Waikato Farming Lifestyles, March 2026

The rise of solar energy

Solar energy is becoming an increasingly practical and valuable

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Editor: Andy Bryenton

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Website: farminglifestyles.co.nz

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With many farms and small settlements located far from urban centres, solar offers a way to reduce power bills, improve reliability and support local resilience.

running even when the grid goes down. This resilience is crucial for protecting livestock, crops and food storage, as well as maintaining communication and safety during emergencies.

One of the biggest advantages is cost savings. Rural households and farms often face higher electricity prices, particularly where long lines and low population density increase distribution costs. By installing rooftop or groundmounted solar panels, landowners can generate a significant share of their own power.

Over time, this can reduce monthly bills and protect against future price rises. For farms with high daytime electricity use, such as milking sheds, irrigation, refrigeration and pumps, solar can be especially cost-effective.

Solar also strengthens energy security. Rural areas are more vulnerable to power outages caused by storms, fallen trees, or network faults. When solar is paired with batteries, homes and farms can keep essential systems

Environmental benefits are another key factor. New Zealand already has a relatively clean electricity mix, but adding more renewable generation close to where it is used reduces transmission losses and reliance on fossil fuels. Rural communities can play a leading role in climate action by cutting their carbon footprint while showcasing practical, landbased solutions.

Finally, solar can support regional development. Local installation and maintenance create jobs, while community solar projects can generate shared income and foster collaboration.

For many rural New Zealanders, solar energy is not just a technology choice, but an investment in greater independence, sustainability and longterm prosperity.

Trade missions look to South America

by Andy Bryenton

New Zealand’s trade missions to secure export market opportunities have proven successful in recent months, as the world navigates a new paradigm of tariff threats and seeks trade with stable partners.

The stated aim of the coalition government is to double exports by 2034, and trade arrangements are the way to make this possible. The Middle East and India have proven fruitful when it comes to forging trade alliances, and on the back of good deals, industries like the lamb and kiwifruit sectors are seeing robust export revenue.

In early March, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay inked an agreement with Chile to boost agricultural cooperation, cementing a bilateral trade figure in excess of $340 million.

“Agriculture is at the heart of the New Zealand and Chilean economies. We have similar farming systems, similar geographies, and both advocate for open rules-based trade,” Mr McClay said.

“The new Strategic Agricultural Arrangement 2026–2030 signals our strong commitment to working together and strengthening our agricultural relationship.”

Mr McClay and Chile’s Minister of Agriculture Dr Ignacia Fernández signed for their respective nations, committing to developing skills for the rural sector workforce in both countries, promoting and advancing sustainable agricultural development, and undertaking

research and innovation to tackle mutual challenges.

Meanwhile, the importance of forging stronger ties with the entire South American region has been highlighted by a top-level delegation to Brasilia, capital of Brazil. Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters delivered a keynote opening speech to the New Zealand Innovation Showcase.

“Latin America represents the world’s fourth-largest economy, US$6.34 trillion, almost twice that of India. Latin America is home to 660 million people with high education levels; large middle classes; sizable youth populations; and an abundance of natural resources,” said Winston Peters at a mid-March diplomatic symposium.

He noted Latin America is a crucial part of plans to double Kiwi export value by 2034, and a 2024 trade mission to Sao Paulo saw this goal come a step closer, with 13 new arrangements signed to the value of $100 million.

A practical example of how Kiwi ingenuity can benefit South American farmers was also given. New Zealand invested in the Kiwi Group dairy farm in Goiás state in 2007, with the aim of adapting New Zealand pasture-based sustainable production systems to Brazil’s climate conditions.

“The operation has since gone from strength to strength,” said Mr Peters. “The farm is now the largest milk producer in the state and will shortly inaugurate a new modern farm.”

76% of New Zealanders are concerned about “fake news” and its implications

HORSES THAT HEAL

BY AMY FIFITA

In the racing industry for 55 years, Gripper has spent a fair deal of time travelling the world representing New Zealand in the sport, then life brought him to a crossroads.

“I was a jockey for many years, and it took me around the world, and I was the first in New Zealand to represent our country in America in a jumping race,” said Gripper.

“I have cared for horses all my life. Once I finished my career as a jockey, I supported the New Zealand Horse Ambulance for a while, and that is how I got involved with animal welfare with the SPCA.”

After recovering from a car accident that had left him paralysed for three months, rescuing a standardbred from the SPCA was life changing for not only Gripper, but for Boy, too.

“When we took Boy back to my place, he was underweight, had a fractured jaw, a ring bone in his back legs, wire stuck in his stomach, had missing skin and welts, and stomach ulcers. The vet said to me, ‘You know horses and you know what is going to happen to this horse’.

“They were going to put him to sleep, and as soon as they said that, Boy stuck his head between my arms and my rib

Always a lover of horses, Trevor ‘Gripper’ Harrison discovered the therapeutic benefits that equines can bring to hospital patients, disabled people, children and people who have experienced trauma.

with water coming out of his eyes. The vets cried, they’d never seen it before.” Wanting to give Boy the opportunity to bounce back, he was not put down that day. As the days went on, he was

“Boy is part of our family. Now he is over 500kg and he wouldn’t hurt a flea. Fortunately, all of Boy’s expenses didn’t cost us a cent, everything, including his food, farrier work, his covers and so on. My miniatures have been abused, too, but not as bad as Boy.”

Gripper is involved in the GYCT’s New Zealand branch teaching children about animal welfare, and using the horses as therapy to people who have gone through trauma and palliative patients at Pohlen Hospital.

“Horses are the best therapy for anything. I was sceptical at first, but being involved with Boy and the ponies, you can see the change in the people’s eyes. For horses that have been abused so much, you would think they would hate humans, but they love spending time with visitors.

“My grandson’s daycare, New Shoots, comes out for three hours every Thursday to learn about animal welfare. Groups of 10 children attend, and they get to brush and ride the horses and go on tractor rides, and we have events with bouncy castles.

“Another local daycare, Small Steps, has started coming, and Boy and I work closely with a lot of disabled people. I have a disability myself, and I was told about 20 years ago that I wouldn’t be able to walk again after a car accident. Now I’m up and moving, and I can even ride Boy, too.

“When people come down here with a child in a wheelchair or a pram, Boy puts his head straight in there, he loves it. He never bites or kicks, you can trust him with your life, and the other rescue miniatures are the same.”

With a passion for horses and people, Gripper is also a patron of the New Zealand Spinal Trust and North Island Standardbred Association. He is also doing work with the New Zealand Horse Ambulance Trust and has raised thousands for the Auckland Spinal Rehabilitation Unit’s Harrison Centre, named in Gripper’s honour.

“From doing stupid things travelling around the world when you’re young and not being worried about disabled people, now I can’t do enough for them, it brings tears to my eyes.

“We love it, and we rely on volunteers: Mim Gazza, Kenton Wright and Leana Hawes, and donations for the running of our not-for-profit farm. Anybody that feels down, our place is always a happy space to come down and give a horse a cuddle.

“Fifteen years ago, I never thought I’d do this, and since I’ve been doing it, I’ve seen so many happy people. All we ask for is a small donation for the running of the farm and the horses mainly.”

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BY PAUL CAMPBELL

The first was held as the shearing-only King Country Shears in 1985, soon setting an annual date, generally four weeks after the Golden Shears in Masterton, and held annually ever since, apart from Covid-era cancellations in 2020 and 2022.

“It was held along the same basic lines, including turning a major civic venue into a woolshed, in Te Kūiti’s case the Waitomo Cultural and Arts Centre, now the Les Munro Centre,” says Shearing Sports New Zealand spokesman, Doug Laing.

“Still, it added new events, the North Island Shearer of the Year and an interisland match, which became reciprocal with the Southern Shears held in Gore each year.

“In 1987, it became the New Zealand Shears, woolhandling was added in 1988, and in 1989, a new open circuit, now known as the NZ Shears Circuit, was added, putting on the line for the first time three open shearing titles at the one show.”

Two of the original committee, John Fagan as the inaugural open final winner and brother, David, who won the second competition against Wales at the first Corwen Shears, initiated annual homeand-away series in which New Zealand would be represented by winners of the NZ Shears Open and the NZ Shears Circuit against teams from the UK.

In more recent years, it developed parentand-child events, symbolising the vast and generational family networks in both the sport and the shearing industry. More was to come as the shears developed extensive community engagement, which led to the staging of the Great New Zealand Muster and the Running of the Sheep, an annual event on the last day of the Shears for more than two decades.

“It attracts thousands of extra visitors to the town, including this year the return of Glenbrook Vintage Railway’s Sheep Muster Express, from Auckland to Te Kūiti and back,” says Doug.

TE KŪITI TAKES SHEARING CENTRE STAGE

With the Golden Shears World Championships still fresh in competition memory, one of only two three-day shearing and woolhandling championships in the country, the New Zealand Shears marks its 40th year on April 9–11 in Te Kūiti.

The Shears also led to the erection of a seven-metre-tall shearer statue in 1994, in Memorial Park, near the eastern entrance to the shopping precinct, a feature of the town along with the 2.7-metre-high statue of All Blacks rugby legend Sir Colin Meads.

David Fagan became a legend of similar local, national and international standing, with 642 open wins including 17 each in the NZ Open and North Island Shearer of the year, and eight in the circuit final, in addition to 16 Golden Shears open titles, and 11 individual and team world titles.

Already twice recognised in New Zealand Honours, he was knighted in 2016. His brother, John has also been recognised in the honours system, with an MBE. He was the only person to win the Golden Shears open final (1984) and farm fencing’s Golden Pliers recently. He also served at the top levels administratively, becoming the first inductee to the New Zealand Rural Sports Hall of Fame.

The next most successful shearers in the NZ Shears open shearing final after Sir David Fagan have been Rowland Smith, who had eight wins, and Paul Avery and John Kirkpatrick with three wins each.

The most successful in the open woolhandling final were Sheree Alabaster, with nine wins, and the late Joanne Kumeroa, with six.

There have been many NZ Shears open shearing finalists who have never won the title, including Digger Balme, who first sheared in the open class in 1987, and is one of 31 entries this year.

He won the Geyserland Shears open final in Rotorua in December, and on February 22 was fifth in a final won by Golden Shears and NZ Shears champion, Jack Fagan, soon-to-be second time world champion Rowland Smith, and Wales world championships representative Llyr Jones. His biggest win at NZ Shears was in the 1990 NZ Shears Circuit final.

Wairarapa shearer David Buick returns hoping to extend a significant record, which includes being the only person to win in all four founding shearing grades (1997 junior, 1999 intermediate, 2002 senior, and 2024 open).

The open final in the 1980s was dominated by King Country shearers, with large sheep numbers in the region and thus large numbers of shearers, but it is now 15 years since it was won by a King Country shearer, back to Sir David Fagan’s last win in 2011.

Last year, Laura Bradley, of Papatawa, near Woodville, became the first female to win the senior shearing title, which the previous year was won by King Country shearer Forde Alexander, of Taumarunui.

The first time a NZ Shears shearing title was won by a female was in 2019, when junior honours went to Sarah Goss, who later became New Zealand’s most successful women’s rugby champion.

Last year, both the open and senior woolhandling finals were won by King Country competitors, Keryn Herbert (Te Kūiti) and Kelly Barrett (Kawhia) respectively.

The championships start at 2pm on April 9, 7.45am the next day, and 8am on the Saturday, with evening programmes on each day, including the Speed Shear and King Country v Wales speed shear match on the opening night, the InterIsland Teams Shearing Challenge and the North Island Shearer of the Year final on the Friday. The NZ Shears Circuit final, open woolhandling final, and the senior and open shearing finals will dominate the final night.

In the heyday, when the sheep population was over 70 million, there were over 80 shearing competitions nationwide each summer. The number has settled at just under 60 in recent years, with national body Shearing Sports New Zealand recognised by Sport New Zealand for more than 30 years as a national sports organisation.

by Andy Bryenton

World’s greatest to hit Waikato waves

The legendary Banzai Pipeline in Hawaii, Queensland’s Snapper Rocks, exotic Punta Roca in El Salvador and the Lower Trestles at San Clemente, California; these are all surfing destinations worthy of their own documentaries — now Raglan is joining them.

From May 15–25, the top 36 men and 24 women in world surfing will compete at the left-hand point break of Manu Bay, Raglan. Kiwi surfers know this top spot, and just what the cream of the crop will face when they get into the action at what is perhaps the biggest surfing event ever to grace these shores.

The World Surf League has timed the May contest at the optimal time of year for New Zealand’s most famous wave, and these luminaries of board riding know their stuff. Raglan will join all of the sites listed at the start of this story, and many more, on the 50th World Surf League Championship Tour.

“We’re excited to welcome this new location to the CT in the 50th year of the World Tour,” said WSL CEO Ryan Crosby. “As a quality left-hander, Manu Bay, Raglan, is a great addition to the tour.”

“I’m very happy with the addition of a rippable left on tour,” said 2025 WSL World Champion Yago Dora.

“It’s been a long time asking to have one on the schedule, and we finally got it! I’ve never been to New Zealand, and I’m very happy that I will get the chance to go there for the first time and experience what seems to be a very beautiful part of the world.”

“New Zealand culture and the way of life there is just a breath of fresh air, which is so appreciated when we are travelling

A surfer takes on the legendary Banzai

so much,” said 2025 Women’s WSL World Champion Molly Picklum.

“All in all, I’m excited for that event.

I think having NZ on tour brings us a world-class location when it comes to waves and food, which for me is all I ever worry about!”

Raglan is no stranger to surf events that have captured the international spotlight; hosting a championship tour stop is a step

beyond. Those who have fond memories of watching the Rip Curl Pro Raglan on the west coast, back in the 1990s and early 2000s, will know the kind of action that’s set to unfold.

Locals will have a chance to burst out onto the global stage here, too. The 2026 Backdoor King and Queen of the Point event staged by Surfing New Zealand (SNZ) in early May will serve as the official

trials for the event. The best performing man and woman will receive wildcards into the championship.

“Hosting a world tour event at Raglan is a landmark moment for surfing in Aotearoa,” said SNZ chief executive Ben Kennings. “This will be the biggest surfing event ever staged in New Zealand, bringing the world’s best surfers to our most iconic break.”

Finding the right building site

How do you know when you’ve found ‘the one’? At Rubixarc, we always say the right section should suit your life, not just your budget.

A great site doesn’t have to be flawless — it just needs potential. Notice how the land feels in the morning sun, how the wind moves, and whether it offers privacy or connection. Often, those ‘imperfect’ slopes or outlooks spark the most distinctive designs. What do people often overlook?

Excitement can be blinding. Many buyers fall for a view but overlook the practical details — stormwater paths, driveway gradients, service connections, or council setbacks. These can dramatically affect both cost and comfort. We’ve seen dream sections become challenging simply because no one asked the right questions early on.

What should I check before making the big move?

• Visit the site at different times of day to watch light, shade and noise

• Review the contour plan and identify realistic build zones

• Confirm zoning, overlays, and connection points with the local council

• Consider neighbours, privacy, and possible future development nearby

• Bring site photos, notes and your lifestyle priorities when you meet your designer What’s the difference between building companies and architectural designers like Rubixarc? Choosing who shapes your home is just as important as where you build it.

company approach:

• Standardised plans focussed on speed and volume

• Limited flexibility; meaningful changes often trigger extra costs

• Assigned builders juggling many projects, with clients feeling like a number

• Rubixarc approach:

• Bespoke design shaped around your section and the way you live

• Genuine one-on-one relationship with your designer from the first conversation

• Builders carefully selected to suit your specific site and level of detail

Stay curious, build with purpose. At Rubixarc, we love turning a site’s quirks into standout features—the kind that make your home feel one-of-a-kind from the ground up. So get in touch — @rubixarc on Instagram or #Rubixarc Facebook or give us a call on 021 0237 4090. Visit rubixarchitecture.co.nz for more information.

by Andy Bryenton

A pair of eights wins for John Deere

Thirty years from the inception of the John Deere 8 Series of tractors, the big green machines have evolved into consummate platforms for seeding, tilling and planting, as evidenced by the release of the new generation alongside some serious new farming tools.

The new 8R and 8RX tractors from Deere offer 440, 490 and 540 horsepower options, making them capable of utilising some of the biggest and most efficient implements for crop and pasture management tasks. All have at their heart the new JD14 engine, which delivers its peak power at low rpm, and can max out at a big 634 horses at just 1,700 revolutions.

That’s in line with customer demand for more potent PTO power on tap, as well as electrical offboarding, a growing need in the modern farming environment. The hydraulic systems of the 8 Series have also been beefed up, with more capacity, and separate steering and braking pumps to ensure smooth operation.

“Whether you are seeding, tilling or planting, these tractors have the power, technology and functionality to increase productivity and efficiency,” said John Deere marketing manager for production and precision agriculture, Royce Bell, when the new 8 Series broke cover in Australia last month.

“Similar to the impact of the HHP 9RX, the HHP 8R and 8RX are expected to increase productivity and efficiency in customer operations while providing the versatility of a rigid chassis tractor. Horsepower, ballasting, lift capacity, size and functionality all increase with these models.”

That high horsepower and high capacity has been matched up with a push for more manoeuvrability. Features like reactive command steering to bring the wheels back to centre automatically during pasture operations are coupled with smart chassis design to deliver a turning radius that’s got to be seen to be believed.

With the option of a front hitch and PTO, and equipped with a rear hitch that boasts a capacity close to 11 tonnes, this new brace of John Deere machines is set to work with some large and efficient tools, leveraging maximum economies of scale.

That’s no mistake and no coincidence.

At the same time as the big green and yellow brand launched the newest 8 Series

generation, they also debuted their modelyear 2027 planters, packed with new tech for parallel fertiliser application, digital connectivity and accuracy of placement. A new air cart, the C1100, boosts the capacity of grain growers who want to tackle more pasture during tight seeding windows, while the 2027 sprayer range was also unveiled, once again focussed on improved precision.

Avoca’s Agricultural Lime (AgLime) and Limestone are manufactured at our three lime quarries at Rarewa (Whangarei), Pokapu (Bay of Islands), and Port Albert (Wellsford). Both are also available at bulk stores in Dargaville and Te Kauwhata (Waikato). From all of these locations, we’re well placed to deliver Agricultural Lime products Northland and Waikato wide. Avoca also provide soil fertility testing and consulting as well as lime and fertiliser products and custom mixes.

NORTHLAND LIME

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reasons to apply lime to your soils:

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Increases nutrient availability; raising soil pH with lime to ~6.3-6.5 releases and balances soil nutrients for plant uptake, maximising return on your fertiliser spend.

Improves pasture yield. Trials have shown pasture production increases up to 68% and corresponding live weight gains.

Reduces need for N-fertiliser; lime stimulates N-fixation by legumes, and N-release from organic matter into plant available forms.

Improves P availability through a ‘phosphate sparing effect’ - trials in Northland showed 50-60kg more P available consistent over 3 years after applying 5t/ha of lime to a pH 5.8 soil. Optimal P availability occurs when soils are limed to pH 6.3-6.5.

Improves pasture palatability allowing for more even grazing of pasture and better pasture utilisation. 5

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Increases soil biological activity and diversity; key to nutrient availability, good soil structure & porosity, and ultimately pasture/crop yield.

Increases resilience to droughts, floods, and runoff/erosion, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and greater root penetration for pasture/crop growth by flocculating (loosening) your soil to improve soil structure and porosity.

Increases water holding capacity in the dry and water drainage in the wet. Lime drives down magnesium in ‘tight, high Mg’ soils such as estuarine soils found in the Hauraki Plains.

Reduces elemental toxicities evident at low pH levels, e.g. Al, preventing subsoil acidification and improving root growth, root development, and reduces P-fixation.

Provides calcium which is essential for both plant and animal growth and health. 10

by Amy Fifita

Rural towns — a special place

While many travellers flock to the tourist traps, Django Luvon, JManGo on social media, and Elliott Irvine have opted for the road less travelled by visiting all the small towns in New Zealand.

From the Waitematā Harbour townships to every other town in the country, some say Django and Elliott are seeing more of NZ than many Kiwis have in their lifetime.

“Arriving in New Zealand three months ago to make content documenting an interesting travel style, I hitchhiked and backpacked through NZ. I started doing the challenge of travelling through the South Island, from Cape Farewell to

Stewart Island, with no maps, apps or bookings,” said Django.

Out of people’s comfort zone for some, Django says the venture put him in a position where he had to rely on people he met along the way and gave him amazing experiences.

“Flying to Auckland for business opportunities with Hallensteins, I met Elliott there, where we decided to set out on that quest and have been making a video in every town.

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“We never know what town we are staying in, and it has been a mix of staying in motels and our followers’ houses along the way — a unique and fun experience.”

Elliot and Django met during high school, where they grew up in Washington State. While Django is the face of the adventures, Elliot is often found behind the camera.

“Learning from my dad, I have done filmmaking and videography in Seattle for the past five years,” said Elliott.

“When Django reached out for me to help him with his content creation skills and my video skills, it was the perfect combo. We have a goal to visit every town and make a video. I am focussed on exploring and also have a purpose.”

Not just in it for exploring or the content, the pair want to give back to the local towns that he visits through

collaboration or donations. Django says he resonates most with youth mental health support.

“We are about to start selling some merchandise, with all of it being from NZ designers, and supporting NZ youthbased non-profits. The first one will be Youthline,” said Django.

“Right now, we are spontaneous, and seeing how many towns we can visit in a

day, but we are hoping to get a sponsorship from a NZ motorhome or van company.

“I love the small-town local vibe, and the community is so strong here. We have places like that in the US, but it is a lot rarer.”

Elliott says it is special, and people probably don’t realise how much happier everyone in the towns is, because that’s how everybody is.

Room to live large.

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by Andy Bryenton

The first diesel mechanic

Diesel technicians and mechanics keep the rural sector running: as we’ve seen in recent weeks with fuel price scares and supply worries, it’s this form of fuel keeping the tractors and trucks, harvesters and telehandlers working.

once upon a time there was only a single diesel mechanic in the world.

We deliver water throughout the Waikato area to residential, farms and business customers. We can cart up to 28,000 lt with truck and trailer.

We can fill anything from your house water tank, through to swimming pools, and farm tanks. We also do water tank cleaning and sterilizing.

Aptly, Rudolf Diesel was his name. Most people know that he developed the first compression-combustion engine in 1897, but few are aware that Rudolf was born in France, educated in Britain and he helped invent air conditioning before he turned his colossal mind to building motors.

Born in Paris in 1938, Rudolf was forced to go to work early, despite being the third most-accomplished student in France. Pushing a heavy barrow of his father’s leather goods through the streets, Diesel reasoned that something had to replace horses and barrow-lads like himself.

He later continued his education in London, and ended up in Germany, where he studied under the tutelage of Carl von Linde, the inventor of refrigeration. Another inspiration came to Diesel. The big steam engines used to power industrial freezers were horribly inefficient, and a smaller, more potent motor would allow refrigeration for the home, food and cooling the air in hot climates.

Diesel’s first idea was to make a steam engine, which ran on ammonia

vapour, but the prototype exploded, nearly killing him. This, and the fact that steam engines could only achieve 10 per cent efficiency in turning their fuel to power, led to young Rudolf ripping up his plans and starting afresh. He had time to think and design; the explosion had put him in hospital.

By 1893, he had a theory, and then a patent. However, it would not be until 1897 Diesel unleashed a 25-horsepower four-stroke, compression-ignition motor, which boasted a 75 per cent improvement of fuel-to-power ratio over steam. The world was waiting for just such an engine. Industries worldwide could now switch out steam for diesel in their excavators, mining machines, transport solutions, ships and, more chillingly, military applications.

Rudolf Diesel did not get to enjoy the fruits of his genius or his labours for long. On September 29 1913, as Europe stood on the brink of the first world war, Diesel boarded a ship to London to talk to investors there. He never made it. Following his disappearance, it was revealed that he’d cleared out his bank accounts and taken plans with him for next-generation engines. In early October 1913, he was confirmed dead by drowning, but speculation was rife that he had been assassinated, to prevent Germany’s enemies from gaining his knowledge to use in two new inventions — the submarine and the tank.

by Andy Bryenton

Noble history of the farmer’s best mate

If you watch the dog trials, consider the remarkable history which has brought man and canine together in a farming alliance.

New Zealand’s unsung heroes of farming, working dogs can often run 60–100 kilometres every day. At any time, there may be 200,000 purpose-bred dogs helping farmers in the livestock industry, fulfilling a pact between humans and canines made more than 9,000 years ago when dogs, sheep and cattle became domesticated.

The help of a smart and loyal dog has been a benefit to herders and drovers since time immemorial. Still, it was here in New Zealand that the true potential of a dog as the farmer’s ‘eyes and ears’ was realised. It all began with James Mackenzie, a settler of Scots descent. He indulged in that old Caledonian mischief of helping himself to other people’s livestock, something feuding Highland clans had got up to for centuries.

Initially, high-country station owners were incredulous that one man and his dog could separate and herd so many animals, then drive them up through the passes of the country, which would come to have Mackenzie’s name.

However, when he was eventually captured, it turned out that his secret was the intelligence and loyalty of his working dog, Friday. Able to respond

James

to commands by whistle and gesture, this exceptional dog displayed the traits farmers still look for in a trials champion. These include patience, a good ‘eye’ for staring down stubborn sheep, speed, and endurance. Mackenzie so loved and respected his dog that he agreed to plead guilty if the judge let Friday go to a good home. Mackenzie received a lighter sentence when he agreed to teach others how he trained his remarkable canine assistant.

SILAGESHIELDSILAGE

SILAGESHIELDSILAGE PROTECTION

Email:vaughan@cosio.co.nz•www.cosio.co.nz

white background of the flock. The Kiwi working dog remains a hardy and valuable creature, even as other old-world working breeds like the Rottweiler, Corgi and Old English Sheepdog lose their working traits and become predominantly pets.

Friday set the benchmark for future generations

From there, competitions to see who could field the sharpest, smartest dog became part of the fabric of rural life. Friday is immortalised with a statue by Lake Tekapo and also the name of a gourmet hamburger restaurant there, which any dog would appreciate.

Today, farm dogs are prized companions and co-workers on farms from the Cape to the Bluff. A little-known fact is that farmers prefer black and white colouring to help their canine assistants stand out against the green of the hillside and the moving

TO BUILD OR RENOVATE

by Andy Bryenton

Granny flat rules meet building reality

The law regarding so-called granny flats, secondary dwellings of less than 70 square metres, changed in January, but what does this mean in real terms when it comes time to pick up timber and concrete to start a build?

While there’s now no need to seek resource consent or building consent when you wish to build a granny flat with a small footprint, that does not mean that all the rules have gone out the window. There are still conditions that must be met in order to expand your living space, and the first and foremost of these involves advising the council that you’re doing it.

It’s also noteworthy that your local council may at its discretion charge development contribution costs. In urban areas this could be a steep fee in excess of $10,000, levied to help pay for the upgraded infrastructure greater population demands. This cost must be discussed with your local council before construction, say industry experts.

While building consent is gone, there are still forms to fill in, notably for a Project Information Memorandum or PIM. This informs the council of your intent, and should be followed up by a form from the licensed building practitioner you’ve hired to get the job done, proving their credentials. As there’s likely to be plumbing going in the ground alongside the build, there’s at least a third point of

communication when a licensed plumber makes this connection, and a fourth for your chosen electrician. Needless to say, these tradies must all be properly qualified to ensure a safe and legal build.

There are rules, too, around the design of granny flats allowed under the new law.

As well as being 70 square metres or less in size, structures built under the new rules must be at least two metres away from the property boundary and from any other buildings; they have to stand alone. They must be single-storey only, so no upstairs rooms or granny flat basements are permitted.

Additionally, there are rules about internal plumbing to check out. For example, a tiled, level-entry shower is not allowed; you must have one with a step-up floor tray. The frame of the building must be lightweight timber or steel. This means that pre-existing designs, of a kind that have proliferated since the law change, through established small building providers, may be your best bet.

A very definitive guide is available at building.govt.nz, including all the forms you need to lodge with your local council,

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links to the web presence of professional tradespeople’s organisations, and even tips on design and build practices to keep within the rules. Cutting consenting out

of the small building process is a major bonus for those who need more living space, but it’s just the beginning, not the end of the construction story.

TO BUILD OR RENOVATE

Providing reliable and quality windows

NZWindows has been part of the New Zealand building industry since 1990, supplying aluminium windows and doors for residential, replacement, architectural and commercial projects across the mighty Waikato and beyond.

The Waikato branch is an important part of that footprint, servicing the region with local knowledge while being backed by a long-established, 100% New Zealand-owned manufacturer. As manufacturers of the Vantage brand of aluminium joinery, NZWindows has built a strong reputation for quality, performance and reliability in New Zealand conditions.

Aluminium is strong, low-maintenance, and well-suited to New Zealand’s climate. It allows for clean lines, large openings and excellent durability, making it a smart long-term investment for homeowners and builders alike.

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between full replacement windows, insert windows and door upgrades, ensuring solutions suit both the home and the budget.

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A two pot clear epoxy sealer can be supplied to reduce the wearing effects of milk and acid.

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Rethinking farm housing for today’s workforce

Ask any Waikato farmer what keeps them up at night, and housing will come up sooner or later. Not their own home — the ones they’re expected to provide for the people who work alongside them.

Good people are hard to find and harder to keep. When the accommodation on offer is a cold, run-down cottage that hasn’t been touched since the 1980s, the best candidates look elsewhere.

The expectation has shifted. Families moving onto a farm today want what any family wants — a warm, dry, well-designed home. It’s not unreasonable, but for many operations, building that home has always felt like too big a project to take on.

A conventional build on a rural site is rarely straightforward. Consents, contractors, weather delays, cost blowouts: what starts as a six-month project easily stretches to 12 or 18. The season doesn’t wait, and neither do good candidates when they have options elsewhere.

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Attract the right people — give them a reason to stay everything from a single family home through to staging multiple dwellings across your property over time.

Good housing doesn’t just tick a box. It’s what makes the difference between

a good worker leaving after one season and a good family putting down roots on your farm.

To find out more, visit transbuild.co.nz or call 0800 460 307.

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TO BUILD OR RENOVATE

Tiny House rules OK

by Paul Campbell

The growing popularity of tiny house accommodation has probably been a reaction to the ever-rising cost of building generally, and it’s proving a viable first home option and even retirement living as singles downsize in later life.

Like everything in life though, regulations apply and this article looks at the red tape governing tiny house regulations in New Zealand, which are actually determined by mobility. In other words, wheels and

whether it is legally a building or a vehicle, often assessed by local councils using a Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Tiny House Guide.

Accordingly, the structure is classed as a building If it is fixed to the ground, connected permanently to services, or intended for long-term occupation. In this case it is under the Building Act 2004 and as a result must comply with the New Zealand Building Code and usually

However, wheels make a difference and it is classed as a vehicle if it is on a wheeled chassis, road-legal with a Warrant of Fitness sticker and registration and easily movable when disconnected from flexible hoses and power cables.

However, if used for permanent accommodation, some councils may still treat it as a building under specific regulations.

There are some new rules though, because as of January 2026 reforms have introduced significant exemptions for small, standalone dwellings.

This is where downsizing comes in because of something called a Granny Flat

Exemption. Small homes up to 70 square metres can be built without a consent if they are single-storey, built by licensed professionals, and meet building codes.

Then there’s a 30m² sleepout rule, meaning that structures between 10–30 square metres do not require building consent if they do not contain cooking or sanitary facilities and are the work of a registered builder. These exemptions do not typically apply to tiny houses on wheels or structures used for short-term accommodation.

If a building consent is not required it may still need a resource consent. Some councils have different rules for minor or secondary dwellings with height-to-boundary ratios and setbacks. Requirements for wastewater disposal and proximity to boundaries must be adhered to, and a building consent is almost always required to connect a tiny house to council water or sewer networks. All 240v electrical work must be certified by a qualified professional, and mobile units usually require an electricity certificate.

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by Andy Bryenton

Number eight wire thinking

The problem of stopping livestock from pushing battens along fence lines is as old as farming itself, and Lloyd Altham has decided it’s high time for a solution.

It’s not just sheep and cattle that can make a mess of fence lines, either; sometimes, they are too difficult to get at for routine maintenance. Enter Lloyd, a lifestyle farmer, with a past career in engineering and the fastening industry. He’d spent years working on nuts, bolts, screws and other hardware, before he turned his mind to the problem of unruly battens.

His concept was to devise a product that could be applied without expensive equipment, and could be kept in a tool kit along with the very popular battery drills that most farmers have ready access to. It would need to be a product that could grip the popular 2.5mm HT fencing wire, without damaging the plating on the wire, but applying a substantial grip. It took several years and many prototypes to develop a product that goes on quickly and easily, and stands the test of time in a rural environment. The clips are made from the same steel used for the manufacture of roofing washers. The screws are galvanised, then coated to withstand the harsh Kiwi elements.

“Yes, you can hammer the staples back into the same place, only for them to work loose again,” says Lloyd.

“With a Batten Buddy you won’t have any concerns about cattle pushing through the fence. The Batten Buddy is also particularly handy on sheep fencing on the lower-level wires.

“It is also a great alternative to what some farmers do; installing barbed wire to keep their battens in place.”

Cattle escaping on to roads or neighbouring properties is the stuff nightmares are made of, says Lloyd, and the Batten Buddy concept can provide peace of mind. Although it’s new to the marketplace, some early adopters have found other uses for the handy product, too. Batten Buddies work well on vine wires and mesh for orchardists, for example.

Lloyd’s pleased to have solved a problem that’s had farmers scratching their heads since the invention of fencing wire, and he’s also pleased to deliver a new example of Kiwi ingenuity at its finest.

TO BUILD OR RENOVATE

The heat is on

by Andy Bryenton

By taking ambient heat from the air and then transferring it where it needs to go with a heat exchanger, heat pumps can generate five kilowatts of warmth for every kilowatt of electricity they consume.

That’s great for heating your home, and the long slimline box shapes of heat pumps have become ubiquitous in Kiwi living rooms and bedrooms. As an added bonus, home heat pumps can work in reverse, too, cooling the home in summer. However, there’s more to this technology than just a pleasant environment, as clever minds have been scheming on other ways to use heat pump technology around the house.

Foremost for big savings on electricity bills is the use of heat pumps as water heaters. The old-fashioned hot water cylinder uses a big coil like one inside a kettle to heat hundreds of litres. It’s the equivalent of the old three-bar electric fire compared to a modern heat pump, and equally wasteful. Hot water heat pumps can slash the cost of heating water by up to 70 per cent, they take less time to get the water up to temperature, and are usually situated outdoors, meaning that valuable storage space can be unlocked indoors.

Another area of the home where heat is needed but power bills need to be driven down is in the laundry. Heat pump technology has been widely adopted by the manufacturers of tumble dryers, and

early high prices to invest in one of these power-saving devices have come down dramatically as whole factories switch to the new standard. Drying clothes indoors used to be a grim necessity in winter, with power bills to match. Now, heat pump dryers offer not only more affordable convenience, but are also easier on fabrics.

Heat pump efficiency has even made one of the most luxurious options for a modern home a little bit more affordable to maintain. While there’s an initial investment cost, heat pump spa pools take away one of the most daunting aspects of owning a hot tub; the ongoing cost of keeping the water warm. Spa pool manufacturers say that a standard spa pool upgraded to a heat pump water heater repays the cost in two to three years.

Heat exchanger technology isn’t new. It’s what makes your fridge work, and has been used for air conditioning in cars for nearly 100 years. Making the best use of this concept and utilising

it to drive down electricity bills is all about innovation. Take a look and see if there are ways you can use it to make your own home more affordable and energy efficient.

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by Andy Bryenton

A quarter century of sowing

Pöttinger celebrates 25 years of seed drill innovation this year, and as the calendar turns to autumn, the fruits of their engineering labour can be seen in hundreds of Kiwi fields.

Pöttinger may have 25 candles on its cake when it comes to seed drills, but the firm has been in the business of building agricultural machinery for one and a half centuries. Much of that time was spent developing better machines for grassland farming, but in 1975, Pöttinger bought out the Bavarian Plough Factory, a massive industrial powerhouse in the city of Landsberg am Lech. That’s just down German Highway 96 from Munich, the home of BMW, so this part of the world knows its engineering.

The development of arable land became a priority at Pöttinger. It became apparent that mechanical and pneumatic seed drills were the way of the future, and in 2001, Pöttinger made a move similar to that which had seen it take command of the Bavarian Plough Factory. The Rabe seed drill plant in Bernberg joined the company, and a mighty weight of engineering know-how was bent toward innovating the seed drill into the precision implement Pöttinger offers today.

Sometimes, you can look back on a long history, such as that of the motor car, and watch it evolve toward the modern era. With Pöttinger’s leap into seed drills, that

evolution was put into top gear. By 2003, two years after first entering the market, Pöttinger released the Terrasem, a mulching seed drill which threw down the gauntlet to competitors with fresh technology. In 2009, the firm was confident enough to launch its Vitasem drill at Agritechnica, the world’s biggest implement and tractor show, highlighting precise seed metering.

Pöttinger engineers may not have won machine of the year in the fierce competition of that year’s Agritechnica, but in 2013, just 12 years after first

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getting into seed drills, the Pöttinger Aerosem pneumatic drill took the gold. In the years that followed, higher precision, bigger capacities, front hoppers and lowdraft, high-output options hit the market. Pöttinger took over Italian manufacturer MaterMacc in 2022, and last year it was back at Agritechnica with the prototype of the Puro precision planter, debuting nextlevel precision close to home in Hanover.

Pöttinger’s stated mission is to make farmers’ lives easier, and it’s delivered some popular innovations in the past

quarter century to achieve this goal. As farms combine automation with information to boost efficiency, the company’s focus on precision looks like a smart move for the next one.

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For farmers in Waikato and Taranaki, pasture resilience is essential. Between pest pressure, unpredictable seasonal conditions and the ongoing need to maximise homegrown feed, resilience is everything; that’s where RGT Hustle with RGT18 endophyte is making its mark.

Backed by science and proven in paddocks around New Zealand, RGT Hustle is a high-performing diploid perennial ryegrass bred for persistence, feed quality and reliable seasonal growth. When paired with RGT18 endophyte, it provides builtin protection against some of the toughest pasture pests impacting North Island farming systems, including black beetle and Argentine stem weevil.

In Waikato and Taranaki in particular, where black beetle can compromise pasture longevity, that protection is significant. RGT18 supports plant persistence while developed with animal safety in mind, with a lower risk of ryegrass staggers compared to some other endophyte options.

RAGT New Zealand commercial director James White says the focus is on delivering practical, on-farm outcomes, not just great trial data.

“Farmers in Waikato and Taranaki face real challenges around pest pressure

and pasture persistence. RGT Hustle with RGT18 is about giving them a solution that performs consistently under those conditions.”

With robust insect protection, reliable seasonal growth, and a balanced animal safety profile, RGT Hustle with RGT18 reflects the growing importance of genetics and endophyte selection in modern pasture systems.

It’s a pasture solution designed to perform no matter the conditions, giving farmers the confidence to trust it.

As regional farming systems continue to evolve, the role of genetics and endophyte selection will remain central to pasture performance. For farmers planning their next renewal, those decisions could make all the difference in long-term productivity.

To learn more about RGT Hustle with RGT18 endophyte and how it could support your farm system, visit ragt.nz or speak to your local seed supplier.

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measure key health parameters, providing you with early indications of changes long before they become visible. This allows you to act sooner, reduce risks, and support your animals more effectively.

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Boosting farm soil health for 79 years

The Avoca team was proud to be part of the 40th Northland Field Days in Dargaville in late February — the very year Avoca will turn 79 years old!

In fact, it has been a busy time for the Avoca team, having just taken part in the NZ Dairy Expo in Matamata. It was another iconic agricultural event, and a great chance to catch up with like-minded rural folk and remind them of the importance of lime in their business model if they are wanting to maximise productivity.

The Northland Field Days was a prime opportunity for the Avoca team to check in on their farmer mates, say thanks for their support and let people know just how many community groups the company helps with sponsorship each year.

It was back in 1947 that Jim Manderson, a 23-year-old farm boy, took a punt on establishing Avoca at Tangowahine, just a stone’s throw from Dargaville.

He saw the need for the use of bulk lime and fertiliser if farmers wanted solid profitability and as the decades have rolled on, it has become evident that Jim was well ahead of his time with his vision.

In the early days of Avoca, farming was subsidised and thousands of hectares of native bush and scrub land was being broken in throughout Northland. However, the land had very low pH and phosphate levels, and that’s where Jim spotted the opportunity for producing lime.

When Jim passed away in 2010, his son Bryce took over as managing director. He has recently added sales and marketing

manager Neil Crowson, who also has plenty of experience in the agriculture sector in his own right, to the Avoca team.

There are now 30 full-time Avoca staff and the business has a strong presence beyond Northland, with locations and fertiliser advisers dotted around Port Albert, Pukekohe, Te Kauwhata, Waikato and Bay of Plenty. Avoca remains a leading provider of lime and fertiliser mixes throughout those regions. Bryce and Neil say it is reassuring to know just so many farmers realise how critical lime is to soil health. Maintaining an ideal pH of 6.2–6.3 keeps the soil sweet and allows the release of major and minor nutrients, which

improve soil structure, soil biology and the availability of soil nutrients to the plant.

However, they believe there are plenty more farmers across the North Island who could drastically reduce their annual fertiliser bills and improve productivity and animal health by adding significant applications of lime to the mix.

“Some might see lime as old school but it works, and the old timers knew this. Lime has certainly helped put Northland farming on the map over the decades, so I am thankful for the part dad played in that,” says Bryce.

“There is no doubt that adjusting soil pH through applications of lime is a big opportunity, and we need to work towards a less intensive farming system by reducing high levels of nitrogen and water-soluble phosphates,” say Bryce and Neil.

by Andy Bryenton

A mandate for dairy leadership

Once every six years Kiwi dairy farmers are asked to vote on whether to keep up payment of a levy funding the work of DairyNZ, the sector’s voice of advocacy and scientific advancement.

This year was a polling year, and farmers were encouraged to make their voices heard, amid a time of generational governmental legislation change and technological innovation. The result, released mid-March, was a resounding mandate for DairyNZ, with two-thirds of eligible voters saying ‘yes’ to another sixyear tenure for the levy. That equates to a

72 per cent vote for the affirmative when the ballot is weighted by milk solids. For a ‘yes’ vote to take effect, both of these metrics must be over 50 per cent.

“Over the last year farmers gave clear feedback on the areas they want DairyNZ to focus on,” said DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown.

“They’ve shown support for our strategy of applying DairyNZ’s strong engine of dairy science to deliver tools and resources that drive productivity, strengthen farm systems, and support farmers to compete on sustainability.

“I would like to sincerely thank every farmer who took the time to participate in the vote. Farmers have given us a clear mandate to get on with the job.

“With the levy vote confirmed, DairyNZ will be putting all its energy into delivery of its work programme, including advancing genetic gain, harnessing data and insights to strengthen farm systems, and contributing to improved water quality across New Zealand.”

of how geopolitical factors, such as war and disrupted shipping routes, could counterbalance a high dairy price in the short to mid-term.

exploration of new supply chains within the sector.

An example of the benefits provided by DairyNZ is the EconTracker, a tool which breaks down complex economic forecast data into figures that can help guide farm investment and infrastructure choices. It’s up to date. The March precis from EconTracker has analysis

Then there’s also the fact that DairyNZ weighs in with input into government programmes such as the recently announced Dairy Beef Opportunities initiative. This partnership between Dairy NZ, Beef + Lamb NZ, the Meat Industry Association, members of the Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand and the government has more than $20 million unlocked to improve cattle genetics, breeding programmes and the

“We’re proud to stand alongside our sector partners in driving this next step for dairy beef. This is about creating real opportunities for farmers and ensuring the beef and dairy sectors continue to grow in a way that supports long-term sector success,” said Beef + Lamb NZ chair Kata Acland.

“The programme also reflects the strong level of collaboration across the sector, bringing together organisations from across the value chain to help dairy and beef farmers lift productivity and profitability.”

by Andy Bryenton

Generation nine pushes boundaries

In December last year, excitement began to build about the new Toyota Hilux, following a test drive by Toyota New Zealand representatives in Australia. Now it’s here.

While the classic ute certainly had big boots to fill, it acquitted itself with honour across the ditch. However, by Toyota’s own admission, Kiwi terrain is a whole other paradigm, despite having less spiders and snakes.

“New Zealand is one of the most challenging environments we have evaluated. After seeing the conditions here, I am confident the new Hilux will serve customers well,” said Hilux project chief engineer Anyarat Sutthibenjakul.

Fast-forward to the Northland Field Days, and the chance to take the new Hilux for a drive. Sitting next to its old stablemate from 1985, the hexmesh grille makes sense; it’s a nod to the front treatment of that venerable ancestor. All the rest, though, is totally new. We’ve looked at the aesthetics and the comfortable cab of the 2026 Hilux

in previews, however; so down to the main course.

This was the turbo-diesel automatic variant, and the first thing you’ll notice is that it’s quiet for all its on-tap torque. Part of that is the cabin itself; a place of more comfort and luxury than in previous generations, though none of the utility has been sacrificed. Power delivery is linear and smooth, seemingly unfazed by either stop-go traffic or rural hills.

The rev-matching tech of the six-speed box has garnered praise, but this automatic was silent, effective and effortless.

Out on to the highway and then some twisty rural byways, and the new Hilux proved the case for its electric power steering, which felt predictable and very capable. The whole sensation made the voluminous big ute feel like a much smaller car to command, and the tweaks made to the suspension system

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