Rural Living January/February 2019 by Times Media

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ruralliving.co.nz

January/February 2019

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blueberries www.ruralliving.co.nz

Rural Living — January/February 2019 — 1

Brought to you by members of Franklin’s

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

JanuarY/februarY n COUNTRY CALENDAR counties Power Pukekohe Show February 16-17, Pukekohe Showgrounds, 58 Station Rd, Pukekohe Originally a celebration of rural life, this show (managed by the Franklin A&P Society) has developed to showcase all aspects of local life with plenty on offer for townies too, from growing competitions – the giant pumpkins are back! – to demonstrations and a heaped helping of family fun. Featuring country tunes by such stars as Brendan Dugan and Franklin’s own legendary Dennis Marsh, while ‘sporting’ the talents of national cheerleading champs, Cheer Dynamix from Papakura (who are fundraising to compete in the USA), this year’s event expects to be one of the best in its long history. For a full schedule, visit pukekoheshowgrounds.co.nz.

n EXPOS & FESTIVALS Happy chinese new Year acrobat Performance February 3, 7-9pm, BNZ Theatre, Vodafone Events Centre, 770 Great South Road, Manukau A feast of Chinese culture will be served up to audiences as the Year of the Pig begins. Featuring breathtaking acrobatic performances, this celebration expects to amaze. Further information available via pacific.org.nz. auckland Pride festival February 1-17, various locations Auckland-wide Everyday heroes

n FESTIVAL

auckland Buskers festival 25-28 January 25-28, various locations, Auckland City Street smarts are needed to pay one’s dues in show biz, as this annual festival is set to prove. With performers – from musicians to dancers and many more – sharing their talents throughout the central city, Auckland will come alive with astounding sights and sounds. For more information and details visit aucklandbuskersfestival.co.nz.

and heroines take centre stage during February. Featuring the Pride Gala (Q Theatre, Feb 1) and the Big Gay Out (Coyle Park, Feb 10) to the ever-popular Pride Parade (Ponsonby Rd, Feb 16) and the PROUD Party (Q Theatre, Feb 16), as well as more events, this fabulous fest’ will see Auckland’s rainbow colours shine. For a full schedule, see aucklandpride. org.nz. rebel round up February 16, Pukekohe Park Raceway, 222 -250 Manukau Rd, Pukekohe From hot rods to rockabilly music there’s entertainment by the ton at this fun-fueled fest’. Ideal for anyone who’d prefers classic or vintage models, this nostalgic celebration also boasts oldtime fairground rides, markets and so much more to get our motors running. See rebelroundup.co.nz or facebook. com/noweventsnz for further information.

Craig

Trudy

Brendon

Sue

Stephanie

021 998 605

021 898 483

027 238 6660

027 527 0094

027 246 7911

2 — Rural Living — January/February 2019 McCardle Alderlieste Moore Ashby Boyce

Hunter

Utatao

027 482 2488

nMUSIC & MUSICALS the luck of the irish January 24, from 11am, Pukekohe Town Hall, Massey Avenue, Pukekohe, and February 7, Hawkins Theatre, 13 Ray Small Dr, Papakura The Emerald Isle is all that it’s ‘craic-ed’ up to be and more, if this show is anything to go by. Featuring songs, music and dance from ‘the old country’, The Luck of the Irish proves why so many worldwide are either proud to be green or green with envy that they aren’t! For more information, see operatunity.co.nz. music in Parks – kiwi Gold rock February 2, 1-4pm, Bledisloe Park, Cnr Queen & Harris Sts, Pukekohe If you never raised a little ‘Hellriegel’ back in the ‘80s and ‘90s, there’s no time like the near future to do so. Headlining this event, The Jan Hellriegel Experience is expected to be on a roll as they rock Pukekohe. For details see musicinparks. co.nz.

Hadley

Pierce

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Graeme

Darren

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Willsonwww.ruralliving.co.nz Szaszy

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

electric Gardens February 2, 2-10pm, Ellerslie Racecourse, 80 Ascot Ave, Remuera Forget Electric Avenue, it’s almost time to rock down to Electric Gardens! Featuring such ‘current’ hit-makers as Fatboy Slim, Underworld, Bag Raiders and Dick Johnson, this show is set to prove that ‘right there, right then’ is the place music fans will want to be. Details via electricgardens.com.au.

n HOME & GARDEN auckland Begonia festival February 16-17, 10am-4pm, Auckland Botanic Gardens, The Gardens Roses are red and violets are blue, but it’s begonias taking centre stage during this event with delightful displays as well as plants for sale. More information available via aucklandbegoniacircle.org.nz or aucklandbotanicgardens.co.nz/whats-on.

isla thomson January 26 - February 14, Franklin Arts Centre, 12 Massey Avenue, Pukekohe Aged just 19, Isla Thomson is already making a name for herself through her photography. Exploring change in attitudes towards women in art, this exhibition is set to prove that Venus comes in many guises. See facebook.com/FranklinArtsCentre. transposed tranquillity – Jonathan cameron January 26 – February 14, Franklin Arts Centre, 12 Massey Avenue, Pukekohe Bloody Valentines appear par for the course during this exhibition, which concludes on Valentine’s Day itself. Showcasing work examining the connections between the horror of blood and tranquillity of flowers, Jonathan’s exhibition is expected to impress. Details via facebook.com/FranklinArtsCentre.

n SPORT, MOTORING & RACING new Zealand Bloodstock karaka million January 26, 3-11pm, Ellerslie Racecourse, 80 Ascot Ave, Remuera More than just a ‘dash for cash’, the Karaka Million sees jockeys compete for their share of one of NZ’s richest sporting purses. With plenty of entertainment off track well into the night as well, this event is one of the highlights of New Zealand’s racing calendar. Details via ellerslie.co.nz.

Auckland Begonia Festival

n ARTS clevedon art trail (open studios) January 26-28, 10am-4pm, various locations, Clevedon During Auckland Anniversary Weekend, the art of rural life takes centre stage as artists open their studio doors to visitors, allowing us to take a peek behind the scenes with exhibitions and workshops on offer. See clevedonarttrail.co.nz.

Scott

Steve

027 210 8887

021 966 332

www.ruralliving.co.nz Ball McElhinney

auckland custom culture and tattoo Show, 4 and rotary nationals, and lowrider nationals January 26, Logan Campbell Centre & ASB Showgrounds, 217 Greenlane Rd West, Epsom ‘Tat’s’ far from all, folks! Three events designed to spin our wheels are set for the same day and (practically) all at the same place this month. In addition to Auckland Custom Culture and Tattoo Show – which attracts more than its fair share of petrolheads – the 4 and Rotary Nationals, and Lowrider Nationals are

Debbie

Nicola

020 438 5958

021 247 6472

Courtney McPherson

Kevin

Lim

027 497 8223

Simon

Macrae

027 420 2540 Tuakau

Auckland Custom Culture and Tattoo Show

certain to see those who prefer life in the fast lane make tracks to Greenlane. See aucklandtattooshow.co.nz and 4androtary. co.nz. Speed Works motorsport nZ championship January 26-27, 9am-5pm, Hampton Downs Motor Sport Park, Hampton Downs Road, Te Kauwhata After opening with a ‘roaring’ success at Pukekohe Park in December (followed by two more rounds down country), it’s Hampton Downs’ turn to turn up the heat on track as this motor racing series continues. See speedworksevents.co.nz. national Yearling Sale Series January 27 - February 3, NZB Karaka Sales Complex, 10 Hinau Rd, Karaka Real estate may be a (relatively) safe investment but, when it comes to the thrill of the track, you can bet your bottom dollar that Karaka’s the place to be. Once again, some of the finest young thoroughbreds New Zealand has to offer will go under the hammer during this famous sales’ series suited to anyone keen on this sport of kings. Visit nzb.co.nz. auckland anniversary Day regatta January 28, various Auckland locations Happy birthday, Auckland! It’s time to celebrate the ‘City of Sails’ way as craft-y types of all sorts sport their skills on the water. Visit regatta.org.nz.

Murray Nick Rural Living — January/February —3 Dawson 2019 Bates Sales Manager Branch Manager

From the editor... fear their wages (and savings) will never extend to buying even the cheapest of these new homes. We have people on unemployment benefits, yet not enough folk to fill jobs across many industries. Our prisons are overflowing and the debate goes on as to who can be rehabilitated and who can’t. Some cry “lock ‘em up; throw away the key’, others say, “give ‘em a second chance!” In my mind, the judicial system is just as likely to get it wrong as it is to get it right. One thing’s for sure, it’s going to be an eventful year. On a brighter note, summer has provided some great weather, some exciting sport – just loving the cricket – and plenty of fun attractions including Disney’s Aladdin, the musical. I took my grandsons; we were all blown away. I have seen many musicals but can think of none that equals Aladdin with regard to resplendent costumes, clever lighting and absolutely stunning sets. From the energetic and colourful opening number to the final, enthusiastic curtain call, this show is a cavalcade of ‘unbelievable sights, indescribable feeling, soaring, tumbling, freewheeling’ dance,

acrobatics and sheer joie de vivre which is absolutely infectious. The cave scene (not giving away any surprises) is a deserved favourite – if Aladdin (Graeme Isaak-Purcell) is spellbound by Jasmine (Shubrhri Kandia), the genie, played with gusto and humour by Gareth Jacobs, captivates. He is magnificent… as you expect a genie to be! Indeed, this genie worked his magic so well that he pulled the most applause, although the endearing charm and talents of the New-Zealand-raised Aladdin earned him plenty of appreciation. So, if you are in the mood for exhilarating entertainment which romps along at pace, buy tickets – it’s a magical way to start the year. Here’s hoping this month’s Rural Living will also put readers in a good mood especially with its look at picking your own blueberries – yum! So, grab a cuppa, take yourself into the sunshine and enjoy!

Helen Perry, Editor

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week at work and we are back into the hustle and bustle of magazine deadlines while also planning the year ahead. Actually it’s all very energising; exciting too! For sure 2019 will see more political, technological, communication and social shifts around the world. One cannot help but wonder what is in store for Britain as it’s parliament struggles with Brexit agreement. We see the US president virtually fabricating a problem in order to have his way on building a wall between nations, the threat of terrorism extends beyond the Middle East to all corners of the world exacerbating national fervour and China and Russia continue to extend their spheres of influence. That’s just on the global stage. At home we have problems of our own albeit of a less dramatic nature. Housing or rather lack of, is a two sided sword. While Auckland, may not have enough houses, thousands of new homes are being built. Subsequently people are asking, “where is the infrastructure to support them and their prospective populations – roads, transport links, hospitals, supermarkets, schools and recreational facilities?” Others

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BLUeBerry crUsh: Rich in antioxidants, blueberries are a nutritional powerhouse, promoting good eyesight, urinary tract health and brain function. And, they taste so good! With the blueberry season here, there are many ways to enjoy this sensational fruit – blueberry pie, blueberry smoothies, blueberry jam and blueberry ice creams as enjoyed by Bonnie and Maggie Dodd on our cover. What’s more, eating them from the bush is hard to beat so, why not pick your own – see story pages 18-19. Photo Wayne Martin

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Rural Living — January/February 2019 — 5 KAT5300-v2

NO RINGWRAITHS NOW –

it’s all beef and sheep Limestone Downs Farm is famous the world over for being a location in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. But Peter Jackson wasn’t the ﬁrst to recognise its outstanding natural beauty – around the time that Tolkien was writing his epic novel, moves were already afoot to preserve the land in posterity. ANGELA KEMP reports.

hances are if you’ve flown south from auckland airport you’ll have had a bird’s eye view of limestone Downs. it lies some 15kms south of Port Waikato in steep hill country, much of it served by a winding metal road. this large-scale commercial farm is owned by the c. alma Baker trust which makes regular awards in support of research projects and postgraduate scholarships in agriculture. the trust, which operates in new Zealand and the united kingdom, draws most of its revenue from limestone Downs station. although now a profitable beef, sheep and dairy operation and facilitator to important agricultural research, this hasn’t always been the case. When the property was purchased by charles alma Baker in 1926 for £30,600, more than a third of the land was still in bush. the pasture had mostly been lost to the depredations of rabbits and had reverted to weeds. compare that to today’s farm and there is little to recognise bar the limestone outcrops which have been part of the landscape for thousands of years. it is two years since Paul mahoney became general manager of the station’s 3200 hectares, consisting of 1700 hectares in sheep and beef and about 520 hectares in dairy. “We are remote but we have fishing at our front door, hunting out the back door and a great team of guys here,” Paul says. “We have the estuary down below so

6 — Rural Living — January/February 2019

the kids get to play in there and we go surf casting oﬀ the rocks. We’re just over 2kms from the beach and then we have about 5kms of beach which is popular with surfers. “it’s hard on my wife Stacey who has to be in town three or four times a week for swimming, netball, basketball, softball … but i guess living out in the country you just have to make it work.” the couple have three children – Bethany (12), Briar (10) and Holly (7) who attend Onewhero area School . the family has wasted no time becoming involved in the community. last year students from Onewhero collected about 1000 bags of chook manure to raise funds for a ‘Spirit of adventure’ experience. Soon they will invite another group of students to pick sweetcorn grown from donated seed to sell as a fundraiser. “Stacey is putting forward an aimeS girls’ team for basketball and the more money they raise the less the parents have to pay.” Paul and youngest daughter, Holly, are members of Port Waikato beach care group set up to protect dotterels that nest in the area. every three months the station hosts a student from the united kingdom who is provided with accommodation in a selfcontained lodge on the farm. it also hosts regular visits from industry tour groups keen to learn about the research being carried out. earth science students from massey

university spend a two-three week field trip at the station and students from both Pukekohe High School and Dilworth School are regular visitors. every year in february the farm holds an open day which is popular with curious locals and those interested in the research trials. “for the past three years we’ve been involved in a beef trial in partnership with massey university and Beef and lamb Genetics which could result in less bobby calves. We’re also doing a fly trial looking at the correlation of flies and fly strike,” Paul says. limestone Downs is also a popular trails venue and has hosted a rally for Pukekohe race club and is soon to welcome a BmW club for a tour around the farm on motorcycles. they’ll finish the day with lunch at nearby nikau caves. less popular are the (mainly) overseas visitors who drive out to see the outcrops used as a location for ‘Weathertop Hollows’ in the lord of the rings movie when ringwraiths attack frodo’s camp in the dell. “We probably get them three or four times a week. Some try and get to it but most just want to say they’ve seen it. it can be quite dangerous as the road is windy and people just stop their cars in the middle.” and, of course, at the end of the day this is a working station of large proportion – to have unsupervised guests is inappropriate for many reasons including safety. www.ruralliving.co.nz Photos Wayne Martin

General manager Paul Mahoney

Photo Wayne Martin

WHO WAS CHARLES ALMA BAKER? Charles Alma Baker was born in 1857 in Oamaru, New Zealand, where his parents, migrants from London, built the town’s first hotel. Trained as a surveyor, Baker moved to Auckland where he married Florence, daughter of Sir Frederick Whitaker, a prominent businessman and former Premier of New Zealand. Charles spent most of his life in Malaya, where he was a surveyor and owned tin and rubber plantation and where he quickly accumulated a modest fortune adding to his already considerable wealth By the early 20th century, he held the largest privately owned rubber plantations in the region and developed an interest in the preservation and enhancement of soil quality becoming a supporter of the early movement for biodynamic farming. Overseas achievements aside, bringing world-renowned fisherman and author Zane Grey to New Zealand, improving the design of fishing reels and financing British aircraft in both world wars are among this remarkable man’s other notable deeds. But perhaps the most enduring is the C Alma Baker Trust and Limestone www.ruralliving.co.nz

Downs, a 3219 hectares dairy, sheep and beef property near Port Waikato. It’s this large-scale commercial farm which supports the work of the charitable trust, set up to fund agricultural research and development. Charles’ link to Limestone Downs began in the 1920s, when he joined his nephew in a farming venture at Te Karaka station, near Port Waikato. Later the adjacent property Limestone Downs was purchased and Charles invested profits from his interests in rubber into developing the farm. After the Second World War, and Charles’ death in 1941, Limestone Downs languished until the arrival of a new manager, Don O’Connell in 1950 and a rubber boom in Malaya that contributed some of the capital needed to breathe new life into the farm. The Trust was formed in 1981 and included the involvement of Massey University in the farm’s management. Its modus operandi was radically altered – rather than being a station run by extensive farming methods, Limestone Downs was to be farmed intensively.

The emphasis was now on subdivision using electric fencing, smaller paddocks, smaller flocks and herds, rotational grazing and higher performing livestock. To achieve this level of change, stock were assessed and culled on performance, new breeding programmes were established for sheep and cattle, and the farm was an early promoter of a bullbeef initiative using weaner calves from the dairy industry. Vehicle access on the farm was improved, fertiliser needs assessed, and a new water reticulation scheme constructed. Today the property is administered by an NZ-based committee, appointed by the English trustees of the C Alma Baker Estate. The farm and trust’s strong links with Massey University remain, with the trust providing some funding for agricultural and horticultural research at the university. Every year four members of the UK Young Farmers Club come to work on the farm for three months each – when one leaves, another one arrives. Rural Living — January/February 2019 — 7

Fresh focus after hard Year Brian Neben publishes Rural Living and is also an avid lifestyle farmer

COUNTRY LAD

ell, here we are with another year gone by. At the start of 2018 we believed it was going to be our year but it

wasn’t to be. We lost several of our old friends and, unfortunately, it seemed to be a bad year for sickness. My wife, Reay fitted this category. A few days prior to Christmas she was diagnosed with bowel cancer and was urgently operated on. Fortunately, she was home for Christmas after coming through the surgery really well. Although she will need chemotherapy, we are confident she will come through this ordeal and soon be back to normal. Now, out with the old and in with the new. After all that pre-Christmas calamity we have moved house. Unfortunately, this was brought about by that damned motorway! We were faced with a daily journey from Glenbrook to Botany of about 1.5 hours each way and that was on a good day! I won’t ramble on too much about the motorway but I think it is a mistake, or rather major error, for this short piece of road (Papakura to Takanini) to be taking so long to complete. After reading reports from other countries about the speed and efficiencies

Willsherocknroll ready for the sales.

they employ to complete such projects, it makes me think we are living in a third world country. And, it gets worse. When I drive around Franklin and north Waikato, I can’t help but take note of the hundreds, or should I say thousands, of new houses either recently completed or under construction with major earthworks preparing hectares of land for building. What’s more, all this comes without any roads to accommodate the thousands of new cars which will arrive with all those new dwellings causing major transport problems. The limited train service is a joke and for those who are brave enough to use rail, there is little parking available at stations. To add to this, I haven’t yet seen one of the new double decker buses filled to capacity – maybe one day!

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Now, on to other matters relating to my horse which is being readied for the national standard bred sales at Karaka on February 18. On Sunday February 17, the yearlings will be on parade and at this stage I must put in a plug for my beautiful filly, Willsherocknroll, who is being prepared for sale by Adrienne Matthews at Glenbrook. Willsherocknroll is by A RocknRoll Dance who is becoming a top sire. The dam is Willowbrook who had five foals with four to race and seven wins so, make sure you take a look at our girl – you’ll be surprised. Now, let’s all enjoy the 2019 summer as the weather resettles – we have some great cricket coming our way and it won’t be long before the Super rugby season is underway. See you at the sale!

TYPICAL ANALYSIS (DRYMATTER) Energy DE............................14.MJ/kg Crude protein.....................14.8% min Fat.........................................5% max Crude Fibre............................8% max Salt........................................1% max

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Photo Wayne Martin

8 — Rural Living — January/February 2019

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meat-ing

of minds... Red blooded Kiwi males could help prove meat does not necessarily lead to a broken heart. As part of a University of Auckland study, participants (men aged 35-55) will consume meat (grass-fed Wagyu beef, grain-finished beef or a soy-based meat alternative) in attempts to discover whether fresh meat is detrimental to our health. The study’s lead professor, David Cameron-Smith contends, when eaten in moderation, fresh meat may actually protect against heart disease. “The link to colon cancer is clear for processed meat,” he says. “But very few scientific studies – this is the first in New Zealand – have extended this research to

WinninG bright sParks A BIG thank-you to all the children who entered Rural Living’s Christmas Colouring Competition sponsored by A.S Wilcox, producers of those wonderful potatoes, Perlas.

actually piece together whether a modest intake of good quality, fresh red meat has any positive or negative impacts on health.” Results from the study are expected to be published later this year.

Choosing from so many colourful entries, with their enthusiastic interpretations on our country Kiwi Christmas theme, was not easy but the winners were: 4-7 years – Amara Tuipala (5), who took time to add blue sky and sunshine to her entry.

countrY of origin stamP aPProved Hoorah! Kiwis have been calling for country of origin labelling on food for a long time and now it’s finally going to happen. Late last year Parliament passed its third reading of a Bill which allows consumers to know where food products come from; regulations should be cemented within 18 months. Foods covered under the Bill are fresh or frozen fruit, vegetables, fish, seafood and meat including cured pork products such as ham and bacon. Fines of up to $30,000 will apply for failure to comply with the rules. Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister, Kris Faafoi has said he will be consulting further on how to implement the new requirements and whether any foods need to be added or excluded. “The Government wants to make sure that [mandatory] country of origin labelling provides useful information for consumers and is workable for the food industry.” Food Safety Minister Damien O’Connor added that the scheme has been designed to be easy and cheap to set up and run. “That’s why the requirements apply only to foods with one ingredient and that are www.ruralliving.co.nz

fresh, frozen, unprocessed or minimally processed – for example, cut, filleted or minced meat,” Mr O’Connor said. “However, the Bill has to be useful for the industry into the future so allows for the extension of country of origin labelling to other foods if needed at some later stage.” Consumer NZ head of research, Jessica Wilson has welcomed the law change as a much-needed first step towards better country-of-origin labelling. “Consumers increasingly want to know where their food comes from so they can make informed choices about what they buy. Our research has found strong support for mandatory labelling with seven out of 10 consumers backing it.” She said mandatory labelling was required because relying on retailers to voluntarily label products had failed to give consumers the information they needed. Research by Consumer NZ showed 65 percent of shoppers looked for labelling information when buying fresh fruit but less than a third (32 percent) always found it. Even fewer (29 percent) always found labelling information when buying fresh vegetables.

8-12 years – Savarna Flavell (8) whose use of cotton wool on the sheep and a dash of glitter gave her the edge.

However, we just could not ignore other impressive entries so there are consolation prizes for the following: Nate Williams (8), Owen Littlejohn (8) Grace van Vught (10), Brianna Collins (11), Eva Stokes (7) and Anabelle Warne (6). Congratulations to you all! Rural Living — January/February 2019 — 9

Over

tHe Gate

With

Gael Coles – a&P volunteer When the Counties Power Pukekohe Show (presented by the Franklin A & P Society) kicks into gear, volunteers will be working at full throttle to ensure all who visit enjoy this marquee local event. Ahead of the show, Rural Living caught up with long-time show volunteer, Buckland’s Gael Coles... Over the Gate.

How long have you lived locally? I’ve lived in the Franklin area and had animals for most of my life. How long have you volunteered for the A&P Society and when and how did you first come to be involved? I’ve been involved with the show for many years. I first became involved as an exhibitor in the Indoor Section in the 1980s then became a steward there. How many other volunteers are involved with putting on these shows each year? There are many volunteers involved, especially those who help out as stewards. In particular, I work closely with Lynn Pennman. We’re kept very busy and sometimes it can be a little stressful but we always have lots of fun! What roles do you tend to focus on? Along with Lynn, I assist the society’s secretary and administrator, Jannine whenever required throughout the year. We help with all sorts of things, from catering for meetings and horse measuring lunches, to preparing ribbons and sashes for competition events. During such major events as the Auckland Supersprint [at nearby Pukekohe Park] we’re especially busy. 10 — Rural Living — January/February 2019

How important do you think A&P shows are (in general) to rural communities in general and to Franklin as a whole? Very important. They really are the glue that holds rural New Zealand together. Because our local area has become more urbanised over recent years (in Pukekohe especially), it’s even more vital that we continue to promote rural excellence in our community. What are you looking forward to most about this year’s show? Are you planning to enter any of the events yourself? We’re all looking forward to yet another successful event overall. We’re expecting big crowds – even bigger if the weather is good – and we’re sure they’ll enjoy many of the new attractions we’ve been organising for this year’s show. I may enter something, in the Home Industry Section, but you’ll just have to come along and see! If you could grow any plant or raise any animal (real or imagined), what and why? Pretty and colourful flowers because of their beauty and Labrador dogs for the companionship, love and loyalty they give. Lynn would like to answer this question too; she’s always been keen to raise horses and Border collie dogs – she just adores her Pinto horse.

If you could be Minister of Agriculture for one day, what would you do first and why? Stop the sale of productive agricultural and horticultural land for housing. Although I love that so many people want to come and live in our region – why would you not? – such land is crucial if the lifestyle they fall in love with is to continue. If you could invite three people to dinner (living or dead) who and why? Dynes Fulton, President of Franklin A&P Society 1918-19, to learn more about what it was like working for the society in the early days. Mary Berry, British television presenter of The Great British Bake Off, because I admire her elegance and charm. It wouldn’t hurt if she brought some baking with her too! James ‘Alf’ Wight, probably best known by his pen name, James Herriot – he’s a much admired British vet and author of many books including one of my favourites, If Only they could Talk. Actually, can we have another three, for Lynn? She’d invite John Wayne because she loves cowboys, Patrick Swayze and Richard Gere – she’s a bit of a ‘romantic’ isn’t she? www.ruralliving.co.nz

the 2019 counties power pukekohe show runs Feb 16-17 at the pukekohe showgrounds. see pukekoheshowgrounds.co.nz for a full schedule of events.

Franklin A&P Society volunteers, Lynn Pennman (left) & Gael Coles. www.ruralliving.co.nz

Rural Living â&#x20AC;&#x201D; January/February 2019 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 11 Photo supplied

Protesters crack on...

small contingent of protesters belied the weight of numbers attempting to block the development of a chicken farm near Orini, North Waikato. Although only some 35 protesters raised placards on the day (December 18), each one, effectively, represented the views of more than 1000 people, Direct Animal Action spokesperson, Deirdre Sims, contends. “We were really pleased with the turnout given it was a week before Christmas and people had travelled from across the Waikato, Tauranga and Auckland,” she says. “It’s hard work. [We are] ordinary people going up against powerful multi-nationals but we’re dedicated to win this... Mainland Poultry has a fight on its hands.” As previously reported in Rural Living Mainland Poultry intends to establish a large scale farm for barn-raised hens. In addition to Direct Animal Action and other animal welfare groups, numerous local residents also oppose Mainland’s plans, as evidenced by a petition presented

Photo supplied / Deigo Casanova

to Waikato Regional Council featuring approximately 30,000 signatures. “As an animal advocacy organisation, we’re concerned that 400,000 hens will be confined in this proposed mega factory farm. We’re also behind the local residents who’re opposing the build,” Ms Sims explains. “Many are concerned about animal welfare and opposed to ‘factory farming’, others that the Council and Mainland Poultry are railroading the Orini community, and some have mentioned concerns about the native wildlife being affected and pollution.”

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Vet Talk

Beating facial eczema Dr Henry Yule BVSc (Dist) Finally, summer is here, and thoughts turn to enjoying the long daylight hours and the hot weather. However, stock owners can’t rest easy as this season brings a high risk of facial eczema to the area, another potential problem for our farm animals. After parasites, FE is considered to be the most production limiting disease among NZ livestock. It is caused by a fungus (Pithomyces chartarum) which lives on dead plant material at the base of pasture. During the summer months (January– May) the humid conditions entice the fungus to release spores. When these are eaten by grazing stock, a dangerous toxin is released which causes damage to the liver. With the liver no longer functioning at 100%, toxins accumulate in the bloodstream leading to poor health, low production and potentially death. Most people will notice FE in their stock by the sudden appearance of “sunburn” on animal’s faces and ears, which is also a result of these toxins in the bloodstream. In turn, this results in painful, severe inflammation of unpigmented skin. Areas affected are the udder, teats, ears and face. HOWEVER, the disease is NOT ALWAYS VISIBLE. In a mob, some 70% of animals may be affected if just 5% of animals show symptoms of FE. n Signs Severe damage can occur over as little as 1-2 days, with noticeable signs showing

Facial eczema in sheep

after 1-2 weeks. Signs include: Dullness, weakness, loss of appetite and ill-thrift, sun sensitivity and shade seeking behaviour, sunburn, redness and swelling of the skin. Unfortunately, sometimes owners can just come across dead animals. n Prevention A badly damaged liver cannot regenerate, so prevention is always the best option. This needs to be in place before the risk period (ideally about two weeks). The most effective prevention strategy for lifestyle clients is zinc supplementation with FaceGuard slow release capsules which release zinc over a six week period. If spore counts remain high, a top up bolus may be required six weeks after the first. As sheep and calves do not drink much water, adding zinc to the water is not a reliable option. You should also avoid paddocks with large amounts of shelter and dead litter at high risk periods. Check out the Franklin Vets website for spore counts in your area. Using these strategies will allow you to enjoy the holidays with peace of mind that

summer CHECKLIST Equine n Be on the lookout for ryegrass staggers where horses are grazing close to the ground. Signs include increased agitation, excitability or severe un-coordination. Remove horses from grazing, feed hay, and keep in obstacle free area. Toxin binders can help. n Long hot summer days are the best for harrowing paddocks to expose worm egg and larval burdens and dry them out. Faecal egg counts will indicate if drenching is required. n If you are competing, monitor horse’s fluid intake to avoid dehydration. Livestock n Internal parasites – A good worm control strategy is needed for young stock which have less immunity to parasites. Sheep, goats and alpacas need a drenching programme for barber’s pole over summer as deaths can occur quickly. n Ticks – Keep an eye out for these in ears, and the base of the tail. n Ryegrass staggers – can occur late November to end of April. Animals appear uncoordinated and may fall down if startled. There are toxin binders and supplements available to reduce symptoms. Most will recover within one to two weeks when moved from affected pasture.

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FOOD BILL BITTER PILL? People who sabotage food could discover the law has sharp teeth, should a new member’s Bill yield fruit. Drafted by former minister of Primary industries (national’s nathan Guy), the crimes contamination Oﬀences amendment Bill will impose harsher penalties on those who intentionally contaminate food or threaten to do so. “We believe there should be stricter penalties to act as a deterrent... so that they know they are facing a long stint in prison if they do this,” Horticulture nZ’s mike chapman contends. “a woman in australia faces a maximum of 10 years in prison for charges of goods’ contamination after needles were found in strawberries there. We would like to see people convicted for similar crimes in new Zealand face similar sentences.” as evidenced by last year’s strawberry scare, it’s not just consumers who are at risk; food producers are also adversely aﬀected, mr chapman adds.

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“Producers have many systems in place to ensure they provide safe food and spend a lot of time and money... to do that. if their food is sabotaged after it leaves their business they can rightly expect [saboteurs] to be punished in proportion to the serious impacts [of their actions].” andrew Hoggard from federated farmers has also voiced support for the Bill. “any threats and attacks on our nation’s ability to function must be treated as what they are – acts of treason, piracy, espionage and corruption,” he says. federated farmers also felt the pang of food contamination when, in 2016, a man was sentenced to eight years, six months for threatening to contaminate baby formula with 1080. “You do not deliberately contaminate food without wanting to cause terror. these are deliberate acts designed to cause incredible anxiety and economic sabotage,” mr Hoggard concludes. inspiration for the Bill seems to

have originated from across the Ditch, architect of the proposed legislation, nathan Guy confirms. “australia has already acted, passing stricter laws that seek to deter these criminals who contaminate food and water sources. new Zealand now lags behind our near neighbour, meaning offenders have less to fear if they are caught,” he says. “my member’s Bill seeks to achieve what [food Safety minister] Damien O’connor appears unwilling to do – protect new Zealanders from those that would threaten our food safety, be they reckless pranksters or people intent on nothing less than economic sabotage.” three new offences will be established under the crimes act with penalties of up to 14 years imprisonment served up to offenders. However, mr Guy will require support from Government ministers (such as mr O’connor) to ensure the Bill passes into law.

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rural games afoot in franklin? The Hilux New Zealand Rural Games could be ‘moving up’ in the world. Originally staged in Queenstown, the annual event could be held in Franklin post 2020. “The Games are contracted to the Palmerston North region until 2020 but, beyond that, the Franklin area could certainly be a consideration,” Games’ founder, Steve Hollander reveals. “We are keen to enter into dialogue with ATEED [Auckland Tourism, Events & Economic Development] and there seems to be some compelling reasons for moving to a rural area of Auckland.” Although negotiations are still at an early stage, he confirms the Franklin region is definitely under consideration to host this celebration of rural sport in future. Until then, frivolity will be at the core of the next Games (March 9-10), featuring such contests as wine barrel racing, egg roulette, and cowpat and gumboot throwing. However, visitors will also witness serious sport, with national titles on the line

in such disciplines as speed fencing, speed shearing, wood chopping and sheep dog trials. Although the popular Running of the Wools event will take a break this year, Rural Living understands it will likely make a return to the programme in 2020. Running in conjunction with the Games, the Norwood New Zealand Rural Sports Awards (March 8), will again honour the cream of the crop of rural Kiwi sportspeople. Previous winners include such stars as Golden Shears’ champion, John Kirkpatrick, for more Golden information about Pliers’ legend, the Games, including a Paul van full schedule of events, Beers, and visit ruralgames.co.nz. rising timber sports’ star, Jack Jordan.

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Show time’s coming up

It’s a short time to go till the show’s in town, there’ll be more kinds of animals than you’ve ever known, they’ll parade around proud from the crack of dawn but we don’t think you’ll see a unicorn….

133

16th & 17th February 2019

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On the other hand….

here’ll be wood chopping contests and shearing too, funny faced alpacas and songs on cue, some sheep and goats, and dairy cows but sure as you’re born you won’t see a lovely unicorn. If you haven’t guessed yet, the 2019 Counties Power Pukekohe Show (managed by the Franklin A&P Society) will be at the Franklin A&P Showgrounds on Station Rd, Pukekohe next month and the programme is packed with events, competitions and entertainment for all. And, while the Irish Rovers are unlikely to make an appearance, Pukekohe’s own super star, Dennis Marsh, and that other country legend, Brendan Duggan, will be

on hand with plenty of toe tapping music to set the mood. Cheer leading squad, Cheer Dynamix 2 Cool, will display their skills and will also operate a café selling tea, coffee, cakes and other treats, to help raise funds for those members set to compete in Dallas, USA at the end of February. This year A&P organisers have also gone all out to ensure dairy and beef cattle, sheep, alpaca, horses, goats and more will parade for honours while the Counties Strongest Man competition is keen to out muscle our capable axemen. Of course, the shearers are sure to show they have the arms to fleece a sheep or two. The home industry section will showcase a variety of skills and for those who ‘just wanna have fun’, check out the

sheep racing, the three legged sack race and egg and spoon race. Or why not test your luck on a load of quick fire raffles? There’s plenty for the kiddies too including a whole new look when it comes to novel amusement rides through FUNCO Promotions as well as the Rock-Up rock climbing wall which is sure to test their mettle. Ronald McDonald will make a guest appearance on Saturday and look out for the Bee Lady, Sarah Russ, during the weekend. Check out the new petting zoo for children with pony rides available on Sunday. With its mix of old favourites and fresh attractions, this year’s Counties Power Pukekohe Show, is set to be a blast, so mark the date on the calendar and get ready to hoedown!

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Rural Living — January/February 2019 — 17

PICK OF THE

blueberry crop Kevin and Maureen Dodd may not have found their thrill on a Blueberry Hill but they are certainly excited about their sleepy hollow ‘pick your own’ enterprise – Pleasant Valley Blueberries – as HELEN PERRY discovered.

he health beneﬁts of blueberries have long been extolled but other attractive inducements tempt hundreds of aucklanders to drive an hour up the awhitu Peninsula every summer to pick – and devour – plump, juicy blueberries grown by the Dodd family at Wattle Bay. Beautiful peninsula beaches such as Graham’s, Orua Bay and Big Bay attract day trippers who not only appreciate the area’s scenic beauty but love nothing better than to picnic, swim and laze away a summer afternoon by the sea. then, come february and march, there’s the added incentive of the PYO season at Pleasant Valley Blueberries. Despite the distance, it’s clear that picking blueberries, combined with a nearby beach visit, perhaps a trip to the historic awhitu lighthouse (not to mention the drive with its magniﬁcent sea and landscape views) makes for an inexpensive (and delicious) family outing. Owned by kevin and maureen Dodd, Pleasant Valley’s blueberry operation is just one business supported by their 320 acre farm. “We started growing blueberries initially for export about 18 years ago and today some 1500 bushes cover more than two and a half acres,” says maureen, who has made the enterprise mostly her responsibility although there is little time for making blueberry pies! General maintenance such as weed control and pruning, as well as cultivating beehives for pollination, are her jobs but she has relied on husband kevin to do spring’s big spraying job. “We used to have someone bring the hives in but i was keen to take this on,” maureen says. “it was matter of starting slowly, slowly but then, suddenly, it became imperative i was up to speed and it’s been a fast learning curve ever since. 18 — Rural Living — January/February 2019

“While the bees play an important role in our blueberry numbers, they also provide us with enough honey for all the family and a few friends too.” While kevin is roped in for some of the heavier work, he also operates a digger and earthmoving business, and runs about 120 head of breeding cows so while the blueberries have become pretty much maureen’s domain, she’s delighted that son and daughter-in-law, Daniel and Sharde, are coming on board the expanding business. importantly, Sharde is dead keen to learn. “i’m an early childhood teacher but having two young daughters, means i’ve been doing mostly relief work and while i’ll continue to do so during the winter months, i’m ready to learn the in and outs of blueberry growing and the PYO operation. like kevin, Daniel will help with the mowing and heavy work.” also keen to do the same weekend bee-keeping course which maureen completed a couple of years ago, Sharde says that would be another challenge. “i’m also excited about the new ice cream truck we’ve bought. the plan is to serve fresh blueberry ice cream at weekend markets and special functions once the picking season is over.” While blueberries have been part of the property for nearly two decades the PYO venture is relatively new, started nearly three years ago. “initially we grew for export but about 10 years ago we suﬀered a massive hailstone storm which marginally damaged the fruit but, nevertheless, made it unacceptable for overseas markets,” maureen explains. “the situation was salvaged by selling our crop through turners & Growers with the fruit then making its way into cafes, restaurants and small greengrocers.

“Because that worked so well we decided to concentrate on the domestic market but then it was suggested we try PYO. amazingly it has been extremely successful, so much so that last year we didn’t send any fruit to turners & Growers.” With few overheads – in particular no need to employ staff which had become increasingly difficult in this somewhat remote area – the Dodd’s say they are enjoying changes to the way the enterprise operates and expect it to keep growing. But, like all growing, outcomes can be weather dependent and this year the blueberries have taken longer to ripen because of early cool temperatures. But, with the onset of hot, dry days early January, the Dodd’s expect to be ready for the PYO season beginning on auckland’s anniversary Weekend. that means a last flurry of preparations as they gear up for an influx of pickers. ‘most people just want to pick enough for the table although we have regulars who pick for the freezer and want enough to make jam and preserves,” says maureen. “We see lots of families; children love the idea of picking their own fruit and it usually turns into a competition as to who picks the most. i always weigh the buckets individually so they can see clearly who is the blueberry king or queen. ‘naturally pickers will eat a few as they go too; we expect that and no one quibbles over those tell-tale juicy stains around the mouths of little ones. However, we have a minimum charge of $10 (for one kilogram) so it pretty well pans out. also if it is hot, it doesn’t take long for pickers to get down to gathering in earnest instead of eating their pickings!” www.ruralliving.co.nz

Farming family – Bonnie, Sharde, Maureen, Maggie, Kevin and Daniel Dodd. Photos Wayne Martin

Photos Wayne Martin

Peninsula life in their blood It would take more than a few hailstorms like the one which damaged their blueberry crop some years back to force Kevin and Maureen Dodd off their family farm at Wattle Bay. It’s been in Kevin’s family for four generations – he was raised there, schooled locally and married a local girl, Maureen Torpey. “It was my great grandfather on my mother’s side, Septimus Coulthard, who bought the original farm at Wattle Bay,” says Kevin. “His father, Thomas, immigrated to New Zealand from England with his young family in 1859 and settled at Orua Bay. That’s where Septimus grew up and was actually the Orua Bay postmaster before buying the farm. “My grandfather, Eric (son of Septimus) later took over the Wattle Bay property and family members have been here ever since. “Over the years it’s been added to and some sections sold off. The house www.ruralliving.co.nz

my grandparents (Eric and Muriel) were in until they retired was sold and they moved into a small cottage on the property. This was also sold after they passed. You could say just a bit of refiguring has taken place!” With today’s farm standing at 320 acres, Kevin and Maureen live in a replica farm house on an elevated site enjoying northern sun with tranquil views across the farm and bushland to the sea. With plans for son Daniel and his wife Sharde to take over the blueberry operation entirely, Kevin and Maureen hope that, in time, the younger couple will also take on the farm. In the meantime, they wouldn’t part with their personal paradise for all the blueberries in North America and it seems it would take something momentous to move them from the area itself. That’s because Maureen’s roots are also entrenched in the Awhitu Peninsula. “My grandfather, Michael Torpey, who

hailed originally from Ireland, settled at Big Bay early in the 1900’s and bought a local dairy farm,” she says. “When he retired the farm was split between his two sons Mick (my dad) and his brother (also a Kevin). [Uncle] Kevin’s farm remains in his family’s ownership and, although my dad sold his half more than 30 years ago, I have warm memories of growing up there. “Like most locals I attended Awhitu School as did the Dodd family children so I knew Kevin casually. However we didn’t re-connect, date and marry until many years later.” Although Maureen lived out of the area for a number of years, she says re-meeting and marrying Kevin then returning to the district, was like a home coming. “We both love the peninsula. The land has given us a good life and the sea provides us with a great hobby – fishing – so we don’t want for much!” Rural Living — January/February 2019 — 19

What’s up with D. O’C...

In the lead-up to the summer break (and soon after) New Zealand’s Minister of Agriculture, Biosecurity, Rural Communities was hard at work, as these insights (based on ministerial reports) suggest.

Outlook for Primary? Our Minister of Agriculture has been riding high of late following predictions that New Zealand’s primary sector exports are set to grow to a record level. The Ministry for Primary Industries’ latest Situation and Outlook report forecasts a 3.8 per cent increase for primary sector export earnings for the year ending June 2019. “There’s a lot to be positive about when strong consumer demand for high-value produce and good growing conditions have nudged up forecasts by an extra half a billion dollars,” Mr O’Connor said. “This shows primary sector exports will continue to be a strong contributor to the economy, which is forecast to grow at about 3 per cent a year over the next few years.” The growth in the sector is due (in part) to good weather resulting in increased milk production and export returns as well as moves away from raw commodity markets into those offering sustainable returns, the Minister contends. “For future growth, we need to get more value for what we produce now, and we are focused on helping our primary sector to achieve this sustainable, value-added growth.”

Scan plan in place Having one’s nose to the ground is not a bad way to detect ‘stinky’ visitors but keeping a keen eye out can prove even more effective, our Minister for Biosecurity asserts with regards to a new million dollar X-ray scanner. “This is a game changer for biosecurity. It is the most sophisticated piece of X-ray technology we could have in place to support our officers at Auckland Airport and provides another useful tool,” Mr O’Connor states. “The scanner will check bags before passengers pick them up and images will be sent to quarantine ahead of any searches.” Aiding detector dog teams, the new scanner is capable of pinpointing risky items which have been difficult to detect in the past such as dried meat, goods 20 — Rural Living — January/February 2019

hidden behind laptops and pests including the notorious stink bug. “Ultimately we want this technology in place across the passenger, mail and cargo pathways... we all benefit from a country relatively free of unwanted pests and diseases and we all suffer the consequences of an incursion.”

Cash in for environment While exploitation of the world’s resources may have lined plenty of pockets, solutions for life in a world facing climate change will prove vital, Mr O’Connor contends. “As an agricultural economy, New Zealand understands the importance of getting this right and the vital role that science will play,” he said following confirmation of the latest agri-science scholarship winners in December. “Many around the world are now looking at what agricultural expertise can deliver in terms of low-emissions food production to feed the world’s growing population.” Armed with funding from the New Zealand Government and the UN’s CCAFS (Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security) programme, PhD students from 17 countries will undertake research into such areas as rumen microbiology, rice production, soil science, and rangeland management.

“The range of scientific disciplines and diversity of production systems covered by the scholarships highlights the complexity of the challenge of tackling greenhouse gases from food production,” Mr O’Connor added. “Strong interest in the scholarships reflects the global desire to ensure food production systems are economically and environmentally sustainable in the face of an ever hungrier world.”

E-mission possible? A certain Rural Living writer suggests the quickest way to reduce New Zealand’s environmentally-damaging emissions would be to gag Judith Collins but a report released in December suggests other methods. The Biological Emissions Reference Group’s (BERG) report looks at methods for curtailing such emissions. “In essence, BERG has looked at what lowering emissions means for the primary sector. It’s been no small task, and I thank the group for taking on the challenge to help answer some big questions,” Mr O’Connor confirmed. “They’ve provided a comprehensive range of findings; from farmers’ perceptions of climate change through to views on the likelihood of new technologies being available to reduce emissions in future.” www.ruralliving.co.nz

Wasps – don’t let them mar summer By Ditch keeling, coastal Pest Solutions

e’ve hit that time of year when calls for wasp control tend to come in thick and fast. Wasp nests can get very large and dangerous and I’ve dealt with some real monsters in my time. The biggest problems come from Common and German wasps; most often these nest underground and have a single entry hole. Both are slightly bigger than honey bees with distinctive black and yellow stripes. If readers suspect a nest on their property try to follow the wasps’ flight path in the final hour or two of daylight. It usually culminates in a lot of activity around one focal point and access to the nest will be at the base of that activity (usually a hole about the diameter of a can of soft drink). These nests often hold thousands of wasps and are best treated by a professional. The other wasps we have are Paper Wasps. These guys build the little honeycomb structures often seen hanging on fences and sheds. Paper wasps are far less aggressive than their larger cousins and seldom pose quite the same threat; as such they can be safely dealt with after dark by spraying the nest liberally with a strong fly spray then later clipping the dead nest into a bag for the rubbish. However, always be careful with wasps and if in doubt give me a call. Rabbits remain on my mind especially

as they thrive in these dry conditions. It’s amazing how quickly just a few can turn into large numbers at this time of year and they can pose a real threat on farms – no one wants to see a horse or cow put a hoof down a rabbit hole and break a leg! Hare numbers can be very high at this time of year too and while they don’t cause the same amount of soil disturbance

as rabbits they certainly eat three times as much as your average bunny. Therefore they are a real problem in times of grass shortages. Only professional shooting will remove enough to achieve control. If anyone needs advice or help when it comes to any of these pest elements – wasps, rabbit, hares – don’t hesitate to give me a call.

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Rural Living — January/February 2019 — 21

Win!

To enter the draw for any of these competitions visit ruralliving.co.nz and enter this month's code – RLFEB2547. One entry per person/email address; entries close February 28, 2019. Winner notified by phone or email.

Win! a SacreD Hill Print ValueD at $500

Win! mOtat familY PaSSeS Why did the Frankliner trek over to the Westside? To visit MOTAT of course! One of the Super City’s top tourist attractions, the Museum of Transport & Technology offers plenty to fuel our imaginations, featuring machines from bygone eras as well as many special events and exhibitions. Simply put, a journey through MOTAT is like taking a ride through time. To ensure lucky locals pay more than just a ‘flying’ visit, Rural Living has THREE general admission family passes (two adults & up to four children) to give away.

Inspire by the raw natural beauty of rural New Zealand, Sacred Hill’s new wine labels (details via sacredhill.com) capture the essence of the vineyards from where their greatest grapes grow. To celebrate their release, we have a delightful limited edition copper foil print – one of only 10 produced – to give away.

Win! QuinteSSential neW ZealanD

Win! a JOHnSOn’S BaBY BatH Pack Is your little one a coal miner? If not, Johnson’s products are probably a great option for ensuring they’re clean from head to toe! Designed specifically to clean young skin, the Johnson’s range delivers a gentle touch during an important bonding experience. Thanks to the good folk at Johnson’s we have a prize pack up for grabs, featuring five bottles of Johnson’s best – includes Baby bath Milk & Rice, Baby Bath, Top-to-toe Baby Wash, Baby Lotion and Baby Shampoo. 22 — Rural Living — January/February 2019

There’s no disputing New Zealand is a stunning country but many of us only ever see pockets of its scenic beauty. However, readers now have a chance to win a fabulous pictorial book, Quintessential New Zealand, by photographer David Kerr who has photographed almost every corner of the land capturing images of 4 Square stores, beaches, baches, tractors and more, then ‘booking’ them for others to appreciate. The perfect coffee table title showcasing ‘Kiwiana DNA’ and ideal for sending to friends and family abroad, it can be bought from all good bookstores or online at davidkerrphotography.co.nz (PDF sample accessible online) but you could be the lucky reader to win a copy of this captivating book. David Kerr: Quintessential New Zealand | RRP $69.99 www.ruralliving.co.nz

Topsy-turvy start to year Reay Neben is a Franklin resident and publisher of Rural Living.

“I can never go on the motorway at peak time and what used to take about 40 minutes drive for years, now takes me an hour and a half”.

CITY LASS

appy 2019 to you all and I trust everyone had a great Christmas. Ours was spent packing, painting and doing all those necessary jobs ahead of our move. We were only in the Glenbrook house for two years but somehow we managed to accumulate so much rubbish. Honestly, when packing I think I wrapped ten dozen glasses! Collected over the years, some are so good they are never used and have sat in numerous sideboards and cupboards just to gather dust. I told the family ‘please, no Christmas presents’ as everything would have to be packed away. Did they listen? No they did not. When the property went unconditional, I told Brian we needed to sort stuff out quickly because when we moved last time, Brian backed the trailer into the tree and had to have 48 stitches in his head. This time I wanted to be organised early in case anything untoward happened. Never did I think that it would be me having issues. Right on Christmas with the move pending, I had major surgery. That put me out of action for a couple of weeks but because I do Pilates, the recovery has been quick. Our neighbours were great throughout and, just before leaving I had our immediate neighbours, together with the

new owners, for a wee gathering. After living rurally for the past 33 years it will certainly been a huge change to live in suburbia closer to our offices in Botany. The new owners are doing the opposite; they’re moving for the first time to live rurally. How exciting for them and, thankfully, they are keeping Brian’s chooks. I have loved living in the Franklin area and our heart will always be here which is why we are only renting in Howick to see how we cope. Sadly, all of this change has come about because of Franklin’s massive development. I can never go on the motorway at peak time and what used to take about 40 minutes drive for years, now takes me an hour and a half. I look at all the development down by Strathallan and also at Paerata Rise, Glenbrook and Pukekohe as well as the projected 1300 more homes near the Drury onramp, and ask where are all the cars going to go? Linwood Road is frequently blocked back to Paddock to Pantry and Glenbrook

Road blocked to the Golf Club yet nothing is being done to those two main feeder roads to ease the jams. I know there are plans for down the track but we need action before the houses are built. The congestion is a major topic of conversation among those who travel to and from Auckland at peak time while public transport, in my mind, is a joke. Our pool maintenance man told me that six of his clients had sold because of the traffic and I feel it’s only going to get worse with the rezoning of our prime growing land for housing. Well, that’s it for this month. I will be back next month with a whole new focus. I still have a daughter living in Pukekohe and the whole Rural team also live in Puke’. My Pilates classes are in Irwin Road and I am not giving them up so I’ll be out here often, just not at peak traffic time! In the meantime, commiserations to all those commuters who have to struggle with queues and congestion every working week!

Cherry Cooper Lives Local, Sells Local!

M. 021 955 141 Papakura Office 09 298 8029 www.ruralliving.co.nz

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Call me for a chat about your rural / lifestyle needs today!

Rural Living — January/February 2019 — 23

neW Year, neW hair, neW You, Natasha Harris from Alberts Hair Salon asks is it time for a change?

ew Year Eve celebrations are often the time when we think it’s time for a change. It is a time when we all take stock of the year which has passed and put some thought into the months to come. As for me, I am yet to achieve my New Year resolutions of the past three years! So, I guess my advice would be to keep them realistic, have a plan, and put into place those steps you need to take in order to achieve your goal or, in my case, THE DREAM.

Of course, if you have a ‘hair goal’, my team and I are absolutely your ‘go-to’ salon. Whether you want to maintain your current style, or are in need of a New Year transformation, my team and I at Alberts Hair Salon have everything you need to achieve your look. However, a makeover isn’t complete without a personalised makeup session too! We all love the feel and looks we can achieve with our Jane Iredale skincare/makeup.

uSe erGOnOmicS to relive back Pain Back pain, stiffness, varicose veins, numbness — working in a seated position for hours on end can lead to such issues. Being sedentary is also problematic as it can increase the risk of diabetes and heart disease (among other things). On the other hand, standing for a long period of time can cause back and leg problems. The best approach is to regularly alternate between a seated and standing position. This also helps improve work productivity. However, expert recommendations vary. Some advise a change in posture every 20, 30 or 60 minutes, while others suggest not working in a standing position for more than five or 10 minutes per hour. No matter what you decide suits you best, make sure your work position is ergonomic. Whether you’re standing or sitting, your hands, wrists and forearms should be parallel to the floor; your elbows, close to your body; your shoulders, relaxed; and your head, straight or slightly tilted forward. Your computer screen should also be at eye level, or just below it. When standing, oFFice make sure you’re wearing good shoes erGonoMics: and periodically shift alternating between your weight from standing and sitting is best one leg to the other. alternating between a seated Finally, an antifatigue mat could and standing position helps also be a valuable reduce the risks linked to a asset.

sedentary lifestyle.

shop 2/23 hall st, pukekohe | ph 09 238 7576 | www.alberts.co.nz 24 — Rural Living — January/February 2019

www.ruralliving.co.nz

What causes tooth decaY? By Yvonne Vannoort, Sanctuary Dental

etting to the core of any problem is important. While putting a plaster on an issue may be helpful at first it doesn’t always prevent the same problem re-occurring. As a dentist filling teeth I sometimes feel the same way. I can remove the decay and restore the tooth in most circumstances (the plaster), but what can I do to help stop the decay from reoccurring? There are some obvious steps we can all take. One is to avoid fizzy drinks (because they are loaded with sugar and are acidic) and also to clean your teeth well, at least twice a day, and for longer than just a few seconds. However, this isn’t the answer for everyone. Some people are careful about these things and still develop decay, so what other factors can play a part? Here are some not so obvious reasons for tooth decay. ◆ Low saliva levels. Many commonly used medications have an effect on reducing saliva. Generally, it’s the ‘anti’ groups. Eg anti-depressants, anti-hypertensives, anti-inflammatories. Saliva protects teeth; this medicinal side affect is important and generally overlooked. It it often occurs in older people who are more likely to take medication and often multiple medications. ◆ Crowded teeth – these can collect food and be hard to clean. This can be a reason to straighten teeth using orthodontics. ◆ Teeth that have gaps around them also collect food and are more likely to develop decay. These can be natural gaps between teeth or gaps between fillings. The most risky situation is when you don’t realise the food is getting caught and it sits there for awhile. Remember to floss daily. ◆ Mouth breathing – the mouth becomes dry and the teeth are not protected by saliva. We are designed to breathe through our noses. ◆ Lozenges for coughs and colds – when used for longer periods of time, especially at night. ◆ People who don’t easily absorb minerals in their food or supplements. (This warrants a discussion of its own!).

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Rural Living — January/February 2019 — 25

Judith Boyes – the art of nature W

hether hacking back brush or breathing life into a canvas with brush in hand, establishing order is an essential human drive – for Awhitu artist, Judith Boyes, it is also a passion. “Gardens are a distillation of the landscape, bringing order from chaos,” she says. “They’re all about patterns, sensory pleasure and expressions of fertility, drawing on light and shade, texture and rhythm. I think that’s why I like to focus on gardens and plants because there’s a sense of order; they’re just a joy to paint.” While plants tend to take pride of place in Judith’s paintings, more complex creatures may also feature. “I have done a lot of life drawing and I do include people too. I wouldn’t do portraits as such – that’s a whole different genre – but [my work] is all about the relationship between gardens and people, rather than just plants themselves.” While crediting studies in botany (leading to a degree in landscape horticulture) with helping her develop basic techniques, Judith – who has delighted in art, music and gardens since her childhood – believes an artist should continually seek to learn and evolve. “My horticulture training involved drawing, which is really important for plans. From the botany side, drawing the insides of flowers was an integral part of my studies. It reignited my interest in art. “If you haven’t been to art school, some would say you’re ‘self-taught’ but I definitely wouldn’t agree because there are certain things you cannot teach yourself. I’ve taken plenty of workshops and tutorials with other artists, which have been most beneficial.” Originally from Mount Eden, Judith ‘escaped to the country’ in 2006 to enjoy a rural lifestyle, surrounded by nature. Since then, she has found support through the local art community. “When the children left home, we decided to branch out and move somewhere else. About that time I committed to pursuing art full time. I didn’t realise beforehand just how big an art community there was here, which proved an amazing surprise. The people at the co-op have been fantastic; I sell almost all my work through them.” 26 — Rural Living — January/February 2019

Judith Boyes at home with easal in her garden.

Usually, Judith favours watercolours when bringing her living creations to ‘life’. “Watercolour is the most difficult medium to master because, unlike acrylics, once you’ve applied the pigment it’s very difficult to lift off and you can’t paint over it,” she explains. “So, a lot of planning is needed; you only get one shot at it.” From the impressionists and the 18th Century Rococo master, Francois Boucher, to (closer to home) such renowned Kiwi painters as Bill Hammond and Frances Hodgkins, Judith draws on many influences. Considering her penchant for

What will you find in a Kiwi country garden? If you look close enough, you will discover a world of inspiration, as JON RAWLINSON explains.

Photo Wayne Martin

painting flowers, I have to ask whether she’s a fan of the work of Georgia O’Keeffe. “Yes, definitely,” she smiles. “Art is about communication. If you can see how someone else views the world, you can take that in – adopting something as simple as [their choice] of colour palette – and improve how you express yourself.” Renowned surrealist master, Pablo Picasso is one of her particular favourites. “I’ve been spending quite a lot of time in Australia, partly so I can become more established there but I was also in the UK www.ruralliving.co.nz

recently and went to the Picasso exhibition at the Tate Modern. It was amazing – you can’t become a good artist without looking at truly great art. “One of Picasso’s famous sayings was that to break the rules successfully, you first need to have a solid understanding of them. He was a great experimenter who never sat still in terms of what he was producing and he was constantly trying loads of different techniques.” Although she says her first solo exhibition (at Franklin Arts Centre, mid 2018) went well, Judith has no fixed plans www.ruralliving.co.nz

for a second show just yet. However, she is set on entering a range of art competitions (including the NZ Painting and Printmaking Awards and the Lysaght Watt Art Awards) to further build her artistic knowledge and perspective. “For about the past seven years I’ve been actively improving my art. I make a small living but I am at quite an early stage and looking to grow. It’s nice to be rewarded for my efforts but, for me, the main driver is the work itself.”

“Art is about communication. If you can see how someone else views the world, you can take that in – adopting something as simple as [their choice] of colour palette – and improve how you express yourself.” Rural Living — January/February 2019 — 27

on the

home front flOuriSH The greatest women of all time have not been afraid to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty. Covering the exploits of the women behind some of New Zealand’s most-admired gardens – including Bev McConnell, responsible for Whitford’s wonderful Ayrlies – this beautifully presented book shows how their efforts have sprung into bloom. From coastal spreads to native, courtyard and rose gardens, these are no ordinary gardens and no ordinary women. Juliet Nicholas & Barb Rogers: Flourish | RRP $55| RHNZ Godwit

ecO HOme

SaVe make DO

From structural detail to those finishing touches, Melinda Williams takes us on a journey through a modern home, discovering that living rooms don’t necessarily need to impact badly on living things. Packed full of practical advice and plenty of photographs, Eco Home reveals how we can live in an eco-friendly and sustainable way, from the bathroom to the kitchen, outdoors and in, and from foundations to ceilings. Melinda Williams: Eco Home | RRP $45 | Penguin NZ

Well known for her online guide for reducing family food bills (gorgeously titled: Pig Tits and Parsley Sauce), Lyn Webster has become a veritable ‘how to’ guru. Featuring recipes for everything from meals and treats, to cosmetics and cleaning products, as well as tips regarding what to grow in the garden and how to shop smarter, Save Make Do reveals just how far we can all stretch that household shopping dollar while living an environmentally-conscious (almost) zero waste lifestyle in the process.

franceSca’S italian kitcHen With restaurants in Wanaka, Christchurch, Dunedin and Timaru, Francesca Voza has become famous in the South Island for serving up authentic Italian cuisine. However, thanks to this book, we can all now enjoy a taste of Italy in our own homes. With the help of her executive chef, James Stapley, Francesca presents a book loaded with photos from Italy and featuring recipes for everything from pastas and pizzas to traditional mains and desserts. Francesca Voza & James Stapley: Francesca’s Italian Kitchen | RRP $50 | Penguin

Lyn Webster: Save Make Do RRP $25 | Penguin NZ

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

Mitre 10, 25 Bowen St. Bombay Autobahn, State Highway 1. Tuakau Tuakau Meats, 23 George St. Tuakau Pharmacy, 51 George St. H.R Fiskens, 295 Tuakau Rd. Field Fresh Fruit & Vege, 3/53 George St. Profarm Tuakau, Cnr Madill Rd and George St. Ardmore Animal Stuff, 192 Airfield Rd.

28 — Rural Living — January/February 2019

Karaka Animal Stuff, 671 Karaka Rd. Drury Animal Stuff, 222 Great South Rd. Drury Butcher, 232a Great South Rd. Town & Country Vets, 257 Great South Rd. Patumahoe The Butchers Shop Cafe, 4 Patumahoe Rd. Clevedon Clevedon Dairy, 14 Main Rd, Clevedon Village

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

Clevedon Rural Supplies, 13 Papakura-Clevedon Rd, Clevedon Village Te Kauwhata Te Kauwhata Pharmacy, 14 Main Rd. Peplers, 5 Main Rd

www.ruralliving.co.nz

Time for a new look? Dali

Diamond

Cloud

hile time may have passed by the old wristwatch, it seems sophisticated sorts from foreign ports still prefer a hands-on approach to chronology. However, ensuring time will continue to tell requires the assistance of a novel knick-knack which is quickly becoming a

showpiece in and of itself. Boca do Lobo’s watchwinders not only provide an important function for anyone sporting a fashionable timepiece, they also inject an element of style into the home as well. From the Diamond and Cloud to the Dali model (which, we’re assured will not

melt!) these intriguing contraptions ensure a good turn every... time. Although these Portuguese-designed gizmos are not available in New Zealand stores, they can be purchased and shipped here by arrangement. See bocadolobo. com for details of these (and many other) products by Boca do Lobo.

Pukekohe Decorators & Door Finishers Ltd The team at Colourplus have your design needs covered with a full range of curtains, blinds wallpaper, paint and flooring options. New build or renovating our team of experienced, friendly, trained professionals will offer expert advice and design options to reflect your style and budget.

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Rural Living — January/February 2019 — 29

SPONSORED

Guthrie Bowron

ew Year, new look? It’s all too easy to procrastinate rather than renovate; however, thanks to Robin Beveridge and his team, more locals are liable to favour the latter over the former this summer. “With so many New Year deals on offer, now’s the ideal time to stop in, stock up and get stuck into renovations,” the Guthrie Bowron Pukekohe owner says. “Whatever the scale or nature of the job – from sprucing up paintwork or wallpapering to hanging curtains and laying carpet or other flooring – our expert team is on hand and happy to help.” While some renovations may only involve slapping on a fresh coat of paint, the recent move by Guthrie Bowron Pukekohe to new premises (on Pukekohe’s Wrightson Way) required just a little more expertise. “Our store is a showcase of Guthrie Bowron’s vast range so we needed to ensure it was finished to the highest standard,” Robin says. “We put a lot of effort into making it perfect but, thanks to our team’s vast experience, we were able to cut quite an extensive project down to size and come out on top.” Their premises may be relatively new, but the Pukekohe-based team has been supplying market-leading products, backed by specialist advice, for almost 15 years. “We are locally owned and operated and a lot of our skilled team members have worked for Guthrie Bowron for many years. This enables us to deliver a personalised service which is so important when renovating.”

– building on success

Robin, Jodie (manager), Nathan & Kyly – the team at Guthrie Bowron Pukekohe. Photo Wayne Martin

Because DIY is just about as Kiwi as the barbecue, many of Robin’s loyal local customers are proficient enough to go it alone when giving homes, baches and even commercial premises a makeover, but sound advice is always in style. “Even if you’re a hands-on type, the right guidance can prove vital in helping avoid small mistakes which can have huge repercussions,” Robin says. “We’re also up with the play regarding such aspects as colour choice and design know-how and because we work with so many local trades people, we can also recommend some of the best in the business for jobs best left to the professionals.”

Backed by a company which has helped Kiwis create stylish living spaces for more than a century, Robin has made it his business to stay up with the latest trends when it comes to products and design preferences. “Guthrie Bowron has been at the cutting edge of interior and exterior décor solutions since 1896. “Trends come and go and styles change – although some still can’t bear to part with that groovy ‘70s wallpaper!” he laughs. “But our company has withstood the test of time because we’ve kept in step with how people like to live and can deliver solutions to meet their needs.”

16c Wrightson Way, Pukekohe Phone 09 238 4879 www.guthriebowron.co.nz 30 — Rural Living — January/February 2019

www.ruralliving.co.nz

Coral

– bringing warmth to living spaces

iving Coral is the Pantone 2019 colour of the year providing designers from all genres with some exciting possibilities. On the ‘home’ front Warwick Fabrics already incorporates gorgeous coral tones into several of its latest collections with the GINZA range of upholstery and curtain fabrics being one that is right on-trend. Bright, contemporary and refreshing, this captivating pattern features in a striking colour palette of modern hues, with both ‘spice’ and orchid’ picking out coral tones but presenting them entirely differently. In particular, GINZA’s distinctive, handdrawn geometrics will bring a playful energy to any space. Whether it’s an eye-catching statement piece – perhaps a chair or suite covering – or a stylish

Warwick Fabrics – Ginza Collection www.warwick.co.nz

accent as in curtains or cushions, GINZA’s unique aesthetic balances colour, pattern and texture perfectly. So if seeking a fresh interior, ahead of the cooler seasons, consider coral as a shade which is soft and pretty yet brings a sense of warmth to the home.

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Rural Living — January/February 2019 — 31

SURVIVING

home renovations Home renovation projects can be extremely stressful but with a little preparation, families will survive with their sanity intact. here are ﬁve tips for getting through a home renovation without bursting a blood vessel! ◆ plan everything: make a timeline and if it’s a DiY job, buy all the materials you will need and book any contractors before starting. ◆ Flexibility is key: projects almost always take longer and cost more than expected, and there’s always a chance that something won’t go according to plan. ◆ Be ready for dust: it will get everywhere. remove everything possible from work areas, cover furniture and electronics with drop sheets and clean every day. ◆ splurge on a dream item: whether it’s one of the latest combination pyrolytic/steam oven combinations, a luxurious free-standing tub or perhaps a twin shower for your bathroom, a special splurge is great motivation for getting through your renovation with a smile. ◆ Make a construction-free zone: you’ll need a place to relax which is free of dirt and dust, especially if you live with children or pets. if you’re without a kitchen for a while, include a bar fridge and microwave in your retreat area. ◆ When all else fails, try to get out of the house for a weekend to take your mind oﬀ of what’s happening at home and always try to see both the bright and the light side of small disasters. a good laugh can work wonders.

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32 — Rural Living — January/February 2019

www.ruralliving.co.nz

Tangy Curry Pie INGREDIENTS: ◆◆500-650g blade or chuck steak ◆◆1 small 350g tin of tomato soup (or bigger or more meat used) ◆◆Water to fill empty tomato soup tin ◆◆1 stick celery, chopped ◆◆1 carrot, peeled and cubed ◆◆1 cup frozen peas ◆◆1 small onion, finely chopped ◆◆Small tin pineapple pieces, retain liquid separately ◆◆1 Granny Smith apple, peeled and chopped ◆◆1 dessertspoon curry powder ◆◆Salt/pepper to season ◆◆Juice from one squeezed lemon ◆◆2 tbsp flour ◆◆1 heaped tbsp golden syrup or similar www.ruralliving.co.nz

◆◆Four or five large potatoes peeled, and cubed ◆◆Milk to mash ◆◆1 cup grated cheese ◆◆Extra salt and pepper seasoning

method Cube steak and quickly brown in pan; place in a casserole dish or large pot and add tomato soup. Refill soup can with water and add to meat mixture. Add cubed carrot, celery pieces, apple and onion. In a separate bowl, mix together flour, curry powder, golden syrup, and juice from lemon plus good dash of salt and pepper. If more liquid is needed add a little pineapple juice until you have a smooth paste. Add paste to meat and veggie

This potatotopped tangy curry version of a one pot dish is an easy to prepare, ‘cheat’s’ pie which is sure to please the whole family.

mixture. Stir well ensuring mixture not too dry. Cook on stove stop (if in pot) or in moderate oven for one hour checking that liquid doesn’t evaporate. Add extra water or pineapple juice if needed but avoid having too much liquid. At one hour of cooking time, add frozen peas and pineapple pieces, stir and cook for the further 1/2 hour. While curry mix is cooking, boil potato cubes 20 minutes or until soft but not mushy. Mash with milk, salt and pepper. If cooked on stove top turn into oven proof casserole, cover with mashed potatoes and top with grated cheese. Place under grill until cheese is crispy and lightly browned. Stand for 10 minutes before serving. Rural Living — January/February 2019 — 33

Stuffed Asian BBQ

pork chops

In addition to being very tasty, these pork chops are really easy to prepare. You can choose chops with or without bones, although it’s easier to cut open boneless chops in order to stuff them.

Ingredients ◆◆4-6 pork chops about 2.5-cm thick, with or without bones. Marinade: ◆◆1/2 cup soy sauce ◆◆2 tbsp vegetable oil ◆◆2 tbsp hoisin sauce or brown sugar ◆◆2 garlic cloves, chopped ◆◆1 tbsp fresh ginger, chopped

◆◆2 tsp toasted sesame oil ◆◆1 tbsp Chinese vinegar or white vinegar Stuffing: ◆◆1/2 cup chopped cashews ◆◆2 large green onions, chopped ◆◆2 celery stalks, chopped ◆◆8-10 white mushrooms, chopped ◆◆1 tbsp fresh ginger, chopped ◆◆Pepper to taste

ay s nd et Su ark M

Country Cafe

Weddings - Birthdays or any special occasions 16 Jesmond Rd, Karaka Ph (09) 294 6687

34 — Rural Living — January/February 2019

KAT5624-v3

www.redshedpalazzo.co.nz

Breakfast/Lunch – licensed OPEN 7 days 8.30am - 4.00pm Email: eat@redshedpalazzo.co.nz www.redshedpalazzo.co.nz

Viewings welcome by appointment

CD2096

Palazzo

Make an incision along the length of each chop (in readiness to stuff). Place chops in a plastic bag. Whisk marinade ingredients and pour over chops. Refrigerate for at least an hour or overnight, shaking bag from time to time. Remove chops from fridge and set aside two tbsp of marinade. For stuffing, pour a little oil in fry pan and sauté nuts, onions, celery and mushrooms for a few mins. Add marinade and cook over low heat until marinade has completely evaporated. Stuff chops with stuffing. If necessary, close openings with toothpicks. Grill on a barbecue on medium/high for 3 to 5 mins on each side. Serve immediately.

• Pet boarding • Doggy day care Monday to Friday • Dog training • Pet taxi available • Family owned and operated • The Lodge is situated over five stunning hectares

WINNER Rural Cafe of the Year 2016 & 17

Red Shed

Method

751 Clevedon-Kawakawa Rd, Clevedon Phone 027 222 0307 info@fairfieldpetlodge.nz - www.fairfieldpetlodge.nz www.ruralliving.co.nz

Hot Spots

Valentine’s Day CANOPIUS

szimpla gastro bar

Canopius as always is bringing the finest, freshest and freerange product to the area’s surrounding Papakura. Our passion for quality food and fantastic coffee is second to none and our new range of summer cocktails like the Aperol Spritz are perfect for that lazy weekend afternoon. Whether you’re choosing your favourite from our menu, or grabbing something from the extensive cabinet selection, Canopius will cater to what drives your hunger.

Book now for Valentine’s Day, Thursday, February 14. Let us look after you with our delicious dinner and cocktail specials. Bookings are recommended. Acclaimed retro retreat in the heart of Auckland Airport’s shopping precinct – Szimpla Gastro Bar – is dishing up delicious food, quality craft beer and good old Kiwi hospitality. We have options for large group bookings from 20-80 people with canapes and set menus available. Brunch from 10am every weekend alongside our expansive all day menu including yummy veggie and gluten free options. For bookings – ph 09 215 1220 or email info@szimpla.co.nz 2 Leonard Isitt Drive, Auckland

KAT5233-v8

145 Great South Road, Papakura Open Tues-Fri 7am-3pm Sat-Mon 8am-3pm Phone 09 299 1180 www.canopius.co.nz www.facebook.com/canopiuscoffeehouse

JU0457-v7

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red shed palazzo

Enjoy idyllic country dining overlooking 20 stunning acres of manicured golf course at Maxwells – Eat. Play. Stay. Owner Kaye Maxwell, a former NZ champ and NZ golf coach wants patrons to enjoy a ‘(w)hole in one’ experience whether they are dining, playing or staying a few days. Café open Wed-Sun, 10-3pm and for dinner on Friday & Sunday evenings. Bookings preferred. Saturdays available for group bookings and private functions. Located off Great South Rd near St Stephen’s College. NEW – Twilight Golf & Dinner Thursday nights! 205B Ingram Rd, Bombay Ph 09 236 0911 kaye@maxwellsgolf.co.nz www.eatplaystay.nz

WINNER Rural Cafe of the Year 2016 & 2017. Recommending this cafe is easy – the food and service are that good and directions couldn’t be more straight forward: head along Karaka Rd and look out for the big... red shed! Along with their team, Paul (a chef with 30 years’ experience) and Kristina Smith serve quality food amidst beautiful, family and animal friendly, garden surrounds. Creative breakfasts, morning and afternoon teas, gourmet-style lunches and moreish cakes are all on offer at this fully licensed slice of rural paradise, open 8.30am-4pm.

www.ruralliving.co.nz

KAT6125-v5

MAXWELL’S EAT.PLAY.STAY

16 Jesmond Rd (just off Karaka Rd), Drury Phone 09 294 6687 www.redshedpalazzo.co.nz

Red Shed

Palazzo

KAT5299-v13

Valid Wed-Fri

Rural Living — January/February 2019 — 35

Pebbled gardens rock! Create decorative spaces with minimum effort. Talk to our friendly Central Landscape Supplies team at Drury about all your pebbled garden needs.

Visit your local yard: Central Landscape Supplies Drury Open Hours: Monday - Friday: 7am - 5pm, Saturday: 8am - 4pm, Sunday: 9am - 1pm 36 — Rural Living — January/February 2019

www.ruralliving.co.nz

www.centrallandscapes.co.nz • 09 294 8410 • 141 Great South Rd, Drury, Auckland

KAT5290-v15

Gherkins – groWing cooler cucs

Central’s Tips

Let’s face it, we all want to hang with the cool kids but that’s not always possible. While some may be cool as cucumbers, others fit in by getting pickled.

February 2019

It’s summer and the veggie garden should be producing bumper crops - make sure you keep it watered and those pests under control! It’s time to start thinking about planting out autumn seedlings like broccoli and cabbages and managing weeds.

In the Veggie Patch • Watering is your biggest ally in keeping the vegetable garden productive. Saving grey water from washing, showering and laundry activities helps keep potted edibles from wilting

• Sow seeds of autumn vegetables in trays. Broccoli, cabbages, bok choy and cauliflower are worth growing once the weather turns cooler

• Try using organic pest deterrents over your edibles to limit the damage done by green looper caterpillars whitefly, aphids etc – it’s a safe option, just wash them well if your sprays are made from garlic, chilli or soap

The rest of the Garden • Appreciating shade - plant a mix of lush foliage interspersed with shade lovers that produce bright flowers such as impatiens, alstroemerias and begonias

• Spend a few relaxing hours on your lawn with a fork, trowel or daisy grubber, digging out entrenched weeds – an organic means of lawn weed control

• Controlling rust on the leaves of roses and

KAT5290A-v15

other ornamentals – rust pustules are the bright orange spots on the backs of leaves and they quickly spread – causing leaf drop. This disease spreads rapidly in the coming months, so a preventative spray each month from now until winter can help. A natural fungicide like copper will help, but clean up all infected foliage

www.ruralliving.co.nz

Although gherkins might not be as glamorous as others in the cucumber family, these mini delights are easy to grow, and highly popular amongst those who believe sweet is always beat by sour! Generally speaking, gherkins are grown in much the same way as their larger cousins. unlike cucumbers they can be left to grow as groundcover – rather than trained over a frame – and will produce abundantly. Depending on the region, gherkins can be planted from mid-spring right up until mid-summer. if seeds are sown early in the season it’s advisable to give them a head start indoors where they will be protected from frosts. choose a spot in the garden where plants will receive full sun. Because they are gross feeders, they require rich soil, with temperatures ranging from 15-35 degrees celsius, and plenty of room for roots to develop. Sow seeds at a depth approximately three times their diameter and spaced roughly 50cm apart. to ensure an adequate harvest for pickling, at least five plants should be grown at any one time. regular watering is very important to ensure a healthy crop of perky gherkins, particularly during the heat of summer. However, take care not to overwater. Water the roots, not the foliage to avoid the development of mildew and disease. as a rule of thumb, gherkins should be picked before they grow larger than 10cm in length. Once the harvest has been completed, the plants can be removed for compost to make way for a fresh crop next season. from salsas and relishes to pizzas and even simply sliced and served with cheese on crackers or on a ploughman’s platter, gherkins are versatile and tasty. While, nutritionally speaking, they do not have a plethora of nutritional benefits, when pickled, they are a delicious, absorbing the flavours of spices, herbs and vinegar with ease. Pickled gherkins will keep well for years. compared to commercially available products, gherkins which have been home-grown and pickled are in a completely different league when it comes to flavour. So, maybe it’s time to tell the cool kids of this world to go hang and get workin’ on growin’ gherkin! Rural Living — January/February 2019 — 37

The Countryside Begins with Townsend... To p 1 Ha rc

ra la

ge nt n

New Year – New Beginnings – New Legislation

All real estate agents in New Zealand have legal obligations to comply with the AML/ CFT legislation and will be requesting more documents and information than they have in the past. Please show some understanding as these are new procedures and obligations that have been introduced into the real estate sector. This is a major change for the industry. If your real estate agent cannot verify your identity in line with the legislation, they may not be able to act for you. Please note – If you are purchasing property you are not deemed a client of the real estate company (unless you have engaged them as a buyer’s agent) however, your

lawyer also has AML/CFT obligations and may need to complete CDD. We encourage all purchasers to engage early with lawyers in any sale or purchase process.

On a personal note I always find that the start of any year is the time to reflect about the year before and the year to come. And 2018 was busy for our family. My son got married to my new wonderful daughter in law, my second grandchild, Kenzie, was born joining my grandson Nathan in filling our life with laughter. My daughter Victoria gained her Real Estate Licence so will be joining the team early this year and increasing the value you will enjoy from the team at Harcourts. My husband Phil and I still love our lifestyle property though there are times when you are renovating that it gets too much! So roll on 2019 – we are ready for you! The market ended with the number of properties sold up from previous years and the price of houses up and most of this gain was in the regions who have been catching up with Auckland who led the charge. So the market is still active and if you’re thoughts over the holiday season is that things need to change – either upsizing the family home or making the move to smaller then we are here to help.

lly

Jo-Ann Day-Townsend 021 1696 056 jo-ann.day-townsend@harcourts.co.nz www.joanndaytownsend.co.nz Port Realty Ltd Licensed Agent REAA 2008

So give Jo-Ann a call Real people delivering real results for you!

Waitoa, 392 Ngarua Road

Pukekawa, 1042 Churchill Road

Waiuku, Lot 50 Parakau Road

Waiuku, 278 Orua Bay Road

38 — Rural Living — January/February 2019

KAT5307-v14

This means they are required to identify who their clients are (i.e. who they are acting for). This could be individuals, companies, trusts, or other client types like societies and government departments etc. This means asking for information to verify your full name, date of birth, and residential address. This can be done in several ways but, not unlike the banks, they will ask to see identity documents like your passport, driver licence, utility bill etc. In some cases, they have obligations to establish source of funds and wealth.

ati on a

rts lly ou 0 ona rc 1 i Ha P nat TOgent la ra Ru

From 1 January 2019 real estate agents will, among other things, be required to verify the identity of our clients in accordance with AML/CFT legislation. This is called Customer Due Diligence (CDD).

rts

www.ruralliving.co.nz

averting cracks By Kylie Bosanac, Nick Bosanac Builders

ost people are like – ‘No New Year new me; I’m not changing’. There is, after all, an old saying that says, ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’. But, let me remind you about the story of the three little pigs. Their New Year resolution was to move out of home, so they built new homes of straw, sticks or bricks. They were built to suit each pig’s wants and needs. They looked great, met the building code and were signed off by council. They were good homes, right? So, what would you find if you looked a little closer at what happened when the wolf came a knockin’?.......ponderous pause! How does this relate to you – and us? This is a column about home improvement after all! Let me tell you… those houses weren’t broken, until they were broken. The wolf didn’t have magical breath or the lung capacity of a hippopotamus. He succeeded twice because there were already weaknesses. ◆◆Lesson 1: Use Bricks & Mortar (Metaphorically) Life application: You only get out what you put in, so fix the small cracks, the tiny holes as they appear, brick off the niggling things before they become a problem. As you build resilience into your life, your ‘house’ will stand strong when the wolves of the world are howling. Building application: Build resilience into your home with materials and fittings which will stand the test of time. They don’t have to be pricey – but buy the best you can reasonably afford and then maintain them regularly. ◆◆Lesson 2: Find your Brothers Life Application: Two little pigs sought refuge in their brother’s home after theirs were destroyed. His house was already strong and together the brothers outsmarted the wolf. Many things in life are better when you are surrounded by a good support network. At times you’ll be the one seeking cover; at other times you’ll be the shelter. But together you will be more, go further, achieve greater than you could without that kinship. Building Application: Same rules apply. Work with a team you like and trust, learn from friends who have built before, read articles and visit places to help you gather ideas. Whether your intentions this year are to simply patch some cracks in your life and home, or to start fresh, we wish you well. The Nick Bosanac Builders Team | kylie@bosanacbuilders.co.nz | 027 458 3038 | 12 Jonah Lomu Drive, Paerata Rise.

Bring the outside in

Building Beautiful Futures.

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

Let us build your Forever Home www.bosanacbuilders.co.nz 09 239 3858

021 989 636

www.ruralliving.co.nz

bonita@bosanacbuilders.co.nz

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

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Bring us your plans, or let us design you something unique. We take pride in assuring that all work is of the highest quality.

KAT6403

PH 09 238 8828 franklinfirst.co.nz KAT5305

Rural Living — January/February 2019 — 39

directory �� KAT5306

SEPTIC TANK GREASE TRAP CLEANING SST SERVICES

MR CLIP LTD Totally mobile shearing service. Bombays to Kaiwaka.

From One Animal Upwards

21E Ryan Pl, Manukau

p: 09 294 7611

KAT5226-v2

e: sstseptictanks@gmail.com John: 0274 923 669 Robbie: 0274 967 430 Steve: 021 377 843

CONTRACTOR

EXPERIENCED NZ WOOL BOARD • CERTIFIED SHEARERS

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

Sheep, Goats, Alpacas, Llamas

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

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

Chris mobile 021 765 629

Free quotes – Competitive rates

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

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

KAT5317

ANd

Grant Escott FENCING

VISIT US AT

www.trackworks.co.nz

FOR ALL YOUR UNDERCARRIAGE REQUIREMENTS...

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Workshop – Engineering – Onsite Welding and Mechanical services available Castrol Distributors: Agents for Fleet IIIIIIIII IIIII Guard Filters, Exide Batteries. IIII IIIIIIII IIII IIII III

II III IIII IIIIII I

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Phone: 09 238 7168 Fax: 09 239 2605 Email: trackworks@xtra.co.nz Yard at 71 Adams Drive, Pukekohe KAT5217

PH 09 237 0050

40 CROSBIE ROAD, PUKEKOHE

KAT5318

COUNTIES BULK SPREADERS 1 2 6

0800 SUCKA1 0800 782 521

Alan Wilson Plumbing 235 9066 Certified Plumbers and Drainlayers

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Or:

Ph Brenton (09) 236 3639 or 0274 921 916

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18 Elliot St, Papakura. Ph 09 298 7767. Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; Sat 8.30am-2.30pm Cnr Madill & George St, Tuakau. Ph 09 236 8228. Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; Sat 8.30am-12noon

40 — Rural Living — January/February 2019

KAT5297

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

KAT5289

Earthmoving & General Cartage

KAT6171

l Tip trucks

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