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Government taking real action against caulerpa
by Grant McCallum, MP for Northland
The invasive caulerpa seaweed poses a significant threat to our marine ecosystems, and the government is committed to decisive action.
It is initiating the largest response to an aquatic invasive species in New Zealand’s history, with over $20 million allocated to combat caulerpa.
Olive Grove and Orchard Equipment
Phone: 09 945 0890
Email: info@grovesupply.co.nz
Web: grovesupply.co.nz
Spreading Northland
Key initiatives include the development of dredging technology. A $6.2 million project aims to remove caulerpa from the seafloor at a rate of up to one hectare a day; the equipment is expected to be operational by spring. Innovative treatment methods include trials for a scalable chlorine chamber that treats the seaweed, while preserving the environment (early testing has shown promising results), and the use of UV light technology to kill caulerpa effectively.
To prevent further spread, controlled area notices have been established in four locations in Northland. Additionally, a clean vessel programme is being developed to stop invasive species from entering our waters in the future.
The Minister for Biosecurity, Andrew Hoggard, leads this comprehensive response, backed by our community support and local expertise. This collaborative effort exemplifies the spirit
of Northland, as seen during the recent clean-up after Cyclone Tam.
The government’s science-based approach is essential to protect our way of life and our kāpata kai.
Now is the time to roll up the sleeves, put on the gumboots (see picture above), and eliminate caulerpa from our waters. That is precisely what the government is doing.
Grant has his hands full with caulerpa
Support for winter planting Farm-to-forest conversions banned
by Paul Campbell by Andy Bryenton
The recently announced Fonterra Cooperative Difference Incentives that apply from June 1 will have field advisers to provide technical advice and grants to support farmers to maximise the opportunities from on-farm carbon sequestration.
Regional environmental agency Kaipara Moana Remediation is doubling down on its investment in rural professionals, as it encourages farmers to prepare their land for planting natives around waterways and on erodible hillsides this winter.
Across more than 600,000 hectares in both Northland and Auckland, KMR invests in projects to restore wetlands, fence off rivers and streams, plant trees and regenerate forest on erosion-prone land, to protect and restore the Kaipara Harbour by halving sediment into the waterways, with more than $22 million in restoration projects.
maximise the opportunities from on-farm carbon sequestration.”
It has been called the biggest threat to the survival of rural Kiwi towns: carbon forestry planting, which has turned large areas of regional New Zealand from farmland to pine trees.
As well as cutting into the economically vital agricultural sector for what even the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change identifies as negligible climate results, carbon forests have been labelled a biodiversity own-goal, a fire risk and a form of indulgence allowing foreign polluters to continue their poor practices.
As part of an investment in on-farm advisers, a training course has been held to to upskill in the technical aspects of preparing for, and maintaining, planting projects around freshwater and on steep, erodible hillsides.
“The training covered both technical skills and hands-on learning through field visits to plantings of different ages and plant survival challenges,” says KMR CEO Justine Daw.
“This type of training is central to KMR’s commitment to upskilling a cohort of 50 freshwater farm planners across the catchment. These skills are critical for good environmental outcomes and support forthcoming government policy.
“In addition, if you are dairy farming, through our support for on-farm planting, KMR can help you make the most of the opportunities from the recently announced Fonterra Cooperative Difference emissions incentives from June 1.
“Our field advisers provide technical advice and grants to support farmers to
KMR can pay up to 50% of the costs of: fencing to protect waterways. native planting near rivers and streams, wetlands and the coastal margin as well as projects that treat erodible hill country.
“The training day was highly successful and covered both technical skills and hands-on learning through field visits to plantings of different ages and plant survival challenges.
“This type of training is central to our commitment to upskilling a cohort of 50 freshwater farm planners across the catchment. These skills are critical for good environmental outcomes and support forthcoming government policy.”
During the workshop, Rural Design director Heath Worsfold said it was “the optimal time to conduct site preparation for winter planting.
“Once planting has been done, the ongoing maintenance effort over years one to five is dependent on the level of weed invasion and rainfall. So encouraging landowners to self-monitor and consistently manage the release of weed and grass regrowth around stems is important to ensure plants survive. KMR advisers can help you understand what is needed, and when.”
Now, the government is moving to ban full farm-to-forest conversions on actively farmed land, in a move that has been greeted as long overdue by rural industry advocates. This could have a major impact on regional New Zealand, where a reduced farming population could hit towns which service the dairy and red livestock sectors hard.
“The government is focussed on maintaining strong food and fibre production while supporting sustainable land use. We remain concerned about the effect that farm conversions are having on highly productive land, particularly sheep and beef farms in Northland,” said Agriculture Minister Todd McClay.
To this end, Mr McClay has confirmed that tight restrictions on full farm-to-
forest conversions on what is known as LUC1 to LUC 5 productive land will be retroactively applied from December 4 2024.
“These sensible rules will give certainty to rural communities, while providing clarity for foresters,” Mr McClay says. Up to 25 per cent of a farm’s productive land can still be forested for carbon credits, in what the government is calling leeway for flexibility and choice. There will also be specific exemptions to the restrictions applied to Māori-owned land, to fall in line with Treaty of Waitangi obligations.
KMR land management specialist Duncan Kerwell leads advisers on an assignment
Todd McClay has moved to ban large-scale farm-toforest conversions eating up productive farmland
A bright future in dairy
by Amy Fifita
Having fallen in love with cows on her family’s beef farm, Saffrin Sutcliffe has forged a career pathway for herself in dairy farming.
For Saffrin, farming is a lifestyle spent outdoors, enjoying and caring for animals. Since finding her love for dairying on a neighbouring farm, she left school, and has immersed herself in the industry.
“As a child, I always loved animals, but I have always adored cows more. I grew up on a beef farm rearing Charolais cattle behind Opononi,” said Saffrin.
“I was raised rurally with my brother, Tor. We were on four-wheelers on the farm
as soon as we were six, helping our mum, Leigh and dad, Shane.
“We were outdoor children, getting into mischief, playing on quad bikes and enjoying activities outside. My favourite memory is putting what we called icing sugar (magnesium) on biscuits of hay for the cows.”
As Saffrin got older, she was sent to boarding school, but the call of the farm was always there. Having preferred cows, she left school and took the opportunity
to become a dairy trainee. “My first dairy farming job was a good first dairy training job on a neighbouring farm. My first fulltime job was in Hūkerenui, before heading north to Pakaraka, and returning to work with my current boss, Chloe Mackle, on another farm in Hūkerenui.
“Working on the farm there, she took me to the Waiotira farm, where I am currently working. We have Friesians on-farm, and there is a beef farm owned by the same landowner
next door, so we rear all the calves before they go to the beef farm. It is a sustainable system.
“At the peak of milking, there are 320 cows, and we milk twice a day until around Christmas time, when we milk once a day.”
Saffrin says Chloe is a huge source of inspiration and motivates her to reach further in the industry. With goals at the ready, 20-year-old Saffrin is working hard on her five-year plan.
Saffrin Sutcliffe and her brother, Tor, grew up on their parents’ beef farm, an upbringing that led her to pursue her passion for dairy
Saffrin says her rural upbringing allowed her and Tor to experience a unique childhood of playing outside and on quadbikes
capacity and capability within the horticulture sector.
“We thank the Ministry of the Environment and ministers of the Crown for their support, because they have funded both Kaipara Moana Remediation and Horticulture NZ’s Growing Change Project.”
Part of the tour was starting to plant locally sourced native karo shrubs along the Simpson Gardens Ltd drainways. While planting himself, owner Warwick Simpson placed 100–200 trees, and with the assistance of KMR and HortNZ, is having 4,000 trees planted on his land.
“It is a nice collaboration. KMR is trying to work on the soil erosion going into the drains, but for us, it also provides excellent shelter for our seedbeds and paddocks,” said Warwick.
“Having some trees up has benefits, and it has been something I have wanted to do for a while. Getting this collaboration with KMR and HortNZ to make it affordable is pretty huge.”
Warwick says with Freshwater Farm Plans coming in, getting vegetative buffer strips around drains helps improve how you look after the farm. With KMR funding 50% and HortNZ paying 40% of the funding, landowners only need to pay 10% of their riparian planting — a collaborative investment.
“The expense for landowners is maintaining the planting and ensuring they survive, but it is a smaller contribution because of the co-funding from the KMR and the Growing Change Project. Farmers have to do weed management, pest browsing and fencing activities because often, once the kūmara have
been harvested, they will put in animals. It has been sprayed out, and fences will be put in place before we do more planting. It is a part of giving back to the local economy, and the Kaipara people have been supportive of KMR.
“We are positive about the difference we are having in communities, and we are getting younger people in this job.”
Knowing the battle for healthy waterways is a nationwide one, HortNZ has delivered its Growing Change Project to growers across the country.
“HortNZ have been delivering the Growing Change Project over the last three years, and it ends in June,” said HortNZ CEO Kate Scott.
“The project has been about how we can support growers to understand what actions they can take on the ground from a good management practice perspective.
“We have been helping them with preparing their farm plans, mapping and understanding risks. Across the country, so far, the project has created 116 farm environment plans, following the NZGAP Farm Environment or Environment Management System framework.
“That equates to 16,600 hectares of land that has been covered by a plan. In Northland, from our perspective, the Growing Change Project extension is our opportunity to collaborate with KMR and to support growers to add actions in their Farm Environment Plans, including tasks like riparian planting.”
After Ruawai was affected badly by adverse weather in the previous years, the project looks to mitigate sediment in waterways and bolster resilience in the industry.
“Anything that we can do to support our growers to ensure they do right by the environment is an excellent focus area.
“I love getting out to other regions. It is wonderful to come to Northland and see how well the region has recovered after significant weather events during the last three years. Hearing the stories of resilience and perseverance from people on the ground is wonderful. We should all look to our Northland whānau as great examples of communities who rally together and come back stronger through adverse events.”
The group began planting karo shrubs along the drainways at Simpson Gardens Ltd
by Paul Campbell
New choppers boost rescue fleet
New rescue aircraft are on the way for Northern Rescue Helicopter Limited, with the first of three late model helicopters (AW169s) now entering service in Ardmore, before transitioning to Whangārei later this year.
NRHL CEO Ian MacPherson says the roll-out is being planned to ensure service continuity, while enabling a smooth integration of the new aircraft into Northern Rescue’s Northland and Auckland rescue helicopter operations.
“The new models are replacing aircraft between 15–30 years old. So, this is a significant and carefully planned upgrade project that will improve efficiency and reduce maintenance costs,” says MacPherson.
“This is about ensuring everyone has access to the best air ambulance technology and capability day and night. These new aircraft will ensure we are running an increasingly sustainable service with the best aeromedical technology available.”
MacPherson says, in essence, the new aircraft boosts Northern Rescue’s ability to deliver high levels of clinical care and promote equity of access across Northland, particularly in remote regions.
“Additionally, the AW169 offers the opportunity to optimise the rear cabin as
a sophisticated clinical environment that supports this model of care; a larger rear cabin for our clinicians to work in.
“They have 360-degree access to patients. Our highly trained medical teams can be examining and treating patients from the moment they enter the aircraft, which increases the likelihood of a full recovery.”
The government is supporting the replacement of nine rescue helicopters with newer aircraft around the country, by investing a total of $14.7 million in the year to July 2025 — providing critical upgrades to ageing fleets.
MacPherson believes the arrival of newer helicopters represents a significant milestone for Northern Rescue. “These new aircraft are essential to our operation as we continue to modernise our fleet and enhance aeromedical capability across the Northern Region. This upgrade is not only about embracing advanced technology, it is also about acknowledging the unwavering community support that has shaped this service over decades.”
Northern Rescue chief operating officer Karl Taylor says compared to the operation’s legacy BK117 and S76 helicopters, the AW169 introduces nextgeneration capabilities.
“That includes state-of-the-art avionics, improved poor weather performance, advanced weather and terrain awareness and more powerful engines. It represents
a significant leap forward in safety, performance, and operational resilience.
“The rear cabin is also fully reconfigurable, enabling helicopter winch operations and the transport of critically ill patients between hospitals by specialised hospital teams. Our crews are certainly looking forward to working on our new AW169s.”
Unit 16, Opua Marine Park Baffin Street, Opua Bay of Islands
Ian MacPherson, NRHL CEO
Relief from joint pain (Part one)
by John Arts, Abundant Health Ltd
Joint pain from osteoarthritis can be anything from annoying to debilitating. Earlier this year, someone contacted me about osteoarthritis in his knees and elbows.
He needed knee braces to get around, and the pain prevented him from doing many activities that he enjoyed. He had resorted to cortisone injections for relief and was booked for another.
I started him on a double dose of my joint supplement. This gave him 1,600mg of chondroitin sulphate, 1,600mg of glucosamine sulphate and 400mg of the latest 100% water soluble curcumin (from turmeric) extract. While glucosamine and curcumin are important, it is the chondroitin that generates the greatest impact on arthritis joints.
Chondroitin sulphate helps to reduce inflammation in the affected joints. It promotes the repair and maintenance of cartilage thereby improving joint function and mobility.
Research indicates that chondroitin sulphate plays a crucial role in supporting chondrocytes, the cells responsible for cartilage repair and maintenance. Studies have shown that chondroitin enhances the synthesis of extracellular
matrix components, which are essential for the structural integrity of cartilage. Furthermore, chondroitin sulphate aids in reducing the activity of enzymes that destroy cartilage tissue, thereby preserving joint function.
The real test of any supplement is whether it works. I often ask clients to give me a pain rating out of 10. We then compare against this when we conduct our first review, typically after six weeks.
At the first review, my client noticed improvements. He was able to get around without the knee braces and he had cancelled the steroid injection. I spoke to him the other day, and he said he was much more comfortable, and now back playing competitive sport. Feel free to request a copy of my osteoarthritis programme.
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.
What is Bettaflex?
• Bettaflex is a joint support formula to promote healthy joint cartilage function
• Bettaflex has 400mg (per capsule) of high-grade avian chondroitin, 400mg of glucosamine and 100mg of BioSolve® bioavailable Curcumin (from turmeric).
• Try Bettaflex for 3 months and see for yourself.
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• Chondroitin and glucosamine are building blocks of cartilage.
• Supplementation with correct levels can support healthy cartilage function and cartilage repair processes.
• New BioSolve® bioavailable curcumin helps joint function while gentle on the stomach.
• Research indicates that chondroitin is highly effective at 800mg daily.
John Arts comments:
“My latest Bettaflex formula includes BioSolve® bioavailable curcumin for faster results. The normal dose is 2 capsules daily but I recommend an initial higher dose for 1-3 bottles to saturate join tissue.”
(John Arts, Founder, Abundant Health)
Cautions: Do not take with anti-coagulant/platelet medication. If in doubt please consult your healthcare professional. Not suitable during pregnancy or lactation.
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Breeding better beef
With spring just around the corner, Northland Hereford Breeders’ Association members are gearing up to meet the demand for Hereford bulls during the spring bull selling season.
Hereford cattle are one of the oldest established cattle breeds in New Zealand, and the popularity of the versatile breed has never waned.
Hereford-cross cattle have a reputation for gaining a premium at the saleyards, and the breeders aim to produce bulls that are suitable for both the beef and dairy sectors. They have a detailed knowledge of the pedigrees and genetic characteristics of their cattle, which gives their customers certainty about the history of the bulls they are buying. The breeders can also advise buyers about the suitability of the bulls for mating to both cows and heifers.
This year, seven breeders are offering bulls during the spring sale season, through on-farm auctions and private treaty sales. The bulls offered for sale range in age from yearlings to 15 months old, 18 months old and rising two-year-olds.
Northland Hereford Breeders’ Association members are located from the Far North down to Kaipara and Warkworth, so they have the needs of Northland farmers covered — see details in our ad below.
Otengi & Waimaire
(Kaeo)
Matapouri Polled Herefords (Whangarei)
Northland Hereford Breeders’ Association members: (left to right) Emma, Carolyn and Cam Gerrard ( Te Puna Herefords), Bill Grounds (Pampas Lane Herefords), Kate and Sam Biddles (Kaipara Herefords), Ian Clements (Matapouri Herefords) and Brian Coutts (Wyborn Herefords)
Philip Shepherd and Paul Shepherd (Otengi/Waimaire Herefords) and Ian McInnes (Marua Herefords)
by Paul Campbell
Alliance to boost Northland tourism
A new tourism alliance has been formed, bringing together Northland Inc with the North
to increase international visitor numbers to the north of the country.
“Northland’s participation in this alliance is a big strategic step forward for our region,” says the head of destination at Northland Inc, Tania Burt.
“By collaborating with North Island regional tourism organisations and international airports, we can amplify our unique offering to international visitors. This partnership enables us to share Northland’s proposition on a larger global stage and grow our international presence and international visitation over time.”
The partnership is an opportunity to generate interest and increase visitors from key international markets, including Australia, North America and China. The first activity will take place in September in Australia with the North Island Showcase, seeing over 60 North Island tourism operators connect with key Australian travel sellers at two events in Sydney and Melbourne.
New Zealand’s tourism industry has improved after the Covid crisis, but international visitors have still not reached pre-Covid levels, with international visitor arrivals into Auckland at 84% of 2019 levels, after an 11% increase over the year to December 2024, according to Auckland Airport.
The alliance is a first for regional tourism organisations in the north and was announced at the TRENZ travel forum in Rotorua, the biggest tourism
trade event on New Zealand’s calendar, where industry leaders and representatives gather in person to showcase their products and services.
It is made up of organisations representing regions from the Far North down to Wellington.
Auckland Airport chief executive Carrie Hurihanganui said the new partnership was about leveraging collective tourism pulling power.
A record 379,000 US travellers came through the airport in the year to February. Australia and China inbound numbers were back in growth mode, but New Zealand’s tourism is still a little behind compared with the rest of the world, she said.
“We’re starting to see that effort flow through to an increase in Australian visitation building back from 83% of pre-pandemic volumes last February to 92% recovered one year on. That’s an additional 110,000 Australian tourists.”
In 2019, Australian visitors made up 40% of all visitor arrivals to New Zealand, and that had increased to 42% by December, she said.
Northland Inc will also host a Tourism Export Council Trade Event later this year that brings together tourism businesses to present their products and services to inbound tour operators for professional networking and relationship-building.
EFFLUENT & MUCK SPREADING
Tania Burt is head of destination for Northland Inc
Heritage, escapism and paradise
by Liz Clark
The Far North has a unique jewel in the form of the township of Kerikeri, where history, culture and the
unique experience for all ages.
Its historical heart lies in the site of the second mission station, Kemp House, established by the Christian Missionary Society in 1819, under the protection of Ngāpuhi rangatira Hone Hika.
The building was constructed in 1821 to house Reverend John Butler. Later, it was taken over by the Kemp family, whose members later donated the house to Heritage New Zealand. It is the nation’s oldest European building.
Close by is the Stone Store. Constructed in 1832 and designed by Wesleyan missionary John Hobbs, the building was put together by an ex-convict stonemason from New South Wales, Australia. Initially, the building had been intended for use as a storage facility to retain large volumes of wheat from the mission farm at Te Waimate.
However, the grain harvest failed, and the building was repurposed as a kauri gum trading store. Tours are available through Heritage New Zealand — visit the website for more information.
Sited directly across the Kerikeri River is Kororipo Pā, which can be accessed
from the bridge from the mission station precinct or by road. Translated from Māori, Kororipo means swirling waters.
The pā was located strategically to command the junction of the Wairoa and Kerikeri rivers, controlling the major route to the sea from inland Waimate. It was also where Hone Hika resided from 1819 until 1826. It was from this location that he planned his battles during the Musket Wars. Today, the site is managed by the Department of Conservation. Visit the website for more information about the highlights of the historic 20-minute walk.
DOES YOUR PIPE SIZE MATTER?
YES - because of pipe friction.
CAN YOU PUT ANY BORE PUMP DOWN?
NO - you must have a bore log. This is to specify the correct pump.
IF YOU HAVE ECOLI IN YOUR WATER, DO YOU NEED PROTECTION?
YES - you require a UV Filtration system.
WOULD ANY HOUSEHOLD PUMP BE SUFFICIENT TO RUN YOUR HOME?
NO - it all depends on usage required.
IS IT GOOD TO HAVE A PRESSURE TANK INSTALLED WITH YOUR PUMP?
YES - it saves power and short cycling.
For a shorter walk, which is wheelchair accessible, check out the 800m Rainbow Falls walk. This is also an easy, short walk for parents using buggies for small children.
The area is provided with picnic sites and facilities, and three viewing sites of the spectacular falls. The third viewing spot, the site of a historic weir, has direct access to the water, so children should be supervised at all times.
Use Kerikeri as a starting point to visit the historic sites at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Paihia and Russell. Take the
The iconic Stone Store and Kemp House at Kerikeri are where the township’s story began
ferry from Russell across to iconic Opua, where there is a coastal walk and a launch point to go fishing and diving in the waters of the Bay of Islands.
Fishery improvement
As someone who’s been a commercial eel fisherman for 45 years, I want to send out a big thank you to all the landowners and others who’ve worked hard to improve our waterways.
Your efforts have made a real difference, and I’d like to share some thoughts on why they matter so much.
Most commercial eel fishing happens on or around farmland — these are prime spots for eels. So, what happens on the land has a huge impact on the eel fishery. Things like fencing off drains and streams, protecting wetlands and building dams really do work.
Where these steps have been taken, the results speak for themselves. Water clarity has improved dramatically because topsoils and sediments are now staying on the land instead of washing out to sea. The vegetation that’s come back along waterways provides awesome habitats for all sorts of aquatic life.
Bits of wood, whether it’s tree roots or fallen branches, are perfect for the insects that breed in water. Willows, in particular, are brilliant. They’re great for bees in early spring, they’re handy cattle fodder in summer, and they
provide the hard cover that longfin eels love.
Slowing water flow during rainstorms has another bonus. It helps recharge groundwater aquifers, which so many rural folks and their livestock rely on. Plus, stream and river flows stay more consistent during dry spells. It’s a win-win.
Some of the restoration work I’ve seen has been downright impressive (and probably not cheap). But here’s the thing: you don’t need to go all out to get good results. Even simple steps, like fencing off a watercourse with a single electric wire, can make a big difference.
For the eel fishery, the benefits are huge. Eels are surviving better, growing larger, and thriving in healthier conditions. On top of that, the improved waterway environment is just a better place to work, and let’s not forget how this boosts New Zealand’s clean, green image, which helps our sales, too.
So, to everyone who’s chipped in to help — thank you. It works, and it’s deeply appreciated.
Mike Holmes Chair, Eel Enhancement Company Ltd
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Mystery Creek gears up to go
by Paul Campbell
The annual Fieldays’ knees-up has gone down to earth, or down on the farm, in terms of a strategy for this June and adopted a “mullet strategy — business in the front, party at the back,” according to its organisers.
“With tickets officially on sale, the mullet, a hairstyle regularly seen during the annual four-day event at Mystery Creek Events Centre, symbolises the important business and entertainment factors that make Fieldays, to bring together innovation, education and globalisation to this year’s event,” says New Zealand Fieldays Society’s Taryn Storey.
educational discussions, expert-led sessions and realworld solutions.
The Drone Zone, a live demonstration area, in association with the Agricultural Drone Association, is a must-visit for anyone eager to see how drones are revolutionising farm management.
“Fieldays has always been about combining cutting-edge agricultural technology, networking and insightful discussions, all while celebrating the uniqueness of the rural sector and bringing town and country together. This year, we’re leaning into that even more with the mullet strategy, ensuring both business and entertainment factors are equally compelling,” says Taryn.
WEBSITE: www.steelspan.co.nz
EMAIL: info@steelspan.co.nz
PHONE: 0800 787 726
New business in the front initiatives include Fieldays Tent Talks in association with the University of Waikato, Fieldays Drone Zone and the Fieldays Sector Spotlight: It’s Wool. Fieldays Tent Talks in association with the University of Waikato are focussed on engaging
made biostimulants, made from sustainably collected beach-cast seaweed. For all your farming needs.
Find out how our biological farming & horticultural nutrition solutions can get you off the treadmill of synthetic inputs and reduce your costs, through healthier soil, pasture, crops & animals across all industries.
Want to catch up or discuss how Agrisea products could benefit your land? Intrigued about our new product SeaPhos and the benefits of combining dicalcic with seaweed biostimulants?
The Fieldays Sector Spotlight plans to highlight a sector within the primary industries each year, in conjunction with the Ministry for Primary Industries . For 2025, the focus will be on wool, highlighting the versatility and quality of New Zealand wool. Exhibitors will showcase the key roles they play in the wool sector and the consumeruse opportunities. The site will also connect producers and designers to help ensure a secure future for this timeless natural resource.
The new initiatives join returning Fieldays hubs, the Rural Advocacy Hub, Forestry Hub, Careers and Education Hub, Innovation Hub and the Hauora Taiwhenua Health and Wellbeing Hub. Party in the back initiatives include the Fieldays Family Fun Zone in the Heritage Village and Super Saturday; a campaign
Contact our Northland Area Field Consultant Paul Sorensen at paul@agrisea.co.nz or ring 0800 SEAWEED.
unique range of wheeled and
PowerSteer by FieldBee
The next-gen tractor autosteer system — affordable, ultra-reliable, easy to install, and built to boost precision and productivity.
About FieldBee
FieldBee is an agricultural machine automation company founded in 2014, headquartered in the Netherlands and with offices in Poland. With over 6,000 customers in 60plus countries and 100 employees, FieldBee develops affordable, accurate and reliable tractor autosteer to help farmers globally farm profitably and sustainably. Our mission is to provide accessible intelligence and machine automation for high-quality fieldwork on every farm and under all conditions. PowerSteer overview
PowerSteer is FieldBee’s retrofit tractor autosteering system designed to increase precision and reduce operator fatigue. The system offers ±2.5 cm accuracy and is compatible with all front-wheel steer tractor models. Key components include the PowerWheel (a replacement for the standard steering wheel), an all-in-one electronic controller, and a user-friendly
Android app. The system supports a variety of driving patterns, including straight lines, curves, headlands and saved patterns, while also mapping fields, detecting obstacles and generating fieldwork reports in PDF and Excel formats.
PowerSteer can be installed in less than one hour without the need for complex calibration or equipment upgrades, and it supports multiple vehicle profiles for easy
switching between tractors. The system is designed for simplicity, durability and affordability, offering farmers a fast return on investment.
With a two-year warranty, FieldBee PowerSteer provides farmers with a reliable, easy-to-use, and cost-effective solution for improving productivity on the farm. FieldBee also supports farmers seven days a week with a dedicated support team.
•
• Create AB lines, Curves, Headland Patterns, Boundaries with easy
• Log covered area, Proof of placement
• Minimize overlaps and skips
and upgradable to ISOBUS
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by Andy Bryenton
FARM WHEELS & MACHINERY
More power, less wait
Two clutches, front and rear double-arched A-arm suspension with a front sway bar, 101 horsepower and a tiny weight footprint of just 455kg; it sounds like a track-day race car, but in fact, it’s a new and mighty ATV quad.
Can-Am didn’t want to simply add a little more power to their 2025 1000R quad bike. Their designers’ intention was to offer more horses than you used to get under the bonnet of a VW Golf GTI, all wrapped up in a durable off-road-ready body.
Let’s do the maths, so that you can see just how much grunt this machine really has. The grandaddy of performance, the 16-cylinder, quad-turbocharged Bugatti Veyron, packed in 1,001 horsepower and tipped the scales at 1,950kg, resulting in a figure of 0.51 horsepower for each kilogram of weight. More power for every kilogram means more speed and pick-up.
The Can-Am 1000R gets approximately 0.22 horsepower for every kilogram, and that’s in the ballpark of some quick and powerful cars, too. The Mustang five-litre V8, Alfa Romeo 4C, BMW M3 and Bentley Continental are all in the same bracket as this new offering from Can-Am’s engineers, and none of them is designed to let rip off-road.
The power comes from a new 999cc v-twin with dual overhead camshafts like
a modern sports car, a high compression ratio and a reimagined and very efficient exhaust and intake manifold to help it
breathe. With great power also comes the need for great control. That’s why Can-Am has added intelligent throttle
control, intelligent engine braking, and a reworked suspension and handling set-up to ensure the 1000R is more than just a straight-line dragster.
The company’s new pDrive clutch system is part of the equation as well. It’s really a twoin-one, with a secondary dualroller clutch backing up the first pDrive unit to deliver precise and smooth gear changes, even in tough conditions. Between these improvements, and a full set of rubber bushings throughout the suspension system, Can-Am reckon that its new 999cc beast is easily tamed, with less noise and more durability.
It wasn’t long ago that 101 horsepower was a benchmark for sports cars. A seriously hot Mini in the 1970s could buzz past big V8s on the racetrack with less. Now that kind of power is available to those who need an off-road quad for work or play, and its best feature is this. With all that power on tap, you’ll spend less time waiting to get to your destination, and more time getting things done while you’re there.
by Andy Bryenton
Blasting beyond the Bullet
A retro-vintage cake with low-fat, zero-sugar modern icing? That’s the metaphorical recipe for success at Royal Enfield, which has surged to the top of the local mid-sized motorbike sector.
How did the company get there, and what is driving the incredible surge in popularity for the brand? Not too long ago, Royal Enfield was a revered but anachronistic name, the makers of the hard-working Bullet series of bikes, famous among travellers in India. A range of new designs pushing a retro-cool image and upgraded technology have catapulted the brand to the top of the sales charts.
The answer might come from the two competing forces vying for the hearts and wallets of all motorcycle fans. Tradition pulls one way; the classic lines and engine rumble of a ‘proper’ old-school bike. Harley Davidson has based an empire on people’s love of such things. The other factor is innovation, the opposite pole if you will. Better technology means more agility, speed, acceleration, handling and fuel economy, which are all very desirable. It’s hard to have them both at once. However, several Royal Enfield models manage to walk the line between these
equipped, full-colour, screen-based dash and fuel injection, overhead cams and upside-down forks.
Much is made of its influences. It’s based on the scrambler bikes used in
Royal Enfield’s Bear 650 has a retro look, callbacks to classic racing, and modern technology underneath influences. Take a look at two of the vehicles that broke cover at late 2024’s EICMA bike show in Italy. The Bear 650 splices unashamedly retro cues with modern features like a Google maps-
the Big Bear desert race of the 1960s, and the coolest of its colour schemes is a tribute to a specific bike that tackled those Californian trails. So it ticks the box for looking great and evoking a sporting pedigree, while also promising modern reliability and a smooth ride. What’s even better, (and another key to Royal Enfield’s dominance) is that this, like so many of their bikes, is learner approved. For a big US v-twin, you’ll need to wait. Rock up with your learner’s licence, and you can get the Bear 650 package from day one. This combo of heritage and tech might just enable Enfield to pull off the biggest coup in motorcycling. If it can make an electric motorcycle cool, it’ll have beaten some of the giants in the industry. At EICMA, it debuted a modern version of the special forces commando issue ‘flying flea’ paratrooper bike, this time kitted out in all-electric mode. Time will tell if this retro-inspired EV bike can convert the petrolheads, but it surely looks the part.
