Posted by: rivettingkatetaylor | June 22, 2012

Book the boy racers

If boy racers are planning a “big boy racer car cruze” from Porirua to Wellington tonight for Daniel Briant, whose car was the first to be crushed under new boy racer legislation, I say keep a very close eye on them.

Police crushed the 19-year old’s Nissan Laurel yesterday.

And the boy racers aren’t too happy – stuff.co.nz saying the action sparked an outcry on Facebook. Who cares?

About the boy racers? Not me. About Mr Briant? Not me. About safe cars on the roads? Me. About respect for authority? Me.

According to stuff.co.nz, police revealed Briant was caught doing multiple burnouts in the middle of State Highway 1 near Paraparaumu in front of an off-duty police officer and children. Less than three hours after receiving his third strike from Porirua District Court, he was back behind the wheel, performing a burnout.

I say pull them all over and check their warrants. I read somewhere today about a car being in an accident recently that had been modified just hours before with the back seat replacing the front seat and a hole cut in the floor (or the seat) for the gear stick.

For goodness sake, HOW MANY PEOPLE DIE ON OUR ROADS?

Cars on the open road are weapons in the wrong hands, not toys.

 

 

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Posted by: rivettingkatetaylor | June 19, 2012

Favourite uncles

RIP Uncle Woody. Wilfred Rivett of Mosgiel, formerly of Mountainview and then Glenview in West Otago.

Everyone has a favourite aunty or uncle (or more than one!) who they just like, you know? Uncle Woody was lovely.

I am so pleased I was able to visit with him and Aunty Bev when I was down for the Young Farmer Contest. It’s tough being so far away but the timing was right for me this time. Waiting for funeral details….  Air New Zealand “I hate you”. Looking at $700 no matter when the farewell.

That’s all from me today. A bit too personal this time and a bit too new as he only passed away this morning.

Big hugs to my cousins, I know what they’re going through…. it’s almost 10 years since Dad died. They’ll be having a wee game of golf in heaven those two.

 

me visiting Dad at The Glen last month

 

 

 

 

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Posted by: rivettingkatetaylor | June 18, 2012

Hawke’s Bay looking long term

For those of you in Hawke’s Bay, the regional council has made some preliminary decisions on its Draft 2012-2022 Long Term Plan.

Goodness knows how councillors heads are feeling after four days of public submissions….

The plan sets out the council’s work priorities for the next decade, as well as how the work will be funded and this year attracted more than 550 submissions.

This information is taken from a press release sent this morning (and also forwarded by the ever-proactive Cr Kevin Rose).  I haven’t left everything in… but have included afforestation, fracking, biodiversity (yes!), investment portfolio/Port of Napier, flood protection on the Heretaunga Plains (good job) and the planned dam in Central Hawke’s Bay (top of the list).

Rivettingkatetaylor is also pleased to see $500,000 to help with the upgrade of the Wairoa Community Centre/ Alexander Park and a further $500,000 for the provision of a Visitor and Education Centre at Te Mata Park.

The decisions (below) will go to the next full council meeting on 27 June 2012 for final ratification.

 

Ruataniwha Water Storage Project

HBRC has agreed to make provision of $80 million for an equity stake in the Ruataniwha Water Storage Project. The proposal would, if approved, see irrigation takes moved to stored water creating a positive downstream effect for the Tukituki River, by taking the pressure off the river and enabling it to return to naturalised flows during summer months. A feasibility study is due to be completed in August. 

HBRC’s final decision to invest in the water storage project is dependent on a number of decisions. These are: that the project is shown to be commercially feasible and meets council’s environmental objectives; that further public consultation is done; that the project gains resource consent, and that the project is financially viable and that suitable investment partners can be found.

HBRC Chairman Fenton Wilson says the Council’s decision makes provision for $80 million for the project should all of the organisation’s stringent criteria be met.

 

Ngaruroro water storage investigations

HBRC has made provision of $27 million for a possible equity stake in a water storage scheme in the Ngaruroro catchment. Approval to proceed will be subject to further economic assessment to be undertaken in the 2012/13 year as part of pre-feasibility. Undertaking a full feasibility assessment and dependent on results, moving to further consultation, consenting and capital raising would require subsequent specific decisions.

 

Investment Strategy

HBRC has confirmed its investment strategy outlined in the Right Debate section of the Long Term Plan 2012-2022. This will see HBRC continuing to invest in the development and revenue generating initiatives of the Port of Napier and increasing investment in water harvesting and improved land use. Part of the funding for these initiatives will come from realising the values of the Napier and Wellington leasehold property portfolios. The Council noted the support for the retention of a majority shareholding in the Port of Napier Limited (PONL) as a strategic asset.

 

Regional Community Facilities Funding

$500,000 will be granted to the Wairoa District Council for the upgrade of the Wairoa Community Centre/ Alexander Park.

A further $500,000 for the provision of a Visitor and Education Centre at Te Mata Park in Hastings District, subject to negotiations with the Te Mata Park Trust and Hastings District Council. HBRC Chairman Fenton Wilson says this is a worthy project for an iconic Hawke’s Bay asset. He says the values of the trust and what it wants to achieve closely align with HBRC’s values.

It has also made provision for $2 million for regional hockey turf facilities in Hawke’s Bay. However before this money is allocated HBRC requires HB Hockey Assn, HB Hockey Artificial Surfaces Trust, the Regional Sports Park Trust and the Hastings District and Napier City Councils to agree on a plan.

 

Heretaunga Plains Flood Control

HBRC plans to increase the level of protection provided by the Heretaunga Plains Flood Control Scheme to a 1-in-500 year level commencing in 2016/17, with the costs to be funded through scheme targeted rates (70%) and general funding (30%). This would allow for an annual capital programme worth about $1M without increasing scheme rates above the level of inflation.

 

Afforestation

HBRC has confirmed the inclusion of the provision to spend $47 million in the 2012-22 period as investment into hill country afforestation, subject to Council approval of an operational plan and a carbon trading strategy and policy for the project by September 2012. The Operational Plan will address suitability of species, silviculture regimes, grant rates, the balance of carbon and wood values and site suitability to achieve environmental values. The operational plan will be reviewed annually. Fenton Wilson says work can now begin within HBRC to determine in detail what the scheme will look like.

  

Hydraulic Fracturing

After a day of verbal submissions on potential oil exploration and hydraulic fracturing in Hawke’s Bay HBRC said it has heard the concerns of a number of its citizens and acknowledges the risk around the practice of hydraulic fracturing. It has already referred the matter to the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment. It has now resolved that should the Commissioner’s report include environmental effects that need addressing through the Regional Resource Management Plan then HBRC will undertake notifying the necessary plan changes.

HBRC values the protection of ecosystems in the region and recognises that mineral exploration/extraction poses long-term risk to soil, water and ecosystems. HBRC will ensure all aspects of risk to soil, water and ecosystems are avoided, remedied or mitigated in each application for mineral exploration and extraction.

 

Biodiversity

HBRC has confirmed funding for the development of a regional biodiversity inventory and strategy. In response to public submissions it has increased its funding in the 2012/2013 year to $87,500 to allow the work to begin earlier than planned, with a further $15,500 allocated in the following year.

 

 

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Posted by: rivettingkatetaylor | June 17, 2012

waste water where

What’s happening to Central Hawke’s Bay’s waste water? Where does the poo go when you go to the loo in Waipukurau and Waipawa?

The Hawke’s Bay Regional Council will be closely monitoring the progress of Central Hawke’s Bay District Council’s sewerage system upgrade, says a press release they sent out last week after the CHB District Council announced it was going with a $6 million floating wetlands proposal instead of distributing “it” within a new forest to be planted by the Regional Council (Kate’s simplification of what the plan actually was – correct version below).

HBRC says it will be writing to CHB District Council to ensure it meets its resource consent conditions for wastewater discharge with the latest solution.

This is what the press release went on to say…

HBRC had offered to assist CHB District Council with a land-based sewage treatment solution to wastewater which, subject to consent would have meant the wastewater was out of the Tukituki River this summer, when it has the major impact on water quality. However CHB District Council has rejected this solution in favour of the cheaper floating wetland proposal.

HBRC Chief Executive Andrew Newman says CHB District Council will need to satisfy HBRC that the design of the floating wetlands proposal will deliver the required standards by deadline of 2014.

“We will be writing to the Central Hawke’s Bay District Council to reiterate the requirement for it to meet the required standards of its discharge consent within two years,” says Mr Newman.

HBRC had purchased land and planted it for use as part of the proposed land-based sewage treatment solution and offered to have staff manage the project to ensure it was completed in the required timeframe.

Mr Newman says HBRC will retain the land as it was purchased and planted as part of the organisation’s overall forestry investment portfolio with the understanding CHBDC may not use it for its wastewater system.

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Posted by: rivettingkatetaylor | June 14, 2012

Go Steve!

Fellow Takapau-ite Steve Wyn-Harris has won the 2012  Landcorp Agricultural Communicator of the Year.

Well done Steve!

I had known Steve’s name for a while before we actually moved to Takapau and got to know Steve the dad, Steve the farmer, Steve the husband (Jane’s my cardio tennis coach!) and Steve the radio announcer (because now I live in a place we I can hear his Cockies Hour on our wonderful community station Central FM).

The award, which recognises excellence in communicating agricultural issues, events or information is administered by the New Zealand Guild of Agricultural Journalists and Communicators (of which I am also a member, but never get to go to the dinner because hubby’s already at the field days and I’m in charge of the sproglets – maybe next year).

Steve is described by them as a Hawke’s Bay farmer who has become a strong commentator on farming, the farming industry and agricultural sciences.

Steve and Jane Wyn-Harris from Takapau in Central Hawke’s Bay

Steve Wyn-Harris started his farming career in 1985 when he bought 180 hectares in Central Hawke’s Bay, adding several other blocks over the years, so he and his wife now have 350ha.  The properties carry high performance breeding ewes, including a coopworth sheep stud that uses latest technology such as sire referencing, AI and gene identification.  Bull beef makes up 40% of the stock carried and 15% of the property is planted in forestry, and areas of amenity and native plantings are scattered over all the farms.  He has won a number of farming awards over the years, most recently last year when the farm took out the East Coast Ballance Farm Environment Supreme Award.

However, it is because of his commentaries about farming, farming industries and agricultural sciences that he took out this year’s Landcorp Agricultural Communicator of the Year Award.   He is a broadcaster with his own local radio show and is a regular on the national Farming Show.  He is a long-standing columnist, and has been contributing weekly columns for many years, well over 660 so far, and currently appears in The NZ Farmers Weekly.

Guild President, Jon Morgan, said Steve is a worthy recipient of the award this year.  His columns, comments, presentations at conferences cover an extensive range of topics, but his style remains the same, relaxed, whimsical and often humourous.   “He is widely respected as an excellent farmer,  but has that rare gift of communications that crosses all areas of rural life.”

I have met Jon several times in the past few months too – at the Beef Expo and earlier at the field day for James Hunter, who won the East Coast BFEA award Steve (and Jane) won last year.

So there you go.  Takapau has a claim to fame.

Well done Steve.

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Posted by: rivettingkatetaylor | May 30, 2012

Photos from the Young Farmer Contest

One of the amazing things this week has been looking back on everything those seven Young Farmers had to do last week.

First of all, my congratulations to Michael, Pete and Brad – the top three, as well as Katherine, Andrew, Tony and Sam.  Awesome job.

Someone said to me this morning if Katherine had done well for a girl. Crikey mate. She did well for a bloke. She was there to do her best and give it her all – and that she did. I was jumping between all the events on Technical Day and all the practical challenges on Friday and I never saw her give up. Grimace – yes. Big sigh, smile and back to the grindstone – yes. Give up? No.

She looked nervous enough to throw up down the lens of the camera on Saturday night, but the blokes probably were too!

So here are some photos…  and then a link to some more.

Some Lincoln University and some Ravensdown… pre dinner drinks

Some Young Farmers from East Coast and Taranaki/Manawatu

The extended Gardyne family

2012 Young Farmer Contest champion, Murchison vet Michael Lilley and his wife Kelly

Visit my flickr website for more photos…. more will be added over the coming days.

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Posted by: rivettingkatetaylor | May 27, 2012

Young Farmer Contest #4

Because of that broadband issue…. here is the press release from Young Farmers. More from me later (I’m a tad tired….)

 

Michael Lilley from the Tasman Region has won The National Bank Young Farmer Contest Grand Final this evening (May 26th) in Dunedin.

It was a case of second time lucky for the 26 year old rural veterinarian from Murchison after he last competed at Grand Final level in 2009 in Palmerston North.

Mr Lilley took out the prestigious title after three days of gruelling competition. The Technical Day at Invermay Research Station on Thursday tested the brain power of the Contestants while the more physical side of things took place at the Forsyth Barr Stadium yesterday at the Practical Day.

When asked what it mean to be crowned the 2012 Contest Champion Mr Lilley said “it is huge. It‘s a big title around rural New Zealand. It’s a big honour and quite an achievement.”

Nearly 1000 people attended the Televised Evening Show and Ball at Dunedin’s Edgar Centre which was broadcast live on TVNZ 7 with delayed coverage on TV ONE at 10pm.

Mr Lilley was joined by wife Kelly onstage after the big win. 2012 is a big year for the couple who are expecting their first child this year. Michael thanked Kelly for keeping him organised leading up to the final. He also thanked his parents for their support saying “growing up they taught me everything I know about farming .”

Mr Lilley said that  the title will give him the confidence to keep moving forward in the agriculture industry. He hopes to combine both his work as a vet and as a farmer in the years to come.

The win wasn’t expected for Mr Lilley who thought that he “came a bit unstuck on the Technical Day,” however; the technical challenges were where he did best. He won both the AGMARDT Agri-business Challenge and the Lincoln University Agri-growth Challenge. He took away a $15,000 AGMARDT scholarship and a $8,000 conference package from Lincoln University.

Mr Lilley wasn’t the only big winner on the night however. Otago/Southland’s Pete Gardyne also did well by taking out the Practical Challenges – the Ravensdown Agri-Skills and Silver Fern Farms Agri-sports. Mr Gardyne received a farm technology package from Silver Fern Farms worth $8.000 along with $14,000 worth of goods and services from Ravensdown.

Mr Lilley will be taking the Cloak of Knowledge and the Contest trophy back to the West Coast along with a prize pack valued at $70,000 which included $15,000 thanks to The National Bank, a Lincoln University scholarship for study towards a Specialist Masters of Professional Studies or entry to the Kellogg Programme valued at $5,000, Ravensdown quality products and services to the value of $7000, an AGMARDT scholarship towards a career development programme valued at $2,000, a farm technology package courtesy of Silver Fern Farms valued at approximately $15,000, a Honda TRX420FPM power steered four wheel drive manual ATV and a Honda EU20 inverter generator with a combined value of $18,000, a range of Swanndri clothing to the value of $1,000 and a selection of quality outdoor power equipment from ECHO to the value of $7,000.

The TBfree New Zealand Young Farmers 2012 National Conference was also held this week with delegates from all around the country coming to Dunedin for workshops, the Annual General Meeting, a bus trip and more.

The AgriKidsNZ and TeenAg 2012 Grand Finals also took place in Dunedin yesterday. Prue Buckingham, Jessica Dermody and Lachlan Crosbie from Tokonui took out the top spot in the AgriKidsNZ Competition. Tom Monteath and Danny Brooker from Chirstchurch Boys’ High School were the 2012 TeenAg Champions.

For more information go to www.youngfarmercontest.co.nz

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Posted by: rivettingkatetaylor | May 26, 2012

Young Farmer Contest #4

After an awesome night last night at Larnach’s Castle…. I have some info for you before tonight’s live televised show!

(taken from YF press release cos I’m too busy going through all my photos…….)

In a change to the Contest this year, all of the Technical and Practical Day Challenge winners were announced at The National Bank Sponsors Dinner. After a traditional Haggis ceremony, host Dougal Stevenson invited Contest Sponsors to come forward and award trophies to the Challenge winners so far.

Tasman’s Michael Lilley took away the Agri-sports, Market Innovation and Strategic Business Challenges. Pete Gardyne was the winner of the Agri-skills and Community Footprint Challenges. The Head to Head was won by Waikato/Bay of Plenty’s Sam Williams, the Human Resources Challenge went to East Coast’s Tony Dowman and Brad Lewis was the winner of the Interview Challenge.

Northern’s Katherine Tucker and Aorangi’s Andrew Scott may not have take out any of the individual Challenges, but speaker and 2011 Contest Champion Will Grayling urged them to not give up. He said “the only section I won last year was the speech challenge and that was only by point three of a point – so it can still be done.”

Mr Grayling also spoke about his year as Contest Champion saying that it has given him the opportunity to rub shoulders with leaders in the agriculture industry and to learn from their experience. He said he was impressed with the way the Grand Finalists had handled themselves so far and wished them luck ahead of the big reveal tonight at the Televised Grand Final Evening Show.

 

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Posted by: rivettingkatetaylor | May 25, 2012

Young Farmer Contest #3

I wanted to keep you all up to date with the Young Farmer Contest but I’m being charged 68c at minute for broadband. So if you like internet, don’t stay at the Mercure when you come to Dunedin.

I shall write on word and copy and paste….

here it comes….

 

The winning AgriKids team from Tokanui, Southland

 

Otago/Southland competitor Pete Gardyne in the first aid section (very realistic and officially my Photo of the Day!)

 

Katherine from Northland in the forestry module – you would think the media thought women didn’t farm by the way they’re hanging around poor Katherine. She’s getting the contest some awesome publicity and she certainly held her own with the boys today!

and here they all are after one of the head to head challenges. What a good group of Young Farmers!

here’s the new Contest compere – welcome Craig Wiggins!

and the first home in today’s Agrisport – Tony Dowman from the East Coast (actually won on points by Tasman’s Michael Lilley – I think – it’s been a long day!)

 

And here’s the winner of the speeches the otber night…. Pete Gardyne from Otago/Southland

Jake Vargo from Vodafone and Colin Slade the rugby player ( 🙂 ) at the Vodafone Speeches Dinner giving away phones (in spectacular style). In case you were wondering, it was dress up – theme The Great Outdoors (oh and the guy with the mike told a joke and won some tickets… can’t remember the joke though….)

 

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Posted by: rivettingkatetaylor | May 23, 2012

Young Farmer Contest #2

Well, The National Bank Young Farmer Contest is officially underway after a launch in central Dunedin today.

The magnificent seven, this year six guys and one girl, were presented to the crowd by new contest compere Craig Wiggins (a well known voice for rodeo fans). Then they dressed volunteers from the crowd with a wool fadge – complete with gladwrap and insulation tape.

And dress they did!

Andrew Scott from Aorangi

Compere Grant Wiggins checks out one of the ensembles!

The magnificent seven in Wall Street Mall, Dunedin

From the Contest’s press release this afternoon:

Dunedin City Councillor Andrew Noone opened proceedings on behalf of Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull. Mr Noone said he was delighted that Dunedin was chosen to host the event as the city is “right behind the rural sector.”

Contest Chairman Bevan Proffit made special mention of the Contest Sponsors; “their involvement helps develop our future leaders.” Mr Proffit also wished all seven Grand Finalists the best of luck; “give it your all and may the best person win.”

2011’s Contest Champion Will Grayling had some advice for this year’s crop. “It’s a high pressure week for the Contestants. They need to manage themselves and the pressure of the week – that’s what will influence the outcome.”

The Technical Day is to be held tomorrow at the Invermay Research Station. Friday plays host to the Practical Day of the Contest at the Forsyth Barr Stadium. The Contest Champion will then be announced at the Edgar Centre during the Televised Grand Final Evening Show which screens live on TVNZ 7 at 7.05pm on Saturday 26th May.

To qualify for the Grand Final each of the seven Grand Finalists had to first win their respective Regional Finals earlier this year. Four Contestants are  returning to Grand Final level in 2012; Otago/Southland’s Pete Gardyne, Sam Williams from the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Region, Tasman’s Michael Lilley and Andrew Scott from the Aorangi Region.  Katherine Tucker is Northern’s representative and only the third female to ever compete at Grand Final level. Rounding off the field is Tony Dowman from the East Coast Region and Taranaki/Manawatu’s Brad Lewis.

This year’s top Young Farmers are competing for the title of 2012 Contest Champion along with a generous winners prize pack valued at over $70,000 including a four wheeler,  cash, fertiliser…. and new sponsor Silver Fern Farms is giving a technology package worth $15,000!

Don’t worry, more sponsors will be mentioned over the next three days… someone once asked me how much it cost me to sell my arm. I was wearing a YF Contest shirt at the time which had the prize sponsors down one arm.  Boy did that person get their pedigree. Without sponsors like these and people to recognise them and wear their logos, events like the Young Farmer of the Year would not exist as they do.

Fist pump to sponsors everywhere!

Time for bed, technical day tomorrow.

Seven brains will be severely overused this time tomorrow.

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