August 2026
Farm life set career choice Pages 10–11
A united approach to the future
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August 2026
MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES
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Freshwater farm plan audits may go by Andy Bryenton
As part of the select committee process, changes have been made to a contentious topic in agriculture legislation — the freshwater farm plan system. The select committee has agreed to amend the legislation to remove the requirement for a non-certified farm plan to be audited. This is seen as a major breakthrough for farmers, and a possible area where the promised removal of red tape is coming to fruition. “This change suppor ts the risk-based and practical approach for farm plans,” says Associate Environment and Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard. He opined the current RMA and its strict provisions have “held up development and caused frustration for farmers, homeowners, iwi, councils and others. “There is a role for freshwater farm plans in the new “Only those farms undertaking planning system,” says Andrew Hoggard; but mandatory activities with a higher identified audits are out for many farms after select committee changes risk to freshwater will be required to have a certified and audited freshwater environmental protections without the farm plan.” delays of the old RMA. I believe we’ve Farmers with lower risk activities will achieved that.” The select committee report on the still need to prepare and hold a farm plan, and declare they have one to the council, Natural Environment Bill and Planning but they will not need to have it certified Bill came through in mid-July, and the or audited. That’s less work, cost and time comments and changes recommended for a large number of farms. by that body have been welcomed by the The changes still support protection architects of the RMA’s replacement. “These bills are central to this of critical waterways, as in sensitive catchments, freshwater farm plans may government’s plan to grow the economy be used to align with environmental and back our farmers,” says Agriculture rules or regulations. Farmers can opt to Minister Todd McClay. “For too long the RMA has added cost, have their plans certified and audited at any time, if that’s required for access to delay and uncertainty for the people who grow and produce New Zealand’s food specific markets. “Farm plans will be straightforward and fibre. Replacing it with a system that for most farmers to develop, giving them is practical, proportionate, and focussed a practical way to identify, manage and on outcomes is good news for farmers reduce the impacts of farming on their and for the wider economy. “I’m pleased to see the select land and freshwater,” said Hoggard. “We’ve heard from farmers that they committee has listened to the sector and want a system that’s cost-effective, refined how freshwater farm plans will restores cer tainty, and provides work in practice.”
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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES August 2026
A united approach to the future by Paul Campbell
The government’s Simplifying Local Government reform has the Rangitīkei, Tararua, Manawatū, Ruapehu and Whanganui district councils build a shared evidence base for the challenges facing local government across the region before any future direction is decided. This also leaves the door open for other councils to join in the future. “This is simply responsible local government,” says Rangitīkei mayor Andy Watson. “Before anyone reaches conclusions about what reform might look like, we owe it to our communities and to the region to properly understand the issues, test the options and make decisions based on evidence. If we’re going to have this conversation, let’s make sure we’re having it well.” Tararua mayor Scott Gilmore said working together would ensure every participating council was better informed. “The challenges facing local government won’t disappear on their own. Every district has its own identity and priorities, but many of the pressures we face are shared. Working together gives us a better understanding of the opportunities while ensuring local communities remain at the heart of future decisions.” Manawatū mayor Michael Ford said councils across the region are at different stages in considering what the future of local government could look like, and some have progressed their thinking on alternative models further than others.
“Manawatū District Council has done a significant amount of work in this space. We’ve identified models we believe have real potential to strengthen regional collaboration while retaining local representation, decision-making and accountability, but we haven’t closed the door on other options. We remain openminded about what the best model might ultimately be.” Whanganui mayor Andrew Tripe said the participating councils had chosen to lead and be proactive rather than wait. “Communities expect leadership. Rather than waiting to see where reform may lead, we’re choosing to work constructively, collaboratively and proactively with our regional neighbours to continue to build the evidence and understand what delivers the best longterm outcomes for the people we serve. That’s simply good governance.” Ruapehu mayor Weston Kirton said the programme recognised that every council brought different perspectives to the table. “Ever y distric t has it s own circumstances, relationships and aspirations. This process gives us the opportunity to understand where our interests align, where they differ, and
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August 2026
MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES
The pair’s dogs are a huge part of their lives
Achieving goals together by Denise Gunn
A background blend of agricultural studies, employment and experiences assist Zayn and Natalie Jones as they follow their dairy farming career.
O
ver the past few years, the couple’s versatile agricultural skills have shone through in competitions. In 2024, Zayn won the Taranaki Manawatū regional Young Farmers’ title. This win was hot on the heels of the couple winning the 2023 Young Farmers’ national fencing competition. Natalie was the first female to have her name engraved on the national trophy. More recently, Zayn and Natalie placed third in the 2026 Manawatū Share Farmer of the Year. They are currently contract milking 530 cows on Shaun and Paul Olsen’s 166ha Ōpiki farm. Zayn set his goals towards a career in the agricultural industry after secondary school. Following a year in a Wellington
Three years ago, Zayn and Natalie won the Young Farmers’ national fencing championships
In their spare time, Zayn and Natalie enjoy tramping
design school, he enrolled at Lincoln University, studying towards diplomas in agriculture and farm management. “Throughout study at Lincoln, I had initially decided I would always tend to the drystock side of the agricultural sector. This all changed after a three-year stint working for Synlait Milk as a supervisor on the canning and blending plant in Dunsandel,” said Zayn. “After this role, I took a few months away in Canada travelling, and found myself back in New Zealand with no real plan of what direction to follow. “With my new knowledge of dairy manufacturing and the dairy industry, I knew following a dairy career would lead to great personal development and a
Zayn with one of the couple’s dogs on the Ōpiki farm
great equity-building portfolio to reach my ultimate goal of farm ownership.” Initially, Zayn reluctantly took a dairy assistant role in Ruawai, Northland. He wasn’t sure that was the direction for him, but fell in love with this farming position.
Following this role, Zayn moved to Ōpiki to work as 2IC for friend and Lincoln classmate, Drew Grevatt, on an Olsen family-owned farm. After two years in Drew’s contract milking position, Zayn was offered an assistant manager position for
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Zayn and Natalie placed third in the 2026 Manawatū Share Farmer of the Year
Shaun Olsen on the neighbouring farm, where he worked for one year. “Split-calving, a wet season and my drive to do everything perfectly got the better of me at the time, and I found myself putting some serious thought into going back to sheep and beef. I decided to take a step back, and follow this side of agriculture for six months in Aokautere.” A return to Ōpiki saw Zayn working as a general farmhand until taking up a dairy management role on a farm purchased by Shaun and Paul Olsen. Natalie grew up on a Hawke’s Bay orchard. Her mother also leased land to fatten lambs before buying a sheep farm. As a teenager and young adult, Natalie had a couple of casual dairy farm and calf-rearing jobs. “While studying my Bachelor of Science in Germany, I worked on a small family farm that had a processing unit on-
A 530-cow herd is milked on Shaun and Paul Olsen’s farm at Ōpiki
farm. They processed their own milk to distribute to the local market,” she said. Through this system, Natalie experienced the whole value chain from farm to food. “This was complemented by my PhD work which investigated how common milk processing techniques affect how we digest the protein and amino acids in cow’s milk.” Natalie became closely involved in the on-farm dairy industry in New Zealand after meeting Zayn. Not one to sit still for long, Natalie was soon relief milking and using annual leave to rear calves. She managed this alongside her full-time research scientist position at Massey University’s Riddet Institute. “I’m still full-time, though now with the Sustainable Nutrition Initiative, which is part of Riddet. I still relief milk, do the calves, and manage the financial side of our business.”
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Eighteen months after taking on the farm management role, Zayn and Natalie took up Shaun and Paul’s offer to contract milk on the property. They enjoy working together outdoors, and seeing healthy, happy staff and animals working together on wellmaintained land. “To see the work you put in through outputs, both physical and figures. Every day is different and there is a wide variety of aspects to the industry to master,” said Zayn. Calving is their favourite season on-farm. “It’s exciting to be starting a new season and putting milk in the vat,” said Natalie. “It’s important to us that our staff develop as they work with us. Seeing them learn and grow is very rewarding.” Zayn and Natalie have set a goal for full commercial farm ownership.
Natalie competing on a frosty morning at the 2023 Young Farmers’ national fencing championships
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August 2026
MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES
Fraser competing in the standing block at the Central Championships (held by Otaki Axemen’s Club) during the 2025 Central Districts Field Days
g n i p p o h Woodc y c a g e l a family by Denise Gunn
Oroua Axemen’s Club president Fraser Martin is the fifth generation in his family to pick up an axe and take up the sport of woodchopping.
F
raser’s grandfather Rod McKenzie played a large part in igniting his interest in the sport several years ago. Rod was a member of the New Zealand veterans’ team competing against Australia in 2007. He was also instrumental in helping to establish the Oroua Axemen’s Club. “He was right into it and got me involved,” said Fraser. Established 10 years ago, the Oroua Axemen’s Club held one of its first events at the Āpiti Tavern in 2019. Fraser’s grandfather entered him in the competition. “He told me to turn up, and said to me that I had two blocks to cut. As it was a new sport to me, I was quite nervous going into it. I learnt a lot from that competition. “What I found impressive was that although it’s competitive, everyone wants
to help, give tips and advice. That’s one of the reasons I’ve stuck with it,” said Fraser. Throughout the competition season, which runs from November to the end of March, Fraser tries to compete at five or six events, travelling to Upper Hutt, Marton, Ōhingaiti, Ōtaki and Whanganui. “I enjoy it. It’s really good fun and really family-orientated. Most people who do woodchopping have got into it through their family.” Fraser’s wife Sarah also began sawing this year. The couple’s two-year-old son attends events with them, too. “With most families in chopping, there’s at least three generations into it. It’s a big, family thing. Grandad said the same as well.” One of Fraser’s family sporting highlights happened last year when his grandfather was standing in the ring.
From left: Fraser with his great-uncle Dennis McKenzie and Rodney Grieg at the Noel Dickinson Memorial Chop held at the Āpiti Tavern this year
“He looked at me and said my two-yearold son is the sixth generation. Grandad passed away in August last year. He was always there giving tips and advice.” Fraser and his wife, Sarah, farm sheep and beef on their 607ha property at
Rangiwahia. Although they would like to travel to more woodchopping carnivals, farming commitments limit opportunities to travel. “We are fifth generation on the farm, but on a different side of the family,” said
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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES August 2026
Fifth-generation farmers, Fraser and his wife, Sarah, farm sheep and beef on their 607ha Rangiwahia property
NOW PROCESSING FROM OUR UPGRADED FACILITY Fraser awaiting the start of the KR McKenzie teams races held at the Āpiti Tavern, which are now dedicated in memory of Rod McKenzie
Fraser. During the season, the couple practises woodchopping with other Oroua Axemen’s Club members at the Āpiti Tavern venue. The tavern has become the club’s unofficial clubrooms. “We have about a dozen members. The tavern and a lot of the community support the club as well.” Last year, the Oroua Axemen’s Club had their first New Zealand representative with Kelly Martin selected to saw in the New Zealand women’s team in Australia. The club runs two woodchopping competitions each year at the Āpiti Tavern.
Fraser’s great-uncle Dennis McKenzie (on left) and his late grandfather Rod McKenzie (centre) were both involved with competitive woodchopping
Near the start of the season in November, a team relay is held. As the season draws to a close, the Noel Dickinson Memorial Chop is held at either the end of March or the start of April. Fraser said everyone chips in to help. At this year’s Noel Dickinson Memorial Chop, Fraser won the open standing competition, winning the Hazeldean Memorial Trophy. “That’s one of those cups I always looked at and thought I would never win that. I won it this year, which was pretty cool.”
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The standing discipline woodchopping competition is Fraser’s favourite event and he has set a goal to defend his win. “Woodchopping is a grassroots level sport, but all levels are doing it. This year, at our chop, a New Zealand representative gave me some tips after I had been sawing.” “It’s one of those sports that no matter how good you are, everyone is friendly, helpful and they are good people. Doesn’t matter where you go, it’s the same,” Fraser said.
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August 2026
MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES
Horses of the round table by Amy Fifita
PART ONE
While many fantasise about mediaeval times, Vikki Subritzky lives it, travelling the country with her horses to showcase jousting and other skills at events and movies.
B
eing raised in the 60s, Vikki says she was drawn to horses from an early age. Life for her was a mix of urban and rural living, as her grandparents ran a farm in Fairburn. “I was raised in an urban environment, and I always gravitated to any horse living in the area. When I spent time on my grandparents’ farm, I was enthralled by the wild horses that roamed the area,” Vikki says. “I couldn’t understand why no one would catch one for me. I got to ‘ride’ the stock horses in the sheep yards. I was very young, and the yards were safe enough for a toddler to sit happily for as long as I could. When my grandfather gave me a bridle, it opened doors for me.” With a bridle in hand, Vikki’s spark for equines grew, and she wanted to begin her personal journey with horses. Vikki
After discovering jousting as a cheeky volunteer at a mediaeval day, Vikki decided to hone her skills and build her kit
knew what she wanted, not only to ride horses but to own one of her own. “Back home, I disappeared with my bridle and with grass wrapped around the bit, managed to put it on a rather large horse at Maunu Pony Club grounds down Puriri Park Road. Through the kitchen window, my mother saw this horse trotting across the paddock and then me getting dumped at the same time. I’m sure it was thoroughly sick of me. “My father finally relented, and a chunky white-faced horse I named Sparky joined the family — the name fitted his temperament. “My grandfather, my older brother and I had to corner him using a long rope, then with a long stick rubbed the horse all over till he could get a rope on him. Not the ideal first horse, but I got to ride him.”
Adding a mediaeval flair to events, Vikki puts on displays and performances with the Guild of the Hawk to show people jousting and other skill sets
Leasing land in her teens, Vikki began buying about four horses a year, some suitable for lessons and treks, others in need of rehabilitation, or people would
send horses for her to train and sell on. It was a learning curve for Vikki, and one that she built on. “The big heavy horses also appealed to me, and I helped at
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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES August 2026
Wanting to learn how to perform the mediaeval sports, Vikki trained with the Order of the Boar for a couple of years and eventually went on to form the Guild of the Hawk
Having a passion for horses her whole life, Vikki is not shy to get out there and do tasks like Roman riding with them, an equestrian discipline uncommon to the everyday horse rider
the Clarke Homestead and Whangārei Museum in Maunu for several years, and learnt a lot from old Dick Stirling. As a lad, he had a four-horse team and wagon working over Mareretu way, taking something like two weeks to get round all the farms delivering sacks of flour, sugar, tea and so on. “Old-timers like him had abundant knowledge, and I loved nothing more than to hear tales of particular horses and the journeys they made. Around the turn of the century, in the middle of an applied arts degree and involved in theatre productions, the museum advertised a mediaeval day. I cheekily asked if they
would like some jousting knights. They were delighted and readily accepted. “A local guy and I borrowed some armour from Auckland, practised, and put on a pretty average jousting display. However, it was a great draw card, and they had us back the following year.” Having tasted the fun of mediaeval jousting, another journey, one that included her horses. “Then I discovered there was a jousting group in Upper Hutt, the Order of the Boar, and it needed persuasion and perseverance from me to allow me to train with them. Now, years later, we still support each other in training and events.
“When the Company of Lance chapter ended, I formed the Guild of the Hawk. We travelled a lot, competing in tournaments here and abroad. I was fortunate in spending a decade competing in Australia and did a stint in Canada. “The Great Lakes International Jousting Tournament ran for quite a few years. I produced a DVD documentary of the 2006 tournament to promote it.” With her saddle clearly mounted on mediaeval horsemanship, and finding like-hearted individuals, Vikki helped form the Guild of the Hawk, a group that worked across New Zealand and the world. One such event is upcoming on January 23 and 24 at the Northland Renaissance Faire in Arapohue, where people from all over can come and experience mediaeval times. Join us next month for more about Vikki’s journey.
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10
August 2026
MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES
Farm life
Jack works as a farm assistant on Fonterra’s 262ha dairy farm at Longburn
set career choice by Denise Gunn
G
rowing up on a sheep and beef farm near Taumarunui provided Jack with a solid farming foundation. As a 10-year-old, he moved to a lifestyle block with his family where his love for animals continued to develop. On finishing secondary school, Jack began working on a dairy goat farm near Pukekohe. This farm’s herd of 1,200 goats were all kept indoors. Jack worked on this farm for two and a half years, gaining an invaluable understanding of the dairy goat industry. Then, following his love for animals and an initial aspiration to become a veterinarian, Jack studied towards a Bachelor of Animal Science at Massey University. However, during his studies, he was drawn towards a career in the dairy industry. After completing his degree, Jack gained further experience working on a large dairy grazing block in the
South Island’s Mackenzie Country for a few months. “We had young dairy stock with about 1,100 heifers, R2s, and R1s calves,” he said. On returning to the Manawatū last year, Jack took up a farm assistant position in June on Fonterra’s 262ha , 650cow farm at Longburn near Palmerston North. The farming operation runs the mixed Jersey and Friesian herd on a splitcalving system. Jack said there are two dairy sheds, with one used for milking year-round and the other for six months of the year. A small runoff over the road grows maize and grass. Summers are generally relatively short on the Longburn farm, and winters cold and wet. The farm receives an annual average rainfall of 1,096mm. “The climate is pretty standard for the lower North Island. We are right on the
Work experience on a dairy farm during university studies gave the 2026 Manawatū Dairy Trainee of the Year, Jack Foster further insight into following a dairy farming career.
The farming operation runs the herd on a split-calving system
river, so we get flood warnings to move the cows.” Jack enjoys the lifestyle offered by the dairy industry and being able to work outdoors. “It’s a good balance and there is a lot of variation. Every day is different and there is always something to learn.
Sparky Multi-Fuel
Sparky Multi - Features & Benefits • Solid NZ Steel Chassis & Construction 5mm chassis for longevity & NZ Steel to
Leon Features & Benefits
keep his carbon footprint down and support local industry
• Solid NZ Steel Chassis & Construction 5mm chassis 5mm with additional
• Dual Air Controls Giving you precise control of the combustion & consumption rate
• Panels Fitted For lower wall clearances with two side& panel length options and Sparky Multi - Features Benefits colour upgrades to style him up
• Solid NZ Steel Chassis & Construction 5mm chassis for longevity & NZ Steel to • Brick Lined Firebox Refractory Brick lined to protect the inside steel chassis and
Sparky Small scale, with a big heart
• • • • •
He said there’s a lot more happening on the Fonterra Longburn farm than a standard farm, so he’s learning to work around that. “Working in Fonterra, you get a lot of opportunities to see other parts of the business.”
keep his carbon footprint down and support local industry to help hold the heat in the fire • Dual Air Controls Giving you precise control of the combustion & Wetback Option 1.2kw to heat your hot water for power savings. Can be retro consumption rate fitted later • Panels Fitted For lower wall clearances with two side panel length options and Removable Steel Baffle 2 Piece Steel Baffle which is removable for chimney colour upgrades to style him up sweeping • Brick Lined Firebox Refractory Brick lined to protect the inside steel chassis and Cooking Surface With optional top rails fitted for safety if required to help hold the heat in the fire Multi Fuel Specifically designed to offer two fuel options. Wood and or Coal • Wetback Option 1.2kw to heat your hot water for power savings. Can be retro Two Base Options Log-box or Leg-base providing a comfortable 795mm fitted later cooking height • Removable Steel Baffle 2 Piece Steel Baffle which is removable for chimney Ash Pan For easy removal of ash build up sweeping High Temp Paint• finish Premium quality Metallictop Black Cooking Surface Withinoptional rails fitted for safety if required
Leon
strengthening added due to his heat output & NZ Steel to keep his carbon footprint down and support local industry • Dual Air Controls Giving you precise control of the combustion & consumption rate Leon Features & Benefits • Panels Fitted For lower wall clearances with optional colour upgrades to style him up • Solid NZ Steel Chassis & Construction 5mm chassis 5mm w added to his heat outputsteel & NZchassis Steel toand ke • Brick Lined Fireboxstrengthening Refractory Brick lineddue to protect the inside footprint down and support local industry to help hold the heat in the fire Dual precisesavings. control of thebecombust • Wetback Option• 3kw to Air heatControls your hotGiving water you for power Can retro consumption rate fitted later. • Baffle Panels For lower clearances with optional colour • Removable Steel 2 Fitted Piece Steel Bafflewall which is removable for chimney him up sweeping • Large Brickcooking Lined Firebox Bricktop lined protect insid • Cooking Surface surfaceRefractory with optional railstofitted forthe safety i to help hold the heat in the fire required • Wetback Option 3kwtwo to heat your hotWood water and for power savin • Multi Fuel Specifically designed to offer fuel options. or Coal fitted later. • Integrated Log Base Wood storage below and provides a comfortable 900mm cooking height • Removable Steel Baffle 2 Piece Steel Baffle which is remova sweeping • Ash Pan For easy removal of ash build up Cooking Surface Large cooking Black surface with optional top ra • High Temp Paint•finish Premium quality in Metallic required • Ash Hearth Floor Protector Requires an ash hearth protector only (No • Multi Fuel Specifically designed to offer two fuel options. Wo insulation required) • Integrated Log Base Wood storage below and provides a co cooking height Colour Upgrade • Ash Pan For easy removal of ash build up Options 455 160 • High Temp Paint finish Premium quality410in Metallic Black 150 Screen • Ash Hearth Floor Protector Requires an ash hearth protecto insulation required)
Sparky Multi-Fuel
The Legend of Warmth, Built to Work Hard
• • • Ash Hearth Floor an ash hearthto protector base Wood and or Coal • Protector Multi FuelRequires Specifically designed offer twoonly fuelwith options.
The Wagener Sparky is New Zealand’s ultimate compact multiThe Wagener Leon is the “big brother” to the Sparky, option (Insulated hearth without a base) • Two Base Options Log-box or Leg-base providing a comfortable 795mm cooking height fuel solution, handcrafted for tiny homes, cabins and even boats. designed for those who love compact styling but need • Ash Pan For easy removal of ash build up Despite its small footprint, the Sparky delivers an impressive massive 16–18kW heating power. Named after the family Colour Upgrade eg • High Temp Paint finish Premium quality in Metallic Black Options wL n 7–10kW output, featuring a heavy-duty 5mm steel chassis and a business founder, this handcrafted powerhouse features a Ne p t i o • Ash Hearth Floor Protector Requires an ash hearth protector only with base se O a option (Insulated hearth without a base) brick-lined firebox for maximum heat retention. deep firebox and a largeB glass window for a stunning view of the flames. Built from 5mm NZ steel, the Leon includes a This multi-fuel versatile performer isn’t just a heater; it featuresColour Upgrade built-in log box for convenience and a dedicated cooking Heat Output eg a dedicated top surface for cooking and an optional “Lion” Options wL n Ne pti o3kW wetback surface for self-sufficiency. With an optional O e swith The cute wee fire a big heart Colour Upgrade Ba * wetback to provide independent hot water. Available capable of heating a full household’s water, Heat theOutput Leon is a Options Meet the original Wagener Multi. Designed in 2012 to meet a Sparky in Clean Air and Rural models with hardworking, heart for any gap enduring in the market for a good looking, compact & strong wee fireplace, he’s customisable base and colour options, the a real crowd pleaser. Sparky can be found in many diverse locations & medium-to-large home. Heat Output House Size situations though out New Zealand from Tiny, Mobile and Holiday Homes to Sparky offers robust, long-lasting warmth Modern New Build Homes. With morecute than 2000 across NZ take The wee Sparky’s fire with a big heart * Heat Output wherever space is at a premium. him home with confidence. House Size 350
317
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100
860
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Sparky
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100
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situations though out New Zealand from Tiny, Mobile and Holiday Homes to Modern New Build Homes. With more than 2000 Sparky’s across NZ take him home with confidence. House Size 452 North m2 South m2 120-200 100-180
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COLOUR UPGRADEMeet OPTIONS 530 PeakDesigned kw Avg kw the original Wagener in 2012 to meet a Door glass to screen North m2 South m2 Multi. Sparky 605 17-19 &14-17 gap in the market for a good strong wee fireplace, he’s 120-200looking, 100-180 compact
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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES August 2026
11
Growing up on a Taumarunui sheep and beef farm gave Jack a firm farming foundation
The Constant Angle Knife Sharpening System
RIES
EXPORT SE
Winning the 2026 Manawatū Dairy Trainee of the Year award came as a complete surprise to Jack
It was through his employer’s encouragement that Jack decided to enter the Manawatū Dairy Industry Awards. He said winning the Manawatū Dairy Trainee of the Year award came as a complete surprise. “I wasn’t really expecting to win, but it brings a lot of good opportunities.” Jack also won the DairyNZ Practical Skills, and the Guthrie Agwork Ltd Communication and Industry Involvement awards.
Dairy farming combines Jack’s passion for working with animals and being outdoors
Summer is Jack’s favourite season onfarm when working outdoors. “Winter is more difficult on the farm though. You just get in and get the job done, keep all spare clothes in the vehicles and be prepared.” Dairy farming is proving to be the ideal career for Jack as it combines his passions. “I’ve always loved working with animals, and I love the dairy industry. I enjoy a challenge, especially the feeling
of finishing a hard day during calving as it feels rewarding.” Short-term plans include continuing on his current path and to progress within the industry. Eventually, through moving up the ladder to management and sharemilking, farm ownership is among Jack’s goals. “I would like to see more New Zealanders entering careers in the dairy industry, and more encouragement from schools and universities towards these careers,” he said.
The indexed rotating clamping system 3 Angle adjustments • High Grade Stainless Steel • Hygienic • Easy Care • x2 clamps included, 1x Wide Clamp & 1x Narrow Clamp
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August 2026
MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES
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National survey result by Paul Campbell
National polling is a general election standard and new information has also been released in a poll with particular interest for the average Kiwi dinner table. Whether they’re eaten straight from the paper, tucked into buttered bread or drowned in tomato sauce, hot chips remain one of New Zealand’s mostloved comfort foods. New nationwide research has revealed exactly how Kiwis like to enjoy them — with a simple sprinkle of salt coming out on top. Commissioned by Potatoes New Zealand, the poll surveyed more than 1,100 New Zealanders about the Kiwi favourite fish and chips, found 31 per cent prefer to ‘just add salt’ to their hot chips, closely followed by plenty of tomato sauce at 29 per cent. Others like to make a meal of it: 19 per cent enjoy hot chips in bread and butter as a classic ‘chip butty’, while 12 per cent prefer vinegar and 2 per cent reach for Worcestershire sauce. Hot chips also stand out in their own right, with 16 per cent saying they are the real stars and just 1 per cent saying they do not like them. Potatoes New Zealand chief executive Kate Trufitt said more than half the domestic potato harvest goes into processing for hot chips or fries. “We know there’s very strong demand for domestically-grown potatoes for processing for hot chips, so it’s interesting
MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES August 2026
13
ADVERTORIAL
Farmers often develop sore joints (Part two)
by John Arts
Earlier this year, a farmer contacted me about severe osteoarthritis affecting his hands and shoulders. Joint pain is common among farmers; many experience it before age 50, often due to livestock accidents or years of demanding physical work. Kiwi favourite
to see this research showing how people enjoy eating them. Long may that Friday night fish and chips tradition continue. “Potatoes make a significant contribution to New Zealander’s diets because of their valuable nutritional status. Most New Zealanders get around 30 per cent of their vitamin C requirement from potatoes and they are a very good source of potassium.” The research found 83 per cent of participants associated fish and chips strongly or fairly strongly with New Zealand culture or Kiwi identity. For many New Zealanders, Friday night fish and chips still evoke a classic Kiwi tradition (46%), paper-wrapped hot chips (40%) and the welcome relief of a night off cooking (38%). There are over 150 commercial potato growers in New Zealand with a growing area of about 10,000 hectares.
His hands were so painful that closing them was difficult, and the discomfort was constant. Shoulder arthritis is also common and can be especially troublesome, because pain often radiates through the ligaments, muscles and tendons that support the joint, making everyday tasks harder. Osteoarthritis usually develops in one of two ways: from direct injury or from gradual cartilage loss. As cartilage breaks down, bones can rub together, causing pain because bone contains many nerve endings. Cartilage degeneration may be driven by excessive destructive enzymes, free-radical damage to chondrocytes — the cells that produce healthy cartilage — and ongoing inflammation. To address these problems, I started the farmer on an intensive three-month programme. It included 1,600mg each of high-grade chondroitin sulphate and glucosamine sulphate, along with 400mg of water-soluble curcumin extract from turmeric.
After three months, the results were impressive. He reported major improvements in hand and wrist function, and his shoulder pain had eased enough to feel much more comfortable. His progress offers another reason to explore nutritional medicine as part of osteoarthritis management. For people with similar concerns, high-dose chondroitin combined with glucosamine and curcumin, supported by an anti-inflammatory diet, may provide meaningful benefits. To learn more, email me for a copy of my osteoarthritis programme and begin your journey toward better joint health. John Arts (Adv.Dip.Nut.Med) is a qualified nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health. To read more articles by John and learn more about the Abundant Health products he has formulated, visit healthhouse.co.nz, call 0800 140 141, or email john@ healthhouse.co.nz.
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14
August 2026
MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES
HOME&LANDSCAPING Home is where the show is
by Andy Bryenton
The Auckland Home Show is the biggest of its kind, a monster event spanning four days and bringing a world of style and substance to the public. Hundreds of companies will bring their latest and greatest to the ASB Showgrounds for the 2026 show; 450 in all. There’s high technology in the form of projectors and laser televisions, 3D printing and scanning devices, advanced security systems and timesaving appliances. Tools are on offer to tackle any task from heavy construction to precision painting. There’s artwork to grace your walls, and the relaxations of spa pools, saunas and luxurious furniture. It’s impossible not to walk away inspired. As well as packing in a whole showgrounds full of exhibitors, showcasing the cutting edge of building technology and style, the Auckland Home Show also provides a chance to try new things, build new skills, and have some fun. A key feature of the 2026 show is the Ryobi tools’ Make + Take area, where instructors will be on hand to walk you through their wide range of power tools. They’ll not only show you what’s new in portable DIY power; there are hands-on projects that you can try, and when you’re done you can take them home with you.
Spring is just around the corner, and that means it’s Auckland Home Show time. Get inspired, then call your local tradespeople to share your vision
Then there’s the new home market place area, where local artists and creative artisans will assemble a gallery of fresh ideas and innovations that are beyond the mainstream. A curated blend of decor, art, interior design and even ecological concepts such as eco-friendly
bean bag filling, the home market is full of bright ideas. Visiting the Auckland Home Show also gives you access to four days of seminars from industry experts and insiders. You’ll find a full schedule from 10.30am until 6.30pm daily, covering topics as varied
as the practicalities of saving money with solar power, renovation hacks and tips, interior design trends, how to gain compliance for big DIY projects, flooring ideas, kitchen makeovers and bathroom brilliance. Homes are for families, and the home show is too. On Sunday there will be special activities, entertainment and attractions for young patrons, allowing busy parents to combine a practical visit to the show with some family time. Come along for free face painting, a free kid’s art station where youngsters can craft their own bugs and blooms, a colouring competition, and Easy As workshops hosted by the good folks at Mitre 10. Mark your calendar for September 10, 11, 12 and 13 — just a month away. By the time you hit the home show at ASB Showgrounds, spring will be in full swing, so now’s the time to take a look at your home and decide what needs to change. The show will provide ample opportunities to replace it with fresh and trendy new concepts.
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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES August 2026
HOME&LANDSCAPING
15
Building brick by brick
by Andy Bryenton
There’s a solidity and beauty to brick construction, but there’s practicality, too. Brick buildings from the dawn of time have endured, as have whole castles and stately homes made of fired clay and ingenuity. The oldest bricks come from Tell Aswad, high up the Tigris river in modern Iraq. There, the thick river clay would harden in the sun, and locals took note that during the dry summer, the river banks became hard as stone. Shaping the clay and mud into squares, they made a building material which was easier to work with than rock, harder than timber, and in seemingly inexhaustible supply. The huge stepped pyramids of the Mesopotamians were built using these mud-bricks, and they worked amazingly well in a dry and arid land, but even better when treated with fire. The brick kiln allowed ancient kings to build walls that repelled armies, and legendary monuments too. The hanging gardens of Babylon used glazed and fired bricks that channelled water for this early hydroponic marvel. At about the same time, fired redclay bricks were invented in China, of a surprisingly similar size to the ones we’d recognise from modern houses. If you were a Roman soldier, you might have spent more time making bricks than
fighting barbarians. Each legion carried its own portable brick kiln, and gates, bath houses, aqueducts and forts stamped with the seal of the emperor on each brick are found across Europe. Just before (and during) the industrial revolution, huge brick factories dominated the trade in England. Red bricks, of the kind we see in classical brick and tile houses, became the norm for an odd reason in the late 1600s. London was being rebuilt after the fire of 1666, and wood was no longer allowed. The novelty of trade with China had brought the bright red bricks mentioned earlier to British attention, and the colour was chosen to make buildings stand out in London fog, and to stop the new brick buildings appearing dark and soot-smeared, in an era when the great metropolis ran on wood and coal fires. Modern brickmaking might use traditional methods, but can also employ a so-called hyperpress. In this highpressure forming machine, a tiny amount of cement, about nine per cent of the
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Herstmonceux Castle was built in the time of Shakespeare, when red brick, inspired by oriental and Indian techniques, was being embraced to replace Tudor wood-and-plaster construction
brick and a tiny amount of pigment for aesthetics are combined with crushed waste rock. This recycled concrete is crushed up into powder, and added to waste products from smelting. Fly ash from burning waste to generate energy is
also sometimes used, sealing it up out of environmental cycles. This can make up 90 per cent of a modern brick, and it’s hard to tell the difference. The other major oddity is that there’s no kiln at all, just the enormous pressure exerted by hydraulics.
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16
August 2026
MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES
HOME&LANDSCAPING Having a real blast
by Andy Bryenton
Water blasting and power washing are so satisfying that it’s spawned a series of simulator video games, but getting it wrong can make a cleaning job into an expensive resurfacing; here are some tips from the professionals. Preparation is everything when it comes to getting the best result from your water blasting mission, and that starts with getting the right machine for the job. Not enough power, and you’re effectively just using the hose. It will power through more water and time before your path or deck are clean. Too powerful, and you could damage the surface itself. Choose a power washer or blaster which is for more than just cleaning the mud off tyres to tackle big spring-clean chores, but also take note of which nozzle you’re using. Many machines, especially those which use a petrol motor, have multiple options, so check to see which one provides a good spread to clean down timber and concrete. Clear off debris with a stiff broom before you begin, and give the machine a test to ensure it’s working at full strength. Now you’re ready to take care of the three big areas around the home which could do with a spruce-up for springtime. For your driveway and concrete paths, it’s always best to start at the highest point and work down. Water, and the filth
that is dislodged by your blaster, will run downward and you don’t want to have to double back. Use the water jet like a broom in even, parallel sweeps, not too close to the surface, and you’ll see the results immediately. Resist the urge to get artistic. There are stories both apocryphal and real of humorous but crude pictures and words ‘painted’ on to concrete by chuckling homeowners, which are still clearly visible even after several passes to try to erase them. To wash down your house, you’ll need a little less pressure than you might for cleaning concrete surfaces; turn it down and stand back, especially if your paint is getting on in years. Once again, start at the top right under the eaves, and begin by brushing away cobwebs while they are dry. It’s amazing how resilient these spiderwebs are to a high-powered stream of water. Why not do the whole job, hire portable scaffolding, and blast the gutters first? Aim down when washing weatherboards, and you won’t force water in between the overlap with this angle.
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The power of water can cut cleaning jobs down to size, but preparation and technique are vitally important
For decks, always wash along the grain, usually the long axis of each board. If this means going parallel to the house, do it; washing with the grain will prevent timber splitting and frizzing. Once again,
long straight strokes, not wavy lines, are the key to a good result. No matter what you’re blasting, wash, then blast, then rinse for a great finish, and stand back to admire your handiwork.
MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES August 2026
HOME&LANDSCAPING
17
Prepping for spring projects
by Amy Fifita
As we step into the last month of winter, it is time to start thinking about how we plan to experience our summer, be it under a pergola or around a newly constructed raised garden bed. The upcoming spring season provides new opportunities for landowners to improve their land and lifestyle in the form of social spaces and garden addons. Perhaps it is putting a cabin to use as a craft space, or a place for your teenager to sleep. Whatever it is, now is a good time to get ahead of the game. Popular spring projects include fire pits, wooden art pieces, raised garden beds, deck construction, cabins, tree benches, bird houses and so on. With many options to choose from, thinking ahead to what you want your summer months to be like. Whether it is spending time with family and friends, a nice relaxed rest from the business of life or wanting to hide away to get into your hobbies. Create a plan and take an inventory of the materials and tools needed, and other considerations like needing a tradesperson at some point for tasks, especially electrical work. Planning and obtaining ahead of time can help home handypeople avoid the crowd and high demand of
calling. Putting the effort in now can save time and get the property to where you want it.
From New Homes to Plumbing Maintenance
Looking ahead and preparing for your outdoor projects now can help save time for the spring start
certain items. With materials and tools ready, the only limitations are time and the weather. With El Niño winter conditions in effect, projects could even start early, or homeowners could take advantage of a sunny day to take measurements of the work area. Preparation work like clearing the area can be done ahead of time, too, if the weather permits.
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While some are digging their teeth into the possibilities of their backyard, others already have their dream outdoor spaces, but as with all good things, maintenance is a must. Right now is a great time to be taking stock of what needs replacing, repairing, weeding or demolishing and starting anew. With the warm months in our sights, social occasions and outdoor time are
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18
August 2026
MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES
HOME&LANDSCAPING Smoke, grill and savour
by Andy Bryenton
If you’re keen to get into the wildly popular practice of smoking and low-and-slow barbecue this summer, spring is the time to head out and find the perfect tool for the job. By focussing on exactly the kind of cooking you’d like to do, you can deliver the delectable, smoky flavours you want without breaking the bank. The first and most important decision to make is between a kettle barbecue and an offset smoker. These work in slightly different ways, which produce variations on the theme of juicy, slow-cooked meat with an aromatic smoke. The kettle (otherwise called an acorn, beehive or dome) uses charcoal right inside its base, directly grilling your food but allowing for greater control over the temperature by varying the intensity of the burn. A kind of mild offset effect can be had by stoking up the heat on one side of the grill, while letting it die down on the other. Radiant heat reflected from inside the dome of the kettle helps evenly cook your meal. This layout is versatile, and can replace the gas barbecue for a sizzled sausage or quick steak on a summer night, as well as being tuned to slow cook more elaborate cuts. There’s a learning curve
of skill to manage the charcoal just right, but those who find that sweet spot swear by it. An offset smoker looks somewhat like the boiler and firebox of a steam locomotive, and that offset source of heat gives it its name. All that comes through into the main cooking chamber is hot smoke, meaning that you can burn carefully selected wood varieties to tune your smoke for flavour. There’s an art to getting it working to perfection, but this is a great way to deliver layers of subtle flavour. It’s a more time-intensive experience, but the finished result is a succulent reward. If you’re moving from a gas barbecue to smoking and grilling, perhaps the kettle is a good stepping stone, with an offset smoker reserved for your next-level foray into low-and-slow cuisine. Otherwise, you might wish to keep your existing ‘barbie’ for quick, easy outdoor eats, and delve right into the world of smoke craft. Either way, the most important thing to look for is durable, thick, well-built metal.
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Kettle grill or offset smoker? Either choice delivers deliciousness, but in slightly different ways
A good kettle or offset smoker is robust, heavy and traps in both smoke and heat. Don’t be tempted by cheap, thin-walled imitations, because the hours you put into each cook, the
brining, the rubs, the charcoal and wood selection, and the hours of care pay off best when you’re using a heavy-duty piece of equipment that really seals in the flavour.
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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES August 2026
HOME&LANDSCAPING Put up in a day?
by Liz Clark
Recently, I moved from Kaipara down to North Otago, after selling up and moving to be closer to my adult children, with the idea of a smaller block of land and home. The idea was great, and still is. However, there’s that thing they call Murphy’s law when it comes to building a home. You might have seen the advertisements popping up on your social media feed full of wonderful visions of expandable homes you can put up in a day. Watch out for it — buyer beware. Being more aware of how buildings are put together, I weighed up the cost of a new home versus an expandable one. Down here in North Otago, the cost for every square metre is around $3,900, thus making a home from the ground up expensive and, in my case, out of reach. So I went for an expandable home, choosing a company that was well established and had good reviews. It also had actual premises and the ‘built in one day’ catchphrase was firmly put as four months or more. Be warned — everything has to be upgraded to be compliant with the New Zealand Building Code, and that’s just for the building. Allow at least an extra $20,000 for upgrades to meet the
and detailed information on framing, insulation ratings and so on. We’ll keep readers posted on progress. Before you go ahead with the big idea, visit the Building Performance website and use the keyword search ‘granny flats exemption’.
The granny flat exemption doesn’t mean being built in a day
standards. Then add in the requirement to now have interlinked smoke alarms as well — but wait, there’s more. Before the process even began, I had to engage a surveyor to ensure the house site would comply with the strict district plan rules for a rural/residential site just out of Ōamaru. That was the first stage. Next was the geotechnical engineer going on-site, taking soil samples and sending technical
Tired of grading gravel and fighting winter mud?
reports to the housing company. Following that was paying a structural engineer to design the house foundations and provide the data such as load-bearing capacity, materials and so on. Currently, we’re now in the process of having the wastewater and stormwater systems designed by an engineer. The next stage is the provision of a compliant driveway plan, architect’s drawings
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August 2026
MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES
HOME&LANDSCAPING
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management partner. It coordinates all required licensed trades, including builders, painters, electricians and plumbers under one single point of contact to save property owners the stress of managing separate sub-contractors. The work undertaken covers the complete list of property requirements and priorities, including if your insulation isn’t up to standard, we can top it up or replace it as needed. It’s that simple. For heating, Oncore will explain your options and, if required, provide your property with a high-quality fixed-heating installation. We’ll advise you on whether or not your extractor fans and windows meet the standards. If not, we’ll get them sorted. Our team will improve your property’s drainage, guttering, drainpipes and ground moisture barrier — ensuring there are no surface water or drainage issues. Keep your kitchen up to date with Oncore’s premium kitchen maintenance, repair and reinstatement services. Bathroom maintenance and repairs are a breeze and it doesn’t stop there.
Upgrade your property with our premium installation services, and when it comes to outdoors — keep your area immaculate with Oncore’s outdoor maintenance services. Insurance reinstatement repairs will bring your property back to its former glory and transform it with professional painting and decorating services.
Handyman services keep your property in excellent shape, and you can keep your home or commercial building in top condition with Oncore’s property maintenance services. Roof and gutter maintenance, home ventilation and ventilation and heating — whatever the requirements — you can book a free consultation.
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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES August 2026
SPOTLIGHT ON From forest and wetlands
LEVIN closed, causing decades of no population growth as the economy recentered purely around its roots as a rural service centre. Still, the 21st century has seen a revitalisation programme, with more details in this edition.
by Paul Campbell
Levin began life as a major Māori settlement before transforming into a bustling timber and agricultural hub, following the arrival of the railway in the late 19th century. Before European settlement, the area was heavily forested and dominated by wetlands where the Muaūpoko people originally settled the fertile land, establishing communities clustered around Lake Horowhenua and Lake Papaitonga. Inter-tribal conflicts in the early 19th century saw Ngāti Raukawa move into the region alongside Muaūpoko after migrations led by Te Rauparaha, the highly influential warrior and military strategist of the Ngāti Toa. He dominated the southern North Island and upper South Island during the early 19th-century Musket Wars. The Levin district was one of the last in the region to be opened to European settlement, and by the 1880s, the Wellington–Manawatū railway opened up a complex land deal with local iwi. However, what transpired was more Crown ownership, as while local leader Te Keepa Te Rangihiwinui was prepared to sell land
The imposing Levin Public Library in 1920
for a township with certain conditions, what is described in records as “financial pressures” on Te Keepa meant that the Crown was able to drop these conditions. The town was named Levin after a railway company director, WH Levin, as the line opened up the region. Original
settlements followed the railway inland, and a government scheme increased farm ownership as the town boomed in providing goods and services. Early settlers primarily worked in sawmilling to clear the dense native bush. Once cleared, the landscape rapidly transitioned into highly productive dairy and horticultural farming. Levin was officially declared a borough on April 1 1906. With the turn of the 20th century came more arrivals and growth, and Levin grew further in the first three decades to 1930, but industry led an upsurge in the 1940s to 1960s with products from caravans, clothing and textiles adding to the primary industry of fertile farmlands. Economic deregulation and tariff removals of the 1980s severely impacted Levin. Most of its manufacturing factories
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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES
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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES August 2026
SPOTLIGHT ON A bright new destination
23
LEVIN
by Paul Campbell
Levin is redefining itself from a rural stop on the route to another North Island destination into a connected modern community, as a result of infrastructure projects and the ambitious Levin Town Centre Transformation Strategy. Big changes include highways and civic developments where the central heart is the main Oxford Street, moving away from heavy industrial through-traffic, heading north and south to a civic centre designed for a better quality of life and style. In the War Memorial Area, the atmosphere is engendered by a modernisation programme supporting new housing, retail spaces, a dynamic village square, and cafes and restaurants. Oxford Street is fading as a state highway, connecting to the rest of the country, to become foot-friendly, a boulevard atmosphere where there’s outdoor cafe-style entertainment as well as boutique shops and a plaza reminiscent of a European destination. A wave of multimillion-dollar infrastructure investment s has positioned it as a central economic hub and a favoured relocation home for new residents. Construction on the highway bypass permanently routes heavy transit
Levin has been revitalised
traffic away from local streets, allowing Levin to flourish as a destination rather than a thoroughfare. It is because of greatly improved access and expressways that Levin is no more than 90 minutes away from the capital city, and that has attracted new residents. That includes both professional people seeking a suburban escape and families seeking a better lifestyle, along with a better and less expensive lifestyle. Lower living costs from the big city are of increasing value in today’s economy.
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Commercial real estate demand is also rising, as the enhanced environment is attracting consulting firms, corporate offices, and new retail operations that supplement local mainstays. Levin’s contemporary identity relies heavily on its unique community demographic and natural geography. It has a varied community profile, with Māori making up some 33% of the population, and Pacific and Asian communities making for a multifaceted demographic. The Levin Health Hub beckons as a comprehensive medical complex to give residents immediate local access to specialised doctors and clinical services without travelling out of the district. Recreation facilities abound in the town and surrounds, including the Levin Adventure Park, and there’s an avowed community presence in the many primary schools and Horowhenua College that make life good for families. On a wider scale, Levin is located between the
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Tararua Ranges and the Tasman Sea, so trips to the coast and the beaches are a given, as well as to trekking trails at Makahika, and the freshwater delights of Lake Papaitonga and Lake Horowhenua.
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24
August 2026
MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES
SPOTLIGHT ON ADVERTORIAL
LEVIN ADVERTORIAL
Your choice is clear
Local knowledge — trusted service
From water tank cleaning to water delivery, Clean Water Solutions ensures customers’ water for drinking and bathing is clean and safe.
Horowhenua Outdoor Machinery is Levin’s only locally-owned and operated outdoor power equipment specialist, providing sales, servicing and repairs for everything from blowers and chainsaws to lawnmowers and ride-on mowers.
André Groeneveld started the venture with the help of his father, Gerry, in 2004. A family-owned and operated business, enabling tankwater owners to have a healthy water source, is André’s number one priority. Offering a rare difference, the team does a full tank clean where they will physically clean the tank from the inside. Using brushes and hard work to remove all sediment from the ceiling, walls and floor of the tank, they do a visual inspection of the tank’s interior condition. Another option for customers is the vacuumto-waste approach. It removes sediment from the bottom of the tank and only decreases the water level by about one metre, depending on how much sediment is on the tank’s base. Clients can request to have tanks treated with sterilising agents in the existing water or as water is being delivered. We provide water from the town supply, via the 10,500-litre tanker or the special 3,500-litre 4WD tanker for those hard-toget-to situations. The tankers are fully certified by the Ministry of Health and the District Health Board.
Clean Water Solutions can transport water to hard-to-get situations
With two trucks in the fleet, cartage is offered as a service to the ever-improving businesses. Clients can reach out, as between our two trucks, we can deliver water to tanks and swimming pools with difficult access. We can replace your domestic water filter cartridges as required. Servicing the area for 22 years, the team is constantly improving the service and upgrading equipment. Covering Horowhenua, Manawatū, Whanganui and the Kāpiti Coast, the experienced team supplies rural and coastal areas with water deliveries, water tank cleaning, and water filter replacements.
We stock and service trusted brands, including ECHO, Shindaiwa, Masport, Oleo-Mac and Greenworks, giving customers access to quality equipment backed by local support. Our team has more than 40 years of combined experience in the outdoor power equipment industry. We also work with several of New Horowhenua Outdoor Machinery provides Zealand’s largest parts suppliers, Levin with quality outdoor power equipment helping us source parts quickly and generally increase once the busy spring keep repair turnaround times down. Get your ride-on ready for spring. Now season begins. Getting your mower booked is one of the best times of the year to get your in now means less waiting and more time ride-on lawnmower serviced, before spring mowing when you need it. Alongside workshop servicing, we offer kicks in and everyone has the same idea. Regular servicing helps keep your mower pick-up and drop-off services for customers running reliably, improves performance, who can’t easily transport their equipment. Horowhenua Outdoor Machinery is also reduces unnecessary wear, and can help identify small problems before they become the Levin agency for NZ Couriers, allowing expensive repairs. It also means your customers to send parcels through us or mower is ready to go when the grass starts arrange deliveries directly to our store. You’ll find us at 13 Prouse Street, Levin. Our opening growing faster. Our current ride-on servicing turnaround hours are Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm, and is within one week, but service times Saturday, 9am–noon.
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Your choice is Clear
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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES August 2026
25
RURAL CONTRACTORS & SUPPLIERS
What future for organic produce? by Andy Bryenton
With more than $1 billion in revenue generated each year by organic produce, a plan to grow this sector of the rural economy is vital, and it’s a subject getting some scrutiny with a regulatory overhaul in the pipeline. Core to plans to update the rules surrounding organic farming is the possibility of boosting the limit on organic business turnover, above which a farmer would have to be approved as an operator. The suggestion of boosting this from $10,000 to $30,000 could be in line with the modern realities of being a small-scale organic producer for niche products, and avoid red tape. Additionally, there’s a call for New Zealand to consider a single, overarching organic mark. Those who qualify to use the mark would be certified organic, boosting customer confidence and allowing for a strong showing internationally. Unity and clear rules would encourage investment. Currently, five or more respected thirdparty organic certifiers exist across the nation. Associate Minister of Agriculture Mike Butterick announced public consultation on these and a number of smaller procedural changes in midAugust, calling for grassroots input from the organic farming community to shape how government agencies support the sector.
“New Zealand’s wider organic sector is worth $1.18 billion, with exports of more than $606 million fuelled by global demand for premium and sustainablyproduced products,” Mr Butterick said. “We want to build on that strong
“
We want to build on that strong foundation and maximise opportunities for regional communities
”
foundation and maximise opportunities for regional communities.” To qualify as organic, Kiwi produce must already meet strict ecological criteria, including no use of synthetic chemical weedkillers and insecticides, no artificial fertilisers, the deployment of natural pest
management, natural compost and natural manures. Geneticallymodified organisms are prohibited from being deemed organic, and there’s an added level of scrutiny on the long-term protection of the soil, its microbiome and general health. Mr Butterick reinforced the fact that the Ministry for Primary Industries has worked closely with organic farmers throughout the development of previous legislation, such as the Organic Products and Production Act 2023. It’s reported that the MPI will be on schedule for a March 31 2028 deadline, beyond which it will be illegal to label any product as organic if it does not comply with the rules. Now, with regulations in place Mike Butterick, Associate Minister of Agriculture and standards close to completion, it’s time for feedback from those on the MPI portal at mpi.govt.nz/consultations. front lines of organic production. If you are Search ‘proposed changes to New involved with organic produce farming, Zealand’s organic regulations’ to read or in the rural sector in general, please the proposals and submit your thoughts, take a look and have your say, via the through until September 22.
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26
August 2026
MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES
RURAL CONTRACTORS & SUPPLIERS
Award winner lands in New Zealand by Andy Bryenton
Winner of the prestigious Red Dot Design Award, the new Case IH Puma range of tractors hit New Zealand shores ready to pile into spring tasks on the farm, loaded with new technology.
Contact us to get the best value out of your trees.
Aaron Boyd 027 323 2693
The Case IH Puma now comes in 155, 165 and 185-horsepower models, with a common wheelbase and a suite of precision technology features designed to allow integration with a wider suite of implements. Increasingly, mid-sized tractors are being asked to utilise more complex, power-intensive implements in the field, and this is a subsector where versatility is key. Cue the Case IH development team, which focussed on ease of operation as well as fuel efficiency and engine advancements to make the new crop of Puma tractors stand out. They hearkened back to the heritage of the badge name, which originally came from Case IH’s 1980s acquisition of the Steiger brand, and crafted a new generation
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• Agricultural • Commercial • Educational • Municipal Government
0800 355 5865
OFFICE: 021 259 5659 | E: a-t-c@xtra.co.nz W: www.activetankcleaning.co.nz
exemplifying the multi-role legacy of the Puma. A 20 per cent tighter turning radius has been achieved, and the geometry of the front axle and suspension has been modified with a new saddle layout, giving the Puma stability at higher speeds for on-road transit between jobs. Case IH engineers have also overhauled the braking system for more responsiveness, and refined what was already a highlyregarded transmission system to allow for even more precise implement control, as well as a smooth ride. Even more attention was given to the cab — now an even nicer place to spend a day’s work. “These new Puma models now offer all of the technology that previously only the higher horsepower models delivered,” said Seamus McCarthy, Case IH’s product and portfolio manager for their medium-sized tractors in Australia and New Zealand. “Now customers can benefit from exceptional comfort, operational efficiency
DAM BUILDING & CLEARING • TRACK MAINTENANCE • OPEN DRAINS/NOVAFLO DRAINS
and performance in a smaller wheelbase machine. These next-generation Puma machines have also been independently tested by DLG for fuel consumption, with results of 243g/kWhr showing best-inclass performance. “Combined with the efficiencies of the technology package and extended service intervals, the operational savings and lower cost of ownership are significant for customers.” Versatility, as we’ve mentioned, is the heart and soul of the appeal for a medium-sized tractor, and the Puma range has hit a sweet spot which makes this machine a valuable companion for livestock and vegetable crop farmers in equal measure. It’s also a Swiss Army Knife option to add to a contractor’s fleet. With a Red Dot Design Award already in the cabinet, the Puma 155, 165 and 185 are available now in New Zealand, and ready to make an impact this spring.
QUARRY ROCK • Cow Race, Face Rock, 20mm/40mm 65mm crushed grades available FERTILISER SPREADING • Cartage and Application
SHANNON BULK HAULAGE “GETTING SHIT DONE SINCE AGES AGO”
DARRYL RUSH 027 448 4657 • 06 323 9444 info@rushexcavation.co.nz • www.rushexcavation.co.nz FARMWORK • METAL • SITEWORKS • TOPSOIL
CARTAGE • Linehaul • Curtainsiders • Bulk Units • Flat Deck Units • Hay & Baleage cartage • Lime and Fertiliser • Grain • Rock DIGGER WORK • Trenching buckets • Auger • Cleaning buckets • Mulcher WEIGHBRIDGE FACILITIES AVAILABLE
Contact us TODAY Phone: 0800 SHN BULK Email: info@shannonbulk.co.nz www.shannonbulk.co.nz
MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES August 2026
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RURAL CONTRACTORS & SUPPLIERS
Just what the doctor ordered by Andy Bryenton
Suzuki’s new DR150 proves that a tool made for hard work can be elegant and simple as well as rugged and dependable. With just about 12 horsepower, the little 150cc four-stroke is a masterclass in doing more with less, and a tonic to the overcomputerisation, overcomplication and size creep of off-road options for those working the land. While there’s a power and tech war at the top of the table in the world of ATVs, the little Suzuki doesn’t just make do with a single aircooled cylinder — it thrives. That’s because it’s amazing where a small bike can go, with the right amount of skill and a good design. Suzuki has been putting the DR badge on clever, simple but punchy bikes since the 1990s, when the little DR125 with its Miami Vice paint scheme broke cover, and the big DR650 went head-to-head with Honda’s Dominator as the king of single-thumper off-road might. Fast-forward to the present day, and the DR150 fills a niche farmers need: a small, easy to master off-road bike which is great for stock checks, flitting from paddock to paddock down the races, or
The new DR150 is a practical and precise small farm bike which punches above its weight
nipping between blocks to take care of minor chores. There’s only 11.8 horses, but there’s 11.6 Newton-metres of torque at 6,000rpm as well, meaning that there’s plenty of guts to handle mud and choppy
terrain. Let’s face it, you don’t want to have superbike speeds at your fingertips when you’re shifting the herd, you want control, a good centre of gravity, and
a light weight. The DR150 weighs less than some rugby players at 139kg fuelled up. With raw power off the table and irrelevant, let’s talk about the important numbers for a farm utility bike. The little motor sips fuel and the tank packs 12.5 litres, meaning more time between fillups. Ground clearance is set at 244mm, for long-legged terrain-tackling ability. There’s even a proper kickstart as well as an electric one, which is not just old school cool; it’s all part of the Dr150 being easy to use and maintain. Don’t get it wrong — there’s a place for a big, powerful ATV on the modern farm. It’s just that there’s definitely always been a niche for a small, economical and nimble farm bike, too. This one’s as handy as a proper old folding knife, a real stainless steel lighter or a pair of gumboots. The modern design looks sharp, too, which is a cheeky bonus.
NEVILL WEBB & SON LTD Established Since 1949
WATER WELLS www.webbdrilling.co.nz
24/7 Callout Service • Onsite Fleet and Farm Service Tyre and Puncture Repairs • Car, 4WD, Truck, Tractor Tyres Agent for Century Batteries • Wheel Alignment (by appointment) “FOR ALL YOUR TYRE AND BATTERY NEEDS, NO JOB IS TOO BIG OR SMALL”
CALL US TODAY FOR A FREE QUOTE.
• AGRICULTURAL • DOMESTIC • INDUSTRIAL • PUMPS Philip N. Webb
Business 06 368 5829 Mobile 027 4 42 3591
Email: office@webbdrilling.co.nz PO Box 1155 I Main Road South, LEVIN
Ph: 027 538 5518 | Email: ruraltyres@gmail.com | 8 Green Road, Awahuri 4714526AA
www.bondex.nz
nathan@bondex.nz
• EARTHMOVING • CIVIL, RURAL & RESIDENTIAL SITE WORKS • LAND DEVELOPMENT & AGGREGATE SUPPLY
COVERING THE MANAWATU REGION | CALL US ON 027 321 1327
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August 2026
MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES
POLE SHEDS, DAIRY SHEDS, SILAGE BUNKERS, STOCK YARDS, FEED STORAGE AND FEED PADS With a wealth of experience and knowledge when it comes to all farm style buildings, we can build new or upgrade existing structures to suit. No matter the size or the style, we can project manage the entire process for purpose built requirements.
Palmerston North | 027 218 0302 | info@gillalyconstruction.co.nz