March 11, 2025 • 38 mins
Jamie Mackay talks to Christopher Luxon, Shane McManaway, Maegen Blom, Jack O'Connor, Jane Smith, and Alistair Niven.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Catch all the latest from the land. It's the Country
Podcast with Jamie mckaye thanks to Brent starkest of the
leading agriculture brands.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
You have a smart child.
Speaker 3 (00:17):
Ever a word, he joked the.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Minuta good and good afternoon, New Zealand. I'm Jamie McKay.
This is the Country, brought to you by Brent. This
is Journey Don't Stop Believing. App song for our first guest,
the underfire Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. To kick off the show,
(00:45):
Shane mcmanaway. You might remember we caught up with them
late last week on the Gold Coast in the eye
of the storm tropical Cyclone alfred Well. They had to
postpone the Impact Summit on the Gold Coast. They nonetheless
last night named the twenty twenty five Xander McDonald Award winners.
(01:06):
We're going to catch up with them, one from each
side of the Tasman, including an outstanding young Kiwi Jane
Smith North Otago farmers, been lunching with David Seymour, having
dinner with Chris Luxon. Plus I think she wants to
have a cracket putting on the basalt rock to prevent
(01:28):
climate change. Alistair Niven Caddy Caddy. I was going to
say key with for it grower. Plenty of that in
Caddy Caddy, but he's an avocado grower. There's an industry
that's facing a few challenges. We'll have rural news for
you and sports news and your feedback send it in
on five double o nine. But up next it's the
PM to kick off the show Wednesdays on the Country.
(02:09):
The Prime Minister is kind enough to give us his
time to kick off the show. He's been coughing plenty
a heat recently around US communication, but you can't criticize
his work ethic Investment summit Thursday and Friday, Trade trip
to India Saturday. But just before we do that, Prime Minister,
I note that Donald Trump, one of the world's other
(02:29):
great leaders, has just brought a Tesla to support us. Mate,
Elon Musk, are you going to buy a school lunch
to support Seymour?
Speaker 3 (02:38):
Well?
Speaker 4 (02:38):
I know Kelly David Zemo was working hard to clean
it up because we actually contradicted with some suppliers to
make sure we get proper school lunches in place for
kids who desperately need them. Otherwise parents can crerentally make
the lunches for these kids. But for those that can't,
we got to get a lunch program networks because we
know if they don't get food, they don't and that
doesn't give them off.
Speaker 2 (02:57):
Oh sorry, I'll come back to the school lunches because
I do want to concentrate on the two important ones
for us as a country. The investment summit begins tomorrow
and of course the trade trip to India start with
the investment summit. How much money can you drag into
the country.
Speaker 4 (03:11):
Well, we've got to drag as much as we can
because we've got a big infrastructure deficit. If you think
about the roads, the hospitals, the schools, everything that we
want to get built in this country, we're not going
to be able to do it with the government's own
money one hundred percent. And so we've got to be
able to use pools of money that are within the country,
meaning acc and super Fund. But we've also got to
use the money that's overseas.
Speaker 5 (03:31):
And here's the deal.
Speaker 4 (03:32):
J mean, basically, the world has been getting wealthare people
been moving from a low incomes to middle incomes. When
they do that, they start putting money aside for savings
for retirement, and those retirement funds need to be invested,
and that's what we've done is invited a lot of
softeign wealth and pension fund money from fourteen different countries.
There's hundred organizations coming. They invest six trillion dollars, six
(03:55):
trillion dollars and you're telling spacely none of it are
So that's why when I've been off overseats, I've been
meeting them with these potential investors, I'm inviting them to
New Zealand and then I have my ministers there for
two days. I have ere organizations there and some of
our emerging advanced sectors to actually make the pitch and
to show them a pipeline of potential projects that they
(04:16):
might want to invest in. But it's just the beginning.
I mean, we basically want to be open to investment.
New Zealand's one of the countries in the world that
is one of the lowest welcoming capital to the country.
We know we've got finn capital and yet we know
the advantages of that investment is huge. If we can
get a four lane highway built from Auckland to finer Aid,
it is the single biggest thing that will open up
(04:37):
huge economic opportunities for our farmers.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
Absolutely, Prime Minister. Should all new major roads in this
country be toll roads? Should it be like for the
Taranga Harbor Bridge, that Winston Belt, it was told until
they paid for us, why not do that with all roads?
Speaker 4 (04:52):
Well we did that originally, remember with the Aukland Harbor
Bridge as well, for so many years. I mean the
reality of this. If you want to say, do new
roads that then open up new housing, new new towns,
you know, a whole bunch of economic value for people.
But then the bottom line is that you can't. We
probably will have to use a lot more tolls to
(05:13):
pay for it, but as long as those tolls are
going to extending and improving that voting network. So if
you've got at the White Cuto Expressway, for example, I
remember talking to an agricultural vet down there and she
said to me, Chris before that, Whycuto Expressway was it?
I couldn't. I'm now doing one or two extra jobs
a day because I'm not stuck in traffic doing congestion.
(05:34):
I've got this brand new road that can move at
one hundred and ten k's. I can do one or
two more farms a day. I can they fun and
be home with my two little girls at the end
of the day. So infrastructure done well has huge benefits
for people economically. They list there and comes when they've
listed and comes to more money in their pockets to
deal with stuff. So it crats opportunity. So we know
(05:54):
four lane freeway, which is what we're going to put
on offer one of the projects, will have available immediately.
We know there's already international investors that are very interested
in that road. And yes you might have to pay
tolls as we're doing north of Auckland right now, but
as long as that's those toles a big paid that
you know that money is going to extending that network
through to Foinerraie that's what it should be doing. So yeah,
(06:15):
that maybe that's the reality of Otherwise a lot of
wait sixty years, we keep talking about building stuff and
we don't do anything.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
Okay, all right, let's move on trade trip to India.
It's all very well talking about a free trade deal,
but we're never going to get one around Derry, are we.
Speaker 4 (06:29):
Well just say zoom out on India. You've got the
most populous country on here as one point four five
billion people, going to be the third largest economy by
twenty thirty in the world, very important geostrategic defense player.
And also six percent of our population three hundred dollars
and now from Indian descent, so a great taspery here.
So in New Zealand is nowhere with India and in
(06:51):
fact our two way trade is down and has gone
backwards under labor. So yeah, when we've got a country
the same size as China, we do thirty eight billion
dollars with them, did just over two billion with India.
So that's why we spent the last year doing building
a relationship back with the president of the prominence. They're
in the different lists that we need to have relationships with.
Then problems the Moodium byed me for a state visits,
(07:13):
which is what I'm doing on Saturday for four days
and we will continue to discuss how you deepen up
our trade tips. Now Yip, you're right, dairy is very
very sensitive issue for India. They've got lots of small
farmers across the country. It's a very political issue, very
sensitive issue. It's a very important issue for us. It's
an important sector for us. But to sit there like
(07:35):
Damian O'Connor and the Niama Hoota and Chris Hip consider
and say, oh, and they're just too hard, we're not
going to do anything. Well, you and I were at
lamb day the other day. Our lamb is thirty percent
more expensive for the Australian man. Our apples going out
and film are more expensive in the Australian The wine
is more expensive. And yes, dairy is a tough conversation.
But we shouldn't be fatalistic about it. We know it's
(07:56):
going to be hard, but we should get into the
arena and actually try our best and go put our
best foot forward. We cannot say we just don't want
to do a deal and not actual When the Australians have,
the Canadians have, the Brits have, the Europeans have, we
should be in the mix and at least trying to
do some stuff.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
Absolutely. Now Marco Rubio is busy brokering a piece deal
in the Middle East at the moment, but come tomorrow
Winston's on a plane to go over and have a
meeting with them. So you are playing with the big
boys at the moment.
Speaker 4 (08:27):
Well, we want to really know, we want to work
with everybody right and we want to be able to
build it. We've got a good, long standing relationship with
the US. I had a very good call with President Trump.
Winston's already spoken with Marco Rubio, Judith already spoken with
Peter Higgs at the Defense Minister Defense Secretary, and we
have a situation we put in place last year, which
is we want to have an annual meeting between the
(08:48):
Secretary of State and the Foreign Minister every year. That's
a that New Zealand has conduct at the highest levels
in the administration. We're building broader, deeper relationships with the administration,
as you'd expect us to do, and so it's a
good chance for Winston and Micolrabio to talk about the
issues that are going on across the world, particularly Ukraine, Jaza,
and our own revidual security challenges that we've got here
(09:10):
in the region.
Speaker 2 (09:11):
Started off on the school lunches and people are fed
up totally. No bad pun intended with school lunches. But
here's a question for you. I heard David Seymour on
Hosking this morning and I was surprised by this number.
We're attempting to feed twenty seven percent of the school
kids in this country.
Speaker 5 (09:30):
Why the hell are we doing that, well, I don't.
Speaker 4 (09:33):
I mean, ideally, the States shouldn't have to feed any kids. Frankly,
you know that's a parental responsibility. And that's why I
made the comments I did about parents giving their kid gears.
Speaker 2 (09:42):
Yeah, and I get all that, and I've heard in
the Prime Minister. I've heard all that before. But twenty
seven percent. You can't tell me a quarter of the
kids in this country are not capable or didn't bring
their own lunches to school. I know we need to
look after the people at the bottom end, but that
seems an incredibly high threshold.
Speaker 4 (10:00):
Yeah, it does, and that's something that we've been talking
about as well as like, you know, what is the
eligibility of who actually gets these lunches and how they
provided Because we are providing a probably a lunch program
for kids who genuinely don't have lunches and for whatever reason,
and they actually need to have lunches so they're not hungry.
But when you hear that, their appearans actually who are
(10:21):
both working, who actually can make the mum might stand
wed and put the airport in the lunch box. They
should be doing so. And you know that's an expectation
of basic expectation of Pearans.
Speaker 2 (10:30):
Prime Minister, good luck at the investment summer tomorrow and Friday,
and safe travels to India. Bring back an FTA. Thanks
for your time birth Jomen you can take care seventeen
after twelve. Thank you, Prime Minister. Some of your feedback
on five double O nine The easiest way to get
to us. All roads should be told like France done
(10:51):
about all roads. Michelle's wandered in here. Not country roads
should be told, or minor roads, but major roads that
save you a hell of a lot of time when
you pay the toll. It's a no brainer.
Speaker 6 (11:05):
Actually, I've been to France and actually driven right across
France and a camp evan believe it or not, Jamie
on my own, I hope, hope.
Speaker 2 (11:12):
You pulled over when there was six or seven cars
behind you, Michelle. If you didn't, you're fired.
Speaker 5 (11:15):
Now.
Speaker 6 (11:16):
I'm a great driver, fantastic driver. You might anyway. Not
all the roads are told in France.
Speaker 5 (11:21):
It's really just the main one.
Speaker 6 (11:23):
So if you take the back country roads, they're not told.
Speaker 2 (11:25):
Yeah, well that's what That's the only way to build
major roads like the Bay of Plenty is a really
good example. The Eastern toll road there there's one internally
and Torona there which saves you a hell of a
lot of time. And of course we've got the freeway
if you want from Auckland Town to the White Cotto
it's very good to drive on. That's what we need.
(11:46):
We need the four line highway, as he said, from
fonger Ai to Auckland. That would open up all sorts
of opportunities. Up next on the country Songs. By the way,
are these songs you've chucked in for the poorole? Don't
stop believing I'm still standing. Shake it off. I will survive.
Speaker 6 (12:05):
Yeah, just to give a bit of a boost, you know,
like get through this.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
You're part of the media beat up on the Prime minister. Anyhow,
Up next, this is a great story. Well it was
a bit of a shame that the Impact Summit got
canceled because of Tropical Cyclone Alfred. But we've got the
winners up next of the twenty twenty five Xander McDonald Awards,
and we've got an Outstanding Key we winner. You might
(12:41):
remember on Friday Show we caught up with Shane mcmanaway
in the eye of the storm with tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Of course, he's the founder of the Zander McDonald Awards.
Unfortunately the Impact Summit on the Gold Coast had to
be canceled because of the impact of Alfred. But Shane,
you've forged on nonetheless, and you have named your Zander
(13:01):
McDonald Award winners, one from each side of the Tasman
for twenty twenty five.
Speaker 7 (13:07):
Yeah, good afternoon, Jamie. We certainly have and I can
report the weather on the Gold Coasters quiet and down,
although there's a hell of a mess left behind. But
she would have been pretty wild and mooly if we
had to help the conference, so we made the right
call there.
Speaker 8 (13:18):
Yeah.
Speaker 7 (13:18):
I was delighted yesterday to be able to announce the
two winners, which we would have done at our gala
event on Tuesday night. However, it gave me great pleasure
to announce Megan Broom from Blenham, New Zealand and Jack
O'Connor from New South Wales, Australia. And so somebody very
cleverly came up with a headline here in Australia's Surf
(13:39):
and Turf, and I guess that was a very smart
way of describing the situation. We've got Megan who's from agriculture,
and Jack from agriculture, and that's our first person that
we've had in the award from aquaculture, and we're delighted
that we're now sort of spreading our wings a bit
with the award. But a fantastic try to announce those
(14:00):
two people yesterday, Jamie.
Speaker 2 (14:02):
Well, let's talk to ladies before gentlemen. To Megan Blom
only twenty four years of age. Remember you can be
up to thirty five years of age and still be
eligible for the Xander McDonald awards. One and a chiever
she is. She's the operations manager at the family owned
business Mills Bay Mussels in Marlborough. But Megan, I know
a wee bit about your family because originally you grew
(14:25):
up in Southland, just up the road from my hometown.
You were in Belfer where your mum and dad were
dairy farmers.
Speaker 8 (14:32):
Yep, sure did grow up in Belfer and then moved
up to Marlborough. So my heart's in two places. But yeah,
grew up in Belfa and my parents are still down
there and my brother and sister dairy farming there too,
So why the move.
Speaker 2 (14:45):
From dairy farming to mussels Well, the cool thing.
Speaker 8 (14:49):
About muscles and our involvement in the muscle industry is
we're very close to the customers. So in dairye you're
producing milk in it, you sell it to the dairy
factory and you don't know what price you're going to
get for it, and you have a big focused on
reducing your cost of production. With muscles and how we've
set it up here, we are more vertically integrated, a
(15:13):
lot closer to the customer, so we have a lot
more control over the supply chain and the value chain
across the board. So that's been a real draw card.
I think my parents wanted to live in Mulbre it's
bit warmer than Southland, but yeah, they lived up here
for ten years and then actually moved back, so the
weather was a draw card, but yeah, they love it
(15:34):
in both places.
Speaker 2 (15:35):
Well, it's the call of northern Southland. Why would you
not want to live there. You're also the founding member
of Young Fish and Z which connects young professionals and
the seafood industry. And you've got a great champion behind you, guys,
and the old Prince of the Provinces, Shane Jones. He's
big on aquaculture.
Speaker 8 (15:55):
Yeah, he's real big on aquaculture. And over the weekend
he was here in Mulbra at the Havelock Muscle Festival,
which was cool. And he's announced that Havelock Marina is
getting quite a nice bit of money to dredge out
the marina and it will help the muscle boats coming
in and out. Quite a nice boost into infrastructure here,
which is cool.
Speaker 2 (16:15):
So Meghan Blom twenty four years of age, just twenty
four years of age as the New Zealand winner, the
Australian winner. Let's welcome him on. Jack O'Connor thirty two
from Harden, New South Wales, which is just northwest of Canberra.
And Jack, you're the You're into general agribusiness, livestock administration
and cropping on the family farm at Oxton Park. Tell
(16:39):
us about your operation and why you think they picked you.
Speaker 3 (16:42):
Yeah, thanks Jamie. I yeah, I guly talking about the
Zanna McDonald ward. I was sitting here in my Brumbies
jersey thinking you might want to talk about that went
over the Blues last weekend, but I suppose we'll talk
about the Xanner Award instead. But mate, yeah, we're sitting
out here, like I said, about an hour and a
half northwest of Canberra, and we, yeah, we run a mixed,
(17:07):
a mixed farming enterprise here, specializing in broad acre week
canola and m triticali from the cropping side as well
as we raised non mules dull purpose self replacing marinos
as well, and we join about about eighteen thousand of
those every year. So yeah, Jamie, I'm a bit taken back, mate,
(17:27):
I was very shocked and yeah, obviously pleasantly surprised with
the with the result yesterday. Just the caliber which I'm
sure Megan can attest to with the other contestants, you know,
to be selected is a real honor, and I think, yeah,
for us personally, we're you were a fourth fourth generation
(17:47):
farmers year and we've been here since nineteen twenty and
I like to think we're a very you know, sort
of progressive, progressive business that you know, adapts to what
we're finding is the changing climate and market conditions over
there over our time. And yeah, I think, amongst other things,
we definitely are open to looking at new enterprises as
(18:10):
well and always trying to find tune the things that
we're very passionate about and like to think we're not
too bad at either.
Speaker 2 (18:17):
Well, I'm told you're an early adopter when it comes
to things like renewable energy, carbon accounting and agri voltaics.
Did I get that right? What the hell's that?
Speaker 1 (18:28):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (18:28):
Yeah, they're just sort of more so probably little passion
projects for myself, Jamie, And that's sort of just a
bit of a bit of a moving beasts as a
lot of people know, and in our space, those sort
of emerging emerging industries are still you know, finding their
feet in a lot of different areas, and I think, yeah,
we've just always been of the view that we like
(18:51):
to arm ourselves with, you know, with the right information
and as much as we can before we're making you know,
sort of bigger, bigger businesses decision business decisions rather. But
you know, for a lot of those industries in our area,
they've got a tremendous amount opportunity and you know, very exciting,
you know, amongst you a list of others too, say yeah,
(19:11):
that's the way we said.
Speaker 2 (19:12):
Hey, Sean mcmanuay, just to wrap this, what are these
two outstanding young leaders and entrepreneurs and agricultural one courtesy
of winning the Zanda McDonald award.
Speaker 7 (19:21):
Well, they pick up ten thousand dollars to go to
awards and education project of their choice. So we mentor that, well, sorry,
we tailor that to suit what they need. It's not
just a standard package and everybody has a different sort
of requirement and the need. So that's the first thing.
But then they get the opportunity to basically get the
key to the door of about one hundred and fifty
of Australasias top farmers, movers and shakers as mentors. So
(19:46):
that has been probably one of the greatest things for
this award is the connections contacts that are made through it.
And you know, the growth that we see in the
people and is just enormous and you know, just if
you're in if you get into this Zanda McDonald ward,
family life seems to just be accelerated for you. And
I know my great mate Zen who was taken in
(20:06):
twenty thirteen would be unbelievably proud not only the winners before,
but of these two people gaming.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
Well, good on you, Shane, and to Megan Blom and
Jack O'Connor, congratulations at twenty twenty five Xander McDonald Award winners.
Thanks for your time guys, Thank you, Thanks Jaming, Thanks guys.
It has just gone twelve thirty on the country. Some
of your feedback, all roads are told it's called road
us attacks. Fair enough and totally agree. Read the school
(20:34):
lunchious people have become lazy and entitled thanks to labor freebies.
That's from c Luxeon. Now I'm just joking about that.
Up next, Rural news and sports News. Before the end
of the hour, Jay Smith and a Niven talking farming
and avocado. Welcome back to the country. Very shortly the
(21:00):
latest and rural news and sports news. Now here's something
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that really caught our attention. One is that their calci
(21:21):
prol product changes you soil pH within weeks. That's the
kind of quick result any farmers looking for. And the
other is they bust dust. We all know what a
pain it is watching our valuable for drift away in
the wind. Well Omya's minerals are specially mild to minimize dust.
That means you fertilizer stays right where you want it
(21:42):
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saying the same thing, Less waste, better results. Good on
your Amya. Ask for hard working Kelsey prol by Omya
from your local farm supplier. You'll be glad you did.
Speaker 1 (22:00):
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Speaker 6 (22:10):
And early for joa harvest's underway and Gisbon and Hawk's
bay growers have reported fruit size has been very good
on the trees and that are carrying a balanced crop
load or trees carrying a heavy crop of struggle to
size the fruit, likely due to wet conditions over the
past few years.
Speaker 2 (22:25):
And that's your rural news.
Speaker 3 (22:27):
Sport with AFCO.
Speaker 1 (22:29):
Visit them online at AFCO dot co dot Nz.
Speaker 2 (22:32):
The super rugby Boss Jack Mesley has marveled at Christchurch's
News Stadium as it edges towards completion. The Sydney based
administrator has been given a peek behind the curtain of
Takaha Precinct as part of a whistle stop tour across
New Zealand, and poor old Tiger Woods has undergone more surgery,
this time for a ruptured are Killy's tendon, yet another
(22:53):
injury that would seem likely to keep him out of
next month's Masters and perhaps other major championships. A share,
that's your sport? Up next, Jane Smith. So you've heard
from Prime Minister Christopher luxem Well. One woman who was
(23:13):
having dinner with said leader was Jane Smith. Now, Jane,
you're a bit two faced. Last time you were on
this show, North Otago farmer, a former winner of the
Balance Farm Environment Awards, you told me that you'd ripped
the National Party rosette from your twin seat Cardigan.
Speaker 9 (23:31):
Good afternoon, Jamie. Yes, probably I was a bit of
a wild card choice of guests, probably not the ideal
choice if they were looking for a passive dinner guest.
In fact, it was awkward at one point when a farmer,
let's call him Derek from Fairley, came up and when
I was talking to Duxton and said, gosh, I really
enjoyed when you talked about ripping the rosette from your cardigan, Jane.
(23:53):
When the NATS essentially came out and endorsed just Sinder's
admissions reduction target, that they increased it slightly, so that
was a potential awkward moment. But I wasn't there just
for an agreement session, Jamie, and it was really it
was good to harness the opportunity to have a i'd
call it more of a speed date over a sort
of a fifteen minute period with myself and the PM,
(24:15):
and the conversation was really on everything from methane to
marry activists, from pine trees to property rights. So definitely
worth while, Jamie. I was disappointed at one stage when
Luxeon referred to people like groundswa and methane science are called,
which of course is as myself as sort of right
wing and the great and wash He's right there, Well,
(24:37):
I guess maybe right I'm right wing but potentially not
representing the views of middle New Zealand or farmers, which
I you know, I would actually argue with that. And
I assume he has this view from those that are
supposed to represent us in their egg industry, and I
just wonder whether they're actually reprehending us rather than representing us.
And I guess when you've got a traditionally like a
(24:58):
government in its tradition any farmer friendly or business friendly,
it can actually show up your advocacy because you can't
hide behind them or or blame the ministers like we
did with David Parker. And the reality is actually after
two days of at the upperclusa wannaka a MP show,
it really became obvious to me that actually those of
(25:18):
you know, the directors that are there to represent ours
have certainly have had that Wellington lobotomy and it really
failed to see things from a grassroots farmer or grassroots
rural person or any business point of view. So that
old Stockholm syndrome is alive and well even under a
new Okay.
Speaker 2 (25:35):
So was lux and trying to woo you to become
a National Party candidate, Joane, You're going to sell your soul.
Speaker 9 (25:40):
I doubt that very much. Jamie.
Speaker 2 (25:42):
What I do, you'd be hopeless in Parliament.
Speaker 9 (25:45):
I would last about five minutes. And you know, I
guess what I do represent, I hope is just vibrant
rural communities, and that is what I'm passionate about family
farms and sustainable opportunities going forward, not painting yourself into
corners on things like as I said, Methane, which is
we don't need or we do not need any further
(26:06):
taxpayer money wasted in that in that area. Janney.
Speaker 2 (26:09):
Now, if it wasn't bad enough or good enough that
you're having dinner with the Prime minister, you're also lunching
with the soon to be deputy Prime Minister David Seymour
at the Wonica a mp show.
Speaker 9 (26:21):
To be fair, Jamie, that was just an opportune chance
that we took, actually and at the raising sound tents
to catch up with David Seymour and have lunch, although
he wasn't lunching. Actually we were eating and he wasn't.
Maybe he was a wee bit sensitive about lunch lunches
at the moment given the school lunch program. But you know,
that was refreshing and actually to have a really non
(26:42):
PC discussion about a lot of things, and and you know,
without the sort of the woke rightness righteousness that is
creeping into a lot of our sector at the moment.
So and you know, we did talk about things like
fertilizer and delivering products and banks, et cetera, without the
side serving a righteousness that seems to be hanging around
(27:02):
and costing our seat to our opportunities at the moment
to Jamie. And so that was a yeah, that was
a good opportunity and certainly be taking some of those
discussions further. Jamie, did you listen to.
Speaker 2 (27:14):
The Associate Professor, the good doctor Peter Armond on yesterday's show?
Is this the way to fight climate change? Putting the
rock on the pastures in South? Because she used to
be a Ravenstown field rep down on South and back
in the day, Jane, and I know.
Speaker 9 (27:28):
That area well, Jamie. In terms of Odahudi, I also
know Lincoln University well as an alumni of the establishment,
and I honestly nearly choked on my lunch. I actually
could not believe what I was hearing. And I know
that overseas has been a lot of studies. I'm not
saying it wouldn't work, et cetera. In terms of applying
that crushed basalt rock to sequest CO two. Actually, I
(27:50):
thought that obviously completely missed the memo that thirty three
percent of New Zealand is covered in native bush. What's
that nine million kicked in that are sequesting CO two
every moment of the day, Jamie, And I'm thinking least
alone the land that has been lost to pine trees?
What about million stock in? It's a year or twenty
(28:11):
two thousand heat is due to be planted even just
in south and the same province this year. I thought, honestly,
what is the world coming to if we are wasting
good scientists time and resources which we don't have many of,
and tax pays money on this type of crap. I
just I actually checked that it wasn't April Fools Day, Jamie.
I thought, this cannot be true. We can't be doing
this in New Zealand.
Speaker 2 (28:31):
Well, look, in defense of myself, and I'm defending the
indefensible here, I've missed the obvious question was you know,
at what rate are we going to put the basalt
rock on per hectare? What do you reckon? How much
do you reckon? The answer is because we went back
after the show and found.
Speaker 9 (28:45):
Out I'd hate to thank Jamie.
Speaker 2 (28:47):
Okay, here it is fifty tons per hectare. So yeah, okay,
so that's that's a lot, as you well know. And
I went back from and said, well, here, putting on
that much, how long is it before the pasture is
edible or grazible? And he said, well, the application should
equate to about five mills of rock dust on the pasture.
(29:09):
As we expect, with autumn growth and some rainfall, the
paddocks should be grazible again in one to three weeks.
I'm not sure i'd want to eat that grass.
Speaker 9 (29:18):
Oh, the reality is, Jamie, these are just ridiculous climate
change hysteria distractions on our real issues that we have
going on in this country. And I guess the saddest
thing is again the opportunity cost of the real science
and real issues and real solutions we could be coming
up with in this country instead of wasting time and
money on there. And you know, even just without even
(29:39):
looking at the rates and the foolishness around that, even
just the climate change costs of doing such a such
a such an action, no actually getting that rock there.
I mean, it's just the whole thing is just ridiculous, Jamie.
And it's time that this type of thing was absolutely
wiped off any sort of work scenario for no you'll.
Speaker 2 (29:57):
Be wiped off the Christmas Christmas card list of Doc
to Peter armand from your old Alma Martha Lincoln University.
Let's just finish on North Otago where you're farming. You
had a big thunderstorm overnight that rain would be welcome.
Speaker 9 (30:10):
Yeah, it certainly was, Jamie. But I sort of feel
a little bit guilty in a year like this, We're
actually getting a lot of precipitation, and I feel that
it could have gone to another area, but I know
it doesn't work like that. But yeah, I think we
got just over another inch last night. But it's certainly
turn wintery, but we can't contain in stock are looking
magnificent in North Otago. Finally feel like where things are
(30:31):
coming to.
Speaker 2 (30:32):
Fruition and you're getting record prices for those beef cattle
that you.
Speaker 9 (30:36):
Breed exactly, Jamie, and Lamb's looking great. Interest rates heading
down was not low enough yet, by the way, But yeah,
things are very very positive. And if we could just
get some of this ridiculousness out of our seat to
time and money being wasted, things onwards and up with Jamie.
Speaker 2 (30:53):
Yeah, and I Trump would just call as jets on
tariff spent anyhow, that's on my wish list. Jane Smith,
thank you very much for your time, and I'm pleased
to hear that National Party Rosetta's back on your twin set, Cardigan.
Speaker 9 (31:05):
Not sure it is, Jamie, but thank you.
Speaker 2 (31:07):
Good on you. Jane caught her away from one. Margaret
says no need for school lunch as I had Marmot
and warns walnut sandwiches and caught the bus at seven
forty am. And she makes a good point. Kids must
starve in the holidays. Yeah, what a mom and dad
doing the holidays. Up next, we talk avocadoa love. You
(31:30):
get some interesting emails in this job. Got one from
a guy by the name of Alistair Niven who's an
avocado grower in Caddy Caddy. He's also a service wrap
in the industry and his fate would have it. Alistair,
you and I had chatted before on the country when
we were talking to Angus from Wonky Box a couple
of years ago about selling wonky fruit at reduced prices.
(31:51):
Now here's a starter for ten for you avocados. Is
that a wonky fruit at the moment in terms of returns?
Speaker 5 (32:00):
Jamie, You're ded right. It was good last year. We've
actually had a very successful season. This one just gone.
But looking forward, it don't think it's going to be
that flash. We've obviously got a few headwinds from Australia.
They've actually got some massive production predictions coming forward, so
if it carries on, our opportunity of last year will
be suberciently reduced. We had a really good returns this
(32:21):
coming season, so let's hope the Ford season not as
better as it's predicted.
Speaker 9 (32:25):
Now.
Speaker 2 (32:26):
I reckon, as I say on this show, horticulture is
a tough again. I want event can wipe your whole
crop out. It's worse for avocado growers because kind of
your crop correct me if I'm wrong here, because I
don't know that much about it. Is sort of like
by any or, you're not always guaranteed an annual crop.
Speaker 5 (32:43):
One hundred percent, Jamie. So we're trying to get the
trees to produce fruit every year, but they're pretty fussy.
If they do a lot of work that first year,
they don't do much the second year. It's pretty tough
to get them going. But finding this year that the
actual production looks pretty much the same as last year.
Trees that didn't do any work last year, are full
noise this year, and they are really full of fruit,
(33:04):
so let's hope it's going to be the same sort
of volumes.
Speaker 2 (33:07):
I remember being in Northland, it must have been three
or four years ago and driving past massive new plantings
of avocado, and the corporates were getting into it. How
are they faring, Jamie, I don't think we're feeling too good.
Speaker 5 (33:21):
Obviously, the heart of avocado is Caddy Caddy, which is
where we're growing ours. But the boys up north had
to go and they put some serious investment into some
of these places that probably weren't ideal avocado orchards, so
they bought dairy country converted it to avocados. But you
get a bit of wind and a bit of storm
up that Northern Way, and of course that's taking its
(33:41):
toll of the orchards up there, and I know in
some cases the guys are struggling to actually open the
gate to even pack.
Speaker 2 (33:48):
On the world stage, we are a very small player,
something like two percent of global production.
Speaker 5 (33:55):
Correct, we're not even in the top twenty by way
of production. So our forty thousand approximate tons a year
of production in comparison. If you look at Western Australia,
they produce sixty five thousand tons in one state, so
we don't take the dial very much. But the thing
is we've got a beautiful fruit at the right time
(34:15):
of the year and that's what the people are looking.
Speaker 2 (34:17):
For and millennials love it. Are smashed on toast they do.
Speaker 5 (34:21):
But the problem is not eating enough jamie. In Australia,
they're eating probably four or five kilos per person. The
good old Kiwi's only doing just over two kilos per person.
So we want those South Islanders to get a better
price and eat more than because not eating enough avocados
down south that's the killer at the moment. If we
could actually get New Zealanders to eat more avocados, we
(34:43):
wouldn't have to export, and of course the prices for
the grow would be much more beneficial, but also the
product in New Zealand would be probably I'd stay probably
twelve months of the year. We can guarantee this production.
Speaker 2 (34:54):
Mexico is the top exporter of avocados around the world.
Now Trump's tariffs, are they going to not export into
the US and maybe flood other markets.
Speaker 5 (35:08):
They're already moving down into Asia, Jamie. So we've got
both Mexico and Peru, some of the biggest production companies
countries in the world. Looking at our Asian markets. We
cover the majority of the Asian markets, not in great volume,
but the issue with the fruit up in their countries
is it's a lot smaller and drier, so they can
send it a lot further. And look, we're looking to
(35:29):
go into Canada and America this year. In fact, I
think the Big Don got a postcard from Bob Charles
to say I'm looking forward to that next round, Don,
and we replaced the actual golf ball with an avocado,
so I hope he remembers us. But we had Costco
from Canada on our orchard last year and they couldn't
believe the quality that we are producing. And they're going
(35:50):
to fill that gap for probably three or four months
through August, September October, and they'll take as much as
we can produce. So we do have some specific markets.
Competition is really stiff, so if the Big Don's going
to put the pressure on Canada, it could be a
real benefit to us.
Speaker 2 (36:06):
Yes, God bless the Big Don. Hey, just finally, when
it comes to horticulture, you guys in the avocado industry,
and I know I'm not comparing apples with apples here,
but you must be envious of the likes of Zesprie
the key we fruit situation where they're a single desk
seller and they are a big player on the world stage.
Speaker 5 (36:26):
It's a massive problem to us. Every time you go
to a meeting or a field day, every growers says
the same thing. We should have got on board a
number of years ago and didn't do so, so it's
going to be pretty tough now. But we have obviously
the opportunity to sell into various markets with various exporters.
But in some case we'll have a New Zealand export
competing with another New Zealand exporterer and of course the
(36:50):
only thing that goes down is the price. The quality
stays the same, the production stays the same, but we
don't get as much. So a single desk opportunity would
be massively beneficial to avocado ge You.
Speaker 2 (37:00):
Sound of it like the red meat industry competing against
each other off sure, Hey Aliston Live and it's been
great to catch up again since we last had a
chat with you and your made angers from Wonky Box
you've got my number, keep in.
Speaker 5 (37:10):
Touch, look forward to it. Thanks Jamie.
Speaker 2 (37:19):
Wrapping the Country with some of your feedback. What's the
carbon footprint of crushing the basalt rock plenty? I would imagine.
And Jeff says you're going to burn five hundred liters
of diesel just to put it on. I think he's
meaning per heck there there, Yeah, fifty tons per heck.
There is a huge amount of anything to put on
(37:39):
a pasture. I'm surprised you can graze it within two
to three weeks and one more. You forgot to ask
Jane Smith how she went in the Motor Tapue Marathon. Yes,
I did, but I can tell you she was just
over six hours. But it's not like a flat road marathon.
You've got to run up a bloody big hill from
Wonacer and then down into Arrowtown. So it was a
great effort first up in the marathon. That's us done
(38:00):
and dusted. Winston on the show tomorrow before he jumps
on the plane to Washington.
Speaker 1 (38:08):
Catch all the latest from the land. It's the Country
podcast with Jamie McKay. Thanks to Brent, your specialist in
John Deere Machinery
Catch all the latest from the land. It's the Country
Podcast with Jamie mckaye thanks to Brent starkest of the
leading agriculture brands.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
You have a smart child.
Speaker 3 (00:17):
Ever a word, he joked the.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Minuta good and good afternoon, New Zealand. I'm Jamie McKay.
This is the Country, brought to you by Brent. This
is Journey Don't Stop Believing. App song for our first guest,
the underfire Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. To kick off the show,
(00:45):
Shane mcmanaway. You might remember we caught up with them
late last week on the Gold Coast in the eye
of the storm tropical Cyclone alfred Well. They had to
postpone the Impact Summit on the Gold Coast. They nonetheless
last night named the twenty twenty five Xander McDonald Award winners.
(01:06):
We're going to catch up with them, one from each
side of the Tasman, including an outstanding young Kiwi Jane
Smith North Otago farmers, been lunching with David Seymour, having
dinner with Chris Luxon. Plus I think she wants to
have a cracket putting on the basalt rock to prevent
(01:28):
climate change. Alistair Niven Caddy Caddy. I was going to
say key with for it grower. Plenty of that in
Caddy Caddy, but he's an avocado grower. There's an industry
that's facing a few challenges. We'll have rural news for
you and sports news and your feedback send it in
on five double o nine. But up next it's the
PM to kick off the show Wednesdays on the Country.
(02:09):
The Prime Minister is kind enough to give us his
time to kick off the show. He's been coughing plenty
a heat recently around US communication, but you can't criticize
his work ethic Investment summit Thursday and Friday, Trade trip
to India Saturday. But just before we do that, Prime Minister,
I note that Donald Trump, one of the world's other
(02:29):
great leaders, has just brought a Tesla to support us. Mate,
Elon Musk, are you going to buy a school lunch
to support Seymour?
Speaker 3 (02:38):
Well?
Speaker 4 (02:38):
I know Kelly David Zemo was working hard to clean
it up because we actually contradicted with some suppliers to
make sure we get proper school lunches in place for
kids who desperately need them. Otherwise parents can crerentally make
the lunches for these kids. But for those that can't,
we got to get a lunch program networks because we
know if they don't get food, they don't and that
doesn't give them off.
Speaker 2 (02:57):
Oh sorry, I'll come back to the school lunches because
I do want to concentrate on the two important ones
for us as a country. The investment summit begins tomorrow
and of course the trade trip to India start with
the investment summit. How much money can you drag into
the country.
Speaker 4 (03:11):
Well, we've got to drag as much as we can
because we've got a big infrastructure deficit. If you think
about the roads, the hospitals, the schools, everything that we
want to get built in this country, we're not going
to be able to do it with the government's own
money one hundred percent. And so we've got to be
able to use pools of money that are within the country,
meaning acc and super Fund. But we've also got to
use the money that's overseas.
Speaker 5 (03:31):
And here's the deal.
Speaker 4 (03:32):
J mean, basically, the world has been getting wealthare people
been moving from a low incomes to middle incomes. When
they do that, they start putting money aside for savings
for retirement, and those retirement funds need to be invested,
and that's what we've done is invited a lot of
softeign wealth and pension fund money from fourteen different countries.
There's hundred organizations coming. They invest six trillion dollars, six
(03:55):
trillion dollars and you're telling spacely none of it are
So that's why when I've been off overseats, I've been
meeting them with these potential investors, I'm inviting them to
New Zealand and then I have my ministers there for
two days. I have ere organizations there and some of
our emerging advanced sectors to actually make the pitch and
to show them a pipeline of potential projects that they
(04:16):
might want to invest in. But it's just the beginning.
I mean, we basically want to be open to investment.
New Zealand's one of the countries in the world that
is one of the lowest welcoming capital to the country.
We know we've got finn capital and yet we know
the advantages of that investment is huge. If we can
get a four lane highway built from Auckland to finer Aid,
it is the single biggest thing that will open up
(04:37):
huge economic opportunities for our farmers.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
Absolutely, Prime Minister. Should all new major roads in this
country be toll roads? Should it be like for the
Taranga Harbor Bridge, that Winston Belt, it was told until
they paid for us, why not do that with all roads?
Speaker 4 (04:52):
Well we did that originally, remember with the Aukland Harbor
Bridge as well, for so many years. I mean the
reality of this. If you want to say, do new
roads that then open up new housing, new new towns,
you know, a whole bunch of economic value for people.
But then the bottom line is that you can't. We
probably will have to use a lot more tolls to
(05:13):
pay for it, but as long as those tolls are
going to extending and improving that voting network. So if
you've got at the White Cuto Expressway, for example, I
remember talking to an agricultural vet down there and she
said to me, Chris before that, Whycuto Expressway was it?
I couldn't. I'm now doing one or two extra jobs
a day because I'm not stuck in traffic doing congestion.
(05:34):
I've got this brand new road that can move at
one hundred and ten k's. I can do one or
two more farms a day. I can they fun and
be home with my two little girls at the end
of the day. So infrastructure done well has huge benefits
for people economically. They list there and comes when they've
listed and comes to more money in their pockets to
deal with stuff. So it crats opportunity. So we know
(05:54):
four lane freeway, which is what we're going to put
on offer one of the projects, will have available immediately.
We know there's already international investors that are very interested
in that road. And yes you might have to pay
tolls as we're doing north of Auckland right now, but
as long as that's those toles a big paid that
you know that money is going to extending that network
through to Foinerraie that's what it should be doing. So yeah,
(06:15):
that maybe that's the reality of Otherwise a lot of
wait sixty years, we keep talking about building stuff and
we don't do anything.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
Okay, all right, let's move on trade trip to India.
It's all very well talking about a free trade deal,
but we're never going to get one around Derry, are we.
Speaker 4 (06:29):
Well just say zoom out on India. You've got the
most populous country on here as one point four five
billion people, going to be the third largest economy by
twenty thirty in the world, very important geostrategic defense player.
And also six percent of our population three hundred dollars
and now from Indian descent, so a great taspery here.
So in New Zealand is nowhere with India and in
(06:51):
fact our two way trade is down and has gone
backwards under labor. So yeah, when we've got a country
the same size as China, we do thirty eight billion
dollars with them, did just over two billion with India.
So that's why we spent the last year doing building
a relationship back with the president of the prominence. They're
in the different lists that we need to have relationships with.
Then problems the Moodium byed me for a state visits,
(07:13):
which is what I'm doing on Saturday for four days
and we will continue to discuss how you deepen up
our trade tips. Now Yip, you're right, dairy is very
very sensitive issue for India. They've got lots of small
farmers across the country. It's a very political issue, very
sensitive issue. It's a very important issue for us. It's
an important sector for us. But to sit there like
(07:35):
Damian O'Connor and the Niama Hoota and Chris Hip consider
and say, oh, and they're just too hard, we're not
going to do anything. Well, you and I were at
lamb day the other day. Our lamb is thirty percent
more expensive for the Australian man. Our apples going out
and film are more expensive in the Australian The wine
is more expensive. And yes, dairy is a tough conversation.
But we shouldn't be fatalistic about it. We know it's
(07:56):
going to be hard, but we should get into the
arena and actually try our best and go put our
best foot forward. We cannot say we just don't want
to do a deal and not actual When the Australians have,
the Canadians have, the Brits have, the Europeans have, we
should be in the mix and at least trying to
do some stuff.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
Absolutely. Now Marco Rubio is busy brokering a piece deal
in the Middle East at the moment, but come tomorrow
Winston's on a plane to go over and have a
meeting with them. So you are playing with the big
boys at the moment.
Speaker 4 (08:27):
Well, we want to really know, we want to work
with everybody right and we want to be able to
build it. We've got a good, long standing relationship with
the US. I had a very good call with President Trump.
Winston's already spoken with Marco Rubio, Judith already spoken with
Peter Higgs at the Defense Minister Defense Secretary, and we
have a situation we put in place last year, which
is we want to have an annual meeting between the
(08:48):
Secretary of State and the Foreign Minister every year. That's
a that New Zealand has conduct at the highest levels
in the administration. We're building broader, deeper relationships with the administration,
as you'd expect us to do, and so it's a
good chance for Winston and Micolrabio to talk about the
issues that are going on across the world, particularly Ukraine, Jaza,
and our own revidual security challenges that we've got here
(09:10):
in the region.
Speaker 2 (09:11):
Started off on the school lunches and people are fed
up totally. No bad pun intended with school lunches. But
here's a question for you. I heard David Seymour on
Hosking this morning and I was surprised by this number.
We're attempting to feed twenty seven percent of the school
kids in this country.
Speaker 5 (09:30):
Why the hell are we doing that, well, I don't.
Speaker 4 (09:33):
I mean, ideally, the States shouldn't have to feed any kids. Frankly,
you know that's a parental responsibility. And that's why I
made the comments I did about parents giving their kid gears.
Speaker 2 (09:42):
Yeah, and I get all that, and I've heard in
the Prime Minister. I've heard all that before. But twenty
seven percent. You can't tell me a quarter of the
kids in this country are not capable or didn't bring
their own lunches to school. I know we need to
look after the people at the bottom end, but that
seems an incredibly high threshold.
Speaker 4 (10:00):
Yeah, it does, and that's something that we've been talking
about as well as like, you know, what is the
eligibility of who actually gets these lunches and how they
provided Because we are providing a probably a lunch program
for kids who genuinely don't have lunches and for whatever reason,
and they actually need to have lunches so they're not hungry.
But when you hear that, their appearans actually who are
(10:21):
both working, who actually can make the mum might stand
wed and put the airport in the lunch box. They
should be doing so. And you know that's an expectation
of basic expectation of Pearans.
Speaker 2 (10:30):
Prime Minister, good luck at the investment summer tomorrow and Friday,
and safe travels to India. Bring back an FTA. Thanks
for your time birth Jomen you can take care seventeen
after twelve. Thank you, Prime Minister. Some of your feedback
on five double O nine The easiest way to get
to us. All roads should be told like France done
(10:51):
about all roads. Michelle's wandered in here. Not country roads
should be told, or minor roads, but major roads that
save you a hell of a lot of time when
you pay the toll. It's a no brainer.
Speaker 6 (11:05):
Actually, I've been to France and actually driven right across
France and a camp evan believe it or not, Jamie
on my own, I hope, hope.
Speaker 2 (11:12):
You pulled over when there was six or seven cars
behind you, Michelle. If you didn't, you're fired.
Speaker 5 (11:15):
Now.
Speaker 6 (11:16):
I'm a great driver, fantastic driver. You might anyway. Not
all the roads are told in France.
Speaker 5 (11:21):
It's really just the main one.
Speaker 6 (11:23):
So if you take the back country roads, they're not told.
Speaker 2 (11:25):
Yeah, well that's what That's the only way to build
major roads like the Bay of Plenty is a really
good example. The Eastern toll road there there's one internally
and Torona there which saves you a hell of a
lot of time. And of course we've got the freeway
if you want from Auckland Town to the White Cotto
it's very good to drive on. That's what we need.
(11:46):
We need the four line highway, as he said, from
fonger Ai to Auckland. That would open up all sorts
of opportunities. Up next on the country Songs. By the way,
are these songs you've chucked in for the poorole? Don't
stop believing I'm still standing. Shake it off. I will survive.
Speaker 6 (12:05):
Yeah, just to give a bit of a boost, you know,
like get through this.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
You're part of the media beat up on the Prime minister. Anyhow,
Up next, this is a great story. Well it was
a bit of a shame that the Impact Summit got
canceled because of Tropical Cyclone Alfred. But we've got the
winners up next of the twenty twenty five Xander McDonald Awards,
and we've got an Outstanding Key we winner. You might
(12:41):
remember on Friday Show we caught up with Shane mcmanaway
in the eye of the storm with tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Of course, he's the founder of the Zander McDonald Awards.
Unfortunately the Impact Summit on the Gold Coast had to
be canceled because of the impact of Alfred. But Shane,
you've forged on nonetheless, and you have named your Zander
(13:01):
McDonald Award winners, one from each side of the Tasman
for twenty twenty five.
Speaker 7 (13:07):
Yeah, good afternoon, Jamie. We certainly have and I can
report the weather on the Gold Coasters quiet and down,
although there's a hell of a mess left behind. But
she would have been pretty wild and mooly if we
had to help the conference, so we made the right
call there.
Speaker 8 (13:18):
Yeah.
Speaker 7 (13:18):
I was delighted yesterday to be able to announce the
two winners, which we would have done at our gala
event on Tuesday night. However, it gave me great pleasure
to announce Megan Broom from Blenham, New Zealand and Jack
O'Connor from New South Wales, Australia. And so somebody very
cleverly came up with a headline here in Australia's Surf
(13:39):
and Turf, and I guess that was a very smart
way of describing the situation. We've got Megan who's from agriculture,
and Jack from agriculture, and that's our first person that
we've had in the award from aquaculture, and we're delighted
that we're now sort of spreading our wings a bit
with the award. But a fantastic try to announce those
(14:00):
two people yesterday, Jamie.
Speaker 2 (14:02):
Well, let's talk to ladies before gentlemen. To Megan Blom
only twenty four years of age. Remember you can be
up to thirty five years of age and still be
eligible for the Xander McDonald awards. One and a chiever
she is. She's the operations manager at the family owned
business Mills Bay Mussels in Marlborough. But Megan, I know
a wee bit about your family because originally you grew
(14:25):
up in Southland, just up the road from my hometown.
You were in Belfer where your mum and dad were
dairy farmers.
Speaker 8 (14:32):
Yep, sure did grow up in Belfer and then moved
up to Marlborough. So my heart's in two places. But yeah,
grew up in Belfa and my parents are still down
there and my brother and sister dairy farming there too,
So why the move.
Speaker 2 (14:45):
From dairy farming to mussels Well, the cool thing.
Speaker 8 (14:49):
About muscles and our involvement in the muscle industry is
we're very close to the customers. So in dairye you're
producing milk in it, you sell it to the dairy
factory and you don't know what price you're going to
get for it, and you have a big focused on
reducing your cost of production. With muscles and how we've
set it up here, we are more vertically integrated, a
(15:13):
lot closer to the customer, so we have a lot
more control over the supply chain and the value chain
across the board. So that's been a real draw card.
I think my parents wanted to live in Mulbre it's
bit warmer than Southland, but yeah, they lived up here
for ten years and then actually moved back, so the
weather was a draw card, but yeah, they love it
(15:34):
in both places.
Speaker 2 (15:35):
Well, it's the call of northern Southland. Why would you
not want to live there. You're also the founding member
of Young Fish and Z which connects young professionals and
the seafood industry. And you've got a great champion behind you, guys,
and the old Prince of the Provinces, Shane Jones. He's
big on aquaculture.
Speaker 8 (15:55):
Yeah, he's real big on aquaculture. And over the weekend
he was here in Mulbra at the Havelock Muscle Festival,
which was cool. And he's announced that Havelock Marina is
getting quite a nice bit of money to dredge out
the marina and it will help the muscle boats coming
in and out. Quite a nice boost into infrastructure here,
which is cool.
Speaker 2 (16:15):
So Meghan Blom twenty four years of age, just twenty
four years of age as the New Zealand winner, the
Australian winner. Let's welcome him on. Jack O'Connor thirty two
from Harden, New South Wales, which is just northwest of Canberra.
And Jack, you're the You're into general agribusiness, livestock administration
and cropping on the family farm at Oxton Park. Tell
(16:39):
us about your operation and why you think they picked you.
Speaker 3 (16:42):
Yeah, thanks Jamie. I yeah, I guly talking about the
Zanna McDonald ward. I was sitting here in my Brumbies
jersey thinking you might want to talk about that went
over the Blues last weekend, but I suppose we'll talk
about the Xanner Award instead. But mate, yeah, we're sitting
out here, like I said, about an hour and a
half northwest of Canberra, and we, yeah, we run a mixed,
(17:07):
a mixed farming enterprise here, specializing in broad acre week
canola and m triticali from the cropping side as well
as we raised non mules dull purpose self replacing marinos
as well, and we join about about eighteen thousand of
those every year. So yeah, Jamie, I'm a bit taken back, mate,
(17:27):
I was very shocked and yeah, obviously pleasantly surprised with
the with the result yesterday. Just the caliber which I'm
sure Megan can attest to with the other contestants, you know,
to be selected is a real honor, and I think, yeah,
for us personally, we're you were a fourth fourth generation
(17:47):
farmers year and we've been here since nineteen twenty and
I like to think we're a very you know, sort
of progressive, progressive business that you know, adapts to what
we're finding is the changing climate and market conditions over
there over our time. And yeah, I think, amongst other things,
we definitely are open to looking at new enterprises as
(18:10):
well and always trying to find tune the things that
we're very passionate about and like to think we're not
too bad at either.
Speaker 2 (18:17):
Well, I'm told you're an early adopter when it comes
to things like renewable energy, carbon accounting and agri voltaics.
Did I get that right? What the hell's that?
Speaker 1 (18:28):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (18:28):
Yeah, they're just sort of more so probably little passion
projects for myself, Jamie, And that's sort of just a
bit of a bit of a moving beasts as a
lot of people know, and in our space, those sort
of emerging emerging industries are still you know, finding their
feet in a lot of different areas, and I think, yeah,
we've just always been of the view that we like
(18:51):
to arm ourselves with, you know, with the right information
and as much as we can before we're making you know,
sort of bigger, bigger businesses decision business decisions rather. But
you know, for a lot of those industries in our area,
they've got a tremendous amount opportunity and you know, very exciting,
you know, amongst you a list of others too, say yeah,
(19:11):
that's the way we said.
Speaker 2 (19:12):
Hey, Sean mcmanuay, just to wrap this, what are these
two outstanding young leaders and entrepreneurs and agricultural one courtesy
of winning the Zanda McDonald award.
Speaker 7 (19:21):
Well, they pick up ten thousand dollars to go to
awards and education project of their choice. So we mentor that, well, sorry,
we tailor that to suit what they need. It's not
just a standard package and everybody has a different sort
of requirement and the need. So that's the first thing.
But then they get the opportunity to basically get the
key to the door of about one hundred and fifty
of Australasias top farmers, movers and shakers as mentors. So
(19:46):
that has been probably one of the greatest things for
this award is the connections contacts that are made through it.
And you know, the growth that we see in the
people and is just enormous and you know, just if
you're in if you get into this Zanda McDonald ward,
family life seems to just be accelerated for you. And
I know my great mate Zen who was taken in
(20:06):
twenty thirteen would be unbelievably proud not only the winners before,
but of these two people gaming.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
Well, good on you, Shane, and to Megan Blom and
Jack O'Connor, congratulations at twenty twenty five Xander McDonald Award winners.
Thanks for your time guys, Thank you, Thanks Jaming, Thanks guys.
It has just gone twelve thirty on the country. Some
of your feedback, all roads are told it's called road
us attacks. Fair enough and totally agree. Read the school
(20:34):
lunchious people have become lazy and entitled thanks to labor freebies.
That's from c Luxeon. Now I'm just joking about that.
Up next, Rural news and sports News. Before the end
of the hour, Jay Smith and a Niven talking farming
and avocado. Welcome back to the country. Very shortly the
(21:00):
latest and rural news and sports news. Now here's something
that's making a real difference out there on Kiwi Farms
Omya's mineral based products. They genuinely work harder for you,
work harder. Yeah, I know what you're thinking, How exactly
do they do that? Well, let me tell you what
makes these products different. There are a couple of things
that really caught our attention. One is that their calci
(21:21):
prol product changes you soil pH within weeks. That's the
kind of quick result any farmers looking for. And the
other is they bust dust. We all know what a
pain it is watching our valuable for drift away in
the wind. Well Omya's minerals are specially mild to minimize dust.
That means you fertilizer stays right where you want it
(21:42):
on your paddocks, not floating over the fence to feed
the neighbor's place. Omya has been out there talking to
Kiwi farmers who have made the switch and they're all
saying the same thing, Less waste, better results. Good on
your Amya. Ask for hard working Kelsey prol by Omya
from your local farm supplier. You'll be glad you did.
Speaker 1 (22:00):
What the country's world news with Cold Cadet, New Zealand's
leading right on lawn bower brand. Visit steel Ford dot
co dot nz for your local stockist.
Speaker 6 (22:10):
And early for joa harvest's underway and Gisbon and Hawk's
bay growers have reported fruit size has been very good
on the trees and that are carrying a balanced crop
load or trees carrying a heavy crop of struggle to
size the fruit, likely due to wet conditions over the
past few years.
Speaker 2 (22:25):
And that's your rural news.
Speaker 3 (22:27):
Sport with AFCO.
Speaker 1 (22:29):
Visit them online at AFCO dot co dot Nz.
Speaker 2 (22:32):
The super rugby Boss Jack Mesley has marveled at Christchurch's
News Stadium as it edges towards completion. The Sydney based
administrator has been given a peek behind the curtain of
Takaha Precinct as part of a whistle stop tour across
New Zealand, and poor old Tiger Woods has undergone more surgery,
this time for a ruptured are Killy's tendon, yet another
(22:53):
injury that would seem likely to keep him out of
next month's Masters and perhaps other major championships. A share,
that's your sport? Up next, Jane Smith. So you've heard
from Prime Minister Christopher luxem Well. One woman who was
(23:13):
having dinner with said leader was Jane Smith. Now, Jane,
you're a bit two faced. Last time you were on
this show, North Otago farmer, a former winner of the
Balance Farm Environment Awards, you told me that you'd ripped
the National Party rosette from your twin seat Cardigan.
Speaker 9 (23:31):
Good afternoon, Jamie. Yes, probably I was a bit of
a wild card choice of guests, probably not the ideal
choice if they were looking for a passive dinner guest.
In fact, it was awkward at one point when a farmer,
let's call him Derek from Fairley, came up and when
I was talking to Duxton and said, gosh, I really
enjoyed when you talked about ripping the rosette from your cardigan, Jane.
(23:53):
When the NATS essentially came out and endorsed just Sinder's
admissions reduction target, that they increased it slightly, so that
was a potential awkward moment. But I wasn't there just
for an agreement session, Jamie, and it was really it
was good to harness the opportunity to have a i'd
call it more of a speed date over a sort
of a fifteen minute period with myself and the PM,
(24:15):
and the conversation was really on everything from methane to
marry activists, from pine trees to property rights. So definitely
worth while, Jamie. I was disappointed at one stage when
Luxeon referred to people like groundswa and methane science are called,
which of course is as myself as sort of right
wing and the great and wash He's right there, Well,
(24:37):
I guess maybe right I'm right wing but potentially not
representing the views of middle New Zealand or farmers, which
I you know, I would actually argue with that. And
I assume he has this view from those that are
supposed to represent us in their egg industry, and I
just wonder whether they're actually reprehending us rather than representing us.
And I guess when you've got a traditionally like a
(24:58):
government in its tradition any farmer friendly or business friendly,
it can actually show up your advocacy because you can't
hide behind them or or blame the ministers like we
did with David Parker. And the reality is actually after
two days of at the upperclusa wannaka a MP show,
it really became obvious to me that actually those of
(25:18):
you know, the directors that are there to represent ours
have certainly have had that Wellington lobotomy and it really
failed to see things from a grassroots farmer or grassroots
rural person or any business point of view. So that
old Stockholm syndrome is alive and well even under a
new Okay.
Speaker 2 (25:35):
So was lux and trying to woo you to become
a National Party candidate, Joane, You're going to sell your soul.
Speaker 9 (25:40):
I doubt that very much. Jamie.
Speaker 2 (25:42):
What I do, you'd be hopeless in Parliament.
Speaker 9 (25:45):
I would last about five minutes. And you know, I
guess what I do represent, I hope is just vibrant
rural communities, and that is what I'm passionate about family
farms and sustainable opportunities going forward, not painting yourself into
corners on things like as I said, Methane, which is
we don't need or we do not need any further
(26:06):
taxpayer money wasted in that in that area. Janney.
Speaker 2 (26:09):
Now, if it wasn't bad enough or good enough that
you're having dinner with the Prime minister, you're also lunching
with the soon to be deputy Prime Minister David Seymour
at the Wonica a mp show.
Speaker 9 (26:21):
To be fair, Jamie, that was just an opportune chance
that we took, actually and at the raising sound tents
to catch up with David Seymour and have lunch, although
he wasn't lunching. Actually we were eating and he wasn't.
Maybe he was a wee bit sensitive about lunch lunches
at the moment given the school lunch program. But you know,
that was refreshing and actually to have a really non
(26:42):
PC discussion about a lot of things, and and you know,
without the sort of the woke rightness righteousness that is
creeping into a lot of our sector at the moment.
So and you know, we did talk about things like
fertilizer and delivering products and banks, et cetera, without the
side serving a righteousness that seems to be hanging around
(27:02):
and costing our seat to our opportunities at the moment
to Jamie. And so that was a yeah, that was
a good opportunity and certainly be taking some of those
discussions further. Jamie, did you listen to.
Speaker 2 (27:14):
The Associate Professor, the good doctor Peter Armond on yesterday's show?
Is this the way to fight climate change? Putting the
rock on the pastures in South? Because she used to
be a Ravenstown field rep down on South and back
in the day, Jane, and I know.
Speaker 9 (27:28):
That area well, Jamie. In terms of Odahudi, I also
know Lincoln University well as an alumni of the establishment,
and I honestly nearly choked on my lunch. I actually
could not believe what I was hearing. And I know
that overseas has been a lot of studies. I'm not
saying it wouldn't work, et cetera. In terms of applying
that crushed basalt rock to sequest CO two. Actually, I
(27:50):
thought that obviously completely missed the memo that thirty three
percent of New Zealand is covered in native bush. What's
that nine million kicked in that are sequesting CO two
every moment of the day, Jamie, And I'm thinking least
alone the land that has been lost to pine trees?
What about million stock in? It's a year or twenty
(28:11):
two thousand heat is due to be planted even just
in south and the same province this year. I thought, honestly,
what is the world coming to if we are wasting
good scientists time and resources which we don't have many of,
and tax pays money on this type of crap. I
just I actually checked that it wasn't April Fools Day, Jamie.
I thought, this cannot be true. We can't be doing
this in New Zealand.
Speaker 2 (28:31):
Well, look, in defense of myself, and I'm defending the
indefensible here, I've missed the obvious question was you know,
at what rate are we going to put the basalt
rock on per hectare? What do you reckon? How much
do you reckon? The answer is because we went back
after the show and found.
Speaker 9 (28:45):
Out I'd hate to thank Jamie.
Speaker 2 (28:47):
Okay, here it is fifty tons per hectare. So yeah, okay,
so that's that's a lot, as you well know. And
I went back from and said, well, here, putting on
that much, how long is it before the pasture is
edible or grazible? And he said, well, the application should
equate to about five mills of rock dust on the pasture.
(29:09):
As we expect, with autumn growth and some rainfall, the
paddocks should be grazible again in one to three weeks.
I'm not sure i'd want to eat that grass.
Speaker 9 (29:18):
Oh, the reality is, Jamie, these are just ridiculous climate
change hysteria distractions on our real issues that we have
going on in this country. And I guess the saddest
thing is again the opportunity cost of the real science
and real issues and real solutions we could be coming
up with in this country instead of wasting time and
money on there. And you know, even just without even
(29:39):
looking at the rates and the foolishness around that, even
just the climate change costs of doing such a such
a such an action, no actually getting that rock there.
I mean, it's just the whole thing is just ridiculous, Jamie.
And it's time that this type of thing was absolutely
wiped off any sort of work scenario for no you'll.
Speaker 2 (29:57):
Be wiped off the Christmas Christmas card list of Doc
to Peter armand from your old Alma Martha Lincoln University.
Let's just finish on North Otago where you're farming. You
had a big thunderstorm overnight that rain would be welcome.
Speaker 9 (30:10):
Yeah, it certainly was, Jamie. But I sort of feel
a little bit guilty in a year like this, We're
actually getting a lot of precipitation, and I feel that
it could have gone to another area, but I know
it doesn't work like that. But yeah, I think we
got just over another inch last night. But it's certainly
turn wintery, but we can't contain in stock are looking
magnificent in North Otago. Finally feel like where things are
(30:31):
coming to.
Speaker 2 (30:32):
Fruition and you're getting record prices for those beef cattle
that you.
Speaker 9 (30:36):
Breed exactly, Jamie, and Lamb's looking great. Interest rates heading
down was not low enough yet, by the way, But yeah,
things are very very positive. And if we could just
get some of this ridiculousness out of our seat to
time and money being wasted, things onwards and up with Jamie.
Speaker 2 (30:53):
Yeah, and I Trump would just call as jets on
tariff spent anyhow, that's on my wish list. Jane Smith,
thank you very much for your time, and I'm pleased
to hear that National Party Rosetta's back on your twin set, Cardigan.
Speaker 9 (31:05):
Not sure it is, Jamie, but thank you.
Speaker 2 (31:07):
Good on you. Jane caught her away from one. Margaret
says no need for school lunch as I had Marmot
and warns walnut sandwiches and caught the bus at seven
forty am. And she makes a good point. Kids must
starve in the holidays. Yeah, what a mom and dad
doing the holidays. Up next, we talk avocadoa love. You
(31:30):
get some interesting emails in this job. Got one from
a guy by the name of Alistair Niven who's an
avocado grower in Caddy Caddy. He's also a service wrap
in the industry and his fate would have it. Alistair,
you and I had chatted before on the country when
we were talking to Angus from Wonky Box a couple
of years ago about selling wonky fruit at reduced prices.
(31:51):
Now here's a starter for ten for you avocados. Is
that a wonky fruit at the moment in terms of returns?
Speaker 5 (32:00):
Jamie, You're ded right. It was good last year. We've
actually had a very successful season. This one just gone.
But looking forward, it don't think it's going to be
that flash. We've obviously got a few headwinds from Australia.
They've actually got some massive production predictions coming forward, so
if it carries on, our opportunity of last year will
be suberciently reduced. We had a really good returns this
(32:21):
coming season, so let's hope the Ford season not as
better as it's predicted.
Speaker 9 (32:25):
Now.
Speaker 2 (32:26):
I reckon, as I say on this show, horticulture is
a tough again. I want event can wipe your whole
crop out. It's worse for avocado growers because kind of
your crop correct me if I'm wrong here, because I
don't know that much about it. Is sort of like
by any or, you're not always guaranteed an annual crop.
Speaker 5 (32:43):
One hundred percent, Jamie. So we're trying to get the
trees to produce fruit every year, but they're pretty fussy.
If they do a lot of work that first year,
they don't do much the second year. It's pretty tough
to get them going. But finding this year that the
actual production looks pretty much the same as last year.
Trees that didn't do any work last year, are full
noise this year, and they are really full of fruit,
(33:04):
so let's hope it's going to be the same sort
of volumes.
Speaker 2 (33:07):
I remember being in Northland, it must have been three
or four years ago and driving past massive new plantings
of avocado, and the corporates were getting into it. How
are they faring, Jamie, I don't think we're feeling too good.
Speaker 5 (33:21):
Obviously, the heart of avocado is Caddy Caddy, which is
where we're growing ours. But the boys up north had
to go and they put some serious investment into some
of these places that probably weren't ideal avocado orchards, so
they bought dairy country converted it to avocados. But you
get a bit of wind and a bit of storm
up that Northern Way, and of course that's taking its
(33:41):
toll of the orchards up there, and I know in
some cases the guys are struggling to actually open the
gate to even pack.
Speaker 2 (33:48):
On the world stage, we are a very small player,
something like two percent of global production.
Speaker 5 (33:55):
Correct, we're not even in the top twenty by way
of production. So our forty thousand approximate tons a year
of production in comparison. If you look at Western Australia,
they produce sixty five thousand tons in one state, so
we don't take the dial very much. But the thing
is we've got a beautiful fruit at the right time
(34:15):
of the year and that's what the people are looking.
Speaker 2 (34:17):
For and millennials love it. Are smashed on toast they do.
Speaker 5 (34:21):
But the problem is not eating enough jamie. In Australia,
they're eating probably four or five kilos per person. The
good old Kiwi's only doing just over two kilos per person.
So we want those South Islanders to get a better
price and eat more than because not eating enough avocados
down south that's the killer at the moment. If we
could actually get New Zealanders to eat more avocados, we
(34:43):
wouldn't have to export, and of course the prices for
the grow would be much more beneficial, but also the
product in New Zealand would be probably I'd stay probably
twelve months of the year. We can guarantee this production.
Speaker 2 (34:54):
Mexico is the top exporter of avocados around the world.
Now Trump's tariffs, are they going to not export into
the US and maybe flood other markets.
Speaker 5 (35:08):
They're already moving down into Asia, Jamie. So we've got
both Mexico and Peru, some of the biggest production companies
countries in the world. Looking at our Asian markets. We
cover the majority of the Asian markets, not in great volume,
but the issue with the fruit up in their countries
is it's a lot smaller and drier, so they can
send it a lot further. And look, we're looking to
(35:29):
go into Canada and America this year. In fact, I
think the Big Don got a postcard from Bob Charles
to say I'm looking forward to that next round, Don,
and we replaced the actual golf ball with an avocado,
so I hope he remembers us. But we had Costco
from Canada on our orchard last year and they couldn't
believe the quality that we are producing. And they're going
(35:50):
to fill that gap for probably three or four months
through August, September October, and they'll take as much as
we can produce. So we do have some specific markets.
Competition is really stiff, so if the Big Don's going
to put the pressure on Canada, it could be a
real benefit to us.
Speaker 2 (36:06):
Yes, God bless the Big Don. Hey, just finally, when
it comes to horticulture, you guys in the avocado industry,
and I know I'm not comparing apples with apples here,
but you must be envious of the likes of Zesprie
the key we fruit situation where they're a single desk
seller and they are a big player on the world stage.
Speaker 5 (36:26):
It's a massive problem to us. Every time you go
to a meeting or a field day, every growers says
the same thing. We should have got on board a
number of years ago and didn't do so, so it's
going to be pretty tough now. But we have obviously
the opportunity to sell into various markets with various exporters.
But in some case we'll have a New Zealand export
competing with another New Zealand exporterer and of course the
(36:50):
only thing that goes down is the price. The quality
stays the same, the production stays the same, but we
don't get as much. So a single desk opportunity would
be massively beneficial to avocado ge You.
Speaker 2 (37:00):
Sound of it like the red meat industry competing against
each other off sure, Hey Aliston Live and it's been
great to catch up again since we last had a
chat with you and your made angers from Wonky Box
you've got my number, keep in.
Speaker 5 (37:10):
Touch, look forward to it. Thanks Jamie.
Speaker 2 (37:19):
Wrapping the Country with some of your feedback. What's the
carbon footprint of crushing the basalt rock plenty? I would imagine.
And Jeff says you're going to burn five hundred liters
of diesel just to put it on. I think he's
meaning per heck there there, Yeah, fifty tons per heck.
There is a huge amount of anything to put on
(37:39):
a pasture. I'm surprised you can graze it within two
to three weeks and one more. You forgot to ask
Jane Smith how she went in the Motor Tapue Marathon. Yes,
I did, but I can tell you she was just
over six hours. But it's not like a flat road marathon.
You've got to run up a bloody big hill from
Wonacer and then down into Arrowtown. So it was a
great effort first up in the marathon. That's us done
(38:00):
and dusted. Winston on the show tomorrow before he jumps
on the plane to Washington.
Speaker 1 (38:08):
Catch all the latest from the land. It's the Country
podcast with Jamie McKay. Thanks to Brent, your specialist in
John Deere Machinery
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