at least not for a long time. I see the Government is now promising to open up more land for building but, at what price? If handkerchief size sections of around 300-350 sq.m. are going in the high $300,000 mark (possibly more depending on location) with bigger sections ranging from $450,000 to $650,000 and, even more if the land goes over 1200 sq.m., that’s problematic for many. Furthermore, the build price even for an average 3-4 bedroom home with two bathrooms, one living and, with a bit of luck, double garaging, it is likely to cost anything from $500,000 to $800,000. Just look at the Auranga estate, or Paerata Rise and you’ll see what I mean. At Pokeno you may well get more bang for your buck but the flipside is being further south with limited shopping. A one-level, average home (e.g 175-210 sq.m), is still likely to cost about $900,000. And, despite money being poured into cycleways and improved infrastructure (not necessarily started), it’s a long way

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HOLY SMOKE! If Russell Long’s chopped, but street legal, 1931 Model A Ford – aptly named, Machine Gun Blues – was anything to go by, then fans at this year’s Classic Cover Nostalgia Drags in Meremere had plenty to applaud. Just one of the many great cars from motoring’s past to be put to the test on the north Waikato dragway, it caught the attention of Rural Living photographer, WAYNE MARTIN as did a host of others entries – See page 23.

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Win!

To enter the draw for any of these competitions visit ruralliving.co.nz and enter this month's code – RLMAY5174. One entry per person/email address; entries close May 31, 2021. Winner notiﬁed by phone or email.

THE THREE TENORS – DOUBLE PASSES WIN! HUMMINGBIRD OOMPH! PRIZE PACKS Reaching fresh heights, Hummingbird Oomph! is winging its way into the hearts (and kitchens) of many a lover of a good breakfast brew. This instant variety of Hummingbird’s popular coffee is quick to prepare but still big on flavour and it’s made from 100% fair-trade, organic beans. We have prize packs to give away to THREE lucky readers.

What can you get with three ‘tenors’? Three ten dollar notes would be one option but another would be a fantastic show featuring an acclaimed trio of singers. For details, visit www.operatunity.co.nz. We have double passes (for the Pukekohe show on June 10) to give away to THREE lucky readers.

WIN! A COPY OF OUR FIRST FOREIGN WAR New Zealand may have come of age as a nation at war on the Gallipoli peninsula but it was not this country’s first foreign conflict. Providing a comprehensive account of New Zealand’s involvement in the South African War of 1899–1902 (also known as the Boer War), Nigel Robson demonstrates how our young nation was (in many ways) forged in battle.

Nigel Robson: Our First Foreign War – The impact of the South African War 1899–1902 on New Zealand | RRP $55 | Massey University Press

WIN: TWIN PACK BONDI SANDS SUNSCREEN The long autumn with warm temperatures has ensured many people are still enjoying sand, surf and the sports field which means there’s still a great need for sun care. Here’s a chance to perform at your best with Bondi Sands SPORT SPF50+, featuring innovative cool motion technology to avoid unwanted overheating and specifically designed for those who lead an active lifestyle. Reef-friendly and cruelty-free, it’s a winner. What’s more, Rural Living is giving one reader a chance to win a 400ml bottle of Sports SPF50+ together with a 500ml bottle of Bondi Sands Broad Spectrum, fragrance-free SPF50+ UVA & UVB protection sunscreen lotion so they can make the most of fun in the sun any time of the year. 8 — Rural Living — April-May 2021

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Hamlin Road Organic Farm

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ot far from Ardmore Airfield, Pathways operates Hamlin Road Organic Farm, a certified organic farm which provides people, who have experienced mental health challenges, with unique employment and education opportunities. It’s nearly 20 years since the charity acquired the 10-acre site and funding to start the farm. In that time hundreds of people have gained valuable, paid work experience, learned life skills, grown in confidence and been set on a path of preparing for permanent employment elsewhere. Trainees can also work towards NZQA qualifications in horticulture as well as completing other training such as driving, health and safety and a first aid course. The farm opened in 2002 predominantly producing organic free range eggs alongside a small horticultural venture growing mainly watercress. However, Hamlin Road moved up a gear and changed direction with the arrival of the farm’s team coach, Sarah Hewitt nearly nine years ago. “We realised we could provide more opportunities by turning the farm over to horticulture,” says Onewhero local, Sarah. “It was a challenge as the land is on a high water table, little more than two spades down.” But where there’s a will, there’s a way, and thanks to raised beds and extensive drainage, the farm has been transformed into a thriving business. It now boasts seven large shade houses, several outside garden beds, citrus orchard, propagation house, packing shed and cold store. It is a living example of Pathways’ dream to overcome mental health and addictions through fostering strong, compassionate, self-supporting communities. Around 30 trainees grow an array of

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quality, certified organic produce and seedlings and also help with lawn mowing and garden maintenance contracts off site. Trainees are usually on a six-month contract but could be there for up to a year. They include people who have worked before and those who’ve never had a job. Everyone is different, says farm co-ordinator, Justine Prince. “They carry out a range of horticultural tasks from weeding to planting but, most importantly, grow a set of skills to enable them to get on in the world. “I like to look at plants like I do people – you know when you look at a plant if it’s thirsty or if it needs some extra care. In the same way you can look at a person and see that they’re not looking too well day and need some extra help. “The confidence and self-esteem that people gain from being here can’t always be measured as a tangible thing. But you can see the difference from how people present themselves when they first arrive and when they leave. They are positive and engaged in society and their community and are looking forward because they have been valued here.” Although its main purpose is to help its trainees, Hamlin Farm has become a successful growing enterprise thanks to the quality of its produce. The majority is sold through two Auckland wholesalers, Ceres Organics and Pure Fresh in Mt Wellington. The farm also has a regular stall at Clevedon Farmers Market. It routinely sells out. During Covid lockdowns, the farm experienced a huge increase in demand and set up a webstore to cope with online orders. At the moment, customers can collect purchases a maximum of 24 hours after ordering but Sarah says home deliveries could be a future possibility.

A huge variety of seasonal produce is listed daily, more than 70 selections at time of writing. These include apples, aubergines, capsicums, beans, beetroot, three varieties of potatoes, squash and herbs for every recipe. Top sellers are bags of salad mix with flower petals (tastes as yummy as it looks), spinach as well as coriander and spring onions. Hamlin Road has won three awards at the New Zealand Flower and Garden Show – a gold medal for a hot house created from old windows which were filled with organic plants including tomatoes, watermelons, aubergines, beans, squashes and herbs; a sustainability award and an upcycle gardening challenge. Eventually, Sarah and Justine would like to start running workshops for the wider public and even doing some catering using the farm’s awesome produce and some delicious recipes trainees have supplied. Bee hives are another possibility. There’s something very special about Hamlin Road Organic Farm, from the delicious produce to the remarkable people who are involved in growing it. One of the trainees, Jess (28), summed up the support she has received since starting a year ago. “I feel as if I have found my place in the world. I absolutely love my work. I liked gardening at home but had never done anything like this before. “In every other job I’ve had, from being a motorbike postie, to working in a foam factory and boarding kennels, I’ve never had the same connection.” Jess is now on track to work permanently at Hamlin Road as part of the peer support scheme. www.hamlinroadfarm.co.nz www.ruralliving.co.nz

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“I like to look at plants like I do people – you know when you look at a plant if it’s thirsty or if it needs some extra care. In the same way you can look at a person and see that they’re not looking too well and need some extra help.

Justine Prince and Sarah Hewitt. www.ruralliving.co.nz

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Photo Wayne Martin

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WITH

Over

THE GATE What does your role at the Crimson Global Academy require? As executive principal, my role is allencompassing. Initially, I helped set up the school with excellent staff as well as developing school policies but my HR role has grown exponentially as it is crucial we appoint only the best teaching staff available. This involves recruiting from about 14 countries. As we expand globally, working with new students from 25 counties, my involvement in marketing and promotions has grown. I also oversee the curriculum and assessment matters as well as interviewing a large number of prospective students. What subjects are taught as part of the Crimson Global Academy (CGA) curriculum? CGA Students are placed into courses based on ability, not age, meaning students can go deeper and study more advanced content in key subjects such as English, maths and the sciences. We also offer a wider range of subjects not traditionally taught in schools, e.g. psychology, French and Spanish, business studies, and law. In terms of its extracurricular programme, what does the academy provide? Our goal is to set students up for success, both academically and holistically. This means giving them access and exposure to a broad range of interests and potential career tracts, with instruction by worldleading experts. As an online school we can connect students with educators in the top of their field, no matter where they are in the world. We currently have debate, 3D game development, investment, and robotics clubs – as well as our own model United Nations. Which age groups/level of education does the academy assist? What are the minimum and/or maximum age limits and levels of study? Our students range from 11 to 18 years. We prefer to take students from 12 years old however, we do take younger students who are academically very 12 — Rural Living — April-May 2021

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John Morris

(CRIMSON GLOBAL ACADEMY) able and have the maturity to deal with online teaching and learning. For these students we provide a pre-international GCSE programme which prepares them for the international GCSE course. The qualifications we offer are the international GCSE and A Level programmes which are the largest and most recognised international qualifications in the world. Every top global university recognises the A Level programme for entry to university. Location can be important when it comes to accessing schools and universities. In particular, students living in more remote areas have to face long commutes or may attend boarding schools. Do these factors make online institutions, such as yours, more attractive to rural students? Most certainly! Since launching 12 months ago we’ve grown to more than 300 students with a large number based in New Zealand. We’ve seen strong interest from families in the more remote areas due to the ability to learn from some of the world’s top teachers in small, live, online classes. Many of these students join part-time, studying in the evening, after attending their traditional school. We’re also hearing that families are opting for children to learn online full-time given the time saved commuting, and the ability to have them at home. This also allows students to pursue sports or extracurricular activities at a high level. About, what percentage of your students – past and present – comes from rural regions? We have almost 150 NZ-based students with a balanced split between the regions and major cities. Currently we have students from remote areas of the South Island as well as Wanaka and Queenstown and places such as Kerikeri. We’re also seeing a growing interest from Australian families from rural NSW and Victoria. Our students come from 25 countries – Costa Rica to South Africa, Russia, Kazakhstan, England and other European countries.

Because CGA classes are all taught by top teachers in small, live online classes, each student can receive the personalised support required for them to progress and accelerate academically. Being online also gives us a unique opportunity to use data to track students’ engagement development. In most schools, parents may have three or four chances a year to connect with their child’s teacher to gauge performance (student and teacher!). At CGA we share weekly updates with parents as to how their child is progressing. The majority of our social and extracurricular activities occur online so we can include all students around the world but we have held local meet ups for NZ-based students and teachers. What does Crimson Global Academy offer that, perhaps, other New Zealand schools can’t with regards to preparing students for university admission? CGA hires the best teachers from around the world, in every subject. Academic staff members are selected for subject expertise and an ability to inspire and engage students online. No matter where our students are they receive quality of teaching which prepares them for their future, whether at university or career preparation. It also helps that CGA is built on the foundations of Crimson Education — a NZ-based global education consultancy designed to help students develop their academic and extracurricular portfolios, and consequently craft powerful and persuasive applications for admission to world-renowned universities and scholarship programmes. Since 2013, Crimson has helped students worldwide to secure 193 Ivy League offers, 57

Are all courses conducted online? Either way, does the school also have in-person learning or social events as well? www.ruralliving.co.nz

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As a former All White goalkeeper, John Morris (ONZM) knows the importance of achieving goals and the ‘in-ter-net’. As an educator, he was also headmaster at Auckland Grammar School for almost 20 years and is responsible for the introduction of the Cambridge IGCSE and A Level into New Zealand schools. Bringing together experience in sport and academia, John is now executive principal of the prestigious Crimson Global Academy. Rural Living spoke with him about the organisation’s role in shaping young minds and his passion for bringing world-class high school education to the regions... over the gate.

Oxbridge offers, and more than USD $67M in scholarships and financial aid. Obviously, any Kiwi students who are accepted at foremost universities around the world would need to be academically adept. So, what can CGA teach them that they wouldn’t already know? The vast majority of CGA students are academically very able, but our goal is to provide a supportive learning for all students and create the conditions for each to progress academically. We welcome any student who is keen, aspirational and wants to work hard and

learn! In fact, many CGA students were described by their parents as disengaged at previous schools. We pride ourselves on our ability to engage and inspire these students to develop and accelerate. This acceleration component is a foundation of our school. We place students in class based on their ability, not age, meaning students can often study ahead of their year, as well as study subjects not traditionally offered. Our part-time and full-time enrolment options mean they can learn at times which suit them. Our teachers foster debate and discussion. This interaction is unique to an online environment and means students grow a diverse and global mindset as they learn; building a network for the future, and setting them up for the real world. Lockdowns have forced many education providers to operate online however, it has been suggested that hands-on learning is more effective. Where do you stand on this? The best approach is always the one that engages the students and caters to their individual needs. Over the past year we’ve seen schools, and students go online with various success. What we know, is that a school going online is very different to an online-first school. CGA has been specifically designed and developed with student success as our foremost priority. Being online means we can connect students with high quality teachers and, with real time classes and can support their personal development at an individual level. Success stories – You must have some students doing amazing things, correct? Yes. I’m continually inspired by our students. Of course, academic success is the benchmark for any school. In recent International GCSE and A Level exams more than 70% of our students received an ‘A’ and over 30% achieved a perfect score! One of our students even John Morris

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scored 100% in four subjects! Beyond the classroom we embrace our students’ extracurricular endeavours. For some, this means pursuing activities such as rowing, cycling and ballet at a high level; for others, it’s managing an investment fund, or starting a blog. What are the major benefits of remote learning? The benefits are many, and we’re just starting to see the opportunities with the adoption across NZ. CGA classes are delivered live, in real-time. Students participate in small, discussion-based classrooms which are optimised for learning and engagement. These classes are taught exclusively by registered NZ and UK trained teachers — not tutors – and our academic staff have, on average, 20 years of teaching experience. With an average class size of between 6-8 students, everyone receives the individual focus needed to develop academically. Being online means students study in a truly global classroom, with diverse classmates hailing from many countries, bringing unique perspectives that challenge them to think bigger and foster international friendships. If you could grow any plant or raise any animal (real or imagined) what would it be and why? Man’s best friend; the dog. A labrador or retriever-cross. If you could be Minister of Education for one day, what would you do first and why? I would tackle NZ’s appalling literacy and numeracy statistics. I would also ensure that we had a NZ curriculum which challenges all students to be the best they can be rather than the current local curriculum. If you could invite any three people (living or dead) to dinner, who and why? My wife: my great support and mother of our three children. Bob Dylan: one of the world’s best poets and songwriters. Gordon Banks: England goalkeeper and one of the world’s best ever. Rural Living — April-May 2021 — 13

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FROM

further a-field

THE MILKMAN DELIVERS – FROM START TO ‘FINNISH’

RAW MILK RECALL The recent recall of raw milk distributed in Hawke’s Bay serves as a reminder to producers nationwide to ensure their product is fit for human consumption, Melinda Sando from New Zealand Food Safety warns. “Raw milk is inherently more risky than pasteurised milk because the process of pasteurisation kills harmful bacteria. You can get sick from consuming raw milk. If you have health concerns after drinking the product, seek medical advice.” Through routine testing, the milk in question was discovered to have Campylobacter, which can cause severe gastrointestinal illness. Although this recall does not affect milk sold in the Franklin region, consumers should only purchase raw milk from registered providers – a full list is accessible via www.foodsafety.govt.nz.

There was a time when horses would pull milk trucks; soon enough it could be all down to the cows. “We have spent a long time developing our biomethane refining unit and trialled various technical solutions. Now, a milk truck can refuel at the farm every day [on biogas processed from cow manure] and the equipment is running well,” Sami Vinkki from Finnish agricultural company, Demeca, says. “We want to create new business opportunities for farmers and to improve the field’s respectability.” By using cow manure to produce biogas, waste is repurposed, resulting in a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from fuel by up to 85 percent (compared to diesel) in the process. Finland’s Vuorenmaa dairy farm is providing a working example in the country’s efforts to become carbon neutral. “The farm’s biogas plant currently produces roughly 1900 Mwh of biogas every year,” farm owner, Janne

Vuorenmaa, explains. “The milk truck from our local dairy can fill up at our farm at the same time as they collect our milk. In the future, the fuelling station near the farm will also provide biogas for passenger cars.” And, there are other benefits too. “The biogas plant is a part of our farm’s regular nutrient circle. Its process transforms the nutrients in the manure into a form that is more useful in the fields. When we need to buy less fertiliser, it benefits both the environment and our accounts. It also improves the farm’s selfsuﬃciency when it comes to energy.”

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FAECAL EGG COUNT ESSENTIAL BEFORE DEWORMING HORSES Dr Melissa Sim DVM talks about the necessity and steps for deworming horses.

he current recommendation is that all horses should have faecal egg counts at least twice a year before they are dewormed. The old recommendation that horses should be dewormed with the change of the season, using a different dewormer each time, is outdated. What’s more, we are seeing a lot of problems with worms being resistant to drench products because of this practise. There have been no new dewormers on the market in 30 years. This has serious implications on a horse’s health, because if your horse is resistant to current wormers there are limited options to help. Companies are now combining multiple ingredients into one product as combination drenches, but these provide only a temporary fix as we are even seeing resistance to these combination drenches. By doing faecal egg counts, owners can identify the type of worms present in a horse and then choose the appropriate drench product. They can also identify which horses might need to be drenched more or less fre-

quently and pick up on any resistance early. Faecal egg counts are easy to do, and all you need to do is collect a fresh poo sample in a Ziploc bag and drop it off to your local vet clinic. The poo sample is then examined under a microscope as worm eggs cannot be seen with the naked eye. Just because you don’t see any worms in your horse’s manure doesn’t mean they don’t have a worm burden. Some 20% of horses are responsible for shedding 80% of the worms on pasture. If the high shedder in a herd can be identified, the worm contamination for the rest of the herd can be reduced and the low shedders dewormed less frequently. Horses which are immune-compromised (foals less than one year old, pregnant mares, and older horses) are often more prone to higher worm burdens. A close watch should be kept on the faecal egg counts and deworming of these horses. Additionally, many owners are surprised at which horse in their herd is the high shedder. Often, it is not the horse they would have guessed to be “wormy”. Horses can get different worms but most have a life cycle which is partially inside the horse, and partially out in pasture. Deworming controls the worms inside your horse, but it is also important to decrease pasture contamination. Poo-picking every 1-2 days is the easiest way to do this, but is not feasible for all people, especially those

CHECKLIST Check and treat your chook house for deadly red mites which thrive in summer. These mites are nocturnal so run your finger along the underside of the perch at night to find them. with multiple horses. Harrowing the paddock on a hot, sunny day is another option as the heat can help kill worms and eggs. Cross grazing stock (cattle, sheep) on the paddock for several weeks after the horses have been on it can also help as they have different intestinal parasites than horses and horse worms cannot complete their life cycle inside a sheep or a goat. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about your horse’s deworming programme.

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‘Unnecessary, counterproductive’ and ‘potentially unlawful’ is how one primary sector body is describing the Crown Pastoral Land Reform Bill. Pulling no punches, Kim Reilly from Federated Farmers contends the bill is a solution looking for a problem. “[It] adds nothing except unnecessary costs, delays, complexity and red tape,” she says. “It reduces the certainty of leases and the incentive to continue to invest in enhanced environmental outcomes, given no accompanying or reciprocal ability to address changing pastoral needs is provided for.” The proposed reforms seek to update the Crown Pastoral Land system, which underpins farmers’ relationships with government concerning land use. However, Ms Reilly expects its ‘one-size fits-all’ approach will be problematic. “The existing contractual relationship, based on trust and reciprocity, would be replaced by an approach of regulation, policing and enforcement,” she adds. “In our view, there are serious questions around the principles of natural justice, and a significant and unjust erosion of the lessee interests and rights.” The bill is expected to be before parliament in July. More information is accessible by searching ‘Crown Pastoral Land Reform Bill’ at www.parliament.nz.

MILK MADE, TALE TOLD Whichever way Kiwi stories end, many begin on a farm. Celebrating the grassroots of Aotearoa, The New Zealand Dairy Story is designed to ensure people understand what it takes, at every stage, to bring the proceeds of pasture to our tables. “Our dairy story really is one of integrity, innovation and kaitiakitanga,” Wayne Langford from Federated Farmers says of a new teaching resource launched recently. “New Zealand’s farmers and dairy companies produce the equivalent of two and a half serves of milk per day for around 90 million people each year.” Combining facts and figures our exporters, government, educators, industry bodies and more, The New Zealand Dairy Story reveals how this country has become a world leader in dairy products, producing three percent of the world’s milk with just one percent of the world’s milk emissions.

For more information, search ‘dairy’ at www.nzstory.govt.nz.

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Photo Wayne Martin

CROWN BILL NO GLORY – FED’ SAYS

FERTILE SOILS THREATENED BY ‘URBAN CREEP’

Photo Wayne Martin

The need to feed a growing population should not take a backseat to housing, Mike Chapman from Horticulture NZ contends. “Every New Zealander deserves a house just like every New Zealander deserves fresh, healthy, locally grown vegetables and fruit,” Mr Chapman said following government plans to address the housing crisis. “We can have both but current policy settings favour housing over food security [and a need], to keep highly productive soils safe from urban creep.” Despite assurances stemming from the 2019 release in Pukekohe of the National Policy Statement on Highly Productive Land, little ground has been gained with respect to saving our most fertile soils, Mr Chapman believes. “Nearly two years later, nothing has been finalised. If New Zealand is not careful, a healthy diet will become just as unaffordable as houses for increasing numbers of New Zealanders. The Government needs to ensure a viable horticulture industry, for the health and wellbeing of every New Zealander, especially as in a Covid-affected world, we cannot rely on a steady supply of imports of any sort.”

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‘Dirty dairy’ –

MUDSLINGING TILL MAY-DAY? As the skies above Aotearoa take on a hazy shade of winter, the grey areas of intensive winter grazing (IWG) are being explored. However, as a fresh row erupts, it’s clear not everyone is hoeing the same row.

“L

eaving a bad practice unregulated and thanking industry for their promises to make it slightly better is no substitute for getting rid of it, as the Government should be doing with intensive winter grazing,” Greenpeace senior campaigner, Steve Abel, says of a deferment in implementing new winter grazing regulations until (at least) May 1 next year. “This retreat again shows that Ardern’s government is more fearful of stepping on the dairy industry’s toes than acting on the climate crisis or freshwater pollution. It feels like this government is owned by the dairy industry.” A practice whereby stock is confined to limited outdoor feeding areas planted with fodder crops during winter, intensive winter

grazing can result in higher than usual levels of waste washing into waterways. The Government has been working on new rules to mitigate environmental damage from the practice, which farmers assert is necessary. However, Greenpeace appears concerned progress is being mired down. “Big polluters have a natural terror of regulation. As this country’s most polluting industry, big dairy has done a staggeringly effective job of lobbying to be let off and to self-regulate,” Mr Abel adds. “The only way to reduce pollution is actual regulation of dirty industries. Until Ardern regulates industrial dairying our rivers will remain fouled, our drinking water unsafe, and climate chaos will intensify.” While the decision has Greenpeace seeing red, the delay is no time out, Chris

Allen from Federated Farmers asserts. “This is not kicking for touch. [Minister for the Environment] David Parker has accepted a commitment from regional councils and the farming sector to use this time to develop, test and deploy an IWG module and practices that will ultimately be a part of a certified freshwater farm plan.” Mr Allen stresses the need to ensure new regulations will be practical for all concerned. “[Mr] Parker has recognised workability issues need to be sorted, and that extra time is vital to ensure we get this right,” he adds. “It’s all about ensuring the final rules and provisions are practical and workable for farmers, and achieve the environmental outcomes everybody wants to see.”

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WHAT’S UP

. . . ’C .O D H T I W He may juggle many portfolios – from Agriculture and Biosecurity, Rural Communities and more – but Damien O’Connor has been less than cocky of late. However, he has had a few things to crow about, as these summations of reports from his office suggest.

PROTEIN – A NEW ‘LEAFT’ ON LIFE

farm systems,” Mr O’Connor added. “We’re thrilled to be assisting [Leaft Foods] to expand and progress their successful laboratory and technical proof-ofconcept trials.”

Money doesn’t grow on trees but, should a new initiative prove fruitful, ‘meat’ may well do. In partnership with Canterbury’s Leaft Foods, the Government is hoping to extract edible protein from leafy crops. “A growing number of global food manufacturers and consumers are demanding that their proteins come from a sustainable source,” Minister Damien O’Connor announced late March. “This programme is a great example of the types of innovation we’re calling for through our food and fibre sector roadmap, Fit for a Better World.” Protein extracted has the potential to be used in animal feeds but also in a range of foods suitable for human consumption. If enough protein is sourced from plants, it should help reduce the levels of environmentally harmful emissions. “This could be a game-changer for pastoral enterprises... providing a low impact, locally-sourced feed, and the opportunity to diversify into low emission

WINTER GRAZING REG’S ON HOLD Minister of Agriculture, Mr O’Connor, agrees with a recent decision to defer the introduction of new intensive winter grazing (IWG) regulations until (at least) May 2022. “This decision provides certainty of direction and timeframe,” Mr O’Connor said of the delay, “[It means] we can get on and put farm plans into place as quickly as possible across all farming operations.” While government appears committed to reducing environmental harm caused by intensive winter grazing, haste is not the best way to mitigate waste, Federated Farmers argues. To read more about the reactions to this move, see page 18.

FRUITFUL ENDEAVOURS Those left shorthanded can expect our government to lend a hand, extended by Mr O’Connor. “The pandemic has led to national workforce issues and orchardists have suffered crop losses caused by weather events,” he said on confirming the roll out of a ‘wellbeing support package’ for fruit growers. “This package significantly boosts funding and resources to support affected growers and their staff.” Although initially offered in Hawke’s Bay, the support package is part of a raft of measures to help address labour challenges across the wider horticulture sector. The Minister also took the opportunity to remind primary sector businesses of other assistance. “Rural Support Trusts are also there to help rural people with wellbeing support during tough times,” he added. “The Trusts work alongside communities and are well placed to deliver confidential one-on-one support.”

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winners, Dairy Industry Awards – Auckland Hauraki er. Walk hanie Step & Foy ael Rach , Udell Emma

Farming femmes sweep awards D airying may be tough work best left to the toughest types, but modern farming requires solid business proficiency too, if the winners of this year’s regional Dairy Industry Awards are anything to go by. “The benefits of entering the awards are numerous, including networking, benchmarking my business, the prizes [and] raising my profile,” this year’s Auckland/Hauraki Share Farmer of the Year, Rachael Foy, says. “Not only do I love the cows and the people in the industry, but it gives the opportunity to run my own

business [and] manage multi-million dollar farms.” Female entrants achieved a clean sweep at March’s Auckland/Hauraki regionals. While Rachael is based near Ohinewai, Stephanie Walker (Ruawaro) was named Dairy Manager of the Year with Emma Udell (Waitakaruru) honoured as Dairy Trainee of the Year. “I’d like to become more involved within the dairy industry and community through educating and showcasing dairy farming in a positive light to school students and the public,” Rachael adds. “I wish I could

change the public perception of the dairy industry and help them to understand how important dairying is for New Zealand.” Also held in March, the Waikato region’s awards saw Otorohanga’s Reuben and Deb Connolly claim the Share Farmer of the Year award with Ohaupo’s Christopher Gerard Vila named Dairy Manager of the Year and Ruth Connolly, Dairy Trainee of the Year. All regional winners will now progress to the national awards in Hamilton, May 15. For more information, visit www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz.

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Rural records – CRACKING EFFORTS

Breaking anything other than records is actively discouraged in at least one of the annual Rural Games more unusual disciplines, the Egg Throw and Catch; fortunately, baseballers Riki Paewai and Kris Richards managed to hold it together as they set a new record of 66.3 metres during the March event. In addition, Kristin Churchward sent her projectile heavenward as the Taihape local

Paewai, Rural Games 2021 – Steve Hollander, Riki Kris Richards and Margaret Kouvelis.

(from the home of the giant gumboot), set a new record of 36.88 metres in the gumboot throw, topping her own previous national record, set in 2016. “It was a fantastic weekend for rural sports,” Rural Games founder Steve Hollander says. “The sun was shining all weekend, and we were lucky enough to see two New Zealand records broken.” Approximately 42,000 people attended

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the three-day event in Palmerston North where numerous champions claimed honours in sports synonymous with rural New Zealand. Other competitions included timbersports, cowpat throwing, coal shovelling, tree climbing, shearing, sheepdog trials, speed fencing and more. For a full list of winners and finalists visit www.ruralgames.co.nz.

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Thousands HOP TO IT! Once again the golden era of cars – polished hot rods, open-top convertibles and classic cars from the 1950’s and 60’s – were on display at the annual Repco Beach Hop in Whangamata last month. And, once again, fans in their thousands, including Rural Living photographer, WAYNE MARTIN turned out to revel in the atmosphere made all the merrier for its, parades, food and entertainment. Although car contestant numbers were limited to 1000 entries, there were plenty of spectator’s vehicles drawing favourable comment, too. As usual, the ongoing party mood, with bands performing everything from acoustic and blues to heavy metal and, of course rock ‘n’ roll and rockabilly, ensured the beach hop lived up to its reputation of being one of the ‘must do’ events of the year.

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Stars

OF THE PAST There was plenty of action at the Classic Cover Nostalgia Drags hosted by Bay Rodders, Tauranga, at Meremere Dragway during the recent Easter weekend. Fans with a love of V8’s, drag cars, hot rods and classic cars turned out in force to revel in the smell of tire smoke as their favourites, many from our local district, battled to see who was the fastest on the renowned quarter mile drag strip. It was the one place where burning rubber wasn’t likely to faze cheering onlookers or our photographer WAYNE MARTIN.

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Velvetleaf – DOG ON IT!

Blink and we might miss it but a Wink is better than a nod when it comes to spotting the notorious velvetleaf.

“W

A member of the mallow family, it is notoriously diﬃcult to control. As its seeds survive in maize silage and in the gut of cattle, it has the potential to spread rapidly through farms and can cause up to 70% reduction in crops. “We’re asking people to stay vigilant and keep a look out,” John adds. “We need everyone’s help to control it.”

ink has a very keen and astute nose, much more adept than a human eye and he can locate velvetleaf really quickly,” dog handler, John Taylor, says. “Velvetleaf has been found on farms around Aotearoa – it’s an invasive pest that competes for space, nutrients and water, which affects crop growth.” However, if expert assistance is not on hand, but we are forearmed with a little knowledge, we needn’t be four-legged to identify velvetleaf. Featuring buttery yellow flowers, seed pods and heart shaped leaves with a velvet-like texture, velvetleaf can grow up to 2.5 metres in height.

Farmers who spot this worrisome weed should take a photo and call the Ministry of Primary Industry’s pest line: 0800 80 99 66. More information – including tips for on-farm pest control – is accessible by searching ‘velvetleaf’ at www.mpi. govt.nz.

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Bubble blessing

FOR AGRICULTURE? Extra space expected in MIQ (Managed Isolation and Quarantine) facilities should soon permit rooms for improvement, Chris Lewis from Federated Farmers expects.

Chris Lewis.

“M

IQ spacing has been continually quoted as a barrier for getting the workers we need. With more beds becoming available it should now allow those with agricultural skills to enter the country,” Chris Lewis says. The Government estimates a new, quarantine exempt Trans-Tasman travel bubble will free some 1000-1300 MIQ beds each fortnight. Although some limited border exceptions have already been made for agricultural workers, Mr

Lewis is hopeful newly-available spaces could further address a worrying skilled labour shortage. “Limited exceptions aren’t going to go very far with the number of workers needed across the primary industries in the coming months,” he adds. “All of the primary industries have been working hard to attract and up-skill Kiwis to work on farms but, unfortunately, these initiatives don’t address the immediate labour problem. We need people in our fields, orchards and cow sheds now.”

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Rats!

THEY’RE ON THE WAY By Ditch Keeling, Coastal Pest Solutions

aughter, Mackenzie came out to my workshop last week cuddling a ‘baby mouse’. “Daddy, I’ve found a baby mouse, can we please look after it?”...“Sure honey.” Then I saw the tail hanging down; about a foot long… “Honey, I think you’ve found a rat!” It was undoubtedly poisoned, and on its last legs, otherwise it would have gnawed off half her hand. Gotta love red-neck kids huh! But the rat is a sign that the traditional rodent control season starts in early winter as rats and mice move into buildings for more comfort during the harsher months. I actually got out my stations and filled them a week ago, hence our dopey ‘baby mouse!’ The damage which occurs when rats are living in our buildings is often extensive and has the potential to be particularly dangerous as gnawing on electrical wires and water pipes is far more common than you might think. In fact, the gnawing noise in the roof people often complain about is almost always from rats chewing on electrical cables. What’s more, this has resulted in many a house fire.

Water leaks are another common, and often expensive, side effect of a rat family living in the roof, as are unusual stains on ceilings coupled with a unique smell. Considering that almost any rodent infestation can be removed for less than a couple of hundred dollars it’s simply not worth the risks of ignoring rodent presence. Problems often start with rats gaining access into ceiling cavities, and if one can do it, you can bet that others will follow. I spend a lot of time in roof spaces and the amount of rat poo found there often indicates years of regular use. Removing all branches which allow roof access by rodents is a really important step. It is by far the most common means of access and it is so easily fixed; just remove a few branches and voila, no more rats! The same can be said for lower vegetation around the building; remove it so mould, moisture bugs and rodents don’t have the conditions to become established. A clean and tidy environment is a big deterrent. Obviously, removing these factors alone won’t always prevent a rat problem and sometimes stopping access is just not possible. Where this is the case, you will need to apply either bait stations or traps. Bait stations containing toxic bait provide the most eﬃcient form of rodent control. Traps can work, but seldom will

they achieve the same results as a well run bait station programme. There are many forms of rat bait available but some of them just don’t do the business. I stake my reputation on Pestoff Rodent Blocks; they have never let me down. Many of you will have seen the nifty electronic devices that claim to keep a building rodent free; almost sounds too good to be true doesn’t it?, I can’t recall how many of these I have seen in the homes of people who have phoned desperately seeking a solution to ongoing rat problems. Trapping is by necessity extremely hands-on but does have the advantage of reducing the risk of ending up with a smelly dead rat hidden away in a corner. I am often asked whether poisoned rats will die inside or outside a building, it is of course, impossible to predict; but I can tell you that I do see the occasional, driedout, dead rat in a roof and the owners tell me they never smelt a thing. To my mind, the chance of noticing a funny smell for a short time is a safer bet than just hoping the rats don’t burn your house down or flood you out.

Please feel free to email or call me direct to find out more about the range of Rat and Mouse control products available.

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26 — Rural Living — April-May 2021

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Rural Living — April-May 2021 — 27 KAT7570

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“I’ve painted about 20 [murals] in Tuakau alone and, maybe, 40 in Franklin overall.”

Brigita Botma –

WALLS AS DOORS OF EXPRESSION Some artists may assert that the world is their canvas; for one local painter it’s her subject too, as JON RAWLINSON discovered.

ome experiences are as boring as staring at a brick wall or watching paint dry. However, when Glenbrook’s Brigita Botma does either of these things she doesn’t see a lifeless, barren expanse; she sees a world of possibilities. “There’s so much going on in the Franklin area to be inspired by, it’s so diverse with an amazing community,” says the acclaimed mural artist. “We have a lot of history to draw on too. It’s fascinating; I’ve learned so much about the area, especially its history, which I never would have known if I hadn’t been asked to paint some of my murals.” Many locals may not know her name

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but her work should ring a ‘bell’ with us all. Since moving to Franklin in 2014, Brigita Botma (nee Bell) has been prolific in painting our towns red, blue, green and more. “I’ve painted about 20 [murals] in Tuakau alone and, maybe, 40 in Franklin overall. One of the most recent is at Pukeoware Hall; it won the [Resene Best Professional] Mural of the Year award in November. More recently, I completed one for Counties Manukau Sport Fishing Club but people can only see it when the club holds an event.” Based on the results, the club hooked quite the catch when commissioning Brigita.

In addition to these works, Brigita’s paintings have turned many other structures from functional buildings into colourful landmarks at locations such as the toilets at Karioitahi Beach, the Waiuku Netball Centre, Glenbrook Vintage Railway and Tuakau Cosmopolitan Club. A more recent addition to her impressive portfolio features at Pukeoware School. Murals may be her most well-known works but Brigita has many more strings to her bow and paints in her palette! This multi-skilled creative also runs her own business, Manabell Design, through which she offers a range of graphic design services. “The lockdowns were helpful in a way www.ruralliving.co.nz

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as they gave me time to breathe and catch up on other work. I have been extremely busy in general.” Brigita first discovered her penchant for art while growing up ‘off the grid’ near Dargaville. “I’ve been interested in art ever since I can remember and thought I was pretty good at it, even back when I was probably pretty bad! When I was about 13, I started exhibiting [in Dargaville] and there was quite a bit of interest in my work. It was then I first thought art was something I might pursue as a career,” she recalls. “The farm was focused on selfsuﬃciency. We had cows for milk, beehives for honey, chickens and the like. www.ruralliving.co.nz

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For quite a few years we didn’t even have electricity, until getting a wind turbine. I would like to live on a self-suﬃcient property again one day.” Not too long after leaving home, Brigita moved to Franklin, first to Tuakau, then Waiuku. She says she was pleasantly surprised to find it was home to a vibrant art community. “My [now] husband, Jonny, is a scaffolder and there wasn’t a lot of work for him in Dargaville. Being closer to Auckland offered more options for me too,” she says. “I had no idea how many artists live here. Since moving into the district I’ve met a lot of the local art community and exhibited a number of

times in the Franklin Arts Festival, which is massive. I’d love to be a part of it again this year.” In addition to Brigita, our region has gained another couple of talented types. “Jonny provides the scaffolding for the murals, which is very convenient,” Brigita laughs, “But he’s also a skilled musician. And, my step-daughter, Courtney (14) has a great eye. She makes sculptures as well as jewellery, paints a little and has helped out with the murals.” Photos of Brigita’s murals are accessible via www.manabell.co.nz, but if you’re a Franklin local, they’ve probably already come to a town near you! Rural Living — April-May 2021 — 29

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FROM

ONE YEAR TO THE NEXT Reay Neben is the publisher of Rural Living

CITY LASS

aster is in the past and our wonderful summer is also over with the clocks back to winter time so, it is now time to start thinking of what we are in for as far as the weather is concerned. Normally, this is the time of year we all think of where we will head to for a winter escape but, even with the travel bubble between Australia and New Zealand lifted, I really don’t think Brian and I will venture out of the country for some time to come. We couldn’t even if we wanted to as Brian is scheduled for a hip replacement at the end of May so, that is that for us. Each year we usually get away with our Waiau Pa, now Karaka, friends but unfortunately Tony is really unwell and has now moved into Bruce McLaren Retirement Village. How quickly life can change especially as we grow older and one year moves to the next. Our weekend visits to the Red Shed as a foursome is something that we will treasure forever. Just so sad. Looking back to this time last year, I wondered why I couldn’t find my 2020 column in the file but, of course, we were in lockdown then and not permitted to publish. It seems so much longer ago that we

cy Products from Annette Pier w. (top) and Emma Smith belo

were at home, staying in our bubble and not going anywhere. Covid-19 was new but the lockdown gave us all a chance to re-evaluate our lives. Many jobs were lost and businesses were closed but, as time passed and Auckland, in particular, endured endless lockdowns, we survived and life has gone on often for better. I think of people I know who have completely changed what they do for a living and are making a real go of it. It is so nice to buy things which are now made locally by some very talented people. My daughter Emma is doing some really creative things with her super crafty items. Where this side of her came from I do not know but she loves what she is doing and her personalised glasses and plates are selling well. Furthermore, one of the girls I attend Pilates with has changed from a high powered corporate position to becoming

a potter. Annette Piercy just loves what she is making and, again, doing extremely well. You can see her pottery on Facebook and Instagram by searching @annettepiercypottery and Emma’s products @OhThat’sSoCrafty. Driving around Franklin this past weekend I noticed all the trees losing their leaves and well remember the many years Brian spent day after day picking up the leaves from our long line of massive London Plane trees which flanked our driveway. Those leaves covered the drive in autumn and although in summer the trees looked fabulous, they did give him many hours of hard labour in autumn. We still miss those days but realise that the upkeep on such a big property was no longer viable and we are enjoying our new lifestyle close to the sea. And, with that, I’ll leave you until next month.

Cherry Cooper

Lives Local, Sells Local with 30yrs experience in lifestyle living! Call me for a chat and let me get the best results for you! M. 021 955 141 - Papakura Office 09 298 8029 KAT7517

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www.ruralliving.co.nz

8/04/2021 3:34:09 PM

FRESH

APPROACH Natasha Harris from Alberts Hair Salon says, “We want you to escape in our salon as we create a style you’ll love when you leave us – our stylists are passionate about their craft. It’s how we’ve made our place as Pukekohe’s home for beautiful hair.”

lifestyle brand for the young and young at heart, ELEVEN Australia is the fresh approach to hair and body care. This range includes products which simplify your hair and body care routine by doing exactly what they say they will, starting with the Miracle Hair Treatment.

EFFECTIVE HAIR AND BODY PRODUCTS Cruelty-free and PETA approved, ELEVEN Australia products call on high performing natural ingredients such as Australian desert lime, avocado oil and antioxidant-rich Australian quandong for maximum eﬃciency. ELEVEN uses simple and uncomplicated product names, which mean you know exactly what you’re getting when selecting the right products for you. Want volume? Look no further than our I Want Body range. Need hydration? Try our Hydrate My Hair moisture range! There’s something for everyone. And, the best bit? We have a selection of vegan and gluten-free products to suit all hair types.

HAIR TREND ALERT! “With centre and side partings all over TikTok right now, we’re seeing a play on the two generations (Z and millennials) with both deep side and centre partings making a statement on the runway,” says Joey Scandizzo, hair director MFF and co-creative director, ELEVEN Australia.

For enquiries and bookings contact: Alberts Hair Salon Shop 2/23 Hall St, Pukekohe Ph: 09 238 7576 Shop online at: www.alberts.co.nz

DETERMINING EARLY HEARING LOSS Paul Catlow from Total Hearing Care, in Pukekohe, talks about the diﬃculties of hearing when there is a lot of noise about.

iﬃculty hearing in the midst of background noise is often the first sign of a hearing problem. You may notice yourself struggling to follow conversation in meetings or in restaurants or you may miss the important punchline in a conversation. As hearing loss develops, the ear loses its ability to separate different sounds, so sounds, which were once recognisable as two distinct sounds, become blurred into just one sound. Given this, it is surprising that most hearing tests do not include a measure of how well people perform in the presence of background noise. Some companies seem to be satisfied with measuring the quietest beep that can be heard or testing how well you can hear speech from just one speaker when presented at differing levels of loudness. Testing how well you can hear in the midst of background noise not only points to hearing loss in its earliest forms but can help tremendously when it comes to choosing the correct hearing aid. That’s because many manufacturers offer hearing aids which reduce background noise to a greater or lesser extent. Should you decide to trial a hearing aid, this test helps to match the correct hearing aid to one’s needs and prevents money being wasted on technology which is not required. The way a hearing aid is set can also limit or help one’s ability to hear in the presence of background noise. If certain sounds are being amplified incorrectly, they can limit the ability to hear the important softer speech clues which are so vital in clearly understanding speech. In situations where a hearing aid cannot help then it may still improve someone’s ability to hear in noise with the added help of listening tactics and remote technology At Total Hearing Care we are always seeking ways to help our clients and ensure they receive the best standards of care. So, whether you already have a hearing aid or are wondering whether you might be suffering a degree of hearing loss, come in for a chat and see what a difference we can make.

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Denise Rainger

Scrapbooks

PRESERVE MEMORIES

hen Denise Rainger’s three nephews hit the magical age of 21 it will come as no surprise if their aunt presents then with a colourful, creative narrative of their young lives all artistically formatted in beautiful scrapbooks. In fact, there may even be some of their own childhood efforts included. Denise has been scrapbooking for more than 10 years, and although now “totally addicted” she says it nearly didn’t happen. “A friend attended a papercraft course then invited a group of us to a scrapbooking evening. After giving it a go, I didn’t think it was for me but soon after I came across a shop loaded with all sorts of papercraft materials and that was my downfall! Now, I have a whole room dedicated to scrapbooking; you might say I’m obsessed!” An age-old craft, Denise says it provides her with a complete change from her administrative job which often involves long hours. “This is the ideal way for me to relax. Living on a rural property, where the quiet

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is in contrast with my daily work, I can escape the pressures of the oﬃce and just pick up the craft at any time of the day. “What’s more with country life all around me and three young nephews (aged 8,5 and 3 years) virtually over the fence, I have plenty of subject matter! The boys are even taking an interest and are making their own scrapbooks. The three-year has just had his first attempt and, really, for his age he did very well.” Having lived on the same street all her life, Denise says safeguarding those memories is important to her. “Mum’s side of the family came here more than 100 years ago; that’s a lot of history.” Also a keen photographer, Denise’s camera work is included in many of her decorative scrapbooks, each page enhanced with the use of paints, pastels, fabric, sprays, stickers, buttons, sketches and more. “I buy a lot of my materials from a fabulous store in Mt Wellington as well as online, both here and overseas.” And there’s no end of opportunities to delight others with her work.

“When dad turned 60 I gave him a This is your Life scrapbook and I’ve done similar books for other family members. More recently I was commissioned to do one for a lady who wanted something special and a different way to record her daughter’s wedding.” And, of course, these books are no mere photo albums in the traditional sense; each once reflects this creative’s love of showcasing memories, friendships, animals and events in a particularly sensitive and poetic way. On the other hand, Denise says she wouldn’t want to make a career of scrapbooking, despite orders coming her way. “I wouldn’t want the pressure of time constraints or trying to fulfil someone else’s vision which may be different from my own. No, I really like what I’m doing right now, preserving my nephew’s early life so they can have something special when they are older and, of course, running the scrapbooking club where it’s always inspiring to see the work of others and to share this common interest.” www.ruralliving.co.nz

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Photos Wayne Martin

Scrapbooking has been a way of preserving precious memories for centuries and although the popularity of this hobby has waxed and waned, Waiau Pa local, Denise Rainger runs a small group which meets monthly to explore their scrapbook creativity. She talked to HELEN PERRY.

Photos Wayne Martin

The club meets regularly at Waiau Pa Hall, generally once a month on a weekend from 10am to 5pm – call Denise on 0212 973 072 to check dates.

CRAFTING MEMORIES Scrapbooking today may be a far cry from the earliest ‘decorated journals’ but the desire to preserve memories of special events is not so very different from the Middle Ages when people took to recording their thoughts on life’s activities and happenings in decorated diaries. With scrapbooking evolving over the centuries, gaining fresh dimensions as new inventions emerged – photography, printing, colour images and more – this www.ruralliving.co.nz

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unique form of storytelling remains popular including at Waiau Pa where a dedicated group of scapbookers meet once a month Run by Denise Rainger, the Scrapbooking and Papercraft Club caters for a wide range of ages and abilities but they all have one passion – creating beautiful albums and cards which outshine most comparative store bought items. The club meets regularly at Waiau Pa Hall, generally once a month on a weekend

from 10am to 5pm – call Denise on 0212 973 072 to check dates. “Our members love this opportunity to pursue their craft with little interruption,” Denise says. “It’s also the chance to chat, gather ideas and encourage others. “We also run four camps a year where we go away and spend a weekend scrapbooking and enjoying each other company – it’s a lovely escape from our every day routines.” Rural Living — April-May 2021 — 33

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Mother’s Day HOT OFF THE PRESSES!

SIMPLY FOOD

THE SLOW COOK

FOOD FOR THE SOUL

The most talented, sophisticated chefs can make complex appear easy and with this book home cooks can conjure up quality cuisine thanks to a little help from Eleanor Ozich. Featuring 80 recipes, for everything from breakfasts and lunchbox fillers to ‘one-pot wonders’, salads and desserts, all recipes can be made in approximately 15 minutes. It’s ideal for keen cooks looking to make healthy food fast.

Good things take time. However, as slow cooking often requires only minimal preparation and clean-up, with the right guide on side, we can let our slower cooker – rather than a slow cook – take care of the heavy lifting. From pot roasts to pies, puddings and ‘munch’ more, this book offers quite the helping of recipes prepared on stovetops, in ovens and suited to slow-cooker machines.

While some may thank the Lord before tucking into meals on a laden table, thanks should also be dished out to another Lord, should we gain inspiration from this good book. Presenting 80 recipes all designed to feed the soul, this delightful cookbook by Lucy Lord intends to prove that happiness really is homemade.

Eleanor Ozich: Simply Food | RRP $45 | Penguin

Justine Schoﬁeld: The Slow Cook | RRP $$39.99 | Macmillan

Lucy Lord: Food for the Soul | RRP $34.99 | HarperCollins

NORTH & SOUTH

ROWLEY JEFFERSON’S AWESOME FRIENDLY SPOOKY STORIES

KIDS BOOKS HOUSE OF HOLLOW Billed as a ‘haunting modern fairytale’ (intended for readers aged 12 and up) House of Hollow takes readers to some strange depths. An unusual character, Iris Hollow disappeared from a suburban street, along with her sisters, returning a month later with no memory of what transpired. Ten years later, when one of her sisters goes missing again, Iris is about to discover the reasons behind her curiousness as a fantastical, supernatural adventure begins. Krystal Sutherland: House of Hollow | RRP $24 | Penguin 34 — Rural Living — April-May 2021

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– A TALE OF TWO HEMISPHERES From the right side up to the upside down, award-winning New Zealand author/ illustrator Sandra Morris covers the similarities and differences between the wildlife of the Northern and Southern in this delightful picture book. Underpinned by an important environmental message, North & South is sure to appeal to young minds keen to learn more about the world around them and its inhabitants. Sandra Morris: North & South – a Tale of Two Hemispheres | RRP $29.99 | Walker Books

Rowley Jefferson’s idea of a scary story might be more inclined to raise a laugh from young readers (best suited to children aged 7-10 years) than a shriek. Featuring all the usual spooky suspects – including zombies, vampires and ghosts – this book sees one of the most beloved Diary of a Wimpy Kid characters take centre stage. Jeﬀ Kinny: Rowley Jeﬀerson’s Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories | RRP $17.99 | Puffin www.ruralliving.co.nz

8/04/2021 3:34:23 PM

THE LATEST ON REAL ESTATE

MARKET BOOM CONTINUES By Darren Szaszy, Barfoot & Thompson, Pukekohe

he Auckland residential property market lived up to its reputation of being at its strongest in March with record prices paid and a record number of homes sold. In terms of both prices paid and the number of homes sold, this March was the strongest trading month in the company’s [Barfoot and Thompson’s] history. The average price paid in March was $1,107,869, up 2.7 percent on the average price for the previous three months, and the median price was $1,048,000, up 5.1 percent on that for the previous three months. Contributing to the extraordinary sales numbers during the month were 2138 new listings – the highest number of new listings in the month of March for 15 years and about a quarter higher than

usually listed at this time of the year. This gave buyers greater options and they were quick to take advantage. During the month we sold 1844 homes, the most we have ever sold in the month of March. The year-on-year average price increase was 11.5 percent, and the year-on-year median price increase was 13.3 percent. Getting in ahead of price increases and competition between investors and firsttime buyers are not the only contributors to high market sales. There is also a strong undercurrent of social change as different groups of people act on their future housing needs. Baby boomers are rethinking their accommodation in retirement; working people are looking to shorten their commute time or achieve easier access to public transport or lifestyle amenities; people working from home are seeking alternatives to their current circumstances; and many are willing to put disposable income towards renovating. All are active in the market and see current mortgage interest rates at levels never before experienced, as the ideal

opportunity to make planned changes. In the first quarter of this year we sold 4054 homes. This is a third higher than the number we sold in 2015, which was the past peak first quarter selling period, and came during the highs of the last price cycle. At month’s end we had 3394 properties on our books, the lowest number at the end of March for five years. Based on sales numbers, the reintroduction of LVRs appears to have had limited impact. Demand for lifestyle and rural property in the north, and to the south of Auckland, remains high. In the north, interest in dairy and beef continues to be strong, and a number of large syndicates are looking for horticulture land, especially for kiwifruit development. Developers and investors remain interested in bare blocks of land, particularly those zoned residential or future residential. The shortage of residential listings is pushing some buyers into considering lifestyle bare blocks or existing homes, ensuring lifestyle blocks continue to sell well.

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HOME OFFICE RENOVATIONS Many of us have now experienced life working from home. For the majority, it’s been a necessity in order to continue our working lives during lockdown.

ow, many of us are firmly grabbing hold of the work from home opportunity, splitting our working week between work office and home office, in the quest for greater work-life balance. Less wasted life in traffic, less distraction, time to walk the dog or take some exercise, and more time spent with those we love. But is your home enjoyable to work in? Do you have peaceful spaces where your creativity can fly and your mind can settle on serious tasks? Is the lighting supporting your device use? How is your storage working out? Does your decor support

deep thinking? Is a lack of ergonomics causing niggly pain? Award-winning local renovation company, Refresh Renovations Franklin/ Manukau led by Kim Reiche, has been helping clients create quality home work spaces which deliver peace and productivity. “Unless a home has been specifically designed for working from home, you can guarantee it won’t be supporting your work success in its current state. Working from home can have fabulous benefits – don’t derail the opportunity with a poor home oﬃce set up,” advises Kim.

Functionality does not have to mean boring. With a passion for design, a wealth of high spec renovation experience, plus project management expertise, Kim and the team at Refresh Renovations Franklin/ Manukau deliver stunning spaces to extremely satisfied clients.

It’s time to create an inspiring space for your home oﬃce experience. Contact the professional team at Refresh Renovations Franklin/Manukau – Kim Reiche on 0800 004 600 and let the experts guide you to home oﬃce heaven!

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8/04/2021 3:34:26 PM

COUNTRYSIDEBegins THE

with Jo-Ann Day-Townsend

HOW TO BE A SAVVY SELLER!

When it comes time to sell, we all want to get the best possible price for our property. For many sellers, it can be a daunting process, even if you’ve done it before. It’s common practice for people who are looking to sell a property to ask what the costs are to sell their home. In fact, it’s often the first question they ask a real estate agent. Likewise, asking “what’s my house worth” is usually right at the top of the list. Both are fair questions, but if you want to become a more savvy seller, they’re not ones you should be asking.

a house plus cash to purchase another more expensive home. You are looking for an agent who has the skill set to create a deal, when an easy one is not there. You are looking for a savvy negotiator and if you are considering going to auction, do your research on the auctioneer as well. Remember, the agent’s job is to create a market for your property. The active buyers will find your property on the market if your agent is doing a good job. Regardless of how unique you think it is, your property is competing for the attention of buyers and you need to out-market your competition to capture that attention.

If you are thinking of selling your property, it’s important to look for a real estate agent who demonstrates two critical skills: the ability to market your home through all the possible channels available to capture every known buyer, both passive and active, and the ability to negotiate and add value to the transaction. It’s important to understand that real estate agents are not property valuers. Hiring an agent because they have an opinion on the value of your property that is higher than others is risky business.

who will get you the best price for your property, not someone who charges the lowest fee, and, ironically, could end up being the most expensive because they achieved a lower price.

Never confuse professional desperation (someone who is trying to buy your listing) with professional enthusiasm! A robust and thorough appraisal is required to create a realistic picture of what your property could sell for. An appraisal should reflect current market conditions and be supported by information on comparable sales, but markets move faster than people and data on settled sales can be over three months old.

So, when you ask, “what are the costs to sell my home”, a better question to ask is “what is your company’s policy on conjunctions with other agencies?” You want to know the agent is truly working in your best interests. Some leading agents will refuse to do workins with other agency’s buyers, but the more buyers or bidders, the more your agent can leverage your final selling price. You want an agent that is truly client focused, not agency focused.

So, a better version of the question “what is my property worth” is “what comparable sales have there been within the last month”. You should also ask what the “on the market” numbers were compared to the “final selling prices” of those comparable sales, as these can be dramatically different. Professionals will know the difference.

Another question to ask an agent is when he or she last did a trade. A trade is a house swap where a buyer offers a trade of, for example,

Don’t be enticed by agencies that offer to pay for advertising your property. This will only encourage them to cut corners to get their marketing dollars back instead of doing what it takes to attract the top of the market. Finally, ask questions around buyer profiling, click through rates and social media campaigns the agent has run. Surprisingly, while we live in a digital age there are some agents that are still stuck in the print landscape. If your agent isn’t digitally savvy, you’ll be missing out on this vital channel to market. In short, hire on competency –Jo-Ann is an excellent negotiator, a skilled marketer, someone who has your best interests at heart. Ask better questions and you’ll never look back on your decision to sell and think, could I have done better? You won’t with Jo-Ann – she delivers!

FOR SALE

Maramarua, 108 Maxwell Road

Of course, the fees for selling your home are an important consideration but beware of agents offering deals or inducements. Instead, look for an agent who has a reputation for being a strong negotiator. You want someone

• 30 acres (mol) • Multi-use land – chickens, grazing • 4 bed, 2 bath, 2 lounge • Good school zone

Jo-Ann Day-Townsend

Port Realty Ltd Licensed Agent REAA 2008

www.ruralliving.co.nz

RLApril-May 2021.indd 37

Rural Living — April-May 2021 — 37

KAT5307-v40

0800 TOWNSEND or 021 1696 056 jo-ann.day-townsend@harcourts.co.nz www.joanndaytownsend.co.nz

8/04/2021 3:34:27 PM

CLASSIC CREAM OF

p u o s r e w o ﬂ i l u a c With autumn starting to make itself felt some farming folk might be thinking it’s time for animal crackers in their soup but Rural Living suggests that a winter vege standby – the good old cauli – is perfect for a hearty luncheon soup or a tasty starter when entertaining dinner guests. A rich, velvety soup, this tasty cream of cauliﬂower is sure to delight. What’s more is can be prepared and served in as little as 40 minutes!

INGREDIENTS: ◆ 2 tbsp butter ◆ 1 onion, finely chopped ◆ 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped ◆ 1 whole cauliflower, cored and cut into small florets

◆ 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth ◆ 3 slices stale bread ◆ 2 tbsp olive oil ◆ 1/2 cup heavy cream ◆ 1/2 cup microgreens (your choice) ◆ Salt and pepper, to taste ◆ Stick of celery (optional)

Preheat the oven to 165 C. In a large pot, melt the butter, then sauté the onion and garlic over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Season generously with salt and pepper then add the cauliflower florets and mix well Add optional celery, finely diced, if so desired. Now, pour the broth into the pot. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 25 minutes In the meantime, cut each piece of bread into 4 slices to make 12 sticks of equal size. Use a basting brush to coat them with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt. Place the bread on a baking tray covered with parchment paper, and

bake in the oven for about 10 minutes. Turn them over after 5 minutes, and remove when golden brown. When the cauliflower is tender, remove the pot from the heat. Purée the soup using a hand blender (or other) until smooth. Add the cream, folding in gently and adjust the seasoning if needed. Garnish with 2 crouton sticks and a few microgreens. You might like to also serve with a warm dinner roll.

Weddings - Birthdays or any special occasions

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38 — Rural Living — April-May 2021 Red Shed Palazzo large logo.indd 1

RLApril-May 2021.indd 38

Wednesday - Sunday 16 Jesmond Rd, Karaka Ph (09) 294 6687 Email: eat@redshedpalazzo.co.nz

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9/07/2015 10:26:36 a.m.

8/04/2021 3:34:28 PM

A toss of vitamins –

JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR CALLED FOR! With Easter behind us and both the weather and the calendar heralding seasonal changes, staying well ahead of winter illness – and any possible Covid-19 complications – is essential.

here is no time like NOW to cement good habits and boost immunity by infusing school and oﬃce lunches with vitamin-rich autumn fruit – apples, pears, passionfruit and feijoas. Persimmons and mandarins will be here any day. Keep in mind that autumn fruits pack a big punch when it comes to the health

benefits – eating two mandarins will provide almost double the recommended dietary intake of vitamin C and help support immunity. Feijoas also contain a good source of vitamin C to support healthy gums, teeth and skin, while passionfruit contain vitamin E which helps protect cells against free radical damage.

Apples and pears are easy to grab any time of day and provide dietary fibre to aid healthy digestion. For a good dose of vitamin A, which is vital for healthy new cells and eyesight, sub-tropical persimmons are your pick. So, what better way to enjoy more than one fruit at a single sitting than with this easy autumn salad?

5+ A DAY APPLE & FENNEL SALAD WITH WALNUTS Serves: 2-3 Preparation: 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS: ◆ 3 green apples, halved, cored, and thinly sliced ◆ 1 fennel bulb, thinly sliced ◆ 3 celery stalks, thinly sliced ◆ ½ cup toasted walnuts, roughly chopped ◆ ¼ cup shaved parmesan cheese ◆ ¼ cup sprouts

DRESSING: ◆ Juice of 1 lemon ◆ 2 tbsp olive oil ◆ ¼ tsp mustard powder In a large bowl combine the apples, fennel, celery and walnuts. Leave in bowl or, alternatively, arrange on a serving platter. In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, mustard powder and lemon juice. Drizzle over salad. Top with shaved parmesan cheese and sprouts before serving.

www.ruralliving.co.nz

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Rural Living — April-May 2021 — 39

8/04/2021 3:34:30 PM

THE RAIN IN NEW ZEALAND STAYS MAINLY…

in the garden!

st gardeners can make the mo Whatever the weather, keen a native rain-garden. of a nature’s favour by building

ssentially, a rain-garden is a simple, natural storm water management system. Although they are often more expensive than traditional gardens, by using rain water from driveways and roofs, it’s possible to create a lush environment which may require less fertiliser and will cut water bills. Runoff from roofs, and particularly driveways or roads, will contain contaminants, however, the right plants will filter these out as the water moves through the garden. ◆ Peaceful pasture or wild wetland? Raingardens can be designed to suit almost any space providing adequate drainage is installed but, as with anything in nature, the right balance is essential. Too small and your garden may not absorb and treat runoff water effectively; too large and it may dry out. ◆ Water, water… where? Select an area where runoff will flow naturally into and out from the garden. Providing water can flow evenly, the rain-garden can be of any shape. As pipes will need to be installed to gather runoff and carry water from the garden, look for easy access to a stormwater drain. ◆ Go native! Plants which can densely

40 — Rural Living — April-May 2021

RLApril-May 2021.indd 40

cover the ground and are at least 20cm in height are generally suitable for a rain-garden. They need to be able to withstand pooling of water in drier periods. Native flaxes and rushes not only give a rain-garden an abundant, indigenous look, these plants can also cope with mild flooding and dry spells, while constraining weed growth. Never use deciduous plants as their leaves will block outflows. ◆ Not one for the veggie-heads. A wide range of plants can be cultivated in a rain-garden but vegetables will need to be planted elsewhere because rain-gardens should not be fertilised as nutrients such as nitrogen will be released into waterways. ◆ If you build it, it will grow. If soil is free-draining soil, drains may not be necessary. Use soil consisting of around 50-80% sand to further assist in drainage. First dig down approximately 1.3 metres and install drainage pipes running horizontally through the bottom of the garden. These will need to be connected to a stormwater drain. Install overflow pipes vertically from ground level around the edges of the garden, connecting them with the drainage pipes. The number of overflow

pipes required will depend on the size of the garden itself. Cover the drainage pipes and add a layer of sand (approximately 10cm deep).The next layer (of sandy soil – containing 50-80% sand) should be approximately one metre in depth. The top of the sandy soil should be 10cm below ground level. Soak the soil as the hole is filled. ◆ Adding plants. At least 5-12 plants will be needed for every square metre of the garden. – Use features – water decking and paths to complete your design. These will provide accessibility and ambiance. – Have a little drink on me. Water liberally to ensure drainage pipes are working correctly. Be sure to free any blockages in the drainage system. – Fork the soil and remove any accumulated leaves on a regular basis to ensure your rain-garden continues to operate effectively.

Tree You If yo Call

How

Tree c

Grow not en

Notic When this special garden is finished, it will be a marvellous day for a rain dance. Then all you need do is sit back and wait for nature to take its course… water course that is! www.ruralliving.co.nz

8/04/2021 3:34:31 PM

If you trim n fine in

Trimm electr touch

Kee

Keep trees clear Menacing trees cause power cuts in storms Trees near power lines or equipment can be a major safety risk resulting in death or injury. Your trees are your responsibility. If you don’t keep your trees clear of power lines you could be fined. Call an arborist for a safe and professional job.

How close is too close?

Tree clearances are dependent on the voltage of the overhead lines. There are two zones; Growth Limit Zone - the space around the power line (measured in metres) where trees must not encroach, even in windy or stormy conditions, and the Notice Zone - one metre beyond the Growth Limit Zone. If your trees are encroaching on the Growth Limit Zone of that line, you will be issued a cut or trim notice. You must respond and take the action required by the cut or trim notice or face a fine in excess of $10,000. Trimming or felling trees around power lines could result in electrocution or serious injury from electric shock - use a professional arborist. Always treat lines as live, and if a tree or object touches a line call 0800 100 202 immediately. Learn more at countiespower.com/trees www.ruralliving.co.nz

Keep safe, keep clear, keep our power supply flowing.

Rural Living — April-May 2021 — 41 KAT7516

RLApril-May 2021.indd 41

8/04/2021 3:34:32 PM

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42 — Rural Living — April-May 2021

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RLApril-May 2021.indd 43

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