X marks the spot
While many car manufacturers set out to cater for all sectors of the market, it’s fair to say that Subaru has “stuck to its knitting”.
"It's the perfect way to make your ute or SUV stand out and offers more protection at the same time," says Best Bars chief executive Stephen de Kriek.
Steel may be the real deal when it comes to tough bars and accessories for protecting a work ute or city SUV, but it's often the shiny looks that seal the deal.
In spite of the recent popularity of the matt black finish, more utes and SUVs are going onto New Zealand roads sporting brightly polished bars and fittings made from stainless steel than at any time in the past 30 years.
"It's the perfect way to make your ute or SUV stand out and offers more protection at the same time," says Best Bars chief executive Stephen de Kriek.
"Stainless steel keeps its shine and good looks for much longer than other materials and it's very robust."
Best Bars, also known for its towbars, has expanded the range of stainless steel products offered under the Advantage accessory brand name to meet the demand of the buoyant ute and SUV market.
The latest Advantage stainless steel range now includes a variety of sports bars mounted behind the cab of a ute, cab protectors, front nudge bars, rear protection bars and side bars or pipes.
The stainless steel range differs from similar imported products, because they are designed and manufactured to a high standard, especially match vehicles and their style, and take account of the safety critical components of these products such as nudge bars and their potential interaction with safety airbags.
"Best Bars sources the best grade and thickness of stainless steel possible for automotive outdoor use – the 304 grade," says de Kriek. "Good quality stainless steel is very resistant to light scratches and knocks and it keeps its appearance."
The Meat Industry Association of New Zealand (MIA) today announced that Chief Executive Officer Sirma Karapeeva has resigned from the role.
The winners of the 2026 Hawke’s Bay/Wairarapa Dairy Industry Awards were announced at the annual awards dinner held at Copthorne Solway Park in Masterton on Thursday evening.
Environment Southland is welcoming this week’s decision by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to approve the release of Blaptea elguetai, a leaf‑feeding beetle that will help control the highly invasive Chilean flame creeper.
This March, the potato industry is proudly celebrating International Women’s Day on 8 March alongside the International Year of the Woman Farmer, recognising the vital role women play across every part of the sector — from paddocks and packhouses to research, leadership, and innovation.
Fruit trader Seeka posted a record profit and returns to shareholders in 2025.
Recent weather events in the Bay of Plenty, Gisborne/Tairawhiti, and Canterbury have been declared a medium-scale adverse event.

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