Word of the day

Antepost – a bet placed at odds fixed at the time, and before the runners are known, on a horse thought likely to be entered; a bet placed before the racing course’s betting market has opened.

Thatcher thinks

A country cannot support terrorism and still expect to be treated as a member of the international community. To take hostages is to exclude yourself from the civilised world. pic.twitter.com/3u1FsKCssh

— Margaret Thatcher (@MrsMThatcher) November 4, 2023

Rural roundup

Current concerns down on the farm – Helen Mandeno :

My family has a problem. We have sheep and cattle on our farm that emit methane. We are told regularly we will have to cut our emissions. If we don’t, the bill will be bigger than we can afford. The threat forced us to do some reading. We had been told all scientists agree – methane is a very big problem. But we studied the issue and found something very different. The latest science surprised us, even concerned us, leading us into a tough dilemma.

What should we do?

We are fighters. We do our homework. We work from a basis of facts and truths. We have to know how stuff works – that is why we are farming and how we farm. It is the only way to be successful – stay up to date with technology and follow the latest science.

We study genetics to be better breeders. We study soil science to grow more fodder. We study new plant varieties to maximise quality and quantity of feed. We study animal health to optimise the welfare of our stock. We study weather to discern trends and patterns because of its major impact on our operations. . . 

Will China’s economic slowdown destroy provincial New Zealand? – Bridie Witton:

China’s economic slowdown is already weighing on farms across New Zealand, many of which will be making a loss as a result of higher input costs and interest rates. Global warming-related storms have battered much of the North Island in the past year, with a disproportionate effect on those who work the land. Now, a drought and emissions pricing loom, with some worrying they will have a devastating effect on rural communities.

On the windswept flats of Levin, in the Horowhenua Plains in the Lower North Island, Richard McIntyre​ has only half an hour until his 450-cow herd is brought in for milking. The twice-daily task is first at 5.30am, and again at 3pm. Outside of that, he’s doing other jobs to keep the farm running. After 7pm, he sits down to do paperwork.

Such is life on a dairy farm, where – come rain, shine or illness – there are animals to feed and care for, fences to fix, seven days a week. If anything goes wrong, farmers only have themselves or their neighbours to ask for help.

McIntyre, who is the dairy chair of Federated Farmers, is grateful for the lifestyle share milking has given his family. His daughter has developed a keen interest in becoming a vet, as a result of real-world experience from helping her dad, especially during calving. But as China’s economy weakens – and with it demand for New Zealand’s milk products – he is deeply concerned about the effect this will have on rural economies and provincial towns. . .

Putting the boot into water woes – Jill Herron :

The drawn-out process of improving water quality in Otago is coinciding with tough times for agriculture sparking a warning that new rules could tip some family farms over the edge

She’s a hard road finding the perfect regulations for water-quality and use as attested to by the five years Otago Regional Council has been locking horns over the issue with those earning a living from the parched land.

Arriving at a set of rules that protects precious, clean fresh water without being the straw that breaks the back for family farms is proving a tough ask.

As a revised deadline draws nearer for implementation of initial changes, there are fears of grim financial consequences for both farmers and foresters. . . 

Been a cracking weekend for human and animal alike weather wise in the here in Matamata . Here’s to a positve and productive week ahead for all. pic.twitter.com/1oQt0sFuvJ

— Sam Owen (@samueltowen) November 5, 2023

Rockit powers into the South Island through partnership with Turley Farms :

Innovative Kiwi company, Rockit Global Limited, is expanding its footprint across the country, with the first Rockit™ apples now growing in the South Island.

Rockit Global Chairman John Loughlin says, in the next 20 years, horticulture has the potential to transform the rural Canterbury landscape.

“Growing apples uses significantly less water, requires markedly lower nitrogen inputs than either dairy or arable production and, as a perennial crop, doesn’t require annual cultivation.”

Rockit General Manager Commercial Tom Lane says, a key part of Rockit’s strategy is geographical diversification.  . . 

pic.twitter.com/r6c680Q0pH

— Sarah Dooley (@cobb808) November 5, 2023

Comvita supports Piha through Manuka planting :

Comvita, leading producer of Mānuka-based wellness products, is helping Piha to rebuild following the devastating floods that struck the area earlier this year.

In collaboration with renowned New Zealand landscape designer, author and part-time Piha resident Xanthe White, Comvita aims to demonstrate the remarkable potential of Mānuka in addressing multiple challenges facing the community. Mānuka’s unique ability to stabilise the land, reduce flooding impacts, and support bee populations aligns seamlessly with the urgent needs of Piha and its residents.

“Comvita is delighted to bring together Piha community members, experts, Auckland council, nature enthusiasts and Xanthe White, to heal the damage from the recent flooding in Piha,” says Kirsty Dent, Comvita’s Acting Chief Purpose & Transformation Officer. . . 

Alena Kamper announced as 2023 Young Winemaker of the year :

Congratulations to Alena Kamper from Sacred Hill in Hawke’s Bay who is the 2023 Tonnellerie de Mercurey Young Winemaker of the Year. At just 22, she is the youngest person ever to win this prestigious and coveted title.

Despite initially being nervous to enter, but then taking the plunge and working hard has certainly paid off.

The national final took place at The Bone Line in North Canterbury on 31st October, with the three finalists delivering their speeches at the Altogether Unique Wine Industry Celebration in Christchurch on 1 November, when the overall winner was announced.

The other finalists were Callum Haynes from Matua in Marlborough and Eliana Leal from Amisfield in Central Otago. They too both won section prizes highlighting how tough the competition is and what inspiring young people there are in the wine industry. . .

Need Infrastructure Responsibility Act

If councils were audited for infrastructure the way they are for their finances, they wouldn’t be able to waste money on boondoggles while neglecting their core responsibilities.

It’s far to easy for councillors with their eyes on the next election to opt for spending on things which make good photo opportunities instead of repairs, maintenance and replacement of things like pipes.

Successive central governments too can be accused of not having sufficient regard for infrastructure and neglecting to plan, and fund it.

We have Ruth Richardson to thank for the Fiscal Responsibility Act that helps prevent outgoing governments leaving unexploded financial land mines for its successor.

We need an Infrastructure Responsibility Act too.

Infrastructure New Zealand points out that the incoming government could save billions with a more certain infrastructure pipeline:

The new Government has a unique chance to end the instability in New Zealand’s infrastructure pipeline and save money by committing to a longer-term plan to build what the country needs to grow and prosper. That’s the message from Infrastructure New Zealand as it releases a new report showing the costs of continuing on our “listless infrastructure path”.

“For New Zealand to reach its potential, prioritising a more certain infrastructure pipeline is an immediate action the Government can do to increase productivity and allow us to build more, for less,” says Infrastructure New Zealand Chief Executive Nick Leggett. “Expert economic analysis shows this could result in billions of dollars of savings and additional infrastructure investment each year.”

Estimating the Costs of an Uncertain Infrastructure Pipeline was undertaken by Infometrics and is available at https://rb.gy/w35bk.

The report shows that streamlining delivery by Government committing to a more certain infrastructure pipeline could result in productivity and savings improvements of between 13% – 26.5% on future infrastructure projects. If applied, these savings could increase the amount spent on infrastructure delivery by between $2.3 billion and $4.7 billion per year over the 2025-31 period.

“The end result is a massive increase of $16 billion to $33 billion in infrastructure investment through to 2031. New Zealand badly needs to drive its infrastructure build, but we also need to be prudent in what we spend in a period of fiscal restraint, so this would be a real game changer,” says Leggett.

It’s too easy for governments to focus on the three-year political cycle at the expense of longer term requirements.

That leaves too much to political whim, increases uncertainty and adds costs.

An infrastructure pipeline would give certainty and an Infrastructure Responsibility Act would hold successive governments to account for delivering it.