Taranaki Farming Lifestyles, June 2021

June 2021 edition

Flower farm flourishes Pages 4–5

Avocado industry continues strong growth

P3

Celebrating 100 years

Best boot forward

P6

P8

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June 2021 TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

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The Taranaki Farming Lifestyles is published with pride by Integrity Community Media, a privately owned NZ company.

More border class exceptions approved An additional 200 dairy workers and 50 veterinarians will be able to enter New Zealand following government approved border class exceptions.

Phone: 0800 466 793 Email: info@integrity.nz General Manager: Deb Wright | d eb.wright@integrity.nz | 021 639 696 Editorial: Ann van Engelen, Denise Gunn Advertising: Braxton Epere 027 525 8217 Accounts: accounts@integrity.nz Distribution: Laurie Willetts Website: www.farminglifestyles.co.nz

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Minister of Agriculture Damien O’Connor said it is clear from conversations with the dairy and veterinarian sectors that they are facing workforce pressures.

“The government, and food and fibres sector, have been working hard to mitigate worker shortages by training and upskilling New Zealanders, but we know that takes time. This announcement recognises the immediate need for additional expertise to come through our borders.

“Dairy managers and vets have specialist skills developed over many years, which we can’t replicate overnight.”

Mr O’Connor said with the new dairy season kicking off, migrant dairy farm workers will supplement the domestic workforce and provide critical support.

Taranaki Federated Farmers president Mark Hooper said the organisation is pleased that the government has responded to the current critical shortage of dairy farm staff.

“However, disappointed that the requested total of 500 skilled workers to meet the current estimated 2,000–

4,000 national dairy staff shortfall was turned down.

“Even at 500, allocating workers to where they were most needed was going to be difficult. Now with only 200, that task is even more difficult.

“One of the key concerns is that those employers who perhaps most need help for wellbeing purposes will miss out due to the high cost of the dairy herd manager category and only 50 dairy farm assistants being approved.”

Mr Hooper said there has recently been a significant spike compared to historical levels of jobs advertised for dairy staff across the country.

Currently, in Taranaki alone, there are 88 positions advertised. Finding the appropriate levels of experience to fill these positions before spring calving gets underway in the next few weeks is going to be difficult.

“It’s really important now that the government and Immigration NZ work quickly to ensure this new group of approved dairy workers are on the ground, ready for at least the start of calving, which for many farms will be mid to late July,” said Mr Hooper.

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FORESTRY SEEDLINGS

by Denise Gunn

A much-welcomed $750,000 funding boost for Towards Predator-Free Taranaki has created six new jobs, as well as accelerating efforts to remove introduced predators in the region.

The Taranaki Regional Council-led project has been awarded the 12-month funding by Crown-owned Predator Free 2050 Limited through the Jobs for Nature programme.

The six full-time equivalents are a mix of employed staff and contractors, providing a timely boost to the project.

New staff and contractor wages, as well as the cost of associated equipment, vehicles and resources, will be covered by the new funding.

“We believe they will make a real and immediate difference to the outcomes we are achieving and, in doing so, accelerate progress towards our end goal,” said TRC environment services manager Steve Ellis.

The new team members are already making an impact across Towards Predator-Free Taranaki’s three projects.

The rural project, which targets mustelids (stoats, ferrets and weasels), is being rolled out around the region in phases. Council contractors are installing traps and reducing mustelid numbers before handing responsibility over to landowners.

Landowners will be supported through that transition by a new officer, offering assistance to efficiently incorporate predator control into their farm work and use the associated technology.

Two part-time community liaison officers are already out and about in New Plymouth.

Mr Ellis said a large part of the new community liaisons’ role is to reignite

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enthusiasm among those who have bought rat traps, as well as getting more people on board.

The ‘zero possum’ project, a joint initiative with Taranaki Mounga Project (TMP), set out to eradicate possums from a 4,500ha area.

“Eradication is within reach, and the new resources allowed to the project will speed up progress.”

A new technician is now based at Pukeiti, the site of a remotely monitored 1,300 trap barrier, while a new contractor is focussing on the farmland.

Funding for another two staff has been passed to TMP for its work within the national park.

“We have had fantastic support over the last three years from volunteers, farmers, schools, community groups and residents. Let’s keep that up.”

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June 2021 TARANAKI FARMInG LIFeSTYLeS

Flower farm flourishes

by Denise Gunn

Two Taranaki sisters have turned their lifelong interest in gardens and flowers into a bustling business.

L

ouise Pease and Anna Quinn grew up in a family with a love of gardening. Their mother, Cynthia, and both of their grandmothers were all keen gardeners, so conversations often centred on flowers and plants.

Establishing a flower farm had been on their sisters’ minds for quite some time. Anna, a registered nurse, and Louise, a former journalist now working as a researcher and librarian, wanted a flower farm to fit around their careers.

Research followed, along with joining up with online flower farmer’s business support group Floral Business Activator.

Inspiration to make a start on their dream came during last year’s Covid-19 lockdown. The pair set to work on the lifestyle block belonging to Louise and her husband, Simon. The property, which

covers close to three acres, is located in Whalers Gates, on the outskirts of New Plymouth.

“Though neither of us would say we know very much, we knew enough to get started,” said Louise.

“The area where we have our garden beds is a former vegetable garden and a small paddock. It has the added bonus of a pre-existing water supply. A large conifer hedge on the southern boundary protects the beds from the worst of the southerly wind and any random frosts.

“We started quite late to develop the small garden beds, probably in about June — not the best time to start digging. We had to move a bit of soil around. Things got muddy for a while, but thanks to wonderful drainage, things didn’t stay muddy for long. After forming

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From left: Sisters Louise Pease and Anna Quinn began working on their flower farm during last year’s Covid-19 lockdown

TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES June 2021

these small beds, we got to planting our first crops, which were sweet peas, anemones and ranunculus.”

The initial garden bed preparation involved placing polythene strips over the grass for a couple of months. When the grass underneath died, a local man with a small tractor was hired to plough up the turf.

“This saved us heaps of time and energy,” said Louise. “We then formed our beds and bought in organic compost to layer on top of the beds. The beds were left to settle for a while before we laid down weed mat in our paths and weed mat with pre-burned holes for the plants across our beds.

“My husband also rigged us up a drip-feed irrigation system, which due to North Taranaki’s fantastic rainfall this summer, we’ve hardly had to use. Once the beds were planted, we added flower netting over the top to help support the plants as they grew.”

Louise and Anna focus on growing seasonal, well-loved flowers, as well as lesser-known but highly sought after plants.

They chose to name their business Two Sisters Flower Farm.

Louise said maintaining the garden will be more of a seasonal routine.

“As this is our first season, we are still working this out. In winter, we will restore the beds with compost and any natural fertilisers that are required.”

Crops will be rotated to protect against pests and diseases. During the winter and spring months, the sisters will plan which plants to grow and where

to place them, sowing seeds, potting and then planting out.

“Quite a lot of work goes on well before we see any flowers.”

Flowers are sold through Taranaki Flower Wholesalers, delivering carloads at least twice a week from November onwards.

“Leo and Tony have been really encouraging and a great source of knowledge,” said Louise.

“We also have florists who we sell to direct and people who contact us directly for events or bunches of flowers.”

Throughout the journey establishing a flower farm, Louise and Anna have taken pleasure from watching their flowers grow. They’ve also shared plenty of laughs along the way.

“The magic of growing something from a tiny seed, which then becomes these beautiful flowers, and sometimes out of control plants,” said Louise.

Their families have become involved too.

“Our husbands, Simon and Alex, have been hands-on in the true sense, and our kids have become specialists at knowing their asters and scabiosa from their zinnias. It’s a true family business.”

Although Louise and Anna may consider expanding the flower-growing area in the future, for now, the area is a perfect size.

“We both work casual or part-time jobs and have busy families to manage as well, so time is always precious.

“Instead of increasing our growing space, we want to concentrate on refining our selling process.”

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June 2021 TARANAKI FARMInG LIFeSTYLeS

Celebrating 100 years

by Denise Gunn As 2021 marks the 100th centenary of the new Zealand Women’s Institute, members around the country are celebrating the occasion.

C

anada was the first country to establish Women’s Institutes in 1897. Eighteen years later, the movement was introduced to England and soon became widespread throughout the United Kingdom.

While working in England during the first world war, Hawke’s Bay resident Anna Elizabeth Jerome Spencer was impressed with the work of Women’s Institutes. On her return to New Zealand, together with Mrs Francis (Amy) Hutchinson, the pair formed Rissington Women’s Institute in February 1921.

Soon afterwards, more institutes were established throughout New Zealand.

Now there are close to 230 Women’s Institutes and 37 district federations with more than 3,300 individual members.

A national executive committee consisting of seven members manages the organisation.

New Zealand Federation of Women’s Institutes executive officer Colleen Dryden said the aim of the organisation is to encourage women to take an active part in the development of their community.

“Women’s Institute has been extremely important for women through the century. Having time away from the farm, learning new skills, making new

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Four South Taranaki Women’s Institute members standing beside the Anna elizabeth Jerome Spencer statue in napier

friends and being empowered to speak up in public.”

Women’s Institute members have also continued to help others for the past 100 years. After the Napier earthquake, efforts by the Women’s Institute brought women from all over the country to assist. During the Great Depression, members shared ideas on how to make ends meet. Throughout the second world war, hundreds of packages filled with food and clothing were sent by institutes to serving soldiers and those under attack in the United Kingdom.

“Now members fundraise for New Zealand organisations, having raised over $100,000 for Kidney Kids to

utilise by way of airfares for children with kidney disease, to attend summer camps. Every second year, members fund a $10,000 scholarship for medical research. Local fundraising events impact on local communities as well.”

South Taranaki saw a surge in the formation of institutes from 1932 to 1939, with a total of 26 established between Patea and Opunake.

South Taranaki Women’s Institute president Phyllis Malcolm said in those early years, for the young girls and newlywed farmer’s wives, Women’s Institute provided a social outlet.

“It helped them to integrate into the district, make new friends, helped them

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settle and have a sense of belonging in the district. Many made lifelong friends.

“The opportunity to learn new skills relevant to homemaking were so valuable to these young women. They had many skilled mentors that taught and shared practical skills in cooking, preserving food when it was plenty, sewing and a variety of handcrafts. Fun was also had with choral singing, music, drama, art, education and health.”

Mrs Malcolm said life was hard in the 1930s and 1940s, and women proved to be very thrifty and excelled in recycling.

“Sacks, sugar and flour bags had a new life with making a variety of useful objects. Sugar bag mats, articles made from old felt, reed baskets, nearly every article being a thrifty production.

Members enjoy a dual celebration of the new Zealand Women’s Institutes’ centennial and South Taranaki Women’s Institute’s 85th year anniversary

“Many hours were spent knitting and sewing for the soldiers and the Red Cross. Hundreds of cakes and tins of biscuits were baked and sent as well.

Towards the end of the war, clothing was desperately needed overseas, and collections were made for Greek and Polish refugees and people in bombed Europe.”

The importance of homemaking, cooperation and citizenship still feature within Women’s Institutes.

“In recent years, we have seen members going into schools to teach the young children to knit and sew.”

Links established to Women’s Institutes in England have been maintained through the years too.

“We have at present eight Women’s Institutes in the UK, exchanging emails

and seasonal greetings.” Mrs Malcolm said with services in rural towns diminishing, and the loss of important social hubs including post offices, schools and more recently, banks, the sense of closeness and community began to fade.

“Consequently with the demise of rural communities, the number of Women’s Institutes decline with some amalgamating to survive. Still, we do survive.”

There are currently 11 Women’s Institutes still active in the district with 196 members.

Earlier this year, a statue to honour Women’s Institutes’ founder Miss Spencer was unveiled in Napier as part of the celebrations. Miss Spencer was awarded an OBE in 1937.

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June 2021 TARANAKI FARMInG LIFeSTYLeS

Best boot forward

by Denise Gunn Champion gumboot thrower, Curly Troon, was one of five joint winners of the Toyota Lifetime Legacy to Rural Sports Award at this year’s Norwood New Zealand Rural Sports Awards.

C

urly was born and bred in Taihape, where he still lives, working in the rural sector for Ballance Agri-Nutrients. He also serves the community, clocking up 30 years with the Taihape Volunteer Fire Brigade and currently holding the rank of chief fire officer.

“I was asked to join when I was providing refreshments to the brigade for a chimney fire my wife had,” he said.

The fire crew holds weekly training sessions, along with attending call-outs in and around Taihape.

It was at Taihape’s inaugural Gumboot Day in 1985 where Curly first picked up

a gumboot to throw in a competition.

The Taihape Community Development Trust kicked off the event, held in the township’s Gumboot Park. Taihape has since secured a place on the global map, gaining recognition as the gumboot capital of the world.

Since that initial gumboot throwing attempt, Curly has perfected his technique to throw a personal best distance of 38.7m. Curly said his personal challenge is to throw 40m.

During the years, Curly has notched up numerous gumboot throwing successes, including as a member of the North Island team for the past five

Curly next to Jeff Thomson’s corrugated iron gumboot sculpture years. He also competed in the men’s open, North Island championships and was a member of the winning 2019 world champion national team event.

“In 2019, we hosted the world championships here in Taihape.

Although there were only a few teams from overseas that attended, we held a very successful event with the New Zealand men’s team winners, of which I was fortunate to be a part of.

Nowadays, I’m running, promoting and

showing techniques at events we hold.

Seeing the improvement in throwing is a huge success.”

Curly said throwing into the wind is always hard.

“I try to show people the best technique is a discus throw, which enables the gumboot to spin and go further.

“No practise is required as it only takes six to nine throws on the day to get your eye in.”

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In 2014, the New Zealand Boot Throwing Association was established.

As a founding member and current chairperson of the association, Curly is a keen promoter of gumboot throwing throughout New Zealand.

“Usually around November, at the Canterbury A&P Show, we head down to promote and run the South Island Gumboot Championships,” said Curly.

In March, the New Zealand Gumboot Championships are held during the New Zealand Rural Games in Palmerston North.

These championships consist of the top three men and women from the North and South Islands, and the top two men and women from the Have A Go Gumboot Throwing contest, held prior to the games.

At this year’s Norwood New Zealand Rural Sports Awards, held during the Ford Ranger Rural Games, Curly was a joint winner of the Toyota Lifetime Legacy Award to Rural Sports.

“This is not only a personal success for myself, but also to gumboot throwing,” said Curly.

He credited the Taihape Community Development Trust for starting the ball rolling.

Gumboot Day has grown into an iconic event. Now held in conjunction with the Taihape A&P Show, Gumboot Day incorporates the Have a Go Gumboot Throwing contest and the North Island Gumboot Throwing Championships.

Curly’s long-term goals are to continue promoting Taihape and gumboot throwing in New Zealand. His other focus is overseeing the construction of a new

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Mr Twaddle said that although the quality of entries was high across the board, the nominations for the Toyota Lifetime Legacy Award proved so high that judges couldn’t decide on just one winner. Mr Twaddle said many people

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The other winners of the Toyota Lifetime Legacy to Rural Sports Award were Sally Mallinson for sheep dog trials, Greg Herrick for shearing, Nick Liefting for fencing, and Sheree Taylor for wood chopping.

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Physiotherapist Newsletter Ren, Y, Isberg, A (1995), Tinnitus in Patients with TMJ Internal Dearrangement. Journal Craniomandibular Practice,13 (2) Staff Writer (2017), Forward Head Posture — Its Effects on the Young and the Ageing. Australian Spinal Research Foundation, October 31

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SPOTLIGHT ON

13

STRATFORD

All the world’s a stage

by Andy Bryenton

A literary political leader, a nod to one of the great writers of history and an inspiration from Germany have led to one of the most interesting local attractions in New Zealand, the Stratford Glockenspiel Clock Tower.

The story of this Tudor-inspired tower with its animatronic depiction of the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet goes back well before the 1990s when the tower was finally constructed. It all begins with the surveying of the Patea River, where it flows through the rich lowland plains beneath Mount Taranaki.

British settlers saw the value in the thick soil and ready irrigation there, but much of the land was swampy and covered in forest, and there was no road or rail nearby.

That changed when Sir Julius Vogel became the eighth premier of New Zealand; a title used before we had formalised the role of prime minister. He offered low-cost, large-scale government loans to build road and rail, create farmlands and drain swamps. The road and rail links soon came, and the site for what would become Stratford was laid out by 1876.

Perhaps out of gratitude or seeking further government favours, the aldermen of the region looked for a

A Tudor-style monument to William Shakespeare rises above Stratford, Taranaki — a town named to please a literary political leader in the 1870s

name that would please Vogel. The premier was a keen writer and student of literature, so the name StratfordOn-Patea was chosen to reflect the birthplace of William Shakespeare, Stratford-On-Avon. Whether or not the literary politician was flattered is not

noted; by the time the town was officially founded, he had left power to become ambassador to England.

What did come of the Shakespearean connection was an ongoing commitment to linking the names of Stratford streets with themes and characters from the Bard’s plays. There are in excess of 60 place names in modern Stratford, which come from Shakespeare. The very existence of a second Stratford in the antipodes proves that the ancient playwright was correct to call this theatre in London the Globe, at a time when many thought the earth was flat.

The Glockenspiel tower is the ultimate tribute to Shakespeare’s most beloved play and was built in the 1990s. It’s inspired by the Rathaus-Glockenspiel in Munich, Germany, a town hall animatronic clock and bell carillon that depicts historic scenes at different hours. Four times a day, Stratford’s clock tower plays the famous balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet to entertain visitors to the town.

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June 2021 TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

EDUCATION Learning initiative a hit

by Andy Bryenton

Students in several New Zealand high schools are taking part in a new way of learning, using intensive exercise breaks to help focus the mind.

HIIT stands for High Intensity Interval Training, a form of exercise that combines fast-paced bursts of intensive movement with corresponding slower, more relaxed fitness activities.

A 20-minute session has a great effect on the body, according to one of the professors who helped develop HIIT, but it also has a profound effect on the brain.

“Young people who are doing well at school also tend to be fitter and more active,” said Australian academic professor David Lubans. ”Unfortunately, increasing time demands and academic pressures in the final years of school drive many senior school students to sacrifice time usually spent being active.”

Tui Raeli is one physical educator who utilises the programme, and he’s seen changes in the activity level and participation of students at his school in the north of New Zealand.

“We’ve definitely seen results. The main thing is, if we can make this fun

and engaging, kids will get on board,” he says.

The effects of exercise help to dissipate the brain chemicals associated with tiredness and boredom, which can build up when people are static for too long.

Sitting in one place can send the message that it’s time to rest and sleep, which is bad news for educators. HIIT not only clears the mind of messages saying it’s time to get drowsy; it also pumps fresh oxygen into the brain, giving it a recharge.

Many overseas countries incorporate this kind of exercise break into their education system; Australia’s is called Burn 2 Learn. Now local children are feeling the benefit of some physical science in their learning schedule.

“Physical activity is like medicine,” says author John Ratey, MD, speaking on the subject. “We should think of exercise as medicine.”

According to his own studies and the work of many others in the field of

Breaking up academic study with fast, short-duration high-intensity exercise has benefits for both body and brain

exercise and cognition, there are even knock-on effects with good outcomes in countering eating disorders and attention deficit spectrum conditions. Exercise

helps with executive functions like sequencing, memory, and prioritising, which contribute to necessary skills for success in school and life.

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15

EDUCATION Learning and life away from home

by Paul Campbell

Across Taranaki and the rest of New Zealand, rural isolation can often mean young people make an early departure from the comforts of home to find themselves miles away at boarding school.

For some, that may conjure fear of austerity and the cold accommodations of Victorian novelists’ descriptions. Still, in the modern era, the reality of modernday boarding is very different.

“Boarding houses no longer exist in haughty isolation, impervious to change,” recorded the director of one modern boarding institution, Carruth House at Whangarei Boys’ High School in Northland.

“Much like the learning and development institutions they work in tandem with, boarding houses must move with the times and adapt in order to stay relevant and in demand.”

The days of runny porridge, cold toast and indifferent overcooked vegetables are long past in today’s boarding institutions, with meals usually produced in glistening kitchens by qualified chefs.

In the Taranaki region, many schools have a tradition of boarding students.

New Plymouth Boys’ High School, for example, accommodates more than 200 boarding students, while Stratford’s

Taranaki Diocesan School for Girls is almost all boarders. They, and others, have developed this old fashioned tradition into a vital aspect of modern education for students who live far from the seats of academia.

As typical students should experience a range of activities at boarding school, perhaps not so many computer games and cell phones as things like playing rugby, tennis, learning piano, playing cricket and maybe joining a band, after of course, lessons of a more academic nature.

Boarders are encouraged to take part in the sporting and cultural activities on offer, alongside their studies.

A concern for parents is always that children away from home are safe and cared for, and today’s boarding establishments typically provide a safe environment with clear boundaries, curfews and rules.

Prefects become ‘big brothers or sisters’ and always look out for the interests of the younger and newer boarders. Students mention the

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June 2021 TARANAKI FARMInG LIFeSTYLeS

EDUCATION ADVERTORIAL

Where students thrive

by Lindsey Robinson

Once a necessity, now a preference, students thrive on the academic, sporting, cultural, service and leadership opportunities made possible by boarding.

Students will tell you that their house is more than where they stay, it quickly becomes a connection for life. With four boys’ houses and two girls’ houses, Whanganui Collegiate School is the leading co-educational boarding and day school in the lower North Island.

“Boys and girls think, problem-solve and react differently in social situations and therefore, they learn from each other’s differences. At this school, boys and girls learn to support each other, to work together, and as a result are well equipped for life after collegiate — it is a co-educational world,” says headmaster Wayne Brown.

“All students require quality teaching and personalised learning. At collegiate, celebrating diverse learning is at the forefront of what we do, with

a focus on empowering students with the academic, social and personal skills required to study and achieve.

“More importantly, Whanganui Collegiate School is where families are united,” says Brown.

Parents can support all their children during the same weekend. Thus the family structure is strengthened through the critical years of secondary schooling, developing a child of promise to a young adult of great character.

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June 2021

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EDUCATION ADVERTORIAL

Producing farm-ready graduates

by Kristine Dickson

AGC Training in Whanganui is producing work-ready graduates for farms around the region, and MIL, harvesting and rural animal technology graduates are walking straight into jobs on-farm.

Some students already employed are combining their work with study and learning while they work.

Adding tangible qualifications to the CV is a highly attractive prospect.

To achieve this for free makes it an even more appealing opportunity. AGC Training offers such a deal to students signing up for its Milk Harvesting level three course.

While this course is open to full-time students at their campus in Whanganui, combining classroom study with hands-on learning in the milking shed, the course is also available to potential students already working in the field.

Large animal technicians are in demand by farms and veterinary practices around the country. Their work involves assisting veterinarians in either a large rural practice or working in conjunction with a vet as a technician on-farm.

AGC has designed and developed a new Rural Animal Technician level five programme, which is delivered in line with the farming seasons. It enables students to engage in real-time learning as it happens on AGC’s teaching farms, as well as in work placements.

The next intake of this programme starts mid-July. For more information, visit agctraining.co.nz or call 0800 348 8215.

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June 2021 TARANAKI FARMInG LIFeSTYLeS

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Those were the days when the 190E Cosworth and the M3 E30 ruled. Alfas were known to blow up, Volkswagens were still Beetles, Volvos looked like a very safe loaf of bread, and anything French seemed to have been manufactured by style-conscious aliens who put the buttons in all the wrong places. Even when Pininfarina made the pretty little Peugeot 306 drop-top, the horn button was on the end of the indicator stalk and activated a siren under the passenger seat.

Jags were for Arthur Daley and the Kray twins. Audi made psychopathic rally-eating monsters and not much else.

Lancias were beautiful and rusted like a cat food tin, and Italian supercars were temperamental glass cannons of things.

Fast forward to the present day, and nearly every name on this list produces an excellent modern SUV. Even Lamborghini sawed off the mad bits and made the Urus. However, there’s still a problem of choice if you want a fun, stylish looking station wagon. There are many of us who eschew a frontwheel-drive ‘crossover’ as a travesty, a powdered-egg omelette when what you want is the full Benedict. A true ‘estate car’ or a shooting brake looks better, handles better and guzzles less gas.

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petrol mill, it’s quick on paper. It’s also eye-candy delicious in photographs, with its copper-finished 19 inch mags and its stealth-bomber crisp, origami lines.

Certainly, you could get a more expensive Mercedes, which will be heavier and more powerful, or a big BMW for a few extra dollars, and have to deal with the new design language that’s making us forget Chris Bangle.

A similarly priced Skoda is now a plainclothes police car, mind you.

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June 2021 TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

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Three waters details still awaited

21

by Paul Campbell

Councils, their elected representatives and their wider ratepayers across the country are now waiting to discover the full detail of the government’s controversial Three Waters plan to tackle the country’s drinking, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure before making a decision for or against.

The government is working on a proposal to combine the country’s 67 council-owned and managed water services into a small number of publicly owned providers. Just how the reforms will unfold across New Zealand was expected in March this year, but now they are due in July.

“Until we have information on the full details of the proposal, we have nothing on which to base an informed decision,” says Kaipara Mayor Dr Jason Smith.

“At the present time, it is an option to opt-out of the government plan, as has the Whangarei District Council and Auckland Council. In our case, we remain at the table to see what unfolds.

“However, the government may make inclusion mandatory.”

Dr Smith said the loss of water oversight would reduce council revenues by some 20 per cent — a significant reduction.

His concern is echoed in small councils across the country that centralisation means local council operations become eroded to a central authority.

Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta has said that “the affordability challenges facing our water infrastructure are too great for councils alone,” as she released 600 pages

of reports with information on council water reticulation and resources.

These papers say an investment of between $120 billion and $185 billion is needed during the next 30 years to ensure New Zealand’s drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure meets acceptable public health and environmental standards.

“The reports also highlight how the national water infrastructure reforms would create an extra 5,900–9,300 jobs countrywide between 2022 and 2051,” Nanaia Mahuta said.

“Together, the reports confirm the need for major reform to upgrade and maintain our water infrastructure, protect our environment and avoid unaffordable increases Nanaia Mahuta — Local Government Minister to household bills.’’

She said without reform, average BARNS household bills in 2051 are forecast to range from $1,900 to $13,900. Under reform proposals with five providers, those figures range from $800 to $1,800. With three providers, the range is $800 to $1,600.

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Banking changes causing difficulties

Branch closures, the phasing out of cheques and the disappearance of ATMS are causing difficulties for rural communities.

A recent banking survey conducted

by Federated Farmers revealed farmers’ concerns around these issues have added to the continued slide in satisfaction with their banks.

More than 1,100 farmers responded to the May survey, with 71% concerned about bank branch closures. Of those who were concerned, 42% said they needed branches to carry out their business, and 56% were worried about the impact of closures on their local communities.

“Provincial towns are under all sorts of pressures, with workforce gaps, farms jobs disappearing as productive land is planted out in pines for carbon credits, competition from online sales trends that all traditional retailers face, to name some of the factors,” said Federated Farmers president and commerce spokesperson Andrew Hoggard.

“Bank branch closures are just another hit on confidence, making doing business in rural areas that much harder, and another reason for young people to look to cities for their future when agriculture is the main way New Zealand earns its living in the world.”

The May survey also threw in a question about banks phasing out cheques. Five per cent of respondents said they use cheques and don’t have easy access to alternatives. Another 61% said they don’t use cheques

but are concerned about people who don’t have easy alternatives.

National’s spokesperson for rural communities Barbara Kuriger said reducing rural communities’ abilities to do business does not match the drive to do banking online.

“There is an entire generation of farmers and growers who are not familiar or even users of IT, so the need for cheques remains.

Even in times of hardship, farmers are extremely reliable bill payers on the 20th of the month.

“It’s scary for people who haven’t done this. The learning is incredibly huge.”

Mrs Kuriger said there’s also the practical problems, as more banks close their doors in rural towns and their ATMs disappear.

“The lack of cash is causing issues for retailers, farm and roadside sellers, as well as school mufti days, galas and coin trails. As we move to a cashless society, the effects go wider than that to include Saturday sausage sizzles, sport, club and charity raffles and street appeals.”

Barbara Kuriger — National’s spokesperson for rural communities

Finance and Expenditure Select Committee chairperson Dr Duncan Webb said during a meeting last month, members took a keen interest in the issue of ensuring equitable access to banking services.

The matter remains before the committee and its finding will be made publicly available.

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Main arable crop yields drop A below-normal rainfall across many regions around New Zealand contributed to the average three per cent drop for the six main arable crops in the 2020/21 season.

A recently released Arable Industry Marketing Initiative (AIMI) report, based on survey results from Thursday, April 1, also revealed that the number of hectares harvested was down three per cent (-3,183ha). The net result was a six per cent decrease in total tonnage compared to the previous season.

Marked drops in tonnages were particularly noted, with feed wheat down nine per cent and malting barley dropping 21%. Tonnages of milling oats jumped 31%, while feed oats increased 60%.

Federated Farmers arable vicechairperson (grains) Brian Leadley said a bright spot was that not only were carry-over stocks, sold and unsold, from 2020 of feed wheat and feed barley low.

“Unsold stocks of both crops from the current harvest were also substantially down compared to this time last year; down 26% for feed wheat and down 24% for feed barley. Unsold stocks of milling wheat were down 18%.”

However, the main talking point from the AIMI report and in arable circles generally is the uncertainty around milling wheat.

The AIMI survey found autumn/winter sowing of milling wheat is predicted to slide by 1,800ha to 28,303ha. That prediction, however, was based mostly on intentions, and across all six crops, only nine per cent had been sown by April 1.

TARANAKI FARMInG LIFeSTYLeS

June 2021

23

ADVERTORIAL

How curcumin helps osteoarthritis

by John Arts

Without doubt the most important supplement ingredient for osteoarthritis is chondroitin sulphate.

Brian Leadley — Federated Farmers arable vice-chairperson (grains)

Mr Leadley said more growers might look to feed wheat and barley, with demand increasing on the back of drought in many regions, supported by some good dairy pay-outs.

“There’s room for growth there as well. While we’ve been promoting New Zealand-grown milling wheat for the last few years, we’ve also been highlighting the benefits of arable grains-based feed to the dairy industry.”

Mr Leadley said these are a really good production supplement and also a reliable source of feed, particularly in the face of methane and nitrogen issues the environmental front is presenting.

“Having said that, we wouldn’t want to see a sudden oversupply and the risk of lowering market value.”

The reasons are simple.

Chondroitin is a very important constituent of cartilage matrix. This matrix is secreted by specialised cells called chondrocytes. These amazing cells live in tiny cavities (lacunae) in cartilage.

Their role is to maintain cartilage as it is damaged by wear and tear, injury and chemical processes that damage it.

That being said, the health of cartilage is totally dependent on maintaining healthy chondrocytes.

Unlike many other cell types, chondrocytes cannot be replaced.

There are a number of antioxidants and trace minerals that directly affect the health of chondrocytes.

The most important is curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric.

Curcumin is perhaps the most studied natural health ingredient.

As a potent antioxidant, it helps protect chondrocytes from damage from free radicals. Secondly, curcumin is anti-inflammatory which can help calm the joint by preventing unwanted fluid build-up. A two capsule daily dose of my joint formula

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∙ Chondroitin and glucosamine are building blocks of cartilage. $89.95 for 3 bottles ∙ Supplementation with correct levels can support healthy cartilage function and cartilage repair processes. free freight or ∙ Curcumin from turmeric helps to balance immune 1 bottle for $32.95 function to support joint health. plus $4.99 postage ∙ Research indicates that chondroitin is highly effective at 800mg daily.

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“My latest Bettaflex formula with more chondroitin and over double the Curcumin is based on the latest research into joint-support compounds. The normal dose is 2 daily but I recommend a double dose for 1-3 bottles to saturate joint tissue.”

John Arts, Founder, Abundant Health Ltd

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Cautions: Do not take with anti-coagulant/platelet medication. If in doubt please consult your healthcare professional. Not suitable during pregnancy or lactation.

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∙ Bettaflex is a joint support formula to promote healthy joint cartilage function. ∙ Bettaflex combines high grade chondroitin sulphate, glucosamine sulphate and a potent 95% Curcumin (turmeric) extract. ∙ New Bettaflex (per cap) has 400mg of high grade chrondroitin 400mg of glucosamine and 100mg of rapid absorption 95% Curcumin.

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contains 800mg of both chondroitin and glucosamine and 200mg of Curcumin C3® Complex, plus 5mg of BioPerine®. In most cases, I will start clients on a double dose of two capsules twice daily for around six weeks. This provides double the above dosages; when combined with good quality fish oil these result in rapid effects.

Last week I completed a review for a client I have been helping with very sore thumbs from osteoarthritis in his big thumb joint by the wrist. He reported a significant improvement over the past three months. Please contact me if you have joint problems, and I will put together a personalised joint health programme.

In the vast majority of cases, we can get real improvements in flexibility and comfort.

John Arts (B.Soc.Sci, Dip Tch, 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 allnew newsletter at abundant.co.nz.

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