Tessa Bradcock leads this brown filly which foaled on November 4, 2024, the progeny of leading Woodlands Stud sire Sweet Lou and Breckon broodmare Lydia’s Delight.
Thoroughly prepared
Jade Davidson of Pirongia leads this brown filly at the Breckon Farms Class of 2026 parade. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
There was a lot of work going on behind the scenes at Breckon Farms to make the 35 yearlings look their best in the parade ground at the Ōhaupō standardbred breeding and training facility this week. Out came the baby oil, hair spray, brushes and hoof polish to have the Class of 2026 primed and ready for the 80 plus potential buyers. All were born on the property including the brown filly, pictured with Jade Davidson of Pirongia, which foaled on October 3, 2024, the progeny of leading Woodlands Stud sire What the Hill and Breckon broodmare Love Ya Doosie. Next big show is the National Standardbred Yearling Sale at Karaka, South Auckland next month.
Tree disease on four fronts
On the stump of an elm can be seen how the elm disease killed the tree from within. Photo: Creative Commons
Vaccinated trees are on Waipā’s healthy list – but more cases of Dutch Elm Disease have been revealed by the district council.
Suspected cases of the fungal disease, initially detected in the district two years ago, have been found in Cambridge, Te Awamutu, Kihikihi and Ōhaupō.
The council started using a vaccine on about 250 specimen street and park elms on council land in late 2024 and it was repeated this year. The disease has not been found this season in any of those trees.
“The increase in cases is not unexpected,” council arborist planner James Richardson said. “Dutch Elm Disease spreads fast and there is no cure or treatment. We’re keeping a close watch on all our elm trees.”
Two of the suspected cases involve trees on Waipā District Council land. One is a stand of around 20 mostly saplings near the Gaslight Theatre in Cambridge, the other is a single tree on the edge of the SH3 road reserve just north of Ōhaupō.
Wood samples are being tested to confirm infections, and the trees will be removed. There is no cure for the disease.
One victim of the disease last year was a 100-year-old elm in Cambridge’s Victoria Square.
Councils use a product called Dutch Trig, a harmless fungus strain which is injected annually into trees and boosts their natural defence against Dutch Elm Disease. It is believed the cost works out to about $100 a tree.
Signs of an infection in elms, include wilting, curling or yellowing leaves, and dead or dying branches.
How a tree with Dutch Elm disease can look. Photo: Creative Commons
Wetlands day
Volunteers help feed the chipper while clearing slash at Lake Rotopiko. Photo: supplied
A free event at Lake Rotopiko just south of Ōhaupō on February 1 will mark World Wetlands Day and celebrate work done over the past few years at Rotopiko’s wetland forest and lake. World Wetlands Day is held annually to raise awareness about the importance of wetlands. This year’s theme is ‘Wetlands and traditional knowledge: Celebrating cultural heritage’, and visitors will hear Ōtorohanga’s Ringi Morgan-Fifield talk about the medicinal plants – Rongoā – found within wetlands. This will be the seventh such collaborative event organised by groups including the National Wetlands Trust, district and regional councils, Landcare Trust, the Department of Conservation and Te Awamutu Rotary.
Maru’s winter worries
Maru’s Renee Parkes is worried for winter
Ōtorohanga families have been slow to take up the offer of free insulation for their homes.
Last October Maru Energy Trust estimated more than 1100 homes in and around the town may qualify for free home insulation worth between $3500 and $4000.
But Maru team lead Renee Parkes believes more people should be coming forward to determine if they quality.
“We know some of our families will head into a King Country winter with no insulation and possibly no heating. It breaks my heart because it doesn’t have to be like that.”
Cold homes also push up heating costs.
“No-one wants bigger energy bills, and no-one wants tamariki getting cold and sick because of a cold, damp home.”
Since October Maru has bought on four new insulation providers to work with the Ōtorohanga community.
“We have people lined up to do the work – that’s not the issue,” Parkes said. “We just need people to reach out and see if they qualify. If so, they could have their home insulated within six weeks, at absolutely no cost. Why wouldn’t you?”
From February 16, Renee will be based at the Ōtorohanga Support House – Whare Awhina, for a week where she will talk to anyone face-to-face about the free insulation offer.
That mahi is supported by Kim Ingham from Ōtorohanga, an official Maru community champion appointed late last year.
“It’s warm weather now but we know what King Country winters can be like,” Ingham said.
He said the Support House could also put landlords in touch with insulation installers to ensure they comply with heating standards required by law.
Health hack update
Manage my Health portals
A clearer picture of the damage from the Manage My Health cyberattack has emerged. Fewer than 80 patients from Pinnacle Midlands Health Network’s Waipā practices and fewer than 30 at its northern King Country practices have been affected. However, these numbers are still indicative only, a spokesperson from the Primary Health Organisation said.
Tourism funding
Taupo MP Louise Upston with South Waikato mayor Gary Petley and Waikato River Trails Trust general manager Glyn Wooller.
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston – the MP for Taupo – has announced more than $450,000 in funding for an international tourism campaign. The funding will support seasonal travel deals and itineraries designed to attract international visitors, particularly from Australia, to experience the heart of the North Island via direct flights to Hamilton Airport.
Polo clash
Bramble, the best playing thoroughbred with owner John-Paul Clarkin at left after the NZ v Zambia polo match last year. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Mystery Creek club players John Paul Clarkin and Dean Fullerton have been selected for the New Zealand team to take on a rest of the world combination at the club’s Kaipaki Road home on January 30. The day is billed as a premier day of top-level polo, and also feature the New Zealand women’s team taking on an invitational South African side.
Craft Fair
St Andrew’s Craft and Collectable Fair
St Andrews Anglican Church in Cambridge will host its 30th Giant Craft Fair next Monday and feature around 140 stalls. Organiser Ian Dunn said the first fair was held on a wintry Queen’s Birthday Weekend in 1996 with 30 stalls. Some stallholders have remained with the fair for the entire 30 years.
Property values
Waikato has been the standout property price rise performer among the major centres over the past decade. Realestate.co.nz figures show prices rose an average 95.9 per cent to almost $800,000. The national average asking price increased by 55.1% to $863,747 and the Central North Island recorded the third highest increase overall of 119.2% to an average to $764,000.
Roundabout work
Road closures during construction of Matangi roundabout
Hamilton City Council says some roads will be closed when work starts on its figure of eight roundabout at the intersections of Matangi, Silverdale and Morrinsville roads next month.
Concept design of Matangi roundabout
Report backed
Fish and Game New Zealand says the Outdoor Access Commission’s inaugural State of Public Outdoor Access Report is a crucial step toward protecting and enhancing access for anglers and game bird hunters.
“This report represents a vital first step in ensuring future generations can continue to enjoy the outdoor traditions that are part of what it means to be a New Zealander,” chief operating officer Richie Cosgrove
The findings align closely with Fish and Game’s own licence-holder survey, which reported access remained the top priority for anglers and hunters across the country.
Nearly one in five respondents reported experiencing blocked access in the past 12 months
