he hissing of punctured pride
I thought I had demonstrated amazing enterprise and resourcefulness
I also thought, finally, I would bring a swell of pridetothatbosom.Nuh-uh!Ofcoursenot. NothingIeverdidwouldpleaseTheHat.
Hejustsatstaringatme–gnarlyoldhands grindingawayatgrizzledbristles,deepeyes rolling,headnoddingindisbelief,andtutting away.Understandable–TheHathadinvested heavily,tryingtoconvertthisurbananimalinto somethingofayoungfarmer.Butsofar,hehad onlysucceededatfailing.
TheHatwasamanwho’dweatheredstorms –droughts,downturns,salmonellaepidemic, facialeczema,ryegrassstaggersandflystrike–all mannerofnastystuff.Butwhatjustaboutbroke thismanwashisdisappointmentinme.I’msure Isawatearasheshuffledoffafterhearingofmy latestmisadventure.
Ihadbeendispatchedtopickupanorderfrom oneofthoseruralfarmstores–a“providertothe agriculturesector”–buttherewasn’tonethingin thatvastrepositorythatIwouldeverwantorneed. Nothing.“Nowseeifyoucandothiswithout stuffingup,”hechallenged.
Icouldn’t.About40kmfromhome,Igotaflat tyre.Suddenlythisboyneededaman.Ihadno
idea how to change it So, I knocked on the first door and pleaded hopelessness and helplessness to the lady of the house. Eureka! She could and would change my tyre And she would ring The Hat,whomsheknew,andexplainwhenIwas backontheroad.
Everythingwascomingtogetherjustticketyboo.ExceptIhadjustbroughtfurthershameand embarrassmentonhim.Imaginethegossipatthe saleyardswhenwordgotoutTheHat’sboy,his hiredhelp,ratherhishiredhelp-less,didn’tknow howtochangeaflattie.AndIhadaskedawoman forhelp.Noshame.
Itdidn’tmattertomeifthetyre-fixerwaswearing adressoroveralls,atoga,oraloincloth.Thetyre gotchanged.
“Haven’tyoueverhadaflat?Orchangedatyre?” askedTheHat.Wellyesandno.Yes,Ihavehad twoflattyresintown.Andno.I’veneverbeen hands-onforthetyrechange.That’swhyI’ma memberoftheAA.Theydoitforyou.Butthey don’tteachyouhowto.Ididn’tevenknowwhere thatliftingthingandsparetyreliveduntilthenice AAmanwentferretingintheboot.
TheHatpouredhimselftwofatfingersofScotch andsculledit–probablyhopingthecoarsewarmth ofthealcoholmightpurgesomeofthepain.For bothoursakes,Ihopeso.Cheers. HunterWells
Ruralpapercelebrates300thissuemilestone
InOctober2025wecelebrate25yearsofthe muchloved Coast&CountryNews. That’s300editionsofthepopularmonthly agriculturalandhorticulturalnewspaperthathas remainedafavouriteintheWaikatoandBayof Plentyforaquarterofacentury,throughthe primaryindustries’highsandlows,financialcrises andapandemic.
Thefirsteditionwasin 2000,apublicationunder thenewly-formedSun MediabannerwithClaire Rogersandherlatehusband Brianatthehelm.
“BrianandIhadbeen workingtogetherformany yearsonruralpublications andwerewell-knownand respectedinthesector, sowewereabletohitthe groundrunningwith Coast&CountryNews,” saysClaire.
Shehandledthe advertisingandbusiness side,andBriantheeditorial side.Thatblendofeditorial andadvertisingworkedwell forthem.ShesaysBrianwasatalentedwriter,a goodphotographerandspenttimeputtinghis creativityintothepagelayouts.
News toreach300issuesisafantasticachievement foraprintnewspaperintoday’senvironment.” ElaineFisher,Editor2011to2018
“Ienjoyedtellingtheinspiringstoriesofthe farmersandgrowers,custodiansoftheland,who provideourfoodandcontributetothewealth ofournation.Itwasaprivilegetomeetthem andsharetheirstories,” saysElaine.
“Thepaperwasaperfectwaytoshowwhatpeople weredoingonthelandandourgoalwasalwaysto provideareallygoodreadandplatformforstories thatwouldn’totherwisehavebeentold.”
Thecoupleandtheir“amazingteam”won numerouscommunitynewspaperawards.
In2024,NZMEpurchasedSunMediawhich included Coast&CountryNews,TheWeekendSun and SunLive.
SherylHaitana,Editor2009to2011
“Coast&CountryNews wasafantasticregional newspapertoworkon,offeringawiderangeof topicsacrosstheprimarysectorwithaconnection tothelocalcommunity,”saysSheryl.
SherylsaysClaireandBrianRogerscreateda s strong team culture,aand Brian’s s attention to detailhelpedsharpenherskillsasaneditor.
AstandoutmemoryforSherylwassharing storiesofthekiwifruitindustry’srecovery from PSA which enormously impacted the Bay of Plenty region “For Coast & Country
In2014and2016Elaine wonHorticultureNew Zealand’sJournalismawards forexcellenceinhorticultural journalism.
WhileElainewaseditor, Coast&CountryNews also wonthe2014BestAllRoundNewspapertitlein theCommunityNewspaper Awardsandshewas runner-upinthebestsenior journalistassociateaward. MerleCave,Editor2018 to2020
Merlewasajournalist workingforcommunity newspapersandinitially joinedSunMediaas journalistonTheWeekend Sunbeforetakingontheroleofeditorfor Coast&CountryNews
“Ijustlovedbeingpartof Coast&CountryNews becauseitwasawaytoconnectwithmyroots, havinggrownuprurallyonadairyfarmand knowingwhatmatterstoruralpeople.
“Thispublicationissowell-respectedacrossthe regionsitservesandalwayshasbeen,”saysMerle. Sheenjoyedmeetingpeopleinalltheprimary industriesandlearningaboutwhatisimportant tothemandshestillassistswithresearchfor thepaper.
CatherineFry,Writer/Photographersince2018 Akeenwriterandphotographer,Catherinehas spentthelastsevenyearswith Coast&Country News.TheroletakesheralloverthecentralNorth Island,oftenspendingawholedayontheroad, i interviewing for several stories
“I’vebeenprivilegedtovisitsomany spectacularandbreath-takingprivatefarms tomeetandtellthestoriesofouramazing farmers and growers, ” says Catherine Her most memorable experience was
spendingtwodaysonthe setof CountryCalendar to writeabehindthescenes story.Shealwaysgetsa buzzwhenoneofher photosisusedasthe coverpicture.
Coast&CountryNews wouldlovetothankthe communityfortheir continuedsupportoverthe years,withoutwhowehave notmadeitthisfar.We lookforwardtocontinuing todeliveryourstories.
Experiencethemostnatural-feelingwater withlesschemicalsandnoharshodours. Savemoney bymakingyourspawater lastupto 4xlonger.
Dairy sheep farmer Estee Browne in 2022 Photo / Catherine Fry
ThelateBrianRogers,andwifeClaire, whobeganCoast&CountryNews.
CatherineFry y
Catherine Fry interviewing Country Calendar’s Dan Henry on set
Photo / Ivan Nelson
Alightertouchtocombatpathogensinbarley ch to combat pathogens in barley
Since2019,theFoundationofArable Researchhasparticipatedinthe‘ALighter Touch’programmewhichsupportsgrowers shiftingfromrelianceonagri-chemistryto moresustainablecropprotectionpractices.
Ithasbeenacknowledgedforsometimethat pesticiderotationandnewproductsweren’t keepingupwithpathogenandpestadaptationand resistance.Thismirrorsaglobalissueinthefight againstpathogensandpests.
Asconsumersshowmoreinterestinfoodthatis sustainablygrownandethicallyproduced,with minimalchemicalresidue,itwasdecidedthat therewasanopportunitytocollaborateacross horticulture,arableandviticulturesectors.
FAR’sseniorresearcherforcereals,Jo Drummond,saysthisapproachusesthecropitself andtheecosystemthatcropexistsintodetermine thetypeofpestmanagementrequired.
“Ourkeyelementsareutilisingplantgenetics, integratingnewcropprotectiontechnologiesand rationalisingchemicalpesticideprogrammes.
“Thisallowsustointegratethingslikeclassical
b biological control, biodiversity, plant protectionproductsandothercultural methodslikecultivarselection,”saysJo.
Workingwithbarleycrops
Yellowdwarfvirusisaseasonal pathogenthatcausesyieldlossincereals andistransmittedtoplantsbyaphids. Thereareseveralaphidspeciesthatcan vectorthevirus.
“Youngplantsarethemostvulnerable toaphidswhichspreadthevirusthrough feeding,whichimpactstheplantsability tophotosynthesisebycausingtheleaf discolouration,plantstuntingand
u using insecticide treated seed, which protectstheyoungseedling,andfollow upfoliarinsecticideapplicationsuntilthe plantisabletowithstandtheinfection.
Aphidsflightscanoccuratanytime, buttheriskishigherupnorthwhereitis warmer,whichmeansanintegratedpest managementapproachmaylookalittle differenttopartsoftheSouthIsland.
“ThereisanALTdemofarmin Pukekoheandspring-sownbarleyis includedintheirrotation,whichoffered agoodopportunitytolookatthingsata farmlevel.
species,howtomonitor,whentotake action,andwhatoptionsareavailable.”
“Naturalbeneficialpredatorsand parasitoidsdoareallygoodjob,sowhen lookingatinterventionsit’simportant tounderstandtheactivityandratioof beneficialspeciestoaphids.”
AtthePukekohesitelastseason,there wereplentyofbeneficialspecies,butno aphids,suggestingtheriskofYDVwaslow.
Brownlacewingandhoverflylarvaeare particularlyefficient,chompingthrough potentiallyhundredsofaphids,while parasiticwaspswilllaytheireggsdirectly intoawinglessaphid,whichthenbecomes thehostforthedevelopinglarva.
Monitoringthecrop
Stickytrapsonlytrapflyinginsects andrequireregularreplacement,so cropwalksareessentialtospoteggsand winglessinsects.
“Anychemicalinterventiononlybuys time.Aninsecticideseedtreatmenttypically lastsuntilthecropreachestillering.Once thecropreachesstemelongation,theplant ismoreresilienttoinfection.
ultimatelyshrivelledgrainwhichaffects cropyield.”
Wingedaphidsflyintocerealcrops frompasturegrassesorothercrops andstartcoloniesofwinglessaphids. Whenplantsbecomeunsuitableor overcrowded,wingedaphidsreproduce andmigratetootherplantsorcrops. Infectionoftenstartsalongtheedgesof paddocksandhotspotsdevelopasthe aphidsmove.Ifinfectionissevere,large areascanbeaffected.
Traditionallytheissueisdealtwith
ThePukekohedemonstrationisona largerscaleandnotreplicatedcompared toareplicatedsmall-plottrial.Itprovides theopportunitytodemonstratehow IntegratedPestManagement(IPM)can workatapaddocklevel.
Thisincludesuseofbothuntreatedand insecticidetreatedseedandusingIPMto makedecisionsaroundfoliarinsecticide applications.
“Wealsomonitorthebeneficialspecies likeparasiticwasps,hoverflies,brownlace wingsandaphidpopulationsusingsticky trapsanddirectsearching.
“ThisinformationfeedsintoAphid Chat(aphidchat.com),ouronlinetool formanagingaphids,whereyoucanfind informationonriskperiods,beneficial
“Thisleavesapotentialriskperiod betweenwhentheseedtreatmentruns outandwhentheplantisrobustenough towithstandinfection.Knowinghowthe beneficialspeciesandaphidpopulation dynamicsworkhelpsusdetermine whetheraninsecticideisneeded.
“OneofthegreatthingsaboutIPM,is thatitdoesallowforagrower’slevelof risk,sotheycandecidewhatintervention theywanttoputinplace.”
Josaysthebenefittoeveryoneisa reductioninourenvironmentaland economicfootprints.
CatherineFry
FAR’s senior researcher for cereals, Jo Drummond Photos / Supplied
Forestry’snewbridgetoGovernment
Theforestrysectorhas anewlinkwiththe Government.
RayHookwasrecently appointeddirectorofforestry engagementandadvicewith theNewZealandForest Service(NZFS).
“It’saboutconnectingpeople intheindustrytogettheright guidanceandadvice,”hesays.
Actingasa“bridge”for forestlandowners,providing adviceon“whatthey dowiththeirland”and navigatinglocalauthorityand Governmentpolicy.
Theforestserviceisabusiness unitintheMinistryfor PrimaryIndustries.
Ray’sfatherwaschieffinancialofficerwiththe ForestResearchInstituteintheearly-1990s,andhe hasfollowedinhisfootsteps.
“Itwasintheblood,”hesays.
Rayattainedadiplomaincivilengineeringandlater completedaBachelorofCommercedegree,majoring inforestry,atLincolnUniversity.
“Iwantedabitmorecommercialacumen,”hesays.
Firstjob
HisfirstjobwaswithaJapanesetrading houseinAuckland,handlingtheforestryand chemicalportfolio.
ThisincludedlogexportstoJapanandVietnam andwoodchipshipmentstoJapan.
Wantingto“getclosetotheaction”,hethenjoined HancockForestManagement–nowManulife InvestmentManagementForestManagement.
Initiallycoveringvaluation,long-termplanning andresourceanalysisofforestestates,Raytookon businessoperationsincludingharvesting,cartage andforestmanagementcontractors.
“Itwasagoodgroundingintheindustry,”hesays. Afterfiveyears,Raywaspromotedtoharvestingand distributionmanagerbasedinNorthland,heading 20harvestingcrewsandfourcartagecontractors, managing190loadedlogtruckmovementsaday.
Duringthistime,healsocompletedanMBAwith distinctionfromMasseyUniversity.
Nextup,hejoinedNewForests,anAustralianbasedinternationalsustainableforestryinvestment manager,atitsofficeinTauranga.
Therehetackledasset“acquisitionwork”,asset managementandinvestment.
InSeptember2020,RaywassecondedtoAratu ForeststooverseearoadingprojectinGisborne.
HethenreturnedtoNewForestsinMay2021, leadingtheinvestmentandanalyticsteam.
InJuly2023,Hookbecamegeneralmanagerof operationswithforestmanagementcompanyPF OlseninRotorua.
SettlingintothenewrolewiththeForestService,
hesaysithasbeeninteresting findingoutabouttheworkings ofcentralgovernment.
Thepositioncoversboth commercialandfarmforestry.
“Theroleistofoster relationshipsandimprove collaborationbetweenthe sectorandGovernment.”
Information
Oneofhisfirsttaskswas beinginvolvedindeveloping educationandinformation programmestobedelivered tolandowners,farmforesters, industrymeetingsandevents.
Raystressesthat,withregard togovernmentlegislation, hehasnoabilitytoinfluence policyordecisions,buthisteamcanhelppeople understandandnavigateit.
AgricultureandForestryMinisterToddMcClay announcedatFieldaysthatlegislationtolimithow muchfarmlandisconvertedtoexoticforestand registeredintheEmissionsTradingScheme(ETS).
“Thesechangesaretopreservehighand mediumversatilityfarmlandforagriculturaluse,” McClaysaid.
TheGovernment’sproposalischieflybasedon landusecapability,rangingfrom1(highest)to8. Legislationwouldrestrictconversionstoexotic ETSforestsonhigh-to-mediumversatilityfarmland (LUCclasses1-6)andintroducealimitof15,000ha peryearforexoticconversionsonmedium versatilityfarmland(class6).
Theannuallimitwillbeallocatedbyaballot process,whileallowingforupto25%ofafarm’s LUC1-6landtostillbeplantedinexoticforestry fortheETS.TheGovernmentbillproposesastart dateofOctober31.
RaysaystheNewZealandforestry sectoralsofaces“afewheadwinds” withadownturnintheconstruction industryinChinaandpotentialtariffs bytheUnitedStates.
“Itischallenging,butthereisstill optimismoutthere.”
NZForestServicehistory
Astheleadwithingovernmentfor forestry,TeUruRākau–NewZealand ForestServicesupportsthesustainable growthanddevelopmentofthe forestryandwoodprocessingsector forNewZealand. Itsfunctionsincludeproviding
advicetotheGovernmentonforestry issues,developingandmaintaining forestryregulations,managing theETSforforestry,managing governmentgrantsandincentives forforestry,managingCrown Forestsholdingsandoperations,and providingadviceandsupportonland use,plantingandtheETS.
TheNewZealandForestServicewas originallyestablishedin1919asthe StateForestService.
ItsnamechangedtotheNewZealand ForestServicein1949,ataboutthe sametimethattheForestsActpassed throughParliament.
SteveEdwards
Wespecialiseinhighquality,meshand PVCcoverstosuittrucks,trailersand farmbunkers.Allofourcoverscanbe easilyoperatedfromthegroundusinga silkysmoothcablesystem,eliminating
0210417052
| powertarps.co.nz
NZFSdirectorofforestryengagement andadvice,RayHook. Photo/Supplied
Ruralpleaincopper networkshake-up
RuralWomenNewZealand(RWNZ)has calledforitsmembersnottobeoverlooked inaTelecommunicationsSectorReview.
“Differentpeopleneeddifferentservices,”says RWNZbusinessandconnectivityconvenorNicole Oliver.“It’snotonesizefitsall.”
SubmissionsclosedonSeptember25ona reviewinitiatedbyMinisterforRegulation DavidSeymourandMediaandCommunications
MinisterPaulGoldsmith.
Theministerssaytheydecidedto implementthereviewonthebackof concernsraisedwiththembythesector.
Alignedtothis,theCommerce CommissionhasrecommendedtoPaulthat theruralcoppernetworkbederegulated.
Ifthisisacceptedbytheminister,Chorus, thetelecommunicationsinfrastructure companythatownsthecoppernetwork, willbeabletobeginwithdrawingcopper infrastructureinruralareas.
TelecommunicationscommissionerTristan Gilbertsonsaystechnologyhastransformed ruralconnectivityduringthepasttwo decadesandcopperregulationisnolonger necessarytopromotecompetition.
“Ruralconsumerscontinuetomove offcopperandontocheaperandbetterperformingalternativesinlargenumbers. Weconsiderthere’snowenoughcompetition inthemarkettowarrantremovingcopper accessregulation,”saysTristan.
UndertheTelecommunicationsAct,the CommerceCommissionmustconsider whethercopperregulationisstillneededto promotecompetition.
Havingreceivedthecommission’s recommendation,thedecisiontoremove copperregulationnowsitswithPaul.
Declininguse
“Mostruralconsumerscannowaccess threealternativetechnologiesthatareoften moreaffordable,betterperformingand morereliablethancopper.”
Nicolesaysabout80,000ruralconsumers arestillonthecoppernetworkacrossthe countryandensuringtheirconcernsare heardisakeyaspectofRuralWomen’s submissiontothetelecommunications sectorreview.
“ConnectivityisessentialforruralNew Zealandandaccesstoreliable,affordable telecommunicationsunderpinssomany ofourruralbusinesses,communitiesand essentialservices,”shesays.
“Whileweunderstandtheneedtoupdate regulationtoreflectnewtechnologies, wemustensurethattheneedsofrural communitiesareprotected.
enforcedbytheCommerceCommission toprotectconsumerswherealternative connectivityoptionsarelimitedandto notdeepenthedividebetweenurbanand ruralareas.
“It’saboutmakingsureruralcustomers, thatstillrelyoncopperconnections,are notleftbehind,”saysNicole.
Shesaysphasingout3Gnetworksin favourof4Gor5Gcouldalsocreatemore “blackspots”inruralareas.
“Thoseinruralandremoteareasareat realrisk.”
Nicolesays,alongwithmobilephone andinternetservices,thisalsorelatesto securityandmedicalalarms.
Tristansayslessthanone-thirdofrural consumersnowusecopper,andthat numbercontinuestodeclineasconsumers movetobetter-performingalternatives.
“AnychangestotheTelecommunications ServiceObligationandthetreatmentof coppernetworksmustnotleaverural customersbehind,”saysNicole.
RWNZiscallingforabindingcode
Farmersincreasinglyrelyon telecommunicationstechnologyintheir everydayactivities,includinganimal identificationandmonitoring,plus associatedaspectsincludingwatersupply andpasturegrowth.
*Readthisstoryinfullonline.
SteveEdwards
RWNZbusinessandconnectivityconvenorNicoleOliver.
Photo/Supplied
TePukegrowerhonouredathorticultureawards
AndrewFentonwasontheothersideof thepremierpresentationatthisyear’sNew ZealandHorticultureIndustryAwards.
InauguralpresidentofHorticultureNZ,Andrew sayshehadpresentedtheHorticultureBledisloeCup –thesupremeindustryaward–onseveraloccasions.
ThisyeartheTePuke-basedkiwifruitandavocado grower,involvedintheindustryfor50years,was therecipient.
Organisersofthe2025awardsceremonyhad askedhimtospeakonthe20-yearanniversaryof HorticultureNZ.
“ItwasanenormoussurprisewhenIwas actuallypresentedwiththetrophy,”hesays.“Iwas completelyduped…justgobsmacked.”
Andrew,whofirstboughtakiwifruitblockin 1972,nowrunstwosmallorchards,bothwith kiwifruitandonealsowithavocados.
“We’vehadsomegreatyears,andsomedisasters,” hesays.
Thelatterincludedthefinancialcrisisof1991, whichsawkiwifruitgrowersstrugglingtostayon theland.“Itwasatragictime.”
Andrewsaysthisturnedaroundwitharestructure oftheindustry,particularlyinmarketing.
Kiwifruitgrowersalsofacedthedevastatingdisease Psaand“offshoreopposition”.“Now,weareridinga verypositivewave,”saysAndrew.
Fromafamilyoflawyers,healwayshadaninterest inthebusinesssideofhorticulture,itsmanagement andleadership.
Industry-good
“Ilikebeinginvolvedinindustry-goodactivities,” saysAndrew.“I’mnotthatgoodatsayingno.”
InitiallypartoftheTePukeFruitgrowers Association,hewaselectedtothenationalbodyin 1997.HeisthecurrentpresidentoftheNewZealand FruitgrowersFederationandchairstheassociatedNZ FruitgrowersCharitableTrust.
ThetrustownstheHuddartParkerbuildingin WellingtonandAndrewchairsthe bodywhichdispersesincomefrom theproperty–about$600,000$700,000annually–tothe horticulturalsectorintheform ofgrantsandscholarships,and whichalsosupportedgrowers affectedbyCycloneGabriellein February2023andmorerecently growersinNelson.
Hehasbeenaboarddirectorofthe HorticulturalExportAuthority(HEA)andhad asimilarrolewithKiwifruitNewZealand(KNZ) theregulatorybodyofthekiwifruitindustry. Andrewrecentlyretiredasadirectorofproduce co-operativeMarketGardeners(NZ)andLa MannaPremiereGroup(nowPremierFresh Australia),amajorfruitandvegetablesupplychain companyacrosstheTasman.
Hewasonbothboardsfor18years.
AlifememberofHorticultureNewZealand,he saysthesectorwasdividedintoproductsectors,such
astomatoes,potatoes,applesandpears,beforethe formationoftheunitaryauthority.
“Thereneededtobeonevoicetogotothe Governmentonbigissuessuchaswatersupplyand theResourceManagementAct.”
TheHorticultureBledisloeCupisawarded toapersonwhohasmadeanoutstandingand meritoriouscontributiontotheNewZealand horticultureindustry.
Fivedecades
AttheawardsceremonyinWellington,Horticulture NZboardchairBernadineGuilleuxsaysforfive decadesAndrewFentonhasbroughthispassionfor theindustry,hisexperience,practicalcommon-sense approachandconstructiveandpositiveteamattitude tomanyaspectsofthesector.
“Hisdeepinterestinindustrygoodmatters,in kiwifruitandthewiderhorticultureindustryhas benefitedallgrowers.Heenjoysmakingaleadership contributiontoindustryprogressandadvocacy.”
Toptrophy
TheBledisloeCupforhorticulturewasfirst presentedin1931bythethenGovernor-General LordBledisloe,foracompetitionbetweenorchardists forthebestexhibitofNZ applesattheImperial FruitShowinLondon.
Itisoneofseveral cupsLordBledisloe presentedtoNew Zealandandissimilar torugby’sBledisloe Cup,whichwasalso donatedin1931.Not surprisinggly,the
BOPfeaturedstronglyatthe2025NZ HorticultureIndustryAwards DanielKenna
ThePresident’sTrophy,which recognisesapersonshowingpromise inahorticultureindustrybusiness and/orleadership,waspresentedto DanielKenna.
BernadineGuilleuxsaysina relativelyshorttimeinthesector, Kenna–orchardmanagerand researcherwithKatikati-basedKW KIWI–hasmadeasignificant contributioninthefieldsof research,community,innovation andsustainability.“Heisco-chair
ofFutureFarmersNZandhas established,inpartnershipwith Zespri,theIONImpactOrchard Networkprogramme,whichis designedtodevelop,improveand demonstratesustainableandeffective orchardpractices.”TheSustainable InnovationAwardwaspresentedto GordonSkipageandPranoyPalof TePuke-basedTrevelyanPackand CoolLtd.Bernadinesaystheaward celebratesthosewhoaredeveloping, orhavedeveloped,technologies,an innovationorundertakenresearchthat increasedproductivity,profitability, orenvironmentalsustainabilityinthe horticulturesector.
CupwinnerAndrew Fenton. Photo/Supplied
Growe
er’s50-yeargamblepaysoff
Fiftyyears’experience combinedwithatouchof fatherlyadvicepaidofffor aBayofPlentyavocado growerinwildspring weatherconditions.
Now80,DougBrownowns andoperatesanorganicavocado business,handlingbothgrowing andmarketing.
Soonafterhearrivedonthe Katikatiproperty,heplanted300400pinetreestoactasa bufferagainsthighwinds.
Dougsayshealsopicked upafewtipsfromhisfather whoranacitrusandfeijoa operationintheBayof Plentyfrom1970.
“Ilookedatwhatdadhad done,andalsoprettymuch flewbytheseatofmypants forawhile.”
TheearlySeptemberwinds struckpre-picking,buthe sayslessthanhalf-a-percent ofhiscropwasaffected.
Dougsaysgrowers“onthe flat”intheKatikatiareawere badlyhit,withalotoffruit ontheground.
Aftermillinginearlier years,henowhas250pine trees–around30mhigh–protectinghisorchard.
“It’sbufferedbythetrees,” hesays.“Thetreesactas filters,dissipatingthewind.”
Doug’sorganicavocado
ADVERTORIAL
2025/2026AvocadoHarvest BeginsatDMSTePuna
The2025/2026avocado harvestofficiallykickedoffon Wednesday,3September,with DMSTePunapackingitsfirst exportloadboundforChina.
Thisseasonhasstartedlaterthan usual,withexportsinitiallylimited duetoslowdrymatterresults, meaningmuchofthefruitwasnot yetreadyforharvest.Challenging marketconditionshaveadded furtherpressure,withincreased tariffsonexportstotheUSAanda globaloversupplyofavocados.
Despitethis,DMS—workingin partnershipwithAVOCO—is nowpackingforawiderangeof marketsincludingChina,Canada, Taiwan,HongKong,Korea,and Singapore,withJapanandAustralia soontofollowasopportunities develop.
Iwanttoexpressoursincere concernandsympathytoallthose affectedbytherecentstorm.It isincrediblydishearteningto seesomanyorchardsdamaged bythestrongwinds,andwe fullyunderstandthestressand uncertaintythiscreatesforgrowers andtheirteams.Ourthoughtsare withallofourgrowersduringthis challengingtime.
Beingahorticulturistisnotfor thefaint-hearted,andbeingan avocadogroweristougherstill.In thewakeofrecentweatherevents
intheBayofPlenty,theresilience anddeterminationofgrowershas beennothingshortofremarkable. Asanindustry—growers,packers, andmarketers—westandstronger together.
AtDMS,supportinggrowersisat theheartofwhatwedo.Ourteam isoutintheorchardswherever possible—whetherit’ssoilandleaf testing,assistingwithglobalGAP requirements,oreventhrowingon apickingbagtohelpatharvest.
Thisseason,fruitqualityisshowing amarkedimprovementcompared withthepastthreeorfouryears, thankstofavourablegrowing conditionsoverautumnandwinter. Evenwiththerecentwinds,quality remainshigherthaninprevious harvests.
Finally,wewouldliketo acknowledgePeterMarshall, recipientoftheNZAvocado Awardforservicestotheindustry overthepast25years.Peterhas beenakeysupporterofgrowers, staff,andcontractorsacrossthe BayofPlenty,andhisinfluence continuestoshapethesector. Congratulations,Peter,andthank youforyourcontribution. Withtheseasonjustgettingunder wayweareexcitedwithwhat opportunitiesitwillbring.Lets continuetotalkandworktogether tomakearoadaheadalittleless bumpy.
HamishMcKain
business–Ecoavo–includesa2.4ha blockwith250trees.
Whenhestartedoutahalf-century ago,DougremembersKatikatiasa predominantlydairyfarmingarea.
“Therewerenoavocadoorchards, andkiwifruithadjuststartedin TePuke.”
Douggrewupa“farmboy”in IllinoisintheUnitedStates.
“Wehad13cows,pigs,beef cattleandcroppingon1000-plus acres(400ha).”
Asanadultheshiftedtothe HawaiiancapitalHonolulu,where hegrewavocadosforhisownuse.
WithhisfatherinNZ,Doug visitedseventimesbeforemaking thepermanentmove.Movinginto avocadosintheBayofPlenty,hewas immediatelydrawntoorganics.
“Withayoungfamily,Ididn’twant tolivearoundachemicalregime.”
Hisentrycoincidedwiththe formationoforganiccertification specialistBioGro,andhewasits 10thinauguralmemberin1983. Usinganonlinesalessystem,Doug sendsavocadosaroundthecountry toshops,restaurantsandindividuals. Hesaysrecentseasonshavebeen goodproduction-wise.“There’sbeen aprettydecentcropeveryyear.”
Pickingonhispropertyis undertakenfortnightly,year-round. Nationaloverview
Thenationalavocadoindustryis navigatingaseasonofcontrasts. NewZealandAvocadoCEOBrad Siebertsaysexceptionalfruitquality
AVOCADOS
•ExceptionalPackingFacilities
•CompleteOrchardManagement
•AvoGreenService
Contact:
HamishMcKain -GeneralManager/AvocadoGrowerServices 0272202005•hamish.mckain@dms4kiwi.co.nz
WillieHerder -AvocadoGrowerServices 0276673849•willie.herder@dms4kiwi.co.nz
IvonaKopecka -AvocadoGrowerServices 0272664901•ivona.kopecka@dms4kiwi.co.nz
andgoodvolumes,pairedwith intensepricingpressureandearly seasonexportmarketchallenges.
“Whileconsumersareenjoying affordableavocados,growers arefacingmarketsathomeand offshorethathavehadtomanage significantsupply.
“Therearehoweversome internationalmarketsshowing promise,especiallythosewhereother originsarenowconcludingtheir seasonalprogrammes.
“Domestically,supplypressure meanssupermarketsareoffering pre-ripenedavocadosandreporting recorddemand.”
Bradsaysthistrendisexpectedto continueintothewarmermonths, givingconsumersextendedaccessto goodqualityfruit.
Forgrowershowever,thesituation islessfavourable.“Qualityfruit isfetchingunusuallylowreturns evenwhenfruitavailabilityisvery comparabletopreviousseasons.
“Despitethestrongcropandhigher thanexpectedpackoutrates,the earlypartsofthisseasonareshaping uptobechallengingforallinvolved.”
Wildweather
Bradsaystheindustryisalsodealing withasignificantwindeventthat occurredinmid-Septemberthat resultedinsignificantfruitandleaf dropforsomeBOPgrowers.
“Workisunderwayacrossthe sectortoquantifytheextentofthe issueandconnectwithsupport servicestoensure
Proudtobeassociatedwith
•HarvestFlexibility
•Newwaterblasterfacility
•TechnicalAdviceandSupport
WarrennSargent -AvoGreenManager 0279000292•warrenn.sargent@dms4kiwi.co.nz
MattRoyackers -AvocadoGrowerServices 0272000788•matt.royackers@dms4kiwi.co.nz
ToniMorrison -AvocadoGrowerServices 0272654469•toni.morrison@dms4kiwi.co.nz
Doug Brown owns and operates an organic avocado busiinessiinthheWWesternBBayof f Plenty. Photo/MerleCave
Thesuperherooffrui
Duringtheweekend,Istopped bymylocalsupermarketand,as Imademywayintotheproduce section,thecoupleaheadofme stoppedtodebatewhetherthey shouldbuysomeavocados.
“They’reasuperfood”,Iheardher say,towhichhereplied:“Whateven isasuperfood?’followedbyplacingsix avocadosinthetrolley.
Thatlittlescenegotmethinking–weoftenhearthatavocadosarecalled a‘superfood’,butmanyofusdon’t exactlyknowwhy.Perhapsit’stime we,asgrowersandavocadoindustry members,learntandtalkedmore aboutthenutritionalbenefitswithour neighbours,friends,andfamiliesbothin NewZealandand(evenbetter)abroad. Everylittlebitofknowledgehelps tobuildprideinwhatwegrowand providesuswithpersuasivepointsto convertpotentialconsumers–especially inamorehealth-consciousworld.
Superfood
Whyistheavocadocrowneda ‘superfood’?So,asuperfoodisaterm usedforwhenafoodorfoodgroup containsexceptionalnutritional properties;andwhat’sinsidean avocadoisgenuinelyimpressive.
Avocadosarepackedwithvitamins, minerals,micronutrientsand antioxidants;accordingtotheNew ZealandFoodCompositionDatabase, theycontainVitaminsA,C,E,K,
growershavetheadviceandassistance theyneed.”
Exportmarketsarenowstartingto showsignsofrelief,hesays.
“Whiletherehasbeenanincreasein avocadoshipmentsfromPeru,upmore than30%comparedtotheprevious year,withextendedsupplyperiodsinto keydestinationssuch asJapan,SouthKoreaandtheUnited Statesintensifying,NewZealand supplyshouldnowstarttobenefitfrom SouthAmericanvolumesstartingto reduceinthecomingmonths.”
WesternAustralia
BradsaysWesternAustraliaisalso contributingtotheglobalsupplyin someofNZ’skeyexportmarkets,witha forecastedcropnearing11milliontrays.
“TheirearlyentryintoSouth-EastAsian andHongKongmarketsisexpectedto
B1(Thiamin),B2 (Riboflavin),B3(Niacin), B5(PantothenicAcid), B6(Pyridoxine)and B9(Folate).
Byweight,avocados havemorepotassium thanbananasandare alsosourcesof Magnesium,Copper, IronandZinc,among otheressentialminerals.
Avocadospossessvery littlesugar,areagoodsourceoffibre andarerichinmonounsaturated fats–thehealthykindthatsupports hearthealthandhelpslower“bad” cholesterol.Withsomanybenefits,it’s easytoseewhywecallitasuperfood.
Isthereadownside?Avocadosare relativelyhighincalories,soadding alotofavocadotoyourdietwithout substitutioncouldactuallymakeyou gainweight;however,wecangetthe mostoutofitwhenweuseitasan alternativeforlesshealthyingredients invariousrecipes.
Whyitshouldmatter
Demandforavocadosexistsnot onlybecauseit’sagreat-tastingfruitor becausefoodinfluencersalloverthe worldovertakeenviousphotoswith itontheirplate,italsoexistsbecause thefruittrulydeliversonitshealth promises.Ifwe,asgrowersandavocado industrymembers,canconfidentlytalk aboutthegenuinenutritionalvalueand healthbenefitsofavocados,we’renot
challengeNZ’spositioning.”
WhilesomeNZfruithasalready beenshippedtoAustralia,andwill continuetobe,volumesremain modest,saysBrad.
“Internationalsupply,plusadelay tofruitmaturityinsomeregions,has meantexportprogrammeshavestarted slowerthananticipatedastheindustry nowworkstocapitaliseonupcoming exportopportunities.”
Locally,hesaysmarketvolumeshave hadsomeweeklypeaks,yetoverall domesticvolumesareconsistentwith previousyears.
Totalindustrycropforecastshavea harvestablecropof6.5mtraysbeing splitaround60/40betweenexport anddomestic.
Despitethesechallenges,the season’sfruitqualityisholdingup well,saysBrad. SteveEdwards
justreinforcingpride inourownproduct; we’repromotingsales.
Aproudfuture
Timesaretight, butthere’sreason foroptimism.New Zealand’sclean growingenvironment, well-known horticulturalbrand,ski orchardists,andagrowi domesticandinternationalappetitem ouravocadoindustryhasstrongroot Themorewesingthegenuineprais avocados,thestrongerourindustryb ‘Thereoncewasafruit,softandgreen nutrientsfitforaqueen.It’stasty,it’s thelifeoftheparty–thehealthiestto spreadyou’veseen!Butseriously,ever Zealandavocadoeatenisnotjustgoo ourhealth–it’savoteofconfidenceinthe futureofavocadoinNewZealand.
•AerialSurvey
•AerialLifting
•AgriculturalSeeding
•AgriculturalSpraying
•AgriculturalTopdressing
•ChartersandSightseeing
•FireFighting
•FrostControl
•PhotographyandFilming
lled ing mean ts. sesofour becomes. n,with hearty, oast ryNew odfor
Superfoodisatermusedforwhenafoodorfoodgroup containsexceptionalnutritionalproperties.
Zesprisetssightsonbecoming
KiwifruitmarketerZesprihas loftygoalsforthenextdecade. CEOJasonTeBrakesaysacentral partofZespri’s2035strategyisits ambitiontobetheworld’shealthiest fruitbrand,makingsurethatthe operationisfirstforconsumers,first
forgrowersandfirstforpeople.
“Wewanttoprovidethehealthiest products,havethehealthiestbrand, developthehealthiestsupplychainand partnerships,andhavethehealthiest peopleandculture,”Jasonsays.
“Thesearecriticalaspectsofour abilitytodeliverthehealthiest
returnstoourgrowersandshare
eholders. nding y 2025, 2035 ure-fitin e more
“Havingexceededourlong-stan goalof$4.5billioninrevenueby we’recontinuingtodevelopour2 strategytoensureweremainfutu aglobalenvironmentthatwillbe competitiveandmorecomplex.
“Ourrefreshedstrategywillbui onthefundamentalsthathave drivenourindustry’ssuccessin recentyearsandisdesignedto positionustodeliverlong-term sustainablevaluetoourgrowers andourshareholders.”
Keytrends
Inconsideringitsstrategic approach,JasonsaysZespri hasbeenguidedby“keymacrotrends”itexpectstoimpactthe worldduringthenextdecadean beyond.Theseincludehealthan
wellbeing, geopolitic economic Jason heal m
,technologicaladvancement, calcomplexity,environmentand impacts.
saysthereisanincreasingfocuson lthandwellbeing,particularlywith manyofZespri’smarketshaving ageingpopulationsandsuffering fromhiddenhealthchallenges.
“Thisisresultinginan increasingnumberof consumerslookingfornaturally nutritiousproductsandwho arewillingtopaypremium valueforbrandswholookafter theirhealthandhaveapositive impactonsociety.”
Jasonsaysrapidadvancement intechnology,suchasartificial intelligence(AI)andmachine learning,islikelytohave asignificantdisruptionon people’slivesinthefuture.
Betterkiwifruitpollination
Pollinationisoneofthemostimportant stagesinkiwifruitproduction,yetit’salso oneoftheleastvisible.
Everyflowerneedsviablepollentosetfruit,and howthatpollenisappliedcanhaveabiginfluence onthefinalcrop.
IntheBayofPlenty,wherekiwifruitisa cornerstoneofthelocaleconomy,growersare increasinglyturningtosupplementarypollen andmechanicalapplicationtosupportnatural pollination.Whilebeesplayarole,theydon’t alwaysprovideconsistentcoverageacrossan orchard.Weather,hivehealth,andflowerdensity canallaffecthowmuchpollenreacheseachflower.
Locally,companieslikeKiwiPollenhave developedsystemstoensuregrowerscanapply pollenevenlyandattherighttime.Maleflowers arecollectedastheyopen,processedtoextract thepollenandremovecontamination,andtested
forviability.Thiscarefulapproachmeansgrowers knowthepollenthey’reusinghasahighchanceof successfulgermination.
Applicationmethodshavealsoadvanced. Purpose-builtsprayers,forexample,candeliver afinemistdirectlyontoflowers,ensuringeven coverageregardlessofbeeactivity.Thishelps improvefruitset,size,andoverallorchard performance.
Asthekiwifruitindustrycontinuestogrow, pollenapplicationisbecomingavitaltoolin managingriskandmaximisingreturns.Forlocal growers,understandinghowandwhyitworks couldbethedifferencebetweenanaverageseason andanexceptionalone.Formoreinformation,see KiwiPollen’sadvertonthispage.
ZespriCEOJasonTeBrake. Photo/Supplied
world’shealthiestfruitbrand
“Wewillseeconsumerbuyingdecisionsand habitsincreasinglyinfluencedbyitandour competitorsbecomingmoreefficientand abletomovefasterasaresultofadopting newtechnology.”
Inamorecomplexgeopoliticalenvironment, characterisedbycountriesmovingtowards isolationismandimplementingtradebarriers, Jasonsaystherisingpreferenceforpurchasing localproductsishighlightingtheimportanceof havinggeographicaldiversification–bothfroma growingandmarketperspective.
Hesaysclimatechangewillcontinuetohavean impactonbusinessesaroundtheworld.
“Thiswilllikelymeanthereisgreatervolatility intheproductionofconsistentqualityfruit, withregulatorsandconsumersaroundthe worldalsorequiringinnovativechangetored environmentalimpacts.
“Linkedtothisistheneedtodevelopmore efficient,agileandoptimisedsupplychainsto beabletoavoidandoffsettheincreasingcost pressuresaroundtheglobaleconomy.”
Jasonsaysincreasesinthecostsofproductio andlivingissqueezingmarginsandputting pressureonhouseholds.
“Wewillneedtocontinuetoinnovateand improveproductivityandefficienciesthrough thesupplychain.”
JasonsaysZespri’s2035strategyisbuiltarou threekeypriorities–unleashingbrand-led demand,transformingitsglobalsupply,and creatingtheproductportfolioofthefuture–executingthemwell.
“Whilewe’reconfidentinourabilitytocrea valueinthemarketmovingforward,we’re alsofocusedonensuringwe’rewellpositioned
todeliverasanindustry.”The2035strategy willbeformallyunveiledattheindustry’snext MomentumConferenceinFebruary.
Seasonforecast
Initsfirstfullforecastforthe2025/2026season, JasonsaysZespriwasontracktodeliverstrong valuebacktogrowers.
“Theforecastreflectsthestrongstarttothe season,withaverageper-hectarereturnsforecast toreachrecordlevelsforallcategoriesotherthan SunGoldandOrganicGreen.
“Ourlatestforecastispositivenewsforgrowers inaseasonwithevenmorefruittosell,withsales trackingwellacrossourkeymarkets,including
“It’sbeenencouragingtosee EuropeandNorthAmerica performingstrongly,withEurope aparticularstandoutwithmore thantwomilliontrayssoldeach weekforthepast13weeks[tothe endofAugust].”
Tosupportthisdemand,Jasonsays additionalfruithasbeenreallocated tothesemarketsfromAsia,where localeconomicconditionshavebeen morechallenging.
“We’realsocloselymonitoring ourprogressinChina,where macroeconomicconditionsandsales
ratesaresofterandwherewehave moreinventorythanpreferred,with ourteamfocusedonsellingfruit throughquicklywithlesssummer fruitinthemarket.”
Ataper-traylevel,hesaysforecast returnshaveliftedfromtheJune forecastforallcategoriesotherthan SunGoldandSweetGreen,which remainwithintheindicativeranges providedinJune.
JasonsaysZespriremainsfocused onfinishingtheseasonstronglyand maximisingvaluereturnedtogrowers.
A honey bee pollinating a kiwifruit flower Photo / Jody Mitchell
Beekeepingbringshealingandpurpose
Followingtheirretirementin
20222,KevinandGayleneMilne m movedtoa1hapropertyin Puttaruruin2024.Theybrought a preciouscargowiththem, aroundadozenbeehives.
AftermeetingintheRoyalNew ZealandAirForce,Kevinand Gayylenespenttimesharemilking in NewZealandandTasmania and KevinjoinedTasmaniaPolice. TheyreturnedtoNewZealandand Kevincarriedonhiscareerwiththe New ZealandPolicewhileGaylene workedasaregisterednurse,in Taumarunui,thenNorthland.
“I haven’talwaysbeeninterestedin bees,andmyfirstrealintroduction waswhentherewasaspateof
KiwifruitPollination
beehivetheftsinNorthland.MyconstableandI wereinvestigating,withthehelpofherhusband, whowasacommercialbeekeeper,”saysKevin. Beesoftheirown
TheMilnesletthebeekeeperputsomehivesin theirorchard,butGaylenesaystheystayedwell awayfromthem,cautiousofbeingstung.
Whenthosehivesweremovedon,Kevindida deepdiveintobeekeepingusingYouTubeandthe adviceofabeekeeperfriend.
“Itstartedwithtwohives,thenfour,thensix, andwestartedtosellthehoneytocoverthe costs,”saysGaylene.
BythetimetheymovedtotheWaikato,theyhad sixhivesontheirson’sOtorohangafarmandtheir ownsix.Thebeesweretransportedinthecoolof thenightwhenthey’dallreturnedhomeandthe hiveentranceclosed.Theysettlequicklyintoanew locationandfindnewfoodsources.
Therewasanoticeabledifferenceinhoneycolour aftertheWaikatomove.
“Wewereusedtolighterhoneyfromdairy pasturecloverbutinDecember2024ourfirst extractionwasmuchdarker.Ourbeesweregoing tourbanshrubsandnativebush.Oncethelocal cloverstartedourhoneylightened,astheymoved ontothatfoodsource,”saysGaylene.
Kevinresearchedbeekeepingextensivelyand thecoupleinvestedintheirownhoneyextraction equipment,housedinasmallshedathome.Other smallscalebeekeepersbringtheirhoneytothe Milnesforextraction.
Sharingtheirbees
“Webreedqueensforcalmness.Thistraitis e essential for safe handling of the hives, and they are lesslikelytoswarm.”
ThebeesaremonitoredcloselyduringOctober/ Novembertimewhichisswarmseason.Kevinwill eitherincreasethehivesizeorsplitacolony,leaving halfwiththeoldqueenandintroducingtheother halftoanewqueeninanewhive.
TheMilnesareoftencalledtodealwitha swarm of bees from elsewhere that have settled in someone ’ s garden or an unsafe place
“Swarming bees aren ’ t usually aggressive, and it always amazes people that we can gently scoop them up into a box They’re just looking for
somewhereelsetosetupahive,”saysKevin.
Thecoupleselltheirhoneyatlocalmarketsand happilyengageinconversationswithpeopleabout beekeeping,honeyandhives.
“Wealsorundemonstrationsathome,wherewe openuphivesanddiscusshowbeesliveandwork. Kidsarefascinatedandloveputtingonabeesuit. Theylearnhowtobehavearoundbees,sotheyare lesslikelytobestung.”
Tellingthebees
Accordingtophylogeneticanalysis,beesare thoughttohaveoriginatedaround124million yearsagoandashumansevolved,theirimportance tohumansurvivalaspollinatorswasrecognised. Beesaredepictedinmythology,art,literatureand folklorearoundtheworld.
Forcenturies,differentculturesinformedthe beesaboutimportanteventsinhumanlifesuchas births,deathsandmarriages,andthatpracticeof “tellingthebees”isstillcarriedouttoday.
Kevinisonhisownjourneywithpost-traumatic stressdisorder(PTSD),aresultofcontinual exposuretostressandtraumaduringhiscareer, andfindsbeingoutsidewithhisbeesveryhealing. Almosteveryeveninghetalkstohisbees,handles themandspendstimewiththehives.
“I’mnotsurewhyithelps,maybeit’sbecause youhavetobeverycalmaroundbees.Gaylene wondersifit’stheharmonicfrequenciesemitted fromthebuzzingthathasarelaxingeffectonthe brain,”saysKevin.
ItseemsthattheUSAagrees,asithasa BeekeepingForVeteranswellbeingprogramme.
Accordingtowebsitewww.beekeepingforveterans. com:“Beeshelpdecreasedistressandimprove m mood by increasing the release of endorphins in the personinteractingwithbees.
“Whilebeekeeping,oneneedstomaintaina calmmind,beinthemomentandbemindfulof theirmovements”.
KevinandGayleneMilnehavelearnthowtobecalmaroundbeesandhowtohandlethem. Photos/CatherineFry
CatherineFry y
Thevintagedrivingforcesofthe NewZealandtimberindustry
NewZealandTimberMuseumTrustchairmanDennisNielsonisdeterminedtomakethePutārurubased museumintooneofthemajorfivetouristattractionsintheNorthIsland.Thesix-hectaresitehasacafé,and buildingsrichwiththeheritageandstorieswhichhouseanextensivecollectionofvintagemachinery.
Coast&CountryNewshasselectedafewfavouritesfromthemuseumtoshowcase.
Crabtreesteamengine
BuiltbyWellington’s WCrabtreeandSons, thissteamengine,thelast oneintactofonlythree, wasoncethedrivingforce behindtheentiretimber millatMaroa,southof Tokoroa.Usingaseries ofbelts,pulleysand gears,itdroveeveryother movingpartofthemill intheearlytomid-20th Century.
JuddHauler
Miniaturesawmill
Kiwiingenuity
Itwasn’tjustexpensivepurpose-builtmachinerythat wasused.IntrueKiwistyle,thoseoutinthebush ingeniouslyimprovisedusingwhatevertheycould find.Mostofthemachinesatthemuseumwerebuilt bybushengineerOllySmith (1907-1993).
Often,steamengineswere refittedtorunonthenarrowbush tramwaysthatthetimberwas hauledalong.Farmmachinerywas repurposed,anditwasn’tunusual toseeanoldtractorwithrailway wheelsrunningalongthebush tracksintheearly-1900s.
Thesepowerfulsteamengineswererightinthethickofthe action,draggingheavylogsoutoftheroughforestterrain. InventedbyCharles JuddLimitedinThames, theywereusedfromthe early20thCenturyand wereasignificantpiece ofloggingtechnology inNewZealand’s history.Themuseum hasphotographsofthem beingusedintheMokai bush,circa1904.
WesternWheeledScraper
Thisparticularscraperwasmadebythe WesternWheeledScraperCo.,inIowa, USAin1877.Itwasconsideredtobean improvementonthecrudescrapersusedfor therailroadsintheUSA.Whenitreached NewZealandshores,itwasusedontheroads andfirebreaksaroundtheTokoroaandMōkai sawmillsinthe1920s.
InTrainworld,NewZealand’slargestmodelrailwaysystem, thehistoryofourforestryindustryhasbeenbroughttolifein miniatureform.
VolunteerWatsonGrayburnhasbuiltanincrediblydetailed 1:87scalemodelof nativetimbersawmill basedonimageryof varioussawmillsfromthe 1930sto1950s.Watson authenticallycraftedand paintedhismodels,even usingnativetimberwhere itwouldhavebeenused.
ZD1221
30HPKubota3-CylinderDieselEngine CuttingHeight25-127mm,reardelivery ShaftDriveDeck&HydraulicDeckLift
BX2380 $22,500*+GST
FittedwithLA344Loaderand RCK60Mid-mountmower 23HPKubotadieselengine
Switchingbetweenmowinglawns& frontendloaderworkhasneverbeen easier.TheBXloadercanbeattached withoutleavingthedriver’sseat
Deluxereclininghighbackseat,spacious operatorarea,cruisecontrolandeasyto reachcontrols *Imagewithoutmowerdeck.Price includesmowerdeck.
WordsandPhotos/CatherineFry
Newownersembracingthelifestyleat
ZimbabweancoupleNikkiandLanceDodd metatuniversityinCapeTown,South Africa,whereshewasstudyinginterior designandhewasstudyinghorticulture. Theirfutureplanswereabruptlyhaltedbythe startofpoliticalunrestinZimbabwe,leadingto alongjourneysearchingforaplacetocallhome.
“Wearebothfromfarmingbackgroundsand afteruniversityweintendedtoreturntomy parents’farminZimbabweanddiversifyfrom tobaccointoberriesandstonefruit,”saysLance.
“Thenwegotthecallinearly2000saying don’tcomehome,getajob.Bothfamilyfarms hadbeenrequisitionedbytheZimbabwean Governmentandwithnofarmstogobackto, everythingwaslostforbothfamilies.”
Afewfreshstarts
Bytheearly2000s,Nikki’smum,dad,sister andtwobrothershademigratedtoNewZealand.
Lance’sfamilywentoverseasbut hisfatherremainsinZimbabwe.
“IfollowedLance,and wewenttotheUKonan ancestralvisaaswebothhad UKgrandparents,”saysNikki. “Itgaveusthespacetoearn overthereandworkoutwhat todonext.”
Thispathledthembackto Africain2003.Lanceworked foraBritishcompanyon aKenyanflowerfarmthat exportedtoEurope.
Thecouplehadtwochildren Hayley(now17)andMatthew (now14)andenjoyedliving ona20,000hagamefarmwith 200-300hasetasideforthe flowers.Theydescribeitas beautifulandremainedthere for10yearsuntilpolitical unrestbetweenKenya, SomaliaandSudanmadelife dangerousoncemoreandthe familyleftthecountry.
“Wehadvisitedmyfamily inNewZealandseveraltimes overtheyears,soitmadesense tocomehere.Theylivedasafe andpeacefullifewiththeir families,”saysNikki.
Aplaceoftheirown
TheDoddsmovedtotheBay ofPlentyin2012,withLance findingworkinthekiwifruit packhousesandlaterworking inamanagementrole.
“It’shardstartingagainfrom scratch,butweknewwehad finallyfoundsomewheresafe andaroundfamilyandwhere wecouldfinallyputdown roots,”saysLance.
Thecouplebeganlookingat lifestylepropertieswherethey
couldlive,workandgivetheirchildrena rurallifesimilartotheonetheyexperienced whenyoung.
WhenLancefirstsawatrufflefarmnear TePukeforsaleitwasoutofbudget,buthe noticeditagain10monthslaterandtheprice wasnowwithinreach.
“Lancelookedatitwithafriendandbefore heevenhadtimetotellus,he’dputanoffer onandapproachedthebankforfinance!” saysNikki.
Thepropertywasan8hablockwhere
previousownersMaureenandColinBinns hadestablishedatrufflefarmandrantruffle tastingtourstoteachpeopleaboutanalmost mysticalfungus,theblackPérigordtruffle. Lancesawthepossibilitiesandluckilyso didhisfamilywhentheyvisitedforthefirst time.TheymovedinDecember2024. “Aswellasthetruffiere,wehaveanidyllic 3.5haofQEIIcovenantedNewZealand bushandacrystal-clearwaterway,which MaureenandColinlookedaftersowell.We arecertainlyhappytotakeovertheirlegacy
TheDoddfamily:Lance,left,Matthew,NikkiandHayleywithdogSimba. Photo/KymRaubenheimer
TePuketruffleorchard
YukiFukudasaysasNew Zealand’sappetiteforrice increases,growingmoreofthe staplecropheremakessense.
andhaveplanstoresurrectthe8kmofwalkways throughtheforestandsharethebeautywith others,”saysLance.
Havingneverseenatrufflebeforebuyingthe property,it’sbeenasteeplearningcurveforNikki andLance.Despitebeingfourhours’driveaway, MaureenandColinhavereturnedseveraltimesto passontheirwisdomandknowledge,something theDoddsarehugelygratefulfor.
Thisincludedusingtrufflesforculinarydelights andhowtotrainadogtohuntfortruffles.
Six-month-oldspringerspanielIndieisdoing wellandNikkisaysthatshealreadygoesintothe truffiereandfindstruffles.
“ShestillrushesabitbutI’mfindingitamazing tobeformingastrongbondwithadogand learningtoreadher,”saysNikki.
HayleyhasapetpigandLanceisinterestedin seeingifhecantrainittotrufflehuntaspigsare traditionallyusedforthatroleinEurope.
Otheranimalsincludethreecows,12sheep for“mowing”,18chickensandbeehivesfroma localbeekeeper.
Above: Dogs and humans both enjoy the beautiful QEII protected bush on the land and the crystalclearwaterway.
Left:HayleyDoddwithpetpigletPiggywig.
Below:NikkiinthetruffièretrainingIndiethe springerspanielpuptohuntfortruffles.
ByJuly2025,Lancehadcommittedtoworking full-timeontheirproperty.Alongsidethesummer andwintertruffleseasonsandthesummertruffle tours,thecoupleintendtogrowexoticmushrooms suchasoyster,shiitakeandenokitoprovidea consistent,year-roundincome.
Afterbeingcaughtupinturbulenttimes overseas,thefamilyhasfinallyfoundpeaceanda hometocalltheirown.
Fukudaisanecologistwhostudied horticultureatLincolnUniversity. Shesaidgrowingricelocally willgiveNZmorefoodsecurity foracropwhichiscurrently entirelyimported.
“There’szerocommercial productioninNZ,soweare importingabout$95millionworth ofricefromoverseas,whichequates toabout85,000tons,whichisalot ofricebeingimported,andthere’s emissionswiththetransportaswell.” InsomepartsofAsia,ithasbecome toohottosuccessfullygrowrice,she
15YearGuarantee
Keepsoutleaves,birds, pests&hail
Preventswaterdamage
Suitableforanytypeofroof
said.“Andalsotherisingsealevel, somericefieldshavehadtoomuch salinityinthewater,andironically, forNZit’sbecomingwarmer,soit’s becomingmoreandmoresuitableto growcropslikerice.”
Itisalsoazero-wastecrop,she said.“Youcouldmakeahouse outofit,clothing,dairymaterials, everythingfromhorticulture,it wasusedasamulchorropesto carrylikeabackpack,orevenabag totransportricewasmadeoutof ricestraw.Hersmalltwo-metreby two-metrepaddyyieldedadecent harvestlastyear,shesaid. Andsimilarrice-growing experimentsaregoingonin Kaiwaka,theEarthsongEco-Village inAucklandandnorthernWaikato.
KadambariGladding,RNZ
martin@gutterprotect.co.nz www.gutterprotect.co.nz
Topping7m-12m
Largedifficulttrees
Chipping/mulching
Stumpgrinding
Landclearing
Loggingsmallwoodlots (allspecies) accounts@baxcontractors.co.nz 0274953108
Photos/Supplied
CatherineFry
Charitygardenramble bloomsinKatikati
KatikatiRotaryClubinvitesgreenfingersfrom nearandfartoaweekendofrelaxationand inspiration,visitinggardensinthenameofcharity. KatikatiGardenRambleisbackfor2025–so markthecalendaras‘busy’forNovember8-9. PepperedthroughoutKatikatidistrictwillbea mixof19ruralandurbangardenstoexplore,says KatikatiRotarianRodCalver.
Arangeoflandscapes,designs,plants,trees, flowers–andinspiration–willgiveareasonto smileineachoneyouvisit,saysRod.
HiswifeMaryanneCalverwillagainshowcaseher ruralgarden.Maryanneonlyopenshergardento thepublicinthisramblebecausetheevent’sprofit goestolocalcauses.“Allmoneyraisedgoesdirectlyto communityprojectsthatRotarysupports,”saysRod. TheCalversmovedontothepropertyin1990. Maryanne’sgardenistrulyhers–“Iplanted everythinghere,”shesays.Today,itboastsbeautiful pocketsofflowersandplants,withtrees,planted30 yearsago,dottedwithin.AMagnolia‘StarWars’,a kauriandcherrytreeareshow-stoppers.“Ilikeit becauseithaslotsoflittle‘rooms’,andyounever quiteknowwhat’sroundthenextcorner–evenI sometimesdon’tknow!,”shesays.
Belowisthecouple’sSpeckle Parkcattleongrass,withastream plantedwithnatives.Views capturethisruraloutlookand northernTaurangaHarbour. TicketstotheKatikati GardenRambleonNovember 8-9from9am-5pmcost$35 eachplusabookingfeefrom: www.theartsjunction.org.nz/ event-details/katikati-gardenramble-2025
Sixdaystouringthehighcountry
NZAdventuressix-day HighCountryHeritage Tourisajourneydown theeasternalpine foothillsfromBlenheim toCardrona.
Thetourincludesawide rangeofhigh-country stationsandconservation estatetracksalonga1250 kmroute.
Thereareovernight staysinHanmerSprings, Methven,Fairlie,Omarama andCromwellbefore reachingthefinalnight attheiconicCardrona HotelnearWanaka.
HotelAccommodation isprovided,andevening mealsandbreakfastsarein restaurantswithluncheson stationorpicnictoenjoyup
inthehills.
“Thetracksareeasily coveredbycompetent driversinsuitable4WD vehicles,whichneedtohave lowrangetransmissionand allterraintyresingood condition,”sayowneroperatorsofNZAdventures 4x4Tours,Robbieand ConnieCrickett.
“Highlightsofthetour includeMolesworthstation ontheafternoonofdayone andthevasthillcountryof NorthCanterburythrough mostofdaytwo.”
Daythreeseesthetour headwesttowardsthehigh alpsandthemassivevistaof theinlandvalleys.Dayfour takesthetouracrosshigh plainsandthegravelriver valleysoftheMackenzie countryalongwithsome
Spotsareopenforthe 2026HighCountry HeritageTour. Photo/Supplied
hillcountrytrackswithviews downtoMtCook.Dayfive andsixseethetourdriveover intoCentralOtago,withan opportunitytodriveveryhigh ontotwoofthemountain rangesthataresomuchpart
oftheregion–knownforits historyofgoldandpastoralism andforbeingasfarfromthe seaasitispossibletogetin NewZealand. Formoreinformation,seeNZ Adventuresadvertonthispage.
She’sgotlegs,sheknowshowtotreatthem
Eachyearsince2018Tauranga’s Cosmetic&VeinsCliniconTenth Avehashelpedmorepeoplewho sufferedfromachy,restlessand crampylegsthantheydidthe previousyear.
Pleasephone 032188569 Mobile 0275506727 or 0274354267
Email:info@nzadventures.co.nz Orvisitourwebsite www.nzadventures.co.nz Lookforwardtohearingfromyou Formoreinformation pleasecontact
Withsomanypeoplebookingintosee DrAnuyaDeshpandeandtheteam,it wastimetogetaregistrardoctorin,and DrPaulaEnglandjoinedtheCosmetic &VeinsClinicteamtobetrainedin thefriendlyexcellenceinvaricosevein treatmentsthatDrAnuyaandtheteam havebecomeknownfor. yanaccomplished inemergencymedicine, nearlythrough GeneralPractice llowship,DrPaula ddsskill,enthusiasm, humourandbakingto theteamassheworks towardcompleting herqualificationsin phlebology(varicose veintreatment) throughthe AustralasianCollege ofPhlebology.
Already doctor and n her Fel ad h
SheisunderthesupervisionofDr Anuya,whocompletedherfellowship withtheCollegein2023,qualifyingher toteachotherdoctorstodiagnose,scan andtreatlowerlegconcerns.
DrPaulahasfoundapassionfor injectingspiderveins,ataskshefinds bothrewardingandfascinating.Shesays sheenjoysseeingpatientsreturnwith impressiveresults.
“IcherishworkingalongsideAnuya. Herthoroughandpatient-focused approachhasshownmeawholenew levelofpatientcare.Theteamatthe CosmeticandVeinsClinicareincredibly supportive,andthepatientshavebeen wonderfultoo.
“It’sgreattoseepeoplecomebackwith theirlivesimproved--sleepingbetter,less discomfort,moreconfidenceandlooking forwardtowearingshortstothebeach.” Formoreinformation,seeCosmetic& VeinsClinic’sadvertonthispage.
r PaulaEngland,left,withmedicalmentorDrAnuya DeeshpandeofCosmetic&VeinsClinic. Photo/Supplied
Dr
MerleCave
Abloom from Maryanne Calver’sgarden
Photo/MerleCave
CoEnzymeQ10forenerg g
Mitochondriaareourcellengines thattaketheenergyfromfood andchangethisintotheenergy ourbodiesneed.
Attheendofthelineisthe productionofATP(adenosine triphosphate)toprovidetheenergy thatmakesourbodieswork.
Freeradicals,especiallynitrogen radicalslikeperoxynitrite,candamage delicatecellstructurescausingless energytobemade.Somediseasescan damagemitochondria.Studiesshow thatchronicfatiguesyndromeweakens mitochondria,resultinginsignificantlylessenergy thaninhealthypeople.
Theresultisalwaystiredness,butother symptomsaredeterminedbythetypeofdisease. Forexample,inMultipleSclerosis(MS), mitochondrialchangesoccurleadingtonerve myelindamage.Thefirststeptoimproveenergy istoaddCoEnzymeQ10(CoQ10).Beaware thatmostoftheCoQ10onthemarketislow-cost
semi-syntheticmaterial.Ipreferhigh grade,naturallyfermentedmaterial despiteitshighercost.Thereisno suchthingasagood,cheapCoQ10.
Themostimportantcomponentof nutritionaltherapyforfatigueand inflammatoryproblemsareaddinga rangeofmitochondrialnutrientsand cofactors.TheseincludeCoQ10, PQQandothercompoundssuch asResveratrol,Grapeseedextract, Acetyll-carnitine,Nacetylcysteine and,AlphaLipoicAcid.
Thesehelptoincreaseenergy output,supportflaggingenergy processesandreducefreeradicaldamageby activelytargetingthefreeradicalsthatdamage delicateenergysystems.WethenaddafullB vitamincomplexbecausetheseareneededin mostofthestepstomakeenergy.Acombination ofagooddietandthesebeneficialsupplements canmakearealdifferenceinlifequalityforthose withlowenergy.Mostpeoplefeelarealdifference withintwomonths.
Familybuildingbusinessstill goingstrongafter60years
Formorethan60years, HighmarkHomeshasbeena family-ownedbusiness,started inthe1960sbyBobHuntin Tauranga,andnowunderthe managementofhissonRyan Hunt,followingBob’s retirementin2022.
Whilethereareseveralfranchises aroundNewZealandunderthe HighmarkHomesumbrella,the familyarestillthehands-onbuilders fordesignandbuildorrenovations intheWaikatoandBayofPlenty area.
“Weprojectmanagefromstartto completion,usingadedicateddesign agencyandanestablishedgroupof tradesandsupplierswhohaveworked withusformanyyears,”saysRyan.
HighmarkHomesisequallyathome constructingresidentialtownhouses andhousesasitisconstructinglarger housesandworkers’accommodation onfarmsandlifestyleblocks.
“Weofferfreesiteevaluation
wherewevisityoursiteand realisticapproximateproje ofwhatworkmaybeneed withregardtoexcavationw sewage,drainageandwate requirements.”
HighmarkHomeshasnu houseplansontheirwebsi canbeadaptedtomeetyo needsandbudget,orthey candesignfromyour ideas.
“Anewhomeis likelytobethelargest investmentyouwill makeinyourlifetime, soit’svitaltodealwith anexperiencedhouse buildingcompanyyou cantrustandthatcan bereliedupontodeliver exactlywhatyou’vepaid for,ontime.Customer satisfactionisabsolutely paramounttous.”
Formoreinformation,se HighmarkHomes’advert onthispage.
JohnArts(Adv.Dip. Nut.Med)isanutritiional medicinepractitioner r and founderofAbundant Health Ltd.Forquestionsoradvice contactJohnon0800 0 423559 oremailjohn@abunddant co.nz.Joinhisnewsleetter at www.abundant.co.nz z
EasyTouse
EliminatesNastyOdours
ReducesCostlyPump-outs
AsatisfiedcustomerinHamiltonhas beenusingSepti-Cureforoverfiveyears. Hesaysthisallowsthemtohaveanodour freeseptictankwithlowmaintenance costs.Healsosaysthathisserviceperson isamazedathowwellSepti-Cureworks, keepingtheirtankinverygoodcondition. *Resultsmayvary
Generationsof trust
MATRIX®Hi-Mineral thetrustedtriple-activemineralisedoraldrenchfor sheepinNZ.Discusswithyourvet,howMATRIXfitsintoyourfarmplans.
Lookingafteryourself andyoursheep
We’reproudlypartneringwithFarmstrongtodiscussthethingsthat mattermostonyourfarm.Lookingafteryourselfmeansyourfarmwill benefittoo,creatingapositiveeffectnowandforgenerationstocome.
Tofindoutwhatworksforyou,visitwww.farmstrong.co.nz
Formoreinfomationvisit: futureproducers.co.nz
PROUDLYAVAILABLEFROMYOURLOCALPARTICIPATINGVETERINARYCLINIC. Seeproductlabelforfullclaimdetailsanddirectionsforuse.MATRIX® isaregisteredtrademarkof BoehringerIngelheimVetmedicaGmbH,usedunderlicense.ACVMRegistrationNo.A009390.©Copyright 2025BoehringerIngelheimAnimalHealthNewZealandLimited.Allrightsreserved.NZ-OVI-0036-2025.
Settingcalvesupforsuccess
Gettingcalvesoutoftheshed andontopastureisajoytowatch andalthoughaveryrewarding milestone,it’salsojustthebeginning oftheirjourney.
Raisinghealthy,productiveyoung stockiscriticaltothelong-termsuccessof yourdairyoperation,andawell-planned drenchingprogramplaysakeyroleinthat.
Parasitesareacommoncauseofpoor growthratesincalves.Ifleftunchecked, theycansignificantlyimpactweight gainandoverallhealth.That’swhyit’s essentialtoimplementarobustparasite managementstrategyearlyon,that includesgoodnutrition,smartgrazing practices,andtimelydrenching.
Calvestypicallyneedtobeonpasture f for around four weeks before a drench is warranted Administering a drench at the right time not only reduces the worm load in the calf but also reduces egg output, helping to lower pasture contamination and future larvalintake
Weight: Calvesunder100kgare susceptibletoabamectintoxicity.Forthis reason,drenchescontainingabamectin mustbeavoidedinthisweightgroup.
Age: Cattleunder12monthsrequire levamisoleintheirdrenchtoeffectively targetCooperiaworms.
Deliverymethod: Oraldrenchesare preferredforyoungcalvesastheydeliver theactiveingredientsdirectlytothegut, wherethewormsreside.
Asafeandeffectivefirstdrench forcalvesunder100kgisVetMed ComboMax,containinglevamisole andoxfendazole,mineralisedwithzinc, selenium,andcobaltataconvenient1mL per10kgdoserate.
Oncecalvesexceed100kg,it’stime toswitchtoatriplecombination drenchastriplecombinationsareasmart s strategy to slow the development of drenchresistance.VetMedTripleMax isagreatoption,combiningabamectin, levamisole,andoxfendazole, alongwith seleniumandcobaltata1mLper 10kg doserate.
ofatriplecombination,itoffersasafe alternativewhenoraladministration isn’tfeasible.
Bestpracticesfordrenching
Responsibledrenchuseisessentialto maintainefficacyandreduceresistance. Hereareafewgold-standardpractices tofollow:
Weighbeforeyoudrench: Always weighasampleofthemobanddose totheheaviestanimal.Ifthere’sawide weightrange,draftlightercalvestoavoid overdosing.
Shakewell: Giveyourdrenchdruma goodshakebeforedecantingtoensurethe productiswellmixed.
Sticktointervals: Maintaina minimumof28daysbetweendrenches. Thisallowstimeinthewormlifecycle f for a population of undrenched worms toexist, providing refugia and helping to slow resistance
drenchisworking.FECscanalsoguidedecisions whenextendingdrenchintervals.
Beyondthedrench
Whiledrenchesareavitaltool,they’rejust onepartoftheparasitemanagementpuzzle. Incorporatingmixedspeciesgrazing(e.g.,sheepor oldercattle),usingforagecrops,andmaintaining highgrazingresiduals,allhelpstoreduceworm intake.Well-fedcalvesalsodevelopstronger immunesystems,enablingthemtobettercope withparasitechallenges.
Withacombinationofgoodnutrition,smart grazing,andawell-executedVetMeddrenching programme,youcangiveyourcalvesthebeststart possible,settingthemuptothriveandcontribute toaproductive,resilientherdintheyearstocome. Formoreinformation,seeAgritradeHamilton’s advertonthispage.
Choosing the right drench
When selecting a drench forcalves, three key factors should guideyour decision:
Insituationswhereoraldrenching isn’t practicalorsafe,duetolackofsuitable facilities,VetMedDualMax(apour-on containingabamectinandlevamisole) canbeused.Whilenotthe goldstandard
Monitor efficacy: Conduct a faecalegg count (FEC) 10-14 days post-drench toassesshow well your
Landlordorfarmer-wwhere’s our focus?
Buytheneighbour’s blockandsuddenly you’vegotmore thanjustland, you’vegotahouse.
Forsome,thatcan feellikeanunwanted sidehustle,pulling timeandattention awayfromwhereit reallybelongs,onthe farm.Butwiththe rightplanning,that extrahousedoesn’thavetobea liability–itcanactuallygiveyou flexibilityandoptionsforthefuture. Therisk,ofcourse,comeswhen thingsgowrong.We’veallheardof houseswrittenoff,endlessclean-
ups,andcoststhat spiralwellbeyondthe property’sworth.That’s whythesmartmove whenbuyinglandis topushforaseparate titleonthehousesite, ratherthanjustadjusting boundaries.It’sadetail manyoverlook,butit makesallthedifference.
Withaseparatetitle, you’vegotchoices. Youmightsubdivide andsellthehousesite, usuallywithjustenoughlandfor agarden,afewanimals,andthat lifestyle-blockfeelwhilekeeping theproductivelandwiththefarm. Oryoumighthangontoit,using thetitlelatertocreatealifestyle
block,securearretirement option, or separateoutthefaamilyhome from thefarmbusiness.
Time
Onething’scertaain,boundary changesandsubdiivisions take time Eventhesimplestadjustment can take sixmonths,andloongerif approvals or legalhurdlespopuup.So, if your goal is tohavenewbounddariessorted before nextseason,nowiisthetime to start Councilshavetigghtened subdivision rulesinrecentyears,which is why boundaryadjustmmentsare becoming morecommon.Buutifyou have the chancetocreateanewtitle under your council’srules,it’susually worth doing soonerratherthan n later. Having that extratitleupyoursleeve gives you moreflexibilityanndmore value from yourlandintheloongrun
So,ifyou’reweigghingup your optionsandwondderinghow to make themostofanextrahouse or title, taketheopportunitywhile you can –giveusacalltoday y fora no obligation chatonwhatyour r options may be
Needleshiftingchangehas arri ed in the industr
The‘needleisshifting’inthefertiliserindustry.
Shiftingtheneedleis atermthathasspecial significanceforthose ofusthatgrewup listeningtomusic recordedonvinyl.
Today‘needleshifting’issynonymouswith ‘significantchange’andwe’reseeingthatinthe fertiliserindustry. Itistruethatanybusinessthatisnot environmentallysustainablehasalimitedlife spanwhichmustbefactoredintoitsvalue. RegardlessofitscontributiontoGDPandthe numberofoverseasdollarsearned,ifthereisa seriousdownsidethereisaproblem. Cleanfreshdrinkingwaterisabirthrightofall NewZealandersandprotectingthatisessential.
Levels
Increasingnitrate-Nlevelshavebeenignored forlongenoughandit’stimetofacetheissue andfixitbeforetheproblembecomessolargeit’s difficulttoknowwheretostart. Atpresentsteadilyincreasingnitrate-Nlevels arelimitedtointensivedairyingareas.Wealso knowthatitisdirectlyrelatedtotheregular applicationofsyntheticnitrogentoboost pasturegrowth. Itsuseisbasedontheincreaseingrowththat resultsfromanapplicationandintheshortterm thatdoeshappen,howeversinceitsintroduction in1990annualpasturegrowthhasdeclined. Thatclaimisoftenridiculedalthoughcareful checkingwillrevealittobecorrect.It’s importantbecausefarmers’incomesareprimarily derivedfromthegrowthandconsumptionof pasture.Anotherfactisthatitisunder-grazed permanentpasturethatcarbonismostrapidly sequestered,butwhenregularapplicationsof
Ridingthehighs, bracingforthelows
LatelyI’vebeenin plentyofconversations abouthowmuchlonger thesehighcommodity pricescanlast.
Itfeelslikewe’vebeen ridingthewavefora whilenow,andfarmer confidenceisstrong.The latestRabobankRural ConfidenceSurveybacks thatup,recordingthe second-strongestresultinadecadeat+46%.Beef pricesarestillbreakingrecords–Isoldsteers lastweekat$9.10/kgcarcassweight!Ontheflip side,themilkpricehasdippedslightlyatthelast twoGlobalDairyTradeauctions.Idon’twant tosoundgloomy,butIcan’tshakethethought: whatgoesupmusteventuallycomedown.
Weather
ofaconcern.Thesummer droughtfollowedbyacold, wetwinterhasleftmuch oftheNorthIslandshort onforage.Unlikelastyear, whenweenteredsummer withsignificantamountsof feedonhand,thisseason couldbeastruggleifdry weatherreturns.Priceswill climbsharply–assuming productisevenavailable. Itwouldbewisetosecure ordersforgrassormaize silagenow,beforedemand spikes.Ihaven’tseenan officialsummerforecast,but I’veheardKenRing,the ‘MoonMan’,istippingwarm,dryconditions.
Financialpredictions
AsIwritethisinmid-Septembertheaverage groundtemperatureforthemonthhasbeenonly 10.6degreesCelsiuscomparedto12.8degrees Celsiusforthesameperiodlastyear.Thisgoesto partlyexplainwhythereissolittlegrasscoverout there.Rainfallhasbeenstandardforthemonth, butboyhasitbeenwindy!Ithashammereda lotofthosepooravocadogrowerswhoweren’t gettingpaidmuchfortheirfruitforastart!There havebeenseveralorchardsheltersthathavebeen blownovertoo.
Theavailabilityoffeedatthemomentisabit
syntheticnitrogenareappliedtherateofgain islessened.
Thekeytosustainablyincreasingpasturegrowth andlockingcarbonintothesoilisprovidingthe essentialnitrogenfromlegumes,primarilyclover. Undertheseconditions,whichprevaileduntil theearly-1990s,nitrate-Nlossestogroundwater areminimisedandplacedairyfarmersina positionofpotentiallybeingabletoclaim carboncredits.
Study
AstudyconductedbyScionofRotoruaontwo intensivedairyfarmsatOtakirinearEdgecumbe clearlyshowedthebenefitsofaclover-based pasturesystem. Growthwas30%higherandthelossof nitrate-Ntogroundwaterwas70%less.Fewer animalswererequiredtoprovideasignificantly higherprofitwhichwasindependentlyverified. Thesoilfertilityprogrammefortheproperty withhighergrowthandlessN-losswasbased onNewZealandresearchandprovidedby FunctionalFertiliser.
Talkingaboutpredictions,Iliketomakeafew ofmyown,mainlyfinancialones.Ican’tsayIam oftenright,butImadeagoodoneafewyears agoregardingFonterra.
Iconvincedafewpeopletobuylargeamounts ofFonterrashareswhentheywereunder$3, evenborrowingsignificantsumstodoso.My sonsalsopurchasedFonterraunitsontheir Sharesiesaccounts,albeitinsmallamounts. Now,Fonterrasharesareroughly$6,andthose involvedhavemorethandoubledtheirmoney, withveryhealthydividendsontop.There nowappearstobeafurther$2/sharereturnto farmersfromtheagreed–butconditional–
Higherthanusualcalciuminputsare recommendedasclovercontainsseveraltimes thecalciumofgrasses.Highercalciumlevelsalso stimulatetheactivityofbeneficialearthworms, bacteria,andfungi.
Theenhancedactivityofbeneficialbiologyis alsostimulatedbytheadditionofaproprietary mixofselectedbacteriaandfungi.
Phosphorus,sulphur,andpotassium remainessentialinputsandincludedasand whenrequired,howevercalciumratherthan phosphorusisthedriveroftheprocess.
Thechangefromasyntheticnitrogendriven programmeisnotdifficultnoristherenecessarily areductioningrowthbeforethefixationof nitrogenfree-of-chargebyclover fullycompensates.
Becausecloveroutgrowsgrassesfrom Novemberuntillate-autumn,springistheideal timetoinstigatethetransitiontoagenuinely sustainablefuture.
FormoreinformationtalktoPeteron 0274950041or0800843809.
saleofFonterra’sconsumerand foodserviceassetstoLactalis. Ifirmlysitinthecampofthose whobelievethisisamistake.Inmy opinion,allthegoodworkdone duringthepastfewyearsisatriskof beingundone.Fonterra’ssaleofits consumerandfoodserviceassetsto Lactalisputsitatriskofbecoming solelyacommodityproducer, losingvaluablevalue-addfrom
consumerbrands,andpotentially facingincreasedvolatilityinitscore ingredientsbusiness.Itsacrifices long-termresilienceandconsumer connectionsbyfocusingonamore commoditisedmarket.
Ihavealwaysbeenafirmbeliever that,inbusiness,thecloseryouare intheproductionchaintotheend consumer,thestrongerandmore profitableitwillbe.
Weatherhasimpactedtheamountoffeedavailableforstockatthemoment.
Photo/PaulTaylor
Farmerwinstopawardforsustainablepractices
RaglandairyfarmerTorPedersenwas“pretty blownaway”tohearthathewastheWaikato’s SupremeWinnerattheregion’s2025 BallanceFarmEnvironmentAwards.
The27-year-oldcontractmilksforhisparents TonyandShonaPedersen,whoownthefarmthat wasoriginallyboughtbyShona’sparentsFrankand MargaretColganin1967.
TonyandShonainitiallymanagedthefarmbefore buyingitin2005.Theoriginalfarmhasincreased
from40hectaresin1967to300hatoday.Thefarm runs250dairycowson100hectares,with50ha usedasasupportblock.Theremaininglandisa mixofexoticandnativetrees,includingsignificant areasofuntouchedorregeneratingnativebush.
Torhasalwayshadadesiretofarmandworkedon thefamilyandneighbouringfarmsasateenager.He decidedtogetsomelifeexperienceandcomplete amotorcyclemechanicapprenticeshipbefore returningtothefamilyfarmasafarmassistant.
“WhileIhadexperiencefrommychildhood,Iwas happytocomeinatthebottomandlearnasIwent. Iwantedtohavetherighttoolstobeabletofarmto thestandardthatmygrandparentsandparentshad donebeforeme,”saysTor.
Inhissecondseasonhebecameherdmanagerand startedcontractmilkinginJune2022.Hecarries outmostofthemilkingandhisfatherworkson farm.TorsmilesandsaysthatShona“istheboss”.
“Sheworksofffarmbutworksasrequiredand raisescalvestoaveryhighstandard.
removeinvasivewillowtreesinthe WaitetunaRiverandotherwaterways hasmadeasignificantcontribution towaterquality.Replantingwaterway bendswiththecorrectwillowtype andotherappropriateplantshas naturallyreducedwatererosion.
“Weusedtomilkmorecowsonthe sameareabutwhenwedroppedthe numbers,ourproductionremained thesame.We’vebeenabletoreduce ourimportedfeed.”
“Eachyearasmyknowledgeincreases,Igetmore andmoreinvolvedwiththedecisionmakingand mynextstepwillbesharemilking.Ihopetomove intofarmownershipeventuallywithmypartner, Natalie,whoworksoff-farm.”
Ahighstandard
Toracknowledgesthehighstandardofland stewardshipthathisgrandparentsstartedin1967, andhisparentshavecontinued.Healsowantstodo therightthingfortheenvironment.
“Thelandischallengingwithswampyriverflats thatcan’tbegrazedallwinter,steep,hillypaddocks whererun-offhastobeaddressed,andmany waterwaysincludingabout3.5kmofboundary directlywiththeWaitetunaRiver.”
Whilethewaterabundancemeansthatthefarm waterisallfromthese waterways,thereis aresponsiibility to managetheiron-farm actionsconsideringthe impactondownstream ecosystems.
WorkwithWaikato Regional Council to
Vulnerablelandhasbeenidentified andretired.Allwaterwaysarefenced offand30,000treeshavebeen plantedduringthelastfiveyears.
Plantingisanongoing commitmentwiththeaimof creatingnativecorridors.
“Wealsohavethe150-to-200year-oldnativekahikateastandsto protectthathavebeentherealong timebeforeus.”
ThefarmparticipatedinaNIWA water-qualitymonitoringinitiative confirmingexcellentstreamhealth, highlightedbythepresenceof freshwatermusselsandkōura.
Seasonalmeasures
Tor’sparentsplantedpoplartrees forshadewhichhavealsoserved aswindbreaksinthevalleyasthey matured,reducingerosion.
Thefarmhaspreviouslyhadpure JerseyherdsandpureFriesianherds, butthefamilyhavesettledonKiwiCrosscowswithaliveweightgoal of 450kg
Thecowsarefedmealinthe 30-asideherringbone,andsilageis madeon-farmfromsurplusspring grass.Theverydrysummerof2025 didrequiresomesilagetobebought in.Replacementcalvesareputonthe hillylandwheretheycopewellwith thecontourandaslighteranimals, don’tcausedamage.
Afour-million-litrein-ground effluentpondandweepingwall wereinstalledin2017.Atravelling irrigatoriscurrentlyusedtospread effluentover14paddocks,withatotal capacitytocover30haifrequired.
Torwasencouragedtoenterthe awardsatanon-farmdiscussion grouplastyear.
“Itwasreassuringtowinandseethat whatwebelievein,othersdotoo.
“It’sbeeninvaluabletoseewhere weareatcomparedtoothersand learnfromwhattheyaredoingthat’s differentfromus.
“I’mjustgoingtokeepprogressing withmycareerandtryandlookafter ourlandsowecanfarmsustainably forgenerationstocome.”
Tor Pedersen and his partner Natalie are working towardsownershipof his family farm.
Photos/CatherineFry
Catherine Fry
ChrisSmithwasthrilledwhenFAR’s combineharvesterworkshopswonthe TechnologyInnovationAwardatthe2025 PrimaryIndustryNewZealandAwards.
TheFoundationofArableResearchtechnology managerheardaboutresearchbeingcarriedout byAustralia’sGrainsResearchandDevelopment Corporationandthecalculationsaroundtheextent oflossesoutofthebackof harvestingmachines.
“Whileonthesurface itmightappearthatour arablefarmersandtheir machinerydealersalready knoweverythingabout successfullyrunning combineharvesters,FAR fundedanindependent teamofexpertsfrom AustraliaandCanada tovisitandtakeafresh look,”saysChris.
thethreeeventswhichwasfantastic.”
Attheendofeachworkshopgrowersfilledina questionnaireand65growersexpressedinterestin post-harvestvisits.
“The2024/2025seasonpre-harvestworkshops attractedaround250growersand116growers requestedpost-harvestfarmvisits.”
Thetrendtowardsincreasedseeddressinglosses hasbecomenoticeableinthelast10yearswith theavailabilityoflarger, moreautomatedcombine harvesters.Combine operatorsarebecoming morereliantonelectronic controlsandreadings whichmaynotbe accuratelycalibrated.
“Forthelasttwo seasonstheseexpertshavecarriedoutgrower workshopspriortoharvestandthenreturned tovisitindividualgrowersontheirfarmsduring harvesttocheckhowadjustmentsareperforming inthefield.”
WorkshopsinNZ
TherewerethreepilotFARpre-harvest workshopsin2023/2024seasonanditwasa considerableefforttosupplymachinesofevery brandateachlocation.
Chrisadmitstowonderingifpeoplewould evenbeinterestedandinitiallybudgetedfor30 participantsateachvenue,abudgetthathadtobe pushedoutasenrolmentsgrew.
“Weendedupwith225growersattendingacross
Calibration
Chrissaysadjustments madetocombinesledto someinstantharvesting gainsandcostsavings includingreduced croplosses,fasterharvestingspeeds,lowerdiesel consumption,reducedhorsepowerandbetter harvestsamples.
“Togivesomecontext,onegrowershaved70 hoursoffhistimespentinthefield.Heroughly budgets$1000perhourforusinghiscombine,so thatisapotentialmonetarysavingof$70,000.
“Anotherreducedfuelconsumptionby30% aswellasproducingacleansample.Another increasedhisharvestingcapacityinbarleyfrom20 hectaresto30haaday.
“Somefarmswerealreadydoingwell,anditwas confirmationforthemthattheyarerunningtheir combinesefficiently.”
Theworkshopsshowtheimportanceofgrowers measuringandmonitoringpotentialgrainandseed lossesandfine-tuningsettingstomitigatethese.
“Growershaveonlly oneopportunityto harvestacrop.Once e it is goneoutthebackoof the harvester,itistoolaate ” FARwillrunfurthher combineworkshops s in theSouthIslandin the 2025/2026season,aand oneinGisborneinAApril 2026.
Informationwill bemadeavailableatt: www.far.org.nz/evennts
Catherine Fry
AFARcombineharvesterworkshopfromthe 2023/2024season.
• SPECIALISTSINSEEDCLEANING
• TOPQUALITYRYEGRASS,CLOVER,BRASSICA&MIXES
• HIGHPRIORITYDELIVERYNATIONWIDE
• CRIDGESEEDSLTD,DOYLESTON,CANTERBURY
• Informationwebsite: www.cridgeseeds.co.nz
Expansiveseaviews,dualdriveways,bore,several buildingsites
Nestledintothehillside,thisnorthfacingpropertyspans13ha(moreorless)ofquietsimplicity,space,and sweepingseaviewsthatwillneverbebuiltout.Awayfromthehubbubofcitylivingyetjustalittleoveranhour toeitherAucklandorHamilton,you’llhavespacetobreathewhilestayingconnected.
Hobbyfarmordeveloptheapprox.3acresofusablepasture–severalpossiblesites,eachwithseaviews.Add aseconddwelling(upto120sqm,onadifferentlevelwithitsownseparatedriveway),and/orabarnstyle-type structure.RoomforasecondfamilyorsecondincomeviaAirbnb.
Theremainderofthelandisbeautifulnativebushincludingmanukaandkanuka,intheheartoftheMiranda community–arelaxedrurallifestylenearthermalsprings,coastalwalksandfantasticfishingspots.Closeto WaitakaruruandMangatangiPrimarySchools,andthebustohighlyregardedHaurakiPlainsCollegestopsat theendoftheroad.Liveclosertonature,raisecattle,keepchickensinthesturdycoopwithautomatedwater system–evengooff-gridbyinstallingsolar.EndlessopportunitiesawaitatthisremarkableMirandaproperty!
bayleys.co.nz/2630101
13.1316ha 2 1
AskingPrice $798,000
KarlDavis 0508838383 karl.davis@bayleys.co.nz
ConnorDavis 0274964622 connor.davis@bayleys.co.nz SUCCESSREALTYLTD,BAYLEYS,LICENSEDUNDERTHEREAACT2008
FAR’s Anna Heslop, Chris Smith and Dame AlisonStewartreceivingtheTechnology InnovationAwardatthe2025PINZAwards.
Photos/Supplied
Sustainablefertissmartfeert
CRFslookaftertheenvironment withoutcompromisingyield.
Theword sustainableis beingapplied to everything thesedays,from everydayitems like coffeecups,to globalindustries likefashion. Farmingand fertiliserareno e exception.
Butwhilechoosingareusable coffeecup,orperusingyour local opshopforaprelovedjacket arereasonablystraight-forwward actsofsustainability,whatmmight sustainabilityentailwhenffertiliser isatissue?
Onestrategyistoemploy y the 4Rsofnutrientstewardship p (right source,rightrate,righttimme, right place).Anotheroptionisto o use a fertiliserthatissustainable. Sustainablefertiliseers
Thescientificcommunity generallyagreethatasustaiinable fertiliserisonethatprovidees the essentialnutrientsforcrops s to growtotheirpotential,whiile lookingafterthesoil,andrreducing harmfulemissions.
COSTEFFECTIVERETRACTINGROOFSYSTEM
Canberetrofittedtoexisting concretewoodorblockbins
Uniquespacesavingsectional design
Canvasorsteelcladdingoptions Winchsystemforeasyaccess Keepsfeedorfertiliserdry Kitsetoptionsavailable
Conventionalfertiliserslikke ureaandsuperphosphatearren ’ t sustainablebecausetheylack k nutrientefficiency,withsome researchersreportingthatplants onlyabsorb30-35%ofthe nutrientsapplied.Ureaisprone tovolatilisationandleaching. Superphosphatecanalsoleachin somesoils.Ineithercase,they’re notplantavailableforlong. Afarmoresustainableoptionisto usea‘Smart’fertiliser.
‘Smart’fertilisersarearelatively recentdevelopment,butthereis alreadyalargebodyofresearch provingtheirworthasnutrient efficientfertilisers.Ratherthan beingavailableforonlyashort timeafterapplication,thenutrients inSmartfertilisersarereleased moregraduallysothattheyare availabletoplantsoveralonger time.Controlled-ReleaseFertilisers (CRFs)andSlow-ReleaseFertilisers (SRFs)aretwotypesofSmart fertiliser.
CRFsandSRFs
CRFshaveacontrolledpatternof nutrientrelease,designedtomatch plantgrowthrequirements.This controlisachievedbyencapsulating thenutrientswithacoatingwhich createsapermeablebarrierbetween thenutrientsandthesoil.The typesofcoatinganditsproperties candeterminethecontrolpattern, whichisusefulformanufacturing crop-specificfertiliser. SRFsreleasetheirnutrients
gradually,butwithoutthesame precisionasCRFs.However,theyare compoundswithcomplexchemical structuresandlowsolubility.Their nutrientsarereleasedbymicrobial activitywhichistriggeredbythe samesoilconditionsthatstimulate plantgrowth.
BenefitsofSmartfert
CRFsandSRFsareincreasingly availabletofarmersinNZ.One companythatchampionstheuse ofCRFsandSRFsisFertco.“CRFs fitperfectlywithoursustainable ethos,”saysFertcochiefexecutive WarwickVoyce.
ArthurPayze,soilscientistand Fertconationalsalesmanager,says: “Becausethenutrientsaren’tlostto theenvironment,ourCRFnitrogen lastsforanentiregrowingseason, sodairyfarmerscanapplyitearly inspringandthat’sit.Ourmaize growersdon’tevenneedtoapplya sidedressing”.
Butwhatreallyimpressestheteam aretheresults.“We’vehadmaize yieldsover25tonnesperhectare,” saysArthur.Evenbetter,studiesare showingthatthecontrolledrelease ofnutrientsallows20-30%less fertiliserneedbeappliedtoachieve thesameyields.AsNeilMacdonald, FertcoCommercialManagersays: “Themoneyyouspendonfertiliser staysonyourproperty.
“That’sbothsmartandsustainable!”
BIGGERGAINS LOWERCOSTS
DarylMcdonald
This urea CRF has a biodegradable polymer coating.
Particlesizecreatesefficiency
Scienceandresearchare continuallydevelopingnew fertilisersthatallowusto improvenutrientefficiency andreduceenvironmentalloss withoutcompromisingyields.
Oneofthelatestdevelopments isbasedontheunderstandingthat thesmallertheparticlesoffertiliser are,thefasterthenutrientsbecome availabletoplants.
Thisisnotnecessarilyanewidea. Butthetechnologytoturnthisidea intorealityhasonlyrecentlybecomeavailable. HSulphur,aKorean-basedcompany,isnow usingthistechnologytocreateauniquesulphur fertiliser,capableofdeliveringitsnutrientsto cropsandpastureoveranentiregrowingseasonat aratejustslightlyfasterthanneededforoptimum growth.That’sabigtickfornutrientefficiency.
Sulphurisessential
Sulphur(S)isessentialforplantgrowth.It’s partofseveralaminoacidsandthechlorophyll molecule,keytophotosynthesis.It’salsoa componentoftheenzymeneededbylegumeslike cloverfornitrogen-fixation,particularlyimportant forourpastoralgrazingsysteminNZ.
Untilrecently,we’venothadanissuewithsoil sulphurlevelsinNZ.Butnowadays,deficiencies arebecomingmorecommonduetotheincreased applicationofsulphur-freefertilisers.
TwosulphurfertiliserscommonlyusedinNZ aresulphateofammonia(SOA)andelemental sulphurorsulphurbentonite(ES).
SOAisgreatwhensulphurisneededinahurry becauseit’sasulphate,theformthatplantscan takeupimmediately.Butitdoesn’tstayaroundfor longbecauseit’ssolubleandeasilyleached.This wastesnutrientandmoney.
ESisanaturalBioGroapprovedsourceof sulphur.It’snotsolublelikeSOA,soitneedsto betransformedintoplant-availablesulphatesby microbes.Thisprocesscantakedays,weeks,or
maybeevenmonthsdependingon soilconditions.Thelargeparticlesize ofES(>100microns)alsoslowsthis processdown.
Inmanycases,neitherofthese sourcesareideal.
Thesolution
HSulphurhassolvedtheseissues bycreatingagranuleorpastillemade ofmicronisedelementalsulphur particlesof30-40microns.Because theelementalsulphurparticlesare smaller,microbeshavegreateraccess tothenutrient,sotheycanbreakthesulphur downintoplant-availablesulphatemorequickly.
WhileHSulphurcouldhavemadetheparticles evensmaller,theychosethe30-40micron sizebecausetheyfoundthatthiswasthemost nutrientefficient.Notonlywerethenutrients aroundforlonger,buttheywerealsoreleasedata ratejustslightlyfasterthantheplantsneededfor optimumgrowth.
Buttheinnovationdoesn’tstopthere.
Thedesignofthepastillesalsoplaysarolein controllingnutrientavailability.Eachpastille includesasmallquantityofurea,whichissoluble andhelpsthepastillebegintodegrade,releasing moreofthesulphurparticlesformicrobial activity.Additionally,theureaprovidesenergy forthemicrobes.
Theresultisaurea-enhancedsulphurfertiliser, nowavailabletousinNZas‘SuperS’.
Furtherresearchisshowingthatnitrogen lossestotheenvironmentarereducedwhen urea-enhancedsulphurfertiliseriscombined withureaseandnitrificationinhibitors.The researchersfoundthatthisreductionmeantmore nutrientsremainavailableinthesoilforplant uptake,resultingingreaternutrientefficiency.
Futureadvancement
Whileregulationscontinuetofocuson controllinghowwefarmthesedays,it’s hearteningtoseethatsomesectorsofthe fertiliserindustryareembracingnewtechnology
PlantuptakeofsulphurparticlesinSuperSismoreefficient.
toprovideuswithmanagement optionsthatenableustotakesome ofthatcontrolback.
Fertilisercoatings,inhibitors, andparticlesizeallprovide
strategiesfornutrientefficiencyand sustainability.That’samuchmore positiveandexcitingapproach. Wecan’twaittoseewhatthenext advancementwillbe.
Ewan, age 1, helping to pick up hungry lambs out on the farm at Piarere.
feed the calves on their family dairy farm in Te Aroha
Milla feeding lambs Emily and Twilight n Te Aroha i