The last of the Sports Cats
The launch of the Series 2 HSV SportsCat was an endorsement of the risky decision to take the performance brand into the crowded high-end ute market.
You might have to wait a while to buy one, but Holden will premiere the new Commodore Sportwagon at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
It’s said to have been on a diet compared to the current model: clever use of lightweight materials has shed 200kg from the overall weight, but the load space is still a useful 1640L.
Power plants will be a turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol or diesel, and a flagship V^ will deliver 230Kw and 370Nm torque.
A new adaptive all-wheel drive option will be available, combined with a twin clutch rear diff, and a first for Holden – a 9-speed auto transmission.
Expect to see plenty of bling: an automated rear door lift which works when you swing your foot under the rear bumper, head-up display so the driver keeps his eyes on the road, and the now almost obligatory safety features adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, lane departure warning and rear cross traffic alert.
Also expect to see the love-it-or-hate it stop/start engine system and a new adaptive Flexi-Ride suspension system offering tour, standard or sport settings
A casualty of the storm that hit the Bay of Plenty recently was the cancelation of a field day at a leading Māori kiwifruit orchard at Te Puke.
Michael Wentworth has joined the team at Mission Estate Winery, filling the "big shoes" of former Chief Executive Peter Holley, who resigned in September last year, after almost 30 years running the storied Napier venue.
Some arable farmers are getting out of arable and converting to dairy in the faced of soaring fuel and fertiliser prices on top of a very poor growing season.
The New Zealand seed industry has reached a significant milestone with the completion and approval of the new seed certification system.
New Zealand's persimmon season will kick off early this year, with fruit set to hit shelves soon.
Ireland and NZ have concluded a deal to extend a joint research programme on climate change.