In July this year kids from all around New Zealand braved the bitter Southland cold to compete in the Grand Final of the Young Farmers event in Invercargill.
The competition includes AgriKids for primary school age kids (8-13 years), FMG Junior Young Farmer for high schoolers and the wellrenowned FMG Young farmer of the Year event.
Agrikids contestants compete in teams of three and the competition is designed for young kids from rural regions across New Zealand to get involved in Agriculture and experience a taste of farming
The winners of the East Coast Agrikids Regionals this year were Matthew Soltau, Peyton Hunt, and Olly Darby, from Havelock North Intermediate This is the first time Havelock North Intermediate has entered a team in this event The boys were surprised and quite excited that their team “Te Mata No.8” took out the top spot
The team travelled down to Invercargill to represent Hawkes Bay in the Grand Final and found the competition “fun but really tough.” Leading up to the event they were very grateful to get some help from PGG Wrightson Hastings to study and prepare for the day They learnt about soil horizons, seeds and animal welfare and even got the chance to drive a New Holland Boomer 25C tractor A field trip to the Hastings Watties machinery depot also helped increase their knowledge of farming equipment such as sprayers, seeders and different types of tractors
The Agrikids competition is structured into three sections A general knowledge quiz, a race-off obstacle course and a series of farmrelated practical modules On the day, this included a wide range of tasks, from identifying pest footprints and disease control methods, to naming parts of a Honda motorbike
The race-off proved to be the most challenging part for the team, with the boys having to simulate milking a cow, tackle a combination lock, and test their rope tying skills
And what was the best part? This was pretty obvious - “Driving a tractor ” Their team scored the highest on this module; an achievement they are all very proud of
Overall, the team placed 5th out of the 21 teams competing at the Nationals An amazing accomplishment for these aspiring young farmers from Hawke’s Bay The winning region went to Tasman with “The Oinks” of Seddon School winning the Agrikids 2025 competition. Hawke’s Bay Te Mata No.8 team member, Matthew Soltau says he really enjoyed the experience, and is keen to get involved in the high school Junior Farmer event next year When asked what advice they would give to any kids interested in competing in Agrikids next year it’s pretty clear: “just give it a go,” and “make sure you study and prepare for a wide range of topics.” Also look at the practical side of things too – like knowing machinery parts.”
TOP: Olly Darby, left, Matthew Soltau and Peyton Hunt.
BOTTOM: Matthew Soltau takes part in the tractor driving test module
Mangarara’s mission: a willow-free stream in ten years
The Mangarara Stream, a winding tributary east of Patangata Bridge, is the focus of a determined community effort to tackle one of New Zealand’s most persistent pest plantscrack willow
Left unchecked crack willow clogs waterways leading to accelerated bank erosion and increased flood risk. In the Mangarara catchment, mature willows dominate the stream banks, their sprawling roots and collapsing trunks undermining stability and blocking channels.
“Willows have taken over in places,” says Greg Hart, local farmer and chair of the Mangarara Catchment Group “They’ve been here for decades but the damage they cause to water flow, bank stability, and farm infrastructure is now too big to ignore We’re committed to removing them, and we ’ ve set ourselves a clear goal to become a willow-free catchment within ten years ”
The Mangarara catchment is the smallest of the seventeen Tukituki sub-catchments covering just under 4,000ha Despite its size, it faces significant soil erosion and sedimentation.
Cyclone Gabrielle exacerbated these issues, raising the stream bed by up to 60cm in some areas
In 2023 the Mangarara Catchment Group with the support of local catchment collective Tukituki Land Care (TLC), secured Access2Experts (A2E) assistance A2E was a Ministry for the Environment service that provided free technical advice to help communities meet Essential Freshwater reform goals
With A2E’s backing, Matt Highway of Element Environmental Ltd assessed erosion control, silt retention, and willow management options. This report became a blueprint for action and helped unlock $50,000 in Cyclone Gabrielle Recovery
funding, which, combined with a $10,000 TLC Demonstration Grant, allowed work to start in priority areas.
The group ’ s two-phase erosion and sediment control strategy starts with removing crack willows, followed by replanting with poplars and natives for long-term bank stability Landowners are being encouraged to take advantage of newly cleared areas by planting a diverse range of native species, building ecological resilience alongside erosion control Ongoing management will be crucial to prevent reinfestation and ensure young plants survive in the face of floods, weeds, and browsing animals.
In March, work began at the confluence of the Mangarara Stream and the Tukituki River, with diggers, chainsaws, and burn piles marking the start of the campaign. In more challenging spots, teams are using drill-and-fill to target stubborn trees without disturbing surrounding vegetation.
Neighbouring catchment Mangamahaki has also started willow clearing with support from Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and is running a planting trial funded by TLC to showcase suitable species for flood-prone areas
“In-stream willow is a problem right across the Tukituki catchment, not just here in Mangarara. The work we ’ re doing now is a chance to show what’s possible and to inspire other areas to take on the challenge, says TLC catchment coordinator Pixie Seligman.
It’s a long-term commitment, but for those involved, the vision is clear: a healthy, willow-free Mangarara Stream supporting stable banks, improved water flow, and reduced sediment - all within the next decade
More about the Mangarara Catchment Group can be found at www.tukitukilandcare org/ mangarara.
TOP: “Willows have taken over in places,” says Greg Hart, local farmer and chair of the Mangarara Catchment Group. BOTTOM: Farmers in the Mangarara catchment have set themselves a goal to become a willow-free catchment within ten years.