Now in its 34th year, Tahatū Careers Expo NZ returns to Auckland this June. Part of New Zealand's largest and longest-running careers expo series, the event attracts tens of thousands of students, school leavers, job seekers and career changers from across New Zealand.

Bringing together employers, tertiary providers, industry organisations and government agencies under one roof, the free event makes it easier for visitors to explore study options, career opportunities, training pathways and future employment prospects.

Visitors can speak directly with employers, industry representatives, tertiary providers and government agencies – including Trade Me Jobs, NZ Police, The Warehouse Group, Emirates and Chartered Accountants ANZ – gaining valuable insights into a wide range of industries and opportunities.

The event is proudly sponsored by the Tertiary Education Commission through Tahatū Career Navigator, its careers planning website which helps New Zealanders explore study, training and career options through accessible information and interactive tools.

TAHATŪ CAREERS EXPO NZ – AUCKLAND DETAILS

� Date: Tues 16 June (10am - 3pm and 5pm - 7pm), Wed 17 June (10am - 2pm)

� Venue: Auckland Showgrounds

�️ Entry: FREE for all visitors

� More information: www.careersexpo.org.nz/event/auckland

A passion for hospitality, culture, and creating memorable guest experiences has helped English Cherry Tree Manor become a unique accommodation destination in the Waikato, with the business now joining the NZ Business Connect Hamilton network.

Operating since 2017, English Cherry Tree Manor was created from a desire to share a stunning five-acre English-style garden and charming 1930s character home with visitors from around the world. The owners were inspired not only by the beauty of the property itself, but also by the opportunity to meet people from different cultures, backgrounds, and nationalities while creating a welcoming environment where guests can relax, connect, and enjoy meaningful experiences.

Located within peaceful countryside surroundings, the business offers accommodation in both its historic manor house and luxury glamping dome, giving guests the opportunity to experience nature, tranquillity, and unique European-inspired charm in one setting. The property caters to a wide range of visitors, including international tourists, domestic travellers, couples seeking romantic getaways, garden enthusiasts, families, and small groups looking for a memorable escape.

One of the property’s most distinctive features is its magnificent English-style garden, which has been developed over more than 30 years. The grounds were formerly home to the New Zealand Cherry Blossom Festival, an event that once attracted more than 30,000 visitors and became well known for its beautiful seasonal displays.

Adding to the experience is the warm hospitality provided by Anne Cao Oulton, whose background in hospitality and journalism helps create a personalised and welcoming stay for every guest. Her passion for helping people, supporting the community, and connecting with individuals from diverse cultures has become a defining part of the business and contributes to the strong reputation the accommodation has built with travellers from New Zealand and overseas.

Anne is also currently standing for election to the WEL Energy Trust, reflecting her ongoing commitment to supporting the wider Waikato community. She is a community committee member for Tamahere, Matangi and Hamilton Combined Community Trust. Voting for the election is currently open, with voting closing on the 26th of June 2026.

The business has consistently received outstanding guest feedback, including a 9.1/10 rating on Booking.com and a 4.85/5 rating on Airbnb, reflecting its commitment to delivering high-quality guest experiences.

At the heart of English Cherry Tree Manor is a belief that every guest should feel comfortable, welcome, and at home. Their focus on genuine hospitality, inclusiveness, and creating memorable experiences aligns strongly with the values of NZ Business Connect and its commitment to supporting businesses that bring people together.

Contact English Cherry Tree Manor

Anne Cao

https://www.fantess.com

admin@fantess.com

https://www.facebook.com/EnglishCherryTreeManor/

+64 7-854 9277

Contact NZ Business Connect

Phillip Quay
027 458 7724
phillip@nzbusinessconnect.co.nz

www.nzbusinessconnect.co.nz

Commercial buildings tend to hide plumbing problems pretty well until something stops working.

One day everything seems fine. The next, a bathroom is out of order, a tenant has water coming through the ceiling, a staff kitchen sink will not drain, or the hot water has packed it in right before the morning rush.

For property managers, building owners, schools, offices, and hospitality businesses, these issues are more than annoying. They can interrupt the whole day, frustrate tenants, affect customers, and create extra costs if they are not sorted properly.

Wellington buildings also come with their own quirks. There are older properties, steep sites, shared services, tight access, strong weather, and plenty of plumbing systems that have been changed over the years. That does not mean every building is a problem. It just means small plumbing issues are worth keeping an eye on before they grow into something bigger.

Toilets That Keep Blocking

A blocked toilet is one of the most common callouts in commercial buildings.

In a busy office, school, retail space, or public building, toilets get a lot of use. One blockage might be caused by something simple, but if the same toilet or bathroom area keeps blocking, it usually needs a closer look.

There could be a build-up in the pipe, an issue with the fall, tree roots in the drain, old pipework, or something caught further down the line. In shared buildings, the problem may not even start in the tenancy that notices it first.

Repeated blockages are worth investigating properly. Clearing the toilet may get things moving again, but it may not fix the reason it blocked in the first place.

Slow Drains in Kitchens and Staff Areas

Staff kitchens, cafe sinks, cleaners’ sinks, and shared kitchenettes can all get a hard time.

Food scraps, coffee grounds, grease, soap, silt, and general build-up can slow drains down over time. At first, it might just take a bit longer for the sink to empty. Then it starts smelling. Then it blocks at the worst possible time.

This is especially common in hospitality spaces and shared commercial kitchens where the plumbing is used heavily every day. But it can happen in offices too, especially when lots of people are using the same small kitchen area.

Slow drainage is one of those early warning signs that should not be ignored for too long. It is much easier to clear and check a drain early than deal with an overflow later.

Leaks That Start Small

Small leaks can be easy to put off, especially if they are only dripping now and then.

The trouble is that commercial buildings have more people, more fittings, and often more hidden pipework than a normal home. A slow leak under a basin, inside a wall, above a ceiling tile, or near a hot water unit can cause a lot of damage before it gets noticed properly.

Water staining, soft flooring, swelling cabinetry, musty smells, peeling paint, or ceiling marks can all point to a leak somewhere nearby.

For property managers, these small signs are worth acting on early. A quick repair may save a much larger reinstatement job later.

Hot Water Problems

Hot water issues can cause a surprising amount of disruption in a commercial building.

In an office, it might annoy staff and tenants. In a school, gym, medical space, cafe, or restaurant, it can become much more serious. Hot water is often needed for hand washing, cleaning, kitchens, showers, and hygiene.

The warning signs are usually there before the system fails completely. Water takes longer to heat. It runs out faster than it used to. Temperatures change suddenly. The cylinder starts making strange noises. Tenants mention the same problem more than once.

These are all signs the system may need checking. A planned repair or replacement is usually a lot easier to manage than losing hot water during a busy day.

Bad Smells Around Bathrooms or Drains

Bad smells are one of the quickest ways to get complaints from tenants or staff.

Sometimes the cause is minor. A trap might have dried out, or there may be build-up in a drain. Other times, the issue can be more serious, like poor venting, a damaged pipe, a blockage forming, or wastewater sitting where it should not.

In hospitality venues, offices, schools, and shared buildings, smells can become a real problem quickly. Nobody wants customers, students, staff, or visitors dealing with that during the day.

If smells keep coming back after basic cleaning, it is worth getting the drainage checked properly rather than masking the problem.

Stormwater and Roof Drainage Issues

Wellington weather can put commercial drainage systems under pressure.

Heavy rain can quickly show up problems with gutters, downpipes, sumps, stormwater lines, car park drains, and outside drainage. Water might pool around entrances, run across paths, sit in car parks, or track toward the building.

Roof water can also create problems inside. A blocked downpipe or stormwater connection can lead to water overflowing into ceiling spaces or down exterior walls.

These issues are easy to forget about in dry weather, but they matter once the rain sets in. Regular checks and cleaning can help avoid bigger problems, especially on older sites or properties with trees nearby.

Low Water Pressure

Low water pressure can be frustrating for tenants and staff, but it can also point to a plumbing issue.

It might be caused by a local fault at one tap or fixture. It could also come from a valve issue, pipework restriction, leak, ageing pipes, or demand from other parts of the building.

In commercial properties, pressure issues can be tricky because several tenancies or areas may share parts of the same system. Noticing where and when the problem happens can help narrow it down.

If low pressure is becoming a regular complaint, it is worth getting it checked before it affects more of the building.

Plumbing That No Longer Suits the Building

A lot of Wellington commercial buildings have changed over time.

An old shop becomes a cafe. A house becomes office space. A warehouse gets divided into smaller tenancies. A school block gets altered. A building that once had light use now has far more people using the same plumbing every day.

When the way a building is used changes, the plumbing may not always keep up.

Bathrooms may be under strain. Hot water systems may be too small. Drainage may not suit the new layout. Kitchens may need better waste handling. Maintenance access may be poor because things were added bit by bit.

This is where experienced commercial plumbers can be helpful. They can look at how the building is being used now and suggest practical ways to improve the system, not just patch the same issue again.

Why Repeat Problems Need a Proper Look

Every building will have the odd plumbing fault. That is normal.

The ones to take seriously are the repeat problems. The toilet that blocks again and again. The drain that keeps smelling. The hot water fault that comes back every few months. The ceiling stain that dries out, then returns after heavy rain.

Repeat issues usually have an underlying cause. It may take a CCTV drain inspection, pressure testing, pipework checks, or a closer look at the system to find it.

For property managers and building owners, this can save time in the long run. Instead of dealing with the same complaint again and again, you get a clearer idea of what needs to be fixed.

Staying Ahead of Plumbing Issues

Commercial plumbing does not need to be complicated, but it does need attention.

Slow drains, small leaks, hot water problems, blocked toilets, bad smells, and stormwater issues are all easier to manage when they are picked up early. Once they start affecting tenants, customers, staff, or daily operations, the pressure to fix them becomes much higher.

For Wellington buildings, a planned approach helps. Regular checks, good communication with tenants, and experienced commercial plumbers can make plumbing maintenance a lot less stressful.

Most people do not notice plumbing when it is working well. That is the goal. Keep it quiet, keep it reliable, and deal with the small signs before they become a bigger job.

Auckland's North Shore lit up on Saturday evening as the Bruce Mason Centre in Takapuna played host to one of New Zealand's most dazzling pageant events of the year, the combined Miss New Zealand 2026 and Miss Teenager Universe New Zealand 2026 Grand Finals, with GreenHorn NZ proud to be among the sponsors.

The spectacular back-to-back event began with a glamorous Red Carpet Experience from 3pm to 5pm, before the Grand Finals got underway at 5pm and ran through to 9:30pm. But beyond the glamour, the evening had real purpose, with the contestants collectively raising over $9,000 for the Shine Bright Charitable Trust, a New Zealand organisation dedicated to nurturing creativity and potential within communities, empowering young people, Māori, Polynesian, and those in need, to foster greater wellbeing, cultural pride, and community cohesion through accessible training, mentorship, and opportunities in the creative arts.

From stunning evening gowns to powerful Q&A moments, the night was a celebration of ambition, culture, and leadership, reflecting the event's theme of Beauty with a Purpose - a philosophy that signals a powerful shift in what modern pageantry represents, no longer defined solely by appearance, but by self-belief, personal growth, and the ability to inspire others. Perhaps most striking of all was the powerful sense of women supporting women that carried through every moment of the night, on stage and off, with competitors championing one another as much as they competed.

GreenHorn NZ was among the event's sponsors, supporting the competition as a platform for confidence, wellbeing, leadership, and the importance of making positive everyday choices.

At the end of a thrilling night, Chloe Robinson was crowned Miss New Zealand 2026, while Helena Hou was named Miss Teenager Universe New Zealand, both earning the honour of representing Aotearoa on the international pageant stage.

GreenHorn NZ congratulates Chloe, Helena, and all of the contestants and newly crowned titleholders, and looks forward to seeing them carry the values of Beauty with a Purpose as they represent Aotearoa on the world stage.

Contact Green Horn NZ

Ravinder Singh

https://greenhorn.club/pages/contact

+642774 7337

info@dmgroupglobal.com

Contact MediaPA

Phillip Quay

027 458 7724

phillip@mediapa.co.nz

Plumbing problems in a commercial building can cause a lot more than a bit of inconvenience.

A blocked toilet in a busy office, a leaking pipe in a ceiling space, no hot water in a cafe, or a drainage issue at a school can quickly turn into a bigger problem. Staff get disrupted, tenants get frustrated, customers may be affected, and in some cases, parts of the building might not be usable until the issue is sorted.

That is where preventative plumbing maintenance makes a real difference.

Instead of waiting for something to fail, regular checks help pick up small issues before they turn into expensive repairs or downtime. For property managers, facility managers, schools, hospitality venues, offices, and commercial landlords, this can make day-to-day building management much easier.

Good commercial plumbing maintenance is not about overcomplicating things. It is about knowing what to check, keeping an eye on the systems that get heavy use, and fixing minor faults before they cause disruption.

Small Plumbing Issues Can Become Big Problems

Most plumbing issues do not start as emergencies.

A slow-draining sink might not seem urgent at first. A toilet that needs the odd reset, a small leak under a basin, or a hot water cylinder making unusual noises can all be easy to ignore when everyone is busy.

The problem is that commercial buildings get used a lot. Offices, schools, shops, restaurants, apartment blocks, and public facilities often have several people using the same bathrooms, kitchens, drains, and hot water systems every day.

That extra use puts pressure on the plumbing.

A small leak can damage cabinetry, walls, flooring, insulation, and ceilings. A partially blocked drain can become a full blockage. A worn valve can fail at the worst possible time. A hot water issue can affect hygiene, cleaning, kitchens, bathrooms, and staff facilities.

Preventative plumbing maintenance helps catch these problems early. It gives building owners and managers a chance to deal with repairs in a planned way, instead of reacting to a callout when something has already gone wrong.

Downtime Costs More Than the Repair

In commercial buildings, the repair itself is only one part of the cost.

The bigger cost often comes from disruption.

If a plumbing fault shuts down a bathroom block, staff may have to use another part of the building. If a cafe loses hot water, it may not be able to trade properly. If a school has blocked drains, the issue can quickly become a health and safety concern. If a leak damages a tenancy, the property manager may need to deal with repairs, tenant complaints, insurance, and follow-up work.

This is why plumbing maintenance for businesses should be seen as part of normal building care, not something to think about only when there is a problem.

A planned maintenance visit is usually far easier to manage than an urgent repair. It can be booked at a suitable time, planned around tenants or customers, and handled before the issue affects daily operations.

For busy commercial sites, that kind of planning is worth a lot.

What Preventative Plumbing Maintenance Usually Covers

Preventative maintenance looks different from one building to another. A small office will not need the same checks as a school, restaurant, apartment complex, or industrial site.

That said, there are a few common areas that commercial plumbers will often look at during a maintenance visit.

Bathrooms are usually high on the list. Toilets, urinals, taps, basins, pipework, valves, traps, and flush systems all get plenty of use in commercial buildings. Small faults in these areas can waste water, create mess, or lead to bigger repairs if left too long.

Kitchens and staff areas also need attention. Sinks, dishwashers, hot water supply, waste pipes, taps, and isolation valves can all wear over time. In hospitality spaces, the plumbing works even harder, especially during busy service periods.

Drainage is another major area. Slow drains, smells, gurgling sounds, repeated blockages, or water backing up are all signs something may not be right. Regular checks can help identify build-up, damaged pipework, poor flow, or access issues before the problem gets worse.

Hot water systems should also be checked. Commercial buildings often rely on hot water for cleaning, hand washing, kitchens, showers, staff facilities, and tenant use. A system that is under strain may show warning signs before it fails completely.

Backflow devices, valves, pumps, roof drainage, external taps, and plant room pipework may also need to be included, depending on the building.

Schools and Offices Need Reliable Plumbing

Schools and offices are good examples of why commercial plumbing maintenance matters.

In schools, plumbing systems take a lot of daily use. Toilets, drinking fountains, bathrooms, outdoor taps, cleaning areas, and hot water systems all need to work safely and reliably. A blocked toilet block or leaking pipe can disrupt students, staff, caretakers, and maintenance teams. During term time, it can also be harder to organise repairs without affecting the school day.

In offices, plumbing issues can affect tenants, staff, visitors, and shared facilities. A leaking pipe in a ceiling space can damage work areas. A blocked bathroom can frustrate tenants. A hot water fault in a staff kitchen can create complaints. Even smaller problems can make the building feel poorly managed.

Regular plumbing maintenance gives schools and offices a better chance of spotting issues before they become urgent. It also helps property managers plan repairs during quieter times, school holidays, after hours, or outside peak use.

Hospitality Plumbing Needs Extra Care

Cafes, restaurants, bars, and commercial kitchens rely heavily on plumbing.

Hot water, drainage, hand basins, dishwashers, prep sinks, gas appliances, cleaning areas, and waste systems all need to work properly for the business to operate. If one part fails, the impact can be immediate.

A slow-draining kitchen sink might start as a minor annoyance, but during a busy lunch service it can become a real issue. A hot water fault can affect cleaning and hygiene. A drainage smell can put off customers. A leak under a bench can damage flooring, cabinetry, or equipment.

Hospitality businesses also tend to run to tight schedules. There is often no good time for a plumbing problem. That is why preventative plumbing maintenance is especially useful in these environments.

Regular checks help keep the plumbing working in the background, so staff can get on with running the business.

Property Managers Benefit From Planned Maintenance

For property managers, commercial plumbing maintenance is about control.

Without a maintenance plan, plumbing problems often arrive as urgent calls. A tenant reports a leak, a bathroom stops working, a drain blocks, or a hot water system fails. By that point, the property manager has to organise a repair quickly, manage communication, and deal with any disruption.

A planned approach is calmer and usually more cost-effective.

Regular maintenance gives property managers a clearer picture of the building’s plumbing condition. It can show which areas are wearing out, which systems need attention, and which repairs should be budgeted for.

This is especially useful in older commercial buildings, multi-tenancy sites, and properties with heavy public use. These buildings often have plumbing systems that have been altered over time. Having commercial plumbers check them regularly can help avoid surprises.

Wellington Buildings Can Have Their Own Challenges

Commercial plumbing Wellington work often comes with local quirks.

Many buildings around Wellington are older, built on steep sites, or fitted into tight spaces. Some have shared services, tricky access, older drainage lines, or pipework that has been changed over many years. Weather can also put pressure on roof drainage, stormwater systems, and external plumbing.

This does not mean every building will have major problems. It just means local experience helps.

A plumber who understands Wellington commercial buildings will usually know what to look for. They can spot risk areas, plan around access issues, and give practical advice based on the type of site, not just the plumbing system on paper.

For property owners and managers, that local knowledge can make maintenance simpler.

Maintenance Helps With Compliance and Safety

Plumbing is not only about convenience. It also plays a role in health, safety, and building compliance.

Commercial buildings need safe water supply, working sanitary fixtures, reliable drainage, and properly installed gas systems where gas is used. Some buildings may also have backflow prevention devices that need regular testing.

Preventative maintenance can help building owners stay on top of these responsibilities. It gives them a better record of what has been checked, what needs repair, and what work has already been completed.

This is useful for facility managers, body corporates, schools, landlords, and businesses that need to show they are taking building care seriously.

A Simple Maintenance Plan Can Go a Long Way

Preventative plumbing maintenance does not need to be complicated.

For some sites, it may mean scheduled inspections a few times a year. For others, it may involve a more detailed maintenance programme, especially if the building has commercial kitchens, public bathrooms, backflow devices, pumps, large hot water systems, or older pipework.

The right plan depends on the building, the level of use, and the risk of disruption if something fails.

A good maintenance plan should be practical. It should focus on the areas most likely to cause problems, keep records of repairs, and give clear advice about what needs urgent attention and what can be planned for later.

Keep the Building Running

The main goal of preventative plumbing maintenance is simple. Keep the building running.

For businesses, schools, property managers, and facility managers, that means fewer surprises, less downtime, and a better chance of fixing small problems before they turn into major ones.

Plumbing is one of those things people only tend to notice when it stops working. With the right maintenance, it can quietly do its job in the background.

For commercial buildings in the Wellington region, working with experienced commercial plumbers like Plumbspec can help keep systems safe, reliable, and easier to manage. If the building is heavily used, older, or difficult to access, regular maintenance is even more important.

A bit of planning now can save a lot of stress later.

Throughout June, anyone signing up to own a Premium Clean franchise receives the full Franchise Kit free of charge

Auckland, New Zealand — 8 June 2026. Premium Clean, a leading premium cleaning services franchise, today announced a month-long campaign to mark its 11th birthday, offering its complete Franchise Kit — normally a paid resource — free to anyone who signs up to buy a franchise during June.

The Franchise Kit gives prospective owners everything needed to evaluate the opportunity, including a territory overview, business plan templates, brand and operational guidance, and a clear breakdown of the support Premium Clean provides to new franchisees.

"When we started 11 years ago, the hardest part was simply getting the information and confidence to back ourselves," said Sam Bhandari, General Manager at Premium Clean. "This birthday, we wanted to remove that barrier for the next generation of owners. The kit tells you everything — honestly — so you can make a confident decision. That's our gift."

Since launching, Premium Clean has grown to 70+ franchisees across New Zealand, supported by strong demand and consistent business expansion. The brand attributes its growth to a model built for owner-operators who want a proven system rather than starting from scratch.

The free Franchise Kit offer is available to qualifying sign-ups between June 1 and June 30, 2026. To request a kit, visit https://www.premiumclean.co.nz/.

About Premium Clean

Premium Clean is a New Zealand-based cleaning services franchise that provides residential and commercial cleaning solutions through a network of locally owned and operated franchise businesses. The company is committed to delivering high-quality cleaning services while supporting entrepreneurs with proven systems, training, and ongoing business support. For more information about franchise opportunities, visit https://www.premiumclean.co.nz/franchise/. 

Media contact:
Name : Sam Bhandari
Email · hello@premiumclean.co.nz
Phone: 0800786780
Website : https://www.premiumclean.co.nz/

Persistent bad breath is more than just an embarrassment. It is often the very first sign of gum disease, a serious condition that requires immediate and ongoing care.

If ignored, gum disease can progress from mild gingivitis to severe periodontitis, leading to bleeding gums, loose teeth, and permanent damage. Fortunately, it can be successfully managed and prevented with the right habits.

Keep your smile healthy by:

• Brushing and flossing at least twice a day
• Drinking plenty of water to prevent a dry mouth
• Staying aware of warning signs like bleeding or sensitivity
• Visiting your dental hygienist and dentist regularly

Taking early action plays a key role in protecting your teeth, your gums, and your overall health for the long term.

Read the article to learn more about preventing and treating gum disease.

Some weekends you rest. Some weekends you reset. This past weekend, sixteen people in Rototuna, Hamilton chose the latter and nothing will quite look the same for them again.

Paulette Coombes, founder of EleVate Beyond, hosted her powerful Discover 3 Keys workshop, an immersive experience designed to cut through the noise, dismantle the patterns keeping people stuck, and reconnect attendees to the vision they truly want for their lives. Through two years of intensive work, Paulette has built a reputation for helping people move beyond fear, uncertainty, and limiting beliefs so they can create stronger futures aligned with their values and goals.

This wasn't a motivational talk. This was transformation.

"You are capable of far more than you know."

That belief sat at the heart of everything. Paulette guided the group through the hidden blocks silently affecting the areas that matter most: health, relationships, confidence, money, and purpose. The kind of blocks that explain why, despite trying harder, something always seems to hold us back.

And where do those blocks often come from? The workshop explored a profound truth: our goals and dreams are often born out of the challenges we face. Two signals point the way toward growth, longing and discontent. Not as enemies, but as messengers worth listening to.

Attendees didn't just gain insight, they left with powerful breakthrough exercises, real-life strategies they could apply immediately, and transformational tools to create results that last. Breakthroughs happened. Clarity landed. In a warm, supportive in-person environment, sixteen people gave themselves permission to want more and to believe it's possible.

Paulette's work through EleVate Beyond is built on a simple truth: the life you want isn't out of reach, it's blocked. And blocks can be removed.

If you missed this one, don't hesitate to get in touch with Paulette directly to find out about upcoming opportunities. Your clarity, confidence, freedom, and momentum are waiting.

Follow EleVate Beyond and stay connected. The room is for you.

Contact Paulette Coombes

021 222 9114 

paulette@elevatebeyond.co.nz

https://elevatebeyond.co.nz/

Contact MediaPA

027 458 7724

phillip@mediapa.co.nz

Finance:. NZ dollar eased again over the week & remains a very weak currency. Brent Crude continues to vary daily & is currently $92.89/barrel with punters expecting the Straits of Hormuz to be opened permanently very soon.

Wool: The wool prices continue to firm with growing optimism in the coarse wool market. The recent sales saw good cross-bred wool lift 6% on the previous sale..

Beef, Sheep & Venison schedules: The meat schedules have firmed again for the coming week. The demand for red meat and protein are very strong with predictions that beef schedules will hit $10/kg.

Dairy Prices. The g/DT eased by 0.6% indicating a flat market. WMP fell2.3% to $US3706, SMP dropped 3% while AMF lifted 5.3%. There was a small volume sold – 14,364 tn. There are reports that if the Straits of Hormuz stay closed the farm costs could lift to $9/kg.

There are reports that the Australian wheat harvest will be down 50% due to Gulf crisis – factor that into the price of bread!! The major banks are releasing their prediction reports and the Gulf crisis features in them all as the continuation of the conflict will impact on diesel, petrol, plastics, fertiliser and international freight costs all pushing the cost of running a farm up. Spend wisely this week



Jim’s Weekly Rant:

I was at a meeting on Thursday morning where Minister Chris Penk spoke to us. He was unaware of the reset that the IPCC & UN have announced and referred to in last weeks rant. If they read the report there could have been $million saved from the re-prioritised ideology and available to help kick-start the economy. The budget was not the usual pre-election lolly-scramble and gone are days of sitting around the radio or TV listening to hear what incentives the farmers were given with special depreciation rates, special stock values as an incentive to invest or grow the business or the removal of a fuel tax. This years budget was more subtle with massive infrastructure spending that will provide employment in the medium term but benefit the export of agricultural products in the long term. The 4-laning of the highway from Karapiro to Piarere will be a major economic boost to the economy as transporters will operate more freely and have some massive fuel savings and lower repair bills. The improvement in the fuel resilience with the upgrades at Marsden Point is very welcome as we all experience the dumb decisions of the previous government exposing the country as a fuel-dependant economy. The investment of $400 million into upgrading highways will also have an economic benefit as safer roads will see less damage to vehicles and improve access around the country. Another $294 million is to be used to drive the changes in the Resource Management Act (RMA), but the changes need to be made with the knowledge that the IPCC settings have changed and is more than a tinkering with the existing Act. There is to be land purchased for a new hospital at Drury/Pokeno area that will service South Auckland and the Waikato and some rural police stations will be upgraded with the hope that some of the rural policing will improve. There is $477 million earmarked for upgrading the rail network and I am sure the $705 million capital for the railways does not include a rapid rail around the Waikato. Outside of the budget that government has made some significant changes with the most welcome change allowing only councillors voted to the council to vote on financial matters and the removal of the references to the Treaty of Waitangi from a lot of legislation and regulations. The changes to education have been well received as we look forward to children being able to read, write and do maths once again as these are fundamental to living in a modern society. The renewed school examination and testing system will encourage competition and betterment which we will all benefit from. Other initiatives have reduced the funding available for solar panels on Marae’s, removed the final years study fees payment, introduced a new banking levy that will eventually be charged back to us together with a number of cost savings through previous initiatives. Other recent government announcements that will cut compliance costs have been welcomed along with the proposal to restructure local and regional government, but there doesn’t seem to be plan and it will be left up to the individuals to work it out. And the long-awaited removal of voting rights for non-elected counsellors ensuring less delays and less interference is welcomed by everyone I have spoken with. Chris Hipkins and Chloe Swarbrick continue to fail as they have not produced any realistic alternative to get the country out of the current international crises that occurred on a failed economic policy of the Labour / Green government over the Covid era. Building new roads, hospitals, railways and housing will all generate work and income. It was a no-nonsense budget with no bribes, just some hard truths exposed and hopefully enough to get us all motivated to be part of making NZ great and prosperous again.

The King’s birthday honours were well accepted with Dame Susan Hassel’s honour being in recognition of the 1,000’s of young men she has educated through Hamilton Boys High. Many have become exceptional young men. Congratulations to Sir David Ellis, Geoff Maber, Keith Woolford and others from the agriculture sector, we are proud of you all and all you have done and do for the industry.

Contact AgSafe NZ Ltd - Phone 027-2872886. We can prepare your Work Safe manual and hazard management plan at a very competitive price. We can arrange drug tests and farm maps for your property.

 

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpONOfahgLA&list=RDSRcfYhWiqt0&index=5

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