august rural lifestyle magazine

Issue 47

Rodney's

AuGusT 2011

Wainui Hall: a community hub pg3

Vehicle review: the Amarok pg6

Pasture care and weed control: those sodding thistles pg9

Horsin’ around: Dad, can I have a pony? pg12

Landscaping: from tiny acorns grow pg13

Bees: hope in the Varroa mite fight pg15

2 RURAL LIFESTYLE ISSUE 47

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Letters or enquiries to Rodney’s Rural Lifestyle, RD Marketing Ltd, RD1, Kaukapakapa. Phone 09 947 3580. email: [email protected]

Advertising enquiries: Marlene Brown 021-854-946 Rodney’s Rural Lifestyle ©2011. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form without permission of the publisher is prohibited. No responsibility accepted for any direct or indirect consequences arising from reliance on any content within Rodney’s Rural Lifestyle. Editor: Neville Walker. Sub Editor: Helen Martin. Writers this issue: Helen Martin, Logan Tudehope, Sandy Reid, Grant McKechnie, Dave Beattie, Neville Walker. The respective copyright holders mentioned on pg10 can be found on Wikimedia. Designer: Dan Stenhouse, Bgraphix. Printing: PMP maxim.

Neville Walker – Editor & Publisher

We’ve managed to pack six good stories in this month to cover a wide range of interests and we still didn’t have enough room…

… so we’ve decided to extend the first story via our website. From time to time something appears out of the blue and you wonder where it came from. I had one of those moments when the PR agency for Volkswagen emailed and asked if we’d like one of their Amarok utes for a week to review. Hmmm … often that kind of offer comes with an implied obligation but, no, we could say what we liked!

This month Helen Martin continues with our series on community halls. I didn’t grow up in this district, but I do like finding out how our communities here formed and how the halls become a focus for so much rich history. Quite by chance, one of our long-standing supporting advertisers in this magazine, Julie McKechnie, was one of the main sources for this story… Julie and her husband Grant own McKechnie Nurseries in Coatesville.

No doubt there are a lot of local families

with deep roots across the Rodney district. On that note, this month Grant McKechnie explains more about how we can plant our own deep roots …the kind that create rich autumn colours.

The subject of buying a pony will come up in our household again before long, and now armed with Sandy Reid’s article I can at least give a more informed answer to our daughter about how old she has to be and what has to be in place before we head down the road to buy or lease a pony. Do take a moment to post any questions you have on www.ruralifestyle.co.nz and Sandy will get back in touch and answer you directly.

Dave Beattie provides expert guidance on managing pasture over this lean time and on how we can improve its quality as it bursts through in spring, and Logan Tudehope has been researching the plight facing our bees, finding a remarkable prospect of hope from the UK.

Do keep your feedback coming and remember, keep telling the advertisers you saw their advert in Rodney’s Rural Lifestyle Magazine. That way they’ll keep supporting us, which means we can keep providing you with articles.

Oh, and in case you were wondering, the winner of the Uniden Phone is now posted on our website… thanks for your entries.

Enjoy the read.

Six of the best…

RURAL LIFESTYLE ISSUE 47 3

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Owned initially by Maori, Wainui (big water), was sold to the Crown in 1854 for 800 pounds by Ngati Rongo Chief, Te Hemara Tauhia1 and was soon settled by European immigrants.

Talking to Wainui locals Alan Scott (93) and Joyce Scott (88), I learn that Alan’s grandparents Thomas and Eleanor Scott and their five sons and daughter, having emigrated from Donegal, Ireland, arrived in Auckland on 11 March, 1864. From there they went by cutter to Riverhead then walked to Wainui, where several other families were already established.

Taking possession of land they had received through a land grant, the Scotts found there were no roads and the land was wild - covered in fern, manuka, giant kauri and other natives. Writing about the history of Wainui in 1929, Doris Scott (later Doris Cutting) noted, “When Mr Scott came to look at his grant he came down the valley by falling on the tea tree and so forming a rough track.”2 The family set to and made a living cutting timber, using bullocks to transport the logs to the Wade River. From there the

logs were rafted across to Freemans’ Bay, where two of the sons established a timber mill. And so, as the years passed, Wainui’s great forests gave way to farms and orchards.

As in all growing country communities, the locals saw the need for a central hub. Wainui Hall was built in 1912 of timber supplied by locals and on land loaned by Alan’s great uncle, Edward (Ted) Scott. After the hall burnt down in the mid-1920s, local residents, including Alan’s father John, once again gave time and materials to rebuild it.

Alan spent a lot of time there with his parents as a child, remembering it as an important meeting place for the district’s families. After he married Joyce, who was not a Wainui local, she became very involved in the hall committee and their seven children spent many happy hours at the hall.

In 1936, the Women’s Division of Federated Farmers (WDFF) began meeting in the local church, then later moved to the hall and Joyce, who joined in the 1950s, remembers it as a very active group, most of whom walked long distances to the meetings. Their goal was to look after the district’s women and children. One of the activities the WDFF was known for was its adult education classes,

WainuiBy Helen Martin

The background to the stories of our local halls always starts many years before they were built, and the Wainui Hall is no exception.

The community hall at


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including the well-attended dressmaking class. Also popular for years was the WDFF’s drama group, described by Joyce as “A wonderful thing for country women which enabled them to congregate and get to know one another and have a lot of fun.”

Everybody knew everybody. Other regular hall events included annual flower shows, Plunket meetings, Christmas concerts, weddings, Lodge meetings, garden parties and, of course, the dances with their great homemade suppers and memorable times. Some of the dance goers would be people making the rounds of dances in Silverdale, Wainui and Kaukapakapa to

check out the local talent. As with other country halls at the time there was to be no alcohol consumed on the premises, so the men gathered outside to drink, says Doris’s son, Brian Cutting, and there were sometimes tensions as they competed to prove their worth. “A few years back a man went missing from a dance,” Joyce tells me, “and he was found later in a chicken pen at Silverdale.“

The Scotts’ daughter Julie has some vivid childhood memories. “Each year we looked forward to Christmas tree night at the hall with great excitement. There was a huge, beautiful Christmas tree up near the front and Santa Claus gave each child a gift from the tree. We’d play organised games in the hall and sometimes we’d dress up in fancy dress.” To this, Brian Cutting adds ”When we were cleaning up the next day, if we were lucky we’d find a present that had been left out!”

Julie also remembers school plays, and later on dances “when all the boys sat on one side of the hall and the girls on the other, hoping like mad we wouldn’t be the last girl left sitting when the MC said ‘Gentlemen, take your partners for the next waltz’.“

People would hire the hall and come from as far away as Browns Bay and Whangaparaoa for their 21sts, but eventually the committee stopped hiring it out because cleaning up after them was too much like hard work.

In later years Joyce was President of the WDFF and enjoyed presiding over coffee mornings, where people would come from other districts to listen to speakers. “We had to work hard, milking cows etc, but it was a good life, the kids all took part, and we had good times,” she says.

As commitment to maintaining the hall waned with people ageing or moving away, it was eventually taken over by the local council. The hall is now home to a playgroup twice a week and is used by groups ranging from Tai Chi to the National Party.

Many thanks to Alan and Joyce Scott, Julie McKechnie (née Scott) and Brian Cutting for their valuable contributions to this article.

Raewyn Mowday (left) and Julie scott dressed in costume for Christmas Tree Night at the hall, in about 1960.

References:

1. www.puhoihistoricalsociety.org.nz/Survival.htm

2. Doris I. Scott, History of Wainui, 1929. Teachers’ Training College project.

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Volkswagen’s Amarok (that’s Inuit for Artic Wolf) brings some refinement to the work-ute market and it is hunting alright... for a good slice of that market.

Its style, unlike other utes, certainly announces a ‘presence’. There are four Amarok versions, all six-speed manual (sorry, no auto available yet), in RWD

or part-time 4WD. Three of the models come with twin-turbos, generating 120kW@4,000rpm and 400Nm of torque at 1500-2000rpm from a common-rail

When Volkwagen’s PR folk called to ask if we would like to review the Amarok we said okay, but we wanted to know whether there was an implied expectation we’d publish something sanitised. ‘Call it as you see it,’ was the response.

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PLEASE READ ALL COPY CAREFULLY. CHECK SPELLING AND PHONE NUMBERS.

Once proof is approved APN Newspapers will not accept responsibility for incorrect copy or layout.PROOF

CUSTOMER: TRISTRAM EUROPEAN PROOF TIME 20/07/2011 4:45:46 p.m.REP ID: A58 LAST RUN: 07/23/11

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2011 VW Amarok 4 Motion $72,990Leather 19” Alastro alloys, bluetooth phone, hard lid, bonnet protector, rubber mats,deck liner, front nudge bar.2009 Scirocco 118kw $41,990Only 5,000 kms, 18” Interlagos alloys, paddles, rear park aid2010 VW Golf R $67,990Black with black leather interior, 19” alloys, sunroof, reverse camera,dynamic chassis control.2008 VW Passat R36 Sedan $57,990Black with black leather interior, 25,000km.2009 Audi A4 Avant S-Line $67,99019” Alloys, black with black leather interior.2008 Audi A4 Sedan 2.0 TDI $52,990S-Line (new shape)2005 Audi A4 Avant 3.0 TDI $43,990NZ New, Silver with black leather interior.2003 Audi A8 $35,990NZ New, Sunroof.


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2011 VW Amarok 4 Motion $72,990Leather 19” Alastro alloys, bluetooth phone, hard lid, bonnet protector, rubber mats,deck liner, front nudge bar.2009 Scirocco 118kw $41,990Only 5,000 kms, 18” Interlagos alloys, paddles, rear park aid2010 VW Golf R $67,990Black with black leather interior, 19” alloys, sunroof, reverse camera,dynamic chassis control.2008 VW Passat R36 Sedan $57,990Black with black leather interior, 25,000km.2009 Audi A4 Avant S-Line $67,99019” Alloys, black with black leather interior.2008 Audi A4 Sedan 2.0 TDI $52,990S-Line (new shape)2005 Audi A4 Avant 3.0 TDI $43,990NZ New, Silver with black leather interior.2003 Audi A8 $35,990NZ New, Sunroof.


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direct injection diesel. That is a very respectable power output, considering the Toyota SR5 Hilux 3.0 produces 126kW and 343Nm or torque. The Nissan Navara ST-X 450 boasts 450Nm torque and 140kW power output, but then it’s a bigger (2.5litre) and thirstier engine. The standard 2.0 litre Amarok 2WD TDI produces 90kW@3750 and 340Nm @ 1,750-2250rpm. Pricing starts at $43k for the RWD through to $61500 (plus on-road costs) for the 4WD Highline version we tested.

We took the Amarok Highline on an open road 350km drive and an 86km open road tow with a 3-tonne load (although only rated for 2.8tonne). Sadly, we couldn’t get our hands on a version with mud tyres to really test its off-road capability in time for this review – we would like to have tested the hill-descent control system down some very muddy and rutted forestry roads. But we’re told we

can have one to try soon, so keep in touch via our website for updates.

The run down to the Waikato and back via SH27 proved the Amarok could behave much

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the cabin combined with comfortable seats and ride showed just how well it travelled by the day’s end. The 19inch alloys combined with the wide gave a very solid and very precise feel on the road. Roll-on power from 6th gear combined with the low-down torque and twin-turbos allowed better-than-expected performance when overtaking. The spec reported fuel consumption to be 7.8 litres/100km, but expect the more realistic 8-8.4 litres/100km (unloaded). Working down through the gears on approach to ‘tight

and twisties’ proved a little notchy, but interestingly the engine management system will tell you via digital readout on the speedo just what gear you should be in to match the revs - and it proved to be a better judge.

We wondered how well the Amarok is built to do ‘ute things’, like towing decent loads. Our driver for this test, Lance Pawley (Block Busters), who uses a Ford Ranger day-in, day-out to a maximum all-up weight of 2980kg (a trailer loaded with a 50hp tractor), was able to give us the real deal on its performance with a load. The fuel consumed was 14.1 litres, which translates to 16.73 litres/100km. Comparing this result with other utes Lance has tested (Navara, Ranger, Mistubishi, Colorado and Hilux), that result on the face of it puts the Amarok marginally behind the Colorado in terms of fuel consumption, but in reality the Amarok is the clear winner when taking into account the fact that the tow-load was nearly 22% (530kg) greater.

There were some other very pleasing characteristics which would suit anyone needing good tow capacity. The Amarok has a very low ratio first gear, a big plus when it comes to starting off, and with the combination of low-down torque it crept along in idle without stalling (unloaded but pointing up a slope). The only downside was the short-range clutch, which could result in stalling if under the control of an unfamiliar driver. Another useful feature on slopes was the fact that the traction control took over to hold the vehicle for a couple of seconds between releasing the clutch and stepping on the gas.

We’ve included much more detail on our website (www.rurallifestyle.co.nz) but in summary, VW have researched the work-ute 4WD category well to give some clear advantages over the direct competition. Better fuel economy, combined with a 20,000Km service interval, means lower running costs over the competition. Great load and tow capacity combined with low-down torque make it fit for most work and pleasure. The refined styling, interior space, 5-star ANCAP safety rating (the only 4WD ute to have one) and on-road driving pleasure are an added bonus, making the Amorak a serious contender in this category.

Big 19inch alloys, good styling and…...a practical tray capable of fitting a standard pallet and a one tonne load.


• Pasturespraying–Dock,Carrotweed,Thistles

• GorseandBlackberryspraying

• Specialistsinenvironmentalweedcontrolinbushblocks

• WoollyNightshade(Tobaccoweed)control

• WanderingJew

• Revegetationprojectsforsubdivisionorfarm/lifestyle blockbeautification.

• Propertymaintenanceservices

• Fencingrepairsandmaintenance

• Watersupply

• Pestcontrol

Weed spraying | RevegetationProperty maintenance

Pest control

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www.vegetationspecialists.co.nz

Now is the time to take control of weeds before they control you and your pasture!

far

min

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ters

But now is a good time to be thinking about getting on top of weeds as we head into spring.

At this time of year, thistles are on the top of the hit list. Common thistles in our area are Scotch, Nodding, Winged and Californian Thistle. We will deal with the latter in spring, as that is when it is best controlled. Thistles are unsightly, spread easily and are not grazed down by stock (with the exception of goats, which find them more palatable when in flower*).

Scotch, Nodding and Winged Thistles are all biennial, meaning the plants germinate (usually in autumn), accumulate food reserves in the first year, then flower and produce seed in the second year. Under ideal growing conditions it is possible for them to flower and set seed in one season. Once the seed is set it dies.

Germination in autumn often occurs in pasture which has been disturbed through over grazing. Maintenance of a good grass cover at this time of year will reduce germination.

Thistles rely heavily on seed production to survive, so if you can control them before flowering you can significantly reduce infestations on your property. Cooperation with your neighbours is also important, as the wind can carry weed seed large distances.

Small infestations can be grubbed, but ensure you remove a portion of the tap root by grubbing or digging out below ground level so the dormant buds are removed, otherwise regrowth will occur.

Spraying with a boom applicator attached to a tractor, 4x4 utility

controlPasture care and weed

By Dave Beattie

Now we’ve entered the coldest part of the year, most of us tend not to hang around in the paddocks pondering our pasture condition... it’s more a matter of ‘get out there, get the grazing areas rotated and get back inside’.


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or quad bike may be necessary for larger infestations, but at this time of year a utility may not be able to get onto the paddocks without getting stuck and making a mess. For larger jobs it may be necessary to use a 4x4 tractor, or for small blocks use a quad bike

set up with spray equipment – this will lessen the damage to your paddocks.

In the process of targeting thistles you can also be dealing with other problem weeds which germinate in autumn, such as buttercup, dock and carrot weed.

Effects of pugging When there is a lot of rain the soil surface can be easily damaged (pugged) by the hooves of heavier cattle. This usually happens when we carry larger stock on our properties over winter – ideally you need to plan to have larger animals off the property before it gets too wet. Next year I plan to have them off my place in late June/early July at the latest, when the grass growth starts to slow.

Pugging destroys soil structure, reducing drainage and air movement and creating poor growing conditions. This opens the grass cover (sward), allowing weeds to establish in spring. The effects of pugging can hinder grass quality and production for several seasons.

In next month’s issue we’ll discuss how to help your pasture recover from pugging.

* For an excellent reference site for weed control using Goats see section J1 at www.acga.org.au/goatnotes.

Another good source referenced for this story was weeds.massey.ac.nz

Dave Beattie is a Registered Chemical Applicator (Rural Agricultural Contractors Assoc) with Regevegation Specialists.

Nodding thistle is aptly named due the weight of the seed head causing it to ‘nod’. (© Olivier Pichard).

Californian thistle (Cirsium arvense) is one of the most common thistle species in NZ. (© H. Zell). scotch thistle. (© Bjoertvedt).

Unit 5, 3 Morrison Drive, WarkworthPhone 09 945 0090

Mobile 021 297 0615email [email protected]

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ea

ho

rsin

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ou

nd

You have bought a block of land in the country, you have some sheep, a few cattle and a goat and everything seems perfect.

Then the kids announce they want a pony! This can strike horror into the hearts of parents who have had little or no experience with our equine friends.

Having been through this I can offer a few words of advice that may help.

How old are your children? They need to be old enough to have the physical strength to ride and the concentration to take in what is being taught. I believe that seven is young enough to start learning to ride, nine is even better.

Nasty accidents have happened because simple procedures were not followed. Get your child some lessons from a riding school or an experienced adult. It’s helpful if you are there too, so you can both learn together. Make sure the teacher gets across that having a pony isn’t just about riding, but also about grooming, feeding in all weathers, and giving the pony plenty of attention It's also important that the person teaching explains safety around horses. They are big animals that move quickly and if frightened or spooked they can react by kicking, bolting or biting. The need to take precautions regarding cover removal, tying the pony up correctly and handling of the pony’s feet should be taken extremely seriously. Your child should be able to catch and, with some help, saddle the pony and be able to walk, stop, turn and possibly trot on their own.

Before you purchase your pony, sort out its paddock requirements. Most ponies do not need a lot of grass. A small paddock or fenced off area is usually adequate for a pony under 14hh. A smaller paddock is safer for catching and riding a pony without fear of it taking off. (They love the freedom of a big open paddock). A diet of hay with small amounts of grass is sufficient until you get to know the pony’s needs.

Once basic riding and handling skills have been mastered, you have the option of purchasing or leasing a pony. It is asking for trouble to purchase a young pony thinking the child and pony will grow up together. A much safer option is an old ‘schoolmaster’. It does not matter if the pony is in its twenties so long as it’s healthy and quiet. These ponies are like gold as they are generally not advertised, but are passed on through families or pony clubs. Be prepared to spend between $1000 – $2000 on this sort of pony regardless of its age.

Gear can usually be purchased through Trade Me or any reputable saddle retailer.

Happy horsin' this month!

If you have more questions about getting your child started with their first pony (for example leasing), feel free to post your questions via “comments” to this article on the website www.rurallifestyle.co.nz and Sandy will respond to you directly.

Dad, can I have a

pony?By Sandy Reid

sandy and Chip.


THE LIFESTYLE BLOCK SPECIALISTS

Robinson Rd, Coatesville. Ph/Fax 09 415 8806. [email protected]

Let Grant & Julie help you select the best plants for your place!

• Hedging • Shelter • Natives• Landscape plants• Bulk pricing available for most plants• Revegetation natives & planting service

HOURSMon–Fri - 8.30am - 5.00pmSaturday - 9.00am - 5.00pm

RURAL LANDSCAPINGDesign/plans

PlantingGarden tidies

Regular garden maintenance

The big oaks are great as statements at your entrance way; place one either side of your gate. They’ll also line your drive, give shade for the animals in the paddocks or create a focal point at the bottom of your lawn. They’re nice beside a pond, and an excellent choice for woodland plantings.

Oaks are tough trees, able to stand quite a bit of wind and not particularly good soils. They’ll also take dry to quite damp sites, but like most trees, they do best in good soils with some summer moisture.

lan

dsc

apin

g

grow...By Grant McKechnie

From tiny acorns

Cambridge is renowned for its beautiful old oaks, and so is Hawkes Bay — but Rodney can grow the majestic trees too, and what better place to plant them than on your lifestyle block or farm, where there’s plenty of space.


Proof Sheet for Ad Booking #

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• Advice on the best structure for you - Company, Trust, Partnership.

Withers & Co Ltd23 Neville StreetPO Box 113, Warkworth.Freephone: 0508 948 4377 Fax: (09) 425 7565Email: [email protected]

Serving Rural Clients (North & South Is.) Since1969

• We specialise in taxation advice and services to farmers and lifestyle block owners.

• Expert knowledge on the taxation of landsales and subdivisions.







Attn: Date:


Fax Number: From:

Planner: Phone:

Region: Fax Number:

Price: Size:
















Attn: Date:


Fax Number: From:

Planner: Phone:

Region: Fax Number:

Price: Size:















• We specialise in taxation advice and services to farmers and lifestyle block owners.• Expert knowledge on the taxation of

landsales and subdivisions.• Advice on the best structure for you -

Company, Trust, Partnership.Withers & Co Ltd23 Neville Street, PO Box 113, Warkworth.Phone (09) 425 8599Fax (09) 425 7565Email: [email protected]

The English oak (Quercus robur) is the big, round-headed tree you see as you drive through Cambridge. Short-trunked and long-lived (100 years-plus), it has large mid-green leaves which turn yellow in autumn. At 10 years, it will be about 10m x 10m in size, but will continue to grow to around 20m x 20m in time.

A variation, Quercus robur ‘Fastigiata’, the upright English oak, is tall and narrow, similar to a Lombardy poplar. Its leaves tend to

go from green to brown in autumn, and hang on into the winter before they drop. Its narrow form makes it a good choice for lining the drive if space is an issue.

Most readers will be familiar with the English oak and will also recognise the pin oak (Quercus palustris), which has a distinctive form, with a strong central leader and neatly tiered horizontal branches. The bottom branches tend to sweep downwards to the ground, but they can be trimmed off (limbed-up) if you’re planting beside the drive, or for some other reason need to keep a clear space between the ground and the lower branches. The species name palustris means ‘of swamps’, and it will grow on poorly drained soils, but not in standing water. The pin oak’s leaves turn rusty orange/red in autumn, fading to brown before dropping.

Less well known are the scarlet and red oaks which, like the pin oak, are from North America. Both form very big, round-headed trees, similar in shape to the English oak. Scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea) has big leaves and reputedly the best red autumn colour of all the oaks. Red oak (Quercus rubra) has even bigger leaves (close to 30cm long and 15cm wide) and good red autumn colour, fading to a dullish red or bronze.

Here in Rodney, we might not be able to match the south for depth of autumn colour, but the oaks will give you a pretty good show. Don’t be afraid to plant in groups of threes or fives or more of the same variety for greater colour impact, and remember that on lifestyle blocks and farms we can paint with a broader brush. Got an otherwise wasted hillside? Plant some bold splashes of colour with big groups of oaks.

All the varieties I’ve mentioned here are deciduous.

The scarlet oak’s red autumn colour. The english oak’s summer leaves.


Hope in the Varroa

ag

ric

ultu

re

www.national.org.nz

Rt Hon John Key MP for helensville

365 Main Road, Kumeu p 412 2496 e [email protected] www.johnkey.co.nz

The Varroa mite has been plaguing bees all over the world for some decades and arrived on our shores in 2000. Now a British beekeeper is breeding the Swindon Honeybee, which has developed a behaviour to combat the invasive pest.

Ron Hoskins, a 79 year old beekeeper from Swindon in Wiltshire, first took an interest in bees as a child when he was evacuated at the start of World War II and sent to live with a beekeeper. Ron's been keeping bees himself ever since, and for the last eighteen years has concentrated on researching a mite-resistant bee. The Varroa mite does its damage by sucking the fluids from bee larvae, which, if it doesn't kill the larvae, will stunt the growth of the bee's wings, preventing it from flying and therefore providing any useful labour in regard to the foraging and pollinating activities of the hive. The Varroa mite will also attach itself to the neck region of adult bees, hindering their work and productivity.

Ron Hoskins found that the Varroa mite had developed resistance to some chemicals which had been successful in the past. He also found that the chemicals were having some negative side effects on the bees themselves, not the least of which the fact that they were damaging the sperm of the drones and causing them to 'fire blanks'. He decided to cease the use of chemicals and concentrate on other means of managing the varroa mite problem.

Ron soon noticed that one or two of his hives were considerably less affected by Varroa mites than all the others. Upon closer inspection he found that the bees had learned to 'groom' eachother

Following on from our story in the March issue concerning the threat that neonicotinoids pose to the global bee population, there is fresh hope on another battlefront for these industrious insects.

fight!By Logan Tudehope


and remove the mites. They were also evicting from the hive, larvae infested with the mite. Ron has since both bred and artificially inseminated the bees from these hives with the rest of his queens and his entire population now comprises only the Swindon Honeybee.

The bee population in the United Kingdom has dropped by 60% since 1970. It is widely accepted that the bulk of this loss comes as a result of the arrival of the Varroa mite in 1992. The economic value of the pollinating work bees do globally lies between 250 and 300 billion NZ dollars. One third of everything humanity eats is dependent upon the pollinating work of bees. A great many of the oxygen-producing plants on the planet also owe their existence to the pollinating work of honeybees. Ron Hoskins is now trying to breed his Swindon Honeybees with virgin queens from hives all over the UK, in an attempt to restore the British beekeeping industry. If his results are good, requests will come from other beekeepers around the world.

The idea is not new however. American beekeepers have been trying to breed a resistance to the Varroa mite into their honeybees for many years, with limited success. The asian honeybee carries a cleaning gene and beekeeping in that

part of the world has certainly been less affected by the Varroa mite than elsewhere. However, asian honeybees are almost preoccupied with cleaning eachother and find little time for much else. Consequently their pollinating efforts are not particularly efficient and their honey is low in both yield and quality. It is hoped that Ron Hoskins' bees may prove more successful on account of the fact that the bees developed the behaviour on their own and therefore Ron is simply accelerating natural evolution.

Here in New Zealand, bees contribute around five billion dollars to annual GDP through their pollinating work. The Varroa mite is certainly a problem and perhaps in the future Ron Hoskins' work can be of some benefit here as well. The New Zealand Beekeepers Association is very familiar with the Varroa mite issue and is currently focussing heavily on building awareness of the topic of our last bee story – namely the suspected dangers for bees surrounding the use of neonicotinoid pesticides.

The NBA believes it is irresponsible not to investigate the matter further, and are urging ERMA to consider a modified re-assessment for neonicotinoids as hazardous substances. Two neonicotinoid-containing pesticides, Clothianadin and Imidacloprid, have been approved in New Zealand for use on maize, sweetcorn, cereals, brassicas, potatoes, pumpkins,

squash and grass seeds. Obviously clover grass seeds would fall into this list. Given that clover honey is the lion's share of our honey industry, and created by bees which pollinate clover, the NBA has grave concerns regarding the ongoing integrity of our industry.

The methodology of the NBA stretches well beyond negotiating with the various regulators. In July of last year the NBA presented two beehives to Auckland City, which have been operating well ever since on the balcony under the clock tower of the Auckland Town Hall. The fact that neonicotinoids are only an issue in rural areas, where most of the country's beehives also are, has raised the profile of urban beekeeping. The NBA came up with this clever initiative to grow awareness of the important role bees play in today's world. The two hives house over 100,000 bees and are known as 'sentinel' hives, due to the fact that they are close to a major port and would hopefully be an early warning system of new-arrival pests and diseases before they could become established in the bulk of hives nationally.

The two sentinel hives have already produced their first harvest of around 100kg of honey. Some of the pots are for Mayor Len Brown to give as civic gifts to visitors, with the remainder being sold by the Auckland Beekeepers Club to fund the project.

The National Beekeepers' Association has big concerns over pesticides containing neonicotinoids, Clothianadin and Imidacloprid which bees can pick up from pollination.

The Varroa mite will hinder productivity of adult bees and also kill larvae or at least stunt growth of the bee's wings, preventing it from flying.

email: [email protected]

Septic and Water Tank CleaningHave your Water Tank or Septic Tank cleaned for Winter.

BurnettsBurnetts Ph 09 412 9210or 0274 924 494

G O W E S T I N W A R K W O R T H

S E R V I C E D I R E C t o R y

Email:[email protected]

Composite Joinery Limited

• VANTAGE joinery• timber joinery• exterior and interior• residential & commercial

VISIT OUR SHOWROOM:7 Glenmore Dr, Warkworth

09 425 7510 or visit www.compositejoinery.co.nz

Email:[email protected]

You can rely on the team at Composite Joinery!

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Rodney Garage Doors 1998 Ltd.29 Glenmore Drive, Warkworth

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We’ll come to you or you can visit our showroom. Open Mon-Fri and Sat mornings.23 Morrison Drive, Warkworth Phone 09 422 2001Mobile 021 681 140Fax 09 422 2641

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This space available from only$150

per issue!Deadline for September issue is 22 August. For rates and

availability, email [email protected] or phone 09 420 4660 / 021 377580 or Marlene on 021 854946

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Water tanks and drainage systemsHouse sites – engineer-certifi ed cut and fi ll specialist

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Kaipara Coast Plant Centre - Best Plants & Prices 1481 Kaipara Coast Highway (SH16), Kaukapakapa. 4km North of Kaukapakapa Village Hotel & Café. Ph 09 420 5655. OPEN 7 DAYS 9am to 5pm. www.plantsnz.co.nz Huge range, including fruit trees, natives, garden shrubs, driveway trees, wetland plants. Wholesale direct to the public prices. FREE QUOTES. Established 1988

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1481 Kaipara Coast Highway (SH16), Kaukapakapa. 4km North of Kaukapakapa Village ph 0800 420 565

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Help and advice is a phone call away

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Gorse Removal and Control

Weed Spraying (boom or gun)

Lime and Fertiliser Application

Pasture and Lawn Renewal

Paddock Smoothing

Facial Eczema Control

Need Sales? Talk to us now... Deadline for September issue is 22 August. Deadline for October issue is 23 September. For rates and availability,email [email protected] or phone 09 947 3580 / 021 377 580 or Marlene on 021 854 946. Don’t delay – space is limited.

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R E G I S T E R E D V A L U E R SLifestyle Block Specialists for Southern Rodney.

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William Pickering Offi ce Park,29 William Pickering Drive

PO Box 302 730North Harbour

North Shore City 0751

34 yearsexperienceAlan Davies Dip, URB Val, SPINZ

Email [email protected] – www.tehananurseries.co.nz

NATIVE REVEGETATION SPECIALISTSBulk Suppliers of Revegetation Landscape & Specimen Grades

Deciduous Trees • Shelter & Hedging • OrnamentalsOlives • Citrus • Fruit & Nut Trees • Avocados • Subtropicals

Special bulk rates apply to 1,000-50,000 plant lots or more.

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24hr Emergency ServiceQualifi ed ArboristSpecialists in: Fine Pruning, Rose, Tree & Shrubs, Hedge Pruning, Tree Removal, Crown Reduction, Branch Chipping, Stump Grinding, Land Clearing. $5mil Public Liability.Pensioner Discounts • Free QuotesPhone Matt (09) 426 7912or 021 124 6478email: [email protected]


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Supplied in 25kg bags All in One is the complete

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Promoends30thSeptember2011.Seein-storefordetails.

august rural lifestyle magazine

Documents

month grant mckechnie

julie mckechnie

month helen martin

mckechnie nurseries

husband grant

dave beattie

logan tudehope

deep roots