FARMING LIFESTYLES IS PUBLISHED WITH PRIDE BY RURAL MATTERS
Phone: 0800 466 793 Email: info@rml.nz
Postal Address: PO Box 474, Dargaville Physical Address: 107 River Road, Dargaville
Journalists: Amy Fifita | Andy Bryenton | Paul Campbell
Advertising: MJ Te Whata 027 343 2636
Production: Gavin Bainbridge | Marnie Fuller | Drew Welsh | Liz Clark
Accounts: accounts@rml.nz
Distribution: Laurie Willetts Printed by: NZME
Website: farminglifestyles.co.nz
by Grant McCallum, MP for Northland.
I’m writing this during Conservation Week — a special time each year to celebrate our amazing natural heritage and remind ourselves of the importance of looking after it.
As a farmer and the Bluegreens’ cochair, I care deeply about this. I know I’m not alone — no one I know wants to see our environment harmed.
However, it’s also about finding balance: protecting what makes New Zealand special, while giving our people the opportunities they need, like more jobs and better wages. Some recent changes to the Conservation Act are designed to help with this; supporting job growth and the economy, while keeping our environment safe. That doesn’t have to be a contradiction.
Too often, businesses can get stuck waiting for years just for a go-ahead to operate on conservation land, which is tough for our local communities. We all want progress that doesn’t come at nature’s expense.
The answer? I believe in a sensible and practical approach: saying ‘yes’ when it’s a good fit and always making sure we keep our promise to protect nature for the future. It’s not jobs versus nature.
It’s about making both work, so we can care for our landscapes and help our economy grow.
It’s also important that everyone does their bit. That’s why the government is asking international visitors to help cover the costs of looking after our most famous spots, like Cathedral Cove, Tongariro Crossing, Milford Track, and Aoraki/Mt Cook. Overseas visitors will now contribute more toward keeping these places special, and that money goes straight back into conservation and supporting the local communities that rely on tourism.
Conservation Week is the perfect time to look beyond the slogans and focus on real results. We’re taking steps to protect what makes New Zealand one-of-a-kind and to support hard-working Kiwis. By updating our laws, making smart choices, and investing wisely, I truly believe we can enjoy both vibrant nature and a strong economy. That’s a Bluegreens’ future we can all feel good about!
by Paul Campbell
The four Rotary Clubs of Kerikeri, Bay of Islands, Waipapa, and Kaikohe have combined to complete a substantial fundraiser for the Northern Rescue Helicopters — donating $58,000 to the cause.
Northern Rescue’s Whangārei air ambulance operation carried out 487 missions into the Far North, Mid North and the Bay of Islands in the 2024/25 financial year. The four clubs collaborated in staging a fundraising event with support from businesses, organisations and individuals.
The money will allow Northern Rescue to purchase a new Hamilton T1 Ventilator valued at $53,000. Deputy operations manager in Whangārei, Paul Davis, says patients requiring mechanical ventilation are among the most critically unwell, ranging from those in respiratory failure due to chronic illness, to trauma patients with multiple severe injuries, including head trauma.
Rotary Kerikeri member Neil Blanchfield, says “the clubs had agreed to organise this event, and had an original target of 200 people and $20,000 raised by the auction and sponsorship.
“So, everyone is elated at the final result, which shows just how much support there is for our Northern Rescue Helicopters, and also indicates there was a gap in the market for a quality dine and dance evening in our town.”
Northern Rescue marketing manager Jan Hewitt said: “We rely heavily on people
fundraising for us to find an operational shortfall of around $1.2 million annually. Raising this amount of money is an exceptional effort by any standard and our crews are very thankful.
“One hundred and 19 people attended the gala with music provided by the Basin City Big Band interspersed with an auction. Key items included accommodation packages at the Eagles Nest, Edgewater
Shirts signed by SailGP winners Peter Burling, Blair Tuke and their team, and a Crusaders’ rugby jersey shirt signed by Tamaiti Williams, added to contributions by Corrections and tourism providers in the Bay of Islands.
BY AMY FIFITA
What started as a two-acre hobby, Ian Webb turned into 1,000 acres of back-country beauty surrounded by ancient forests where his polled Herefords could breed sustainably.
“Iwas born in the Cook Islands, and once my parents returned to New Zealand, I was raised in Onerahi, Whangārei. I spent a lot of time on a dairy farm in Taipuha, just out of Maungatūroto, as a child,” said Ian.
“Never thinking I’d go farming again, as I got older, I started to get into lifestyle farming. Starting with two acres, then seven acres, then 30 acres, then 200 acres and then 1,000 acres.
“My wife runs our Albany business, and I run the farm, so I have been commuting to Hokianga for almost nine years.”
Vastly different from the metropolitan workspace of Albany, the idyllic farm provides Ian with a retreat from city life.
The Hokianga Polled Hereford Stud is located in a river valley, a place seldom affected by droughts.
“It is in a high volcanic zone, it is rocky with rivers through it, with very high rainfall. There is up to four metres of rainfall annually. The Waimamaku River flows through the farm, and multiple streams go into that, so in wintertime it can get pretty boggy.
“The farm is in a river valley, and surrounded by the Waipoua and Waimā forests on three sides. The Wekaweka Valley is well-renowned for its water catchment. When the water hits my farm, it has only travelled 10 kilometres from its start. We have been fencing
off waterways. It can be a little dreary through winter, but the benefit of that is that in the summer, it is pretty droughtfriendly. I don’t have drought or water supply issues, and even in wintertime, I don’t overstock.”
Bought about nine years ago, Ian started the Hokianga Polled Hereford Stud on the 1,000 acres of run-down farm and land covered in kikuyu grass. After conducting extensive research and making informed decisions, the farm now thrives with excellent infrastructure and a diverse mix of ryegrass and clover.
“The big learning curve has been part of the enjoyment. The farm was so run
Ian commutes up on Mondays to work on his 1,000-acre farm and returns to Auckland on Fridays
down when I purchased it, I couldn’t keep cattle in a single paddock.
“When I first bought the farm, it was rank with kikuyu, but by grazing it properly, I have a lot of ryegrasses and clover coming through. The dynamics of farming have changed the feed. It is a process of getting farming practices right. If you undergraze kikuyu, it becomes matted and unusable for cows.
“One of the advantages of kikuyu is that it is there year-round, and if you graze it hard at least twice a year, the other grasses start coming through.
Ian says his farm is now excellent; it took about four to five years of hard grazing to get it to that point. While most of the country was homebound during the Covid lockdowns, Ian took the opportunity to bring himself, his sons and Sarah together to fix a bulk of the fences.
“Sarah has really helped get the farm to a running condition by spraying blackberries and performing other tasks, and now it is running quite smoothly. Some of the fencing was 80 years old, hand-cut totara battens and posts and old number eight wire.
“When I first bought the farm, I couldn’t find any clover, and now there is clover everywhere. I didn’t sow it in, it was just that it was smothered because it wasn’t being grazed properly because the fences were falling down.”
With the land and fences wellmaintained, Ian only buys between 20 and 40 round bales annually.
“The last rotation before spring is where I need to feed out. It is about getting the
stock numbers right. There are three parts to the farm, and only one rotation that requires feed.
“Some farming is too intensive, we push the fertiliser and land too hard. Higher inputs create higher outputs, but when the output prices drop, the input prices don’t drop, and suddenly, farmers are screaming they aren’t making enough money.
“We need to find the sweet spot where you are not putting too much in. Dairy farmers have to fight that more, having to fertilise each paddock once a month, whereas my farm has been fertilised once in the past 30 years.”
Join us next month for part two, where we will explore the temperament and meat traits Ian focusses on when breeding his Hereford cattle.
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
Hill, New Zealand Bee Health and Biosecurity North Island operations manager
Some apiarists have agreements to move American
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.
“Northland’s beekeeping population has decreased dramatically over the last two years. The definition of mānuka changed in terms of certain chemical markers in the honey. Northland honey no longer meets all the definitions of monofloral mānuka, so many commercial beekeepers took their hives away.
“Beekeepers were starting in Northland and moving down the country, but with the costs involved, it wasn’t economically viable, and because the honey wasn’t sustainable, they moved out of the area.
“Other factors that beekeepers started to notice were certain climate changes, wetter winters and harder springs. Bee season in Northland is earlier than the rest of the country.
“In Northland, many small familyrun operations make a living by placing hives on farms. There is probably space for having hives, but it is better to have smaller operators’ hives on the land than the larger ones. Looking at the North Island as a whole, the Northland mānuka flowers in around October and as you move down the country, it gets later and later, with Taranaki being the last from December through to March.
“There are still lots of hives in Northland, predominantly for pollination first, and honey second. In the Far North, avocados are heavily pollinated by bees and then moved to honey as a secondary crop.”
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, 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.”
•
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said Gail.
With permaculture becoming popular in New Zealand, and the country having more space, Gail and John saw the move as an opportunity to pursue their love of living off the land. After putting down roots on the Hokianga property in 2009, the land abounds with gardens
by Amy Fifita
Located on land overlooking the Waimā River, Gail and John Aiken found a haven to grow heritage and perennial plants, and rear sheep and cows on their block of land — Winding River Homestead. John
and orchards, and livestock from cattle to sheep and birds.
“Previously working from home for a heritage seed-saving organisation, we named our property Winding Rivers Homestead a couple of years ago, when we started to market things ourselves through our website.
“We’re feeding ourselves from our 65 acres of land. It is rough clay land that is steep in places. We produce our own meat from our small herd of Dexter cattle and Wiltshire sheep, and John hand milks the cows for yoghurt and cheese.
“We have a Guernsey house cow, which we’ve been breeding with our Dexters because we wanted to increase their cream content. Last year, we finally bred some Dexter-Guernsey heifers, as prior to that the crosses had all been males. So we haven’t milked the Dexter-Guernsey crosses yet, but the meat has been good.”
With meat and milk products sustainably sourced from their own paddock, the Aikens also grow almost all of their own fruit and vegetables.
“We have a big garden and a large heritage fruit tree orchard, where we grow an abundance of varieties collected mainly from Northland. We also have plenty of trees to provide firewood and wood for other things we need.
“Using permaculture design principles, we care for the land as regeneratively as we can. While we’ve been here, we’ve fenced off and planted the salt marsh, and created barriers around the established native forest areas, and it is beautifully regenerating.
“We’ve planted many trees, some natives, particularly in the riparian areas.
With a small herd of cows, we’ve reduced the grazing pressure, and the gullies and old slip faces have regenerated naturally.”
Approaching the land with a no-harm attitude, Gail and John have seen the farm revitalised in more than one way. With livestock numbers reduced, and exotic tree planting for fodder, shade and land stabilisation, the farm is thriving with life.
“We try to manage in a way that is good for the land, soil and livestock. We had exciting happenings this year, when we recorded Australasian bittern, matukuhūrepo, on and around our land. With the reduced land pressure, puawānanga, the native clematis, grows naturally, making the place feel special. John is a greenwood worker, so we have planted trees for him to craft and in the orchard, we have non-fruiting trees to create a supportive ecology for the fruit trees.”
From ecology to economy, Gail says their goal is to earn enough to make
a living. With more than one income stream, the couple feed their practices to the community through selling seeds, perennials and livestock.
“We are going through the process of germination testing last year’s excess seeds, and they will be available at Wardy’s in Rawene. Each year, we have two major send-outs of perennial plants, with one of them being kūmara.
“We work with friends locally who’ve grown kūmara tupu for many years. I market and promote the 13 varieties that we have, and John and I send out hundreds of bundles of kūmara tupu across the country for people to grow.
“We grow perennial alliums, with the main ones being shallots and tree onions, which are like shallots. We grow enough to feed us for the whole year, because they store well, and also to sell to people to grow their own.
“Occasionally, we sell sheep, but we also sell cattle, usually as milking cows. John has taught many people how to hand milk, and we’ve regularly sold milking cows with a calf at foot.”
Passionate about the lifestyle they’ve built for themselves, the duo is embedded in their community, helping with projects, mentoring young growers, running workshops and information sharing on social media and the windingriverhomestead.co.nz.
“Hokianga is a cool place to be, it is quiet and has an amazing community of people who support each other in doing lots of interesting things. We are settled here.”
Attachments from $309* (*Trimmer Attachment)
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by Amy Fifita
Students with their eyes set on an agriculture or farming-related career have the opportunity to apply to the $9,000 Whangārei A&P Society 2025 Primary Industries Scholarship.
Since 2002, the society has been helping young hopefuls from across Northland achieve their dreams of joining the primary industry workforce. The scholarship funds are given across three years providing grades remain satisfactory.
“Helping young people to achieve their goals in the primary sector is something the society has been doing for decades,” said chief executive Chris Mason.
Students can have aspirations in forestry, veterinary studies, research and development, economics and finance, farm management and more to apply. The scholarship is open to members and their children of the Northern District A&P Societies.
“This scholarship is about recognising and supporting young people with a passion for New Zealand’s primary industries. We want to support Northland students who are committed to the future of New Zealand’s food and fibre sector.
“I know one of the past winners, Karla Frost, is in Kaipara now, and there
have also been winners from Dargaville, Paparoa and Maungatūroto.”
Forms can be downloaded online at whangareiap.org.nz/education/ #scholarship, collected at the Whangārei office, 127 Bank Street, Whangārei, or requested by calling 09 438 3109. All applicants must apply by Friday, September 19.
“Providing a scholarship takes a little financial pressure off, especially as students starting at university are away from home. Having a helping hand can make that transition less stressful,” Chris said.
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.
Farmers Grant and Christine West have always strived to look after the land – just like their parents before them.
The 446-hectare hill country sheep and beef farm they run in partnership with Grant’s mother, Joy, is 403ha effective and just a stone’s throw from the proud rural community of Tangiterōria.
The farm is home to 100 Angus breeding cows and their offspring, around 300 dairy beef and 1,300 sheep.
In collaboration Kaipara Moana Remediation, The West Partnership has embarked on a sediment reduction project.
Grant and Christine, with the help of their son Sean - who is also now hands-on farming the land, – are targeting the protection of erosion-prone areas, hillsides, established native bush remnants and 0.45ha of wetlands.
They believe fencing off those areas and planting them in natives will improve water quality, farm infrastructure, land management systems and productivity.
So far, they have retired 9.45 hectares of ecologically sensitive land across two priority areas by completing 2.45 km of fencing, and subdividing one paddock into five smaller paddocks– all to help protect special areas of sensitive land and regenerate areas of the farm to stabilise erodible gullies and protect bush remnants to optimise environmental outcomes.
With the help and planning of KMR Field Advisor Debbie Johnson, Grant, Christine and Sean believe their efforts will ultimately reduce sediment loss, enhance biodiversity and strengthen resilience to climate impacts. Planting of native species will start in winter 2026.
An initial investment of $62,925 should provide payback in under five years, with a benefit-to-cost ratio of 22% and a revenue increase of $14,000 due to improved grazing efficiency and an annual boost of $12,800 in increased pasture income. 16ha of effective pasture is expected to lift from 6 to 8.2 tonnes of dry matter per hectare per year.
The collaboration with KMR could even assist with future potential biodiversity credits.
Grant says better stock flow, time savings and associated improved animal welfare also has the benefit of lowering stress for him and Sean, farm dogs, cattle and sheep.
Christine adds they have always planted native trees and looked after native blocks on the farm.
“It’s important and hugely essential for the environment and making the land more sustainable long-term. It also makes it a nice place to work,” says Christine.
Key to ongoing native planting is seeking the advice of KMR’s specialists.
“I have worked with Debbie in the past and her guidance has been invaluable. She is practical and knows the land. You don’t know what you don’t know when it comes to the best native varieties for hillsides, gullies and wetlands,” says Grant.
“You often don’t know where to start on a larger property and Debbie just told us to start where we have wanted to do something for a long time. What we are doing will make things more sustainable on the farm.
Like Debbie says – it’s a journey.
“On hill country, nothing is black and white, so you must look at things a little differently.
“If we can help protect Kaipara Harbour and make our farm better, then Kaipara Moana Remediation is a great thing to be part of.”
For more information or to sign up, visit our
by Colin Hannah, Federated Farmers Northland president
I want to ask you all to get behind the 2025
and donate what you can at
rescuehelicopter.
Rural Northlanders are so reliant on the service to keep us safe in our time of need, which is why it is critical we all support this Northland-owned air ambulance service.
You just never know when you or a loved one might need one of these worldclass rescue helicopters. Donating now, is like a form of insurance and paying it forward to help yourself or others.
Now, to the other issue top of mind just now. I have had plenty of blunt phone calls from rural Whangārei District Council ratepayers.
Some were Federated Farmers’ members, and others were not. Particularly, after the piece I had written about a 47% increase over two years.
Some wanted to know what Federated Farmers had done about it, and the Federated Farmers’ team had responded with a resounding NO, I assured them. Some have experienced an increase greater than I had noted in my public response. Two had sent me copies of rate demands that exceeded 54%. These people cannot afford that, and may be forced to sell their hard-earnt landfarming businesses.
I recalled a remark that Bill Clinton had made about members of society being very tribal. He went on to say, most
or
societies are made up of tribal groups, the best of them are inclusive and welcoming of others.
All around us is rising resentment rooted in economic stagnation. Social disrespect and personal powerlessness is fertile ground for people to oppose inclusiveness. The action taken by certain Whangārei District councillors to impose excessive rate increases on one sector of society — namely rural — is a classic example of tribalism, exacerbating the urban/rural divide.
Rural dwellers have a right to feel hard done by as they don’t have access
to the same level of services that urban dwellers have: that is, they are faced with substandard infrastructure in roading communication and access to community services etc. The feeling is very strong in rural communities, currently urban count, rural — we don’t.
So, look at how councillors voted. Look at who abstained from crucial votes. Look where your money is being spent mostly in town, of course, raised crossings to slow the journey of emergency services, bus lanes to get council staff to work on time.
The excessive strain that WDC has imposed on so many in the rural
community is inexcusable. Right now, you can vote out the bulk of existing and give our region a chance to get ahead, socially and economically — a much better future.
by Liz Clark
For most living in a rural area, the good old septic tank is part of life and gets emptied every few years — most of the time.
However, what if you’re new to it all and you get left with a rather full problem? It happens. The property is bought, and the moving in gets sorted out. Then, a few days later, there’s a rather messy problem because the previous owners didn’t have the septic tank emptied for many years, before they headed for the wild blue yonder.
If you’re thinking about giving rural living a try, then this is for you. The first rule is: always ensure you obtain information from the vendor of the property about when the septic tank was last emptied and inspected, and how often.
Most councils have bylaws that require the tank to be inspected at the time of emptying by a certified septic tank drainage company. This includes checking for any leakages or cracks in the tank. The more people in the household, the more often the tank should be emptied; around every three to five years is the best approach.
Signs your septic tank needs emptying
Gurgling sounds in the pipes and slow drainage
Gurgling occurs when something inside the pipes traps air and prevent liquids from flowing down the drain. It causes air pockets to form, which leads to the gurgling sounds. It could also be a blockage. Avoid putting anything down the drains, such as sanitary products, wet wipes and other items that can cause a blocked pipe.
Excessively lush growth
If you see the grass suddenly greener and longer around the effluent field, compared to the rest of the property.
It’s usually a prime sign the tank needs emptying.
Water pooling around the septic tank
If you find water pooling around the area where the tank is and it has an odour, it’s a sign that the tank is overflowing. Rainwater has no odour.
Sewage backup in the drains
If you notice raw sewage coming back up in your bath and shower drains, you should immediately call a plumbing service or professional septic service. When the sewage is backing up to this point, it can cause damage to your home and become a health hazard. Septic tanks should be emptied every three to five years to avoid problems
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As spring approaches, maize growers across New Zealand are preparing for planting. Understanding how to set up your crop for success is critical, and Pioneer’s National Research & Agronomy Manager, Dr Rowland Tsimba, says it all begins with knowing your growing environment.
“The key to cropping success is a combination of understanding the science and good strategic planning” says Rowland. “While factors like temperature, radiation levels, soil type, and moisture availability are largely beyond a grower’s control, understanding them allows for better management decisions that can mitigate their impact on yield”.
Soil testing is one of the first critical factors to consider in the planning process. Maintaining the correct soil pH (ideally around 6.0 for maize) ensures nutrient availability and prevents potential toxicity issues from micronutrients like aluminium and iron. Beyond pH, understanding your soil’s nutrient profile helps determine fertiliser requirements based on realistic yield targets for your specific environment.
Hybrid selection is very important, and growers should consider a range of factors, including the crops’ end use, key agronomic traits, and paddock yield potential. Always choose hybrids that have been tested across a range of growing environments over several seasons.
Plant population represents another crucial planning factor. Modern maize hybrids have improved stress tolerance ratings, allowing for higher plant densities in suitable environments. Rowland points out, “Provided water is not limiting, yield is largely determined by the amount of radiation that the crop can intercept”. The higher the number of plants, the greater the potential for light interception; however, the population must be matched to the growing environment. This is why we typically reduce plant numbers in moisture-limited areas or for late plantings. A simple visual assessment conducted after maximum leaf size has been achieved (about a week or so after silking) can help determine if you’ve chosen the right population. This can be done by estimating the amount of light penetrating the leaf canopy onto the soil on a sunny day around midday. Ideally, light penetration below the leaf canopy should not exceed 5% of the soil surface area below the canopy.
Timing of planting is essential for crop success. It is recommended that the soil temperature at planting depth should be 10-12°C and rising (measured just after sunrise). Soil cultivation can influence temperature, with conventional tillage or strip-till warming soils faster than no-till systems. Moisture levels at planting are critical too; soil that can be moulded into a non-breaking ribbon is too wet and should be given more time to dry. When planting into dry conditions, increasing seed depth (up to 7.5 centimetres) to reach moisture can promote uniform emergence, which is essential for maximising yield potential.
Post-emergence management includes monitoring crops at the V2-V3 growth stages (when plants have two to three fully expanded leaves) for potential pest issues or weed competition. This early vegetative stage represents a vulnerable period when plants haven’t yet developed sufficient leaf area for vigorous photosynthesis. Understanding the V-stages is more reliable than using plant height alone for timing management decisions, particularly herbicide applications, that need to be completed before tassel initiation around V5-V6.
“Knowledge, planning, and timely decision-making are all important pieces of the puzzle” says Rowland. “By understanding your environment, soil testing, selecting appropriate hybrids and populations, planting under optimal conditions, and timely early-season applications of fertilisers and herbicides, you maximise your chances of achieving a successful crop”. While the environment may determine 80% of your potential, the remaining 20% is controlled by the grower, and this can represent the difference between an average crop and an exceptional one.
by Andy Bryenton
The horticultural sector contributes more than $7 billion to the export economy every year, and now plans are afoot to increase the amount of money that flows back to the farmers producing our fruit and vegetable crops.
The horticulture sector and the government have teamed up to create a roadmap forward to 2035, based on the Aotearoa Horticulture Action Plan (AHAP). Not content with smaller percentages, this collaboration between Horticulture New Zealand and Wellington aims to double farm gate returns to primary producers in this sub-sector during the next decade.
“The Implementation Roadmap launched today will help drive the ongoing success of Kiwi growers,” says Associate Minister of Agriculture Nicola Grigg.
“It includes practical actions that build on work to boost growth and resilience, focussing on three key areas: building foundations, driving farmgate value and enabling a future-fit sector.
“Key to the success of the roadmap will be collective input and support from industry, government, Māori and research providers. This support signals a joint commitment to implement the AHAP, and the roadmap will drive its successful delivery.”
The fact that the roadmap is based on the foundation of the AHAP points
towards that it’s not just speculative blue-sky thinking, but a pathway that can deliver on its aspirations. Science, knowledge, training up excellent people in the sector’s workforce and leadership, and maximising value are all planks emphasised in the plan.
Andrew Gibbs serves as independent chair of the AHAP group, and he’s positive about how points of that plan can flow through into policy and hence results.
“The planned actions include a strong focus on enduring policies and approaches that will help future-proof our horticulture sector,” Mr Gibbs said.
“This includes areas such as workforce, labour and employment settings, growing exports, facilitating access to germplasm, improving crop protection tools and practices for growers, and celebrating Māori success in the horticulture sector.”
He notes that a stocktake in 2024 identified more than 530 discrete initiatives that align with AHAP actions, many of which are already underway or have now been completed. This stocktake was very much taken into consideration
when drawing up the new roadmap, and deciding on its ambitious target of doubling farm gate returns.
“The success of the AHAP and achieving the goal of doubling farmgate value by 2035 will require close collaboration,” said Gibbs.
“It also serves as a challenge to all the quad partners of industry, government, Māori and research providers to take action. Your contribution and support will help us achieve sustainable growth, and drive grower success across New Zealand.”
easier to get started in this new industry. Go to bacmil.co.nz
A Cooperative has been developed to support growers ongoing through to the first harvest and sales. Having purchased your first pineapple plants there is no need to purchase any more as they multiply giving more plants and fruit.
A new pineapple variety with PVR will be exclusive to this Cooperative. This crop is ideally suited to Northland with it’s hot summers.
ROI estimate for the first 6 years is an average of 94% per year
The returns for this crop are phenomenal.
NZ grown pineapples are spray free and are not fumigated with Methyl Bromide like the imported
by Amy Fifita
With the weather still nippy, being poolside and enjoying the cooling waters is a distant dream, but now is a great time to start preparing.
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.
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 softscaping are handy considerations.
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 Andy Bryenton
At a recent public meeting in Dargaville, one of the speakers offered advice on how to steer clear of dodgy fake tradies, calling them by the colloquial name ‘cowboys’.
From the gallery came a quick reply from a gentleman who had suffered from the incompetence and unscrupulousness of unprincipled fakes: “Don’t use that term, it’s an insult to real cowboys, who actually did a good job!”
By any name, you’ll want to spot one of these scammers coming, and make sure they don’t make your house uninsurable, impossible to sell, dangerous to live in and potentially costly to fix. Here are some signs to look for: Too good to be true
Are you being offered a deal that seems simply amazing? Are you pinching yourself when you hear the low, low price it’s going to cost to perform what you were assured was a big or complex task? Especially, if the payment is asked for in cash with no receipt or invoice, you might be walking into a trap.
Avoid the cowboys when choosing a partner in your building and renovation plans
No plans or unclear ideas
A seasoned professional, whether they’re doing electrical work, plumbing, plastering or building, will be able to
explain to you in layman’s terms just what they’re going to do. For bigger jobs, they’ll likely draw up a plan. If they seem confused about how to do it, they might actually not know.
Lack of credentials
This is a big one. These days, tradespeople are regulated by the government and their own professional industry bodies, such as master builders and plumbers. There’s nobody out there with absolutely zero qualifications and ways to prove them; at least, nobody you should be paying to work on your home. Ask to see their credentials, and non-cowboys will show them with pride, knowing that they have worked hard to earn them.
Reputation is everything
Have you heard of the people who are offering quotes on your job? Have your neighbours and friends? Reputation spreads fast in smaller communities, and testimonials mean a lot. Certainly, this doesn’t mean you should be wary of new businesses
getting an honest start, but word of mouth and asking around can sometimes be well worth the detective work.
Pride in their name
Reputable businesses blazon their logo proudly on their trucks and vans, their workshops, and online and in the paper. Fly-by-nighters often don’t want to be seen, so they won’t have a website, they will never advertise, and they’ll not have signwritten vans and utes, or a business card. Be very wary of unqualified people who work only through social media, where there’s no rules about lying. See our advertisement on
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by Amy Fifita
While most of us are still enjoying the warm shelter from being inside, we are nearing the months when outdoor furniture needs to be cleaned, maintained or bought.
As we reach the end of winter, it is time to start preparing for more outdoor time, be it enjoying an exquisite meal or reading a book while soaking in a dose of sunshine. Chairs, tables, benches, gazebos or shadesails all help set the outdoor living scene.
For a spotless job on hardwood furniture, clean your items under the shade with a tarpaulin dropcloth. Ensure you have all the required personal protective equipment, wet the wood and apply the cleaner to soak for a few minutes before brushing the product in and rinsing it off.
With the surface muck gone, now you can find a protectant. It pays to oil or stain any outdoor wooden items like furniture and decking. First, lightly sand the surface before applying oil or stain to the wood to give it a fresh and like-new look.
Wicker chairs, tables and benches can require gentle treatment. Dusting them off or using mild cleaning products helps keep wicker clean and unharmed. Use of cushions, throws and other materials can add a pop of colour, provide comfort and protect furniture. Wipe down or wash any existing cushion covers.
Placing the furniture under a covering like a shade sail also helps protect your outdoor furniture from the elements and
weather. Shade sails require careful cleaning with mild detergent and water, while it is on a flat surface.
If the shade sail cannot be taken down, use a ladder to wet and apply detergent. Although a high-pressure washer may be tempting to use, it could damage the fabric. Instead, enlist a ladder to assist your cleaning process.
Once wet, use a mop or soft-bristle brush to gently wash down the fabric before rinsing thoroughly.
Ensure that the shade sail has fully dried before reinstalling it to avoid mould and mildew. Scrub and water blast decks and high-traffic outdoor areas to ensure safe footing once spring and summer arrive. Cleaning the walls and fences will also provide an aesthetic look for those in your outdoor space. By putting these tasks on your spring-cleaning checklist, your outdoor suites and spaces will not only look revived, but will also be clean and protected from the weather.
At Rodney Aluminium, we pride ourselves
personal, hands-on service backed by
A trusted name in the community for over 30 years, Rhonda and Michael Joyce continue to grow the company by upholding its reliable reputation and quality.
“Over the years, we’ve built lasting relationships with homeowners, builders and architects throughout the Rodney and North Auckland regions, becoming the go-to for aluminium joinery that stands the test of time,” said Rhonda.
“Aluminium joinery is an excellent investment in any home. It’s incredibly lowmaintenance and cost-effective compared to alternative materials, while delivering a sleek, modern finish that instantly updates and adds value to a property”.
Family-owned and operated, the team takes the time to understand every customer’s needs, and focusses on building strong relationships through open and honest communication.
“Many of our clients are repeat customers who trust us to provide solutions that enhance their homes with style, function and reliability. We’re a small, close-knit team, and that’s one of our strengths.
“As a family-run business, our core values flow into the way we work together and with our customers. Everyone plays an important role, and our clients deal directly with people who genuinely care about the outcome.”
The unified crew works consistently to ensure a seamless process from the initial conversation to the completed installation.
Proud of their product, they know aluminium joinery provides benefits to any new and existing home.
“With today’s thermal technologies, our joinery also helps improve insulation and energy efficiency, meeting the standards of New Zealand’s Healthy Homes requirements. It’s a smart combination of practicality, performance, and design.”
The beauty of aluminium joinery is that it can replace wooden windows and be installed in existing homes, adding to the comfort of the home.
“While we work on new builds, a big part of our business is in the replacement market. In fact, the past 12 months have seen strong demand from homeowners choosing to renovate rather than relocate.
Aluminium joinery is a low-maintenance solution to add comfort to any home
“Replacing old joinery with modern aluminium options not only improves comfort and performance but also adds significant value and visual appeal to older homes.
“We’re always happy to chat about how aluminium joinery could improve your home, whether you’re building new or updating
an existing property. We offer free, noobligation quotes and pride ourselves on giving homeowners the right advice to make the best decision for their needs.”
Contact the Rodney Aluminium team today at sales@rodneyaluminium.co.nz or call 09 425 7367, or find out more at rodneyaluminium.co.nz.
by Andy Bryenton
The huge Agritechnica farming machinery and equipment festival usually takes place in Hanover, Germany, but last month a satellite event, the FutureAG conference and exhibition, was closer to New Zealand than ever before.
Agritechnica Asia is coming to Thailand next year, but for August 2025 the world’s premiere showcase of farming machines set up in Melbourne Australia, putting Kiwi companies in close proximity to the action.
The big names at the conference in Melbourne were talking about similar things to their counterparts at our own Mystery Creek Fieldays. How AI and automation are poised to change the game on farms, and how data is a resource as vital as soil and water for the modern farmer. That’s translated through
to some of the machines on display, and the topics of conversation in a series of FutureAG talks.
An example came on Thursday of the three-day event, when a workshop invited grain farmers to engage with the state of the art in automating their farms. Then there were the guest speakers, with a predominance of tech-related luminaries taking the stage.
These include Carolina Ferreira, founder of AI weather data company Octopusbot, CropX managing director
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Eitan Dan, and the executive director of the Tractor and Machinery Association of Australia, Gary Northover.
A tech demo stage operated throughout the event, debuting everything from a new kind of bale spreader, which can break out round bales in less than a minute each, to solar power for remote water pumps, AI detection of fungal infections, robotic plant sprayers, camera eyes for agricultural robots and more-efficient deep-soil probes.
It’s also notable that this big event, associated with the juggernaut that is Agritecnica, was host to several Australian universities, which are actively developing technology and fresh ideas for the rural sector. The Melbourne Showgrounds is not too far away for Kiwi innovators, such
as those who have made their mark at successive Fieldays Innovation Awards to get amongst this tech-focussed discussion, which takes the idea of farm automation beyond the physical reality of tractors and machinery, and into the realms of AI-boosted strategic data management and resource allocation. With the keynote speaker of the entire FutureAG conference focussing on green efficiency in agriculture, something Kiwi farmers do very well indeed, there could come a time in the not-too-distant future when such an event comes to these shores.
Meanwhile, Agritechnica’s home event, in Germany, will occur this November, and Agritechnica Asia is set for May in Bangkok.
by Andy Bryenton
The winter of consumer discontent has been brightened for the coalition government by news that farmers, at the front lines of economic regeneration, have expressed a boost in confidence.
While the ANZ Roy Morgan consumer confidence index dropped four points in early 2025, rival bank Westpac has recorded small gains in this field recently, and inflation held steady at 2.7 per cent. That’s not a particularly rosy outlook, especially in the face of a continuing cost-of-living crisis, but the bellwether for a return to economic strength has always been seen by the ruling National Party as the farming sector.
That’s why Agriculture Minister Todd McClay was enthusiastic to share the results of the latest Federated Farmers’ confidence survey late in July; a poll, which puts farming optimism up to +33 per cent. That’s a stark contrast to the -66 per cent, recorded at the end of the former Labour administration’s tenure, after the public relation disasters of SNA mapping, the ute tax and intimations of freshwater regulatory overreach.
“After years of rising costs and uncertainty, our focus is on giving farmers the tools to do what they do best — lead the
world in producing high-quality food and fibre. That means replacing the Resource Management Act, changing national direction, including the National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management, and launching a contestable wellbeing fund to support rural New Zealand,” Mr McClay said.
The minister praised the approximately 360,000 Kiwis engaged in primary production on the land, and took the time to criticise extensive regulatory pressures as a ‘war of farmers’, which he says his colleagues in the coalition have cancelled.
“It’s pleasing to see policy changes returning value to the farm gate,” he said. “This government has worked hard to change the settings, but there’s still more to do to ensure farmers can deliver growth for all New Zealanders.”
The measure of confidence in the Feds’ poll may be grounded in policy alterations to an extent, but record profits at the farm gate are also in the mix. A quarter of farmers now expect to increase
production in the next year, two-thirds are operating with a profit, and there’s even indications that stress and its associated health issues are on the wane.
While the government touts an eightyear high for farmer confidence, Mr McClay’s assertion that there is a lot left to do rings as true as any of the statistics he’s shared.
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There is a lot to do to convert these green shoots in the primary sector into palpable prosperity in the main street and in homes, ahead of an election, which will be defined by the cost of living.
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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 they 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 Andy Bryenton
A technology, first developed for the Apollo 15 space missions, has made its
Case IH in its automated square balers.
The new innovation broke cover last year in the US, and it’s been well received by those who have to turn windrows of hay into tidy bales for later feed-out. While the initial deployment of lidar, (Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging) was aboard a square baler set-up towed by a paired Case IH tractor, the principle is sound when it comes to round bales, too, of the kind more often seen in rural New Zealand.
“Productivity is the name of the game when it comes to the tight operating windows hay producers face,” says Case IH hay and forage marketing manager Brian Spencer. “Baler automation is the perfect example of purposeful technology from Case IH. It aims to tackle efficiencies by taking the duty off the operator to steer and make adjustments in the field, allowing them to add productivity while in the cab.”
Case technicians came up with the idea when thinking about hands-free total automation of the baling process. Driving along a sometimes irregular swath means long hours of repetitive work, and in an ideal world a steady and even quantity of
hay would be fed into the machine for compaction and binding. By deploying lidar, Case IH gave their tractor-baler combo electronic eyes, allowing it to adjust its own speed and minutely angle its own steering, ensuring that the feed to the baler was constant, maximising throughput with no overloads.
Lidar was developed shortly after lasers themselves, and works like the radar systems common to ships and planes. In the case of the Case, it takes the form of laser beams, which scan out from atop the cab of the tractor, analysing the density and orientation of the swath in a series of rapid pulses. The upshot is that less experienced operators in the cab can still turn out a flawless set of bales, with less stress and less pressure on the entire haymaking chain.
“This technology is built for the unpredictable, yet expected challenges in baling with crooked windrows, and
inconsistent widths and heights,” said Spencer. “The automatic adjustments in steering and speed ensure the bales are consistent and the baler is running at peak performance, avoiding blockages and overfilling.”
The other applications for lidar in tractor autonomy are limitless. From forage harvesters to seed drills, all kinds of agricultural implements could benefit from a tractor that literally knows the lie of the land.
Northland’s farmers are embracing solar to cut energy costs and boost sustainability — and Integrated Electrical & Solar is leading the way.
Established through the merger of Willpower Electrical Services and Jecentho Electrical, Integrated brings years of proven experience in residential solar to now deliver tailored solutions for farms, lifestyle blocks and rural businesses.
Backed by a fully local team, including an in-house inspector, master electricians and SEANZ membership, farmers can trust every installation meets the highest safety and quality standards.
Why choose Integrated Electrical & Solar? Unlike many providers, all work is carried out by qualified, solar-endorsed electricians — not contractors.
That means every system is installed by professionals who understand both electrical compliance and the unique energy needs of rural properties. Farming operations require tailored solutions.
From irrigation and milk cooling to workshops and orchards, we design systems that deliver reliable power and longterm savings.
With energy prices rising, most rural installations pay for themselves in around
five years through lower power bills and improved energy independence.
Finance that works for farmers. Thanks to ASB’s $150,000 interest-free loan options for eligible customers, switching to solar has never been easier.
Farmers can enjoy immediate savings without tying up working capital. We know cash flow is crucial in farming.
Interest-free finance means solar starts paying for itself from day one. Built for the land, robust, weather-resistant systems and
ongoing local support ensure Integrated Electrical & Solar installations keep working for decades.
Our rural clients appreciate dealing with a local team that understands their challenges. No matter the scale, our focus is the same — we design systems that deliver measurable results and long-term reliability.
Engage with the team today on 09 430 0280 or admin@integratedes.co.nz, or peruse the website, integratedes.co.nz for more information.
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by Andy Bryenton
Ford has announced a Super Duty version of the Ranger for 2026; and like the Mustang badge, it’s revitalising a famous name from the company’s heritage.
The original Super Duty Fords were born in the 1950s, when fire departments, forest rangers, oil drillers and construction firms in a booming post-war US demanded a go-anywhere, haul-anything workhorse. Ford responded by creating the almighty 534 V8, one of the biggest and most-powerful petrol engines ever fitted to a mass-produced truck. A whopping 7.3-litre diesel V8 followed in the 1980s, and Super Duty trucks became the go-to machine for emergency services and tough jobs across the states.
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Now Ford has brought back the nameplate, combining it with the winning formula that is the Ranger ute. While the serious petrolheads out there will be crestfallen to hear that a huge 8,700cc 534 does not lurk under the hood, this recently announced Ranger variant lives up to the name in many ways, and won’t lack for power.
The Super Duty has been toughened up from the ground up. A wider stance, more robust chassis, armoured drivetrain, upgraded axles and thicker driveshafts mean that this version of the Ranger is ready to take on the most arduous terrain and emergency situations.
Think of it as the conventional Ranger after a muscle-building stint at the kind of boot camp that makes Full Metal Jacket look like a summer vacation. After talking to first responders, construction crews in remote locations, miners, farmers and more, Ford
has also added eight-stud wheels, a bigger fuel capacity, and factory-fitted 33-inch tyres.
Ground clearance is up, and during testing the unrelenting Ford engineers packed 600kg of mud up into the chassis during extreme durability trials designed to see if the Super Duty would break under pressure. It didn’t.
That’s important, because this Ranger is able to tow 4,500kg. Ford tested this by hauling an excavator behind with all its tools in the tray, and the Super Duty performed as planned.
Ford has not sacrificed safety features or comfort to get to this point of rugged capability.
The Super Duty version of the Ranger will still have touch-screen infotainment, a 360-degree camera and that ‘drives like a car’ ease of use that made the original ute so popular.
Under the hood, there’s a proven three-litre V6 turbo diesel engine, which has been fitted with an upgraded cooling system, made to survive the cruellest conditions in the red lands across the ditch. This cooling power is also useful to keep the Super Duty Ranger going strong under heavy loads.
by Andy Bryenton
Kia has released a ute to contend with the best in the market, following up a dream run of awards victories worldwide with an
that’s distinctly antipodean.
The Kia Tasman has a name that singles it out as a product designed and engineered for Australia and New Zealand, and it’s apparent, when you take a look behind the bold, future-focussed styling of this machine, the company has done its homework. The clever features and distinctive, hyper-modern look of the Tasman are skinned over some seriously tough underpinnings, making this a sweetly balanced combination of ruggedness and aesthetics, ready to do serious work on farms and worksites.
There’s a precedent for the off-road capabilities of the Tasman, because unlike many other ute makers, Kia has form in crafting military vehicles. Since 1973, the South Korean army has turned to Kia for off-roaders to patrol one of the most serious borders in the world. Designing vehicles that are ready to take on a rogue state at a moment’s notice raises the bar for toughness, and further development in the deserts of Dubai and Australia has made the Tasman into a real endurance athlete among its peers.
That means real 4x4 low-ratio capabilities when the going gets tough, 3,500kg of towing grunt and big ground clearance. It also means that there’s 440Nm of torque on tap from a 2.2-litre
turbo-diesel that uses clever tech to match the vigour of bigger motors.
Smart choices have been made when it comes to the interior and features of the Tasman, which boasts clever ideas, such as tool boxes concealed in the wheel arches, a power point and lights in the tray, and perhaps, best of all, a massive amount of room for burly passengers in the cab. The seats might be the most comfortable in any ute on the market, hands down, and there’s no gear shifter in the centre console, leaving it available for acres of space and a fold-out table for either a working lunch or a place to do some on-site laptop work.
On the outside, the looks of the Tasman are bold in the extreme. Forget the Cybertruck, this ute has a practical near-future image, bold and square, exuding a kind of bulldog stance and presence. It’s a manageable size on winding back roads, but with the visual impact of a bigger truck. That means good news for businesses that want to stand out. In a world of cut-stamp ute clones, the Tasman is 1980s Lamborghini brazen. Give it a look soon — you’ll also love the highly competitive price.
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