Andy Campbell

For the Cotter family and descendants coming to Te Kūiti is like coming home, and about 80 descendants of Cotter brothers Richard Joseph and Patrick returned to Te Kūiti on the weekend.

The occasion was celebrating 150 years since Richard and Elizabeth Cotter and six children arrived in New Zealand in 1874 seeking their fortune on the Thames goldfields.

It also saw the unveiling of a plaque commemorating 118 years since settling in Te Kūiti and the gifting of land to Waitete Rugby Club.

Two of Richard and Elizabeth’s children, Richard Joseph and Patrick Cotter married two sisters Frances (Fran) and Emily Kneebone in Thames and moved to Te Kūiti with their young families in 1906 to set up as butchers.

They had 20 children between them. They ran between one house near the saleyards and the other over the other side near where the Waitete clubrooms are today.

Descendant Lee-Anne Daniel said the Cotters forged a good relationship with Māori when they came to Te Kūiti. The Cotter and the Hetet whanau formed a good relationship… through music and rugby.

“There was a story that if you threw a stick in town you would either hit a Hetet or a Cotter or a Wi, something like that,” Mike Daniel said. “My dad had 36 first cousins that’s quite unheard of for a pakeha family.”

Lee-Anne Daniel descends from the Hetet line.

“It was a big family,” she says.

R&P Cotter Family Butchers was established in 1907 where Mini India takeaways are now at 189 Rora St.

They raised their children across the land where the Cotter Street saleyards, Rugby Park and Waitete Rugby Clubrooms now stand.

The grandstand is built over the location of the slaughterhouse, and the meat was transferred from there to the butcher shop by horse and cart.

The butchery and family grew. Richard died in 1921 at the age of 50, leaving Fran to raise the young family. Patrick died several years later aged 52. The butcher shop continued and the original apprentice Bill Haines took over the business in 1928.

Richard’s son George Cotter was a keen rugby player and when he and others couldn’t get a game, a Bert Smith suggested a new club be formed. George and Bert were the founding members of the Waitete Football club. The clubrooms were built on land gifted by the family in 1931.

The weekend’s unveiling was greeted with a few tears, Lee-Anne said.

“Everyone knew it was gifted by the family but this was like the official recognition really,” Lee-Anne said

She said the family appreciated Waitete Rugby Club, “especially Malcolm Burmester and Neil Macrae… they were organising where it was going to go. They helped us with setting up the area and building”.

The Maniapoto Rugby Union added to the grounds in 1927 when it purchased 14 acres known as Cotters’ paddock for 1400 pounds.

Of King Country’s exciting win over West Coast to clinch the Lochore Cup - Lee-Anne said, “I thought it was quite fitting they did play on Sunday and they were winning on Cotters’ paddock, it kind of tied it in quite nicely.

“Especially when that guy missed the conversion, the Cotters waved that away,” Mike said.

He was referring to the kick that would have given West Coast the game on full time. The ball bounced off one of the posts and the match was given 20 minutes extra time, during which King Country won the Lochore Cup.

Cotters reunite on cup day

Staff Reporter

King Country has beaten defending champions West Coast 46-44 in extra time at Rugby Park in Te Kuiti today to take out the Heartland Championship's Lochore Cup.

Tries to the high flying Latrell Smiler, Ah-Kiong, Cody Nordstrom 2, Leveson Gower, Logan Patterson and Liam Rowlands and five conversions and two penalties to Patrick Hedley.

Read: Sunday's Cup Day

King Country wins Lochore Cup

Organisers of the Targa Rally have been dealt a blow by a Waitomo District Council decision to decline an application for road closures.

Councillor Janette Osborne told The News the council had turned down the application because of concerns raised in submissions and the anticipated impact road closures would have during a long weekend.

Rally organisers wanted to have roads closed on October 25 and 26 for the event – but those dates clash with Labour Weekend. Labour Day, a public holiday, is on October 28.

Roads which would have been impacted included part of Harbour Road within the Waitomo District, Taharoa Road, Te Anga Road, Haurua Road, Waitomo Valley Road and Rangitoto Road.

The four-day rally based around Otorohanga, Kawhia Harbour, King Country and finishing in Rotorua, is planned to start on October 24.

See: Rally closures approved

Rally bid declined

Eltje Malzbender crowned an outstanding overall performance at the Zurich 2024 Para-Cycling Road World Championships by taking her second bronze medal of the week with a podium finish in the women’s T1 road race.

Competing over a total distance of 31.8km in tricky windy conditions which tested the bike control of the Cambridge-based tricyclist, Malzbender rode third from the outset and survived a mid-race crash to retain her position throughout the race.

In the incident, a male para cyclist competing in the T1 classification rammed into the Kiwi’s front wheel at the bottom of the hill and he fell off his bike. Malzbender thankfully remained upright on the trike.

In a repeat of the same podium finishing order from the women’s T1 individual time trial earlier in the week - gold was clinched by Marieke Van Soest of the Netherlands with Pavlina Vejvodova of Czechia in silver. A delighted Malzbender, a world champion in this event back in 2019, claimed another podium.

Malzbender, 62, said the campaign had its positives.

"Two bronze medals, a personal best for average speed in the time trial and no excessive ataxia in either event.

“I’m grateful to the support of my team - John Blake and my coach Vicki Fleming. Both have ensured the event has run as smoothly as possible.”


Bronze for Eltje

Paralympian Eltje Malzbender produced one of her finest rides to win bronze in the Women’s T1 Individual Time Trial at the Zurich 2024 Para-Cycling Road World Championships this week.

Malzbender lives with a traumatic brain injury following a crash during a training ride in 2016 when she was left on the rural roadside at Marokopa. At the time she was a physiotherapist in Te Kūiti.

After spending over a year in rehab she moved to Cambridge, where the flat terrain, wide footpaths and a residence close to town provided the ideal place to begin rebuilding her life.

She was introduced to riding a tricycle at the Cambridge velodrome and was selected on the Pathway to Podium programme with Paralympics New Zealand in 2018.

She represented New Zealand at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games and was fifth in the women’s T1-2 individual time trial.

Riding in temperatures of around 17 degrees Celsius this week, 62-year-old tricyclist completed the 11.3km route in 24m 8.5s – at an average speed of just over 28.kmh

Malzbender, who claimed a silver medal in this event at the 2023 edition, was elated with her performance.



Two bronzes for Eltje

Paul Charman

Since 1972 a King Country mining operation has hoovered up hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of iron sand for export to Asian steel factories.

But with a question mark over the future of iron ore as a commodity, the future of the operation seems less certain.

Located on the coast about 90 minutes’ drive west of Ōtorohanga, Taharoa Ironsands Ltd (TIL) sits astride the largest iron sands deposit in the country.

TIL digs up and processes the sand and pumps it as slurry to ships moored to the “Taharoa Terminal”, a buoy mooring 3.5km offshore.

The company has paid the equivalent of $150 million in royalties to iwi landowners since 2017, TIL chief Ian Goodacre told the Waitomo District Council at a District Plan hearing in June.

But this week Goodacre declined to comment when The News asked him whether returns would reduce over the next decade due to the contracting China property market and other downward economic factors in Asia.

In an August article headed ‘Good while it lasted’, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute has predicted that outcome for companies mining iron ore.

“Australia’s 20-year-long economic party, funded by China, may be drawing to a close, with consequences for federal and state budgets, superannuation returns and living standards generally,” the article said.

“The iron ore price is the most obvious pointer to China’s declining demand for Australia’s raw materials: it has come down from an extraordinary peak of US$144 a tonne at the beginning of January to a spot price of US$92 this month, and the fall is expected to continue.”

TIL seems to be publicity shy, with no telephone listings online.

Established by the New Zealand Government with the support of Ngāti Mahuta hapu and later owned by Australian Minerals firm Bluescope, the company was acquired by a company called TMIL, the parent of TIL, in 2017. Goodacre described the owners as a New Zealand hapu/family owned and operated business.

He told the council Ngāti Mahuta are tāngata whenua and own the land on which the mine operates through the conduit called Proprietors of C Block Inc Ltd (Taharoa C). Taharoa C is a Māori incorporation established under Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993 and comprised of Ngāti Mahuta hapu. TIL has a lease with Taharoa C which allows it to use the land for mining purposes until 2062 and in turn it pays Taharoa C royalties.

The mine operates 24 hours a day seven-days-a-week, with a 10-hour maintenance shutdown every fortnight on a Wednesday.

It employs about 180 operational staff plus additional contractors. In 2023 about 80 per cent of mine workers were locally based Māori (Ngāti Mahuta), and 63 per cent of skilled roles filled by Ngāti Mahuta.

Most employees live either permanently or temporarily (during working days) in the nearby Taharoa Village, where TIL owns 75 houses and rents them to employees at a discounted rate.

The company also owns and maintains the community hall, school, shop, two large sports facilities, a marae and the fire brigade.

It provides a bus service, subsidises freight to the village store and has two helicopters on standby for emergencies.

TIL maintains most of the infrastructure supporting the village, including water, wastewater and rubbish collection. It also provides an education payment for travel and boarding for employees’ high-school aged children, at a cost of up to $18,000 a child annually.

Facing the sands of time

Sigrid Christiansen

A young speaker is being credited for making whaikōrero (oratory) “cool again among rangatahi”.

The 16-year-old te reo talent won three categories in this year’s Ngā Manu Kōrero speech competition in Tāmaki Makaurau - including Pei Te Hurinui Jones Senior Māori.

The competition attracted 60 speakers from 46 schools. Te Kanawa Wilson’s name reveals whakapapa connections to Ngāti Maniapoto and Oparure.

His mum is Riria (Missy) Te Kanawa and her father, is Dan Te Kanawa. Te Kanawa Wilson’s father is the chair of the Kīngitanga advisory body Tekaumarua, Che Wilson.

The student attends Ngā Taiātea wharekura in Hamilton, where staff and tauira are now “beaming with pride,” according to his Māori language teacher, Paumea Walker, who spoke to The News because Te Kanawa is in Europe with whānau.

Te Kanawa was a role model lending strong support to te reo, Walker said.

While some rangatahi mentally link whaikōrero with “that uncle who recites whakapapa back to the atua,” Te Kanawa was among those making it a platform for kōrero around politics and the taiao, the environment.

His prepared speech, as the 30th of 30 speakers, visually channelled a role model, Kīngitanga orator Kingi Kiriona. But the message was all his own.

Starting with “Te Tiriti o Te Kanawa” he exhorted youngsters to write their own ‘treaty,’ and also to embrace the electoral process: “Vote in what you want; vote out what you don’t want,” is an English translation.

Te Kanawa invoked the whakatauki or proverb “Whatungarongaro te tangata, Toitū te whenua” people pass on, but the land endures, and used loan words referencing Waitangi Tribunal proceedings – with a catchphrase asking the audience whether they’d like to “pāhi te mōtini” or pass the motion.

The “energetic and focussed” Te Kanawa lives and breathes te reo Māori, and always seeks to better his language, Walker said.

“Sometimes in speech competitions, you can tell an adult has written the speech and the young person has just memorised it. But he did it all himself.”

The last thing that stood out about his speeches was his unique way of addressing the judges: not naming them but flinging in-jokes that fitted the theme – such as “Toitū Te Pāti Reipa” to a judge who was a Labour party representative.

For Walker, it brought back memories – he won Ngā Manu Kōrero for Nga Taiātea in 2016.

The Minister for Māori Development, Tama Potaka, said the number of te reo Māori speakers was expected to increase, “largely driven by our rangatahi.”

“We must continue to support them at home, in our communities and schools.”A young speaker is being credited for making whaikōrero (oratory) “cool again among rangatahi”.

The 16-year-old te reo talent won three categories in this year’s Ngā Manu Kōrero speech competition in Tāmaki Makaurau - including Pei Te Hurinui Jones Senior Māori.

The competition attracted 60 speakers from 46 schools. Te Kanawa Wilson’s name reveals whakapapa connections to Ngāti Maniapoto and Oparure.

His mum is Riria (Missy) Te Kanawa and her father, is Dan Te Kanawa. Te Kanawa Wilson’s father is the chair of the Kīngitanga advisory body Tekaumarua, Che Wilson.

The student attends Ngā Taiātea wharekura in Hamilton, where staff and tauira are now “beaming with pride,” according to his Māori language teacher, Paumea Walker, who spoke to The News because Te Kanawa is in Europe with whānau.

Te Kanawa was a role model lending strong support to te reo, Walker said.

While some rangatahi mentally link whaikōrero with “that uncle who recites whakapapa back to the atua,” Te Kanawa was among those making it a platform for kōrero around politics and the taiao, the environment.

His prepared speech, as the 30th of 30 speakers, visually channelled a role model, Kīngitanga orator Kingi Kiriona. But the message was all his own.

Starting with “Te Tiriti o Te Kanawa” he exhorted youngsters to write their own ‘treaty,’ and also to embrace the electoral process: “Vote in what you want; vote out what you don’t want,” is an English translation.

Te Kanawa invoked the whakatauki or proverb “Whatungarongaro te tangata, Toitū te whenua” people pass on, but the land endures, and used loan words referencing Waitangi Tribunal proceedings – with a catchphrase asking the audience whether they’d like to “pāhi te mōtini” or pass the motion.

The “energetic and focussed” Te Kanawa lives and breathes te reo Māori, and always seeks to better his language, Walker said.

“Sometimes in speech competitions, you can tell an adult has written the speech and the young person has just memorised it. But he did it all himself.”

The last thing that stood out about his speeches was his unique way of addressing the judges: not naming them but flinging in-jokes that fitted the theme – such as “Toitū Te Pāti Reipa” to a judge who was a Labour party representative.

For Walker, it brought back memories – he won Ngā Manu Kōrero for Nga Taiātea in 2016.

The Minister for Māori Development, Tama Potaka, said the number of te reo Māori speakers was expected to increase, “largely driven by our rangatahi.”

“We must continue to support them at home, in our communities and schools.”

Te Kanawa: Whaikōrero master

Rangitoto farmer Mitchel Hoare is a finalist in awards that celebrate all aspects of the country’s red meat industry.

Mitchel is one of three emerging achiever finalists in the Beef and Lamb New Zealand awards.

“I applied for something else I missed out on. The guy that did it urged me to try this as he thought I was a suitable applicant,” Hoare said.

“It’s really about getting recognition for helping in the community, being a future leader - but the idea of putting yourself forward for recognition is not really the Kiwi way, is it?

“But I thought what if you don’t put yourself out there? You have got to go after these things. You can’t just sit back and expect opportunities to come to you like that.

“As a levy paying beef and lamb person being self-employed, beef and lamb do a great job with all the extension work that they do. It’s good to support them.”

He’s been in competitions before. In 2015 Hoare and Maihiihi cadet Alex Reekers represented New Zealand at the World Young Shepherds Final in Auvergne, France.

In 2020 Hoare was the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Young Farmer of the Year.

Now 29 and married with a 10-month-old daughter, Hoare is sheep and beef farming over a couple of blocks of about 240 hectares, running a sheep dipping business, working in the family native nursery, and at the moment rearing calves.

“What I hope to get out of it is if I don’t win, I’ll be in the room with some influential people - all a good learning experience, but you have got to put yourself out there.”

He runs nine dogs and has always had an interest in dog trialling.

“I train them and sell them. I don’t really do the ‘train for other people’ model.”

His preference is to train them, work with them a few years and on sell before they start depreciating.

Beef and Lamb’s insights and communication manager Rowena Hume said the number and the quality of entries across eight categories in the awards was pleasing.

While that made judging particularly challenging, it highlighted the depth of talent and innovation in the red meat sector.

“The judging team of farmers and industry professionals did have a difficult job, but all the finalists are making a positive contribution to our sheep, beef and dairy beef sector and it is a privilege to be able to recognise their work,” Hume said.

“It has been a particularly challenging year for farmers and it’s even more important than ever that we celebrate success within our industry.”

The winners will be announced at an awards dinner at Hamilton’s Claudelands events Centre on October 10.

More competition for Hoare

Supplied

A company founded in Te Kūiti in 1947 - which has gone on to become New Zealand's largest independent fuel supplier - has made five of 10 finals on offer in the Waikato Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.

Waitomo Group was named finalists in the Business Growth & Strategy, Innovation, Marketing, Sustainability and People & Culture awards at an invitation-only event in Hamilton tonight.

Head judge Heather Connolly said the awards empower business and recognise excellence.    

“The panel of 32 judges were very impressed with the quality of the finalists and the number of entries this year.

“We had a record number of entries – 88 in fact, up from 76 last year, which is a great illustration of just how much value entrants get from being part of the judging process. The calibre of entrants was excellent and it’s always encouraging to see businesses enter for the first time,” Connolly said.

“As judges it’s a privilege to have the opportunity to find out more about each entrant and what makes that business special.”

Chamber marketing and events manager Rebecca Aston said this year’s awards dinner is going to be the biggest yet.

“We were at capacity in the space we previously held the gala event at Claudelands so this year we’re thrilled to be holding it in the GloboxArena where we can host 200 more people.”

The gala dinner will be held at Claudelands Event Centre on November 15.

Desmond Ormsby founded Waitomo in Te Kūiti 77 years ago.

During this time Waitomo has been run by three generations of the Ormsby family, with a period of joint ownership with Mobil Oil New Zealand, before reverting to 100-percent family ownership in 2003.

Jimmy Ormsby who joined the team in 2003, now owns the firm.

List of finalists

Business Growth & Strategy Award

Cater Plus, Pure Lighting, Wade Group, Waitomo Group

Community Contribution Award

Hamilton Multicultural Services Trust, Kora, Ninja Valley

For Purpose Award

Hamilton Multicultural Services Trust, The Cake Detective Charitable Trust, Wild Bamboo

Innovation Award

Vertex Engineers, Waikato Milking Systems, Waitomo Group Ltd

Marketing Award

Gallagher Animal Management, Hobbiton Movie Set, Rabobank, Waitomo Group

People & Culture Award

Livingstone Building, Longveld Limited, Pure Lighting, Waitomo Group Ltd

Service Excellence Award

Connect Health, Groundcover Landscaping, Whites Powersports

Small Business of the Year Award

Brainchild, Confinement Escape Rooms Hamilton, Stapleton Consulting

Sustainability Award

Pact Steel Limited, Restore Native, Waikato Regional Airport, Waitomo Group

Emerging Leader of the Year finalists

Ashley Mason, Claire Williamson, Jonty Rae

Waitomo Group in finals

Champagne corks are popping across the Waikato today with confirmation that direct flights between Hamilton Airport and Australia are back.

Jetstar, a subsidiary of Qantas, has announced it will offer three return flights per week between Hamilton and the Gold Coast and four return flights per week between Hamilton and Sydney. The first flights will take off in June 2025, in time for the New Zealand school holidays.

The trans-Tasman commercial flights will be the first out of Hamilton in 13 years. The final Virgin Australia flight flew from Hamilton to Brisbane on October 27, 2012, ending 18 years of trans-Tasman flights.

See: Aussies eye our airport

Waikato Regional Airport Ltd (WRAL) chief executive Mark Morgan said today’s celebration comes after more than a year of “solid grind” by his team negotiating with the airline and border agencies.

“It’s been hard, complex work, in a very sensitive commercial environment and we are thrilled to have pulled this off.  The benefits for the entire region – not just passengers – are huge. Analysis indicates the flights will boost the regional economy by about $45 million per year. That’s fantastic for everyone; this is not just about the airport, it’s a great day for the region.”

The Jetstar flights will see over 100,000 more passengers per year using Hamilton Airport, some for business and some on holiday, leading to the creation of around 60 new airport-based jobs.

Jetstar Group chief executive Stephanie Tully said the airline was excited to be further expanding its network in Aotearoa.

“We’re in a period of unparalleled growth for Jetstar in New Zealand, launching five new routes in the past three months and providing greater low-fares connections to key regions across the country.”

“As the country’s only low-cost airline, Jetstar provides critical competition in New Zealand and helps keep travel affordable for Kiwis, with one million domestic fares selling for less than $100 in the past year alone. With consistently low fares and improved reliability, there’s never been a better time to give Jetstar a go.

“We thank Hamilton and Dunedin Airports for their ongoing support of low fares travel for Kiwis. It’s through strong partnerships like these that we’re able to grow our network in New Zealand.”

Hamilton Airport will refit its northern terminal in preparation for customs, border control, aviation security and other services needed for international flights.

“We have most of the building services and fundamentals already in place following our seismic strengthening and refurbishment project completed in 2022.  There is some work to do, but we did future-proof the building to the extent we could. So the work required is not major and will begin in November this year with no disruption to customers,” Morgan said.

The aircraft used on the trans-Tasman routes will be a 188-seater A320 Neo. He confirmed there was no requirement to change the runway to accommodate the services.

“The size of our runway has never been a barrier to trans-Tasman flights.”

Board of Directors chair Barry Harris said he was extraordinarily proud of what the WRAL team had achieved.

“There has been a lot of moving parts to this on both sides of the Tasman and it’s taken a lot to pull it together. We congratulate Mark’s team for what they have achieved and congratulate Jetstar too for recognising the Waikato represents a huge opportunity,” he said.

“Hamilton Airport is in good shape financially and that’s allowed us to identify opportunities and go after them. The resurrection of international fights is great for the airport but more importantly, it’s great for the wider region and for the travelling public.”

Hamilton and Waikato Tourism general manager Nicola Greenwell was jubilant today.

“This is fantastic news, brilliant. Australian visitors already account for 19 per cent of our international visitor spend in the region. Now, with direct flights into Hamilton Kirikiriroa we become even more accessible and this is fantastic news for the  mighty Waikato, for the central North Island and beyond,” Greenwell said.

“This, on top of the recent announcement of two new hotels for Kirikiriroa, means the future of the visitor sector for our region is bright.”

Once flights begin Jetstar will become the fourth airline using Hamilton Airport for scheduled flights. Other carriers include Air New Zealand,  Sunair and Originair.

 * Waikato Regional Airport Ltd  is a council-controlled organisation owned by Hamilton City, Ōtorohanga, Waipā, Waikato and Matamata-Piako councils and is the umbrella for subsidiary companies Hamilton Airport, Jet Park Hotel Hamilton Airport, Hamilton & Waikato Tourism and Titanium Park Limited.

See: Aussies eye our airport

See: Waipa airport jets ahead

See: Fight or flight

See: Now is the time to talk

See: Bats get the benefit

Discover the magic, Hamilton, NZ

International flights return to airport

Hangatiki’s big apple, a landmark dating back to the 1990s, seems to be going bad.
The apple towering over SH3 is visibly deteriorating, with rust, moss and graffiti right across its red skin.
Paint at the top of the apple appears to be peeling and stained, while the base has been extensively tagged.
Piopio resident Karen Barrett has been driving past the landmark “for a long time” and last week decided to do something.
After failing to get a response from Tourist Holdings Corporation Holdings NZ, which owns the monument and the adjacent Waitomo Homestead/Big Apple Café, Barrett launched an online petition to get the landmark spruced up.
The response was 139 “signatures” as this went to press, and sentiments being expressed echoed Barrett’s concerns.
“The Big Apple is more like a rotten apple,” said Shirley Jones.
“This is a legendary icon,” added Ruth Dawbur.
“I wouldn’t want to stop there; surely it would be good for their business to keep it in good condition,” said Emily Jean.
Barrett says the unmissable sculpture has become far from a welcoming site for the tourists.
“It seems we need to ask THC to give the apple some TLC before it turns rotten”.
Tourism Holdings purchased and refurbished the restaurant in 2015, renaming it Waitomo Caves Homestead.
Earlier, Pieter and Betsy Straalen bought a 55ha town supply dairy farm adjacent to the monument in 1966 and began planting an orchard there in 1974. The orchard became the family’s main income earner and land was eventually purchased to build the 1620 square metre Big Apple Restaurant in 1994.
Arnold and Kim van Straalen purchased the business in 2003 and sold it to Fijian hoteliers Anil and Rosie Sharma in 2012.
The News has approached Tourism Holdings for comment.Hangatiki’s big apple, a landmark dating back to the 1990s, seems to be going bad.

The apple towering over SH3 is visibly deteriorating, with rust, moss and graffiti right across its red skin.

Paint at the top of the apple appears to be peeling and stained, while the base has been extensively tagged.

Piopio resident Karen Barrett has been driving past the landmark “for a long time” and last week decided to do something.

After failing to get a response from Tourist Holdings Corporation Holdings NZ, which owns the monument and the adjacent Waitomo Homestead/Big Apple Café, Barrett launched an online petition to get the landmark spruced up.

The response was 139 “signatures” as this went to press, and sentiments being expressed echoed Barrett’s concerns.

“The Big Apple is more like a rotten apple,” said Shirley Jones.

“This is a legendary icon,” added Ruth Dawbur.

“I wouldn’t want to stop there; surely it would be good for their business to keep it in good condition,” said Emily Jean.

Barrett says the unmissable sculpture has become far from a welcoming site for the tourists.

“It seems we need to ask THC to give the apple some TLC before it turns rotten”.

Tourism Holdings purchased and refurbished the restaurant in 2015, renaming it Waitomo Caves Homestead.

Earlier, Pieter and Betsy Straalen bought a 55ha town supply dairy farm adjacent to the monument in 1966 and began planting an orchard there in 1974. The orchard became the family’s main income earner and land was eventually purchased to build the 1620 square metre Big Apple Restaurant in 1994.

Arnold and Kim van Straalen purchased the business in 2003 and sold it to Fijian hoteliers Anil and Rosie Sharma in 2012.

The News has approached Tourism Holdings for comment.

Big apple loses a-peel

Mayors Max Baxter and John Robertson have suggested Prime Minister Chris Luxon’s new “war on council waste” won’t impact on them.

And they have vented their frustration at the different messages councils get from on high from different governments.

Luxon’s address to the Local Government New Zealand conference last week drew groans as he called on councils to “rein in the fantasies” and spending on the nice-to-haves.

The Prime Minister said the government would scrap the four wellbeing provisions in the Loal Government Act which relate to social, economic, environmental and cultural wellbeing.

Ōtorohanga mayor Max Baxter was unimpressed.

“We will just carry on doing what we are doing. Ōtorohanga never splurged out on extravagant expenditure at any point. And we will continue to carry on the same.

“A lot of what he said you could take as being accurate, but that’s not the way to deliver it,” Baxter said.

And he suggested “he’s got a title but he’s not showing leadership”.

Waitomo mayor John Robertson said every time a Labour led government was elected, they added the wellbeings, and the next National led government would then take them out.

“Council has never received funding to expand from core business, despite the four wellbeings getting put in,” he said. “I don’t think it will make a lot of difference to rural councils, it’s just core business and we don’t have the funding to do other things.”

“Leadership is about empowering those (councils) and bringing them with you,” Baxter said. “…so if you think local government is not working suggest ways central government and local government can work together to make for a better New Zealand.

“Going off at local government is not the best way to get results.”

The Prime Minister’s finger was more pointed at Wellington where the council has built a $180 million ratepayer funded events centre, Baxter believed.

“He pointed the finger clearly at Tākina the event centre in Wellington.”

“If you look at each of those [wellbeings] individually – Economic? Of course we have to be a player in economic. Environmental? Of course we do. It’s part of what we do as part of the Treaty of Waitangi, and what we have to do with regional councils. Social? What do you think Mayors’ Task Force For Jobs is? Cultural? Again our obligations are under the Treaty of Waitangi.

“I’m sorry, it’s blowing hot air to a number of levels.”

“I would be very interested if he came to Ōtorohanga what he would tell us to stop doing. I think he would really struggle.”

The clash between local and central government continues a rift which widened under the previous government when council complained they were being asked to take on more work.

Under Labour councils were given Three Waters as an option which would have a major impact on their organisation – and the National led government has now undone the power councils were given to form Māori wards without the risk of a veto from the electorate.

Our mayors strike back

Jerica Remiter from the Philippines arrived in New Zealand in March.

A few months in, she was struggling with her confidence. Not so any more, her “after video” shows, made as a final touch to the course she had graduated from.

In the clip, from the first “kia ora everyone,” to the final “thank you so much,” it’s clear Jerica, based in Balfour, Southland, gained much in the way of English mastery, and is overjoyed with her progress.

“I was one of the lucky first batch of students to do the course with AgriTeachMe,” she said.

“It’s not your typical English online class, that you can do to learn to communicate with Pākehā or Kiwis here.

“It will also teach heaps of knowledge when it comes to culture, rules of the road, and even in your work.”

Her partner’s employers and friends have all noticed the change.

“My confidence is really far from what they know when they first meet me. They are glad of my improvements in regards with the English language.”

In mid-September, the employers even asked her to cater for the team’s social meeting - she made Filipino dishes such as pork adobo - and to do a spoken introduction for the evening.

“It was an amazing experience,” she said. And the diners loved the food – all of their plates were empty and they were looking for more, she said.

Lyzanne Du Plessis describes Jerica as “our star student”.

“Her progress was phenomenal.”

In the video, Jerica said she hopes the courses keep going, so other migrants like her can one day enjoy the same opportunity.

Jerica's joy

Farming families are being called on to help connect Filipina women with an online new English language programme.

Founder Lyzanne Du Plessis said she owes her life to speaking English well and easily making friends in New Zealand.

It saved her after she nearly went off a cliff: a real one, not a metaphor.

The course is coming north after a successful South Island pilot.

Topics include Kiwi slang, dairy farming vocabulary, migration rules, schools, and programmes like the ACC and Kiwisaver.

It covers ways to access mental, emotional and physical wellness support.

“It helps facilitate trust and bridge the initial huge language barrier,” Du Plessis said.

She said isolation was the challenge: students often do not drive, so can’t leave their farms easily to attend English classes.

Cultural norms make it hard to speak up and the language barrier makes it hard to find New Zealand friends, or understand the teachers at children’s schools.

Du Plessis, who is from South Africa and lives in rural Southland, knows that a new country takes getting used-to.

When she first arrived, she broke her foot but didn’t go to the doctor “because I didn’t know about the ACC”. Later, it needed surgery.

She thanks the online language learning business Te Puna Reo Māori, owned by Anita Gill, for offering its platform free, and connecting her with Philippines-based English teachers through existing staff.

The pilot launched two weeks later. Despite the timing, during calving, it got an “overwhelming” response.

“The improvement in the students’ confidence was incredible.

Afterwards, they felt comfortable to approach a Kiwi and say something.”

Through recent funding from Rural Women Southland Interprovincial, the next course starts next month.

So what about that cliff? While dairy farming at Te Miro near Cambridge, Du Plessis’ second child was born - and “didn’t sleep at all”.

She fell asleep driving and woke as her car was approaching a cliff.

“But my Kiwi friends told me about Plunket and a sleep clinic.”

Without those conver-sations, she might not be here.

“21 years ago, I was a rural migrant wife that had to go through all the adjustments to settle in a new country, new climate, new culture, and isolated form my normal support networks back in my home country.

It was my ability to speak English that helped me integrate into the rural community, make Kiwi friends, and find the support I needed, in those early years in New Zealand.”

Language programme push

Katrina Christison

I personally don’t like using weed matting in gardens. I prefer to properly prepare the garden by removing all weeds first.

If done thoroughly, there’s no need for weed matting to suppress weeds.

However, I still like to cover the soil with a more environmentally friendly method - cover the garden bed with a thick layer of newspaper or cardboard.

Then, spread a thick layer of mulch (5-8 cm deep) over it.

This will block sunlight, suppress weed growth, and prevent weed seeds from germinating.

Using newspaper or cardboard is also an excellent way to recycle materials that might otherwise end up in a landfill. It’s an eco-friendly practice that promotes sustainability.

When using cardboard, make sure to remove all tape and labels as these don’t break down.

Once you have covered your soil with either the newspaper or cardboard, wet it thoroughly, this will not only hold it in place it will also start the decomposition process, then spread your mulch on top.

The benefits of using cardboard/newspaper - cost effective, supresses weeds, retains moisture in the soil, breaks down naturally, is a great way to recycle, easy to lay, attracts worms which will help aerate the soul and feed the soil with their castings.

Above is a photo of a garden that had weed mat which we removed, and the poor birch tree’s roots were growing along the top of the weed mat.

The reasons I don’t like using it is that it leads to poor soil health, as it can restrict the water and air movement to the soil.

You will notice this when you remove weed mat you find hard compacted soil which is not good for plant growth.

Organic matter like fallen leaves can’t feed the soil as they break down, in some case plant roots may struggle to penetrate the fabric like the photo above.

Weeds still come in with birds, and once their roots take hold they are much harder to weed, if you have used newspapers or cardboard, weeding is much easier.

To weed mat or not

Peter Still says he wouldn’t dream of missing Armistice in Cambridge, which will include a celebration of military vehicles on November 7 and 8.

But you get the impression walking around his Ōtorohanga yard that Still could stage a pretty good vintage vehicle show without leaving home.

The tow truck driver and vintage vehicle expert has the kind of collection petrol heads can only dream of. It doesn’t stop with military vehicles: Still has fire engines, earth-movers, classic cars and trucks and a few modern ones. He has no idea how many vehicles sit on his Vue Lane property.

Still served his time as an apprentice mechanic at the Ōtorohanga Ford dealership in about 1963. In 1973 he started Peter Still Motors, Otewa Rd, and ran it for 30 years. The business still runs under this name.

Today Still mainly does towing work.

“But I’ve always liked the old vehicles,” says the NZ Military Vehicle Club member, adding unprintable comments about modern computerised electronics.

Though cagey about his age Still admits having collected rare cars and truck for decades. Some get left outside but many are shoe-horned into half-a-dozen enormous sheds, to be restored by Still and son Jason. The father and son’s greatest delight seems to be showing them off at Christmas parades and other community events.

“I don’t know why but the kids really seem to like my 1941 Bren Gun Carrier,” Still says, pointing to a magnificently restored tank-like vehicle which runs on tracks.

“I don’t know whether it’s the tracks which run on rubber pads, or the nice-sounding side-valve motor.”

He also has a tracked personal carrier from the early 1960s, which can carry 10 soldiers plus a gunner and driver. There’s a 1940s GMC 6x4 truck with four driven wheels at the back and a 1941 Leyland Retriever crane truck.

There are also eight fire engines, mainly collected from across the North Island, with a few of them -- like his latest acquisition, a 1951 Ford V8 crash tender fire truck -- imported from the South Island. What does he like about fire engines?

“I don’t know – they’re a different flavour -- makes a change from the military stuff,” says Still with a wink.

Over the years Still became expert at retrieving old vehicles from the back of farms and cast-offs from transport companies. He also has knack of cannibalising spare parts and making what he can’t locate.

“My Bren Gun Carrier had been discarded at the back of a farm way out the back of Maihiihi. It had the wrong motor and diff but they hadn’t cut the top off, so I had something to work with.”

Still makes contacts online but refuses to send emails.

“If I can’t pick up the phone and have a conversation with the guy I’m not interested.”

Many of the old vehicles still roar into life at the touch of a button. Still’s ex-NZ Army recovery truck, which dates from 1973, has three winches with enough power to pull heavy vehicles (like tanks) out of ditches.

Among his most unusual vehicles is a “Thames Cross Cutter”, purchased from a Mosgiel Airfield. This was designed to strap aircraft engines onto the back, where they were tested mechanically.

His most nostalgic collectable is very likely a 1929 Essex Super Six.

“It’s the same kind of car my dad used to drive and the model I went for my licence in as a teenager.”

Transported in time

The hit Abba musical “Mamma Mia,” is just four weeks away from lighting up the Te Kūiti Little Theatre stage.

The cast include 26-year-old hip-hop dancer Jazmin Williamson who lives in Ōtorohanga – and plays Judy, one of the main character’s bridesmaids. Her favourite items are “Waterloo” and “Under Attack.”

“I’m finding it so fun; it’s really building my confidence.”

Her family is from Piopio, although she lived in Australia until 2006.

Despite her love of dancing, with singing and acting she was “never confident.” But there’s a first time for everything. Especially when those things are big life goals.

“I’ve always, always wanted to do musical theatre.

“About two years ago I saw an advertisement for auditions for Grease.

“After that I auditioned for a few musicals up in Hamilton, but unfortunately didn’t get in. So when I saw one was happening in Te Kūiti, I was so excited.

At first, she thought she hadn’t got the part.

“They couldn’t ring me, because I’d been so nervous I’d accidentally given my phone number as half my number and half my partner’s.”

“I only expected to be a backup dancer.”

But she did make the grade – and the rest is history. Her family’s been “incredibly supportive” with stepdad Michael Heald in Tasmania one of the first to know. She also had “lots of help” in learning her lines, from her younger sister.

And there’s been lots of support from the Mamma Mia team too,

“The singing lessons were amazing. I found out I’m a soprano, and I didn’t even know that was a thing.”

Jazmin hopes to take her passion for song and dance overseas, perhaps as a cruise ship dancer. But that’s on hold right now, because three-year-old son Lucca Wilson is still so little.

And how did Mamma Mia come to Te Kūiti?

It’s all connected to a musical love affair that began in the 1980s – when a young Allan Marsden realised his passion for the Abba song “Chiquitita.”

“One of my sisters was singing it around the house – it had such a good beat,” he said. “It’s still my favourite.”

It’s been a triple challenge for 32 brave performers, director Marsden says.

The cast is talented – and very fresh.

“Most haven’t been on stage before – as with [2023 production] the Vagina Monologues.

“They put their hands up because they loved the music of Abba and wanted to be involved.

“It’s going wonderfully.

The youngest is Year 8 St Joseph’s student, Thanya Pandian: “she’s just so great and confident,” he said.

Rehearsals have been happening for six weeks, so far.

“They’ve been learning the songs, the scenes, and the dances. Now we’re putting it all together – that’s the hardest part,” Allan said.

The final performance is “full or surprises” including the “top secret” nature of his role – as well as directing, he’s on stage too.

And for the audience?

“Don’t expect to just get in there and watch a show – there will be a good ol’ sing along.”

Young mum gets the Abba vibe

A raid near Maihiihi, east of Ōtorohanga, allegedly found 64 unregistered dogs last week.

District council and SPCA staff found the dogs at the Takiwatanga Sanctuary Trust on Tauraroa Rd.

Some were classified as dangerous, Ōtorohanga District Council regulatory and growth general manager Tony Quickfall said.

He said other animals were found living in unsatisfactory conditions, but as the council involvement was under the Dog Control Act, the SPCA was looking into the welfare of the other animals.

The animal shelter made news in 2019 when it was reported owners Steve and Phil Brown had set up their King Country home and farm as a sanctuary for children with disabilities and their families.

When The News visited the Browns this week Phil Brown said the dogs were registered, and he did not want to talk further.

Quickfall confirmed the property owners visited the council offices the day after the raid and discussed the situation with animal control staff.

As a result, the owners agreed to register all 64 dogs and have developed a plan to reduce their numbers.

“This is a promising step forward and Animal Control staff will work closely with the owners to ensure this transition is smooth and successful.”

Issues outside the district council’s area of operation are being looked into by the Waikato Regional Council.

The October 3 action followed multiple attempts by Animal Control to work with the property owners to resolve issues, Quickfall he said.

“The visit was necessary after the owners failed to respond to a formal notice requiring them to register the dogs.

Relevant health and environmental authorities have also been notified and potential investigations will follow,” he said.

In July 2021 it was reported almost 500 animals - including dogs, rabbits, birds, llamas, horses, chickens and sheep - were among the residents at the sanctuary.

The News was contacted last Thursday by a farmer in the district who said the animal sanctuary had been an issue for some time with persistent reports of large numbers of dogs unfed, and other animal neglect.

Sanctuary trust home raided

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News

Traci Houpapa award

Reserve to open

Power play at work

Roy Pilott

Toast to coast

Four pose a mystery

No pennies for the Guy

Just loving the respect

Pasture worms represent the lion’s share of the animal health spend per farm, which is slightly under $24,000 a year.

The figure includes not only drenches but also facial eczema treatments and vaccinations, lice treatments and so forth, but Beef+Lamb’s Dan Bier says pasture worms clearly head the list.

“When we talk to farmers about their on-farm challenges they confirm that parasite management and parasite resistance are always number one production challenges,” he says.

“When you put aside the carbon farming and other issues these are always right up there. Parasites slow down the growth rate of stock and reduced their condition, representing a significant cost you have to buy a tool to deal with.”

Bier, who is the chair of NZ Wormwise, says throughout the country wet summers favour trichostrongylus build-up; bad outbreaks of this worm occur the following autumn and early winter as high numbers of larvae on pasture are consumed by lambs.

And trichostrongylus larvae can survive freeze and thaw cycles, so a couple of frosts will not kill them.

“I suppose you could say wherever you have grazing ruminants you’ll have parasites. Farmers have known for generations that there are parasites affecting their animals and we have to manage them.

Over the years we have had different ways to do that such as drenching with copper sulphate and nicotine in the old days.

“Chemicals have worked very well since the 1980s but now we’ve managed to wear them out, just like antibiotics. It’s clear that when you expose a population to something that will kill most of them only the ones which are resistant survive. We have done that with our sheep and cattle drenches.

“The problem now is that we have taken those very few (parasites) that were resistant to the drenches and made them a bigger chunk of the population, so the golden age of cheap and effective drenching is over.”

Bier says the challenge now is to take what is known about parasite life cycles and how they live on the pasture and then give farmers as many tools as we can to deal with those.

“The problem is on all farms to varying degrees, albeit with more parasites on farms with younger animals because they have less natural immunity. So we don’t really see parasite problems on dairy farms where mostly they have adult cows.

“But we do see really high parasite counts building up on land finishing blocks where they just have lots of young lambs or heifer growing blocks for dairy or beef farms, where they have young cattle in a big lot without very many adults. We can see those shoot up really quickly and get very high numbers.”

He said he agreed with Melvin Forlong, of Ohura, that breeding was a good way to manage the parasite problem.

“We are moving from farm systems that relied on drenches to farmers thinking in a much more integrated way on how they manage parasites on their properties. As well as breeding there’s matters like how you integrate adult with younger stock on your sheep and beef on other property.

“Farmers are thinking a lot more clearly about this. So rather than just having a place where the calves always go, that may be a couple of times a year they work their beef cows through there as well just to clean up the parasites. And it’s the same with these lamb finishing blocks.

“Rather than just dumping lambs in the same paddock year after year, they’ll be thinking about how they can manage animals that don’t need drenching through those to clean up the larvae on the pasture.

“Sheep and cattle generally have different parasites. So, if you have a lamb finishing block and you graze cattle through it then they’ll eat up all or a big chunk of the sheep parasites and not be affected by them.

“Also the older animals are key. Adult ewes generally won’t need drenching. And so, if you’ve got a lamb block and you can work your ewes through it once or twice a year then maybe they’ll clean out a big chunk of those parasites so this will reduce the pressure on drenching.”

Crops were another important tool; farmers can use things like lucerne as a way of reducing the parasite loadings

“There’s an old saying the worst thing on your farm for one lamb is another lamb. More and more farms are looking at how they can get those lambs off their farms as soon as possible.

“Grow them quickly and get them off to the works. From weaning to slaughtering lambs is three months during which you might traditionally have given them three drenches. But if you can reduce that to six-weeks you’re reducing a lot of drenching.

“In the King Country we see a lot of farmers breeding and finishing their own lambs. But maybe we’re seeing more people make a clear decision at weaning time like – I am going to keep the top 60 per cent of my lambs. And all the bottom ones that would have been around for three, or five or six months, I’ll get rid of them now.

“So, they won’t need drenching – they can go to some finishing block somewhere else where somebody has a more specialist setup.

“So they won’t have those lambs hanging around in the summer and autumn which is when those parasite problems build up.

“At Wormwise we aim to use drenching as little as possible. It’s a tool you will have to use but if you can put all these other measures together you’ll really reduce the necessity to lean on those drenches.”

Worms the No 1 problem

Chris Gardner

Growers are thinking twice about planting maize with wholesalers withholding contracts ahead of a looming natural gas supply shortage.

New Zealand’s natural gas production is declining with reserves dropping by 20 percent in the year to January 2024.

The shortage means the likes of wholesalers PGG Wrightson Grain and Viterra are not offering contracts to growers.

“PGG Wrightson Grain and Viterra both use gas to dry grain with,” said Federated Farmers Waikato Arable chair Donald Stobie in his September report.

“At the moment they both say that they currently cannot get a gas supply contract for next year. They also both say that the lead time is too short to change to a different fuel source to use at drying time.

“It is proving very hard to get a maize silage or grain contract, with end users holding off to see how the season ahead plays out. It will be interesting to see how much maize silage and grain gets planted.

“That question will come down to the financial situation of each grower.

How much finance do they require to grow these crops? Will a lender provide that money without a contract at planting time?”

The News sought comment from PGG Wrightson Grain and Viterra.

It’s been a roller coaster year for growers. Prices were good a year ago, with Niwa predicting a drought. But prices dropped when the drought did not eventuate.

“By the time harvest had finished if you had a crop sale you may have thought you were lucky - although some of those sale prices were at levels that growers are probably losing $1000 to $1500 per hectare.”

Crop yields were up about 8 to 10 per cent, maize silage sales had pricing as low as 15 to 17 cents per kg dry matter standing and maize grain pricing down to $300 per dry ton delivered to the silo.

“A number of growers did decide that these prices were too low so they either stacked maize silage or harvested the grain and are storing it at their own expense,” Stobie said.

“For all growers this overhang is a problem as it has kept a lid on demand and pricing for the new season.

“From a feed sale view the summer, autumn and winter has been far too kind with too much grass growing and there is very little demand for this extra feed that is around at the moment”.

Fonterra and its customers focusing on emission intensity per unit of production, maize grain could become a more attractive option compared to palm kernel, which has a higher emission rating. A shift of just 10 per cent from palm kernel to maize grain could boost demand by approximately 20,000 tons.

Waipā District based agricultural contractor John Austin, who grows about 6000 tonnes of grain on 500ha every year, said the industry had been discussing the gas shortage for months.

“It does not make sense to me,” he said. “As a contractor it really concerns me because we really need the work.”

Maize... to plant, or not to plant

Parasite specialist Trevor Cook is a tireless advocate for drenching, management and genetics as the three-pronged means of fighting the New Zealand sheep industry’s pasture parasite problem.

The experienced vet and farm advisor has long warned of an over dependence on chemicals due to growing drench resistance.

He gave the main talk at the Fernleaf Romneys field day on the Forlong family farm at Ōhura last week.  

At this property Romney rams and sheep are bred with genetics offering inbuilt resistance to worms and facial eczema, needing little or no drenching, something Cook acknowledged as a vital component in the fight against parasites.

In the era of growing drench resistance, he saw little future for farmers dependant on drenching every 28 days.

In sharing basic guidelines for improved management, he recommended keeping in mind the number of lambs on any given property. The priority had to be how to mitigate the parasite problem in lambs because these are the most susceptible and the biggest contaminators. Male lambs are more susceptible whereas more mature sheep are much less. In fact, mature ewes can be used as one of the tools to break the contamination and exposure cycle.

“On our hill country there is an ongoing cycle of lambs contaminating and then being exposed to that contamination.”

Cook noted that though some species of dung beetles had been reported to be control agents for gastrointestinal parasites of livestock, they are not the panacea promoted and, in some cases, may improve the survival of the parasitic worms.

“In my view, if anything dung beetles can just open up to provide more oxygen to accelerate the growth of worms.”

When lambs are ingesting L3 larvae there is a decrease in their appetite which decreases their growth. Reducing the number of L3 larvae that lambs are ingesting allows them to grow much faster.

“Controlling worms will very simply result in them eating more and gaining more weight.”

On farms where drenches were failing Cook works out the opportunity to graze lambs on less contaminated pastures which then sets the number of lambs that the system can handle. This then requires a discussion about the sheep and lamb selling policy.

The worm larvae mostly live in the lower couple few centimetres of the pasture where they are more protected from UV light which they do not like. Longer pastures favour the survival of the worm larvae. And in another interesting aside Cook noted that sheep seemed to be able to somehow detect the presence of L3 larvae in pasture, and – given a choice - preferred not to feed on it.

Pasture grazed by cattle can result in a lower worm challenge for sheep if for long enough.

“But unfortunately, running cattle concurrently alongside sheep does very little to reduce the worm count.”

Meanwhile, summer crops are hugely valuable in managing worms because the free-living stage of the worm cycle struggles to survive in them. What is more, contamination from lambs is concentrated onto the crop area and does not add to the overall farm contamination, Cook said.

No future in endless drenching

Six hundred hikers are being invited to walk for a cause across a Wharepūhunga sheep and beef farm.

Geoff and Johanna Fitzgerald, who have farmed the 450ha Duncan Road property for 24 years, have created the Maungahau: Walk for a Cause charity walk and hikers can choose from a 6.5 km or 10 km cross-country walk on their sheep and beef farm on Saturday (October 19).

Walkers will pay $80 to complete and, if registrations are full, the Fitzgeralds will raise $48,000 for two good causes. The walks will also include the neighbouring farm owned by the Kimton family.

Proceeds will be split between Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter and Waikato Hauraki Coromandel Rural Support Trust.

The Fitzgeralds have benefitted from both services over the years.

“We have capped it at 600 walkers because of our health and safety plan that we have got in place,” Geoff Fitzgerald, 74, said.

The short walk is expected to take two to two and half hours, the long walk three to three and half.

“We hope to do it annually, give people a really good experience, and be able to increase the numbers next time.”

Chance to walk for a cause

Waikato Regional Compliance Manager Patrick Lynch has declared that can be “no tolerance” for a failure to manage farm effluent.

He was commenting after a Waikato farming company, a company director and a farm manager were fined almost $306,000 for discharging effluent into the environment.

Flint Farms Limited, farm owner Barry Flint and farm manager Gavin Flint were sentenced by Hamilton District Court Judge Melinda Dickey last month on 14 charges under the Resource Management Act as a result of a prosecution taken by Waikato Regional Council.

It was the biggest fine for discharging contaminants into the environment in the Waikato region since the Resource Management Act was introduced over 30 years ago.

“It’s 2024. There simply can be no tolerance for not having adequate infrastructure on farm to manage animal effluent,” Lynch said.

He said the size of the fine was a warning “to those farming operations who still have shoddy systems, or are not managing effluent systems properly.”

In addition to the fines, Judge Dickey issued an Enforcement Order against Flint Farms Limited requiring them to upgrade the farm effluent system and implement an effluent management plan to avoid further adverse effects on the environment.

In August 2022, council officers inspected the dairy farm owned by the defendant at Ngātea, south of Thames.

They found numerous breaches of environmental regulation, related to the discharge of dairy effluent from two effluent ponds, a sump and a stock underpass.

Two abatement notices were issued to prevent further discharges into the environment but during follow up inspections over the next 10 months, additional breaches were identified.

“This region has had clear rules in place for the last 30 years prohibiting this kind of activity,” Lynch said.

“It is very concerning that we still find contamination like this, even after putting a farm formally on notice.

“To need a court order to ensure appropriate infrastructure is installed, that should have been in place decades ago, is incredibly disappointing.

“But those are the lengths we are having to go to in situations such as this to get some farming operations to do the right thing.”

Record fine, and 'no tolerance'

Next Generation Apples won the Primary Sector Award category at the 2024 New Zealand Food Awards in Auckland last week.

The company launched a new apple variety last year.

Sassy was by Plant and Food Research and grown and marketed by New Zealand-based growers Next Generation Apples, comprising Golden Bay Fruit and Taylor Corp.

“Sassy Apples were developed through plant-breeding techniques to create an apple with a crisp texture, high flavour, long storage and shelf life, novel skin and flesh colour, optimal harvest maturity, and pest and disease resistance,” Vincent Arbuckle, deputy director-general of New Zealand Food Safety, said.

“It is exciting to see how investment in research can lead to practical advances without sacrificing on bite or flavour.

“Sassy Apples are an example of excellence across the supply chain – from research to the orchards, to our supermarkets. Our judging panel for the Primary Sector Award noted the impressive research and innovation behind this product.”

The other finalists were Waitoa Free Range Chicken, Good Guise Paneer and Akaroa Salmon.

“Finalists demonstrated a commitment to the kind of quality and ability to overcome challenges which has always formed the foundation of New Zealand’s food production,” Arbuckle said.

The New Zealand Food Awards are held annually by Massey University to celebrate food and beverage excellence and innovation.

Ends New Zealand Food Safety/Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has been involved with the awards for more than 20 years, and has been a sponsor since 2008

Vutter Avo Spreadable – a dairy-free butter, produced by Feliz Wholefoods – took out the 2024 Supreme Award.

Sassy apple, sweet with zing

It is no longer practical for members to bring every issue to Federated Farmers Waikato.

“We have so many things we have to deal with,” Holmes told the September meeting of the provincial executive.

“The act of bringing it all through the chair is really not practical anymore. We have to think differently.”

In this monthly report he said because the workload was so large, he had expanded portfolios.

“Within the sectors we also have to give more autonomy for the actions and outcomes from the working groups.”

By way of example, Hamilton branch chair John Bluett had sent a submission to the Government on the future of agricultural education post Te Pukenga.

“The consultation was with those of us who have an interest in the subject,” he said. “I was very impressed with the submission, especially given the short time we had.”

Holmes asked members to become nimbler and more responsive, attaching members to interest groups.

“Democratic decision making comes in many forms – but it should never revert to the ‘sludge’ of local body consultation, with no decisions ever being made,” he said.

Holmes described the advocacy Waikato Federated Farmers was involved in as selfless, demanding and relentless, in terms of workload.

“The wins are there to be seen and coming fast,” he said, listing a pause on the fresh water farm plans, re-opening the doors for livestock exports, reviewing the carbon and ethane solutions, opening to the opportunity of the use of gene editing technology and de-clogging the barriers to opportunity, innovation and consent procedures.

“Significantly the rebuilding of the Resource Management Act version 3, is also giving back to farmers their lost ‘property rights’, taking back the invasive overreach of the concept of Significant Natural Areas and posing the question of who should pay for ‘the Society Wish List’ as we know as farmers we simply can’t and shouldn’t be seen as society’s Golden Goose or cash cow.”

Holmes empowered section and branch chairs to engage in member advocacy.

“I have had a discussion with Dairy vice chair Louise Gibson about what sharemilkers are doing,” he said.

The Sharefarming Consultants founder Gibson, a former Federated Farmers policy advisor, is focussed on ensuring contracts between farm owners and sharefarmers don’t have any fishhooks

“We trust Waitomo branch chair Chris Irons,” Holmes said. “It’s the same with, and Arable chair Donald Stobiet.”

“We have to be careful we don’t rely too much on individuals,” Irons said. “We have to be nimble and pull people in.”

Feds move to delegate

By Andy McGechan
New Zealand made its debut appearance this season at the women’s section of the International Six Days Enduro, held in Spain, and impressed many at this huge gathering of the motorcycling world elite.
The three-rider New Zealand women’s contingent that battled in the Women’s World Trophy (WWT) teams’ class – Ngaroma’s Rachael Archer (Kawasaki) joined by Tapanui’s Kylie Dorr (Beta) and Opunake’s Taylar Rampton (Husqvarna) – managed a few jaw-dropping results on their way to finishing 10th overall in their first appearance at this massive annual dirt-biking marathon.
Archer was the stand-out for the New Zealanders. She finished overall runner-up among the women, just under three minutes behind United States team rider Brandy Richards after an incredible six days of brutal racing in the Galicia region, on the Atlantic coastline in the north-western of Spain.
Archer managed to tap into any left-over reserves of energy to significantly cut her deficit to Richards on the final day, which featured a motocross, an aspect of off-road motorcycle racing that is considered faster but arguably less technical.
The rider who finished the enduro third overall in the women’s rankings was Australia’s Jessica Gardiner, ending the event just a little under five minutes behind the hard-charging Archer.
Archer was not only overall runner-up in the individual standings for the women, but also she wound up an astonishing 54th overall (when ranked alongside the men. More than 570 riders in total were at the event.
“It felt good to win a special test (a tightly timed sprint section) at this event,” said Archer. “I felt like I rode decent and didn’t crash, so put in a solid ride.
“I didn’t really set any goals or expectations for myself coming into the week. I just wanted to learn and gain as much experience as I could. I feel like I’ve done that and also shown some speed.”
Dorr was meanwhile classified 28th individual in the WWT class (and also finished 129th overall alongside the men). Rampton dropped out after day five with an injury, but was still credited with finishing 30th overall among the women.
“New Zealand team manager Justin Stevenson said it was “not the dream result for Team New Zealand - but close”.
Team France won the premier World Trophy (WT) class ahead of the United States and Spain. In the Junior World Trophy (JWT) class, Team Sweden won ahead of France and the United States.
There was no Kiwi men’s team entered this season.

Archer shows the enduro way

Ōtorohanga netball was celebrating the century of netball in New Zealand on Friday, but unlike the parent body’s date 1924 beginning, Ōtorohanga netball’s origins are unknown.

“We lost our minutes in the ’58 flood,” Otorohanga netball president Dorothy Carr said.

They’ve since obtained some records from 1954, which may give the club a better look at its history, Dorothy said.

As its part in honouring 100 years of netball in New Zealand, the Ōtorohanga Netball Centre hosted a heartwarming celebration last Friday.

The event brought together past and present members of the Ōtorohanga netball community, giving everyone the opportunity to reminisce, reconnect, and celebrate the legacy of netball in their lives, Dorothy said.

Among the attendees were three families, each with three generations present — a testament to the enduring passion for the sport passed down through the years, she said.

A highlight of the afternoon was a game of walking netball, which symbolised the inclusiveness and longevity of the game. Players ranged in age from 13 to 85, creating a powerful image of how netball continued to unite and engage players of all ages.

Celebrations moved to the Ōtorohanga Club in the evening, where four Service Awards were presented in recognition of significant contributions to the netball community. As part of the event, the Honours Boards, dating back to 1959, were unveiled, serving as a visual reminder of the people who have shaped and supported Ōtorohanga netball over the years.

“We have now got the honours boards up to date going back to 1958 - of all our patrons presidents, treasurers, umpires co-ordinators. So we have done a bit of mahe on that,” Dorothy said.

Some service awards were presented and next year they will start doing life memberships.

“You know how you have some of those things that you need to do every year and you kind of push that out because you are busy running competitions… this has just given us an opportunity to tidy those things up.”

She said event was a powerful reminder of the deep sense of camaraderie and connection netball fosters in the community. It highlighted the role the sport plays in creating lasting memories, bringing whānau together, and building a bridge between the past and the future.

The timing of the celebration felt particularly poignant, as just two days later, the Silver Ferns secured a thrilling victory over Australia, a fitting capstone to a weekend of honouring netball’s proud legacy in New Zealand. Netball was introduced to New Zealand as ‘women’s basketball’ in 1906 – a nine-a-side game played on grass, with baskets tied to posts at either end of the court.

It was introduced by Rev J C Jamieson who started up basketball teams from his bible classes.

The first games were played on a paddock and the teams were nine-a-side.
The rules allowed three bounces, and throws from one end of the field to the other.
Baskets were used for goals and after each goal, the ball had to be tipped out to restart play.

Aiming high for a century


The Lochore Cup which the King Country Rams wrested from West Coast on Sunday, was in Taupo this week.

Rams captain Liam Rowlands took it back to Taupo, King Country Rugby union general manager Keiran Hema said.

“Our captain Liam he got hold of it yesterday afternoon and he still has it in his hands now,” he said on Monday.

The Lochore Cup and all the team’s other trophies were star exhibits this week at a Rippa Rugby tournament in Taupo.

“We’re expecting to have around 400 kids, what better way to display it?” Hema said.

“We’ve got schools from all over. We’ll have those (trophies) there for the day, and it will be a good opportunity to showcase that, and give even a level of understanding what it is about.

“It is a good opportunity to explain to our kids and to our schools who they are named after, and what they have done for rugby and just start with things early.”

The cup would be brought back to Te Kūiti in coming weeks for school visits and photo opportunities, Hema said.

The Lochore Cup is named after famed Wairarapa Bush and All Blacks player and coach Brian Lochore. It was first awarded during the Heartland Championship in 2006.

Cup goes east

Even the goalposts played their part in the King Country Rams’ defeat of West Coast in the Lochore Cup final on Sunday.

In the conversion of a King Country try the ball tipped the flag at the top of the outside post, and the conversion was given.

Then at full time with the scores levelled at 34 all, West Coast’s kick bounced off the post as full time was given. This led to 10 minutes each way extra time and KCR taking the cup 46-44.

King Country Rugby Union’s referee education officer Jamie Bell said the conversion was given because the ball came inside the post after it struck the flag on top.

“If the upright goes up to the sky and it hits the upright and bounces back in, that’s okay,” he said. “That’s probably why it was allowed, because it touched the flag up the top before it came back in. That’s what won it on the day.

“That one at the end of full time when West Coast hit the upright, that bounced out. Bounced back into the field of play - so that’s how it goes some times. It happens to anyone.”

West Coast came to Te Kuiti having won their semifinal against Horowhenua in extra time.

This time, the bounce of the ball – or off the post- went against them.

It was a full on final played out to 100 minutes before the final result was called in extra time. The final delivered all the drama expected, and a constantly changing score.

With two reasonably matched teams the tally climbed in a tit for tat fashion to 34-all at fulltime. The final 20 minutes was also busy with both sides scoring.

For Glynn Meads, son of legendary King Country All Black Colin, the final was the first time he had arrived at a match via helicopter. Glynn and Brian Lochore’s grandson Lochie McNabb delivered the Lochore Cup – named after the Wairarapa All Black captain and coach - to the ground.

Glynn’s sister Rhonda Wilcox - a former Silver Fern - was present for the Meads Cup final in Te Aroha where Thames Valley beat Mid Canterbury 37-29.

Glynn who is also the KCRFU board deputy chair, described the final as a real nail biter. It had everyone on the edge of their seats for 100 minutes.

“It really appreciated the efforts of all of the players, the whole lot of them even West Coast. Everyone had admiration for the way they played for 100 minutes.

“The West Coast forwards were fairly active and doing a lot of work which we took a bit to get on top of. You have got to do the job in the middle of the field before you spin it wide. So that was the biggest task really, doing all that grafting up the middle of the field.

“They disrupted us quite a bit lineouts.”

But the Rams hung in and persisted, Meads said.

“They were determined to win and got there in the end. When you are a good side I guess you find the way to win when it’s tough.”

Goalposts on our side

Te Kūiti will host the Heartland Championship’s Lochore Cup final on Sunday for the first time in eight years when King Country takes on West Coast.

King Country made the final after beating Ngāti Porou East Coast 34-31 on Owen Delany Park in Taupō last week.

The province’s most capped player Paul Mitchell said he was expecting a good turnout at Rugby Park for the 2.05 pm match. Ground capacity is 3000 but Mitchell said he would be happy with 500.

The Rams coach Aarin Dunster – who played more than a century of games for the province - held the cup aloft in 2015 as captain.

They beat North Otago 47-34 that day.

King Country has been runner up twice – in 2006 when Poverty Bay beat them 46-34 and in 2016 when the Rams lost 44-22 to North Otago in Te Kūiti.

In the Heartland Championship, the teams ranked one to four at the end of the round robin play for the Meads Cup – named after King Country legend Colin Meads - while the teams ranked five to eight play for the Lochore Cup – named after Wairarapa-Bush and All Blacks captain Brian Lochore.

Both were knighted for their services to rugby.

Lots of points scored in the semifinal was no pointer for the final, said Mitchell.

“That means nothing now, she’s a one-off game. It’s still at home – you like to feel that you are going to be the favourites anyway.

“One and two got kicked out. Thames Valley was three and Mid-Canterbury were four. A betting man would never have picked that, I can tell you right now.”

Mitchell thinks the King Country forwards will take it on and help get the ball out wide where a lot of the season’s tries have been scored.

“We have got a big back line counterattack but West Coast will still spin it pretty wide as well, but if they get into the close quarters they will go back to their strengths, which is their forward pack – especially round the try line.

“They’ve got one more game, there’s nothing after this and there’s a trophy to lift at the end. They can’t hold back.”

The weather was looking good for Sunday (partly cloudy, light winds and a high of 21) which he expected would favour King Country.

Sunday's cup day

Norris Woodbine

The Waitomo Rugby Club out-performed many of their Waikato rugby opponents on the weekend when finishing as beaten finalists in the Suburbs Rugby Sevens.

The tournament attracted teams from Auckland, Counties, Bay of Plenty and Waikato and as usual was played in front of a large crowd of highly vocal spectators.

Waitomo were seeded fifth of the six teams in their draw and turned the tournament on its head – winning four pool games and going down narrowly in the final.

The first win was by default over Putāruru and the second produced a 33-20 win over Frankton, who fielded a large pack and exerted early dominance after scoring an early five pointer.

Next up was the closest encounter of the day as Te Rapa provided sterner opposition and tries to Jiuta Muatabu and Hedley were countered in kind before Delane Bell scorched past some tiring defenders for what appeared to be the winning try.

Te Rapa had other ideas and levelled the scores late in the game before conceding a penalty in front of the posts which Taninaloka Coolly slotted.

Hinuera lay in wait and the boys from Matamata proved to be too strong and the 28–17 scoreline was a fair reflection.

A place in the final was sealed with a win 19-0 win over Suburbs as Waitomo adapted superbly to conditions safter a thunderous down pour.

Hinuera had won the pool and proved to be a little too strong again in the final however a much closer encounter ensued as defence took precedence in a scoreless first half.

Hinuera scored early in the second spell and notched a second before an electric Cory Sargent break set the big crowd into raptures as he outpaced the cover to score. At 12-7 the game hung in the balance only for a third try right on fulltime saw Hinuera pull away.

Waitomo side came away having created a great impression on many on the side lines and their opponents as well and brought a lot from the experience.

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