Sigrid Christiansen

An exhibition in Ōtorohanga invites viewers to do their own research.

Ki te kapu o taku ringa - In the palm of my hand - features wāhi mana or places of significance in the King Country.

There are no captions in the associated book or on walls explaining what the viewer is seeing - rather there is an invitation to learn and research.

Tom Roa and Rodrigo Hill from Waikato University launched the exhibition at Ōtorohanga museum last Friday.

Images, taken by Hill using both film and digital cameras, include an inside view of the cave of Maniapoto, near Hangatiki – where the 17th century chief lived as an elderly man.

One shows Kāwhia moana and two distant peaks which served as a tohu – a sign – to the people of the arriving Tainui waka.

Two photographs show hands connecting with nature. In one, they cradle a Naultinus gecko - moko kākāriki. In another, Roa holds a huia feather referencing that of Ngāti Maniapoto chief Rewi Maniapoto (1807-1894) in a colonial era painting.

There are also built environments such as the underside of the bridge across the Pūniu river.

“The image, stark as it is, contains an implicit invitation.” Roa said. “What is the mana of this image, and how do I give it proper regard?”

The exhibition was the result of a research project, Te Nehenehenui - The Ancient Enduring Beauty in the Great Forest of the King Country.

Photographs were taken following discussions with mana whenua with the intention to decolonise the lens – so the work was informed by tikanga Māori rather the European approach, which holds the photographer as the images’ legal owner.

That had little regard for the mana of people or space, Roa said.

The pair described the work as a way to reassert and reclaim mana over ancestral knowledge, landmarks, flora, and fauna.

Photographer Rodrigo Hill is from Brazil and has lived here for 20 years with his wife and New Zealand born children.

Look and learn

Paul Charman

Round the clock St John coverage in Te Kūiti could be under threat.
A union source says St John is considering moving staff now based in the Te Kūiti ambulance station north to Ōtorohanga or Te Awamutu.
The claim comes from Mark Quin, the division chairman for the NZ Ambulance Association - a union representing 2000 ambulance officers and communications staff - who said he had been informed of it by members this week.
His union members are already considering industrial action to address pay and conditions.
St John area operations manager operations manager, Waitomo, Craig Scott, said there were no current proposals to close the Te Kūiti Ambulance Station.
“Hato Hone St John remains committed to providing ambulance services in Te Kūiti and surrounding communities,” Scott said.
But asked if St John would look at reducing the 24/7 service in Te Kūiti, another spokesperson refused to rule it out, adding: “St John is always looking at how it deploys ambulance resources to best meet the needs of local communities.”
Any changes would be put out to public consultation before being made, the St John spokesperson said.
Keith Buswell, of the Te Kūiti Medical Centre, had not been informed of any changes to ambulance services.
“We know there are issues around recruiting staff who are willing to live in rural areas like Te Kūiti, but we would be very concerned if the regular ambulance service was removed from town. It would have a significant impact on response times from the ambulance and would compromise patient care.”
Buswell said downward pressure on services due to recruiting staff to work in rural areas affected all medical staff, not just ambulance officers.
“We have regular discussions with St John and we are aware of the issues they face and their attempts to improve and maintain the service.”
Quin said transferring St John staff to the other two towns would mean there would no longer be a permanent 24/7 ambulance based in Te Kūiti.
Te Kūiti people could have to rely on an ambulance coming from the Ōtorohanga or Te Awamutu stations.
“As a union we are quite concerned as St John has not been covering ambulances and the crewing of ambulances when staff are sick or on annual leave,” Quin said.
“We see this as a further reduction of services in the provincial and rural areas and not being able to guarantee an emergency medical service, day or night, within the contracted response times as set out by Health NZ in its contract with St John.
Quin said it was getting harder to attract staff to rural areas and suggested St John’s response was to remove existing staff.
St John was “unwilling to acknowledge or provide incentives to get staff” to work in rural areas.
He said the idea of moving resources to larger towns was known as hubbing and It had been done overseas and elsewhere in New Zealand.
One example was Turangi, which was now covered from Taupō.
“The irony is that overseas ambulance providers are now changing their approach, by moving services back to smaller centres.”

Are we facing cuts?

Staff Reporter

A bid by fraudster Bronwyn Rutter to move to Australia was thwarted as a district court judge sentenced her to home detention at her recent sentencing.
Rutter, 67, had earlier been convicted of taking almost $1.6 million from an ailing older sister.
Judge Brett Cowley, in Te Kuiti District Court, sentenced her to 12 months’ home detention. He said there had to be a custodial element in her sentence.
“My recollection is she pleaded guilty on the morning of her trial, which was something of a late decision,” he said.
Rutter appeared for sentence on representative charge of theft from a person in a special relationship.
She had had an enduring power of attorney since 2019 and started taking money after her older sister was assessed as mentally incapable in March 22, the court was told.
Eleven times from March to July 2022 Rutter took money from her sister’s account – including $1.518 million to buy a house.
Rutter told her sister’s lawyer the money was taken with consent – but the lawyer told her the sister wasn’t mentally fit to consent and that Rutter was not permitted to make withdrawals.

The house money was returned but there were other withdrawals including for a vehicle, for which Rutter was ordered to pay reparation of $67, 607.66.
Weir sought a sentencing discount of 20% because of personal circumstances covered in a psychological report. The vehicle bought with the money had been sold, Rutter had no funds and was not in a position to make reparation.
But she would be able to pay it off in full when money came through from an estate, he said.

Weir sought a sentencing discount of 20 per cent because of personal circumstances covered in a psychological report.
Prosecutor Baden Hilton – who sought a starting point of five and a half years jail - wanted the reparation ordered, in full if Rutter was to have an income.
Afterward the hearing a family spokeswoman said in a statement Rutter’s financial exploitation of their sister, sister-in-law and aunt was a despicable betrayal by a family member entrusted to care for her elderly and vulnerable sister.
“The ramifications of Bronwyn's actions have irreparably split our family and will filter down through the generations for decades to come.”
“There are no winners in this case because we were once a tight-knit family.”

Rutter sentenced

Ōtorohanga
Last week police attended two family harm incidents, investigated five burglaries and three wilful damage complaints. They processed a single drink driver.
April 10: At 7.54pm police attended a collision on SH3 at Ōtorohanga. This involved a north-bound driver who lost traction, over-corrected, and left the road. The car involved sustained minor damage but the driver was uninjured.
April 13: At 11.40am a car which had been doing skids collided with a parked vehicle on Te Kawa St. Police are following up leads to locate the driver.
At 9.32am police spotted a white Toyota car without a registration plate on Main North Rd. The driver was signalled to stop but instead took off. Police did not pursue the driver but believe they know the vehicle concerned and have launched inquiries to locate the driver.
Te Kūiti
April 9: At 10.30am police stopped a suspended driver at Hangatiki. He will appear at the next sitting of the Te Kūiti District Court.
April 10: Police located a man at Te Kūiti and served him with a parole recall warrant.
April 12: At 2.15pm police spotted a vehicle in Ward St which had been reported stolen. The driver failed to stop when signalled to do so. The same vehicle was seen on SH3 at Hangatiki on April 14, but when the driver saw police he immediately fled. Inquiries to locate both vehicle and suspect are ongoing.
April 8: Police located a woman they described as a recidivist shoplifter who had been seen shoplifting at New World. When apprehended she was also linked to shoplifting offences at two other shops. The woman, whom police said had been offending while out on bail for earlier shoplifting offences, will face various charges, including two for burglary, later in the year. She has been remanded in custody.
April 12: At 12.55 police attended a disorder incident in Rora St.
April 14: At 6am police were called out after a north-bound car skidded off Hangatiki East Rd. The driver, whose car left the road after they fell asleep earlier in the morning, was charged with careless driving.
On April 12 and April 14 police attended motor vehicle crashes at Waitomo both of which they put down to motorists driving too fast in rainy conditions. The first, at 12.15am, was at the intersection of Rangitoto Rd and Waitomo Caves Rd. This involved a tourist whose car slid off the road at the intersection of Rangitoto and Waitomo Caves Roads. The second incident was at 4.30pm in Waitomo Valley Rd. “We would like to remind motorists to drive to the conditions,” acting sergeant Gary Anderson said.
Piopio
April 10: At 12.08pm police were called after a truck and trailer crashed on SH3, at Awakino. They said the heavy vehicle left the road after going too fast into a right hand bend.
Benneydale
Police attended one family harm incident.

Police Desk

A jaguar tooth necklace given to a Maniapoto delegation in Sao Paulo was presented to Kīngi Tūheitia at the recent Te Kūiti pā poukai.
The taonga came from indigenous Brazilians – the original people of the city of Sao Paolo – to a group of seven Maniapoto descendants including Luke Moss and Te Miri Tamaki.
They had been vising the country for four weeks on a Prime Minister’s scholarship.
At the Indigenous Cultures Museum in Sao Paolo, their guide introduced them to the indigenous trio, which included artist Andrey Guiana Zignnatto.
“They weren’t supposed to be there – they are not recognised by the government,” Luke said.
Andrey was wearing the taonga when he arrived, and the Maniapoto visitors thought, ‘That’s a nice necklace’.
Andrey asked the Māori group a question, via an interpreter.
‘Do you have a leader, a chief of all chiefs? Someone who can unite the indigenous people throughout the country?’
“Yes we do – King Tūheitia,” they replied.
“Please give this to him,” Andrey said, handing over the taonga.
The Brazilian group said fate had led them to the visiting Māori group.
Luke said meeting with them was “like looking in a mirror.”
“Even though we’re separated by the ocean, we’re all working towards the same thing. They’re doing everything they can for their tribe, their language and their tikanga.”
The Te Kuiti poukai was also marked by a controversial statement from broadcaster Kawe Roes.
He suggested younger people wanted to know some te reo Māori, but did not wish to be fluent in it. They also felt disconnected from the marae, Kawe reported.
Kaumatua Kingi Turner said the feelings described were “perfectly understandable” but that there was more to the situation.
“You get a broad spectrum of rangatahi… some of them are at that stage right now.
“What they’ve got to do is decolonise their minds – and that’s a challenge. Because we are being continually being mainstreamed in our way of living, thinking and talking.
“What I will say to them is, there is a pathway into the future where they will really take ownership of te reo. Hopefully, you’ll get to the stage in your life, sometime soon, where you’ll learn a little bit more, and a little bit more after that.
“Once you become comfortable with te reo, you’ll be so happy. You’ll be connected. Not only to your reo and tikanga, you’ll also be connected to words such as whanaungatanga and aroha, those values people hold dear.”
He said he new a number of people who never thought they would speak Māori, but then fell in love with the language.

A gift from Brazil

Andy Campbell

Selling second hand furniture and household goods has helped Ōtorohanga Lions sponsor the town’s fire fighters’ fundraising climb up the Auckland Sky Tower stairs this year.
The Lions are underwriting nine fire fighters from the district’s brigades, five from Ōtorohanga and, for the first time, four Kāwhia fire fighters. A total of $9000 will go to the charity Leukaemia and Blood Cancer NZ (LBC) as a result.
Lions president Malcolm Lister said firefighter Remko Pootjes had approached the club for assistance.

The Lions have made donations of $5000 and $4000 to the two brigades.
Lister explained sales proceeds from the Ōtorohanga Lions Shop go back into the community and have become the primary source of club fundraising.
The onus was now on the firefighters to top their sponsorship by $500, team captain Remko Pootjes said.
“We do it for leukaemia [support] and the purpose is we all raise as much as we can, but we try and target $1500 each.
By achieving their targets, the brigade will get to an automatic preference for next year’s Sky Tower Challenge.
Automatic preference is key to re-entering the popular event, which is capped at a little more than 1000 firefighters who train for months for the opportunity to climb the 1226 sky tower steps in 25kgs of full gear, and wearing and or using breathing apparatus.
“All of us try and get that automatic preference for next year because it is a very very popular event,” Pootjes said.
“The main reason why we are doing it is one in eight people in New Zealand suffer from some form of either leukaemia or blood cancer. And so it’s a way of making the population aware of the diseases as well as how we fire fighters raise the funds.
The national foundation received no government funding but “with 1000 of us doing it we raise about $1.5m.”
This year’s event – the 20th – will be staged on May 18.

Ōtorohanga Lions Colin Beeston, left, and Malcolm Lister in the shop that is the club’s major fund raiser

Lions back firefighters

Ōtorohanga arborist Noel Galloway has been crowned the fastest tree climber in the country after smashing the record at the rural games in Palmerston North.
On the same tree used for national competition, Galloway bettered the previous best time on the elm by eight second.
Tree climbing is an arborist sport and all the competitors are arborists.
Competitors start near the top of the 15 metre elm tree and must complete a number of arboreal tasks about the tree and finish by jumping onto a bullseye on the ground.
Galloway’s time was one minute 38 seconds. Four-time winner Scott Morris’ best time was 1m53s, Barton Allan-Hall – the current back to back world champions – produced a best of 1m 57s and current New Zealand champion Sam Smith’s best time last year was 1.46
The Ōtorohanga arborist knows the tree well - he’s been competing on it since the competition was moved to Palmerston North from Queenstown in 2017 – when his bet time was 2m 35s.
“With the rural games the last couple of years they have run region v region and male/female… there used to be a trans-Tasman clash, but I don’t know if they have the funds to bring Aussies over anymore,” he said.
“That’s the thing with small sports, there’s not much funding.”
While all competition climbers are current arborists, not all arborists are tree climbers.
“Not everyone likes to enjoy it outside of work I suppose. I enjoy climbing trees, looking after them.”
He was advised to enter tree climbing competitions while on an arboriculture course at Wintec.
“It helps you to keep up to date on equipment that’s coming through, and often there’s international people coming to those comps,” he said. “…so you get to see a different style of climbing as well.”
Arborists, like rock climbers, use harnesses, ropes, carabiners, pulleys, climbing irons ascenders/descenders, rigging gear and cambium straps.
“Most of the devices we can go up and down on, where rock climbing is only one way or the other,” Noel said.
And style?
“A lot of people don’t realise where they can do big swings and descends, and how they can get out into certain areas of a tree unless someone else has done it before you.
"Otherwise you are governed by your training, and the people that are the best in your company.”
In competition, tree climbers use no spikes, it’s all balance, Noel said.
“At rural games it’s a work climb tree, so you have a hand saw station, pole saw station, limb toss station,” he said.
“You start at the top of the tree, descend and do all the different things on the way down.
“You have a bucket in the tree with a couple of sticks in it that have to be thrown at a target on the ground.
“The last one is the plumb bob station where on a long low branch it shows how the climber keeps all his weight on the anchor point of the rope, because the more weight you put on that branch the lower the plumb bob goes. And you lose points along the way. The less movement, the higher your points are.”
There are also points to be earned at the landing station at the bottom of the tree on the ground which is like a bullseye.
“There are more points if you land two feet in the bulls eye, as opposed to outside the bullseye.”
Galloway won a $1000 Husqvarna voucher and a trophy for the rural games speed climb.
The competition at the rural games was picked from the highest ranked climbers in the regions - Auckland, Waikato, Wellington and the South Island. The Waikato region is similar to the Chiefs territory extending to Taranaki.
Galloway is heading to Malaysia at the end of April to compete in the Pacific tree climbing championships, and from there he hopes to secure entry into the worlds, which will be held in this year in the US.
He been an arborist since 2011 and has worked with WEL Networks, Spectrum Tree Works in Waipā, and for a private estate in Karāpiro. He also worked for Wilson Trees at Pirongia and spent a couple of years as a contract climber.

Noel scales the heights

A conditional agreement has been reached to buy one of Mt Ruapehu’s two beleaguered ski fields, but the other one seems to have been left on the shelf.
Pure Tūroa is expected to purchase the ski field on the south-western side of the mountain for $1, with the Crown taking a quarter stake.
However, as this went to press the deal was still dependent on securing a concession to operate within the Tongariro National Park from the Department of Conservation.
Meanwhile, Whakapapa, on south-western slopes, has just one suitor, in the shape of a proposal by the Ruapehu Ski fields Stakeholders Association (RSSA).
Just before Christmas the only potential buyer, Whakapapa Holdings Ltd (WHL), bowed out. WHL spokesperson Dave Mazey said at the time ski fields were complex businesses that were always risky or volatile investments, and the South Island Office had decided there were better opportunities elsewhere.
In any case, local iwi and hapū who are required to be meaningfully consulted by DOC, had come out strongly against the sales process and the prospect of the fields being privatised. They said the deal prejudged the outcome of the overdue Tongariro National Park Treaty Settlement.
So, is there any hope for Whakapapa?
“Plenty,” says RSSA spokesperson Sam Clarkson, “it can return to generating millions of dollars annually if the skiers’ proposal is given a fair hearing.”
Clarkson, who runs the and Skotel Hotel at Whakapapa, wants to see the Government shun corporates and start dealing with ski industry experts and skiers themselves. He points out public ownership successfully supported skiing at Ruapehu for 60 years, with skiers as shareholders and life pass holders picking up the tab when required.

Clarkson believes things only went wrong after Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL) borrowed $25 million from the Provincial Growth Fund to build the Sky Waka Gondala in 2019.
“That was a pivoting point from a traditional, conservative low-debt model to a high risk high-debt model. The parameters on which they assessed the gondola proposal were flawed. But though it was always marginal, the loan was given by the provincial growth fund, which is of course Government money.
“Unfortunately, after they built it, the dice rolled the wrong way. Covid rode into town, resulting in two years of lockdowns followed by a La Nina weather pattern, meaning poor snow that year. Those factors would have sent any operator close to the wall, but for RAL it tipped them over into insolvency and the debt is now over 30 million.
“Then, when administrators appointed, and they looked for corporate solutions under the Companies Act.
Firstly, the plan was to find another buyer; failing that, to sell the ski fields off in parts and failing that, to essentially have a garage sale. But that was never going to work because of the unique circumstances of the Ruapehu situation - a public asset located in a national park with iwi claims against it. The Company’s Act was never written with such as scenario in mind – it just doesn’t fit.
“The idea of having a garage sale was fiscally impossible. The National Parks Act demands that if an asset is no longer used for its original purpose, it must be completely demolished and the ground it stood on restored back to its natural state.
“Removing ski infrastructure from Mt Ruapehu has been put at up to $100 million. So, selling off the ski field’s assets would be vastly more expensive that saving it.
“Yet the bureaucrats and their consultants have persisted in trying to jam a solution through using the Companies Act. It hasn’t worked, isn’t working and won’t ever work.
“Any new owner is going to have to apply for a concession to work in the Tongariro National Park and this has triggered the complications we are witness right now. The complexities are such that it is actually better to resurrect the existing RAL entity, which holds all the required concessions to run the ski fields.
“If you ignore the circumstances of the last couple of bad years, go back to first principles and look at the RAL constitution and its trust deed, you will see that they are capable of running sustainably if managed by the right people. And they already have the concessions required.”
What was required was to forgive the debt and with that done RAL would no longer be insolvent
“Then we say restructure the RAL’s governance and get people on it who know how to run ski fields. Get back to basics and RAL will be sustainable in the long term, just like it was for the past 60 years.
“Above all its essential to get the right people in to run the ski fields. The right people are not PWC, MBIE or any corporate. They must be run by industry professionals.
“Those people are available to move in and take over – but they are only there for the community ownership model.
Whakapapa Holdings’ Dave Mazey said the gondola debt was a problem for his company, but that wouldn’t bother a not for profit.
“The Tongariro National Park is also subject to a Treaty Settlement. Fundamentally a push-and-pull playing out between iwi and hapu groups to work out who has mana whenua status over which parts of the National Park. It's a process that should and needs to happen. Iwi need to have a safe working relationship so that they can get on with negotiating the Treaty Settlement, secure in the knowledge that the ski fields will be appropriately managed and won’t turn to custard in the meantime.
“Somebody has to maintain the ski fields and we have the industry professionals who could do the job lined up and ready to go. They have the operational, marketing, accounting and engineering knowledge required.
“The only problem us that MBIE need to be talking to them. Given that WHL has left the building it's a little bit odd that they won’t pivot and talk to this group. They appear to only trust corporate models – when you’re a hammer all you see is nails.”
But Clarkson advised not to under-estimate the power of the community owned model.
“What they don’t take into account is that the dividend that the skiers get of owning a ski field is sore legs and smiles. But that’s proven to be one hell of a motivator.
“It’s the sore legs and smiles of our grandchildren that motivates us more powerfully that the profit motive of the corporates. If they can’t make an easy profit, they just move on to something else. But us skiers can’t move on.
“Now we're in the situation at Whakapapa that the corporates have run a mile. So all the Government has to do is drop their corporate agenda and talk to industry experts.
“We invited the new Government to understand the Companies Act has not worked in this situation and take a broader look from another perspective.”

One ski field sold, one to go

Ongoing search efforts were being reassessed this week, after unsuccessful daily searched for a 79-year-old Pukekohe woman who went missing in the Pureora Forest Park on March 23.
Judy Donovan was part of a bait laying group was last seen about 2pm that day after telling companions she intended to tramp out of the area alone.
She and fellow members of the Pukekohe Tramping Club have helped the fight against pests to assist kōkako in the forest.
“Following this an extensive land search and rescue operation was launched in involving support from the Police Eagle helicopter, ground searchers and a search and rescue dog,” Sergeant Jimmie Walker said.
“And these continued every day but without success through till Monday (April 1).”
Earlier police had released a statement saying the woman had been part of a party of three trampers who had become separated in the Forest.
The two other trampers were eventually found and helped out of the forest shortly after a missing persons report was made.
The missing woman was described as having a slim build and was 167cm tall. She was wearing a silver raincoat and long dark pants and was carrying a day pack.
It is understood that hunters, including some from Benneydale, took part in the searches.
A Benneydale local told the King Country News people were right to be concerned, as nights had been cold in the forest in the days the woman was missing.
Police in charge of the search acknowledged landowners who have assisted in accessing and searching areas of their land “and everyone who has provided information to assist in our search”.
They also warned any hunters or trampers planning to be in the area during the start of the deer hunting roar session to be extra vigilant due to the number of people searching in the area and to contact police on 111 if they see anything that may help to find the missing woman, and reference P058194666.

No sign of missing woman

The contribution of Ōtorohanga college students to the teaching of Māori history was acknowledged at this week’s commemorations at O-Rakau.
A significant petition, driven by the Waitomo rangatahi a decade ago, was returned as taonga to iwi.
The petition, inspired by students’ visits to O-Rakau and Rangiaowhia, called for a day to be set aside to remember the New Zealand wars.
The document, featuring the 13,000 signatures the group - Leah Bell, Waimarama Anderson, Zak Henry, Tai Te Ariki Jones, Rhiannon Magee and Kiana Ormsby - collected was presented to the Government in 2015.
Then they were aged 14 going on 15, and supported by adults including Mariana Papa, deputy principal of Te Wharekura o Maniapoto.
Students who attended Te Wharekura o Maniapoto had grown up knowing about O-Rākau, and found it “gobsmacking” to see other students playing and not paying attention at the battle site, Leah said..
“They had no idea where they were – they just thought it was a day out of school.”
Kiana reflected on the fact that they had not been taught about t.
So started the petition - a rangatahi driven movement, but with adult encouragement.




Their work did not bring about a day of commemoration – but did have wide-reaching consequences.
“The biggest thing that came out was having the petition tabled at Parliament in front of the Maōri Affairs Select Committee,” Leah said.
It did result in $4 million being provided to commemorate the New Zealand wars.
A wave of public commemorations in places including Te Tai Tokerau, Waitara and O-Rākau offering “great education,” afterwards moved around the regions, albeit interrupted by Covid.”
A ripple effect flowed on from that, Leah said.
“We’ve had wonderful documentaries, like RNZ’s documentary, Stories of the New Zealand wars.”
Waimarama said she had been told that it “opened up a space for our Aboriginals to be acknowledged, in Australia, with the opening of a museum.”
“They feel similar to how we feel here.”
Leah said the introduction of education on this kaupapa in schools had been another big thing coming out of the petition.
Now in their twenties, the group remain connected through family and community.
The petition supporting awareness of the land wars also backed the introduction of these local histories into the New Zealand curriculum.
The story of the taonga began at O-Rākau, a decade earlier. But not on the anniversary itself – just beforehand.
“It wasn’t started at the 150th. We visited O-Rākau and Rangiaowhia on a school excursion; and Waimarama and myself were very moved.”
The day was a “momentous” occasion: not the average class visit, but three busloads of people including kuia and kaumātua from many places as well as Ngāti Apakura, the tangata whenua of the battlefield. Among this group, the knowledge of what happened at O-Rākau was shared.
Those attending realised that this knowledge was not widely understood across the community, and had not been told from a Māori perspective, over the past 150 years.
Waimarama said the emotion of the day impressed on her the importance of the kaupapa, and also the way the story had never widely been told in the community through Māori eyes.
“The thing that opened it up for me was our kuia being present, and hearing their mourning, their cries.
Following that was the knowledge and the whakapapa and the history of what happened here.”
“It was unknown to me, before we came here.”
“The tangata whenua who were here, to share the past and acknowledge those who fell here, they are the ones who nourished the soil that we are standing on.”
Soon afterwards, speaking at the 150th itself, Leah said that comments by politician and broadcaster Tukoroirangi Morgan made it public.
She recalls him saying students from Ōtorohanga college had collected 10,000 signatures… “which we didn’t at that stage – but then we thought, I guess we’d better go out and get 10,000 signatures.”
Kiana Ormsby said the group took the petition to “every single opportunity that was available” including events such as Polyfest and the regatta at Tūrangawaewae.
They petitioned face to face in their school uniforms – at places like The Warehouse as well as at large public events.
Whanau members also helped out by taking signature papers when they went out and about.
At times, they were denied spots in public areas.
“We were just kids – so it was kind of hard to communicate the importance with adults. That was the hard part.”
The challenge was how to get across “that we as kids, really really need your signatures”.
They got them, and exceeded their target to reach over 13,000 signatures.
“We did it of our own volition, but we felt a lot of responsibility,” Leah said.

Youngsters who were heard

More than 1000 people gathered to honour the 160th anniversary of O-Rākau, a battle that helped define the New Zealand wars.
The ceremony on Tuesday began with a 7am dawn service, flag raising and karakia, the proceedings lit by several burning fires.
It was held at the O-Rākau battle site, 5km from Kihikihi.
Many of those present were mourning their tūpuna lost in the battle.
They spent the day alongside politicians including Government minister Tama Potaka, educator Makere Roa, historian Rovina Maniapoto and academics Tom Roa, Pou Temara and Vincent O’Malley, and Te Wānanga o Aotearoa leader and orator Paraone Gloyne, and Kaawhia Te Muraahi, the President of the O-Rākau Heritage Society, as well as Kīngitanga representatives.
Church representatives included Archbishop David Moxon, accompanied by Pa Turi Hollis, Monsignor Jo Stock, Deacon Henare Waaka and Kaikarakia Adam Hope.
During several pōwhiri, hundreds of rangatahi tane greeted manuwhiri with a wero, and kaikaranga echoed across the battle site.
The movie “Ka Whawhai Tonu – Struggle Without End, the story of the Battle of Ōrākau” depicted O-Rākau for the first time from the point of view of Māori, in te reo Māori. Its trailer premiered mid morning.
Transmission Films made the in association with Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga, the New Zealand Film Commission.
The warriors at O-Rākau comprised the Kīngitanga tribes, Waikato-Maniapoto and Raukura, supported by kin and allies from Tūwharetoa, Tūhoe, as well as detachments from Ngāti Kahungunu Ki Te Wairoa, Ngāti Whare and others.
Many of their descendants had given their permission to share some of their stories in the film.
Tainui Waka groups (comprising of Waikato-Tainui, Te Nehenehenui and Raukawa Settlement Trust) worked collaboratively on behalf of their respective iwi to host the 160th.

O-Rākau battle remembered

Seasonal Operations Administrator

Maintenance Engineer

Seasonal Team Members - Boners/Knifehands

Seasonal Team Members - Labourers

Mary Anne Gill

When David Huxtable peered into the window of an Alpha Street building in Cambridge back in March, he had an inkling his two-year search was over.

The Waikato-King Country Idea Services area manager’s team had been sharing office facilities in Hamilton but they had outgrown them and the search until then had produced nothing suitable. Huxtable has been working for Idea Services – part of the IHC Group of Charities – for 30 years.

For his first decade Idea Services had a base in Cambridge – in Queen Street and then in Dick Street – but 20 years ago moved into Hamilton.

Idea Services supports adults of all ages with intellectual disabilities to live independently and be part of their local communities. This includes residential care, supported living and vocational support.

They have four residential homes in Cambridge, two in Te Awamutu, three in Te Kūiti and Ōtorohanga and three in Taumarunui as well as a rural block in Ōhaupō for people with high and complex needs.

“We’ve got a massive green house there that we want to open up more for gardening opportunities.”

The Tarr Road property – off Kaipaki Road near Mystery Creek Polo Club – has three houses called Cottage, Farmhouse and Flat with around the clock care workers for up to 10 people who require support.

They grow vegetables, have chickens and fruit trees which provide an abundance of food.

A recent review resulted in two Idea Services areas becoming amalgamated into Waikato-King Country which takes in Cambridge, Te Awamutu, Ōtorohanga, Te Kūiti, Taumarunui, Thames, Paeroa and Waihi.

The service area supports 264 people.

Cambridge was tagged for the headquarters provided Huxtable could find something big enough, easily accessible, central to town and close to public transport.

The concrete block space next to Anytime Fitness and opposite Briscoes was perfect. Two days later, Huxtable had signed a tenancy agreement with landlord Andrew Minett who agreed to fit out the shell for the disability services organisation.

It was opened on Monday by deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk and included a performance by Idea Services kapa haka group Te Roopu o Hauraki me Te Rohe Pōtae which is preparing for the kapa haka nationals in February.

“It’s now time to get this place going, get the team happy and make it a place to come and work from and families can come too,” said Huxtable.

“It’s been a long time but we’re back in Cambridge.”

There will be the chance to have more open forums, meeting space in the building is perfect for family meetings and for sharing resources with other like-minded organisations.

“Why invent something people have already got?”

Artwork hanging on the wall has been completed by people Idea Services support – some of the artists have been prize winners in the annual IHC art awards - and is for sale.

The public is welcome to “wander in, have a look,” said Huxtable.

Community relationships already exist with groups like InterlockNZ Trust – which connects people through crafts, woodwork, cooking and social activities – and Hautapu Sports who give the kapa haka group somewhere to practice.

Move an ideal fit

Young singer Ebony Phillips from Te Kūiti, and Waitomo Caves Choir songstress Katrin Wörmer joined 11,000 vocal talents in Auckland for “the largest choral competition and festival on the planet,” in the words of director John Rosser.

The fortnight-long World Choir Games, which finished last Friday, is for non-professional choirs.

Overseas music lovers, including 88 singing groups from China and Hong Kong, performed alongside New Zealand choirs such as the Kaitaia Community Voices and Te Matatini performers Te Waka Huia.

Ebony’s choir featured twice: on the main stage at Auckland Town Hall and in a public friendship concert at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

Katrin Wörmer said she loved “listening to, watching, learning from, meeting and sharing stories with all sorts of wonderful, talented and beautiful people from all over the place.”

The games also included workshops, ceremonies, evening performances and free daytime concerts.

Ebony, a Year 12 Te Kūiti High School student who turned 16 last Friday first performed with Titiwai (Māori for glow-worm), the children’s part of the Waitomo Caves Choir, when she was eight.

Her current group, the 80-strong Aotearoa Academy Choir, was formed from students who missed selection to the national youth choir and secondary schools choirs.

“The idea was to give them the skills to move on to the other choirs,” Ebony said.

She felt encouraged to see some singers in her choir already doing so and hopes to join them.

She credits singing teacher Beth Dalton with telling her about the opportunity.

The young singer gets weekly lessons with Ōtorohanga teacher Beatrice Hofer.

Waitomo pair at singing Olympics

In mid-2022, Trish Fisher had a relatable problem – what to get her brother-in-law Ian for Christmas.
He loves highland cattle, so why not make him a crochet version? An incredibly cute one licking its nose? He doesn’t have any cattle himself, so that would be the next best thing, Trish thought.
The project wasn’t as simple as it looked, and not one but two Christmases came and went as Trish mulled over the plan, even though she had started with more than enough time, or so she thought. But the persistent crochet artiste never gave up.
The body took most of the two years. The instructions for the curly coat were the issue – but once Trish re-read the pattern, the rest was relatively quick, just a matter of months.
We’re pretty sure he’ll like it.
Trish said he doesn’t have a name yet – that’s up to Ian.

He loves highland cattle, so why not make him a crochet version? An incredibly cute one licking its nose? He doesn’t have any cattle himself, so that would be the next best thing, Trish thought.

The project wasn’t as simple as it looked, and not one but two Christmases came and went as Trish mulled over the plan, even though she had started with more than enough time, or so she thought. But the persistent crochet artiste never gave up.

The body took most of the two years. The instructions for the curly coat were the issue – but once Trish re-read the pattern, the rest was relatively quick, just a matter of months.

We’re pretty sure he’ll like it.

Trish said he doesn’t have a name yet – that’s up to Ian.

Trish's good steer

Waitomo District Council will hand ownership of six of the district’s eight rural halls to their hall committees.

The decision came after 33 of 66 responses in Long Term Plan submissions backed committee ownership. Thirty were happy with status quo, three wanted halls closed.

But the decision was made after a warning was sounded that community ownership would only be viable with community support.

Submissions from those within the district were more strongly in favour of hall committee ownership, according to the council’s comments on the long term plan.

The comments on the LTP were generally in favour of hall committees deciding what would work best for them.

Councillors and staff met five hall committees who generally responded positively. The council will continue with discussions to transition hall ownership to those committees and communities who wish to do so.

But it is not all roses. President of the Kinohaku Hall Society Tim Stokes said there were challenges in community ownership of a rural hall.

There were limited people willing to be involved in operating the hall and not many in the community wanted to be members, he said.

The hall needed regular income to be financially viable. Insurance at more than $3000 a year was a significant expense.

“Even with income from a regular user and the annual council grant, the hall only makes a slight profit because of the fundraising we do,” he submitted.

Volunteers who donated materials and carried out maintenance were another factor that helped make the hall viable, he said.

“If we had to purchase materials and pay tradesmen for maintenance work, we would not be viable.”

He argued without support from their communities and good fund raising opportunities, community ownership wasn’t viable.

“Rural halls have a role to play in being a venue for gatherings and events,” he said. “We wouldn’t like to see them disappear from being available for the community to use.”

Halls go back to the people

Katrina Christison

A great way to enhance your front door, outdoor living area, path, garage, pretty much any area outside is with outdoor pots. Arranging them in clusters of three or five or even just one, can significantly enhance the visual appeal of your outdoor space.

When planning in clusters, it’s essential to consider the aesthetics of both the pots and the plants they contain. Using a variety of pot sizes and coordinating colours can create a harmonious and dynamic display that draws the eye and adds interest to any outdoor space.

Firstly, choose pots of varying heights and diameters to add depth and dimension to your arrangement. A common approach is to use three different sizes: small, medium, and large. These sizes can be arranged in a triangular pattern for a balanced look or staggered at different heights for a more dynamic feel.

Selecting pots in complementary colours is key so they have unity and simplicity.

Earthy tones like terracotta, deep greens, and natural stone can provide a timeless, classic look, while bold colours like cobalt blue, vibrant red, or sunny yellow can add a playful, contemporary touch. When grouping the pots, ensure that the colours do not clash; instead, they should complement each other and the surrounding environment.

Once you have your pots sorted next think about the plants. To achieve a balanced look, think of a thriller plant. This plant serves as the focal point and is either placed in the largest pot or in each pot. This plant could be a tallish grass, small tree or topiary – this plant adds the height and drama to your pots.

Then comes the filler plant – this plant should complement the thriller without overshadowing it. Fillers should harmonize in colour with the spillers and tall plants, creating a cohesive look.

This could be some annuals to add pops of colour that you can change every season, or something as simple as some tall mondo grass. Fillers should harmonise in colour with the spillers and tall plants, creating a cohesive look.

And lastly comes the spiller plant which will soften the edges of your pots and hang over the edge, the key is to select spillers that contrast in texture and colour with the fillers and tall plants, ensuring they stand out while still complementing the overall arrangement.

Plant all three plants in the pots or one in each, either way it will enhance the look of our outdoor space with a stunning and balanced display.

Perfect pot plants

Contributed

I really enjoyed Mr Dickinson’s thought provoking letter (The News April 4) and he was right to say that it is the people that make a place special.

I’ve never thought of us as being a stop off town but that’s probably because I live here. Sad to say, it would take a miracle for some people to put away evil practices, and there’s even a song from an old movie called South Pacific which tells of this. The very first verse says “You’ve got to be taught to hate and to fear you’ve got to be taught from year to year, it’s got to be drummed in your dear little ear, you’ve got to be carefully taught.”

I don’t believe we’ll ever be rid of evil, it’s how we respond to it that matters, whether we let it infect us, or whether we turn our backs on it to keep up the sound values that work within our souls from year to year. I have no desire to go roaming overseas as some people do.

Maybe Te Kuiti will always be a small town where people are happy to stop and grab fuel and a pie, given we’re just a valley with only hills left to build on for the most part, and who wants to build on a hill? Evil is found globally and the best we can do is to lock it up and throw away the key; then head on down for fish and chips!

A Graham

Te Kūiti

Well said

Now the lawns have slowed down, it is the perfect time to give your lawn mower some love. You can either drop it into the shop for a clean, service or sharpen or do it yourself.

The most important thing to remember is NEVER tip your mower on its side as this causes the oil to run into the air filter.

When cleaning underneath or sharpening your blades always tip the mower backwards towards the handle.

If you don’t keep the underneath of your mower clean, it gives the blade the least room to spin and blow the clippings into your catcher, especially when you are mowing damp/wet grass.

Another tip for mowing wet grass is to mow half a strip each time as this puts least pressure on the mower to get it into the catcher and

you will be unblocking it less.

With pruning season of roses and hydrangeas fast approaching, now is also the perfect time to get the tools ready for the job ahead. Nice, sharp, clean tools make clean cuts, providing less chance for bugs to enter plants.

Spray with either of the following WD40, CRC, methylated spirits and use a bit of fine sandpaper to loosen all the sap and dirt and then wipe off with a rag.

Put some oil on a sharpening stone and sharpen the angled side of the blade only – you should only have to run the stone over the blade 2-3 times.

Finish with squirting some oil into the central pivot bit and on the spring, this will make your secateurs move freely as well as keeping rust at bay if they are put away wet.

Repeat the above with your loppers and garden shears and you will be set to start your pruning next month.

Early winter jobs for your garden

News

Support heard for Ō-Rākau bill

Lifestyle

Fewer on the buses

Slip Sliding Away

Vehicles skid off a dangerous stretch of Ngutunui Rd, near Puketotara, nearly every week.

That’s according to locals who have contacted The News to plead for motorists to observe a 50 km/h speed limit along about 1.5 km of the road, just north of Ngutunui School.

The problem is worn seal, which the Ōtorohanga District Council cannot repair till the weather improves.

The short section of road is extensively sign-posted with both 50 km/h signs and more signs warning motorists to slow down.

“But motorists clearly aren’t slowing down,” says Ōtorohanga Volunteer Fire Brigade chief Neville King.

The brigade was called out after vehicles crashed on the same corner in Ngutunui Rd on Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday last week. “They need to do something about it; we’ve been called there four times in the last month,” King said.
Sergeant Warren Shaw, of the Te Awamutu Police, says it is quite a risky stretch of road.
“Because people drive too fast there, volunteer fire brigade members are being dragged away from their homes and jobs to attend these crashes,” he said.
“The seal bled through in summer. It is now so soft that - even in winter - the weight of a fire truck can make impressions in the surface. Some sections are so worn it can even be hard to stand upright in wet weather.”
But Shaw said if people obeyed the 50 km/h speed limit there would probably be no issue. The only exception was wet weather, “in which case it could be necessary to drive even slower”.
Five nearby residents told The News this week they feared the potential for a fatal crash if motorists kept ignoring the temporary 50km/h speed limit signs.
Margaret Ormsby says she was nearly killed by an oncoming van which lost control on the slippery road in May.
A van skidded to the opposite side of the road, missing her car by about a metre.
She said she remained calm and assisted the other driver, whose van had come to rest on its side. But the farmer’s wife, who has lived in the area 63 years, said she was under no illusion as to the cause of the crash.
“I go slow on this road but I don’t know how many others do – about a week to 10 days ago I believe there were three (similar) crashes on this road within three days.”
Barry Blackford said the trouble was the lack of chip in the seal used along the dangerous section of road.
“The chip has gone and the bitumen has come up. I think its terrible. We have to have vehicles suitable for the road but can we have roads suitable for our vehicles.”
Karen Crake said there had been so many crashes in the last six months that drains at sides of the road were littered by fragments from vehicles which had come top grief.
“We can’t stress how important it is to keep your speed down; there are plenty of signs telling you to do this here.”
The road was so bad that even experienced drivers, including local farmers and tradesmen frequently under-estimated how slippery it was.
Even a van belonging to a traffic control employee, who had been laying road cones, had skidded off the road.
“I have a friend who thought he had slowed down sufficiently, but then he felt the back of his ute losing traction. He looked down at his speedo and realised he had been doing 67 km/h, which was still way too fast. He said to himself ‘my bad’ and slowed right down.”
Allan Knighton said the situation of cars skidding off the section of road had been going on for months but had recently grown much worse due to the recent wet weather conditions.
“I don’t know what they can do about it right now but people do have to adhere to the 50km/h signs if they want to stay on the road.”

Farmers have virtually no control over the most important things that happen around their farms, but they can ensure they don’t take over their lives.

That was the take home message from John Kirwan, who readily admitted to farmers at Fieldays last month that he knows nothing about farming, but experience has taught him how to look after his mental health.

“Most farmers are quite introverted; you sleep and work with your business partner. When you get put under pressure, you work harder because that’s what you think you should do, so you don’t take any time off.

“You are normally isolated, and you have no control over the most important things around your farm. Things like milk, wool, sheep and beef prices.

“All of these things are out of your control. That is challenging for your mental health so you should take control,” said Kirwan, who was knighted in 2012 for services to mental health and rugby.

He was at Fieldays with Westpac, the bank he has been an ambassador for since 2013 sharing his experience of suicide ruminations, depression and tools to cope.

Anxiety, depression and burnout took away self-confidence, enjoyment in life and self-esteem.

“A minute feels like an hour, an hour feels like a day and a day feels like a week,” he said. “So, by the end of every day, you’ve got no confidence, no self-esteem, no enjoyment in life and you’re incredibly tired.

“I went to a farmer’s place once. This farmer was in a bad way.

“I looked out his window and I said to him ‘wow I would pay $250 a night for this’. All he could see was debt, all he could see was weather, all he could see was what needed to be done on the farm.”

He said it was important to “connect with your community” – but acknowledged it would be hard because farmers were often isolated.

Kirwan openly speaks about his battle with depression and when it came to a head. He was in Argentina in 1985, on an All Blacks’ tour, where he scored six tries, including four in two test matches.

“There was a window open, and I was on the 10th floor of the Hilton in Buenos Aires. I was sick of fighting the suicidal ruminations. I was plucking up the courage to jump out of the window.”

It was only the intervention from his roommate Michael Jones which stopped him.

“He saved my life. I played a test match the next day and scored two tries. It was irrelevant.”

Kirwan told All Blacks’ doctor John Mayhew who told him what the winger had was an illness, not a weakness, and he needed to see an expert.

So, Kirwan consulted a psychologist – who asked what he would do if he had a hamstring injury and he said he would ice it.

“Your brain is no different, you’ve got a hamstring in the head,” she said.

“I used to use alcohol as the ice…”

After several consultations, Kirwan accepted he had a problem. He was prescribed an anti-depressant and the psychologist started to take him through the six pillars of wellbeing.

Emotional, physical, financial, social, intellectual and spiritual.

“I’ve gone from surviving to thriving. I look after my mental health every day. It’s made me a better dad, better husband, better workmate, better me.”

Farmers could look at what they can control not what they cannot control.

“I spoke to a whole lot of farmers and asked them, ‘who controls the milk prices? Who controls the weather? God whatever, not us.’

Farmers cannot control the weather, but they could prepare and have a plan, a worry map. Like everyone, farmers could try chilling, celebrating, enjoying, connecting, moving and doing, he said.

Kirwan is learning how to play the guitar. He admits he is bad at it but it helps him. He cooks, reads, walks the dog, surfs and moves.

“Do one thing in our day… once you’ve done ‘dot’, then do ‘dat’ (do another thing). Be aware of when you are under pressure.”

Knowing the signs was important.

“Your first stop is to find some time, some time to reflect.

“Who’s so busy you can’t connect with your partner? Stress and pressure can make you feel alone, but connecting with people can make you feel alive.”




The signs of depression

 * Feeling tired all the time, having no energy
 * Sleeping too much, or not enough
 * Feeling worthless and hopeless, low self-esteem
 * Loss of appetite or overeating
 * Sadness or emotional numbness.


Tips

 * Stay connected
 * Be active in a different way
 * Try to manage your stress
 * Eat well
 * Protect your sleep
 * Identify what brings you happiness
 * Give yourself time to relax
 * Stay on top of daily chores
 * Try not to procrastinate
 * Avoid negative thinking
 * Know when to get help.

Kirwan offers tools to cope

Doug Laing

The Wools of New Zealand Shearing Sports New Zealand shearing team has scored its second double on a six-match tour of the UK.

The latest successes came at the French championships on Saturday in the medieval southwest France town of Martel where shearers David Buick, of Pongaroa, and Jack Fagan,of Te Kūiti, beat the French team of brothers Gilles and Pierre Renton in a rare New Zealand test on the continent.

Fagan had also won the French final in 2016 and 2017, following father Sir David Fagan’s exit from 33 years in Open-class shearing with victory in the event in 2015.

The wins came just two days after a similar double at the Great Yorkshire Show, including a win over England, at the Great Yorkshire Show, and the Kiwis have now won two of the three tests on the annual northern tour that culminates with a three-test series against Wales, at the Cothi Shears next Saturday, the Royal Welsh Show on July 24, and the Corwen Shears on July 27.

Both the test and the Open final, each of 20 sheep each, were exciting spectacles as Fagan and Pierre Grancher, from Creuse in Central France, battled for the time honours, finishing almost blow for blow.

Grancher was first-off in the test, winning the race by four seconds from Fagan and shearing the 20 sheep in 14m 6s, but the King Country shearer had the best quality points and claimed individual honours by 6.6 of the Kiwis’ winning margin of 8.65pts.

It was much closer in the Open final, in which Fagan again posted the better quality points but was also first-off, his 13m 24s pipping Grancher by just two seconds, but claiming the overall win by just 1.2pts.

Team manager Mark Barrowcliffe, of Piopio, said the events and Fagan’s experience on the “tricky little sheep paid dividends. The sheep were the French breed ‘caussenade du lot’.

A regular in France and a fluent speaker of french, Fagan has now won 22 Open finals, along with 63 speedshear victories.

Results:

International (20 sheep): New Zealand (Jack Fagan 14m 10s, 52.25pts; David Buick 14m 26s, 61.95pts) 114.2pts beat France (Pierre Grancher 14m 6s, 58.65pts; Gilles Grancher 15m 32s, 64.2ptspts) 122.85pts.

French all-nations Open final (20 sheep): Jack Fagan (Te Kūiti NZ) 13m 24s, 49pts, 1; Pierre Grancher (Creuse, Central France) 13m 26s, 50.2pts, 2; Jeremy Leygonie Martel, Southwest France) 14m 12s, 53.3pts, 3; Gilles Grancher (Alpes, Southeast France) 14m 41s, 53.35pts, 4.

Shearing earlier at the Great Yorkshire Show in England on July 11 in a match

of 20 sheep each, the NZ shearing team also beat the England team of Adam Berry and Nick Greaves by just 0.55pts.

Fagan won the great Yorkshire Open final by 1.05pts from runner-up Richard Jones, of Wales, with Buick in third place.

A New Zealand team of Clay Harris from Piopio and James Wilson, chosen by New Zealand team manager Mark Barrowcliffe on the day, was beaten by England in a Development teams match

Kiwi team wins rare double

King Country River Care has been running on-farm seminars with an aim of showing farmers what the new era of carbon neutral goal setting could look like.

River Care coordinator Lana McCormick says the idea was to demonstrate how farms in the area are looking to understand the impacts of moving their operation towards a carbon neutral position, and how it could be achieved.

The first two meetings were held on the dairy farm run by Phil Watkins and Jo Stockley at Piopio (June 26) and on Brent and Louise Scott’s sheep and beef property at Ōpārau (July 9).

Another was hosted by Stephan and Stacey Turner, Brien and Noelle Turner, at 942 Tikitiki Rd Te Kūiti, on Monday.

The Government had signalled it would introduce legislation to ensure agriculture did not enter the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme but it was still unclear exactly where this leaves things.

“We still have the Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act 2019; large concern over rising temperatures and our key agricultural customers and capital providers requiring change as part of doing business.”

The Zero Carbon Act had the aim of reducing net emissions of all greenhouse gases (except biogenic methane) to zero by 2050 and to reduce biogenic methane to 34-47 per cent below 2017 levels by 2050, including to 10 per cent below 2017 levels by 2030.

The setting of two separate targets had become known as the “split-gas” approach.

“As individuals we have not been asked to meet these targets, but we’re part of the New Zealand and ‘ag-sector’ communities, which have been charged with doing so,” McCormick said.

For New Zealand, the long-lived gases of interest were carbon dioxide – generated by fossil fuels, cropping and lime, and nitrous oxide – generated by dung and urine from animals and from use of nitrogenous fertilizers.

The level of methane emissions was dependent on the number of animals on the farm; how much feed (pasture and bought in supplements) they were eating and the rate at which animals converted feed to methane.

Scientists and entrepreneurs were working on a vaccine designed to lower the methane conversion rates.

When it came to sequestration various trees did this at different rates. Exotic hardwoods led, followed by pine, Doulas-fir and exotic softwood. The meetings discussed the various advantages and disadvantages of these trees.

Conclusions included:

That it was possible to make changes resulting in a net-carbon zero emissions position.

That some farmers could be in this position now, depending on the age and type of vegetation they had on hand, and what was deemed an allowable rate of sequestration for each block.

The right tree in the right place was still the best approach.

Unless farmers dramatically changed feed use levels, achieving the agricultural sector reduction targets on an individual farm would most likely have to make use of “lower methane genetics”, plus the new vaccine/inhibitor technology.

It was possible to begin some methane emissions reduction measure immediately. But the possibility of a cost being applied to methane emissions had not gone away.

Carbon neutral project launched

Managed by Kim Turner, Farm 4 is Wairarapa Moana Ki Pouākani Incorporation’s Ahuwhenua trophy winner at Mangakino. The farm milks 980 cows and produces 416,000kg milk solids.

To the uninformed, Farm 4s big trophy win might seem a real ask.

The “cold, foggy” dairy unit is operated by a bunch of girls (plus one guy) … it also has low soil temperatures and nitrogen inputs much lower than the parent group’s other 11 farms.

But most of these things are the farm’s biggest assets.

Because of the low nitrogen input, the high breeding worth farm operates with less environmental impact, while remaining productive… award winningly so.

“You’d think we’d get less grass, but it doesn’t affect our growth. There’s lots of clover and it works hard.”

The almost-all-female team are an “awesome” bunch who would be a “bonus on any farm, and really make it stand out.” Modern equipment makes up for any strength differences.

“Females do the job as well, if not better than dudes.”

She would love to see more in the industry.

While having a family can challenge women farm workers, this wasn’t unsurmountable in her opinion, having herself started farming with a young child.

Turner’s team is second in command Haley Webber, herd manager Chersonia Stowers, farm assistant Corpow Potter, plus Cecilia Montelego (who is from Uruguay) and Brooklyn Webber.

Their care for equipment and livestock, and reliability is reflected in the most noticeable feature in Turner’s farm office: a wall of Wairarapa Moana trophies for everything from pasture management to farm financials.

Visitors always mention the farm’s tidiness and good maintenance. Contractors tend to ask to use their toilet, because it’s always the cleanest.

Staff stay until everyone’s accounted for; they have weekly “toolbox” meetings for health and safety, covering new risks or recent incidents.

They’re connected to the wider WMI team, enjoying an end-of-calving bonfire and annual in-house awards. Training is thorough whether it’s on hazardous substances, mating, or driving trailers and motorbikes.

She said WMI provide up-to-date technology: the automated cup removing, drafting gate and teat spraying systems that mean one less labour unit is needed.

Then there’s Turner’s contribution.

“The secret to good farming is attention to detail all the time, and, giving clear instructions. A lot of it is observing: I’m always looking and planning.”

“I love getting stuff done and seeing the results. It’s so nice seeing nice clean paddocks and happy cows munching on their grass. Every part of it is rewarding.”

Turner grew up on her family-owned farm in Opārure – running Angus cattle and sheep. She went to school there before attending Piopio college.

Later, she moved into Te Kūiti, and “did not like living in town.”

After school, she realised her future lay on the land.

Her then-partner already worked on a dairy farm – and she joined him, starting out as a calf rearer and relief milker, filling in quiet time by “asking for more and more work.”

That job was at Arohena; they later moved to a Mangakino farm. When its owners sold, she looked for jobs and successfully applied to Wairarapa Moana.

Its properties were then run by sharemilkers: they became her employers for the next 14 years.

Later, WMI phased them out and moved to employing managers.

Asked to stay on, she started at Farm 12, where after three months she was promoted to second in command where she worked for a year before applying for the manager’s job on Farm 4.

There wasn’t just on the job training – she also did industry training.

Fast forward seven seasons to today.

What’s next for Turner? Her newest role, as manager of WMI Farm 2, while she remains in charge of Farm 4, and overseer of Farm 3.

There are no plan to join the corporate side of the operation.

“I love being out on the farm, I’m a hands-on person.”

Secrets of the best Māori dairy farmer in NZ

Most of you have started pregnancy scanning your sheep and are considering your options pre-lambing.

Having higher grass covers this season has resulted in ewes being in better condition which is reflected in higher scanning percentages and lower dry rates so far this season.

So what should you be considering to do in your ewes pre-lambing?

Individual body condition score ewes at scanning and get rid of anything that is still 2.5 or lower BCS – it will be very difficult to affect body condition of this group from now up to lambing at a minimum they would need to drafted out and be ad lib fed.

They are also high risk to be dead, missing or wet-dry.

Be critical of feed demand v feed supply. Cold weather has slowed pasture growth down and demand will far outweigh supply.

Consider pasture covers now and what this will reduce to by lambing/balance date.

Pasture under the ewes is the most critical tool to manage worm burdens for lambs and for weaning great lambs.

Get some help with the numbers if you’re not confident in the analysis. If there is a high risk of poor pasture covers at lambing for the ewes, then long-acting anthelmintic products can be considered.

Collect some data – Faecal Egg Counts (FEC) at scanning or soon after can help identify if your ewes are producing a lot of eggs to contaminate the pasture.

Young sheep, in particular hoggets and to a lesser degree 2-tooths, need to be carefully managed if long-acting drenches are not used.

Think carefully here and talk to vets about options if you haven’t already.

Monitor at docking - what is ewe condition like and what are the worm burdens with a FEC – this can guide when the first drench is needed for lambs as many are delaying drenching till after docking for lambs.

Scanning is a great time to be critical of the ewes, with drafting into lines for condition score – if they have been shorn recently, then you can do this by eye.

If they have some wool on them, then hands need to be put on the ewes.

Bearings will be a high risk this year with high feed levels, fat ewes and continued good feeding through tupping. Feeding maintenance requirements (static body condition factoring in stage of pregnancy, and whether singles or multiples) can help if ewes are BCS 3.0 or higher.

Using Hideject injection at scanning and again pre-lambing has proven benefits and winter shearing can improve outcomes.

Salt supplementation (as minerals or fertiliser, e.g. magnesium salt licks or potassium fertiliser) is high risk and some areas of the farm among other risk factors, not always in our control.

Planning for lambing

It’s been said ‘where there’s a wool there’s a way’ and that certainly applies to Robert and Gail Gray.

The couple and their sons Brandon and Zaine have taught themselves to use an array of second-hand wool processing equipment and now make a range of niche products.

“We’re building up to our dream of running an on-farm natural products store,” say Robert, the Federated Farmers president for Ruapehu, and Gail, the dairy chair and secretary/treasurer.

They run mostly dairy on their property near National Park but also have sheep and beef on that farm and another nearby property.

Robert has been farming all his life and, when younger, worked for a time in Canada on a farm that processed its own wool.

That experience was in his mind eight years ago when the dairy payout was little more than $3 and the family was considering other income streams.

With Brandon and Zaine earning good money, they co-invested in a second-hand carding machine from a woollen mill that was closing down.

Robert, who enjoys perusing TradeMe, soon invested in a spinning frame and a gill, which removes the natural hooks in wool and aligns the fibres ready for spinning.

When they heard that another woollen mill in Milton was closing, they headed south to dismantle and load onto a truck two more spinning frames and various winding, twisting and dyeing equipment.

Then they had to build a new shed to accommodate the growing machinery menagerie. Through trial and error, the Grays have taught themselves to use the gear.

“It has to be that way; it’s a very closed shop,” Gail says.

“There are no manuals to go with the machinery. It’s just try it out and see how you go.

“Robert and Zaine do most of the mechanical stuff because they’re into that sort of thing.”

Farming so close to the Tongariro Crossing and other tracks, they make and sell walkers’ wool to insert into boots to guard against blisters. It’s only 20 grams to a packet but it fetches a good price and sells well.

Another product is wild bird nesting wool that people can leave in their gardens for birds to grab and use for their nest building.

They also make and sell woollen dryer balls – six to a pack. The balls help keep clothes in a dryer apart, allowing the warm air to circulate better, cutting drying time and reducing static.

“The idea is to put three in at a time, and leave the other three to dry on the windowsill,” Gail says.

Robert says their latest project is to convert a mattress-topping machine, purchased in Kaio, to produce duvet inners, pet beds and continental blankets, using strong wool.

It means they now use all of the wool from their farm in their own products.

Living so near to the masterpiece of railway engineering, the Raurimu Spiral, they’re now branding their products under a ‘Spiral Farms’ label.

Their daughter Jessica, who lives in Taupō, helps on the marketing side.

“Ultimately, we want to set up an on-farm shop to service passing travellers and tourists and others interested in natural products,” Gail says.

“We have our own meat brand, we do free-range eggs, we have the wool products, and we’re keen to sell our own raw milk.”

Ever the entrepreneurs, the Grays are also making fire starters from pine and beeswax.

“The feedback we’ve had from barbecue enthusiasts and people with woodburners is that they’re very effective,” Robert says.

Like many other farmers, the family is frustrated with wool returns.

“We have a value chain where everyone else clips the ticket but we’re the price taker, when we have most of the costs and deal with all the things that can go wrong,” Robert says.

When they bought that first carding machine from Carrington’s, a manager there told them once they’d washed the wool bought from the farmer, it doubled in value.

“Once they’d carded it, it doubled in value again. Once it had been gilled and combed, the value doubled again, and so on,” Gail says.

“We want that value, and I guess by creating these products and having conversations with people buying them, we’re also sharing with others a bit of the amazing rural lifestyle we take for granted.”

Spinning a spiral Yarn

Cortez ‘Tez’ Ratima is back in New Zealand after his first United States trip, where he started in last Saturday’s All Blacks 47-5 win over Fiji in San Diego.

Ratima, who scored a try on his full debut, went off five minutes before half time and failed a head injury assessment.

“He just landed hard,” his “excited and very proud” mum, Deiresa Marshall from Piopio, said.

The injury had a particularly American cause: the San Diego stadium’s hard surface, of the kind favoured for American football or gridiron – where players wear helmets.

Deiresa said despite the early end to his involvement, he still enjoyed his adventure, catching up with his sister Lyhric, looking around town and snapping a few photos.

“This was his first trip to America, although he went to the UK last year with the All Black 15s.

“He said it was unreal the way they treat you: like you’re a celebrity. It took a bit of getting used to.”

She said when Cortez gets back to Piopio, he loves nothing more than playing golf with his cousins, hunting and fishing.

“Those are his ways to wind down. He’s humble, he’s not someone who wants a fuss.”

He was back in the country on Monday and on Tuesday, was in Auckland doing promotional work.

The Piopio star was not the only King Country player that night in San Diego – something his Ōtorohanga rugby club celebrated.

Ōtorohanga born and educated Haereiti Hetet represented Fiji.

The All Blacks’ next assignment is on August 10 against Argentina in Wellington.

Test won, back to promotions

Norris Woodbine

King Country Club Rugby finals were well and truly great advertisements for the brand on Saturday with a brilliantly fine Taupo day and a dry pitch contributing to the event.

The early game between Taupo Sports and the Taumarunui Eels went pretty much to script with King Country representative players dominating proceedings and Taupo first five Cam Rollison and Rams skipper Liam Rowlands both prominent.

The 50–17 scoreline was a testament to the Lakesider’s dominance throughout but great credit must go to The Eels for riding out the removal of some Fijian players and making great strides forward over the season.

The ground filled up noticeably with spectators as the main game countdown began and great support for Taupo Marist and Taumarunui Districts was rewarded with a stunning match-up between the two top qualifiers.

After a settling in period, it was Marist who opened the scoring after nine minutes when hard working flanker Josh Reinfield scored a try which was converted by Josh White, 7–0.

Shortly after it was Districts who set the match alight with one of the best team tries to grace Owen Delany Park. It began when livewire fullback Styris Harland fielded a bomb on his goal line before bursting away from flailing cover defenders.

He was finally lowered about halfway and the Districts pack tore into the ruck and with slick passing through the backs right wing Palu side stepped the last defender before racing across in the corner. Hiwawa Kahu put the icing on the cake with a great side line conversion, 7–7.

Marist fought back and scored after a melee in the score board corner before Levison Gower replied for Districts and Kahu nailed another sideline conversion before slotting a 45 metre penalty right on halftime to put the visitors ahead 17–12.

The early part of the second spell belonged to the Districts pack as they took control with Joe Curiki a colossus at prop and they were soon rewarded with a try when the Marist pack were pushed off the ball and Siva scored 22–12.

From the 17th to 22nd minutes Districts blew the game apart as Beban and Harland scored tries and Nathaniel Smith took over the kicking duties to seal a 34–12 scoreline with 15 to go.

Marist then showed real heart in a fight back and the Rams centre Baravalala gave the defence a sign of his class sprinting 70 metres down the embankment touchline to score before Harlan dotted down for a second try to put the issue beyond doubt 39–17.

Marist prop Tom Ryan finished the scoreline off with a highly deserved touch down late in the game but the Meads Shield was on the way to Taumarunui 39–22.

Harland, Gower, Kahu, Smith and big prop Curiki who chugged through 72 minutes and dominated scrum time were all outstanding for the victors but the whole team and coach Matt Lord deserve all the kudos thrown their way as one wise spectator explained “they looked like a real team”.

Districts deserved decisive win

Andy McGechan

A team including two former Motocross of Nations team riders won the annual Battle Of The Clubs motocross in Taupō last Saturday.

The Motocross of Nations (MXoN) is the pinnacle of the sport globally, pitting nation against nation in an annual showdown to determine the best motocross country in the world.

Taupō’s spin on that is to run a similar team-versus-team event as a fundraiser to send a contingent to the MXoN each year.

The domestic version featured teams aligned along club allegiances or loyalties.

The winning six-rider junior/senior team was the one representing the North King Country Motorcycle Club and comprised former New Zealand MXoN team riders Maximus Purvis and James Scott, sharing duties with experienced veteran racer Joel Hansen and talented juniors Nixon and Maz Parkes, riding alongside young rising star Harry Daly.

The mini motocross contingent representing the North King Country – with riders Otis Hendrick, Knox Gibson, Kase Legg, Deklan Burton, Reed Legg and Case Wilson waving the flag – was the best-performed team in the separate mini competition, run on the small track adjacent to the main senior/junior arena.

King Country riders win

Supplied

Squash New Zealand has given its volunteer of the month award to Nick and Cheryl Clark of the Ōtorohanga Squash Club.

The couple, who have lived in the town since 2000, introduced new players through club nights and over the four months before their award they helped lift membership of the club, which had been in decline, to 53.

They also provided ‘get started' beginner training for 23 adults and youth. Their efforts have increased numbers of players involved in formal tournaments or interclub as well as social activities at the club.

Nick ran social nights every Monday and Cheryl implemented a junior programme.

They also successfully applied for local community grants to assist with equipment funding.

A recent Her Move programme with Ōtorohanga College also introduced a group of 16 girls to squash. They used three of the club’s junior members to demonstrate the game

Squash award for Clarkes

Te Kūiti and Ōtorohanga will cheer on a crew at the waka ama world sprint championships next month.

Teenagers Kōtuku Waho from Ōtorohanga and Mia Wehi from Te Kūiti will be in waka at the championships at Hilo, Hawaii, which run from August 13 to 24.

They will be part of the Waikato Dragon Boat and Waka Ama Association crews competing.

Manager Ashly Neho and coach Matt Tauroa say the club will send two women’s age group crews and a men’s masters crew. Paddler Sienna Herbert will also compete in a one-person waka.

The association’s crews will be among 200 from New Zealand.

Kōtuku, 15, started waka ama in 2023. She is a student at Te Wharekura o Ngā Taiatea in Hamilton, and was inspired by Erina Wehi.

Her mum’s niece and aunty to Kōtuku – also a waka ama coach – she ran a campaign leading up to the waka ama championships at Lake Karāpiro in January 2024.

“She invited everyone to come and try waka ama. Mum (Marama Henare-Waho) heard about it, and suggested I go. I enjoyed it and wanted to keep going.

“I like how she uses maramataka (the lunar calendar) in our training.”

She credits Wehi with her passion for the sport.

The King Country and Waikato competitors will train six days a week leading up to Hawaii, Tauroa said.

Some practices will be on the ocean at Raglan paddling on buoyant, rolling water, he said.

Manager Ashly Neho said it would help the girls get a feel for the ocean conditions in Hawaii. The team will reach the islands a few days early to acclimatise.

The club qualified for the 2020 world championships in London, but because of Covid, did not send any crews. Henare-Waho said a fundraising campaign was underway for the paddlers.

Families have gone all out with fundraising for the two King Country girls – on Sunday, they sold out the Regent Theatre Te Awamutu for its screening of Ka Whawhai Tonu, which tells the story of a pivotal battle in the first New Zealand land wars in the Waikato region.

King Country pair off to worlds

Beaten by 50 points – but looking good for this season’s Heartland Championship.
That was the verdict of King Country rugby union development officer Dan Tasker after last week’s unsuccessful challenge for the Ranfurly Shield.
Hosts Hawke’s Bay won the shield clash 57-7.
“We all knew it was going to be a tough Ranfurly Shield challenge, as it always is, that’s why it’s so hard to win against an NPC team full of acadamy and semi-professional players,” Tasker said.
“On the other hand the lads from King Country are all working jobs and don’t get to focus on rugby every day.
“But all-in-all the effort shown by our boys was massive and it bodes well for the team as they prepare for the Heartland Championship, starting mid-August.
Tasker was part of the small King Country entourage that travelled to Hastings to support the team.
He said the scoreline did not do justice to how well they played.
The Rams were under-strength due to a number of team members being left out for personal reasons.
They had played very well considering it was only their second hit-out of the season, and still coming together as a team, he said.
“As much rain had fallen over the previous two days it was very wet under foot, which didn’t help matters.
Hawke’s Bay led 26-0 at half time and added two more tries before King Country was rewarded for its efforts – Kaleb Foote dotted down in the 51st minute and Patrick Hedley added the extra points.
The shield holders play Whanganui in Napier next, at the end of the month.

That was the verdict of King Country rugby union development officer Dan Tasker after last week’s unsuccessful challenge for the Ranfurly Shield.

Hosts Hawke’s Bay won the shield clash 57-7.

“We all knew it was going to be a tough Ranfurly Shield challenge, as it always is, that’s why it’s so hard to win against an NPC team full of acadamy and semi-professional players,” Tasker said.

“On the other hand the lads from King Country are all working jobs and don’t get to focus on rugby every day.

“But all-in-all the effort shown by our boys was massive and it bodes well for the team as they prepare for the Heartland Championship, starting mid-August.

Tasker was part of the small King Country entourage that travelled to Hastings to support the team.

He said the scoreline did not do justice to how well they played.

The Rams were under-strength due to a number of team members being left out for personal reasons.

They had played very well considering it was only their second hit-out of the season, and still coming together as a team, he said.

“As much rain had fallen over the previous two days it was very wet under foot, which didn’t help matters.

Hawke’s Bay led 26-0 at half time and added two more tries before King Country was rewarded for its efforts – Kaleb Foote dotted down in the 51st minute and Patrick Hedley added the extra points.

The shield holders play Whanganui in Napier next, at the end of the month.

Magpies too strong

Piopio dressage rider Kathryn Corry has won the Prestige Futures series for young horses.

To be eligible, riders must compete on horses from four to 10 years of age – and this year was the last Corry’s mount Ganache MH could compete.

The competition was judged over a season of events and Corry will take home a prize of a saddle which is being hand-made in Italy.

Corry chose for her prize a jumping saddle rather than one designed for dressage. While she is known as a dressage competitor, she still values riding over jumps, especially for the mental challenge it offers her equine companions.

“It gives the horses something different to do with their minds, especially in the off-season.”

Riders in the series can win on points an unlimited number of times, but they can be awarded the saddle only once.

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King Country News, King Country Farmer and the King Country App is independently owned published by Good Local Media Ltd – also publishers of the Te Awamutu News, Cambridge News and Waikato Business News.