Marlborough Weekly 9 November 2021

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Tuesday 9 November 2021

The show goes on

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TUESDAY 9 November 2021 YOUR WEEKLY

STREET TALK

Jump Jam stars entertain rugby crowd MATT BROWN

matt@marlboroughmedia.co.nz

100% locally owned and operated

Two Jump Jam teams have come away with awards and accolades at a South Island-wide competition.

Year five and six students from Springlands School cleaned up at the regional competition in term one this year, claiming spots at the South Island finals in Christchurch late last month.

And Jungle Janes were awarded the gold in the popular competition – coming first in both the regional and South Island competitions and securing a place in the national final.

A second team from Springlands School, Don’t Stop the Divas, placed fourth regionally and third at the South Island championships.

Jungle Janes’ coach and Springlands School teacher Courtney

The Jungle Janes put on a show for Mako fans at Lansdowne Park.

Photo: Gavin Hadfield/Shuttersport.

Haley says she is proud of both team’s amazing results.

“This was a successful event with both teams walking away with placings for their categories,” she says. “Both teams trained at least two lunch times a week and during the holidays to prepare for the event.”

The jump jam champs per-

formed their routine at Lansdowne Park, providing half time entertainment during the Mako v Wellington game at the weekend.

The South Island National competition is an annual event which sees the top 10 schools in each category from around the South Island compete for the National

title. These scores will then be compared against the North Island competition to award an overall National Champion for 2021.

The Jungle Janes competed in the Xtreme Year 5/6 category and were coached by teachers Courtney Haley and Brittany Nixon.

“This is the highest category allowing you to change up to 50 per cent of the choreography,” Courtney says.

The team also received multiple awards with distinction and excellence including a sportsmanship award.

The Don't Stop the Divas team were coached by teachers Leanne Guyton and Ashley Harris and competed in the Advanced year 5/6 category - allowing them to change up to 33 per cent of the choreography. They also received multiple awards with excellence and merit.

News

TUESDAY 9 November 2021

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Marina project soldiers on MATT BROWN

matt@marlboroughmedia.co.nz

Waikawa’s $30 million marina upgrade, a decade in the works, could be welcoming boaties by mid-2022.

The project has faced supply line issues due to the global Covid pandemic, pushing back deadlines – but Port Marlborough chief executive Rhys Welbourn says soldiering on is a way to keep the money flowing in Waitohi.

Rhys says the Waikawa North West project is funnelling about $10m per year into the local economy during the construction phase, with forecasts predicting a $2m boost to the area per annum once the marina is up and running.

“The Marlborough Sounds has always been a mecca for recreational boating,” Rhys says.

“We have about 20 per cent of New Zealand coastline.

“No matter what you’re looking for in the Sounds, there’s always a place for someone.”

The marina will provide 251 berths for vessels ranging from 12 to 30m, including purpose-built berths for multihull vessels.

Waikawa marina currently has just over 600 berths of the more than 1000 in the area.

Despite a five-year waiting list for a berth in the popular port town, the project was nearly scrapped

before it began.

“The day after we started construction was the first day of level four lockdown,” Rhys says.

“We looked long and hard at the project before deciding to go ahead.

“We have confidence in the area and it’s our own mini shovelready programme.”

Rhys says getting locals involved in the project was a key consideration, with Picton contractors working on the build and the reclamation contract awarded to Simcox.

The ocean-dwelling locals were also high on their priority list, and a marine mammal monitoring programme was developed with marine scientists from the Cawthron Institute, to watch out for curious marine mammals.

“While we’re piling, we have someone looking for marine mammals,” Rhys says.

“Dolphins, seals, orca – if they come close, all work stops.

“Dolphins in particular are very sensitive to sound. If they come within 200m, all work stops.”

He says there was a lot of planning done, leveraging both international experience and knowledge from closer to home.

“Particular thanks to Te Ātiawa o Te Waka-a-Māui for their contribution of local knowledge,” Rhys says.

The design of the breakwater is

The new Waikawa marina takes shape. Photo: GCH Aviation/Supplied. also a New Zealand first.

Challenges with the depth of the harbour meant a traditional rock wall breakwater would be too difficult and expensive, so port engineers looked to a Tasmanian company for a unique solution.

“We’ve had to be fairly innovative in the design of the breakwater,” Rhys says.

Australian design firm Burbury Consulting were engaged to undertake the detailed design of the breakwater structure.

Computer generated models created to simulate the environment in Waikawa Bay found a fixed panel breakwater was ideal for

the area.

“The panels extend into the water, but don’t reach the seabed,” Rhys says. “There’s a marina in Tasmania that uses the system, but I think we’re the first in New Zealand. You get more water flow under – but you don’t get the wave energy in the top part of the water column.”

The tidal flow of the water beneath the breakwater panels ensures a healthy marine ecosystem, while at the same time protecting the vessels within the marina from the elements The design of the breakwater also provides for a public walkway

along the top to the end of the marina, with a spectacular view looking out into Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui.

Rhys says despite delays caused

by Covid, they’re making good progress with the first berths expected to be available at the world-class facility by the end of this summer, and the full marina completed in August 2022.

“Thanks to the local community and Waikawa residents for their patience and understanding as we go through the construction process.

“We’re really excited and we can’t wait to see the first vessels arrive.”

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News

TUESDAY 9 November 2021

New freight ferry coming to the strait MATT BROWN

matt@marlboroughmedia.co.nz

The Christmas parade has been canned, but Santa is still set to visit. File photo.

Christmas parades cancelled PAULA HULBURT

paula@marlboroughmedia.co.nz

borough 4 Fun has been forced to cancel this year’s event due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions and in the best interest of keeping members of the Marlborough community safe.

“Don’t worry Santa is still coming to visit! We will be updating you all over the next few weeks with information on Santa’s tour.”

E XP IR E S : 3 0 .12. 21. *E XCL U DE S P R E -PA ID CA R DS . ONE P ER CU S T O MER .

The plug has been pulled on Marlborough’s Christmas parades to help keep the community safe.

In a double blow, both the Picton Santa Parade and Christmas Carols and the Blenheim Christmas Parade have been cancelled

for this year.

But those looking for a glimpse of Santa need not worry as plans are underway to ensure he comes for a visit.

Announcing the decision last week, Blenheim parade organisers Marlborough 4 Fun say the cancellation comes with a “heavy heart.”

“It is with a heavy heart Marl-

A new freight ferry will soon ply the waters of the Cook Strait as KiwiRail moves to increase resilience on the vital link between the north and south islands.

KiwiRail has leased the freightonly ferry, Valentine, with the ship set to arrive mid-December.

The first sailings are expected lateDecember.

KiwiRail Group chief executive Greg Miller says having another ferry will ensure capacity and provide resilience on this important link in the New Zealand supply chain.

"These are challenging times for the supply chain, but we are working hard for our customers, and working hard for New Zealand," he says.

"KiwiRail's role is to ensure the SH1 and main trunk rail connection between the North and South Islands stays open, and Valentine will provide us with the ability to make sure that happens during the busiest period of the year for New Zealanders taking summer holidays.

"The inter-island connection is vital for our customers, so we have

been working hard to secure a replacement ferry. We looked at 26 vessels around the world, then shortlisted six for more detailed assessment. The Valentine was the best option available right now.

"The freight-only ferry will free up space for passengers and their vehicles on the other ferries, ensuring New Zealanders can travel during the summer holiday season.

"With Valentine in place, we are able to give certainty of capacity to our customers and other New Zealand businesses, supporting them as they recover from the impacts of Covid."

Greg says the Interislander fleet is aging and more prone to breakdown.

"Old ships tend to have mechanical problems and this has been highlighted with the current mechanical issues on Aratere. While she has now resumed service, we know that disruption is bad for us and our customers.

"Valentine will help mitigate the impact on freight movements across the Cook Strait, in the event of any further unexpected mechanical disruptions."

Valentine is being leased for an initial 12 months.

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TUESDAY 9 November 2021

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Legally uninhabitable senior flats to be fixed by council CHLOE RANFORD

Local Democracy Reporter

Thousands of dollars will be spent correcting legally uninhabitable flats in a Marlborough senior complex.

The Marlborough District Council has agreed to spend $44,000 to bring five vacant flats in its Andrew Place, Blenheim complex up to “a suitable standard to be re-tenanted”.

Some of the flats have sat empty for years, worrying neighbours, who claim both the council and the council’s housing manager have hinted their homes might be bowled.

But the council says it is not renting five of the apartments because they do not meet the Government’s new “healthy home” standards, launched earlier this year, which set stricter rules for heating, insulation, draughts and drainage in rentals.

This left the council with two options: leave the flats empty until July 2024, when the grace rule period ended, or fix them.

A council spokeswoman says the council decided to refurbish the apartments before the end of the year to extend their life.

The five homes will be given a new lick of paint internally, recarpeted, and given new heat pumps and draught stoppers.

The council does not have to check whether the occupied flats meet the new rules until the July 2024 deadline, but have already finished its heating, insulation and ventilation audits.

It has installed new heaters, upgraded insulation, and put down new extraction units in every kitchen and bathroom.

The council is still wondering what to do with five other flats that have “slumped” down, making them “non-habitable”.

Councillor Cynthia Brooks, chair of the sub-committee that looks after the council’s senior houses, told tenants earlier this year that repairing the flats would be “uneconomic”, so had been ruled out, but removing them wouldn’t come cheap.

Reports from that same com-

There are 26 units at Andrew Place, 10 of which are legally uninhabitable. The Marlborough District Council plans to change that. Photo: Scott Hammond/STUFF. mittee – the housing for seniors sub-committee – show the council has looked at demolishing the units in 2018, but later asked if anyone wanted to relocate them.

A couple had expressed interest, but then pulled out.

Most people on the council’s senior housing wait list were after accommodation in Blenheim.

There were 68 people aged 65 and older on the list in July, 22 more than in 2015.

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TUESDAY 9 November 2021

News

Make it hard for thieves RUSS SMITH

Senior Community Constable

This week Bunnings nationally are holding their annual Crime Prevention Week.

They have a crime prevention display in their Blenheim store with information available for the public to take away.

In the spirit of encouraging things that improve the safety of people and property, the local Police Prevention group and the Blenheim Community Patrol team are getting together and providing some helpful and practical crime prevention activities.

The Police and Community Patrollers will be set up in the Bunnings car park in Blenheim between 10am and 2pm this Saturday, 13 November.

The Community Patrol group will have a site designed to receive vehicles so that they can fit tamper-proof screws to number plates.

Members of the public will be able to drive in and have their number plate screws replaced with tamper-proof fittings by the Community Patrollers for a $5 donation to the patrollers.

This donation will help the Blenheim and Picton Community Patrols, which are all manned

Senior Community Constable Russ Smith. File photo. by trained volunteers, maintain their night-time patrols of our communities, working alongside Police and helping to keep us and our property safe.

Number plates are often stolen by criminals and used to mask the identity of the vehicles they use in the commission of crime.

Their intention is to make it more difficult for Police and others to investigate and identify the criminals involved.

Having tamper-proof fittings to hold your number plates onto your vehicle dramatically reduces the likelihood that your plates will be stolen, so head down to Bunning on Saturday between 10am and 2pm to have your number plates made safe.

The local Police Prevention team will have members man-

ning a nearby site in the Bunnings carpark on Saturday too.

Police will have engraving devices on hand to engrave any tools that owners wish to bring to the site. This is a free service.

The Police highly recommend that everyone who has tools, particularly power tools, has them engraved with their driver’s licence number. This is a number that is unique to the owner, anonymous to anyone who can see it, but very helpful to Police when they locate an engraved tool that they believe may be stolen, as they can quickly identify the owner.

Police will also have a range of crime prevention information available and will be happy to speak to anyone who is wanting advice or information.

Clubs of Marlborough’s newest dining adventure, Stonegrill.

Opinion: DIY dining an adventure of taste MATT BROWN I don’t usually go to a restaurant expecting to cook my own food.

But on Friday night, with an invitation extended from Clubs of Marlborough, I donned my chef hat and got cooking.

The clubs have just released Stonegrill dining – a first for me, and possibly Blenheim as well.

Clubs staff would quite wisely never let me near their kitchen. They were happy, however, to place four of the rocks – hotter than the surface of the sun (probably) – at our table.

Of course I touched it. It was hot.

Nothing burned down, which was

good, and it was really fun – even for someone as culinary-challenged as I. I chose the steak, my partner got the lamb and clubs staff provided the raw meat and a 400 degree Celsius volcanic rock.

One of the best parts of having the Stonegrill at the clubs is the sweet smell of sizzling meat – it’s truly delightful.

The sound of the sizzle, the smell and the inherent danger of having a small slab of near magma at my fingertips just tick all the boxes for me.

It’s such a different dining experience for Marlborough and I would highly recommend it.

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TUESDAY 9 November 2021

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The show goes on Marlborough's A&P Show went ahead at the weekend, but without the usual stalls and rides.

Dog trials, shearing and a bevy of crafts are on display at the scaled down event.

And the South Island Woodchopping Championships drew crowds.

Covid restrictions meant organisers couldn’t risk having the normal crowds.

The not-for-profit organisation is run by a small group of dedicated volunteers.

Sue Maher with a twiddle muff she made for those suffering dementia.

It won second prize in its category. Photo: Matt Brown.

In a statement, organisers said they were devastated that the show could not go ahead in its entirety.

Spectators were invited to browse the displays at the scaled-down show on Saturday and Sunday with wood chopping and shearing being crowd favourites.

The dog trials took place across both days of the weekend.

The equestrian section was cancelled due to a lack of entries.

Jesse Whitehead competes in the tree felling event at the South Island Woodchopping Championships - a staple of Marlborough’s A&P Show. Photo: Peter Jones.

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TUESDAY 9 November 2021

News

NEWS

Progress is being made at "The Rock" on Kenepuru Road as road repairs continue following the July storm. Photo: Supplied.

Kenepuru Road access to be restored this month Marlborough Sounds residents isolated

by July's storm will have road access restored before Christmas.

Marlborough Roads confirmed there will be controlled access along the full length of the Kenepuru Road and its side roads by the end of November.

The Awatere Valley Road to Molesworth Station will also be open for restricted public access between 22 December and 16 January.

Mayor John Leggett says work to assess and repair the roads has been complex and required geotechnical expertise without compromising the safety of road users, residents, and road crews.

"We know it has been extremely hard for our Sounds' and Awatere Valley communities and this is really good news," Leggett says.

"I want to thank them for the resilience and patience they have shown while the roading recovery team have put in the hard yards to make this happen."

The storm in July caused major flooding and widespread damage to homes across the region and the Marlborough Roads

Recovery Team had been working since then to restore access.

A permit system would be used for the full length of Kenepuru Road with manned entry gates and there would be some constraints on vehicles length and class.

Visitor vehicle access will not be allowed, but residents will be able to pick up visitors at checkpoints.

Leggett said work would stop over the Christmas period to allow the roading crews to have a break.

"The roading crews have earned that rest.

The men and women who are working hard on our Sounds' roads to connect our residents deserve a special thanks for their efforts - they are doing a great job."

The council's barge and water taxi service subsidies will continue until the road restrictions are removed.

The services are in high demand and people are being encouraged to book early to avoid disappointment during the summer holiday season.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

spokesperson Andrew James said the team had engaged with residents and road users to understand their needs, and developed a programme that enables safe access, where possible.

"Providing safe access for residents is a priority for us. We want to make sure that the people who really need access can get it safely, while we keep on rebuilding the severely damaged roads."

Full access on Kenepuru Rd would be reviewed in the first quarter of 2022, James said.

"As everyone knows, the July storm did a significant amount of damage to some roads, and we still have a lot of earth to shift, but we are making progress and we thank the affected communities and wider Marlborough people for their ongoing support and patience."

More details about the access programme can be found on the Marlborough District Council website.

Anyone who needs support as a result of the July storm should contact the Marlborough District Council at recovery@ marlborough.govt.nz

Forestry blocks fail compliance: Most of Marlborough’s forestry blocks have failed their first round of compliance, again, for the fourth year in a row. Forty-two blocks went under the microscope during the Marlborough District Council’s annual forestry inspection last financial year.

Initial inspections found 10 blocks were compliant, with the remaining 32 blocks, or 72 per cent, non-compliant. This mirrors compliance levels from the previous years. But council monitor programme co-ordinator Simon Smith says the initial compliance results are “slightly misleading”. A 500 hectare block could fail a compliance test because a worker forgot to make three cut-outs, he says. “[Workers are asked] to cut out some soil on every single track, and it’s human nature that they might just drive past one small track and miss out putting in three cut-outs.” Most of the forestry blocks were compliant by their second inspection.

Barrier bungle: The Marlborough District Council will rip up a concrete barrier along a popular beach lane in Picton after resistance from residents and roading experts. Complaints began flooding in after residents spied the council narrowing the lane north of Shelly Beach, so vehicles couldn’t park along its 80-metre length. Resident thought the decision was “impractical”, given the nearby Queen Charlotte Yacht Club is a popular spot for weddings and funerals, and felt like a form of “privatisation”. The council approached its roading department, Marlborough Roads, which say narrowing the access way to 3.5 metres is not appropriate unless there is a “pause” area at its start. Ideally, it should be 6.5m wide. Councillors agreed last week to make the lane wide again so that vehicles could drive alongside each other or park up. To do so, it will need to tear up the 80m-long barrier it had poured for $14,000.

Doll house destruction: The Marlborough District Council and Department of Conservation want to relocate or demolish the second floor of the Perano House, which has been rotting by Wairau Rd for more than a decade. The Perano House – also known as ‘The Dolls House’ due to its “distinctive” design – was built around 1930 but split in two several decades later to make way for another house.

The ground floor was demolished, and the second floor was relocated to Wairau Rd. The move was supposed to be temporary – two trusts had hoped to place the second floor onto a “replica” of its old ground floor, and run the venue as an “Old Time Movie Theatre”. Both trusts have since admitted they do not have the “appetite, energy or necessary finances to re-activate the project”, the resource application says. The council and DOC acknowledged the heritage aspects of the Category II heritage structure, but say its removal will free up space for other enterprises. Submissions can be made at www.marlborough.govt.nz until December 1.

Out & About

TUESDAY 9 November 2021

Out&About

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HAVING A PARTY OR EVENT: Call our photographer

PH 928 4121

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Clubs of Marlborough Stonegrill launch

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1.

Stephen De Vere, Amber Sullivan, Leigh Somerville and Kris Woolf.

2.

Sonia Manson and Paula Callahan.

3.

Anne Best, Julie Smith and Dean Heiford.

4.

Dan Roos, Toni Craig and Tony Scott.

5.

Anne Best, John Leggett, Dan Roos, Stuart Smith and Julie Smith.

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A&P Show 6.

Tania Posa, Paul Simmonds, Isabella and Amelia Posa, Bruce Horton and Jack Condon.

7.

Keely Delaney, Zac, Riley and Niko Barnes with Georgina Nation.

8.

Hamish, Bella and Sophia Clentworth with Nin Roberts.

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Jo Straker, Bill Clarkson and Alan Straker.

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10. Remi, Brad and Elle Evans.

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HAVING A PARTY OR EVENT? Call our photographer 03 928 4121

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TUESDAY 9 November 2021

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TUESDAY 9 November 2021

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TUESDAY 9 November 2021

Art & Community

Dancing in the vines

Come dance with me: the Marlborough Civic Orchestra at a recent rehearsal. Photo: Charlotte Panoho.

The Marlborough Civic Orchestra is welcoming summer with a Dancing in the Vines outdoor concert at Rock Ferry Winery on Saturday 13 November.

“From polka and cancan to folk and ballet, it’s a varied programme that’ll have people tapping their toes,” says the orchestra’s conductor Elgee Leung, The programme also features performances by chamber music groups including two woodwind ensembles.

The concert, from 5-7pm, will be staged at the winery’s newly built amphitheatre. People are invited to bring a picnic or buy from a food truck or two on site.

Tickets are limited to 100 with some still available through Eventfinda at $20 for an adult and $10 for a child.

A journey into the past

Proudly supported by

The Millennium Public Art Gallery is back in with a new exhibition, Ursula Bullard, An antipodean voyage – a retrospective.

The Seymour Street Gallery is open again after closing temporarily after being impacted by last month’s sudden storm.

Ursula Bullard (1923 – 1989 née Cooke a.k.a Ursula Curnow) was a New Zealand artist who worked with a number of media including oils, water colours, lithographs, charcoal on paper, pen and ink on paper and sculptures.

Her paintings include landscapes, interiors, still life and portraits. Her artistic career extended from c.1940 to 1989.

Ursula was a contemporary of artists such as AA Deans, Peter McIntyre and Juliet Peter who are represented in the Gallery’s collection. The exhibition has been curated by Simon Curnow, Blenheim Also showing now is a new series of photographs by Steven

Belinda and Arthur by Ursula Bullard and a photograph from Steven La Plante, Tools - Our Connection to the Garden.

La Plante, Tools - Our Connection to the Garden, featuring photographic portraits of well-used, historic garden tools belonging to gardeners from some of Marlborough’s significant gardens.

Steven La Plante is a professional photographer based in

Marlborough. He has exhibited extensively. His exhibition, Monuments, was present The Gallery is currently operating under mandatory Covid 19 Alert Level 2 restrictions for public facilities and is open: weekdays 10.30am – 4.30pm, weekends 1-4pm

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TUESDAY 9 November 2021

Rural News

Growing kai under increasing dry Long-term planning for increasingly severe and frequent drought is needed now by industry bodies, regional councils and government, to reduce the strain on farmers and growers over the next decades, a new report highlights.

Commissioned by three National Science Challenges, the report Growing Kai Under Increasing Dry brings together insights from farmers, growers, industry bodies, researchers and government about how to adapt to intensifying drought conditions.

These insights were garnered in a series of online webinars and a one-day symposium in May, hosted by Deep South, Resilience to Nature’s Challenges, and Our Land and Water National Science Challenges.

A national long-term climate change adaptation strategy that supports farmer resilience is needed to reduce the

economic risks of increasing drought, says Nick CradockHenry, a Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research senior researcher who presented at the events.

Research has found that between 2007 and 2017, drought cost New Zealanders around $720m - six times the figure for flood damage.

Severe losses of up to 54 per cent in sheep/beef farm profits are expected by 2100.

The report calls for regional councils to undertake clear planning for likely future climate scenarios in their regions, and to engage with farmers and growers to develop a shared understanding of the scenarios’ implications for the primary sector.

Regional and local councils will also need to focus on the resilience of rural communities and the mental wellbeing of farmers, the report says.

Andrew Tait, NIWA’s Chief Scientist for Climate, Atmos-

phere and Hazards, presented on how by the mid-to late 2000s the entire country, except for coastal South Island, is predicted to have exacerbated drought conditions which are expected to be more extreme in the North Island and east of the South Island.

Farmers in most North Island regions can also expect to spend 10 per cent more time in drought by the middle of this century.

For 4th generation Marlborough sheep and beef farmer Fraser Avery, who spoke at the symposium, “drought isn’t a new challenge”.

He farms out at Lake Grassmere, north of Blenheim, an area prone to long, hot summers with little to no rainfall.

Despite the strain this places on his family, he has shifted his farming practices to suit the changing climate by reducing the capital stock (of-

ten breeding stock, intended to be farmed for 12 months) from 80 per cent to 50 per cent.

Fraser says this approach gives him the flexibility to run more stock in a good season, and less in a drought.

“If you can create as many options as possible, then you feel like you’ve got a card to play but when you’re struggling for options, you feel a lot more pressure and stress.”

The clear message from the symposium was that while farmers need to begin incremental adaptations to climate change, they must be better supported to do so.

People in regional councils, industry bodies, government and science must take responsibility for developing ‘system adaptations’ like improving drought modelling, and larger, transformational adaptations such as identifying new land use opportunities.

‘Virtual victory’ for Wairau river advocates TONY ORMAN TrustPower’s recent decision to not renew its resource consent application for a hydro-electricity scheme for the Wairau River has been applauded by the NZ Federation of Freshwater Anglers (NZFFA).

NZFFA secretary David Haynes of Nelson said the “virtual victory” had come after twenty years of public opposition and over $1 million spent

by Fish and Game and a lobby group Save the Wairau.

“Congratulations to Save the Wairau for their tenacity, imagination and toughness to stand up to what would have been a highly ecologically destructive scheme,” he said. “Nelson Marlborough Fish and Game are also to be congratulated.”

The now abandoned scheme by TrustPower, sought to take two thirds of the river’s flow and divert it along a 47km canal by-passing a public river known for its quality trout and salmon angling as well as unique wildlife values.

The resource consent expired this winter and TrustPower sought to have it extended, arguing they had undertaken sufficient work on the scheme to allow for such an extension. However, Marlborough District Council deemed otherwise and pointed out that none of the consent conditions required prior to any construction had been done.

“It’s a win for the environment and the public interest over a short sighted commercial exploitation,” said David Haynes.

Rural News

TUESDAY 9 November 2021

15

Cannabis company’s work recognised across the ditch A Marlborough medicinal cannabis company has scooped two awards in an Australian competition.

Puro, which has farms in Kekerengu and the Wairau Valley and is New Zealand’s largest cultivator of medicinal cannabis, was awarded Cultivator of the Year award at the 2021 Australian Cannabis Industry Awards.

Puro cultivation director Tom Forrest says it’s nice to start seeing some recognition, especially across the ditch.

The Melbourne-based cannabis advocate says the award stems from Puro’s incredible team of tenacious, intelligent kiwis – with full credit going to the Puro team on the ground.

“They’ve had to be creative with their thinking in a new industry, had to be creative to succeed and find new solutions to problems that previously didn’t exist,” Tom says.

“It’s crazy how fast it’s all going.”

The awards honour cannabis community pioneers and business professionals deserving recognition for industry innovation and social progression.

Like pavlova or Phar Lap, Tom jokes if Puro continues to perform at this pace, Australians will claim it as their own.

The 31-year-old was also honoured at the awards, receiving Advocate of the Year in the fledgling industry.

The first person to receive a Winston Churchill Fellowship Trust for cannabis agronomy in 2018, Tom published a white paper and a documentary about cannabis cultivation in 2019 where he visited 50 cultivation facilities across eight countries.

“As a recipient of an award in an industry’s infancy, I’m honoured,” he says.

Getting his start in aquaponics, Tom has been working in protected cropping, controlled environment agriculture for eight years.

Tom says New Zealand’s more “pragmatic” laws mean the com-

Cannabis seedlings being grown for next season. Photo: Supplied. pany has a large following in Australia.

“In Australia, it takes about 24-36 months to get a license and permit, and you essentially have to build a fortress.

“It’s a massive barrier to entry.

“There are regimented secrecy requirements.

“Whereas New Zealand treats it as agriculture with a health board oversight.

“There’s still a lot of red tape, but it’s a more pragmatic approach.”

Tom says Puro is a leader in the cannabis industry, in both New Zealand and Australia, and with organic certification recently given to their farms in another first, they aim to lead sustainably.

“We’re the only one [to have organic certification] and people take note of that.

Puro are certified to grow organic medicinal cannabis plants at Kekerengu this coming summer.

“With tens of thousands of seedlings already underway, it’s going

to be a sensational summer for the Puro team.

“I think to lead an industry sustainably is really quite powerful.

“I’m proud of what we’re doing; as a culture, a business and in agriculture.

“It’s incredible to see the growth of the NZ industry and the benefits this can bring to a regional economy like Marlborough.

“We’re leading the way.”

RURAL | LIFESTYLE | RESIDENTIAL

DEADLINE SALE

TASMAN 873 Saint Arnaud-Kawatiri Highway DEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY

‘Lake Station’ - Iconic Sheep and Beef Property

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matt@marlboroughmedia.co.nz

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MATT BROWN

Lake Station is a 8000 plus stock unit sheep and beef property that has been conservatively farmed over four generations. A property of 1009 hectares (2500 acres) comprising of mainly flat river terraces to easy hill, with the Buller River frontage and the St Arnaud range as a backdrop. A high standard of pasture development, fencing and tracks plus substantial farm improvements including two dwellings make this one of the largest and most attractive grazing and finishing properties offered for sale in recent years.

Huge potential, rare opportunity – inspection will not disappoint.

Plus GST (if any) No Prior Offers Closes 12.00pm Thursday 9 December

VIEW 1.00-3.30pm, Thursday 11 November

Joe Blakiston M 027 434 4069 jblakiston@pggwrightson.co.nz

Greg Lyons M 027 579 1233 greg.lyons@pggwrightson.co.nz

www.pggwre.co.nz/BLE34975 PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under the REAA 2008

Helping grow the country

16

Rural News

TUESDAY 9 November 2021

New app developed to help manage costly invasive weed

A new free web app has been designed to help farmers, landowners and regional councils manage a costly weed that has resisted eradication efforts in New Zealand for over a century.

Nassella tussock (Nassella trichotoma) occurs in drought-prone grasslands, mainly in the Canterbury and Marlborough regions.

It is unique in that it is the only weed in New Zealand to have had its own Act of Parliament, the Nassella Tussock Act 1946. The Act legislated for the establishment of the Marlborough and North Canterbury Nassella Tussock Boards to coordinate central government-funded control programmes, a responsibility now resting with the regional councils through Regional Pest Management programmes under the Biosecurity Act 1993.

The historical control programmes have substantially reduced the weed’s populations from what were, in some cases, virtual monocultures of up to 35,000 plants per hectare of the tussock, which is unpalatable for livestock.

Although eradication has proven

elusive, a 17-year study in Canterbury, published in 2016, showed that the population density of the weed across 878 invaded farms in the Hurunui district of North Canterbury is stable at about 15 plants per hectare. Grubbing of the plants (digging out) before seeding each year - the management tactic practiced on these farms - has been responsible for maintaining this ‘equilibrium’ according to on-farm experiments and modelling.

Left uncontrolled, the modelling indicates that the weed’s populations will increase, potentially reaching the economically damaging monocultures of the past which in some cases forced farmers to abandon their properties.

The new app, developed by AgResearch with funding from the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment in collaboration with Environment Canterbury, provides a tool to visualise a range of grubbing strategies. The app deploys a population model that counts the number of nassella tussock plants in summer and winter in each of seven different life stages of the tussock and

A new web app is hoped to help eradicate a noxious weed. keeps track of their contribution to the total tussock population over successive years.

AgResearch Principal Scientist, Graeme Bourdôt, who with colleagues has spent decades researching nassella tussock, says this app follows in the path of another similar tool for giant buttercup which AgResearch developed to support dairy farmers in weed management decision-making.

“The nassella tussock app draws on decades of research into how nassella tussock plants grow and contribute to the population growth of the weed in dryland sheep and cattle pastures. It enables the user to see how different

frequencies, intensities and seasons of grubbing will affect the future number of nassella tussock plants on a block of land and on an adjacent block of land,” Dr Bourdôt says.

“Efforts to eradicate nassella have proven unsuccessful, so now it is a case of living with it and managing it. This is where the app can give the best information to people on how to manage the weed using grubbing to avoid uncontrolled population growth that can lead to increased future grubbing costs, losses in farm productivity, and unacceptable impacts on a neighbour.”

Environment Canterbury Bios-

ecurity Officer Matt Smith says nassella tussock was such an issue in the mid-20th Century that some North Canterbury farmers abandoned their properties because they were no longer profitable. Many decades of hard work since then have returned plant numbers to a manageable level.

“The app developed by AgResearch is a great way for land occupiers to model different control scenarios on their properties. It clearly demonstrates that annual control is the best method to decrease or maintain plant numbers. Applying different scenarios may also help convince some properties to move towards different control regimes. For instance, the modelling shows that for some properties controlling nassella tussock twice a year may lead to a drastic decrease in plant numbers. At Environment Canterbury, we have used the app to measure how long it might take an unknown infestation to turn from a few plants into a major issue.”

The app can be found at https:// nassella-tussock-populationmodel-nz.agresearch.co.nz/

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RURAL & LI FE STY LE

441 Wakamarina Road, Canvastown SOLD Harcourts Are Handing Over the Keys …

441 Wakamarina Road has SOLD! Entrusted as the vendor’s preferred agency through a sustained campaign period, Harcourts can confirm that the Lodge and approx. 100ha of pine and regenerating native forest blocks has new owners.

WORDS BY MIKE INSLEY

End Of The Wide Boys?

Diving into data from the 2021 Vineyard Register (courtesy of the team at NZ Winegrowers, thanks Karen), I can see that the average Sauvignon Blanc vine density in Marlborough is 2073 vines per hectare. Assuming that the majority of vines are planted at 1.8m vine spacing gives an average row spacing of 2.7m.

I suspect most plantings from the mid 2000’s onwards will have been made at 2.5m or narrower row spacing which means there’s a lot of vineyard able to be redeveloped at a tighter row spacing, giving up to 50% more row meters per hectare if moving from 3.0m to 2.0m. Free land anyone?

So what is the “right” row spacing?

Marlborough’s early vineyards (those planted in the 1970’s) were all on 3m rows, or more correctly 10 foot rows by 6 foot vine spacing. It took a while for metrics to move into Marlborough vineyards. Why 10 feet? Because that width comfortably fit the backend of a Ford 4000 or 5000, the vineyard tractor of choice back then.

The same logic likely applied when the French vignerons were setting out their vineyards in Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne all those years ago, except they were trying to get a row spacing that was comfortable to fit a horse, ox or man drawn plough down. For those holding up European vineyards and their narrow rows as the height of viticultural excellence and wine quality, just remember they were likely based on the width of a horse’s arse!

There are a couple of aspects to consider There are a couple of aspects to consider when moving to a narrower row spacing, namely canopy height and fruiting wire height. It’s best to avoid cross row shading. This can lead to disease issues from slow drying canopies and clusters in the lead up to harvest, from those dewy autumn mornings. In practice, this means the vineyard row width needs to be

r u o y

the same as or greater than planned canopy height – if you’re planning on 2 m rows, your canopy height will need to be 2 m or less.

Research shows that around 1.2 m2 of leaf area is required to optimally ripen 1 kg of grapes. In practice this means 12 – 16 leaves above a cluster. To achieve this shoot length in a narrow spaced vineyard requires lowering the fruiting wire height. This can create practical working difficulties for both people and equipment. It can also increase frost risk. For every 100mm reduction in fruiting wire height, the temperature can decrease by ≈0.2°C. It could be the difference between a damaging frost or not.

Equipment availability still drives a lot of the decision making around row widths and there is a far greater range of narrow machinery available now.

Narrower rows (within reason) means more row-metres of canopy per Ha which hopefully translates to a higher yield. Current vineyard developments generally fall into the 2.0m – 2.5m range so still quite a variation. It pays to think carefully about what is going to suit your operation now and for the next 30 years.

Wine Review:

Celebrating Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc is the wine that put Marlborough and NZ on the world’s wine map. Time for an unashamedly parochial view on why.

I love textural wines and wines with that touch of silk get a big tick in my book. The 2021 Otu Otuwhero Estate Sauvignon Blanc has texture in spades, balancing the acidity and green herb Awatere finish perfectly.

On opening there’s that typical heady passionfruit note that’s a hallmark of many Marlborough Sauvignons.

Powerful flavours, great mouthfeel and a lingering finish. What’s not to like?

local people local farmers local knowledge local rural specialists

William Harris

Large land blocks are scarce and this was a property with that special ‘something’. Backing on to the Mount Richmond Forest Park, the 750m² private lodge includes five self-contained eco-friendly suites with quality chattels, polished floors, vaulted timber ceilings and Italian porcelain tiles.

Watch this space, it’s going to be a remarkable asset to Marlborough and the art community.

d l o S 6273 State Highway 63, Wairau Valley SOLD It was a Thrill to Sell Manuka Hill The renovated home is perched on an elevated site overlooking the Wairau River and Richmond Ranges and the views and seclusion were key aspects when our out of town buyers were considering the purchase.

They liked the close proximity to the Nelson Lakes National Park and ski-field, and the rugged 9.2ha of regenerating scrub land which provides limited grazing on the lifestyle block.

We had multiple offers on this property and congratulate the new owners on their astute purchase.

d l o S 1005 Onamalutu Road, Onamalutu SOLD 11.49ha Lifestyle Plus Family Home PLUS 2.8ha Forestry Block A lifestyle in every sense of the word. Four large paddocks and eight smaller provide enough land for grazing, the comprehensive outbuildings and cattle yards ticked the boxes too.

A manageable 2.83ha forestry block of Macracarpa and Douglas Fir, approximately 23 years old, and approaching harvest age, plus the spacious and modern home completed the package.

Congratulations to the vendors and purchasers!

Mike Insley

Donella Harris

Sales & Marketing Consultant

Paul Jackson

Rhonda Stewart

Martin Summerscales

M 027 277 6686 P 03 578 0888 paul.jackson@harcourts.co.nz

M 021 736 922 P 03 578 0888 rhonda.stewart@harcourts.co.nz

M 021 030 4974 P 03 578 0888 martin.summerscales@harcourts.co.nz

M 021 229 8157 P 03 578 0888 mike.insley@harcourts.co.nz Sales & Marketing Consultant

M 0274 110 429 P 03 578 0888 donella.harris@harcourts.co.nz Sales & Marketing Consultant

Hannah Burns

David Searle

Vicki Harrison Jones

M 027 332 5050 P 03 578 0888 hannah.burns@harcourts.co.nz

M 021 565 950 P 03 578 0888 david.searle@harcourts.co.nz

vicki.harrisonjones@harcourts.co.nz

Sales & Marketing Consultant

William Harris

M 027 756 7798 P 03 578 0888 william.harris@harcourts.co.nz Marlborough Real Estate 2008 Ltd Licensed Agent REAA 2008

d l o S Sales & Marketing Consultant

Sales & Marketing Consultant

M 021 736 922 P 03 578 0888 rhonda.stewart@harcourts.co.nz

We had multiple and ongoing interest in this property, if you are curious to know more about lifestyle blocks in the region, call us for a chat.

Rural & Lifestyle Manager

M 027 756 7798 P 03 578 0888 william.harris@harcourts.co.nz

Rhonda Stewart

Sales & Marketing Consultant

• • • • • •

Lifestyle Vineyards Grazing Forestry High Country Cropping

Rural Team Administration

www.marlborough.harcourts.co.nz

Marlborough Real Estate 2008 Licensed Agent REAA 2008

18

Rural News

TUESDAY 9 November 2021

Avocado industry suffers toughest season for a decade JO KENT Avocado growers are set to face one of the toughest seasons the industry has experienced in the last decade with prices at an all-time low.

Due to a large crop and global disruptions, prices have plummeted meaning returns for growers are about a third of what they were this time last year.

New Zealand Avocado chief executive Jen Scoular says that on the positive side, the fruit is in abundance.

“We've got a good crop and a good volume, but we're faced with those global disruptions.”

Covid-19-related freight delays and higher shipping costs mean sending New Zealand avocados to markets in Asia has become more difficult.

The pandemic has also lessened demand for avocados from restaurants and cafes, too.

“The New Zealand market is also very impacted. We oversupplied the New Zealand market early on and that meant that values took a tumble,” Jen says.

The decrease in export to Australia, which is experiencing an oversupply of locally grown avocados, has also contributed to the issues the industry is facing.

Jen says the price retailers have been selling avocados for is no reflection on what it costs to actually produce the fruit.

"An avocado costs the grower and supply chain at least $1 before there's any return."

Former champion shearer and MP Colin King (second from right) with other shearers at the Golden Shears 50th year celebration in 2010. Photo: Supplied/SSNZ.

Shearing trophy unveiled A trophy named after a champion shearer who became a Member of Parliament is up for grabs for the first time.

The Colin King Challenge Shield was contested at the Marlborough A and P Show shearing championships in Blenheim on Saturday.

Set to become the Ranfurly Shield of South Island shearing, the trophy was contested between Marlborough and North Canterbury in a relay with one shearer from each grade in each team to decide the inaugural holder.

Former National Party MP for Kaikoura from 2005 to 2014, Colin is the only lefthanded shearer to have won the Golden Shears Open.

He took out the top title in 1982, 1987 and 1988, along with six wins in the final of the National Shearing Circuit, incorporating the McSkimming Memorial Triple Crown.

He was awarded the MNZM for services to shearing and the wool industry in 2000.

The Marlborough Shears will also include a round of the junior and intermediate

grades’ Beef+Lamb Canterbury and Marlborough Development Circuit.

Two shears in each grade will get paid travel, accommodation and entry to the New Zealand Shears in Te Kuiti at the end of the season.

Canterbury Shears convener Dave Brooker says he hopes districts throughout the South Island will start lodging challenges for the Shield, to help increase competitor numbers and interesting, particularly in some of the smaller shows, and the create interest in being in the teams.

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Rural News

TUESDAY 9 November 2021

19

Major forestry study begins Safeguarding New Zealand’s waterways is the key driver behind a seven-year study into the performance of control practices for reducing erosion and sediment delivered to rivers from forest harvesting.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has partnered with forestry company OneFortyOne New Zealand, providing $1.37 million through its Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund to the $3.6 million project.

The project is in its second year, with a long-term monitoring programme now established within control and treatment catchments at OneFortyOne’s Donald Creek Forest, near Tadmor in the Tasman district.

“We want to find out what erosion and sediment control measures work best, and we can only know this through robust realworld studies,” says Steve Penno, MPI’s Director of Investment Programmes.

“This project is exploring the effectiveness of current best practice in sediment control as well as some new innovations. Later in the project, the researchers will construct a large sediment retention pond to see how that meas-

ures up compared to traditional methods.

“As well as the benefits of erosion and sediment control, the programme will also compare the costs of different practices.”

Brent Guild, OneFortyOne’s Executive General Manager New Zealand says as a long-term business, it makes sense to invest in long-term studies like this one.

“The data will help us understand the impacts of our business. It will help us learn what works well and where we might do better.

“We’re not doing this alone. We have the best people helping us with this research, including Cawthron Institute, Envirolink, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research and the Ministry for Primary Industries,” says Brent.

“Two similar plantation catchments have been set up, including a ‘control’ catchment that is exposed to the same weather events but will not be harvested.

“This is a valuable opportunity to test the performance of traditional and new in-forest sediment management techniques – and we are grateful for MPI’s support to help us do this important work, which we’ll be able to share widely with the forestry sector.

Envirolink hydro technician Mark Hahn gauging the water flow to ensure it matches the instrument reading above his gauging spot. Photo: Supplied.

“We’ll also have a deeper understanding of which strategies are best value for money. For instance, if the results show that sediment traps are an effective treatment, we’ll have the confidence to persist with this practice without calling on additional resources. However, if we find that the environmental impacts are too disruptive, this would pro-

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vide the rationale for investing more money in sediment control at source to achieve environmental benefits,” he says.

Steve says sustainability is a key goal of MPI’s Fit for a Better World roadmap. “It’s essential that we strengthen the environmental credentials of our food and fibre products, and show New Zealand is a world leader in

sustainable practices.

“The data collected from this project will inform how the forestry industry meets new government freshwater management standards for suspended and deposited sediment. It will also provide scientific backing for the most effective practices in forestry that have the best possible outcomes for our environment.”

20

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TUESDAY 9 November 2021

Sport

Mako remain on track for ‘three-peat’ PETER JONES

peter@marlboroughmedia.co.nz

A trip to Napier for a Bunnings NPC premiership rugby semifinal against high-flying Hawke’s Bay will hold no fears for the Tasman Mako.

This is a team that seems to grow another leg come play-off time, their victorious trip to Eden Park last season illustrative of their fondness for the “business end” of the season, whether home or away.

Their form has been patchy in recent weeks, losses to Waikato, Hawke’s Bay and Canterbury prompting many to suggest their bid for a third consecutive NPC crown was on shaky ground.

However, adversity and doubters bring out the best in champion sides, as illustrated by Tasman’s gutsy 34-22 victory on Saturday over a Wellington side packed with Super Rugby talent.

Mind you, the Mako were forced to dig very deep at Lansdowne Park.

A first half where they showcased their attacking prowess was followed by a second spell where their defence and discipline were put under severe scrutiny.

The conclusive scoreline did not reflect the effort Tasman were forced to produce over the final frantic minutes to ensure their “three-peat” dream remained alive.

The Wellington Lions, with their tails up, are a formidable attacking force. When they closed the gap to five points with eight minutes remaining, the momentum was all with the visitors.

However, the home side hung in there, having looked for most of the match more like a side playing with the desperation required to continue their season than their opponents, who faced the same fate.

Head coach Andrew Goodman was not surprised that Wellington were able to produce such a strong second half effort.

“I always knew, coming out after halftime, that they were going to throw everything at it.

“They are a dangerous team, a lot of talented ball-runners right across the field … but the grit the boys showed in the last 20 to make some big defensive plays was awesome. I was very proud of their effort.”

Goodman said that the speed and physicality of the game necessitated early substitutions, with most of the Mako bench getting plenty of game time and making a difference.

He mentioned the efforts of replacement forwards Max Hicks, Isaac Salmon and Luca Inch who “brought a real edge to the later stages”.

He also sang the praises of young loosie Anton Segner, who took a series of heavy knocks but kept bouncing back into the defensive line.

“He has come of age in the last few weeks … turning in 80-minute performances which [number] sevens need to be able to do,” said Goodman. “It’s awesome for him to keep building confidence and know he can dominate at this level.”

There were many other heroes for the Mako. Experienced cam-

Tasman loosie Anton Segner dives over under the Wellington posts for the try that put the result beyond doubt at Lansdowne Park on Saturday. Photo: Shuttersport. paigners Quentin MacDonald, Pari Pari Parkinson, Jacob Norris and Alex Nankivell, blockbusting No8 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, slick-passing halfback Louie Chapman, replacement winger Timoci Tavatavanawai and the ever-dangerous Leicester Fainga’anuku all stood up when required.

However, one player shone brightest on an overcast afternoon.

Tasman skipper Mitch Hunt underlined his maturity as a toplevel first five, guiding his side around the paddock astutely,

mixing up his attacking options and providing the stability and composure that wins big games.

His desperate lunge to dislodge the ball from Peter Umaga-Jensen’s grasp late in the first half was a potential turning point.

He said immediately after the final whistle that he was “stoked” to add at least another week to their season.

“Regardless of what has happened in the regular season, it is any team on the night from now on,” he warned.

There will be some beaten-up and battered bodies to repair before

Download the Marlborough App free at

next weekend’s play-off, but one thing is for certain, no-one will be taking the Tasman Mako lightly at this stage of the season, least of all the Magpies, who prevailed 34-22 the last time the sides met.

Saturday’s semi-final begins at 4.35pm.

Scorers on Saturday: Tasman 34 (Quentin MacDonald, Jacob Norris, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Levi Aumua, Anton Segner tries, Mitch Hunt 3 con, pen) Wellington 22 (Taine Plumtree, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Tyrone Thompson tries, Aidan Morgan 2 con, pen). HT: 27-7 Tasman.

Sport

TUESDAY 9 November 2021

25

Newman Shield goes west The Newman Shield is back in Nelson hands after their senior rep cricket side scored a thrilling four-run win over Marlborough at Horton Park on Sunday.

Batting first after winning the toss, Nelson put a less-thanformidable score of 212 on the board, losing their final wicket in the 49th over. Marlborough finished on 208-8, unable to push for victory in the nail-biting final stages.

After losing an early wicket, Nelson fought back strongly through a 104-run partnership between James Graham, 47 from 54, and Jonty Raxworthy, who top scored with 52 from 54.

With the visitors well poised at 106-1 in the 19th over, it appeared Marlborough would be chasing a very hefty target. However a drinks break broke the spell, Raxworthy caught and bowled by Jerrym Lamb, then Graham run out in the same over after a direct hit

by Akhil Pant.

The momentum swung sharply, Nelson finding runs harder to come by and wickets falling regularly. A patient 40 from Josh Smith and 22 from Michael Bailey guided them past the 200-run mark as Marlborough’s bowlers regained ascendancy.

Nick Weaver and Matthew Stretch both bagged 2-26, while Jerrym Lamb claimed 2-37 from nine steady overs to restrict the visitors to a total well below early expectations.

Marlborough’s run chase began badly, openers Greg Knowles and

Joel Lavender falling cheaply.

However, Corey Bovey and Cooper Roberts set about resurrecting the innings, adding 58 for the third wicket. Roberts departed for 24 from 46 balls while Bovey went on to register the day’s top score, 56 from 87, before he fell in the 31st over with the score at 117-4.

Tarin Mason and Luke Frankland entered the fray and pushed on to 149 before Mason departed for a sweetly struck 47 from 60.

A hard-hit 24 from skipper Tom Sutherland maintained the momentum, but Frankland battled to lift the scoring rate as Marlborough headed into the final overs.

A first-ball six from number 10 Jerrym Lamb left Marlborough needing eight runs from the final over, bowled by Josh Newport, to retain the shield, but they could only manage four as the Nelson paceman bowled cleverly and accurately. All the Nelson bowlers picked up at least one wicket, Newport’s 2-33 the best. Spinner David Zohrab was also a standout, bowling 10 overs straight, and taking 1-33.

Nelson coach BJ Barnett said his side were “forced to fight hard with the bat and, in terms of the bowling, we just kept in the game”.

“Marlborough were dominating, so for us to stay involved was really good and to then take it down to the wire was fantastic.

“Luckily we came out on the right side of it, but we could just as easily have been on the other side of [the result].”

His opposite, Marlborough coach Jarrod Englefield, suggested it

Marlborough keeper Luke Frankland and fielder Akhil Pant celebrate a run out during Nelson’s innings on Sunday. Photo: Peter Jones. was “one that got away”.

“We did really well to pull them back with our bowling … then got some good partnerships with the bat. We were in a really good position going into the last 10 [overs], needing 57 runs from 60 balls with five wickets in hand, so the big learning for us was rotation of strike. Too many dot balls killed us at that stage.

“There was some good stuff by our guys, but we just didn’t finish.

It was really disappointing and frustrating … especially since we were in a position to just canter home.”

Next up for both sides is a Hawke Cup qualifying match, against the same opponents, on December 11-12.

TPL UNDERWAY The first shots were fired in the

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PETER JONES

2021-22 Tasman Premier League competition on Saturday, with Marlborough-based sides managing a win and a loss on opening day.

Starting their campaign in style were the Dolphins, predominantly players from the Celtic and Renwick clubs, who downed Nelson rivals Waimea Toi Toi United by 41 runs at Jubilee Park, Waimea.

In a low-scoring 50-over encounter Dolphins batted first and put a moderate total of 139, scored in 43.5 overs, on the board. Corey Bovey top scored with 23 from 38 balls, helped along by Tom Sutherland, 21 from 55, and Akhil Pant, with 18 from 33. Mitchell Grant took 4-18.

In reply, the home side began strongly, their opening partner-

ship taking the score though to 53 before their first wicket fell.

Then allrounder Jerrym Lamb took over, snatching 5-24 from 10 overs to rip the heart out of the WTTU reply. They were eventually dismissed for 98 in the 36th over.

At Horton Park, the Falcons, a mix of Wairau and Wairau Valley players, went down by 20 runs to Wakatu. The visitors batted first and put a mediocre total of 183 on the board. Dan Hooper’s 55 and 43 from Campbell McLean were the only scores of note, while Matthew Stretch snared 4-33 with his off spinners to be best of the home side’s bowlers.

Tarin Mason claimed 2-32.

Batting stability has plagued Falcons for some time and Saturday was no different, the top order failing to fire, leaving them perilously poised at 70-7. Despite a 70-run partnership between Stretch, 51 from 101 balls, and his father Greg, 43 from 67, Falcons ran out of wickets as they chased for an unlikely victory in the fading light. Pace bowler Nibu Jose claimed the top figures of 4-17 from 9.1 overs while Ryan Hooper, Riley O’Hara and Nathan Dufeu each bagged a brace.

OVER-50 SELECTION Four players with Marlborough links were last week included in the Wellington/Tasman Firehawks Black over-50 team to contest the top tier of the national interprovincial tournament in Blenheim in January. They are Greg Stretch, Mason Robinson, Jason Campbell and Scott McHardy. The side will be led by former Black Cap Richard Petrie.

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Sport

TUESDAY 9 November 2021

Celebrating sporting excellence Thirty one nominees have been put forward, across five categories, for the 55th annual Marlborough Sports Awards.

Although the ever-popular awards dinner will not be held this year due to COVID restraints, judging will still take place and the category winners, plus overall Sportsperson of the Year trophy recipient, will be announced in the Marlborough Weekly and on the Marlborough App on Tuesday, November 16.

In this edition of the Marlborough Weekly, who along with Sport Tasman and Blenheim Round Table, are the main organisers of the awards, we will profile nominees in the various categories.

Glenn Kirby, Bayleys Marlborough Junior Sportswoman of the Year

Eleri James-Sitters Rugby

Leonie Marshall Squash

Jade Otway Tennis

Isabella Tupouto’a Netball

Redwood Trust Junior Sportsman of the Year

Jack Bugler Swimming

William Exton Kartsport

James Hansen Athletics

Chris Hebberd Squash

Dom Henry Smallbore Shooting

Ollie King Hockey

Nikau Peipi Athletics

Nikau Peipi Touch

Sport

TUESDAY 9 November 2021

MoreFM Sportswoman of the Year

Grace Davies Hockey

Jan Gallop Lawn Bowls

Ella Greenslade Rowing

Mandy MacFarlane Multisport

Jordan Peipi Netball

Tara Smith Kayaking

New World Blenheim Sportsman of the Year

Ethan Batt Road Cycling

Alastair Gifford Sailing

Alex Kennedy Table Tennis

Tarin Mason Cricket

Tom Murray Rowing

Andy Peter Clay Target Shooting

Callum Saunders Track Cycling

Paul Sell Water Polo

Nathan Watson Table Tennis

Ian Woolley Ploughing

WK Advisors and Accountants Team of the Year

Maurice Symes, Craig McDonnell Lawn Bowls

Blenheim club men’s pair Rowing

MBC A team Squash

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Sport

TUESDAY 9 November 2021

RUGBY TIPPING Rapaura tennis derby produces close result OUR LOCALS PICK THEIR WINNERS PTS

37 Toni Robinson

37 Jamie Norton

36 Paul O’Donnell

35 Paul Fuller

34 Peter Jones

31 Weir Broadbridge

33

MANAWATU vs OTAGO

TARANAKI vs SOUTHLAND

HAWK’ES BAY vs TASMAN

WAIKATO vs CANTERBURY

PETER JONES

peter@marlboroughmedia.co.nz

The Rapaura stablemates fought out a thrilling tie during the latest round of the Wine Brokers NZ premier tennis competition.

After six matches and 16 sets Rapaura Wairau River Blanc and Rapaura Wairau River Noir were inseparable. It took a countback of games won and lost to find a winner, Blanc prevailing 86-83.

All the singles encounters were decided in supertiebreaks.

Blanc’s Anthony Walkenhorst beat Hamish McRae 7-5, 3-6, 10-6, Glen Cameron pulled one back for Noir, downing Clyde Sowman 6-3, 4-6, 12-10, Jared Bell from Blanc beat Ben Burridge 5-7, 6-2, 10-3 then Noir’s Jane Davidson defeated Eveline Apthorp 6-3, 4-6, 10-7.

McRae and Cameron beat Walkenhorst and

Sowman 6-3, 7-6 in the men’s double, before Apthorp and Bell levelled the tie by beating Burridge and Davidson 6-1, 6-3.

The second premier division one match saw Marlborough Forrest Wines account for Renwick 5-1.

Chris Nott, Amber Lyons and Stephen Dempster all scored two wins for the victors.

In the division two match-ups, Rapaura Wairau River Rose and Marlborough Nga Hau Wha claimed wins.

Rapaura came out on top of a close encounter with Renwick Jana, prevailing 7-6 on set countback. Hiro Kishida and Jimmy Rumble managed two wins for the winning combination.

In the other match, Nga Hau Wha came out on top of Marlborough Next Gen 4-2, Koos Richter and Jaco van Hensbergen picking up wins in both singles and doubles.

Antony Clark

32 Colin Martin

31 Leon Jones

29 Brendon Price

30 Warren Cairns

31 Lauren Palatchie

30 Rod Thompson

30 Sam Boyce

Saints’ batter Blake Wisdom leans into this pitch. Photo: Peter Jones.

29 Brian Powell

30 Rob Hellstrom

29 25 27 Chris Hughes

26 Garry Boyd

24 Dan Roos

26 Ra Hebberd

PETER JONES

peter@marlboroughmedia.co.nz

Jason Bryant

Matthew Grigg

Softballers back at the park Inter-city club softball returned to Marlborough on Saturday when the local Saints side took on top Nelson combination, Stoke Eagles, in a double-header at Lansdowne Park.

After a lengthy absence of top-level matches, Saints relished the opportunity to host the Eagles, who were spearheaded by former Southern Pride pitcher Riley Power.

Fielding a new-look mix of youth and experience, Saints lost the first match 7-2 and the second 13-8 - but were competitive in both.

In the first, they drew level 2-2 in the top of the fifth, through runs to Callum Hayton and Anaru Anderson, before Eagles moved clear in the ensuing two innings.

Young Saints’ pitcher Willem Hayton faced a tough baptism against some accomplished Ea-

gles hitters but came through in fine style. His infielders provided strong back-up with some slick glove work while the outfielders were reliable and energetic on a cold afternoon.

In the second clash Eagles led by five runs after two innings, but runs to Tyler Bird, Drew Roberts and Callum Hayton saw the home side again close the gap.

Four runs in the bottom of the third allowed Eagles to fly clear again but Braden Healy, Bird, Roberts and Jamie Blake crossed the home plate soon after to underline the home side’s fortitude and potential.

Saints’ coach Darren Aldridge said it took some time for his side to adjust to the standard of pitching but suggested it was reassuring that they were finally able get some hits.

“It was just great to see senior ball being played at the park again,” he added.

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SITUATIONS VACANT

DEATH

ROSS

Eunice Theresa (née Fisk) 30 April 1937 to 31 October 2021, passed away peacefully at Ashwood Park Rest Home, Blenheim, aged 84 years.

A much loved wife of Colin Ross for 65 years.

A treasured mother and mother-in-law of David and Grace (Hamilton), Ian and Tami (Vancouver), Anne and Chester (Featherston), Susan and Mark (Blenheim) and loved grandmother of Patricia and Tod, Michael and Bronwyn; Henry; Aaron and Felicity, Luke, Sophie; Kelly and Ruby and great-grandchildren Campbell, Christian, Amelia, Elijah, Jasper, and Emma. The Ross family would particularly like to thank the kind and compassionate staff and management at Ashwood Park for their amazing contribution to Eunice’s care. Messages to P.O Box 5224 Blenheim 7241 or www.cloudybayfunerals.co.nz In lieu of flowers a donation to Blenheim Red Cross would be appreciated or may be made at the service.

A Funeral Service for Eunice will be held at the Springlands Chapel, Cloudy Bay Funerals, 15 Boyce Street, Blenheim on Saturday 6 November at 1pm followed by private cremation. The service will be live streamed and can be viewed on the Cloudy Bay Funeral Services website.

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