"Our" business?
OPINION: One particular bone the Hound has been gnawing on for years now is how the chattering classes want it both ways when it comes to the success of NZ's dairy industry.
The University of Auckland, Manawhenua ki Mōhua iwi and Fonterra have embarked on a collaborative project to preserve a 600 year-old waka – one of the South Island's most culturally significant discoveries.
The conservation partnership was initiated after the local Nichols family discovered the ancient waka near the Anaweka estuary on the North West tip of the South Island.
Manawhenua ki Mōhua iwi says the waka has attracted attention because of its detailed length of New Zealand matai and its extraordinary carving in the shape of a sea turtle on the hull.
"Turtle images are rare in pre-European carvings in New Zealand, suggesting the canoe's Polynesian ancestral origins, with its last estimated journey around 1400AD. This was no small find, spanning just over six metres in length and 85 centimetres at its widest point (Johns 2014).
"We are pleased that Fonterra has recently joined forces with us on this important on-going project, providing the new home for the canoe for the duration of its restoration."
Fonterra's upper south operations manager Chris Win says the cooperative was approached by elders from the local iwi to discuss the possibility of utilising one of the Takaka site's buildings to house the waka.
"Given the importance of the discovery and the three years needed to restore it, the kaumatua were looking for somewhere big and secure where they could work on the waka – something we were proud to accommodate. Housing this waka has given our site the opportunity to be involved in an amazing piece of cultural history that is of great significance to our community.
"To witness the level of ownership, pride and understanding our staff have shown in this community project over the past few months has been extremely rewarding for everyone involved."
University of Auckland Professor Dilys Johns has conducted a series of detailed conservation assessments over several months and planned a variety of treatments to provide structural strength to the wood, increasing the waka's longevity.
"We have recently completed removal of chlorides and begun the next phase of treatment, providing stability for the degraded waka during drying," says Johns.
"In addition to providing a unique example of pre-European maritime history, the conservation project will facilitate on-going relationships with the Manawhenua ki Mōhua iwi, local community, Fonterra and University of Auckland."
This conserved piece of Māori heritage will be available to the public for viewing once treatment is complete and a suitable venue for exhibition has been decided.
According to the most recent Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey, farmer confidence has inched higher, reaching its second highest reading in the last decade.
From 1 October, new livestock movement restrictions will be introduced in parts of Central Otago dealing with infected possums spreading bovine TB to livestock.
Phoebe Scherer, a technical manager from the Bay of Plenty, has won the 2025 Young Grower of the Year national title.
The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) celebrated the best of the best at the 2025 Fencing Industry Awards, providing the opportunity to honour both rising talent and industry stalwarts.
Award-winning boutique cheese company, Cranky Goat Ltd has gone into voluntary liquidation.
As an independent review of the National Pest Management Plan for TB finds the goal of complete eradication by 2055 is still valide, feedback is being sought on how to finish the job.
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