Rural Living August 2017

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ruralliving.co.nz

August 2017

Tuakau TALK OF THE TOWN

BARB'S A

r o v i v r su

Family on a charge

Ginni preserves country life

Suasua – the Heat is on

Brought to you by members of Franklin’s

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

Romeo and Juliet

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Photo Ross Brown

n COMEDY & THEATRE Faulty towers & Murder at hotel Balle Balle August 4 & 5, 7.30-10pm, Red Shed Palazzo, 64 Jesmond Road, Karaka/Drury A double bill of hilarity awaits dinner guests at the Red Shed in August with a duo of comedy shows. Details via redshedpalazzo.co.nz/dinner-theatre.

Just For Kicks August 5, 5pm-12am, PIA Centre, 57 Ward Street, Pukekohe Apparently, ‘the comedy stylings of Ben Hurley and Jeremy Elwood will have audiences in tears’. That could mean one of two things but, seeing as these guys are heavyweights on the Kiwi comedy scene, we bet this is meant in a good way! In addition, music will be served by the Claxtons, fresh from performing at John Hill Estate the night before. What’s more, belly laughs will be accompanied by a belly full of food thanks to a spit roast; after all, what comedian doesn’t enjoy a good roasting? Contact the venue via piacentre.co.nz for details.

Nell gwynn August 15-30, show times vary, ASB Waterfront Theatre, 138 Halsey Street, Auckland City A woman acting on stage? The very idea!

By 1660, treading the boards may have long been seen as a male occupation, but that was before Nell Gwynn made her debut. As The King’s Company’s first leading lady, Nell is about to cause a stir in post-puritan London when the King himself becomes smitten with this witty orange seller. Billed as ‘brilliant and bodacious’, Nell Gwynn is a comedic romp telling the story of a legendary love affair. Visit Auckland Theatre Company’s website (atc.co.nz/whats-on) for details.

Craig

Trudy

Brendon

021 998 605

021 898 483

027 238 6660

2 — Rural Living — August 2017 Moore Ashby Boyce

n MUSIC & MUSICALS Wolves and ravens Duo July 28, from 8pm, The Village Bar and Kitchen, 1 Patumahoe Road, Patumahoe Once upon an evening dreary, a covers band came to the village, Patumahoe.

However, rather than quothing Poeetry, this covers band barked out songs, from mellow soul, jazzy, pop to upbeat rock ‘n’ roll. For more information, see toplineentertainment.co.nz or contact the venue via thevillagebar.co.nz. the Claxtons August 4, 6-11pm, John Hill Estate, corner John Hill & White Roads, Hunua When claxons sound the result is hardly music to one’s ears; when The Claxtons play their tunes, however, it’s well worth a listen! Along with guest appearances by Daveena Smith, Anna Matheson and Briar Heke, this critically acclaimed band will take to the stage this month in efforts to help Clevedon School raise funds for a new outdoor education facility. Contact John Hill Estate (via johnhillestate.co.nz).

Manukau Symphony Orchestra – Classics August 19, 7.30-10pm, BNZ Theatre, Vodafone Events Centre, 770 Great South Road, Manukau Even on a late winter’s evening, it’s

Sue

Stephanie

027 527 0094

027 246 7911

McCardle Alderlieste

Hunter

Utatao

027 482 2488

a great time to enjoy A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Beginning with a Mendelssohn masterwork (an overture to this Shakespeare comedy), this concert also includes J. S. Bach’s Concerto for Oboe and Violin as well as Tchaikovsky’s powerful 5th Symphony.

See manukausymphony.org.nz for details. the last Night of the Proms August 24, 11am-1pm, Hawkins Theatre, 13 Ray Small Drive, Papakura If the last night is half as good as the first, we’re in for a treat! This right royal variety show has wowed audiences for many years for good reason. And, now, it’s set to bring down the house locally. For more information, see operatunity.co.nz.

n ARTS & DANCE Chance to Ignite August 2-4, Mangere Arts Centre, Corner Bader Drive & Orly Avenue, Mangere What do you get when bringing together seven young women with boxing, jujitzu, ‘for real’ stories and a lot of sass?

The answer is obvious... a Chance to Ignite! Designed to showcase emerging artists, this show expects to deliver the unexpected. However, you can expect to find more information about this one at massivecompany.co.nz.

Hadley

Pierce

027 480 2741

Graeme

David

021 770 733

027 485 9321

Willsonwww.ruralliving.co.nz Powell

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

romeo & Juliet Aug 30–Sep 3, times vary, ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre, 50 Mayoral Drive, Auckland Whether you know this timeless tale thanks to Lou Reed or Dire Straits, Leo DiCaprio or Leo Bernstein, or even by reading the words of old Bill (Shakespeare) himself, odds are, you know this tale.

However, there are few (if any) who could perform this tragic masterpiece as gracefully as the Royal New Zealand Ballet.

For more information, see rnzb.org.nz.

n FITNESS, SPORT, RACING & MOTORING Mothers Chrome expression Session August 5-6, from 9am, Hampton Downs Motor Sport Park, Hampton Downs Road, Te Kauwhata If your mother thinks it’s dangerous, it’s probably on track at Hampton Downs this month! From racing, drag racing, drifting and burnout sessions, to passenger rides, gymkhana, trade sites and entertainment, this event offers plenty for fans of almost anything with a motor. For details, see chromenz.co.nz.

game of three halves August 11, from 6pm, ECOLight Stadium, Franklin Road, Pukekohe A three-way rumble is set to run once again at the heart of Steelers’ country.

This year, when the mighty All Blacks come to town, so too will Taranaki. Can the Steelers or the Bulls beat the best in the business during 40 minute games, and can our boys send said Bulls back to their home ring with their tails between their legs? Find out this month. For details, see steelers.co.nz.

Boys Day Out at the races August 12, 11am-5pm, Pukekohe Park, 222-250 Manukau Road, Pukekohe Boy oh boy, a good time's coming up just around the corner, and we don't mean Father's Day! Sometimes all a man wants to do is get out with a few good mates to 'sample' a few good brews... oh, and check out a bit of thoroughbred racing too. So, lads, why not treat yourself to a day away from the ones you love by knocking about with the ones you like! See pukekohepark.co.nz for details.

Calf dayS a-Comin!

Scott

Kevin

027 210 8887

027 497 8223

Simon

Macrae

Vicky

Vendt

027 420 2540

027 405 3440

Tuakau

Tuakau

nMARKETS Pukekohe Market Every Saturday, 8am-12pm, Massey Street, Pukekohe Pokeno Market Every Sunday, 8am-2pm, main street, Pokeno Crafty Cows Market – Pokeno Second Sunday of each month, 10am-1pm, Pokeno Town Hall awhitu Country Market Last Sunday monthly or long weekend Sunday, 10am-2pm, Matakawau Hall, Awhitu Road, Awhitu Peninsula Sustainable Papakura Market Third Sunday of each month (except March & April), 10am-1pm, Papakura Recreation & Fitness Centre, 294 Great South Road, Papakura

It’s often said that one should never work with animals or children but, at Rural Living we’re gluttons for punishment. Well, that and we’re suckers for cuteness too!

So, if your school (anywhere throughout the Franklin, Hunua, North Waikato or Papakura regions) has a Calf Club Day, Pet Day, Ag Day, Country Day or the like coming up, please email the name of the event and date to info@ ruralliving.co.nz and we will list them in upcoming issues.

We may already have details, but we’d hate to miss anyone out! Oh and please do email us with your photos after the event too, our team will be out an about but we can’t be everywhere, man!

www.ruralliving.co.nz Lim McElhinney

auckland Xterra run/Walk August 20, 8.30am-5pm, Waharau Regional Park, East Coast Road, Kaiaua After winding its way through the Waiuku Forest, the Xterra Run/Walk takes in the beauty of Waharau Regional Park near Kaiaua this month. With courses varying in length, these events are suited to participants of almost any age. See trailrun.co.nz/waharau-regional-park.

Clevedon Village Market Every Sunday, 9am-2pm, Clevedon Community Centre, 1 Papakura-Clevedon Road, Clevedon Clevedon Farmers Market Every Sunday, 8.30am-1pm, Clevedon Showgrounds, Monument Road, Clevedon alfriston Country Market First Saturday of each month except January, 9am-12pm, Alfriston Community Hall, Mill Road, Alfriston

Murray

Dawson

Nick

Bates

Sales Manager Branch Manager

Rural Living — August 2017 — 3

From the editor... sounds like a good thing’ only to later hear an opposing view and realise the first idea might not be as sensible as it first seemed.

We ‘journos’ can sometimes be guilty of quoting figures which may come from reputable sources but which we haven’t been able to check, either because of time restraints or bureaucratic red tape. So, with an election looming and fresh policy being released from our various political parties, I am reminded that we should, perhaps, listen to everyone and believe nothing unless we know the full story.

And, that’s all on this issue but before I depart, I must congratulate Sam Gray from Pak’n Save Pukekohe who placed second (Auckland south) in the Checker of the Year in Foodstuffs North Island’s annual competition. Rural Living team members shop regularly at Pak'n Save Pukekohe and we can confirm operators there are fantastic. So, congratulations, Sam.

some numbers based on water consent applications and their findings conclude: ◆ About 60% of water consumed in NZ is used for electricity generation. Adding just 1 cent a litre charge to the water used by the Manapouri power station alone would require passing on a cost of $160 billion to New Zealand electricity users (that’s 65% of the total value of our economy). ◆ About 9% of consented water takes are for ‘industrial’ use. This would add $24 billion in costs at 1 cent per litre of water used. ◆ People connected to domestic drinking water supplies would pay an extra $18 billion, including commercial users working with domestic water supplies. ◆ The price of fruit and vegetables grown for the domestic market would increase meaning that domestically grown produce would be unable to compete with imports. ◆ The price of milk and meat would go up and make our exports less competitive.

If these estimates are accurate, and the forecasts plausible, Kiwis could, in the long run, pay more for everything. To me, this emphasises the need to closely examine all political party policies. Too often we hear one side of an issue and say, ‘that

Helen Perry, Editor

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’d planned to mention a whole lot of little issues this month. Then the Green Party released its plan to levy a 10 cent per litre charge on companies who bottle and export drinking water.

I can see why the idea appeals – a lot of us rankle when thinking of firms making profits from water they don’t pay for.

However, this is sure to be a more complex issue than first appears, and even more so, the Party’s intimation that it wants all commercial users of water charged a fee. While this may be applauded by some, there needs to be a lot more analysis of how such a move would impact on NZ. I recently received some figures from Federated Farmers and while I cannot verify these, if taken on face value, then wider water charges could be economically disastrous for Kiwis.

Federated Farmers spokesperson Chris Allen says he understand why Kiwis hate seeing our water bottled and sent offshore.

"But charging for every litre used would not make this problem go away,” he says. "In fact, it is likely to put cost burdens on our people, taxpayers and communities which are simply unsustainable.”

Federated Farmers has crunched

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Rural Living is a FREE monthly magazine aimed at the rural lifestyle market. Delivered to RD lifestyle addresses throughout Franklin, it is also available from pick-up boxes in the main townships including Pukekohe, Waiuku, Tuakau, Pokeno and Te Kauwhata.

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4 — Rural Living — August 2017

Wattle Bay

Alfriston Manurewa East

Big Bay

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Photo Wayne Martin

Matingarahi

Manurewa Orua Bay

Wa

BRIDGING THE PAST: For more than a century, a bridge has stood near Tuakau. Connecting people from north and south of the mighty Waikato River, it has also spanned generations. The current version (constructed in 1933) has become an iconic landmark of our area. As our cover suggests, this month we take a closer look at a town at the heart of one of the many communities which make Franklin such a wonderful region in which to live. To read more, see pages 16-23.

info@ruralliving.co.nz Editor: Helen Perry DDI 09 271 8036 editor@ruralliving.co.nz Sales: Kate Ockelford-Green DDI 09 271 8090 kate@ruralliving.co.nz Jackie Underhill DDI 09 271 8092 jackie@ruralliving.co.nz Art Director: Clare McGillivray DDI 09 271 8067 clare@ruralliving.co.nz Publisher: Brian Neben Level 1, The Lane, Botany Town Centre, Chapel Road, Auckland PO Box 259-243, Botany, Auckland 2163 Ph: 09 271 8080, Fax: 09 271 8099

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

All the material Mangawara Woodleigh Ruawaro in this magazine has the protection of international copyright. All rights reserved. No content may be reproduced without the prior written consent of Times House Publishing Ltd.

design

Settling In build SOUTH EAST WAIKATO FRANKLIN

Botany and Ormiston

www.ruralliving.co.nz

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Rural Living — August 2017 — 5

Cattle breeder

They say if you want something done, ask a busy woman and Ardmore farmer, Ginni Alexander is certainly testimony to that. Now the former nurse, cattle breeder and preserve-maker is set to be busier than ever as the taste for her chutney continues to grow. She talks to ANGELA KEMP.

in a right pickle!

G

inni Alexander started making jams and chutney “years ago” with the excess fruit she grew on the family farm. Not that she had a lot of time on her hands – she was also working as a nurse in Middlemore Hospital's plastic surgical unit, bringing up a family and building up an award-winning herd of Highland Cattle, Ardargie Fold.

Soon she was making more jams and pickles than she could give away so she decided to sell it at work and set up a little stand on the ward.

“People came from all over the hospital with jars and to buy. I soon learnt what they did and didn’t like so it was a good testing ground. I did that for 10 years until retiring two years ago. I made marmalade, lemon honey, plum sauce, plum jam, peach chutney and pear and date chutney but my best seller was Maharajah chutney which flew our the door.

“It’s made to a recipe given to me by a patient and uses oranges, onions and a mountain of Indian spices – and that’s as much as I’m going to tell you! The gentleman who gave me the recipe is in a wheelchair now and unable to make it for himself so I keep him supplied.”

After leaving work Ginni had a stall at the Farmers’ Market at Takanini before it closed. She is now a regular at the Sunday market at The Red Shed Cafe at Drury.

Fellow stallholders, Del Boy Sausages of Howick asked Ginni if she could supply them with her Maharajah chutney to create a very special sausage.

The resulting beef Maharajah sausages are a sizzling success. “They’re not a breakfast sausage, more of a lunch or dinner sausage, and absolutely delicious.”

Ginni could technically supply Del Boy’s with the meat too but she said practicalities made it uneconomical. She’s been breeding Highland Cattle for 21 years 6 — Rural Living — August 2017

Ginni with a selection of her now famous preserves.

and currently has a 65-strong herd, or fold as the breed is known.

She decided to rear the ancient breed after seeing them on a trip to Scotland.

“They’re bred for beef but where they came from originally they would have been used for their milk and their meat.

Their hides would have been used for floor or bed coverings, whatever they needed.

“They are the only breed of cattle that are allowed to overwinter outside in cold climates such as Scandinavia because of their thick hide and hair. They need their horns to be able to dig in the snow for food in the wintertime.”

Ginni says the breed produces lean, well-marbled, flesh that ensures tenderness and succulence with a very distinctive flavour. “Venison is very lean, but can be a little bit tasteless. Highland beef has a very subtle taste.”

Depending on whether they are destined for the table or her breeding programme, some of Ginni’s Highlands have horns, others don’t. She says the not unsubstantial horns don’t pose a risk if the breed is handled correctly.

“They don’t use their horns on you unless you have them cornered and they are so terrified that they have nowhere to go. Only then they might bow their head and take a toss at you.

Photo Wayne Martin

“The size of the horns allows them to organise the pecking order in the herd although that isn’t always the case. They are all so different, some are nice, some are nasty, some are bossy and some are just so gentle.”

Ginni is a member of the Highland Cattle Society and says the breed was ‘flavour of the month’ about 18 years ago when there weren’t many around and everybody wanted them.

But she adds they always going to a minority breed as they are a small block animal not popular with commercial farmers. “They are a little bit slower to finish and they don’t have very good feet.

They’re better than they used to be and they’ve survived like that for a thousand years in a very harsh part of the world.”

Ginni supplies animals to people for all kinds of reasons – as pets, beef or as a start to breeding programmes. She took five petting calves to Fieldays in June and says children were delighted they could stroke the wee hairy beasts.

But now she's concentrating on building up her condiment business which goes under the name of Ginni Pickle. Recently she began supplying a store on Auckland’s north shore where the townies can’t get enough of her country delights – especially that Maharajah chutney! www.ruralliving.co.nz

Highland Cattle are Scottish royalty One of the oldest, most distinctive and best known breeds, Highland cattle have a long and distinguished ancestry dating back as early as the 1200s.

Their long, thick, flowing coats of rich hair and their majestic sweeping horns, make Highlands one of the most recognisible breeds. They are known for their longevity – many Highland cows continue to breed to ages in excess of 18 years having borne 15 calves.

A group of Highland cattle is known as a ‘fold’. This is because in winter the cattle were kept in open shelters made of stone called folds to protect them from the weather at night.

Queen Elizabeth 11 and the royal family maintain a purebred fold of Highland

In her other role, Ginni the 'cow girl'.

Cattle at Balmoral Castle. It is said that when the family travels, they often send their own meat ahead of them, as they believe it is the healthiest of meats.

Photo Wayne Martin

Highland beef is attributed as being healthy and nutritious with lower levels of fat and cholesterol and a higher protein and iron content than other beef.

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Rural Living — August 2017 — 7

Over

with

the gate

Barbara Raos

Survivor NZ finalist

When two tribes went to war earlier this year, rather than head to Hollywood, lifestyler Barbara (Barb – aka Queen B) Raos was in the thick of it in the Nicaraguan jungle! Despite being deprived of basic creature comforts – while being surrounded by dangerous creatures, including 15 fellow contestants – Barb battled on to the final of popular TV show, Survivor NZ. Rural Living put a few questions to this gutsy grandmum from nearby Whitford... over the gate.

You’ve lived on a lifestyle property for some 26 year, correct?

the challenges and experience the entire game.

My husband and I were both from East Auckland but it didn’t take much to convince him to move further out [to Whitford] as I’d always wanted some land around me for horses and livestock, and to raise a family in a semi rural environment.

We live on 12 acres. My daughters and I share a passion for horses. We lease some land and move sheep around to rotate our paddocks and also have (very!) free range chickens – mainly roosters and chooks that seem to gravitate to our place from somewhere else!

How did you manage to stay in the game for so long?

You described Survivor NZ’s winner, Avi, as a ‘Fred Astaire sole survivor; a true gentleman.’ Does this mean a nice guy actually finished first?

Survivor is a game that means you must outlast, so it’s inevitable that you have to vote out an ‘ally’ at some point. For me it was a ‘needs must’ situation; you do what you have to do to stay in the game. I had no qualms voting anyone off.

I am definitely a fan of the strategic side; I loved the mental aspect of playing people off and the balancing act it required.

Avi is a great winner for the inaugural season of the show. I thought Tom [the third finalist] played a brilliant game too.

They’re both lovely and, if it wasn’t to be me, I would have been happy with either of them winning the $100,000 prize.

I hitchhiked on the strength of my tribe at challenges. I knew how to play on egos and insecurities and I’m very good at reading people. I planned out the scenarios and the reactions of players and made sure I planted the right seeds ahead of time.

How much is ‘backstabbing’ a part of these competitions?

How does it feel to come so far and fall at the final hurdle? In hindsight, would you have preferred to have left earlier?

One of your fellow contestants, Shannon Quinn, said the female competitors (including you and Shay) were ‘completely vilified’ on the show compared to the men. Would you agree?

I did not fall at the last hurdle! I realised early on how the tribe would vote. I changed my goals and I achieved them all. I won a few challenges and was close to Tom a few times. Considering he is 27 years younger than me, I was happy to be sniffing at his heels!

At times it was hard, knowing that no matter what I did I would not be recognised by my tribe mates, but I’m happy to have outlasted them. I was a major player and I was able to enjoy all

The women were definitely more strategic. The men had tunnel vision, resting on their laurels of physical fitness and tight alliances, which made them easy to dismantle. I had no problem with how we were portrayed, I don’t bother with armchair critics, and I also don’t read negativity from online trolls – it’s just irrelevant! I think the women were more perceptive and didn’t take things at face value; some were just more strategy-savvy than others.

8 — Rural Living — August 2017

As the oldest contestant on the show, did your life experience come in handy? Was this appreciated by others?

It certainly gave me the common sense and maturity to realise it was a game and that I had life to go home to at the end. I wasn’t fully appreciated for what I could offer and as I was in the minority, I needed to lie low. I think I achieved that.

What was the toughest challenge?

Running with the sandbag in the sea. I knew I’d struggle as I was not handling the heat and when I fell, I had no strength, my legs would not move and it was like I had a piano on me! It was disconcerting that, for the first time in my life, my body was letting me down and not responding what I was asking it to do. A bit scary really!

What’s the most important thing this experience has taught you?

That I am resilient and self-aware. Even when I was lonely or frustrated, I knew how to manage myself and refresh my optimism. I trusted myself and was aware of the course I had chosen to take and knew it was the right one for me.

To prepare you walked, swam, ate small meals, and practised starting fires. What more should you have done?

My preparation was enough but I wish I had also practised throwing because I was crap at that!

Before the show, you said your strategy was to ‘stay true’, play as an individual and use your perception and intuition rather than be part of a herd. Did you manage to stick to that? www.ruralliving.co.nz

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to admit it or not is another matter! And, yes, I would say they are pretty chuffed at how far their mum went. Before I went on the show they said it would be so embarrassing if I was the first person voted out – cause it’s all about them, right!

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

I guess it would have to be passionfruit as I’ve tried and failed to grow vines on our property many times. It was my favourite fruit as a child – my parents had a huge vine and I would wait for the fruit to ripen before eagerly devouring them.

If I could raise any animal, I would breed a champion dressage horse. My daughter is particularly passionate about horses and they have taught my family a lot. It takes years to accomplish movements, there’s no quick route and for every success there are many disappointments. It’s all about the journey and the connection that develops from mutual trust and respect between rider and horse.

If you could be executive producer of Survivor for one day, what would you do first and why?

I would push the contestants with more physical hardship to challenge their boundaries and emotional resources.

That way, viewers would see who has the strength of character to handle anything thrown their way.

If you could invite any three Survivor contestants to dinner, who and why?

Home with the reins – Barb at home in Whitford with her horse, Conquestador.

I believe I stayed on that course. I knew how to play to my strengths and sway people without pinning a target on myself in the process. I was patient and observant, worked out people’s personalities and picked my battles.

You went on Survivor to do something challenging and outrageous and to show your children there was more to their www.ruralliving.co.nz

Photo Wayne Martin

mum. Mission accomplished?

My children saw that their mother stayed true to herself and tried her best. Even though sometimes your achievements are subtle and overlooked, if you play to your strengths and back yourself you can reach your goals with your integrity intact.

I think each of my children have seen a different aspect of me; whether they like

I would invite Hana because I found her strong, sassy and inspirational, a role model with regards to challenging preconceived ideas of body image, and she had the guts and motivation to prove people wrong. Secondly, Cirie. I loved how she could read situations and people, as well as her gutsy mindset and respect for the game. Lastly, Russell, because I enjoyed his crafty, strategic side. He had a blatant cleverness and ruthless way of dissecting the game with a ‘take no prisoners’ attitude.

Rural Living — August 2017 — 9

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Electric news!

Whether the bright sparks at Auckland Council ditch diesel in favour of electric locomotives on Auckland’s Southern Line should soon be revealed.

As Rural Living went to print, SuperCity Mayor, Phil Goff, confirmed council was on the brink of authorising $207 million for 17 electric and battery powered trains.

“The purchase of new units, which can operate on lines not yet electrified, allows us to eliminate aging, less reliable diesel trains currently used on the Pukekohe line... removing the need to transfer trains at Papakura making travel quicker and more convenient."

Once the Southern line is electrified in 2025, this rolling stock could be transferred to the Kumeu-Huapai Line, Mr Goff confirmed. “[These] trains will have major benefits for commuters living south of Papakura in high growth areas of Drury, Paerata, Pukekohe and, potentially, Pokeno... The result is a public transport system which will help tackle growing congestion, especially on the Southern Motorway.”

Bobby calves – new regs in force

A

fter widespread concern regarding the treatment of bobby calves in recent years, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has been implementing new regulations.

The Ministry is eager to ensure farmers are aware and prepared to follow fresh requirements for bobby calf shelter and loading in force from August 1, Paul Dansted from MPI explains.

“Ultimately, the regulations are about protecting the welfare of calves. Last year we saw a significant reduction in problems with bobby calves, and we thank everyone across the supply chain who contributed to that. We are keen to see more improvements this year once all of the regulations are in play.”

Seven new regulations were announced last calving season with four of these coming into effect since August 2016. The remainder are: ◆◆Young calves must be slaughtered as soon as possible when they arrive at slaughter premises, and within 24 hours of the last feed on farm (from February 1) ◆◆Shelter must be provided for young calves before and during transportation, and at points of sale or slaughter (from August 1). ◆◆Loading and unloading facilities must be provided and used when young calves are transported for sale or slaughter or as a result of sale (from August 1).

For further information regarding all regulations, visit mpi.govt. nz/calves.

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10 — Rural Living — August 2017

www.ruralliving.co.nz

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.

raiSinG a GlaSS to brian!

i

t’s pretty well accepted that when you go out for a night of KAOS, anything might come your way. And, it did when two of us stopped in at the Puke’ cafe of this name one recent Friday night. Furthermore, I’m sure no one will appreciate this tale more than your Rural Living team.

It was cold and wet so on arriving back from the city about 7.30pm we were looking forward to a $10 burger and glass of big, bold shiraz, the latter seeming so apt for this particular venue.

We ordered our meals, brought out our BYO wine and asked for two glasses.

I laughed then they arrived – ‘haven’t you anything a bit bigger?” Back to the kitchen went out our host who then returned and plonked two replacements on our table.

Well, you could have bowled me over because one said, ‘Brian Neben 70th Birthday. As an avid Rural Living reader I knew just who Brian was – this Country Lad is the magazine’s publisher and I love his column. I was going to slip this glass into my bag as a souvenir but thought

babeS in tHe niGHt

that’s not the way a good Franklin local behaves. Perhaps when Brian celebrates his next significant event I’ll pick up courage and ask if there are any keepsakes going! In the meantime I’m happy to toast Brian every time I’m in KAOS! Delighted diner, Pukekohe

Children may not be the most cost effective investments we make but, as this little ditty from a Pukekawa lifestyler shows, they sure are entertaining! She writes: My husband and I were talking about having another child recently and our daughter (aged 5) overheard us. Since then, she’s been badgering us nonstop for a baby brother or sister – she’s not fussed which!

The other day, hoping to put her off the idea a little, I said that if we do have another baby, it would have to sleep in her room and that babies often wake up and cry a lot at night. She looked at me thoughtfully and said: “Don’t worry, mummy, when the baby cries I’ll come and wake you up.”

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Rural Living — August 2017 — 11

Kendall tackles final The Kiwi farm may have long been seen as ‘a man’s world’ but, since New Zealand’s first European settlers arrived here, it ‘wouldn’t be nothing’ without women. Recently, one talented local woman proved this during this year’s Young Farmer of the Year competition. JON RAWLINSON explains.

R

ecently, a female competitor, Lisa Kendall, became just the fourth woman in 49 years to take on the lads in a grand final of Young Farmer of the Year. The Karaka local says, while she was prepared to meet fierce competition, the final was even tougher than she expected, particularly from winner, 28-year-old sheep and beef farmer, Nigel Woodhead.

“It was very challenging but also an amazing experience. I was so glad to be a part of it,” she says. “Nigel is a fantastic guy and extremely driven and talented.

He is strong practically, and obviously very intelligent, so, yes, he was a tough competitor indeed! He will make a fantastic ambassador for New Zealand Young Farmers.”

Despite failing to become the competition’s first ever female winner, Lisa managed to pick up some laurels of her own. During the three day contest, she claimed $3000 cash and $3000 towards a Massey University educational programme by winning the Agri-growth Challenge.

“The Agri-growth Challenge is about finding someone who is moving upwards in their agricultural career path and who’s passionate about influencing the future of agriculture,” Lisa explains. “I was very happy that my hard work in these areas paid off.

I have not yet chosen my course [through Massey], but I am very excited to look into what would best suit my career goals.”

Aged just 24, Lisa has plenty of time to consider whether or not she will again vie for one of rural New Zealand’s most coveted prizes.

“It’s too soon to say when I will have a second crack, but you’ll see me again sometime in the future!” She says. “I may have a year or two off to focus on some other career goals before getting back into it, but we’ll see.”

Beyond Franklin’s borders, Lisa had a wider cheering section. Young Farmer Waikato/Bay of Plenty Regional Chairperson, Hannah Cameron, believes Lisa has what it takes to claim the title should she choose to give it another go.

“Despite Lisa not being from my region, I’m beyond proud of her! I hope she goes for grand final again and takes it out,” she 12 — Rural Living — August 2017

Lisa Kendall

says. “It was a pleasure to watch her step up to the boys with humour and skill. She held the skill set to be a really competitive contestant.”

The former Te Kauwhata farmer’s daughter says Lisa has demonstrated, clearly, that women are equal to the challenge of competing at the highest level in Young Farmer of the Year.

“I think it’s a credit to Lisa for how well she’s done and I hope more women follow in her footsteps. Some of the most competent and intelligent individuals in our industry are female so it’s important we showcase that through Young Farmers.”

While Lisa may have been on the brink of making history, as the first woman to win this competition, a little history was made by 2017 winner, Nigel Woodhead, who became the first competitor from Otago to claim the title in 20 years.

“I watched Young Farmer of the Year when I was a child,” he says. “So, to win it is a childhood dream that I think will take a long time to sink in. My wife, Leanne, and I worked really hard and to win; this is incredible!”

‘To read more about Lisa and Hannah, see our Feb & March 2017 issues – e-editions accessible via ruralliving.co.nz.’

City kids, farming future Before they ultimately ‘buy the farm’, many who make a living on the land may think they’ll never be able to afford to buy their own farm! However, thanks to a most generous benefactor, young New Zealanders can at least cut their teeth on a fine slice of God’s own.

Bequeathed to NZ Young Farmers by the late Donald Pearson (who had no children of his own), a 74-hectare farm near Brookby will now be used to help encourage youngsters to take up careers in the primary industries.

It will offer exponential opportunities in the horticulture, dairy, and sheep and beef sectors, Young Farmers CEO, Terry Copeland, confirms. “[Donald] knew he didn’t want his

land carved up and sold off for residential housing. His passion for agriculture, and belief in Young Farmers to use it to bring people into the sector, has left a legacy all of the Agri-sector will celebrate for decades to come.”

While 39 percent of New Zealand’s high school students live in Auckland, just 29 percent reside in rural areas; this statistic alone necessitates that city children are exposed to country careers, Mr Copeland asserts.

“We will let as many students as possible visit. The farm is an amazing opportunity to further our emphasis on engaging with students in Auckland schools to showcase the vast array of careers available in the Agri-sector.” www.ruralliving.co.nz

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MANZCVS This time of year brings out the competitive nature in both children and parents to raise top performing Ag Day pets. The article below gives a few key tips to ensure success. n Ensure newborn lambs, calves and kids receive adequate colostrum within 6 hours of birth to develop a correctly functioning immune system. This is vital to help protect against illness and, for orphan animals, the colostrum will need to be bottle fed. n Minimise stress and chilling during transport by minimising the distance travelled. Use a covered, clean and draft-free method of transport. n House pets in a dry, draft-free and hygienic environment. Any energy they have to use to keep warm or fight bugs is not being used to grow. n Avoid sudden changes in the type, quantity or temperature of

milk or milk powder. Choose a good quality milk powder and follow the instructions closely.

Thoroughly clean bottles and teats after each feed to prevent the spread of infection. Always ensure access to fresh, clean water. n From about two weeks of age, lamb pellets or calf meal and hay/pasture can be made available to encourage rumen (stomach) development.

n Lambs or kid goats that have come from vaccinated mothers and have received adequate colostrum in the first day of life, will have protection against clostridial diseases for about three months.

Lambs and kids from unvaccinated mothers should receive a Lamb Vaccine (or PK/Antitet) at one week old. All young lambs, kids and calves should be vaccinated with Ultravac®

‘5- in- 1’ vaccine at weaning (or six weeks of age), followed by a booster four weeks later.

This is important to protect against sudden death caused by the clostridial diseases tetanus, pulpy kidney, malignant oedema, blackleg and black disease. This is available at your local Franklin Vets clinic. n Procedures such as tail docking (lambs), castration (male animals) and debudding (calves and kids) should be carried out at around two weeks of age. n Once past the newborn stage when grazing grass, drenching for parasites can begin from six weeks of age, using a combination drench.

If you have any questions or concerns along the way it is important to seek veterinary advice early on as sick young animals can rapidly deteriorate, becoming weak and unwilling to feed. Your veterinarian will also be able to give specific advice to your situation.

For in-depth rearing information check out the Franklin Vets website. www.franklinvets.co.nz/lifestyle-farm/the-young/

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Rural Living — August 2017 — 13

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nternational seed business, Germinal is keen to put down deeper roots in New Zealand by further investing in the development of top performing Aber High Sugar Grass and clover varieties specifically for our local conditions.

With a trial site operating in Christchurch, the company has appointed Sarah Gard as its new trials and product development manager.

With an in-depth understanding of practical forage needs in farming systems to increase productivity and sustainability, Sarah also has experience in sales, research and product development – most particularly implementing and managing the research and development programme for Germinal’s products in New Zealand over the past two years.

Based in Northern Ireland and dating back to 1825, Germinal Holdings is the largest family-owned forage seed business in the British Isles. Sarah has just returned from a trip its Northern Ireland headquarters where she also spent time with the world-leading breeding team at the Institute of Biological Environmental and Rural Science (IBERS) at Aberystwyth University in Wales.

“It was great to meet the breeding team at IBERS and get a firsthand view of the R&D they do for Germinal that eventually benefits New Zealand dairy farmers,” she says.

“In New Zealand, I’ll be carrying out practical selection work to help improve future results of Germinal’s AberHSG varieties on the Dairy New Zealand Forage Variety Index and in other measurements, so sheep, beef and dairy farmers can make informed, confident and profitable decisions.”

14 — Rural Living — August 2017

www.ruralliving.co.nz

Winter cold and pests

go hand in hand

By Ditch Keeling, Coastal Pest Solutions

T

here have been some absolutely freezing nights out on the quad in the last few weeks and I actually had ice on my rifle barrel at 4am the other day. That hasn’t happened since I was working in Otago so it came as a big surprise in normally mild Karaka!

Karaka, Hingaia, Te Hihi and Drury are really pumping out the rabbits at present. All that beautiful sandy soil is providing some fantastic digging, and well established burrows are really important to rabbits as the temperature drops.

This is a great time to have all your burrows fumigated and blocked as occupancy is much higher now than during the summer months so a good portion of your numbers can be removed with fumigation alone.

Possums are also doing it pretty hard at this time of the year and this will make lures at your traps and bait stations much more effective. Be sure to use some plain flour with a little cinnamon or aniseed sprinkled at your trap and you should pick them up no problem.

Pines are just starting to bud up now, so it won’t be long before we see the annual migration of possums to feed on the pine pollen. If you have pines, the time to target possums in them is in about a month when you’ll get the lion’s share of the local population. Remember, after pines, willows and poplars will come on and you can expect to find whatever possums remain moving into these.

Possum fur is looking great at present as they are really packing it on with the cold snap. So, if you like to make a bit of spare cash from possum fur, I’d be starting now.

Rats, mice and more rats; Janet has been flat out with rodent calls this month right across rural Auckland. We’ve had rats in roofs eating light cables, rats eating stored horse feed and ruining the lot, mice in the kids’ cereal and we even had rats eat the wiring loom in a valuable classic car – you name it, we’ve taken the call!

These guys are continuously trying to find their way into our homes and sheds in search of warmth, and once they do, more are sure to follow – heck, I’m a rat killer and they still try it on in my workshop every winter, I know, right?

Bait stations folks, are the only answer.

Two to four bait stations per house and one to two per shed is all that is required to avoid many of the risks these guys pose.

As always, Pestoff Rodent Blocks are the only bait to use and, ‘No’, I’m not being paid to say that! This bait is the only product with which I have ever had 100% success and I use it exclusively.

Each bait is roughly 40gms and every 20gms is a lethal dose for a large rat.

Stations that take three to four baits at a time are my preference but if you have a rodent issue, which is beyond your abilities, just give us a call and Janet or I will pop over and sort it.

That’s it from me this month – give us a call to fumigate your rabbits, trap your possums or load up your rat stations and I’ll be seeing you real soon!

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Rural Living — August 2017 — 15

Our Tuakau... in tHe paSt It may only take two to make a dream come true, but it takes generations to turn a sleepy slice of North Waikato into a thriving town called Tuakau. This month, Tuakau is the talk of our towns as we take a closer look at this community's past, present and future.

down tuakau’S memory lane Brian Neben publishes Rural Living and is also an avid lifestyle farmer

COUNTRY LAD

i

Tuakau in 1946.

had to back track all the way to Tuakau again. Mum usually visited on Wednesdays and my dad on the weekend. This was not a great way to start one’s life, so you can imagine the joy when I finally came home.

We lived in a dairy company house in Liverpool Street, just across the railway line from the factory where my father was an engineer. I was aged nine when I came home and went to school for the first time. This felt strange as the school

had a room shortage so Standard One (Year Three) was located in the council chambers upstairs at the town hall.

The first few days were most difficult because I had never been in a room with so many children at one time. I couldn’t understand why, at lunchtime, all the boys threw a ball, kicked it and tackled each other. I soon learned that this was rugby!

The following year, we were relocated in the school and life, for me, became

16482

read recently how the ‘powers that be’ predict Tuakau will become the area’s biggest town before too long. This made me recall growing up in Tuakau – it was one of the best periods of my life.

Our family shifted to the town around 1939 – my parents, then me, followed by two young sisters. I don’t remember much about those early days, except that my father had to take me to Auckland to see a specialist as I had injured my right hip.

This was not great as I was diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) of the hip, for which there really was no cure. Penicillin was not available at that time so the treatment was to keep the leg in traction to keep it growing.

I spent five years in the Wilson Home in Takapuna. It was difficult for my parents as it meant taking the train to Auckland station, a tram to the ferry buildings, a ferry to Devonport and then a bus to the home. Two or three hours later and they

16 — Rural Living — August 2017

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Early days at the local 'swimming pool' in Centennial Park (left) and (centre) remains of the pool now with some of the rail and wall still visible, and (right) the swimming hole near the former dairy factory.

normal and very exciting. I had made a lot of friends and settled down with a great love for Tuakau. So much has changed since those days but the main street, George Street, is still basically as it was, with several old buildings still there, lorded over by the magnificent Tuakau Hotel.

There is still a car park on the corner of Liverpool and George Streets although the building next to it was once the Farmers Trading Company as I recall.

Farmers sold everything including groceries. I became a delivery boy on a bike with a basket in front. After school, I rode around town delivering groceries.

Opposite Farmers was Wallace Supplies, and just around the corner and across the road was the post office. This building is now the museum; it’s well worth a visit.

Sadly, the railway station has gone but hopefully it will be rebuilt and, I’m sure, it will be well patronised.

Not far down the road is Centennial Park. This was one of our favourite spots and, in my time, included the local swimming pools. These were cleverly constructed with a stream running through and had concrete walls with handrails and stony bottoms.

There was a pool for children, which

was approximately one metre deep, and a bigger pool which was also used by top swimmers as a training pool.

Tuakau had many other great swimming spots. One of our favourites was Barnaby’s pond. This was on their farm and was shared by students at Marist Brothers College. We also swam under the waterfall by the dairy factory and in the sand dredging area down by the bridge – those were happy and often care-free days.

I could keep reminiscing but space is a factor, so I will come back with more in later issues, that’s if you want more – let me know. Go the Chiefs!

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Rural Living — August 2017 — 17

At Tuakau College we are committed to providing the best secondary education for our community

We offer...

• A positive and supportive learning environment • Year 7-13 semi-rural school • Proudly bi-cultural • High academic expectations and achievements • A number of international student opportunities annually • River, sea and land based outdoor activities • Within easy travelling distance of Auckland and Hamilton

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The Truth about Brunch for Blokes!

Let’s be honest, few men ever say, “darling shall we do brunch”!! PC fluffy stuff aside, in most households we girls do the majority of the cooking and cleaning. So when it comes to Sunday Brunch for the “home executives” a good part of going out is about not cooking, or cleaning and finding something to keep the kids quiet for at least a couple of hours. However, (forgive us you metrosexual lads) your man is probably happy at home. As long as there is food, entertainment and beer. Better yet if the kids are saying Muuuuum and not Daaaaad, then the day is perfect from their perspective…right? RIGHT?.....

So ladies, the truth about Brunch for Blokes is this - they are not going anywhere unless YOU organise it!! It is your job to get him off the couch or out of the shed, or convince him to look after the kids while you head out with your girlfriends. From there it is up to us. We will cook, clean and entertain while you chill out and put your feet up! And we have lots of rain and shine games for the kids too Oh and by the way, Brunch the LaValla Way is probably not what you are thinking… this is not your normal kiwi café gig…. it’s more of an all day experience… there is Live Music every Sunday, a full bar AND …. games, coffee, newspapers (yes the old school style made of paper), even take a nap (blankets available). Jump on our website, www.lavalla.co.nz or give us a call, 09 236 8947 and find out exactly HOW we do Sunday, The LaValla Way. Every Sunday, bookings for groups highly recommended as there are limited spaces…

LaValla Estate, 131 Dominion Road, Tuakau

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18 — Rural Living — August 2017 Photo Jeanette Nee

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Our Tuakau... now and tHen and baCk aGain Much like the winding river which runs through it – or near enough! – Tuakau has more than just a few twists in its tale, as amateur local historian, STUART GRAHAM, recounts.

S

ince European settlers first arrived in our area – more followed from Ireland on pioneer ship, the Ganges, in 1863 and 1865, and 12 other vessels – many people have worked hard to make Tuakau a town to treasure.

This semi-rural area is rich in assets and historic sites. Fertile soil has been key role in encouraging settlers to set down roots and much has grown from these roots.

In its early years, Tuakau served plenty of dairy farms. Two large factories served them, although these have now closed.

This aside, the land was mostly used to grow crops. Today, more land is being used for houses and businesses, with orchardists (for example) moving further south to make way for residential and industrial growth. The region is still home to plenty of lifestyle farmers, but not so many make a living from it. However, the local stock saleyards are huge and continue to serve the region’s farmers.

No overview of Tuakau would be complete without mentioning the Waikato River. The town may be set to the north of the river, but this mighty waterway has always (in another way) been at its heart.

The river was a major transport route, connecting Port Waikato with Hamilton.

Now, modern roads and railways have superseded waterways for transport.

As a result, the Waikato has become more playground than worksite – paddle passenger craft, steam boiler boats, log canoes and large waka (all once commonly seen) have given way to jet skis, Sea Scout boats, waka ama and other recreational craft. However, it remains an essential link for whitebaiters and duck hunters looking to rustle up wild fare.

In 1886 a cable punt crossing was implemented. In 1903 it was replaced by the first Tuakau bridge and, 30 years later, after this wooden structure collapsed, a concrete bridge was constructed. Due to its width, the ‘new bridge’ can (on occasion) struggle to cope with traffic, yet it has become a local icon.

Unfortunately, while the main trunk railway line still passes through the centre of town, passenger services are no longer available. More locals are now urging Kiwi Rail to resume services asap – I’m sure

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this would help ease congestion on the overburdened Southern Motorway.

While bricks and mortar, buildings and bridges, may be lasting legacies – and indications of a prosperous future – it ultimately comes down to the people of Tuakau which have (and continue) to make it such a splendid place to live.

Over the years, Tuakau’s political duties have been attended to by various bodies, from the old Tuakau Town Board, to the Franklin District Council and, since 2010, the Awaroa ki Tuakau Ward, under the Waikato District Council.

Yet, our identity remains solid; political boundaries may change but an identity which has been lovingly fostered over more than 175 years simply won’t be erased at the stroke of a pen!

Our family has been in awe of the changes throughout Tuakau’s history, so much so we wish our Tuakau Museum had more space to display the many fascinating items which highlight who we were and who we’ve become.

Today, four siblings in our family are the third generation to be born and raised in the area; their children now run family businesses including Tuakau ITM and Grahams Funeral Services. However, this article is not about our family alone.

While there are many families who have contributed much, there are a few of particular note which should be thanked.

The Batkin family have long held a huge

stake in the chicken hatchery business, providing eggs and poultry products throughout New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. The Welch family has also been involved in egg production and grain drying products for many years.

I must mention the Young family who has shown great faith in Tuakau by lovingly restoring the historic Tuakau Hotel (established in 1875). Thanks to their efforts, this grand old lady remains a hub of the district, providing accommodation and entertainment for locals and visitors.

Similarly, the Jackson family deserves plaudits for giving a former monastic school a new lease on life. Now known as La Valla, the site has been transformed into a wonderful event and accommodation centre – including a theatre.

Thanks to these families (and many more) Tuakau continues to thrive. It is blessed with parks and reserves, sport and service clubs, churches, schools and more.

We have a large trucking firm, timber treatment and timber processing plants, various industrial concerns and businesses of virtually every sort. We benefit from all services needed for a growing population, even a retirement village.

Since its early days, Tuakau’s cemeteries have become almost completely full. This is sad, in a way, but as a new burial ground is planned for construction on Whangarata Road, it's just another indication of the new life which inhabits our town.

Rural Living — August 2017 — 19

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TUAKAU DENTAL CENTRE General and emergency dentistry Open 6 days – late night appointments available

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20 — Rural Living — August 2017

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Our Tuakau... baCk to tHe future

i

n 2014, Rural Living profiled one of our region’s most interesting history buffs.

While a few more years may have been added to Tuakau’s history since then, Stuart Graham is as passionate as ever about the way we were back then.

As patron of the Tuakau & Districts Museum, Stuart began preserving Tuakau’s history in print after he retired from the family business, Tuakau ITM. His books, Memories – Tuakau +, and More Memories – Tuakau +, have proven popular amongst locals and visitors alike, he says.

“They are mostly about Tuakau, but also include bits about Pokeno, some Pukekohe and Waiuku photos as well. We had a wonderful response to the book; we produced more than we thought we’d need but it still sold out.

“The Franklin Historical Society, libraries, some schools and other organisations still have some, though, so it’s still available to everyone.” ◆ To read more about Stuart and his fascination for local history, see the e-edition of Rural Living’s Aug-Sept 2014, accessible via ruralliving.co.nz.

Tuakau & District Museum housed in the former post office (left), Stuart Graham (right).

Tuakau’s treasure trove Museums may be grand old places but it’s often New Zealand’s small towns which hold many of our most valuable treasures.

Thanks to the Tuakau & District Museum (of which Stuart Graham is a patron), such history is alive and well locally.

Located in the old post office on

Come in and , see Twinkle our friendly dragon

The Tuakau Cosmopolitan Club is open seven days per week and prides itself on a family friendly atmosphere that provides a range of amenities and activities for members of all ages to enjoy. The club hosts nine sports and interest subsections and schedules regular entertainment throughout the year. Relax in our bistro which is open for dinner Thurs-Sun or enjoy a two course buffet lunch on Wednesdays. The club also offers a courtesy van service and a choice of 14 gaming machines as well as TAB services.

Separate infant building Spaces available – call now!

Children 0-6 years old Open 7.30am-5.30pm Monday to Friday 20 Hours Free with NO hidden costs

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New members welcome – contact us for a membership form

TUAKAU COSMOPOLITAN CLUB

(09) 236 8296 • tuakau.cos@xtra.co.nz • www.tuakaucosmopolitanclub.nz www.ruralliving.co.nz

Liverpool Street, the museum is home to all sorts of items, dating back to the founding of the town, each with its own story to tell.

Open on Sundays (1pm-3.30pm), or by arrangement (call 09 236 8403), the museum continues to preserve the history of daily life.

1A & 3 Madill Street, Tuakau • Phone 09 236 8195 www.tuakauslittlestars.co.nz 13195

Rural Living — August 2017 — 21

Our Tuakau... remarkable HiStory told

w hen the new Ngai Tai E Rua Marae whare moe in Tuakau was formally dedicated in April this year it was as if the Carr Street site, on which it is built, had come full circle.

Nearly 88 years earlier a stone was laid there for the original building, instigated by the late Tai Porotu Matete Kukutai, and in time, other buildings were added. But last year, with the demolition of one of the last remaining older buildings, building began on a new whare moe (sleeping house).

However, the history behind the site is little known to new residents but back in 1992, when the book, Tuakau and Districts Golden Memories was published to mark the 50th jubilee reunion of the Tuakau & Districts Old Settlers’Association, local resident, the late Kupi Clarke wrote a letter explaining some of its background.

In it, she said the Carr Street land occupied by the Pa [Marae] was bought between 1926 and 1928 by Tai Porotu Matete Kukutai, better known as Poru Matete. “He lived on George Street opposite where the council office is now.

His dream – as we call it – was to build a Pa in Tuakau for the local people.”

Because Porotu and his wife hosted many visitors, who would stay overnight, Kupi said Porotu decided to build a hostel with three bedrooms, a fireplace and place for a bed where people could nap.

However, when the hostel became a refuge for tuberculosis patients, TB huts were placed on the land and several smaller houses built.

“People came from Port Waikato,

The new whare moe now only waiting on carved fascia panels.

Waikaretu, Mercer, Kaiaua, Pukekawa and other surrounding districts to visit the doctor. As people continued to call, Porotu and others decided to extend the hostel's sleeping quarters.

“Everyone help raise funds. Pensioners dug into their pocket and raffles were run to buy timber and nails from Mr Bill Graham or Mr Percy Graham, [whose descendents still live locally]. Butter, sugar, tea and sometimes milk were donated [as well as] home-baked bread and food from home gardens to help the cause.”

Kupi wrote that on September 28, 1929, Sir Apii Ngata visited Princess Te Puea in Tuakau and a feast was prepared [to mark the opening of the completed house].

“Many people arrived for the occasion which included church services and the baptism of children. The new house, called Nga Tai E Rua, was officially opened and it marked a joining of people from the east and west coasts,” Kupi said.

“Later another house was built which

district Servicing the for 63 years me!

Tuakau is ho

became the ‘big dining room’ named Reitu by the Anglican minister Rev Mutu Kapa.

Reitu and her sister Reipac were from the Waikato but they moved north, Reitu to Ahipara near Kaitaia where she married and started a family. The Rev Kapa was one of her descendants.”

In 2005 the Reitu Whare Kai described

by Kupi was replaced by a large, steelframed building which is still there today.

However, from 1992, fundraising was ongoing to build a new whare moe and which came to fruition this year.

Today, as in the past, the Marae remains a busy gathering place hosting both Maori and Pakeha. It is used for weddings, birthdays, tangi and the annual Poukai [an annual circuit of visits by the Maori king which includes feasting and cultural performances].

And, as Kupi wrote: “All was made possible because of the actions one gentleman, Poru Matete whose dream came true for future generations.”

We supply high performance animal feed to farmers and lifestylers Tuakau Grain Feed Mill, 104 Bollard Rd, Tuakau Ph 09 236 9624 • sales@milkwel.co.nz www.milkwel.co.nz 16430

22 — Rural Living — August 2017

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Our Tuakau... today and tomorrow

By Shane groom, Barfoot & thompson tuakau

section for $377,000, that’s not a misprint $377,000. That’s amazing value.

t

uakau is an awesome place to settle in. During the 24 years I have lived here, I’ve had plenty of opportunity to move, yet this town has a magic that compels me to stay.

What is that magic? Mostly it is the wonderful people who live here. They are proud of their town, passionate about their community, good spirited and generous with time when it comes to helping out.

When it comes to making a difference, it is the people who make or break it.

Think about it. Who runs the sports clubs, coaches your children in sport, volunteers to run a youth group that provides after school activities and meals all for free?

And, who runs the non-profit charities, helps the elderly cross the street and collects your mail and mows your lawn when you’re away? That’s right, your friends in the community.

the PreSeNt: I love this town for the people in it and what the township offers: ◆ Education: Two primary schools, a high school, a private school, playcentre, kindergarten, four daycare centres. ◆ Retail and amenities: Postshop, Kiwibank and ANZ, the award-winning Tuakau Hotel, cafes, a huge array of retail shops and professional services, a town hall, library, Waikato Council offices, public swimming pool, function centre (with a movie theatre) and more.

the Future:

◆ Employment: Tuakau is home to various businesses with big companies seeing real value here. Although I could name drop that wouldn’t be fair to all the great businesses that make Tuakau a vibrant, bustling place of employment. A focal point is the Tuakau Sale Yards where local farmers buy and sell sheep and cattle. ◆ Sports & Leisure: Wow, there’s are so many clubs and codes on offer, with the mighty Waikato River offering more options. And, its just a short trip from town to glow worm caves. ◆ Housing: One word sums it up – affordability; that’s what the buyers are telling us. With Auckland real estate prices formidable, folks can come to Tuakau and get “more bang for their buck”. For example, a 703sqm section with three bedroom renovated home, sleep out, garaging and carport for $567,000, or for the first home buyer, two bedroom home single internal garage on freehold

Tuakau has yet to hit its straps. Waikato District Council has ear marked the area as potentially the fastest growing region in Waikato. That’s why council is investing a great deal of money into infrastructure.

Added to that is the major push by politicians, councillors and locals to have Tuakau placed on the passenger train link to Auckland. It makes so much sense as by rail it is only five minutes to Pukekohe, which is where the current passenger train link stops. Just think about the housing boom that will occur once that is in place.

Yes but will that boom happen?

Developers have already pre-empted this growth by purchasing blocks of land for subdivision. Last year, Waikato Council put out a discussion document, (Plan Change 16), to rezone major parts of land in and around Tuakau from rural to full residential and allocating land for industrial and commercial purposes. A decision is expected by the end of the year.

Is the growth really going to happen?

It has already begun. A new subdivision containing 93 sections was granted consent at the end of last year. Other blocks of land are currently with survey companies drawing up concept plans.

Tuakau – what’s in it for me? Well you might ask – country lifestyle, close to the motorway, minutes to Pukekohe and 45 minutes to Hamilton. Tuakau is awesome, a great place to call home.

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Rural Living — August 2017 — 23

Bless this house When the Broomhall family moved to a former rectory in the Franklin countryside they had no idea what life changing events were around the corner. But as ANGELA KEMP Kemp discovered, their home and rural community, helped them through their darkest days.

N

ot long after moving to their large, historic home in Ararimu three years ago, Nigel and Melissa Broomhall welcomed their first child Sienna into the world.

They had relocated from Wellington to be closer to Melissa’s family who are dairy farmers in north Waikato.

Their love of character houses instantly drew them to a restored, elegant villa and their interest was further piqued when they learned something of its history.

The villa had once been the parish house of Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell.

It was moved to its present site on the outskirts of the village some 23 years ago.

Then owner, builder Wade Patchett, took it apart with a skill saw and hand saw so as not to damage its unique architectural features. He lovingly reassembled it on a five and a half acre plot before he and wife Marilyn set to creating a stunning garden.

“Most of the original features were sympathetically preserved – plasterwork ceilings, pressed tin ceilings, windows and beautiful wooden floors,” says Nigel.

"Marilyn also created a stunning garden from seedlings and cuttings in keeping with the grandeur of the home.

“We haven’t done much to the house at all apart from turning the old ablution block in the orchard into a playhouse for the kids, and adding a small flock of Arapawa sheep to the paddocks.

“It’s a lovely family house and has made the adjustment from city living to a rural lifestyle so much easier,” Nigel says.

With four large bedrooms, huge reception rooms and a wide hallway big enough to drive a car down (I kid you not) it’s easy to see why they fell in love with it.

After settling in they were delighted to learn Melissa was pregnant again. But a routine scan at 31 weeks at Pukekohe Maternity Unit turned their world upside down. They were told their unborn son had a life-threatening heart defect.

The health system went into overdrive and Melissa was told she would be booked into Auckland Hospital for the birth so specialists from nearby Starship Hospital could take immediate care of the infant.

In June last year, their son Grayson was born with a congenitial heart defect

24 — Rural Living — August 2017

The Broomhall family.

known as Tetralogy of Fallot which meant he was born with four heart defects and several holes in his tiny heart. Surgery was scheduled for when he was sixmonths-old or when he weighed five kilos, whichever came first.

But he never made either milestone. His condition deteriorated so quickly. During his first 90 days of life, 45 nights were spent in hospital. Surgeons decided to operate when he was just three months.

Their son’s life couldn’t have been in better hands. The lifesaving operation was carried out by another Franklin local, Dr Elizabeth Rumball, Starship’s paediatric cardiac surgeon who lives in Drury.

Melissa takes up the story: “She [Dr Rumball] patched up the large hole between his two bottom chambers. When you consider she was operating on a heart the size of a walnut, the 8mm hole was almost across the whole diameter.

She also performed another technique called muscle unbundling which involved shaving away some of the heart tissue. It was incredibly difficult.”

Nine months on, it’s hard to imagine Grayson was so ill. He’s a real smiler, alert and very active, albeit on the small side.

Melissa is weaning him off the nasogastric (NG) tube through which he has been fed all his life.

Although the heart surgery has been a success, and the cardiac specialists don’t want to see him again until he’s ‘a crazy toddler’, Grayson still has some health problems.

“For the next few years we know we can relax when it comes to his heart but we still have to be careful to keep him free from infections, particularly viral illnesses which can attack the organs,” said Melissa.

Grayson has laryngomalacia or a floppy airway which in severe cases can prevent www.ruralliving.co.nz

The Broomhall home, once the parish house for Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell.

breathing. There’s hope he'll grow out of it, but meanwhile his parents take extra care to keep him in a warm and healthy environment. “Winter is always going to be a nervous time for us.”

Health professionals make regular home visits including a dietician and a speech and language therapist to help with Grayson’s feeding issues.

He also sees the Starship ear, nose and throat surgeon, a paediatrician and has been referred to a baby physio specialist to make sure he’s developing on track.

The family marked his first birthday with a big celebration at John Hill Estate Winery in Hunua where Grayson was given an electric truck. “It was our way of thanking our friends and the community for all the help they have given us over the past year.

“The acts of kindness are too many to remember but some included the Lions Club in Clevedon which gave us a lovely Christmas hamper; others left food and flowers on our doorstep.

“They say it takes a community to raise a child; well, they certainly helped us with Sienna. The mail lady Bernie is amazing. I was house bound to quarantine Grayson so had to buy a lot of supplies online and

Sienna and Grayson – handling the 'electric' drive.

she saw the best and worst moments.

“Some days she was probably a bit nervous about knocking on the door. She just delivered a package the other day and I answered the door in my PJs exhausted from half the night at hospital, She

Photos Wayne Martin

stopped to chat and make sure I was OK.” “We are so lucky to live in this lovely rural community, the support has been amazing.”

Needless to say Grayson loves ‘driving’ his new electric car up and down the hall.

Electric cars – it’s a family affair

W

hile it’s not unusual for everyone in a family to own a car, it’s certainly out of the ordinary if two members are just three years and one year old!

Grayson Broomhall took delivery of a replica Ford Ranger on his recent first birthday. Big sister Sienna has a pink Mercedes sports car, also tot-sized.

They have joined the electric ‘fleet’ of cars owned by Nigel and Melissa Broomhall, who work in the electricity industry and who are passionate about making electric vehicles (EVs) mainstream.

Nigel has been involved in EVs on and off for more than eight years having worked in, and then taken on running the country’s first public EV trial for Meridian Energy in 2009.

Currently there are around 3800 electric cars in the country, mostly in Auckland,

www.ruralliving.co.nz

but the Government wants to see that grow to 64,000 by 2021. “In my mind, they have always been the way of the future, particularly in a country that in the last quarter produced 88 per cent of all electricity from renewables,” he says.

“New Zealand is uniquely placed to make the transition from reliance on imported liquid fuels for transport, to using locally generated renewable electricity as a fuel.”

Nigel’s company, Chargemaster aims to make the change to EVs as easy as flicking a light switch by supplying both domestic and commercial customers with intelligent chargers.

He says the European-sourced chargers reduced the time needed to ‘top up’ considerably with lower refuelling costs just one of the benefits.

“Contrary to what some people think,

New Zealand’s electricity system can cope with quite a lot of electric car growth but only if it’s charged in a smart way.

“If everyone went home and plugged in their cars using the standard charger that comes with an EV that would put enormous pressure on the grid especially round peak times in the evening.

Chargemaster chargers enable EVs to be filled up in a fraction of the time and during off peak times such as in the middle of the night.

“If we, as a country, can electrify transportation and take it from fossil fuel to a renewable source then it will make a huge improvement to our carbon footprint.”

Nigel is planning to launch Chargemaster with a children’s electric car race to raise funds for Starship Hospital.

Pukekohe Park had better watch out!

Rural Living — August 2017 — 25

Win!

To enter the draw for any of these competitions visit ruralliving.co.nz and enter this month's code – RLAUG0324. One entry per person/email address; entries close August 31, 2017. Winner notified by phone or email.

Win! Hunting New Zealand While many Aucklanders would probably equate the notion of ‘roaring stags’ with grooms-to-be who have had too much to drink on a big night out, those with a little more country in their blood know these are beasts of a much different nature.

In his latest book, hunter and author, Peter Ryan (author of Wild South) takes us on a journey to some of New Zealand’s most stunning locations and regales readers with tales of nostalgia and adventure. ◆ Peter Ryan: Hunting New Zealand – Parts Unknown | RRP $39.99 | David Bateman Ltd

Win! A Speight’s bar kit Earlier this year, Speight’s proved to be best mates to three lucky Kiwis who each won a $15,000 home bar. However, because our mates are their mates too, Speight’s is giving one of our own punters a fantastic prize pack.

Valued at more than $200, this kit features a t-shirt, bar towel, bar mat, bottle opener, two stubby holders and glassware.

Win! A GO Healthy winter warrior’s pack Some Warriors may not have performed well this winter – as any Rugby League fan will tell you! – but GO Healthy’s dream team boasts a defensive line which is tough to beat. To help protect one lucky reader from ills and chills, which linger throughout winter and spring, we have a winter warrior’s prize pack up for grabs.

Featuring GO Immune Protect, GO Olive Leaf, GO VIR-Defence (RRP $29.90 each – 30 caps), and GO Vita-C ($12.90 – 50 tabs), this pack is sure to keep our winner match fit and up with the play. See page 33 to read more about this winning team.

Win! A Designer Brands twin pack During winter, it’s not so easy to look on the bright side. Thankfully, Designer Brands has not just one but two dynamic duos designed to help us look our brightest year round.

New Brilliant Skin Bronzer and Illuminator harnesses (RRP $17.99) the power of such wonder substances as green tea, vitamin C and Aloe Vera. Meantime, Brilliant Skin Blush and Illuminator (also RRP $17.99) emphasise the beauty of a variety of skin tones to help accentuate our own, natural glow. What’s more, we have a twin pack featuring BOTH of these products up for grabs.

WIN! FARRAH’S MEXICAN PRIZE PACK Farrah’s Fajita Spice Mix has joined Farrah’s Mexican Family adding a tasty hit to mid winter Mexican dining. Gluten-free with a traditional hickory smoke element, this new spice is packed with real flavour and no artificial colours.

It’s mild in taste, so perfect for every member of the family. Find Farrah’s Fajita Spice Mix and the rest of Farrah’s Mexican range in your supermarket but the good news is Rural Living has a great Farrah’s Mid Winter Mexican prize pack up for grabs. It includes one Farrah’s Fajita Spice Mix, one Farrah’s Burrito Tortillas, one Farrah’s Nacho Spice Mix, one Farrah’s Burrito Spice Mix, one Farrah’s Chilli Tortillas, one Farrah’s Taco Spice Mix and one Farrah’s Taco Tortillas.

For last month’s Rural Living winners visit www.ruralliving.co.nz/competitions 26 — Rural Living — August 2017

www.ruralliving.co.nz

Natural outlook –

can’t see the walls for the trees?

The wallpaper craze deepens with a myriad of colours, textures and images bringing new encounters to indoor spaces including the outdoors!

And, some designs are so deceiving it takes a touch to discover the image isn’t the real thing. In particular, forest scenes and window effects give an illusion of looking to the outside – all part of a new trend for larger than life indoor experiences.

Created on a bespoke Italian wallpaper and ideal as feature walls, these new images from the Ava range of wallpaper

by La Fabbrica – available from the Tile Depot – make it possible to create amazing interiors. Work with the Tile Depot’s design team to discover just how sensational a home can be.

Some say these are only for the brave but Rural Living says this new generation of feature walls are ideal for New Zealand homes which have long stepped beyond the mark of average.

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www.ruralliving.co.nz

Rural Living — August 2017 — 27

Women's world

Can be a Corporate world!

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

CITY LASS

w

hat a difference a phone call makes. After the past week being freezing cold, to receive a phone call from Andrew Brewster saying he wanted to install our new fireplace that day was so exciting. We have been using electric heaters to keep the house warm but the warmest option was to go to bed with the electric blanket on. Not anymore! Now we can have a roaring fire and it gets so hot – it’s magic.

I have spent the few fine days putting in some spring plants as I have no idea how our property will look in spring. I do have a wisteria tree outside our bedroom which, by the size of the trunk, is quite old. This should look spectacular when it comes into flower.

This month is the last month for a while that is packed with numerous birthdays.

This month it was the two daughters who celebrated a birthday within four days of each other.

My niece and great niece as well as my sister and brother-in-law all have birthdays within a week. Quite expensive but we have until November to catch up on saving. This year we had lunch for the girls in the back room of Cafe Kaos and, as always, that was a lot of fun.

Women's role in world changing but not fast enough in some quarters.

In next month’s Rural Living our Over the Gate Q&A features a prominent businesswoman who I have had the privilege of knowing for many years. She is an inspiration to women and her book which was released on Monday, July 17 is a must buy. So watch for the next issue to see who it is!

When I first started our newspaper back in 1972 for a woman to enter the male realm was unheard. Many senior roles excluded women and to climb the management ladder was very difficult, even impossible, in some companies.

I was the first woman voted on to the executive of the Community Newspapers Association. I remember that the first meeting was going quite well until it was morning tea time and I was asked if I

would go and make the tea and coffee!

That’s what it was like and in some places maybe a lot hasn’t changed.

I also recall a time when I wanted to buy something on hire purchase and was told my husband would have to approve the loan. That didn’t go down very well with me at all.

I have strived and told many women to be strong and to take on the world but the subject of Rural Living’s Q&A next month is many levels above me and one of her missions is to see more women on corporate boards and as CEOs of those corporations.

It can be done and this amazing woman is testament to that as readers will discover – a real live success story and a local, too. So, eyes peeled.

Time For A Change?

Use My ESP - Experience, Support, Professionalism

M. 021 955 141 I E. c.cooper@barfoot.co.nz Papakura Office 09 298 8029 28 — Rural Living — August 2017

13543-v3

Cherry Cooper www.ruralliving.co.nz

A shade different I

t seems 2018 homes will be in the pink – and the yellow, berry colours too plus a dash of turquoise.

These are the hues you can expect to see in next year’s Pantone range. In fact, Pantone has revealed eight palettes with a mix of cool and warm tones.

First up is Resourceful, made up of complementary shades of blue and orange. Then there’s Verdure featuring vegetal colours such as celery combined with berry-infused purples and eggshell blue all symbolic of health.

For a sunny effect check out Playful. Think ‘Minions’ – bright yellow, lime popsicle, and all things that will make you smile. Playful’s alter ego Discretion offers subtle hues such as Elderberry and Hawthorne Rose but for warm, earthy hues such as Cornsilk Yellow blending with rosy tones, then look to the Far-fetched palette which embraces many different cultures.

Intricacy focuses on neutral metallics with accents of Holly Berry Red and Yellow Sulfur while Intensity’s eclectic mix of colours evokes a sense of strength, power and sophistication balanced with black and gold.

Finally, in contrast, TECH-nique with its bright turquoise, pink and purple colours is anchored by its nod to Brilliant White and Frosted Almond.

Bogart Sofa – Intricacy Grace Chaise Longue – Playful

Draper Pouf – Verdure

Sissi Bench – Resourceful

Luxus Bar with Filigrana – Intensity Queen Chair – Far-Fetched

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01857-v19

Rural Living — August 2017 — 29

The beautiful house of

Payne...

With green living concepts attracting increasing interest, so, too, is the Living Building Challenge, a certification process established by the International Living Future Institute. A Beachlands couple believes they can meet the challenge which is all about creating healthy, efficient spaces which give back more to the environment than they take as JES MAGILL discovered.

R

ochelle Payne’s friends reckon she might be bonkers. She’s a working mother studying for a PhD yet she and husband Joel, an aircraft engineer turned building materials business owner, have taken on the Living Building Challenge – building a ‘green’ home to the most rigorous global standards.

Rochelle’s a sustainable building consultant and is project managing the build and Joel is the ‘freelance builder’, tipped to start work when the building consent is through, hopefully any day now.

A few years ago, the couple bought and renovated their first family home in Beachlands and enjoyed the process so much they wanted to build their next house from scratch. They haven’t travelled far to pursue their dream.

They’ve rented out their home to fund the project which they’ll build on the section behind. Meanwhile, the family of four is renting a tiny bach on the other side of the section which is available to them until Christmas.

The brief to their architect, Phil Smith, was for a simple, minimalist design, driven by aesthetics and ethics – following personal preference and adhering to the challenge’s extensive list of banned materials and chemicals – and eliminating features such as plasterboard, ceiling finishes, skirting and scotia.

At 340sqm, the two-level design has kitchen, living, dining, master bedroom and spare bedroom/study upstairs, and downstairs there are two bedrooms for the children (aged four and two), as well as a self-contained flat.

Rochelle’s father, Graham Ade was a structural engineer who built many of the marinas around New Zealand. This meant, while growing up, Rochelle – who could have stayed home playing with dolls – was helping her dad build real big things.

“I spent a lot of time working with him at various sites but the most exciting project was helping with the floating marina berths for the 2000 America’s Cup bases in Auckland,” she says.

30 — Rural Living — August 2017

We’re completely winging it. With the kids, work and the PhD, I’m too busy to plan everything to the ninth degree. I know everything should be sorted by now, all decisions made and the budget set, but that’s not the way we’re working.”

❝

Of studying for her degree in electrical engineering, Rochelle says, “I hated it and haven’t used it one day of my working life.

If I ever allow myself one regret, it’s not studying structural engineering instead.”

Working with structures, though, has remained a career focus. Her PhD is in the performance of green buildings, she helps others build ‘green’, and carries out assessments for the Green Star NZ and Homestar building certifications.

When the Paynes visited the Auckland Home Show last year in house-planning mode, it was a game changer. “We were thinking we’d build in brick veneer but

Joel and Rochelle Payne with Isabella and Nicolas.

when we saw a display by an earth home construction company, Terra Firma which showed rammed earth walls, that was it.

We were hooked,” says Rochelle.

Made from a mixture of sand, clay and sometimes cement ‘rammed’ together, ‘earth’ homes are said to be cooler in summer, warmer in winter, quieter, and have strong load bearing, pest proof walls usually no thinner than 250mm. The finished effect is beautiful too, and often mistaken for terrazzo or marble.

“It’s envisaged that work on stage one, the one bedroom flat adjoining the garage, will get underway when the first sod is turned hopefully in a few weeks,” Rochelle says. “We hope to move into the flat come December and camp there until the entire house is completed.”

That needs to be by September 2018 if the house is to appear, as hoped, in a TV series featuring inspired residential architecture.

When they initially decided to target Living Building Challenge certification, no www.ruralliving.co.nz

other residential dwellings were registered in New Zealand. Now there are three registered and to be the first to certify as a Living Building they need to live in the home for a year before it can be assessed.

As Rochelle says, “The race is on!”

Asked how the project’s going so far she adds: “We’re completely winging it. With the kids, work and the PhD, I’m too busy to plan everything to the ninth degree. I know everything should be sorted by now, all decisions made and the budget set, but that’s not the way we’re working.”

Luckily, she’s the positive kind and despite the freewheeling, organic organisational model, the project’s going okay. “Sometimes you actually have to see how things are going to look before you can make the final decisions – winging it does have advantages!”

It goes without saying the design consent process has been challenging. In

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hindsight, their first choice of a structural engineer wasn’t a good fit – “we lost five months of project time,” – but with a new team on board they’re making up ground.

In a bitter sweet irony, Graham, who died in 2013, would have loved to have shared his expertise, Rochelle says.

“Getting resource consent hasn’t been too arduous but the discharge consent – that’s another story. Council is concerned the site is too small to discharge grey water so we’re working through that.”

She’s also advocating for a Reduced Development Contributions (RDC), because the house won’t be hooked up to standard council services such as sewage and stormwater.

“It’s frustrating that Auckland Council doesn’t reimburse or waive RDCs to exemplary green builders, which Wellington City Council does.

So, is it worth it, and is she bonkers?

“Most days, and sometimes – it all depends how much sleep I’ve had. But overall it’s definitely going to be worth it.”

Joel, initially ‘just along for the ride’, is now in full support mode and is soon off to Canada where he’s doing a course in making rammed earth walls and investigating business opportunities while there. It feels real and exciting now,” he says.

As to his wife’s state of mind: “Bonkers, no, overloaded, yes, but she wouldn’t have it any other way. I can see her dream and vision and think she just likes coming up with solutions to build something amazing.”

It’s said that a quality-built home can be ‘read’ like a book; that it tells the story of its design, build and vision. Although the Paynes aren’t playing this construction by the book, it’s certainly looks like it will be a very interesting and beautiful read.

Rural Living — August 2017 — 31

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

T

he ponytail game is stronger than ever. But how will you wear yours? There are endless possibilities!

We especially love a sleek, high ponytail. A long, glossy mane looks excellent when styled into a high pony. Or use yesterday’s curls and sport a not so perfect, low ponytail accompanied by a sweeping side fringe.

For this strong on-trend style to be a star, hair needs to be shiny and healthy and after winter it’s time to think about conditioning treatments to nourish and re-invigorate your tresses.

At Alberts we choose to use TREAT.ME by Kevin Murphy, a range of products designed for an in-salon experience.

“Super Proteins” from vegetables and plants penetrate easily to strengthen the hair shaft and repair damage created by heat styling and chemical services.

TREAT.ME is full strength with a high concentration of active ingredients. This range can be tailored to suit each of our client’s individual needs and will make the surface of your hair more supple, elastic and smoother – the perfect fix for hair that has seen a few too many birthdays and parties.

Benefits: Sulphate Free, Reduces Breakage, For Damaged Hair, Increases Elasticity, 26 Amino Acids, Antioxidant Rich, Colour Safe, Strengthens Hair, Alpha Hydroxy Acids.

It’s also the ideal time to think cut and colour. And, remember, long locks will be just as much in need of shaping and treatment, as cropped styles, to ensure health and shine. Whether looking for a modest change or in need of a total transformation, please contact Alberts qualified, professional hairstylists. We look forward to seeing you soon.

– Natasha Harris, Alberts Hair Salon

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

➊

➋

Ciao Bella Winter might just be hitting its straps in Auckland but leading fashion brands have spring in their sights including Ketz-ke where the designers are set to bring the warmth of Italy to our shores.

Vibrant florals and Riviera stripes will transport fashionistas to the bougainvillea-lined streets of Capri, whilst mosaic inspired prints and crisp whites inspire dreams of meandering the romantic cobblestone villages of Tuscany.

Ketz-ke’s Ciao Bella collection offers breezy off-the-shoulder tops, carefree sundresses and trans-seasonal pants and tops which are feminine yet relaxed and chic. So, don’t let winter weather dampen your dress sense – start planning for an Italian style summer.

➌

1. Ketz-ke Portofino Shirt RRP $159, Ketz-ke Relax Pant RRP $139. 2. Ketz-ke Cherry Tee RRP $98, Regatta Pant RRP $145, Print Scarf Raspberry RRP $29.

3.Ketz-ke Tania Top RRP $145, Ketz-ke Pisa Pant RRP $169.

01513

32 — Rural Living — August 2017

www.ruralliving.co.nz

dental warrant of fitness

Healthy De-fence good to GO!

By Yvonne Vannoort, The Dentist

Good sports come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. And, because, even off field, we could all use a little protection, GO Healthy as assembled this top squad to help ensure we’re prepared to tackle life head on: ◆◆GO Immune Protect: the first line of defence, this player helps shore up our immunity and the body’s natural bacterial balance so we’re ready to tackle germs head on – RRP $29.90 (30 caps) or $48.90 (60s) ◆◆GO Vita-C: half time oranges can be invigorating but why wait until then for a healthy dose of vitamin C? GO Vita-C comes in orange and blackcurrant flavours and its low acid formula means it’s teeth-friendly, especially important for your littlest players – RRP $12.90 (50 tabs), $19.90 (100s) or $29.90 (200s) ◆◆GO Olive Leaf: even when we’re on the back foot, it’s not Olive-over until the final whistle. GO Olive Leaf helps us fight off colds even when they’re hot on attack – RRP $29.90 (30 caps) or $46.90 (60s) ◆◆GO VIR-Defence: sometimes even the best defensive efforts aren’t enough to stop the opposition breaking through. That’s where this little champ steps in. Loaded with olive leaf extract, garlic and Echinacea, GO VIR-Defence is designed to help us spring back no matter how hard we’re hit – RRP $29.90 (30 caps), $48.90 (60s) See page 26 to be in to win a prize pack (valued at more than $80) which features all four of these star players.

J

ust as your car benefits from regular checks, so do your teeth! A regular check of your car keeps it functioning well, helps avoid inconvenient and sometimes costly breakdowns and keeps it running longer over its lifetime.

It’s a similar situation with teeth. A check up can avoid problems that can become costly and, sometimes, painful without early intervention.

A dental WOF looks for decayed and/or cracked teeth or fillings as well as checking all areas of the mouth and the gums.

Other things such as the jaw joints, wisdom teeth, a cancer check, bite, medications that affect your teeth, diet and nutrition are all important.

X-rays show what’s happening in the bone around the teeth and 3D X-rays show more than we’ve been able to see previously.

Decayed teeth can often be sorted with a simple filling, however, over time, the tooth may need to be extracted or have a root canal (if you are determined to keep the tooth in place).

The earlier we can help the better.

You would think that teeth with cracks in the fillings would be sore, some are, others are not; they don’t always tell you something is wrong.

Those that are not sore will often have decay under and around the broken part of the filling as the tooth is not sealed with the filling any longer. These ones can get to the point of a toothache before you know something is wrong. Unfortunately, at this point the tooth usually needs to be removed.

Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss so we need to identify and treat this as early as we can. Apart from causing smelly breath, gum disease is linked to heart disease, diabetes, strokes and low birth weight babies. This is because gums act as a barrier and when they are infected and inflamed, bacteria enters the blood stream as the barrier is compromised.

The system that we find most benefits people, is a six monthly visit to Stephanie, our very gentle hygienist, together with a yearly check by one of our dentists and x-rays, usually two-yearly.

This allows us to monitor what is happening in your mouth.

Prevention is better than cure for sure, and your overall health depends on it!

You should love visiting

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New client consultation $168 Includes: • Full mouth xray plus two bitewing xrays • Full mouth examination • Treatment planning

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166 King St, Pukekohe | info@thedentistpukekohe.co.nz | Ph 09 238 4619

www.the-dentist-pukekohe.co.nz

www.ruralliving.co.nz

plassurg@ihug.co.nz • www.plastic-surgery.co.nz Level 2, OneHealth Building, 122 Remuera Road, Remuera, Auckland

00431

Rural Living — August 2017 — 33

Easy to gorge at falls retreat So often we Kiwis book holidays abroad, sometimes forgetting the beautiful scenery and locations in our own backyard. So, when HELEN PERRY recently discovered a rustic gem in the heart of the Karangahake Gorge near Waihi, she just had to tell readers.

“S

o, you see, there is a God!” Those were my husband’s words when recently, between icy weather and one rainy day after another, the sun decided to make an appearance on the very morning I was setting out on a trip to Tauranga returning via the Karangahake Gorge. That sunshine persisted when I stopped at The Falls Retreat for lunch. And what a lunch it was!

I had long wondered where this particular property was located. That’s because some years ago I watched owner and head chef, Brad King win a Monteiths Beer and Wild Food Challenge while he was still chef at The Porch, Waihi Beach.

I was so impressed with his winning dish – even promising to eat my hat if he didn’t win – that soon after I headed for Waihi to try more from this talented young man.

I was disappointed. Brad had left to start a new venture ‘somewhere in the Karangahake Gorge’. Not knowing the name or the whereabouts of this new venue it slipped from mind although, occasionally, I thought to track Brad down.

It wasn’t until recently that I learned of Brad and wife Emma’s very special place, The Falls Retreat. I determined to visit.

While I was never cut out for a woodsman’s lifestyle, a few days holiday in one of the two on-site rustic cabins, backed up by meals in the bistro, views to Owharoa Falls and some added intriguing attractions, wouldn’t go astray.

And, that bistro, with open fire in winter, and wide open windows in summer, set in leafy surrounds with outdoor dining too, was truly idyllic. I was further fascinated by the potager garden full of seasonal vegetables intermingled with edible flowers – the work of Emma and part time garden consultant, Nicki Murray-Orr of Vital Harvest, who ensure everything is put to good use.

“We have a seasonal, paddock to plate ethos so our menu changes regularly to reflect what is coming out of the garden and what is in season,” Emma says.

Onward from the garden, our tour of the 15-acre treed property included peeping through the windows of the two cabins. The Waterfall Cabin, was a true ‘tiny house’ while the other, Rose Cottage, was more spacious; both were charmers.

34 — Rural Living — August 2017

A family-friendly play area with adventureseeker’s fort catered for children.

But the real purpose of my visit was to try the food. Brad, himself, was away for the day doing dad things at the school but chef Christian Schuler and his team served a virtually faultless meal.

Rosemary roasted rump of lamb with orange lentil dhal, garden silverbeet and plum tomatoes served with a house labneh, caramelised shallots, merlotglazed prunes and a beetroot chutney ($34) for my companion while I just couldn’t resist the crispy skin pork belly on a potato, seeded mustard and ham hock gratin with a garden slaw, topped with green apple & ginger vinaigrette and a mandarin emulsion ($33).

Normally, such meals would be in the dinner domain but grabbing the chance to taste premium cooking proved we’d made

great choices.

We didn’t need dessert after such a generous midday meal but in for a penny, in for a pound...of Peter Rabbit’s Pick – raspberry and rhubarb frangipane cake with a lime and ginger curd, blackberry mousse, almond marshmallow (just the best) and a black sesame nougatine tuille ($12). Oh my, this was to die for.

But enough! There’s was no doubting that The Falls food was up there with the best – even the pizza menu had me salivating.

My long-time hankering to find the elusive Mr King resulted in a most satisfying meal. Just wish I could have put my head down on the pillow of Rose Cottage for an hour; I’m sure my dreams would have been sweet, too.

For more about The Falls retreat visit www.fallsretreat.co.nz. www.ruralliving.co.nz

Why messy play is important

By Kylie Tulloch, Suits & Gumboots Country Daycare

M

essy play (sensory play) is a fundamental part of early childhood education so, for teachers, it is important to provide a wide range of messy play opportunities daily.

Messy play activities are not just about children being covered in gooey slime or paint. It is an important learning tool which allows our tamariki (children) to be creative and expressive in a variety of ways.

Te Whariki (2017), under the strand, Exploration, has important reflective questions which we as kaiako (teachers) can use to support our teaching practice.

Questions such as, how can tamariki be free to explore a wide range of media in a creative manner? Or, what opportunities are available to encourage the development of strategies that might adopt the learning disposition of exploring, thinking, reasoning, and problem solving?

Messy play activities are one way our tamariki can achieve this as they begin to understand that by engaging in messy and expressive play, it can support their social, physical, and spiritual learning.

Through messy play children learn: ◆◆Physical development – developing fine motor skills and co-ordination through hands on play activities. ◆◆Communication – children talk to each other while engaged in these activities and the different messy textures can introduce them to innovative words and sounds. ◆◆Social and emotional development – children are encouraged to take risks and try something new. This in turn promotes further curiosity and development of problemsolving skills, all of which can lead to increased selfconfidence. ◆◆Builds creativity – hands-on play activities help develop our tamariki’s imagination as they explore different textures in a creative way. ◆◆Better performance in class – messy play introduces pre-mathematical and science skills. Children can mix unconventional materials together, calculate how much materials they may need (measuring and counting) or just have the chance to experiment with different substances and how they might work.

Messy play is not just a tool used by kaiako to allow tamariki to be playful and have fun. Everyone who takes part is provided with a wide range of important learning opportunities that empowers them to be competent and confident learners.

Suits & Gumboots Country Daycare 12 Helenslee Rd, Pokeno.

46 Waerenga Rd, Te Kauwhata Phone 0800 464656 www.suitsandgumboots.co.nz www.ruralliving.co.nz

world of books for children Wave Me Goodbye More than half a century on and thousands of miles away, it can be difficult for Kiwi children to relate to events which almost tore the world apart. In this novel (ideal for readers aged 9-11), bestselling author, Jacqueline Wilson tells the story of a 10-year-old girl as she comes to terms with a world at war.

Sent away on a train to the country, Shirley will encounter new experiences in the strange, half-empty Red House, as she tries to find a new sense of belonging. ◆◆Jacqueline Wilson: Wave Me Goodbye | RRP $30 | Doubleday Childrens / Penguin NZ

Kiwi Babies Featuring vibrant pictures from throughout New Zealand, Counting for Kiwi Babies and Colours for Kiwi Babies are designed to help little ones learn about the world around us.

From the rich red of the pohutukawa, to the cool blue of the little blue penguin, these two block books feature colours and numbers in English and Maori. ◆◆Matthew & Fraser Williamson: Counting for Kiwi Babies & Colours for Kiwi Babies | RRP $12.99 each | Penguin Random House

Middle School – I Funny School of Laughs In the latest addition to James Patterson’s Middle School series, his protagonist is facing yet another ‘Grimm’ task. With a national contest trophy and a TV show under his belt, Jamie Grimm has another challenge in store. The fate of his school’s library rests on his young shoulders; can he help save it through his comedy class or will he learn that making jokes and teaching them are two very different things? ◆◆James Patterson & Chris Grabenstein: Middle School – I Funny School of Laughs | RRP $18.99 | Arrow (Young)/Penguin NZ Rural Living — August 2017 — 35

Getting cheeky with it T

o the culinarily challenged, fusion cuisine can be created simply by stopping off at both McDonalds and Pizza Hutt on the way home. However, to The Grove’s head chef, Josh Barlow, bringing two different styles of cooking requires just a little more sophistication than that! And yet, we don’t need to be top cooks to create a match made in heaven (or Japan and New Zealand) to warm us up this winter, thanks to Josh’s ripping recipe for...

Beef cheek in Tokyo Dry – with bonito, charred pickled onions and pickled red cabbage INGREDIENTS Serves 6 ◆◆4 beef cheeks ◆◆2 carrots ◆◆2 onions ◆◆1 head of garlic ◆◆20gr thyme ◆◆15gr bonito flakes ◆◆4 bottles of Steinlager Tokyo Dry ◆◆1L beef stock

method Season beef cheeks with salt and pepper and caramelise on the barbecue until they are golden brown. Slice onions and carrots and place in a hot roasting tray in the oven to caramelise.

Add the beef cheeks and all the other ingredients with enough beef stock and beer to completely submerge them.

Cover with foil and leave to braise at 140 degrees Celsius for approximately four hours.

Remove the braising liquor and pass it through a sieve to remove all the vegetables.

Reduce the liquor in a pot until it begins thickening. Pour it over the beef cheeks and put

36 — Rural Living — August 2017

them back in the oven. Keep basting until cheeks are sticky and glossy.

Charred pickled onions ◆◆Tokyo Dry pickle liquor ◆◆330ml Tokyo Dry ◆◆150ml cider vinegar ◆◆40gr honey ◆◆40gr sugar ◆◆5gr fennel seeds ◆◆1 clove garlic To prepare the pickle liquor, heat all ingredients (except the beer) in a pan.

Add the beer off the heat so its flavour is retained.

Cook three, medium white skinned onions in a pot of salted water until they are tender

but not too soft. Leave them to chill. Peel and cut through the middle.

Char the halved onions in a very hot, dry pan until they are completely burnt on the cut side. Leave them chill and then peel each petal away. Place them in the pickle liquor.

Red cabbage Slice red cabbage as thin as you can, avoiding thick parts around the stem.

Season with salt and pepper and dress with olive oil and a mustard dressing.

If you really want to go all out, juice the trim from the red cabbage, reduce this by half in a pot, then add a little bit of vinegar or lemon juice and use it to dress the cabbage. It tastes unreal plus you’ll get an amazing bright purple dressing!

Serve the beef cheek hot and the onions and cabbage at room temperature.

Add some thinly sliced radishes at the last minute to add some freshness to the dish.

Most importantly, make sure to have a few cold Tokyo Dry to serve alongside.

www.ruralliving.co.nz

Revive, Alive and fundraising!

C

hocoholics best get up and hit the supermarket to find their next fix should a fresh approach to fundraising live a long and healthy life.

To ensure recent calls to ban the sale of chocolate during fundraisers won’t leave schools, sports clubs and other community groups starving for cash, a healthier tack is being taken.

Rather than sugar-laden snacks, Alive Fundraising is offering healthy treats, from snack packs of Frooze Balls and Zoaties, to copies of the popular Revive Cafe cookbooks. And, as campaigns are run online, children don’t need to pedal around on their bicycles peddling snacks door-to-door anymore!

To launch a new (or support an existing) fundraising initiative, visit alivefundraising. co.nz.

Creamy Raw Broccoli & Cranberry Salad Dressing ◆◆ 1/4 cup orange juice (approx 1/2 an orange) ◆◆ 2 tbsp lemon juice (roughly 1 lemon) ◆◆3 tbsp tahini ◆◆1/4 teaspoon salt ◆◆2 cloves garlic crushed

Some recipes really are as easy as one, two, three, as this delightful dish from one of Rural Living's favourite chefs, Jeremy Dixon (of Revive Cafe fame) proves.

Ingredients Makes four single cup serves ◆◆ 3 cups broccoli cut into very small pieces (roughly 1 head) ◆◆1/2 cup dried cranberries ◆◆ 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped (approx 1/2 an onion) ◆◆Slice almonds (for garnish)

◆◆Jeremy Dixon: The Revive Cafe Cookbook 6 | RRP $30 | Revive Concepts Ltd www.ruralliving.co.nz

Revolutions don’t always happen overnight. However, for many, our modern diet has come a long way since the old ‘meat and potatoes’ days. With more than 180,000 copies sold, Jeremy Dixon’s health conscious cookbooks have certainly played their part in this healthy eating ‘revival’.

The latest in Jeremy’s series features new recipes for vegetarian fare, using whole grains, plant-based protein and fresh produce and virtually no processed sugars or flours. It also boasts 41 recipes for desserts/sweets.

Add broccoli, cranberries and red onion to a serving bowl In a cup, mix dressing ingredients together. Pour over dressing and allow 30 minutes for the dressing to soak into the broccoli. Garnish with sliced almonds.

Country Cafe

2017 WINNER of RuRal cafE of thE yEaR

Weddings - Birthdays or any special occasions

Red Shed

Palazzo

www.redshedpalazzo.co.nz

Breakfast/Lunch – licensed OPEN 7 days 8.30am - 4.00pm

64 Jesmond Rd, Karaka Ph (09) 294 6687 Email: eat@redshedpalazzo.co.nz www.redshedpalazzo.co.nz

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The Revive Cafe Cookbook 6

Method

Rural Living — August 2017 — 37

Hot Spots RED EARTH EATERY & WINE BAR Red Earth, open 7 days a week, 10am till late for brunch, lunch and dinner! Red Earth eatery & wine bar offers a premium dining experience in Papakura, with fare ranging from smaller Tapas-style sharing plates and platters to full meals. Gluten-free and vegetarian options available. Red Earth’s extensive wine list offers a wide selection of wines from around the country and the world. For something extra special, there is a cellar list for more exclusive bottles too! Don’t miss live music every Saturday night. Pop in and see our friendly team for a fantastic time.

255 Great South Rd, Papakura Phone 09 296 9027 www.facebook.com/redearth.winebar

the kentish hotel Built in 1851 by Mr Edward Constable who emigrated from Maidstone Kent, in England, The Kentish Hotel caters to today’s clientele but is steeped in history. Mr Constable went on to apply for a publican’s special licence, and on January 10, 1853, he was granted licence number 47. That special licence still continues today and the hotel lays claim to being the longest, continuous liquor licensed hotel in New Zealand.

Today, it boasts a high class restaurant which serves delicious seasonal foods and it also offers hotel guest rooms upstairs.

5 Queen St, Waiuku. Phone 09 235 8367 Email info@thekentishhotel.co.nz www.thekentishhotel.co.nz 14950-v3

15004

turanga creek A fantastic place to relax and enjoy fantastic wine and food. The farm’s stables have been turned into a restaurant, function room and cellar door. Our Down to Earth philosophy is all about giving you great flavours from products that have real traceability. We have showcased this in a sharing style menu. Eggs, lamb and vegetables are all provided from our farm. Great for families, couples and groups to spend a few hours, open Wednesday to Sunday.

Ideal venue for weddings and functions.

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

CANOPIUS BURGER BAR Canopius transforms five evenings a week into the first truly gourmet burger bar in the Papakura Town Centre area.

Offering a range of flavours from our premium bourbon glazed blue cheese burger, to our own mushroom lentil burger and everything in between, along with superb house-cut fries.

Providing the same high quality and flavour that locals have come to expect, Canopius Burger Bar offers a new experience in mouth watering burgers for the heart of the south.

145 Great South Road, Papakura Burger Bar – Wed-Sun 5-9pm Cafe – Tues-Fri 7am-4pm, Sat-Mon 8am-3pm Phone 09 2991180 www.canopius.co.nz www.facebook.com/canopiuscoffeehouse 14378-v4

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www.ruralliving.co.nz

Hot Spots COLUMBUS COFFEE Every day before dawn, Columbus Coffee chefs in Pukekohe are filling the air with the smell of fresh baking ready for customers to enjoy! Everything from hearty cooked breakfasts through to light, delectable lunches as well as a wholesome and delicious range of gluten-free, Paleo, vegan and dairy-free options too. Come and try our freshly baked sweets and savouries plus there’s plenty of options for little people too. And don’t forget we do out catering – just talk to our community-focused local team which loves to please.

12 Wrightson Way, Pukekohe, inside Mitre 10 Mega Phone 09 238 3103 www.columbuscoffee.co.nz

albert’s kitchen Come into Albert’s Kitchen every Monday and enjoy our weekly tastings PLUS 20% off all featured product of the day! Be personally introduced to a selection of gourmet ingredients to inspire your everyday meals. An outstanding Artisan Bakery, a fully stocked deli, personal service and a cosy, European atmosphere all make Albert’s Kitchen unique in Franklin. Come and experience it today!

Albert’s Kitchen

3A West St, Pukekohe Phone 09 238 1223 Email shop@albertskitchen.co.nz

16460

13524

szimpla gastro bar Acclaimed retro retreat in the heart of Auckland Airport’s shopping precinct – Szimpla Gastro Bar – is dishing up delicious food, quality craft beer & good old Kiwi hospitality.

We have options for large group bookings from 20-80 people with canapes and set menus available. Consider us for your next birthday venue, engagement function or a catch up with friends before heading to the airport. Brunch from 10am every weekend alongside our expansive all day menu including yummy veggie and gluten free options.

beaufords in totara park

We recommend booking – ph 215 1220 or email info@szimpla.co.nz 2 Leonard Isitt Drive, Auckland

Specialising in weddings, conferences and private functions, Beaufords is set in the beautiful grounds of Totara Park, adjacent to the Auckland Botanical Gardens, just 5 minutes off the motorway at Manurewa. A popular venue for weddings and private functions for over 40 years, Beaufords offers the luxury of choice between the Historic Homestead and Garden Marquee. Full catering and bar service with style and elegance at affordable prices.

90R Wairere Rd, Manurewa Phone 09 267 6979 Email john@beaufords.co.nz www.beaufords.co.nz

Beaufords

in Totara Park

14384

www.ruralliving.co.nz

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Rural Living — August 2017 — 39

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Speaking from the heart

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40 — Rural Living — August 2017

he eulogy is usually an integral part of a funeral – an opportunity to talk about a loved one’s life, achievements, personality and those special attributes everyone admired.

If asked to give a eulogy, it is usually because you have been close to the deceased and know a lot about his or her life.

Simply, it is the main speech given at a funeral to celebrate the life of the deceased. Usually it contains anecdotes and the speaker’s fond memories and is a way for mourners to hear about how their loved one was appreciated by others. It helps them make peace with the death and to share grief.

Nevertheless writing a eulogy can be daunting so, first, gather your thoughts then jot down memories and thoughts about the deceased. You can fine tune it later. While making notes keep the following in mind: ◆◆ Stories and anecdotes about the person which were meaningful to you ◆◆Highlights of the person’s life ◆◆Career ◆◆Accomplishments or humanitarian acts ◆◆ Hobbies, interests and participation in any organisations ◆◆ Poems, quotes or biblical references that might be significant Think about how the person would like to be remembered and include events leading up to his or her death. Say how he or she influenced your life. Talk with others who are addressing the funeral and ask what they plan to say. It will help you recall stories and ensure there is no doubling up. Ask the family if there is anything special they want mentioned.

Once you have written down your thoughts, pick out the most important. You might work in chronological order or if a theme emerges, make use of it. For example, if the deceased loved sailing and you have one or more stories about days on the water, then the eulogy could use this as a theme.

Include humorous anecdotes as well as the serious.

Importantly, keep the speech personal and meaningful to you, the deceased and the family.

If including a poem, quote or biblical reference, ensure it, too, has meaning and relevance. These are not expected but including one may help people relate to your stories. A quote or poem is often used at the beginning or end of a eulogy although sometimes, other people will be earmarked to deliver a special poem or reading which means you could omit this from your speech.

Think about the length of the eulogy. Speaking time could be anything from two to 10 minutes, so time your speech and advise the pastor or celebrant leading the service. This way you will know if it needs cutting or whether you could add a little more.

While there is no set time length for the eulogy, don’t be too long-winded or too short. Decide which aspects cannot be left out and if there is anything best left unsaid.

Finally, remember that emotions can overwhelm on the day but if you have practised your eulogy, it will be easier. You have been chosen by the family because of your unique relationship to the deceased, your ability to speak or your relationship to the family. Giving the eulogy is an honour, so speak from the heart and be honest. Humour and truthfulness are always appreciated. www.ruralliving.co.nz

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Celebration of Life

Memorials made to match P

eople cannot live forever.

However, thanks to Grahams Monumental (a division of Grahams Funeral Services), tributes can withstand the test of time, ensuring our memories are set in stone.

Based at a large, modern showroom at 52 George Street, Tuakau, the Grahams Monumental team is on hand to help families design the perfect monuments for their loved ones.

“For more than 40 years, we’ve been proud of the quality of our workmanship and we strive to complete work within a meaningful timeframe to cater for unveilings and special family dates,” managing director, Mark Graham, says.

“What’s more, we offer no obligation quotes, competitive pricing and flexible payment options so money issues do not get in the way of creating elegant, lasting memorials.”

The company’s talented designer,

Ivo Solleder, is able to help customise memorials to suit family’s particular requirements wherever possible. As the latest technology allows granite to be cut, carved and polished into headstones resembling crosses, guitars, koru, fishhooks and even trucks, for example, almost any design is possible.

“Ivo has a patient and caring nature and receives immense satisfaction from working alongside families to develop a design and inscription layout that will truly personalise any memorial,” Mark says.

“Only after customers are happy with the design, shape and layout will work commence on the memorial itself. We then discuss lettering size, fonts, artwork, ceramic photos, spacing and if room needs to be left for future details.”

Grahams caters (in terms of style), to any cultural requirements, from Maori and European, to Polynesian, Asian and Indian.

Granite headstones and plaques for burial

ENSOM FUNERAL SERVICES

ENSOM FUNERAL ENSOM SERVICESFUNERAL

SERVICES

and cremation plots are produced in a variety of colours; commemorative wall plaques (in bronze or granite) and even pet memorials are no problem for Ivo, Mark and the Grahams team.

“We also complete second inscriptions on existing memorials, where space has been left for a husband or wife for example, and we restore and refurbish older memorials to bring them back to their former glory,” he adds.

Grahams conducts any footing work required and installs bases and headstones, working in council and private cemeteries and urupa in the Auckland and North Waikato areas. Beyond this, memorials can be produced on a ‘supply only’ basis for installation further afield.“ Simply visit our website [www. grahamsheadstones.co.nz] or give us a call to discuss your needs. We will work quickly and compassionately, producing a memorial of which you can be proud.”

GRAHA AHA MS GR MS MONUMENTAL MONUMENTAL Hea d ston e S howroom

CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF YOUR LOVED ONE

Headstone Showroom West St a k a uw room Hea dston e Tu Sho 52 George West Ne w G r aSt n i tSt, eTu M Tuakau ea m okra i au ls R e s t o r a t i o n Wo r k

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Ensom Funeral Services is Family Owned and Operated.

15 East Street, Papakura. Phone 09 299 6646. www.ensomfunerals.co.nz

Is my house in order?

N e w GB rroannzite e P l aMe q u ems o r ia ls PR h oetsoto c e rraamtio ic n P oWo r t r ari k ts Personalised Designs B ro n z e P la q u e s P h o to c e r a m ic P o r tr a its w w w . g r a h a m s f u n e r a l s . c o . n z P e r s o n a lis e d D e s ig n s

phone 2 ema i l g ff s _ mem ori a l s @ x

ema i l g ff s_m w w w . g r a h a m s f u n e r a l s . c o . n z

Would your family cope if something untoward happened to you?

Accident, illness or death can be overwhelming for family and friends.

Record your wishes in this comprehensive book/document I Am Sorted to give you and your loved ones peace of mind.

I Am Sorted – RRP $45

p hon e 2 3 6 8 9 1 9 ema il g f f s_ m em oria l@ xtra .c o. n z www. g ra hamshead ston es .c o. n z

Enquiries 021 178 5221 www.iamsorted.co.nz 14391-v3

www.ruralliving.co.nz

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Do you have a will? What if you Choosing die intestate a casket

By Sarah Hagenson, Lawyer, Arnet Law

A

will sets out your instructions on how you want your property, known as your estate, shared out when you die and how you want your dependants, such as partner or children, to be looked after.

Having a valid will in place when you die can reduce the amount of financial and emotional stress on your family, and is likely to reduce the possibility of a dispute arising over your estate.

If you are over 18 years of age and of sound mind, then you are able to make a will. There are a few instances where you can make a will if you are under the age of 18, including if you are, or have been married or in a civil or de facto relationship, in the military, or approved to make a will by the Family Court.

If you have a will in place, it is important to make sure your will is valid. There are a number of factors that can make a will, or part of it, invalid.

These factors include entering into a marriage or civil union, the will not being signed or witnessed properly, undue influence to distribute your estate in a particular manner, or if you were underage or not of sound mind when the will was made.

If parts of your will are held invalid as they are unclear or uncertain, the Court will use external evidence of your intention to determine its meaning.

If you die without a will, it is known as dying intestate. Should you die intestate then the Administration Act 1969 (the “Act”) will determine how your estate will be distributed. The Act will distribute your estate to your surviving partner, your children, and/ or your parents in set amounts. Failing that, your estate will go to the Crown.

This distribution may not reflect your wishes or the wishes of your friends and family. Legal expenses and time delays are usually larger where there is no will in place.

Your will could be one of the most important documents you sign. If you have any questions about the validity of your will or if you would like to put a will in place, then contact us at Arnet Law.

Leave it all to us.

For expert advice on making or updating your will, leave it to the specialists at your straight-talking local legal team.

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D

ealing with the loss of a loved one is never easy and making funeral arrangements can add to family stress.

However, Fountains Funerals has long been respected for bringing warmth and caring to a role that deals daily with loss and grief.

Not only do Fountains dedicated funeral directors lend support and understanding, they offer the practical help so often needed.

Manager Wendy Hunt says one aspect that families find difficult to discuss is that of the casket choice. This is a very personal decision and families often appreciate the following information.

Can I use any type of casket?

For some families, casket choice is one of the most important decisions they make. For others, this is not so important. A number of factors can influence a families choice of casket: ◆◆Personal taste ◆ Religious requirements ◆◆Cultural requirements/expectations ◆ Financial ◆◆Pre-arranged instruction “Most funeral homes in New Zealand offer a comprehensive range of caskets to allow families to select one to suit their individual needs and budget,” Wendy says. "Choices range from plain customwood (medium density fibreboard – MDF) to ornate American-style couch caskets. Funeral directors will carry a range of standard caskets, but some options may need to be delivered from afar or made to order. This can mean delays of 24-48 hours.”

Customwood caskets (MDF) – available in most styles, with the majority finished in a wood grain foil veneer for a timber look.

Finishes available include rimu, mahogany, hickory, cherry, maple, plain customwood or painted to any colour of choice.

Solid timber caskets – also available in most casket styles.

Traditional solid timber caskets include rimu, mahogany, oak, pine, macrocarpa and totara.

Couch caskets – rectangular rather than traditional casket shape, simple couch caskets are available in customwood (MDF), with more ornate styles in solid timber. American-style couch caskets (imported into NZ) come in solid timber or metal, with a variety of finishes.

Coloured or themed caskets – some families prefer to customise a casket. It may be painted a particular colour, feature a special scene, or be supplied with a plain finish which family and friends can paint or write personal messages on.

Eco-friendly options – most funeral directors can procure options of eco friendly caskets and embellishments, some fitted with rope or wooden pine handles and can be lined with unbleached calico or bamboo materials as an example. Natural cane or woollen caskets are another popular option.

Wendy adds the role of the funeral director is to provide all options available for caskets and interpret the needs and wishes of the families to make the funeral a fitting tribute to their loved one.

42 — Rural Living — August 2017 AL LEAVE IT TO US 67H X 90W 0816.indd 1

www.ruralliving.co.nz 15/08/16 10:45 am

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Celebration of Life

Personalised funerals

F

unerals and death are never easy to deal with but working through this process with reassuring and approachable professionals helps put people at ease.

Waters Funerals, headed by Richie and Caroline Waters, is a family team dedicated to providing a dignified, caring service with unfailing attention to detail.

“Empathy and care is our priority at a time when knowledge, understanding and support are called for,” Richie says.

“We take an individual approach with each family and we are experienced in personalising and customising funerals to suit loved ones who have passed.

“Funerals today can be a real celebration of the life and this is reflected in requests for painted, carved or customised caskets, the type of music played and even the attire worn at funerals; bright colours have, in many instances, replaced traditional black.”

Richie’s father, Ivan Waters, who is part of the embalming team, also plays an active mentoring and support role and in keeping with this Waters Funerals is committed to serving the community.

The team can assist families with the many funeral tasks that may seem overwhelming.

This includes arranging a celebrant, ordering floral tributes, organising the casket (including customised requests), placement of death notices in newspapers, preparation of funeral service sheets, after service reception, bereavement thank-you cards, personalised headstones and even hand-carved cremation urns.

Waters has its own modern facilities to cater for large or small funerals while full reception lounges mean after service refreshments and mingling can be comfortably accommodated.

What’s more, Waters Funerals can also offer mobile audio technology for at home funerals and can arrange catering for at home receptions.

“Our mixed cultural team of male and female funeral directors are available 24/7,” Richie says. “Our role is to be there when a family needs us and to help them through a difficult time. That also means remaining flexible and culturally sensitive and not rushing decisions.

“Families place considerable trust in us so it is vital we arrange a funeral, which perfectly meets the needs of the bereaved as well as the wishes of the deceased. There are no second chances, so every detail needs to be just right.”

The team at Waters Funerals welcome all enquiries. www.watersfunerals.co.nz

44 Paerata Rd, Pukekohe | Ph 021 830308 sanctuarytrustlaw@gmail.com www.sanctuarytrustlaw.co.nz www.ruralliving.co.nz

Waters Funerals FUNERAL DIRECTORS AND MEMORIALS

“Professional Family Care” All Cultures & Communities Welcome

PUKEKOHE 09 238 4794

Take action now to get your financial affairs in order

81 Franklin Road, Pukekohe

16461

Contact Jacques Vannoort llm

a priority

PAPATOETOE 09 278 8742

426 Great South Road Servicing all areas of Auckland & Franklin District

www.watersfunerals.co.nz 16467

Rural Living — August 2017 — 43

Replenish your soil and help your plants grow At Central Landscape & Garden Supplies Drury we have Living Earth Garden Mix to help replenish your gardens and raised beds.

We also have a range of compost, barks and mulches so come talk to our friendly staff about your garden needs.

Open Hours: Monday - Friday: 7am - 5pm, Saturday: 8am - 4pm, Sunday: 9am - 1pm www.centrallandscapes.co.nz • 09 294 8410 • 141 Great South Rd, Drury, Auckland

44 — Rural Living — August 2017

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Dan’s Tip017s

Canterbury bellS to ‘rinG’ aGain?

August 2

a

s the fate of one of New Zealand’s most iconic buildings is finally being decided (we hope), many people are still wondering if the bells of Christchurch Cathedral will again ring out across the still earthquake damaged city.

However, with spring approaching, we thought we’d take a look at a bell that never rings, yet still brings beauty through its presence alone, the Canterbury Bell (Campanula medium).

What are CaNterBury BellS? Canterbury Bells are from the Campanula genus, which translates from Latin as ‘little bell’. Including 300 species found throughout the Northern Hemisphere, approximately 30 are currently grown in New Zealand. While many plants from this family are perennials, some – including Canterbury Bells – are biennial.

Growing to roughly 65-75cm in height, these plants feature white, pink, purple or blue bell-shaped flowers, offering a little splash of colour throughout the garden.

hOW, Where aND WheN tO PlaNt Grown from seed, Canterbury Bells are usually sown indoors as early as late winter, and planted out after the last frosts. These sunloving plants prefers bright to lightly shaded conditions, so choose an area in the garden where this beauty can truly ring in the spring.

As they’re not fans of extreme weather, Canterbury Bells should be planted in a sheltered spot where they will be protected from any lingering frosts and heavy rains, particularly if planted early.

A neutral to slightly alkaline soil is preferred, with a pH level of 6.6 to 7.8. As Canterbury Bells can suffer from root and crown diseases, raised beds and free-draining soil are often preferred for cultivation.

Care Young plants in particular can be vulnerable to weeds so some prudent weeding will ensure these unwelcome visitors don't challenge for nutrients. Once established, weeds should be sprayed only after the plants have flowered. Canterbury Bells can be subject to rust, with fungi such as plant rust and white mould occasionally causing problems. If these occur, treat with Neem oil and carefully remove and discard affected leaves. Although they require regular watering, only average levels are necessary to ensure these bells have a ball!

harVeStINg Flowers should be cut during cooler times of day and placed in water immediately afterward.

Once seed heads have dried, seeds can be removed for future planting. While Cantabs are still picking up the pieces of their city, it’s perhaps a little comforting to know that, just as the Canterbury Bell grows from the darkness of winter, their town is rising again, and hopefully will also chime in time with the hoped-for return of Christchurch bells.

Spring is almost in sight! Time to start planting vegetables like carrots and beetroot, fertilise citrus trees and do some light pruning. It’s also a good time to plant early spring flowers - hellebores, azaleas and camellias will grow great!

Growing Food • Fertilise fruit trees, especially citrus that are beginning to flower now. A good tip - apply BLACKGOLD Mulch around your plants - this inhibits any rapid weed growth during early spring • Sow carrots, spinach, spring onions and beetroot directly; sow tomatoes, capsicum and lettuce in trays indoors or under cover, if you don’t have a greenhouse • Get herb gardens ready for spring – prune and shape thyme and rosemary, lift and trim roots of mint and plant coriander and parsley • Lightly prune fruiting plants – blueberries, feijoas and autumn-fruiting raspberries • Fork fresh Garden Mix or Compost through the top 10cm of your vegetable bed.

Other Work • Time to plant early spring flowers - now’s good for hellebores (winter roses), azaleas, and camellias or plant a NZ clematis, C. paniculata.

• Prune hydrangeas back to double shoots, unless the stem ends in tightly pointed foliage – this is an early spring flower.

Lawns • Advice from Prolawn, the turf professionals – ‘if the

lawn is wet, don’t try to mow or walk over it, you’re better to wait until it dries out a bit” • Use a general lawn fertiliser during August Prolawn Garden Supreme.

14033-v11

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Rural Living — August 2017 — 45

Retired?

Kiwisaver

By Kim reiche, renovation specialist/ director, refresh renovations

By Philippa Farmer, Canopy

i

any people are aware that they can make a withdrawal from their Kiwisaver accounts to put towards a first home deposit.

But did you know there are THREE different benefits for first home buyers? Depending on eligibility criteria, it may be possible to access one, two or all three benefits. ◆ The First Home Withdrawal allows you to access your Kiwisaver fund for the purpose of a first home deposit. You can withdraw your contributions, your employers’ contributions and member tax credits (the contribution made by the Government). You will, however, need to leave a minimum balance of $1,000. You must have been in Kiwisaver for a minimum of three years. ◆ The HomeStart Grant is an additional payment towards your deposit. There are a few more criteria to meet including a house price cap and an income cap. The good news is that Franklin is one of the few places in Auckland where it is relatively easy to find a property under the maximum house price cap. The amount you could get is dependent on how long you have been in Kiwisaver, and whether you are buying a new build or an existing home. You will need to have been in Kiwisaver and regularly contributing for a minimum of 3 years in total. ◆ The Welcome Home Loan is a home loan for first home buyers with a deposit of 10% or more which may include your First Home Withdrawal and/or the HomeStart Grant. There are a number of lenders who offer the Welcome Home Loan.

Like the HomeStart Grant there is a maximum price caps and income caps.

To find out more or to talk through your options contact Philippa Farmer on 021 432 748.

enJoy your Home

for firSt Home buyerS

f you’ve reached the fantastic position of being retired or semi-retired, chances are you have worked extremely hard for the majority of your lifetime. Now it’s time to enjoy yourself!

Whilst you may travel more in your retirement, you will most likely spend more time in your home too, so ensure it’s a home you love being in everyday. This doesn’t mean you have to upgrade or downsize – however, renovating or refreshing just a room or two can make a huge difference to the enjoyment factor of your home and lifestyle.

Consider the spaces you spend time in and the feeling you would like to experience within those spaces.

Perhaps you’ve always wanted a more spacious kitchen with open plan living and dining area? Imagine the joy of cooking in a kitchen you love being in and not being shut off from the family or the view!

Maybe you yearn for a modern bathroom with plenty of light and low maintenance bathroom ware? No more cold mouldy walls, dim lighting, out-dated vanity and age-stained basins.

If you’re a keen reader, you may have a conservatory on your wish list? It’s wonderful if you can relax and read a great book with the feeling of being connected to nature, regardless of the season. Conservatories also provide excellent additional space for celebrations with extended family.

Or, like many, you may not know yet what changes are possible to make your home feel even more attractive. Our team is passionate about partnering with you to create a design and a plan to improve your home and lifestyle.

Whatever your dreams for your home, it’s time to take some action and we’re here to help. We are committed to providing quality and refreshing renovations; our reputation is outstanding.

And, we manage the entire process, from design through to completion ensuring you have a hassle-free experience.

So give us a call for a no obligation chat, we’d love to be of service to you.

CONCEPT TO COMPLETION 0800 33 60 33

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46 — Rural Living — August 2017

m

Your insurance, mortgage and Kiwisaver advice specialist We’ve got you covered

Phone Philippa Farmer – 021 432 748 Email philippaf@canopygroup.co.nz 15837

www.canopygroup.co.nz www.facebook.com/karakafinance www.ruralliving.co.nz

The Countryside Begins with Townsend...



Going Going Gone! Why we recommend Auctions

W



hen it comes to selling your house, we know getting the very best price with the least stress is your top priority. Auctions are often the best way to achieve this, as well as offering several other benefits for sellers too. Read on to find out why going under the hammer will likely work for you.

 ■    

Jo-Ann Day-Townsend 021 1696 056 jo-ann.day-townsend@harcourts.co.nz

BCRE Ltd Licensed Agent REAA 2008

Short and sweet Auctions get maximum exposure for your property in a short period of time with a structured, intensive marketing campaign over a few key weeks.

This approach not only creates a sense of urgency for buyers, but has the added advantage of meaning you won’t have to keep your house clean for months of open homes or agent visits, and you have a defined timeline to plan around.

■ The market decides the price Rather than guessing at the value of your home, and potentially placing a ceiling on what people will pay for it, auctions allow buyers to decide for themselves what a property is worth. This means you get a true market value for your home if it sells at auction.

■ Competition is maximised A property is worth what any one party is prepared to pay for it, so creating fair competition for your home can push buyers to truly consider their top price come auction day, and may result in you getting more than expected  when the hammer finally comes down.

■ Signed, sealed, delivered An auction sale is an unconditional sale, which means that once your home passes the reserve (set by you) and the auctioneer declares it sold, you can sign the paperwork and know the deal is done. This eliminates drawn-out contract negotiations, and is often the best option for anyone needing quick settlement terms for another purchase.

Mauku 555 MaukuWaiuku 555 Waiuku Road Road Mauku 5552 Waiuku Road 4B C 2D 2I Quality Lives Quality Lives Here Here

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20th May atnew 11am on site, Saturday 20th May at 11am on site, Near new quality Near new quality home home - build as a forever home - Saturday build Near quality as homea - build forever as a forever home home open 1/2hr priornow (unless sold prior) open 1/2hr prior (unless sold prior) now a barrier nowto a barrier totheir their next move so needs next to be move a barrier to their so next moveneeds so needs to be to be View Sunday 12sold.

NoonFeaturing: - 1pm View Sunday 12 Noon - 1pm sold. Featuring: sold. Featuring: www.harcourts.co.nz/PW170403 www.harcourts.co.nz/PW170403 • 4 bedrooms, • 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms 2 bathrooms • 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms • 2 lounges, double • 2 lounges, double garage garage • 2 lounges, double garage • Room for that • Room for that man man shed on 14992m2 shed flat land on• Room 14992m2 for that man shed on 14992m2 flat landflat land • Quality fittings • Quality fittingsthroughout throughout • Quality fittings throughout • Great indoor/outdoor • Great indoor/outdoor flow in convenient location flow in • Great indoor/outdoor convenient flow in convenient location location Jo-Ann Day-Townsend Jo-Ann Day-Townsend M 0211 696 056 P M 0211 696 056 P This property Thishas property has so much so – someone much smart will – This someone property has so much – someone smart will smart will jo-ann.day-townsend@harcourts.co.nz jo-ann.day-townsend@harcourts.co.nz buy this - is that buy this - is thatyou!! you!! this - is that you!!

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Call Jo-Ann on 021 1696 056

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No Plan ‘B’ New adventure awaits the owners - so profit from the sterling work. New modern kitchen, 3 bay man shed be the envy of your friends, central location.

• Rural aspect in a residential setting • 2960m2 of flat land • 3 bedroom home • Big shed • What else could you want!!

Will you make this your next or first home! So don’t delay, you will miss out, contact Jo-Ann Day-Townsend 0211696 056

Rural Living — August 2017 — 47

15802-v3

■ Passed in, but not passed on If your home is ‘passed in’, meaning it doesn’t sell at auction, the intense interest and buyer activity generated in the lead-up to the auction means you usually have an increased chance of selling the home at a negotiated price to interested parties. Jo-Ann will already know who is genuinely interested in the property and can deal direct with them to see if an agreement can be reached.

Auct

Welcome Home

By Kylie Bosanac, Nick Bosanac Builders Limited

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omething really exciting happened last month! We moved home!

By that, I mean we moved our office from Takanini back into PUKEKOHE! Yay! Most of our clients, subcontractors and suppliers are Franklin locals, just like us! So it really does feel like coming home. And, being upstairs on the main street, we feel we are right in the hub of the community which brings a new-found sense of excitement and pride in what we do and why we do it.

This is how you feel in a brand new home, extension or when you shift furniture back into a newly renovated space. On looking back in a few years time, those are the feelings you want to remember.

There are a few things that can impinge upon your experience but there are three ways you can ensure that doesn’t happen.

Firstly, check that your builder is a Licensed Building Practitioner.

LBPs, (for short), must personally guarantee their workmanship for 10 years. Other tradesmen must be registered and make guarantees in their fields too.

Secondly, if building a new home, your builder needs to take out Builders All Risk/Contract Works insurance for your project. If you are renovating, or extending, you need to put the policy in place with the help of an insurance agent. This offers protection against fire, flood, theft, vandalism and natural disasters. Insurances need to be in place prior to starting any site work.

Thirdly, ensure you have a third party building guarantee such as a Masterbuilders’ or Home First Guarantee. This will plug a hole that exists between the LBP’s responsibilities and the building insurances. Should reparations need to be made, you are protected.

The guarantee steps in and protects your deposit if something were to happen to your builder. Guarantees provide the surety that you will be able to finish your build, as well as cover any extra costs that may result if your builder cannot fulfil his obligations and you cannot resolve the matter. It also covers correction of defects in workmanship, materials and structure for up to 10 years.

Business owners can never be sure their business will be around for the next 10 years. If something goes wrong, and the business isn’t there, you won’t be able to seek reparations.

With all bases covered you are well on your way to having that new home feeling greet you again and again for years to come.

Call us to discover how we can help with your build project and offer sound building advice, a chat or a laugh. Phone 027 458 3038 | kylie@bosanacbuilders.co.nz | 151 King Street, Pukekohe

Bring us your plans, or let us design you something unique.

We take pride in assuring that all work is of the highest quality.

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

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48 — Rural Living — August 2017

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Rural Living — August 2017 — 49

www.ruralliving.co.nz 1

16390

Median house price down, sales down, listings up

By David Powell, Barfoot & Thompson, Pukekohe Both Auckland and Waikato regions experienced a fall in the median house price this June compared to the May 2017 results. Although only a small decrease, 1% and 4% respectively, this trend may continue while buyers take more time to look through the increased listings.

The Auckland and Waikato housing inventory continues to grow, Auckland region now has 21 weeks of inventory, an increase over June 2016 of 124%. Waikato listings have 15 weeks stock which is 72% above June 2016 Approximately 22 months ago, the Auckland house sales volume peaked on a

12-month moving average basis. Since that time volumes have fallen but prices have remained firm especially while there has been a shortage of stock.

Sales are typically lower during the winter months and this year we have elections in September. Elections normally result in buyer hesitancy. This, combined

with increased stock, will almost certainly put the median price levels under further threat.

Outside factors such as our economy and the mortgage interest rates can tip the balance and it will be October/November 2017 before we see where the market will head.

Regional analysis shows:

Median Prices June 2017 compared with June 2016

Sales Volume June 2017 compared with June 2016

Auckland City +17.9% -41.5% Franklin +4.1% -25.7% Auckland Region +2.5% -33.2% Waikato Region +8.1% -20.8%

Household Listings June 217 compared with June 2016

Auckland Region Waikato Region

+124% +72%

The REINZ June 2017 News release has been used for this commentary.

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Right ‘Hon’, Guy! Some may argue that ‘if it aint broke, don’t fix it’, but that would leave politicians out of a job! So, to ensure we keep ‘fixing up’ New Zealand, Minister for Primary Industries, Nathan Guy, has again been hard at work, as these summaries of reports from his office indicate.

Kiwis, kiwi & Guy

Have a cow, ‘Mr Wang’!

Give a Kiwi a fruit seed and he’ll grow a vine; give one to Nathan Guy and he’ll grow an industry!

With sales from New Zealand reaching record levels – and global sales revenues expected to reach $4.5 billion by 2025 – MPI’s Guy has been busy re-addressing regulations to ‘future proof’ the kiwifruit industry.

“Regulatory updates will give Zespri more options for promoting the ownership of its shares by active growers,” he explains.

While ‘passive growers’ are likely left unimpressed by the Minister’s changes, he believes the amendments will: ◆◆ Allow Zespri shareholders to consider setting rules around maximum shareholding and eligibility for dividend payments ◆◆Clarify activities Zespri can undertake ◆◆ Enhance transparency of the independent industry regulator, Kiwifruit New Zealand “They will give Zespri greater certainty for investing in activities such as research and development and marketing New Zealand-grown kiwifruit,” Mr Guy said.

“These amendments won’t change the industry’s ‘single desk’ export framework, but will provide more certainty for Zespri’s shareholders and growers.”

While some may argue that China has enough blood on its hands already, Mr Guy obviously begs to differ.

Late last month, the Minister believes that an agreement which allows access to the Chinese market for New Zealand bovine blood products will benefit both nations.

“New Zealand now has market access for both finished and semi-finished products, which will mean exporters can attract a price-premium for these highervalue products. This is likely to be worth at least $50 million per year,” he said.

“We have an enviable disease status compared with many countries, which means our bovine blood products are widely sought after by a range of markets across the globe.”

Bovine serum and protein products are used in the animal pharmaceutical industry for manufacturing vaccines, diagnostic kits, laboratory testing media, and a range of specialised products, Mr Guy confirmed.

Growing up the country A $17.7 million cash injection over the next two years is expected to prove a boon for the Regional Growth Programme, Mr Guy contends.

“The programme has already supported regions to focus on economic development with more confidence and ambition,” he said recently. The programme is designed to support regions to develop economic development action plans specific to their needs.

“While improving economic performance can take time, those regions with action plans have already started to improve employment and investment.

This funding will ensure this good progress continues.” www.ruralliving.co.nz

Food drive? Can do!

Forget throwing an old can of mushroom soup the way of the less fortunate; in Wellington, the phrase ‘food drive’ has taken on a new meaning!

In order to drive food industry growth, Nathan Guy (along with Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges – who, as Minister for Transport should know all about driving!) recently launched the latest investor guides to New Zealand’s Food and Beverage Industry.“ These reports show producers are successfully adding value and creating premium products... [they] show there has been billions of dollars in investment in recent years towards developing or extending value added categories, at new packaging and branding and new product development. This will help towards our goal of doubling the value of primary sector exports by 2025.”

In particular, the primary industries are set to benefit from government investment. “The Primary Growth Partnership in particular has $759 million co-invested by industry and Government towards 22 cutting edge projects in the primary sector,” Mr Guy confirmed.

“We’re making good use of our competitive advantages, such as our relative proximity to Asian markets, good climate and fertile soils. At the same time, there are plenty of opportunities for more innovation to drive growth.”

Red meat heads to red China New Zealanders may prefer to hold on until Pak‘n Save’s ‘meat week’ to stock up on top cuts, but residents of China need wait no longer!

Hard on the heels of a new agreement, which will see bovine blood run all the way to China, Mr Guy announced the successful arrival of New Zealand’s first red meat consignment to the Asian nation. He said many more shipments will follow.

“New Zealand produces high quality chilled meat, and this trial is an exciting opportunity to add to our already significant frozen meat exports to China.

"This is the kind of product that will end up in high-end retail stores and white table cloth restaurants,” he said.

“Chilled meat is a premium, high value and high growth product so this is great news for farmers, producers and [New Zealand’s] wider red meat industry.”

According to the Minister, New Zealand’s frozen red meat exports to China represented $1.14 billion in trade for the year ended March 31, 2017.

Rural Living — August 2017 — 51

A code of their own From playing and coaching Auckland’s women to victory, claiming two World Cups with the Black Ferns and, last season, the Farah Palmer Cup for Counties, Davida Suasua (nee White) has played a leading role in women’s rugby as JON RAWLINSON explains.

W

hile rugby may have been born of a boy’s school, in the professional era its growth is coming courtesy of women keen to make our national game their own.

Earlier this year, former Black Fern great, Farah Palmer, became the first woman to serve on the NZ Rugby Board (NZRB).

Counties Manukau Heat coach, Davida Suasua (an ex teammate), believes her appointment is a step in the right direction.

“Farah advocates for women’s rugby and understands the politics of the game and the importance of women’s rugby,” the Drury local says. “She’s quite calm too; a voice of reason. It’s going to be a struggle for her being in a boardroom full of men.

One person can’t change years of culture and tradition, so it’s going to take time, but at least Farah is a starting point.”

Davida believes appointments should be based purely on ability regardless of gender, and while teams may comprise either men or women, the game itself is essentially neutral.

“Some of us look at it that way but, unfortunately, when others don’t see it as genderless, that’s when there are issues.

We’ve never ever wanted to ‘be like the men’; we just loved playing the same game.”

Asked if she would consider following in Farah’s footsteps, Davida – who became

principal at Tangaroa College earlier this year – is quick to assert that she’s happy to serve at the grassroots. Fair enough too, as the grassroots are certainly green in Counties Manukau these days.

Earlier this year, the Heat and the Steelers (coached by Davida’s husband, Darryl) claimed National Sevens’ crowns.

And, during last year’s Farah Palmer Cup (formerly the Women’s Provincial Championship – WPC) the Heat defeated reining champs, Auckland, to claim their first ever title.

Davida says developing a strong base player base over the past few years has been crucial to the Heat’s success.

“We had to start again, scouring the netball courts, gyms and the like. Putting a strategic plan in place and seeing it through has been most rewarding. Seeing girls who no one else wanted take on the challenge has been really satisfying.

“Yes, we won a title and, yes, we took it off Auckland; that has its rewards, but so too does the fact that we grew our own players. For me, the priority is assisting the growth of women’s rugby.”

The Heat’s victory is even more impressive given Auckland’s dominance, winning an astonishing 15 titles from 17 tournaments. Prior to joining the Heat in 2013, Davida played her own role in Auckland’s remarkable run, both as a player

and a coach. Despite this, she asserts that the Heat players never questioned whether they could topple the champs.

“Never! We were confident from the beginning of the season. I knew Auckland’s capabilities, because I had coached half of them previously, and I knew the capabilities of our girls and what they could achieve.”

And yet, she shrugs off the ‘favourites’ tag for the season ahead.

“I suppose there has to be [a favourite] but that’s not the Counties style. We try to keep our players well grounded; we prefer to be known as underdogs.

“We’d like to win the [Farah Palmer Cup] title again but there are challenges to overcome. We have the World Cup coming up and we’ll lose some players there so we’ll need to fill those spots.”

One such player expected to be heading to Ireland is winger and former Northern Mystics netballer, Portia Woodman, who boasts a sidestep that would put Ginger Rogers to shame! However, her involvement will still benefit the Heat even in her absence, Davida believes.

“She’s been fantastic for our team, as are all the Black Ferns who play for us.

Not many can say ‘I played with Portia Woodman’. Playing alongside the best really does something for team spirit and pride. They help support and encourage all the other girls.”

Ferns to flourish at cup?

While former Black Fern, Davida Suasua, is hopeful New Zealand can extend its Women’s Rugby World Cup record to five from eight events, she is somewhat dubious whether selection policy will help or hamper chances.

“When I was playing, the opportunity to wear a black jersey was open to everyone.

These days, they select approximately 60 girls and they’ll stick with that squad. I think it means that some of those who aren’t in that squad are going to say ‘I’m not going to play this game anymore!’”

After Davida’s team, the Counties Manukau Heat, claimed the Farah Palmer Cup last year, just two – Portia Woodman 52 — Rural Living — August 2017

and Renee Wickliffe – were selected for representative teams.

“I don’t know what they’re picking [based on] to be honest! I couldn’t answer that question. I think [the selectors] just don’t know the players well enough and make judgements based on what they think a player could be rather than what they are now,” she asserts.

“I also think and they don’t know how to mould their raw talent. The coaches have relied on the players Darryl [Suasua – Davida’s husband] coached and his legacy; now that they’ve left, I believe those in charge have not done a good enough job of developing new players.”

Despite this, the Heat is still rather well represented in the current Black Ferns’ squad, with eight players from the Union making the cut. The tournament kicks off in Ireland on August 10.

Davida, who played at two World Cups and coached Samoa at another, says top form is essential if the Black Ferns are to reclaim their laurels.

“At the last cup [won by England], I think some fundamental errors were made, not so much by the players themselves but in terms of the game plan. While I don’t think they’ve turned every stone over since, I hope they have [addressed such issues], for the sake of women’s rugby in NZ.” www.ruralliving.co.nz

Some of us look at it that way but, unfortunately, when others don’t see [rugby] as genderless, that’s when there are issues. We’ve never ever wanted to ‘be like the men’; we just loved playing the same game.”

❝

Partners in Union

Photo Wayne Martin

The surname ‘Suasua’ is synonymous with Counties. Since coach of the Heat, Davida, legally married her long-term partner, Darryl (coach of the Steelers) earlier this year, our province officially has two Suasua’s at the helm.

The pair, who met as high school students more than 30 years ago, first worked together on-field when Darryl coached the Auckland women’s squad.

Davida says the key then, as it is now, is in keeping their home and work roles separate.

“We worked through it by maintaining that player-coach relationship and I think we did a pretty good job. So much so that there were many players who didn’t even realise we were together until later.”

Today, the couple remains united in their love of the game. Davida says, in some ways, their personal bond is conducive to an effective professional relationship.

“It makes it easier because we’re on the same page in regards to player expectation and seeing talent where others may not.

We both love the game, which makes it easier to work together. We don’t always agree, of course, and we both can throw tantrums at times, but we definitely accept each others’ opinions.”

To read Rural Living’s interview with Darryl, see our July-Aug 2016 e-edition – accessible via ruralliving.co.nz.

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Rural Living — August 2017 — 53

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PH 09 237 0050

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

40 CROSBIE ROAD, PUKEKOHE

Grant Escott FENCING

look for the FeedSafeNZ logo For all your stockfeed requirements dSafeNZ logo For all your stockfeed requirements

0800 782 521

11713

15593

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

03290

Alan Wilson Plumbing 235 9066 Certified Plumbers and Drainlayers

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

Free quotes – Competitive rates 00983

Or:

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

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

0800 SUCKA1

www.nzfma.org.nz

BOBCAT & TRUCK HIRE

CONTRACTOR

look for the FeedSafeNZ logo For all your stockfeed requirements

01322

Call us for all your farming supply needs

www.nzfma.org.nz

directory

03183-v2

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“Kill” Ferrets, Possum, Rats and Rabbits “Dead” Bait Station Mini

Two sizes, standard and mini available

Target Species Possum

Target Species Possum

Large Bait Station

Rodent Bait Station

Possum/Rat/Rabbit bait stations • Specifically developed to protect bait from rain and prevent blockages which can occur in other bait stations. Waterproof.

• The preferred bait station used by professional pest control agencies.

• Large bait station is ideal for baiting rabbits.

Also available rodent bait stations, block baits, Timms traps, rodent snap traps

www.nzfma.org.nz

Target Species Rabbits & Possum Target Species Mice & Rats

Ferret/Stoat trap covers/Fenn traps • Specifically designed to cover MK 4 or MK 6 Fenn (kill) traps • Narrow entrance guides the ferret/stoat over centre of trigger plate

• Stockproof • Available in single or double models • MK 4, great rat trap ex UK

PHILPROOF

Double Trap Cover

Target Species Stoat/Ferret

l Tree Removal

3 5

l Roading

l Stopbanks

l Building sites l Demolition

l Horse arenas l Metal/sand/

slag supplied

Experienced Operator 28 years+

• Service of all farm, industrial, agricultural irrigation and domestic pumps • Full range of galvanised, alkathene & pvc pipes and fittings • Pool pump sales and service – chemical supply • Bore pump design, installation and supplies • Drainage supplies • Water filter systems – Design and install • Bulk sand and cement • Water tanks – Agent for RX and Aqua • Deep well pump sales and service

14 Constable Rd, Waiuku.

Ph 09 235 8268.

Craig Nicholson

00980

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

00235

Earthmoving & General Cartage

4 01109

CALL IN AND SEE US

l Drainage

l General cartage

www.ruralliving.co.nz

6

Target Species Mice & Rats

FOR ALL YOUR WATER NEEDS

l 5.5 tonne digger

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

2

T-Rex Snap Trap

Phone/Fax (07) 859 2943 • Mobile (021) 270 5896 Email philproof@gmail.com • www.philproof.co.nz

l 20 tonne diggers l Tip trucks

1

01841

www.nzfma.org.nz

Timms

24-Hour Callout Service • Pump & Well Services • Plumbing – Drainage – Concrete Supplies

SEPTIC TANK ANd

GREASE TRAP CLEANING SST SERVICES

21E Ryan Pl, Manukau

p: 09 294 7611

e: sstseptictanks@gmail.com John: 0274 923 669 Robbie: 0274 967 430

02335-v2

Philproof bait feeders are the answer

Rural Living — August 2017 — 55

www.ruralliving.co.nz

02231-v16

56 — Rural Living — August 2017