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NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
Community groups in fund win
September 2026
3
by Paul Campbell
Millions of dollars in value for Northland communities has been generated by Northland Regional Council’s Climate Resilient Communities Fund, a report by Business and Economic Research Limited (BERL) has found. The report covered the fund’s first two years during which it invested $1.17 million across 44 community-led projects spanning food resilience, water security, renewable energy, environmental restoration, and climate preparedness. The report compiled for the council found that for every $1 invested by NRC, the fund generates an estimated $4.59 million in value for Northland. It says the fund’s value lies not in any single project, but in the way these investments work together.
‘
infrastructure. Communities benefit through improved wellbeing and resilience; marae and hapū through strengthened capability and cultural resilience; community leaders through increased knowledge and leadership; and NRC through reduced future infrastructure, environmental and emergency management pressures.’ The report says funded activities include capacity building, community resilience planning, implementation of projects across food, water, energy,
Food, water, energy, environmental restoration, and community capability reinforce one another to build stronger, more self-reliant communities ‘Food, water, energy, environmental restoration, and community capability reinforce one another to build stronger, more self-reliant communities.’ The report says the programme has delivered practical assets, such as water tanks, solar systems, food, orchards and restoration projects, while also strengthening local leadership, mātauranga Māori, preparedness and community connections. ‘These social and cultural benefits are just as important as the physical
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Josie Gritten of the Maungatūroto Edible Village, recipient of NRC funding
greater water and energy security, and the transition to a low-emissions future is more equitable.’ It says the fund also encourages lasting behavioural change by supporting more sustainable and circular practices across the region. ‘At the highest level, the fund contributes to ‘Kia Manawaroa
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September 2026 NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
o t y a w h g i h e h t g n i k Ta
FARM OWNERSHIP by Denise Gunn
A goal of farm ownership is driving Hayden and Anna Tristram forwards as they hit the road with their two young daughters next month, picking up farming-related work as they travel around New Zealand. The Tristram family is ready to hit the road, picking up farm-related work as they travel through New Zealand
A
lready, the pair have jobs lined up through to March 2027, starting with farm-sitting in Dannevirke, followed by work in the Coromandel and Waikato, before they head to the South Island. A 9.5-metre Jayco caravan, shipped from Australia to Auckland, will become a full-time home on wheels for Hayden, Anna, Ariela, 4, and Kiara, 2. In August, the family drove to Auckland in their Ford Ranger towing vehicle, collected the caravan and are making preparations to live in it. Hayden said the girls have already settled in with flying colours. “The caravan is quite spacious, but laundry with two young kids might be a challenge.” The couple met while serving as medics in the New Zealand Army. “Then about 10 years ago, we decided to go farming, and Anna studied teaching.” Hayden was raised on his parents’ 400ha hill country sheep and beef
breeding farm in Hawke’s Bay, while Anna grew up in Wellington. In 2020, the couple began leasing the hill country farm, purchasing 1,500 Romney ewes, 60 Hereford-Friesian breeding cows and 100 R1 bulls. In addition to running the farm, the couple established Floating Peaks, a woollen gardening gift range using their own ewe wool clip. Anna also taught at Central Hawke’s Bay College in Waipukurau. Although the farm eventually sold, the lease continued until May this year. Meantime, Hayden moved to Manawatū in 2025 to take up a farm management position near Halcombe. Anna and the couple’s daughters remained on the Hawke’s Bay farm to finish up before joining him. “When we moved to Manawatū, Anna started relief teaching at Feilding High School up until the end of term two this year. At the beginning of term three, she started with Agri Futures.”
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in, and what type of farm they want to chase. While travelling around in the caravan, and when they aren’t working, Hayden and Anna will make the most of opportunities to show their daughters different areas in New Zealand. “The biggest highlight we are looking forward to is spending time with the kids.” Through using social media accounts named Caravan2Farm, the couple is lining up jobs and hoping to experience a wide range of agricultural and horticultural work. “As soon as we put our first post on social media for anyone who wants work done, the support was really cool. Putting yourself out there on social media is quite daunting. We are open to trying everything. “The goal is to learn and figure out what sort of farm we would like to chase. Then we can focus our efforts in that area,” said Hayden.
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September 2026 NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
Horses of the round table
PART TWO
by Amy Fifita
We continue with Vikki Subritzky’s story of living her mediaeval dream, travelling the country with her horses to showcase jousting and other skills at events.
W
hile living out her passion is one thing, behind the scenes, there are hours of training to get her horses to a premium standard for show, and to have a good life, too. “With the training of a war horse, or any horse for that matter, it’s really about laying a good foundation. To train a horse well is the best thing you can do to ensure it has a good life,” Vikki said. “Ground work and dressage are the base for military training. A horse that is listening to its rider is supple, manoeuvrable, strong and athletic. Then we simply add layers to the horses’ education and give them miles.” Vikki favours a versatile horse, especially one that will spend its whole life with her. Vikki says as a horse develops and matures, its needs change. Her horses are trained to adapt to various
roles and disciplines. All her horses are used for stock work. “Cattle mustering is super for horses. They can have big days with tough country to get over and often have to deal with rank cattle. I school my horses for jumping and attend events as time allows. One of my horses recently returned from working with a Wellington company for a feature film production. “Building a trusting partnership with your horse is part and parcel, whatever your discipline. Four of my homebred horses have been trained for jousting as well as several project horses. “One in particular was Flag, who had Grand Prix dressage capabilities, and if I had that time again with him, I would have pursued it. “Advanced movements came easily to Flag, and at events he always stole the
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Jousting involves various components, from the shift of gravity from the armour to limitations of physical and visual freedom before striking or being struck by your opponent
While Vikki enjoys her small permaculture farm and family who visit, she says horse riding provides time for her to spend with her friends
show, with his Spanish walk, terre-à-terre (canter on the spot), levades and others. He was also very hot, super fun and fast, and gentle with his young riders.”
While horses are a big part of the display, another integral part is the armour. While the garb adds to the theme of the day, it also serves a
NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
September 2026
Vikki says a horse used for jousting must be brave to complete the task of charging forward and having its rider potentially struck with a lance
To protect herself, Vikki Subritzky wears armour when jousting against competitors
purpose: to protect the rider while jousting. “My armour is 14th century, so not too heavy. The kit I wear on a hot summer day is just under 30 kilograms, but I reckon I can drop a few kilos in body weight after a hard day’s jousting. “There are a lot of components to jousting. The shift of gravity from the armour, less physical freedom, limited vision, holding and placement of the lance, striking a moving target and not forgetting the target is striking back. The knight’s shield is the target, and the armour is there in case we miss a little.” With the armour and horses at displays piquing the interest of many, Vikki says she is happy to help people wanting to join the niche sport.
“Squires wanting to joust need to help with events and be able to ride quite well on their own horse. They learn the skill at arms (lance, sword, spear with targets) and progress up the ranks if they choose. It is not for the fainthearted. “I’m happy to work with people who would like to find out more, and the Guild of the Hawk is a great training ground. We bring in our younger horses and have organised training days.” When not travelling and showing her armoured talents in mediaeval sports, you will find Vikki on her small permaculture farm in Pātaua North. “Given the abundance of horse manure, I’ve established a flourishing food forest with about 250 edibles. Over the years, ‘wwoofers’ have been a great
help here, in exchange for a significant learning curve for them. “As well as learning to milk a cow and make cheese, it’s not unusual to have them as ground crew at events. I prefer longer-term students, which enables us to give more depth to their learning, and give them opportunities to use their initiative and the satisfaction of seeing projects finish. “My family enjoy spending time here, and all the grandchildren love horses and riding. While I love working the property, time off the farm is important to me. Horse riding is a great way to spend time with friends, and being involved with the local Whangārei creative arts community events gives the balance needed.” Readers near and far can see Vikki at the Northland Renaissance Faire at 3338 Mititai Road, Arapohue, Northland on January 23 and 24 2027.
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September 2026 NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
Bringing hope
WITH NEW HOMES by Amy Fifita
From rescuing her first farm dog to creating Northland Working Dogs 2nd Chance, dog trainer Britta Waddell has made it her mission to find homes for retired and non-working canines.
O
riginally from Germany, Britta arrived in New Zealand 25 years ago on a working holiday training horses. Meeting her now-husband in NZ, she decided to stay, and her journey with working dogs began when she rescued her first farm dog. “I was training horses on a Bay of Islands farm, and there was a heading dog that didn’t work, and the farmer told me if I wanted him, then I could take him home. I had him for eight years before he passed away,” said Britta. “Then I bought a heading puppy from a farm. I wanted to rescue another heading dog, but the SPCA didn’t have any until a puppy arrived 14 years ago. Then I started dog trialling. “It was hard going in the beginning because I didn’t have a clue what I was doing. The pup I bought was a well-bred farm dog and was a very good worker, but
there were problems. She was too forceful for trialling, so I got another dog with a trialling background.” Entering the dog trialling scene, Britta started noticing that many dogs were shot because of old age or unwillingness to work. Seeing the waste of life didn’t sit right with Britta, and once again, she found herself wanting to rescue unwanted working dogs. “One of the dog triallers, who I was friendly with, had a two-year-old huntaway that didn’t want to work. He didn’t want to shoot her, so I took the dog and found it a home — that was how my rescue mission started. “I contacted Natalie from Retired Working Dogs, who found a home straight away in Eketāhuna. I’d started a shepherding trip on different farms, including one in the Central Plateau, where I met Natalie and handed
While Britta normally homes Northland dogs within Northland, Diego the huntaway found his forever home in Rotorua
the dog over. Over the years, I was approached again and again to rehome dogs. The requests came mainly from farmers at dog trials or the farms I was working on.” With the need there and Britta, a willing rescuer, Natalie and her vet Charles Barnard, encouraged her to make it more official. Since RWDNZ mainly operates further south, her operation makes it easier for Northlanders, who would have had to travel long distances to adopt a farm dog.
“I didn’t want to be with a trust or anything official — it is just me doing it as a favour to farmers and people. I normally rehome for free and want to keep it simple. “Farmers are often happy keeping the dogs until I find a home, but on occasion I will foster if needed. The idea was to help Northland farmers and people willing to adopt a retired or unwilling working dog. I often hear people want to adopt a retired working dog, but are unable to go far south and want something more local.”
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NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
Britta Waddell with Alyson, who has welcomed Lady into her family
With connections to Jo from the SPCA, a former dog kennel and daycare owner, who brought Britta in to exercise a client’s dog, and encouragement from Natalie and Charles, Britta began Northland Working Dogs 2nd Chance. “I picked up the dog to exercise, and Jo and I got to know each other. Jo gave up the daycare and started working for the SPCA. One day she rang me, saying they had a nice year-old heading dog there — the farmer surrendered him because he didn’t want to work. “That’s when I started to foster dogs for the SPCA. I only foster working dogs because I can’t spread myself too thin, and I have just finished fostering a huntaway that was rehomed a month ago. “When rehoming dogs, someone with a lifestyle block is ideal. So far I have been lucky, and normally get dogs from Northland for Northland, but have had Diego (SPCA foster dog), a
September 2026
Both with a heart to care for canines, Jo and Britta work alongside each other to ensure animals can be adopted and put in good homes
Britta had the opportunity to visit Lady and Alyson on their rural property
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Brindle was Britta’s first rescue that she rehomed after the canine was unwilling to work
huntaway go to Rotorua, and a collie go to Hokitika.” The SPCA being the primar y organisation authorised to rescue abused animals adds a sense of security to Britta. Having given many dogs homes over the decades, Britta continues to help farmers and canines, while also raising awareness that there is a life after farm
work. People can reach out to her on the Northland Working Dogs 2nd Chance Facebook page. “I love saving the lives of these dogs. I have five working dogs myself, and they are such beautiful souls. I have a soft spot for them because they work their guts out all their lives — they’re normally well-educated and make fantastic pets.”
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AM 405X Automower® 600 m² 40% (22˚) H AM 405X Automower® • Ideal for small, complex lawns
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879 879
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S138i H S138i Scarifier 36V - 37.5 cm Working Width - 19.5 kg Scarifier (excl. battery) H
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70 70
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From wreckage to renaissance by Andy Bryenton
When Erica and Pete O’Neill took a holiday to Belgium, they paid a special visit to a piece of Baylys Beach maritime history, in the form of a fully-restored sailing vessel reclaimed from the beach, and brought back to its former glory. The Askoy II, a twomasted yacht, was visiting the Vlissingen Maritiem, a museum of seafaring, when the O’Neills dropped in to see her. The neat and oceanready vessel presented a very different face to the wreck, once forming a landmark on the Ripirō coast just outside of Dargaville. “Erica and I have visited the boat a number of times The Askoy II, once a wreck landlocked in over the years when we have Baylys Beach sand, now ready to sail again been in Europe, and followed the restoration as it has progressed. To a new owner. By the 1970s she had come see it finally back in the water is quite to the Pacific, and visited New Zealand for the first time. amazing,” says Peter. “It used to be a Baylys Beach landmark However, a few owners later, and the that we would walk our dog to, never Askoy II ran into trouble. Captained by a dreaming that someone would come drug smuggler, the 20-metre yacht was and rescue the boat and restore it. It was captured by Fijian authorities and put up initially dug out of the sand in December for auction in 1993. Acclaimed maritime 2007 and taken back to Belgium, where journalist Lindsay Wright bought the Askoy the restoration process began. Nearly 20 II, but on the way home to New Zealand years, and a couple of million euros later, he struck a violent storm, and was forced to run aground on Baylys Beach. it is finally complete.” There sat the forlorn hull of this onceAt the Vlissingen Maritiem, Peter was able to catch up with Staf Wittevrongel proud vessel for many years, until in 2004 and his son Bruno. Staf and his brother a band of sailing enthusiasts devised a Piet were the driving force behind plan to rescue the Askoy II and see her initiating the rescue of the Askoy II, and sail once more. With meticulous planning, as noted, it’s an odyssey spanning more and no small amount of local know-how and assistance, the hull was dug out than two decades. The vessel’s life began in 1960, when of the beach and sent back to Nieuwe she was commissioned by a renowned Scheldewerven, near Antwerp. Belgian architect, and given the name Fifteen years of volunteer labour and of a picturesque island off the coast of love went into bringing the Askoy II back Norway. Adventures sailing the Baltic, the to life, and now the corroded shell, the North Sea and around the top of Scotland O’Neills remember from their walks on took up the Askoy II’s early years, after the beach, is a fine vessel, dedicated to which she headed to tropical waters with introducing people to the joys of sailing.
Spaces available on Tours in 2027 Please contact us if you would like an info pack
NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
September 2026
ADVERTORIAL
Think berberine, think blood sugar by John Arts
Your body has finely-tuned systems for turning food into usable energy. Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, or blood sugar, which enters the bloodstream. The pancreas then releases insulin, the hormone that helps move glucose from the blood into cells, where it can be used for fuel. Too much blood sugar and cell insulin resistance can become a serious problem. Surplus glucose can attach to proteins and fats in the bloodstream forming harmful compounds causing inflammation and tissue damage. This damage is a real concern in pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes, particularly when it affects blood vessels and nerves. While we can store some blood sugar as glycogen, excess glucose (blood sugar) is converted into triglycerides, a type of fat, and released into the bloodstream to be stored as body fat. This is why weight gain and raised triglyceride levels can be signs of poor blood sugar control. The best way to support healthy blood sugar control is to follow a diet low in sugar and carbohydrates, while focussing on low-starch plant foods, healthy fats, and protein. For more information, contact me for an email copy of my healthy eating guide.
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Two supplements can be helpful while making these diet changes: a highquality, water-soluble berberine extract and the mineral chromium polynicotinate. Berberine and chromium both play key roles in blood sugar metabolism. Berberine supports AMPK (AMPactivated protein kinase) often described as the body’s “energy switch”. AMPK helps maintain healthy blood sugar balance by reducing further glucose production and encouraging glucose to move out of the bloodstream and into cells for energy. Chromium supports insulin receptor function, helping cells take up glucose more effectively. Choose a water-soluble berberine extract where possible, as it may improve absorption and reduce the digestive discomfort sometimes associated with standard berberine extracts. John Arts (Adv.Dip.Nut.Med) is a qualified nutritional medicine practitioner. To read more by John and find out more about the Abundant Health products, visit healthhouse.co.nz, call 0800 140 141, or email john@healthhouse.co.nz.
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11
COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS NEWS YOU CAN TRUST
12
September 2026
NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
SPRING BUILD OR RENOVATE Solar panels and easier installation by Andy Bryenton
It’s a bold ambition: ACT leader David Seymour’s crusade against ‘red tape’ has seen an announcement last week that New Zealand might soon be the easiest place in the developed world to install solar panels. The coalition government has agreed to progress the recommendations of a report from the Ministry for Regulation, which blasted the consent process for photovoltaic solar in residential and small-scale applications, saying that some simple installs require up to six sign-offs and visits from four inspectors. That’s too much, according to Mr Seymour and Energy Minister Simeon Brown, who say they’d like to see a raft of changes. “Kiwis need access to reliable and affordable energy, but approval for solar panels can take months. The report’s recommendations will make solar an easy option for Kiwi families,” Mr Seymour says. One of the ideas coming to these shores is plug-in solar, an easy method for getting the power of the sun into homes and into the grid. These portable panels are a perfect fit for those renting property, as they can be plugged in or out, moved, and set up with the same ease as a Starlink satellite modem, another piece of popular plug-in infrastructure gaining traction in rural New Zealand.
“The government will legalise plug in solar because there was no good reason for preventing Kiwis using it,” said Seymour. “Plug-in systems can be used by renters and people living in apartments who can’t access traditional rooftop solar. If they’re good enough for Germany and the UK, they’re good enough for us.” The two ministers have embraced the recommendations of the Ministry for Regulation’s Sector Review Report, and focus on the figures, which tell a definitive story. “Once all the recommendations are implemented, installation approvals for residential solar will be reduced from about $640 and three months, down to $200 and six days,” says Mr Seymour. “For small–medium scale solar, such as a farmer installing panels on a milking shed, it would reduce installation approvals from up to $11,000 and six months, down to $1,300 and one month.” Simeon Brown approaches the issue from the perspective of lower power bills and greater energy security. Power price rises have outstripped inflation by
Solar installs are going to become less expensive and easier to process, with less permits and costs
almost double in recent years, putting the squeeze on a population already burdened with a general cost-of-living crisis. Solar power is seen as a granular, personalised fix which can help ease this pressure. “Plug-in solar will also be a gamechanger for people who rent, meaning
people will be able to buy a plug-in solar kit and take it with them if they move house. The power of the sun is there to be harnessed. Implementing these recommendations will help people do that, and feel the benefits in their household budgets,” Mr Brown says.
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NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
September 2026
13
SPRING BUILD OR RENOVATE Home is where the show is by Andy Bryenton
The Auckland Home Show is the biggest of its kind, a monster event spanning four days and bringing a world of style and substance to the public. seminars from industry experts and Hundreds of companies will insiders. You’ll find a full schedule bring their latest and greatest to the ASB Showgrounds for the 2026 from 10.30am until 6.30pm daily, covering topics as varied as the show; 450 in all. There’s high practicalities of saving money with technology in the form of projectors and laser televisions, 3D printing solar power, renovation hacks and tips, interior design trends, how to and scanning devices, advanced gain compliance for big DIY projects, security systems and time-saving flooring ideas, kitchen makeovers appliances. Tools are on offer and bathroom brilliance. to tackle any task from heavy Homes are for families, and construction to precision painting. Spring is just around the corner, and that means the home show is too. On Sunday There’s artwork to grace your walls, it’s Auckland Home Show time. Get inspired, then call there will be special activities, and the relaxations of spa pools, your local tradespeople to share your vision entertainment and attractions for saunas and luxurious furniture. It’s impossible not to walk away inspired. projects that you can try, and when you’re young patrons, allowing busy parents As well as packing in a whole done you can take them home with you. to combine a practical visit to the show showgrounds full of exhibitors, Then there’s the new home with some family time. Come along for showcasing the cutting edge of building marketplace area, where local artists and free face painting, a free kid’s art station technology and style, the Auckland Home creative artisans will assemble a gallery where youngsters can craft their own bugs Show also provides a chance to try new of fresh ideas and innovations that are and blooms, a colouring competition, and things, build new skills, and have some beyond the mainstream. A curated blend Easy As workshops hosted by the good fun. A key feature of the 2026 show is of decor, art, interior design and even folks at Mitre 10. Mark your calendar for September the Ryobi tools’ Make + Take area, where ecological concepts such as eco-friendly instructors will be on hand to walk you bean bag filling, the home market is full 10, 11, 12 and 13 — just days away. By the time you hit the home show at through their wide range of power tools. of bright ideas. They’ll not only show you what’s new in Visiting the Auckland Home Show ASB Showgrounds, spring will be in full portable DIY power; there are hands-on also gives you access to four days of swing, so now’s the time to take a look
at your home and decide what needs to change. The show will provide ample opportunities to replace it with fresh and trendy new concepts.
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14
September 2026 NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
SPRING BUILD OR RENOVATE Prepping for spring projects by Amy Fifita
As we step into the last month of winter, it is time to start thinking about how we plan to experience our summer, be it under a pergola or around a newly constructed raised garden bed. The upcoming spring season provides new opportunities for landowners to improve their land and lifestyle in the
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form of social spaces and garden addons. Perhaps it is putting a cabin to use as a craft space, or a place for your teenager to sleep. Whatever it is, now is a good time to get ahead of the game. Popular spring projects include fire pits, wooden art pieces, raised garden beds, deck construction, cabins, tree benches, bird houses and so on. With many options to choose from, thinking ahead to what you want your summer months to be like. Whether it is spending time with family and friends, a nice relaxed rest from the business of life or wanting to hide away to get into your hobbies. Create a plan and take an inventory of the materials and tools needed, and other considerations like needing a tradesperson at some point for tasks, especially electrical work. Planning and obtaining ahead of time can help home handypeople avoid the crowd and high demand of certain items. With materials and tools ready, the only limitations are time and the weather.
Looking ahead and preparing for your outdoor projects now can help save time for the spring start
With El Niño winter conditions in effect, projects could even start early, or homeowners could take advantage of a sunny day to take measurements of the work area. Preparation work like clearing the area can be done ahead of time, too, if the weather permits. While some are digging their teeth into the possibilities of their backyard, others already have their dream outdoor spaces,
but as with all good things, maintenance is a must. Right now is a great time to be taking stock of what needs replacing, repairing, weeding or demolishing and starting anew. With the warm months in our sights, social occasions and outdoor time are calling. Putting the effort in now can save time and get the property to where you want it.
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NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
September 2026
15
SPRING BUILD OR RENOVATE Put up in a day?
GAS WORKS & PLUMBING LIMITED
by Liz Clark
Recently, I moved from Kaipara down to North Otago, after selling up and moving to be closer to my adult children, with the idea of a smaller block of land and home.
PLUMBING AND GASFITTING CONTRACTORS
The idea was great, and still is. However, there’s that thing they call Murphy’s law when it comes to building a home. You might have seen the advertisements popping up on your social media feed full of wonderful visions of expandable homes you can put up in a day. Watch out for it — buyer beware. Being more aware of how buildings are put together, I weighed up the cost of a new home versus an expandable one. Down here in North Otago, the cost for every square metre is around $3,900, thus making a home from the ground up expensive and, in my case, out of reach. So I went for an expandable home, choosing a company that was well established and had good reviews. It also had actual premises and the ‘built in one day’ catchphrase was firmly put as four months or more. Be warned — everything has to be upgraded to be compliant with the New Zealand Building Code, and that’s just for the building. Allow at least an extra $20,000 for upgrades to meet the standards. Then add in the requirement to now have interlinked smoke alarms as
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Currently, we’re now in the process of having the wastewater and stormwater systems designed by an engineer. The next stage is the provision of a compliant driveway plan, architect’s drawings and detailed information on framing, insulation ratings and so on. We’ll keep readers posted on progress. Before you go ahead with the big idea, visit the Building Performance website and use the keyword search ‘granny flats exemption’.
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16
September 2026
NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
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NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
September 2026
17
SPRING BUILD OR RENOVATE ADVERTORIAL
A plan to stay on your land Maintaining a lifestyle property is difficult as we age. Take Mary’s story. After years of hard work and sacrifice, Mary and her husband left the city and bought some land carved off a farm. They planted the trees, built the house, added a few animals, enjoyed large gardens and a huge shed. Life was wonderful; it wasn’t easy, but it was great. He became sick, improved, then got sick again. Now it’s just Mary, alone, on the land they loved and toiled together. Her children hope to visit more often; they live far away and are managing their own lives. The grandchildren want to keep the property forever. Mary didn’t know how long she could make it work by herself. Generally, people on lifestyle blocks are highly capable and successful in life. They’ve worked hard, moved to the country and developed a stunning property. Their kids love to visit and bring their own children to feed the chooks and play with the lambs. Life is great — until it isn’t. GroundsCARE’s Doug Vause knows many lifestylers who struggle to maintain their land.
Doug Vause
With Mary, Doug developed a personalised PropertyCARE maintenance plan. Now, Mary is confident to stay years longer, but without the stress. Doug is a trusted groundsman who
cares for his clients. He excels at picking which priorities save his clients time, money and effort in the long run. GroundsCARE specialises in lifestyle property maintenance: mowing, restoring paddocks to lawns, renovating rural driveways, tree care, organising and managing other trades as needed. GroundsCARE’s PropertyCARE maintenance plan helps with family succession. Your family partners with a solid business to maintain your land through the in-between years. The plan helps Mary and her family budget for outdoor maintenance expenses, confident in who does the work. Family work parties are fun these days, and the young ones help with outdoor work on “their land!” The PropertyCARE maintenance plan might be the much-needed bridge to keep your land in the family. Have a no-obligation PropertyCARE maintenance plan chat with Doug. Book a call today, and he’ll take care of your rest.
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18
September 2026
NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
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you want to live. Early input from planners, engineers, surveyors and ecologists ensures site, design and consent requirements are considered together. 3. Plan for the full process Building a home involves design, consenting and construction stages. Our team coordinates each stage to reduce the risk of redesign, delays and unexpected costs. Considering a new home? B o o k a n o b l i g a t i o n - f re e c a l l with your local team at Cato Bolam today.
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NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
September 2026
19
SPRING BUILD OR RENOVATE ADVERTORIAL
Built by locals, for locals
Building in the Far North is about more than choosing a home design. It’s about understanding the land, the climate and the lifestyle that make this part of New Zealand so unique. From coastal sections and rural lifestyle blocks to growing communities, every section is different. That’s why local knowledge is so important. GJ Gardner Homes has been building throughout the Far North since 1998, helping hundreds of local families create homes that suit both their section and the way they want to live. Today, franchise owners, Tom and Linda Loosley, continue that commitment, combining strong local connections with the backing of New Zealand’s most trusted home builder. With Tom’s family roots in Russell and the Bay of Islands, the opportunity to return to Northland and build homes in the region was a natural fit. Whether you’re building your first home, a rural lifestyle property or a completely custom design, every project starts with a conversation. The team takes the time to understand your section, your lifestyle and your plans for the future, ensuring every home is thoughtfully designed around the people who will live in it. As a locally-owned and operated business, GJ Gardner Homes Far North offers the personalised service and local
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COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS NEWS YOU CAN TRUST
20
September 2026
NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
RURAL CONTRACTORS & SUPPLIERS
Award winner lands in New Zealand by Andy Bryenton
Winner of the prestigious Red Dot Design Award, the new Case IH Puma range of tractors hit New Zealand shores ready to pile into spring tasks on the farm, loaded with new technology. The Case IH Puma now comes in 155, 165 and 185-horsepower models, with a common wheelbase and a suite of precision technology features designed
to allow integration with a wider suite of implements. Increasingly, mid-sized tractors are being asked to utilise more complex, power-intensive implements in the field, and this is a subsector where versatility is key. Cue10% the Case development team, SAVE off IH your 1st which focussed on ease of operation order codeand engine as wellwith as fuelthe efficiency advancements to make the new crop of Puma tractors stand out. They hearkened at checkout 31/01/25 back to theuntil heritage of the badge name, which originally came from Case IH’s Heirloom herb & flower seeds. SAVE 10% offvegetable, your 1st 1980s acquisition of the Steiger brand, Sow & with Grow Proudly NZa new family owned. order theGuarantee. code and crafted generation exemplifying SAVE 10% off your 1st the multi-role legacy of the Puma. “farmlife” order with the code at checkout until 31/12/26 A 20 per cent tighter turning radius "farmlife" has been achieved, and the geometry Heirloom vegetable,atherb & flower seeds. checkout until 31/01/25 of the front axle and suspension has Sow & Grow Guarantee. Heirloom vegetable, herb & flower seeds. Proudly NZ family Sow & Grow Guarantee. Proudlyowned. NZ family owned. been modified with a new saddle layout, givingfor the Puma stability at higher speeds FREE shipping NZ wide orders $75+ for on-road transit between jobs. Case IH engineers have also overhauled the FREE shipping NZ wide for orders $75+ braking system for more responsiveness, FREE shipping NZ wide for WWW.GROWYOURS.NZ and refined what was already a highlyorders $75+ (up to 3kgs) regarded transmission system to allow for WWW.GROWYOURS.NZ even more precise implement control, as
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well as a smooth ride. Even more attention was given to the cab — now an even nicer place to spend a day’s work. “ T h e s e n ew P u m a models now offer all of the technology that previously only the higher horsepower models delivered,” said Seamus McCarthy, Case IH’s product and portfolio manager for their mediumsized tractors in Australia and New Zealand. “Now customers can benefit from exceptional comfort, operational efficiency and performance in a smaller wheelbase machine. These next-generation Puma machines have also been independently tested by DLG for fuel consumption, with results of 243g/ kWhr showing best-in-class performance. “Combined with the efficiencies of the technology package and extended service intervals, the operational savings and lower cost of ownership are significant for customers.”
Versatility, as we’ve mentioned, is the heart and soul of the appeal for a medium-sized tractor, and the Puma range has hit a sweet spot which makes this machine a valuable companion for livestock and vegetable crop farmers in equal measure. It’s also a Swiss Army Knife option to add to a contractor’s fleet. With a Red Dot Design Award already in the cabinet, the Puma 155, 165 and 185 are available now in New Zealand, and ready to make an impact this spring.
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NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
September 2026
21
RURAL CONTRACTORS & SUPPLIERS
Freshwater farm plan audits may go by Andy Bryenton
As part of the select committee process, changes have been made to a contentious topic in agriculture legislation — the freshwater farm plan system. The select committee has agreed to amend the legislation to remove the requirement for a non-certified farm plan to be audited. This is seen as a major breakthrough for farmers, and a possible area where the promised removal of red tape is coming to fruition. “This change supports the riskbased and practical approach for farm plans,” says Associate Environment and Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard. He opined the current RMA and its strict provisions have “held up development and caused frustration for farmers, homeowners, iwi, councils and others. “Only those farms undertaking activities with a higher identified risk to freshwater will be required to have a certified and audited freshwater farm plan.” Farmers with lower risk activities will still need to prepare and hold a farm plan, and declare they have one to the council, but they will not need to have it certified or audited. That’s less work, cost and time for a large number of farms. The changes still support protection
“There is a role for freshwater farm plans in the new planning system,” says Andrew Hoggard; but mandatory audits are out for many farms after select committee changes
of critical waterways, as in sensitive catchments, freshwater farm plans may be used to align with environmental rules or regulations. Farmers can opt to have their plans certified and audited at
any time, if that’s required for access to specific markets. “Farm plans will be straightforward for most farmers to develop, giving them a practical way to identify, manage and reduce the impacts of farming on their land and freshwater,” said Hoggard. “We’ve heard from farmers that they want a system that’s cost-effective, restores cer tainty, and provides environmental protections without the delays of the old RMA. I believe we’ve achieved that.” The select committee report on the Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill came through in mid-July, and the comments and changes recommended by that body have been welcomed by the architects of the RMA’s replacement. “These bills are central to this government’s plan to grow the economy and back our farmers,” says Agriculture Minister Todd McClay. “For too long the RMA has added cost, delay and uncertainty for the people who grow and produce New Zealand’s food
and fibre. Replacing it with a system that is practical, proportionate, and focussed on outcomes is good news for farmers and for the wider economy. “I’m pleased to see the select committee has listened to the sector and refined how freshwater farm plans will work in practice.”
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22
September 2026
NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
RURAL CONTRACTORS & SUPPLIERS
What future for organic produce? by Andy Bryenton
With more than $1 billion in revenue generated each year by organic produce, a plan to grow this sector of the rural economy is vital, and it’s a subject getting some scrutiny with a regulatory overhaul in the pipeline. Core to plans to update the rules surrounding organic farming is the possibility of boosting the limit on organic business turnover, above which a farmer would have to be approved as an operator. The suggestion of boosting this from $10,000 to $30,000 could be in line with the modern realities of being a small-scale organic producer for niche products, and avoid red tape. Additionally, there’s a call for New Zealand to consider a single, overarching
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organic mark. Those who qualify to use the mark would be certified organic, boosting customer confidence and allowing for a strong showing internationally. Unity and clear rules would encourage investment. Currently, five or more respected thirdparty organic certifiers exist across the nation. Associate Minister of Agriculture Mike Butterick announced public consultation on these and a number of smaller procedural changes in mid-August, calling for grassroots input from the organic farming community to shape how government agencies support the sector. “New Zealand’s wider organic sector is worth $1.18 billion, with exports of more than $606 million fuelled by global demand for premium and sustainablyproduced products,” Mr Butterick said. “We want to build on that strong foundation and maximise opportunities for regional communities.” To qualify as organic, Kiwi produce must already meet strict ecological criteria, including no use of synthetic chemical
weedkillers and insecticides, no artificial fertilisers, the deployment of natural pest management, natural compost and natural manures. Geneticallymodified organisms are prohibited from being deemed organic, and there’s an added level of scrutiny on the long-term protection of the soil, its microbiome and general health. Mr Butterick reinforced the fact that the Ministry for Primary Industries has worked closely with organic farmers throughout the development of previous legislation, such as the Organic Products and Production Act 2023. It’s reported that the MPI will be on schedule for a March 31 2028 deadline, beyond which it will be illegal to label any product as organic if it does not comply with the rules. Now, with regulations in place and standards close to completion, it’s time for feedback from those on the front lines of organic production. If you are involved with organic produce farming, or in the rural sector in general, please take a look and have your say via the MPI portal
Stay in the race with limeROC OK, so your stock is never in a hurry to get to the shed but at least they’ll get there with their feet in better condition. Limestone is easier on cow’s feet than hard metal and can be used as a capping if needed. We supply a variety of sizes quarry run, crushed 100mm and 50mm and its great for tanker tracks and works a treat on driveways too. Ask for PARKER LIMEROC at your local Farmlands store for your next application!
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at mpi.govt.nz/consultations. Search ‘proposed changes to New Zealand’s organic regulations’ to read the proposals and submit your thoughts, through until September 22.
NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
September 2026
23
RURAL CONTRACTORS & SUPPLIERS
Building brick by brick by Andy Bryenton
There’s a solidity and beauty to brick construction, but there’s practicality, too. Brick buildings from the dawn of time have endured, as have whole castles and stately homes made of fired clay and ingenuity. The oldest bricks come from Tell Aswad, high up the Tigris river in modern Iraq. There, the thick river clay would harden in the sun, and locals took note that during the dry summer, the river banks became hard as stone. Shaping the clay and mud into squares, they made a building material which was easier to work with than rock, harder than timber, and in seemingly inexhaustible supply. The huge stepped pyramids of the Mesopotamians were built using these mud-bricks, and they worked amazingly well in a dry and arid land, but even better when treated with fire. The brick kiln allowed ancient kings to build walls that repelled armies, and legendary monuments too. The hanging gardens of Babylon used glazed and fired bricks that channelled water for this early hydroponic marvel. At about the same time, fired redclay bricks were invented in China, of a surprisingly similar size to the ones we’d recognise from modern houses.
If you were a Roman soldier, you might have spent more time making bricks than fighting barbarians. Each legion carried its own portable brick kiln, and gates, bath houses, aqueducts and forts stamped with the seal of the emperor on each brick are found across Europe. Just before (and during) the industrial revolution, huge brick factories dominated the trade in England. Red bricks, of the kind we see in classical brick and tile houses, became the norm for an odd reason in the late 1600s. London was being rebuilt after the fire of 1666, and wood was no longer allowed. The novelty of trade with China had brought the bright red bricks mentioned earlier to British attention, and the colour was chosen to make buildings stand out in London fog, and to stop the new brick buildings appearing dark and soot-smeared, in an era when the great metropolis ran on wood and coal fires. Modern brickmaking might use traditional methods, but can
Herstmonceux Castle was built in the time of Shakespeare, when red brick, inspired by oriental and Indian techniques, was being embraced to replace Tudor wood-and-plaster construction
also employ a so-called hyperpress. In this high-pressure forming machine, a tiny amount of cement, about nine per cent of the brick and a tiny amount of pigment for aesthetics are combined with crushed waste rock. This recycled concrete is crushed up into powder and added to waste products from smelting.
Fly ash from burning waste to generate energy is also sometimes used, sealing it up out of environmental cycles. This can make up 90 per cent of a modern brick, and it’s hard to tell the difference. The other major oddity is that there’s no kiln at all, just the enormous pressure exerted by hydraulics.
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24
September 2026
NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
RURAL CONTRACTORS & SUPPLIERS
Farm scholarships on offer by Paul Campbell
The Ministry for Primary Industries is seeking applicants for a scholarship programme helping to boost on-the-ground support for farmers and growers with six opportunities of $5,000 each.
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“There’s a total of $30,000 for the 2027 academic year,” said MPI’s director of On Farm Support Chad Hoggard. “Applicants must have completed, or be completing, their first year of study and be enrolled in relevant agriculture, horticulture, science, forestry or viticulture degrees. “The On Farm Support Science Scholarships back tertiary students with a genuine interest in pursuing a career in the primary industry advisory sector. It’s the fourth year we have run the programme. Ensuring farmers and growers are supported to boost productivity and profitability are essential to double the value of exports.”
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One of the 2026 scholarship recipients, Massey University student Ella Hogan aspires to work as a farm adviser in the sheep and beef sector. “Receiving the scholarship has given me confidence that I’m heading in the right direction. The financial support has made a huge difference, helping with studyrelated costs and travel expenses. “The highlight has been the mentoring and support I have received from MPI’s On Farm Support team. My mentor has helped connect me with valuable opportunities, discussion groups, and people who have shared their knowledge and experiences.” Another 2026 recipient, Lincoln University student Fraser Wilson, Chad Hoggard, MPI On Farm Support director said: “The programme has shown me the important role advisers play sector, with the remainder still studying. supporting farmers and growers to make Applications for the scholarships close informed decisions.” at 5pm on Monday, September 28. Six former scholarship recipients have Further information is on the On Farm secured employment across the primary Support website.
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We are releasing plants for a new commercial pineapple crop in 2026. We see this crop as the start of a new industry in NZ. We estimate this crop will give returns better than any fruit crop currently grown in NZ with a massive bonus in the sixth year, repaying your entire investment plus a huge surplus ongoing.
A Partnership option is being offered to make it 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 its hot summers. Pineapples don’t require irrigation or shelter. The returns for this crop are exceptional.
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NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
September 2026
25
RURAL CONTRACTORS & SUPPLIERS
Beware the risk of leptospirosis by Colin Hannah, Northland Federated Farmers President
I want to remind readers of the risk of leptospirosis and the heightened chance of it lurking on the land and in our waterways given how much the serovars love wet weather. Leptospirosis is too prevalent in Northland and can be chronically physically debilitating, if not deadly. On-farm risks are higher in the spring as we are more exposed because of the nature of the jobs, calving cows, cleaning calf houses, cleaning feed bins, flooding, ponding and more. According to WorkSafe, leptospirosis is the most common work-related infectious disease in New Zealand. People generally catch leptospirosis from exposure to the urine of infected animals, including farm, domestic, and feral animals, or urine-contaminated soil and water. Infection can occur in numerous ways, including cuts in the skin or through the eyes, nose or mouth. What is worth being mindful of is that sickness from leptospirosis usually starts with flu-like symptoms, and if not treated quickly can be severe and result in hospitalisation, long-term illness, or even death. The people most at risk are those who come into close contact with
animals and are exposed to their urine, body fluids, or flesh, especially in wet environments. So, it is critical to be ultra mindful of hygiene and the need to keep cuts cleaned and covered. Collaboration group dinners The next round of collaboration group dinners is about to kick off with the first on Thursday, 10 September at Waimamaku. This will be followed by dinners at Hakaru Hall on October 22, Eastern United Rugby Football Union on November 12, and Mid-Northern Rugby Club on December 3. These events are hosted by Rural Support Te Tai Tokerau and a number of leading rural organisations and businesses. They are a chance for you to get off farm for a few hours and join likeminded folk for a free meal within your local community. I look forward to seeing you there. Bird flu H5N1 While the risk of bird flu to humans is low, it is important to control risk through
good hygienic practices, while also being aware of possible symptoms by checking out the following website — birdflu.pianz. org.nz. It is important that human risk be controlled through good hygienic practices. On-farm or on your lifestyle block, it is safer to keep your hens locked up and ensure birds cannot get to the hens’ feed. H5N1 is a viral disease impacting avian populations, and it has impacted some other mammalian species. This disease is not considered to be zoonotic — in other words, transferable to humans. The MPI website is regularly updated with information on bird flu. The blast of frosts This winter has seen a handful of really severe frosts, and Northland now looks like a patchwork quilt as the frosts have killed the kikuyu. Clover and ryegrass will get moving when soil temperatures get above 10 degrees but kikuyu will take longer.
With talk of a potential drought, I encourage all landowners to lock up paddocks to make supplementary feed.
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26
September 2026 NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
AUTO & MARINE
The good times roll on by Andy Bryenton
Toyota celebrates 60 years of presence in New Zealand for 2026, and it’s a birthday which has a special resonance with millions of Kiwi motorists. “Our place in New Zealand has been shaped over time by listening to customers, understanding how they live and work, and earning their trust through our products and the service we deliver. We’re grateful for that trust and it’s not something we take for granted,” says Toyota New Zealand CEO Tatsuya Ishikawa That place includes numerous superlatives: Toyota enjoys the status of a ‘most trusted’ brand, and for 38 out of those past 60 years it has been the bestselling auto brand in the nation. You’ll see
“
and little touchstones of shared history, too. The ‘indestructible’ Hilux ads of the 1980s made Barry Crump’s face at least as famous as his ripping yarns had done. Adventures in Land Cruisers, road trips in Camry wagons past rolling fields, student flat moves accomplished in KP Starlets and driving tests passed in first Corollas are indelibly inked on the national psyche. Still, the automaker is not content to rest on its laurels, however impressively gilded. “Toyota’s philosophy is centred on the Japanese concept of Kaizen, or continuous
Toyota’s philosophy is centred on the Japanese concept of Kaizen the depth of feeling that Toyota commands when you look through the classifieds for Toyota models now considered classics. The price of an original Celica GT-4, an AW11 MR-2 sports car or even the legendary K-series-powered Corolla might make you do a double take, especially if, like so many Kiwis, you once drove one of these cars. That’s because they are loved. People’s eyes light up with passion for their projects, classics and survivors. There are Toyota stories across the length and breadth of New Zealand,
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improvement, and a ‘hospitality’ mindset. For us, this means we’re always looking at how we can do things better for the people who rely on us,” says Mr Ishikawa. “This philosophy is really brought to life in our local teams, which are part of the same communities as our customers. They put in the work at a grassroots level to not just sell cars, but to show up every day for the communities they serve.” Progress comes in many forms, and Toyota is poised on the brink of a new expansion for 2026. The monstrous
This 1960s Corolla is the kind of ground-breaking small vehicle that turned heads when the brand landed in New Zealand in 1966 — it’s a beloved classic today, still going strong
GR-GT has proven that it can step into the octagon with the big boys of high performance. A new, all-electric Hilux (featured in this edition) points to an energy-smart future. Hydrogen experimentation and implementation are very much of Toyota’s mind, as is the pursuit of more utility, comfort and safety. They’ll never forget their roots, though,
and exciting cars continue to be hinted at. For example, a rumoured new MR-2 midengined two-seater has been reported hitting Japanese tracks in full camo. With 60 stores nationwide, and a fleet spanning the suburbs to the wild hinterland, Toyota is in it for the long haul. Thankfully, reliability and longevity are two qualities the company is renowned for.
NEW-GENERATION
TEST DRIVE TODAY WHANGĀREI 67 Porowini Ave, Morningside Ph: 09 430 4360
NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
September 2026
AUTO & MARINE
27
Power player takes the field by Andy Bryenton
Toyota’s Hilux is a benchmark in New Zealand, the yardstick many people, especially farmers, measure other utility vehicles by. An example of the esteem in which this creation of rubber and steel is held was a 40-year-old Hilux on display at the Northland Field Days this year that prompted heartfelt yarns, wild reminiscences, and more than one offer to purchase (the owner would never part with it). This fond regard makes it tricky to change the formula of the Hilux, and expectations spiked when a BEV model broke cover. After all, the government itself was touting the rise of electric utes a whole election cycle ago, and Toyota has
EV UFO. It’s recognisable as the son of Hilux generations past. Slip into the cabin, and aside from the seats being some of the most comfortable I’ve experienced, there’s nothing that screams future shock. The information on the dash is bold and easy to read. You can delve into torque vectoring and statistics regarding performance and range, but the dials would make sense to a motorist from any era. They’d love the big navigation screen, and the ability to snap to adaptive cruise control with a new, simpler system, too. Add in a very
It’s got the presence, the heft, the goanywhere look and the curbside appeal not rushed the Hilux to market as the first BEV utility on the block. Instead, there’s the sense that they have measured thrice and cut with precision, crafting something performing a magic trick many electric vehicles can’t accomplish. Walk up to it, and it’s definitively a Hilux. It’s got the presence, the heft, the go-anywhere look and the curbside appeal, which have made this brand stand out, ever since Crumpy and Scotty hit the bush trails on our old vacuum-tube TV sets. It’s not weirdly futurist. It’s not an
comprehensive reversing camera and you’ve got what you need, in all the right intuitive places. Most of all, I suspect that any motorist, no matter their internal combustion fixation, will appreciate the driving experience. The new Hilux will go 315 kilometres on a charge, it will tow 2,000kg, and its dual motors are good for 144 kilowatts. What this translates to, behind the wheel, is a drive which has only two differences from that of a conventional Hilux. First, there’s no noise. It’s surprising
The Toyota Hilux BEV — an electric ute which feels evolved and fit for purpose
how quickly this gets tuned out and is no longer odd. Then there’s the other factor — you’ll never need a petrol pump. In short, praise for the new Hilux BEV is high indeed, because it amounts to this — it feels like a Toyota Hilux. The calibration, tuning and fettling required to make this work, with a whole new form of motive power, is quietly magical and understatedly triumphant. You don’t adapt. The technology has. You don’t adjust. Toyota has made adjustments.
Back in the 1980s, a certain red Hilux became the yardstick by which Kiwis measure utes. The Hilux BEV might just be the measure of every electric utility that comes along after. That means it’s time to test drive the example that sets the curve, like we did on the mixture of winding lanes, new subdivisions, honest rural gravel and fresh motorway near Matakana. It felt right at home on all of them.
BEV
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28
September 2026
NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
FRONT CARRIER
3,900
$
HANDLE BAR PROTECTOR
EX GST
NEW
REAR CARRIER
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9,990
$
NEW MODEL
EX GST
10,990
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$
11,990
$
EX GST
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29,990
$
EX GST
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• 408cc Single-cylinder engine, 33hp • Bosch EFI • Spiral spring oil shock absorber • CVT with engine braking • 612kg Tow cpty • Available in Gedanite Grey
• 408cc Single-cylinder engine, 33hp • Bosch EFI • 2500Ib winch • Power steering • CVT with engine braking • 612kg Tow cpty • Available in Cypress Green
• 498cc Single-cylinder engine, 39hp • Bosch EFI • 2500Ib winch • Power steering • CVT with engine braking • 612kg Tow cpty • Available in Magma Red
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2.99% FINANCE
2.99% FINANCE
2.99% FINANCE
2.99% FINANCE
20,750
$
EX GST
• 580cc Single-cylinder engine, 41hp • CVT • Power Steering • Half Doors • Full Windscreen • 680 Tow cpty • Available in Velocity Grey
25,750
$
EX GST
• 998cc 3-cylinder with VVT engine, 90hp • Two power modes: normal or work • CVT • Progressive power steering • 1,134kg Tow cpty • Available in Forest Green
Maungaturoto Motorcycles
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33,990
$
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SMART FARMING, SMART FINANCING Low 2.99%* P.A with CFMOTO Finance over 24 months
*2.99% p.a. interest rate fixed for the 24-month term of the loan. An upfront deposit of 1/3 of the RRP, a $130 UDC establishment fee, a $10.35 PPSR fee, a monthly maintenance fee of $2 and a $300 dealer origination fee apply. Two further payments of 1/3 of the RRP are to be paid on the 12-month loan anniversary and the 24-month loan anniversary. This offer is only available on U10 PRO XL, U10 PRO, U10 PRO HIGHLAND, UFORCE 1000 EPS LE, UFORCE 800XL, UFORCE 600 EPS FARMSPEC, UFORCE 600 EP, UFORCE U6 EV, CFORCE 520 EPS, CFORCE 400 EPS models purchased between 20th January 2026 and the 30th June 2026 (while stocks last). The
loan is provided by UDC Finance Limited. UDC’s lending criteria, standard terms and conditions apply. This offer is available through Approved CFMOTO dealers only and cannot be used in conjunction with any other discounts ^ Up to 110km on a single charge: achieves a range of up to 110km at a constant speed of 30-40 km/h after a full charge, under temperatures of 20-25°C. ~Estimated 6.5hr charge time with a 15Amp charger from 0-100% under ideal conditions of 20-25°C. The UFORCE U6 EV is covered by a 2 Year Vehicle Warranty and a 5 Year Unlimited Km Power Battery Warranty.
NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
September 2026
AUTO & MARINE
29
Back to the future by Rayden Gegera
Honda has released its latest new bike, the 2026 CB1000F, and it’s a motorcycle that combines the style of Honda’s retro-era bikes with the modern technology and performance of bikes today. The Honda CB1000F is a 1,000cc liquid-cooled four-cylinder motorcycle with a six-speed manual gearbox. Honda says the engine provides 91kW of power at 9,000rpm and 103Nm of torque at 8,000rpm. The engine has been engineered to give the bike more power and push at lower and middle engine speeds, allowing the machine to achieve stable, effortless cruising speeds. The new CB is designed to feel more exciting and usable in everyday riding, with the company stating that the engine has been tuned to give more character in the midrange. Moreover, the most noticeable thing isn’t the performance of the big Honda itself — it’s the actual look of the bike and the impression it gives off. Honda has given the bike a retro design inspired by its older companion, the racewinning original CB of the ‘70s. The inspiration goes back to the 1979 CB750F, which became well known through American AMA Superbike racing. Honda has taken the racing legend that helped shape the golden era of superbike competition and turned it into a modern roadster. Honda describes the CB1000F as a balanced roadster that is made to handle like a middleweight bike, while giving the rider the feel of a bigger
it is a way of showing that an old-school design does not have to stay in the past, as it can still work as a modern motorcycle. With it coming to New Zealand around prime riding season, new or older bikers better be prepared to give it a go. The best of both worlds rarely looked so appealing.
Ian
Wayne
EDMONDS & MASON 50 Years in Business
PANEL & PAINT
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The Honda CB1000F combines the power and torque of a modern engine with the retro-classic style of a 1970s racing legend
motorcycle. That’s perfect for the open Kiwi road, where a big 1,000cc eats up the kilometres. “The CB1000F is a tribute to one of the most iconic eras in Honda motorcycling,” said American Honda Motor Company experiential marketing manager Colin Miller. The US was one of the first markets
to receive the new CB. He said the design is supposed to bring back the classic feel and look of the original CB models while offering modern reliability. That’s the main idea behind the bike. It is designed for all kinds of uses, from commuting through town to longer weekend rides on open roads. For Honda,
Contact Wayne 021 765 706, Ian 021 977 729
Phone: 425 8723 Fax: 425 9526 Email: autoglassww@xtra.co.nz or autoglassww@gmail.com
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30
September 2026 NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
AUTO & MARINE
ADVERTORIAL
Customs, care and craftsmanship
by Andy Bryenton
Mikes Engines has an established reputation as the go-to business when it’s time to talk horsepower, performance and restoration, but with a wealth of skills inherent in the team, there’s far more going on at their Rewa Rewa Road workshop than just what’s under the hood. Named for respected founder Mike Britliff, Mikes Engines is a well-known name to many in the Northland classic, hot rod and performance car world. Now locally owned by Kaylee and Steve Walker, the company has
— L I M I T E D —
James Wheeler 021 057 4225
bricktopjw@gmail.com
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expanded from a two-bay garage to us, and we get vehicles people care about, that to a capacious workshop, where they have invested a lot of you’ll find all kinds of motors and full automotive builds on the stand, themselves in.” on the hoist, and waiting their turn This spans JDM sports cars, Aussie and US muscle, for some expert attention. The photos on the walls tell the vintage survivors and projects tale of some legendary projects, where it’s time to call in the professionals. Motorcycles, which have gone on to grace magazines and turn heads at marine engines and more are big shows. These are impressive in the workshop side by side. Kaylee also notes that they’ve testaments to the variety of abilities making up the Mikes Engines had a recent run of ‘oddball’ team, but the workshop itself gives classic tractors, lovingly Results like these come from the application of restored by farming owners. even more clues as to the depth painstaking care, automotive vision and a team with serious skills “Sometimes we’re doing and breadth of skill Kaylee and Steve have assembled under one roof. Meanwhile, there are whole custom things that nobody has done before, pushing A fireball-orange straight six and a big vehicles coming together on the hoists, going limits,” she says. “Sometimes it’s about taking stripped-down V8 are ‘patients’ in the engine from dreams and sketches to full-steel reality. the time, finding the right parts, and having the rebuild room, where the technology to give One’s a drag car built from a Commodore, skills to do what others can’t.” The big message from the Mikes cylinder heads and whole motors a new lease ready to fly the Mikes Engines flag at the on life is found. From valve and seat work to strip. Another is a classic Holden reborn with Engines team, which can take a project surfacing for both cast and alloy heads, and a total rebuild, while in another bay there’s from inspiration to certification, is simple. If the pressure-testing guaranteeing reliable fabrication underway to get an ‘injured’ you’ve got automotive dreams, come and talk. Turning them into a reality is possible, power, they’re surgeons working in metal. classic back on the road. Rebores, cam and crankshaft grinding, and “Everyone in the team has their skills and but the input of skilled, experienced all kinds of ways to add more horsepower their speciality, and they work together,” professionals is always the best place live here. says Kaylee. “A lot of garages send people to begin.
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Giant quick crossword Across 1. Disbelief in God (7) 6. Expenses (5) 9. Distress signal (5) 12. Inundated (5) 13. Sicken (3) 14. Steep ravine (5) 15. Correct (5) 16. Concerning (5) 18. Snares (5) 20. Marriage payment (5) 21. Protracted (7) 23. Emanate (4) 25. Come up (5) 27. Stingy (4) 29. Brothel-keeper (5) 31. Drug addict (4) 33. Man (colloq) (4) 34. Assist in a crime (4) 36. Red, spicy sausage (9) 39. Companion (3) 40. Loathe (6) 43. Cancel (4,3) 45. Ruins (6) 47. Cut of meat (4) 49. Label (4) 51. Impede (6) 53. Surprise (7) 55. Fleet of ships (6) 57. One, some or all (3) 58. Inability to move (9) 62. Pitcher (4) 65. Forehead (4) 67. Whittle (4) 68. Work dough (5) 69. Squalid area (4) 71. 10th letter of the Greek alphabet (5)
2
73. Speed (4) 75. Outstanding (7) 77. Nimble (5) 79. Consensus, agreement (5) 81. Repeatedly (5) 82. Inhale (5) 83. Kisses (inf) (5) 84. Sportsgear (3) 85. Pilfer (5) 86. Sentimental (5) 87. Deep void (5) 88. For ever (7) Down 1. Parsley variety (8) 2. Hector (8) 3. Incompetent (5) 4. Person who dies for a cause (6) 5. School fundraiser event (4) 6. Gulf (5) 7. Delicate or slender build (6) 8. Make unhappy (6) 9. Defect (4) 10. Nautical greeting (4) 11. Admit being in the wrong (3,6,3) 17. Wide (5) 19. Annoyance (5) 22. Large stringed instrument (4) 24. Ill-mannered (8) 26. Pixie (3) 28. Among (6) 29. Silent (4)
30. Profundity (5) 32. One who pursues another stealthily (7) 35. Feather stole (3) 37. Woodland imp (3) 38. Step or dance (Fr) (3) 41. Hawk (4) 42. Run away (colloq) (7) 43. Grumpy and uncooperative (12) 44. Biting insect (4) 46. Scenic view (8) 48. Place of worship (6) 50. Perhaps (5) 52. Beam (3) 53. Travel over snow (3) 54. Recline (3) 56. Temperament (4) 59. Compare (5) 60. Take small mouthfuls (3) 61. Minor argument (4) 63. Much used (4-4) 64. Retaliatory action (8) 66. Scope (5) 69. Afternoon nap (6) 70. Presumptuous or arrogant (colloq) (6) 72. Soul, spirit (6) 74. Manacles (5) 76. Occur afterwards (5) 77. Above (4) 78. Pitch-black (4) 80. Doing nothing (4)
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September 2026
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SOLUTION
Across: 1. Atheism, 6. Costs, 9. Flare, 12. Awash, 13. Ail, 14. Gorge, 15. Amend, 16. About, 18. Traps, 20. Dowry, 21. Lengthy, 23. Emit, 25. Arise, 27. Mean, 29. Madam, 31. User, 33. Dude, 34. Abet, 36. Pepperoni, 39. Pal, 40. Detest, 43. Call off, 45. Spoils, 47. Chop, 49. Name, 51. Hinder, 53. Startle, 55. Armada, 57. Any, 58. Paralysis, 62. Ewer, 65. Brow, 67. Pare, 68. Knead, 69. Slum, 71. Kappa, 73. Pace, 75. Stellar, 77. Agile, 79. Unity, 81. Often, 82. Sniff, 83. Snogs, 84. Kit, 85. Filch, 86. Soppy, 87. Abyss, 88. Eternal.
Down: 1. Angelica, 2. Harangue, 3. Inept, 4. Martyr, 5. Gala, 6. Chasm, 7. Svelte, 8. Sadden, 9. Flaw, 10. Ahoy, 11. Eat humble pie, 17. Broad, 19. Peeve, 22. Harp, 24. Impolite, 26. Imp, 28. Amidst, 29. Mute, 30. Depth, 32. Stalker, 35. Boa, 37. Elf, 38. Pas, 41. Tout, 42. Scarper, 43. Cantankerous, 44. Flea, 46. Panorama, 48. Chapel, 50. Maybe, 52. Ray, 53. Ski, 54. Lie, 56. Mood, 59. Liken, 60. Sip, 61. Spat, 63. Well-worn, 64. Reprisal, 66. Range, 69. Siesta, 70. Uppity, 72. Psyche, 74. Cuffs, 76. Ensue, 77. Atop, 78. Inky, 80. Idle.
Northern Rural Marketplace Northpower Approved Contractor
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www.2duckscontracting.co.nz • 2duckscontracting@gmail.com Power Maintenance & Power Installation Services
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hrv.co.nz 0800 478 123
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Doug Wilson
www.northernruralhaulage.co.nz
32
September 2026 NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
CONTACT YOUR LOCAL CAN-AM TODAY Dargaville Northland Motorsports Ph: 0800 120 236 Hikurangi/Whangarei Rouse Motorcycles Ph: 09 433 8471
Kaitaia Kaitaia Tractors Ph: 09 408 0670 Warkworth Warkworth Motorcycles Ph: 09 425 8535