Rural Living April 2013

YOUR RURAL LIFESTYLE MONTHLY HANDBOOK – VOL. 8, ISSUE 4, APRIL 2013

www.rurall iving.co.nz52

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Set on country living and a Connemara Stud Ingrid and hus-band Ross Norgrove first had to find the right property. They did so three years ago in Karaka; 15 acres of bare land which quickly gained post and rail fences, a purpose-built barn and horse yards.

For Ross, ‘a quarter acre, comfort zone’ guy, the adjustment to land and horses was a challenge but one to which he has adapted well.

However, his very busy business, selling food technology equipment, keeps him travelling throughout New Zealand so it is Ingrid who is hands-on managing the farm and her pas-sion for horses.

Once settled on their newly acquired land, suburban life quickly gave way to a country lifestyle, with care of their burgeoning equine fam-ily a priority.

Initially, Ingrid was keen to breed Irish draught horses but mentor Lindsay Finan suggested that with a shortage of ponies, and the compara-tive ease of managing smaller equines in a single-handed operation, the Irish Connemara ponies would be a great option.

“And, didn’t’ you grow up riding Connemaras?” Lindsay asked. And indeed Ingrid did.

Born and raised in County Monaghan, this energetic woman, named after Ingrid Bergman with surname indicating a Dutch grandfa-ther, is a true Irishwoman with a real affinity for horseflesh.

On setting up the Capall Connemara Pony Stud, Ingrid with Lindsay’s help, scoured Australia, where the breed is well established. She settled on Sue Clarke’s Queensland-based Glenormiston Stud, from where she selected her first filly.

The sad news of Sue’s terminal ill-ness then gave Ingrid the opportu-nity to select from the Glenormiston broodmare band, which needed to be dispersed with some urgency. Another four mares brought in more bloodlines.

The Mungala Stud also provided a mature mare in foal. Mungala Tuar Leatha, a champion in the New Zealand show ring, is now a founda-tion matriarch for the Capall Stud.

With the Capall Connemara Pony

Stud now home to several mares the hunt is on for a purebred Connemara stallion, the priority to add fresh bloodlines to the New Zealand herd.

Imported semen is enabling Capall to source top European bloodlines, their fresh blood needed to maintain genetic health. Finding a top stallion will benefit both New Zealand and Australian breeding programmes but the hunt has to be meticulous, Ingrid says.

“Fresh semen can readily be flown across the Tasman, so a stallion based

here can serve both markets.”Of course, the best place to source

a stallion is Ireland, so plans are in place for Ingrid and Lindsay to attend the summer Clifden Show and Sale, in the heart of Connemara country, in County Galway… a trip to anticipate!

The long term plan is to show Capall’s homebred youngsters in-hand, and to school all the ponies under saddle so that ponies for sale are ready to get straight into which-ever discipline their new families wish.

Ingrid has attended several courses with Australian Olympic equestrian/ equine physiologist/behaviourist Andrew McLean, and plans to uti-lise his handling techniques with the young ones.

“Understanding behaviour pat-terns can avoid creating problems while handling and establishing training with the young ones,” says Ingrid, who is relishing being a full-time farmer.

“After all the years of formal dressing and long, demanding hours

ofwork, being able to dress down and work all day on the farm, is a delight.”

As foundation breeders wind down or retire, new enthusiastic breeders are needed to step up, and carry on the good work.

Fortunately, Ingrid has all the req-uisite qualities in spades to do so.

This makes the Karaka’s Capall Stud a welcome addition to the Connemara pony breeding ranks with Ingrid, quietly confident of future success.

Ingrid Van Hoet “retired’ from a hectic career as a general practitioner to devote her considerable energies to family – two sons, a daughter and husband, Ross – and to make the most of breeding Connemara ponies, as ANNA McNAUGHTON explains.

The Irish Connemara pony,

famed for its hardiness and

jumping ability, arrived in New

Zealand in 1978 introducing

to this country a sturdy pony

suited to both farm work and

equestrian events.

Former New Zealand Prime

Minister Sir John Marshall was

among the pioneers of the

breed here, starting his herd

by importing two mares from

Australia and a stallion from

the United Kingdom.

Often described as, “ride,

drive and plough,” the tra-

ditional pony could work on

the farm all week, hunt on a

Saturday and then take the

family to church in the gig on

Sunday.

There is even a romantic

story that Spanish horses

from the wrecked Spanish

Armada swam ashore and

inter-bred with native Irish

ponies; certainly, the classic

Connemara head does resem-

ble the Andalusian!

Having been reared on the

tough, rocky Connemara Hills,

the modern Connemara is a

bit finer-boned but still able

to carry an adult and take any

jump in its stride.

Well-established through-

out Europe and the USA, the

breed is an ideal Kiwi pony,

being able to turn to any dis-

cipline, but being particularly

well suited for eventing.

pioneering breed in nz

Above, a new breeder, Ingrid Van Hoet, with one of her beloved ponies; bottom left, Champion mare Mungala Tuar Leatha; bottom right, free running Connemaras at Capall Stud. Photos Wayne Martin / supplied

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Sales Consultant: Maree van Piere DDI 09 271 8090, Fax: 271 8099

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Telephone: 09 271 8080, Fax: 09 271 8099

DISCLAIMER: Articles published in Rural Living do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers or editor. All material is provided as a general information service only. Times House Publishing Ltd does not assume or accept any responsibility for, and shall not be liable for, the accuracy or appropriate application of any information in this newspaper. All the material in this newspaper has the protection of international copyright. All rights reserved. No content may be reproduced without the prior written consent of Times House Publishing Ltd.

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Ph: 0800 456 789 Ph: 09 271 8080 www.ruralliving.co.nz

By Jon Rawlinson

Only the lonely knows the way it feels, stuck on Papakura’s motor-way onramp as cars hiss by the window making their way briskly down the T2 transit lane, flaunt-ing the law in the process.

While none of us likes to wait in line, what’s more frustrating is seeing other sole-occupied cars taking a lane reserved for trucks, motorbikes, and cars carrying two or more people.

To pass the time, I began keeping score, counting how many vehi-cles should or should not be using the lane. So far, since my records began early this year, not once have the ‘good guys’ beaten the ‘bad’. What’s more, the police have been

conspicuous in their absence.So, I decided to contact the pow-

ers that be to find out what was being done to ensure this T2 lane was used correctly.

According to Kathryn Musgrave, NZ Transport Agency’s regional traffic operations manager, the authority monitors the operation of transit lanes, but enforcement is the responsibility of the police.

She says the authority can and has requested their presence at such locations.

“The NZTA acknowledges there is an issue with some solo drivers using the lanes incorrectly to avoid queuing, particularly during peak travel times,” says Kathryn.

“The NZTA is conducting a review of the T lanes it operates on

the Auckland Motorway network.“The review will determine the

extent of the problem and what action should be taken that is fair to everyone using motorway onramps. It is due to be completed in the middle of the year.”

She says the lanes are designed to reduce motorway traffic vol-umes by allowing drivers who carry one or more passengers to by-pass ramp signal queues and access a motorway more quickly.

Now, while I can’t see how these lanes actually reduce traffic vol-ume, we all have to follow the rules and none should be able to escape the (long?) arm of the law.

So, where are our local police in all this? Although, to date, I have not received a response to my que-

ries from the Counties Manukau Police, it seems they are (at least now) prepared to walk the walk.

The day after I began my enquir-ies, I observed that those motor-ists who fought the law found that the law won, as two cops busily handed out tickets by the side of the Papakura onramp. It looks like there’s a new sheriff in town, pilgrims!

So, my advice is to ‘drive social’, everyone, and, to those who’ve been jumping the queue, sorry, but it looks like the free ride is over!POSTSCRIPT: a few weeks on and I’ve only seen the cops extend-ing their long arm to the Papakura onramp once more. Well, I guess a taste of justice will do if a feast is never promised!

I’ll see you on the highway?

YOUNG CHEF IN THE RUN FOR MASTERCHEF

They say there is no substitute for experi-

ence but young Ella Krauts from Drury is

proving that age is no barrier.

The 20-year-old Lincoln University food

science student is holding her own and

doing it well in the 2013 Masterchef New

Zealand stakes.

With many of her creations scoring rave

reviews, Ella is, by a mile, the youngest of

seven finalists in the competition after

22-year-old Dana Leaming from Wellington

was eliminated a couple of weeks ago.

And if that isn’t enough, the former

Rosehill College student, who now lives in

Christchurch, has also managed to snare

a position as commis chef at a top dining

establishment at Christchurch’s premier

boutique hotel, The George.

A well-rounded character with many

sporting interests – including rowing – and

wise beyond her years, this talented young

chef looks all set for success with or without

Masterchef.

But a win would no doubt boost her career

high up the food ladder, so all the very best,

Ella! – Natalie Brittan

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By Jon Rawlinson

The knives were out last weekend as the North prepared to stick it to the South in this year’s Battle of the Butchers competition.

As Rural Living was going to print, we caught up with North Island team member, Phill Pirie from Pokeno Bacon, who was busy sharpening his skills for the April 20 contest.

“I’m quietly confident,” he said. “The South Island team will be tough to beat; there are a lot of quality butcheries down that way.”

An experienced butcher, Phill moved to New Zealand from York, England, some nine years ago.

“I’ve been butchering for 14 years now. I represented the UK twice in Europe, but it’s a real hon-our to represent the North Island.”

At the competition, in New Plymouth, each team of butch-ers were given a beef hindquar-ter, a side of lamb, a side of pork and three chickens to work with.

They were expected to create top shelf butchery displays within two hours.

The outcome of the competition determines which butchers will take on the current national team, the Wedderburn Sharp Blacks, in a trial later this year. The best from both teams will then travel to Britain for the international tri series in 2014.

Phill said he hopes to make the grade and travel to his native coun-try, representing New Zealand.

Thanks to the backing of Pokeno Bacon owner, Helen Clotworthy, he’s off to a good start.

“I’ve had great support from Helen and the rest of the Pokeno Bacon team. It’s nice to work for an employer that has strong fam-ily values; we’re pretty much like a family here.”

Helen said she’s hoping Phill will bring home the bacon.

“We’re very pleased for Phill; we’ll certainly be cheering him on every inch of the way!”

According to Statistics New Zealand, labour productivity in the agriculture industry increased 3.4 percent per year during the 2008-11 period.

While output from the indus-try rose during the period, labour inputs remained largely constant, resulting in increased labour pro-

ductivity, which measures the quantity of goods and services (output) produced for each hour of labour.

In addition, multifactor produc-tivity results (how efficiently goods and services are produced) also increased across the agriculture industry, up 2.8 percent.

Pokeno butcher’s got the chops!An unwanted bird species is threatening the pecking order of our native birdlife, prompting a ‘find and eradicate’ call from the Ministry of Primary Industries.

The red-vented bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer) is aggressive to other bird species and is one of the world’s most invasive bird species. It also damages vegetable and fruit crops.

After receiving credible reports that some of these birds are present in the greater Auckland area, MPI response manager, Jaap Knegtmans, says the MPI is worried a population may establish in Auckland.

“That would affect residents’ gardens, native vegetation and birdlife,” he says. “These birds are common in other parts of the Pacific, par-ticularly in Fiji and suburban Sydney. They may have hitched a ride here on a commercial vessel or a recreational yacht.”

MPI is working in partnership with the Department of Conservation and Auckland Council to track down and eradicate any birds present.

Red-vented bulbuls are a medium-sized bird around the size of a starling (20 cm in length – body and tail). They are generally dark col-oured with a lighter chest and rump, a small crest on the head, and significantly, a very dis-tinctive crimson-red patch beneath the tail.

“This red patch is the key identification feature. If people have seen a bird with these bright red feathers beneath the tail, we’re very keen to hear from them,” Mr Knegtmans says.

Previously found in Auckland in the 1950s and more recently in 2006, they were eradi-cated in both instances.

While appearing cute, the red-vented bulbul is anything but and Mr Knegtmans says urgent action is required to locate and capture them before they establish.

Report suspect finds immediately to MPI’s Exotic Pest and Disease Hotline 0800 80 99 66.

BIRD CALL TO FIGHT INVADER

Phill Pirie on the job at Pokeno Bacon. Photos Wayne Martin

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Well, it seems the drought has fi nally broken although at the time of writing we could certainly do with a lot more rain. I’m sure we will feel the effects of the long dry for quite some time yet.

Ideally, the climate needs to stay warm for a few weeks to enable the grass to start growing and to pro-vide enough feed to get through winter.

Most people have had to use their winter feed to keep condi-tion on their animals before facing winter. The experts tell us that this is the worst drought for about 40 years and in my 20 years on this property it is defi nitely the worst seen here.

Funnily enough, in early spring I bought two young steers as I had so much grass I didn’t know how to manage it all.

This was due mainly to a superb spring where everything from the grass, the gardens and hedges to the fruit trees really thrived. We had more plums on our trees than ever before.

But the weather can be so cruel when such a great spring is fol-lowed by one of our worst droughts. I think we deserve a mild winter; here’s hoping!

Now I must tell you about one of my horror stories which took place last week.

In the process of shifting my sheep – there are 12 – I realised one was missing. Retracing my steps I discovered one of the girls had headed towards a dry part of our pond.

It wasn’t as dry as she thought and she had sunk into the mud up to her mid gut region and was held fast.

I’m glad I noticed she was miss-ing otherwise she would have stayed there for a very long time.

Then came my fi rst mistake. I climbed down the bank and headed to where she was stranded. I could feel myself sinking but was able to dig out her front legs and place them on some fi rmer ground.

When I reached under her back legs to lift them clear I felt myself sinking further into the mud.

To cut a long story short, I fi nally helped her out and then took 10-15 minutes to crawl out myself and reach the bank.

I think the lesson I learned is that one should not attempt this type of rescue by oneself!

With help I could have had a rope thrown to me and attached to the quad bike. We could then have towed the ewe out and then towed me out!

I must say my wife was not thrilled by my exploits and took great pleasure in hosing me down with the water on full bore!

But getting back to the weather – it occurred to me that if I was a townie I would have considered this one of the best summers ever but I wouldn’t want to swap my rural living style for anything.

Finally, since last month Elsudoku has had two good wins and we’re hoping for more to tell you about next month.

See you then, Brian.

Brian Neben

publishes

Rural Living and

is also an avid

lifestyle

farmer

COUNTRY LAD

Stuck in the middle with ewe...

Brian up to his knees in grass last spring – it’s a different picture now.

Autumn ShotzSend us your favourite

holiday snap and go in to our monthly draw to win some

great family prizes!

Email your high resolution photo to:[email protected]

with “Autumn Shotz” in the subject lineor post to:

Rural Living, Autumn ShotzPO Box 259 243, Botany 2163

Each month we will randomly select a winner to receive a prize.

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There’s nothing near-sighted about Bradley and Kim Pillay’s decision to purchase Visique Papakura Optometrists.

With 11 years’ optometry experience, Bradley is committed to preventing and treating all eye problems and to maintain the eye health of cli-ents. his philosophy of best care practices com-bined with the latest state-of-the-art scanning technology augers well for them.

“regular biennial eye checks (or annual if there is a family history of poor eyesight) will help pre-vent eye problems,” he says. “early identification of any abnormalities is key to their successful treatment and for continued good vision. Where children are concerned early detection is usually crucial to their future learning.”

Committed to helping clients understand more about eye health, Bradley has a special interest in keratoconus and corneal grafts.

he uses a corneal topographer to diagnose common corneal conditions which can result in

poor vision that cannot be corrected by glasses alone. subsequently he is able to fit patients with advanced contact lenses.

Visique Papakura also has an optical coherence tomographer which uses infrared scanning tech-nology for early detection of conditions such as macular degeneration, glaucoma and retinal de-tachment.

supported by wife Kim, who oversees the ac-counts and marketing, together with the clini-cal team of Christine and sarah, Bradley invites anyone with eyesight concerns to book an eye examination. Alternatively, call in and check out the range of frames and accessories in store.

What’s more, anyone who purchases a pair of designer frames to the value of $149 or more before June 15, 2013, can enter the draw to win a trip for two to Melbourne staying two nights in a four-star hotel with $AU550 spending money (eight trips to be won nationwide). Triple Fly Buys points with every purchase too .

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The V8s have come and gone and Pukekohe has returned to some normality but what an exciting couple of weeks with the celebra-tions of 50 years of motorsport in Puke, the ‘return’ of Possum Bourne and a wonderful week-end with the V8s.

Lots of visitors in town and all the accommodation booked out; not just in Pukekohe, in surround-ing areas too.

We popped down to see the fan trail on the Sunday and were most impressed with the organisation and ease with which people could get around.

Parking was available every-where and there were so many offi cials helping visitors arriving by train or car. Lots of helicopters fl ying in and out of the track too – very exciting and I believe better crowds than expected.

Now that the temperatures have dropped a bit, it is time to get into winter mode and start looking for gear to keep warm. How exciting it is to wander down our main street and just pop into the most fabulous boutiques.

Not only clothes stores but excellent shoe shops (Footloose

and Halliwells) with the latest footwear for this season featuring boots and shoes with lots of bright colours. This month Catherine and her team at Footloose are celebrat-ing being in business for six years. Congratulations.

The big winter decision we have to make is where to go to escape the cold. I think back to last year’s fabulous holiday in Fiji, which was the best tropical island escape I’ve ever had.

This year, there are lots of options so scanning through a few we are considering which is best. We have been to Rarotonga a few times and especially enjoyed our stay on Aitutaki. That was lovely but not hitting the button for this year.

A few of the people at work are going to Hawaii. There are a lot of great deals especially since Hawaiian Airlines started fl ying to New Zealand.

However, eight or nine hours on a plane to lie in the sun when closer islands such as Fiji, Vanuatu and Samoa are just three hours away,

has to be taken into account. We had been contemplating Europe but the months are fl ying by and with no fi rm plans on where we want to

visit that option will need to wait until next year. However,

I’m sure to come up with a plan for this winter soon.

Now back to reality. I am glad that my daughter has bought her lovely house as I would hate to be looking to buy now. It seems that as soon as a ‘for sale’ sign goes up a sold sticker is added to it. Obviously the word is out that Franklin is the place to live.

The other week we decided to take a trailer to Farrell’s big plant sell off. The daughter needs a gar-den and this was a great opportu-nity to buy in bulk.

Arrived back at her place and couldn’t get the spade into the ground; it was so hard. This is a job that is still waiting to be done. One thing’s for sure, your work is never done when you have a family no matter how old they are!

Take care, see you next month – Reay.

Holiday dreaming after busy weekReay Neben is a

Franklin resident

and publisher of

Rural Living.

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Active V8 weekend prompts thoughts of holiday in the sun.


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Farmers know that accidents on the job can occur at any time, often with dire out-comes but for an ambulance service keeping rural and urban areas well served.

In recognition of its role, The St John Ambulance Service has received a $54,000 boost from Federated Farmers helping the emergency organi-sation continue its work.

With money from individual farmers, meat company work-

ers and meat and wool compa-nies, Federated Farmers made several grants from its Adverse Events Trust late last year. St John was a recipient.

Federated Farmers national president Bruce Wills, was delighted St John was the recipient of the Trust’s final and largest donation.

“This donation is important because it will help St John to rebuild its response resources. St John is a New Zealand insti-

tution and when the chips are down, it is always there for rural and urban alike.”

St John fundraising man-ager Sarah Wilkinson says St John and Federated Farmers both have significant roles in rural communities.

“We both know the chal-lenges of working in a rural setting, and both organisa-tions know how important the strong support and links within those communities are.

Boost for St John’s

Steering Straight: There’s one ‘Bourne’ every minute; including, it seems whoever decided on the placement of the new Possum Bourne statue. Jamie Fear from Pukekohe Real Estate (who provided this snap) says: “Possum Bourne is going to spend eternity staring at a women’s underwear shop – no wonder he has a grin on his face!” We think the moral of this story is simple: despite the demise of this much-loved local, you can’t keep a good man down; in fact, it seems there’s life in the old Possum yet!

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With so many of New Zealand’s unique native animals, plants and habitats still threatened or at risk we need your support to give nature a greater voice.

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Top Kiwi agricultural and envi-ronmental experts will this month swarm together to address the apparent decline of nutritional for-age for bees in New Zealand.

The conference – being held at the Eastwoodhill Arboretum, in Gisborne – will provide a forum to discuss nutritional stress, considered a prin-ciple factor behind large-scale bee losses overseas, and how to avoid it occurring here.

National Beekeepers Association (NBA) president, Barry Foster, says many aspects affecting the health of New Zealand bees will be covered.

“Farm profitability depends on the

health of bees and this conference is an opportunity to show how all sec-tors of the community can improve bee health and, provide trees for a wide range of uses,” he says.

“We have people from the agricul-ture and forestry industries, several iwi, local government, scientists, bee-keepers and environmental organisa-tions in attendance.”

The latest results from the Trees for Bees research project, conducted at the arboretum by Landcare Research scientist Dr Linda Newstrom-Lloyd, will also be released.

Visit www.eastwoodhill.org.nz/trees-for-bees-conference/.

By Rebecca Gardiner

In a hobby dominated by men, Debbie Bayliss is one of the very few ‘queen bees’!

Three years ago, a conversation with a local beekeeper prompted Debbie to buck social trends and take her interest in sustainable living to the next level.

“I’ve always been conscious of the environment and what’s in our gardens,” she says. “I grew up with my gran teaching us how to be self sufficient — how to bottle and cook and garden.

I got talking to a man called Paul Brown, who’s a beekeeper. He took me under his wing and taught me eve-rything I needed to know. To this day, he’s still a good source of support.”

The wife and mother-of-three, who works from her Auckland home as a Porse early childhood educator, feels so strongly about the need for people to keep bees that she’s prepared to put herself at risk.

Debbie’s body reacts badly to bee stings, so she takes preventative med-ication and has strong drugs on hand in case she’s stung near her chest.

“We obviously harvest the honey, but I’m doing it more to get bees into the environment because there’s such a shortage,” she says.

Far from flourishing, bees are under threat in New Zealand and across the world, which could have catastrophic results for the global population.

“This summer gone has been very hard on the bees in terms of food sup-ply. There’s not a lot of nectar and pollen in the plants because it’s been so dry. People have a negative per-

ception of bees, but they don’t real-ise that if we don’t have the bees, we don’t have food.

“Almost everything we eat that is not plastic or artificial is impacted by bees.” One of the biggest misconcep-tions about honeybees is that they are dangerous, scary and likely to sting at will, Debbie says.

But in three years of keeping the little ‘buzzers’ in hives near her home, just one of her three children has been stung.

“A lot of people think having a bee-

hive in the garden is risky, particu-larly with children. But the kids know how to respond to them. If a bee lands on you, it will eventually fly off. Bees aren’t interested in disturbing people. They have a flight path and that’s all they’re interested in.”

Spring is swarming season and Debbie recalls a time when a mas-sive swarm travelled over her and her children’s heads.

“It sounded like a motorway,” she smiles. “I said to them, ‘look at this. Isn’t that amazing?’ Until you expe-

rience these things, you have no appreciation of how marvellous these insects are.”

Since starting out, the number of hives Debbie looks after has increased to five – in her garden, her parents’ backyard and a neighbour’s property.

One of the perks of bee-keeping is, of course, having a regular supply of honey and other by-products, such as beeswax.

In the space of just a few months last summer, Debbie collected more than 300kg of honey.

“There’s nothing added. It’s all completely natural – just the way nature intended.”

In the last school term, children from a local primary School visited Debbie’s garden to see what a bee-keeper does and the inner workings of a hive first-hand, also to learn about the bees’ important role.

“I got them thinking about what they can do at home, what plants they can grow and about using sprays. It’s the pesticides that cause the most damage.

“Children are the next generation, so if they can’t learn how to look after bees, then who’s going to?”

While Debbie says female beekeep-ers are a very rare breed, there’s no reason why this can’t change.

“I think it’s one of those stereotypi-cal roles where most men tend to take the lead.

“It’s a shame for women who may be at home and could have the time to be beekeeping. Bees are such beauti-ful insects to watch; they’re amazing — such hard workers.”

Her passion for increasing the number of hives out in the commu-nity has inspired a friend, who origi-nally hails from Switzerland, to take up the beekeeping banner.

“It used to be quite a common hobby in her home country, so she asked me all about it one day.

“Her husband wasn’t at all keen having concerns about the bees being on their property, but if a female can show other people that there’s noth-ing wrong with beekeeping and, in fact, it’s beneficial, beehives would make great progress in our streets again.

Left, as a female bee-keeper, Debbie Bayliss is a very rare breed; right, regular supply of honey. Photos Wayne Martin

Enticing busy bees into the garden

ANNABEL LANGBEIN PICKED UP BY THE NBAWhile basketball may not be her game,

Annabel Langbein is a giant among men

in the kitchen. So it’s no surprise that

the NBA has chosen her to take its mes-

sage to the hoop!

NBA (National Beekeepers Association

– not National Basketball Association!)

President, Barry Foster, says he is

delighted that Annabel has joined the

team.

“Part of the NBA’s role is to make sure

the public and the policymakers under-

stand the issues our members – and our

bees – are facing. Annabel will give us a

high-profile voice when it comes to gen-

erating awareness,” he says.

Cookbook author and television pre-

senter, Annabel, will help spread the

association’s message that bees are

vitally important and need help to sur-

vive.

“My father kept bees as a hobby, so I

grew up watching him tend the hives in

our Wellington backyard,” she says.

“And as a free range cook who uses

nature as my pantry, I thoroughly appre-

ciate the importance of bees and the

hugely critical role they play in our eve-

ryday lives – not to mention the value

they add to our economy through pol-

lination.”

Barry says, with Annabel’s help, the

NBA will continue to promote and pro-

tect Kiwi bees.

TrEEs for BEEs


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If it’s a hard row finding the per-fect woman, mate, finding Mr Right has to be a near impossible field to sow!

However, judging the ‘weak from the chaps’ has been made a little easier for long-suffering rural ladies, thanks to the 2013 Fieldays Rural Bachelor of the Year competition.

Organisers are looking for a few good men to show they have what it takes to secure the title and cov-eted Golden Gumboot trophy, not to mention the adulation of many a farming femme!

But lily-livered bachelor boys best leave this one alone, because, from driving a digger and reversing a trailer, to chain-sawing a tree and rustling up a roast dinner, blokes will need to measure up against stiff competition.

Entrants will begin the quest by being flown to a secret loca-tion, and then make their way to Fieldays, stopping in various towns to complete tasks.

At Fieldays, they will under-take four days of events, testing rurally-derived skills, No.8 wire

innovation and charisma. And, this year, in addition to six Kiwi blokes, organisers are seeking two Aussie cobbers, in efforts to prove whether life is finer for land girls

on the other side of the ditch! Single, local studs who work in

the rural industry, and believe they can show the world what Franklin men are made of, will find full entry

details at www.fieldays.co.nz.New Zealand National

Agricultural Fieldays will be held June 12-15 at Mystery Creek Events Centre. Tickets now on sale.

It seems Kiwis throughout the country are turning on to an organic experience.

According to the latest report from Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) organic products are increasingly in demand both

locally and globally.OANZ chair, Brendan Hoare says

there has been around 25% growth in the New Zealand organic sec-tor since OANZ’s last report was released three years ago.

“The total organic market –

exports and domestic sales together – has grown from $275 million in 2009 to $350 million in 2012. With an 8% per annum growth rate nationally and internationally, the organic sector is outperform-ing other primary production sec-

tors and most other parts of the economy.”

Brendan says the report also offers good news for the environ-ment as well as the economy.

“Organic farming uses less fossil fuel energy, sequesters more car-bon in the soil, and is better at pro-tecting biodiversity than industrial agriculture.”

Who’s ‘the man’ in Franklin?Forget 100 pounds of clay, to prepare an international test match wicket, Mark Perham needs only 20 metres cubed, pro-vided it’s from Patumahoe, that is!

The turf manager from Eden Park says approximately 20m3 of soil from Patumahoe is used at the ground each season to produce stronger cricket wickets.

“We use Patumahoe soil because of its strength. We are currently using a soil with 70% clay which makes it very strong,” he says.

Mark and his team have been sourcing soil from the region for use on the hallowed turf of Auckland’s premier sporting ground for the last 20 years. He says no stone is left unturned in the search for top turf.

“It comes from a wide area around Pukekohe and there are many differing types. It’s a mat-ter of spending time in the area to source the best soil.”

The most recent test match at Eden Park may have finished in a draw for the Black Caps and England; however, the pitch was the winner on the day, thanks to Mark Perham and a solid, down-to-earth performance from Patumahoe clay!

CLAY BALL!

Previous contestants of the Rural Bachelor of the Year competition with the Golden Gumboot. Photo suppliked

orgAniCs good to grow


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Pink Floyd once questioned: “how can you eat your pud-ding if you don’t eat your meat?” If this photo is any-thing to go by, the answer is simply that you can’t!

Franklin Country Meats may be well known for quality products, however, as Rural Living’s Emma Smith recently discovered, maybe its butchers don’t much care for pineapple, as evidenced by their ‘fruitful’ language.

Either that or a team mem-ber simply hit a slight ‘snag’ with a labelling gun, in which case ‘Pork’ and pineapple sounds like a delightful combi-nation, one that’s certainly not worthy of curses!

Print is not dead! In fact, the industry is helping to pre-serve life in native forests by supporting the Kauri Dieback Management Programme.

Auckland-based printing company, SOAR, is the latest to sponsor the programme, designed to save kauri forests from a devastating disease.

Caused by microscopic fun-gal spores in the soil that infect roots and damage tissues car-rying nutrients, Kauri Dieback has been linked to the deaths of trees in the upper North Island.

Director of SOAR, Jenny Carter, says the company is committed to spreading the

word, not the disease.“We’ve seen first-hand

the terrible effects of Kauri Dieback in our region – thou-sands of kauri have died and there is no cure. We really wanted to get involved and raise awareness of this disease to help stop its spread through-out kauri lands.”

Trees infected by Dieback show yellowing of foliage, loss of leaves, dead branches and lesions that bleed gum at the base of their trunks.

Orchestrated by the Ministry for Primary Industries, Department of Conservation, Tangata Whenua and councils, the programme has received

support from schools, commu-nity groups and businesses.

While the ultimate goal is to control or cure the disease, until more is known, aware-ness of the problem and pre-ventative measures are the programme’s primary aims.

“Kauri Dieback is carried in soil, so the one simple thing we can all do to stop the spread is clean our shoes and equipment before and after visiting kauri forests,” says Jenny.

An indiscriminate dis-ease, Dieback kills trees of all ages, from small saplings to giants that have been part of New Zealand’s landscape for centuries.

Fancy a ‘fork’, do you?

Fruit is a four letter word at Franklin Country Meats.

kauri cure on paper

conSTiTuTion ‘TaLk’ aT FarM GaTe

Primary industry producers are being

encouraged to consider the impact of New

Zealand’s constitutional arrangements and

how they may affect people in rural areas.

DairyNZ board chair and farmer, John

Luxton, says the Constitution Conversation

is important for New Zealand’s rural sector.

“This is everyone’s opportunity to say

what sort of country we want to have in the

future. It is an opportunity for people to con-

sider constitutional arrangements they think

need changing, and where the status quo

should prevail.”

John is one of 12 independently-appointed

people working on the Constitutional

Advisory Panel, which is listening to the

views and aspirations of Kiwis.

The panel’s terms of reference include

the scope and status of the Bill of Rights

Act 1990, electoral issues, Maori represen-

tation, the role of the Treaty of Waitangi

in constitutional arrangements and whether

or not New Zealand should have a written

constitution.

“The review is a great opportunity to

understand the civics around how we’re

governed as a country, which is an important

aspect of the entire discussion,” he says.

The Panel will deliver its final report to

Ministers by the end of 2013.

Visit www.ourconstitution.org.nz for more

information.

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The Rotary Club of Papakura Inc.

Concert at Karaka2013

Tickets available from Harcourts Papakura, Manurewa and Pukekohe, or other booking details online at www.papakura.rotary.org.nz

Adults $45, Seniors $40, Children under 13 $35. Further information phone 298 3699.

Another fabulous concert with young up and coming New Zealand artists

Cameron Barclay (Tenor)

Latafale Auva’a (Mezzo-Soprano)Dalewool Auckland Brass Band

Pukekohe High School Stage Band

Magda Doering (Violin), Delvan Lin (Piano)

To be held at The NZ Bloodstock Centre, KarakaSaturday, May 25, 2013 at 7.30pm; Sunday, May 26, 2013 at 1.30pm

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Cameron Barclay(Tenor)

Latafale Auva’a(Mezzo-Soprano)


Manukau Road Mobil PukekoheIf there is one promotion that is standing the test of time, it’s the supermarket fuel discount voucher.

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Ask a silly question, get a forth-right, sensible answer; that’s the way it goes when speaking with Graham Simpson, new owner of Mobil on Manukau Road, Pukekohe.

Asked where he gets his petrol from, Graham came back quick as a flash with: “Out of the ground!”

An unassuming type, Graham doesn’t seem to be into pre- prepared, PR-built, official state-ments; he says he and his loyal team let their service do the talking.

“I’m just a low-key, ordinary guy. I pump gas to help people get to where they need to go and make sure it’s done with a smile.

“That’s what it comes down to really, good customer service, I mean, making sure we do things right while treating people as we’d

like to be treated.”A familiar face to many, Graham

has lived in the Pukekohe area for more than 30 years.

He has also owned and operated the Challenge station a little fur-

ther down Manukau Road for the last 10 years.

“As our customers from Challenge would know, providing friendly service on the forecourt and in store is very important to us;

it’s our top priority,” he says. “Our team is very happy we can

now extend that service to our new Mobil site.”

While customers at both loca-tions can expect first class service, the two stations will be run inde-pendently.

With almost 30 years working in the retail industry, Graham says he knows a thing or two about serv-ice.

“While there are many petrol stations out there, it’s get-ting harder to find local people working there who really do know how to relate to people on a one to one basis these days.

“But, from working so long in this community, I’ve learnt that to really make someone’s day, you have to go that extra mile!”

Service ‘driven’ at Mobil

New owner of Mobil Pukekohe Graham Simpson (second from right) with his friendly team. Photos Wayne Martin


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By Helen Perry

Dreams of country living often conjure up visions of owning a small parcel of land with family home, chickens, domestic menag-erie, a goat or horse and a few sheep to keep the grass down.

But that’s a far cry from Neil and Carol Wright’s 1.5 acre life-style property in the heart of the Waikato.

While surrounded by rolling hills, which fool visitors into think-ing they are miles from civilisation, Huntington Stables, the name given to the Wright’s resort-style tourist retreat, is just a five minute drive from the centre of Cambridge.

And, in fact, it is absolutely civilised. The sumptuous ‘stable’ accommodation has welcomed visitors from around the world with Neil and Carol working hard to ensure guests enjoy total relaxa-tion while being treated to many small luxuries.

“We lived in Cambridge proper for many years then, when our chil-dren all fled the nest, we decided to do more for ourselves,” says Carol.

“One summer, we headed to Great Barrier Island and fell in love with it. To cut a long story short we sold our Cambridge home and bought two Barrier properties, one of which we turned into a small luxury lodge.

“Neil, who is a dentist, also has a dental practice on the island, spending one week a month there.”

The Wrights enjoyed their island lifestyle for seven years before ail-ing health demanded Carol’s par-ents, still living in Cambridge, needed more hands-on care.

“We sold the lodge and came back here to look for a place.

“By coincidence Huntington Stables, which we had looked at when it was being built a few years earlier, was on the market. Before we knew it, the property was ours.”

Accommodating her parents within the main house, Carol set about upgrading the Tuscan-styled guest accommodation – a loft and the two luxurious ‘stables’ with deck overlooking rural views on one side and opening to the swim-ming pool complex on the other.

With an eye for interiors, she ensured boudoirs and bathrooms

came with guest pampering extras – robes, slipper, fragrant toiletries, sumptuous bed linen and many added niceties.

In the living area, wine cabinet television, books and many more extras, including a fridge and pan-try packed with farm fresh prod-ucts, ensure self-catering guests want for nothing.

What’s more, Carol is on hand to meet and greet as well as provide for the many various requests that come her way.

“But, mostly, once guests have been welcomed with wine and an antipasto platter, they settle in and ask little of us except which way to the sauna, croquet lawn or petanque court.

“It’s a very different way of country living. While we occupy a generous piece of land we have no

animals at all! That’s partly because we still travel around quite a bit, either to the Barrier, where we still have a home and the dental prac-tice, and to our children and grand-children living in different parts of the country.”

Sadly, 12 months ago both Carol’s parents passed away and now she and Neil are toying with the idea of another lifestyle change.

“We’ve had Huntington Stables for six years and loved every minute although it has been hard work at times.

“We’ve met such fabulous peo-ple ranging from performers to diplomats and although it’s a life we would miss, we would like to spend more time with family and on Great Barrier. I guess it a matter of watch this space over the com-ing months.”

Home, home on the resort! OTAUA KIDS ‘ON A ROLL’ IN KITCHEN!When The Mobile Learning Kitchen from

Kids Can Cook rolled into town recently,

students at one local school were keen to

show off their culinary skills.

Principal of Otaua School, Carol

Graham, says while learning about food

and nutrition was the focus of the day, the

programme – designed to create a link

between school gardens, the classroom

and the community – was enjoyed by all.

“We had a great day. Chris [Fortune]

from Kids Can Cook was organised and

amusing and kept the kids entertained.

We also had some 25 adults at an evening

session.”

The Mobile Learning Kitchen builds

on the Enviro Schools and School Edible

Gardens programmes. It caters for 10-500

children per visit, with all produce pro-

vided – including some often found in

school gardens. It also introduces stu-

dents to less commonly known ingredi-

ents. Children then prepare meals, with the

assistance of the Mobile Kitchen team.

Programme organiser, Chris Fortune,

says the ultimate aim is to have families

sitting down at the table, sharing meals

they have created from the ground up.

The programme also helps tackle the

problem of convenience food becoming a

growing part of children’s diets.

“So much is presented in ‘whizz bang’

packaging, it is almost too convenient.

We encourage parents to look at healthy

lunch alternatives,” Carol says.

“Chris reckons parents should invest in

compartmentalised lunchboxes and fill

them with healthier ‘snacky’ things, which

will also save parents money.”

The purpose-built Mobile Learning

Kitchen will continue visiting schools,

community gardens and farmers’ markets

over the coming months.

The Wrights’ lifestyle property is a far cry from many small farmlets.


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home and garden

While the V8s were gear-ing up in Pukekohe earlier this month, fans could have been forgiven for losing their heads.

Perhaps this is why residents of 10 Highway 22, Onewhero, chose to modify their mailbox, giving a whole new meaning to the term ‘dead letter office’ in the process.

We would like to know why said residents chose to deco-rate their letterbox in such a fashion, so do drop us a line boys and ghouls.

That’s right, come on in, your number’s up!

What’s on the box?

Music lovers can again expect noteworthy performances at this year’s Concert at Karaka which raises funds for youth and community projects.

Promoted by the Rotary Club of Papakura, the 2013 event takes place at the NZ Bloodstock Centre, Hingaia Rd, 7.30pm, Saturday, May 25 and 1.30pm, Sunday, May 26.

The line-up of talent includes well-known tenor, Cameron Barclay accompanied by pian-ist Somi Kim; mezzo soprano and member of the NZ Youth Choir, Latafale Auva’a; violinist

and pianist Magdalena Doering; pianist and Kings College stu-dent Delvan Lin; The Pukekohe High School Stage Band and The Dalewool Brass Band con-ducted by Nigel Weeks head of music at Macleans College.

As well as showcasing some truly talented performers, the concert will also feature the creative efforts of the Papakura Floral Art Group, their work an added attraction.

Buy tickets from Harcourts at Pukekohe, Papakura and Manurewa cost: $45 adults; $40 senior citizens and $35 for

children aged under 13 years. For further information visit

www.papakura.rotary.org.nz or call Donna or David Cox on (09) 298 3699.

WIN TICKETSGood news, Rural Living has one double pass to CONCERT at KARAKA up for grabs. To enter the draw just visit www.rural-living then click on the competitions link and com-plete the form. One entry per email address/person; entries close Friday, May 17, 2013. Winner notified by phone or email.

MUSIC TO OUR EARS!


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THE WOMEN’S GUIDE TO

EVERYTHING!

When it comes to providing fam-ily and neighbours with goodies from the garden, not to mention a little ‘au natural’ knowledge, it pays to give a fig, as Rural Living contributor, SUSAN MATTHEWS, explains:

There is a lot to be said for living one day at a time and ‘going with the flow,’ so to speak. One weekend, I had good intentions of cleaning out the wardrobe and helping hubby to stack the firewood; I really did! But an early morning barefoot stroll in my nightie – across the lawn still damp with dew – changed my des-tiny; well, for that particular day anyway.

In a secluded corner of the gar-den, I came upon our hardy fig tree laden with pendulous purple fruit glistening in the sun; a captivating configuration, like dazzling deco-rations on a Christmas tree.

After gorging myself silly, I decided with such an abundance of fruit, to share my sweet bounty with friends and family. And maybe impress them with a little chutney or jam.

Back indoors I searched for fig recipes online and was over-whelmed with all manner of facts and figures relating to this ancient fruit, which is actually the flower of the tree.

The fascinating fig (Genus Ficus) has its botanical origins in west-

ern Asia, dating back more than 4000 years. It subsequently spread throughout the Mediterranean and beyond, thanks to ‘olde worlde’ colonisers and traders.

Highly prized as a natural sweet-ener and deemed a ‘luxury of the rich’ by the Romans and Greeks, it has been consumed by pharaohs and courtesans, popes, paupers and poets.

In the bible it says that the fig leaf was used to cover the nakedness of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. As a result, it has also been used to conceal genitalia in great artistic masterpieces.

In the 16th century Botticelli painted this peppy plant, and much later Edward Lear was inspired to pen this lilting Limerick:

There was an Old Person of IschiaWhose conduct grew friskier and friskier;He danced hornpipes and jigs,And ate thousands of figs,That lively Old Person of Ischia.

Even more intriguing, through-out the ages, this potassium-packed delicacy has been renowned for its medicinal and aphrodisiac quali-ties. Hence the questionable con-duct of the aforementioned Old Person of Ischia!

Who would have though this exotic edible with such humble beginnings contained such pas-sion-producing power?

After learning all about figs, I was off to the neighbours, armed with a bulging basket, new-found knowl-edge and figgy fables aplenty!

Three hours later I returned from my trade mission, a little worse for wear, having bravely battled a neighbour’s guard duck for entry to their property!

Minus the figs I proudly bore free range eggs, rhubarb and a smidgen of gossip; well, it does take time to negotiate a fair deal, I tell hubby, who replies:

“Are you for real or a ‘fig-ment’ of my imagination?”

That night, we dined al fresco on eggs Benedict, followed by fig and rhubarb crumble, complete with a cheeseboard and fig chutney.

My intentions to clear out the wardrobe and stack firewood had ‘gone up in smoke’, but my day had been all the richer, inspired by lin-gering beneath the fig tree.

I gained some knowledge, jour-neyed to legendary lands steeped in mythology, shared food, laugh-ter and a little love in the sun, as well as travelling my own intrepid trade route. It was a most magical day, and it all started with a fig!

Every year I do battle with the birds for the best of the best, as they indulge in their fig-eating frenzy; hey, you win some, you lose some!

But there is nothing quite like sampling those sweet dew-dropped figs at first light, especially when gathered alone in my own Garden of Eden.

Figs - flavour of the dayhome and garden


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warm up for winter

Chop firewood while the sun shines as the winter months will soon be upon us.

One of the oldest sources of heat-ing, fireplaces have come a long way since man made fire.

And it’s no wonder fireplaces are still one of the most popular heat-ing options.

Not only do they make use of wood which is a renewable energy, open wood fires create a blaze that heats up the whole home, not just one particular area.

In addition, they can be very eco-nomical especially in rural areas where firewood is abundant.

However, it is important to con-sider several factors before install-ing a fireplace in the home.

Broady’s manager John Lintott says heating capacity is a very important aspect in determining the size or model of fireplace to install in a home.

“The issue of oversizing can be avoided if people consult a heating specialist who will then inform them of the heating capac-ity required, as well as other issues such as floor protection and coun-cil permits.”

Style is also an important consid-eration.

Depending on the type of fire-place, there are many styles rang-ing from the ultra modern to the

more traditional and rustic models that need to be able to blend in with the atmosphere and decor mood of the home.

Both decorative and functional, a fireplace will add value to the home, creating a welcome and comforting atmosphere that only a flame crackling merrily away can provide.

But remember, full length cur-tains that reach the floor, well sealed windows and draught strips, especially in older homes with less efficient insulation and no ventila-tion, will help retain heat.

Also consider the structural design of the home when installing a fireplace.

Complexities can often arise even if it initially seems simple.

This is where it is important to consult experts such as Broady’s who will provide all advice along-side no-obligation site visits, full supply and installation services as well as look after building con-sents.

So, for a deliciously warm win-ter, snuggle up by the hearth and the chill of Jack Frost’s fingers will soon be a distant memory.

Firing up for winter

n Buy firewood in bulk over the summer period while prices are low

n Leave it outdoors for as long as possible to dry it out

n Test the wood to make sure it is dry and all the green sap in the wood is gone (‘seasoned’) by knocking the wood (if it makes a high pitched sound, it’s dry, if it makes a dull thud then it’s not) or use a moisture meter reader (less than 20% is ideal)

n When all else fails and it is too late to dry out the firewood, purchase fire-wood from a reputable wood merchant and ask for its moisture reading

n Finally, buy local where possible!

HeRe is sOMe advice fROM tHe expeRts


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warm up for winter

There’s been a slight chill in the air for the past week and it won’t be long before the heaters are brought out of their long, dusty hibernation.

In preparing for the colder months ahead, naturally, many of us are considering better and more effi cient options when it comes to heating.

As a result, we’ve compiled a summary of heating options that will help make the choice a little easier.

■ Heat pumps – These have low running costs when used properly and run on electricity yet are extremely effi cient. Be sure to factor in space and cli-mate when choosing the size of the heat pump.

■ Wood pellet burners – An environmental option, these pellets are made from waste products and emit clean energy with better heat con-trol than a wood burner. They are also great for heating large spaces and hot water in winter through a wetback system.

■ Modern wood burners – These are economical for those who have access to free or cheap fi rewood. Great for the environment, they produce little pollution and use renew-able wood energy as fuel. They are also ideal for heating large spaces and hot water in winter through a wetback system. A building consent is required to install these.

■ Flued gas (natural or LPG) heaters or fi replaces – Temperature and timing are easily controlled with this heating option and it is suit-

able for large areas that need to be heated for longer

periods.

■ Electric heaters – These are suitable

for heating small areas infrequently or for short peri-ods. It is the most affordable option to buy but can be quite expensive to

run.

■ Central heating – Heats the home by zone,

so different temperatures for different areas can be set. The heat can be supplied by a gas or wood pellet heating system or a heat pump. It can be expensive if the home is not well-insulated.

■ Unfl ued gas (natural or LPG) – These can work with-out electricity and are the most expensive form of heating. They also pose certain health and safety risks and can make the home damp.

All these facts and more are available from the Energy Effi ciency and Conservation Authority (EECA) website at www.energywise.govt.nz

Effi cient energyThere’s been a slight chill in the air for the past week and it won’t be long

As a result, we’ve compiled a summary of heating options that will help

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By Ditch Keeling Coastal Pest Solutions Ltd

We woke up to the first decent rain of the year on Monday morn-ing and spent the rest of the day taking rat and mouse calls!

Rats and mice move into our buildings during winter and the damage that these guys can do is often extensive and have the poten-tial to be particularly dangerous.

Their gnawing on electrical wires and water pipes is far more common than you might think. In fact, the gnawing noise in the roof that people often complain about is almost always from rats chewing on cables and pipes to keep their teeth nice and sharp.

What’s more, many house fires and water leaks have been caused in this way.

In considering that almost any rodent infestation can be removed for less than a couple of hundred dollars it’s simply not worth the risk of ignoring rodent presence.

Problems often start with rats gaining access through our ceiling cavities and, if one can do it, you can bet that others will follow. I spend a lot of time in ceiling cavi-ties and the amount of rat poo in

many such spaces shows years of regular use. Removing all branches that allow roof access by rodents is a really important step as it is by far the most common means of access and it is so easily fixed. In most cases just remove a few branches and voila! No more rats!

The same can be said for dense vegetation around the base of a building, mould, moisture and bugs. By doing so, rodents don’t have the

conditions to become established in a clean and tidy environment.

Obviously, removing these fac-tors alone won’t always remove a rat problem and sometimes stop-ping access is just not possible. Where this is the case, property owners will need to apply either bait stations or traps.

Bait stations containing toxic bait provide the most efficient form of rodent control; traps can

work, but seldom will they achieve the same results as a well run bait station programme.

There are many forms of rat bait available but sadly a lot of them just don’t do the business. I stake my reputation on Pestoff Rodent Blocks and they have never let me down.

Many of you will have seen the nifty electronic devices that claim to keep a building rodent-free; almost sounds too good to be true doesn’t it? I can’t recall how many of these I have seen in the homes of people that have phoned seeking a solution to ongoing rat problems.

Trapping is by necessity extremely hands-on but does have the advantage of reducing the risk of ending up with a smelly, dead rat hidden away in a corner. I am often asked whether poisoned rats will die inside or outside a building; it is of course impossible to predict.

However, we only occasionally see a dried-out, dead rat in a roof and the owners usually tell me they never smelt a thing.

To my mind, the chance of notic-ing a funny smell for a while is a safer bet than just hoping the rats don’t burn your house down or flood you out.Please feel free to email or call me direct to find out more about the range of Rat and Mouse control products available to: [email protected].

Rats! The rain has arrived and so have pesky rodents!

pest control

Autumn brings rodents inside – ensure plenty of traps are in place.


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0274 928 701

ah 09 238 6923

CD

165274

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OPEN 7 DAYS

Shop 2, 33 Edinburgh St(next to Pizza Hut) Pukekohe

Phone 09 239 2964

Monday-Friday 7am-6pmSaturday 8am-6pmSunday 9am-5pm

CLOSED PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

RE188578

LAUNDROMAT

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Celebrating 37 years in business

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Taylor Internal Colour Steel Taylor External Colour Steel

CD

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Quote Code RL13

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Ph/Fax: 09 238 4047 or 021 987402600 Buckland Rd, RD2, Pukekohe

Experienced Operator 28 years+

Craig NicholsonEarthmoving & General Cartage

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SPOUTING & ROOFINGSPOUTING Replacements and new houses. Ph 267 3030

TRADE SERVICESPROVISTA Balustrade systems. Swimming Pool & deck balustrades. Ph 021 855 858

MR CLIP LTD. Totally mo-bile shearing service. Ph 09 425 7104 or 276 1219

CRAIG Nicholson Earth-moving and general cartage. Ph 09 238 4047 or 021 987 402

CHILDCAREAMANDA’S Homebased education and care serv-ices. Ph 360 7514

BABY Bunting. Home based childcare. Ph 09 238 7508

BOBCATS & TRUCKSBOBCAT AND TRUCK HIRE. Kevin Platt Bob Cat Services. Ph 0274 928 701 or 09 238 6923

WATERDAVIS TANKS. Environmentally friendly. PH 021 794 148 or 09 232 8540

WATERBLASTINGHOUSEWASHING. Soft, all exterior. Ph 09 277 9089 or 021 977 344

LAUNDROMATLAUNDRY for you. Open days Ph 09 239 2964

LIVESTOCK & POULTRYLOVE your chooks but hate feeding? Call Windsong En-terprises. Ph 07 552 5225

FOR HIRELUXURY Portable bath-rooms. Simple to set up, pleasure to use. Ph 027 282 5856

FERTILISERCHICKEN Manure Ferti-liser. Ph Bennet Fertilisers. Ph 09 299 6486

If you would like to

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RURAL LIVING

09 271 8055email:

classifi [email protected]


www.fl ooringxtra.co.nzHappy to assist in your next fl ooring purchase

53640

FREE underlay on selected lines.Selected stock vinyls from $15 per m2.

149B Manukau Rd, Pukekohe.Phone 238 2954

4/21 Ronwood Ave, Manukau.Phone 262 0048

NEW SHOWROOM OPEN

Mon - Fri: 8.30am - 5pm; Sat: 9am - 1pm

JB’s

Locals passing 149B Manukau Road may no-tice a large sign in orange declaring: ‘Un-der New Ownership’ on the Flooring Xtra

building, along with the buying group’s re-nowned green tree logo.

The showroom has been sign written with the trading name of new owners, John and Catherine Bannister, JB’s Flooring Xtra.

“You may say ‘this looks familiar,’ and you would be right!” says Catherine “That is if you’ve been down Ronwood Avenue in Manu-kau before, because we also own a showroom there too.”

Catherine says she and John now own and operate both businesses, with the assistance of their four children.

“We are very proud of them and it’s a great feeling to be able to work with our kids. Kylie, who’s studied her Retail Awards, is in

charge at Manukau and Laura worked fi ve years as a collections administrator before coming on board to handle administration.

“Damian organises our installation team, and Grant, who’s in the fi nal year of a fl ooring apprenticeship, was nominated for Apprentice of the Year Level 2,” Catherine says.

The company also benefi ts from the exper-tise of a wider team, says John, including expe-rienced, trusted contractors, where required.

A long-time Franklin resident, John moved to Waiuku to start his third form year at Waiuku College, more than 38 years ago. After leaving college, he made a start in the fl ooring indus-try.

“I joined the fl ooring indus-try following a

holiday job with Bruce Haines, a well known local of Pukekohe. I must have done something right, because Bruce offered me an apprentice-ship and I’ve been in the industry ever since – some 38 years, in total.”

John says both he and Catherine enjoy being part of the Flooring Xtra team nationwide.

“Although all stores are individually owned, there’s a great team spirit across the group, which is one reason we joined a few years back. We opened our fi rst showroom in Manukau because the Pukekohe area was already taken.

“But, when Matt Fricker, owner of the Puke-kohe branch, approached us to take the store on, it was a no-brainer, because our family lives in the district, and Pukekohe and the surround-ing areas are up and coming, thanks to all the new developments.”

He says, since he and Catherine have been in the industry, fl ooring has changed a great deal.

“It used to be all about wool carpets, but now man-made fi bres are taking the lead. From

solid wood fl ooring, we now have engineered and laminate timbers, along with sheet vinyl and vinyl tile and vinyl planking ranges, which are ideal in bathrooms or kitchens.

“We are also witnessing the introduction of recycled products in underlay, carpet backing and the new Softee, cinnamon carpet range, which is made from P.E.T; that’s recycled plas-tic bottles. This range is very popular and drew huge crowds when we showcased it at last year’s Auckland Home Show.”

John, Catherine and the Team at JB’s Floor-ing Xtra, Pukekohe and Manukau, are available to assist with a wide range of fl ooring products and services.

“Come on by either of our showrooms,” she says, “we look forward to assisting our custom-ers with their fl ooring selections.”JB’s Flooring Xtra 149B Manukau Road, Pukekohe09 238 2954pukekohe@fl ooringxtra.co.nz

Starting out on the right footStarting out on the right foot

their four children. “We are very proud of them and it’s a great

feeling to be able to work with our kids. Kylie, who’s studied her Retail Awards, is in

“I joined the fl ooring indus-try following a

OUR PUKEKOHE SHOWROOM: Our latest addition.

MANUKAU: Our fi rst showroom.

ADVERTORIAL 53640A

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Rural Living April 2013