BayBuzz #26 Nov-Dec 2015

Issue No.26 • NOV/DEC 2015 • $8.00 Including GST

Wattie’s: How Close To Closing?

WINZ: Last Resort Tyre Mountains Nasties in Water Child Obesity Alpha-Dog Dalton Organic Dining Home Design

9 772253 262016

06

Norway Cruising

th e icons Released November 2015

Issue No.26 • NOV/DEC 2015

THIS MONTH Dalton and Yule talk about the future. The dam stalled. Is Wattie’s closure just a matter of time?

WINZ struggles to serve humanely. Hawke’s Bay is swamped with used tyres. A new breed of chemical pollutants accumulates in our water. Does new campaign against child obesity have enough muscle? Plus upcoming events, food, home design, travel, arts and culture, and Brendan brings Lawrencus Amalgamaticus to a close.

FEATURES

22 WATTIE’S: HOW CLOSE TO CLOSING?

Keith Newman

Can Wattie’s remain competitive as a maker of cheap foods?

28 POLITICAL BUZZ

Tom Belford

Politicos pledge collaboration. How will that actually happen?

36 A TYRESOME BUSINESS

Keith Newman

Nobody wants responsibility for HB’s used tyres.

42 WINZ: THE LAST PLACE YOU WANT TO BE

Jessica Soutar Barron

Why must getting benefits be a dehumanising experience?

48

‘PURE’ WATER … REALLY? Sarah Cates Chemicals we use daily are accumulating dangerously in our water.

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Issue No.26 • NOV/DEC 2015

JESS SOUTAR BARRON Jess is a wordsmith and project manager whose past gigs have included time with Sky TV, Hastings District Council and Band, as well as three years as a communications managerwith the Metropolitan Police Service.

She also produces Fruit Bowl Craft Jam.

KEITH NEWMAN Keith is a journo with nearly 40-years’ experience across mainstream and trade media.

He’s won awards for writing about hi-tech, produces Musical Chairs programmes for Radio NZ and has published four books, one on the internet in New Zealand and three others on New Zealand history.

> BEE in the KNOW 08 Hospitality heroes. Wellness index. Hot/Not. HB data viewer. Keri Davis back.

Vanishing Nature. Eco-tankers. 70,000 ways to die. Eva Goodisson first.

MARK SWEET Napier-born, Mark worked overseas in Hong Kong and Scotland, before returning to Hawke’s Bay, and establishing Pacifica restaurant.

Re-creating himself as a writer, Mark’s first novel Zhu Mao was published in 2011; an extract from his next novel, Of Good and Evil, has been short-listed for the Pikihuia Awards, will be published soon.

Beauty always wins. Red Cross at 100. Taxing sugar. International students.

Midwives seek equity. Manuka. Eileen Lawson takes chair. Events not to miss..

> IDEAS & OPINIONS 86 THE BEST DEAL EVER Matt Miller 88 TOO LEAN ON CHILD OBESITY? Tom Belford 90 SMART FARMING: GRASS-FED CAVIAR Tom Belford 92 COMMODITY OBSESSION Ceri Wells

BRIDGET FREEMAN-ROCK Bridget is Hawke’s Bay grown, and a bookworm by vocation, or a ‘literary scientist’ to borrow a German term for the ubiquitous arts degree in English. She freelances as a writer, editor and translator (German), and proofreads BayBuzz, alongside postgrad study and ventures in poetry and fiction.

94 RESCUING 1019 CAMPBELL STREET Anna Lorck

> CULTURE & LIFESTYLE 74 THE SCENE Jessica Soutar Barron

Jacob Scott on the arts. Ideas @ CAN. Wuts the burlesquerciser.

Up next at HCAG. Aaron Topp’s Hucking Cody. History on a wall.

Mark Sweet on Wine: Stories from Hawke’s Bay. Allis the Tractor. Chris Mirams plays with pastry. My Food Bag. Te Matatini Kapa Hapa Festival. Mallet maestro George Wood.

MANDY WILSON Mandy Wilson manages advertising and store sales for BayBuzz. She’s worked in print media in the Bay for 20 years or so (Wow!). In her leisure you can spot Mandy walking or cycling one of the numerous tracks throughout Hawke’s Bay or sipping hot chocolates in any number of cafes. 027 593 5575

54 ORGANIC DINING Francky Godinho 58 BUSY PERSON’S GUIDE TO HOME DECOR Clare Tanton 66 A HOOK TO HANG YOUR HOLIDAY ON KA Halliday 68 ESSAY WINNERS: Neighbours - Debra Youthed; Basic Beginnings - Barbara Cassidy 72 DOWN ON THE FARM Mary Kippenberger 96 EYE IN THE SKY Brendan Webb BayBuzz articles are archived 30 days after publication at: WWW.BAYBUZZ.CO.NZ For editorial enquiries contact Tom Belford: editors@baybuzz.co.nz For advertising enquiries contact Mandy Wilson: mandy@baybuzz.co.nz, 027 593 5575

ISSN 2253-2625 (PRINT) ISSN 2253-2633 (ONLINE)

THE BAYBUZZ TEAM EDITOR: Tom Belford. ASSISTANT EDITOR: Jessica Soutar Barron. SENIOR WRITERS: Bridget Freeman-Rock; Jessica Soutar Barron; Keith Newman; Mark Sweet; Tom Belford. COLUMNISTS: Anna Lorck; Brendan Webb; Damon Harvey; David Trubridge; Paul Paynter; Sarah Cates. EDITOR’S RIGHT HAND: Brooks Belford. PHOTOGRAPHY: Tim Whittaker; Sarah Cates. ILLUSTRATION: Brett Monteith.

CREATIVE, DESIGN & PRODUCTION: Empire Design. MARKETING: Mel Blackmore. ADVERT ART MANAGEMENT: TK Design.

ADVERTISING SALES & DISTRIBUTION: Mandy Wilson. ONLINE: Mogul. BUSINESS MANAGER: Bernadette Magee. PRINTING: Format Print.

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY BY TIM WHITTAKER Page 2 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

This document is printed on an environmentally reponsible paper produced using Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) pulp sourced from Sustainable & Legally Harvested Farmed Trees, and manufactured under the strict ISO14001 Environmental Management System.

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FROM THE EDITOR TOM BELFORD

Facing our future.

This edition of BayBuzz offers plenty of diversity, and yet some clear themes bind our stories together.

On the political front, we declare Mayor Bill Dalton the new alpha-dog of Hawke’s Bay politics. Dalton was elected mayor with 42% of the vote, not a resounding mandate.

But, whatever one thinks of the tactics, he spearheaded the opposition to amalgamation leading to its landslide defeat, including an 84% opposing margin in Napier that by itself was sufficient to doom the proposal.

On the other hand, Mayor Lawrence Yule staked all his political capital on amalgamation and was crushed, barely delivering a 51% winning margin in Hastings.

BayBuzz conducted in-depth video interviews with Dalton and Yule after the referendum, largely focused on “Now what?” You can view those at www.baybuzz.co.nz But here in my Political Buzz feature, we’ve excerpted some key comments of Dalton and Yule.

The most important theme that emerges in the interviews is whether and how ‘regionalism’ and inter-council cooperation will be achieved. All parties give exuberant lip service to the voting public’s demand for more collaboration. But what will actually be done, and how can politicians be held accountable for making it happen? And in this process, how can matters that are “truly regional”, as Dalton puts it, be more effectively dealt with and paid for.

Both mayors present their ideas, and say they will bury the hatchet and get on with it.

We’ll see.

Political Buzz also provides an update on the dam, which at this writing seems stuck in the mud, confronted by stalled water sales and a major High Court challenge.

Economic themes are developed in a number of articles. Wattie’s: How Close to Closing? looks at the somewhat fragile

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existence of that iconic Hawke’s Bay company, exploring the marketplace realities that threaten the viability of our local plant and the growers who supply it.

A key issue for Wattie’s is the facility’s (and our region’s) future capability to succeed by supplying cheap food products. Most agriculture commentators say this would be a road to ruin for Hawke’s Bay (and indeed NZ). Two articles – Grass-fed Caviar and Commodity Obsession look at those arguments.

Moving to the environment, BayBuzz looks at two waste products we have far too much of … and in both cases we don’t seem to know what to do about it. A Tyresome Business looks at our inability to responsibly recycle or dispose of mountains of used tyres discarded in the region. And ‘Pure’ Water … Really? examines the mounting health risk posed by so-called ‘Emerging Organic Contaminants’ (EOCs) in our water. EOCs are the multiplicity of chemicals that are part of the human (and animal) waste cycle, including the many products we use to medicate and clean ourselves and our homes. Accumulating EOCs are a ticking time bomb.

On the social issue front, WINZ: The Last Place You Want To Be investigates complaints about what is probably the most disliked agency – fairly or otherwise – in Hawke’s Bay. In today’s economy, WINZ must cope with an increasingly diverse client base. Check it out; you could be next! Too Lean on Obesity? assesses the Government’s new initiative to combat child obesity. Local paediatrician and national Children’s Commissioner Russell Wills says it has good elements, but omits the key measures needed to succeed. And Anna Lorck is back in the neighborhood, 1019 Campbell Street to be exact, crusading against the failures of our social housing programme.

But don’t worry, we devoted heaps of space to the lighter side of Hawke’s Bay. Our commitment to helping you ‘bee in the know’

extends to food, travel, home design, online retailing, notable events, arts and culture.

You won’t want to miss the ‘finale’ of Brendan Webb’s epic saga chronicling the ambitions of Lawrencus Amalgamaticus.

Finally, we’re pleased to present three wonderful essays depicting charming slices of rural NZ life. Two of these are the winners of our essay contest: in Basic Beginnings, Barbara Cassidy writes of her growing up years in the foothills of the Wakararas; in Neighbours, Debra Youthed writes of her neighbours, a busy pukeko family. And local story-telling legend Mary Kippenberger sends us a letter from Down On The Farm.

Enjoy!

P.S. If you do enjoy BayBuzz, think about gifting a subscription to a friend or relative this Christmas.

Only $25 for a gift subscription, and we’ll include gift vouchers easily worth $50 to sweeten their holiday package. Details on p16.

TOM BELFORD Tom’s past includes the Carter White House, building Ted Turner’s first philanthropic organization, doing heaps of marketing consulting for major nonprofits and corporates. Tom writes an acclaimed blog for professional NGO fundraisers and communicators in North America and Europe, and is a HB Regional Councillor.

BayBuzz

Needs You! And Yours.

Of course, anyone can just read BayBuzz. And we’re delighted that you want to ‘bee in the know’.

But here are some other ways you … or someone you know … or your organisation or business … can help inspire content for the magazine.

Foreign Correspondents Hawke’s Bay sends a steady stream of emissaries out into the wide world beyond our region. We’re not talking Dannevirke, but rather Dubai, London, Shanghai, California, New York … even that weird place called Oz. And they’re both taking in the world, comparing it to home (pluses and minuses), and representing Hawke’s Bay to the ‘unwashed’ who live beyond our borders.

Can they write? If so, we’d like to read their stories and observations. Can they shoot a photo (or even a video) or take a selfie of something we need to see to believe? If so, we’d like to view it.

In short, BayBuzz is looking for ‘foreign correspondents’ who can show us the world as seen by Hawke’s Bay expats. And either make us envious of their good fortune, or make us happy to be right here!

Maybe one of those emissaries is your daughter, son, sister or cousin.

Get ahold of them. Tell them BayBuzz wants to hear from them. We have a magazine and a website eager for their dispatches.

Returnees Some Hawke’s Bay expats have ‘seen the world’ … and seen enough!

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And home they’ve come.

We’d like to know about them too, and hear their stories. What was their overseas experience? Why are they back?

Just back from Sydney? We’ve probably heard that one … but give it a try.

Just back from Uzbekistan? We’re all ears!

Generally, we’ve published ‘returnee’ stories in groups of three or so, under the rubric …

They’re Back! We’d like to do this, with your help, with more regularity.

Again, they could be your daughter, son, sister or cousin. If they’ve returned to the motherland in the last year or so, get them on our radar screen. By ourselves, we can’t monitor all the borders all the time.

Spies Finally, we need domestic spies.

The BayBuzz team is pretty good at scanning the local scene and knowing who’s who and what’s what.

But we have blinders just like everyone else … our network needs constant expanding and refreshing.

We need BayBuzz readers to alert us to upcoming events, identify individuals and organisations whose special achievements deserve recognition, clue us in to new and

innovative businesses that will help put Hawke’s Bay on the map … and yes, share juicy gossip of community relevance.

Naturally, we can’t cover everything and everyone. We’ll leave the ‘normal’ stuff – like hatches, matches and dispatches – to Hawke’s Bay Today.

Instead, BayBuzz is looking for the bold, the brash, the brilliant … the undiscovered, unnoticed and unusual. We think our readers have the inside scoop on this kind of stuff.

And we hope you’ll share it with us and your fellow readers.

How? It couldn’t be simpler.

Whatever kind of content you might be able to share – Foreign Correspondents, Returnees, Spies – all it takes to get our attention is an email. Our computers are never turned off! Of course, we can’t promise that you’ll see each and every submission in print. But nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Don’t be shy.

We’re at editors@baybuzz.co.nz Or: PO Box 8322, Havelock North And we’d love to hear from you and yours.

The Perfect Christmas Gift!

Wine: Stories from Hawke’s Bay FREE SHIPPING IN NZ, GST INCL

69

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Wine: Stories from Hawke’s Bay pays homage to the rich tales of the vineyards, wineries and people who have developed our region's wine industry, from humble beginnings in the 1850s into today’s multi-million dollar darling.

Writer Mark Sweet has woven together

collections throughout New Zealand.

personal recollections and anecdotes from

Peter Cowley, winemaker from Te Mata

carefully-researched historic fact with key players, creating an authoritative

portrayal of Hawke's Bay history and an engaging, entertaining read.

The stories are beautifully illustrated, with stunning photographs by Tim Whittaker

and an eclectic mix of fascinating archival images, sourced from private and public

Wine buffs will savour the insights of

Estate, on what makes Hawke’s Bay a premier wine region.

Whether you are a history fan, wine lover, or simply relish intriguing pictures and a

good yarn, this captivating journey through the romance of wine in Hawke’s Bay is sure to enthral.

PREVIEW & ORDER your copy now @ www.winestorieshb.co.nz

BEE in the KNOW tim.co.nz

Hospitality Heroes Congratulations to Neil Barber and Craig Hay for bringing home the supreme award at the Hospitality New Zealand Awards for Excellence. Barber and Hay's Art Deco Masonic Hotel in Napier took out the overall prize recognising the hotel as a premium accommodation provider on a national level. Barber says it was a thrill to win the award, for the Masonic but also for Hawke's Bay. Barber and Hay came to Hawke's Bay in 2002, although Hay grew up here. They bought and renovated a circa 1898 colonial homestead south west of Hastings called Greenhill, opened as Greenhill Lodge in late 2002.

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In 2010 they took over the operational management of the Masonic, having owned the building since the late 90s. They rebranded as Art Deco Masonic Hotel. Emporium Eatery and Bar was opened in 2012.

Barber's background is in finance. He is chairman of the Hawke’s Bay Tourism Industry Association and sits on the boards of Hawke’s Bay Tourism, Art Deco Trust and Napier City Business. Hay has worked for many years in real estate and serves on the board of the MTG Foundation.

BEE in the KNOW

Hawke's Bay Wellness Index Jobs on Seek.co.nz

Homes For Sale

[23 October 2015]

[Realestate.co.nz]

253

Lamb price at Stortford

October 23, 2015

1,274

AVERAGE

Drunks Taken to Detox/Home

Dwelling Assualts

[REINZ]

[ 19 October ]

[ Down 9 from August]

Homes Sold

263

$109

146

in September 2015 [Up 7.9% from Sep 2014]

36

in August 2015 [ Same as Aug 2014 ]

in August 2015 [ Down 16 since Aug 2014]

222

HB Hospital Emergency Department presentations

Giant jaffas given away by Pipi’s in Havelock North in September

[ 21 Aug – 18 Oct 2015]

[ Down from 1,805 from July 2015 ]

Burglaries

[Family violence indicator]

7,128 2,120 93 1,859 1,217 48,565 August 2015

[ Down 29 from Aug 2014 ]

[ Up 545 from same period in 2014 ]

Visitors to MTG

93 gigabytes of data downloaded, in September, on average, by NOW GB residential customers.

Admissions, September

Bay Espresso coffee sold [Sep 2015]

[ Including FREE children ]

Hawke's Bay Commercial Guest Nights [August 2015]

kg

[ Up 7.3% over August 2014 ]

[ Down 181kg from July ]

What's Hot

What's Not

Ahuriri Airport Hawke's Bay

Hawke's Bay Airport Ahuriri

RWC

EOC

Spiegeltent

Opera House

Dalton

Yule

Boundary change

Amalgamation

Forest & Bird

Conservation land swap

Premium exports

Commodity exports

TPP

PKE

Page 9 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ Lawrence Yule

Keri Davis

THEY'RE

BACK!

BEE in the KNOW

Shared Services In a first for NZ, Hawke's Bay's five councils are bringing together their data and mapping information in one online viewer making it easier to access for the public.

HBviewer.nz has been launched with modules for council facilities, reserves, pathways, iwi and civil defence. It will be updated regularly as councils add specific modules and data for their own city and district use.

The project is an initiative of Hawke’s Bay Local Authority Shared Services Ltd (HBLASS).

HBLASS was established in 2012 to investigate, develop and deliver shared services across the five Hawke's Bay councils. Chaired

by Craig Waterhouse, HBLASS is owned by the region’s five councils, and each council CEO is a director.

Cape Coast Inspiration Originally from Waipukurau, Keri Davis left Hawke's Bay in the early '90s. He'd been managing a local travel agency in Hastings and when the company was sold he was relocated to Auckland.

Keri's now come full circle and is based back in the Bay where he's "taking his home province to the world, from the Cape Coast".

Keri runs HB Guiding Company, and its umbrella company ICEworks, which offer big budget luxury travel experiences to large companies from around the world.

"Our programmes always have an exclusive aspect," he explains. "Our clients literally want the kind of experience that money can't buy."

His biggest client base is the US, closely followed by Brazil. China is a huge market that he's only just stepping into and the potential there is so great it's almost frightening; however there are logistal challenges due to sheer numbers that always determine what is possible.

Keri began ICEworks after a series of happy coincidences saw him meet a future client in Fiji. Keri was hired on the spot to manage an illustrious Rugby World Cup trip the following year.

Over the years the business has shifted from outbound tours to predominantly inbound as New Zealand has become more popular as a destination choice.

Keri himself has made an 'inbound' change moving home to Hawke's Bay. Now he's running his businesses from his home by the beach.

"With our client base being mostly overseas

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there was no longer a need for business premises and so a property on the beach somewhere became my focus," explains Keri. "My search stretched from Northland all the way down the East Coast; coming home to Hawke's Bay was a natural choice."

Keri says because of the business he's in he is constantly looking at things through the eyes of a traveller.

"The kind of traveller to whom every detail matters and whose experience needs to be away from the crowds, exclusive and meaningful on many levels. I'm always searching for unique and interesting places and people that will enrich the guest experience," he says.

"Since returning here, it has caused me to look at Hawke's Bay with new eyes. The things I took for granted growing up here as a child are in fact wonderful opportunities that need to be shared."

Keri's work requires creativity and inspiration and he says he finds both in his new - old - home.

"If you can imagine it then we can find a way to do it," he says, crediting his team and his network of suppliers around the country with helping pull off some complex logistics.

Keri travels with Tourism NZ to expos around the world promoting New Zealand.

He's just spent a week in Las Vegas talking to 10,000 incentive travel buyers, and in part he was there to showcase Hawke's Bay to an international market.

"Hawke's Bay has become quite a source of inspiration for me," Keri says. "I think there's great things in store for this place."

CONSERVATION CONVERSATION Vanishing Nature, published six months ago, looks at how New Zealand can proactively address biodiversity loss. It’s written by long-running think tank the Environmental Defence Society and led by Dr Marie Brown.

Brown visited Hawke's Bay last month as part of a national tour to talk about what EDS is doing following on from the release of the book.

"Vanishing Nature started a conversation and our work now is fleshing that out," says Brown.

One of the core reasons for the tour is to begin to tackle head on some of the questions raised by consumers of the book.

"I'm getting a lot of fantastic and insightful questions from people at our events and I've been really impressed by the level of engagement," she says. "A lot of people have read the book and have been thinking about what it means , which is just brilliant."

One of the things people are most interested in, or challenged by, is the book’s proposal for novel economic institutions to address the way the NZ economy seems to reward environmental harm.

"People have really engaged with that idea," Brown says. "We've been asked by a lot of people to follow that up with further investigation."

Audiences are also intrigued by EDS's discussion of 'agency capture' whereby private interests influence agencies into weakening environmental regulations, either in policy or in practice, or both. Private interests can have a very strong influence on whether environmental regulations are good enough to protect the environment.

"A lot of people have commented on the agency capture issue as something they've had experience with as a community," says Brown. "It helps to explain why environmental policy goals often don’t eventuate and the implications of that are massive, but hard to communicate."

"It is a challenge to makes people realise they do have skin in the game when it comes to biodiversity," says Brown. "People say it's sad when a species is in trouble, but they don't necessarily understand how it affects them."

In preparing Vanishing Nature EDS made a specific effort not to discount smaller efforts, believing every action is important.

40 40 UNDER

Dr Marie Brown "The more high level an effort to address biodiversity loss is, the greater the impact it can have; but the important thing is that no matter how small the effort is, it's still valid."

Brown feels that biodiversity had fallen off the political radar, that up until quite recently it hasn't been something politicians and policy makers have been talking about.

The work undertaken by EDS is aimed at challenging this and making change.

A Hawke’s Bay Biodiversity Strategy was adopted by the Regional Council in July as a regional approach to improve habitats and support native species in Hawke’s Bay. Search ‘biodiversity’ on the HBRC website.

Here at BayBuzz we’re looking for do-ers in their 20s and 30s who are making their mark on Hawke’s Bay.

And we need your help!

We’re looking for innovators, entrepreneurs, playmakers, eco-warriors, sports stars, super stars, pretty much any star who’s doing great things in their field or biz.

If you know someone under 40 who's a true buzzmaker here in Hawke's Bay we want to hear about them and their story.

Please send their name and contact details to: editors@baybuzz.co.nz Thank you very much.

Page 11 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

BEE in the KNOW

Eco Tankers Coastal Oil Logistics, which transports petrol products to ports around New Zealand, including Napier Port, will soon be cutting about 20,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. This is down to a change in tanker vessels. COLL has just chartered two new vessels, which are much more fuel efficient. One will arrive in February 2016 and the other in June 2017.

The two new tankers will be bigger, better and faster than what’s being used now, and will also have less of an impact on the environment.

When compared to the current vessels being used by COLL, the estimated increase in fuel efficiency from these ships will be approximately 25%.

Fuel efficiency savings from the new vessels versus the next best available ship will translate to a reduction of 11,000 tonnes of CO2 per year, per ship for the industry.

So ManyWays to Die There are now officially 70,000 ways to get sick or die in the United States.

Explosion of a bicycle tyre and getting sucked into a jet engine are two, and the new medical insurance codes list nine separate codes for sickness or death involving a parrot.

The international ICD-10 codes are being used to bill insurers and government programmes, and the number of different causes listed is creating headaches for

medical providers as they scramble to allocate the correct code to every complaint.

There's some intriguing inclusions on the list that make the mind boggle, and it's a shame the list doesn't come with illustrations. Number Z63.1 is "Problems in relationship with in-laws" and V91.07XA is "burn due to water skis on fire".

You can track down your own potential ending at: http://go.cms.gov/1G5ntrG

Goodisson Good Enough Havelock North teenager Eva Goodisson (17) has won the aquathon event for her age group at the Triathlon World Championships in Chicago.

Goodisson was the youngest competitor in the under 20s event. Her overall time was 34' 16". The aquathon is a 'runswim-run' event and meant a 750m swim in the Chicago Lake Harbour and 5km running in 32 degree heat.

“It was so hot. We were in the red zone, which was one zone away from cancelling the event," says Eva. “I just had to keep pushing myself, saying, 'You are at the world champs and you’ve only got this one moment so just push through the pain. It’ll all be worth it’.”

Goodisson’s coach, Ken Maclaren, of TriHB, says she performed at the top of her game.

Page 12 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

“I knew she was in great shape, but putting together a good performance in a top competition can be very different from racing well in low key events at home. She clearly came through with flying colours."

Beauty Always Wins Beautiful people win at life. It's been a long-held superstition many people hoped was an ugly myth, but a collection of recent studies has confirmed it. Leaving the average in their wake, the attractive have more clout, better jobs with more money, loans approved easier, are trusted more, are more successful with crowdfunding campaigns and have better looking, better educated spouses.

The research also says it's all our fault, rather than their doing. Something called the 'halo effect' is at play, whereby we perceive 'good-looking' as equalling 'good'.

The research collectively paints an intriguing picture of the better looking among us having a distinct advantage in a whole raft of areas, mostly linked to wealth, a study known as pulchronomics: the economics of beauty. For example, the top third most attractive women receive a salary that's 8% higher than average-looking women, NZ's Victoria Ransom of Wildfire, #47 on Business Insider's 50 Sexiest CEOs list.

BEE in the KNOW

100 Years of Red Cross in New Zealand

and those rated lowest for their looks typically received 4% lower pay than average. Men are punished harder.

Although those judged best looking have salaries 4% higher, those seen as least attractive received 13% less pay.

Is there any justice here? Because we also expect more of the most attractive, they can fall further when they don’t produce.

There's an entertaining summary of the research online at: http://bit.ly/1jnp7dR

This year Red Cross marks ‘a century of care’ in New Zealand, and the celebrations include gala days, exhibitions and other events around the country as the regional branches share their stories.

Here in the Bay, director and producer Tessa Tylee was commissioned to put together a short DVD documenting the people and the activities of local Red Cross.

The DVD, Red Cross in Hawke’s Bay Past & Present, was submitted by New Zealand Red Cross and shown along with 143 other films from 25 countries at the 16th International Festival of Red Cross and Health Films in Varna, Bulgaria at the end of September.

Fourteen of Hawke’s Bay’s Red Cross stalwarts were interviewed for the DVD and Tylee was taken with how humble and giving they all were.

“These people have done, and continue to do so much for the community, and for different causes. They all had great stories to tell – some small and some huge but all fascinating. It’s so good it’s all been recorded for archives.”

Working with the Red Cross team has been a highlight, Tylee says.

“Karla Lee, the East Coast programmes coordinator undertook the interviewing with me, and ended up going to Varna for the film festival, to fly the flag.”

Red Cross work in New Zealand began when ad hoc branches of the British Red Cross popped up around the country at the start of WWI, including in Wallingford, Central Hawke’s Bay. The 1931 Hawke’s Bay Earthquake and the subsequent volunteer response was what tangibly led to the formation of New Zealand’s own Red Cross organisation.

Red Cross in Hawke’s Bay Past & Present can be viewed online at http://bit.ly/1PPf26i

Page 13 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

BEE in the KNOW

Sugar Poll

Back to the Future Bringing you up to date on previous BayBuzz articles ...

In BayBuzz #25 (Sep/ Oct 2015) we ran Gareth Morgan’s essay on how a sugar tax might work to cut obesity rates. Now we can report the majority of public are supportive of the idea.

Findings from two nationwide surveys show New Zealanders support a tax on ‘sugar-sweetened beverages’ (SSBs).

In the first poll held in February 2014, 44% of respondents supported a tax on sugary drinks. In the second poll, carried out in June 2015, support had increased to 52% - provided the funds from the tax were used to address childhood obesity. Opposition to a SSB tax decreased from 49% in February 2014 to 32% in June 2015.

FIZZ (Fighting Sugar in Soft-drinks) New Zealand commissioned the survey.

FIZZ is a public health advocacy group established by researchers to reduce the consumption of sugar sweetened beverages in New Zealand to zero by 2025. The work was carried out by Dr Gerhard Sundborn, Dr Simon Thornley, Dr Bodo Lang and Dr Rob Beaglehole.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Meanwhile in the US there have been a number of attempts to introduce a sugar tax in New York, San Francisco and Philadelphia with only Berkeley in California being successful. Even so it seems public support for sugary drinks is dropping.

Over the last 20 years, sales of fizzy drinks in the US have dropped by more than 25 percent.

Sales of bottled water have shot up, with many fizzy drink companies also owning water brands. Coca-Cola alone has 700 individual products - up from 400 in 2004 - to try and counteract the steady move away from the consumption of pop.

A recent New York Times story reports on the move away from fizzy. Read it here: http://nyti.ms/1L5aAe4

Page 14 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

Also in BayBuzz #25 we ran a story on EIT, The Little Engine That Could. Well now EIT has partnered with Taruna College and Air Hawke's Bay as well as a number of schools, Education NZ, HDC and NCC to launch an online portal to entice international students to the Bay. LearningHawkesBay.nz is a bells and whistles site that's the first step in a long term strategy to attract students here, growing our annual intake to 2440 by 2025.

We currently have 1520 here.

The market for international students to New Zealand is currently worth $2.85

billion and creates 30,000 jobs but the people behind this project also see the worth in terms of social and cultural benefits.

Mayors Lawrence Yule and Bill Dalton launched the initiative in September highlighting the importance of bringing internationals here not just for the revenue but for the opportunity to build international connections to the Bay. "Relationships are formed that are really important," said Yule. "We need to open our thinking and expose our students to the global community."

Midwives Claim

Our midwivery story in BayBuzz #24 (Jul/Aug 2015) reported on pay inequity.

Now midwives are bringing a pay equity claim against the Ministry of Health alleging discrimination on the basis of gender. Lead Maternity Carers (LMCs) are the specific claimants but the outcome will affect all midwives and potentially those in other fields dominated by a female work force.

The outcome of the claim could also affect midwives working in other countries as it's set to become a benchmark case.

The NZ College of Midwives' view is that midwifery services have been persistently undervalued because they are seen as ‘woman’s work’ and therefore less important than traditional male occupations.

The claim is the biggest equal pay challenge in NZ. It argues that as more and more work is expected of LMCs it is not reflected in the payment made to midwives. Midwives are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week and are responsible for many aspects of a client’s pregnancy, birth and aftercare. This leads to LMCs working for free in many instances. The claim argues that midwifery as a profession is not financially sustainable and this could affect women and babies in the future.

There are 1,000 LMC midwives in New Zealand (a third of all midwives) and 92% of expectant mothers use their services.

The NZ College of Midwives has appointed lawyer Mei Chen to represent them during the hearings.

Manuka Honey Also in BayBuzz #24 we reported on the manuka honey industry in Hawke's Bay. Now NZ manuka honey producers are wanting to trademark 'manuka'. The UMF Honey Association is seeking to protect the use of the name after a rush in fakes that are not made from the nectar of Leptospermum Scoparium, the native manuka bush.

The association has filed for a certification trade mark covering 'Manuka Honey' which will be free to use for New Zealand honey made by bees foraging on manuka flowers. The trademark would restrict the name to the region the product comes from, like French champagne and Scotch whisky.

BEE in the KNOW

Eileen Lawson

Women's Centre Earlier this year we ran a story on the Heretaunga Women's Centre that operates out of the refurbished women's rest in Hastings. The centre, has now appointed a new committee chair. Eileen Lawson takes over from Genevieve Beech, who has stepped down after four years in the post. Eileen has a background in rural banking and business, and she recently completed a Bachelor of Applied Social Science in Counselling. Eileen says, “This new role embodies my values of sharing skills and strengths to provide women with resources to take responsibility for their own wellbeing. I will ensure we continue to offer a safe environment for support and companionship.”

The Heretaunga Women’s Centre is open 9.00 - 4.00, Monday - Friday. For more information on the activities and support offered, visit: heretaungawomenscentre.nz Page 15 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

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The BUZZ around the BAY Lisa Crawley ‘Up In The Air’ EP Tour 11 November

Taikura Fête 15 November

With a back catalogue that boasts two albums and two EPs, coupled with countless collaborations, tours, television appearances and acclaimed music-based projects, Lisa Crawley has well and truly earned her reputation as one of New Zealand’s most respected musicians. Playing at the Cabana.

Experience the charm and whimsy of Hawke's Bay’s most colourful and unique fête. With over 120 activities and stalls, find a treat for yourself and your family amidst the fabulous atmosphere of Taikura Fête.

Lisa Crawley

Peak Trail Blazer 15 November

The Beat Girls

Peak Trail Blazer – $500 Cash for the Fastest Dash! The 6th annual Peak Trail Blazer is home to the Rod McDonald Wines King of the Peak, Hawke’s Bay Orthodontics Queen of the Peak and the prestigious Hall of Flames sub-60 minutes club.

Swan Lake - Imperial Russian Ballet Company 18 November The most loved classical ballet of them all.

This masterpiece ballet is presented in three acts and follows the original storyline. At Municipal Theatre.

Show Me Shorts Film Festival 19 November 2015 – 25 November

10cc 14 November English art rock band 10cc are returning to New Zealand for seven shows. 10cc is Graham Gouldman, Rick Fenn, Mick Wilson, Mike Stevens and Paul Burgess, and were hot favourites when they performed in NZ to over 50,000 people at a summer concert tour last year. At Municipal Theatre in Napier.

Praguematique New Zealand Tour 26 November Born in the streets, underground clubs and bohemian weddings of Prague and Europe, Praguematique play an eclectic mix of whatever takes their fancy - from ska, Balkan and European folk to gypsy swing, Latin, pop, jazz and funk. At the Cabana.

MTG Hawke’s Bay Open Day 28 November Pin Wall artists Sara Hughes and Gregor Kregar will be at MTG for a fun day with a focus on Pin Wall and all that’s new at the museum. Free Entry Hollie Smith

New Zealand’s leading festival of short films.

Kiwi short films are in demand for festivals around the world, so it’s great that Show Me Shorts provides a way for New Zealanders to see them here too. (Did you know that we are the country after France to have the most short films screened in competition at Cannes?) At Cinema Gold.

Golf Croquet Tournament 21 & 22 November Come and enjoy the fun and excitement of golf croquet at Te Mata Croquet Club.

Hollie Smith ‘Lady Dee’ Single Release Tour 4 December Hollie Smith with her full band celebrates the release of her new single ‘Lady Dee’ – the first single off her upcoming new album – with a tour of regional centres in the North Island. At the Cabana.

The Beat Girls 5 December 10cc

Page 18 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

A great night out with this legendary cover group belting out absolute classics.

At Linden Estate Winery.

The BUZZ around the BAY Open Air Cinema at Black Barn 27-30 December 2015 2-6 January 2016 Black Barn is in full planning mode for its 12th Open Air Cinema.

Praguematique

Hastings Christmas at the Races 10 December

Porangahau Beach Polo 27-28 December

Close work early and skip down to the races with your team. The best of the Bay comes out to shine at Christmas at the Races. Live entertainment, fine food, thrilling thoroughbred action and all the joys of Christmas!

The game of kings comes to Porangahau again this year with the 3rd annual Porangahau Beach Polo. Mix with VIPs and guests from all corners of the globe come to enjoy this two-day event as well as all that the Porangahau District has to offer.

Fiesta of Lights 12 December 2015 – 2 January

UB40 Red Red Wine Vineyard Tour 8 January

A fairyland of light displays along tree lined walkways surrounded by thousands of sparkling lights. On New Year's Eve gates open at 8.30pm. There's family entertainment, a giant slide, obstacle course and a spectacular fireworks display for the kiddies at 9.45pm. Hot food and drinks on sale. At the HB Showgrounds in Hastings.

UB40, featuring the original members Ali Campbell, Astro and Mickey Virtue, will be returning to New Zealand in early 2016 for their first ever vineyard tour … the Red Red Wine Vineyard Tour. Iconic Kiwi artists Jason Kerrison and Herbs will be joining them. At the Black Barn by-the-river site near the Tukituki.

The NZ Mountain Film Festival will be a cornerstone of the programme with its selection of amazing outdoor and extreme sport shorts. The rest of the film line-up is still being finalised, but there will be plenty of variety, including some of NZ's finest, to satisfy a broad range of movie appetites.

Moviegoers relax on grassed terraces, sipping wine with friends, enjoying the delights of the onsite caterers or bringing their own picnic. Once the sun sets it's movie time. This is a very special Hawke's Bay experience. The ambience is terrific, picture and sound quality very high and with the great food options and wonderful wine the whole season is a very special fixture.

Page 19 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

The BUZZ around the BAY F.A.W.C! runs through to 15 November. Some highlights ...

Francky's Table 10 November

R2 Hawke's Bay United v Southern United 22 November R4 Hawke's Bay United v Canterbury United 6 December R5 Hawke's Bay United v Wellington Phoenix 13 December

Summer Cycling Carnival 7-11 January Ten days of serious fun from bikecrazy kid events through to seriously competitive cycling races.

The carnival begins with the best of New Zealand cycling featuring the Big Save Elite Road National Championships from 7-10 January.

Once the serious stuff is done and dusted it's time for fun kids, families and recreational riders.

There'll be a huge range of events to get involved with, from road cycling to dress your bike competitions, from fun rides to hard core challenges.

The Summer Cycling Carnival is a celebration of Hawke’s Bay's cycling craze with its more than 200 kilometres of onroad and off-road trails, Pump Track, Junior Cycling Track, and world class road rides, including the celebrated iWay network.

Page 20 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

Renowned television personality and chef Ray McVinnie is joining forces with Hawke's Bay's own Jennifer Le Comte to create a three course, wine-matched meal full of delicious locally grown goodness.

Sshhh Secret Location Lunch with Al Brown 14 November

New Food Trends 11 November Chef Hayden Esau will welcome 10 lucky FAWCers into the Milk & Honey kitchen to unveil & demystify the latest ingredients, cuts of meat and cooking techniques that are new and hot in the restaurant world right now.

Roving Culinary Carnival with Hastings Food Trio 12 November Follow the live music and street performers for a progressive dinner to Hastings City's three best eating and drinking establishments. Gather at Common Room, the best little bar in the Bay, for a cocktail and canapé.

Then the live music leads you down the block to Opera Kitchen for your main course. After dinner the merry making continues with a quick detour to the Hastings Night Market before reaching your dessert destination, the Little Black Bird Eatery.

Street Eats & Beats 13 November A circle of food trucks will set the scene alongside free tastings of Te Awa collection wines and craft beer from locals Brave Brewing Co. There will be picnic tables and bean bags for lounging, and lawn games of all descriptions to entertain young and old. Live music starts from 5:30pm. At Te Awa Winery.

Last year our secret location lunch took guests to a spectacular private location perched on the banks of the Tukituki River. This year we have a different location with an even more extraordinary experience planned!

Hosted in an informal style by incredible chef and restaurateur, Al Brown. Be prepared – you may be required to roll your sleeves up as shucking in the kitchen is encouraged.

Superfoods High Tea with Farmhouse Kitchen 15 November Carie Bolton from Bolt-On Health & Fitness and author of Go Clean & Lean with Carie is passionate about healthy eating, as is Pauline Korevaar from The Farmhouse Kitchen. Together they will present a delicious array of savoury and sweet delights that are gluten and sugar free, made with an array of super foods.

Feasting followed by a demonstration and all the inside info you need to go home an expert, with recipe cards tucked in your pocket.

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ASB Premiership has three fixtures in HB at Bluewater Stadium:

Foodie favourite Francky Godinho is celebrating twenty years as a chef, an occasion worth celebrating and Francky wants to share the festivities with you.

Dine with him at his table, enjoying a specially crafted five course degustation menu that will complement the story of his life’s work. Take a walk with him through his Chef's Garden, picking veggies for the night. The kitchen will be open so wander in and ask him any burning culinary questions as he creates your dinner.

Electrolux Pop-Up Ray McVinnie & Jennifer Le Comte 13 November

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tim.co.nz

Wattie’s:

How Close to Closing?

BY KEITH NEWMAN Not long ago, Heinz Wattie’s, with over a thousand employees in Hastings, dodged a bullet. What about the next time?

A Hawke’s Bay peach growers lobby group saved the day recently by challenging the Government over proposed changes to anti-dumping laws that threatened their livelihood and the future of the Heinz

Page 22 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

Wattie’s canning plant.

An automatic termination period (ATP) on anti-dumping tariffs, part of the 2014 Budget, would have had devastating flowon effects for Hawke’s Bay at a time when local producers are already under pressure to lower their prices to the likes of Heinz Wattie’s and McCain.

What pressure?

Heinz Wattie’s already imports all the apples for its sliced, diced, pulped and pureed products, despite Hawke’s Bay being the apple capital of New Zealand. When its King Street site was reconfigured for export production for Australia and Japan in 2000, there was no room for the seasonal apple line.

Tomato volumes vary based on ‘factory capability and mix of produce’ and while pick of the crop canned product including pesto and basil tomatoes are locally grown, the factory is now taking 10,000 tonnes less than the 35,000 tonnes of 2011.

Paste and some whole tomatoes, mostly from the USA, are imported to meet demand for a range of products including sauces, and last year Heinz Wattie’s chopped

local asparagus contractors in favour of cheaper Peruvian product, which now travels via California.

Then came the nightmare scenario that the local peach market might become collateral damage to the ATP, which was designed to lower the cost of building materials for new Christchurch homes.

This would have axed the ability to renegotiate tariff protection against Greece, Spain, South Africa and China dumping product in New Zealand at less than the retail price in their home markets.

In the past 4 years Wattie’s has spent $10 million on processing facilities

This is personal In August a Hawke’s Bay grower’s group challenged Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Paul Goldsmith, with lead lobbyist Heinz Wattie’s general manager Mike Pretty telling him and others in the Beehive “this is personal...we cannot let this happen”.

Mike Russell, one of the lobbyists, says dumping would have become a matter of course, with duty only applied retrospectively if it could be proven the market was damaged. “That would have been way too late for most players.”

Russell, whose family business, M.J. & J.J. Russell, was rated Wattie’s Grower of the Year for peaches in 2002, and for plums in 2011 and 2013, says his plum growing would have been an “unintended consequence” of the illadvised legislation.

The patented machinery hired by Heinz Wattie’s to peel the peaches is also used to peel pears and plums. “They’re not going to hire it for one crop…you would have seen the exit of Heinz Wattie’s from the canned fruit industry…that would have been a tragedy”.

Of the 60-70 submissions on the ATP only three were in favour; the supermarkets: Progressive Enterprises, Foodstuffs and The Warehouse. Any gains, says Russell, would have been short-lived. “If you took Wattie’s out of the picture all the other guys would soon put their prices up.”

If the ATP hadn’t been overturned, container loads of surplus NZ Golden Queen peaches could have been dumped here resulting in up to 3,000 tonne of low-priced local peaches ending up in the domestic market, skewing demand from other fruit.

Asked by 46 peach growers whether the ATP would cause Heinz Wattie’s to close its canning plant, Pretty responded “I don’t know because we’re not going to accept this as an option”.

He does admit the “genuinely significant ramifications” of the domino effect on viability. “If we don’t have peaches we don’t have fruit salad and if we don’t have peaches we don’t have about 80% of the production floor fruit in our canned fruit business.”

Five year cycle needed Mike Pretty is concerned about anything that impacts Hawke’s Bay crops like peaches.

“You don’t just turn them off and then on again ... you need a five year cycle as a minimum.” Overturning the ATP was a major relief. “As a consequence we can look forward to another season.”

He continues to have serious concerns about the Government’s fallback position, a ‘bounded public interest test’ weighing the impact on manufacturers, industries and consumers. It’s a “dark cloud ... which we are alarmed about”.

Consumer Affairs minister Goldsmith told BayBuzz the test will bring “greater balance” to our anti-dumping regime, “ensuring we have a competitive market where consumers get the best value for their money ... while protecting manufacturers from dumping.”

He’ll introduce changes to the Dumping and Countervailing Duties Act 1998 before Christmas and is confident it’ll become law in 2016 after select committee submissions.

Mike Pretty is concerned at the “complete lack of clarity” around “what this new test will be, the conditions and terms of reference and who applies it and oversees it”.

There’s a great deal of uncertainty. “I will be watching those tests like a hawk.” He’ll restate his concerns to Minister Goldsmith when he visits Hawke’s Bay in early November to talk to growers.

Remembering Roxdale Hawke’s Bay Fruitgrowers Association (HBFA) president Lesley Wilson wants antidumping measures strengthened to ensure imported fruit can’t be dumped. “If we lose peaches then many growers will also pull out their plums and pears.”

While the Government is aware of all the issues, she says “the devil is in the detail” and cites the closure of Roxdale apricot cannery in Roxburgh, Central Otago, as a warning.

After anti-dumping duties were removed in 2001 the New Zealand market was flooded by cheap, lower quality Chinese canned apricots selling for less than a third of local product.

“They were told they needed to prove there was dumping, but by the time they did they’d been bankrupted.”

Leigh Catley, communications manager with grower advocacy group Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ), says getting the ATP off the table is “just the sharp tip of the iceberg”.

Backed by growers and other industry groups, HortNZ is asking the Government to dump the “bounded public interest test” or at least ensure it doesn’t impact vulnerable seasonal horticulture and fruit growing.

Evidence from around the world suggests the ‘public good’ test is “always weighted in favour of consumers getting the lowest possible price ... even if it is taking jobs from otherwise competitive manufacturers or producers”.

In some cases a whole town might depend on a processor. “If they have to compete at such a low price there’s a risk manufacturing or production stops. There are numerous examples of this in New Zealand’s past.”

And it could impact exports. “If you close down a manufacturing plant, it’s hard to open them again and if people aren’t already growing product they’re less likely to develop new lines.”

Pre-processing squeeze For example a Canterbury company producing high quality carrot juice for Japan could be squeezed out of business by imported pre-processed product. “There’s potential for the legislation to push people further away from growing or finding new outlets.”

Hawke’s Bay has seen several canning or food-processing companies close, partly based on competition from imports, including Unilever owned Grower Foods Ltd (Birdseye) and Continental NZ. While there’s every indication McCain’s has full confidence in the region, seeing it as a frozen vegetables supersite, it closed its Feilding factory in 2006 and a Timaru plant in 2008 and reduced Hastings staff by 14 last year.

Page 23 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

tim.co.nz

“If we lose peaches then many growers will also pull out their plums and pears.”

LESLEY WILSON

Heinz Wattie’s is among New Zealand’s largest food exporters, sending product to over 40 countries, employing 1,500 people nationally; 1,050 in Hawke’s Bay, including 260 seasonal workers.

Annually it produces about 140,000 tonnes of fruit, vegetables, baked beans, spaghetti, soups, meals and sauces, jams and dressings from its Hastings plant including product under the Heinz, Craig’s, and Oak brands.

Any suggestion of Heinz Wattie’s pulling out of Hawke’s Bay quickly resurrects memories of the long-term regional disruption caused in the late 1980s when the Tomoana and Whakatu freezing works shut down with the loss of around 6,000 jobs.

No one wants that, certainly not Heinz Wattie’s, but Asparagus Growers Council Hawke’s Bay representative Lindsay Kay and others BayBuzz spoke to suggest the company

needs to build stronger relationships with local producers to restore confidence.

Bigger bean counters The push for increased profit and productivity has escalated since Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway and Brazilian private equity firm 3G Capital gobbled up Heinz Wattie’s in 2013 as part of a NZ$27 billion acquisition of H. J. Heinz Co. In March 2015 the equity partners further expanded their global empire with a US$45 billion deal for The Kraft Foods Group creating the Kraft Heinz Company, the fifth largest food company in the world with annual sales of about US$28 billion.

The Kraft acquisition is unlikely to impact New Zealand as independent cheese and grocery business distributor Mondelez (formerly Kraft Foods) looks after the local

region operations resulted in 245 job losses.

The first came in October 2014, slicing 100 mainly white collar staff from its books, a quarter of those from its Hastings plant.

Then in June 2015 another 45 jobs were cut across Australia and New Zealand, including at least six mostly voluntary redundancies in Hastings.

Mike Pretty wouldn’t be drawn on whether there would be more structural changes or local job losses. “Market conditions change, we all need to remain flexible and ready to adapt.”

Pretty who’s been with the company for 25 years, says his focus is on doing the best he can to improve, refine, modernise and invest in technology, machinery and graduate programmes and grow its position in the marketplace. “That’s not the signs of someone planning to pull out.”

“If they have to compete at such a low price there’s a risk manufacturing or production stops. There are numerous examples of this in New Zealand’s past.” LEIGH CATLEY

Leigh Catley

Page 24 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

market, although there’s speculation it could also become a target.

International business media have called 3G’s management style ‘cut throat’ for its rapid restructuring, layoffs and cost-cutting strategies. 3G slashed 4% of Heinz workforce and is now working on further annual savings of US$1.5 billion by the end of 2017 following the Kraft merger.

This is proposed through economies of scale, reduced headcount, closing less efficient facilities and tightly managing every expense.

New structures for Heinz Wattie’s Pacific

Asparagus rolls The continual challenge for growers is not to place all their eggs or fruit and vege in one basket but to diversify produce and outlets. That’s clearly less challenging for those growing annual crops rather than perennials or crops or trees that take years to establish.

In December 2014, Heinz Wattie’s told 15 local asparagus producers they weren’t producing enough, so it would be sourcing lower-priced product from Peru.

Although Heinz Wattie’s had reduced its

“Market conditions change, we all need to remain flexible and ready to adapt.” in New Zealand’s past.” MIKE PRETTY

take to canning 47 tonnes of local asparagus the news still came as a shock. Demand from other sources was high, including exports to Japan, around 200 tonnes for other canneries, and the fresh produce market taking about 2,500 tonnes.

Heinz Wattie’s insists it did everything to liaise with growers, but Lindsay Kay says, it wouldn’t have taken much effort to get 150-200 tonne “if people had been talking to each other.”

Kay claims asparagus growers were already feeling the squeeze on price and had to take what they could get. “We were pretty submissive as price takers as there was not a lot of choice.”

Heinz Wattie’s Mike Pretty describes the impasse as “a mutual parting of the ways ... we were very much the last port of call for supply and could not get a reliable quantity each year so it became non-viable.”

An unexpected reprieve came when Kay negotiated a fractionally better deal for asparagus growers with exporter Gourmet Blueberries, a company that “flies under the radar” but processes thousands of tonnes of asparagus for global markets.

Kay ended up constructing new cool stores at Blueberries’ Flaxmere premises to expand its capacity by 200-300 tonne. “Without Blueberries picking up those contracts we would definitely have been in trouble because the local market is already soft.”

Produce mash up Kay says the sudden end to asparagus is a warning to other producers being squeezed on price. “You have to be aware that they [Heinz Wattie’s] now see themselves as simply a mixer of ingredients.”

He leases 50 hectares to a tomato grower who only planted 20 hectares last season. “No one talks about it, but Wattie’s simply sees our crops as a commodity. It’s much cheaper to bring in tomato paste from Spain.”

Kay alleges the company has little sense of responsibility toward its growers, sub-contractors or factory workers. “Jim Wattie would be turning in his grave.”

Leigh Catley of HortNZ says anything seasonally overproduced in another country threatens our local producers, but singles out the $100 million market in fresh and processed tomatoes as the most vulnerable.

She warns the market for locally sourced tomatoes could be further depleted by cheap imports. “It’s often the Italians producing massive amounts of tomatoes and then exporting container loads of surplus which local companies can’t compete with.”

Peaches pruned In the 1980s Wattie’s was processing 8,000-10,000 tonnes of peaches. After deregulation, competition reduced volumes to 5,000 tonnes, then the market struggled to recover after severe frosts in the early and late 2000s.

For a time imported peaches covered the shortfall but over the past decade Heinz Wattie’s has put its weight behind the local industry with quality, yield and price growing strongly although it’s still a shadow of what it was.

Mike Russell says the 4,000 tonnes of Golden Queen peaches produced in Hawke’s Bay at 70-80c a kilo are part of a $15 million industry, including employment, because we get some of the best yields in the world.

Page 25 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

“I told them they weren’t paying enough and they would kill the industry and that’s what’s now happened.”

Steady but no growth While beetroot, peaches and corn are the big cash crops for Heinz Wattie’s in Hawke’s Bay, there’s no significant growth in processing.

The company works closely with 62 contracted growers to achieve “predictability and consistency” with overall production volumes steady, but no increase in fruit and vege volumes this season.

Beetroot has increased dramatically since 2012 and is now one of the biggest processing crops, alongside Golden Queen peaches, since Australian production was relocated to Hastings.

To help growers produce to specification, Heinz Wattie’s is investing $480,000 over two years in tools to more accurately develop beetroot crop scheduling and management.

The company produces 110 product variants using Hawke’s Bay boysenberries, Black Doris plums, pears, sweetcorn, pumpkin and tomatoes.

Corn volume has increased from 3,000 tonne in 2011 to 7,500 tonne in 2015. All canned corn comes from Hastings and frozen corn from Gisborne.

Heinz Wattie’s managing director Mike Pretty says in the past four years the company has spent $10 million on processing facilities and more than $5 million will be spent in the next couple of years.

Although open to new product opportunities, “beyond the current crops we have no ambitions to get into any different crops at this point.”

Page 26 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

MIKE RUSSELL tim.co.nz

However, if Hawke’s Bay doesn’t meet its quota because of wind, hail or other circumstances, waiting in the wings are the Greeks who produce 300,000 tonnes, the Spanish with 180,000 tonnes annually, massive amounts from South Africa and “God knows how many tonnes the Chinese grow”.

An example of short-lived gain was when Australian company SPC Ardmona undercut Wattie’s selling Home Brand peaches. Then its Golbourne peach cannery was sideswiped by cheap imported product and nearly shut down by new owners Coca-Cola Amatil until chief executive Peter Kelly got tough.

He dropped 60 grower contracts, achieved a $22 million bailout from the State government, won a court case against foreign importers of tomatoes, revived antidumping legislation, appealed to the ‘buy local’ sensitivities of Australians and was back in profitability earlier this year.

Renegotiating the ransom Ross Wilson, a horticultural consultant and founding member of AgFirst in Hastings, says all growers are in the marketing business, and need to work together in the supply chain.

He says any crop grown specifically for processing, whether it’s Black Doris plums, Golden Queen peaches or Williams’ Bon Chretien pears, makes the grower dependent on that processor.

Growers need to work more closely with processors so there’s plenty of advance warning about changes. “Nothing stays profitable for ever ... They have to be ready for change, and if things become uneconomic to work with that dynamic.”

He cites the well-organised apple industry as a leading example of how things should be done.

It has good science and investment despite going through some tough years, and has developed a diversity of varieties

and markets reducing the risk of being held to ransom. “There’s even competition for the juice and overrun.”

He says multi-national processors go where the product is cheapest, building up supply where it makes economic sense.

“They can easily gear up a factory in another country in order to compete.”

Veteran grower Mike Russell says he’s been supplying Heinz Wattie’s for 40 years and every few years there’s the threat that “we can’t ask for a price increase or they’ll shut the factory”.

He raised concerns 10 years ago while growing 200 tonnes of asparagus. “I told them they weren’t paying enough and they would kill the industry and that’s what’s now happened.”

Today he grows 350 tonnes of Black Doris a year and Heinz Wattie’s get 50 tonne or 20% of his ‘desert plums’, less than 10% of his gross income.

They were bringing in Angeleno plums from Argentina, but Russell insists his are better and now that he’s breeding later varieties the importing stopped because New Zealand supermarkets won’t stock them.

Even if Wattie’s decided to look elsewhere he says his plums are unique and he’s confident “out of the chaos would come some new order”. He might vacuum pack or freeze them or go to another cannery.

His advice to growers nervous about the processing end of their supply chain: “Focus on quality and keep talking and negotiating ... If you only have one outlet you’re vulnerable and if no one else wants it maybe it’s time to move on.”

Heinz Wattie’s general manager Mike Pretty does his best to sound reassuring.

“Hawke’s Bay and Wattie’s share the same DNA. We are in the same pod,” and committed to working alongside growers to prevent the Government “doing stupid things such as the ATP”.

CLEARVIEW ESTATE

Political Buzz

BY TOM BELFORD

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As the year ends, one chapter in Hawke’s Bay politics is closing (but a sequel awaits) and another chapter struggles toward completion. I’m speaking of amalgamation in the first instance, the Ruataniwha dam in the second.

The Dam Let’s start with the dam, as the months of November and December could well prove decisive, if all goes according to HBRIC’s forecasting.

HBRIC, the Regional Council’s holding company seeking to advance the scheme, has done its utmost under the reign of its chairman, Andy Pearce, to operate with as little transparency as possible. So even I, as a regional councillor, am usually forced to speculate about the state of affairs.

For instance, as I write this update, councillors face a council meeting in a few days in which HBRIC is offering only a verbal briefing on a $300 million project which they have claimed is on the path to ‘financial’ close

by Christmas. They’ve condescended to brief us further on ‘work streams’ in a publicexcluded ‘workshop’ that day.

Let’s be clear, workshops are where heads get nodded – or not – as to how projects like the dam proceed and on what terms. Does HBRIC need more ratepayer money? More time? Have water sales stalled short of the required target? Why? Officially, of course, decisions are not made in workshops; that would violate the Local Government Act. But I think you get the picture.

So, where does the dam stand at the end of October?

The most important metric for measuring the project’s likelihood of proceeding is advance sale of 35-year water contracts to CHB farmers. HBRIC has always had excuses as to why this process was moving so slowing – for example, uncertainty over the environmental standards that would apply, with HBRIC championing the least restrictive possible.

But even after HBRIC insisted proudly that its dam scheme could essentially evade the stronger-than-expected standards set by the Board of Inquiry, water sales have stalled. At the last public accounting, given at the September regional council meeting, no new water sales had been made in the prior 60 days. None.

At that point, sales were stalled with less than half the water sold required to proceed with the project – 20.5 million cubic metres/year sold, against a benchmark of close to 50 million (that benchmark relates to the cash flow required for the scheme to be viable). If water sales are not magically rejuvenated, the scheme is a goner.

Of course, HBRIC has always assured the council that a reservoir of potential water buyers were somewhere in the decisionmaking pipeline, busily doing their homework on the value of irrigation. We’ve been shown wonderful algorithms and weightings that project water sales victory is at hand.

But here are the last reported facts: 57 farmers have signed water purchase agreements (accounting for the 20.5 million cubes mentioned above) and 170 have said no thanks. Almost two years into the sales effort, that leaves 195 somewhere in the pipeline.

Are there signs HBRIC’s sales effort will become more productive any time soon? Hardly.

HBRIC has been in the process of negotiating a ‘re-pricing’ of the dam scheme itself, given that the contractor’s original bid is now years old. It’s unlikely that the dam has become cheaper, unless its physical delivery footprint has shrunk markedly. But the opposite has occurred as HBRIC has striven to expand the footprint

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Page 29 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

Andy Pearce

Jim Scotland

Sam Robinson to enlarge the base of potential water purchasers. Indeed, HBRIC signaled at the September HBRC meeting that it would need to come up with a “final decision” on the water price charged to farmers, further indicating that it would need to revisit existing water purchasers to get agreement to the new price.

Further clouding the water is a legal appeal by Forest and Bird challenging a land swap HBRIC orchestrated with DOC to remove from conservation status a portion of land HBRIC needs to flood as part of its proposed reservoir. F&B contends that the de-classification of this land (downgrading its status into a category where the swap might proceed, if justified) is illegal and, if permitted, would set a terrible precedent threatening to NZ’s entire conservation estate.

As I write, the parties are awaiting a High Court date. But even if the court acts ‘with urgency’ the matter is unlikely to be settled before year’s end. And if F&B’s challenge is successful, then the entire scale and viability of the proposed water storage scheme needs to be re-evaluated.

If HBRIC has evaluated the consequences of losing this appeal, they have not shared their assessment with regional councillors. One might have thought that HBRIC directors – the likes of Andy Pearce, Sam Robinson and Jim Scotland – would consider it to be their primary fiduciary responsibility to inform the council of such risk.

So, for these reasons alone (setting aside the availability of external commercial investors or government funding), the verdict remains out on the dam.

Post-Amalgamation The amalgamation saga is over; our politicos must now pick up the pieces and move forward.

I conducted video interviews with Mayors Dalton and Yule, each about 20-25 minutes in length, shortly after the referendum tally was announced, and those can be viewed on the BayBuzz website (www.baybuzz.co.nz).

Part of the interviews provide their views on the campaign and the amalgamation proposal itself. Perhaps interesting to politicos and historians.

Page 30 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

But what is most relevant going forward are the views of these two protagonists as to what should happen next. In the last pages of this article you’ll find excerpts from the interviews providing those views.

There are some important points of agreement, and perhaps one point of disagreement, that are especially noteworthy.

Cooperation and collaboration Not surprisingly, Yule believes the little cooperation that has occurred amongst councils has been merely a political reaction to the threat of amalgamation, while Dalton asserts that more cooperation has occurred, and would have occurred, if amalgamation politics had not stymied such efforts.

In any case, now we hear heaps of rhetoric from both Dalton and Yule about burying past disagreement and – in response to the overwhelming popular demand expressed during the amalgamation debate – working cooperatively. Other mayors and Regional Council chairman Fenton Wilson have made similar noises.

However, the real issue now is: what processes or structures will be established to ‘institutionalise’ such collaboration and make it transparent and accountable?

Dalton and Yule agree that two existing forums need to be dusted off, upgraded and made fit for the newly-embraced purpose of cooperation.

One is a somewhat irregular private meeting of the four mayors, Fenton Wilson, and their chief executives – the ‘mayors and chairs’ meeting – called to sort out the occasional spot of conflict or collaboration.

This group, for example, commissioned the so-called Winder Report (eventually dismissed by four of the councils) that reviewed opportunities (including amalgamation) and obstacles for growing HB’s prosperity.

The other is the Inter-Sectoral Leadership Group, including these same political leaders, MPs, plus senior representatives from agencies like the DHB, Police, Ministry of Social Development, Ngati Kahungunu and others. This group is intended to look at broader social challenges facing the region. Dalton says the group has been in the past a “bit of a talk fest”, but has high hopes of getting it properly resourced and sees it as a

“fantastic initiative”; Yule sees it doing “grunty work” in a more accountable manner.

The two mayors agree that both of these forums could operate with greater public access and transparency.

Regional funding Going further, both Yule and Dalton agree that certain organisations and activities that are “truly regional” (Dalton’s term) should treated as such and funded through a regionwide rate. Indeed, both mayors claim this concept as their own. As Dalton says: “…it is a nonsense that those organisations have to come cap in hand to the whole bunch of different councils looking for their funding.”

With such strong endorsement, it will be interesting to see just how far and fast this proposition can be advanced!

Regional funding of “truly regional” activities could be a transformational step forward for Hawke’s Bay. The devil will be in the details, and a key challenge – apart from the political football of what’s in and what’s out – would be to prevent ‘double-dipping’ as now occurs with ratepayer funding in the tourism promotion space.

Disagreement to watch To Yule, the need for amalgamation involved providing more ‘fit for purpose’ local government to restore HB competitiveness and help lift the region from its social and economic doldrums. “I was motivated by largely a falling set of statistics as a region, a lack of cohesion, as to how we operate and a lack of competitiveness against the rest of NZ.” Dalton disputes the doldrums analysis; his rejoinder in a nutshell: “…amalgamation was never going to cure teenage pregnancies.

It was never going to cure excessive drinking. These are some of the claims that were made. They were really just silly.” He regards the 2:1 referendum outcome as an endorsement of that view.

As you can read in the interviews, there’s a significant disagreement here about the role of local government in addressing ‘the social issues’ – Yule more proactive; Dalton, who’s now the alpha-dog of HB politics, more conservative.

This will be the debate to watch if the InterSectoral Group is in fact to be given a serious mission to better the region.

tim.co.nz

MAYOR BILL DALTON LOOKS AHEAD 34% of the voters wanted amalgamation to occur. What do you have to say to them?

The proposal that was put before us was entirely unfit for purpose. So what I would say is: I acknowledge that you wanted to get a more prosperous, a stronger Hawke’s Bay. I acknowledge that we saw a different path to that prosperity. But now the decision has been made, we need to all work together.

Forget about the hostilities, if you like, we need to work together and get on and make Hawke’s Bay a better place.

Was this a vote against change or a vote against the proposition on the table?

I don’t think there was any doubt about it – it was a vote against the proposition on the table. It was inappropriate, not fit for purpose and people saw that. The proposal tried to be everything to everybody and it ended up being nothing to nobody. So the people weren’t saying to us, “We don’t want change”. People were saying, “We didn’t want the change that was recommended or suggested to us.”

Do you agree that the public wants to see more collaboration take place than they have seen or at least have perceived?

No question about it all. The public have said they want to see us work more cooperatively, and collaboratively and we will. During the last few years there has been the shadow of amalgamation hanging over HB. One group has been trying to show that we don’t work collaboratively together. And that has all gone now. I think we are in for a period of real prosperity in HB as we all pull on the same end of the one piece of rope.

Are there concrete steps that you could outline that you think would ensure that collaboration does occur?

Yes we are going to change the structure of all those things quite dramatically. For instance we have had what we call the ‘mayors and chairs’ meeting where the four mayors and the chairman of the Regional Council meet, probably about three or four times a year. That is now going to be monthly where we will be having the chief executives in to report to us. We will have a report from HBLASS (HB Local Authority Shared Services company) to those meetings. Now it is going to be a much more formal structure so we can take HB forward.

Do you see any way of opening that up to more public visibility, with more accountability to that process?

I personally always believe in openness in my council, we only handle things behind closed doors if it is absolutely essential. On balance we will always handle things in public and I think in time there will be an opportunity to open up that forum to the public, but we have got a bit of sorting out to do first.

During the debate, Napier put forward a proposal during the long term planning process to identify some regional functions, like tourism let’s say, and perhaps fund those in a single levy regional wide. Is that the sort of thing you can imagine going forward with?

Well I have got to tell you, Tom, that is my personal initiative. That is what I have been trying to do for a long time and a lot of the

agencies will acknowledge that. I think that everywhere we have HB-based organisations – Sport HB, Tourism HB, all of those sort of things – they should be funded on a regional levy basis. You can do it on an asset basis, you can do it on a population basis, there are different ways you can do it. But it is a nonsense that those organisations have to come cap in hand to the whole bunch of different councils looking for their funding. I have always said that.

It was presented before the campaign. You can ask the guys at Sport HB, you can ask the guys at Tourism HB, it has always been my policy that this is what we should be doing.

That seems like such common sense. Where would the opposition come from?

Well I have to say, when the original paper we presented, we spread it too wide and we included museums and things in that as well … So we need to go back, have another look at it and see which of those organisations is truly regional, and to me it is absolutely essential that it is put in place.

How do you put that forward in a way that the public can get behind it, that there can be some milestones? Where is the process?

Well – I think you have identified something, and that is the process didn’t work before. Because it was presented as a paper from the Napier City Council, and it didn’t proceed. Again I stress it is my view that the sword of amalgamation hanging over our head was the one thing that stopped it happening. We can put all that aside now – we can work, we are all on the same side of the fence now – and I think we can get these things working.

Page 31 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

Pro-amalgamation advocates raised concerns about HB’s dismal socio-economic standing.

What is the role of local government in dealing with those kinds of social issues?

We are now looking at 2015 and going into 2016, and whilst we were told that we were running about 11th in NZ, it looks like we are probably running 5th or 6th now.

And when you realise that Auckland will always be number 1, Canterbury 2, Wellington 3, sitting 5th or 6th is not perfect but nowhere as bad as 11th that we have been talking about. But a lot of those things, they told us that we should be doing, I mean to be honest, Tom, amalgamation was never going to cure teenage pregnancies. It was never going to cure excessive drinking. These are some of the claims that were made. They were really just silly.

This inter-sectoral group – what role do you see for that going forward? Is that something that we should be building on?

I think that is a fantastic initiative, and don’t forget it was originally an initiative from the DHB, from the two Kevin’s – Kevin Atkinson and Kevin Snee. I think it has huge potential for HB. But like a lot of

these things, it started off and, dare I use the term, is a bit of a talk fest, but didn’t have anything that made things happening.

It didn’t have an implementation group. So now it has got an implementation group, it has got staff; it has got people that are making things happen.

Community leaders like Kevin Atkinson, Graeme Avery, Kim Thorpe, the Tremains, Rebecca Turner, Stuart McLauchlan – people who presumably know something about how things work or don’t work in HB – passionately believed that there was a need to change the structure. Do you think there was anything improper about their motivation?

I think whatever their motivation, their plan for the future of HB was wrong.

Because one thing that is common amongst all those people is lack of local government experience. When you look at what we have put in place over the last couple of years, despite having amalgamation hanging over our head, the progress we have made, well certainly in the last 18 months, since September 2013, the progress is tremendous and without the threat of amalgamation then that progress will just accelerate.

How do you plan to engage those folks?

It is absolutely required of me to reach out to those people – and just let me give you a quick example. One of the first people to offer their congratulations was Simon Tremain. I went straight back to Simon and said “Simon, thank you for your comments, we will meet up for a beer over the next couple of weeks and have a yarn.” He came back and said yep – we all need to pull together now. That is how I do it – on a personal basis.

Does seem though that the campaign got a bit nasty at times, so there are some wounds out there.

I want them to be part of what we are going to do in the future, and you know, I can’t go and smooch up them all but my door is always wide open and I would love them to come and visit me and talk about their ideas for the future of HB. I would love them to be part of the future of HB and I am sure they will be.

But, as you say, there are a few wounds to heal up and that is not going to happen overnight.

But we need to get on with the job of making HB a better place, and they are every bit a part of it as I am, and I look forward to working with them all. There is not one of those people who I wouldn’t be happy to work with in the interests of HB.

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MAYOR LAWRENCE YULE LOOKS AHEAD [Amalgamation] is an issue you staked your reputation on, it was something you put on the table as a better way forward for the region – two to one defeat of it, that is a pretty big political blow isn’t it?

It is I accept that, and it is quite a big personal blow to me but I still believe what I was trying to propose was in the best interest of the region; I am frustrated and disappointed that the people did not buy into that; but I respect their view. And at the end of the day part of my role is to show some leadership, and I was motivated by largely a falling set of statistics as a region, a lack of cohesion, as to how we operate and a lack of competitiveness against the rest of NZ and other parts of the world. That is what motivated me. So I went about a process, and a lot of others tried to help. I will accept the fact that the people have spoken clearly and said they do not want change and I will move on and work within that environment.

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Page 33 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

What would you say to the winning side of the amalgamation vote?

For the winners of this, they have largely sold their message around negative campaigning, and the challenge now is to get the positives out of this decision about how we make this region go forward without amalgamation, and they need to think about that. I congratulate them, I am not taking away that resounding defeat. And their tactics were clever, and they worked, but it doesn’t take away the challenges we still have as a region socially, economically, job wise, population wise.

Would you agree that one reading to take from this is that people were all happy, enough of this doom and gloom stuff, let us just go about our business?

The happiness index is great; we are happy.

I just don’t think we often realise what we could be doing and what our potential is.

One of the things I have found sort of most difficult in the reflection since the result, is this fact, there has never been a successful amalgamation in NZ where the people had to vote for it. The only time amalgamations have happened they have been imposed by central government … In 1989 we had the biggest set of reports ever, and there was controversy about debt, loss of identity, the rates will go up all those things, the government pushed it through – it was successful and people are happy with it.

If the government had come in and said we are going to rationalise HB and this is what we are going to do, there would have been some shouting and screaming, but in three or four years time, everybody would have said well that is fine, no big deal, just get on with life. But we were unable to do that sort of thing ourselves. Which is a reflection of democracy, human nature I think, that fear of change, but it is what it is.

Would you agree voters expect a higher degree of collaboration amongst councils now than has been historically the case?

The international evidence would say that unless people are threatened by amalgamation they rarely look at shared services. And no amalgamation threat they often go back to the status quo. So one of the challenges will be what does the status quo mean – are we still going to do shared services without amalgamation, and I am not talking about buying lightbulbs or insurance or cars. Shared services if they are going to have any real meaningful value will have to get into the service delivery side. That is building consenting, roading, water – that is where the value can be gained out of shared

Page 34 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

services, but of course that fundamentally impacts on staffing regimes, people, the things that are harder to manage.

During the campaign Napier put forward a proposal to identify some regional activities like tourism and maybe come up with a regional levy to fund those and set priorities. Is that the sort of proposal that you think could get some traction now.

I personally have always supported that type of approach. Napier now appear slightly more open to that. And if we are going to fund regional facilities or tourism on a levy basis then I think that is probably a good thing to do.

You referred to the regular meeting of the mayors and the regional council chairman, is that really a sufficient process for now sorting out where are we going to collaborate?

There is a little bit of an agenda, there is no work programme, and we just chat. I think the grunty work will probably be done in the inter-sectoral leadership group, where we bring together the [government and social] agencies as well as the councils and we work out what we need to do. Earlier in the year Craig Foss put up some targets that we should attain to, but we could not actually get agreement on what the targets should be, how they should be measured and who should be held accountable to them.

Do you think if it was given more visibility in some way that it could become more of a force?

Absolutely, I really see no reason why they couldn’t be public. One of the challenges we face though is you have two representatives from each council. So you are sitting there, as a mayor and chief executive, you actually have no decision making ability on all of these things – you then have to go back to five different councils, put it through a formal process and get an agreement. That is not always easy … Now we might have to look at another forum as to how you bring all the councils together … once a year or twice a year or something to look at these macro issues.

Do you think there is any way to harness the public expectation of great collaboration?

I think potentially yes. Through the inter-sectoral group you could agree annually, for instance, on a key set of things you were going to measure, you publish them, you might even get input

into them and say this is what we have done – some accountability for the general public because I think the general public do expect some things to change and do expect maximum efficiency in delivering of things that we can achieve together.

Opponents of amalgamation would dismiss your recitation of social statistics and the low economic standing and say it has nothing to do with local government, there is nothing we can do about this. Where does that leave the whole matter of the poor social economic standing of the region?

Those same stats are still there today …

And one of the challenges for us is to decide whether we are going to substantially do something about that or try to. There is no other form of leadership in this region that can actually seek to change some of those things. I don’t buy into the argument that local government has no input. I think we need to change slightly our focus. We need to assume that infrastructure is properly looked after, that we have the staffing we need, that we are doing things as efficiently as we can. We need to target and look at some new things for local government and some of that is around showing leadership and social education in other spaces where we are lacking.

Whether my colleagues will support me on that will be an interesting thing to watch for … if the other leaders in the region don’t want us to look at some of the other social economic metrics, and I am only one out of five, better off if it is off the agenda.

So if that turns out to be the reality where do you spend your time over the next year?

I have got a lot of things to do in Hastings, the Opera House is a massive project for us. I am really committed. And I am seeing some exciting things coming out about how we can redevelop that. I will play my part by all means, and doing things that advance the region, but as I say I have only got one voice out of five, and my focus will clearly be on Hastings.

Did you indicate at some point that you would not run again?

Yes I said if amalgamation did not happen I was unlikely to run – so that is still probably the position. But I have indicated that, because other people are saying you need to think about that Lawrence, I will use the next six months to reflect on what I am about to do, what other options or opportunities there are. And then I will make my decision in June of next year.

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HDC’s waste minimisation officer, Dominic Salmon, says responsibility belongs with industry.

A Tyresome Business STORY KEITH NEWMAN PHOTOGRAPHS TIM WHITTAKER

Thousands of waste tyres are being convoyed to and fro around the North Island because regional councils don’t want them in their backyard and central Government refuses to step in, claiming storage and disposal are an industry issue.

Other reasons why our rubber rejects are back on the road include the fact Auckland processing plants can’t keep up; local markets for shredded, chipped, crumbed, cooked and other by-product haven’t been developed; and opposition grows to exporting whole tyres.

No one quite knows what to do with our worn out waste rubber, although one company, having recently acquired Hawke’s Bay’s illegal stockpile at Whakatu, seems to think there’s gold in those tyre mountains.

Ecoversion sees its rubber repositories as raw material for a yet-tobe-imported processing plant, having acquired the Whakatu paddockfull shortly after consenting delays forced an entrepreneurial Awatoto tyre recycler into liquidation before he could fire up his equipment.

Fewer re-treads, cheaper imports and the increasing cost of disposal add to the dilemma of whether old tyres are treasure or trash. There are regular reports of riverbank dumping in Hawke’s Bay and over the past year hundreds of tyres have appeared on forestry land and a golf course.

There’s a large store of tyres along Glengarry Rd, and a gully in high country farmland, being filled in with reject tyres, then covered over – something the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council (HBRC) says is “definitely not permitted”.

Then there’s the underlying challenge that the tyre industry should take more responsibility for its waste, as most brands already charge customers a premium for disposal.

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Karmic disposal dilemma With no national framework or recycling scheme for dealing with end of life tyres (ELTs), local and regional councils struggle with complex land fill rules and consent applications for those who want to store tyres or set up recycling plants.

About five million tyres reach the end of their useful life annually, but less than 30% are recycled, according to Hastings-based 3R Group chief executive Adele Rose.

She says New Zealand’s track record is littered with good intentions, dubious science and failed investments, often resulting in abandoned stockpiles and council clean-ups costing ratepayers millions of dollars.

One of the major fears is that accumulated tyres, although requiring significant heat to ignite, can burn long and fiercely, emitting thick black clouds of toxic fumes that can drift for kilometres.

In Hawke’s Bay the issue came to prominence in 2009 as locals watched the great Pandora tyre pyramid rise up in a Prebenson Drive paddock over three years despite abatement notices.

The half million tyre monument allegedly destined for recycling in China was collected by The Retired Tyre Company but in April 2009 East Coast Exporters, storing the tyres on five hectares of Crown land, went into receivership.

Napier director Bill Lambert was sentenced in the Environment Court to 350 hours community work for his “deliberate and reckless” actions in failing to comply.

Disposing of the tyres, viewed as a health and safety issue and a fire hazard, became a major logistical challenge. Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) initially estimated removal costs at around $500,000, the reality was closer to $1.25 million.

It took two years for Waikato Waste Tyre Solutions to clear the site, redirecting tyres to retaining walls, racetrack safety barriers, farm silage containment and ‘other storage locations’. Some still form part of the current displaced tyre convoy.

For more information visit:

whanganuinz.com

Tyre kickers In mid-September The Retired Tyre Company’s director Shane Donaldson, sold his collection business, including tens of thousands of tyres at Whakatu, to Ecoversion.

Donaldson who’s been trucking tyres around the country for a decade, will remain on for three years continuing his East CoastHawke’s Bay pick-ups, is no doubt relieved to pass on responsibility for the Whakatu field of rubber, currently in breach of a Hawke’s Bay Regional Council abatement notice.

Page 37 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

Tyre farm grows illegally in Whakatu

Mike Alebardi, HBRC’s team leader for pollution response and enforcement, says the Whakatu site is not a legitimate storage facility. The notice served on operator Donaldson and landowner Russell Deacon expired long ago – “the tyres should already be gone”.

Because the Government doesn’t see tyre stockpiling as a prioritised environmental risk, HBRC had the NZ Fire Service declare it a fire risk and considers removal a matter of urgency. “If there was a fire then it would definitely be an environmental effect… We’re very nervous.”

Alebardi hasn’t been as firm as the law allows for fear of worsening problem. “We could go in hard and issue a prosecution and daily fines but where are those tyres going to go?”

He and other regional council representatives are struggling with what has become a tiresome topic. “There’s no funding for this kind of thing; central Government needs to stand up and take a lead … It’s a real problem and we struggle to deal with it.”

Auckland-based Ecoversion undertook to remove the tyres “within months” but has its own logistical nightmare finding an appropriate site ahead of the arrival of a state-of-the-art tyre recycling plant from China, which it alleges could be operational

by March 2016.

Merry go round trip The Retired Tyre Company was sending truckloads to Kawerau and Auckland and sending container loads of bailed tyres to

Page 38 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

India and Asia via Vietnam, where they were cooked, shredded and used as fuel for power generation.

That stopped because of the cost and slowing demand. Now the New Zealand Government, honouring its Basel Convention obligations, says it’s illegal to export whole, bailed or unprocessed tyres to China and Vietnam under threat of seizure and prosecution.

Maybe Government seizure might put the ball back in the court where many believe it belongs?

Donaldson is confident Ecoversion will deliver. “They’ve been knocked down so many times and got back up again. There’s no financial benefit in it for them to make this deal with me … the future is coming.”

The plant – “the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere” – would allegedly transform at least 10,000 tonnes of tyres a year into bitumen modifiers and, after shedding and crumbing, create devulcanised rubber sheets for a range of uses. Samples are currently undergoing independent laboratory trials.

Ecoversion managing director Angela Merrie told BayBuzz all investment is local and confirms a deposit has been paid on the Chinese plant with export contracts secured for everything it can produce.

NIMBY Not in my backyard!

The company has been given the run around by various district councils. It faces an abatement notice at its former base in

Kawerau to remove a 1,200 tonne stockpile, and on the verge of a compliance sign-off for premises in Tokoroa, the South Waikato District Council objected.

In April the Hamilton City Council contracted Ecoversion to remove 150,000 tyres left after a local storage business failed to pay rent on council premises at Frankton.

While adding those to the 200,000 at its Kawerau depot, the Kawerau District Council withdrew consent.

From May about 135,000 tyres began arriving at a Waihi Beach quarry where the council quickly imposed a limit, then around 6,000 tyres ended up on farmland two kilometres from the edge of Lake Taupo.

While Ecoversion may have the best of intentions, it’s in a Catch 22 situation.

Without a storage facility and premises for its factory it can’t land the processing equipment, and without the recycling machinery, despite support from district councils, regional councils are risk averse.

Critics claim Ecoversion is trying to gain a monopoly, then force the Government to subsidise its business, while mainstream media report every rejection, challenging the company’s credibility and the chequered careers of its directors. “We are very confident that we can and will allay any fears in this area,” Merrie insists.

Hastings waste minimisation officer Dominic Salmon believes Ecoversion’s success or otherwise will depend on its business plan.

“Once that’s proven there will be no issue securing product and it will be embraced by all councils and manufacturers.”

Like other local authorities, he’s looking for an act of faith, “bring it in (the plant), start doing it and everything will come your way.”

Built in recycling fee In August last year the cost of tyre disposal at the joint council Omarunui Landfill was increased by more than 25% to cover the cost of quartering tyres to take up less space in the compaction process.

The Henderson Road rubbish dump in Hastings refuses to take tyres. “We’re trying to put responsibility for this back on the industry,” says Salmon.

He says most importers and manufacturers include a $5-$6 recycling fee, so people should ask: “What am I paying for… are they investing in a sustainable tyre programme?”

Salmon says collectors may charge $1-$2 per tyre, but there’s still a large shortfall for recycling. Research shows getting tyres to somewhere like Korea where they can be recycled properly could cost $6-$7.

“If people come into the market saying they can recycle a tyre for $1-$2, I would suggest they’re being land-farmed somewhere.”

Ecoversion’s Merrie suggests the average collector gets 50% of the end-of-life tyre fee charged by retailers and less scrupulous ones simply stockpile. She favours a robust licensing scheme for collectors and recyclers as part of a government-led stewardship programme.

Despite claims to the contrary, she insists, there is no recycling of any significance taking place in New Zealand, and Ecoversion will be the first to deliver a high quality option.

Lobbying falls flat Adele Rose at 3R Group, which runs the PaintWise and AgRecovery recycling programmes and project manages the Tyrewise End of Life Stewardship project, says New Zealand is late to the game in developing markets for processing waste tyres.

“They want to clip the ticket, they’re never going to touch a tyre … They just want to control the industry, allocate the money and tell me how much I get paid to dispose of tyres.”

Although tyre importers, processors and local government have thrashed out a compulsory stewardship scheme over the past four years to encourage local processing, they’ve failed to get government support.

Rose says achieving industry agreement was “a gift” to the Government and she’s frustrated so little has happened. Councils have their own policies and consent processes

that differ widely and even contribute to scrap tyres being moved between regions, she says.

Even if the Government came on board, adopting changes to the national environmental standards could take up to seven years.

The Tyrewise group is working with Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) on guidelines for storing tyres, including water run-off, fire protection and insurance.

In the meantime 3R Group is gathering data for another round of lobbying to prove there’s a case for intervention. It wants to know how many tyres are collected, who’s picking them up, where they’re being taken and what’s happening to them.

Ideally people should be able to drop off old tyres at no fee. Tyrewise wants a compulsory ‘advance disposal fee’, collected

by Government or an industry body, to ensure all importers are involved in appropriate disposal.

This, says Rose, would incentivise everyone including the processing and recycling industry. A voluntary scheme wouldn’t work because ‘free-riders’ would take advantage.

Currently collectors charge to pick up tyres and pay processors who have to find their own market outlets. Rose says processors need help establishing local markets for products such as rubber crumb, which in some cases is already exported.

The New Zealand Transport Authority

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Page 39 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

3R Group’s Adele Rose says New Zealand is late to the game in developing markets for processing waste tyres

(NZTA) is researching the use of rubber chip in roading and tyre crumb as an emulsifier for longer lasting roads. Wider use of the Waste Minimisation Fund is being encouraged to develop markets for chip, crumb, carbon black and oil.

Local tyre collector Shane Donaldson remains sceptical of 3R Group’s plans. “They want to clip the ticket, they’re never going to touch a tyre. …They just want to control the industry, allocate the money and tell me how much I get paid to dispose of tyres.”

Opportunity lost After six years of research including three years planning, Haumoana-based engineer Neil Mitchell imported a ‘pyrolysis plant’ from China, believing it to be the missing link in the local tyre disposal chain.

In November 2014, after borrowing money and mortgaging his home, Mitchell’s Tyreless Corporation claimed the Awatotobased plant would soon be processing 24,000 tyres a month.

When BayBuzz called nearly a year later, Mitchell expected his tyre-cooking company would be placed in liquidation any day, and was driving trucks to keep his creditors at bay.

It’s a sad saga of an enthusiastic entrepreneur being under-capitalised and unprepared for the obstacles that lay ahead. Napier City Council agreed it was a permitted activity and HBRC eventually granted consents, but once the machinery was installed Mitchell ran into a perfect storm of opposition.

The Chinese he’d purchased from failed to fix a technical glitch, an Awatoto air

Page 40 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

quality report gave locals the jitters, and two neighbours including the owner of a burned out old meat works began a concerted campaign objecting to the business before it was operating.

The objections were eventually dropped, but the $70,000 in consents, defending his case, paying air emissions experts, months of delays and building rental with no returns were crippling.

Mitchell was confident his plant could extract carbon black for the commodity market, steel for local scrap metal merchants, refine oil for furnaces or ship fuel and provide up to ten jobs.

Help requests rejected Once the ‘glitch’ was resolved, he was ready to roll, but desperately needed help.

An application to the Waste Minimisation Fund was rejected. “They said the process was untried in the Southern Hemisphere, didn’t believe we were competent, and there was no health and safety plan in place.”

The Chamber of Commerce “offered no help”; The Business Hub “passed me around to so many different people and then no one got back”; Napier City Council’s business mentors said it was outside their field of expertise. And HBRC? “All we got was a bill for the court hearing and consents.”

Mitchell says: “We put ourselves on the line and could have solved the local tyre disposal problem.” He’ll be paying back family money for the rest of his life and is doubly frustrated that someone may now get his plant for a bargain basement price.

A registered machinery valuer estimated the equipment on site at $610,000, or if uplifted and moved to another premises, $350,000.

Shane Donaldson, who worked with Mitchell for a number of years, saw his machinery operating. “He needed help, but the councils just made it too hard for him. It’s a good thing turning waste into a commodity, but he had to jump through so many hoops to prove it could work.”

Although the Government wants an industry-led solution, it’s apparent that a fair system where everyone contributes with incentives for new processors and markets will require legislation and industry standards.

While Pacific Rubber in Auckland takes tyres from around the country, it also has a large stockpile – “the scale of which you can see on Google Maps,” says HDC waste minimisation officer, Dominic Salmon.

And that’s only dealing with part of the 2.4 million car tyres and 600,000 truck tyres per year that need disposing of.

Salmon, Rose and Alebardi insists our government needs to make this a priority.

Salmon says it took a million tyre blaze in the 1990s for the Canadian government to wake up to its responsibilities.

“Overnight they changed their approach and adopted a stewardship programme across seven states and in some areas there’s now 100% recovery with tyre piles excavated and processed.”

Shouldn’t we be ‘tyred’ of waiting here in New Zealand?

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WINZ:

The Last Place You Want To Be

BY JESSICA SOUTAR BARRON

Wait at WINZ for any length of time and you’ll see the stereotypes waiting with you.

There’s the mum with the clutch of littlies. The tattooed guy in the freezing worker boots.

The girl in the second hand threads. The student with the piercings.

But Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ) is no longer just the domain of the archetypal beneficiary: long-term, multigenerational and hopeless.

Look closer and there’s also the woman in the business suit with the plastic folder and the man with the briefcase. Because we are all one restructure, one marriage breakup, one breakdown - or more likely a mixture of these - from the benefit line.

A changing job market, seasonal or short-term contract-based employment, redundancies, the global financial crisis, mean any one of us is one foul move away from a benefit.

Despite supposed reforms and new ways of working, WINZ is still perceived at best as a process and paper-driven institution riddled with inconsistencies; at worst, a dehumanising agency robbing people of self-determination and perpetuating a perception that seeking help is shameful.

The clichés of the past have fallen away as WINZ contends with ever more complex cases that don’t follow the norm. But WINZ isn’t coping and the fall out for already stressed ‘clients’ is long waits, muddy instruction, and a lack of clarity around rights and responsibilities.

Who’s on a benefit?

Diverse circumstances lead to people visiting WINZ for help, but most fall into one of three main categories, with other smaller payments propping up their needs,

including accommodation supplements and training allowances.

Currently 17,320 people receive a main benefit in Hawke’s Bay. Six thousand are on Jobseekers Support, the old unemployment benefit. Another 6,000 are on Supported Living Payment, formerly the sickness benefit (for those with a permanent disability or a terminal illness). Nearly 5,000 are on Sole Parent Support, once known as the DPB or domestic purposes benefit.

The smaller number on ‘Other’ includes Orphans and Young Parents support.

As well as attending the obligatory case worker meetings and work preparation seminars (there’s even a seminar that helps clients work out how to use the online application service), people visit WINZ if they need housing, specific help with IRD, emergency food parcels, even some forms of mental health and disability support, or are on a benefit and need help securing essentials like whiteware, furniture or work clothing.

Shaun* Shaun is on Jobseekers Support. He’s in his mid-fifties, has three degrees and has been in the public service and consultancy all his working life. This year he came down with an illness requiring complete bed rest for several months. He was on ACC, but thinking he was well again he came off that and went back to working for his clients. But he found he could * Actual names have been changed.

only work three hours a day without fatigue taking over and soon the work dried up.

“We are defined by paid employment and when that’s gone it’s a humbling experience and it knocks your pride.” Shaun describes going to WINZ: “It’s dehumanising. You go there and you’re a cog in a wheel, like a factory. And the people doing it, they’re part of the dehumanising because they are processing ‘units’. It’s mechanical. It’s not about caring or empathy.”

Self-perception is a big part of the picture, and this is where feelings of shame and worthlessness can creep in.

“The first thing is the whole upbringing crap. I’m male, middle-class and educated and I’m not supposed to be a beneficiary, and then it happens,” he explains.

It’s not a quick decision, it takes some weeks or even months to come to the realisation you need help.

“You don’t go immediately, you draw down and draw down. It’s a pride thing. You go when you get to the point where you’re wondering, ‘Can I pay the rent this week?’”

Shaun believes WINZ isn’t organised for the different forms of employment that people are now working within.

“I don’t think they’re geared up for consultancy and cashflow issues and factoring in the costs of self-employment.

They are not well-versed in those kinds of things and there’s a lack of information.”

When Shaun goes to WINZ now he dreads the experience.

Page 43 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

“I think ‘Oh here we go’, I know I’m going to have explain the obvious because I don’t fit into that stereotypical beneficiary box.

They don’t know what to do with me.”

Shaun verbalises what all the people I spoke with felt. As much as he dislikes dealing with WINZ he also misses being a valued part of the workforce and is driven to making his current situation a temporary one.

“I miss the sense of influence and purpose. If you have some sort of goal and you have an outcome then you’re focused on making the world a better place.”

Tracey Tracey* ended up at WINZ when her husband went to prison leaving her with four small children.

“I had no money, no drivers license. He had controlled everything and it took me a long time to realise I was in this situation. I didn’t believe it.”

“At one stage it was costing the government $58,000 to keep him in prison for one year and they were giving me $10,000 a year to raise his kids.”

Tracey worked hard to make ends meet and find some independence. She got her license and sold things - mainly his - to pay the bills including his credit card debt.

“I felt embarrassed I was at WINZ. You have a picture of what a beneficiary is and I wasn’t it. No one in my family had ever been on ‘charity’. I came from a well-rounded stable family.”

Tracey knows that consistency is a big issue with WINZ, in terms of what paperwork is required, what help is available and the approach of different case workers. And clarity around entitlements was an ongoing issue.

“They would never tell me what I was able to access until afterwards. I’d need something, sort it out and then they’d say ‘You could have come to us for that’ and I’d say, ‘It’s already paid, I’ve done it the hard way’.”

Even finding a way to get off WINZ benefits can be a trial.

Page 44 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

“I started working two days and I was really happy to have the work and the independence but I was getting nowhere.”

Once you do start work and you’re declaring income, benefits are cut. Money is also cut if obligations – like WINZ meetings and training sessions, attending child health checks, or having children in daycare – are not met.

“Every month I had to go to a meeting, but if I missed one, even if it was because they didn’t send me a letter, then my money was cut. It is a very stressful way to live.” says Tracey.

Piecing together little bits of work, Tracey is now off the benefit, but when she needed it most, Tracey says, WINZ was a lifeline.

“When you’ve watered down the milk so much it’s no longer milk, and you’ve served up noodles or beans yet again for dinner, I remember that feeling of getting some money in my account and knowing that next week it would be there again,” she says.

Christine Christine* went to WINZ for Sole Parent Support when her marriage broke up, although it took her a while to do so.

She and her ex-husband cohabitated for a number of years before she plucked up the courage to make the move.

“There are many people who are mortified to be at WINZ,” Christine says. “We are treated in a way that is either horrible or lovely, it depends on which case worker you get because they bring personal prejudice.”

Christine’s relationship with WINZ has caused her untold stress. A type of survival instinct kicks in and people find the only way to make ends meet is by working ‘under the table’ – not declaring income as it affects benefit thresholds and entitlements.

“You start thinking like a criminal. To survive – to pay your bills – you can’t be honest,” Christine explains. “They don’t make it easy and I didn’t know how to play the system.”

Some months into Christine’s dealing

with WINZ the bureaucratic monster of ‘Lost Paperwork’ reared its ugly head.

WINZ didn’t have a record of Christine’s child support.

“They said to me ‘What about child support?’ and I got this ‘kick in the guts’ feeling. It had been such a rigmarole getting money and there was so much paperwork and then they overpaid me thousands of dollars,” she explains. “And the whole time I’d been thinking, ‘What a great system! I’ve actually got enough to live on,’ but no.”

WINZ began sending Christine letters reassuring her that she could pay it back, at the same time as sending letters threatening debt collectors.

“Each time I spoke to them it was a different person and I had to start the story right from the beginning because they had no information on me. And it was their error! I felt like saying ‘I am not paying for your ineptitude’.”

Christine is still paying the money back through weekly installments.

Although their stories are quite different Shaun, Tracey and Christine are all wellversed in the issues with WINZ. The trends are a lack of empathy (or at best variations in the approach and knowledge of different WINZ case workers), complex cases leading to long wait times, confusion in entitlements and inconsistent information.

They all have stories of excellent individual case workers, but equally they tell of an institutional culture that is disempowering, disrespectful and demeaning.

Advocating with WINZ Others who deal daily with WINZ are support people who attend meetings between clients and case workers. They can be social workers or liaison volunteers from groups such as People’s Advocacy or agencies like prisoners’ aid or family centres.

Adrian* volunteers at an agency that works with WINZ clients. Mostly it’s a case of helping clients fill out forms. These can be so complex that they prove a challenge for well-educated volunteers, let alone for those struggling with basic reading and writing.

“The benefit form is pages long and that’s just renewing the application,” explains Adrian. “Basically you’re saying, ‘The information is the same as last time’, but you still have to fill out the forms.”

Adrian feels the complexity of forms, processes and entitlements is symptomatic of a wider system that’s struggling to cope and the result is an organisation that lacks empathy and understanding.

“It seems they treat people disrespectfully almost for the sake of it. It’s as if they choose how they’re going to treat a client, because they can actually be very helpful,” Adrian says. “Once that type of culture is entrenched in an organisation it’s hard to shake it off.”

“Life is not as sweet and calm as it can appear on the outside ... anyone is a blink of an eye away from needing WINZ.”

A major issue for both the clients and the case workers is a lack of clarity around entitlements. When I visited WINZ for this story it took two case workers, a community liaison manager, the assistant service manager and the regional commissioner of the Ministry of Social Development to work out what age a child would be when its mother was expected to return to work.

“Sometimes it feels like a case worker isn’t experienced enough to know the full range of entitlements,” says Adrian. “I believe it takes over two years for a case worker to become fully proficient.”

The frustration and sense of shame felt by many has the unpleasant effect of improper behaviour. Frustration can turn to anger and even violence.

“When people are desperate they behave in ways that aren’t always socially appropriate. WINZ people don’t have enough training in de-escalation to deal with those kinds of situations. So there’s constant pressure on both sides.”

Adrian has seen clients whose situation has changed rapidly, resulting in them

needing assistance often before they fully comprehend how the change has impacted their life.

“Things happen with marriage breakups, splitting property, things can really spiral downwards quite fast. Life is not as sweet and calm as it can appear on the outside,” Adrian says. “Anyone is a blink of an eye away from needing WINZ.” Brenda* has spent hours at WINZ with clients. In her role she’s liaised on behalf of people moving from a benefit into work.

“There’s a loss of power and control. They think if they say anything they’ll get branded,” she says. “I’m an advocate, I speak up and challenge them, I’m not afraid of them.”

Except that people are. This story is riddled with aliases. From ‘clients’ to social workers and liaison workers, all were keen to tell their story but few wanted their name in print.

Partly this is to protect themselves and their clients; partly out of fear that WINZ will put a black mark against their file.

“There’s two things at play: power and shame,” says Brenda. “WINZ is invested in that. It’s utterly humiliating.”

“There are families who have been on the dole for generations. Their life, their autonomy is in the hands of bureaucrats.

It can be a race, culture, background issue.

People who have been dependent on WINZ don’t have that sense that they have options, recourse, alternatives, basic empowerment that middle-class white people take for granted.”

Sarah* is a care worker. She too accompanies clients to WINZ meetings on a regular basis.

“It helps having someone speak on your behalf; WINZ listen more when you have someone like me or a social worker present and it can make a big difference to the help a client will receive,” she says. “I see a lot of intimidation, personal opinions of who is deserving and undeserving, different rules for different people. It’s like a mind game they play.”

Sarah believes there should be close inspection of the way WINZ approaches individual need. Questions need to be asked about whether policies and approaches are child-centric, whether people are all treated the same (even from the moment they join the line at the WINZ office), whether the WINZ culture is getting better or worse. Sarah worries that WINZ case workers bring their own prejudice to their meetings with clients, and it can be down to case workers what clients get from the meeting, rather than through a set of guidelines consistently followed.

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Page 45 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

WINZ responds Irene Hunt is the assistant service manager in Hastings. She feels it is not always helpful to bring a support person.

“Sometimes it’s obstructive. They can take over. There are some great advocates and they can help a client. When they’re stressed they can’t hear and they don’t know what to ask.”

She has seen big changes in the type of client WINZ staff are seeing.

“It used to be third and fourth generation who have been on the benefit for a long time, but now they are far fewer,” she says.

“We have a client group who were spat out and haven’t been able to get back in.

Employers don’t want someone for 365 days a year, but just for when they need them.”

Irene knows that the biggest perceived challenge of dealing with WINZ is waiting times and says these are watched from Wellington through the computer system.

“On a bad day the waiting time is 45 minutes. Then there’s walk-ins. It can be a couple of hours. It’s not something we’re proud of, “ explains Irene. “Sometimes we have to see walk-ins because of need and we slot them in between. Then it can be complex case after complex case, it’s a spiral effect.”

She confirms the wait times strain staff as well as clients, “We’ve got an obligation to get through our work. We’re not being paid good money to do nothing. We’re under pressure, but the people we are working to assist are under more pressure.”

“Our case workers do their utmost. We say to them, ‘You have to do the best for what is beside you’,” Irene says referring to the client a case worker is working with at any one time. “If they [case workers] worried about the people who are waiting, they’d be constantly side tracked from what they were dealing with in front of them.

Michael Scott, WINZ case worker, says time pressures can put extra stress on staff.

“Every half hour there’s a wave of people.

Lindsay Scott, former Regional Commissioner for MSD

“People come with more needs that they haven’t discussed when they made the appointment. They don’t have the right documents. There’s the very prepared and the people who hope to wing it.

At every part of the process it takes time and attention.”

It’s overwhelming. It’s like standing under a waterfall and the monsoon hits,” he says.

“People come with more needs that they haven’t discussed when they made the appointment. They don’t have the right documents. There’s the very prepared and the people who hope to wing it. At every part of the process it takes time and attention.”

Until very recently, the man in charge at WINZ has been Lindsay Scott, who just retired as regional commissioner for MSD on the East Coast in October after 17 years in the role.

Supported Living Payment

June 2015

Jobseeker Support

Service Centre

Number

%

Number

%

Number

%

Number

%

Number

%

Flaxmere

433

7.0

515

10.7

379

6.1

22

15.2

1,349

7.8

Gisborne

1,547

25.1

1,078

22.4

963

15.5

23

15.9

3,611

20.8

Hastings

1,344

21.8

1,036

21.6

1,568

25.3

25

17.2

3,973

22.9

*

*

290

6.0

435

7.0

*

*

773

4.5

Napier

1,412

22.9

930

19.4

1,392

22.5

24

16.6

3,758

21.7

Ruatoria

234

3.8

145

3.0

265

4.3

0

0.0

644

3.7

Taradale

483

7.8

359

7.5

557

9.0

10

6.9

1,409

8.1

*

*

203

4.2

319

5.1

*

*

768

4.4

437

7.1

250

5.2

317

5.1

31

21.4

1,035

6.0

6,174

100.0

4,806

100.0

6,195

100.0

145

100.0

17,320

100.0

Kaiti

Waipukurau Wairoa Total

Page 46 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

Sole Parent Support

“There is a perception that there are lots of people bludging off the state. But they have obligations to meet, they have to be actively looking for a job and that might mean moving from job to job. WINZ knows of about 3% of jobs, we encourage people to not just sit and wait.”

WINZ does not function like a traditional ‘job centre’, although some case workers will sift through Trade Me and Seek Jobs looking for potential vacancies for their clients. “[People] are here because that’s the option that’s open to them. Their work is finished and they need some assistance before work comes again. That is a feature of Hawke’s Bay,” says Lindsay. He talks too of the importance of clients keeping up their end of the deal, including attending work readiness seminars.

“People who want to take their money from the state and do nothing, they’ve got another think coming,” he says.

Lindsay identifies waiting times as the biggest pain point at WINZ. “The issue is volume,” he explains. “There’s people who don’t show for their appointments, and others who think ‘We’ll just turn up and see’. You can only churn through so

Other Main Benefits

Total

many. Each appointment is scheduled for 30 minutes, but they can be highly complex and clients will say ‘While I’ve got you...’.”

He knows too that the stress incurred is felt not just by clients but by WINZ staff too.

“It’s stressful for everyone and you never get used to it but it’s the working environment we’re in.”

Lindsay explains that one significant issue is the amount of changes there are to benefit allowances and obligations, and it’s constant.

“Every week there’re changes from Wellington and we all have to be up to date. Different regions have different needs but everything is centralised. We have a wad of changes this thick [indicates an inch] every week and we do staff training on those every Wednesday morning. Changes to thresholds, allowances, those sort of things.”

He also feels that much of the legislation doesn’t reflect the actual need he sees in this area.

“Part of my job is to advocate for Hawke’s Bay and the East Coast. Policy from government often doesn’t fit for Maori, especially in rural areas – the language used, the situations they come to.”

Lindsay agrees that much of what WINZ does is data driven; putting people in the correct stream and processing their information. He believes clients have a role to play in ensuring their entitlements are correct and their information up to date,

from bringing all the necessary paperwork to filling in the form correctly – seemingly basic things that trip many people up.

Last choice “People need to take responsibility for themselves. It’s all about pro-activity. If you want something, you have to go and get it,” says Lindsay.

Yet WINZ is the last place people want to be.

They’re there out of desperation – most of them – and for very diverse reasons. The circumstances that bring them to the WINZ line are often outside their control, and from there the disempowerment, the disrespect and the feeling of shame just grows.

But beneficiaries are not mere stereotypes.

They’re our neighbours, our family, possibly you or me. And so the way they’re treated – by the very people who are scooping them up when they’re at their lowest – needs to reflect empathy and understanding, intelligent approaches to individual need and ability, and a good dollop of old fashioned kindness.

With clients, case workers, support people, and MSD management agreeing that there are issues with the way WINZ operates, and with the employment environment changing too fast for the benefit system to keep up, there is certainly room to improve. The issues at WINZ are not the fault of the individuals who work there, they are a result of systematic

failings and institutional discrimination, and in some ways the people who work within those processes are as much a victim as the people who rely on them for help. Recognising the situation is complex, my reporting suggests there are some ‘low hanging fruit’ options that would make life better for those on benefits and those managing their cases.

1. A Plain English review of all forms and instructions.

2. A conscious culture shift in the way clients are met, from their first appointment right through the process. This would involve a client-centred focus on empowering and equipping people to move from benefits into work or study, instead of an obsessive focus on statistics, data collection and micro-managing cases.

3. An allowance that gives clients the opportunity to prepare themselves for work in their own way without going back and forth to WINZ with quotes on things like clothes.

4. Transparency and consistency around what entitlements people have in terms of accessing the resources and funds they need.

5. An electronic record that travels with the client through their WINZ dealings, and across agencies like IRD and Housing NZ. 6. A client and advocate advisory panel that is consulted on general ways of working and improving clients’ experience.

Page 47 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

‘Pure’ Water … Really?

BY SARAH CATES

Hawke’s Bay has some of the best water in the country, if not the world, but are we inadvertently polluting it through a new class of chemical run-off from our land-use, lifestyle and industrial activities – what’s been termed Emerging Organic Contaminants (EOCs)?

Are EOCs a threat that we can allow to sit in the ‘too hard’ basket?

Page 48 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

unregulated, and unmonitored … and they steadily accumulate.

The US Geological Survey has defined an EOC as “any synthetic or naturally occurring chemical or any microorganism that is not commonly monitored in the environment but has the potential to enter the environment and cause known or suspected adverse ecological and (or) human health effects.”

Found in nanogram to microgram per litre concentrations, EOCs have been historically difficult and expensive to identify. However, through a combination of growing concern, and advances in analytical testing technology, scientists are now able to detect EOCs with increasing accuracy.

International and New Zealand-based studies, although primarily focused on wastewater streams, biosolids and sludge, have revealed the frequent occurrence of EOCs throughout our environment. They have been detected in soils, air, surface water, groundwater, storm water, sediments, fish, marine environments, and humans.

Recent studies in America found traces of eighteen unregulated chemicals, which included perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), herbicides, solvents, caffeine, antibacterial compounds and a commonly prescribed anti-depressant fluoxetine (Prozac), in more than one-third of US drinking water utilities.

These findings led the US Environmental Protection Agency to place four of the identified contaminants on the list for consideration for future drinking water standards. These priority contaminants are perfluorinated compounds, PFOS and PFOA (Scotchgard and Teflon), the metal Strontium (extensively versatile – pyrotechnics, treatment of osteoporosis, an ingredient in sensitive teeth toothpaste, used to process sugar, CRT monitors, colour television sets), and the herbicide Metolachlor. All these contaminants are known to cause adverse human health effects ranging from cancer to thyroid disease.

Closer to home

What is an EOC? Many of these contaminants are not new or ‘emerging’ at all. Indeed they have been part of our everyday lives for decades. New compounds are created through the fusion of chemicals or changes in the use or disposal of existing chemicals.

Carefully disguised in personal care and ‘life-style’ products, domestic cleaning

products, pharmaceuticals, veterinary medicines, industrial compounds and by-products, pesticides, herbicides, steroid hormones excreted by humans and animals, and food additives (to name a few), these contaminants have simply avoided the limelight. The extensive range of ‘everyday’ or High Production Volume (HPV) chemicals that enter our environment is uncontrollable,

Research into EOCs has been slow and relatively unsupported in New Zealand, but the concern is valid and growing. Sally Gaw, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Chemistry at the University of Canterbury explains: “EOCs are a burgeoning and extremely diverse class of naturally occurring and synthetic contaminants that are not routinely monitored. Many of these would have been present in the environment for a long time.

They have the potential to have adverse ecological and human health effects.”

In addition, EOC contamination of our water could jeopardise markets that are dependent on our water’s ‘purity’ – both as a ‘pure’ product for direct sale and as a key ingredient in value-added foods from infant formula to juices.

Page 49 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

“There are huge knowledge gaps in New Zealand regarding EOCs. There is no strategy, and no national direction, there is no government determination to do something; EOCs are simply not there!”

GRAHAM SEVICKE-JONES

We are all long-term consumers of chemicals. We may not have the same ‘problem’ chemicals as in the US, but we will have our own unique set. This concern was addressed by Graham Sevicke-Jones (former Science Manager for Hawke’s Bay Regional Council) in 2011 when he was granted approval from council to commission a report from Cawthron that focused on the risks and impacts EOCs potentially could have in Hawke’s Bay. Sevicke-Jones, who now has the same role at Greater Wellington Regional Council, says: “There are huge knowledge gaps in New Zealand regarding EOCs. There is no strategy, and no national direction, there is no government determination to do something; EOCs are simply not there!”

“The report was commissioned as a document that could be used again, a useful perspective, and an opportunity to review the current available data in New Zealand. It enabled us to get a feel, an insight, as to where New Zealand ‘stood’ in regards with EOCs.” The report reinforced the concerns held

by Sevicke-Jones. It reiterated the knowledge gaps regarding occurrence, concentrations, persistence, environmental fate, and the potential risks EOCs could have on human

Page 50 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

health, New Zealand’s unique ecosystems, and Hawke’s Bay’s local economy.

It emphasised that Hawke’s Bay is really no different from any other part of the developed world. The concentrations of the limited number of EOCs measured in New Zealand are similar to those from overseas studies, and that it is likely the concentrations of those that have not been measured are similar to those reported overseas. The report indicated that the impacts and pressures observed in other developed countries will be comparable in Hawke’s Bay. Similar studies conducted by NIWA focused on receiving environments around Auckland have made the same observations.

Passionate about being ‘proactive’ rather than ‘reactive’, Sevicke-Jones believes: “We urgently need a nationally organised group with an advisory capacity for future policy. We need to get better connected internationally, which will enable us to stay up-to-date with new research. With a coordinated, bottom-up approach we can share costs, as research in this area is expensive. New Zealand has got some great brains in this space! Enthusiastic and highly knowledgeable!”

HBRC Resource Manager Iain Maxwell

agrees that EOCs can be seen as an additional environmental stressor. However, he feels that regionally there is not a great deal we can do about it: “At the moment we simply do not have the knowledge or the financial resource to look at it properly – we have to prioritise, and EOCs are currently ranked lower than other environmental concerns such as sedimentation”.

Maxwell takes a somewhat philosophical view: “Emerging organic contaminants are a ‘wicked’ problem, a problem in which the solution does not fit in with our current conventional modes of thinking; it is a complex issue, and problems so complex need an entire society to solve.”

A ‘flush and go’ society Jason Strong, an environmental consultant based in Napier, is currently working on a PhD focusing on EOCs found in wastewater treatment plants. “It is the most comprehensive sampling analysis in New Zealand of wastewater. I am analysing the wastewater for over a hundred different chemical compounds, including fragrances, detergents, parabens, triclosan, insect repellent (DEET), flame retardants, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH’s) to name a few. Unfortunately, this is only tip of the iceberg stuff ”.

Strong explains that the number of chemicals synthesised and marketed yearly is increasing exponentially. “There is little or no information regarding the

potential hazards and environmental fate associated with a large number of these chemicals. Many of these are in everyday use. Worryingly, it is not just the parent compound we need to understand, it is the breakdown products. These can be more toxic than the original compound!”

“We are a ‘flush and go’ society, says Strong.

“All waste ends up somewhere, just look at history – chemicals are not a new problem, take DDT and PCBs for example. Despite these chemicals being banned, they continue to show up in the environment years later.

The problem is, chemicals are added to the environment in such small concentrations, and it is only recently that technology has been able to measure these things. However, if you keep adding a little at a time, eventually it becomes a heap”.

This ‘showing up years later’ is characteristic of EOCs. A number of these compounds can stay persistent in the environment decades after they have been flushed away. They can bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms, and sediments can act as a sink in which EOCs can later be released.

The nature and degree of natural attenuation of EOCs is poorly understood and difficult to predict. Though many EOCs do break down naturally through photodegradation and biodegradation, it is the ongoing discharges that can result in environmental damage.

The Cawthron report indicates that our region is comparable to other provinces in New Zealand, and that New Zealand is comparable to the rest of the developed world, so where are these EOCs ending up, and could they eventually show up in our water supply?

Getting into the water The major sources of EOCs into the environment come from wastewater discharges, stormwater discharges, landfill

Medicines, cosmetics and cleaning agents we use & ‘discharge’ make up the EOC stew leachate, incineration, agricultural wastes, run-off from the land, manure application to the soil, horticultural activities, solid waste disposal, old leaky septic tanks, and atmospheric deposition. Indirectly EOC’s can find their way into groundwater through the interaction of surface water with groundwater, aquifer re-charge zones, soakage pit drainage, and other land-use activities over unconfined aquifer systems.

The Heretaunga Plains unconfined and confined aquifer system is the main groundwater resource for people living on and adjacent to the plains. Primarily the aquifer is recharged by the Ngaruroro River.

However, evidence shows that some Havelock North wells are recharged by the Tukituki River. The Tukituki River receives ‘treated’ sewage from the four wastewater treatment plants in Central Hawke’s Bay. Hastings District Council and Napier City Council both reinforce that our cities’ water supply is ‘secure’. Secure means that

no treatment is required. Areas that do require treatment (not secure) include Esk/ Whirinaki, Waimarama, Waipatiki and Omahu Township.

Dylan Stuijt, HDC water manager: “The council manages the HDC’s various water supplies in accordance with the New Zealand Drinking Water Standards 2005 (2008 Edition). The DWS sampling requirements are listed in the standards and are very prescriptive. The source and reticulation have extensive routine sampling requirements. Areas of sampling include Bacteriological, Protozoa, Viruses, Cytotoxic, Chemical and Radiological.”

Stuijt emphasises that only in exceptional circumstances is water treatment needed, as most of our water comes from a depth of over 50 metres. Recently Havelock North experienced one of these ‘exceptional circumstances’ when the supply became contaminated by E.coli and a bore was shut down. It is confirmed that the aquifer

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Page 51 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

Up the Pipe Solutions While EOCs will probably be addressed by drinking water standards, environmental quality criteria, and groundwater threshold values in the future, it is better to be proactive and practise as many of the ‘Up the Pipe’ solutions in the interim as we can.

in that area can become contaminated by old primary septic tank in-ground trenches which discharge over and into the Heretaunga Plains aquifer. The high rain fall experienced recently may have exacerbated this.

This is the not the first time residents of Havelock North have had their drinking water supply contaminated. In the year 2011-2012 the annual drinking water survey confirmed that Havelock North had one of the highest number of E.coli transgressions in New Zealand, swiftly dealt with through chlorination. But chlorination (and many other forms of treatment) are ineffective in removing EOCs, which, combined with chlorine, can produce undesirable by-products.

‘Pure’ enough for export?

• Think before you pour something down the sink or toilet • Return all unused prescription medicines back to the pharmacy • Correctly dispose of hazardous household products • Reduce or eliminate personal care products that contain antibacterial compounds • Maintain home septic systems properly • Do not over water your garden • Try to limit the use of chemical fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides • Decrease impervious surfaces around the grounds of your home • Plant native species that thrive in the region’s natural climate and soil type • Recycle and dispose of all your rubbish properly • Compost kitchen waste • Maintain your car well (avoid oil and fluid leakage) • Be ‘green’ when washing your car • Think before you make a purchase – is this really necessary? Is there a natural alternative?

Page 52 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

Water is understandably a hot topic in our region, and the focus on the Heretaunga aquifer has been largely on quantity – allocation issues. However, quality is equally as important, especially if your branding depends on this. For both Trevor Tailor (managing director, Elwood Road Holdings) and Paul O’Brien (general manager, One Pure) ‘purity’ is the essence of their bottled water brands destined for the Chinese market – ‘New Zealand Miracle Water’ and ‘One Pure’.

Taylor says: “It is essential that the land is not contaminated to ensure our underground water does not get contaminated. In regards to EOCs I feel it is a central or local government ‘fix’; I am no scientist but our water is considered ‘pure’.”

O’Brien at One Pure says: “We routinely test our water for 33 different things, this is above and beyond the necessary requirements for the export of bottled water; in reality, there are very few regulations surrounding this. Medium to large outfits are encouraged to belong to a food and beverage trade association, but there are many cowboys out there. We are not testing for EOCs, but if this became an area of consumer interest we would certainly consider it”.

O’Brien notes that existing tests taken from a bore in Awatoto that extends 5060 meters down reveal some interesting results. “The water from this bore is over 42 years old and seems to come in batches; results remain consistent for a duration of time, then they change, but remain the same for another duration of time. It is like the aquifer is living and breathing.”

O’Brien strongly feels we need to take a precautionary approach: “If the aquifer is struggling, let’s find out!”

Clearly, EOCs are a ‘cross agency’ concern – the environmental implications overlap with human health. Dr Nicolas Jones, Hawke’s Bay District Health Board medical officer, says EOCs have been on

“It is hard to legislate to control the levels of EOCs until we have the relevant data; currently it is very difficult to take any action.” the radar for a considerable time. “In New Zealand we rely on the results of overseas research. It is hard to legislate to control the levels of EOCs until we have the relevant data; currently it is very difficult to take any action.”

He sees that Hawke’s Bay’s agricultural, horticultural and industrial activities, some of which take place directly over the aquifer, could be contributing EOCs into our environment, but with a small population, “on an international scale [these amounts] could be considered tiny. Our cities’ wastewater plants discharge directly into the ocean, where many chemicals will be diluted to a safe concentration rapidly.”

Jones has major concerns around endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and personal-care products that contain antibacterial agents: “It is well documented that low-dose EDCs can have adverse impacts on both human health and aquatic organisms. They are widespread and found in many goods, including antibiotics, hormones, steroids, disinfectants, sunscreens, fragrances and insect repellents”.

Antibacterial agents, such as Triclosan (still found in many products), have been shown to impact soil microbial activity which effects soil biomass and function.

Products containing theses agents are considered a factor in the emerging human resistance to antibiotics and Jones says they’re mostly unnecessary. “It’s advisable to wash your hands with something antibacterial when you are caring for someone who is being sick or has diarrhoea, but on a day-to-day basis I simply use a natural soap and water”.

Jones believes: “It is unrealistic to think we could stop using chemicals over night, but we do have some tools to hand. These include us, the community, and taking responsibility for what we flush down the drain, put into our wastewater systems, and septic tanks.” These solutions are known as ‘Up the Pipe’ Solutions [see sidebar].

With unlimited use and diversity, EOCs will pose a real threat to our region’s fresh water bodies and aquatic ecosystems that cannot be ignored. NIWA gets the last word: “The effects of EOCs on people and our unique environment and ecosystems are still barely understood. There is a clear need for a national strategy to manage the risk of EOCs to the New Zealand environment.”

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CULTURE and LIFESTYLE

ORGANIC DINING

BY FRANCKY GODINHO, ST GEORGES RESTAURANT

Thankfully, people are becoming more conscious of their food. Even though most live in a concrete jungle, they still want good quality produce.

The public must not forget the pleasure of good food, genuine produce, which nowadays is more valued in the kitchen by home cooks and chefs.

Yet pollutants are almost everywhere, including within the food industry.

Unfortunately, safety concerns are overridden by trade concerns. Some within the restaurant or food industry go too far for profit at any cost.

In addition, some technological advances, especially regarding genetically engineered food, have been very fast-paced. As a result, products are being pushed into the marketplace without being proven safe.

All over the world, concerned citizens and governments have been trying to take precautionary measures.

Working for the last 20 years as a chef, I have sought a deeper understanding of good organic food, such as herbs and vegetables: how you grow things right from the soil to the plate. As a chef, I’ve wanted to know how to maintain a successful and sustainable crop and how I could combine all of the grown organic produce to benefit the customers in my restaurant.

If we eat organic and sustainably farmed produce, meat and fish, we will be physically

Page 54 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

and mentally healthier. Average organic food contains higher levels of vitamin C and essential minerals such as magnesium, calcium, iron and chromium, as well as cancer-fighting antioxidants. Growing your own herbs and vegetables is safer and often more effective than highly purified compounds in pharmaceutical drugs.

As we delve into the wonderful topic of life cycles and see the rich history and understanding of herbs and vegetables – as ingredients in cuisine, as medicines and home beauty – we can better appreciate the most powerful plants. Organic herbs and vegetables have nurtured, sustained and healed us and have improved our quality of life in so many ways.

St Georges Restaurant in Havelock North works very hard to show its biodiversity, as that is its point of difference compared to other local restaurants. It is the only restaurant in Hawke’s Bay and possibly the North Island to support Mother Nature with the largest on-site herb and vegetable garden.

Fundamentally, St Georges’ philosophy is to grow as much organic produce as possible. Our garden produces much of what is on the customer’s plate. The art in composing a great garden and creating a

CULTURE and LIFESTYLE

successful point of difference is evident in the restaurant’s recipes. St Georges Restaurant offers guests farm-to-table dining as a way of creating unique aromas, colours and flavours from the most authentic produce and sustainable garden.

We also use local organic farmers, for example, Lawson’s True Earth, Harmony Farm free-range pork, Bostock's free-range chicken, and many more. Equally, we approach people who own small pieces of land because they grow handfuls of lemons and plums etc.

We believe the cost of the meal shouldn’t be over the top just because it’s organic or free-range. Growing your own helps to keep the cost down for the consumer. It’s time for

lots of chefs and cooks to learn that quality isn’t only measured by the appearance of nutritional balance, but that such artificial concoctions of food may become our daily poison and physical prison.

Personally, I want to tell everyone: eat well and live well.

Biodiversity boosts ecosystem productivity where each species, no matter how small, has an important role to play.

Greater species diversity ensures natural sustainability for all life forms and healthy ecosystems can better withstand and recover from a variety of disasters. So while we are dominating this planet, we still need to preserve its diversity.

My fascination with the green world

started early in life. My earliest memories are of how seeds and plants responded to a little moisture in soil and how vegetables such as pumpkin noticeably grew in size from one day to the next. As kids, before school we use to go and water the garden with our hands and pots; otherwise there would be no food on the plate. I’m totally fortunate in sunny Hawke’s Bay to be able to continue childhood memories of how to grow and sustain our own crop without any pesticides.

In my opinion the government should make compulsory a gardening project to teach each and every child how to grow organic and chemical-free food; how to eat what they have grown in the back yard. It’s

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CULTURE and LIFESTYLE

important they learn when they are young that it is easy to understand biodynamics. I believe there should be more awareness of the power of chemistry within our plants to increase immunity, rather than always referring to pharmaceutical drugs.

Many kids today suffer a disconnection from natural herbs and vegetable plants which offer a life-giving elixir that can sustain us physically, mentally and spiritually. In my life, I received so many opportunities to learn about plants – seeing, touching, harvesting and preparing them in the world’s best kitchens. Providing healthy food using Mother Nature’s most powerful herbs and vegetables has brought me closer to nature.

"The art in composing a great garden and creating a successful point of difference is evident in the restaurant’s recipes. St Georges Restaurant offers guests farm-to-table dining as a way of creating unique aromas, colours and flavours from the most authentic produce and sustainable garden."

Organic farming has become one of the most consistently growing economic sectors on the planet. New research has shown that organic farming is helping people live longer. If adopted on a wider scale, it would give us all a better chance of surviving as well as slowing climate change. I believe people need to support the biodynamic farming eateries and chefs need to make food that is delicious and sustainably produced.

Finally, I want to send a message to future generations that we can make things grow and taste better. I’d like to think that we can maintain a sustainable world which we can all appreciate and have a better chance to save ourselves.

Page 57 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

A Busy Person’s Guide To Home Décor

BY CLARE TANTON PHOTOGRAPHS SARAH CATES

Big bold statements can change a room, and that’s good news for busy people. With the right cushion, couch or curtain your lounge can go from ho-hum to humdinger. BayBuzz reporter Clare Tanton went in search for the fast way to make a big change in your favourite room.

Page 59 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

Cushions Helen Pattullo from Hutchinson’s Flooring, Furniture & Interiors in Hastings thinks cushions are an easy way to put some zing into your tired decor.

“Adding cushions is like choosing a scarf or jewellery to go with your little black dress,” Helen says, “it changes the outfit instantly – cushions can be your ‘wow’ factor.”

Great big floral ones, little round velvet ones: big or small, bold or pastels, cushions are a great “icing on the cake,” says Davina Shrimpton, owner of Whitehouse Interiors. “They can pull a room together and transform it.”

They are also fairly easily changed so if you get sick of them down the track, simply recover with whatever takes your fancy. You can be bold with your choice of fabric says Davina, “use both colour and texture”.

If you don’t know where to start with choosing shades and patterns Helen from Hutchinson’s advises looking at the colour and style of your sofa. “You can pull in colour from that or your curtains or even a piece of art,” she explains.

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Curtains Another way to revamp the look of a room is with curtains. When it comes to choosing fabrics your choices may be limited by what you already have in a room.

“You have to work with the existing elements and enhance what you’ve got” says Helen from Hutchinson’s.

Helen is also an advocate for roman blinds and believes they’re a good alternative if you’re short on space because they are far more economical when it comes to the area around the window itself. “Blinds are good in a situation where there’s not a lot of stacking room either side of the windows.”

If the size of your room allows, take curtains up as high as possible suggests Davina from Whitehouse Interiors, “We often go just 150 millimetres below the ceiling,” she says, “it makes the room appear much bigger and creates size.”

“We do a lot of simple linen curtains as they don’t date,” says Davina, “then we bring in an accent on cushions and chairs.”

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Lighting Another way your favourite piece of art can be accentuated in a room is with lighting.

“A lamp can be fabulous if it’s a table lamp underneath or to the side to make the art ‘pop’”, says Davina.

Lighting is also a simple way to transform the atmosphere of a room and create ambience.

“Lighting makes all the difference,” says Davina. “Mood lighting can give a room softness.”

While chandeliers and big bold lights may seem like the obvious choice when transforming a room, Davina advocates using table lamps rather than harsh overhead lighting, “Lamps give directional lighting, which can be really interesting.”

When it comes to lamps, how many is too many? “Have two or three in a room depending on how much furniture is in the room,” suggests Davina. “The more furniture you have the more lamps you can add.”

If you do have a big overhead light have it on a dimmer, Davina says: “About the only time I ever turn on my chandelier is when I’ve lost my glasses!”

Page 62 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

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Page 63 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

Furniture You can also revive your room by having a good shuffle around of your existing furniture.

“Rearranging furniture can transform a room,” insists Davina, “get everything away from the walls, your lounge is not a dentist’s waiting room!”

In doing so, if you find you end up with the back of a sofa on display, Davina advocates using a narrow sofa table to soften the look.

Helen Pattullo believes the most versatile piece of furniture is a nice stand-out chair. She also advocates going big if the fabric is right.

“You can go quite dramatic with fabric, something that says ‘wow’.

Some gorgeous fabric on your chair if your couch is plain and safe, like a big floral print.”

There’s no such thing as ‘too much’ when it comes to upholstery on a chair. “You can go very bold, because it’s a smaller piece, it’s not all encompassing. But do tie in the colour with cushions.” This might be as simple as matching the main pattern with piping, edging or trim on the cushions.

So if you’re tired of your living room or the previous owners were just a tad too taupe for your tastes, pick one simple change and go forward with gusto, no matter how busy you are.

It may just be the beginning of a whole new adventure spurring you on to make more changes to your cushions, your curtains or your favourite chaise lounge.

And if you go from too beige to too bold, remember: nothing is forever.

“Features should be things that are easily changeable,” insists Davina, “you’ve got to remember it’s transient, you don’t want to walk in one day and say “what the hell was I thinking!””

Go as big and bold as you like now and have fun, knowing if you ever decide fuchsia brocade flamingo cushions are no longer ‘you’ you don’t have to live with them forever.

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Page 65 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

Cruising from Bergen to Kirkenes

A HOOK TO HANG YOUR HOLIDAY ON

BY K A HALLIDAY

Looking back over my travels, there’s been a consistent element – a task, a job, a catalyst that has set the journey in motion. And this was certainly the case when my sister and I found the perfect hook on which to hang a truly wonderful trip that took us to the UK and beyond the Arctic Circle.

The hook It all started in 2012 with Thomas Cromwell. My sister Suse, still based in my home town Sydney, had just read Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantell and insisted that I would love it. I have to admit the 600+ page tome sat by my bed for quite a while, but once started, Mantell had me hooked. At the centre of the dark underbelly of Henry VIII’s court, was the mesmerising Thomas Cromwell. Having consumed Wolf Hall, it was straight on to the sequel, Bring Up the Bodies. I was well and truly smitten with Thomas Cromwell.

Almost as I turned the last page, I happened to hear Mantell on the radio with news that the Royal Shakespeare Company would be mounting stage productions of both books for their winter 2013/14 season at Stratford-upon-Avon.

So – straight on the phone to sister, breathlessly – “Let’s go to Stratford, I’ll book

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the RSC tickets, it’s 18 months away, we’ll come up with a plan.” Four weeks later I was poised at my computer at 10pm to pounce on RSC tickets as they came on sale. Several clicks later, a few minutes agonising over which were the best seats, and we were confirmed for the two plays ... 68 weeks in the future.

Six months out we started thinking more practically about what other adventures we could arrange around our hot date with Thomas Cromwell. Early northern hemisphere spring weather was too iffy to consider a hike or a bike, no burning bucket list destinations in the UK – what to do?

Having completely bamboozled ourselves with endless internet research I set off to consult with Jacqui Donoghue at House of Travel to ponder the options and to come up with a more fulsome itinerary. And the plan that came up trumps was to head north, really north.

Starting in London A short stay in London’s brisk spring weather was a good start with Boris Bikes featuring prominently. Highlights were a visit to the Tower of London - we trod the very boards where Anne Boleyn trod her way to the executioner. We were astonished by the size of Henry VIII’s suit of armour codpiece – we thinks he dost protect too much! A fantastic David Bailey exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery was followed by a 13 course dinner at Bubbledogs’ Kitchen Table in Fitzrovia (an amazing chef ’s table experience). As loyal Australians, we ate breakfast both days at Bill Granger’s gorgeous Notting Hill eatery – 25 years on, you still can’t beat his scrambled eggs.

Arriving in Stratford by train, our Cromwell karma kicked in. Not only were we seeing the plays, but on precisely our dates, Hilary Mantell in person, the RSC director and a bevvy of Tudor experts were giving a series of talks. The two plays were, in a word, sublime. The theatrical highlight of a lifetime.

The attendant lectures were wonderful – a real treat to hear from Mantell herself, and to have the other RSC and academic experts share their insights and observations. We cleared our heads in between sessions at the Swan Theatre with long, bracing walks along the Avon River and meanderings around picturesque Stratford.

On to Oslo

From Russia (almost) to Sweden

We had two nights in an apartment in Oslo and a full day walking miles and occasionally catching trams in the wrong direction.

We loved Oslo – from the excitement of a supermarket where you had no idea what you were buying (while trying not to compute how much it cost), to its moody and dramatic harbour, palaces, forts and ancient unearthed Viking ships.

From Oslo we set off on one of the most scenic train rides in the world, and the highest in Europe - seven hours, climbing up from sea level to 1,222m and down to the 1,000 year old city of Bergen on the western coast. We spent the trip bewitched by the snow, sculpted clouds and mountains, tiny ski lodge settlements, more snow, rivers, skiers jostling on and off the train, snow tunnels and snow barriers, incredible monochromatic landscapes – stark black and white with startlingly blue skies.

Bergen has the distinction of being one of the wettest cities in Europe (average 222 days a year) so our two sunny days felt miraculous.

A World Heritage Site, the existence of the famous timber quay area in Bryggen is astounding, considering there have been more than 20 major fires over the centuries – the biggest in 1702 when 90% of the city burnt down.

At the top ‘turnaround’ point of Kirkenes on the Russian border, we hopped off having had just the right amount of time at sea, and ready to head to stylish Stockholm for the last leg of our northern adventure.

Stockholm is a truly beautiful city and our 19th century apartment in the old cobble-stoned area of Gamla Stan was fabulous – ah, the luxury of space (after a cabin), of a washing machine, and the view of a gold-burnished spire from my bed and the sound of ancient bells tolling on the hour. Once again, blessed by balmy weather, we ventured far and wide on foot – so much to do and see, so little time. A very special family dinner with a friend from my youth, the wide and gracious streets, waterways, museums, design stores, bridges and beautiful Swedes in the sunshine – Stockholm is now on my bucket list for a return visit.

I’ll just have to find a Swedish hook on which to hang another holiday.

Taking to the high seas Bergen was the starting point of our six night Norwegian cruise up the coast to Kirkenes. Both of us weren’t convinced we were quite the ‘cruising type’ so this trip on a Hurtigruten ship seemed a good compromise. With 400 cruise passengers combined with as many day passengers and commercial supplies and cargo, the Hurtigruten ships have serviced Norway’s coastal townships year round for over a century. We can confirm that on average

Suse & KA in Bergen cruise passengers acquire 600g in weight a day – it’s quite a static existence and extensive meals are laid out with frightening frequency – beware the perils of a smorgasbord. But with lots of stops, some very quick, and at least a more leisurely one most days, we took every opportunity to walk as far as possible on terra firma - Tromso, Trondheim and Alesund were particularly beautiful.

The time at sea was exhilarating – the scale of the landscapes is staggering, massive snowy granite mountains pushing up and away into the far distance, the isolation of the tiny reindeer herder settlements, the lonely lighthouses, the mesmerising sweep of the bow wave, crossing the Arctic Circle, occasional needle-like snow flurries, our huge vessel creeping through narrow passages, milky sunsets, star-filled inky night skies, and the variety of all the 34 towns serviced by the ship. Interspersed with long sessions in the viewing lounge reading books, idly sipping at something, loosening the belt one notch and occasionally dozing off, and the sporadic bracing stint on deck to get the circulation going and check the temperature.

EXPLORE NORWAY

Top 3 Travel Tips 1. Rely on the experts: Jacqui knew exactly which cabin to choose (you need a Masters to master the deck plans), sorted the chaff from the grain for accommodation, transfers, flights etc, and dotted every ‘i’ and crossed every ‘t’ – not a hiccup happened.

2. Wifi: feels like a surrender, but having internet access wherever, whenever possible is a huge plus – no longer do we travel with the Fodor/Lonely Planet tomes and it’s so nice to be able to satisfy one’s curiosity, or compensate for one’s terminal lack of direction.

3. Baggage: wheeled suitcases and cobblestones do not a happy marriage make. Take a taxi.

Morgan getting his gear off at a Phoenix game.

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Page 67 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

BAYBUZZ ESSAY WINNERS

Neighbours

BY DEBRA YOUTHED

T

he mother chivvies the children along with a sharp call while the father shepherds them from behind. The family pick at the last of their bed time snack as they make their way from the far end of the paddock, through the No 8 wire fence, and gather together under the street light on the grass verge. Identical slick black heads on outstretched necks check for traffic in the deceptive dusky light; the white fluorescent flash of bottoms as they dip into the ditch on the other side of the road signal a safe crossing.

Our families have been neighbours for six years and they follow the same routine

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every night just as I follow mine; watching the pūkekos from my kitchen window while preparing for my own family’s night time rituals. This season there are only three little ones for the adults to herd along but as every parent knows the babies are easy – it’s the teenagers that you need to worry about.

There is now only one juvenile in the pūkeko family; a few weeks ago there were two.

One evening, as autumn began to bleed into winter and wood smoke sharpened the Hastings air, the pūkekos were poised to make their nightly crossing when a juvenile, panicked by the headlights, flew straight into

my husband’s car. My husband checked the bird’s injuries as it squawked and tried to drag itself across the road. It could neither walk nor fly so he used the same technique on the swamp hen that he has perfected on our chickens – tuck the wings in, cradle the body against his side, mutter some soothing words, then pull the neck firmly and smoothly – bang – done. But with the combined sorrow, adrenaline, and determination to do a humane job, he overdid it. My husband stood in the gloaming holding a red shielded head in one hand, still loosely connected by shredded arteries and tendons, to a dead flapping bird in the other. His spirit darkened with the sky as he laid the carcass in the ditch.

Washing the blood off his hands was easy, sleeping the memory away, was not.

S

ix years ago the pūkeko family walked through the Frimley orchard to get home each night, three years ago they

walked past sheep grazing on thick pasture, last summer they walked through a maize crop, and this winter they walked through a fallow field, picking at harvest leftovers poking out from chunky furrows. From my kitchen window I can see the roofs of new houses peeking out above colour coordinated fences at the edge of the paddock. Section by section the pūkekos foraging zone is shrinking. Soon there will be more traffic to negotiate, more dogs to avoid, more off limits freshly landscaped gardens. Eventually the pūkekos will be squeezed onto the edge of the Napier/Hastings motorway and our families will no longer be neighbours. Unlike the pūkekos we know what the future will bring and can plan accordingly, moving house before the fences close in. I don’t know which family is more fortunate; the one that knows what’s coming or the one who’s only worry is crossing safely from one side of the road to the other.

D

ays later I see them again: The mother chivvies the children along with a sharp call while the father shepherds them from behind. The family pick at the last of their bed time snack as they make their way from the far end of the paddock, through the No 8 wire fence, and gather together under the street light on the grass verge. Identical slick black heads on outstretched necks check for traffic in the deceptive dusky light; the white fluorescent flash of bottoms as they dip into the ditch on the other side of the road signal a safe crossing. Disembodied red shields pop up and bob along the length of the ditch then back again; the gap in the hedge, the access to their nesting site, has been blocked.

The pūkekos adapt to being nestless as the sky turns from peachy lilac to slate blue.

They return to the paddock and become

Debra Youthed

squatters, building their new nest amongst the abandoned rabbit holes on the weedy mound along the paddock’s boundary.

The same weedy mound that was once ‘the dirty mountain’ where my children slid on makeshift rubbish bag sleds, and constructed forts from demolition cast offs. But that was before the council erected the ‘WARNING: Contaminated Soil Stockpile. NO ENTRY’ sign. Our families now live even closer. The pūkekos can be noisy night time neighbours, sometimes they shriek in the small hours.

Perhaps it is in protest but as I lie listening, bundled in my blankets, it sounds more like a comfort call; they are still there, still together, and at least they no longer have to worry about crossing the road.

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Page 69 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

BAYBUZZ ESSAY WINNERS

Basic Beginnings

BY BARBARA CASSIDY

S

he was born in 1939; a war influenced childhood. The first child on a remote farm in the foothills of the Wakararas.

Dad was in Airforce Training in the South Island and lonely mother was trying to adjust to farm life, though really a party girl who loved to be away dancing, and playing tennis, bridge, golf and mah jong. She worked hard establishing a large and beautiful garden.

There were staff to care for the children; a governess, a Polish cook called Tunkey , a maid, groom and cowman-gardener. When the war was over and Dad came home, she was “Dad’s Girl”. He would take her to the stock sales, duck shooting, racehorse trials and pig shooting, running bare foot through the bush. Amber, the pony, Sue the cocker spaniel and Dad were what mattered.

Pocket money was earned collecting wool and killing rabbits. They would walk miles over the farm, she and Sue. Sue would find the rabbit holes and Barb would dig with a little spade to find the baby rabbits. She popped them in an old nylon stocking of Mum’s and walked to the creek to drown them. A knife took the tails off, Sue would gobble up the wet bodies and later Dad would pay threepence a tail.

Another money earner was collecting wool off the fences and plucking dead sheep. They had to be a few days old so the wool would come off easily. The tricky part was rolling the green and purple body over to pluck the second side without her hands going through into the rotten flesh. The stink of escaping gas as the sheep rolled over was memorable.

Dad had been an amateur jockey in spite of being tall, and had a track on the property.

He loved hunting and all horse sports, and breeding racehorses was a passion. There were three stallions at stud: Lucky Jordan, Statesman and Beaulivre. There were plantations planted between their paddocks so although they screamed, they could not see each other.

Visiting mares were all hand-served and wore a halter with a short rope attached so it was the job of a very small girl to go quietly out and catch the mares for Dad and the groom to manage the very frightening business of a huge, noisy stallion mounting his mare above her.

When a school bus finally arrived, the headmaster wrote a letter, “Sir, please confine your horsebreeding activities to the hours when the schoolbus is not passing. It is in danger of tipping over with the rush of pupils to one side.”

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When she turned five, correspondence lessons were arranged from Wellington and a fortnight’s lessons came at a time. Mum started as teacher but only lasted a week, and it was decided that the eldest daughter of the shepherd, Tui, aged thirteen, would come as live-in governess. Tui was not good at tables so decided to skip that part of the curriculum. School work was only in the mornings leaving the afternoon free for long rides around the district, sometimes across farms to visit best friend, Susan.

Susan’s mother WAS good at times tables and taught Barb that “seven nines are sixty three” for the very good reason that “seven tens are seventeee”. So began a lifetime of writing doggerel.

T

he cowman killed muttons for the house, the shepherds and for the shearers when they came to stay. It was the children’s delight to tie one end of a long entrail to the fence and one would swing the other end to play “skip-the-guts”. The brains, liver and kidneys were carried home warm for Tunkey to cook.

Once a week was Pony Club and a group of children would ride together down to “Forest Gate” where the amazing Mrs Helen Holden would teach the new business of “holding one’s reins as a tray of champagne glasses as opposed to bridging them”. The hunting

father was originally full of derision.

Hunts were with both Dannevirke and Hawke’s Bay Hunts and children were brought up to know the names of every hound in the pack. It was a miracle the horses ever got home. Stopping at pubs along the way was frequent and a little girl could end up with red wees from drinking Raspberryade for hours in the truck waiting for Dad. Reading, writing and riding were all of life until the fateful year turning nine when the much loved Wellington grandmother decreed it was time the wild child was tamed and sent to boarding school in Hastings, Queenswood School for Young Ladies.

Barbara Cassidy

The grandchildren

Down On The Farm

BY MARY KIPPENBERGER PHOTOGRAPHS JESSICA SOUTAR BARRON

I’ve wanted to live in the country for as long as I can remember but my parents were city dwellers so I had to make do with toy animals and mounds of dirt. Then sometime in the 60s I became a horse.

Whilst others screamed for the Beatles and placed flowers in their hair I cantered my way through the days, tossing my head and pawing the ground. It is possible that my parents were bemused, even anxious for my future!

It would be thirty-seven years before my dream came true and finally Peter, our four kids and I have moved into a ramshackle old villa with twenty-five acres of blackberry and thistle. At last I can open my bedroom window and see my horses. I don’t care about the scrim-covered walls, the peeling paint, the threadbare carpet or the dated kitchen. This is heaven. Our own piece of paradise, Te Rangi Farm.

The years have passed, the children grew, flew the nest, multiplied and now have all come home, twenty in total!

As I sit here typing I am distracted by the sounds of happy laughter and I am compelled outside. I open my arms and in bounce Emily (5) and Alice (3). Emily has news. Emily is our storyteller and news is imparted with wide eyes and gesturing hands. The current story is that Zuri, the little white fluffy dog that can’t believe she got a farm gig, has a caught a rat. Zuri smiles proudly, which is a clever thing to do when you have a rat in your mouth, but I know this is the work of a cat and Zuri is claiming credit where credit is not due. She wants to show me the rat, I suggest she go away.

Alice and Emily follow their father home and I lean on the fence and watch them wander across the paddock to their cottage.

Alice skips and then stops to pick up Lacey the blind chook. Emily holds her dad’s hand.

As I lean I can hear Hayden (5) and

Danielle (8) running up and down the hallway in the big house. Even if I’m in my office three buildings away I can still hear those footsteps, the same hallway that their aunty and uncle ran up and down when they were five and eight.

I shake myself out of my day dreams and turn towards the house but I hear the thud, thud as someone crosses the culvert...it’s Sarah, our eldest, coming to gather eggs.

Hamish (8) is out of the car first and flies in for a hug, Rebecca (5) yells “Grandy!” and takes the second hug, closely followed

by James (9). Growing up with your mokopuna, bliss.

Finally the last of the whanau retire to their allocated corners of the farm, I flag anymore writing for the moment. Firewood needs collecting, the horses need their covers on

and the chooks their evening meal. I make a mental note to re-grass the riverbank in the morning. We have had so much rain that the bridge flooded for the first time this year. The riverbank has been laid bare.

I’m glad to say that we can read the river now but when we first came here in 1988 that wasn’t the case. In our first winter I was heading out for essential Saturday night chocolate. It had been raining all week and the river was high, just a few centimetres under the bridge. No warning bells rang.

They should have rung. Chocolate fetching took fifteen minutes and fifteen minutes was all the river needed to angrily devour the bridge. It raged a metre over the culvert, impossible to cross.

Sensible people would have enjoyed a night in a motel but I wanted to be home.

Peter came down with a long rope. He threw one end to me and I tied it around my waist (a smaller version of the one I have today!).

I grabbed a long stick and using it as a guide I made my way down the edges of the floodwater. A hundred metres on Peter tied his end to a willow tree and told me to jump.

So I did.

I flung myself into the murky, churning torrent and was swept as far as the rope would allow. With a twang I was recoiled backwards and began to thrash and flail. My mouth opened and closed like a marooned fish. I could hear a voice, Peter’s voice. I couldn’t make out what he was saying so I thrashed some more, arms crashing wildly, head going from side to side, legs doing whatever they wanted. Finally I made out what he was saying, “YOU CAN STAND UP!” And so I could. I was well and truly on the other side, in six inches of water and looking good!

Ah well, enough reminiscing, that won’t get the chores done. Oh by the way, in case you’re wondering, I got the chocolate through.

www.lookingback.co.nz

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CULTURE and LIFESTYLE

The Arts as Jackhammer

BY JACOB SCOTT

T

he prowess of a nation or culture is measured in history by its arts. So when questions are asked about the state of our arts in Hawke’s Bay it’s a big question that covers a huge raft of disciplines.

It's complex but crucial.

When most people think about the arts it’s the fine visual arts of painting, drawing, sculpture and printmaking, and performance arts like drama, dance and music they consider. But the arts are much more than that.

A whole range of fields needs to also be considered, including architecture, fashion,

Page 74 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

landscape, film, graphic, industrial, product, planning and spatial design. Then there’s culinary and applied arts, crafts and trades.

The list goes on to include what’s considered cultural; indigenous, language, writing, rhetoric and intellectual rigour.

What I’m getting at here is that when one considers the arts in the context of a region like Hawke’s Bay one must think widely – design in all things matters.

There’s good cohesive advocacy for sport and things like roads, waste and water, but here advocacy for the arts, in its lay form and within this broad overarching definition,

has waned as the climate and the landscape have changed. We had a positive change in the Bay when the wine industry was getting off the ground and they were developing their profiles. The character, personality and vibrancy of the area was as important to the sparkle and taste of their wine as the terroir, so the cultural dimension played a big part in introducing new ideas and challenges to our conservative constituents.

O

ur national leaders seem to have little understanding of what art, good design, creativity and innovation

CULTURE and LIFESTYLE

Photo by Sarah Cates

That's big picture stuff, but those same disappointing trends are at play locally too.

In 2013 I was fortunate to spend some time in a series of workshops with a group of NZ's key leaders charged with developing a concise statement to define the distinctly Kiwi attributes that make us unique. This work was to provide a framework to help us better communicate our character and value to the world. Trade & Enterprise tested the following statement around the world for authenticity: We’re the boldest little country on the planet With one of the biggest hearts in the world We’re spirited, switched on, often incredible, always credible Borne from the youngest, most beautiful land on earth, our attitude is unbound Our responsibility as kaitiaki drives our care of people and place Resourceful thinkers, game changers, day makers, smile generators We’re still changing people’s worlds because we didn’t know we couldn’t.

The market research reported back that the story was not entirely authentic; that it was more of an aspiration than a reality.

Here we had some of the best minds in the country, movers, shakers, thinkers and doers describing a potential and not a reality … so they were forced to de-tune it. What’s happened to us?

W can do for a place and its people. The NZ flag design, or lack of it, epitomises an attitude by current leaders that these things don't matter.

In this moment in time one would think that the opportunities for nation-building are rich, with new technologies at our fingertips, an educated population and treaty grievances behind us. One would think that we would be taking the opportunity to recognise our new strengths and further develop our economy and culture with the benefits of our new knowledge of science, technology and matauranga to underpin an adaptable and sustainable NZ.

hile we are a small nation at the bottom of the planet we need to be stepping up our skills and attributes so every part, every action by everybody contributes something to our culture. Who we are, what we are and where we live is important to us and to others in the world. We should be paying attention to it, but Hawke’s Bay seems to have lost its way.

We've hit the era of compliance and control. Everything needs approval from someone. There are CEOs with business cases and risk management for everything.

Then there's project management control.

There’s an earthquake insurance industry to support, building codes, structural upgrades and resource consents, dogs on leads, a check list of ticks that need to be met … and the tick comes from a council clerk who becomes the moderator/controller.

While it’s about mitigating risk it fails to recognise the biggest risk: dumbing down and disenfranchising people – that destroys hope and initiative, that stifles innovation and that hampers enterprise.

The researchers were right – the NZ Story has changed – the Maui, Sir Edmond Hillary,

splitting of the atom, women's vote and number 8 wire phase was a long time ago and we’re not like that anymore.

We are subjected to over-the-top determination and control here and the advocates are wary of the dismay that comes after hope. It’s a long shot waiting for the day we’ll get some enlightened leadership facilitating more of a can-do attitude.

What we need to get back is the climate for change. The creatives and entrepreneurs just need to be able to get on with it – like Pitsch Leiser is with the Hawke's Bay Arts Festival and Te Rangi Huata does with events like Matariki and the Festival of Lights.

EIT has probably got the biggest group of potential game changers penned up in the back of Taradale. They should be in the community enlivening us with their young ideas and new skills.

I

n 1931 the earthquake made a big difference to Hawke's Bay, with Napier and Hastings now trading on the character build that came about as a result.

Christchurch is now a city in transition where changes are being explored with artists involved. Here in Hawke's Bay we shudder at the thought of The Big One. We regulate, legislate and mandate against it, but we don't tap into what a big shock in a community can do. We don't rip up the asphalt and plant the seeds of new ideas.

We need to declare a call for change and work strategically to make it happen.

Arts professionals who are trained to think and creatively organise elements within boundaries to develop pleasing outcomes must be involved. Our artists are our observers and our investigators. They think in question marks and imagine at a truly ‘blue sky’ level. They are the innovators, the creators and the ones who are prepared to try something different.

There's a glimmer of hope on the horizon with newly-appointed bright 'arty' brains heading up our formal arts institutions: Napier's and Hastings' art galleries, museum and community arts organisations. They are passionate, educated and capable people with fresh eyes ready and keen to get into it. Individually they are discovering that this is not an easy place to work. They all say we need a strategy and that the sector is struggling, there’s no cohesion or commitment, but lots of potential to develop the arts in the Bay. While amalgamation is now off the agenda we do still need to see a switch in thinking.

We need a realisation that ‘the arts’ is more than a pretty picture. It is a mirror, a spot light, and the jackhammer that's needed to change the landscape.

Page 75 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

CULTURE and LIFESTYLE

Margot Wuts, burlesquerciser

Ideas @ CAN EIT's Ideaschool graduate show is on at Creative Arts Napier (CAN) from 21 November.

It's set to be a diverse show with work coming from across the disciplines in the Visual Arts and Design degree course. The show is from the first graduates of the new degree that moved to a project-based learning model three years ago.

Students Rebecca Stone and Liam Treadwell believe the change in course structure has meant they graduate well prepared for the industries they are going into, having built a broad knowledge of project-based work including deadlines, budgets and team work.

"It was cool to be part of that change in Ideaschool. Everyone was so excited and there was an infectious buzz around it and that's continued through our studies," says Rebecca.

The style of learning means the graduates are not only creating works for the show, they're also wrestling with marketing strategies and business plans. They are responsible for all parts of the exhibition from hanging and curating the show to putting together the opening night guest list.

"It's entirely student run," explains Liam. "We've been given the reins and all the control to do our thing, that's part of preparing us for the real world."

Works from all 34 graduates will be on show including graphic design, illustration, print-making, painting and sculpture.

By Margot Wuts Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to carry substantial bulk and still have a reasonable amount of stamina and rhythm.

Anyone who knows me, knows that I can shake my ample thing for a good, long while and this usually happens because when the music starts, my body must move.

It was for this reason that I found myself so intrigued by the suggestion of partaking in a Burlesquercise class.

I have tried Zumba, and although at first I felt a strong urge to wildly improvise, I reined myself in and enjoyed the feeling of a mass dance session. I thought, perhaps, this may be a similar kind of thrill bringing together the feathers and flounce of burlesque and the jolt and jog of...um...exercise.

Even though I had never really seen a burlesque show – or even a single dance routine – I somehow decided that I was sure I knew exactly what was involved and it was going to be fabulous.

I began the drive to my class full of pluck and courage, quietly confident I was about to nail this thing.

Feelings of doubt crept in with each kilometre driven. When I arrived at the very professional dance studio, I prayed my partner in crime hadn't managed to make it and I could sneak off – in my gym gear – to a wee bar and laugh at my lucky escape over a sneaky wine before the drive home.

Alas, she was there, waiting for me and far more willingly than I. Sixteen years of working towards loving myself (let's say I started to bother when I was twenty) carried me up the stairs through the

Liam Treadwell and Rebecca Stone

rooms packed with youthful, limber bodies, all stretching, flexing, dancing and chatting, and even chatting while they were dancing, and breathing, at the same time.

I knew then I was in no way prepared for what would happen in this class. Stamina, rhythm and self acceptance can only get you so far, for the rest you need wine, and I'd skipped the slipping off to the bar bit, remember?

There is no anonymity in a class of four, not least of all when all the walls are mirrors, from floor to ceiling!

At first I thought that one of the ladies in the class was particularly chatty during it all, but then it transpired that she was the instructor so that brought the class down to three.

It's hard to say whether or not the small class size was completely a bad thing. I think it was a fair trade considering the sweaty thrusting and gyrating I'd have been subjected to if there had been bottoms in front of me.

There was a lot of pelvic rotation going on and being of a competitive nature I managed to overstretch things a little on one side. I'm not sure what muscle I pulled around my hip area but I do know that after the saucy pushups I couldn't sleep on my shoulders for two nights!

As I drove away from the school of dance I reflected upon my enthusiastic pre-paying of another class … was it because I didn't have the right change? Or could I really see myself going back for more.

Regardless of the reason, it is an achievement to venture out of one's comfort zone on a week night. So I'll take that win and salute my success with a glass in my hand!

from EASTto

ENDLING atHCAG

Hastings City Art Gallery’s biennial regional exhibition EAST has settled into its place on Hawke’s Bay’s arts calendar, and even in the off-year visitors to the gallery reap the benefits of the large-scale show.

While EAST2016 is a year away Paula Taaffe, the Clearview People’s Choice award winner from EAST2014, shares her prize – a solo foyer exhibition at HCAG – from November 28 to February 14.

Many will be familiar with Taaffe’s creatures that have a life and presence of their own, says gallery director Toni MacKinnon.

“In Endling these weird and wonderful critters come to life in an animated exhibition. Working with stop motion Paula has been building her animation in which her hybridised animals inhabit extraordinary worlds,” says Mackinnon.

Charming as these characters appear, the message they send is serious. Taaffe’s

work is a cautionary tale about man’s impact on the environment and the disappearance of species.

Taaffe’s approach is to use imagination and whimsy to engage viewers in the issues.

“I love the idea of tricking people into thinking about serious things while they are in fantasy land. It’s like taking medicine while you're eating a jam sandwich,” she says.

In November 2016 the Hastings Art Gallery will present the next EAST exhibition, with planning underway now. The opportunities for using EAST to promote Hawke’s Bay art to a wider audience are being explored, said Mackinnon.

“It's important that we use EAST to generate real enthusiasm outside the Bay for the arts in this region. We are very keen to create opportunities and are currently talking to galleries in other cities about some of our ideas for doing this,” MacKinnon says.

Toni MacKinnon

Page 77 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

CULTURE and LIFESTYLE

TOPP OF THE TOPS

BY LOUISE WARD

Waipukurau writer Aaron Topp is back with an action packed new novel. With previous books 'Single Fin' and 'Creating Waves' being firmly set in and around the ocean, 'Hucking Cody' comes back on land to the suburbs and forests of Hawke’s Bay. Aimed at readers of about 12 and up, 'Hucking Cody' tells the tale of a mild mannered young man as he navigates high school jocks, friendship, family strife and unrequited love, with the aid of big ambitions and an extremely flash bike.

Aaron tells BayBuzz what motivated him to write it.

I was 24 years old when I decided I was going to write seriously. The first four years was spent writing a hundred-thousand word manuscript that I eagerly sent off to every New Zealand publisher Google would provide me with. But I watched as copies started coming back to me with a template rejection letter. I started again. I sent the first chapter to Barbara Else, and she strongly suggested I should continue.

Single Fin, a story about a grieving young surfer and his journey from protégée to mentor, was published by Random House a month after my 30th birthday. It went on to win an Honour Award at the 2007 Children and Young Adults Awards. A couple of months later I received a call from HarperCollins who wanted to know if I was interested in writing a non-fiction book about surfing for them. Creating Waves contains the personal stories of

Page 78 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

19 highly successful and talented people from all around New Zealand - they have nothing in common except for the love of standing on the ocean's surface.

Hucking Cody

By Aaron Topp

Leaving the coast to write a book about mountain biking was a natural progression for me. I identified a new market that I knew a lot about - I received my first BMX when I was 6 and have never stopped riding a bike on dirt since. Hucking Cody taps into New Zealand’s new obsession with mountain biking – with over 1.3 million cyclists nationwide, over a thousand new sanctioned mountain bike trails opened, and more Kiwis than ever experiencing the thrill of riding their bikes in the most beautiful backyard on the planet.

$25.00

I wanted to write a book that teenage males would want to read, about something they were doing in their own spare time anyway. That’s always been an objective of mine. Reading is still so important for a young man's development, but the competition for a teenager’s attention is far greater than it ever has been. And from their feedback, I knew they didn’t always want another book about vampires, boy wizards or any other of the multitude of dystopian books taking up shelf space.

Real life fiction is always going to be relevant, although finding the right vessel to carry the story is still important. What better way to do it than on a bike!

Mary Egan Publishing

We’re straight into the action in this young adult novel with a chase scene dumping us in to the complicated life of our hero. Cody Harrington is desperately hurling himself through the streets of his town on his bike, trying to outrun the high school jocks in their Impreza with its boy racer gear changes: Pffffffft!

The highlights of Cody’s life are his job at the bike shop and biking with his mate Dylan, himself a bundle of issues. Other than that, life is a washout and Cody decides it must change. The catalysts for this decision are the arrival of a new girl at school and the departure of his dangerous, charismatic brother, Zane; both occurrences impact strongly upon Cody. What follows is a tale of a boy having to make some tough decisions, perhaps being led astray, and in the midst of all this, finding out what is important to him and along with it, the strength to make the right decisions.

The descriptions of biking, in suburban streets or through forest, are exhilarating whether you bike or not. With its emphasis on teen experience, confusion and temptations, and its action-packed storyline, it’s a rollicking, well-written read with wide appeal.

History on a Wall

CULTURE and LIFESTYLE

Despite the Hawke's Bay Opera House being closed, its 100th year is being celebrated in style with the erection of a 103 metre wall depicting works from Hawke's Bay artists.

Each artwork represents a decade in the life of the Opera House as well as an additional panel covering specific highlights of the century.

Deputy Mayor Cynthia Bowers says: “Despite the current uncertainty around its future direction, 100 years of great performances and memories can’t be allowed to slip by unmarked.”

The artists involved are: Martin Poppelwell, Freeman White, John Eaden, Kate MacKenzie, Mauricio Benega, Cinzah, Fane Flaws, Jo Blogg, Timo Rannali, Desna Whaanga-Schollum and Adrian Thornton.

Bringing Home the Gold Winning national recognition for the quality of our design and print work

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Page 79 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

tim.co.nz

CULTURE and LIFESTYLE

Sweet OnWine What began as a series of articles in BayBuzz five years ago, has now become – forty interviews and 55,000 words later – Wine: Stories from Hawke's Bay, a definitive guide to the history of wine in Hawke's Bay. “Almost definitive,” author Mark Sweet would say. "I felt the weight of enormous responsibility with this project," he explains.

"We had to make a call on who to include and some of those decisions were difficult.

It's not definitive, but I've covered it pretty well. It's full of the stuff that makes for really interesting stories."

of the characters in the book came almost to life again to Sweet as he unearthed their stories. One in particular was Romeo Bragato who, in the late 1800s, was sent to Hawke's Bay from Australia to investigate the wine growing industry.

Bragato's story "absolutely moved" Sweet and Bragato became something of a muse for the writer.

The book focuses on the wine makers and vineyard owners who are traditionally the face of the industry.

"He affected me. His writing was so clear, so enthusiastic and so passionate," Sweet explains, “and his work was largely unappreciated, which may have contributed to his suicide shortly after leaving New Zealand.”

"From the BayBuzz articles I'd written I had the background and the start of the story, then I had to find a voice," explains Sweet.

"I wanted to give it a strong narrative that draws the reader into the next chapter and then the next."

The book is a who's who of the wine industry in the Bay, but does more than simply list the dates and duties of various characters. It presents the human side of the industry with all its foibles, relationships, complications and intrigues.

The 'voice' Sweet settled on is a classic style that brings together his talent for fiction writing with a more academic style.

"I'm incredibly grateful for the openness and honesty with which people spoke to me," he says.

In researching the book Sweet delved quite deeply into many parts of the industry and into people's lives; the book is certainly not 'a once over lightly' telling of the story.

The 'ghost' he was most pleased to meet in researching the book was Denis Karsza, a Hungarian who came to the Bay in the 1950s.

Many of the stories are character portraits full of the triumphs and trials of an industry that reaches back to 1826.

"He was the most highly trained viticulturalist and winemaker to come here," explains Sweet. “He made some iconic wines at McWilliam’s for which he hasn’t been fully credited until now. He was a quiet, unassuming and humble man.”

Sweet believes he has an obsessive part to his character and the research in the book reflects that thoroughness.

That same 'obsessive' nature means some

Page 80 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

Now that the book is done, and at 200 pages it is quite a project, Sweet is relieved, and

although he won't admit to a sense of pride, he does feel the book is a thorough telling well told, and good looking too, thanks to designer Max Parkes and photographer Tim Whittaker.

Pictures make up half the book, with Whittaker’s contemporary photography sitting side by side with images pulled meticulously from a number of archives. The project was managed by Susie Devonshire and championed by Tom Belford. Seed funding came from Tim Nowell-Usticke at WineWorks. The book was printed in New Zealand and is published by BayBuzz.

You can order copies online at:

www.winestorieshb.co.nz Or purchase from a wide range of local retailers and, of course, wine cellars (see the website for stockists).

The Perfect Christmas Gift!

Wine: Stories from Hawke’s Bay FREE SHIPPING IN NZ, GST INCL

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Wine: Stories from Hawke’s Bay pays homage to the rich tales of the vineyards, wineries and people who have developed our region's wine industry, from humble beginnings in the 1850s into today’s multi-million dollar darling.

Writer Mark Sweet has woven together

collections throughout New Zealand.

personal recollections and anecdotes from

Peter Cowley, winemaker from Te Mata

carefully-researched historic fact with key players, creating an authoritative

portrayal of Hawke's Bay history and an engaging, entertaining read.

The stories are beautifully illustrated, with stunning photographs by Tim Whittaker

and an eclectic mix of fascinating archival images, sourced from private and public

Wine buffs will savour the insights of

Estate, on what makes Hawke’s Bay a premier wine region.

Whether you are a history fan, wine lover, or simply relish intriguing pictures and a

good yarn, this captivating journey through the romance of wine in Hawke’s Bay is sure to enthral.

PREVIEW & ORDER your copy now @ www.winestorieshb.co.nz

CULTURE and LIFESTYLE

Allis the Tractor Sophie Siers runs a farm at Waimarama and knows her gear stick from her crank handle when it comes to tractors. But when an old Allis Chalmers tractor came to live at her place she had a flash of inspiration that grew to become a story about the endearing machine and her farmyard friends.

Photo: Rakai Karaitiana

PLAYING WITH PASTRY

Chris Mirams (25) is the hot young baker behind the creative, delicious, quirky delights at FG Smith and The Picnic in Ahuriri.

He's been a pastry chef since he was 19, after completing a chef apprenticeship he began at Huka Lodge aged 16.

At 20 he was in Melbourne working in the kitchens of cooking legends Gordon Ramsey and Josh Emmett.

Now there's a book, home grown in Hawke's Bay, written by Siers and available now in bookshops.

The thing he loves most about what he does is the creativity. "I've got free rein in the kitchen here and it's good to keep that creativity going."

Allis the tractor languishes under a tree after her work is taken over by a shiny John Deere. Imaginary adventures with a boy called Toby are fine but she knows she could pull her weight if only she could get a drink of oil. Stunning illustrations from Helen Kerridge bring Allis’ story to life, in the fields above Waimarama.

The trick to making the best of the best is using the best ingredients in the first place.

Page 82 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

"Quality is everything," he says.

His experience overseas has meant he's learnt a lot about technique and he explains how this gives him the skills to create any number of new variations on those classic methods.

"If you learn the technique rather than the recipe then you can use that with creativity," he says. "It's all about playing."

"I love using different colours and textures and I love doing stuff that you can't find in Hawke's Bay," He explains he has a competitive streak, a trait found in most pastry chefs. "You have to get in first so everyone else then copies you. Pastry work is very competitive, I've always got to out do everyone else."

Mirams also likes playing with people's senses, and their minds.

"People who trust my work will always come and try what I am making, no matter how different it might be. That's the cool thing about pastry work, you can play a bit more. You have to be able to surprise people."

Taste Mirams' work at The Picnic, newly opened in Ahuriri.

My Food Bag

CULTURE and LIFESTYLE

NEW! Fast Food BayBuzz spoke to mother of two Christine McBeth on the evening she tried her first My Food Bag delivery: Fast food and takeaways are getting a rethink thanks to a number of companies that are introducing NZers to a new way of facing the daily dinner grind. My Food Bag has just been launched in Hawke's Bay after enjoying massive success in the main centres. MFB delivers healthy ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes direct to your door. It attempts to combat the panic felt by many when faced with the chore of thinking up new and nourishing solutions for the evening meal. There are various options, but all deliver ingredients for five meals on a Sunday afternoon, ready to go for the week ahead.

meals to take home from their base in Hastings. Their meals are delicious, nutritious and easy to grab and heat up at home. MYLK meals including family standards like chicken pie or macaroni cheese.

You can find My Food Bag at myfoodbag.co.nz and MYLK Food Store on Facebook.

Another solution is to pick up takeaways on the way home and this too is having a makeover thanks to local provider MYLK who make family

CM: It's divine. I detest having to think of meal ideas mostly because I HATE cooking BB: So is it the THINKING of what to cook or the actual COOKING that's a pain?

CM: Hmmm, probably more the idea of cooking because I lack creativity in the kitchen.

BB: So if someone gives you the ingredients and the seed of an idea do you rediscover creativity in the kitchen?

CM: I must say for the first time today in probably ever, I was looking forward to making dinner!

BB: What did you have?

CM: Pan-fried fish with Mediterranean potatoes and grape agrodolce.

BB: Agro..what??

CM: Never heard of it before either.

Really yummy, I felt fancy for the first time with a meal I cooked.

BB: Will you order My Food Bag again?

CM: Yes absolutely, even if it's just to get the recipes and replicate them.

BB: Would you consider the cost makes it for ‘special occasions’ or a regular thing?

Brett Monteith

facebook.com/gupillodes

Mobile 021 1684 381

bretthamiltonmonteith@gmail.com

CM: It's not a price middle class families could afford regularly I don't think; we'll probably do it every 3 weeks or so.

Page 83 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

CULTURE and LIFESTYLE

MALLET MAESTRO From a picturesque farmlet in Central Hawke's Bay George Wood does a roaring trade in polo and croquet mallets.

He established the business in 1982 with his father and now his croquet mallets are the UK and US Croquet Associations' biggest selling brand.

Wood Mallets supplies polo as well as croquet mallets to the rich and famous around the world, including the British royal family and the Sultan of Brunei.

Wood also supplies many international polo champions with their sticks.

As well as making traditional mallets Wood has pioneered the development of a lighter weight, more sustainable version called a 'fibercane mallet' that's enjoying a rise in popularity and is set to take the polo world by storm.

"I realise how lucky I am to work from home doing something I love and I'm passionate about," says Wood.

His small clutch of workshops, walking distance from his home, produces 3,000 polo sticks a year. On top of that there's production of 1,800 croquet mallets and 350 complete croquet sets.

These come in a number of different styles from traditional to more contemporary.

American white ash, Indian rose wood and South American massa are used in their construction, all from renewable, sustainably managed forests.

Wood, who also plays polo and to a lesser extent croquet, describes how much easier running an international business has become since the company's early days.

"When I started it was a case of jumping on a plane, and doing mail outs. Now our website has 1,000 visitors a day."

Kapa Haka Hawke's Bay Te Matatini Kapa Haka Festival will take place in Hawke's Bay in 2017. This biennial celebration of kapa haka is held in different regions around New Zealand and took place in Christchurch earlier this year. Te Matatini is currently in the planning stages and is set to bring 25,000 people into the region for the celebrations.

The festival has been going since 1972 and brings together performers from across New Zealand and Australia. The name Te Matatini is a portmanteau of 'te mata' meaning the face and 'tini' meaning many.

There are a number of separate events that make up the Te Matatini schedule including waiata a-ringa (action songs), poi and moteatea (traditional songs) as well as haka.

Page 84 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

Mallets & Hoops The Independent newspaper in the UK recently reported the lack of uptake in croquet could mean the sport's extinction by 2037. But George Wood believes quite the opposite is true: the game is thriving, and interest is growing.

"The fact is that croquet clubs in the UK have increased by 49% in the past 10 years and record numbers of students

are playing the game at universities," says Wood.

In New Zealand 4,000 people are registered croquet players, with another 10-12,000 playing casually. There's also countless backyard sets.

"There’s quite a thrill to be had from pitting ones wits and skills against an opponent or two on a well prepared lawn," says Wood.

There are two clubs in Hawke's Bay: Marewa Croquet Club in Napier and Heretaunga Croquet Club in Havelock North.

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THE BEST DEAL EVER

BY MATT MILLER

tim.co.nz

John ‘Mac’ Macpherson is the self-described ‘head honcho’ of Advintage, a specialist wine retailer in Havelock North.

Advintage has been at the forefront of digital innovation since its inception in 1999. Matt Miller explores how Advintage has thrived in a hostile business environment, which has seen nearly all its independent competitors fall by the wayside.

In the beginning there was a fax machine.

The fax machine sent promotions from a wine shop in Hastings. It wasn’t a shop so much as a shed, next to a motorbike shop, selling wine to restaurants and bottle stores.

Email was gaining in popularity and a few of the fax recipients asked to get an email instead of a fax, so they tried sending a group email with wine deals in it. The response was huge from the start.

Mac Macpherson, the owner of the fax machine, immediately knew that email marketing was the way of the future and found it impossible not to see the potential of the new business. At the time, email was very cool and it was a novelty. People loved receiving a regular email with wine deals and happily shared it with their friends.

Advintage’s wine deals were viral long before Facebook and YouTube entered the vocabulary, and Mac’s email list grew quickly.

He decided that B2C (business to consumer) market was a much bigger opportunity than B2B (business to business),

Page 86 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

and in the space of a week his business model changed completely. Advintage would target discerning customers who didn’t want to drink quaffing wine from the bargain bin, couldn’t always justify spending big on luxury brands, and who needed a trusted advisor who could give them really nice wine at reasonable prices.

Since those early days, Advintage have pioneered retail e-commerce in New Zealand. In 2000, they became the first customer of Jericho, a leading New Zealand digital marketing company who specialise in email marketing, and in 2001 introduced online credit card processing so their customers could pay for their orders more conveniently.

Mac admits that Advintage would not be possible without the Internet. 80% of the business’ sales are made online. The biggest market is Auckland, followed by Wellington.

Hawke’s Bay is only the fifth-biggest market.

The Internet is even more important for Advintage when it comes to promoting the

business. 90% of the company’s marketing spend is in digital.

They use email marketing, search engine optimisation, paid search ads, social media, and affiliate sales (where they pay third-party websites a commission on the sales - or leads - that they generate).

Mac takes marketing extremely seriously and has developed metrics to gauge each channel’s effectiveness. He tells me that, across all online channels, Advintage regularly reaches 85,000 people on a weekly basis and he has worked out that the average cost to acquire a new customer is $35.

They also use traditional offline promotion methods such as print marketing with Farmlands, radio ad placements, and event sponsorship. Mac is active in the Havelock North Business Association, which promotes the village as a retail destination.

But just like back in 1999, email marketing is the cornerstone of Advintage’s marketing activities and Mac’s great strength is his copywriting. Copywriting is especially important for online business and the humour of Mac’s email newsletters undoubtedly played a big part in building the early enthusiasm among his customers. Mac claims that copywriting is not a skill he has learned - or even one that he needs to work at. He has a university degree in English, but he scoffs at any suggestion that this was a useful education. The ideas for his newsletters and wine descriptions come naturally and for him it’s the most enjoyable part of the job.

He sends two email newsletters each week, on Wednesdays and Fridays. Sometimes he has been tempted to send more often, but he knows that the dreaded ‘Unsubscribe’ rate goes up if he pushes it too far. The content of the newsletters is unashamedly sales-y and Mac makes no apology for this: “I’m a bullshitter! I would send an email every week saying this week’s deal was the best deal ever. Someone once had me on about it: ‘You always say it’s the best deal ever. How can you keep saying every week that it’s the best deal ever?’ I said to him, ‘Well, if I told everybody that this week’s deal was mediocre we wouldn’t sell anything, would we?’”

Advintage was an early adopter of Twitter and their Twitter account now has more than 3,000 followers. In social media, Mac’s goal has always been to increase brand awareness and build a fan base rather than to make sales directly. When Twitter was in its infancy, Mac ran ‘Advintage Freebie Friday’ promotions. Twitter users were exhorted to re-tweet the Advintage promotional tweets to go into the draw to win prizes. “When we started on Twitter, there were only 60,000 Twitter accounts in New Zealand. It had a cool factor.” But interestingly, as it’s got more popular, it’s become less effective for marketing.

In contrast, Advintage came to Facebook much later than many other brands.

Nevertheless, the Advintage Facebook page is extremely popular; it has 11,000 page likes (giant US e-commerce site Wine.com has 31,000 likes).

Advintage spends a small amount on promotions on social media, but one-day discount sites have never appealed to Mac: “Those one-day sites don’t work for us because too much of what those sites sell is crap. Your reputation suffers.”

Mac is a very hands-on business owner.

Not only does he write all his own copy, he uses Photoshop to design for print and web. He admits that he’s probably been a bit too involved in the day-to-day stuff, but this is changing now that Advintage is involved in a joint venture with APD, the Australian digital marketing company that bought Jericho. The APD venture is a fiveyear project and it promises to transform Advintage significantly. There are “big goals” in place.

Mac takes marketing extremely seriously and has developed metrics to gauge each channel’s effectiveness. He tells me that, across all online channels, Advintage regularly reaches 85,000 people on a weekly basis and he has worked out that the average cost to acquire a new customer is $35.

It hasn’t always been easy for Advintage.

Wine “lost its mojo” in the mid-to-late 2000s as the global financial crisis made wine drinkers less enthusiastic about spending, and the “Savalanche” happened – an oversupply of Marlborough sauvignon blanc depressed prices significantly: “There was a lot of cheap crappy wine around and no one wanted to spend money on good wine.”

In this environment, a lot of online shops popped up selling inferior wine at cheap prices and some of Mac’s friends told him to do the same: drop your prices and hit your

database. In the face of these challenges, Mac stuck to his guns and Advintage did not change its business model. It proved to be the right decision. Mac’s original target market, the discerning wine buyer looking for a bargain, kept buying wine from Advintage and many of the shonky places folded.

Mac doesn’t plan to retire. He enjoys his work too much, he is still fascinated by the wine business, and he leaves me with this advice to anyone starting up an online retail business: • Know who you are and who you are selling to. Mac saw an opportunity – no one was servicing the $15 bottle of wine category and providing good, downto-earth advice to these discerning bargain-hunters.

• Customer satisfaction always comes first.

• Your reputation is everything.

• Aim big from the start. Mac set out with the objective of becoming a major New Zealand wine retail business.

• Work hard. Mac routinely worked 60-70 hour weeks to get Advintage going.

He has eased off now, but is still fully committed to the business and works normal hours.

Above all, give it a go: “Jump in the deep end and swim like hell”.

Matt Miller co-owns web company Mogul Limited, based in Havelock North, but serving clients around the world, including BayBuzz. His beat for BayBuzz is online trends and best practice.

The Ultimate Orchard and Vineyard Choice

For Further Information Contact: www.ecrl.co.nz | Tel: +64 6 876 9835 400 Ellison Road, Hastings 4122

Page 87 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

Too Lean on Child Obesity?

BY TOM BELFORD

The Ministry of Health recently announced a 22-point initiative, with $7 million of re-allocated funds, to combat obesity in children and young people up to 18 years of age.

Obesity – not just child obesity – has reached crisis proportion in New Zealand, and our rate is rising. We lag behind only Greece and Italy amongst OECD countries in incidence of obesity in the adult population.

One in three NZ adults are obese; one in ten children (aged 2-14 years) are. Both rates are significantly higher for Maori and Pacific individuals. The MOH estimates that 10-15% of children are obese in Hawke’s Bay. Apart from its impact on individuals’ health, widespread obesity will generate unbearable cost on society, as the health system and budget become overwhelmed by the need to treat obesity-fueled diabetes, heart disease, stroke, some cancers and organ failure.

We simply cannot afford our current obesity trajectory.

Page 88 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

MOH plan The MOH plan involves health sector actions (e.g. individual and family intervention for weight management and proper eating and exercise, access to nutrition programmes, intervention targets for DHBs), increased support for physical activity and sport, a broad public information and awareness campaign, and voluntary food industry efforts.

The specific health target is as follows: “By December 2017, 95 per cent of obese children identified in the Before School Check (B4SC) programme will be referred to a health professional for clinical assessment and family based nutrition, activity and lifestyle interventions.” Families so referred will have improved access to nutrition and physical activity programmes.

Sport NZ and Regional Sports Trusts will be expected to provide more sport opportunities for young people in communities where participation rates are low and the risk of poor health is higher.

Health Promoting Schools (HPS) support will be expanded to 150 more decile 1-4 primary and intermediate schools, and those with high Māori, Pasifika or vulnerable groups. HPS supports school communities to be more proactive about their health and wellbeing.

Women in pregnancy will be targeted for screening and guidance. According to MOH, an estimated one third of women of normal weight and 60% of obese women gain more weight than recommended during pregnancy.

They are more likely to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes.

And, says the World Health Organisation (WHO), their children are predisposed to increased fat deposits associated with metabolic disease and obesity. Children who have suffered from under-nutrition and are born with low birth-weight are at much greater risk of obesity when faced with overnutrition and a sedentary lifestyle later in life.

Broad population approaches will include promoting the voluntary Health Star Rating system (nutrition labeling), a national media campaign focused on childhood obesity (targeting parents and caregivers), and a review of the Code of Advertising as it applies to food advertising.

Regarding the food and beverage industry, the MOH plan says: “Discussions have been held on the role industry can play in helping to address childhood obesity. These discussions have included the possibility of voluntary industry pledges, and changes to food labelling, marketing and advertising to children.”

For some critics, this is a weak spot in the MOH initiative.

WHO recommendations The Ministry cites an interim report from WHO as an important resource for shaping its initiative. Sir Peter Gluckman, chief science adviser to the prime minister, served as co-chairman of WHO’s Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity set up to address the issue (Helen Clark was also one of 15 commissioners).

WHO’s view of the situation is summarized in the interim report: “None of (the) upstream causal factors are in the control of the child, and childhood obesity therefore should not be seen as a result of lifestyle choices by the child.

Given that childhood obesity is influenced

by biological and contextual factors, governments must address these issues by providing public health guidance, education and establishing regulatory frameworks to address developmental and environmental risks, in order to support families’ efforts to change behaviours.

“Obesity itself is a direct cause of morbidities in childhood including gastrointestinal and orthopaedic complications, sleep apnoea, and the accelerated onset of cardiovascular disease and diabetes … Obesity in childhood can also contribute to behavioural and emotional difficulties, such as depression, lead to stigmatization and poor socialization and appears to impair learning.

“Critically, childhood obesity is a strong predictor of adult obesity, which has well known health and economic consequences, both for the individual and society as a whole.”

WHO’s report offers a robust suite of policy recommendations, and in many respects the MOH programme incorporates the report’s main principles.

But more worth noting is where WHO and MOH diverge. And that is principally in the area of more direct fiscal and regulatory interventions.

For example, the WHO report strongly endorses taxation of sugar-sweetened nonalcoholic beverages, arguing: “Low-income consumers and their children have the greatest risk of obesity in many societies and are most influenced by price and such fiscal policies could encourage this group of consumers to make healthier choices as well as providing an indirect educational signal to the whole population.

“The evidence available to date makes a case for applying taxes to products such as sugar-sweetened non-alcoholic beverages as the most feasible to implement.” WHO

mentions spill-over benefits in the reduction of dental caries in children.

Then there’s the issue of food and beverage marketing, where the WHO report is very firm: “There is unequivocal evidence that the marketing of unhealthy foods and nonalcoholic beverages is related to childhood obesity. Despite the increasing number of voluntary efforts by industry, exposure to marketing of unhealthy foods remains a major issue and there is a need for change that will protect all children equally. “…voluntary initiatives that are not subject to independent audit and oversight are likely insufficient.

“Regulatory and statutory approaches may be needed to ensure that changes reach the desirable level and apply to forms of marketing that are not currently covered under voluntary codes. Regulation will provide equal protection to all children regardless of socio-economic group.

“There needs to be clarity as to the range of healthy products that can be marketed, and consideration of both direct and indirect marketing strategies, including pricing, promotion and placement.”

Taxation and regulation! Nasty concepts to some governments.

centred weight reduction programmes can be quite successful, he notes; but not so effective without. “We don’t want to set parents up to fail.”

More broadly, Dr Wills believes the MOH initiative is not commensurate with the crisis level of the problem. Favouring the WHO blueprint, he cites three areas of shortcoming: failure to tax sugar, particularly in fizzy drinks; reliance on purely voluntary restraints on marketing high fat, high sugar foods to children; and lack of mandatory rules on healthy food in schools.

“The Government just hasn’t gone far enough,” he commented on Radio NZ. Referring to obesity as a health crisis, Dr Wills urges: “We have to be brave and do things that are unpalatable … we are all going to pay the price of high obesity in New Zealand.”

Dr Russell Wills

A local perspective BayBuzz asked Hawke’s Bay paediatrician and NZ’s Children’s Commissioner Dr Russell Wills for his ‘take’ on the MOH initiative. He applauds the initiative as helpful in areas like food labeling, public awareness and fostering exercise.

However, he worries that the intention to intervene with families who have obese children could backfire harmfully if those expected to provide advice are not properly skilled to provide parent training. With properly skilled parent training, family-

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Page 89 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

Sponsoring insight into smart farming in Hawke’s Bay tim.co.nz

GRASS-FED CAVIAR

BY TOM BELFORD

As is often the case, my ‘smart farming’ report is inspired by a heap of interesting items appearing in the farming publications these past few weeks.

TPP The biggest news, or at least the news creating the highest expectations, is the conclusion of the TPP (Trans Pacific Partnership) agreement. For the farming sector, leaving aside disappointed dairying, TPP appears to offer substantial trading benefits.

According to CHB farmer and Government agricultural trade envoy Mike Peterson: “We have basically gained free trade access for the majority of our primary sector products – with the exception of dairy and some beef – to 11 new markets with a population of 800 million or 40% of the world’s trade.” And coincidentally, these markets account for 40% of NZ’s exports.

Sector groups representing beef & lamb, horticulture, seafood, forestry and wine unanimously praised the deal. Dairy drew the short straw in the negotiations, but even Fonterra put on a happy face, with chairman John Wilson describing the deal as “a small, but significant step forward for the dairy sector”.

Most of the agriculture sector gains would come via foreign tariff reductions, which the Government has valued at $259 million per year in savings. For example, the agreement eliminates tariffs on all wine, fruit and vegetables, and forest products exports to all

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markets, and significantly reduces beef tariffs – sectors that represent the heart of Hawke’s Bay’s primary sector.

Stephen Jacobi of the NZ International Business Forum asserts: “All this has been achieved without the likelihood of significant adjustment for NZ in areas like medicines, investment, intellectual property or the management of state-owned enterprises.”

And chair Traci Houpapa of the Federation of Maori Authorities, whose 150 members hold $8 billion in assets and represent the majority of Maori exporters, strongly supporting the TPP says: “NZ has always been a part of the trade conversation globally … and it’s opportune for Maori exporters to participate in the next stage of the conversation.” She is fully satisfied that Treaty of Waitangi obligations are enshrined in the agreement.

Despite all this kudos, the ‘deal’ is not quite done. Legislative bodies in each of the twelve signatory nations must endorse the agreement, and that is not a sure bet in some cases.

In the US in particular, the battle will be fierce. Presidential contenders from Donald Trump on the right to Bernie Sanders in the left have denounced the agreement, while straddling Hillary Clinton has said she cannot support it unless she’s satisfied with the

details (NZ Labour’s starting position, as well as Canada’s new Prime Minster Trudeau).

President Obama, with strong opposition amongst key Senate Democrats (who don’t like the agreement), as well as Republican senators (who don’t like him), will have his hands full winning Senate approval.

Here in New Zealand, critics of the TPP legitimately complain that the Government has mounted a full-scale campaign to sell the agreement before releasing any of its details.

Once implemented, the TPP opens the door to significantly more agricultural exports. But what will we sell? Virtually all commentators in the farm sector agree that NZ’s future must be in value-added premium food products, not simply more low-value commodities.

GMO-free So while the TPP plays out on the international stage, right here in Hawke’s Bay another – not unrelated – battle gathers steam, as local farmers and growers fight to give the region a competitive edge in overseas markets.

The Hastings District Council recently officially notified its District Plan, which includes a provision that would keep the district, home to much of HB’s foodbasket, GM-free for the next decade.

The local advocates of keeping Hawke’s Bay GM-free, led by Pure Hawke’s Bay, advance a trade-based economic argument for their proposition. In a nutshell, they argue, in the words of local pastoral farmers Bruno Chambers and Will MacFarlane: “The region is not a low-cost producer,

but is home to some of the world’s best and most expensive horticultural land. Our producers – pastoral farmers, wineries, fruit growers and niche producers – have production integrity and need to sell to high-value markets to command the best price possible. And those markets are very clear they have zero tolerance to GM food, whether in conventionally-produced or organic products.”

While trade treaties like TPP can open access, national policies – driven by consumer preferences – can just as easily shut doors. For example, in recent weeks, 17 European Union countries, including Germany, France and Netherlands, have announced policies prohibiting the release of GMOs – more than two-thirds of Europe’s arable land will be GM-free. Why? Because their domestic populations don’t want to eat GM food and their farmers want to be able to export to consumers who don’t want to eat GM-tainted foods.

Pure Hawke’s Bay enjoys the support of many heavy-hitters in the region’s primary sector; its polling has demonstrated overwhelming public support; the Environment Court has endorsed the right of local councils to regulate on the matter … and now one council in Hawke’s Bay has.

The HDC rules are pragmatic; for example, they exempt GM animal feed and GM veterinary vaccines. But there’s plenty of politics ahead, including the threat that National Government might seek to legislatively pre-empt regional initiatives like this. BayBuzz will examine the issues more extensively in coming editions.

Where’s the beef?

The farm trade press regularly reports developments that confirm the need for the agriculture sector to meet consumer dictates.

Fonterra recently announced it was

“desperate” for organic milk because it is worth five times more than conventional … at a time when low conventional milk prices might be the ‘new normal’. And it bomb-shelled its suppliers by announcing maximum use guidelines for per cow, per day use of PKE, an imported feed produced from palm oil. Why? To protect its global image as a supplier of milk that comes from predominantly grass-fed cows.

And speaking of grass-fed, who would have thought, one farm veteran recently touted New Zealand’s grass-fed beef as the “caviar of the future”! He noted: “We need to make sure we hang on to that NZ Inc brand because we are not a low cost producer any more. There are a lot of countries that can produce the same product

cheaper than us, but we have a reputation as delivering quality safe products.”

What’s at stake? Mark Lebovich, chief executive of major US beef importer, PreBeef, estimates the US market for quality beef was already worth NZ$100-120 billion. He says demand in the US for high quality, grassfed beef grew 50% in the last decade. This was currently a niche market at 3% of the US beef market, but would grow to 20%.

Says Lebovich: “This is a global phenomenon, but in the US everyone is looking for more healthy options and in beef there are not too many options.” He notes that grass-fed beef typically earned a 20-25% premium over grain-fed, based on consumers seeking quality and health attributes.

Where does this lead? Massey agribusiness professor Jacqueline Rowarth sums it up nicely: “Magazine racks are filled with how to eat better so you can live longer, healthier lives …

The general trend is about natural, organic, non-GMO. It’s the farm to table approach. NZ is quids-in on this because we have the ethical approach. We look after our workers on farm.

We look after our animals. We look after the environment. And we can prove it all.”

Some of us might dispute Rowarth’s environmental claim, but her point remains.

The premium space is ours to take, if we commit to it.

That’s a “no brainer” message as Chambers and MacFarlane see it. The trade door will be most open and most profitable to those with premium food products … products deemed by consumers to be demonstrably safe, natural, ethical.

New Zealand, including Hawke’s Bay farmers and growers, can choose that door, or we can default to the door that commentator Ceri Wells, on the next page, terms the Kiwi “Commodity Obsession” – striving to sell for less and less!

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Page 91 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

tim.co.nz

Commodity Obsession

BY CERI WELLS

The recent slump in dairy prices once again reminds us how vulnerable the New Zealand economy is to price fluctuations for commodity products. Of course animal protein is particularly susceptible because it is a renewable commodity that any farmer anywhere in the world can produce.

When prices fall, the profitability vanishes and the dairy industry contracts worldwide.

The lack of supply this creates drives up prices, leading to an increase in herd sizes and dairy farm numbers, which again leads to an oversupply, and the inevitable price drops.

Clearly it’s not a happy business model.

We pride ourselves on our ability to produce cheap dairy products, and a lot of research money goes into finding ways to reduce the cost of production so that we can be more price competitive than producers in other countries. However, this encourages competition from producers overseas to also reduce their costs for dairy production – whether that be through subsidies or setting up low-cost efficient 50,000 to 100,000 cow dairy farms in South America or Asia. This in turn will drive prices down.

And the problem is exacerbated by the fact that foreign competition is buying in Kiwi IP to improve their competitiveness against New Zealand dairy producers.

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Striving to sell for less Kiwis just don’t seem to be able to graduate from striving to sell a commodity for less and less. This is not a recipe for increasing the wealth of New Zealand workers.

Our belief in the benefits of a farm-based economy assume that with its growing population, the world will always be hungry for our food. However, we know that many countries are investing large amounts of money in research and development around food production. Think about how easily land could be used in South America, China, Africa and Eastern Europe to produce dairy products cheaply and in volumes that would seriously challenge the viability of the New Zealand dairy industry.

It’s alarming that our most valuable exports are commodity items – dairy, meat, logs and oil – and the message needs to get through that New Zealand Inc. must diversify and start seriously encouraging innovation.

The total value of goods exported from

New Zealand topped NZ$50 billion dollars for the first time in March 2014. Given New Zealand’s current estimated population of 4.56 million people, that translates to around $10,900 for every person in the country.

Compare this performance with Singapore: with a population of 5.6 million people, and total exports in 2014 of US$410 billion, that’s $113,016 (NZ) for every person in Singapore.

One of the big differences between the two economies is that of the top 10 Singaporean exports, only one is a commodity item (oil).

The other exports, in order, are electronic equipment, machinery, organic chemicals, plastics, medical and technical equipment, gems and precious metals, pharmaceuticals, aircraft and printed publications.

What this highlights is that New Zealand needs to press the reset button and focus on manufacturing and marketing more sophisticated finished products, and IP-rich products, which face limited competition and whose value won’t fluctuate with supply issues outside our control.

Hopefully with the fall in dairy prices, the New Zealand Government will seriously turn its attention to developing a knowledge economy. We certainly need that if we’re to foot it with the likes of Singapore.

More R&D needed With any luck the first thing the Government will address with this new focus is the lack of research and development in New Zealand.

Current New Zealand R&D expenditure totals 1.26% as a proportion of GDP, compared with an OECD average of around twice that. That ranks us about 31st in business expenditure on research and development in the OECD. The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment and Callaghan Innovation aim

to encourage an increase in business research and development expenditure by 1% by 2018, which sounds very encouraging. The 2015 budget was promoted as a response to critics of the Government’s research and development policy, with its $80 million boost to Callaghan Innovation. This increase raises to $160 million a year Callaghan Innovation’s total funds for dispersing as research and development growth grants.

It’s a start, but such approaches show the Government’s unhealthy predilection for taking money from New Zealand tax payers, filtering it through administrators, and then handing what’s left out to those businesses who can be bothered filling in the forms and jumping through the hoops necessary to receive funding to compensate for a minor percentage of their research and development costs. Larger, established companies in New Zealand have time to commit to obtaining funding and it appears that it is these companies that take the lion’s share of research and development funding.

However, the New Zealand economy is driven by small businesses. Many of those SMEs that are trying to develop innovative products, complain that it is hard enough doing research and development while trying to run a business without having to find the time to complete the extensive paper work that has to be submitted to obtain and maintain funding.

These kinds of incentives are not going to create a sea change in the country’s currently reticent attitude to spending on innovation.

We need innovation heroes and we need every business thinking about innovation and R&D. Encouraging New Zealand’s SMEs to commit to research and development requires a far simpler approach.

Let them spend what they can afford on research and development, and then do what the Australian and other governments have done – stimulate research and development among SMEs by providing relatively simple tax deductibility for research and development expenditure. Otherwise, take a leaf out of the UK’s book and offer

reduced taxation on revenue generated from products that are the subject of a patent. This is certainly one way of encouraging research and development, as well as motivating business to own the IP derived from it.

Offering tax deductibility for R&D will excite interest in innovation among SMEs and encourage the shift in focus the New Zealand economy needs.

There’s no question that research and development is always a gamble, but if SMEs are willing to take the risk of investing money in innovation — some of which can be claimed back — then the public purse through its tax revenues should provide encouragement by sharing that risk.

Whatever the answer, we need to be doing something to generate the change of attitude towards investing in innovation that is required if we are to free ourselves from the volatility of commodity pricing.

Ceri Wells, James & Wells Partner, has been involved in patent drafting, litigation, trade mark ownership, unfair competition and copyright matters for 30 years.

He’s passionate about making sure businesses get the best possible bang for their innovative buck.

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Page 93 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

Rescuing 1019 Campbell Street

BY ANNA LORCK Campbell Street neighbours meet to demand action

tim.co.nz

S

omething magic is happening in Campbell Street, Raureka. The neighbourhood is coming together in a community effort to find a family to fill a statehouse. One that has been empty for nearly 18 months.

They are doing this because it is beyond the capability of the Government.

The people who live in Campbell Street are a mixture of homeowners, many who have lived there more than 25 years, along with those in private rentals and state housing. The street has a local kindergarten, two nearby

Page 94 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

schools and a bus stop for public transport.

Everything is pretty good, people know and look out for each other. Everyone, that is, except for one BIG BAD landlord – the Government.

1019 Campbell Street is a house I know pretty well. For me it represents the complete disregard the state has for support of good social housing. Because it is only one of hundreds of houses just like it right across the country.

Indeed, sitting right behind 1019 Campbell Street and many of the other residents’ houses

is a whole lot of condemned Housing NZ two-story buildings that should be pulled down – but will probably fall down first.

I first knocked on the door during the election campaign, when I met the long-term tenant. He had recently lost his partner and Housing NZ had told him he needed to move out because it was too big for him now. He was worried about where he would go.

The house was in a shocking state. He couldn’t tell me when he’d had curtains, the floorboards were rotting, no insulation, the fire didn’t work, the bathroom leaked, mould

covered the walls … the house was freezing.

But that’s about what I’ve learned to expect with statehouses that successive governments have neglected.

I

promised to come back and check if he was okay. When I returned, the neighbours let me know he’d found another HNZ house and was living there with his daughter and doing well.

There were builders doing a complete makeover. It amazed me why the state had waited until after he moved out to do anything about the poor conditions he and his partner had been living in and putting up with for years.

A few months later I came back, hoping to see a family living in it – but sadly no.

So I started asking questions. Apparently despite offering it to three prospective tenants, no one wanted to move in – really?

How can this be when there are about one hundred on the waiting list? When there are families living in overcrowded housing, in hotels and garages, in caravans?

So I asked around – was something wrong with the house, was the street unsafe?

I also started asking questions about the government’s spending on state housing across Hawke’s Bay. Why spend thousands on the house and leave it empty – money down the drain?

Leave it empty and the vandalism starts.

The house now has smashed windows, the guttering had been ripped off and the new carpet is missing.

Then some of the residents gave me a call.

They were fed up with what this empty house was doing to the reputation of their street and wanted to sort it out.

I met David and Elizabeth Moat and Judy Fletcher, who have enjoyed living in their Campbell Street homes for more than 25 years. They want to see a family move in and make it a home. They fear that because the house has been left empty and deteriorated the Government will say there is no demand and sell it below GV. This will drop the equity in their own homes, which is grossly unfair.

So they invited residents to a community meeting and they had a good turnout. We

1019 Campbell Street met a chap who has a sick baby and is desperately waiting for a better place – he thought 1019 Campbell Street was a massive improvement from where they were living. A young mother with three children turned up, she was living in a caravan and would love to live in the house.

Two families desperate for a home and yet this house is empty. Imagine what message this sends to people in need of affordable housing.

O

ver the past three years the Government has spent about $30 million on repairs and maintenance of its housing assets in Hawke’s Bay. But the bureaucracy cannot tell me where or what on – they don’t record what houses have work done.

It is wrong, there is no accountability, no follow up, no plan.

I don’t think it’s too hard to sort out. But it won’t happen while there is no one on the ground responsible for dealing with state housing in the region.

So in the meantime a house stays empty and a family waits.

At the meeting they agreed to write an open letter to Tukituki MP Craig Foss.

They want to know how much of taxpayers’ money was spent on the house, who would meet the criteria to live in the house, and what action he would take to get a family in it.

“Over the past three years the Government has spent about $30 million on repairs and maintenance of its housing assets in Hawke’s Bay. But the bureaucracy cannot tell me where or what on – they don’t record what houses have work done.”

But a decision to sell it, the last thing Campbell Street wanted, has been made.

For 18 months the house stayed empty and a family waited, despite 100 on a waiting list in Hawke’s Bay. It won’t come as a surprise when an investor snaps it up and puts a family in it.

It’s likely that when the family moves in and is required to pay market rent, they will need to go to the state for an accommodation allowance.

So the investor gets a guaranteed income paid by the taxpayer for doing the job the Government couldn’t do and will make a profit off housing the poor.

Despite being sold out, the one thing the Government can’t do is break Campbell Street’s community spirit. Good on them for standing up for the little guy.

Founded in 2007 MOGUL IS

HOMEGROWN and proudly independent

Page 95 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

EYE IN THE SKY

BY BRENDAN WEBB The hawk floated in lazy circles above the Plains of Heretaungus as the warm air rising from the orchards below lifted it higher into the blue sky. Its eyes constantly scanned the fields below for prey. As it swung to the east in a slow curve, it could see Naperion’s villas clustered on the hills above the port. Behind it to the south, the fortress of Hustings simmered in the hot sun.

Provincial Governor Lawrencus Yulus watched the hawk from a shady bench beneath the walls of his headquarters. He studied it, wondering what it would be like to have the whole of Heretaungus beneath him.

His reverie was interrupted by one of his officials, who approached him cautiously with a large box.

“Should we keep these sire?” he asked, holding up a wad of chariot bumper stickers with the slogan “Yule be glad you voted YES”.

Lawrencus shuddered at the bitter reminder of his crushing defeat in the Battle of Amalgamatus. He had remained locked in his chambers for weeks, endlessly recounting the votes. His officials had been too scared to approach him about disposing of his campaign material.

“Chuck them all out,” he snapped.

The official left, but returned a few minutes later with another box. It contained dozens of togas with Lawrencus’ beaming face printed on them saying “Give The Bay Some Real Teeth”.

Lawrencus winced. His official managed a weak smile.

“I know a dental physician who says he’ll take them off our hands,” he said.

Lawrencus waved him away. He’d been so confident of winning he’d borrowed heavily for new battle armour, a stretched chariot and a custom-made throne for his new regional headquarters. Now his political future was in ruins, he was deep in debt again and the moneylenders were circling like the distant hawk.

Someone coughed gently behind him.

He turned and saw another official standing nervously in the shadows, holding a scroll. He handed it to Lawrencus and quickly disappeared.

Lawrencus gasped as he saw the headline on the scroll: “Doltus pushing the

Page 96 • Issue 26 • Nov / Dec 2015 • BAY BUZZ

boundaries”. He read with disbelief that Napierion leader Bullish Doltus, flushed with success after the Battle of Amalgamatus, was now scheming to extend his northern boundary up to the border of Wairorus.

Lawrencus hurled the scroll to the floor, sending a jug of water flying across the table.

“I knew Doltus was up to something when he suddenly shaved his beard off.

What does he know about rural life? He wouldn’t know a pizzle from a pestle. Has he ever been up to his ankles in cattle dung or munched his way through a feed of lambs’ testicles? Wallowing in the mud with pigs, wrestling with a sturdy ewe or sticking an arm up a cow’s backside is just another Saturday night for us cockies.”

His officials glanced at each other but said nothing. Then one raised his hand.

“Doltus says he’d like to put his arm around people in Wairorus,” he said.

“So Doltus wants to get his hands on the people of Wairorus does he?” said Lawrencus. “Well, that only confirms the rumours I’ve heard about bacchanalia at the hot pools up on the Paradus Marinus.”

He looked gloomily at the marble busts of his predecessors lining the walls of the room, wondering what they would have done in this situation.

“We have to regain the initiative. We can’t just wave the white flag and give up.”

Then he had a flash of inspiration.

“A flag ... that’s it! We’ll distract everyone by holding a competition for a new regional flag.”

Six weeks later an official dragged a large sack into Lawrencus’ chamber. It was crammed with brightly coloured scrolls of different shapes and sizes.

“We got 600 entries for the new flag design,” he announced. “We’ve whittled them down to the best 40.”

Lawrencus grabbed a handful and spread them out on a table.

“Most have a leaf emblem on them sire, symbolising our strong link to the land.”

Lawrencus frowned.

“What sort of leaf? Clover or ryegrass?

Surely not paspalum.”

The official shook his head again.

“A fern leaf I believe, sire.”

“A fern leaf?” said Lawrencus. “That’s ridiculous. I spent years clearing pig fern off my land. Sheep and cattle won’t touch the stuff. If we want to be represented by a weed you might as well stick a great big thistle on the damn flag.”

The official smiled weakly.

“I understand the heathen tribes in the far north of Britannicus have already adopted the thistle sire,” he said, “but there is one design here that many people like. They call it the red peak.”

Lawrencus glanced at it.

“A red peak? Looks more like an Arab’s tent to me. We’re in Heretaungus, not in the middle of the Sahara Desert.”

He swept the scrolls from the table in disgust.

“We’re getting nowhere. Hustings will have to get its own flag. The Napierions and the regional forum will want something different and we’ll also need another two for Wairorus and the Southern Bay of Hawks.”

“So the one province will have five flags sire?” asked the official.

“That’s how we do things around here,” sighed Lawrencus.

The hawk was slowly descending as the sun began to sink below the mountains in the west. Suddenly it noticed a line of magpies sitting on Napierion’s high wall.

Then it spotted a second small group to the south, near Hustings. The hawk knew that magpies could be a force to be reckoned with if they worked together as a team.

But it had no worries in the skies above Heretaungus. The Napierion magpies were too busy preening themselves.

Their counterparts near Hustings were huddled together, watching the Napierions suspiciously. None of them noticed the hawk’s shadow sweep across the vineyards below as it glided toward the setting sun.

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