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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

THE TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES IS PUBLISHED WITH PRIDE BY RURAL MATTERS LTD, A PRIVATELY OWNED NZ COMPANY. Phone: 0800 466 793 Email: info@rml.nz Postal Address: PO Box 474, Dargaville

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Backing our schools is good for the country by Barbara Kuriger, MP for Taranaki-King Country

For me, education in New Zealand has always been about far more than passing exams. It’s about every young person gaining the skills, confidence, and sense of belonging they need to succeed and give back to their communities.

Production: Gavin Bainbridge | Marnie Fuller | Daniel Foster | Liz Clark Accounts: accounts@rml.nz Distribution: Laurie Willetts Printed by: NZME Website: farminglifestyles.co.nz Opinions expressed in this publication and in advertising inserts, by contributors or advertisers, are not necessarily those of Rural Matters Ltd. All inserts delivered with the publication are not produced by Rural Matters Ltd.

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From small rural schools in places like Piopio, Te Kūiti, and Ōpunake to our larger town schools in Hāwera and New Plymouth, I see teachers, families, communities and the government working together to make classrooms places students want to be, and where they get the support and encouragement they need to shape their future — and ours. A big part of this is going back to the basics: reading, writing and maths. When a child feels confident reading, can express themselves clearly, and is comfortable with numbers, everything else becomes easier. With those strong foundations in place, our young people can approach science, technology, the arts, farming and the trades with real self-belief — whether that’s on a dairy farm in South Taranaki, in an engineering workshop in Te Kūiti, or at a polytech in New Plymouth. Across our region, schools are putting extra energy into literacy and numeracy, using clear teaching methods and regular practice to help students lift their achievement. Going back to basics isn’t new — but sometimes we need to return to what works before we can move forward.

Barbara Kuriger MP for Taranaki-King Country Inglewood Office 80 Rata St, PO Box 124, Inglewood 4330 • 06 756 6032 Kuriger.Inglewood@parliament.govt.nz Te Awamutu Office 196 Alexandra Street Te Awamutu, 3800 • 07 870 1005 Kuriger.Teawamutu@parliament.govt.nz King Country Virtual Office 021 815 017 • Kuriger.Kingcountry@parliament.govt.nz Funded by the Parliamentary Service. Authorised by Barbara Kuriger, Parliament Buildings, Wgtn.

Improving school attendance is another crucial part of the picture. When students turn up regularly, they build stronger friendships, keep pace with their learning, and stay connected to the opportunities education provides, whether they stay local or move further afield. Here in Taranaki and the King Country, many schools are taking practical steps that make a real difference: flexible start times for older students who travel long distances by bus, breakfast clubs and school lunches, better transport options, and working with families. These changes recognise that every student’s situation is different, and that lifting attendance often means supporting the whole whānau. None of this happens by accident. It takes dedicated teachers, supportive parents and caregivers, and communities that stand behind their local schools. As the MP for Taranaki and the King Country, I’m determined that we keep backing student success and wellbeing. When we back our kids, we’re backing stronger communities here in Taranaki and the King Country — and a better future for all New Zealanders.

Councils set dividing lines

TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES August 2026

by Paul Campbell

With the Head Start voluntary council amalgamation pathway, the government introduced in May, there’s been debate within Taranaki’s three councils for the past three months as the deadline arrives to voluntarily submit their proposals. South Taranaki and Stratford councils are set to join hands but rather like the three volcanic cones outcast legend — Ruapehu, Tongariro and Taranaki-New Plymouth has been left on the outer. The outlying local bodies have backed plans to join hands as one unitary authority, combining district and regional council administration in their respective central and southern regions. The government ordered councils across the country to look at joining up to make life simpler, and probably cheaper, to administer to their respective regions with the August 9 deadline to make a proposal. Southern and central councillors were wary of New Plymouth as a dominant entity with a major city and urban area, where it covers 70 per cent of the population but only a bit more than a quarter of the province. Stratford carried out an online poll and some 600-plus locals responded, indicating the majority at 80 per cent in favour of a two-council amalgamation, after which Mayor Neil Volzke said merging with the southern neighbouring council would make life simple, and also mean decisions affecting locals would be made locally. “A Stratford and South Taranaki unitary council would better reflect

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the needs of our rural and smallertown communities, while still allowing regional functions to be managed in a coordinated way where that makes sense,” Volzke said. South Taranaki mayor Phil Nixon said communities, iwi and key stakeholders were keen to retain a local voice in decisions and in services provided. “People understand change is coming, but they do not want south or central Taranaki’s voice to be lost in a single, region-wide council,” he said.

Mr Volzke said Stratford and South Taranaki want to keep collaborating with New Plymouth and the regional council to continue to deliver regional services. However, there’s a lengthy time frame after August 9 before there’s a resolution, with 2027 set for the government to finalise a mandatory ‘backstop’ process for councils that failed to submit a plan, and until October 2028 before forced structural amalgamations and new unitary authority changes are implemented following the 2028 local body elections.

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

FOUNDATION

BY DENISE GUNN

FOR THE FUTURE A legacy left by two south Taranaki farmers continues to benefit future generations of agricultural and veterinary leaders.

oth born in 1880, Claude William Nicholls and James Dawson Bashford farmed near each other in Otakeho and Kaupokonui. The men had similar visions: to establish trusts, so their farms could continue to provide funds towards the education of agricultural and veterinary students. The Royce Nicholls Scholarship, in memory of Claude and his wife Eleanor’s son who died at age 14 in 1940, and the Margaret Bashford Scholarship, in remembrance of James’s wife, initially provided bursaries for young men under 21 to study veterinary science or agriculture. Conditions for both scholarships were legally amended in 2003 to include females, and the age of eligibility extended to 30 for all applicants.

In 2008, the Bishop’s Action Foundation (BAF) took over the stewardship of the two trusts, merging them to become The Bashford-Nicholls Trust. The scholarships were expanded further and innovative awards created, including the PIVOT Award with Massey University, and scholarships for level four organic horticulture students at the Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki (WITT). Last year, the trust transferred $14 million in assets to the Taranaki Foundation, marking the largest single transfer of trust assets in the nation’s network of community foundations. The Taranaki Foundation provides simple, effective, long-lasting direction for individuals, families and organisations to leave legacies, or create funds to support local causes.

From left: Bishop Action Foundation CEO Simon Cayley, Bashford-Nicholls Trust trustee Craig Hattle, Taranaki Foundation CE Josh Hickford, and Taranaki Foundation trustee Dan Radcliffe

Bishop’s Action Foundation chief executive Simon Cayley said the decision to partner with Taranaki Foundation was about far more than investment management.

“It feels like another major milestone in continuing to honour the legacy that we’ve been asked to steward. We wanted to make sure the next 60 years were just as safe, just as purposeful.”

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The Bashford-Nicholls Trust has supported Tayla Steele each year through her studies toward a Bachelor of Veterinary Science

O AT, W RK, P E L Y,

He said the par tnership also brings something the trustees have long wanted — the ability for the Bashford-Nicholls story to be shared alongside others. Approximately $300,000 from the Bashford-Nicholls Trust is distributed in annual scholarships, research grants and innovation funding. The BAF will continue to administer these scholarships, supporting more than 60 students in their studies each year. Taranaki Foundation chief executive Josh Hickford said the funding boost is a significant gain for the philanthropic organisation. The transfer more than doubled Taranaki Foundation’s funds under management, from $13 million to $27 million. “It takes us into a whole new level and era, which I think is exciting for the region.”

Tayla plans to return to Taranaki after graduation to build a career as a large animal veterinarian, serving rural communities

The trust’s $14 million will be managed by Craigs Investment Partners advisers Andrew Butterworth, Christine Egarr and Mark Butterworth. Andrew and his brother, Mark, are former BashfordNicholls scholars. Another former scholar, Brent Stevenson, grew up on a coastal Taranaki farm. Almost two decades ago, he received a Bashford-Nicholls Scholarship three years in a row while completing a Bachelor of Applied Science in Rural Valuation and Management at Massey University. Following graduation, Brent worked across several regions in New Zealand, building relationships with farming families and rural businesses, and learning how their operations work from the inside. Brent and his wife Amy are now sharemilking 1,400 cows in Tikorangi.

He said the scholarship made a real difference while he was studying. “You don’t fully appreciate it at the time. You’re just a student trying to get through. “Everything I’ve built since — the farming, the relationships, coming home to Taranaki. It started there, studying in Palmy and having that support behind me.” Tayla Steele is in her fourth year studying towards a Bachelor of Veterinary Science at Massey University. Since starting her degree in 2023, the BashfordNicholls Trust has supported Tayla each year, reducing her course fees. “The scholarship gave me something that money can’t fully capture — time,” she said. As a large portion of Tayla’s course fees are covered through the scholarship, she doesn’t need to work multiple

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

HORSES OF THE

ROUND TABLE BY AMY FIFITA While many fantasise about mediaeval times, Vikki Subritzky lives it, travelling the country with her horses to showcase jousting and other skills at events and movies.

eing raised in the 60s, Vikki says she was drawn to horses from an early age. Life for her was a mix of urban and rural living, as her grandparents ran a farm in Fairburn. “I was raised in an urban environment, and I always gravitated to any horse living in the area. When I spent time on my grandparents’ farm, I was enthralled by the wild horses that roamed the area,” Vikki says.

“I couldn’t understand why no one would catch one for me. I got to ‘ride’ the stock horses in the sheep yards. I was very young, and the yards were safe enough for a toddler to sit happily for as long as I could. When my grandfather gave me a bridle, it opened doors for me.” With a bridle in hand, Vikki’s spark for equines grew, and she wanted to begin her personal journey with horses. Vikki

PART ONE

knew what she wanted, not only to ride horses but to own one of her own. “Back home, I disappeared with my bridle and with grass wrapped around the bit, managed to put it on a rather large horse at Maunu Pony Club grounds down Puriri Park Road. Through the kitchen window, my mother saw this horse trotting across the paddock and then me getting dumped at the same time. I’m sure it was thoroughly sick of me. “My father finally relented, and a chunky white-faced horse I named Sparky joined the family — the name fitted his temperament.

“My grandfather, my older brother and I had to corner him using a long rope, then with a long stick rubbed the horse all over till he could get a rope on him. Not the ideal first horse, but I got to ride him.” Leasing land in her teens, Vikki began buying about four horses a year, some suitable for lessons and treks, others in need of rehabilitation, or people would send horses for her to train and sell on. It was a learning curve for Vikki, and one that she built on. “The big heavy horses also appealed to me, and I helped at the Clarke Homestead and Whangārei Museum in Maunu for several years, and learnt a lot

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Wanting to learn how to perform the mediaeval sports, Vikki trained with the Order of the Boar for a couple of years and eventually went on to form the Guild of the Hawk

Having a passion for horses her whole life, Vikki is not shy to get out there and do tasks like Roman riding with them, an equestrian discipline uncommon to the everyday horse rider

from old Dick Stirling. As a lad, he had a four-horse team and wagon working over Mareretu way, taking something like two weeks to get round all the farms delivering sacks of flour, sugar, tea and so on. “Old-timers like him had abundant knowledge, and I loved nothing more than to hear tales of particular horses and the journeys they made. “Around the turn of the century, in the middle of an applied arts degree and involved in theatre productions, the museum advertised a mediaeval day. I cheekily asked if they would like some jousting knights.

“They were delighted and readily accepted. A local guy and I borrowed some armour from Auckland, practised, and put on a pretty average jousting display. However, it was a great draw card, and they had us back the following year.” Having tasted the fun of mediaeval jousting, another journey, one that included her horses. “Then I discovered there was a jousting group in Upper Hutt, the Order of the Boar, and it needed persuasion and perseverance from me to allow me to train with them. Now, years later, we still support each other in training and events.

“When the Company of Lance chapter ended, I formed the Guild of the Hawk. We travelled a lot, competing in tournaments here and abroad. I was fortunate in spending a decade competing in Australia and did a stint in Canada. “The Great Lakes International Jousting Tournament ran for quite a few years. I produced a DVD documentary of the 2006 tournament to promote it.” With her saddle clearly mounted on mediaeval horsemanship, and finding like-hearted individuals, Vikki helped form the Guild of the Hawk, a group that worked across New Zealand and the world. One such event is upcoming on January 23 and 24 at the Northland Renaissance Faire in Arapohue, where people from all over can come and experience mediaeval times. Join us next month for more about Vikki’s journey.

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

BEYOND THE FARM GATE BY DENISE GUNN

Diversification is the key factor for fourth-generation dairy, sheep and beef farmers, Willie and Sarah Neilson.

enerations of the Neilson family have farmed on various properties in the wider Waverley district for more than 100 years. In 1994, Willie’s parents, Roger and Rosemary, converted their farm from sheep to dairy. Willie and Roger built the cowshed and the first milking season was underway. Sarah is originally from a South Island sheep and beef farming family. After graduating from Lincoln University with a Bachelor of Science, she ended up teaching in Whanganui and met Willie in 2002. The couple now farm several properties, along with their children, Chloe and Blake. Their 110ha effective dairy platform, Mahoe, milks around 350 Holstein Friesian cows. “We bought other properties as dairy supports,” said Sarah.

Just up the road is the Neilson’s dairy support unit, Seaview. In 2013, they bought the Highview property over the road. “We had been through the succession of the dairy farm and we bought everything outright in 2021. We had been leasing the dairy farm for years. “Over the last 20 years, the dairy farm has been developed with new fences, water, races, and retiring and planting gullies with natives. Taranaki Regional Council is really supportive of riparian plantings.” Cows are wintered and heifers grazed on the 520ha drystock Seaview and Highview properties. About 25ha of maize is also grown on-farm, along with chicory and oats. “Originally, we had 2,000 ewes and beef cows on some really steep hill country. We got hit with storms a couple of times and looked at other uses for the land.”

From left: Willie and Sarah Neilson farm several properties in Taranaki, along with their children Chloe and Blake

In 2019, Willie and Sarah planted around 120ha in mānuka through a grant from the One Billion Trees programme. The plantings have helped to control

erosion, and also provided an income stream with beehives on the property. “We’ve retired the steeper country and keep on top of a bit of weed control.”

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One of Sarah’s home-bred Hanoverian two year olds won the top New Zealand Rhineland Dressage Filly Award under the foal classification

The Neilsons graze about 160 beef cows, mostly Angus and Hereford. “We buy in vetted in-calf Angus heifers every year, preferably raised on hill country. A bull goes out at the end of November, and we sell weaners mid-April in the yards on-farm.” Sarah enjoys the genetic side of the dairy operation with her science and biology background, and since using a Samen NZ breeding programme, the couple have seen genetic gains and an increase in milk production. In 2022, following the implementation of SmaXtec, a completely new level of managing their herd’s health was introduced, in turn improving farm productivity and efficiency. SmaXtec boluses monitor individual cow health, utilising internal body temperature, rumination, water volume intake and cow activity via the bolus in the cow’s reticulum. This data enables each cow’s lactation to be monitored closely, such as transitioning from a dry cow, calving and mating alerts.

Through using SmaXtec boluses, the Neilson’s herd’s empty rate has dropped from around 16–18% to seven per cent. “You want to get the best return you can. We’ve been able to build pictures on the cows, their health efficiencies and reducing cow issues due to early intervention. “We are able to identify sub-clinical mastitis five days before it is clinical, using anti-inflammatories instead of antibiotics.” The couple rear all their dairy calves to market at 100kg. Sarah also breeds Hanoverian horses and competes in dressage. One of her home-bred two-year-olds won the top New Zealand Rhineland Dressage Filly Award under the foal classification. In late December 2025, the Neilsons opened their farm gate to national and international visitors through Canopy Camping. Preparations for this began the previous year when a surplus one-

A one-bedroom house was moved 10km up steep hills using cranes to reach its destination, refurbished and now accommodates visitors through Canopy Camping

bedroom house was relocated to a flat area on a north-west facing ridge at Highview, looking towards Mt Taranaki. This was no easy feat, as the house was moved 10km up steep hills using cranes. The house then underwent extensive refurbishment with the help of Dwyertech, in Palmerston North, and is completely off-grid. “It has a new solar system, a hot tub, you can hear kiwi in the bush, and watch deer and goats from the cabin balcony,” said Sarah. Feedback received from visitors has been one of the highlights. Sarah said the farms provide opportunities for diversity. “It’s really managing the profitability of the business while trying to keep it growing. We are always trying to improve our efficiencies, farm as sustainably as we can and reach our farm targets.”

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Author Ian Dougherty has written a book about the remarkable Esther James, who walked the length of New Zealand during the Depression years of the 1930s to promote Kiwi produce.

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Esther would often be asked if she needed a ride by motorists eager to help, but she refused them, walking every step of the way

New Zealand Maid tells the tale of that epic trek, the first of its kind, and certainly the first campaign for local products and produce. Esther James was the first person to walk the length of the country,

which is remarkable in itself, but she did so in 1932 during the Great Depression, wearing only New Zealand-made clothes and eating only New Zealand-produced food, to encourage people to ‘buy local’.

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Mr Dougherty says that every stage of her progress in New Zealand was followed by newspapers and fledgling radio stations, and devoured by the public. Bands played her into cities and towns, which feted her with official welcomes, civic receptions, dances and socials. Reporters bombarded her with questions. Autograph hunters thrust pens and paper at her. Poets waxed lyrical about her. She quickly became a celebrity, says the author. It was part distraction, part inspiration, and part symbol of people’s aspiring progress out of the economic and social gloom. Setting out from Spirits Bay on December 3 1931, Miss James walked through Northland, Waikato, Taranaki and Manawatū to Wellington, then down the east coast of the South Island to Bluff, where she arrived on June 18 1932. In completing her extraordinary journey, Miss James had walked a total of 2,581 kilometres: 1,448 through the North Island and 1,133 through the South Island, with a few detours along the way. It had taken her 937 hours over 199 days: 128 days walking and 71 resting, including a Christmas/New Year’s break in Auckland. She estimated she had taken six million steps. Despite the daily physical workout, contemporary reports say she had ‘piled on the pounds’. Starting out weighing 50 kilograms, she walked into Bluff weighing 65 kilograms, which she attributed to eating New Zealand-grown food and especially New Zealand milk and cream, butter and cheese. The overnight stays with hospitable families, and the foodcentred functions through which she politely sat and ate, would not have

In an era before endurance sports, before social media and national marketing campaigns, Esther captured the imagination with a feat celebrating Kiwi primary industries

been conducive to figure-keeping, not to mention the special hiking chocolate Nestle produced for her. News of Esther James’s arrival in Bluff was widely reported in newspapers throughout the country. It resulted in her receiving more than 1,000 letters and about 500 telegrams from all over New Zealand congratulating her on her achievement. This was in addition to about 1,200 letters and telegrams of congratulations and good wishes she received during the walk. She personally answered every message: it took her three weeks just to reply to the end-ofwalk messages.

Many of the host of congratulatory telegrams echoed the sentiment the mayor of Pātea, Fred Ramsbottom, had expressed during Miss James’s visit to the town: that she was ‘undertaking a work which many a man would hesitate to tackle, and she deserved credit for her pluck.’ The telegrams included one from politician Gordon Coates, who told her: ‘I feel that this is a remarkable achievement and you as a New Zealand woman are to be commended for your spirit and determination.’ Another was from the county clerk in Kaitāia, who conveyed: ‘By your performance you have ennobled the women of our country.’ In a similar vein, a Christchurch newspaper later commented that Miss James ‘deserves to be regarded as one of our national heroines.’ The enthusiastic public response to Esther James’s walk was a statement of faith. As she later wrote of the congratulatory letters and telegrams that poured in from all over New Zealand after the walk: ‘although they were addressed to me, they were really written by New Zealanders to their own country. I was merely a focus for their faith in the fact that, in spite of the grimness of the passing depression, we still had the spirit to get up and do things and make things — and to make and do them well.’ Mr Dougherty says that the ‘buy local’ campaigns associated with climate change and carbon footprints, the coronavirus pandemic, supply chain disruptions and the fast-approaching centenary of the onset of the Great

Depression, prompted him to write the book, focussing on Miss James’s New Zealand and Australian walks and the public responses to them. New Zealand Maid: Esther James And Her Campaigning New Zealand And Australian Walks During The Great Depression is published by Saddle Hill Press. Copies are available for $40 from bookshops, and directly from the publisher (post free): Saddle Hill Press, PO Box 90, Dunedin 9054; email saddlehillpress@xtra.co.nz.

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

THE BUZZ ABOUT BEES Protecting the honey bee by Ann van Engelen

Beekeepers honoured Mary Bumby in 2019 as the person known for introducing the first honey bees to New Zealand. “Mary sailed on a ship from the UK called the James in March 1839, and arrived months later here, in Hokianga. She brought two beehives when she came to be with her brother and married a Methodist missionary here,” says Colin Smith. “There were no honey bees in New Zealand until then, and they spread and increased in the bush until the varroa mite was introduced into the country. That is our main killer of bees now, and it is only by monitoring the health of the hive and treating it to remove this destructive mite that our honey bees continue.” Colin says everyone can protect honey bees by minimising the use of pesticides and provide environments where bees can flourish. “Overpopulating an area with bees is not good due to resulting nectar shortages. It is important to love your bees and look after them to maintain healthy, happy colonies. “Happy, well-managed bee colonies do not swarm, are not aggressive or diseased. Experienced beekeepers can work on their hives without bee suits or

gloves. That indicates their bees are not getting aggravated. “It also gives you the ability to pick up and capture queens without hurting them, and you are less likely to damage wax frames whilst working on your hive without gloves.” Before bees leave the hive in a swarm, they gorge themselves on honey and become intoxicated. If a ‘cast’ of bees leave without a queen, it is generally due to an overcrowded hive. “They may move due to overcrowding and disease, or the old queen may be ageing, and a new queen is born and decamps with some of the colony to start again. These bees follow her pheromones until they find a place to stay. “They are an awesome little creature — they communicate with each other well. They forage and locate a source of nectar, return to the hive and pass on the information to the other bees as to where that source of food is. “They use the position of the sun and the earth’s magnetic field and can fly five kilometres to and from that food source, returning to their own hive, which can be right next door to another hive.

Photo Credit: Karen Cory Toussaint

Author Tanya Batt presented Mary Bumby’s bee story at the Ngahere Bee Club’s 2019 event celebrating the arrival of honey bees to New Zealand

“People can help them by growing bee-friendly plants. They love ‘the good stuff’ that is supplied to them, and it keeps them healthy. Things like letting sprouting broccoli flowers in winter, bee-

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DAFFODIL DAY

FRIDAY 28TH AUGUST 2026

Daffodil Day turns 36 by Andy Bryenton

This year marks the 36th anniversary of one of the most important charitable fundraisers in our community, the annual appeal for the Cancer Society New Zealand. We likely know this occasion better as Daffodil Day, a time for reflection, commemoration and hope for the future symbolised by garlands of bright yellow flowers. While it seems that the yearly event has been part of our calendar forever, in fact, it’s a recent addition to the works of the CSNZ. The first-ever Daffodil Day was organised for the start of spring in 1990, the year when New Zealand turned 150. It turned out to be a great idea, raising awareness as well as funds. Still, it’s notable that the Cancer Society had been operating for 61 years before that date. Founded in 1929, out of a desire to offer support to Kiwis and their families battling cancer, the CSNZ has always been at the forefront of both treatment, diagnosis and education, as well as practical help for cancer patients and survivors. In those early days, the Cancer Society lobbied hard for support. It established a consultation clinic in 1930, with follow-up services coming online just a year later. In 1933 a radiological medical specialist was hired, putting the CSNZ at the front of known treatments and diagnosis methods.

the scope and variety of the services they offered meant it was necessary to apply modern techniques to their fundraising, branding their message with a bright symbol of hope. The daffodil, legendary as the herald of spring and held in many worldwide myths and legends as an icon of rebirth, was chosen. Thirty years on, we still honour the commitment and hard work of the Cancer Society New Zealand through its image.

The daffodil is a symbol of new life, and was chosen in 1990 as the icon of the Cancer Society NZ’s annual campaign

Education has always been a priority for the CSNZ. From ensuring that Kiwis take precautions out in the sun to telling doctors and nurses in those early years what to look for when it came to early detection of cancer symptoms. Doubtlessly, the knowledge disseminated by the CSNZ has helped save lives. It’s now common knowledge that we should keep a close eye on moles and skin spots, for example, and have regular check-ups.

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As Daffodil Day approaches, Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora reminds us of some ways to reduce the risk of cancer

Daffodil Day on Friday, August 28, is the Cancer Society of New Zealand’s biggest fundraiser and donations go towards local support services, cancer prevention campaigns and research. With our high likelihood of having some form of cancer in our lifetime, it’s important to think about how you could reduce your risk of cancer. For example: • Be smokefree. If you need help kicking the habit, visit quitstrong.nz for support.

• Be sun smart and reduce your exposure to UV rays. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in our country. Along with Australia, we have the highest melanoma skin cancer rates in the world. • Eat healthily. Fruit and veggies are amazing — and remember frozen is just as good. • Be active. Even housework and going for walks are great for you.

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RURAL CONTRACTORS 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. Cue the Case IH development team, which focussed on ease of operation as well as fuel efficiency and engine advancements to make the new crop of Puma tractors stand out. They hearkened back to the heritage of the badge name, which originally came from Case IH’s 1980s acquisition of the Steiger brand, and crafted a new generation exemplifying the multi-role legacy of the Puma. A 20 per cent tighter turning radius has been achieved, and the geometry of the front axle and suspension has been modified with a new saddle layout, giving the Puma stability at higher speeds for on-road transit between jobs. Case IH engineers have also overhauled the

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braking system for more responsiveness, and refined what was already a highlyregarded transmission system to allow for even more precise implement control, as well as a smooth ride. Even more attention was given to the cab — now an even nicer place to spend a day’s work. “These new Puma models now offer all of the technology that previously only the higher horsepower models delivered,” said Seamus McCarthy, Case IH’s product and portfolio manager for their medium-sized tractors in Australia and New Zealand. “Now customers can benefit from exceptional comfort, operational efficiency and performance in a smaller wheelbase machine. These next-generation Puma machines have also been independently tested by DLG for fuel consumption, with results of 243g/kWhr showing best-inclass performance. “Combined with the efficiencies of the technology package and extended service intervals, the operational savings and lower cost of ownership are significant for customers.”

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The Navara badge rose to prominence in the 1980s with the unbreakable D21, but refinement has been the byword for successive generations since. In this spirit, the current Navara comes with more technology and smarter engineering, making it both a more relaxed place to spend those highway hours, and a dependable co-worker for farmers and tradies. Nissan, Mitsubishi and Renault share design and development know-how in this era of big-budget new-vehicle innovation, but to set the Navara apart there’s been some substantial man-hours of research put into the new ute’s suspension set-up. This took place in the gruelling proving grounds of Australia, and has resulted in a measured, substantial steering feel, transitioning from tarmac to unpaved surfaces. It’s an option on every one of the four grades of Navara, right up to the range-topping Pro-4X, and it’s one country drivers will appreciate. Under the hood you’ll find a 2.4-litre diesel producing a handy 201 horsepower, and an even more appreciable 470 Newtonmetres of torque. This engine comes with not one but two turbochargers; one to build fast boost and another to feed the motor for maximum power. The upshot is smooth, motive force without any waiting around — this certainly adds to the Navara’s crisp

on-road manners. Nissan knows a thing or two about turbos, especially when they come in pairs; just ask anyone who loves the legendary Skyline. While in this case it’s a ute that’s received the benefit of Nissan’s technical knowledge, the result is equally tuned for its specific niche. The Navara is designed to work, designed to haul tools and equipment, camping gear and materials. It’s designed to tow a hefty 3.5 tonnes, too, so your powerboat or your small excavator can come along for the ride. Better yet, this voluminous ute does it all while delivering fuel economy of just 8.8 litres for every 100 kilometres. Now we get to the impression, the looks, and the way in which form mirrors function in this new generation. While all of the Navara range comes with sleek new steel, it’s the flagship Pro-4X which wears it best, boasting lava-red exterior flashes, big, aggressively stanced alloy wheels, custom red accents and stitching in the well-appointed cabin. Creature comforts include a nine-inch infotainment screen, dual-zone climate control, heated seats and support for Apple and Android phones. Your local Nissan dealership has examples on display right now, and a test drive is well recommended to see just how far the Navara has advanced in this latest generation.

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES August 2026

VEHICLES & MACHINERY

Special kei

by Andy Bryenton

The Honda Super-ONE is not designed for farm work, dramatically unsealed roads, heavy construction haulage or mud-soaked wilderness excursions. Why feature it here, in the rural heartland of New Zealand, then? That’s because it’s the embodiment of an automotive movement which is as much a Japanese work of art as the hot rod is a US one. First some facts about Honda’s very new, very small, very cool little EV hatchback. The Super-ONE (it’s spelt like that, half in capitals) is touted as an ultimate city car, with a tiny parking footprint, low centre of gravity, massive interior space for its tiny size, and even a boost button to make driving more fun. Sir Alec Issigonis had a similar recipe when he invented the Mini back in the age of Cool Britannia, but this car represents a new chapter in a very Japanese microcar tradition — the world of the kei car. Pronounced like the letter ‘k’, these little cars exploit a loophole in strict urban Japanese driving rules dictating the exact dimensions of a car you can drive in the urban jungle without owning a parking space. Seeing as parking spaces sell for nearly as much as apartments, and the figure would make your eyes water more than the finest freshly-made wasabi, the story goes that carmakers innovated down to size. The Honda Beat is a classic of the genre. It’s a miniature cartoon supercar with a mid-mounted three-cylinder

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motorcycle-sized engine. If you think Toyota’s sub-tonne MR-2 Spyder is a bit large (it’s not), then the Beat is just right for you. Kei vans like the Suzuki Super Carry and kei trucks also exist; the latter really do work on Kiwi farms, fitted with off-road tyres. Now, the Honda Super-ONE is not a classic kei, in that it’s a bit bigger and packs an electric punch, with up to 70 kilowatts on tap. However, it’s an example of kei thinking applied to the hot hatch, another avenue of Japanese automotive thought which has led to some true icons. Chief among them, when you look at the cheeky, angular presence of the Super-ONE, is that 80s hero, the Honda City Turbo. The Super- ONE’s got the same geek chic and obsessively focussed charm of the City Turbo, packaged for a world 40 years more advanced. I t’s got i n d ivi d u a l i t y. I t’s got practicality, certainly, but like the old original Mini, it wraps it up in neon, bantamweight swagger. Kei is the future. In a cyberpunk way, it might always have been, at least for urban drivers vexed by congestion charges, tiny parking spaces and gridlock. Making urban driving fun is harder by far than making a V12 to burn down the Autobahn at 2am. Honda has managed it again. That’s worth noting — even if your daily is a massive ute.

The Honda Super-ONE aims to make urban driving both easy and enjoyable

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

VEHICLES & MACHINERY

Just what the doctor ordered by Andy Bryenton

Suzuki’s new DR150 proves that a tool made for hard work can be elegant and simple as well as rugged and dependable. With just about 12 horsepower, the little 150cc four-stroke is a masterclass in doing more with less, and a tonic to the overcomputerisation, overcomplication and size creep of off-road options for those working the land. While there’s a power and tech war at the top of the table in the world of ATVs, the little Suzuki doesn’t just make do with a single aircooled cylinder — it thrives. That’s because it’s amazing where a small bike can go, with the right amount of skill and a good design. Suzuki has been putting the DR badge on clever,

est. 1981

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simple but punchy bikes since the 1990s, when the little DR125 with its Miami Vice paint scheme broke cover, and the big DR650 went head-to-head with Honda’s Dominator as the king of single-thumper off-road might. Fast-forward to the present day, and the DR150 fills a niche farmers need: a small, easy to master off-road bike which is great for stock checks, flitting from paddock to paddock down the races, or nipping between blocks to take care of minor chores. There’s only 11.8 horses, but there’s 11.6 Newton-metres of torque at 6,000rpm as well, meaning that there’s plenty of guts to handle mud and choppy terrain. Let’s face it, you don’t want to have superbike speeds at your fingertips when you’re shifting the herd, you want control, a good centre of gravity, and a light weight. The DR150 weighs less than some rugby players at 139kg fuelled up. With raw power off the table and irrelevant, let’s talk about the important numbers for a farm utility bike. The little motor sips fuel and the tank packs 12.5 litres, meaning more time between fillups. Ground clearance is set at 244mm, for long-legged terrain-tackling ability. There’s even a proper kickstart as well as an electric one, which is not just old

The new DR150 is a practical and precise small farm bike which punches above its weight

school cool; it’s all part of the Dr150 being easy to use and maintain. Don’t get it wrong — there’s a place for a big, powerful ATV on the modern farm. It’s just that there’s definitely always been a niche

for a small, economical and nimble farm bike, too. This one’s as handy as a proper old folding knife, a real stainless steel lighter or a pair of gumboots. The modern design looks sharp, too, which is a cheeky bonus.

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES August 2026

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. “There is a role for freshwater farm plans in the new planning system,” The changes still support protection says Andrew Hoggard; but mandatory audits are out for many farms after select committee changes of critical waterways, as in sensitive The select committee report on the catchments, freshwater farm plans may be reduce the impacts of farming on their Natural Environment Bill and Planning used to align with environmental rules or land and freshwater,” said Hoggard. “We’ve heard from farmers that they Bill came through in mid-July, and the regulations. Farmers can opt to have their plans certified and audited at any time, if want a system that’s cost-effective, comments and changes recommended that’s required for access to specific markets. restores cer tainty, and provides by that body have been welcomed by the “Farm plans will be straightforward environmental protections without the architects of the RMA’s replacement. “These bills are central to this for most farmers to develop, giving them delays of the old RMA. I believe we’ve that.” government’s plan to grow the economy a 28 practical way to identify, manage and achieved TH VICKERY HEREFORD,ANGUS & JERSEY

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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August 2026

TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

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FARMING SETS

Growing up on a coastal dairy farm in North Taranaki kindled Kate Logan’s passion for farming, animals and working outdoors.

CAREER PATH BY DENISE GUNN

ate was always out on the Omata dairy unit where her parents, Hamish and Lil, 50/50 sharemilked. She knew from a young age that following a career in the farming industry was top of her list. At 16, Kate began relief milking after school and during holidays. She moved into full-time dairy farming when she finished secondary school two years later, working as a farm assistant for Grant and Paula Holdt on their 450-cow farm near New Plymouth. Six months later, an opportunity to travel to the UK came up where Kate worked for her grandfather and uncle on an arable farm. Kate said she has been fortunate to travel and work overseas within the agricultural industry. “This has broadened my experience and perspective.” On her return to New Zealand, Kate worked as herd manager for Bede and Shirley Kissick for two years.

With a strong yearn for more travelling, Kate then headed overseas. When she came back to Taranaki, Kate picked up from where she left off, and has worked for Shirley for the past 18 months. Four years ago, Kate won the Taranaki Dairy Trainee of the Year title. This year, she placed second in the Taranaki Dairy Manager of the Year category. Building connections with people in the dairy industry, along with increasing her knowledge, inspired Kate to enter the awards again. “I’ve progressed through the industry with the help of courses, strong mentors and supportive employers who were willing to share their knowledge. I’ve also been very fortunate to learn from my parents, who continue to be a valuable source of advice. “The connections I have made are priceless. There are so many people I could call at any time who would be willing to help in any way they can.”

Buying a similar-sized farm to the property she is working on, or moving into a sharemilking position, is Kate’s long-term goal

At peak this season, a herd of 600 Jersey cows are milked on the Kissick’s 206ha Hāwera farm. Fifteen hectares

of maize is grown on-farm each year. All hay and silage is also made on the property.

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Kate was runner-up in the 2026 Taranaki Dairy Manager of the Year category

“PKE is the only imported feed,” said Kate. The district’s climate is generally mild and reliable, with an annual average rainfall on-farm of around 1,300mm. As winters can be very wet, a foot mat with copper sulphate helps decrease foot rot during soggy and muddy conditions. Mastitis is prevented by regularly scraping feedpads and concrete races, along with teat-spraying all year round. The summer dry is managed with supplementary feed. “Maize is harvested at the end of March which provides flexibility if needed. We can harvest it early as green feed during drought conditions.” Kate said early on in her career, finding the right fit in a workplace was challenging. “I learned to be more intentional and decisive when choosing roles that align with my values and long-term goals.” The variety that each day brings on the farm is a big drawcard. Kate enjoys working with animals, working

TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES August 2026

Spring, with its busy routine, is Kate’s favourite time of the year on the farm

Raising happy, healthy livestock is the most rewarding aspect of Kate’s job

outdoors, and interacting with reps and contractors. “There’s always something new to learn which keeps the job interesting,” she said. Although Kate appreciates each season on the farm for different reasons, spring is her favourite. “It’s the busiest time with calving, mating, cropping and silage. However, I also enjoy autumn: heifers are home, mornings are crisp, days are warm, and it’s a great time for fencing and farm projects.” Seeing healthy, happy cows is the most rewarding aspect of Kate’s job. “I also find reward in achieving farm goals, and working within a motivated team that all want to be there and succeed together.” Kate plans to continue building knowledge through courses and growing equity. “In the next three to five years, I would like to move into contract milking or lower-order sharemilking on a 400-plus cow farm.”

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Purchasing a similar-sized farm and transitioning into a 50/50 sharemilking position, in either Taranaki or Canterbury, is her long-term goal.

“Dairy farming constantly pushes me to expand my knowledge, improve processes, and strive for better outcomes for the animals, the land and the business,” she said.

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August 2026

TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

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