Rural Living March-April 2020 by Times Media

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March/April 2020

OVER THE GATE –

HOBBY OF A CERTAIN VINTAGE BRONTE COLUCCIO – PULLING OFF STUNTS

FRANK TALK – BRONZE BEAUTIES

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Rural Living — March/April 2020 — 1

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What’s on this MARCH/ APRIL 2020

Royal Easter Show

■■ EASTER

■■ EXPOS & FESTIVALS

■■ HOME & GARDEN

Royal Easter Show April 9-13, times vary, ASB Showgrounds, 217 Green Lane West, Epsom Part seasonal celebration, part Agricultural & Pastoral show, this event offers plenty of fun for all the family, including carnival rides, live entertainment, Zirka Circus, fireworks and more. It is designed to celebrate the Easter season in style. See eastershow. co.nz for details.

Balloons over Waikato March 17-21, various locations, Waikato Once again this festival is expected to be a soaring success! Launching (quite literally!) with an opening fiesta kicking off five days of a sky full of colour, Balloons over Waikato has much to offer with the likes of the Resene Rainbow Unicorn sure to be a favourite. For a full schedule, see waikatonz.com/bow.

Franklin Home & Lifestyle Expo March 21-22, PIA Events Centre, 57 Ward St, Pukekohe Much more than a home and garden event, the Franklin Home & Lifestyle Expo is also a celebration of life and community on the rural, southern fringes of Auckland. A must-visit event in our books, the expanded Franklin Home & Lifestyle Expo is not to be missed. For more information see franklinexpo. co.nz.

Autumn Baby Show April 4-5, 9am-5pm, ASB Showgrounds, 217 Green Lane West, Epsom Two shows a year? You’re ‘kidding’! After proving so popular, this annual event (since last year) has been expanded to run every six months. Ideal for anyone with little ones or who expect to welcome a baby into the home, this expo is the show to go to. See babyshow.co.nz for details.

The Giant Easter Walk in the Woods April 10-13, 11am-2pm, Spookers, 833 Kingseat Road, Karaka If you go down to the woods during Easter, expect to be in for a surprise! Despite taking place at Spookers, this event is designed for children so, as long as they’re not scared by fluffy bunnies, they’re sure to enjoy this fun-filled family Easter egg hunt. Visit spookers.co.nz.

■■ COUNTRY CALENDAR The Great Pumpkin Carnival March 29, 10am-2pm, Hamilton Gardens, Hungerford Crescent, Hamilton Sometimes it pays to pick a pumpkin or two! Pumpkins of all sorts will be on show with prizes for the pick of the patch. Offering a fun-filled family day out, this annual event offers plenty more to entertain, from races and rides to music. See thegreatpumpkincarnival.co.nz.

Craig

Jason

Trudy

Ashby Boyce 2 — Rural LivingTabrum — March/April 2020

021 998 605

022 567 9662

021 898 483

The Retirement Lifestyle & Travel Expo April 4-5, 10am-3pm, Ellerslie Event Centre, 100 Ascot Ave, Remuera With so much to see and do, and more time to see and do it all, retirement is not best suited to retiring types! As this expo is all set to reveal, there is much to look forward to once we call time on our working lives. Showcasing a wide range of products and opportunities, this event also offers entertainment including performances by legendary singer, Tina Cross. Visit retirementlifestyleexpo.co.nz.

Brendon Moore

027 238 6660

Sue McCardle

027 527 0094

Steph Alderlieste 027 246 7911

Go Green Expo March 28-29, ASB Showgrounds, 217 Green Lane West, Epsom Eco-living doesn’t mean we must give up all the creature comforts of home, as this annual expo reveals. Geared toward sustainable living – from the homes we live in to the lifestyles we embrace – Go Green is all set to go again. For details at gogreenexpo.co.nz. Ayrlies Plant Fair April 3-4, 9am-3pm, Ayrlies Garden & Wetlands, 125 Potts Rd, Whitford A fine array of plants awaits at this top local plant fair. Not only will plants be available for sale but visitors will have the opportunity to explore this wonderful Garden of International Signficance with entertainment, including live music, also on offer. For more information visit ayrlies.co.nz.

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Community Calendar TUAKAU 09 237 8310 | www.barfoot.co.nz/tuakau

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Auckland Youth Orches

Ayrlies Plant Fair

■■ MUSIC, MUSICALS & DANCE Judah Kelly – Feels Like Home NZ Tour March 19, from 8pm, LaValla Estate, 131 Dominion Rd, Tuakau Winner of The Voice Australia is set to take to the stage (with special guest, NZ Gold Guitar winner, Jaydin Shingleton) in Tuakau with a show that’s more than just a little bit country. See lavalla.co.nz/events-parties for details. Caitlin Smith and ARO March 20, doors open 7pm, show starts at 7.30, Cafe Kaos, 44 Edinburgh Street, Pukekohe Acclaimed singer-songwriter, Caitlin Smith, is all set to play a set with ARO in Pukekohe where, all going to plan, things won’t go quite to plan but the audience is still expected to revel in the Kaos. Visit caitlinsmith.com or aromusic.co.nz.

Verses – Black Grace March 25, Waiuku War Memorial Hall, Queen St, Waiuku As part of its Auckland-wide tour, one of New Zealand’s most widely respected dance companies is set to step it up locally in Waiuku. Part of the Auckland Arts

Scott

Steve

027 210 8887

021 966 332

Karaka Vintage Day

Festival, this show features a collection of short dance works, inspired by words, lyrics and verse. For details, visit blackgrace.co.nz or aucklandfestival.co.nz/events/verses. Showtime Las Vegas! April 9, from 11am, Pukekohe Town Hall, Cnr of Massey Ave & Edinburgh St, Pukekohe, and April 16, Hawkins Theatre, 13 Ray Small Dr, Papakura It’s time to hit ‘the strip’ and learn why Las Vegas has become an entertainers’ paradise. This show features tunes by some of the greatest to ever grace the stages of ‘Vegas - including Elvis, Cher, Tom Jones, Liberace and more. Visit operatunity.co.nz for details.

■■ ARTS

Auckland Youth Orchestra March 21, 2:30-4pm, Hawkins Theatre, 13 Ray Small Drive, Papakura Some of New Zealand’s rising stars of classical music are set to shine in Papakura as they showcase works by Beethoven and Rimsky-Korsakov. Visit ayo.org.nz.

Ball McElhinney www.ruralliving.co.nz

POKENO 09 232 6762 | www.barfoot.co.nz/pokeno

Flash Cars March 21 – May 9, Franklin Art Centre, 12 Massey Ave, Pukekohe Cars may simply be a way for some people to get where they’re going but they drive other people crazy! Featuring a wide selection of Murray Cammick’s iconic black and white photographs from the 1970s and ‘80s, this exhibition explores the people, the revelry and the camaraderie that often go hand in hand with ‘car culture. See facebook.com/FranklinArtsCentre for details.

■■ FITNESS & MOTORING Karaka Vintage Day March 22, from 9.30am, Karaka Sports

Park, cnr Linwood and Blackbridge Roads, Karaka With the help of Rotary, Vintage Engine Restorers Auckland (VERA) is helping ensure the wheels of yesteryear continue to turn. Focused on machines that were (in some cases, still are) the backbone of rural industry, this lively event also includes urban vehicles too. Complete with activities for children, live music, displays and more, the Karaka Vintage Day is a classic in itself. See karakavintageday.co.nz for more information. And, to read our Over the Gate interview with Paul Rhodes from VERA, see pages 10-11. Mauku Fun Run March 29, 7:30am-1pm, Mauku School, 389 Union Road, Mauku Featuring a course that winds through the scenic rural countryside of the Mauku/ Glenbrook area, this event (an annual fund raiser for Mauku School) is suited to people of all levels of fitness. Choose from five or 10km courses and walk or run at your own pace. Relay for Life April 4, from 3pm, and April 5, from 9am, Pulman Park, 90 Walters Rd, Papakura Giving locals the opportunity to play their part in the fight against cancer, this event is designed to help raise funds to support the tireless efforts of the Cancer Society. By walking or running around one of our local tracks, this relay sees people take turns to do a good turn – or many! See relayforlife. org.nz.

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Brown Macrae Rural Living —Higgie March/April 2020 —3

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FROM THE EDITOR

In the pipeline? MAYBE, MAYBE NOT

Helen Perry, Editor

Waitakere Resvr

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Mechanics Bay Mission Bay Saint Orakei 1052 Westmere Newton 1071 Heliers Parnell Glendowie Kohimarama Western 1021 Bucklands Beach Point Chevalier Springs Ranui Newmarket Eden Wai o Taiki 16 Terrace Western Kingsland Eastern Beach Bay Remuera Meadowbank Heights 1050 2012 1026 Waterview Glen Innes Saint Morningside Mount Henderson Eden J ohns Point Half Moon 1024 1025 Bay 1072 England Epsom Henderson Mount Albert Tamaki Glendene Greenlane Valley Mellons Bay Balmoral Owairaka Avondale Sunnyvale 1051 Farm Cove Kelston Sandringham Ellerslie McLaren Howick 2014 One Tree Hill Wesley Three Park Cockle Bay 1023 Kings 0602 Panmure Sunnyhills Highland New Windsor Mount 0612 Shelly Park Wellington Park Oranga 1041 New 2010 Botany Downs 1060 Pakuranga Glen Eden Royal Oak Lynn 0600 Penrose Mount 20 Oratia Pakuranga Roskill Onehunga 1061 Southdown Blockhouse Heights Bay North Te Papapa Waikowhai Hillsborough Titirangi Waiatarua Konini Green 1 Lynfield 1042 Bay Westfield Titirangi 2013 East Tamaki Waima 1062 Wood Bay Heights Ambury Park Mangere Otahuhu South Titirangi Whitford Bridge Favona Woodlands French Bay Park East Tamaki Lower

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after which the Waikato River to Auckland pipeline was built. That same summer, Queenstown shops were sand-bagged as the lake rose and some roads were impassable – not so dissimilar to this year’s North and lower South Island fortunes. Subsequently, I’ve wondered if there is some way to harness flood waters in the south to relieve droughts in the north? Like the pipeline from the Waikato River to Auckland, is it possible to cross Cook Strait with a similar venture then track up country or is that pie in the sky thinking? Possibly, but thinking about oil pipelines crossing thousands of kilometres in the Middle East and the USA and even our own fuel pipeline from Marsden Point, I ask, if it can be done for fuel/oil why not water? Past and present warnings suggest it’s time for the Government to do more so, where do we go from here?

have a trip planned for later this year and have until June to decide if it should be abandoned. For the moment I am holding off on a decision. A more immediate issue for some has been water shortages and although Auckland receives water from the Waikato River, conservation is still a major problem when rain is scarce. I remember past times when droughts have impacted followed by dire predictions for the future. When the drought of 20122013 gripped the North Island, it was oft quoted as the most severe in history. Scientists, then, forecast long, dry spells to double by 2040 with temperatures continuing to rise. Experts warned it could spell the end for farming as we know it and could cost the country billions of dollars in drought relief each year. In 2017, headlines talked of Aucklanders facing the largest water crisis in 23 years. The city’s residents were told to reduce their water savings by two buckets of water each, (20 litres a day) or a boiling water notice would be issued. Years earlier there was the 1994 dry spell

ummer may have officially ended but still the days remain unseasonably warm and dry. What’s more, despite bursts of recent rain I was disappointed that our beautiful ‘green’ land was brown and dry when I hosted visitors from Finland! Their stay coincided with my daughter’s 40th birthday and, sadly, the funeral of a dear friend whom I had known since intermediate school, so it was a full-on weekend with mixed emotions. It reminded me of recent advice about living in the moment – yesterday is gone, tomorrow is not here yet, there is only the now so, make the most of it! Of course, we made the most of daughter’s celebration marvelling that one minute we were a young couple embarking on the parenting journey then suddenly we are grandparents applauding the amazing young woman – wife, mother, teacher and sportswoman – our little girl has become. On another note – Kiwis, like the rest of the world, have been following news on the coronavirus. Those with travel plans may be pondering, to go or not to go? I

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Rural Living — March/April 2020 — 5

ARTIST CASTS NEW

light on bronze Bronze artist, Frank Watson’s sculptures range from a seven-metre high public work to pocket-sized figurines. The Clevedon-based man of metal tells ANGELA KEMP he is really ‘just a technician’ but his unique artworks tell a different story.

f you want to brass off Frank Watson, call him an artist. He’s acknowledged as the master of fine art casting processes and creates and casts sculpture for many of New Zealand’s established artists. However, he’s refreshingly self-effacing about his own work despite developing a new casting technique which has put a modern twist on an ancient craft. After spending 25 years in large commercial foundries where much of the sculpture was large and heavy, he now delights in making sculptures which not only have some form of narrative behind them but are also light and delicate and seemingly unexpected of bronze. Girls can do anything. Works such as a vase of lilies, a tropical leaf or a curling plant tendril have earned been made in the 1930s and him a reputation for creating was languishing in a neglected photographs in bronze. condition at Te Papa. “I don’t think of myself as an “They wanted it turned into artist, I’m a technician,” Frank bronze before it was destroyed says. “I like the process most so I totally so we brought the piece up try to push bronze casting to the to Auckland to cast it.” limits of what you can do. As far Frank was helped by Toby as I’m aware, I don’t think there Twiss, creator of the bronze is anybody else in New Zealand statue of Sir Dove Myer-Robinson, casting as fine as me. which stands in Aotea Square, “I haven’t invented the process and together they opened the but I’ve collated ideas from all over Monument Foundry. the place and put them together.” The $450,000 bronze Traditionally a wax model is artwork now stands proudly on used to create the form but Frank’s Wellington’s waterfront and is one methodology enables him to use of the capital’s foremost public natural materials such as flowers, artworks. leaves and twigs to create an Frank’s own die was cast after identical impression in bronze. a rather varied career path which It’s time-consuming work but followed his high school years in results in a fine and fragile-looking Greytown. For nine years he was work whose strength belies its a zoo keeper at Wellington Zoo delicate look. looking after its avian population It’s a far cry from one of his followed by stints as a commercial earlier commissions – casting a fisherman, a DOC ranger and a seven-metre high sculpture of design school technician. William Trethewey’s Kupe Group From 1982 he was the director known as The Coming of the of Art Works Studio,New Zealand’s Maori. The plaster sculpture had 6 — Rural Living — March/April 2020

first specialist commercial fine art foundry. In its day, it cast sculpture for most of New Zealand’s sculptors of the time and was also instrumental in teaching the art to many others. He says his interest in ‘making stuff’ stems from his English father’s model-making hobby. “There were always tools around; I’d try things out and do a bit of bone carving.” About 15 years ago Frank decided he’d had enough of the hard, physical work in his commercial foundry and wanted to create his own designs as well as those by a few other select artists in more personal surroundings. He set up a small workshop, Flux Studio, nestled in the grounds of a former retreat once owned by the Church of Seventh Day Adventists. “The property was sold about 15 to 18 years ago for a tree nursery and became Clevedon Nurseries. I approached the owner and offered to rent a couple of sheds which were fairly decrepit by then. Mine originally had two sets of bunks in each room and a little table.” The old camp laundry next door now houses Frank’s kiln and furnace. Several of the former sleepouts are leased by other artists along with a number of small businesses including that of a psychotherapist. A number of people also live on the site. Frank has regular clients who keep him busy during his selfimposed three-day week (“more time for fishing”) and helps him stay in touch with the wider Auckland art community. He sells some smaller works through the Art Industry Gallery at The Black Shed in Clevedon and enjoys challenging commissions such as a current project to create an ornamental bronze overlay for a grand piano. www.ruralliving.co.nz

“I don’t think of myself as an artist, I’m a technician,” Frank says. “I like the process most so I try to push bronze casting to the limits of what you can do. As far as I’m aware, I don’t think there is anybody else in New Zealand casting as fine as me."

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Photo Wayne Martin

Rural Living — March/April 2020 — 7

Covid-O1R9IES

SPARKS MEM OF POLIO EPIDEMIC

Drury Metropolitan

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June 2019) For Plan

Change

3.4 Illustrative Plan

creation of the which enable the of the master plan Illustrative Plan. All the components in the following tre are summarized centre - one new a for metropolitan cen ting vision proposes an exci mercial, retail and The Illustrative Plan ironment with com c mixed use env ed into a publicly grat inte are that has a dynami that racter community uses define varied cha residential, and open spaces that and as plaz of accessible network the various plazas precincts. strategy by which ws a open space to a central northThis network follo nd and connected the proposed are organised arou es with spac tion n nec ope con and ch also affords whi et Stre n south Mai kfield Road. and existing Broo buildings, uses, ding Drury Rail Station inclu il, deta in lation. es describe the plan The following pag es strategy and circu strategy, open spac heights, parking

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ne subject monopolising news coverage at present is the spread of coronavirus around the world and its pretty scary. Its impact has taken me back to my younger days when New Zealand was faced with the polio epidemic of 1947/1948. All primary and secondary school were closed at the end of 1947 and remained closed until Easter of 1948. The closures also covered college evening classes and technical college courses for teacher trainees doing homecraft, woodwork, metalcraft and commercial subjects. The first polio cases spread throughout the North Island, firstly in Auckland then, some time later, in Wellington. Swimming pools in Auckland were closed to children although adults were permitted to use chlorinated pools. We had to complete our school lessons by correspondence and listen to school broadcast on the radio. Children were prohibited from staying in motor camps and attending Sunday School; inter-island ferry travel by children was forbidden. Quarantine periods applied – all home contacts under the age of 16 were

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quarantined for 14 days from the date a patient was taken to hospital. Home contacts over 16 years of age were also quarantined if their work brought then into contact with children or food handlers. In Auckland, patients in hospital polio wards were not allowed any visitors, not even their parents – that was pretty hard on youngsters. The district officer of health warned against swimming at any Auckland harbour beaches from St Heliers Bay to the North Shore. The waters of the Waitemata and Manukau Harbours were undoubtedly polluted and bathing in those areas was considered most unwise. In Hamilton, a Christmas parade was permitted providing children stood at least 1.8 metres apart. The Minister of Health has said the last case of wild polio virus in New Zealand was in 1977 and no cases of vaccine-

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associated poliomyelitis have occurred in New Zealand since the introduction of the inactivated polio vaccine in 2002 (this came after the previously administered oral vaccine). Now, to some rural talk. Shifting into town has brought an end to my harness racing breeding which occupied us for the past 26 years. During that time we bred 16 horses from only two mares and although we didn’t have any real champions, all of them were champions to us. Our best horse was the last bred from Eliza Doolittle which we named Elsudoku. He had eight wins, four seconds and four thirds. Our final horse, Betterbrook, was by Willowbrook and I share ownership of her with Adrienne Matthews who also trains her. Adrienne says she is doing well and we hope to see her at the races very soon. Here’s looking for more rain and…. Go the Chiefs!

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N W O T Y R U R D – CARLESS PARADISE, ‘HORSE BEFORE CART’ From lanes to rail lines and motorways, Drury Town appears set to become a hub for southern Auckland, should the best laid plans of Mayors and Ministers come to fruition. “Instead of transport infrastructure having [to play] catch up with housing development, we are investing in the roads and rail from the outset. For the first time, we’re putting the horse before the cart,” Minister of Transport and Urban Development Phil Twyford says. “Families who move there will be able to do so without needing to have a car as there will already be two train stations, and connecting walkways and cycleways.” While Mr Twyford’s vision of an Auckland suburb where residents need not own a car may be some way off but he is now putting the taxpayer’s money where both the current and previous Government’s mouths have been. And, investment is not just restricted to Drury. “Our Government is investing $2.4 billion in roads and rail to unlock growth in South Auckland and support a new town at Drury, as well as further development at Paerata, Pukekohe and Karaka,” the Minister confirmed recently. Under the New Zealand Upgrade Programme, $1.35 billion is allotted to improvements for Mill Road, $371 million to extend Auckland’s electrified rail network from Papakura to Pukekohe, and $247 million for new railway stations, a park and ride facility, and a bus and rail interchange at Drury. A further $423 million is budgeted to improve State Highway 1 between Papakura and Drury South. Drury will feature new schools, health facilities as well as housing and businesses, Mr Twyford adds. “Drury is located in the economic geographic centre of the ‘Golden Triangle’ of Auckland, Tauranga and Hamilton. We know Auckland will expand south and that’s why we are future proofing against congestion by building essential transport infrastructure first. We are laying the foundations for Drury to be a thriving future town.” www.ruralliving.co.nz

TAKING CARE ON RURAL ROADS Most of us who live in rural areas are aware of the sort of care which needs to be taken on our roads. But if you do happen to be involved in a crash, what does this mean for you as far as the law is concerned?

ometimes the issue in a car accident is obvious – one party failed to give way or simply took a corner too fast and drove off the road. In these cases the driver is likely to face a charge of careless driving. Careless driving does not mean that you have done anything deliberate. It can just be a momentary lapse of attention. What about sunstrike? Believe it or not, sunstrike is not a defence. If you are faced with sunstrike, or cannot see for any reason, the law says you must pull over to the side of the road until you are able to see again. You can’t just keep driving – even if you think you are being careful. Likewise, falling asleep at the wheel. There are usually signs a driver should listen to, such as extreme tiredness, yawning and nodding off, before actually falling asleep. When faced with these signs, a driver needs to stop and rest. But what if you are faced with an emergency, such as an obstacle on the road? These sorts of incidents usually involve split second decisions. When faced with an ‘agony of the moment’ decision, the law will not judge you even if you make the wrong decision. For example, if you are faced with a sudden obstacle (such as a tractor around a blind corner), and you swerve to avoid a collision but end up crashing into a power pole, the law says this is not your fault. You did your best. If you have any concerns about any traffic matter, we would be happy to discuss it with you.

Pukekohe Office 26 King St, Pukekohe Waiuku Office 10 Queen Street, Waiuku Ph 09 235 0440 Email info@goldlegal.co.nz www.goldlegal.co.nz Rural Living — March/April 2020 — 9

Pukekohe locals, Bill Clow (left) with Paul Rhodes – both VERA members. Photo Wayne Martin

10 — Rural Living — March/April 2020

For more details about this year’s Karaka Vintage Day, on March 22 see pages 2-3 or visit karakavintageday. co.nz.

www.ruralliving.co.nz

WITH

Over

THE GATE

Paul Rhodes )

(VINTAGE ENGINE RESTORERS AUCKLAND

History can be recorded in books or kept safe in museums but, at events such as the Karaka Vintage Day (March 22), patrons can experience the ‘way we were’ through a more ‘hands-on’ approach. Recently, we caught up with one of the event’s organisers – long-time Pukekohe local, Paul Rhodes, from Vintage Engine Restorers Auckland – to chat about its importance... Over the Gate. In general, what can visitors to this year’s Karaka Vintage Day expect to see/ experience? There will be an array of vintage engines, tractors, farm machinery, trucks, fire engines, motorbikes, military vehicles, and vintage, classic and modern cars. Demonstrations tend to prove popular, including the tractor pull, which always draws a crowd. There will also be farm animals, rides and playground entertainment for the children and craft and food stalls. When did you first become interested in vintage machinery? In about 1993, a friend had a few stationary engines and he invited me to take a look. He heard of an engine (which turned out to be an early Masport) up on the Awhitu Peninsula so we went to investigate and ended up bringing it back to Pukekohe. That’s when I caught ‘the bug’ and I’ve slowly added engines to my collection over the years. It is so fulfilling to see an old engine brought back to life and in working condition. Have you collected and/or restored much machinery over the years? I have collected a variety of stationary engines including old marine engines. I’ve fully restored approximately 12 such engines dating from the 1918 to the 1950’s – including power plants which ran shearing and milking sheds, general farm engines, factories, concrete mixers and more – and I still have un-restored engines I’m yet to work on. My collection includes an array of old water pumps, milking vacuum pumps, generators and shearing plants, too. What machines fascinate you most and why? I’m particularly drawn to very early stationary engines (from around the 1890s www.ruralliving.co.nz

to 1910), as some of these didn’t have spark plugs; instead they relied on hot tubes or hot bulbs to start. Do you have a background in engineering? Before I retired late last year, I was a civil engineer working in the water, wastewater and stormwater sector. However, I still have a part time job working in a local engineering parts and tool supply shop. When and how did you become involved with Vintage Engine Restorers Auckland (VERA)? What does your role with the association involve? The friend I mentioned was a member of the association and he invited me to one of the monthly meetings – the rest really is history! I am on the Karaka Vintage Day 2020 organising committee liaising with the various clubs, which has kept me particularly busy of late. What does the association do? VERA is a group of like-minded people who share a passion for preserving vintage stationary engines. We’re proud to display our engines at the likes of A&P shows and engine rallies in addition to the Karaka Vintage Day. When club members display their engines, it introduces the younger generation to how milking sheds, shearing sheds and factories were powered before the introduction of electricity; they show history in action. How important is it for New Zealand to treasure and preserve vintage machinery and how do events such as the Karaka Vintage Day help achieve this? It is very important to preserve these vintage treasures on display for all to see. As New Zealand once had roughly 50 engine manufacturers – among the most famous being Anderson engines, manufactured in Christchurch, and

Masport – they are part of our shared history. For the older generation, events such as the Karaka Vintage Day bring back memories; for the younger folk, they provide the opportunity to see, first-hand, how these early engines worked. How much of a boost is it to have Rotary Club of Drury on board to help organise this year’s event? Will this be an ongoing partnership? This will be our eleventh Karaka Vintage Day and having the Rotary Club join us means ensuring that the day will continue to grow and will help raise more funds to give back to the community. We hope that this will be the beginning of a long-lasting partnership. If you could grow any crop or raise any animal imaginable, what would it be and why? Tomatoes are my absolute favourites! Whether eaten straight from the vine, in sandwiches or fried, I think they’re always best when followed with a beer. If you could be Minister of Transport for one day, what would you do first and why? Work on developing safer roads. Ensuring tourists undergo some form of driver’s test when they pick up a rental car, would (hopefully) go some way towards this. If you could invite any three people to dinner (living or dead), who and why? Henry Ford – he was a great man, a forward thinker. I’m amazed about how he streamlined the motor vehicle industry. Michael Schumacher – he is one of the best race car drivers of all-time, having won a record seven Formula 1 Driver’s Championships. Dame Linda Topp (Topp Twins) – she’s a great entertainer. I met her several years ago and she had plenty of interesting stories to tell. Rural Living — March/April 2020 — 11

winner Innovations 2019 award from PICMI ge eor -G ffin Gri e Geneviev

Blazing trails – BREAKING NEW GROUND AT FIELDAYS

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he new, the novel, the inventive and (in some cases) the downright strange are all set to be celebrated once again at Fieldays with entries now open for the event’s Innovation Awards. One of last year’s winners, Genevieve Griffin-George says the experience opened new doors as she sought to develop PICMI (pick me), software designed to manage seasonal labour in the horticulture industry. “I couldn’t recommend the experience enough. This is the place to launch your idea as everybody who’s anybody is there looking for the next best thing,” she says. “The support I gained from Fieldays and their team didn’t end at the awards; I have been connected into a multitude

of networks, not just at a local level but internationally.” With awards up for grabs in a range of categories, Innovations seeks to encourage inventors and entrepreneurs to help ensure New Zealand’s primary industries evolve to suit the world’s changing needs. “The beauty of Fieldays is that there is a hugely dynamic audience,” Innovations’ judge, Andrew Cooke, from Rezare Systems, says. “The Innovations Centre bridges all these audiences. It sends a clear message that there is a future for agriculture and it’s not just the way things used to be.” Entries close April 30. To enter, or for more information, visit fieldays.co.nz/ whats-on/innovations.

New Zealand dairy giant, Fonterra, is set to bid a fond farewell to its man at the helm. “After 11 years as a director, the timing is right for me and for the Co-op,” Fonterra chair, John Monaghan, says. “The board is committed to a planned succession which provides the governance stability and confidence needed to maintain the Co-op’s momentum.” Mr Monaghan will retire when his current term is completed in November, however the organisation expects a new chair-elect to be named by August. Under Fonterra’s constitution, the new chair must be selected from one of the seven elected farmer directors on the board.

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PARASITES WINNING SILENT WAR By Dr Katie Kindleysides BVSc CertAVP Equine Dentistry

or the most part, intestinal worms are harmless critters living in low numbers putting very little strain on a healthy grazing animal’s system. However, when these accumulate in large numbers we can start to see the following issues in horses: n General dullness and poor appearance n Difficulty maintaining body conditions n Digestive disorders n Loose faeces n Colic For the sick, very young and old horses these signs are more severe and more likely. Over the past couple of years, there has been a worrying trend towards high worm burdens, even in horses on properties which previously had good control. A big part of this issue is drench resistance. Why? Unfortunately, traditional overuse of drenches has placed horses at risk and, despite many owners using egg counts and targeted drenching, we are now seeing problems. Most at risk are heavily grazed properties where horses are more likely to pick up large amounts of worms whilst grazing. However, horses from these properties can quickly spread very high burdens of resistant worms to any new property, including shared grazing at event grounds. We can still use drenches to help us, but we need to be more mindful about when and what we give to preserve the limited action left.

KEY POINTS IN TACKLING THE PROBLEM: n Awareness and monitoring n Regular faecal egg counting under the guidance of your vet n Paddock hygiene n Avoid overgrazing paddocks and feeding out close to dung piles n Poo picking as frequently as possible; if this can’t be done at least every other day it may have limited use n Avoiding harrowing unless done on long, sunny days when the paddock

CHECKLIST n We are seeing a lot of pink eye right now. Look out for inflamed, weepy eyes in your farm animals. This is a very painful condition and always requires vet attention. n Flystrike is extremely common at this time of year. Affected sheep may be restless, appear itchy, or if they have a heavy burden, they may be lethargic and acutely unwell. With woolly sheep, have a hands-on look around their back end, thoroughly parting the wool to visually inspect the skin. For shorn sheep, a visual inspection is a bit easier. The best forms of prevention are

can be left clear or cross grazed by other stock preferably for a few weeks n Paddock rotation with other grazing species n Resting paddocks is not that useful in NZ conditions unless the paddock is horse-free for at least nine months n Isolation n Any horse arriving from grazing elsewhere should be isolated and a faecal egg count performed. Previous drench history is important in the interpretation of results.

shearing at the right time in combination with spraying with products such as CLIKZIN and Cyrex. n Barbers pole wreaks havoc during the hotter summer months, and it is important drenching practices are up to date over this period, especially for younger stock. Signs to look for are lethargy, weakness, being separate from the flock – all signs of anaemia caused by the parasite sucking blood. If you can get hands-on as well, check for pale gums and pale conjunctiva (the inside lid) of the eye. All three conditions require immediate vet attention.

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KAT5238-v23

Rural Living — March/April 2020 — 13

“Being close to the ‘food bowl’ around Pukekohe is definitely beneficial as it means we can have much closer contact with many of the growers who supply us. Maintaining a close relationship with them is vital.”

Anne Gibson 14 — Rural Living — March/April 2020

Photos Wayne Martin

www.ruralliving.co.nz

Fruitful business, growth industry ‘Sustainability’ has become somewhat of a ‘buzz word’ of late but at least one local business has been doing its best to make the most of the produce at hand, as JON RAWLINSON discovered.

ocal growers could be in for a boon should Waiuku-based DryNZ’s plans come to ‘fruitition’. With moves to make deeper inroads into the profitable Chinese market on the cards, the company expects to draw even more from Franklin’s grassroots, DryNZ’s managing director, Anne Gibson explains: “We believe there is a high level of demand for our products in China. Our sachets of Pure New Zealand Drinking Fruits are convenient and can be used as an added flavouring to almost anything,” she says. “In particular, it suits congee [Chinese rice porridge], which is one of the most popular breakfasts in China. Pure New Zealand Drinking Fruits feature Manuka honey and dried, New Zealand-grown fruit. Nothing else is added. We’re sure they’ll prove a hit.” Although the coronavirus outbreak has stalled intentions to begin supplying these sachets direct to consumers (who will order online), Ann says, to some degree, the delay has been beneficial, ensuring the company is well prepared. From kiwifruit to potatoes, onions and carrots, (roughly) 20 percent of the produce DryNZ sources is grown in Franklin. “Being close to the ‘food bowl’ around Pukekohe is definitely beneficial as it means we can have much closer contact with many of the growers who supply us. Maintaining a close relationship with them is vital. We would like to source even more from them but it’s all based on what is available here and how much they can produce.” In recent years, ‘sustainability’ and ‘added value’ have become watch words as New Zealand’s primary sector is urged by government to think outside the box, ensuring our horticultural future remains tenable. By making optimum use of produce, DryNZ seems to be singing in tune with this broadening chorus. “That’s exactly what we’re doing; it’s

www.ruralliving.co.nz

Anne Gibson oversees vacuum drying of fruit

the company’s ethos,” Ann confirms. “We don’t need to take the most beautifullooking fruit and vegetables; we can make use of fruit and vegetables which wouldn’t be so likely to sell in supermarkets, and might otherwise go to waste.” Supplying consumers directly (as well as through other manufacturers), is helping this company increase its profit margin but it also reduces the size of its carbon footprint. “At the moment, 80 percent of our dried product goes to manufacturers, with 20 percent direct to consumers. But, once our Pure New Zealand Drinking Fruit initiative goes ahead, I suspect these figures will be reversed. By selling more direct, we can definitely reduce our carbon footprint even further.” Whether drying fruit for its new drinking fruits or providing fruits for the popular Ti Ora tea range, DryNZ seeks to retain as much of the nutrients and flavour from the raw produce as possible. And, this local business hopes to make the most of (practically) its only by-product in the near future too. “There is always some loss of nutrients and flavour but, thanks to our [vacuum drying] method, which extracts water at a very gentle rate, we’re able to keep such losses to an absolute minimum,” Ann says.

“All we do is remove the water. So, after the drying process, we have very little left over, aside from juice, which tastes beautiful!” Anne says. “We are hopeful we can have [the juice] ready for market within a year or so. Aside from that, we’re also working on recycling the water we use for cleaning produce.” Due to the popularity of DryNZ’s products, and imminent steps to grow its Chinese market share, a third industrialgrade dryer has been commissioned and estimated to be up and running within nine months – due to its quality and capacity, Ann expects the company will increase its overall output (roughly) seven times. However, as the world market for portable, sustainable dried fruit and vegetable products grows, DryNZ may need to expand again soon enough. China may be the next market this Waiuku business is seeking to conquer, but the lucrative US market also beckons. “I’d say that, within another couple of years, we would need another dryer as well,” Ann adds. “Worldwide, the market is huge, potentially in the billions! As it stands, we’d only service less than one percent of the international market but as long as demand keeps growing, so will we! Rural Living — March/April 2020 — 15

FIELDAYS – MOTION SUSTAINED (the highest amount yet) with 1,500 kilograms of waste set for composting. However, targets will be even higher for this year’s edition on June 10-13 at Mystery Creek. “Environmental concerns are increasingly at the forefront of our visitors’ and exhibitors’ minds,” Mr Nation adds. “This challenges us to improve our processes while addressing major impact areas such as environmental management and carbon emission generation.”

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16 — Rural Living — March/April 2020

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Peter Nation

Whoa! EQUIDAYS FALLS TO A HALT

quidays has returned to stable for the last time. Recently, the New Zealand National Fieldays Society called time on its involvement with the annual event citing financial reasons. However, Rural Living has been assured Fieldays won’t follow suit. “It is tough, financially, to maintain the infrastructure required to hold such a variety of events as we do at Mystery Creek [near Hamilton],” the society’s CEO, Peter Nation, says. “Equine events especially require a lot of equipment in stabling, pens, fencing and grandstands, which can become an Achilles heel on the bottom line when they are used for just one event each year.”

Running for almost a decade, Equidays has been one of the society’s premier events, second only to Fieldays. The Society was formed in 1968, to help ‘drive New Zealand’s agricultural future’. No direct interest has been expressed by other parties to take over the running of the event. “We owe much of the success of the event to being able to attract top talent from around the globe, but times and what people wish to get out of an event like Equidays do change, and we have to brave enough to adapt and meet the demand of that change,” Mr Nation says. “Equidays has served the Society well, but the time has

come to look at other opportunities which speak more strongly to the Society’s core purpose; opportunities that will help us continue to grow.” No specific opportunities are being pursued as yet, he says. Although Equidays has now fallen at its final hurdle, the financial situation for the society’s premier event, Fieldays, remains strong, Mr Nation assured Rural Living. “The iconic Fieldays event contributes positively to the society’s overall results,” he adds. “We are extremely proud of this world class event; we are fully engaged in growing this event while being relevant to the primary industry.”

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Rural Living — March/April 2020 — 17

HAIL TO THE

chiefs!

orrible bosses may be common enough to inspire Hollywood movies, but Good Bosses are more often the norm’ on New Zealand farms, Federated Farmers believes. So, to ensure such leaders receive the plaudits they deserve, the organisation has teamed up with DairyNZ, Dairy Women’s Network and NZ Young Farmers to launch a new campaign. Chris Lewis from Federated Farmers says the ultimate measure of success for the Good Boss campaign is that employees recommend working on their current farm because they have a good (maybe even great) boss. “The campaign is about getting the

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Franklin Summer Fest When another February Franklin day dawned bright, locals needed no prompting to head for Pukekohe’s A&P showgrounds for the Franklin Summer Festival. Featuring food, wine and craft beers, accompanied by a line-up of musicians and a load of holiday fun, it was quite the event as summer officially drew to a close. Rural Living photographer WAYNE MARTIN focused on happy times and happy faces.

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Get off the grass! Comical anecdotes, cute photographs and other bits and bobs sent in by our readers. Keep sending us your briefs, trivia and photos of country life – email to info@ruralliving.co.nz.

THIS LITTLE PIGGY ….

goes for a walk

having his bacon An independent piglet who went free range before brity in Tuakau. saved by human intervention has become quite a cele

‘P

ig-Pig’ and his owner Scott Edwards have garnered a lot of attention since they started taking twice daily walks around the township. Scott is getting used to being stopped and photographed with his porcine pet and says he’s becoming known as The Pig Man of Tuakau. Although he wears a collar, the twomonth-old piglet is obedient enough (sometimes) to walk on the footpath without a lead and soon returns to his master’s side when called. The little porker decided to go walkabout from his home in Dromgools Road when he was barely a month old. Amazingly, he survived two days of freedom before being rescued by Scott and now lives the life of a pampered pooch. “He kind of found us,” says Scott. “He was just wandering around near where we live and I’d been trying to catch him for a couple of days with no luck. Then a neighbour caught him and asked if he was ours. I said, ‘no but I’ll have him’ and we’ve had him for over a month now. “He was real young and wasn’t properly weaned so I did some research and it seems condensed milk is the closest you can get to sow’s milk so that’s what we’ve been giving him. We’re slowly trying to wean him off that on to water and he’s eating scraps. He loves acorns.” Scott put a collar on Pig-Pig and started taking him for walks and not long after a fellow resident of Dromgools Road drove up to them and identified herself as the

22 — Rural Living — March/April 2020

Pig-pig with owner Scott Edwards

piglet’s rightful owner. “She said she’d got him from some people who weren’t looking after their animals when he was about eight days old and the runt of the litter,” Scott explains. “She’d only had him a week when she had to go to Australia for two weeks leaving him in the care of her daughter. Her daughter made contact to say the piglet had gone missing.” The tiny ‘hog Houdini’ managed to evade capture – and from becoming a dog’s dinner – for a whole two days before his great escape came to an end. “The lady said we could keep him as he was obviously being well looked after so I was really pleased about that.”

Pig-Pig now sleeps in a hen house at night but during the day he’s usually by Scott’s side. When fully grown he could weigh between 150 – 200kgs but this little piggy will be going to market long before he reaches his full potential. “I have my 43rd birthday in July and he’s going to be fed to us by then. That’s why we called him Pig-Pig and not a name because we don’t want to get too attached to him if we are going to eat him. “Because he’s a boar we have to slaughter him while he’s young before his meat gets too gamey but before then he’s enjoying a good life, going for walks and being treated like one of the whanau.” www.ruralliving.co.nz

SAGE’S CRUSADE – PEST WAR RAGES ON

laying possum might be a decidedly bad idea if New Zealand’s pests expect to survive the wrath of Eugenie Sage! The Government’s war on introduced pests appears to be progressing with an end of the beginning in sight, our Minister of Conservation believes. “New Zealand now has 117 islands which have been declared predator free, thanks to committed work by conservation staff, scientists, and support from philanthropic organisations and volunteers,” Ms Sage says. Through the newly launched Predator Free 2050 Strategy, the Ministry is attempting to ‘Mobilise, Innovate and

Accelerate’. It aims to ensure New Zealand’s native species avoid extinction and flourish by ridding regions of such predator species as possums, rats, stoats and more. Armed with a war chest of more than $100 million so far, it appears the Government is intent on turning Ms Sage’s dream into a reality. “Without a plan, a Predator Free Aotearoa is only a dream. This strategy will help us go further and faster to give nature a helping hand and save more than 4000 of our native plants and wildlife that are threatened or at risk of extinction,” the Minister adds. “Not everyone can roll up their sleeves

and get involved on the ground doing the predator trapping or aerial control, but everyone can support healthy, indigenous nature by recognising the need to control and eradicate pests.” Note: The Predator Free Strategy’s three key phases of work translate as: ◆◆Mobilise – to engage people and resources ◆◆Innovate – create or improve predator eradication tools and methods for across rural, urban and natural landscapes ◆◆Accelerate – rapidly deploy and effectively manage predators throughout the country.

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BEND IT LIKE BRONTE?

Yeah, right!

Most moviegoers will have seen their share of thrilling car chases, extraordinary rooftop leaps and hand to hand fighting where martial arts skills defy the impossible but who are the men and women behind such death-defying moves? HELEN PERRY talks to a Brookby stunt woman whose youth and lithe figure might suggest she is much too fragile for such a role. How wrong can one be?

ronte Coluccio doesn’t have a death wish despite doubling for Ellen Sandweiss as Cheryl Williams in several episodes of the American comedy horror series, Ash vs Evil Dead. Rather, the first class honours student who holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology and a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in criminology and sociology, has temporarily put aside thoughts of a conventional career for the thrills – and spills – of being an on-screen stunt woman. “Of course, it takes a sense of daring but more importantly it takes fitness; a range of sport skills is a big help, too” says the Brookby local who is not short on the latter. Not only is she an ex-international aerobics gymnast (and still coaches aerobics) but she trains in two martial arts – wushu and Brazilian jujitsu – and is a successful fitness competitor (body building division). “I guess it’s my mum’s influence. She has always urged my brother and I to explore new experiences and, when she was working in a gym, she suggested I try competitive fitness. I’d done aerobics for years so I really got into this, too.” After notching up wins across both codes, Bronte says she started looking for commercial advertising work to help supplement her income while studying but when agencies saw her physical background she was asked to consider stunt work. “I thought that sounded pretty good so, just before starting my honours 24 — Rural Living — March/April 2020

degree, I did a basic course with the New Zealand Stunt School then just kept on training. The whole idea of stunt work was definitely growing on me, both from the physical aspect and the challenge of playing someone else; doing all the moves she [the actress] couldn’t. “Our [stunt men and women] role is really important not just because we have the ability to do the stunts but as doubles we protect the actors; they cannot get hurt otherwise production could be held up for weeks or longer.” When offered a role on the TV series, Ash vs Evil Dead (a spin off from the Evil Dead movies) Bronte didn’t hesitate. “I was lucky. My first role was doubling for an actress [Ellen Sandweiss] who featured in virtually every scene of the episode so I had a lot of work and gained a lot of experience. Because my Uni marks were up to scratch my lecturers and professors supported me and I was able to manage both – the job and the study.” On completing her degrees, Bronte admits she’d developed a taste for stunts and didn’t want to give up the work. “I love the variety. Every role brings something different – I’ve been dragged by horses and I’ve fallen off 10 metre buildings – then there’s the changing scenery. “I’ve travelled quite a bit, both personally and with aerobics and fitness competitions, too – the USA, Japan and Australia – but the stunt work has also taken me to the States and when I was booked for a short stint on a new Netflix movie, Fantasy Island we went to Fiji for a few days. That was awesome and such a

good crew to work with.” Despite the skills and energy needed for her profession, Bronte says accidents can happen but so far she’s been lucky. “Just the usual scrapes and bruises. The worst accident I did to myself in training. I sprained my ankle so badly I had to come home from the States in a wheelchair and it took weeks to learn to walk again.” Undeterred, Bronte says with aerobics, bumps and bruises were par for the course so she always expected she might come a cropper when doing an exacting stunt. “However, we do wear protection gear and take our own stuff to every job. Thank goodness for costume departments; they work wonders helping us put it all on under our costumes then making us look perfectly normal. But you never know; I’ve only been doing this about 18 months; some stunt actors have been in the job 20 plus years. If I last, I hope I’m good enough to avoid anything serious.” www.ruralliving.co.nz

NZ McGregor/Hyped Photo Morgan

MARVEL-LOUS AMBITIONS

Photo Wayne Martin

www.ruralliving.co.nz

Since embarking on a career as stunt woman, Bronte Coluccio says she’ll never again watch a movie with the same pre-stunt eyes. Once you’ve done this kind of work you see a whole new side to the actors and you appreciate how much work goes on behind the scenes by so many people. “Now, when I go to the movies I tend to react to things other people don’t see or to people I know or have worked with; their performance becomes so much more personal. I also read the credits to see who I know. “I now have so much more respect for the actors and the job they do – their days can be very long, repetitive and tiring. I am amazed at how they keep up their energy and deal with all the little things that can go wrong. You don’t appreciate it until you see it all close up.” Any suggestion that Bronte might return to her initial career choice anytime soon – she would like to work in criminal rehabilitation one day – are soon dismissed. “So far I can’t think of a bad day in this job and the tough days are when I’m not working,” she laughs. “I’m lucky to be living at home; mum and dad are really supportive. Dad’s family is Italian and Mum’s Australian. We came to New Zealand from Oz when I was six and lived in east Auckland before buying a lifestyle block at Brookby. “I’ve had an incredible upbringing – I initially went to state schools but when I was a year into college my parents decided that with long hours

dedicated to competitive sport, then loads of study on top, home schooling was a better option for me. I loved it and did well. When it came to Uni I was definitely up to scratch.” While she might think her days off are tough, Bronte says she still needs to keep up her training and thinks about adding new skills where she can. As a member of the New Zealand Stunt Guild I am subject to grading which is based on skills and experience For example, I’ve done heights (falls of eight metres or more), animals – dragged by horses qualifies – water, (I have my dive certificate) plus cars, and driving. Even though I can ride I don’t consider myself good enough for horseback stunts.” Though some folk have suggested show work, Bronte isn’t keen. “Live shows are all about routine, same thing every show and you tend to remove yourself from all the interaction of the stunt world. It’s not for me.” But movie work is. “Films offer something different every time – changing scripts and changing stunts. What’s more, we work with such a variety of people.” While she doesn’t know from one week to the next where the next job might come from, Bronte is presently involved in a new series which is very much under wraps. “At the moment that’s exciting but what I would have loved most was to have worked on the Marvel movies; I’m still hoping there will be some kind of spin off in the future. In the meantime, I’m still very new to the industry and for the moment I’m content to just ride the wave.” Rural Living — March/April 2020 — 25

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What’s up with D. O’C... portfolios, Damien As Minister of Agriculture, Rural Communities, Biosecurity and more Whether or not he is O’Connor has his finger on the pulse of ‘heartland’ New Zealand. just a few second ad-ministering just what the doctor ordered might draw more than st, this D.O’C is on call. opinions but, as Rural Living’s take on reports from his office sugge

EYES ON THE SKIES The Government is now (officially) aware of a fact many a local farmer has already known for a while. Yep, South Auckland and North Waikato have been facing a drought. “The lack of any substantial rainfall over the past few months means that the drought situation in the region has reached the point where assistance is needed to help the rural community get through,” Mr O’Connor said earlier this month. “Farmers in Waikato are no strangers to dry summers and they have had good grass silage on hand to date but the longer they go without rain, the harder it becomes to carry on as usual.” However, there is a silver lining with pennies from heaven, or Wellington at least. The Minister has ‘unlocked’ $80,000 in funding for the Waikato, HaurakiCoromandel Rural Support Trust to help support farmers and growers throughout the region. The announcement follows a similar release of funding covering the Northland region in February. “This is recognition that the extreme and prolonged nature of this dry spell is taking its toll on the primary sector and additional support is needed,” Mr O’Connor added. “I’m continuing to keep a close eye on conditions [in both of these regions] in case more help is required. The Government is committed to doing all we can to support farmers and growers at what is a very challenging time.”

ORGANIC EXPERIENCES Ensuring organic products do what they say they will on the tin will help boost this sector of the primary industries, Damien O’Connor believes. “It’s important consumers trust what they are buying is organic. Consumers have voiced their concerns about questionable and confusing organic product claims,” he said when the new Organics Product Bill was brought before parliament earlier this month. “The Bill aims to increase consumer confidence when purchasing organic www.ruralliving.co.nz

Lasting almost four years, the growing ban could set a precedent should the notorious pea weevil be discovered elsewhere in New Zealand. “It also shows that eradications can be achieved,” Mr O’Connor added. “This Government is committed to attempting eradications [of pests] wherever possible.”

THE BOLD AND THE BOVIS

Damien O’Connor scanning cattle.

products, allow businesses to make claims that their products are organic with certainty, and promote international trade in organic products.” Providing certainty for businesses looking to invest in organic enterprises will, ultimately, grow the sector, he contends. “Initially we’ll focus on developing requirements and standards for organic food, beverages, and plant and animal products. Requirements for other products will be developed in the future.”

THE GARDENS OF GOOD AND WEEVIL... Much to the relief of commercial growers, there will soon be peas in the valleys of Wairarapa again following the eradication of a pest which threatened New Zealand’s lucrative pea industry. “[By banning] the growing of pea plants and pea straw, we removed the pea weevil’s only food source, which caused the population to die out. It was straightforward and effective,” the Minister of Biosecurity announced in late February. “To our knowledge, this is the first time a pea weevil population has been successfully eradicated anywhere. This just goes to show what can be achieved when government, industry and communities work together.”

The last shots in the fight to rid New Zealand of devastating cattle disease, Mycoplasma bovis (M.bovis), are being fired, our Minister for Agriculture claimed recently. “Attempting eradication was a bold decision, with no country having attempted it before. It has not been an easy fight, but we are winning,” he said. “The impact on farmers affected by M. bovis, and the steps required to eradicate it, cannot be understated... I want to thank every farmer who has worked through the hardships for their efforts [during] such a challenging period.” Despite much criticism from the opposing benches in parliament (particularly from former Minister of Primary Industries, Nathan Guy) since the initial outbreak of the disease in 2017, Mr O’Connor has been resolute in his belief that M.bovis could be eradicated rather than, merely, contained. “The estimated economic impact of allowing this disease to spread, in just the first 10 years, was $1.3 billion in lost productivity in the cattle industries.” Increased antibiotic use, animal welfare issues, and changes regarding the movement of cattle would have limited potential industry growth even further, taking a greater toll on farmers in the long run, the Minister claims. “While we are still working to halt the spread of the disease, and cannot ease our efforts, we are making sure that we can reach the next phase – running a long-term surveillance programme to give us confidence that we have achieved ‘freedom from disease’.” Rural Living — March/April 2020 — 27

A MONTH OF

visitors

Reay Neben is the publisher of Rural Living

CITY LASS

osh, already time to sit down and ponder the past month’s going ons for my column and what a month it has been. Daughter and son-in-law have been over from Dubai and then our grandson arrived home from Florida. Petrina (daughter) arrived first and we had some time just with her which is always lovely. Her husband arrived next so that was great to be all together, then just as Petrina was leaving to return to Dubai, Jamie (grandson) arrived. It was all on and such fun. The month of February is always busy for us and this year was no different. We attended the Kiwi Music in the Park event at Lloyd Elsmore Park. It was fabulous and made even better when one of the main bands was The Feelers – the drummer is my daughter Emma’s partner. We were up dancing and having a ball as the music was for all, no matter the age. It was lovely seeing families enjoying the sun and having picnics all around the park –

nesia.

Jamie at Nusa Penida Island, Indo

good, old fashioned fun. The good side of having no rain is that these outdoor events can go on and are not ruined by wind or wet. However the Met office has now promised rain and, hopefully, by the time you read this, it will have arrived and done some good. All the land is so dry and, seriously, looks more like Australia at this time of year. Now, to my grandson who is a chef on a super yacht. The stories and photos of where he has been are amazing. He has a drone and can take the photographs and videos from the air which tend to give a whole new perspective. The boat (really a ship) can, apparently, be hired for seven hundred thousand pounds a week. Amazingly it is hired out quite often and the fact that there are thousands of these boats on the water is unbelievable. Jamie really loves the Mediterranean and has been into spots which can only be

reached by these smaller ships. The vessel he has been on travelled from Europe to Miami and was chartered by movie stars wanting to escape the public eye. What a way to escape! Around last Christmas, a story broke about Leonardo DiCaprio saving a passenger who had fallen off a cruise ship. Jamie and the crew were asked to look for the passenger as they were in the vicinity. They set out on a grid pattern and unbelievably found the Frenchman who had been in the water for eleven hours. He was brought on board and, other than being seriously sunburnt, he was well. The story went worldwide and because diCaprio was on board at the time it became ‘his’ rescue!. But, what a life Jamie is living. His real love after visiting so many places is Bali. Not the tourist areas but up in the hills and in places away from crowds. It’s certainly wonderful what opportunities are available for young people today.

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WHY SHOULD YOU TAKE CARE OF YOUR GUMS? By Yvonne Vannoort, Sanctuary Dental

id your gums bleed when you brushed your teeth this morning? Do your family tell you your breath smells? If the answer is yes, it is best not to ignore signs which tell you something isn’t quite right in your mouth. So, the gums first become red and inflamed, this is called gingivitis. As the problem continues, the bone around the teeth is affected and, surprisingly, this can continue for a long time without being sore. Eventually, in the advanced stages, the teeth become loose and gum abscesses become painful. Because gum disease builds slowly, many people are not aware of the problem until the advanced stage is reached. Now, without trying to be alarmist, the science is really clear that gum disease is related to other diseases. For example, research has proven that the same bacteria which cause gum disease are also found in the hardened walls of the arteries of someone who has coronary heart disease. Gum disease causes inflammation in the body, which directly increases the risk of diabetes, arthritis, stroke and cancer. The good news is that the disease can be treated and the progression slowed or stopped altogether. Maybe it is time for your dental check and visit to a super gentle dental hygienist who can assess, advise and treat gum disease. We have new technology called Air Flow which uses warm water and powder to clean your teeth very effectively and gently. Please don’t underestimate that the health of your mouth can determine the health of the rest of your precious body! Your dental team can really help you to achieve good health and the vitality you need to enjoy life! We are always here to help and support you in the kindest way possible.

All about your wellbeing

WELCOME TO OUR

new stylist Natasha Harris, owner of Alberts Hair Salon introduces a new team member and a great welcome offer for clients.

e are a small multi-talented team working closely together to give you the most professional and personal hair experience. We want you to enjoy your time with us and love how you feel when you leave Alberts. We are blessed to have a loyal and devoted clientele who recognise our passion and commitment to the environment. We now have a new star at Alberts and it is with great pleasure that I introduce Emma Leckner to our talented team. Emma brings a wealth of knowledge in all areas of hair and is available for appointments Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. As a welcome to Alberts we have two amazing offers available for all clients who mention this ad and who book in with Emma for the months of March and April (see below). We look forward to seeing you at Alberts Hair Salon soon – Tash

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

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Rural Living — March/April 2020 — 29

KIDS BOOKS APRIL 22 MAKE A

dif ference

limate change, scientific research and greater health awareness all influenced the launch of the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970. This year, more than one billion people across 192 countries will mark the 50th anniversary of Earth Day with many seeking ways to reduce waste, cut down on plastics, and, of course, help reduce the world’s carbon footprint. While there are many ways to make a positive impact on the planet, adults can help by reducing their “food-print” and teaching children to do the same in order to make our food system more sustainable. Growing, producing, transporting and storing food has both positives and negatives but as Earth Day approaches things to consider are: ◆◆Eat more plant-based meals. Livestock production accounts for a high proportion of agricultural emissions and agricultural land use. Why not introduce one or two plant-based meals to the family dinner table each week and try reducing meat portion sizes – while there are benefits in eating meat, too often we eat more meat than is necessary. Encourage children to help build up a repertoire of vegetarian recipes. ◆◆Buy local and in season. Many of us are accustomed to eating the same fruits and vegetables year-round, but this can significantly increase the amount of transportation emissions released into the atmosphere. Instead, select recipes which use seasonal ingredients and shop at local farmers’ markets. Youngsters will enjoy this experience and local cottage industries will appreciate the support. ◆◆Encourage children to nurture a small veggie patch. You don’t need to go all out with a big project. Start with easy to grow silver beet, a few herbs (parsley, for example), and depending on the season, a potted tomato plant, some buttercrunch lettuce, or a few potatoes. They will enjoying picking the fruits of their labour and perhaps eating them too! It may even save on the grocery bill. ◆◆Reduce food waste. Tonnes of food stuffs are thrown out by households and businesses every year. Plan your meals, follow a grocery list and store food properly to ensure you buy only the food you need and that it doesn’t spoil. ◆◆Go at your own pace. Adopting climate-conscious food habits doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing commitment. Even small changes can have a significant impact on the environment. We are told that opting for an plant-based burger is the emission-reduction equivalent of not driving 500 plus kilometres! Without a sustainable transformation, the environmental harm caused by the global food system is expected to nearly double by 2050. However, discovering new recipes and experimenting with fresh ingredients is a delicious solution to this serious issue.

30 — Rural Living — March/April 2020

MIDDLE SCHOOL – MASTER OF DISASTER Rafe rides again! All the most popular characters from James Patterson’s treasured Middle School series are back in action for another comedic adventure. Along with another misunderstood troublemaker, Jimmy, Rafe is tasked with running a celebration of books and reading but can they keep everything on track or will they go off the rails? James Patterson & Chris Tebbetts (illustrator): Middle School – Master of Disaster | RRP $18.99 | Arrow

KIA KAHA – TOGETHER, STANDING STRONG Irish rugby players may boast of being ‘together, standing strong’, but only Kiwis know how to kia kaha! Best suited to little ones aged three to seven years of age, this book is a rousing celebration of all the many cultures that call Aotearoa home. And, thanks to its accompanying CD, they can learn a heart-warming song in both Maori and English. June Pitman-Hayes, Ngaere Roberts (Maori lyrics) & Minky Stapleton (illustrator): Kia Kaha – Together, standing strong | RRP $19.99 | Scholastic

MOA’S ARK This very Kiwi (or moa, at least!) take on a timeless biblical story, imagines what it would be like if Noah had a pair of moa – who are constantly asking him ‘Are we there yet?’ along for the ride. A charming story, best enjoyed by children aged three to seven years, Moa’s Ark is liable to earn a few chuckles from parents too. Peter Millett & Shaun Yeo (illustrator): Moa’s Ark | RRP $17.99 | Scholastic www.ruralliving.co.nz

heroes TRANS-SEASONAL

Madly Sweetly’s autumn range gives more bang for buck this season with clever design features in its Connect the Dots top and Tumbleweed dress – both can be worn two ways! The Connect the Dots top is reversible, so wear one way for a simple shirt or the other to display a sassy keyhole neckline and tie at the waist. The Tumbleweed dress comes with its own long-sleeved under-dress. Wear the Tumbleweed georgette layer now with a slip underneath or, when it gets colder, pair with the supplied striped dress. Another versatile piece which pairs perfectly with almost everything is the stretch Stitched Up jacket, available in three colours. Wear with the Stitched Up pants to create a contemporary, suited look or for a casual weekend outfit match pants to the best selling Pop Star sweater or the Tumbleweed Batwing top. These Madly Sweetly hardworking pieces make it easy to achieve a modern, effortless style. Use them to refresh your current collection or as a base to build a capsule wardrobe.

www.ruralliving.co.nz

Rural Living — March/April 2020 — 31

One-pot lamb WITH WINTER ROOTS & ISRAELI COUSCOUS The beauty about this recipe is that it can be created in one-pot. Which means you get a dish jam-packed with winter goodness and there are less dishes to clear away at the end of it all! Prep: 20 mins Cook: 2 hours Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

Tips & Tricks

Low Fat Excellent source of iron Low Sodium

◆◆You can buy lamb pre-trimmed and diced. ◆◆Top cooked lamb with a gremolata – very finely chop 2 cloves garlic, add 1/2 cup finely chopped parsley and grate the zest of 1-2 lemons. Gently mix together. ◆◆Diced turnips, carrots and potatoes are another great vegetable combination with braised lamb shoulder. ◆◆Omit the Israeli couscous and serve with mashed potato. Stir gremolata through the mash – delicious Recipe courtesy of Beef + Lamb NZ

WINNER RuRal CafE of thE YEaR

◆◆500g Quality Mark diced lamb shoulder ◆◆3 Tbsp seasoned flour ◆◆1 leek, white part only, finely sliced ◆◆2 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped ◆◆1 large carrot, peeled and diced ◆◆1 large parsnip, peeled and diced ◆◆1/2 swede (about 150g), peeled and diced ◆◆1/2 cup dry white wine ◆◆2 cups beef or chicken stock To serve ◆◆1 cup Israeli couscous, cooked ◆◆Green vegetables, steamed

METHOD Preheat the oven to 170°C. Roll diced lamb in the seasoned flour. Heat a large

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frying pan over a mediumhigh heat. Add a dash of oil and when hot, brown lamb on both sides, in batches, transferring to a casserole dish as you go. Reduce the heat to low and add the leek and garlic. Cook gently until the leek begins to soften then add the carrot, parsnip and swede. Mix in any remaining seasoned flour. Pour in the wine and allow to bubble up. Add the stock and mix well, then pour over the lamb. The liquid should just cover the lamb and vegetables. If not, add more stock. Place baking paper, cut to fit, on top of the liquid to protect the meat and reduce evaporation. Cover with the lid, then place in the oven and cook for 2 hours until the lamb is very tender. Serve hot with Israeli couscous and steamed green vegetables. Top with gremolata (see recipe in tips), if wished

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Honoured with the innovation award at the 2020 CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, this loo is the company’s most advanced intelligent, voice activated toilet.

‘brain’! Forget talking to the animals, just talk to your loo – in the future that is – and personal hygiene will be taken to a new level.

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Hunua Electorate Office 7 Wesley St, Pukekohe 09 238 5977 during office hours Follow me on Facebook: AndrewBaylyMP

which has been fine-tuned to the user’s exact preferences – from ambient lights, heated seat and preferred cleansing functionality, to choice of music and air/ water temperatures. Sustainability credentials are also impressive with the toilet being one of the most water-efficient available – a mere 3L/3.8L flush. And, when nature calls at night, an integrated nightlight will guide you while the lid opens automatically to reveal a ready-warmed seat. When you walk away, the toilet flushes and the lid closes. The Numi 2.0’s dynamic multi-coloured lighting and audio enhancements (via waterproof speakers offering exceptional sound quality), create a unique experience – users simply voice-activate their profile and/or preferences on entering the bathroom. The Numi 2.0 by Kohler is currently unavailable in Australia and New Zealand but, who knows – one day, perhaps!

• • • •

Monthly Accounting Rental property accounts Company Formations Annual financials

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Who would have thought that one day there would be intelligent voice-activated toilets in the home? Well, thanks to the technology whizzes at Kohler, the Numi 2.0, fits the bill. Honoured with the innovation award at the 2020 CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, this loo is the company’s most advanced intelligent, voice activated toilet. It was selected from among more than 4500 brands showcasing their latest technology-driven consumer products at the show. Key to Numi 2.0’s success is the Kohler Konnect app and embedded Amazon Alexa for easy voice control of personal-care functions and features, as well as access to personal playlists and tens of thousands of skills such as checking the weather, the traffic, accessing news and more. In short, Numi 2.0, a toilet and bidet in one, delivers complete hands-free control of a personal care experience

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www.ruralliving.co.nz

Rural Living — March/April 2020 — 33

We dig great lawns. Get your lawn looking great! Whether you’re sowing a new lawn, or repairing and maintaining your existing turf, talk to our friendly team at Central Landscape Supplies Drury, we have a range of lawn products to suit your needs.

Visit your local yard: Central Landscape Supplies Drury Open Hours: Monday - Friday: 7am - 5pm, Saturday: 8am - 4pm, Sunday: 9am - 1pm 34 — Rural Living — March/April 2020

www.ruralliving.co.nz

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

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A TOUCH OF THE TROPICS!

Central’s Tips April 2020

It’s time to replenish the garden by conditioning the soil with plenty of compost and sheep pellets. Sow a green cover crop to add nitrogen. It’s lawn time, apply fertiliser to existing lawns to give them a pre-winter ‘pep’ up.

In the Edible Garden • Sow a green crop: doing this adds nitrogen to the soil ahead of new food crops. Sow blue lupin and mustard seed in beds that are not being used over winter. Cut the foliage down when the crop is at knee height and leave it to decompose

• Plant seedlings of hardy brassicas such as broccoli, cabbage and bok choy

• Sow carrots, beetroot and parsnip • Control powdery mildew on the leaves of zucchini and cucumber that are still producing vegetables with a homemade spray: 1 cup of milk and 1 tsp of baking soda to 1 litre of water mixed together and sprayed to cover the leaves

• Curly parsley makes an excellent decorative focus in the vegetable garden in winter. Grown it as a very small potager hedge or garden edging.

• Time to plant edible hedges such as feijoas and bay trees, or the smaller NZ cranberry, Myrtus ugni

The rest of the Garden • Fertilise lawns with ProLawn Turfmaster Gold. This product is a premium lawn food that encourages grass growth.

• Cut back finished perennials such as daisies, lavenders and catmint.

• Soil conditioning is top of the list for this time of the year – dig through fresh compost and sheep pellets – gets plenty of soil biology going and replenishes nutrients and organic matter that has been depleted over the growing season

KAT5290A-v29

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here are lots of gardening delights to enjoy as we step from summer to what is proving an exceptionally warm start to autumn. In fact, this season has been perfect for fragrant frangipanis especially in warm, sheltered areas. For those with a protected, sunny spot in the garden, frangipanis can create a lush, tropical look. They make a superb shade tree and, of course, the summer flowers are beautiful and heavenly scented. Frangipanis come in a range of gorgeous colours, from the traditional white through to apricots, pinks, yellows and rich burgundy, with many varieties having multi-toned blooms. In modern Polynesian culture, the frangipani is often worn by women to indicate their relationship status—over the right ear if seeking a relationship, and over the left if taken but this beautiful, scented flower was once associated with deities representing life and death in the ancient Mayan civilisation and the Aztecs used it to signify elite status. In parts of southern and south-east Asia local folk believed the frangipani sheltered ghosts and demons. In some parts they were associated with funerals and death and were often planted in cemeteries. On the other hand, in Sri Lanka frangipani is associated with worship, in east Africa they appear in love poems and in parts of the Indian state of Karnataka, the bride and groom exchange garlands of cream-coloured frangipani during weddings. Importantly, they are easy to grow in warmer climes and require minimum care once established. Because they are deciduous they will lose their leaves in winter but new leaves will appear usually after temperatures are heading above 10 degrees celsius. A lovely addition to the garden, here are some tips to help keep frangipani looking fantastic: ◆◆Feeding – frangipanis will appreciate a feed in February with a high potassium fertiliser but early March is not too late. Potassium is a key nutrient in promoting flowering as well as healthy plant growth and root development. Yates® Thrive® Natural Sulphate of Potash is a rich source of potassium, boosted with New Zealand seaweed. Apply around the frangipani root zone and water in well. Yates® Thrive® Natural Sulphate of Potash is certified for use in organic gardening by BioGro NZ. ◆◆Watering – if the weather is hot and dry, frangipanis will appreciate deep watering once a week, especially if the tree is still young and the root system is small. There’s no need to keep the soil constantly moist – frangipanis do best in slightly drier conditions. Regular watering is particularly important for potted frangipanis, as pots can dry out very quickly. A 3-5 cm layer of mulch over the surface of the pot will help minimise moisture loss. Keep mulch a few centimetres away from the trunk itself, which helps improve air flow and reduce collar rot diseases. Rural Living — March/April 2020 — 35

The Countryside Begins with Townsend...

The summer holidays don’t need to end here!

If a holiday home has always been a dream of yours, now may be the time to make that dream a reality. Analysis done by the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) shows that while house prices around the country may be on the rise, the same is not necessarily true for some popular holiday locations. The latest REINZ statistics reveal that some holiday hotspots are now more affordable than last year. Here’s what to consider if you are looking to buy that holiday home you’ve been dreaming about: Be clear about what you want from your holiday home – Are you buying a holiday home with an eye towards capital gain, do you want to break even or cover your mortgage through rental income, or do you just want a place where you and your family can live the Kiwi dream of endless summers spent at the beach? Be clear about what your expectations are before you start looking. Find the right property – Finding the right property at the right price can make all the difference if you’re planning to rent it or hoping to achieve a capital gain when you sell it one day. Historically the country’s most popular holiday rental properties are within easy driving distance of major metropolitan areas, places like the Coromandel, Wairarapa and Bay of Islands. Shopping around can pay dividends – The latest REINZ data shows that in Paihia, gateway to the Bay of Islands, affordability has increased, with median prices for the three months ending November 2019 13% below the same time last year. Even places like Waiheke Island, Wanaka and Pauanui have seen prices drop back over the past year.* If you want to maximise your holiday home’s rental income, look for an area that has year-round appeal, like Queenstown or Taupo. Alternatively,

you could look in less expensive areas that have strong seasonal appeal, like Ohakune or Gisborne. Make sure the financial stack up – It can be a good idea to arrange your finance before you begin the holiday home buying process. This will give you a better idea of what price range you can purchase in. It can be beneficial to involve your agent / mortgage adviser to work through your

Pukekohe 20 Premila Dr

Auction Sat 4 April – 4.30pm (unlesss old prior)

options with regard to financing/ where to buy. If you plan to rent your bach during peak times, it’s possible your rental income may cover most of the mortgage costs if it’s in a good location and well presented. Understanding your finance options before you buy will give you a clearer picture of what those costs will be. For most people, buying a beach house or holiday home is about having a place to unwind and create memories with family and friends. Whether or not a holiday home is a good investment ultimately comes down to the value you place on the convenience and familiarity of owning a little slice of the Kiwi dream. If Jo-Ann can help you achieve an endless Summer – give her a call on 0211696056 or 0800 TOWNSEND.

Waiuku Auction Sat 4 April – 11am 97A Whiriwhiri Rd onsite (unlesss old prior)

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Port Realty Ltd Licensed Agent REAA 2008

36 — Rural Living — March/April 2020

www.ruralliving.co.nz

KAT5307-v28

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

Tailored Home Design & Building Specialists Tailored Home Design & Building Specialists

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FROM THE EXPERT’S DESK

PROJECT ORGANISATION!

HELP US HELP US HELP US HELP NATURE HELP HELP NATURE NATURE

By Kim Reiche, Refresh Renovations

Photo: David Hallett

For the price of a couple of coffees each week, you Photo: canDavid Hallett For price&of a couple coffees each you Photo: canDavid Hallett helpthe Forest Bird protectofand restore of week, New Zealand’s help Forest & Bird protect and restore of New Zealand’s For the price of a couple of coffees each week, you can unique wildlife and wild places. unique wildlife andprotect wild places. help Forest & Bird and restore of New Zealand’s Become a Nature’s voice member With so many of New Zealand’s unique wildlife wild Become a Nature’s member With sonative many of Newand Zealand’s and you will receivevoice complimentary unique animals, plants andplaces. unique plants and habitats at riskanimals, weNew need your support With sonative many of Zealand’s habitats at riskanimals, needplants your support to give nature awe greater voice. unique native and to give nature awe greater voice. habitats riskare need your support Forest & at Bird an independent to give&nature a greater voice. Forest Birdt organisation. are an independent not-for-profi We have not-for-profi We natural have been Zealand Forestprotecting & Birdt organisation. areNew an independent been protecting Newand Zealand environment land inWe thenatural sea, not-for-profi t on organisation. have environment land and in the sea, since Ason the governor general been 1923. protecting New Zealand natural since the governor general said in1923. 2009,As “It island diffi cult in tothe imagine environment on and sea, said 2009,As “It is diffi cult to general imagine New Zealand without the Royal sincein 1923. the governor New Zealand without the Royal Forest Society.” said in and 2009,Bird “It Protection is difficult to imagine Forest and Bird Protection Society.” New Zealand without the Royal

and you will receive complimentary membership of Forest & Bird, and Become a Nature’s voice member membership of Forest & Bird,you andwill with yourwill additional support and you receive complimentary with your additional support you be helping usofprotect and restore our membership Forest & Bird, andwill be us ensuring protect and our environment, thatrestore there will withhelping your additional support you will environment, ensuring thatrestore therefor will always be aus natural environment be helping protect and our always a natural environment you andbeyour children. environment, ensuring that therefor will you and your children. always be a natural environment for you and your children.

Forest and Bird Help Protection Society.” us help nature at www.forestandbird.org.nz/joinus Help us help nature at www.forestandbird.org.nz/joinus

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o date, we have spoken about warranties and guarantees; now we are outlining the importance of good project organisation. No – I am not calling it project management...there is so much more required in a renovation. No matter how large or small a project is, understanding the environment, the access and who will be living in the home while the project is underway, all need to be considered. For example: ◆◆Are the clients shift workers ◆◆Is there a baby in the home or a dog? ◆◆How will the clients and the tradies receive communication? ◆◆How do we know who is coming and going and when? ◆◆Are all the tradies on the same page? ◆◆Are council inspections taken care of? ◆◆Is your home safe in terms of Work Safe? And that’s just to mention a few….. Refresh has a comprehensive project management system which allows us to control timelines and budgets. Everyone working on the project can see up to date information on build progress 24/7. Our commitment to technology means your renovation will run smoother and faster. Our clients can log into the system and see how the project is tracking and view photos and videos from the project site. Daily logs can be viewed and all parties involved in the project can take part in all discussion areas and decision making. Here’s what one client had to say: “I really trusted Kim because she was here on-site with my colour choices and the different specs which were going to be used. She was incredibly easy to work with and really helpful. The online customer portal was amazing. It allowed us to have a bird’s eye view while we were in America, so it felt as if we were walking beside everyone while they were here and we were over there. I’ve gone on to suggest it to friends who are overseas and having renovations done.” There is a process of ‘who is required at what stage’ on the project. Coordinating/managing the steps of a project is extremely important. This includes the number of tradies on site at one time, the parking, site security, managing hazards and managing the power, waste control and deliveries of materials. It all takes some organising at every level throughout the whole project, right through to completion, to ensure the build is to code and to our standards. Back in the office, even when clients have moved in, we are still working to deal with compliance certificates and producer statements for final sign off from the council. Research carried out by BRANZ shows that typical renovation projects waste 30% of the money being spent. The reason for this is that the projects are disorganised, poorly planned with poor communication. Contact Refresh today for a planned and well coordinated renovation.

0800 004 600

www.refresh.co.nz KAT6515-v4 www.ruralliving.co.nz

SALES NUMBERS EXCEPTIONAL By Darren Szaszy, Barfoot & Thompson, Pukekohe

he Auckland property market burst into activity in February, but not at the expense of stable prices. “Sales numbers of 804 were exceptional and the highest in February for five years but the prices at which properties changed hands were in line with where the market has been for the past few years,” says Peter Thompson, managing director of Barfoot & Thompson. “Both the average and median prices declined markedly from the level they have been at over the past three months but were in line with those being paid at this time last year. “Stable prices were a major factor in why so many sales were made in the month. “The prices buyers were prepared

to pay met vendors expectations, and our clearance rate of properties at auction, and by direct negotiation, were close to the numbers we were selling at the height of the 1990s property cycle. “Also contributing to the average and median prices remaining stable was the growing influence of apartment sales. In February sales of properties for under $500,000 represented 16 percent of all sales. “There is every indication that the excellent start the market has made to the year will flow into March. “There are no early signs that coronavirus is having an impact on property sales but this is expected, as property sales tend to take place over a 30 to 60 day period. Any signs that the virus might have on market activity is unlikely to appear before April’s trading results. “The average price for the month at $920,553 was down 3.3 percent on that of January and only 0.2 percent higher than the average price in February last year. “The median price at $820,000 was

down 7.3 percent on that of January and 2.4 percent higher than last February’s. “Another factor contributing to the high number of sales was the excellent level of new listings that came to market. At 1,640 this was a 50 percent increase on the average number for the previous three months. “At month’s end we had 3,670 properties on our books. This is a modest increase on where we have been at for the previous three months but still 990 properties down on where we were at this time last year. “Properties in the $1 million and $2 million plus price categories in February were significantly ahead of where they were last February and accounted for 30.8 percent of sales. “The rural and lifestyle property markets also experienced excellent trading results in February with sales being double what they were in February last year. “To the south of Auckland and around Pukekohe, there was strong competition for lifestyle properties in the $1 million plus price category.

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KAT5306

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