9,074 copies DELIVERED FREE to every rural delivery address in Taranaki.
TARANAKI
Carpet and upholstery cleaning specialist Safe and non-toxic for children and pets Leaves no
approximately 4 hours
Earlier this month, I had the pleasure and privilege of chairing the 10th triennial Youth Parliament in my capacity as deputy speaker.
Youth Parliament is a unique youth development opportunity for 143 young people from around New Zealand to experience the political process, learn about how the government works and represent their communities as youth members of parliament (MPs) or as youth press gallery members.
It provides young people, 16–24 years old, with an opportunity to develop leadership skills, influence government decision-making, and have their voices heard. What voices they were! These young people spoke with passion and, on occasion, with fire about the issues that affected or concerned them.
They spoke eloquently, and with fervour. What struck me most, though, in observing this, was the level of detailed knowledge they possessed on the issues they were discussing. Most had done their research, and a lot of it.
Tamorangi Clayton-Lake, a 17-year-old student at Te Kūiti High School, represented Taranaki-King Country. She did so with quiet grace, dignity and confidence. She was, and is, a credit to our community. I see a lot of leadership qualities in Tamorangi and see her going far — hopefully, in some form of governance capacity.
That, I think, is the true value of the Youth Parliaments to our wider New Zealand society. It helps identify, support and nurture leaders, leaders of skill and dedication who will serve us well in the future, in industry, in education, in health, farming, finance and government — both local and central.
The 2025 Youth Parliament put our young people on show, and they acquitted themselves superbly. It also puts our future on show, because it is these young people who will manage that future, and from what I saw this month, they will be superb at doing that, as well.
by Barbara Kuriger, MP for Taranaki-King Country
by Paul Campbell
Kiwi shearers lead in Europe
New Zealand shearing champion Toa Henderson has claimed his first big success in the Northern Hemisphere by winning the open international final at the French championships.
The win came at Boussac, where he, and Wools of New Zealand national teammate and open final runner-up Jack Fagan also beat France in a test match on July 14, the French Bastille Day holiday.
Shearing in Europe for the first time, Henderson’s win followed a fourth placing in the Scottish black face shearing championships final at the Lochearnhead Shears on June 28, and third in the Great Yorkshire Shears Show Open final on July 9.
Fagan won the Boussac Speed Shear, with Henderson claiming second place. With a loss against Scotland and wins over England and France, the pair takes a two–one record on tour going into a threetest series against Wales, beginning July 19, at Cothi.
Henderson and Fagan continued a downunder dominance of England at the Great Yorkshire Show by winning the second test of their 2025 Wools of New Zealand Tour of the UK and France.
With Henderson first to finish the test of 20 Swaledale hoggets each, which he shore in 13m 43s, also scoring the best points overall, the pair beat England shearers, Nick Greaves and Dean Nelmes, by 4.3 points.
Fagan was also runner-up to Welsh shearer Gethin Lewis in defence of the
Great Yorkshire open title Fagan won last year, when he and Greaves both featured in a test match New Zealand won by just 0.55 points.
Henderson, the Golden Shears and New Zealand Shears open champion, just a fortnight into his first shearing in the Northern Hemisphere, on his first tour in the New Zealand singlet, and currently a clear leader in the 2026 World Championships New Zealand team selection series back home, was also first to finish the open final but had to settle for third place overall.
He shore the 20 sheep in 13m 5s, beating Lewis by 16 seconds and also claiming the scalp of 2019 world champion and Welsh gun Richard Jones, whom he beat by almost two minutes.
Among other New Zealand shearers at the Great Yorkshire Show, at Harrowgate, was Golden Shears senior champion Bruce Grace, who just missed a place in the senior final, and with Paul Hodges, of Geraldine, for a New Zealand selection in an open/senior relay, in which they were fourth.
After the three-match series against Wales, the men head home for the New Zealand season starting in the South Island in October.
Toa Henderson in action at the Great Yorkshire Show
The innovative programme, set up by Beef + Lamb New Zealand, connects farmers with New Zealand primary and intermediate school students. Through live virtual video calls, the programme aims to engage, inspire and educate students about the food journey from farm to fork.
LeAnne said they decided to become involved, as they’ve always believed there is a gap in knowledge between food production and the consumer.
“We host international Workaway volunteers on-farm, and I run a Facebook page called Calf Chronicles. Farmer Time for Schools was a natural step to get involved to continue showcasing what we do and how we produce food.”
BY DENISE GUNN
FARMERS GIVE TIME TO SCHOOLS
The husband and wife team are in an equity partnership with LeAnne’s parents, milking 350 cows on their Inglewood farm. LeAnne also has her own accounting practice.
“Ian is the main operator and I focus on calf rearing in the spring, helping out wherever needed,” she said.
This is the couple’s second year of Farmer Time for Schools. Their first pairing was with a small class in a rural Otago school.
“My first session with my first class, last year, covered questions the children had about dairy farming. It was an open panel discussion and I was asked a lot.
Taranaki dairy farmers Ian Powell and LeAnne Blakelock have found signing up with Farmer Time for Schools gives them opportunities to share their farming journey with school students.
“Questions
LeAnne and her husband, Ian Powell, are in an equity partnership with LeAnne’s parents, milking 350 cows
such as what breed of cow did I have, how much milk did they produce, why did I take the calves from the mothers, and where did I sell my milk.”
LeAnne sent general videos of calves, heifers and milking cows to demonstrate where she was up to in day-to-day farming as the season progressed. A question and answer chat session followed.
As most of those students were from sheep and beef farms, dairying was a foreign concept to them.
“I loved their genuine curiosity and desire to learn,” said LeAnne.
“The freedom to ask questions on things that don’t make sense to them has been empowering. Many were desperate to ask loads of questions all at once.”
Strath Taieri School principal Lisa Bankshaw said LeAnne was fabulous, and the kids absolutely loved all the photos she took in the shed at calving.
“We had great discussions with her about breeds for dairy versus the beef
breeds we have down here. She always had a smile, and the kids genuinely enjoyed interacting with her.”
Ian and LeAnne are now paired with a class of seven year two students from central Wellington. Sessions are held fortnightly, lasting around half an hour.
LeAnne has found the students to be curious and want to mostly understand the systems.
She said one of the highlights is watching a nervous child, who is bursting with a question, get the courage to step forward and ask.
“I love their enthusiasm and curiosity in what we do. They are going to be consumers and advocates for our way of life into the future.
“Humanising farming is one step towards bridging that urban-rural divide.”
Last year, 1,253 students took part in the Farmer Time for Schools programme nationwide, with 57 farmerteacher pairings bringing farming and food production to life in the classroom. The programme covers a wide range of curriculum areas and farm types.
Throughout the year, students explore key farming topics, including sustainability, animal care, soil health, technology and the role of the climate in food production. A recent survey of participants reinforced the programme’s impact, with teachers and farmers saying they would recommend it to others.
Farmer Time for Schools national coordinator Marie Burke said the programme continues to have a meaningful impact on students, teachers and farmers alike.
“This initiative has proven its value time and time again, by providing invaluable learning experiences for young Kiwis. We see students develop a real connection with the land and their food, while farmers gain a sense of pride in sharing their knowledge.”
LeAnne said Farmer Time for Schools is a really simple way to participate in an industry-good programme.
“This does not have a huge time commitment, and the coordinator makes it so simple with everything organised and set up. It’s really fun to showcase your farm, and to get the opportunity to see it through a child’s eyes.”
Primary producers and teachers interested in becoming involved can visit farmertime.co.nz.
Farmer Time for Schools provides opportunities to bridge the gap in knowledge between food production and the consumer
This year, Ian and LeAnne are paired with a class of seven year two students from central Wellington
BY DENISE GUNN
After working in the dairy industry for several years, the pair’s sharemilking journey began when they established their own company, Menai Limited, in 2011.
Following their win, Jacob and Leah secured a new position as 50/50 sharemilkers, milking a herd of 500 cows for John Topless on his Tikorangi dairy farm. They are now in their fifth season milking 700 cows, including a small autumn-calving herd.
Prior to moving on to the Tikorangi farm, the couple were free-leasing out their heifers. Leah said due to the size of the operation they were moving to, they bought another 200 mixed-age cows and leased a further 80.
EXPANDING THEIR DAIRY BUSINESS
Winning the 2019 Share Farmer of the Year title at the Taranaki Dairy Industry Awards put a different perspective on Jacob and Leah Prankerd’s dairy career.
They’ve since increased their herd from 450 to 700 cows with the aim to be an F8J8 (first-cross cow) herd with high breeding worth.
“Due to expanding, culling has been a challenge but now we are at a somewhat stable period rather than growth, we will finally be able to cull those lower-end cows.”
She said the farm they are currently on has provided them with good scale as sharemilkers in Taranaki.
“We employ three full-time staff members and one relief milker/calf rearer. We have been very fortunate to have found some good staff, with some being in their fourth and third season with us, and planning on staying on next season.
We’re here to support you with:
• Personalised Service
• Unparalleled Agricultural Expertise
• Strategic Business Advice
• Customised Accounting & Tax Solutions
To discover more, visit our website or call us to get started.
a 182ha dairy platform
“Within this operation, we not only run our 700 cows on the 182ha platform, but we also run our own youngstock and beef on support blocks close to the dairy platform.”
The couple has increased their herd from 450 to 700 cows, milking on
Prankerds are in their fifth
This year, the couple has also taken on a lease block in Waiwhakaiho, grazing heifers and wintering dry cows. In between the arrival of the couple’s two children, Leah continued working as a rural account manager with ASB until December 2023.
At the start of last year, Leah changed her career path to take up a role as the North Taranaki extension partner with DairyNZ. She has since been promoted to become the senior area manager in Central Taranaki.
Leah said her role varies from day-to-day.
“The main purpose is to engage with our dairy farmers and other rural professionals to pass on industry-
Leah and Jacob secured a new 50/50 sharemilking position after winning the 2019 Taranaki Share
specific knowledge and create discussion around what is happening in the sector, particularly with a future-focus lens.”
She aims to help farmers connect the dots and learn from the research that has been carried out by DairyNZ.
“The thing I enjoy the most about my role is the people. I believe I work in the best sector (food and fibre), and what makes that particularly great is the people; farmers learning from farmers and exploring different ideas to progress a positive future.
“I feel what I learn out in the field, I can bring back to our own business on-farm and assess where we are at and what changes can be made.”
MotorBody Works
Jacob and Leah navigate through any challenges by having a clear line of communication and talking about their dairying business with each other.
“To be honest, a lot of the ways we overcame challenges was by learning along the way. You don’t know what you don’t know, and the best way to learn is by doing. By doing that we make sound decisions based on our previous experiences. We also try to celebrate the successes along the way.”
The couple plans to stay on the Tikorangi farm to help strengthen the balance sheet for creating future opportunities.
“We have been very lucky to have engaged with the people who are involved in our business. They have helped us to be successful, whether it be our staff, employers or rural professionals.”
They also want to use their lease block to expand the business.
“Ideally, we would like to sell down and purchase a dairy farm where we can milk around 400 cows in Taranaki. By aiming to milk a herd that size, it will enable us to be able to continue to employ but still have a good scale operation.”
“It would be great to have something to call our own. Everything we would be doing would be for our future self,” said Leah.
The
season on the Tikorangi farm
Farmer of the Year title
Leah and Jacob Prankerd with their two children
SHEEPDOG TRIALS A FAMILY TRADITION
Whangamōmona
BY DENISE GUNN PART ONE
at
Sheep
Pure power
Hanmer Springs in May. Competing with Bridge, Steve took out the New Zealand Straight Hunt Championship title, with a total of 195 points from two runs. In the New Zealand Short Head and Yard Championship, Steve and Edge placed seventh.
Three weeks prior, Dan and his dog, Nippy, won the North Island Short Head and Yard Championship at Moawhango, with an aggregate score of 193 points over two runs.
The brothers were born into a farming family and a line of sheepdog triallists, so it was a natural progression to follow the same direction. Steve and Dan’s family involvement in dog trialling stretches back three generations to their grandfather.
Their father, Bernard, was a top competitor in New Zealand, continuing in the sport to win his fourth national title at 80. In 2008, he was awarded a QSM for services to sheepdog trials.
From left: Steve with his dog, Bridge, the 2025 NZ Straight Hunt title winner), and Dan with his dog, Nippy, the 2025 North Island Shorthead and Yard title winner
Dan and Steve have been familiar names on the leaderboards at dog trials around New Zealand for nearly 45 years. Steve began competing when he was around 20, and Dan was a few years younger.
They also played rugby for Whangamōmona for many years, becoming life members along with Charmaine.
The pair both farm separately on neighbouring properties in the backblocks of Taranaki. Steve and his wife, Charmaine, farm 524ha over two blocks; their home block at Tahora and another in the Whitianga Valley, where the local dog trials are held. They run 1,650 Romney ewes, 500 hoggets, 135 breeding cows and 30 replacement heifers.
“We cull heifers, which are sold at 20 months, and steers are sold at two and a half year olds,” said Steve.
“We usually fatten all our lambs except for this year. With the extreme dry weather, all excess stock were sold store. This was the same for Dan and Kathy.”
Dan and his wife, Kathym run 1,400 Romney ewes, 100 breeding cows and replacement stock on their Tahora and Whitianga Valley blocks, across a total of 404ha. Their steers and heifers are sold at around 18–20 months old.
The Murphys belong to the Whangamōmona Dog Trial Club, which celebrated its centennial earlier this year. Charmaine has held the roles of secretary
for 28 years and treasurer for 20 years, and Kathy has been kitchen manager for 22 years.
“We are both very supportive and involved in our husbands’ sport,” said Charmaine. “The four of us are life members of our club.”
Dan and Steve are also life members of the Taranaki Centre, with Dan as president from 2004–2011.
“They both do all trials in the Taranaki Centre, unless other commitments arise and they can’t attend.”
In more than four decades of competition, Steve has competed in 21
championship finals, 21 of those with heading dogs and one huntaway final. He’s won eight island titles with heading dogs, and his first New Zealand title this year.
“I’m thrilled to bits to win,” said Steve. He has also represented New Zealand in a test match against Australia.
Dan has won six island and three New Zealand titles with two heading dogs and one huntaway, from 21 finals. Twice he has represented New Zealand in a test team against Australia.
Read part two next month.
Dan and some of his dogs getting ewes in for scanning
Taranaki Tux Yarding Challenge returns
Taranaki Centre Sheep Dog Trials held its first Tux Yarding Challenge in the TSB Indoor Arena in Hāwera this month.
The three-day event, led by Taranaki Centre president Ken Lobb and a team of Taranaki triallists, was well supported with 218 entries. It was the first of seven Tux Yarding Challenges to be held in the North Island, leading up to the Tux New Zealand Yarding Challenge finals that will be held at Aratiatia Station, Taupō in January 2026.
Although a Tux trial used to be held in Taranaki many years ago, it wound up and was taken over by an indoor event that ran for 15 years.
This year’s first Tux Yarding Challenge on the calendar, drew dog triallists and their dogs from all over the North Island to compete. Most of the top Tux yarding dogs in the country, past and present championship holders, as well as many newcomers to the sport of all ages, took part.
“Despite being one of the smallest centres in the country, all members of Taranaki clubs had an input in helping get the trial off to a good start,” said Wanganui Centre publicity officer Brenda O’Leary.
This involved setting up the Tux course in the stadium, liberating over the three days, and pitching in where needed. Brewer Farms supplied the sheep for the event.
The competition began on Friday, July 11, and continued through to the final run-off on Sunday, July 13.
Former New Zealand title holders, Bob Bruce and Ruby, won the coveted Bob Harvey Memorial Trophy and top prize. Robyn Stephens from the King Country took second place with Tia. This combination were the top qualifiers on the Saturday’s competition with a 98.5 points run. Waikato Centre’s Laura Geering and Missy placed third. These three competitors will go forward to the Tux New Zealand Yarding Challenge.
Taranaki Centre president Ken Lobb with his dog, Lizzie, made the top five on the first day of competition. Unfortunately, this duo drew rogue sheep and they were unable to complete.
Maiden competitor, King Country’s Nick Anselmi with Gus, won that section with 95.5 points. Ruby Bailey from the Wanganui Centre was second with Sass, scoring 91.5 points. Steve Mackie, also from the King Country, placed third with Shadow on 49.5 points. Nick and Gus will go through to the Tux New Zealand Yarding Challenge in January to compete for the top maiden title.
Brenda O’Leary from Wanganui judged the event — her fourth Tux Yarding Challenge.
Permacolour Decorative Concrete Coatings and Resurfacing products such as Decorative Overlay, Decorative Flake, Colourmix Coloured Concrete and more.
Permacolour Colourmix Coloured Concrete
Permacolour Colourmix UV Stable is a blend of high quality, synthetic iron oxides for coloured concrete. Packaged in water-soluble bags with an outer paper bag for protection. Considered the most economical and simplest method of adding colour to the concrete. Pigments used in Permacolour Colourmix meet both European and American standards.
Permacolour Decorative Overlay:
Permacolour Decorative Overlay is used to transform plain or older looking concrete both externally and internally, with beautiful colour, design, and texture. The perfect product to revamp paths around the house, driveways, patios and much more.
Permacolour Decorative Flake:
Permacolour Flake has an appearance that is a cross between stone, granite and polished concrete. It provides a multi fleck finish that hides dirt and defects. The clear topcoat ensures tough chemical resistance and an easy to clean floor. This is perfect for patios, internal flooring and sheds/ garages.
We usually make all the coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) we need. Some, however, should take extra as a supplement.
CoQ10 is mostly made in your liver from the same enzymes that make cholesterol. This is why drugs that reduce cholesterol can significantly reduce CoQ10 and can cause side effects that are so common that they are now diagnosable diseases. Many pharmacists recommend CoQ10 to people collecting statin prescriptions.
The main role of CoQ10 is to move hydrogen electrons within your cell mitochondria to produce energy. Inadequate CoQ10 levels reduce cell energy usually felt as tiredness and muscle weakness.
I have a client who had experienced significant muscle pain while on statins. After a few months taking a quality CoQ10 the pain had gone and they can now tolerate the medication without side effects. I generally find it takes one to two months to improve muscle function and energy.
Muscle issues from statin use is one of the most common reasons for muscle and tendon pain and weakness. I spoke to
someone yesterday whose muscles had started to break down while on statins. It is a shame that many suffer needlessly, as in most cases, it is quickly resolved with a high-quality CoQ10 without having to stop the medication. I recommend CoQ10 for those with health issues known to reduce energy especially those with autoimmune or neurodegenerative problems. While CoQ10 is not a cure, it can help to lift general energy and wellbeing. I will add a quality, naturally-fermented, patented CoQ10 or my mitochondrial formula for those needing extra CoQ10, plus a lift in energy. This combines CoQ10 with a B vitamin complex plus other energy co-factors. Most people feel a real difference within one to two months.
John Arts (Adv.Dip.Nut.Med) is a nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health Ltd. For questions or advice contact John on 0800 423 559 or email john@abundant.co.nz. Join his newsletter at abundant.co.nz.
DAFFODIL DAY
FRIDAY 29TH AUGUST 2025
“With respect & support for the NZCS and all their work bringing hope.”
50 McAlpine Rd, Hawera P: 06 278 7170
“With respect and support for the CSNZ and all their work for bringing hope”
“Proud to stand beside our community and support Daffodil Day”
Ph: 06 765 7628 Ross: 027 443 2896
“With your help, there is hope! Sharing our full support with the CSNZ this Daffodil Day” 06 769 5300
“Proud to support the search for a cure”
Ph: 027 288 6845 www.progressivelivestock.co.nz Kim Harrison
Ph: 06 754 6022 pauls-lawnmowers@hotmail.com PAULS Lawnmowers & Chainsaws
“With your help, there is hope! Sharing our full support with the CSNZ this Daffodil Day”
“Proud to stand beside our community and support Daffodil Day”
“Proud
“With respect and support for the CSNZ and all their work for bringing hope” 06 767 8167 021 338 390 mike@robinsonelectrical.co.nz
“Proud
FRIDAY 29TH AUGUST 2025
by Andy Bryenton
Yellow blooms in support of NZCS
Daffodil Day is coming again in August, with support for the hard work of the Cancer Society at the forefront of volunteers’ minds as they hit the streets, turning towns around New Zealand yellow.
By the time you receive your next edition of the Taranaki Farming Lifestyles, it may already be time to paint the town yellow for the cause, so to boost involvement and visibility, we’ve decided to fly the flag a little early.
There are many reasons why Daffodil Day is one of the most supported and respected charity appeals on the Kiwi calendar. Nearly everyone in the nation has a friend, relative or colleague who has battled cancer. Statistically, 25,000 New Zealanders will receive that diagnosis each year. With medical science improving every day, thanks to funding for research, the chances of making a full recovery are getting better all the time.
Early detection, good care and solid support are the keys to success. To aid in this, the NZCS puts in more than one million kilometres of drive time to get patients to their medical appointments each year. It provides 50,000 nights of free accommodation to bring people closer to specialist medical services.
Add in their work promoting early detection and educating people on cancer risks, advocating for better healthcare and operating a full-time
telephone service for information. It’s easy to see why the people behind the daffodil appeal are so well-respected.
A further $5.2 million was granted to those researching lifesaving anti-cancer treatments last year, thanks to the generosity of average Kiwis.
The NZCS works closely with hospitals, doctors and other care service providers, and has the respect of all within the
medical profession. Those who work for Kaipara’s hospice are just some of those who benefit from this collaboration.
“They are simply wonderful,” says Hospice Kaipara spokesperson Annette Olsen. “Working to support families and patients, they are a dedicated team and very supportive. With us, with the hospital and in the wider community, they are doing a great job.”
The daffodil was chosen as the emblem for its annual appeal, symbolising springtime, new life and hope. It’s been adopted by similar charitable organisations worldwide, becoming the international symbol of the fight for a cure and volunteers’ excellent work helping patients’ families.
Please give generously when you see the charity collectors out and about next month, or make a donation online via daffodilday.org.nz any time of the year.
“Proud to stand beside our community and support Daffodil Day”
06 278 5518
33 High St Hawera headstonewarehouse.co.nz
“With your help, there is hope! Sharing our full support with the CSNZ this Daffodil Day”
to stand beside our community and support Daffodil Day”
A main street is often the scene of a big Daffodil Day bake sale and barbecue — a scene replicated across many rural towns
EARTHWORKS HARVESTING CULTIVATION
Rural Building
by Andy Bryenton
Insulation rules made more efficient
The government is making it less expensive to build houses by changing up the insulation rules, while still retaining standards for healthy homes.
“I’ve heard clearly from the industry that the current one-size-fits-all approach to insulation requirements is needlessly driving-up costs,” said Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk, on the announcement of a raft of new rule changes.
“The most prescriptive compliance pathway currently available for insulation, known as the Schedule Method, doesn’t allow for design trade-offs that can affect a home’s energy efficiency, like adjusting window size.
“This has led to designers and homeowners having to over-insulate in certain areas to achieve Building Code compliance, offering little extra energy efficiency benefit at a significant cost.”
It was often a case of the rules being an impediment to progress, and still not delivering good outcomes. With smarter tools now available to calculate thermal retention, energy efficiency and overall insulation optimisation, builders should not need to apply the blunt tool of the old rules.
The upshot is a saving of an average $15,000 on every new home; not an inconsiderable sum. Also on the horizon is a possible change to the rules in Northland,
which has a more subtropical climate than other more southerly parts of the nation.
The changes represent a middleground approach to insulation law, with the plan laid out by Mr Penk, in early July, earning praise from builders and healthy housing advocates.
That’s because the rhetoric from the coalition government, in 2024, was leaning towards the scrapping of insulation standards. At the time, it’s reported spokespeople for the building industry made claims that the cost of a home was being driven up by more than $50,000 by the Healthy Homes’ standards. However, investigation by Mr Penk’s ministry found these claims were contradicted by independent advice.
“I’m really proud to say that Certified Builders, Construction Industry Council, ADNZ (Architectural Designers New Zealand), BRANZ (Building Research Association of New Zealand) and others stepped in and said, no, you should not be taking out insulation, and it’s bad design that is to blame, not insulation, for overheating,” said Green Housing Council head Andrew Eagles.
nobody approach to a more-tailored system
The government listened, which is a good thing from the perspective of another department; that of health. It’s estimated that warmer, drier homes delivered by logical insulation and heating rules have already resulted in less stress on busy doctors and hospitals.
The new rules are likely to be published in their final form in November, meaning that building will be a cheaper and more flexible process in the new year.
Rules around insulation, which builders described as a ‘blunt instrument’ and ‘unfit for purpose’ have been changed from a one-size-fits-
HOMES
Rural Building
by Andy Bryenton
Defenders against disaster
The recent onslaught of wild weather, which swelled the upper reaches of the Waitotara and brought flooding to swathes of Taranaki, has highlighted the importance of all our rescue services working together.
Civil Defence mobilised as soon as the heavy rain was forecast, and the threat assessed early this month. Local councils, MetService and the New Zealand Transport Agency fed information to them to give the
public the full picture of the weather bomb, its impact on roads and infrastructure, and what to do in case of property damage.
All of this was made possible by an organisation that works with clockwork precision, drawing in professionals and volunteers to help keep people safe.
Under the Beehive in Wellington sits the National Crisis Management Centre, our own version of the impervious command bunkers often seen in dramatisations of war and disaster. This facility is built to withstand a level-10 earthquake, and has independent water, air and power supplies as well as its own hardened IT network. From there, rescue and emergency teams can be coordinated to work as one, as we have seen in west Kaipara last week with army, police, fire brigade, surf lifesavers and other first responders seamlessly cooperating.
Much of Civil Defence’s work, however, happens on the ground, out in communities far from this central hub.
A lot of that work is about preparedness rather than reaction, too. Civil Defence has a broad mission to ensure people are ready for the kind of wild weather and
unpredictable natural events that could strike New Zealand, which have done so in recent weeks with alarming effect.
The early origins of Civil Defence come from a more military background, with plans made to secure the nation against enemy attack during the first and second world wars. In 1959, local authorities ceded their welfare and rescue powers to a central Ministry of Civil Defence.
Civil Defence swung into action when Cyclone Gabrielle hit, and has been pivotal in weather bombs and hazards
since. Its assistance in coordinating a response saves lives and helps people get through flooding, downed trees and evacuation emergencies. However, it’s up to all of us to be ready when nature turns vicious, and that means being ready with a plan, an emergency kit and supplies. The Civil Defence website is a valuable resource for planning ahead, and suggests making a checklist to get through future emergencies. Visit civildefence.govt.nz for practical advice on preparing for natural hazards and disasters.
When natural disasters strike, New Zealand’s Civil Defence gets into action, coordinating a response that can be lifesaving
by Amy Fifita
From Hāwera beginnings
From Sudoku to British politics, two South Taranaki brothers, Wayne and Bryan Gould, made their mark on the world in different ways.
The firstborn son of Charles and Elsie Gould, Bryan was born on February 11 1939. After receiving a secondary education at Tauranga College and Dannevirke High School, Bryan went on to study at both Victoria and Auckland University. He earned himself a Bachelor of Arts and a bachelor’s and master’s in laws.
The well-educated man continued to pursue knowledge and was the New Zealand Rhodes Scholar at Balliol College (Oxford’s oldest college), where he completed a law degree with firstclass honours.
Bryan became an elected Labour MP for Southampton Test in 1974, an office he held for five years. After finishing up as a politician, he took up being a broadcast journalist before returning to politics in 1983.
During his political career, Bryan was Dagenham MP, shadow chief secretary to the treasury, shadow secretary of state for trade and industry, environment and national heritage. He returned to New Zealand after retiring from politics.
Bryan Gould was born in Hāwera in 1939, and went on to achieve much in the way of education and politics
His homecoming provided more opportunities for him as he became vicechancellor at Waikato University and a TVNZ board member. He was honoured in
2005 when he was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Charles Gould had another notable son. Born on July 3 1945, Wayne Gould landed himself in Hong Kong as a criminal courts judge. While many see Sudoku as a wonderful newspaper pastime to fire up the brain, it wouldn’t be as popular if it weren’t for Wayne.
It was in Tokyo that Wayne began his love for Sudoku when he discovered the puzzle in a bookstore. With a mind for technology, the Hāwera-born man spent six years developing Pappocom Sudoko, a computer programme that could generate games on a large scale.
With a computer programme at the ready, Wayne began selling the massproduced puzzles to the London Times in 2004. Other UK newspapers soon followed suit.
With US newspapers providing a free puzzle in their publications, he provided his puzzles for free, providing the Pappocom website as the place to find the solutions.
Through Wayne’s love for the game, the puzzle became popular worldwide. In 2006, Time Magazine recognised Wayne as one of the world’s most influential people.
by Andy Bryenton
Local elections pose pivotal questions
This October, Taranaki residents will go to the polls to choose a team of civic leaders for the next triennium, and recent adverse weather, floods and the response to them by their mayors and councillors will be fresh in their minds.
The Taranaki Regional Council covers the entire region with a focus on the natural environment, while The Stratford District Council and South Taranaki District Council administer large parts of the rural heartland, while the New Plymouth District Council administers a more urban constituency. When disaster strikes, as it did in early July, these leadership bodies play a key role in response and recovery.
Ratepayers must decide this October who will be mayor of their municipality, and also choose a team of ward councillors to make decisions on local matters for the next three years.
Everyone who is over 18, is a New Zealand citizen, and nominated by at least two people from their home district is eligible to run for council. It’s a very responsible role, with the requirement to make reasoned decisions, think critically, achieve a compromise where it’s necessary to accommodate different viewpoints, and understand sometimes complex issues.
For everybody else, it’s time to vote for the best representative you believe will
speak out for your community. There are many who say that this local body election will be the most important for decades, and there are three big reasons why.
The first is water. The coalition government in Wellington has required local bodies to set up new water infrastructure entities under the Local Waters Done Well regime. This could mean a collaboration with other councils and more costs for ratepayers. Your current council will make a call on some aspects of water services by September, but the incoming council will need to keep a close eye on this very weighty issue.
The second is the issue of Māori wards. This topic has come down to a referendum as part of local elections for nearly every district in the nation that already had specialised Māori representation. This is a complex call, encompassing a personal interpretation of Te Tiriti made by each voter, as well as the general principle of democratic representation and the value of multiple voices and viewpoints in civic decision-making.
Lastly, there’s the huge changes to the Resource Management Act
to come, which may change the way rural and urban authorities approach compliance, environmental protection and building. These all have aspects relevant to the flooding that ravaged
the region earlier this month, and the recovery from that disaster will also, by necessity, be an urgent and weighty task for new councillors and mayors across all of Taranaki.
Taranaki will decide on October 11 who will lead the district into the future; enrol to vote or as a candidate now
WE ARE HERE FOR YOU WE ARE HERE FOR YOU
Mycoplasma bovis compensation wraps up
After helping more than 1,300 farmers in the fight against M bovis the compensation assistance service has been wound up.
The DairyNZ Beef + Lamb New Zealand Compensation Assistance Team (DBCAT) was set up in 2018 to help farmers prepare compensation claims during the M bovis outbreak.
For the past seven years, 1,370 farmers have used the free service, with more than 2,310 claims being finalised. More than $161 million in claims were submitted by the service on behalf of farmers, including $88 million from dairy farmers and $40 million from beef farmers.
It is estimated that the service saved the M bovis eradication programme more than $10 million by finding smart farmsystems solutions that mitigated the need for a claim.
DairyNZ head of biosecurity, Fi Roberts, said the service played an important part in supporting farmers through a tough time.
“We know how hard it was for farmers, which is why we wanted to support those affected by getting them through the compensation claim process as quickly as we could,” she said.
“By having a dedicated team, claims could be processed faster and farmers compensated more quickly.”
DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown says eradicating the disease has been one of the most significant biosecurity challenges the sector has ever faced.
“That’s why it was important that the service was operated independently of the government so we could provide specific assistance and guidance to help farmers through.”
Beef + Lamb New Zealand chair Kate Acland said DBCAT played an important role in helping farmers navigate what was one of the toughest times in their farming careers.
“The service not only made the compensation process more accessible and efficient, but it also ensured farmers had someone in their corner who understood their operation and their stress.
“We’re proud of the partnership that delivered this support and of the legacy DBCAT leaves in showing how the sector can come together in a time of need.”
DairyNZ partnered with the Ministry for Primary Industries and Beef + Lamb New Zealand to lead the response phase of the M bovis eradication programme.
The DBCAT service closed on June 30 with MPI directly handling any new or unresolved claims.
by Andy Bryenton
Giant robots not just for anime
John Deere has unleashed one of the most powerful, and biggest, tracked tractors ever to till the soil, with the debut of the 9RX, and a surprising reveal at the CES cereal crop expo in the US; this monster of the fields can come as an advanced, driverless robot.
Everything about the 9RX is defined by huge numbers, including its massive four-tracked silhouette, reminiscent of the desert-crawling harvesters of Frank Herbert’s Dune novels. The big JD18, 18-litre diesel under the hood can deliver a maximum of 913 horsepower, but it also delivers this titanic amount of force, while
achieving emissions standard compliance without any fuel fluids or additives.
Now, for the numbers. Start with hydraulic flow of up to 635 litres a minute, tracks 91 centimetres wide for floatation over soil, and 6.8 square metres of glass in the immense cab. The RX9 weighs 33 tonnes, stands an imposing 3.7 metres tall, and measures 8.8 metres in length, track-to-track.
All that power is designed to operate the biggest and most demanding of implements for massive fields and acres of crops. However, there’s finesse behind the brute force of the RX9, with more advanced computing technology on board than ever before in a tractor of this size. Some of this is the wizardry allowing this green giant to go fully autonomous.
“Our agriculture, construction, and commercial landscaping customers all have work that must get done at certain times of the day and year, yet there is not enough available and skilled labour to do the work,” says John Deere chief technology officer Jahmy Hindman.
“Autonomy can help address this challenge. That’s why we’re extending our technology stack to enable more machines to operate safely and autonomously in unique and complex environments. This
BUSINESS
will not only benefit our customers, but all of us who rely on them to provide the food, fuel, fibre, infrastructure and landscaping care that we depend on every day.”
By adding 16 cameras and John Deere’s second-gen autonomy kit, the 9RX gains a 360-degree cybernetic view of its surroundings, with advanced depth perception to enable it to move with swift surety. Deere engineers say this gives
farmers the option of stepping away from the RX9’s spacious cab and taking care of other things, while it deals with vast swathes of land all on its own.
While the RX9 might be too big for most Kiwi farms, made as it is for the US plains, it’s a halo product displaying the peak of engineering and automation as a snapshot in time. Lessons learned making this beast will soon be coming to a field near you.
John Deere’s huge new RX9 is not just an exercise in superlatives; it’s an autonomous robot tractor on a whole new scale
by Denise Gunn
Providing customer service and supplies
Eltham Farm Supplies, Eltham Timber and Supplies, and Eltham Construction cover the requirements of Taranaki’s rural, commercial and residential markets.
Joe and Claire Menzies operate the three businesses, serving the rural, commercial and residential markets, going the extra mile with customer service. The couple has two daughters, Tessa and Sarah. Sarah is a familiar face at the farm store as she regularly helps out.
Since its establishment in January 2019, Eltham Farm Supplies has filled a void in the community. In 2020, the business moved to its permanent site at 178 Bridge Street, Eltham.
“We are an independent farm store, and our partnerships with independent suppliers is key to our survival,” said Joe.
“We can sell you chook pellets through to high-end sheds. We cover all the options.”
Eltham Farm Supplies stocks numerous brands. More recently, the business became one of two distributors in Taranaki of Harvest Grains’ premium quality horse and poultry food.
The most recent development is becoming the commission agent for Fertco for Taranaki and the Whanganui region. A very popular product is Magnum 44, containing NSmart and Sulphate of Ammonia, with slow release over three months.
The timber and supplies branch of the company was previously a wider-family business, operating as Mangamingi Transport, Milling and Contracting for almost 40 years.
Joe and Claire took equal ownership of the company in May 2017, changing the business name to Eltham Timber and Supplies two months later.
Eltham Timber and Supplies primarily operates as a timber yard, providing general building supplies. Joe has long-held a passion for timber, and since taking over the reins, has expanded the business’s core activity.
On noticing the lack of a local construction company to support the building needs of the rural and residential population in Eltham and the wider central and south Taranaki district, Joe established Eltham Construction. This business provides a broad range of services, including general cartage, pole-barn and general construction, cattle yards, roofing, fencing and digger work.
Joe said service to customers comes first.
“Service is number one, whether it’s the farm store, or my boys out on a job.”
Joe and Claire are very thankful for the support from the Eltham community and surrounding areas.
• Both fast and sustained supply of
•
•
nutrients, time, and money Talk to Barts (Garath Bartley) 027 764 7003
Claire and Joe Menzies of Eltham Farm Supplies
Surfatex specialise in ‘Acraflex’ Dairy Wall Coatings, Pit, Milk room and Yard repairs. Industrial coatings including anti-slip solutions and protective flooring.
Our skilled team is based in the Manawatu and mobile across the lower North Island. Before After
• Lower power bills
• Offset rising electricity costs
• Export surplus back to the grid
• 7–8 year payback, 20–30 year lifespan
Rewards for environmental protection
by Andy Bryenton
An ambitious plan to reward landowners who protect biodiversity voluntarily has been tabled by the coalition government.
Associate Environment and Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard announced moves to start a pilot scheme for the trading of voluntary nature credits at National Fieldays, and has since elaborated on the idea in a speech to the New Zealand Farm Trust’s alumni.
Core to the concept is that landowners and conservation groups will be able to gain credits, similar in nature to those used to denote sequestered CO2, for areas of wilderness, bush and wetlands in their care. It’s a combination of an incentive to protect significant areas of natural importance, with fiscal pragmatism.
An example is Te Toa Whenua Northland, led by Reconnecting Northland. This group is transitioning around 100ha from exotic forestry to native, including pest control on iwiowned land. Under the new scheme’s pilot programme, this will earn tradeable credits. Proponents of the plan see this as a much better way to engage in the carbon trade than planting pines on productive farmland, but it’s also voluntary, unlike the now-scrapped plan of mapping and enforcing Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) on private land.
This contentious policy was quickly done away with by the coalition government, and councils no longer have to identify and map SNAs, after the suspension of parts of the National Policy Statement on Indigenous Biodiversity.
“Farmers and other private landowners are doing their part to protect native biodiversity and want to do more. Supporting
Andrew Hoggard is calling a new scheme for voluntary
voluntary nature credit markets is a chance for the government to show them the carrot, not just the stick,” said Mr Hoggard.
In 2024 New Zealand investors spent more than $20 million on voluntary nature and carbon credits. However, the bulk of this investment went offshore, due to a lack of available Kiwi projects ready to be invested in.
Mr Hoggard opined that New Zealand exports rely on the nation’s clean green environmental image, with 80 per cent of exports, worth $59.6 billion, headed to markets where environmental, social and governance reporting is required.
While the pilot is seen as a positive step by many, opponents note that the idea of a credit system still remains debatable, in that companies are offsetting pollution rather than curtailing it. Nevertheless, for farmers who not long ago were concerned
not just the stick”
that areas of their privately-owned land could be locked down by SNA rulings, Mr Hoggard’s announcement is a breath of fresh air.
The decision to push ahead with a tradeable scheme for voluntary protection of privately-owned areas of land comes following government plans to grant an extra $4.5 million to the QEII Trust. The trust has supported voluntary conservation efforts by landowners since its inception in 1977.
“Many of our most at-risk plants and animals are found on private land,” said Conservation Minister Tama Potaka. “Landowners provide a significant contribution to conservation efforts through additional planting, pest control and fencing work.”
