Issuu

January 2026

Rock n roll from the gravel roads Pages 8–11

How RMA reforms can build a better country

Plastic revolution on farms

Leading the way to diversity

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THE TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES IS PUBLISHED WITH PRIDE BY RURAL MATTERS LTD, A PRIVATELY OWNED NZ COMPANY. Phone: 0800 466 793

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How RMA reforms can build a better country by Barbara Kuriger, MP for Taranaki-King Country

The idea of changing the Resource Management Act (RMA) has been around for years, and many people saw it as only a matter of time.

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While the news, however inevitable, may not surprise anyone, it is still a relief to see the government act in its first term to make major changes. These changes will bring real benefits to communities, the environment and economy. For years, people have said the RMA is slow, expensive and complicated. Reform gives us a chance to keep the act’s main goal of managing resources sustainably, while making the system more efficient, predictable and focussed on results. A major benefit is that getting consent for projects could become faster and clearer. With simpler processes, fewer repeated plans, and clearer national guidance, we can avoid the delays that often hold up housing, infrastructure and renewable energy projects. This should lower costs for councils, developers and communities, making it easier to tackle the housing shortage and improve important infrastructure.

Barbara Kuriger MP for Taranaki-King Country Backing Rural and Provincial New Zealand Inglewood Office 80 Rata St, PO Box 124, Inglewood 4330 • 06 756 6032 Kuriger.Inglewood@parliament.govt.nz Te Awamutu Office 196 Alexandra Street Te Awamutu, 3800 • 07 870 1005 Kuriger.Teawamutu@parliament.govt.nz King Country Virtual Office 021 815 017 • Kuriger.Kingcountry@parliament.govt.nz Funded by the Parliamentary Service. Authorised by Barbara Kuriger, Parliament Buildings, Wgtn.

Reform is also a chance to improve environmental protections. With stronger national standards and clearer rules, the new system can do a better job of protecting our freshwater, biodiversity and coastal areas. Rather than debating the basics in every local plan or consent, communities can spend more time working on real improvements and restoring damaged environments. A simpler and more strategic planning system can help us prepare for the long term. By including climate change adaptation, natural hazard risks and infrastructure planning in early decisions, New Zealand can build safer, more liveable communities that are ready for future challenges. If done right, RMA reform can give us a planning system that works faster and is more reliable, while also offering better environmental protections and more liveable communities for everyone in New Zealand. It’s the textbook balance.

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JANuARY 2026

Welcoming farming in 2026 Welcome back to an exciting year of Taranaki Farming Lifestyles. Now owned by Rural Matters Ltd, our team looks forward to keeping our farming community up to date, heard and seen with local stories and news that affect them.

The Rural Matters team is ready to go for another year, ensuring people in businesses and the farming community are heard

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Happy New Year, we are excited to do 2026 with you. Looking forward to the future, we as a company want to keep you informed with relevant news, information and uplifting stories. Last year, we faced challenges. This publication, once owned by Integrity Community Media, was put into administration and subsequently liquidated. Amid our team’s loyalty in believing that what we do matters, we kept moving forward, with Rural Matters stepping to the fore to own the mastheads. Emerging victorious, the Farming Lifestyles family is thriving and striving to ensure we bring our readers great content. New opportunities and challenges await us all, but as ever, the farming community keeps going, no matter the situation, and we will continue with you. As always, our team will scrutinise and inform on political issues, solutions and policies facing farmers this election year. This year, we hope to share the wonderful journeys people have been on, their passions for agriculture and their success in the industry. We will print the latest and upcoming wheels and vehicles in farming, amongst other technologies. This year, our editor Andy Bryenton has shaken things up with his vision for the paper. In this month’s publication, you

will discover feature stories, automotive successes, local news and other pieces we think you will like — it is a refresh we think our readers will love. Celebrating 40 years of the Northland Field Days, we encourage you to attend the show, make connections, witness inventions and technology benefiting the rural sector and other opportunities. Attendees fortunate enough to be as old as this celebrated agricultural affair can get in for free (photo identification is required). There is a chance to win a Honda outboard motor or quad bike. The Northern Lifestyles team will be on the ground hunting for the latest and greatest tech available, reporting on the various activities and connecting with the community. With an outdoor zone, a lifestyle area, entertainment, food courts and over 300 exhibitors, we hope to see you there. If there is anything you’d like to see covered this year, any great stories about farming ingenuity, local news or issues, we welcome you to email us at info@rml. nz. If you wish to advertise, we invite you to call our sales team (contact numbers on page two). We wish everyone a happy, safe and prosperous new year, and we’ll see you at the Northland Field Days.

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Expo headed back to Waikato

Dairy farmers will welcome back the annual New Zealand Dairy Expo, aimed to be a grassroots approach to all things dairy, at the United Matamata Sports Club, Bedford Park, Matamata on February 18 and 19, 8.30am to 3pm for the two days. “The Dairy Expo is not like the big National Fieldays. It is grassroots, practical, focussed and designed purely for dairy farmers,” said Dairy Expo event coordinator Amanda Hodgson. “We’re pumped about February’s event. If you’re a dairy farmer this Expo is for you — and you alone.” Amanda says there will be no lifestyle stalls, crowds or walking for miles to find what attendees need. “A couple of us that are in the sector organise this event alongside our full-time jobs, and we keep it intentionally simple because — you — farmers and the good guys of rural NZ, tell us every year that this format works and you love it. “Every exhibitor/business is vetted. They must have at least 80% of their business in dairying. No spa pools, no knick-knacks, no wet-weather gear, no Tesla cars, nothing off-topic. “Everything you need is in one compact, easy-to-walk area. Exhibitors keep things simple. Just their best people on the day, ready to talk farming, and solving any problems you need to overcome.” On Wednesday afternoon, after the Expo wraps up, attendees are welcome to head over to the Matamata Clubrooms from 3.30pm to 6.30pm for a relaxed catch-up. Two Q&A sessions will be running each day at 10am and 2pm. These alternate across both days, so visitors can catch

The 2026 New Zealand Dairy Expo covers all things dairy

both topics — no matter which day they attend. Session 1: Wearable Tech and Boluses Led by veterinarian Kirsty Ashcroft from Anexa Veterinary Services, Morrinsville. This session dives into everything from cow collars, ear tags and rumen boluses to how these systems integrate, what data matters, and the practical day-to-day realities of using them. Expect open discussion around accuracy, alerts, reliability, behaviour

insights, heat detection, metabolic indicators, and the future of animal monitoring technology. Bring your questions from cost effectiveness to choosing the right system for your farm. Session 2: Breeding For the Farming System of the Future Led by Mark Benns from Your Wingman, this session explores breeding strategies that align with modern dairy farming environments. It covers why breeding decisions need to be made years ahead

of infrastructure changes and how to prepare your herd for the systems you want to run in the future. Topics include genetic selection, environmental pressures, efficiency, adaptability, longevity, and aligning herd development with labour-saving technology and farm system goals. A practical, strategic conversation for farmers planning ahead. Farmers wishing to attend can register at nzdairyexpo.co.nz/farmer-registration.

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Plastic revolution on farms

JANuARY 2026

by Andy Bryenton

While the debate surrounding carbon credits, methane measurements and other environmental issues continues in the rural sector, there’s a broad consensus on one ecological measure that’s fundamental. Recycling plastics used on farms is not a new concept, and it’s been supported by schemes such as Agrecovery and Plasback. Some have been in place and developing in tandem with farmers’ needs for two decades. Now, these two initiatives will be rolled into one, forming the basis for a single, unified nationwide plastic recycling scheme on farms. Parliamentarian Penny Simmonds, speaking at the announcement of the new programme, said that this industry-led push for recycling will be free to use, simple and accessible. “This initiative is about fixing the basics while building the future with practical solutions that protect the environment, support our farmers and ensure a productive, sustainable primary sector,” Ms Simmonds said. The key to implementing a nationwide rural plastics recovery scheme is a new set of regulations covering agrichemical containers and farm plastics. “We consulted on these regulations earlier this year and received strong support from the rural sector. Farmers and growers have been working towards this for a long time. Today, we’ve made it happen. “Plastic products are essential to New Zealand’s world-leading agri-economy, but rural communities know that waste like

“It is a simple and efficient way for growers to optimise environmentally positive growing practices,” said Ms Tunley. “New Zealand dairy farmers are committed to reducing their environmental footprint, including minimising plastic waste. The green farms product stewardship scheme offers a solution to enable our farmers to progress further along this journey,” said Dr Burger.

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Environment Minister Penny Simmonds has announced a new, free-to-use nationwide farm plastics recycling plan

containers, plastic bags and bale wrap can pile up.” The new scheme, announced in the first week of December, will share the responsibility for recovery and recycling between sellers, producers and end-users of farming products that use plastic for packaging. It won’t just benefit farmers. Forestry, manufacturing, hospitality, tourism and local authorities will also have access to national take-back

services, making safe disposal easier for all New Zealanders. “Key industry stakeholders support the scheme because it offers a better alternative to burning or burying plastics, reducing environmental risk and supporting cleaner, safer rural communities.” Nadine Tunley, CEO of Horticulture New Zealand, and DairyNZ general manager David Burger both expressed support for the initiative.

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LEADING THE WAY

TO DIVERSITY Established as a public-private partnership, Mānuka Farming NZ was designed to grow the mānuka honey industry through the identification of science-led best practices.

The company continues to help the industry’s recovery, while also advising landowners on the integral role of mānuka as a cornerstone of native planting for land retirement and ecological restoration. It leads the way for farmers to diversify their revenue streams and look after the land for future generations. “Plantation mānuka honey is still in its infancy,” said client relationship manager Bronwyn Douglas. “The honey industry grew quickly, resulting in an explosion of hives across the country. “That led to a glut of honey and a fall in prices, driving many beekeepers away from mānuka. There’s no honey glut, and we‘re seeing prices move upwards sharply.”

Founded more than 12 years ago, as part of MPI’s Primary Growth Partnership programme, Mānuka Farming NZ led trials of purpose-bred mānuka cultivars derived from wild stands throughout New Zealand. The project successfully built a set of protocols to improve the quality and quantity of high-UMF mānuka honey. It includes the use of the mānuka cultivars bred for vigorous growth, increased floral density and fitness for use in various climate conditions. The company recommends specific cultivars based on the land location to be planted, and site-specific challenges like propensity for drought or frost. “The field research was delivered by Massey University, which also produced

Bronwyn Douglas, Bronwyn Douglas, and the MFNZ planting lead, with regenerative farmer Greg Hart, who is retiring class six and seven erosion-prone land on his farm

three PhD projects from the findings and a wide range of information,” said senior ecologist Maggie Olsen. “We tested different mānuka cultivars at plantation sites throughout New Zealand. We concentrated our research

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A team of planters will plant the mānuka and non-mānuka species on the land to help diversify the area and the landowners’ revenue stream

“The seed lines developed have improved growing characteristics compared to the wild types. With our cultivar collections, we can match these according to ecotype and region.” With eight cultivars to select from, farmers from across the country can diversify their revenue streams by adding honey production to the mix. Matching the flowering time and the bees’ activity time ensures the bees can successfully harvest nectar for honey production. “We provide our clients with a customised planting plan to meet their specific needs and goals. In addition to recommendations about mānuka cultivars, we also advise on non-mānuka support species suitable for specific locations and integral to bee health.

“For the hard-to-farm steep back country where radiata is unsuitable, mānuka is usually the most cost-effective option. There’s so much erosion-prone land in New Zealand, and mānuka is a great way to anchor those slopes, whether alone or in concert with other tree species. The low-cost option benefits the land,” said Bronwyn. “Having seed orchards for our special cultivars, we select that seed, grow it in our nurseries and plant out following the plan, normally planting during winter. We also do the essential preparation and post-management for the site — weed and pest control.” Maggie says many farmers are at the mercy of commodity prices. Mānuka honey prices aren’t closely tied to those products, which is useful as a complementary source of revenue.

“It creates a carbon revenue, too. It’s a way for farmers to maximise returns from unproductive pastoral land and even beautify their property with trees. You will see the benefits of the native biodiversity, an increase in birds, bees, erosion management and water quality. “Honey prices are stabilising and increasing steadily. The industry would benefit from having a more stable supply based on purpose-built plantations, rather than relying heavily on the wild supply. “Our goal is to help landowners meet their economic and ecological goals with maximum reliability and minimum cost. Whether that means establishing a mānuka plantation or retiring unproductive hill-country grazing land, we’ve the practical experience and science-led backing to deliver.”

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Honey bees foraging for nectar on a flowering mānuka tree

These five different mānuka cultivars showcase the width difference of leaf shape

“By acting as pollen and nectar sources when the mānuka is not flowering, it ensures a diverse diet for the bees’ health. Everyone benefits from diversity in their diet, even the bees. “We also advise on the optimal number and placement of hives to maximise the time the bees are on the mānuka flower exclusively. “It adds to the quality and value of the honey. This scientific approach brings much greater certainty and reliability of outcomes for landowners.” The variety of traits found in specialised mānuka cultivars is not only useful for landowners looking to establish honey production. They are also ideally suited as a cornerstone of land retirement and restoration projects

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ROCK N ROLL

FROM THE GRAVEL ROADS BY AMY FIFITA Named after one of his dad’s favourite sayings, Hard Road, an album by singer and songwriter Merv Pinny is a retrospective journey of his life and experiences.

“H

ard Road came in the last few years, and that name is taken from something my father used to say to me, ‘you’ve got a hard road to hoe’. That’s why I named the album Hard Road — it is a good reflection of me,” said Merv. “I had never understood it at the time, but when I look back, I understand what he meant, because I didn’t listen. I wasn’t one to listen, and if I thought it should be done, I was going to do it anyway.” Born in the King Country and exploring his love for music in rural Waikato, dairy farming and music have been the two main passions of his life. It was on the family farm that Merv learned how to

overcome the challenges life handed to him, a lesson that helped him in his career. “We were always on the farm, and we were pretty wild. My brother cut his toe off with a saw, and my other brother cut his tongue off from jumping out of the hay shed on to the truck. “It was a bit chaotic, so our parents spent a lot of time in the accident and emergency department because we did almost anything. Being allowed to drive tractors and trucks from an early age, my brother ran me over with a truck. “That was when things changed a little bit, because people were questioning why the boy was in the truck. I spent a long

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Launching his career from his mother’s lounge with his brothers, Merv has been in various bands, and has a lifetime dedicated to farming and music

“It is a great lifestyle for children, and the lessons that we learnt helped me with my music career, because there were some tasks that seemed impossible. My siblings and I had to dig a three-metre-deep trench, and our father made us dig it with shovels because there was no front-end loader. “It took us two months to complete. That is one of the lessons my father taught me: nothing is impossible, you just have to keep working on it, and you’ll eventually achieve what you need to do.” With a rural backdrop, Merv and his brothers discovered their love for music, often playing together, and eventually becoming a three-piece band. “We had no neighbours around us, so practising and playing as loud as we

wanted in mum’s lounge was an accepted thing. Our lounge was set up like a band room. “The first instrument I picked up was the trumpet, and I became the most unpopular child in the family very quickly. I didn’t get any lessons, so I was just making noise. Trumpets are very loud. “Switching to guitar when my brother got a Les Paul guitar. He sold his old guitar to me for $10, and that’s how I got started. I was more popular on the guitar than the trumpet. “My main instrument was the bass guitar, because my brother’s band, Judge Hoffman, needed a bass guitarist and I happened to be there. They’d won the Battle of the Bands and their bass

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Waikato-born, Merv moved north on a farming venture, and eventually found himself in Kerikeri working at the Turner’s Centre helping with theatre shows and touring acts

guitarist was sick, so I stood in. I was 14 years old at the time and able to hold my own with that band. “Later on, I moved into rhythm and lead guitar. As brothers, we had a three-piece band, The Pinny Brothers. Many of the bands I played with after that were threepiece bands — fewer spaces, more money for band members and fewer people to argue with.” Decades on, and various farms and experiences later, Merv is now based in Kerikeri on a lifestyle block and is releasing Hard Road. “For the last few years, I’ve been working at the Turner’s Centre in

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Kerikeri, doing a lot of theatre shows and working with so many people country-wide. “It has been a great learning experience for me, not just musically but entertainment-wise. I’ve learned about some of the touring acts and how they do things, and I try to build some of that into my stuff as well. “There are so many songwriters out there trying to get heard, and there are many different ways of achieving that. There is a powerful and supportive community in the music world, even in other countries like Australia and the USA. They all have that in common.”

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Since Merv Pinny released his recent album, Hard Road, it has gained international acclaim climbing the radio charts on college campuses in the US and Brazil

Starting his music career with his brothers in rural Waikato, they would have to balance their farm chores with gigs. “Playing with my brothers was terrific. There were drawbacks, because my father seemed to time haymaking when we had a gig, and we weren’t allowed to go until completion,” said Merv.

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“Richard would milk, and I would pick up the hay, and sometimes, I’d have to do it alone so that we could do the gig. It was like a mad rush.” Starting a cover band called Jailbreak with his brother George, they played AC/DC, Angel and other heavy rock covers. The band would play on a circuit, and was the resident band for the Hillcrest Tavern. “I started writing songs once we got on the circuit band, and we started playing

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Balancing farming and music for his lifetime, Merv is now living on a lifestyle block and is solely focussing on making music

my songs at the gigs. We were such a busy band because we were playing six nights a week, and I was still milking the cows — so it was tough. “The next day, we’d be doing that again, and it was hard-out like that for two or three years. I loved playing so much that I just wanted to do it.” Already committed to dairy farming and music, Merv put his all into both passions. After leaving school, Merv worked on a dairy farm before becoming a welder at an engineering shop, while continuing to play in bands. “I even worked in a dairy company for a while before getting my own herd. You have

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to be careful with owning a farm and being musical, because you can get a bit tied up with playing music and not working as much as you should on the farm. Then everything on the farm gets rushed, so you can get carried away if you’re writing songs.” Merv recorded his first song after attending a music conference in Auckland. Catapulting his career to a new high, it was the first of many wins for his lifetime of music-making. “I wrote a song called Lonely Woman and recorded it in Auckland. I attended a music conference, and the artists were saying that they never play their music or even listen to it.

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

Merv says his favourite song on his Hard Road album is Bang Bang, a humorous song inspired by being told ‘you can go to hell’ and his curiosity about what would happen if he did

“The host said if we returned tomorrow, he’d listen to our songs, and I was the only one who turned up. He loved it and played it on the radio. That led to me recording my first album, Destiny, in Auckland at the Airforce Digital Recording Studios, where I got introduced to Mike Farrell, who ended up producing it. “I had a little studio, and it surprised Mike that I played all the instruments and the song had already been formed. We had some of the best musos on that album — Mike, Pat Kuhtze, Peter Morgan, Max Hohepa, Karl Benton, Ben Gilgen and Bianco Walter.” With a good start in the industry, Merv continued to farm in Waikato and produce music. It wasn’t until a motorcycle accident left him unable to walk again that he decided to move to Northland with hopes of financially and physically recovering.

“That crash changed everything. Heading north gave me a new experience. It felt good, I was creating a new start to rebuild, and I loved it in Dargaville. “I bought a farm next to Glinks Gully. It was a converted dairy farm. I could afford to be in Northland, and I was still doing my music, songwriting and had a recording studio.” After buying a farm in Glinks Gully, Merv made farming ventures in Mangakahia Valley on his 3,000-acre Ngatitara farm before buying a farm in Kerikeri. Eventually retiring from farming in 2016, Merv moved onto a lifestyle block closer to town and began fully focussing on music. “I love to play live, but for me, it has always been about writing the songs. My favourite song on Hard Road is Bang Bang. One of my old girlfriends would say, ‘I wish you were dead, you can go to hell’, when she was angry with me. I wondered

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Merv began writing songs when he was in a circuit band in Waikato

what it would be like if I went to hell, so I wrote it in with a sense of humour. “Rise On Up is about never giving up on what you believe and being able to conquer issues. If you really believe it — it’s possible. Never give up on the dream or what you believe in, because if you don’t believe it, no one else will.”

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

Tank’s tactical superiority

by Andy Bryenton

When the GWM Tank 300 broke cover, and photos of this surprising new addition to the competitive SUV segment hit the press, much was made of its sharp looks and classic design cues. It certainly has an aesthetic impact; a fresh name in the adventure vehicle arena needs to stand out. There are homages, hints and brush strokes from some of the all-time greats combined in that chunky exterior treatment, with its bold, flared wheel arches and aggressive stance. In fact, in real life the Tank 300 manages to be both serious and endearing at once, which is a neat trick. So, it’s fun to behold, and it’s kitted out with an impressive list of electronic comforts and safety features. The Tank rolled in with a big question hanging next to its very reasonable price, however. It’s named for an indomitable war machine, and on paper it would seem to do everything that some competitors do for twice the price. Still, how would it actually drive, and (to steal a question from the off-roading community) is it a ‘real one’? Part of the question is answered on the outside, with a look at the big, serious underpinnings of the Tank 300. Underbody protection and large differentials are not the hallmark of a cafe kerb cruiser, and they’re Tank standard. Sit in the driver’s seat and you’ll find switches for front and back diff locks, then two little dials, which will be familiar to anyone who is familiar with 4x4 royalty; a selector for high and low ratio modes, two and four-wheel drive. Then there’s another with options for sand, mud and even rock crawling.

The GWM Tank 300 represents exceptional value for money; a real SUV amid a field containing many crossovers

That’s cards-on-the-table stuff, and video evidence of the Tank 300 going places where quad bikes may fear to tread bears out the promise of those tempting dials. However, I’m off to try this machine out in an environment more gruelling than the Dakar rally, a central business district run after school’s out. Two things stand out dramatically. Firstly, this large, spacious 4x4 feels smaller than it is to drive. You can see all the corners,

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and it’s more agile than you might expect. Commanding the Tank comes intuitively, partly in thanks to a very sorted steering set-up, and partly due to how smooth and comfortable it is on the road, even with the big grippy tyres fitted to the example I tried. There are power variants to choose from, including a 2.4-litre turbo diesel, a 2-litre turbo petrol model and a hybrid, which adds even more on-demand torque. A plug-in

hybrid is on the way for the new year. Pick your favourite, secure in the knowledge that towing up to three tonnes is on the cards, and that all models come packed with features you’d normally pay a whole lot more for. With standout looks and the ability to go from city streets to uncharted trails, this is one Tank which offers tactical flexibility. You don’t need to be a general to see that taking a closer look is a great strategy.

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Defiant in the dry

January 2026

by Liz Clark

As summer moves in, gardens around the country will feel its bite; when water is at a premium, many gardeners will turn to droughtresilient plants as an alternative. New Zealand natives have become the first-choice option amongst gardeners. Chosen for their attractive form and colour, many species are available at local nurseries. Try out the attractive pohutukawa either as a shelterbelt or as a stand-alone specimen tree. Its deep crimson blooms in early summer provide a burst of colour and provide food for native birds, bees and butterflies. Coprosma Cappuccino, with its compact growth and deep chocolate colouring, is another popular choice for containers and dry garden areas. Also try out low-growing flaxes, which come in a variety of colours and forms. These plants are especially resilient, requiring little maintenance other than the occasional fertiliser and small amount of watering to retain colour and vigour. Astelia Silver Spear is another stronggrowing plant that can tolerate long dry periods. Growing to a height of 1.5 metres, it also provides a standout architectural focal point for fences and walls. Also consider Akeake, Carex, Griselinia, Knightia, Poor Knights Lily, Olearia and many more. In the perennial range, flower power comes to the fore. Echinacea is a hardy flowering plant available in a range of colours. It provides colour and food for the bees during the hotter months of

Lavender is a reliable drought-proof plant that feeds the bees as well

summer. It also makes an excellent cut flower for the vase. Try out Echinacea Purple Coneflower with its rich, carminered eight-centimetre or more blooms, it flowers in late summer well into autumn. Members of the Salvia family, from the Mediterranean and drier climates of

the Americas, are another alternative for gardeners. For a dash of spice try out Ember’s Wish, a clump-forming plant with bright red flowers and deep green leaves, and Red Velvet. Other perennials include Achillea, Dianthus, Gazania and Lavender.

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Other plants that love the dry include proteas, waratahs, leucadendrons and many more. The most important thing of all is to give your plants a good start by planting in autumn. Lay down a deep layer of mulch after planting. It will conserve moisture during the dry months.

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January 2026 TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

A birthday for the friendly field days

by Andy Bryenton

Forty years ago an idea was formed among a group of locals in Dargaville who were passionate about farming and about promoting the whole rural sector in Northland. Back then, in 1985, the local Dargaville Jaycees group assembled an outdoor festival showcasing farming innovations, and held it at the site of the town’s equestrian racetrack. History records that everything came together beautifully except the weather, but despite the deluge the first-ever Northland Field Days was a roaring success, with 80 exhibitors and thousands of guests. Northland and the field days went together perfectly, and those numbers continued to grow, so much so that a new site was sourced and the whole event expanded to become the biggest outdoor occasion in the north. In terms of size, the Northland Field Days is now the secondbiggest event in its kind nationwide, and because it comes at the very start of the year, it can be the first place where the latest ideas in farming break cover. No matter where you are in the nation, four decades is a milestone to celebrate. Just as importantly, as the field days celebrates its 40th birthday on February 26, 27 and 28 2026, the event has grown to become a feast of entertainment as well as innovation, a fun three-day festival, as much as it is a showcase of technology and a chance to share ideas. This year the president and committee have gone all out to deliver a great experience. As well as more than 300 exhibitors covering all the sectors of

Racing lawn mowers hit the track at Northland Field Days; just one of the surprising, entertaining sights to see at Northland’s biggest outdoor event.

agriculture and horticulture, there will be sheepdog trials, a massive tractor pull contest, 4x4 obstacle tracks, off-road motorcycle drag racing, lawn mower racing and rides for the youngsters. Three food courts, pavilions packed with lifestyle and home ideas, and an entire outdoor zone filled with boats, bikes, hunting, fishing and off-road adventuring await.

For the big 40th, Northland Field Days is also rolling out the prizes. The tone reflects the ‘muddy boots and milestones’ theme of the three-day festival — if you’re 40 years old, you can come in for free. Everyone who passes through the gate is in to win their choice of a brand-new Honda quad bike or a Honda outboard motor, too.

If you’re in the rural sector and want to catch a milestone moment, with the chance to see what’s fresh for 2026, plan to visit Dargaville when this huge show is in town. You’ll enjoy the carnival atmosphere and the excitement on display. You can find out more at northlandfielddays.co.nz — see you there.

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Two in a row for RAV4

JANuARY 2026

by Andy Bryenton

The Toyota RAV4 has won a second consecutive people’s choice award and backed up this accolade with a top performance in new vehicle sales, making it the most popular new car in the nation for 2025. “We are incredibly humbled by the trust New Zealanders continue to place in Toyota, and especially in the RAV4,” said Toyota New Zealand CEO Tatsuya Ishikawa. “To see it voted people’s choice again and chosen more than any other new vehicle in 2025 is something our entire team is deeply grateful for. Kiwis choose the RAV4 for their families, their work and their adventures. We remain committed to earning that trust every day.” The latest iteration of Toyota’s mid-sized SUV has been on forecourts since 2019, and since then, 50,000 have found homes in Kiwi garages and driveways. That’s impressive in a very packed sector, facing pressure from an onslaught of EVs utilising a similar body type and footprint. It’s even more impressive to take the crown of best-seller from the marketdominating utes, which have tussled for the gold medal for more than a decade. That’s not just here, either. In an act of epochal dethroning, the RAV4 knocked

RAV4 dethrones Ford F-150, conquers Kiwi hearts and minds, too

the Ford F-150 off the US top seller’s spot. This, to put it in Kiwi perspective, is like sumo replacing rugby as our national sport. A total of 11,295 RAV4s rolled out in 2025, helping bust another record. By 2020 the mid-sized Toyota had already exceeded 10 million units manufactured,

and now it’s recognised as the bestselling SUV of all time. Which begs the question: why? People have taken to the current RAV4 like they did to the VW Beetle, the Mini and the Escort in their respective eras. It just fits the zeitgeist of modern times,

it seems. The right size, the right amount of space, the right kind of distinctive but not madcap styling, the right blend of economy and smooth power delivery; it’s not here to set Nurburgring lap times or tow ocean liners, but it’s espresso in the morning. It’s that rare thing in the age of adult fads like the Labubu; popular because it’s good. I’m a contrarian. I listen to weird bands that don’t make the top 10, love strange car designs like the Alfa GTV and the impractical little MR2, and I would normally disagree with the majority just to preserve a sense of edgy mystique, even if it meant having a second-hand Saab convertible. However, I like the new RAV4 as well. It nailed the ‘utility’ in ‘sports utility vehicle’, and had a good swing at the ‘sports’, too. This year there will be new RAV4 options on the table, including a plug-in hybrid. My wish list is really only for one little further upgrade: a hydrogen-powered one, and the infrastructure to make it useful all over New Zealand.

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

Conserving water over the summer Water Efﬁciency y Tips p for Your Farm Monitor Water Usage & Indicators of Water Leaks

•

• • • •

Check farm meters and pressure gauges regularly. Listen to pumps (e.g., DOSATRON): if they run constantly, it could indicate a leak on the property. Watch for pressure drops in showers or kitchens. Use water flow indicators to detect abnormal flow. Install app-connected electronic flow meters (e.g., Levno, Halo).

Install Isolation Valves

Use Buffer Tanks with Pressure Pumps • • •

• • • •

Install troughs level and avoid overfilling. Check water lines and float valves regularly. (Maintain water level 10cm below rim). Seal cracks and breaks promptly. Use durable float valves (stainless steel lasts longer).

Train Staff • • •

Prevent pressure drops and keep troughs full. Reduce trough damage and ﬂoat valve breakages. A constantly running pump can indicate a leak.

Trough Maintenance and Installation

•

Make use of High Pressure • • •

Divide the farm into sections for easier leak detection. Close oﬀ sections to stop water waste until repairs are done.

Avoid leaving taps or pipes running. Report leaks or ﬁx them immediately. Watch for signs of water leaks, like green patches or puddles in summer. Use water sparingly, use only what is needed.

Recycle/Reuse Water

Use high-pressure nozzles. Consider dung busters or similar systems to cut water use and cleaning time. High pressure uses less water for the same job than a normal running hose.

• • • •

Use settled water from ponds for yard cleaning (ﬁlter if needed). Reuse pre-cooler water for cleaning. Harvest rainwater for yard wash-down. Use eﬄuent pond water for irrigation.

Tips on how to identify Hard-to-Find Water Leaks

Report Leaks Please report any public leaks next to roads or on Council’s side of the meter as soon as possible via the Antenno app or by contacting Council.

Look in places where a leak won’t be easy to pick up, like: • • •

Near stream crossings. Close to wells (water can be running directly into old wells, not showing evidence above ground). Drainage outlets (water could be running into drainage lines without showing above ground).

• •

Normally, in wet areas, the water leak could be adding to these areas. Where lines go through dense vegetation. And lines where you don’t go a lot. (Far edges of the farm or very back of paddock). Remote paddocks.

The easiest way to stay up-to-date The easiest way of hearing about water restrictions, or any other Council news, is by downloading the free Antenno app. Antenno sends you alerts and notiﬁcations about places and topics that you care about. It doesn’t ask for any personal information or log in details, so it’s an easy way to stay informed. There are two ways you can use Antenno; to recieve notiﬁcations www.southtaranaki.com

from Council, or report back to Council on issues that need sorting or feedback for us. Other ways to stay up--to-date are by: • liking and following our Facebook page ‘South Taranaki District Council’. • Heading to our website www.southtaranaki.com

Call us 24/7 on 0800 111 323