Rural Living June 2020

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ruralliving.co.nz

May/June 2020

RIVERBOAT KING –

RATAHI KEEPS ON ‘ROLLING’ EGMONT HONEY RECIPES

BYE, BYE bee month LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK

– IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

RURAL LIVING HEARS (FROM A)

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HORTON Rural Living — May/June 2020 — 1

Brought to you by members of Franklin’s

Largest Rural/Lifestyle Sales Team Pukekohe | Tuakau | Pokeno PUKEKOHE 09 238 7019 | www.barfoot.co.nz/pukekohe

MAY 20 JUNE 20 PLEASE NOTE: due to restrictions regarding public gatherings, readers are advised to contact event organisers prior to attending any events in person.

The Impossible Garden

Night Watch – Helen Bankers

■■ LIVE EVENTS Night Watch – Helen Bankers Now – April 22, Railway Street Studios, 8 Railway Street, Newmarket Influenced by the Dutch Golden Age and Renaissance painters (as well as other painters such as Georgia O’Keeffe) Helen Bankers draws on her own Dutch heritage in this collection. A photographer who seeks to tell stories as much through use of light and shade as her subject matter, Helen (who has also studied botany) explores the intricacy of flowers and plants. And, don’t forget, work by Toni Mosley (featured in our Apr-May issue) is still on show at Railway Street too. See railwaystreetstudios.co.nz.

The Impossible Garden May 30 – July 26, Alberton, 100 Mount Albert Road, Mount Albert Featuring floral still-lifes by acclaimed photographer, Emma Bass, this exhibition (part of Auckland Festival of Photography) examines the beauty of nature, exploring the boundaries between photography, painting and collage. See facebook.com/ Alberton1863.

■■ E-EVENTS NZ Art Show Anytime, artshow.co.nz Featuring the works by more than 150

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emerging, contemporary artists, this online show offers the opportunity to view a wide range of art across a variety of media.

What’s more, visitors to this website will also be able to purchase works. For more information, visit artshow.co.nz.

Auckland Town Hall can accommodate!

To watch as music by some the greatest composers in history is performed and broadcast via one of the youngest mediums, visit apo.co.nz/watch-listen for details.

Enchanted Worlds – Auckland Art Gallery Anytime, aucklandartgallery.com The doors of Auckland Art Gallery are expected to remain closed until late June but, thanks to this online exhibition, doors of perception are open wide.

Taking us on a tour of Japan’s Edo period (1603–1868), this exhibition (Enchanted Worlds: Hokusai, Hiroshige and the Art of Edo Japan) features navigation tools so we can virtually ‘walk’ through the gallery to view high-resolution versions of a range of works with in-depth interpretation and immersive soundtrack all part of the package. To view this virtual exhibition or for updates regarding the gallery’s re-opening, visit aucklandartgallery.com.

Auckland Museum at Home Anytime, aucklandmuseum.com/yourmuseum/at-home We live and learn, and thanks to Auckland War Memorial Museum, we can learn live online! Although the lockdown is over, restrictions remain in place but there is (virtually) no restriction to how much we can experience in this virtual world. From exhibitions to games, music, activities and more, this site has plenty for enquiring minds of all ages.

APO – Live Streams Dates and times vary, apo.co.nz/watchlisten Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra might not be able to return to performing their popular shows to live audiences just yet but, as their live streaming efforts have shown, ‘the band’ is playing on. In fact, recent shows have attracted audiences (in some cases) of more than a million people worldwide – that’s a few more than

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The Documentary Edge International Film Festival June 12 - July 5, times vary, docedge.nz For the first time this famous film fest’ will be on show... everywhere. Accessible online, more than 70 films will showcase the talents of filmakers from New Zealand and abroad. For more details, including a full programme, visit docedge.nz.

Happiness Half Hours Dates & times vary, operatunity.co.nz Due to the recent lockdown, a number of Operatunity’s shows were cancelled. But, until this popular theatre company can get its shows back on the road, fans have been

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The Documentary Edge International Film Festival

able to view live-streamed performances online. All going well, the company’s next show will hit the local stage in early July; until then, we can still enjoy a little dose of happiness. To view these shows, visit operatunity.co.nz.

■OPEN ■ AT ALERT LEVEL 2 Auckland Botanic Gardens Daily, 8am-6pm, 102 Hill Road, The Gardens, Auckland Begging Lynn Anderson’s pardon, but we will promise you a rose garden, as well as a rich array of other plants too, because the gates of one of the largest, and most splendid gardens in Auckland, are open again! As the gardens transition from autumn into winter, they are a splendid sight to see and a great place to keep up daily walks. Please be aware that alert level 2 restrictions will apply; visit aucklandbotanicgardens.co.nz.

Hamilton Gardens Daily, 10am-4pm, Hungerford Crescent, Hamilton Despite the season, Hamilton Gardens is ‘spring-ing’ back into life, albeit under alert level 2 restrictions. While parts of the gardens will still be closed to visitors in the short term, most are now open.

However, please note that visitor numbers will be limited and set routes will be in place to ensure social distancing. Visit hamiltongardens.co.nz.

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Auckland Museum at Home

Auckland Botanic Gardens

Livestock Sales Dates and times vary, Livestock Mart Auctions Pukekohe, Franklin A&P Showgrounds, Station Rd, Pukekohe, and Tuakau Saleyards, 7 Tuakau Saleyards Rd, Tuakau Local livestock saleyards are in business after being closed during alert levels 3 and 4, with sales running in accordance with level 2 restrictions. Full listings of upcoming sales are accessible via agonline.co.nz/UpcomingSalesPage and hgg.co.nz/livestock-auctions.

Pukekohe Library & Franklin Arts Centre Dates and times vary, The Centre, 12 Massey Avenue, Pukekohe At the heart of art in our community, Franklin Arts Centre is set to pump again!

The Pukekohe Library is already open again with the gallery expected to open its doors from mid June. Level 2 restrictions will apply but visitors are welcome. For details (including updates) visit facebook. com/FranklinArtsCentre and facebook. com/pukekohelibrary.

Spookers Fridays & Saturdays, from 7pm, 833 Kingseat Road, Kingseat Just when you thought it was safe to go out in public... Spookers is back!

Operating under alert level 2 restrictions, this haunted ‘scream’ park still expects to offer a fun-filled and frightful experience.

Please note that bookings must be made in advance and tickets purchased online.

See spookers.co.nz for details.

Red Shed Palazzo – Sunday markets Sundays, 9am-3pm, Red Shed Palazzo, 16 Jesmond Rd, Drury Arts, crafts, plants and more are available once more at these weekly markets.

What’s more, the popular Red Shed Palazzo cafe is also open for business, although operating in strict accordance with alert level 2 restrictions. Please email to book or order ‘click and collect’ takeaways, contact details via redshedpalazzo.co.nz.

Papakura Museum From June, Level 3, 209 Great South Road, Papakura ‘The way we were’ will soon become the ‘way we are’ once again as this popular local museum re-opens. Expected to be open to the public from June, current exhibitions include the museum’s new Military Gallery and The Story of Papakura. Keep an eye on facebook.com/ papakuraartgallery for details.

Red Shed Palazzo

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Brown Macrae Rural LivingHiggie — May/June 2020 —3

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FROM THE EDITOR

New found freedom

Helen Perry, Editor

Waitakere Resvr

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We’ve wasted no time returning to local favourite Muang Thai and we quickly made bookings at Pasha and Franklin’s (at The Franklin Club), with more to come. Doing the rounds is something I’m relishing.

But enough chat from me – my exuberance is due to seeing folk out and about however, we all know many people are hurting and the ongoing effects of Covid-19 are yet to be seen.

So, to take your mind off virus woes for a while, grab a cuppa and enjoy our first Rural Living since we went into alert level 4. You’ll see I’ve included (at the rear) two or three items from our digital flipbooks which went out weekly during lockdown.

I felt some of those stories should be shared on the print platform too. Of course, there’s plenty more for town and country so just enjoy!

It’s wonderful to be back Kia kaha

extremely busy with parking at a premium during those first few days of ‘freedom’.

Locals were keen to come to town for shopping and dining and still are.

Hopefully, support for our local businesses will continue; they need it.

As for me, I enjoyed my first drive beyond the town. At the weekend we test drove the new Huntly bypass – what a pleasure. The trip to Hamilton was quick, the scenery ‘out back’ was lovely and I was impressed by the indigenous sculptures we saw en route.

We intended to go only as far as Taupiri but carried on to Hamilton for lunch.

All Covid-19 protocol was perfectly in place at The Bank Bar & Brasserie. Hand sanitisers were at the door, we were signed in and out and we were suitably distanced from other diners.

I also noted that wait staff took exceptional care cleaning down tables when they were vacated. But best of all was the great choice of $12 lunches.

We departed feeling warm, cheered and replete.

Although, it’s unlikely we will stray far for a while, as avid foodies we’re glad Pukekohe also offers good dining options.

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ow, here we are in Covid19 alert level 2 and weren’t we all excited to enter this stage with minimum fallout compared to most countries. But, then the reality of renewed movement on roads and pavements hit with a whack.

Thursday, May 14, I travelled to our Howick office and on my return journey, I stopped at Botany Town Centre to post a parcel. I found the formerly very busy P.O. had disappeared.

I asked several people if they knew where the post office was. They didn’t. In fact, they weren’t sure there was a post office in the mall and, as I didn’t have time to waste, I headed back to Pukekohe.

At about 1pm the following day, offsider took the parcel to the local Paper Plus agency and although the queue extended to the entrance he decided to join it only to hear, ‘queue starts back there, man!”

‘Back there’ was 20 metres down King St. Colleague is usually a patient man. But not that patient. He returned with said parcel under his arm and muttering some choice words under his breath.

Yes, in and around King Street was

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Rural Living is a FREE monthly magazine aimed at the rural lifestyle market. Delivered to RD lifestyle addresses throughout Franklin, it is also available from pick-up boxes in the main townships including Pukekohe, Waiuku, Tuakau, Pokeno and Te Kauwhata.

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Wattle Downs

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ON THE ROAD AGAIN? Rod Horton may have been grounded – haven’t we all!

However, shortly before the lockdown we managed to catch up with this local lifestyler, motorcycle enthusiast, cartoonist, aircraft mechanic (the list goes on!) to talk about his knack for capturing the world around him. To read our interview, see pages 6-8.

Photo Wayne Martin

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DISCLAIMER: Articles published in Rural Living do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers or editor. All material is provided as a general information service only.

Mangawara Times Media Ltd does not assume or accept any responsibility for, and shall not be liableWoodleigh for, the accuracy or appropriate application of any information in this magazine. All the Ruawaro material in this magazine has the protection of international copyright. All rights reserved. No content may be reproduced without the prior written consent of Times Media Ltd.

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Rural Living — May/June 2020 — 5

“Two minutes later, his PA rang and said: ‘the commander’s on the line so please don’t tell him to f-off this time!’... He said ‘I really like your work but can you stop picking on my junior officers?’ I said: ‘But they’re idiots, they’re great for material!’”

Rod Horton

– ‘HANGER RAT’ RIDES AGAIN! In practised hands, a pen can be mightier than a sword.

In fact, it can be so mighty that it shoots holes in the integrity of an air force itself, as JON RAWLINSON recently discovered.

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uick witted and quick on the draw, Rod Horton is a rallyriding, high-flying (in a way!) lifestyler who’s never short of a yarn or two. And, although he often presents the world in black and white, this local is quite the colourful character.

“I was one of those kids who would get yelled at by teachers [at Pukekohe High] for doodling in the margins when I was meant to be working,” he smiles.

Whether at home (on his Ramarama lifestyle block) or on the road (touring the country by motorcycle) any humorous situation which comes into Rod’s crosshairs is liable to find itself the subject of one of his cartoons.

“A lot of my inspiration and style came from MAD magazine. I also really like Garry Larson’s stuff. His The Far Side cartoons were so simple but they set the scene so

6 — Rural Living — May/June 2020

Photo Wayne Martin

well. You need to be able to draw to do cartoons but you also need to be able to come up with the whimsical, funny stuff; I seem to have no problem in that department!”

Soon after leaving Pukekohe High School, Rod – also a skilled mechanic – began a 20 year career in the Royal New Zealand Air Force where the brass-button austerity of military life (inadvertently) fuelled his love of drawing.

“Whenever anyone did anything stupid around the bases, I’d do a cartoon about it called Hanger Rat. One time, for example, a base commander jumped in a Skyhawk, charged off down the runway with the handbrake on and wore the wheels right down. There was always plenty of stupid stuff going on,” he recalls.

“Another time, when I was down at Woodbourne [near Blenheim] we got

a brand new fire engine which was too heavy for the roads on base so the firemen decided to take it across the wet grass of the golf course instead. It had rained really hard down there so, of course, it ended up sinking right up to its axles. These guys made it all so easy for me!”

No one-trick-pony, Hanger rat quickly became the bane of some and the delight of others. However, initially, only one man knew the true identity of this wayward rodent, and Rod wasn’t about to rat him out.

“It all started out quiet secretive; I just pinned up my cartoons on notice boards when no one was looking. After a while, though, fax machines were just spewing these things out at military bases and all over the place! They became so popular that they were also published in an Air Force newsletter and even ended up in www.ruralliving.co.nz

Main photo: Rob Horton; ; Bottom right: Pilot.

Bottom left: Lennon the Ram

the Government PSA Journal for public servants.”

One could paint Rod as a Kiwi cartoon equivalent of Banksy. Although he balks at the comparison, it’s not too far from the truth. Eventually, however, a journalist discovered the truth and Rod’s run of anonymity came to an end, although his pen was not to be blunted.

“One day soon after, I had a call saying: ‘It’s the base commander here’. I replied ‘Yeah, f-ing sure!’ and slammed the phone down – we always had people playing jokes like that! Two minutes later, his PA rang and said: ‘the commander’s on the line so please don’t tell him to f-off this time!’

“I thought I was in for quite the talking to so I was quite surprised by the commander’s reaction. He said ‘I really like your work but can you stop picking on my www.ruralliving.co.nz

junior officers?’ I said: ‘But they’re idiots, they’re great for material!’ He actually agreed! He said the cartoons were great for morale so he definitely encouraged me to continue, but I did have to lay off the officers... a bit.”

After leaving the Air Force in the late nineties, Rod ran a sign writing business in Hamilton before joining Air New Zealand in 2003. Soon afterwards, a love of music and hunting worked in harmony to cement his return to the Franklin region.

Unsurprisingly, rural life now also yields fodder for his artistic talents and tonguein-cheek sense of humour.

“I was playing in a friend’s music group – I play ukulele [he smiles; how could he not?] – and shooting rabbits on his farm.

My wife [Mandy] and I both, originally, come from rural roots so it just made sense to buy a couple of acres of my

mate’s land.

“Today, we have ewes and a ram called Lennon – he’s so fertile he’d get a lawnmower pregnant! But I also ‘farm’ a very large number of rabbits and possums, which make short work of my feeble attempts at gardening,” he laughs.

Flying still falls (or should that be ‘crashes’?) into the frame of Rod’s cartoons, as do his many other hobbies.

Interestingly, despite (until recently) working at Ardmore Flying School, this ‘hot shot’ cartoonist is not a qualified pilot.

“I have so many hobbies already that my wife refers to me as a hyperactive adult,” he says. “I fly remote control planes, but not the real thing. I’d like to get my licence one day if I can ever fit it in, and I used to go flying with pilots in the Air Force all the time, which was a much more affordable option,” he quips. Continues to page 8.

Rural Living — May/June 2020 — 7

“We were on our way back, in the Waikato, only doing about 80km, when I looked in my rear vision mirror and there’s my mate riding along totally oblivious to the eight to 10 cop cars behind him with all their lights flashing. I thought ‘poor Bob!’

ROD’S ROAD – FOURTEEN DAYS BEHIND ‘BARS’ Continued from page 7 When Rod Horton gets his motor running to head out on the highway, he never needs to look too far to find material for his cartoons. Most recently, he took part in February’s famed Burt Munro Rally, experiencing this five day tour of Southland on the back of one of his two beloved 750cc Moto Guzzi bikes. And yet, proving that getting back in one piece can be more than half the fun, he says one of the most fitting scenes developed on his return journey.

“We were on our way back, in the Waikato, only doing about 80km, when I looked in my rear vision mirror and there’s my mate riding along totally oblivious to the eight to 10 cop cars behind him with all their lights flashing. I thought ‘poor Bob!’ Then, an Audi went ripping by us followed by the cops. We pulled over, shaken, because you’re so vulnerable on a motorbike.”

And, ‘poor Bob’ wasn’t out of the woods just yet.

“We thought, ‘sod that’, and got off State Highway One. A while later, I was halfway through an intersection when I saw all those cop cars coming straight at me! I gunned it to get through while Bob had to brake hard and they still (just about) took 8 — Rural Living — May/June 2020

Self Portrait by Rod Horton

his front wheel off! We’d just spent almost a fortnight on motorbikes with no troubles and then, so close to home, we were almost cleaned out in a police pursuit... twice.”

Over the years, Rod’s mechanical skills have come in handy during various rallies but not this time around.

“I used to do two or three rallies a year but this was my first Burt Munro – 14 days behind bars,” he quips. “I managed to get time off work at the right time so I had to give it a go. It was, absolutely, the best holiday I could’ve hoped for. Anyone, I

believe, who’s into motorbikes has to do it at least once in a lifetime.

“Both my bikes went pretty sweet.

Although, we did see another Moto Guzzi near Queenstown which had put all its motor oil on the outside of its engine for some reason; I stopped but it didn’t require an aircraft mechanic to diagnose that it was a terminal case!”

In addition to organised rallies, Rod hits the road whenever the mood and time allow.

“I’ll be going on another ‘no mates’ ride up to Cape Reinga next summer. I call them ‘no mates’ because I’ll go regardless of whether anyone else wants to tag along,” he explains. “I organise people for a living so I don’t want to do that on the weekends.”

Aside from the freedom the open road offers, camaraderie keeps Rod going back for more.

“It sounds obvious but one of the best things about going on a motorbike rally is that everyone’s into motorbikes. When everyone’s dressed in leather – safety gear, that is! – it’s a great leveller; whether you’re a cop, lawyer, accountant, aircraft engineer or even a member of the Hell’s Angels; everyone from any walk of life shares a common bond.” www.ruralliving.co.nz

Gypsy Day – MOVING ON THROUGH ALERT LEVEL 2

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ith an estimated 5000 dairy farm households New Zealand-wide prepare to move for the new dairy season from June 1, Jane Muir from DairyNZ is advising all involved to ensure they are up to speed with restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic. “It looks like New Zealand will still be at Covid-19 alert level 2 when Moving Week takes place, but we need everyone to consider all scenarios and we are providing support for this. Being prepared means farmers can proceed with confidence,” Ms Muir says.

“Farmers are incredibly resourceful and adaptable, and we know they will rise to the challenge to carry out successful, safe moves and have a good start to the new dairy season.”

Moving Week (also known as Moving Day or Gypsy Day) is an annual period when workers in the dairy sector move themselves, their families and equipment to new farms to begin fresh milking contracts. Usually such moves involve many hands but, this year, those involved will need to make do as best they can.

“Gatherings will be limited to 10 people on Moving Day so the numbers of friends and family who can assist will be limited and physical distancing should still be managed appropriately,” Ms Muir adds. “We are all working together to support farmers who are doing such a tremendous job providing essential dairy nutrition to New Zealanders and export markets.”

In addition, records must be kept of everyone helping during moves to support contact tracing and all involved should carry a letter from the farmer authorising their involvement.

A Moving Day Planning Document outlining all regulations and offering advice has been compiled by DairyNZ along with Federated Farmers, Fonterra and FMG; to view, visit dairynz.co.nz/movingday.

CAREER CHANGE? GO DAIRY! Kiwis out of work due to the recent lockdown might need to consider a change of industry – and even scenery – but there are some sectors with vacancies to fill. In particular, DairyNZ is looking for people prepared to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty.

Jobs, available nationwide, are especially prevalent in traditional dairy regions including Waikato as well as parts of the South Island.

Anyone interested in pursuing a new career in the dairy industry can find detailed information at godairy.co.nz/career-changers. In some cases, Government support is also available for those seeking to re-train and re-locate. www.ruralliving.co.nz

SHORT TERM CONTRACTS Asta Gold from Gold Legal Ltd addresses the question of employment of seasonal and short term staff.

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ttention all farmers and veggie growers! Now that we are at Covid-19 Level 2, and we’re at the start of a new season, many of you may be looking at employing short term or seasonal staff.

Although this may seem simple enough, all the paper-pushers have put in rules around hiring short term or seasonal staff. This has created more work for farmers and veggie growers – trust us (the paper-pushers), you do not want to be dealing with the paperwork once trouble starts.

So, what do you need to do? Just make sure your paperwork is in order before your seasonal workers start work. And, guess what? We can help you make sure that happens.

The ‘she’ll be right’ attitude adopted by many Kiwis is now getting us into trouble as employment law keeps changing. When hiring temporary or seasonal workers, most of the pitfalls we see are due to a lack of written employment agreements.

These written agreements are compulsory, even when hiring staff for a short term. And these agreements need to include clauses such as the length of employment; any conditions that the agreement may be subject to (i.e. work visas); specific start and end dates; and reasons why the job is for a fixed term only.

Getting the paperwork wrong can cost a pretty penny in legal fees or compensation to employees!

The last thing you want is to be in the swing of the season and have a fixed-term worker raise a personal grievance, or claim they are permanent employees, all because your employment agreements were not up to scratch.

Avoid getting yourself into this situation and call us! We can review and update existing employment agreements to ensure you’ll be right this season. Call us today on 09 235 0440.

Pukekohe Office 26 King St, Pukekohe Waiuku Office 10 Queen Street, Waiuku Ph 09 235 0440 Email info@goldlegal.co.nz www.goldlegal.co.nz Rural Living — May/June 2020 — 9

ND OF WATER SHORTAGES A

lockdowns Brian Neben publishes Rural Living and was a lifestyle farmer for many years

COUNTRY LAD

W

ell, on top of the lockdown we now have water rationing with penalties for those using hoses for washing cars, washing our houses and watering our garden which is a real no-no! It all means, ‘don’t waste any water!’

The amazing thing about this shortage is that after the massive drought of 1994, the ‘powers that be’ wanted to prevent such future problems and set about installing a pipeline. It opened in 2002 running from the Waikato River at Tuakau all the way to the Redoubt Road Reservoir in Manukau At one point, the pipeline travels down the middle of Runciman Road and during that part of construction it caused major inconvenience to Runciman residents.

There were detours around back roads and hold-ups at every intersection.

Ironically, most residents in Runciman had their own water supplies from tank collection or from a bore. However, once the pipeline was completed, the road was well repaired with some parts widened too.

This pleased most people as the clean-up was very well done.

At that time, we were led to believe the pipeline would put an end to water shortages for greater Auckland. What’s

plying water The mighty Waikato River sup Photo Wayne Martin ? ugh eno it is but d, for Aucklan

gone wrong? Furthermore, I’ve always understood the pipeline can carry greater volumes than it does at present. Oh, and by the way, there is also a lot of water flowing every day from the river into the ocean at Port Waikato – something to think about.

With the Covid-19 lockdown the water shortage could not have come at a worse time but that lockdown wasn’t the first I have experienced.

Back in 1947-1948 schools were closed for four months and our lessons were posted to our homes on a weekly basis. The closure was the result of polio epidemics which first arrived here as early as 1916 but those I can recall were the 1936-37 epidemic then again in 1946-48 and yet again in 1952-53 when, in all, some 5000 children were infected.

There were some smaller outbreaks until, by 1962, polio, also called infantile paralysis, had virtually disappeared due first to the introduction of the Salk vaccine in the 1950’s, then the Sabin vaccine in the

early 1960s which, thankfully, proved the answer to eliminating polio. Since 2002 New Zealand has used only the improved inactivated vaccine delivered by an injection.

In recalling the dreadful effects of polio I just keep hoping for a Covid-19 vaccine although I believe it will be a long time before we get back to normal, if we ever do.

On the upside of the restrictions, driving has been a delight on our main roads which have seen very little traffic. On the other hand, not having any weekend sport is like being in prison.

But one of the saddest things for so many people has been the enormous loss of jobs over these past months with, I expect, more to come. And, locally, the Glenbrook Railway has had to close its doors. It will need your support to raise enough funds to get back on the rails.

Finally, looking forward to the time when we can move to alert level one!

295 TUAKAU ROAD, PUKEKOHE • 09 238 9414 Email: info@hrfisken.co.nz • www.hrfisken.co.nz 10 — Rural Living — May/June 2020

KAT5314-v22

FEED FOR EVERYONE! www.ruralliving.co.nz

VET TALK

COPPER BULLET-IN

By Dr Peta Thomas BVSc

C

opper is an important trace element needed for bone and tissue development, growth, immune system function, blood cell production, reproduction and milk production. Subsequently, copper deficiency can have a significant effect on your lifestyle block cattle’s health.

In general, young calves and pregnant and lactating heifers are most at risk of copper deficiency as they may not get enough from a pasture diet alone.

Before considering copper supplementation, it’s important to establish the level of copper stores cattle have in their bodies. Our vets do this by taking samples of the liver and submitting them for laboratory analysis.

The best time of year to supplement cattle with copper is just prior to winter i.e. NOW. While there are a wide range of copper supplementation options available for pasture fed cattle, some work better than others.

For lifestyle farm clients, the most efficient and effective method is with copper bullets or capsules.

Copacaps® are inserted orally into the stomach. These are a gelatine

capsule containing copper oxide rods. The capsule dissolves and the copper is slowly absorbed from the gut. Treatment will sustain liver copper stores for approximately nine months.

Copper capsules need to be given carefully and with an appropriate applicator.

These require a vet prescription and we encourage you to haven a vet or vet tech do this.

Copper can also be given as an injection. Copperguard® is an injection which goes under the skin and is useful when copper capsule application is impractical BUT the effectiveness of copper injections is quite variable. They have been associated with some negatives such as tissue damage, and, in general, are shorter lasting.

Please keep in mind that copper should not be given while animals are challenged by facial eczema spores.

While on the topic of trace elements, it is important to stay on top of B12 and selenium supplementation. This is done every few months, three to four times a year.

Please feel free to contact Franklin Vets to discuss trace element supplementation in your lifestyle block cattle.

AUTUMN CHECKLIST n As the warm, wet autumn weather continues ensure a parasite control strategy is in place for your property. This may involve the use of drenches, particularly in young stock which haven’t yet developed good immunity against internal parasites. n For horses, ensure tetanus vaccination are up to date; check skin daily including under rugs for mud fever; and monitor for lameness as seedy toe and hoof abscesses are common at this time of year. n Treat your chooks against internal parasites and red mites, with products such as Aviverm and Exzolt added to the drinking water.

Looking for a healthcare solution that includes EVERYTHING your lifestyle block animals need on an annual basis?

TALK TO US TODAY. CALL: 09 298 8575 EMAIL: lifestyle@fvs.co.nz www.franklinvets.co.nz KAT5238-v22

www.ruralliving.co.nz

Rural Living — May/June 2020 — 11

Over

THE GATE

WITH

Paul and Kristina Smith –

RED SHED PALAZZO Renowned for its beautiful garden setting, and delicious food, the Red Shed Palazzo at Drury has won numerous awards and was enjoying good times until the arrival of Covid-19 and the national lockdown. Rural Living talked to owners Paul and Kristina Smith about the before, the now and the after in hospitality and how the closure has impacted on the café and their lives.

Paul and Kristina Smith

Photo Wayne Martin

12 — Rural Living — May/June 2020

With little warning before total Covid19 lockdown how difficult was it to implement changes such as advising staff and cancelling orders?

We’ve been so lucky in New Zealand.

We saw what was happening worldwide and acted quickly but with so many rapid changes, it was an emotional rollercoaster.

It was difficult to budget or plan as we couldn’t know what business would look like after lockdown. We actually closed the café on the Sunday prior to lockdown then took a couple of days to ring suppliers and cancel our orders until further notice. www.ruralliving.co.nz

Did you support the lockdown move?

We absolutely agreed with a national lockdown. We needed to do this really fast for the health of all New Zealanders and the economy. Watching the rest of the world was terrifying and had we not locked down, our business would’ve been affected a great deal more.

Could you apply for the wage subsidy and, if so, did you retain all staff?

Yes, we did and, thankfully, we have retained everyone. This has made a huge difference moving forward and it was wonderful to have all our experienced team members on board when we re-opened. We are very grateful for our long-standing staff; they are a large part of the business as we move forward. They support us and we support them.

What did you personally do during lockdown – was there still ‘business’ to do or did you take time for other things?

There was a huge amount of background work just in closing the business and planning ahead with no idea of what the future would hold. However, we have really enjoyed this precious time together and catching up with some jobs around our property. A week before re-opening we went down to the cafe to tackle maintenance and gardening, something which always gets behind when you have a busy seven-day business.

With no business for two months how difficult will it be to get things up and running to former capacity and return?

At level 2, it’s hard for everyone in hospitality as we have to limit numbers.

Luckily our cafe and gardens are very spacious and we can manage physical distancing very well. However, if we move into level one during winter, when patronage is generally down, it will be even more difficult financially.

How challenging has budgeting been and is it stressful going forward?

Very hard! Budgets, budgets, budgets, plan, plan, plan and no idea what the future will hold.

How much of getting back to business is physical and how much is mental?

It’s both because the business is always evolving. Thinking about the unknown can be hard and on the physical side there is always work to do. Our weekly market is evolving and the outdoor seating areas require a lot of upkeep especially the Greenhouse area where we have our more intimate weddings What are the everyday challenges for you and hospitality as a whole? www.ruralliving.co.nz

When you’re in the food industry you work to the philosophy of ‘a third, a third and a third. Regardless of turnover, budgets must operate within the cost parameters of a third for labour, a third for food and a third for all other expenses.

If you don’t, then you’ll go backwards – fast! Unfortunately, that often means trimming hours, trimming back what you buy and carefully calculating your operating capacity. Right now it’s not about making a fortune (which is unlikely in any scenario) but rather keeping our heads above water long enough to recover and be there when better times emerge. In making those careful calculations we have decided on a fiveday operating week – Wednesday to Sunday – for the time being, at least. This keeps everyone employed.

What do you personally love about the hospitality industry?

We love the people; our customers make our day but hospitality can be challenging when you’re busy trying to run the café, organise private functions and prepare for weddings as we do. It’s a lot of work but it’s very rewarding.

What has been the key to past success; do the same tenets still apply now?

Training, hard work, quality food, good staff and listening to what customers want; there things never change.

Providing our patrons with a lovely garden setting is part of our success the rest comes down to serving fresh produced food, cooked to order on the premises together with service they appreciate. The weekly market also works a treat.

Did you offer ‘click & collect’ takeouts during level 3 and if so, will they be ongoing?

We didn’t open during level 3 so no click & collect. Takeouts aren’t a big for us as most people come to enjoy the ambience, to socialise and eat. We have a menu and counter food so customers may take home something sweet such as cake to have with coffee later and those on the move might pick up something for lunch. But, mostly, our patrons enjoy sitting in the café and garden, eating at leisure and interacting with friends or our front of house staff.

How many people can Red Shed accommodate at any one time while at level 2? Can you still have large gatherings?

Although we can accommodate up to 100, the maximum is still 10 to a table.

Taking into account physical distancing rules and mingling restrictions, having 100 people on site is not possible at level

2 but we look forward to welcoming large gatherings inside and outside as soon as levels become safe and approved.

How important is it for people to now book in advance? Can walk-in diners be accommodated?

We recommend making a booking at level two but if it is quiet we can take walk-ins Your Sunday markets are up and running now, correct? How valuable an addition is this to your business?

Yes, the market is operating and that’s lovely for customers and for us. It also encourages people to come from a bit further afield.

What is the best piece of advice you would give to people starting out in the industry today?

I’ve (Paul) been in the industry all my life and Kristina has been in an out for many years. We both understand going it alone is hard but two working together eases the load. Never go into owning a restaurant or a cafe thinking it will be easy or glamorous. It’s a lot of hard work and when others are relaxing and enjoying a nice weekend, restaurant owners and their teams are working long hours because that’s when they are busiest.

When things go wrong you must be able to step up and get straight on to the problem and not let what’s happening behind the scenes impact on customers.

Don’t jump into a venture before doing your research, and some training, too.

Consistency in this industry is paramount – a great venue won’t work without great food, great service and people who know what they are doing.

If you could grow any vegetable, flower or tree what would it be and why?

We love birds of paradise which is so appropriate because we believe we live in paradise. These gorgeous blooms makes us feel happy – the sun is up in our lives and we’re all good to go.

If you could ask any three people to dinner (living or dead) who would they be and why?

We’d love to have our P.M. Jacinda Ardern at the table – such a strong, compassionate leader who seems so in touch with us all. Also, Paul Henry as he’s likely to bring balance to both sides of opinions expressed but you don’t take what he says too seriously. And, finally, both our mothers because after this long lockdown, and not being able to being able to hug them, it would be great to do so and to introduce them to our other guests – what a mix!

Rural Living — May/June 2020 — 13

FINNS FOCUS ON SUSTAINABILITY While agriculture is integral to the NZ economy, it plays a similar role in FInland. Rural Living thought this item might be of interest to Kiwi farmers.

DUCK’S ON! Game birds beginning to think that, thanks to Covid-19, they could soon rule the roost best duck for cover now that game bird season is underway!

“Game bird hunters throughout the [Auckland and Waikato] region have been patiently waiting for this announcement, and the wait is over,” Ben Wilson from Fish & Game confirms. “Game bird hunting is a national tradition and an important population management tool.”

Open from May 23, the 2020 season does involve additional restrictions, designed to ensure social distancing, but its duration has been extended until June 28, giving hunters more chances to bag a bird.

“This will allow a fair and equitable game bird season for everyone,” Mr Wilson adds.

V

oted by Finns for the seventh time as their country’s most sustainable brand, Finnish dairy co-operative, Valio has formulated some ambitious goals.

When the result of an annual survey carried out by Sustainable Brands Index – Europe’s biggest survey measuring the sustainability of brands – was announced, Valio’s CEO Annikka Hurme said it indicated that people consider Finnish origin, animal welfare and sustainable packaging as especially important.

“The globally exceptional situation caused by the coronavirus has shown that taking care of food security and sustainability are more important in the 2020s than perhaps ever before. In exceptional situations, our responsibility for society is emphasised. Our task is to ensure that people get food in all situations.”

Valio, a cooperative-based company owned by 4700 dairy farmers around Finland, annually injects one billion euros into Finland and pays all its operating profits to dairy farms. What’s more, the company has set itself some formidable goals including to reduce the carbon footprint of milk to zero by 2035.

Ms Hurme has said this means reducing emissions and sequestering at least an equal amount of carbon from the air generated at dairy farms, in transportation, at the factory, in the production of packaging, and elsewhere along the milk chain.

Some measures Valio plan to

implement include training 240 dairy farm entrepreneurs to become carbon farmers, i.e. to sequester more carbon in their fields.

“We started using recycled plastic in our packaging, and we committed to setting scientifically assessed climate targets in line with the Paris Agreement,” Ms Hurme explains.

“Our biggest challenges are related to recycling manure as fuel and emissions from peatlands drained from wetlands [but] we are working with our partners to explore solutions to these challenges.”

Finnish milk production cows eat primarily grass, no soy at all and are prescribed antibiotics only if necessary.

In addition, about 80 percent of beef in Finland comes from dairy cows or bulls which are raised for beef.

When both milk and beef are sourced from the same animal, emissions per milk and beef portion are smaller, the company asserts.

About 95 percent of the milk used

by Valio is from farms which receive a sustainability bonus, aimed at encouraging dairy farms to improve animal welfare through voluntary measures. Now, Valio’s goal is for all dairy farms to be within the sphere of the sustainability bonus by the end of 2020.

Approximately 58,000 people in Finland, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania took part in the survey. Read more about the results on the Sustainable Brand Index website.

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14 — Rural Living — May/June 2020

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Rural Living — May/June 2020 — 15 BC0276

16 — Rural Living — May/June 2020

www.ruralliving.co.nz

Trevor Pennington

Photo Wayne Martin

It had been Tauranga’s first dedicated charter fishing boat back in the day and sails on some 80 years later thanks to current owner and Waiuku local, Trevor Pennington.

Cruise control Looking to escape from her drought-ridden lifestyle block in north Waikato, ANGELA KEMP sought solace on a Waiuku River Cruise just prior to the Covid-19 lockdown. Rain or shine, it was a great way to see local landmarks and rare birdlife from the water.

I

was feeling a bit sorry for myself when my press invitation to tour and enjoy lunch on a newly refurbished cruise liner was suddenly cancelled (possibly due to the coronavirus outbreak on another cruise ship). Although that ship had sailed, metaphorically speaking, my boat came in the form of the historic Ratahi.

It had been Tauranga’s first dedicated charter fishing boat back in the day and sails on some 80 years later thanks to current owner and Waiuku local, Trevor Pennington.

Like the aforementioned cruise ship, the kauri-built, Ratahi has undergone some major renovations and last year she was restored to pristine condition ready for her new role taking passengers on cruises around the historic Manukau Harbour.

So it was that I found myself on board the cheery blue and white vessel one sunny Sunday morning along with some 40 other passengers. We boarded at Waiuku Wharf and set sail just before 11am to catch the tide.

Trevor has been a commercial fisherman for many years, tuna fishing around the New Zealand coast and running two freezer vessels in Samoa. He started off set netting for flounder and mullet and is as keen a fisherman as you are likely to meet.

After moving to Waiuku he saw an opportunity to begin fishing and recreational charters from the town’s disused wharf.

“I started looking out for a boat and came across the Ratahi on Trade Me. She was a shallow draught vessel so I went to www.ruralliving.co.nz

look at her, liked her and bought her,” says Trevor.

Along with his young two sons, William and Tapu, Trevor took four days to sail the boat from Tauranga to the west coast around the top of the North Island.

“It was calm around Cape Brett but when we went around Cape Reinga that was rough. We had two and a half metre swells at that point and the waves were breaking right over the boat. We should have given it a wide berth. My boys were horrified.”

After spending four months on bringing the old girl up to standard, Trevor started Team Manukau Charters and Waiuku Harbour Cruises. He says the local Mudlarks, a group of volunteers who clear the estuary of mangroves, have been instrumental in making the venture possible by helping raise the water level.

The Ratahi sails on two weekends a month with cruises departing mid to late morning. Depending on tide heights, the boat cruises the waterways of the lower Manukau Harbour for about two hours.

The voyage takes passengers past historic sites, Sandspit, Glenbrook Steel Mill, Waiua Pa and Waitangi Waterfall before turning around at Clarks Beach for the homeward journey.

Trevor and his sons provide a commentary on things to look out for (including comic-looking spoonbills) and a brief history of the area. Passengers are served a hot drink midway.

For those with more time on their hands, the Manukau Discovery Cruise is a six-hour long experience past beautiful harbour

scenery to Huia and Cornwallis.

A view of the treacherous Manukau Bar can be seen as can an abundance of sea life such as seals and dolphins. Passengers on the last voyage were treated to a pod of orca with their young.

The Ratahi also does eight-hour fishing charters, popular with stag groups and families and other charters to order.

Volunteers play a big part in the success of cruises and one of its most enthusiastic supporters is Selma de Beer who has been involved since its inception last year.

She’s in charge of the bookings and general promotion of the cruises and wants to see people from across Auckland enjoy the experience.

“We love delivering a visitor experience which leaves people buzzing,” she says.

“We’ve started with local people but are starting to cast our net wider and rely on word of mouth.”

Another keen supporter is Gerald Muir who has filmed some great videos of the Ratahi from the hull and via drone. His images can be seen on the Waiuku River Cruise facebook page where you’ll also find details about sailings.

Be sure to catch a trip while this lovely weather lasts but Trevor says the cruises and charters will continue throughout the year.

NOTE: Ratahi Cruises and fishing charters are out of action until level 1 is introduced.

Keep an eye on their Facebook page for updates.

Rural Living — May/June 2020 — 17

What’s up with D. O’C...

New Zealand may have been in lockdown (under Alert Level 4 and 3) since late March but our Minister of Agriculture, Biosecurity, Rural Communities and more has been part of an industry that could not stand still. And, as recent reports from Damien O’Connor’s office indicate, there’s plenty of work ahead as the primary sector becomes an essential component in rebuilding our economy.

THE PEST A BUDGET CAN GET

Traditionally, overseas-based workers have taken on numerous jobs (particularly seasonal With rugby sidelined roles) in New Zealand’s of late ‘the Wallabies’ primary sector. have been running However, with overseas rampant in the travel restrictions Waikato! Fortunately, expected to be in place Damien O’Connor has for some time yet, these pests firmly in his hard-working Kiwis sights. are in high demand.

“Wallaby populations The Government is are spreading and also offering relocation increasing rapidly, assistance in some which is creating cases. additional pressures “The Government is for agriculture, forestry working alongside the and conservation,” our primary sector to help Minister of Biosecurity n to Rural Sport award-winner, ensure workers get and Agriculture said Mr O’Connor at Rural Games with Contributio n from Levno.

Doug Laing, and award sponsor Larry Elliso to the places they are following the release of needed... The primary the recent ‘Rebuilding sector, government agencies and others Budget’. have come together to support each “They are a growing threat to farmers other, further reinforcing that our team of because they compete with livestock for 5 million is just as important now as it was food. Three Bennett’s wallabies can eat during the lockdown.” the equivalent of one 50kg sheep. They New Zealand’s primary industries need Further information regarding seasonal can also destroy agricultural crops and many hands to ensure they grow from job opportunities is accessible via plantation forestry and damage fences.” strength to strength in the post pandemic worktheseasons.co.nz.

A war chest of $27 million will be used world, our Minister of Agriculture “As we rebuild the economy, linking to target wallabies in the Waikato as well contends. people and jobs is vital. [There] is as other regions specifically. In total, $315 “Our primary sector contributes over work that needs to be done and we’ve million will be put to use across a range $46 billion dollars a year in exports to accelerate projects,” Mr O’Connor says. of pest control and conservation projects, our economy and provides jobs for “Forestry workers were among the first to also including Predator Free New Zealand hundreds of thousands of people in our feel the economic impact of Covid-19. and efforts to eradicate the invasive rural communities,” Damien O’Connor Their skills translate well to what’s needed wilding pine. confirmed earlier this month. “There is for wilding pine pest management.”

Such initiatives (in conjunction with no shortage of demand. The world wants Other projects are already underway other funding) should also bear fruit with our high quality product. We now need as close to home as the Waikato as well regards to creating jobs in the primary a skilled workforce to help us seize the as elsewhere throughout New Zealand. industries, particularly in regional New opportunities that are currently before us.”

Further initiatives are expected to be Zealand, added Mr O’Connor (who is also As New Zealand seeks to help feed a unveiled during the coming weeks.

Rural Communities Minister). growing population, approximately 50,000 “There are significant employment more jobs will become available, the opportunities in our primary industries and Minister estimates. we’re going to be training people to have “There are jobs going all over the the skills they need for the jobs we have. country ranging from hands-on work in There are a lot of opportunities in front of orchards, on farms, in forests and fishing Other recent events may have drowned us; we now need a skilled workforce to boats, to professional roles in engineering, out concern in urban quarters but at least help us seize them.” science and management.” one of the effects of ‘the worst drought in

HELP WANTED – CASH CROPS

ALL YELLOW, THE COLOUR OF ‘MONEY’?

18 — Rural Living — May/June 2020

www.ruralliving.co.nz

living memory’ is there for all to see. ”One of the unusual consequences of the drought has already started to be noticed by consumers –the paler colour of our butter,” Damien O’Connor said earlier this month. “New Zealand’s unique pasture-based farming system gives our butter a wonderful yellow colour [but] the shortage of grass and reliance on supplementary feed has meant our butter has started to turn white.”

The colour of butter shouldn’t have much to do with its taste (or the ‘price of milk’) but New Zealand butter can fetch richer returns on the world market due a healthy yellow hue.

While money can’t make the grass grow, assistance from Wellington (including a new $500,000 fund) can help farmers through the consequences of the drought, Mr O’Connor expects.

“What many are saying is the worst drought in living memory [has] affected all of the North Island and a good portion of the South. Although there has been a bit of rain relief recently, it takes steady rain at the right time to get grass growing again. The fund will address the longerterm issues but there are also ongoing, acute issues that need to be addressed

with urgency.”

Part of wider drought relief efforts, the fund will pay for recovery advisory services of up to $5000 (excl GST) for selected applications in drought-affected regions.

More information is accessible via mpi. govt.nz.

“So far this year the Government has invested $17 million to help droughtstricken regions recover... We know that, with climate change, we can expect more acute weather events so it’s important we help farmers and growers get their businesses ready for future drought.

“As we rebuild the economy following the effects of a global pandemic, we have an opportunity to build back better than before and factor in resilience for our productive primary sector.”

PRIMARY INDUSTRIES STRONG DESPITE ‘SHORT TERM HITS’ Neither bugs nor drought appear likely to stay farmers from their appointed rounds.

“The sector is showing its underlying strength and resilience despite the challenging domestic drought and

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global conditions related to Covid-19,” Mr O’Connor announced in April. “We saw strong performance across most of our primary industry exports in the first six months of the year, mostly as a result of growing demand and good prices in dairy, red meat and horticulture.”

The Minister’s comments followed March’s release The latest Situation Outlook for Primary Industries (SOPI) which forecast primary sector revenue will rise 0.5 per cent in the year to June 2020 to $46.5 billion.

“Forecasts show export revenue will take a number of short term hits, demand for New Zealand food and fibre products should continue to be strong in the longer term.”

The Government is working with industry leaders to ensure high-quality products continue to reach foreign markets despite trade issues caused by attempts to contain Covid-19, he added.

“We know that our best economic defence is a strong health response that minimises the spread of the virus [and] the Government’s Business Continuity Package will support businesses feeling the effects of the global C-19 disruption.”

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Rural Living — May/June 2020 — 19

This with terra to th perf equ Kub

REBUILDING BUDGET’ BOON OR BUST? FED’ BACKS BUDGET Overall, Federated Farmers has welcomed the Government’s ‘Rebuilding Budget’ as positive for its members but remains wary about long term plans.

“Farmers will be pleased with announcements of a $1.1 billion environmental jobs spend and specific mention of control of pests such as wallabies and wilding pines. Also positive is the increased support for biodiversity on private land through agencies like QEII and Landcare Trust,” says the organisation’s vice president, Andrew Hoggard.

“But as with so many aspects of the Budget announcements, the devil will be in the detail... It is important for us all to remember what an extraordinary level of debt we are committing our nation to, to recover from this crisis.”

From pest control and job training initiatives to improving broadband networks, roads and water storage, rural New Zealand does stand to benefit from Budget 2020 both directly and indirectly, he adds.

“Given the enormity of the expenditure, and the pressure that will go on us all to grow the economy as fast as we can, Federated Farmers will continue to remind the Government what we need to make sure the primary sector continues

to contribute its increasingly significant contribution to the economy.”

DAIRY DOCTOR WELCOMES INVESTMENT Investments in infrastructure appear promising and an emphasis on assisting Kiwis into primary sector employment will be welcomed by dairy farmers, DairyNZ’s Dr Tim Mackle suggests.

“The Budget includes some promising and practical initiatives... We need to ensure that any investment is strategic, has a long-term vision and will pay dividends for years to come,” he says. “Dairy farmers will be particularly pleased to see a $19.3 million investment to place 10,000 people into primary sector jobs. Our sector is already facing a 1000-person skill shortage that will be greatly exacerbated

by Covid-19 and an inability to recruit migrant staff.”

Infrastructure projects (receiving $3 billion from the Budget) will also benefit rural New Zealand.

“While the dollars are there, the detail isn’t. DairyNZ will be engaging with the Government in coming weeks and months to ensure water storage, rural broadband and enhanced mobile coverage are

priorities,” Dr Mackle adds. “A significant infrastructure spend is required [but] we are incredibly conscious these projects are funded by debt that will need to be repaid by future generations.”

HORT’ NOT SHORT ON PRAISE The horticulture industry may be set to blossom thanks to Budget investments, Mike Chapman from HortNZ believes.

‘It’s great to see the Government investing in the key role the primary sector will play in New Zealand’s economic and social recovery... Our sector now brings in more than $6bn in export revenue.

This is thanks to increasing sophistication across plant varieties, growing techniques, harvesting practices, and sales and marketing. Within these areas, there are an infinite variety of roles, from hands on, to technical to management.”

While funding intended to find Kiwis roles in the sector is welcomed by Mr Chapman, skilled workers from the Pacific will still be needed with backpacker workers no longer available, he adds.

“The $19.3 million to place 10,000 people into primary sector jobs will help the sector meet growing demand for labour. There are some fantastic career opportunities in horticulture.”

Andrew Bayly MP for Hunua

Follow me on Facebook: AndrewBaylyMP

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20 — Rural Living — May/June 2020

www.ruralliving.co.nz

As the Government prepares to aid New Zealand in spending its way out of trouble following its recent lockdown, exactly how money will be spent seems to be a concern shared by many rural organisations.

Grant Robertson preparing to present the

Mr Taylor also applauds the Government’s $1.1 billion plans to create 11,000 environment jobs in the regions, which is bound to help the parents and grandparents of ‘our children’s children’ too.

Investments in cleaning up the country’s waterways appears to have hit the mark with Fish & Game NZ. “Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage and Environment Minister David Parker should be congratulated for their leadership in the environmental space,” Martin Taylor from Fish & Game says.

“A Covid-19 economic recovery that prioritises the environment will ensure our children’s children will be able to swim, fish and gather food from their rivers, lakes and streams.”

PLANT-BASED FARMING FUTURE A SAFE BET? A Budget investment of $45.3 in the horticulture sector, including vocational training, has drawn applause from SAFE (Save Animals From Exploitation).

“Horticulture should be our number one growth sector, so we’re pleased to see the Government invest in this area,”

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the animal advocacy group’s CEO, Debra Ashton, says. “We’d also like to see [more] education and training to support farmers to transition to plant-based industries such as horticulture.”

Funding ($5.4 million, over four years) has also been allocated to improving animal welfare.

“It’s great to see the Government investing in animal welfare,” Ms Ashton adds. “We do have questions though about how this money will actually improve animal welfare. The Ministry for Primary Industries has about... one inspector per 6.5 million animals, which is woefully inadequate.”

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Rural Living — May/June 2020 — 21

EVERYONE IN

lockdown EXCEPT THE PESTS

By Ditch Keeling, Coastal Pest Solutions

A

utumn is always a busy time for pest controllers. Prior to Covid19, I was really struggling to get ahead of it all so lockdown came as a bit of a blessing! Then, just as I started getting into restoring an old Triumph motorcycle, several clients qualified as ‘essential’ services, which signalled an end to my days playing in the workshop.

I must say, it was absolutely surreal working around Auckland during lockdown. My travel times were basically halved which was a nice treat but no gas station 2am coffee breaks made for some painfully long nights.

I was stopped quite regularly by the police, so at least I managed a few chats between jobs, albeit at two metres distance with extremely cautious officers.

I fully realise just how lucky I was to have had a portion of my work continue, but given the nature of what I do, with almost no human contact, I probably could have continued with much of it uninterrupted quite safely.

I’m sure there will be many businesses out there feeling much the same and, no doubt, there is a lot of hurt yet to come.

However, I do hope those who took the lockdown as a much needed break from

the rat race had a chance to do some of the things there is little time for in our fastpaced world.

Now, that we have finally reached the much awaited alert level 2, the backlog of work is really flooding in. What’s more, the ongoing drought is making for an extended breeding season. This is particularly obvious where rabbits and wasps are concerned although many common bird species can also be seen rebuilding nests; in particular, pukeko numbers seem higher than ever with some trotting about with what must be their third clutch of the season – a very strange autumn indeed.

Possums are hugely mobile at present.

With very little growth out there, these guys are searching far and wide.

I shot 19 in amongst a new crop of broccoli a couple of nights ago so I’m now rushing around getting all the various bait station programmes underway to make the most of their current vulnerability.

Ironically, the last little burst of rain two weeks ago caused a flurry of calls about rats and mice in homes, so, despite the general lack of moisture out there, it’s probably time to keepeyes and ears alert for suspicious droppings and noises in the ceiling. If you have bait stations, fill them now.

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Although, it’s back to business I keeping thinking it would have been great to have got further along with the old bike but I am looking forward to catching up with everyone and I welcome the chance to play a part in helping New Zealand move forward again.

Remember you can always look at back issues of Rural Living online for our specific guidelines on how to approach pest control and, if you need further help or advice with any pest problems, I am only a phone call away.

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To enter the draw for any of these competitions visit ruralliving.co.nz and enter this month's code – RLJUN1118. One entry per person/email address; entries close June 30, 2020. Winner notified by phone or email.

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WIN! WHEN TIME STOPPED As a result of the recent lockdown (when time, in a way, really did stop!) we were unable to run this competition ahead of ANZAC Day but this timeless story, set during the Second World War and the Holocaust is now up for grabs. Of 34 Neumann family members, 25 were murdered by the Nazis. Pieced together from a box left behind by her father (Hans Neumann), this memoir also reveals how Ariana Neumann came to undertake a worldwide search to uncover the consequences of one of the bleakest chapters in human history.

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Rural Living — May/June 2020 — 23

A stitch in time erience of her An accomplished designer is using the exp Ferguson has own cancer treatment to help others. Marilin to bring style and ignited a long dormant passion for fashion orts. comfort to those in need. ANGELA KEMP rep

J

ust over four years ago, Marilin Ferguson had a routine mammogram. It showed an abnormality which she was told could be dealt with by minor surgery. At the time, she and husband Mervyn, were living in the Bay of Islands where they were running a successful commercial hedgecutting business.

However, Marilin’s original diagnosis proved to be incorrect and she faced far more radical surgery and subsequent chemo and radiotherapies.

“As the treatment was in Auckland I sold up and moved back to my childhood home in Pukekawa,” she says. “Even so, I reckon I clocked up 7000 kms going back and forth to hospital for treatment.”

Marilin is not the complaining sort and instead of letting her health problems get the better of her she has used the experience to create a unique garment which makes dressing for the bed or wheelchair a breeze.

She’s called her design, Cosy Arms because that’s exactly what it is. The garment is a frontal slip-on, openbacked jacket designed for minimal effort to put on and take off.

“It has been made to keep arms and upper body warm but give freedom of movement especially while in bed,” she says. “I designed it because I had difficulty getting in and out of my clothes. It’s well suited for people with limited mobility as the collar hides the simple Velcro closure and with the open back.

“I wanted it to look smart for visitors and have made designs for both day and evening wear. It matters to me that people should be able to be both comfortable and presentable – look good, feel better.

“It can also accommodate the possible use of an IV line so it

24 — Rural Living — May/June 2020

“I learnt tailoring from one of the doesn’t get in the way of medical best Italian tailors in Melbourne. We procedures.” made wool cashmere coats from Marilin makes the jackets in a imported Italian fabric for stylish soft fleece-like fabric which is both Melbourne businesswomen.” practical and attractive. They each But New Zealand called. Marilin for le suitab come in a range of sizes returned to her homeland where men and women. She has sourced an she met and married Mervyn. especially soft yarn to overlock the Subsequently, her considerable est garments so as to avoid the slight sewing skills were put on the shelf irritation to the skin. while the couple made their living To put Cosy Arms to the test she from running a charter yacht out of donated five jackets each to Franklin Auckland Harbour.

Hospice and Franklin Memorial “We were doing dining cruises and The ts. patien Hospital for its elderly would cater for up to 30 passengers. feedback was excellent and now the We were moored at Panmure and garments feature on the ‘eldernet’ ended up being the caterers for ent website. She adds that the garm Panmure Yacht Club along with an as g is also perfect for readin four other clubs as well as owning a alternative to a traditional bed jacket. restaurant in Newmarket.”

Marilin makes the tops at home As if that didn’t keep them busy g where she also runs weekly sewin gh, they formed the Symbol of enou come She’s classes for the locals.

Hope Charitable Trust, providing a nearly full circle after a chequered sailing experience for society’s less career which began in a Queen Street advantaged. bank.

Their 63ft ketch motorsailer bank the in “I spent nine years welcomed a wide range of people before I figured out it wasn’t for me including vision impaired youngsters so I moved to Australia. My mother from Homai College in Manurewa, taught me to sew and I used to stroke survivors, a group of elderly make my own clothes so I enrolled wheelchair-bound patients from a at Broadmeadows Tafe College geriatric hospital – even a pack of in Melbourne to study all areas of guide dog puppies in training. king design, construction, patternma “We wanted to give something nt.” geme and small business mana back from the living we made from Marilin was so proficient the the charters. We ran it [the trust] college invited her to become a tutor for four years, funding it entirely by the by before she was commissioned ourselves but had to give it up when Melbourne School of Fashion to help we couldn’t afford it anymore.” design a new syllabus on garment Marilin and Mervyn then decided construction and pattern cutting for extend their chartering business to its fashion diploma. to the Fijian islands, offering 14-day On opening her own bridal cruises around the Yasawa group boutique, Top to Toe, in Melbourne, before moving to the Bay of Islands. she specialised in designing bespoke There, Mervyn developed a site wedding gowns and made exqui hedge-cutter capable of tackling millinery and hand-beaded shoes.

50ft hedges and the couple When she decided she had enough pursursed their new business, until of the ‘bridezillas’, Marilin joined with Marilin’s health bought them back to three other women in launching Pukekawa.

Melbourne fashion store, Tussore.

www.ruralliving.co.nz

Marilin Ferguson

Photo Wayne Martin

If you’re interested in learning more about Cosy Arms or the classes she is running, email Marilin at cosyarmsnz@ gmail.com

www.ruralliving.co.nz

Rural Living — May/June 2020 — 25

WE’RE BACK

on deck Reay Neben is the publisher of Rural Living The Rotary Walkway, Pakuranga – a favourite with Reay.

CITY LASS

T

his is my first column for quite a while and I must say that being in lockdown has not really suited me.

It is very different for us now that we live in suburbia and I kept thinking about all the jobs I could have done had we still lived on our 10 acres.

The garden would have looked superb but Brian would probably have been a little tired of me nagging every morning about jobs that needed doing that day. Never mind; we are now in town and though it has its advantages we are still struggling with the change of lifestyle. Brian really misses his chooks and I do miss having our own fresh eggs.

While in lockdown, the team at Rural Living and SOUTH continued to bring you stories of what was happening in the community but that was in a digital format not print. I know many of you enjoyed receiving those in your inbox each week but now its time to be back in print.

Like many businesses during lockdown we had to find a way to work remotely and to adjust to a new way of doing things. For us this was a real success as everyone on our team could, and did, work from home.

That said, working remotely was one thing but we really missed the camaraderie that exists in the office; the banter and fun which is part of our working environment.

Many good things have come out of the lockdown but I know some really sad things have also occurred. Insecurity over what is to come has been extreme but, together, we can all help one another to get through this.

I’m strongly backing the ‘support local’ campaign not only for local stores but, where possible, for New Zealandmade products too. I am truly proud the company is locally-owned and operated.

In our industry we saw the German publishing giant, Bauer pull out of New Zealand during lockdown. This resulted in the closure of a raft of iconic local

magazines and the loss of scores of Kiwi jobs.

Now, the battle over buy outs between the two big news companies, Stuff (Australian owned) and NZME will surely mean more job losses.

These overseas owned companies certainly don’t put New Zealand first and while the Bauer closure has been in my industry, I know in so many other industries, there are ‘big boys’who make it really hard for smaller businesses to survive.

But, now, on to the good things. The weather during these past two months through lockdown has been amazing.

For us in suburbia it has meant long local walks in warm and sunny conditions; the Rotary Walkway along the Tamaki Estuary being a favourite.

Although we might be hoping for level 1 to emerge, for now, its level 2 and a good time to get out and support our locals.

See you next month.

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BE YOUR PERSONAL BEST

I

n these Covid-19 times, and the usual flu season also upon us, everyone will want their immunity to be at its best. Seep, regular exercise, vitamin D and a balanced diet will help.

Extra top-ups such as vitamin C, zinc, echinacea can also play a role but blackcurrants are another superfood trending for their immunity-boosting properties.

In particular, Canterbury-grown blackcurrants, containing anthocyanins, are the clever fruits behind CurraNZ, a natural antiviral and antimicrobial sports and health supplement, shown to boost the immune system and help Kiwis be at their personal best.

Newly-released studies carried out by the New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research found that taking New Zealand blackcurrant extract

boosted innate immune defences and demonstrated impressive antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

The study stated: “Daily consumption of blackcurrant extract for five weeks enhanced the expression of immune factors associated with the maintenance of innate immune defences and enhanced cellular anti-inflammatory/ antioxidant properties.”

Industry spokesperson, Mike Callagher says the importance of anthocyanins, in terms of maintaining good health, is only just starting to be understood.

“Anthocyanins are a type of polyphenol. They’re found in other fruits and vegetables but not as high in potency as New Zealand blackcurrants.

They act as strong antioxidants in the body, protecting cells from damage and reducing inflammation.”

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Rural Living — May/June 2020 — 27

BUSINESS AFTER

lockdown

AESTHETIC & RECONSTRUCTIVE PLASTIC SURGERY

As the country nears the end of its second week of alert level 2, Covid-19, Alberts Salon owner, Natasha Harris talks about renewed industry vigour and her outlook for the future.

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ith the most difficult stages of the Covid-19 lockdown now behind us, and Alberts Salon making its way back to normality, I am thankful, that with the Government subsidy, I was able to retain my team and we are now returning to the business we know best – hairdressing.

In particular, alert level 4 was stressful and frustrating. It put pressure on me to ensure the stability and welfare of the salon and stylists but also, because like many other women, I had children at home to school, which was taxing. I quickly discovered I was not a teacher. However, we pushed on and have come out the other side with fresh determination to ensure our clients receive the best service available.

Naturally, by time we hit level 2, most people were anxious about the state of their hair – cuts and colour were priority. It meant we were quickly booked but because of the physical distancing rules we have had to restrict numbers in the salon at any one time. Nevertheless, everyone is thankful we are up and running again and I am so appreciative of all the messages of support I have received.

The good news is we also used lockdown time to set up an online retail store, something we were already looking into before Covid-19 but then had a little more time to put in place.

Our hope is that our clients can continue to maintain their hair care at home without compromise. Our environmentally-friendly hair products, makeup and equipment, such as hair dryers and straighteners, are in always demand so it made sense that our clients could order their favourite products via our website.

With level two bringing back a semblance of normality as well as a sense of optimism, I am confident about the future.

The country’s been through a harrowing time yet we have survived. I believe, we will continue to gather momentum although full recovery will take time. What’s more, I’ve no doubt hair services will remain in demand and I am very hopeful that the outcome for Alberts, with its emphasis on sustainability, eco-friendliness and customer care, will be bright.

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For enquiries and bookings contact: Alberts Hair Salon Shop 2/23 Hall St, Pukekohe Ph: 09 238 7576 www.alberts.co.nz

www.ruralliving.co.nz

DENTAL CARE

AFTER LOCKDOWN

By Yvonne Vannoort, Sanctuary Dental

W REVITALISE WITH ASHWAGANDHA Regular exercise and a balanced diet are the keys to health.

However, it can be tricky making sure we get all the nutrients and vitamins we need to help us through our busy and stressful lives.

Ashwagandha may not be as well-known as some herbs but it has been used for thousands of years, helping support the body through times of stress. GO Healthy’s GO Ashwagandha 8,000+ is designed to help anyone lacking energy, vitality or simply needing to benefit, as much as possible, from a good night’s sleep.

Proudly made by GO Healthy in New Zealand from select imported ingredients. Always read the label and use as directed. If symptoms persist see your healthcare professional. Exclusively available at pharmacies and health stores. GO Healthy Wellington.

FEED ME, FEED ME Featuring a menu made by Mazza, this mouth-watering cookbook is jampacked with recipes for delicious cafe fare. Along with her husband, Aaron Carson, Fran Mazza is the creative force behind a number of popular Auckland cafes – including Winona Forever, Fang in Parnell, Major Tom and Just Like Martha. With more than 100 recipes, this book reveals why this a half-Italian pastry chef has proved so successful in the cafe game.

Fran Mazza: Feed Me, Feed Me | RRP $39.99 Random House NZ

hen times are less certain, we understand that you need to make careful and appropriate decisions about what you spend your money on. Think through what can wait and what can’t wait.

So, how does this apply to dentistry?

How do you know the difference and what can we do to help?

During lockdown we answered these very questions for hundreds of people free of charge on the phone. How do we move forward now?

Pain in the mouth often makes us realise something is wrong and urgent. It’s the body’s way of getting our attention really fast since it can’t be ignored.

There can also be situations when your mouth isn’t painful, but treatment is also quite urgent. Work done now, rather than later, can save pain and higher costs further down the track.

We can help you by remaining committed to the following: ◆◆Having open and honest conversations with you about what’s necessary and when. ◆◆Listening to you about what you see as the priorities and how that fits with your budget. ◆◆Being conservative in our planning and treatment for you. ◆◆Looking comprehensively at the overall picture with you, so you can plan ahead. ◆◆No surprises – giving you a written treatment plan so you know what’s coming up at each stage. ◆◆Offering Gem Card and Q Card with extended no interest terms. ◆◆Supporting you with sound information for good home care in terms of nutrition and hygiene.

We are committed to providing a service that feels safe to you in all aspects. Safe from judgment or criticism as to how your mouth looks; safe that we will listen to what you need; safe in the way that you know the treatment will be comfortable, and safe that you know how much it will cost. We look forward to caring for you.

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Rural Living — May/June 2020 — 29

Lemon, Honey & Almond Loaf

W O H s i t i t e e w s Marking World Bee Day – May 20

Prosciutto, Ricotta & Honey

Pizza

30 — Rural Living — May/June 2020

www.ruralliving.co.nz

LEMON, HONEY & ALMOND LOAF Available from Countdown, Egmont Honey’s range may feature just two varieties (Lemon ‘N Honey and Raw Honey) but as this recipe shows, if we use our ‘loaf’, there are many ways to sweeten up our lives. Thanks to Gretchen Lowe from My Weekend Table (www. myweekendtable.com) for sharing this recipe.

INGREDIENTS ◆◆2 lemons ◆◆1/2 cup Egmont Raw Honey, plus extra to serve ◆◆3 eggs ◆◆1 tsp vanilla extract ◆◆1/3 cup coconut oil, melted ◆◆1 tbsp baking powder

PROSCIUTTO, RICOTTA & HONEY PIZZA Nothing says ‘Italy’ quite like pizza, but when combined with Egmont Honey the result is a match made in heaven, or In Rhi’s Pantry (www.inrhispantry.com) at least!

INGREDIENTS

◆◆1 & 1/2 cups ground almonds To serve: ◆◆2 tbsp Egmont Raw Honey ◆◆1 tbsp coconut oil ◆◆Juice of a lemon ◆◆2 tbsp pistachio nuts, chopped

◆◆1 cup warm water ◆◆1 tsp sugar ◆◆1 tsp instant yeast ◆◆2 & 1/2 cups high grade/ bread flour ◆◆1 tsp salt ◆◆Olive oil

◆◆1/3 cup tomato passata ◆◆1 tsp mixed herbs ◆◆1 cup mozzarella ◆◆1/4 cup ricotta ◆◆1 cup fresh rocket ◆◆40g prosciutto ◆◆1 tbsp Egmont Honey Raw Honey, warmed ◆◆Fresh thyme to garnish

METHOD

METHOD

Place lemons in a medium pot filled with water. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 1.5 hours. Drain and cool, this part can be done a couple of days in advance if you wish.

Preheat oven to 180C then grease and line a loaf tin. Roughly chop cooked lemons, removing seeds then place in a food processor blending to a pulp. Add honey, eggs, vanilla and coconut oil. Process until well combined. Add baking powder and almond meal and pulse until just combined.

Pour into a prepared loaf tin and bake for 45-50 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.

Remove from the oven and poke a few holes in the loaf. Melt together honey, coconut oil and lemon juice and drizzle over loaf while warm.

Cool for 20 minutes then turn out onto a wire rack. Slice extra lemons in (optional) and sprinkle with pistachio nuts before serving. Serves: 8

In a bowl, combine the warm water, sugar and yeast. Leave to stand for 10 minutes. Mix the flour and salt into the yeast mixture, then turn out onto a clean floured work surface and knead for 10 minutes. Place into an oiled bowl, cover, and leave to rest for 30 minutes.

Cut the dough in half, and roll out into two 1cm thick circles.

Place onto greased trays. Bake in an oven preheated to 220 degrees for 15 minutes, then carefully remove from the oven and spread the bases with the tomato passata and sprinkle with mixed herbs.

Season, and top evenly with the mozzarella cheese. Return to the oven for a further 20 minutes or until the base is golden and the cheese has melted.

Dollop the ricotta over the pizzas, sprinkle over the rocket and top with the prosciutto. Drizzle over the warmed Egmont honey, season and garnish with thyme leaves and serve. Serves 2-4.

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Rural Living — May/June 2020 — 31

Get off the grass!

Comical anecdotes, cute photographs and other bits and bobs sent in by our readers. Keep sending us your briefs, trivia and photos of country life – email to info@ruralliving.co.nz.

BREAKOUT NEARLY!

The times they are a changing for Kiwis everywhere as, at last, they can step beyond the periphery of their own driveways and backyards. With the advent of alert level 2, housebound families

welcomed the chance of newfound freedom – a return to work, school and other activities. Three Pukekohe families were among those waiting earlier this month to say goodbye to confinement

‘HANDY’ INVENTION – OUT WITH THE WASH Regular hand washing may be one of the most effective ways to check the spread of diseases (not just Covid-19) but that’s not always possible, whether at supermarkets, on job sites or out on the farm. With time on his hands during the lockdown, Taranaki builder, Gareth Shearman, put his hands-on talents to come up with a hands-free solution, the Wheely Wash.

“My brother [Hayden] and I thought there must be a hands-free option. I 32 — Rural Living — May/June 2020

From left (clockwise) The Gordons – Scott, Neve, Tara, Anna and Leigh and Jake the labrador; the Gundersens – Blake, Nathan, Mandy, Sean and Cookie and the Dales – Hazel, Cordelia, Dempsey and Scott.

Gareth Shearma’s clever wheely wash.

was standing right next to my wheely bin and thought ‘I can make one!’”

Gareth says. “It’s portable and selfcontained, so you don’t need to plug pipes into anything, you can just throw one of these things in a van and away you go.”

Operated using a foot pedal, the Wheely Wash is self-contained, carrying 20 litres of water in its tank, so it does not need to be plumbed into a water supply. www.ruralliving.co.nz

kids BOOKS

Elle Perriam and Harriet Bremner

USE YOUR VOICE

I

f you need something, say something.

That might seem like quite the basic suggestion anyone might give to a little one who’s just beginning to express themselves but, when it comes to mental illness, it’s something even adults often neglect to do.

In her latest book, Use Your Voice, children’s author Harriet Bremner assures young ones (rural children in particular) that the best way to address any issue is to talk about it.

“For [our] culture and stance on farm safety and mental health to change, we need to start with our future generation,” she says. “After seeing how many deaths there are in the agriculture industry, I

Harriet Bremner & Dana Johnston Imagery (illustrator): Use Your Voice RRP $23

decided that it was time to target future farmers to help start conversations.”

Starring Jess, a Huntaway who’s depressed because she has lost her voice and can no longer do her job on a high country station, this book tells the story of how, with help from some farmyard friends, she is able to overcome her ‘black dog’.

“We need to give children the tools to be able to cry when they feel like it, talk to someone about how they are feeling without judgment and have a tribe around them who will stand by their side through thick and thin,” Harriet explains.

Jess may already be familiar to rural people, and not just young readers; the

mascot for the Will to Live charity’s Speak Up Tour, Jess has been travelling the country encouraging farmers to speak up about mental health.

“This book has the power to create a culture change about how we talk about mental health,” Elle Perriam, founder of Will to Live, adds. “It’s essential to be healthy and I know that this book is going to allow that to happen, with simple and easy to understand messaging and tools that will stay with the child and reader.”

Launched at the Wanaka A&P Show in March, Use Your Voice is available from selected Farmlands outlets or ordered on online via gurtandpops.com.

TULIP AND DOUG

THE KAURI FAMILY

A boy with a pet rock named ‘Susan’ may seem unusual but, to a girl with a best buddy (named Doug) who’s a spud, he’s liable to become a good friend indeed! Presenting a story about friendship and imagination, this quirky book proves that children need not be popular, or run-of-the-mill, to be happy.

Kauri may stand tall in a native forest but they are far from the only creatures that call our country home. From renowned former children’s TV presenter, Suzy Cato, comes a book intended to help little ones discover the wonders of our native bush. From the mighty kauri to tuatara, weta and more, it requires many creatures to make an ecosystem.

Suzy Cato & Craig Fletcher (Illustrator): The Kauri Family RRP $17.99 | Scholastic

Emma Wood & Carla Martell (Illustrator): Tulip and Doug RRP $19.99 | Scholastic www.ruralliving.co.nz

Rural Living — May/June 2020 — 33

THE LATEST ON REAL ESTATE

FROM THE EXPERT’S DESK

REAL ESTATE MARKET DEALS WITH CHANGE

RENOVATION CONSULTANT INVALUABLE

By Darren Szaszy, Barfoot & Thompson, Pukekohe

By Kim Reiche, Refresh Renovations

T

e are now almost two months into a total ‘pause’ on our hectic lives during which time, most of us have had time to reflect and rediscover our homes and our family life.

It’s not often that we have the luxury of being at home with the whole family with so few interruptions from our busy ‘real life’ schedules.

This experience may have highlighted a few home pain points: ◆◆The children don’t watch what we do...we need a second living space ◆◆Two of us now work from home – we do not have a designated home office space. ◆◆This laundry is a nightmare. And, the list goes on and on…

When considering a renovation, it is important to examine all the pain points and understand the end goal.

It is common knowledge that renovations are costly, very often physically and mentally draining and there are always a few unknowns in the mix. This, together with ‘not knowing where or how to start’, is a massive barrier for most homeowners.

Our recommendation is – have a plan! Start with what you have currently, work through what is good and bad and then talk to a consultant who can help you deliver the right solution.

A good renovation consultant will guide and assist in achieving the dream outcome. However, it is important to understand all the details of the delivery and how your renovation team will achieve this – CAREFUL PLANNING IS AN ABSOLUTE MUST! Once planning is completed this will also assist with budgeting and how much value is added to your home.

BRANZ found that 30% of typical project costs were wasted due to poor communication, budget blowouts and a lack of project management.

The Refresh Renovations team has the design knowledge, with a designated project team and skilled trades, to effectively guide you and your family through your renovation process.

Contact us today for a Zoom meeting.

he Auckland property market, post the Covid-19 lockdown, has been left with its underlying stability intact.

Unsurprisingly, Barfoot & Thompson’s sales figures for the month of April were down with 552 sales in the month which was half that sold in March. However, prices remained relatively unchanged from March and, at that time, were at their highest levels for more than two years.

Barfoot and Thompson managing director, Peter Thompson says the average Auckland sale price of $962,136 was down just 3.2 percent on that for March but was still 3.6 percent higher than the average price in April last year.

The median price of $900,000 was down 2.7 percent on that for March, but again 8.4 percent higher than the same time last year. However, the real effect of the lockdown will not show up until May’s trading statistics.

Sales continued during the April Covid-19 regulations, but properties could only be sold remotely using online or by phone auctions or digital technology.

There was a solid upturn in the market pre-Covid-19, and many sales agreed to in March were completed in April hence we don’t yet have a true indication of where benchmark prices are post lockdown. May trading results, available in early June, will give us a complete picture as to the state of the market.

In the meantime, there have been good levels of enquiry starting to occur with first time buyers and investors active in the market and in the last few days of level-3 there was a positive flurry of activity in new listings, viewings, and sales.

This is continuing to increase week by week.

SOUTHERN TRANSPORT PROPOSALS – WHERE IT’S ‘AT’

W

Auckland Transport (AT) is encouraging people to offer feedback on a range of transport initiatives, including some local projects. “The community has already told us they’re looking for more public transport, walking and cycling connections so that’s a big part of what we’re planning,” Shane Ellison from AT says.

The projects, part of the $2.4 billion NZ Upgrade Programme, include such local initiatives as the Mill Road corridor from Manukau to Drury, rail upgrades and new stations at Drury Central, Drury West and Paerata, and improvements to State Highway 1 between Papakura and Drury. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, people are invited to offer submissions (until June 12) online via supportinggrowth.govt.nz.

34 — Rural Living — May/June 2020

www.ruralliving.co.nz

The Countryside Begins with Townsend...

HOW TO GET YOUR HOUSE READY FOR SALE W

With Government advice clearly telling us to stay at home where we can and to continue to social distance, many of us are looking for more productive ways to spend our time around the house.

potential to improve the overall look and feel of an entire room.

New tapware in bathrooms or kitchens is a good example of a simple reno that can add a lot of style to a property. New window shutters, blind or curtains, a new splashback in the kitchen – or even polishing floorboards can also go a long way in improving the look of a room – ultimately leading to a more competitive price.

hether you are thinking of selling, or are in the process of putting your house on the market – or just want to boost your property’s value while you have the time, making small improvements to your home can make a big impact when it comes to showing your property to market. Here are our simple tips and tricks to prepare your house for sale.

TIDY UP AND MAKE YOUR PROPERTY SPARKLE Mess and chaos is one of the top turnoffs for buyers, so to prep for a successful sale, you must invest in a good clean and declutter. Decluttering and cleaning not only adds to the visual appeal of the home but allows potential buyers to see the true size and scale of the property.

Decluttering helps your potential buyer to imagine themselves in the space whilst making your property seem larger than it is, which is advantageous when it comes to price. With virtual inspections / videos and private inspections looking like part of the new normal, buyers are getting to see more of the ins and outs of your property than they would in a usual busy, 30-minute open home, so you have to make sure you are making a good impression from the beginning

CONSIDER YOUR CURB APPEAL If you’re preparing for a sale you need to look at your home as an overall package. Curb appeal is just as important as the interiors.

Improving

your property’s exterior is the number one way you can add value to your home. Look at your property with fresh eyes – is your garden needing some attention, does the façade need a fresh coat of paint, could the house be improved with a new front door? These changes will make a world of difference when it comes to photographing and videoing your home for marketing campaigns.

Regardless of whether the potential buyer is physically viewing your home, driving past or viewing online, they will be impressed with a well-maintained property exterior.

MAKE MINOR REPAIRS OR RENOVATIONS Some minor repairs or renovations around your property might be worth making, especially if they will make an impact to your sale price. If the house needs painting, a fresh coat can add a lot of value and appeal, especially in a competitive market.

If you’re already working with a real estate agent, a more experienced agent may also point out small changes that have the

STYLE YOUR HOME FOR SALE While styling doesn’t always promise a return on investment, on average, you can expect to see a 7.5 to 12.5 per cent increase on your final sale price. Professional styling is paramount in a lot of markets and even more so with reliance on visual aids. With many vendors opting to use professional styling, if yours has not been styled it can look less appealing in comparison.

As we approach the cooler seasons and people are being encouraged to stay at home, try to play to homely and inviting interior décor. Little touches like soft, textured throws or occasional chairs for reading will help the buyer feel at home.

It’s also a good idea to place seasonal flowers around the house, and make sure that if there is an outdoor area, it is styled in a way that showcases its use to full effect, like adding a dining setting.

For more information about preparing for sale, give Jo-Ann a call – she is happy to help you understand what you need to do to ensure you and your property are ready to go to the market.

Jo-Ann Day-Townsend

Port Realty Ltd Licensed Agent REAA 2008

www.ruralliving.co.nz

Rural Living — May/June 2020 — 35

KAT5307-v29

0800 TOWNSEND or 021 1696 056 jo-ann.day-townsend@harcourts.co.nz www.joanndaytownsend.co.nz

Best OF THE

FLIPBOOK

We’re back…in print! After weeks in lockdown, Rural Living is ecstatic that alert level 2, and the lightening of Covid-19 restrictions, means we can again publish.

During the past two months we have sent out a combined Rural Living/SOUTH digital flipbook to our database with a range of news and lifestyle articles which highlighted the optimism, innovation and struggles of locals during these trying times So, today, we feature the ‘Best of the Flipbooks’ in Rural Living starting with a look at the Salvation Army food bank, a struggling family, a traumatic introduction to parenthood and a walk on the ‘wild side’.

FAMILY FACES DESTITUTION Unity, positivity and compassion are some of the beneficial outcomes of the Covid-19 lockdown but the flipside is hardship and uncertainty. During alert level 4, HELEN PERRY spoke to one Pukekohe family of eight struggling to stay afloat.

I

f it wasn’t for the Salvation Army’s Pukekohe food bank, the Finnegan family (not their real name) would be in dire straits.

Although dad has retained his job, being in lockdown means he is reliant on the $585 government wage subsidy to support his wife and six children. That amount needs to cover rent of $565 per week, a car payment, plus all the usual household bills and shopping.

Mrs F is a stay-at-home mum; the children’s ages are 11, 10, 9, 7 and three years with the youngest just 18 months.

“We have used all our savings bar $200 to get by. If my husband cannot go back to work in a week’s time we don’t know what we will do,” she says.

At this stage [alert level 4], Mrs F says the landlord still expects full rent to be paid and although she has approached WINZ for help she says the experience made her feel like a liar.

36 — Rural Living — May/June 2020

“We have never sought WINZ help before and though I have received two food grants, the whole experience made me feel awful. I felt as if the interviewer thought I was lying about our circumstances. I don’t want to go back there again but I may have to.”

On the other hand, this mum is full of praise for the local Salvation Army.

“They have been wonderful. They have never questioned our situation, never made me feel inadequate and have helped

us enormously. I am so grateful for the food parcels and their support.”

While the family is trying to stay positive, Mum says even helping the children with school work is a test – “supervising six children isn’t easy.” But she says this with no resentment and even with a hint of a chuckle in her voice.

“Luckily, we have the internet and our eldest son is set up with online learning.

I also received education packs for the younger children.”

Although the family fully supports the need for the lockdown, for them the reality is that there isn’t enough money to go around.

“And, we are just one family which has rent or a mortgage eating up nearly all our money,” Mrs F says. “How we will cope if my husband cannot go back to work, we just don’t know.”

NOTE: Mr F returned to work at the start of level 2. www.ruralliving.co.nz

Sallies rise to local needs

It’s tough times for Kiwis everywhere and many Franklin families are among those struggling to deal with job loss, mortgage payments, bills and buying even the most basic groceries. Thankfully, Salvation Army food banks are helping nationwide.

HELEN PERRY spoke to Lieutenant Ted Kim working from the Pukekohe hub.

I

n the third week of the Covid-19 lockdown calls on the Salvation Army’s Pukekohe food bank were almost double that of the first two weeks with groceries, personal items, and hygiene products in high demand despite donations beginning to dry up.

Parcels which went out could only reflect those items donated and sometimes needs didn’t match what was in stock.

Lieutenant Ted Kim, who oversees the local Tobin Street centre says in the first week people didn’t really know about the small local food bank but word spread.

“But by the end of the second week we had about 20 requests. By the middle of the third week I was holding some 37 requests but we didn’t have all the items needed.

“More people were starting to feel the pinch and others contacted us because trying to get through to WINZ for assistance proved difficult due to the huge demand there.

“Families told me they had sat on the phone for hours and just had to hang up.”

Although assisted by the national programme, Lieutenant Kim says the

without the wonderful goodwill of Countdown [a major supporter] and that of others. Our local MP helped get us vegetables from Turners and Growers and a local café donated 40 bottles of milk.”

Lieutenant Kim says it’s the mums of the district who generally collect the parcels.

On the other hand, of those people living alone, he says the majority of requests seem to have come from single men.

“Local requests generally come in by phone or via the website. We follow up with a phone interview and once processed, parcels are made up, hopefully to suit needs, although this isn’t always possible. However anything which can help is welcomed.”

Lieutenant Kim Pukekohe food bank, which serves most of Franklin – Waiuku, Kingseat, Pokeno, Tuakau and, of course, Pukekohe – is very reliant on local donations.

“Many donations, especially from local businesses, which have been closed and struggling themselves, have dropped away. We could not have managed

WILD

Those who can assist the Sallies’ Pukekohe food bank can do so by cheque, internet banking or by donating supermarket vouchers.

Just call 09 238 5641.

Donations can also be made via foobank. org.nz or via salvationarmy.org.nz then go to the ‘make a donation’ category.

All donations, local or national, will be acknowledged and receipted.

IN THE STREETS...

When our photographer, WAYNE MARTIN went ‘cruising the streets’ he didn’t have to walk on the wild side to find tigers (no elephants), alpaca, bears and even a dragon! Following on from last week’s window gazers, he found a host of heavenly creatures perched on letterboxes and peering over fences.

He also found cheerful messages adorning fences (and footpaths) but, then, at one white picket fence he realised someone’s ‘cup’ had, indeed, ‘runneth over!’ We wonder who dispensed with a heap of underwear in favour of..….letting it all hang out! We hope this spin around the neighbourhood has made readers smile! www.ruralliving.co.nz

Rural Living — May/June 2020 — 37

Best

OF THE

FLIPBOOK

Nykayla and James Webster with baby Olivia Photo Wayne Martin

38 — Rural Living — May/June 2020

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Road side ordeal baby blessing

April 18, 2020 is a day Port Waikato couple James and Nykayla Webster, won’t just remember, but will ever wonder how they came through it with so much calm and collectedness. It was the day their daughter, Olivia was born on the side of a country road in the middle of a cold, wet night. Their account of events astounded Rural Living Editor, HELEN PERRY.

I

t’s not unusual for first time mothers to find the early stages of labour confusing. Contractions might not be straight forward and niggly pain may seem inconsequential leading to uncertainty about timing departure for the hospital, as Nykayla Webster can attest.

Nevertheless, this young mother’s determination not to act in haste resulted in the kind of experience most mums could never imagine – a roadside birth at 1am in pelting rain, during a national lockdown, with only her husband on hand to assist.

Determined not to panic at the first twinge of discomfort on April 17 – three weeks into the alert level 4, Covid-19 lockdown – Nykayla, dismissed minor stomach cramps, turned over, and went back to sleep.

“As the cramping increased, I dozed on and off but by morning I decided I must be in the early stages of labour. James and I had done a condensed ante natal course and the midwife had visited regularly. We knew it could take 10 to 12 hours before I would be ready to deliver especially as this was my first.”

By 11am on the 17th, Nykayla says her contractions had increased but were very erratic.

“Our midwife advised ringing her when they were about five minutes apart and then to head for the Pukekohe Birthing Unit. But mine were all over the place – 10 minutes, three minutes, seven minutes, 10 minutes – there was no consistency.”

As her pain increased, Nykayla rang James late afternoon. An essential worker at Hellers in Wiri he headed straight home, arriving shortly before 6pm.

“I told him things were getting urgent but because the contractions still weren’t regular, and my waters hadn’t broken, we www.ruralliving.co.nz

Baby Olivia

thought we should wait even though I wasn’t coping so well with the pain.”

At 11pm, Nykayla decided she couldn’t wait a moment longer. I actually felt as though I wanted to push but James kept urging me to hold on. Finally, just after midnight, I rang the midwife and she said we should head for Pukekohe for a check but at that stage no one was panicking except me…just a little bit.”

With the amniotic sac still intact, the birth wasn’t considered to be imminent but Nykayla says she could hardly get herself into the car – “it took me 20 minutes” – and when she finally did manage it she just wanted to get out again.

“We got as far as the boat ramp, about two kilometres from home, when I desperately needed the bathroom. James encouraged me to hang on but I said I couldn’t. I managed to get out of the car and as I squatted on the grass verge, in the freezing cold and rain, I realised the baby’s head was crowning.

“I shouted at James that the baby was coming but by time he’d managed to grab a rug and turn back, our daughter had emerged, the amniotic sac finally

bursting as I delivered her just on 1am.

It was an, ‘oh my God’ moment. I just sat there in shock, leaving everything to James who was a rock.

“At the antenatal classes he’d vowed not to be at the ‘business end’ during the birth – he’s not very good with blood and the likes – but when it came to the crunch he checked the cord wasn’t around her neck, cleared the fluid from her face and made sure she was breathing before wrapping her in the rug and getting us back in the car.

Something from the ante natal classes had absolutely sunk in.”

In a daze, Nykayla remembers James ringing the midwife who said she was on her way and for the couple to return home.

“At that stage we hadn’t cut the cord and I hadn’t delivered the placenta.

Fortunately, James’ parents live just two minutes from us and they raced around in support. The midwife arrived within 30 minutes and she took care of everything from there.

“At that stage we were both ecstatic that we had a beautiful baby girl, who we soon learned weighed 7lbs 8 oz (3.5kilograms) and was well and healthy.”

Comfortable in her own home, and with family support, Nykayla says there was no need to go to the birthing unit and, now, two weeks later, baby Olivia is thriving.

“She eats and sleeps well. I’m breastfeeding and, usually, I only have to get up once in the night between 11pm and 8am to feed. Olivia’s been a remarkably easy baby when you consider her eventful birth – but I admit, I won’t be thinking about another one for quite a while!”

Rural Living — May/June 2020 — 39

We dig your support Thank you to all our customers who have supported us as we re-opened at Level 3.

We appreciate your understanding and patience as we roll out our new ways of shopping safely.

Happy gardening to you all.

Please call or email to place your order: Central Landscape Supplies Drury

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40 — Rural Living — May/June 2020

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Central’s Tips June 2020

Winter is here ... now is the time to protect frost-sensitive trees like tamarillos and citrus and to put cloches on young vegetables.

Plant silverbeet, winter herbs and strawberries.

In the Edible Garden • Coloured Swiss chard or ‘Brightlights’ silver beet as it is known is a great sight in the vegetable bed now

• Plants that are struggling to grow as it gets

colder and wetter benefit from a cloche which is a clear protective ‘hood’ that limits chill.

Simple cloches are made from cutting the neck off plastic drink bottles (great recycling) and upturning them over the plant

• Lift strawberry runners and trim away from the

parent – these can be planted in fresh Garden Mix as new plants for the summer season

• Herbs that contribute to winter dishes are

rosemary, thyme, bay leaves and parsley. All are easy to grow and will become an edible garden staple

The rest of the Garden • Camellias are a wonderful winter flower with

flower shades from white and soft pink though to deep rose and red. Sasanqua varieties make excellent hedges and will flower now

• Gardens visited by Jack Frost can experience

damage on tender NZ plants such as tree ferns, pukas, renga renga lilies and some coprosmas.

Fruit trees such as citrus and tamarillos also experience frost burn. On still, cold nights frost cloth will protect these beauties

• NZ’s best-known dwarf Kowhai ‘Dragon’s Gold’

will start to flower around now. It’s easily clipped as a shrub, hedge or topiary and it’s a bright look in winter

VIOLAS VOILÀ,

WINTER COLOUR!

A

s summer blooms fade and autumn turns leaves from red and gold to dull brown, gardeners need not mourn the passing of colour. Winter wonders, such as pansies, primula and polyanthus, viburnum, hellebores and winter flowering camellias, will delight and don’t forget the lovely viola.

With the rain finally making an appearance but temperatures remaining warm, it’s the perfect time to plant pansies and violas. However, the latter is sometimes overlooked.

As their name suggests, violas come in gorgeous violet shades but are also available in a variety of other vibrant colours and combinations. Because they love wide-open spaces, they grow well along paving and patios, as borders and also in hanging baskets. They thrive in pots too.

Consider planting them around the outside of potted shrubs or citrus trees and be sure to use a good quality potting mix to provide all the nutrients violas need. Like pansies they are happy in sun and shade but avoid damp areas; violas and pansies are susceptible to mildew.

Once you’ve decided on the ideal spot to plant, dig in a balanced fertiliser and plant seedlings in small holes roughly 20cm apart; simple as that!

Remember that violas need space and good air circulation; keep away from those shady, sheltered places, such as the eaves of a house to help prevent the mildew developing.

Violas should flower approximately 4-6 weeks after planting. When they do, it’s a good idea to pick off the deadheads, as this will encourage them to bloom for longer.

The lovely thing about violas is that as well as bringing a burst of colour into the garden, they can also deliver a ‘tasty’ note to the table. Yes, they are edible!

They can be baked into biscuits, strewn across salads, frozen in ice cubes and used as decorations. But before taking a bite do some more research and discover how versatile these cheeky little blooms are.

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www.ruralliving.co.nz

Rural Living — May/June 2020 — 41

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