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An $802.9 million investment into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines has now reached a major milestone, with Greater Wellington Regional Council signing a contract for a new fleet of 18 battery-electric multiple unit (BEMU) trains.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop says the French multinational rail transport systems manufacturer, Alstom, has been selected to deliver 18 state-of-theart battery-electric trains — the first to operate in New Zealand.
“The new train fleet will significantly improve travel times and passenger experience on the Wairarapa and Manawatū lines,” Mr Bishop said.
“These new trains will replace the ageing diesel locomotive-hauled fleet, dating back to the 1970s, which has frustrated commuters for years. They will deliver faster, more frequent and more reliable services for passengers travelling between Wellington, Wairarapa and Manawatū.
The remaining is funded by two regional councils, Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) and Horizons Regional Council (HRC).
Greater Wellington chair Daran Ponter says Alstom was selected through a robust, two-stage global procurement process.
“This upgrade will enable the doubling of peak services on both lines and additional off-peak services. We expect up to 15-minute travel time savings for commuters between Wellington and Masterton, and increased speeds on the Wairarapa line.
“These modern battery electric trains will deliver real benefits for commuters, increase productivity and support economic growth. It will allow Kiwis to get where they need to go quickly and safely.
“Delivering reliable, effective, and efficient public transport is a priority for our government. We campaigned on delivering the Lower North Island Rail Integrated Mobility Programme (LNIRIM) to improve service reliability, provide more travel choices for commuters, and reduce congestion on our roads, and I’m pleased to see this progress.”
The government is funding approximately 90% of the costs for the procurement of the trains and infrastructure upgrades on the two lines.
“With a focus on providing passengers with comfortable and accessible rail journeys, we welcome Alstom to the LNIRIM programme to design and build trains for New Zealand conditions and to maintain the fleet for 35 years,” said Cr Ponter.
“Designed for New Zealand conditions, the new trains switch to batteries on tracks without overhead power, using technology proven in countries like Japan and Germany.”
Horizons chair Rachel Keedwell says the new train fleet will be named Tūhono, meaning to connect or unite. It represents how urban centres and regional communities will be better connected.
“Tūhono trains will help our regions thrive by improving access to work, education and recreation for heartland New Zealand,” Keedwell said.
The new trains are scheduled to enter service from 2030.
(Fitzy) and Barb Fitzsimons
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Our in-house processing plant enables us to guarantee the consistent quality and reliability of the process from the picking-up to the putting-down of the animal. As a recognised specialist you can rest assured that our years of expertise and close connection to the farming industry makes our service as convenient, respectful and professional as it can be.
by Denise Gunn
Five competitors and six dogs from the Wanganui Sheep Dog Trial Centre made the final of the annual Tux Yarding Challenge held at Ōhingaiti.
Six provincial Tux Challenges are held in the North Island and five in the South Island, each year. Qualifiers from the provincial sheepdog trials are eligible to compete in the annual North or South Island Championships and the New Zealand finals. The New Zealand championships alternate between the North and South Islands. The recent fourday annual Tux Yarding Challenge event, held at the Ōhingaiti Sports Domain, drew competitors from all over the North Island. One South Island triallist, Graeme Cole, made the journey north with three dogs, qualifying for the final with Kevin.
Wanganui Centre publicity officer Brenda O’Leary said Graeme also competed last year.
“It was good to see him back.”
A total of 225 dogs entered the Tux Yarding Challenge. Well-known and respected judge Peter Campbell, from Ōkaihau in Northland, put in some long days judging this competition.
“It was a brilliant four days of dog trialling, with some of our best Tux dogs strutting their stuff,” said Brenda. “Wayne Faulkner and Tess (Mangamahu Club), Peter Wilson and Roy (Kawhātau Club), Brian Burke and Pace (Papārangi Club), Bruce Gilbert with Joe and Ash (Moawhango Club), and Donna McLean and Flare (Parapara/Makirikiri Club) all made the final.”
She said Leo Jecentho from the Waikato was an absolute master in the Tux competitions. He won this competition with Zap on 99.5 points, placed second with Rob on a score of 97.25 points, and also took out fourth place with Cloud on 96.25 points.
“Spoiling his parade was Lindsay Schmidt, from Takapau, with Fly in third place on 96.5 points,” she said.
“Seventeen ladies competed, some running multiple dogs. Two made the final; Sheena Martin from Wairoa and Donna McLean from Whangaehu. Two maiden ladies with maiden dogs, Heather Gee-Taylor with Haka, and Luzia Meara with Mouse, competed in the final. Luzia won that section.”
Wayne Falkner and Tess won the open man/maiden dog class with 97.25 points. This combination placed ninth in the final.
More than 100 dogs competed in the trans-Tasman event held in conjunction with the Tux Yarding Challenge. This competition was judged by Wanganui Centre judges Bruce Parkinson, Brenda O’Leary and Gavin Drake. The winners over the three days were Gavin Smith with Lofty, Chris Baker and Mia, and Bob Bruce with Ruby. Falcon Proffitt and Dini, Kieran McKenzie with Bee, won the three maiden trials.
“It was a very busy four days. Josh Brennan supplied the beautiful well-grown ewe hoggets used on both the Tux course and the trans-Tasman course.”
Josh’s wife Emma catered for the event.
“They are a great team and much appreciated by everyone,” said Brenda. The top three competitors and dogs, and the top maiden competitor and dog, will advance to the New Zealand Tux Championship at Taupō in January 2026.
by Denise Gunn
Fifth-generation farmers, Blair and Anna Robinson, combine farming sheep, beef and deer with their outdoor activities venture — Heights Experience.
Their 2,200 acre Horowhenua farm, Te Rohenga, was first purchased by Anna’s great-great-grandfather Edward Law in 1907. The heavily forested land was cleared, regrassed and, eventually, additional property added.
Farm improvements have continued with each generation. In more recent years, waterways on the lower areas of the property have been fenced to exclude stock and to plant natives.
“We have also retired 33ha of steep hill country and planted it in Douglas fir. This has been placed into the ETS system,” said Anna.
Blair is the farm’s general manager and has more than 20 years experience as a livestock agent.
He is currently contracted to Stephen Harris Livestock in Taihape.
Anna takes care of all the farm administration and her brother William manages the livestock.
A Romney stud, first established on the farm in 1911, was farmed for four decades. In 1952, Anna’s grandfather David decided to switch to breeding Perendales.
Two years ago, the Perendale stud was sold to Te Anau. Anna said it was sad to
The Heights Perendale stud was sold two years ago and Romney rams were introduced to the farm system
see the legacy of Heights Perendales end but it made economic sense.
improvement in the lambs’ finishing ability as well as a better temperament.”
All lambs are finished on-farm, grazing on a mixture of grassland as well as chicory and clover crops.
“With farming margins increasingly tight due to farm costs increases and inflation, and with ram sales dwindling, it made economic sense to move to a commercial mob of sheep and let the stud go.
“Since 2022, we have been using Romney rams from Holly Farm in Marton. We are noticing a remarkable
“We are currently finishing 1,000 lambs a year, sending them to slaughter at Crusader Meats.”
In 1948, a Galloway cattle stud was established on Te Rohenga when the first draft of in-calf heifers imported to New
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Zealand arrived on the farm. This stud was eventually replaced with Herefords.
Twenty years ago, the family decided to introduce Black Angus cattle.
“We currently have 230 Black Angus breeding cows on the property.
Approximately 30 heifers are kept each year and go into our breeding programme.
“All our bulls come from Pine Park Angus in Marton and are selected for their intramuscular fat (IMF) rating.”
Anna said they entered into a share farm arrangement with Lakeview Farms last year, taking on 100 of their Hereford cows.
“The cows were mated and calved on our property with a 50/50 split of the progeny shared between us. The arrangement works well for both parties.”
Heifers not held for breeding are sent to the couple’s lease block Roselawn as well as sold on for finishing at Pencoed Farm in Marton. The best of these heifers are selected for the Heights Farm meat programme.
“They are sent to Ken Wilson Meats for slaughter and carcasses are supplied to Woody’s Farms, which process and sell online directly to the consumer.”
Anna said the majority of beef purchased for Woody’s Farms goes to consumers in Auckland.
William runs the deer unit and is fully licensed to harvest the velvet. Te Rohenga currently runs 70 velveting stags and all velvet cut is sold to export.
“Annually we cut approximately 160kg of velvet from our mob each year. Approximately 10 replacement stags are purchased as yearlings every
second year, with the older males sent to the works.”
Heights Experience, offering clay bird shooting, archery and axe throwing, runs separate to the farm. The majority of clientele stem from small to medium businesses in the Horowhenua and Manawatū, looking for teambuilding events.
Casual labour is employed in the leadup to Christmas as this is the busiest time of year, both on-farm and with their outdoor activities business.
“It is a constant juggle, and life gets a bit chaotic in December when it comes to
Amy Fi ta
With bee month now here, New Zealand Bee Health and Biosecurity (NZBB) North Island operations manager Dwayne Hill talks about the advantage of hives on farms and safe apiarist practices. by
With all beekeepers and hives in New Zealand required to be registered by NZBB under the Biosecurity Act 1993, the company is a source of information with farmers and apiarists alike.
“It is no secret that bees pollinate pastures, and a big component of pastures before urea was the likes of clover,” said Dwayne.
“Having dairy farmed before, I know that clover comes with its fair share of problems, like bloating, among other issues.”
While urea is one way for farmers to apply nitrogen to the soil, clover and natural pollination provide a more cost-
effective and sustainable method. The technique also makes farms an attractive possibility to beekeepers wanting to place hives on the land.
“For farmers, thinking about certain areas of their farm, which could be regenerated back to clover, pollination is a natural process that the bees will do. Clover puts more long-term benefit into the soil than urea does, and has a slow release of nitrogen over time.
“It is symbiotic to have bees, they can pollinate your trees, flowers and farm. Bees won’t hang around an unhealthy area, so it gives landowners a snapshot of their land around their farm. Bees are not innately aggressive. They generally don’t
Some apiarists have agreements to move American foulbrood-infected hives off-site to burn at a better location, so hives need to be bee-proofed. Photo: Chris Crook
hassle the cattle, unless they get in and knock them over; they are not a big fan of horses and don’t like dogs, but for many farmers, they don’t notice them.
“Most sprays on farms are insecticides or herbicides that don’t affect the bees, but hives may have to be removed if spraying an orchard.”
A farm can gain more benefits than the natural ones. Often, beekeepers offer landowners compensation, financially or with jars of honey.
“Manawatū mānuka flowers similarly to Taranaki (from December to March). The mānuka is everywhere through the Whanganui parks, down to north of Levin, and spanning across into the Wairarapa, although the season is a little bit earlier
there. On the whole, across the country, beekeepers don’t want to travel as far anymore to place hives because the costs are the same, but the profit at the other end is going down.
“Where beekeepers can find space on land close to where their profit is, be it pollination or honey, often mānuka, beekeepers are looking to place hives there rather than in Taranaki and the East Cape.”
With the benefits bees bring, another side of the industry includes taking care of American foulbrood (AFB).
“We are dealing with a pest in the beehive known as the American foulbrood (AFB), a bacterial disease predominantly spread by beekeepers. From the
8,000 beekeepers, about 550 last year reported AFB, equating to roughly 2,500 cases.
“All hives that get AFB must be burnt within seven days of discovery. From a farming standpoint, that means a beekeeper may have to burn a hive onsite, but some hold an agreement with us allowing them to burn the hive at a better location.
“Any hive that is burnt with AFB must be buried, so any honey that didn’t burn, the bees no longer have access to it, so it doesn’t spread to the next hive. It is non-transferable to other animals and humans.”
Dwayne encourages farmers to call NZBB on 0800 232 767 or email info@ nzbb.org.nz, about derelict or neglected hives or concerns about beekeepers on their property.
“It is worth noting that somebody else may gain access to the hive without the beekeeper being there. If you’ve got a robust health and safety form for the beekeeper to sign, then the inspector should be signing it, too.
“We do inspections and removals, so in cooperation with beekeepers and farmers, we wouldn’t go and check hives, which required us to drive through milking areas while you’re milking cows.”
by Denise Gunn
The institution began in July 1925, when a group of women gathered in Wellington, while their farming husbands attended the Farmer’s Union Conference. These women shared the hardships they endured living in isolation with limited access to services and opportunities available in urban areas.
Sixteen of these women formed the Women’s Division of the Farmer’s Union, with the aim of improving connection and support for rural women. Mangamahu/ Whanganui resident Florence Polson was elected president.
In 1935, the organisation affiliated with the Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW). During the 1940s, it became known as the Women’s Division of Federated Farmers. It was rebranded Rural Women New Zealand in 1999.
For the past 100 years, RWNZ has led the way in many rural issues and launched several initiatives. An early scheme in the 1920s, included a bush nursing programme, employing nurses with surgical and midwifery qualifications to provide care in remote areas.
One remarkable achievement stemmed from members throughout New Zealand wanting to do more towards the war effort. During the dominion conference in 1940, president Mrs Noel Adams suggested raising funds towards a Spitfire aircraft to give to the defence force in Great Britain. Within a month, the fundraising campaign raised £5,000, achieving this goal. This fighter plane, inscribed with WDNZFU, was first piloted by Flight Lieutenant LP Griffith DFC, the son of one of the Levin branch members.
RWNZ continues to empower women at the heart of rural communities, with regional branches and groups across the country providing connection and support.
Members are involved in a great deal of charitable and community projects, helping rural communities thrive and recover from adverse weather conditions and earthquakes.
Region four covers the wider lower North Island with Pauline Masters as regional leader, and Janice Mills in the committee chair position.
“Locally, we have Muhunoa East branch, founded in 1979, meeting monthly on the first Wednesday of every month,” said Pauline.
Recently, Muhunoa East members were involved with making submissions to the NZTA over highway and speed limits. They’ve also provided and maintained a defibrillator that is located on the wall outside the Ōhau Hall.
“We run the cafe at the Ōhau market every month, with proceeds going to charity, too. The latest project has been making fruit cakes to send to the flood victims at the top of the South Island.”
Last month, the Muhunoa East branch hosted RWNZ’s region four annual conference and centennial launch at Tatum event venue in Manakau.
“It was well attended, and a very friendly, enjoyable weekend. Members arrived on Friday afternoon and attended
a meet ‘n’ greet, followed by charcuterie platters and pizza, then a fun night of line dancing,” said Pauline.
A mystery bus trip the following morning took members to the Holy Archangels Monastery, Woodhaven Gardens, and Veldson Winery.
Members dressed in period costumes to attend the afternoon’s high tea back at Tatum. Horowhenua mayor Bernie Wanden officially opened the ceremony.
Pauline said Tatum owner Wayne Bishop, manager Katherine Hunt, and RWNZ member Jacky Stafford spoke to the crowd, too.
“A candle was lit by president of Muhunoa East branch Anne Jakeman, to remember those who had passed on, or
couldn’t attend. There was also a beautiful cake-cutting by RWNZ life member Pat Edwards-Sextus from Dannevirke and Dame Margaret Millard DNZM.”
A rose named Rural Women, was specially grown by Matthews Nurseries for the centennial with 1,600 sold throughout New Zealand. One of these roses was planted at Tatum by three members of the Centennial Rose Committee. In 1975, dominion president Mrs JN Bridie Bryant of Manakau planted the Madam President rose in the same garden, in recognition of RWNZ’s Golden Jubilee.
Events will continue around New Zealand well into 2026 as RWNZ celebrates its integral role in New Zealand’s rural landscape.
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by Andy Bryenton
How much fun can you have on four wheels? The answer to this age-old question has been discovered, and it’s a surprise that will delight the whole family.
Maximum horsepower thrills at supersonic speeds are out of reach for most of us. Let alone the traffic tickets, the cost of a firebreathing hypercar and the expense of closing a road long enough to tap its full potential are astronomical. However, it turns out that the biggest smiles in motoring are to be found off the road, and with less than seven horsepower.
The machine, which puts grins on faces, is called the Trail Blazer Drifta, and it’s a one-seater, like a Formula One racer. That, and the fact that it’s a rear-engined, fourwheeled petrol-powered machine with a racing steering wheel is where the similarities end. That’s because the Trail Blazer Drifta is a 6.5-horsepower, custom-designed off-road go-kart.
All of that force is deployed from a 200cc Honda-designed single-cylinder motor in the back, and the results, when used on a lawn or paddock, are exhilarating. Grab the grips and take off, and even full-sized adults will feel the rush of throwing this nimble little kart into sliding, swooping turns.
While the compact little Trail Blazer is safe for youngsters, it also has a definitive effect on grown-ups who snap on the three-point safety harness and fire up the engine; it takes them back, potentially decades, to a time when motoring was all about fun. Half an hour with the Trail Blazer Drifta and you’ll be hitting the corners like a rally champion, feeling like a
kid again, and that’s something no other car on the market delivers.
Admittedly, this is a bit of a tongue-incheek review, because the Trail Blazer is not meant to go head to head with Civics and Rangers on the highway or in the supermarket car park. Nevertheless, there’s something about a machine built entirely for handling, fun and lightness, which really does put this little kart on the same page as some of internal combustion’s greatest hits. In those early days of motoring, sports cars were as pure as this, made just to ignite thrills and smiles. There’s all of that distilled into this modern, fun machine, coupled to the build quality and reliability of today’s engineering.
With 75 kilometres of enjoyment out of every little 3.6-litre tank of fuel, the Trail Blazer Drifta wins on fuel economy too, and it’s unlikely that you’ll find anything on four wheels delivering more enjoyment for each litre. What’s best is that in this age of screen time and indoors lethargy, a kart like this one gets the whole family outdoors and bonding over an old-fashioned good time.
Go Karts Direct has this and many other exciting models available right now, and they’re anticipating big demand as the Christmas season fast approaches. Visit them at gokartsdirect.co.nz, and take a closer look at the most fun you can have on wheels this summer.
by John Arts, Abundant Health Ltd
I regularly have contact from readers about CoQ10, especially from those wanting help with the side effects of statin cholesterol-lowering medication.
CoQ10 moves high-energy electrons within our cell mitochondria, where energy is made. CoQ10 collects these electrons, and moves them to an enzyme called ATP synthase to make the energy we need.
Studies show that statins can reduce circulating CoQ10 by as much as 50%. The side effects are so common they are diagnosable diseases called statin myopathy and statin neuropathy. The main side effects are muscle and tendon pain. Muscles and nerves have huge energy requirements, and reducing CoQ10 can have devastating effects on muscles and nerves.
Reductions in CoQ10 can affect mood, memory and general cognitive function. In most cases, two months of a naturallyfermented CoQ10 will improve muscle and brain function and allow people to better tolerate the medication.
I recommend CoQ10 for several reasons, most commonly for statin support. I also add CoQ10 for those fatigued without medical causes and for
those with cardiovascular, autoimmune and neurodegenerative problems. For example, I include at least 200mg for those with polymyalgia rheumatica and higher doses for those with MS.
For statin support I use a high-quality naturally-fermented CoQ10, and for autoimmune or neurodegenerative support, a mitochondrial support formula that includes high-grade CoQ10 with several energy co-factors. The first improvement felt by those with these conditions is usually a lift in energy and general wellbeing.
Those with autoimmune or neurodegenerative problems should be working to a personalised diet and supplement plan complementary to their regular medical treatment. Most people feel a real difference within three months.
John Arts (Adv.Dip.Nut.Med) is a nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health Ltd. For questions or advice contact John on 0800 423 559 or email john@abundant.co.nz. Join his newsletter at abundant.co.nz.
by Denise Gunn
The festive season is underway at The Christmas Barn with the doors opening to reveal a wonderland of unique gifts and decorations.
Signposted from SH56 and other main routes, The Christmas Barn is an easy-to-find destination in the Manawatū. Its tranquil rural location in Kairanga is just a 10-minute drive from Palmerston North.
Owner Mel Bissell and her team of helpers look forward to sharing the treasure trove of seasonal magic. Mel is busy throughout the year, sourcing unique products.
“A lot of people think we only sell Christmas decorations but we also have some wonderful gift ideas in store.”
The Christmas Barn developed from early beginnings as a school fundraising event when Mel was living in Hawke’s Bay. The fundraiser grew, and turned into a permanent event on the calendar.
When Mel moved to Palmerston North, she ran it as a side business open on the weekends. Four years ago, Mel and her husband Craig decided to launch it as a full-time business, opening Wednesday to Saturday for four months of the year.
Following a successful search for a suitable property, a purpose-built barn was constructed to also accommodate a cafe.
“We wanted to put in a cafe to serve yummy food and beautiful coffee, rain, hail or shine,” said Mel. The Christmas Barn has now grown to become one of New Zealand’s largest Christmas stores.
The festive season is underway at The Christmas Barn
“We have 330sqm of festive magic, and a dedicated tree room.”
Clubs and groups regularly visit The Christmas Barn for shopping outings, craft classes and to enjoy lunch at the cafe.
“We have a lot of out-of-town visitors as well as a very supportive community. We receive amazing feedback, and we love that people really enjoy bringing their friends and families out for a visit.”
In addition to opening during the festive season, throughout October, November and December, The Christmas Barn also opens its doors for a month in midwinter.
The Christmas Barn is located at 1104 Lockwood Road in Kairanga, and is open Wednesday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm until Christmas Eve. Phone 027 571 5372 for further information.
“Come and check us out — it’s something really special,” said Mel.
Students from St Joseph’s School rolled up their sleeves for a planting day at Almadale Reserve as part of their Forest School journey. With hands-on support from the Manawatū District Council and Green By Nature, the students planted 500 trees and shrubs in a couple of hours.
St Joseph’s School established its Forest School programme in 2023, seeing classes visit Almadale Reserve every Friday to engage in nature-based learning. In late 2024, MDC’s community assets liaison James Adamson, supported the school by applying for the Horizon’s Regional Council Kanorau Koiora Taketake Indigenous Biodiversity Community Grant.
The grant successfully funded 500 trees and shrubs sourced from MDC’s Kawakawa Nursery, including tōtara, mataī, tawa, kahikatea, kānuka and cabbage trees. In preparation for the planting day, council contractors cleared the blackberry and other vegetation from the reserve, before strategically placing plants in their specific spots with the best soil conditions for planting.
Alongside St Joseph’s School teacher Mr Mark Searle and parent supervisors, the group of approximately 25 students embraced the planting with full force and enthusiasm. The year 0 and 1 students were paired with a big buddy
from year 7 or 8, using their shared muscle power to push spades through the sandy landscape.
Little hands championed the planting, as the big buddies watched the younger pupils get their gloves dirty, placing the plants into the ground before covering it with sand and using their heels to flatten the surface. The students reminded each other of the process, “plant the tree and make a well in the soil for water to catch in”.
“One day, the future St Joseph’s students will appreciate these trees,” teacher Mark Searle said. The students’ faces lit up realising the plants will eventually grow taller than them. They couldn’t contain their excitement at being outside the classroom, and their colourful gumboots wasted no time splashing through every muddy puddle in sight.
MDC said it is proud to support St Joseph’s School with its Forest School programme. Educating youth on the environment and importance of conservation is an invaluable lesson, preserving Almadale Reserve, and the wider Manawatū District’s environment, for generations to come.
Phillip Cockery
healthy homes start with blown insulation. If cold or damp are words you’d use to describe your home or if you’re tired of high heating bills, insulation is a major part of the solution. While heating solutions seem like the answer, reducing the amount of heat escaping from your home is the most cost effective way to get an energy efficient, warm, dry home.
by Denise Gunn
With New Zealand’s variable weather conditions, APB Electrical’s range of heat pumps and air conditioning units are designed to keep the home and office at a steady temperature.
The locally owned and operated business is an accredited installer of Daikin heat pumps and air conditioning units. Obligation-free home visits and quotes are available to assist with product selection that best suits individual requirements.
APB Electrical owner/manager Andrew Boustridge runs the award-winning business alongside his wife Dianna. He said heat pumps and air conditioning units are extremely cost-effective.
“We are in changing times and willing to make a deal or two. We want people to come and see us. Let us make people’s lives more comfortable.”
Andrew has been involved in the refrigeration and electrical industry for more than three decades. He established APB Electrical in 2008, growing the team to 15.
“The company has a wealth of experience. We do a lot of training with staff and have our fair share of apprentices. We are about upskilling staff and delivering quality services to the customers.
“We strongly believe that one person can’t do everything, so we like to empower our staff with information and training.
“They can enter into people’s houses with the most up-to-date information we can give them.”
The APB Electrical team covers a range of domestic electrical work together with reliable, honest and friendly service, adding a personal touch to the business.
“It’s a personal thing going to someone’s house and fundamentally changing their environment. It’s quite a crucial job,” said Andrew.
Servicing the wider Manawatū and Whanganui area, Rangitīkei and Horowhenua, APB Electrical provides a comprehensive range of general electrical work, heating, cooling and ventilation systems.
APB Electrical’s showroom at 7 Gladstone Street, Feilding, offers clients the opportunity to visit, view and touch a range of products. Help is on hand for product demonstrations and advice.
Call us today for a FREE CONSULTATION and discover why a heat pump is the smart choice for your home!
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relies on a local government grant for the park’s upkeep and replanting. Three new boardwalks have been constructed within the park since the trust was established.
Gradually some of the species lost over the past 50 years are being replaced, if these can be sourced locally. Three local nurseries are involved in growing genetically pure seeds collected from similar areas within a 30km radius of the park. Last year, more than 24,000 seedlings were planted.
Jill said this includes lower shrubs and grasses as well as the larger trees such as mataī and kahikatea. Trees that
“The trust also received a grant of over 6,000 trees to celebrate King Charles’ coronation.”
Two hundred schoolchildren planted 1,000 of these trees in August 2023. The remainder were planted last year. Forest maintenance and restoration activities are mostly delivered by outside contractors with Green by Nature the main provider.
Over the past few years, the Jobs for Nature team from Ngāti Kauwhata worked with biodiversity trustee Aaron Madden to study and try to control noxious weeds, which threaten to take over the park.
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Local iwi Ngāti Kauwhata run a continual trapping programme throughout the entire area to keep pest species numbers down.
“This has greatly improved the number of birds in the park,” said Jill.
The park is also home to rare spiders and geckos.
Local schoolchildren have taken part in the trust’s education programme. An education contractor is employed to run the programme.
“It is very popular, and up to 20 local schools take part every year. The trust views these programmes as being vital in
educating the younger generation about biodiversity. It is hoped that some of these young children will go on to be trustees of the park in the future,” said Jill.
Massey University students, Japanese exchange students, service organisations and large numbers of the public use the park for studying, exercise and picnicking. Sir Edmund Hillary also visited.
“The forest planting has reached a stage now where it is hoped that in 30 to 50 years the canopy will be restored. From now on, basic maintenance and replanting of dying trees will be the main task of the trust.”
Top quality craftsmanship and customer care are at the forefront of HD Plumbing and Gas.
Established in April 2024, HD Plumbing and Gas owner/manager Hayden Dyer brings more than a decade of experience in large commercial plumbing projects and residential jobs to the business.
The certified plumber is also a licensed Independent Qualified Person (IQP), registered with councils to test backflows.
As HD Plumbing and Gas has grown, so has its reputation as a reliable and trusted partner in the trade.
The business covers all plumbing, drainlaying and gasfitting requirements in the wider Manawatū, Whanganui and Rangitīkei regions.
“We are available for anyone who needs our expertise,” said Hayden.
“We mainly do renovations, new builds, specialise in installing fireplaces, and maintenance and emergency response work.”
A new tradesman, Jack Fleury, recently joined HD Plumbing and Gas.
Originally from the Taihape district, Jack is covering the rural community in the wider region.
“Jack was my apprentice at my previous job, so I’ve given him an opportunity to work as the business grows,” said Hayden.
“We’ve recently taken on more property maintenance and servicing work across the district, including up to Taihape, so people will see us out and about more often. We are also available for servicing work in the Hunterville area,” he said.
Work at Waiouru Military Camp has further expanded the pair’s experience across many areas of the trade.
From the first contact with HD Plumbing and Gas, whether by phone or email, clients deal directly with Hayden and benefit from his experience.
“I’m honest and upfront, and give detailed quotes and estimates so people can place trust in us.”
Having moved from commercial plumbing into residential, Hayden said the most rewarding part is the direct connection with clients.
“They ring me because they have an issue and need a solution. I’ve been able to help so many people with problems and come up with good solutions.”
As a Feilding resident, Hayden has a strong community focus. He has clocked up 12 years in the Feilding Volunteer Fire Brigade, and is currently the station officer. He’s also a rural fire officer in the Manawatū Volunteer Fire
Brigade. HD Plumbing is a proud sponsor of the Feilding Yellows rugby team.
“We like to give back to the community as much as we can,” said Hayden. The team at HD Plumbing and Gas aspires to be the leading provider of plumbing and gas services in the wider Manawatū and Rangitīkei regions.
Contact HD Plumbing on 0278 900 994 or visit hdplumbing.nz.
“Whether it be a small residential job or a large commercial project, we have the knowhow to get it done.”
by Andy Bryenton
The government has moved to restrict carbon afforestation on productive farmland, but has stopped short of banning the practice, which opponents say is detrimental to the rural economy and provincial communities.
An election commitment to curtail the planting of pine forests on highly productive farmland has been fulfilled with the advent of the Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Forestry Conversions) Amendment Bill this month. A legislative balancing act appropriately championed by the ministers of agriculture and climate change, respectively.
“This bill strikes the right balance between protecting New Zealand’s most productive farmland and maintaining confidence in the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS),” says Agriculture Minister Todd McClay.
“We campaigned on stopping the wholesale conversion of farms into pine forests, and we have delivered. This bill restores balance. It protects food production, supports rural communities, and ensures foresters can continue to invest with confidence.”
Under the new rules, land categorised as Land Use Capability one through six faces restrictions on forestry conversions. Up to a quarter of such productive land on farms may still be turned into carbon forests, which exist to accrue credits offsetting largely foreign air pollution instead of for timber. There will be a review of the hectare limit in 2028.
The bill attempts to balance the very real threat to the rural economy of productive land being locked out of farming, and the need to plant an estimated 680,000 hectares of trees to meet ambitious 2050 climate change net-zero targets. Ministers McClay and Watts laud this compromise as delivering “credible climate outcomes”, but opponents of carbon afforestation are vehement that even a 25 per cent farm-to-forest conversion rate is too much.
“Restricting carbon-farming forestry to 25 per cent of a farm is a good step towards the right tree, right place principle, but it’s only a stopgap,” said Groundswell New Zealand’s Bryce McKenzie, when details of the bill emerged in June.
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“Every hectare of productive farmland lost to pine monoculture means jobs cut across the whole agriculture supply chain, hollowing out rural communities so jetsetters and the like can tick a feel-good offset box on a website.”
Proponents of the new bill opine that there’s more to the compromise than just numbers of trees planted. Mr McClay says www.healthforlife.co.nz
the government has heard the calls by landowners on the need to strengthen pest, weed and fire management plans for forests.
“There is work underway. We are committed to ensure foresters manage risk, continue to improve management practices and give rural communities and landowners greater assurance,” he said.
by Andy Bryenton
The coalition government is calling it the biggest change to building regulations in decades, and touting it as a way of speeding up construction while slashing prices, but will new liability rules prove a silver bullet?
At the core of changes tabled by Chris Penk in mid-August is the question of who is liable if a building fails to perform. Right now, it’s the contention that councils often have to foot the bill if builders make big mistakes and then fold their businesses, because councils are liable due to signing off building consent, and they can’t shut up shop and move to a different town.
“Right now, councils are hesitant to sign off on building consents and inspections because they could be held liable for all defects, leaving ratepayers to foot the bill,” says Mr Penk.
“This often happens when one of the parties responsible cannot pay for repairs, for example, if a business goes bust. Currently, building owners can claim full compensation from any responsible party.
“It’s often councils, with the deepest pockets and no option to walk away, that end up paying out. The risk-aversion this creates leads to frustrating delays and extra cost for builders and homeowners.”
The answer, according to the government, is to scrap what’s known as joint and several liability, replacing it with a new system called proportionate liability. This effectively means that
everyone involved with a build will only be responsible for the parts of it which tye had control over.
Additionally, building owners may get protection when things go wrong by a similar mechanism to that employed in Australia; more bulletproof home warranties and professional indemnity insurance. Some organisations for topflight builders in New Zealand already offer big warranties and a mark of quality assurance.
The second half of these changes also impacts councils, with the new rules allowing councils to voluntarily merge their building consent authorities with those of their neighbours. It’s a trend seen in the Local Waters Done Well space. The central government is keen to see a smaller number of entities governing infrastructure and, it seems, building consents.
“Many councils have asked for this, and I expect they will seize the opportunity to consolidate, share resources like building inspectors and IT systems, and pass the savings on to ratepayers,” says Mr Penk.
“We know the sector is behind us. New Zealand Certified Builders have said that this is the most significant change for the building industry in a generation, that it has been a long time coming and the change is welcomed by the industry.”
by Amy Fifita
With the weather still nippy, being poolside and enjoying the
Summer sneaks up in no time, so while we’re all warm inside, planning can begin to ensure a refreshing dip is in the backyard. Yes, the holiday period is a great time to explore nature, but having a pool in the backyard is convenient and provides endless fun.
There is no need to pack a lunch and wrangle the children into the car or spend money travelling; sometimes, a homebased summer is more therapeutic. When planning a pool, there are various options to select from what type and size to colour and landscaping.
Fibreglass pools generally have quicker installation times than concrete, but each has its advantages and disadvantages. If you want a custom pool, the concrete option is a likelier choice. The benefit of a concrete pool is the flexibility of having customisable shapes and sizes.
To ensure safety for unattended children, all residential pools with more than 40cm of water require fencing or barriers. Regulations require pool fences to be at least 1.2 metres high or for the pool to be 1.2 metres from the ground.
but
The gap under the fence and gate, and between vertical cladding, must not be less than 100 millimetres, and the mesh fence openings cannot be more than 10mm. Gates must open outward with an automatic and self-locking latch. A pool specialist can talk you through the finer points of the regulations.
When creating a pool space, having good lighting, seating, hardscaping and
Having flooring, be it a patio, concrete or paving and areas for seating makes the area more usable.
Well-lit paths for visibility to avoid tripping, or any premature dips in the pool, and adds to the atmosphere.
Softscaping with shrubs or trees creates privacy, and a splash of nature makes for a grounding area.
If you get the summer preparation done now, by the time the humidity comes, there will be no need to worry. With a pool already on your property, you have a great setting to entertain and relax in.
by Paul Campbell
There are myriad ways to enhance the home in anticipation of longer days and more movement out of the winter hideaway to the wider home environment.
It’s a good idea to start at the top to see the roof has stood up to the ravages of winter winds and wetness. While the average roof has a long lifespan, this isn’t a task that needs to be completed every spring, but a good time to check before the summer heat comes.
Chances are the heat pump has done a fine home warming job over winter months and a simple check of its air condition cooling fan is now timely.
Perhaps the most popular aspect of the season coming up is that spring clean, and nothing does this more satisfyingly than a lick of new paint.
A simple new colour coat lifts up that outdated room, or you might completely
Cold and rain might be the norm in recent months but there is light on the
time to take stock of the house and prepare for brighter days ahead.
refresh the interior or even the outside of the house.
You’ve had the doors and windows closed more in the colder months and, as it warms up, it’s time to open up the house to the air and proper ventilation. Painting inside and out is also better when the humidity index is lower to improve the paint finish.
Spring is a great time to update the culinary sector, and that might mean a new appliance or cupboards, but again, a bit of paint, and perhaps some new curtains, will revitalise the kitchen and also the bathroom.
Of course, nothing will improve and add value to a home for the coming summer like a new deck attached to the house to cater for sunshine and barbecues. Spring then is the best time to start a deck modification or repair project, and
and
A newly painted wall can change the living space an early start will see the deck is ready for summer enjoyment.
It might even be a good time to look at extra living space in the home and a major project could be an addition, such as a
granny flat, or a spare room as an office or study area for a soon-to-be teenager.
Building can take a lot of time and effort, so spring provides better weather to help things along.
by Liz Clark
I’ve always loved the idea of having a cutting garden. We all have the usual ornamental trees and shrubs planted here and there or displayed in a decorative pot or two. Garden trends during the past few years have moved away from the starkness of architectural plants — more than a few yucca plants have received the chop.
One of the most glorious to display in a vase is the hydrangea. These can be easily grown in a large pot or planted in groups around the garden. One bloom alone makes up for a complete floral arrangement. Using a few simple jars set out on the table with a hydrangea bloom in each makes for an elegant touch. Try varieties such as Raspberry Crush, Bridal Bouquet, Fuji Waterfall and Blue Diamond.
As spring kicks in, getting outside and
Roses can never be ignored. They make a timeless touch to the home on their own as a single bloom or massed into a favourite vase with various colours. You can never have enough roses. With so many forms to choose from, the sky is the limit where favourites go. Choose plants with long stems and a strong, upright growing habit. Some of my favourites are Double Delight, Deep Secret, Blackberry Nip, Friesia, Candalla, Charles de Mills and Iceberg.
You can never have enough lilies. Now is the season for the many cultivars and forms available to bloom. Calla is a firm favourite of mine. It comes up year after
year — the colour range is vast. Some of my picks are Lady Marmalade, Landed Eagle, Candyfloss and Swan Lake. Also, try out the oriental and Asiatic lily species and others in this vast family of flowering plants.
Then we come to the fragrant sweet pea — a must-have for a cutting garden. These need support, such as netting on a frame or other structure in a sunny location. Sweet peas can be grown throughout the year. However, always check the information on the seed packet before sowing to make the right choice for this part of the growing season.
Gladioli are another cannot-miss flower to add to the garden. The corms can be sown from spring to the end of December. For ongoing blooms, plant corms weekly to keep the flower supply for the vase. Add in dahlias, lavender, hellebores, rudbeckia, snapdragons, cosmos, zinnias and many more. Look online or talk to your local nursery.
Recent DairyNZ trials have proved hopeful for farmers wanting to reduce
New data confirms that modest levels of plantain in pastures reduce nitrogen leaching, offering farmers a practical, science-backed tool to meet environmental goals.
With three years now complete, preliminary findings from the Lincoln University farmlet trial show a 26 per cent reduction in nitrate (N) leaching with an average of 17% Ecotain plantain in the pasture. Results from the Massey farmlet trial show that over four years, N leaching was reduced on average by 26% where Ecotain plantain made up an average 25% in the pasture.
Monitoring on four mid-Canterbury farms shows that an average of 10–15% plantain across the whole farm is achievable by including plantain in the seed mix at pasture renewal and by broadcasting seed across the farm with fertiliser. The highest levels (20–40% plantain) are achieved in new swards one to two years after establishment.
The programme continues to show that plantain is a low-cost option to achieve significant reductions in N leaching without impacting the farm system, DairyNZ’s plantain programme lead
Kate Fransen says. “Nitrogen leaching is an issue for many dairy catchments, so we need practical, affordable solutions. Including plantain in your pasture is ‘lowhanging fruit’ for reducing N leaching, and we now know you don’t need to have 30% to have the positive effect,” said Fransen.
“Research shows that 17% plantain across the farm is enough to make a sizeable difference to N leaching, and that between 10 and 20% plantain across the farm is achievable and practical for many farmers.”
The final year of data collection is underway at the Lincoln site, while at Massey, data collection is complete and final analysis is underway. The programme now turns its focus to the adoption of plantain in targeted N-sensitive catchments.
At the programme’s mid-term review, one of the key recommendations was to understand these soil processes better so that the full benefits of plantain can be incorporated into Overseer. This will be a major focus for the plantain programme over the next three years. Plantain is recognised as an N leaching mitigation
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option by regional councils in Canterbury, Horizons, Waikato, Southland and Bay of Plenty, where N leaching limits are in place.
The cultivar Agritonic, marketed by Agricom as Ecotain, has been used in plantain programme trials. An evaluation system is currently under development. It will enable the effectiveness of other
ryan@rtbagri.co.nz
plantain cultivars to be determined, and may be extended to other species in the longer term.
The Plantain Potency Programme is a seven-year research initiative led by DairyNZ and using Agricom’s Ecotain® environmental plantain. The funding partners are MPI, DairyNZ, PGG Wrightson Seeds Ltd and Fonterra.
The Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme had been on Natasha Cave’s radar for several years before she
Zealand Leadership Advancement Scholarship last year.
With her youngest child having started school, Natasha applied for and won a B+LNZ Leadership Advancement Scholarship and she elected to enter the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme.
Natasha is now halfway through the sixmonth programme and had just spent a week in Wellington when B+LNZ caught up with her.
“It was really eye-opening and insightful, and while it was busy with long days, it was a great experience,” Natasha said.
As part of the programme, participants complete a research project on a topic of interest. Natasha says she is looking at the potential for wearables on beef cows to transform hill country farming.
She says she and her husband, Alan, were early adopters of the technology, being one of the first hill country beef farmers in the country to put Halter collars on their breeding cows.
Natasha said there wasn’t much information available when they were looking at how wearables could benefit their business, but they knew that if they could improve their grazing management, the benefits would be significant.
She and Alan had been through succession and some very economically tough years and knew they needed to make some big changes in their business to drive productivity and profitability and build resilience.
“We are representative of so many hill country farmers and know, as an industry, we need to make some big step changes, otherwise we will continue to see this ongoing mass exodus of livestock.”
Natasha believes that technologies such as wearables could offer the stepchange hill country farming needs to underpin its future. As part of her study, Natasha is very keen to hear from hill country beef farmers, gather their thoughts on wearable technologies and understand the barriers to adoption.
She has put together a 10-minute survey, which can be accessed at the Wearables on Beef Survey via the Beef + Lamb website. B+LNZ will report on Natasha’s findings once the study is complete.
Applications are now open for one of six 2026 B+LNZ Rural Leadership Advancement Scholarships.
The scholarship includes $4,000 towards a place on any Rural Leaders Programme, including the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme and Nuffield Scholarship, amongst others. It is open to any livestock farmer wanting to advance
his or her leadership skills and have an impact on the sector. As well as the opportunity to develop leadership skills, the scholarships allow farmers to grow their networks and connect with industry leaders and influencers.
by Andy Bryenton
The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) celebrated the stars of their industry this August, with a gala awards night highlighting the professionals out there on the land making farming possible.
Without fencing there would be no modern agricultural sector as we know it, and fencers have been integral to the development of the engine room of the Kiwi economy for decades. However, they have only gathered to acclaim the best of the best for the past three years. It’s a long-awaited and popular night of recognition for those pushing the boundaries in this trade.
“These awards recognise more than just skill — they celebrate dedication, leadership, and the willingness to give back. Every finalist and winner is making the industry stronger, and it’s a privilege to acknowledge their work,” said FCANZ president Phil Cornelius.
Trainees led out the night’s awards, with Tom Rathgen taking home the Level Three Trainee of the year. The judges noted his consistent commitment to excellence and his willingness to help others succeed. Dan French took out the Level Four Excellence Award, the next step up in industry training, with adjudicators citing his consistently high marks through the year’s course, and his exceptional leadership.
Outside of training and into the young up-and-comers of the fencing industry, Galen Monks was granted the Emerging Talent Award for a combination of skill, professionalism and reliability. The Industry Contribution Award honoured
Mike Billinghurst, given in recognition of his three decades in the fencing industry. Mike has also spent a tenure as NZFC president, and has been a mentor to others starting out in the trade, promoting a gold standard of best practice nationwide.
The Women of Influence Award went to Donna Upton, an accolade reflecting her instrumental involvement in delivering the level three and level four fencing qualifications that now produce young fencing leaders for the future.
The evening concluded with the Legacy Award for Lifetime Achievement, one of the highest honours FCANZ can bestow. This year, it went to Wayne Newdick, whose engineering expertise, competition leadership and role as a cofounder of FCANZ have left an indelible mark on the industry. Wayne’s innovations in fencing tools and his ability to share knowledge have influenced generations of contractors.
The winners took home prizes from Farmlands, PGG Wrightson, Bunnings, Stockade and Delfast, as well as the gratitude of their peers and the wider farming community. Industry awards like these help to raise the profile of the industries that make a productive rural sector possible, and reflect a growing pride in the skills keeping regional New Zealand at the top of its game.
