November 7, 2025 • 44 mins
Andy Muir talks to Peter Gardyne, Hilary Copland, Taylor Painter, Brenton Howden and Paul Blue.
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Speaker 1 (00:05):
Last night our harbor stream. Yes, a very good morning
and welcome along to the best of the mustery collaboration
of interviews that took our attention during a busy week
here at hakau E HQ. My name is Andy. Youre
thanks to your company. We're kicking off the yell by
catching up with Peter Gardine Sheep Beef and arable farmer
based out of Natdale. See how Pete got on during
the big wins that were over fourteen days ago now
(00:27):
and just how the recovery effort's going over in his
neck of the woods. Hillary Copeland of Betamin Crookshank Pride
the Lawyers was on the show talking Wills. Now you
think about Wills, it's not something that really comes to
the forefront of mind, but Hillary thinks it's something we
need to take a bit more seriously. Taylor Painter cheer
about for young farmers. Love these young farmer's chats. They're
(00:51):
just raw and they call a spade a spade, and
Taylor's no different to that motto. Over talking about the
young farmer's bark up from last week and how where
everything's going up there as well in the land of
Marun and Gold that is Balfer Brenton Helden is based
just out of bed More, sheep and beef farmer making
his muster aboot, telling us about how things have been
over in his neck of the woods over the last
(01:12):
week while, but also a really intriguing and relevant message
around dog ladders. And finally Paul Blue, chief executive of
power Net, talking about how he's found the past couple
of weeks Palet doing an outstanding job getting out and
about in the communities, reconnecting your power and Paul says
has been a hectic couple of weeks but has made
(01:33):
him proud to be based down here in the South. So,
without further Ado will start the best of the muster
by catching up with Peter Gardine is the artist, This
(02:01):
is the master on Hakanui. We're joined next by Peter
gard Iron Farming at Netdale, Blast from the Past music wise, Pete,
how's everything in Netdale? Yeah?
Speaker 2 (02:11):
Everything in that?
Speaker 3 (02:12):
That was pretty good. There.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
We've got a bit of wind.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
So if anyone's looking for the forward, there's no shortage
of forward and self and this here.
Speaker 1 (02:20):
That's going to be the biggest understatement of the year.
We've had a bit of wind Yeah, we've had.
Speaker 3 (02:25):
A bit of wind. We've lost a few trees, so
we're going to have a bit of clean up there.
But I mean we farm in the in the natural environment,
and it's part of the gig for better or for WESA,
So how how.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
Did you fear there in general with that breeze, whether
on breeze or that wind.
Speaker 3 (02:41):
Let's be honest there, we've got over one hundred and
fifty trees down in the clean up. We've started some
of it, but I mean we're right in the middle
of seeding too, trying to tell lambs for the guse,
So yeah, and.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
It'll take a while to clean it all up.
Speaker 3 (02:55):
We're just prioritizing the areas that we can get biggest,
being for buck, so we we can clean up the
most amount of meats of fence per our spent. And
I'm very aware that we've got to. We've got a
probably a moderate problem here. There's goings that a far
worse off than us, and especially Matsdale Sales seems to
have had a pretty pretty worse run than us.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
I'd say, has it caused a lot of damage to
your fencing system?
Speaker 2 (03:20):
Yeah, it hare's cause a bit.
Speaker 3 (03:21):
Of damage Luckily we're the biggest trees are that are down.
Is actually not hates the whole wars on that block,
so that's not as bad. Yeah, so that others. But
it's also the time year where we don't have anything
behind a hot water or anything like that, so we're
not super bad like that. So that's just yeah, it'll
be something that will keep chipping away when we can
(03:43):
all annoy.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
You've got a lay pretty pretty well over there. You
just carrying on with what you need to do because
life doesn't stop on the farm. But everybody's been treated
differently by the way that mother natures fell upon them.
Speaker 3 (03:56):
Oh yeah, definitely, and we're pretty fortunate where we live.
We got power back relatively soon. We're only a couple
of days without poir. One of our staff membersh lives
a bit further away. She was just show of a
week without power. Yeah, so others that, But I mean
right now we're sort of hopefully finishing up sewing oats
today and then getting onto peace. So that's just late enough.
(04:19):
But that's what the salt temperatures are telling us to do,
so we can't really be fluffing around with picking out trees.
It doesn't make money when we've got to get crops
in the ground and make sure our stock are our
feed more the rest of it first, and then worry
about these other things and the secondary sense.
Speaker 1 (04:35):
Even having sunshine yesterday though, I was coming back from
Queenstown and through northern South and there, to be honest,
in a couple of places in particular, I looked an
absolute picture. The lambs were booming and they seemed to
be a bit more cover on the paddicks.
Speaker 3 (04:49):
Yeah, and we did a part to read on the
home place. We're just doing the other ones at the moment.
And where we went into leaving with huge covers, better
than we've ever gone. We crashed down pretty low turns,
sort of similar to last year, but we had a
bitter than some guys around us. And then it's just
it's creeped up about eighty kilograms of dry meta in
the last three weeks for us, and I think I've
(05:12):
been probably a little bit aggressive buying kettle because of
trying to blow the death a wee bit. But you know,
I think we're in the phase where things are coming
right for us. But we did use nitrogen over a
feel the good work of the property two weeks ago
ish because we saw that in need. And if your
grass gets below that critical mess of sort of seventeen
(05:34):
hundred average for your whole farm or eighteen hundred average,
which is where we were at eighteen hundred, you know,
you really lose that grunt. If you can keep it
in that growing phase, it's just such a huge multiplor
effect by using that little bit of something to get
up on keep on that plane.
Speaker 1 (05:51):
Everybody else in the Nepdale region were they as fortunate
as you guys from.
Speaker 3 (05:56):
What I've seen, And this is something that I know
people might agree with disagree with. Bigger trees that haven't
been as well maintained and hitches that haven't been topped
seem to have been the worst affected around here. I
think just that more forget the area to catch the
wind seems to have put those ones worse. So yeah,
there's sort of yeah, I don't know. I think that
(06:17):
they'll sort of moderate. I don't think we're the best off,
but I don't think we're the worst off.
Speaker 4 (06:21):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:22):
But as fascinating will be the word, looking at these
massive macrocarpers, they haven't just snapped off like a poplar
or anything. Halfway, but the whole base of the trees
just collapsed over. There's some surreal pictures that we're seeing
us and about oh yeah and these.
Speaker 3 (06:40):
Massive old trees some of them, and it's yeah, there's
going to be a big clean up, you know, like
those big boys. My recommendation to everybody would be if
you can, please try and hire in a twenty tons
bigger I've done a bit with these that style of
trees in the past. We've cleaned up properly with random
massive trees on it, And from a safety and a
(07:01):
productivity point of view, I think it's pretty hard to
be having a twenty ton digger with a greffel and
a good operator to help you out there. That would
be the big thing I'd say is try and deal
with the smaller stuff, medium stuff yourself. And yeah, ideally
I can't enduse a twenty ton digger with greffuel enough
in those bigger trees.
Speaker 1 (07:20):
But if you're not fortunate enough to be able to
get a twenty ton gore a lot of people getting
on the saw making ends mate, trying to get the
power up and running, especially in a dairy sense. It's
just one of those things you've got to contend with
as well, along with the other workload. I mean, AI
and everything's kicked off too, right.
Speaker 3 (07:36):
Yeah, No, you've got a really good point there, and
we're probably lucky that we're our biggest trees are down.
It's not the end of the road for us, so
we're just doing everything else first. And yeah, I mean
at the moment, we're trying to run the drill pretty
late into the night and all the rest of it,
So I know what that's like. And yeah, I guess
some solar units and some fences to keep cattle out
(07:57):
of the trees or something like that's not a bad idea,
but yeah, and others it's pretty untidy. And I feel
for the dairy voice because you know, without power, I'm milking,
you know, once or twice a Day's it's pretty fundamental
for them when we're not affected to that same same
effect with the sheep and beef system at the moment.
Speaker 1 (08:16):
Now, we spoke to you pre lambing, and you had
a message there around mental health and taking the opportunity
to look after yourself. We fast forward to the current situation.
What would you say to people who are trying to
comprehend what's on the farm at the moment.
Speaker 3 (08:29):
Yeah, No, that's a good point for us. We don't
work some days unless we have to, and I may
see a mess event of that. When I used to
run crutching games when I was a young chap in
short pants, we used to only crutch six days a week,
and I honestly guarantee that we did more lambs in
(08:50):
a week on a six day week than we could
have done.
Speaker 2 (08:52):
It in a seven day week.
Speaker 3 (08:54):
And probably the best example of that is if your
share as are ever grumpy, the first I always asked
them as when was your last day off? And if
your last day off was three weeks ago, it's usually
not my problem. If your last day off would sooner
than that, it might be my problem. So what I
say is, like, man, the problem about these shoes, they're
(09:14):
going to change through. I'm it's huge, But try and
have a day a week off or something if you can,
because I think at as geractual in your health, and
my fully heartfelt position is that I believe you're all
achieved more by only recrom six days a week than
you will seven days a week, or limiting the re
(09:35):
competiventh day if possible.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
Yeah, and it's just about having looking at the bigger picture,
I suppose, and you've got through the busy spell, especially
if you're in a lambing sense high country, you might
argue with that at the moment you're just starting to
get through it now, but tailing and the lights. You
just got to take things in your stride sometimes and
just keep a clear, clear head of suppose.
Speaker 3 (09:56):
Oh, definitely, And like I understand what that's like because
I do lemon and then I turn around and we
do a seeding, so you kind of do two big
things back to bed. And that's on the big thing
of like we don't we don't see it on a
Sunday and it's really really bad. And I know that
the guys. I'm pretty sure the guys love the fact
that they know that Sunday is for their own life
(10:19):
and your family or the friends or whatever they want
to do. And I would rather do more hours on
the other days of the week, and then you just
take that day off and just enjoy life. Yeah, because
you're not here forever.
Speaker 1 (10:33):
Good time, not a long time. I like that, Peter
guard I always appreciate your time.
Speaker 2 (10:37):
Definitely, Thanks, yeah, thank you.
Speaker 1 (10:52):
This says a master and Haka NUIs pretty relevant advice
there from five, a group from the late nineties into
the early two thousands. I'm sure a lot of listeners
would reminisce about the days and the rugby clubs of
the DJ's turning up and then but that song being
one of the bangers there. As we catch up next
with Hillary Copeland al of Bannerman, Crookshank Pride the Lawyers,
(11:12):
Good afternoon, Hi, how are you going very well of
what has been an interesting couple of weeks. But look,
there's a lot on the table for people to consider
at the moment. This is something we're talking about today.
It's all about well, something that I don't know more
often than not, unfortunately, just gets put on the back burner, right.
Speaker 5 (11:32):
Yeah, So that was one of the reasons I thought
I'd better do this topic. I don't know, we've done
it this year, and it's just timely. At this time
of year, I find lots of people well, actually seems
to have been a bit quiet in the last few weeks,
as you mentioned, but leading up to Christmas, everyone goes
on a mad dash to tick off those things off
there to do list. So I thought it was a
(11:54):
timely to remind people of the importance of having a
will and or if you've already got one, checking it
still relevant and whether it needs updated.
Speaker 1 (12:03):
Just right back to the mayor basics. What actually is
the definition of a will?
Speaker 5 (12:09):
So the definition of a will, I guess the key
will is it's the document that sees what you want
to happen on your death in terms of your assets
and any other wishes you might have in terms of
funeral directions. So having a will gives you peace of
mind knowing that the people or charities or organizations in
(12:32):
some cases will be taken care of after you've gone.
And we I guess I would also say a will
can relieve financial and emotional strain on your family, and
it helps people to just understand what your wishes were
and then those left behind can implement those.
Speaker 6 (12:49):
So ultimately, if you.
Speaker 5 (12:51):
Do not have a will, your assets may not pass
as you wanted them to or to the people you
wanted them to.
Speaker 1 (12:58):
Yeah, a great point you bring up there. They want
passes you wish them to go. So what happens there?
Speaker 5 (13:03):
The law would kick in if you don't have a will,
So that's you you. If you don't have a will,
it's I strongly, strongly encourage everyone to have one. If
you don't, there is the Administration Act KITS and you
die what we call and test it, and there is
a process. But as I say, it's way easier for
everyone involved if you've done or you've completed your will,
(13:26):
and then it means that you know you're not dictated
by what the law says. You can do what you
want to. And a lot of wills are very simple,
and others depending on what you own or your family
dynamic or how you own things. You know, that can
make things a bit more complex. But that is where
we come in and we're here to help you make
(13:49):
that processes through free and simple as possible.
Speaker 1 (13:52):
Now Here about executives for people's wills and the likes.
There's a lot to go into picking the right people
to help you with your wishes.
Speaker 5 (13:59):
And if you right, yes, so you have trustees and executives.
So that is typically the people, well person or people.
Sometimes it can be an organization. So sometimes as a
law firm we might for for certain reasons be appointed
at a trustee and executive and those are the people
that are responsible for carrying out your wishes as outlined
(14:22):
in your will. The other key one is for people
with young children is testametric guardians, so that's you know,
parents can appoint someone who would help make important decisions
for children if both parents aren't there. And I guess
the terminology sometimes I think, or even the you know,
(14:43):
just talking about will sort of it's a bit of
a morbid topic a GIF and it puts people off.
But I cannot scroopen us the amount of times I
have people sit at my desk in my office and
once we've done it, like sometimes if it's simple, it's
you know, it's very simple, painless exercise in at the end,
they're like, oh my gosh, I've been waiting for years
(15:05):
to do that.
Speaker 6 (15:05):
I wish it.
Speaker 5 (15:06):
You've made it so simple and easy. Should have done
it years ago. So don't be scared by the whole process.
It's relatively simple and pain free. And in those more
complex structures, you know, in a farming situation or depending
on what structures and ownership entities you have, obviously we
(15:27):
would work. We work in with accountants and whoever else
is necessary to make sure we've got things set up
the best that we can to achieve. You know, the
objectives that the parties want to achieve.
Speaker 1 (15:40):
Now, when an individual passes, it's unfortunate how it does
get messy. But can the executives for a will, can
they be challenged by siblings and the life.
Speaker 5 (15:50):
Yes, but that is where I mean. Yes, people always
talk about, you know, the very American ways people talk
about the reading of the will, quite an American term
that said, we sit down with people and go through it.
And people also talk about contesting a will, and yes,
unfortunately we do see that. But again that's where I'm like,
(16:13):
come and see us and get it thoughted, because that's
my job is to advise you properly to avoid exactly
that situation. So get the right advice, you know, and
quite often nine times out of ten, in more, when
you've got significant assets, it would involve working with your
(16:34):
lawyer and I would always check in with the accountant
and get it set up right so we can avoid
any issues after, because the last thing you want is family,
you know, having a fallout after because something hasn't been
done properly.
Speaker 1 (16:48):
Because you hear of the artists as well Hilary about
people being told before the individual passes about what the
will will contain.
Speaker 7 (16:57):
Yeah, And I was just.
Speaker 5 (16:57):
About to say that, Andy, I am, you know, in
the old days. I don't know what we call the
old days, but you know there's a word yeah. Back
in the day people, and I'm talking probably a few
generations ago, everyone keeps their cards quite close to their
chest and didn't tell anyone. Those days are gone. And
(17:18):
I personally am a massive advocate for openness and transparency
and communication because it lets front foot it and deal
with it, so if there are going to be issues,
they can be dealt with. I've got personal experiences where
you know, people have told you know, people share that information,
and that's personal choice. And again it depends on the
(17:42):
family situation. Sometimes they are interesting dynamics that we need
to be mindful of, and I'm extremely mindful of that
because I don't want anyone to be upset or hurt
by anything that unrevels. So again, all of that is
part of that information gathering and setting up the will
so that we can address any issues if need be.
(18:05):
But look, the majority of wills can be pretty simple.
You know, in a very simple scenario, it's mum and
dad and then they leave everything to each other with
what we call a gift over to children, So if
mum and dad are both no longer there, it all
goes to the children. So it can be very simple,
but there are more complex ones, which is even more
(18:25):
important that you get the right advice and get it sorted.
And the other thing is once you have one, making
sure you review it and it's necessary updated. So any
big event in your life, buying a property, entering a relationship,
ending a relationship, you know, is it still relevant. The
(18:48):
other thing as well is if you get married, your
will is null and voice. People are horrified when I
tell them that. So if you made a will before
you were married and then you get married, it's yes,
it's not relevant. You need to update it.
Speaker 1 (19:05):
So if anybody's listening to this and want to get
and what's to get in touch with the team of Batamin,
Crookshank Pride the lawyers talk about will's Hillary, how do
they do it?
Speaker 5 (19:14):
They can pop into the office at five Fearfield Street
or otherwise on our websites, which is cp Law dot
co dot nzed and there's a office tappy with all
our details.
Speaker 1 (19:25):
Hillary Cope, I'm always great to chat.
Speaker 7 (19:28):
Awesome, thanks and you have a good day.
Speaker 1 (19:41):
This is the master on Hakaui. Before we wrap up,
Taylor Painter of Balfer Young Farmers joins us once again.
Balfa Young Farmers Club had their annual Barkup or bark Off,
whichever you'd like to call it at the week ed Taylor,
good afternoon. It sounds as I was a pretty good
evening down there in the land of a ruining gold.
Speaker 4 (20:00):
It was great. Yet, No, the Barkup went really well.
I'm really really so, you know, getting in, you know,
sitting up, getting sponsors organized and all of that, and yeah,
obviously half the profits are going to the Balfer Scouts
and Cubs and it was really great. I think we
(20:21):
probably had about ten to fifteen of the Balfer Scouts
getting us a hand with raffles, handing out prizes, and
some of the kids even got involved with the human bark,
which was really awesome to see.
Speaker 1 (20:39):
Well, that's a disturbing thing about the night. The human
bark was almost more popular than the dog bark.
Speaker 4 (20:44):
Yeah, I think we had around forty entries for the
working dog. And then this year we decided to catch
the human bark to ting peers. We had a kids
get up on stage and do it from the scouts.
And then it was basically just about a couple verse
couple for the barckup Harry McCallum and Meghan Wife.
Speaker 1 (21:08):
Ye yeah, I was about say, I've seen that photo
of those two winning it. What does that tell you?
Speaker 4 (21:13):
Oh, I don't even want to know what happens on
my vidroomany.
Speaker 1 (21:18):
You said it not be with PG to keep going.
Speaker 4 (21:23):
We also had Max McCallum and Janelle McCullum, so it
was basically brother verse brother who's the bit of McCallum
and sadly Harry came out on top.
Speaker 1 (21:34):
Oh good, that's good from you actually some of your
better work, Taylor. So so like you say, it was,
it was a success, a successful evening going towards a
worthy cause. So it was never a bad night out
there and that was it.
Speaker 4 (21:48):
No, No, no, we had had bad management the band
there playing, so they kept off at around twenty to
nine and carried us spur until midnight. And no, it
was the environment and everything. It was really good, really
chilled out and you know, the evening ran really smoothly.
So we're all happy with powering.
Speaker 1 (22:09):
How did everybody around the Belfer region from your understanding.
How did they fear in the wind.
Speaker 4 (22:14):
Yeah, there's quite a lot of damage. Obviously, a lot
of trees down. Power was out for quite a while.
But yeah, we the fire Brigade actually did like a
barbecue on Thursday night, on a Tuesday night, and so
it was just great. So like people who didn't have
power to go down have a BV and all of
(22:37):
that and catch up. But no, I think, I think
everything and everyone starting to slowly recover, and obviously there
are some people that are without power, yeah, and all
of that. So you know, it's not gonna roame wasn't
built in a day, so yeah, it'll be a while
before everything is semi back to normal. But hey, at
(22:58):
least there's a lot of flywood on the place.
Speaker 1 (23:00):
Well, I suppose when life gives you gives you a lemon,
you've got to try and make lemonade somehow.
Speaker 4 (23:05):
Oh exactly.
Speaker 1 (23:07):
So it's certainly something like we say, everybody's still without power,
Our thoughts are with you, and sooner or later, hopefully
everything is restored. As far as it about the club, though,
everything seems to be tacking your way.
Speaker 4 (23:18):
Yeah, no, everything's taken along quite nicely. And now that
the Barkup is over. We have our another event at
the end of the month. We have Missed Belfa on
the twenty ninth of November, So if you want tickets,
you can head to our Facebook page and we have
a link up on one of the posts where you
(23:40):
can go and purchase your tickets. That's going to be
quite a good night. I think we've got about around
fifteen to eighteen drag queens. We've got quite a quite
a few of the falthy young farmerployees that have stepped
in for business businesses, so I think come together, it's
(24:02):
going to be a fantastic night.
Speaker 1 (24:03):
Now. They did this event there a few years ago
and my wife took her friend who's a corporate high
flyer from Auckland. She came out for a night in
Balfour and what was the event. It was Miss Belfer.
So that was her initiation into Belfer nightlife.
Speaker 4 (24:19):
Oh jeezus, should be a good night. I think we're
all really looking forward to it. So we're still in
the process of planning everything, but no, it's coming coming
along quite nicely.
Speaker 1 (24:33):
Yeah, it'll be a grand event for sure. As far
as other happenings are fund the club. Are you doing
lots of fundraising going and helping people out with regards
to trees and feedcing of the likes or what's the go.
Speaker 4 (24:44):
So we do have a fundraiser. This got a group
hitting out on farm to go chop up some firewood
for a fundraiser. We've also got a few members who
are doing November this month. So quite a lot of
baby faces turned up to the meeting the other night.
(25:07):
Baby yeah, baby faces. Yeah, they the mos off and
they're now baby faced.
Speaker 1 (25:15):
Oh well, and that's going towards a great cause as well.
That's the beauty of November, right.
Speaker 4 (25:19):
Oh exactly, it's definitely a great cause. So yeah, I
think we'll chuck a link up and if anyone wants
to donate to that, they can ye help out the
young farmers with November.
Speaker 1 (25:30):
So you guys sound like you're too social to actually
be doing any work.
Speaker 5 (25:36):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (25:37):
By the time we have, you know, our monthly meetings
and then Thirsty Thursday every week, it's it's quite good.
And obviously you know take tailing and lambing and carving
and all that thing been quite busy as well, so
I haven't really had the chance to get out and
do fundraisers because obviously everyone's been super busy.
Speaker 6 (25:58):
But obviously now that's.
Speaker 4 (26:00):
Slowing down, we'll probably get back on the horse and
get some more fundraisers going.
Speaker 1 (26:05):
Well, that's the big thing as well. At the moment,
you talk about getting off the farm and doing stuff,
and I give you a jib about it, But at
the same time, it's about getting off the farm and
actually having a yarn and catching up.
Speaker 2 (26:15):
Right, Oh exactly.
Speaker 4 (26:17):
And I mean everyone needs those breaks, you know, even
if it's for a couple of hours, just to get
off the farm and relax and chill out and you know,
hang out with people, and it's definitely good for your
mental health, that's for sure.
Speaker 1 (26:31):
So when do you hold your meetings, Taylor?
Speaker 4 (26:34):
So we hold our meetings the first Monday of every month.
At the moment, we are having our meetings at Riversdale Pub.
So yeah, if you meet any questions asked or want
to know what we're up to, just head to our
Facebook page Belfy Young Farmers or our Instagram and you
(26:55):
can see what we're up to on our socials.
Speaker 1 (26:57):
Have you got your phones blocked back yet?
Speaker 4 (27:00):
Yes?
Speaker 1 (27:01):
Is it all above Is it all above board? Still?
Speaker 4 (27:05):
Let's just say that some other clubs had some fun
writing in some fines for us.
Speaker 1 (27:11):
Yeah, I heard a little bit about that. Actually not
to name names.
Speaker 4 (27:16):
Yeah so yeah, but yeah, no, the checking costume went
to someone out.
Speaker 1 (27:27):
Yeah it needed to. Hey, get on your tailor will
leave it there. Always good to catch up and all
the beast up there in this window not awesome.
Speaker 4 (27:34):
Thanks so much for that, Andy.
Speaker 8 (27:39):
Laugh out loud with ag proud because life on the
land can be a laughing matter. Brought to us by
sheer Well Data working to help the livestock farmer.
Speaker 1 (27:49):
R I pay to my neighbor. He told his wife
he was going out to get some sewing thread, but
spent the day in the pub. Gone but not for cotton.
(28:09):
Welcome back to the muster on Hakanui. Brenton Helden is
our next guest, a new voice to the muster farming
between Winton and Dipton, although he describes himself more as
Ben Moore the old Ben Moore Pub, they're not far
from there and joins us this afternoon. Brenton, Welcome to
the Muster. Good to chat.
Speaker 9 (28:28):
Hey, Andy, He'll thinks.
Speaker 1 (28:29):
You're pretty good now. I caught up with you. A
couple of weeks ago and you were complaining that we
didn't have a correspondent from over your neck of the woods.
So you're prepared to put your hand up, So full
credit on that one.
Speaker 9 (28:40):
Yeah, I suppose what you say when you're drinking, you
should back up when you.
Speaker 1 (28:44):
That's for sure. Hey, Brenton, just give people a bit
of an idea about your farming operation.
Speaker 9 (28:50):
So we're such wide and yeah, as you said, just
below the ben Moore Hotel on the Fern Hill. So
we held us on your way to Queenstown from Winton.
We've got about five hundred and eighty hect Yes, here
we do sheep and beef and of fevered of dairy support. Yeah,
sort of easy hill, sort of stuff down to flats.
Speaker 4 (29:13):
It's all.
Speaker 9 (29:14):
Yeah, it's all pretty easy country and can get a
tractor over ninety it. My grandfather has been farming here
since nineteen fifty seven. He's ninety six now and he's
still ticking around the farm just keeping an eye on things.
Speaker 1 (29:29):
Yeah, is he on the tractor doing a case.
Speaker 9 (29:32):
Still hasn't been so far this year, but he still
moves the odd mob for me. And yeah he can
still get on a pair of hair and whatnot. I
think I think this year might have been his eighty
eighty third lambing I think eighty third. Yeah, the first
one when he was fourteen, he said back during the war,
he said anyone could get a job. So left school
(29:54):
at fourteen and on his birthday. And when I've got
a lambing.
Speaker 1 (29:56):
Beat, and I suppose when he sits there in talks
about beck in my day, you've kind of got to
stand up or sit up and listen because eighty three landings, well,
you kind of can't argue with experience.
Speaker 9 (30:07):
Yeah, he's seen it all. Really, that's all the different
fads and ways of doing it. I suppose he's tried it,
and yeah, seen what's work and what hasn't.
Speaker 1 (30:17):
Now, as far as the weather events, over the past
couple of weeks, it's been Southland Drive. We spoke to
Simon Hotcroft before about it from south and real support
trus Brenton. But in your neck of the words, how
did things go?
Speaker 9 (30:30):
We're actually very fortunate here just where we're placed with
the Fern Hill, and we've got the training of tours
to our west, which I think softened the blow coot
of it. So we only had probably eight or ten
trees down and probably only a couple over fences, and
there are only two wire offenses, so we're able to
list them off the tractor and carry on pretty easy.
So yeah, but just down the road from us Sena Bush,
(30:53):
there's a few trees down there, and yeah, so very
fortunate to have very minimal damage.
Speaker 1 (30:59):
Do you what you sound like you got off pretty
lightly in the scheme of things, Yeah.
Speaker 9 (31:03):
Very very lightly. Yeah, So yeah, we're pretty much got
everything tidy up now, and yeah, but I definitely feel
for the guys that have still got a mountain of
work in front of them. Definitely, like that deer farmer
at Lockeel, I've got a hell of a job in
front of them.
Speaker 1 (31:18):
By the sounds things, yeah, absolutely, And as a matter
of finding a starting point and going from there and
just looking after the top three inches. But the season
in general, we talk about how good the winter was
down here where you're over there Brington. How do things
pan out? Did you have a decent winter to set
you up for the spring? Yeah?
Speaker 9 (31:35):
Really really good winter, really dry. I was just looking
at with my father looking at the rainfall Telly's and
we got about twenty three mil for July, just sort of.
I think it was sort of back to old winters
I can remember as a kid being really cold and dry,
so that was good. And then yeah into September October
(31:56):
where we're fairly wet. So but yeah, the good winter
to set us up the stop. We're in good condition
coming off crop. And yeah, if it had been a
wet winter and a wet spring, things not have been
looking so good at the moment.
Speaker 1 (32:09):
What would you say your ever t rainfall would be.
Speaker 9 (32:14):
Here, It'd probably be around about six or seven hundred,
maybe eight hundred. I'm not think it really checking rainfall,
so but I'd say it'd be around that mark.
Speaker 1 (32:26):
You just wake up in the morning and see what
nature's providing.
Speaker 9 (32:29):
You, right, Yeah, yeah, I've got a digital one that
records that. It's just a matter of ye keeping an
eye on it and looking what it's doing.
Speaker 1 (32:38):
But well, like your granddad would say, analog would be best, right, Yeah.
Speaker 9 (32:42):
I think he still keeps a manual record on his
calendar with his with the old tip out collector.
Speaker 1 (32:50):
Yeah, so you got through tailing and the likes all right,
your percentage it could have been worse.
Speaker 9 (32:56):
Yeah, I think this year has been the best of
tailed here and sobbing back. But a little bit disappointed,
was I think there His first two weekends in September
sort of knocked me for sick.
Speaker 4 (33:08):
So I thought with the.
Speaker 9 (33:11):
Scanning percentage in the grass cover and the condition to yous,
I thought I could have set a record. But however,
I'm still still happy enough of what I got.
Speaker 1 (33:19):
So, yeah, well you won't be the only one thinking
along those lines now. I spoke to you before off
air and saying, what would you like to see the
FED about today? And somebody comes on talks about what's
happening in their neck of the words. But you've got
something that's really relevant as well. I mean stage frightened
the dog and not being able to pee. You've got
a real interesting story to share.
Speaker 4 (33:40):
Yeah.
Speaker 9 (33:40):
So I had a heading dog tight there and probably
guilty of not really taken a good eye on his
toilet habits. But there was one night there he was
really struggling to pee and at least doesn't look too good.
So ended up taking him down to the vets and yeah,
he had a swallowen up ladder and hadn't been able
(34:01):
to pee for a day or two. And they did
a lot of tests and left him there and it
come to the conclusion that he had had a prostrate
infection which was causing all sorts of havoc, and he
ended up staying in the vets for about about eleven
or twelve nights, quite a hefty vet bill. So they
got him been able to pee on them by himself again,
(34:23):
and yeah, something you sort of need to keep a
good eye on. Actually, now, yeah, that good close watch
of how much toilet's activities my dogs are doing. So, yeah,
it was very close to him being put down there
for a while if he wasn't able to get back
the teen on his own.
Speaker 1 (34:42):
So how long did it take you to notice before
he headed this infection?
Speaker 9 (34:46):
He may have had it. They reckon that he may
have had it for a week or two, but it
must have really come to a head there that It
was a Sunday night, I think an afternoon there he
was squatting trying to pee, and I thought, this isn't right.
They probably hadn't been able to be for two or
three days. Maybe.
Speaker 1 (35:05):
Yeah, it's intriguing to bring that up because watching your
toiletry habits of your dogs normally let them off the
kent out of the kennels, they run around, they do
their markings like they normally do. But I suppose you've
got a gang of dogs, right and they're just running
around happy as larry, then it's easy for it to
go unnoticed.
Speaker 9 (35:21):
Yeah, definitely, definitely. Yeah, when you let let looks are
right off at the time, it's hard to keep track
of each one, that's what they're doing. But yeah, after
try and just keep an eye on definitely on him.
And yeah, see that you see everyone pee at least once.
I suppose during the day you.
Speaker 1 (35:39):
Have a pretty headed team of dogs, i'd imagine as well.
Speaker 9 (35:42):
Yeah, not too bad. Yeah, I wouldn't say I'm a
dog trial us by any means, but they definitely get
the job done for me here on our place here.
Speaker 1 (35:51):
Yeah, that's pretty much about it. How Hey, thanks to
your time on the muster of this afternoon, solid devot
and we'll catch up in due course. Appreciated the chat, No.
Speaker 9 (35:59):
Very good, that's right, thank you.
Speaker 1 (36:17):
Now we've collaborated with the South and Rural Support Trust
here on the Mustard to catch up with individuals regarding
the weather situation. There was experience two weeks ago, of course,
shout out Community Trust South for sponsoring this segment. Now
we're just talking about two different individuals, different farmers, people
involved in the rural industry, about the situation. It's how
it's unfolded. And the person I'm speaking to today, well,
(36:40):
it's fair to see he's had quite a bit hones
plate in more ways than one. Paul Blue is the
chief executive of Power in the and joins us this
afternoon to give us a rundown on a rather hectic
couple of weeks down here in the South. Paul, Welcome
to the Muster, Thanks to your time.
Speaker 6 (36:56):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (36:57):
Firstly, how would you describe the last two weeks to
your perspective?
Speaker 2 (37:01):
I would I'll go with intense.
Speaker 6 (37:04):
It's it's certainly been. You know, it's not something we've
ever seen before down here. The devastation just just widespread
and just everywhere. Often you'll have an event that might
affect the power network, that could be that'll often be
a little bit more localized. But this was well and
(37:25):
truly across South and to Tago and originally all the
way up to Canterbury, but South and Totago got hit
particularly hard.
Speaker 1 (37:34):
The magnitude of the winds. Would I underestimated.
Speaker 6 (37:37):
Initially initially, and I certainly wouldn't want to be a
you know with a person for New Zealand.
Speaker 1 (37:45):
It's a it's a hard, hard, hard.
Speaker 6 (37:47):
Few islands to get right. But leading up to it,
we were under the model that we saw were that
it was going to be quite a less than what
it was.
Speaker 1 (38:01):
I'll also acknowledge all the workers for power nets and
everybody helping to get the province up and running again,
did over to southwest to Tigo, how many work as
if you had on the ground down here in the south.
Speaker 6 (38:13):
So we have about one hundred and fifty blindman and
we have brought in about an extra seventy or ready.
So yeah, we got up to about two hundred and
forty I think it was, but that's just you know,
people working the lines. Apart from that, there's been well
(38:33):
over a five hundred by the time you take into
account BIST, civil people and traffic management et cetera. So
the amount of people helping in that restoration purely from us,
let alone the people that are doing things for the
councils to open roads. It's been a massive.
Speaker 1 (38:53):
Undertaking, certainly has been. It's a massive team method and
shout out to everybody who's been involved. But as far
as the workers and the likes how they handle the
last couple of ways, because it's been pretty intense.
Speaker 6 (39:04):
It has, you know, we have we've had everything thrown
at us. You know, obviously the winds rain, then the
Tago area in particular snowed, so the weather has been
very challenging to get the restoration on in a timely manner.
But the teams are amazing. They they always step up.
(39:27):
This is you know, they they thrive in this environment
and they have the support we've had from the surrounding
distribution networks that have just thrown whatever they can our
way that we needed, be it from from gear to people,
the trucks, you name it. We've just the support we've
(39:47):
had has been.
Speaker 1 (39:48):
Amazing and a lot of cafes and local businesses have
got on board as well and made food and drinks
available to the workers as they go about their job too.
Speaker 6 (39:56):
No, that's right, they have look that the communities and
I think that's you just a massive shout out to
the entire region. It's a region that people support each other,
you see it. You know, there have been people out
there with extreme hardship through not having power for two
weeks and to help people band to get it, help
(40:19):
each other is quite quite amazing. Gett here.
Speaker 1 (40:22):
There was a yesterday afternoon on the press release around
four thirty sixty seven people in South Totago or businesses
or farms we're still without power forty eight in the South.
This number when you're hoping to have everything up and
running again, A lot of those are sheds.
Speaker 6 (40:38):
What we're doing right now is so those are connection points.
So what we're really doing over the next day or
two is we are trying to get in touch with
everybody that we that so for example in the South
and there we can see most of smart meters to go.
You know you do have power or not. We are
(40:58):
every data set is not perfect are we try and
verify And so my request would be through this is
that if you don't have power and you don't believe
that anyone has been in touch, you know, I just
don't want anyone to slip through the cracks. So if
you haven't got power, or you know of somebody who haven't,
(41:21):
please call us again if they've called, or call us
if they've never called us before. That is the message
I don't want to leave anybody behind. So if that's
probably the message that.
Speaker 1 (41:33):
I have, have you heard a few of those since
this is going unnoticed lately, Not that we're.
Speaker 6 (41:42):
Aware, but that doesn't mean it doesn't.
Speaker 1 (41:44):
Exist now regarding trees and power lines, because I think
the closest I can remember is twenty seventeen. It was devastating,
but this is certainly next level. Do you think this
would be a catalyst for change regarding how you have
to manage trees around lines and and such.
Speaker 6 (42:01):
I think myself and every distribution business would love that
to be the case. We would like some tree reforms
they hadway were looked at last year and that not
a lot happened, particularly trees which we regard as out
(42:21):
of zone. Inside his zone, we can request a tree
be trimmed, but it really is, as you can see
in this particular cases trees that can fall onto a
line from a long distance away, and that is what's
really about ninety ninety five percent of the outages, and
this has been caused by trees and big trees in
this case falling onto lights. So we would barely love
(42:44):
to see some strengthened regulation around tree management.
Speaker 1 (42:50):
Ral connectivity has been a real problem. You're noted as
much as anyone trying to get calms going with your teams.
Do you think this is something that has come to
the floor finally we might get some solution, perhaps from
your perspective, I think yes.
Speaker 6 (43:05):
I don't want to speak on behalf of the telcos.
I don't think that's fear. I think they worked really
well with us. We had we had them in the
office and we would and we would we would both
look at who was working in what areas that we're
how fast they could get out there. So I think
that probably is more of a question for the telcos.
I you know, connectivity in rural areas is always difficult,
(43:29):
But the question is that couldn't be more resilient. And
I think that that's a question, but probably not one
for that I should answer.
Speaker 1 (43:36):
So now at the stage was seeing what's happened over
the past couple of weeks. Perhaps a lot of a
lot of businesses look at a plan being when it
comes to power you still it imagine something else that's
come up, you know, I.
Speaker 6 (43:49):
Think big wins like this don't often come into Southond,
you know, is it a sign of could it happen again?
I think I think people do need to plan for happening. Again,
we don't know, of course, but you know it's happened,
so could it happen. I think from a resilience point
of view, if trees are taking out lines, particularly on
(44:10):
your proper, and you can see that the generators investing
in the generator would be a good move from a
resilience point of view.
Speaker 1 (44:21):
Last matter, have the strangers. Paul Blue there, chief executive
of power Net, wrapping up the best of the muster.
Thanks very much for your time. My name's Andy Muller.
Enjoy the weekend, make sure you take that chance to
get off farm and go and connect with others. And
we'll see on Monday one o'clock
Last night our harbor stream. Yes, a very good morning
and welcome along to the best of the mustery collaboration
of interviews that took our attention during a busy week
here at hakau E HQ. My name is Andy. Youre
thanks to your company. We're kicking off the yell by
catching up with Peter Gardine Sheep Beef and arable farmer
based out of Natdale. See how Pete got on during
the big wins that were over fourteen days ago now
(00:27):
and just how the recovery effort's going over in his
neck of the woods. Hillary Copeland of Betamin Crookshank Pride
the Lawyers was on the show talking Wills. Now you
think about Wills, it's not something that really comes to
the forefront of mind, but Hillary thinks it's something we
need to take a bit more seriously. Taylor Painter cheer
about for young farmers. Love these young farmer's chats. They're
(00:51):
just raw and they call a spade a spade, and
Taylor's no different to that motto. Over talking about the
young farmer's bark up from last week and how where
everything's going up there as well in the land of
Marun and Gold that is Balfer Brenton Helden is based
just out of bed More, sheep and beef farmer making
his muster aboot, telling us about how things have been
over in his neck of the woods over the last
(01:12):
week while, but also a really intriguing and relevant message
around dog ladders. And finally Paul Blue, chief executive of
power Net, talking about how he's found the past couple
of weeks Palet doing an outstanding job getting out and
about in the communities, reconnecting your power and Paul says
has been a hectic couple of weeks but has made
(01:33):
him proud to be based down here in the South. So,
without further Ado will start the best of the muster
by catching up with Peter Gardine is the artist, This
(02:01):
is the master on Hakanui. We're joined next by Peter
gard Iron Farming at Netdale, Blast from the Past music wise, Pete,
how's everything in Netdale? Yeah?
Speaker 2 (02:11):
Everything in that?
Speaker 3 (02:12):
That was pretty good. There.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
We've got a bit of wind.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
So if anyone's looking for the forward, there's no shortage
of forward and self and this here.
Speaker 1 (02:20):
That's going to be the biggest understatement of the year.
We've had a bit of wind Yeah, we've had.
Speaker 3 (02:25):
A bit of wind. We've lost a few trees, so
we're going to have a bit of clean up there.
But I mean we farm in the in the natural environment,
and it's part of the gig for better or for WESA,
So how how.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
Did you fear there in general with that breeze, whether
on breeze or that wind.
Speaker 3 (02:41):
Let's be honest there, we've got over one hundred and
fifty trees down in the clean up. We've started some
of it, but I mean we're right in the middle
of seeding too, trying to tell lambs for the guse,
So yeah, and.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
It'll take a while to clean it all up.
Speaker 3 (02:55):
We're just prioritizing the areas that we can get biggest,
being for buck, so we we can clean up the
most amount of meats of fence per our spent. And
I'm very aware that we've got to. We've got a
probably a moderate problem here. There's goings that a far
worse off than us, and especially Matsdale Sales seems to
have had a pretty pretty worse run than us.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
I'd say, has it caused a lot of damage to
your fencing system?
Speaker 2 (03:20):
Yeah, it hare's cause a bit.
Speaker 3 (03:21):
Of damage Luckily we're the biggest trees are that are down.
Is actually not hates the whole wars on that block,
so that's not as bad. Yeah, so that others. But
it's also the time year where we don't have anything
behind a hot water or anything like that, so we're
not super bad like that. So that's just yeah, it'll
be something that will keep chipping away when we can
(03:43):
all annoy.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
You've got a lay pretty pretty well over there. You
just carrying on with what you need to do because
life doesn't stop on the farm. But everybody's been treated
differently by the way that mother natures fell upon them.
Speaker 3 (03:56):
Oh yeah, definitely, and we're pretty fortunate where we live.
We got power back relatively soon. We're only a couple
of days without poir. One of our staff membersh lives
a bit further away. She was just show of a
week without power. Yeah, so others that, But I mean
right now we're sort of hopefully finishing up sewing oats
today and then getting onto peace. So that's just late enough.
(04:19):
But that's what the salt temperatures are telling us to do,
so we can't really be fluffing around with picking out trees.
It doesn't make money when we've got to get crops
in the ground and make sure our stock are our
feed more the rest of it first, and then worry
about these other things and the secondary sense.
Speaker 1 (04:35):
Even having sunshine yesterday though, I was coming back from
Queenstown and through northern South and there, to be honest,
in a couple of places in particular, I looked an
absolute picture. The lambs were booming and they seemed to
be a bit more cover on the paddicks.
Speaker 3 (04:49):
Yeah, and we did a part to read on the
home place. We're just doing the other ones at the moment.
And where we went into leaving with huge covers, better
than we've ever gone. We crashed down pretty low turns,
sort of similar to last year, but we had a
bitter than some guys around us. And then it's just
it's creeped up about eighty kilograms of dry meta in
the last three weeks for us, and I think I've
(05:12):
been probably a little bit aggressive buying kettle because of
trying to blow the death a wee bit. But you know,
I think we're in the phase where things are coming
right for us. But we did use nitrogen over a
feel the good work of the property two weeks ago
ish because we saw that in need. And if your
grass gets below that critical mess of sort of seventeen
(05:34):
hundred average for your whole farm or eighteen hundred average,
which is where we were at eighteen hundred, you know,
you really lose that grunt. If you can keep it
in that growing phase, it's just such a huge multiplor
effect by using that little bit of something to get
up on keep on that plane.
Speaker 1 (05:51):
Everybody else in the Nepdale region were they as fortunate
as you guys from.
Speaker 3 (05:56):
What I've seen, And this is something that I know
people might agree with disagree with. Bigger trees that haven't
been as well maintained and hitches that haven't been topped
seem to have been the worst affected around here. I
think just that more forget the area to catch the
wind seems to have put those ones worse. So yeah,
there's sort of yeah, I don't know. I think that
(06:17):
they'll sort of moderate. I don't think we're the best off,
but I don't think we're the worst off.
Speaker 4 (06:21):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:22):
But as fascinating will be the word, looking at these
massive macrocarpers, they haven't just snapped off like a poplar
or anything. Halfway, but the whole base of the trees
just collapsed over. There's some surreal pictures that we're seeing
us and about oh yeah and these.
Speaker 3 (06:40):
Massive old trees some of them, and it's yeah, there's
going to be a big clean up, you know, like
those big boys. My recommendation to everybody would be if
you can, please try and hire in a twenty tons
bigger I've done a bit with these that style of
trees in the past. We've cleaned up properly with random
massive trees on it, And from a safety and a
(07:01):
productivity point of view, I think it's pretty hard to
be having a twenty ton digger with a greffel and
a good operator to help you out there. That would
be the big thing I'd say is try and deal
with the smaller stuff, medium stuff yourself. And yeah, ideally
I can't enduse a twenty ton digger with greffuel enough
in those bigger trees.
Speaker 1 (07:20):
But if you're not fortunate enough to be able to
get a twenty ton gore a lot of people getting
on the saw making ends mate, trying to get the
power up and running, especially in a dairy sense. It's
just one of those things you've got to contend with
as well, along with the other workload. I mean, AI
and everything's kicked off too, right.
Speaker 3 (07:36):
Yeah, No, you've got a really good point there, and
we're probably lucky that we're our biggest trees are down.
It's not the end of the road for us, so
we're just doing everything else first. And yeah, I mean
at the moment, we're trying to run the drill pretty
late into the night and all the rest of it,
So I know what that's like. And yeah, I guess
some solar units and some fences to keep cattle out
(07:57):
of the trees or something like that's not a bad idea,
but yeah, and others it's pretty untidy. And I feel
for the dairy voice because you know, without power, I'm milking,
you know, once or twice a Day's it's pretty fundamental
for them when we're not affected to that same same
effect with the sheep and beef system at the moment.
Speaker 1 (08:16):
Now, we spoke to you pre lambing, and you had
a message there around mental health and taking the opportunity
to look after yourself. We fast forward to the current situation.
What would you say to people who are trying to
comprehend what's on the farm at the moment.
Speaker 3 (08:29):
Yeah, No, that's a good point for us. We don't
work some days unless we have to, and I may
see a mess event of that. When I used to
run crutching games when I was a young chap in
short pants, we used to only crutch six days a week,
and I honestly guarantee that we did more lambs in
(08:50):
a week on a six day week than we could
have done.
Speaker 2 (08:52):
It in a seven day week.
Speaker 3 (08:54):
And probably the best example of that is if your
share as are ever grumpy, the first I always asked
them as when was your last day off? And if
your last day off was three weeks ago, it's usually
not my problem. If your last day off would sooner
than that, it might be my problem. So what I
say is, like, man, the problem about these shoes, they're
(09:14):
going to change through. I'm it's huge, But try and
have a day a week off or something if you can,
because I think at as geractual in your health, and
my fully heartfelt position is that I believe you're all
achieved more by only recrom six days a week than
you will seven days a week, or limiting the re
(09:35):
competiventh day if possible.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
Yeah, and it's just about having looking at the bigger picture,
I suppose, and you've got through the busy spell, especially
if you're in a lambing sense high country, you might
argue with that at the moment you're just starting to
get through it now, but tailing and the lights. You
just got to take things in your stride sometimes and
just keep a clear, clear head of suppose.
Speaker 3 (09:56):
Oh, definitely, And like I understand what that's like because
I do lemon and then I turn around and we
do a seeding, so you kind of do two big
things back to bed. And that's on the big thing
of like we don't we don't see it on a
Sunday and it's really really bad. And I know that
the guys. I'm pretty sure the guys love the fact
that they know that Sunday is for their own life
(10:19):
and your family or the friends or whatever they want
to do. And I would rather do more hours on
the other days of the week, and then you just
take that day off and just enjoy life. Yeah, because
you're not here forever.
Speaker 1 (10:33):
Good time, not a long time. I like that, Peter
guard I always appreciate your time.
Speaker 2 (10:37):
Definitely, Thanks, yeah, thank you.
Speaker 1 (10:52):
This says a master and Haka NUIs pretty relevant advice
there from five, a group from the late nineties into
the early two thousands. I'm sure a lot of listeners
would reminisce about the days and the rugby clubs of
the DJ's turning up and then but that song being
one of the bangers there. As we catch up next
with Hillary Copeland al of Bannerman, Crookshank Pride the Lawyers,
(11:12):
Good afternoon, Hi, how are you going very well of
what has been an interesting couple of weeks. But look,
there's a lot on the table for people to consider
at the moment. This is something we're talking about today.
It's all about well, something that I don't know more
often than not, unfortunately, just gets put on the back burner, right.
Speaker 5 (11:32):
Yeah, So that was one of the reasons I thought
I'd better do this topic. I don't know, we've done
it this year, and it's just timely. At this time
of year, I find lots of people well, actually seems
to have been a bit quiet in the last few weeks,
as you mentioned, but leading up to Christmas, everyone goes
on a mad dash to tick off those things off
there to do list. So I thought it was a
(11:54):
timely to remind people of the importance of having a
will and or if you've already got one, checking it
still relevant and whether it needs updated.
Speaker 1 (12:03):
Just right back to the mayor basics. What actually is
the definition of a will?
Speaker 5 (12:09):
So the definition of a will, I guess the key
will is it's the document that sees what you want
to happen on your death in terms of your assets
and any other wishes you might have in terms of
funeral directions. So having a will gives you peace of
mind knowing that the people or charities or organizations in
(12:32):
some cases will be taken care of after you've gone.
And we I guess I would also say a will
can relieve financial and emotional strain on your family, and
it helps people to just understand what your wishes were
and then those left behind can implement those.
Speaker 6 (12:49):
So ultimately, if you.
Speaker 5 (12:51):
Do not have a will, your assets may not pass
as you wanted them to or to the people you
wanted them to.
Speaker 1 (12:58):
Yeah, a great point you bring up there. They want
passes you wish them to go. So what happens there?
Speaker 5 (13:03):
The law would kick in if you don't have a will,
So that's you you. If you don't have a will,
it's I strongly, strongly encourage everyone to have one. If
you don't, there is the Administration Act KITS and you
die what we call and test it, and there is
a process. But as I say, it's way easier for
everyone involved if you've done or you've completed your will,
(13:26):
and then it means that you know you're not dictated
by what the law says. You can do what you
want to. And a lot of wills are very simple,
and others depending on what you own or your family
dynamic or how you own things. You know, that can
make things a bit more complex. But that is where
we come in and we're here to help you make
(13:49):
that processes through free and simple as possible.
Speaker 1 (13:52):
Now Here about executives for people's wills and the likes.
There's a lot to go into picking the right people
to help you with your wishes.
Speaker 5 (13:59):
And if you right, yes, so you have trustees and executives.
So that is typically the people, well person or people.
Sometimes it can be an organization. So sometimes as a
law firm we might for for certain reasons be appointed
at a trustee and executive and those are the people
that are responsible for carrying out your wishes as outlined
(14:22):
in your will. The other key one is for people
with young children is testametric guardians, so that's you know,
parents can appoint someone who would help make important decisions
for children if both parents aren't there. And I guess
the terminology sometimes I think, or even the you know,
(14:43):
just talking about will sort of it's a bit of
a morbid topic a GIF and it puts people off.
But I cannot scroopen us the amount of times I
have people sit at my desk in my office and
once we've done it, like sometimes if it's simple, it's
you know, it's very simple, painless exercise in at the end,
they're like, oh my gosh, I've been waiting for years
(15:05):
to do that.
Speaker 6 (15:05):
I wish it.
Speaker 5 (15:06):
You've made it so simple and easy. Should have done
it years ago. So don't be scared by the whole process.
It's relatively simple and pain free. And in those more
complex structures, you know, in a farming situation or depending
on what structures and ownership entities you have, obviously we
(15:27):
would work. We work in with accountants and whoever else
is necessary to make sure we've got things set up
the best that we can to achieve. You know, the
objectives that the parties want to achieve.
Speaker 1 (15:40):
Now, when an individual passes, it's unfortunate how it does
get messy. But can the executives for a will, can
they be challenged by siblings and the life.
Speaker 5 (15:50):
Yes, but that is where I mean. Yes, people always
talk about, you know, the very American ways people talk
about the reading of the will, quite an American term
that said, we sit down with people and go through it.
And people also talk about contesting a will, and yes,
unfortunately we do see that. But again that's where I'm like,
(16:13):
come and see us and get it thoughted, because that's
my job is to advise you properly to avoid exactly
that situation. So get the right advice, you know, and
quite often nine times out of ten, in more, when
you've got significant assets, it would involve working with your
(16:34):
lawyer and I would always check in with the accountant
and get it set up right so we can avoid
any issues after, because the last thing you want is family,
you know, having a fallout after because something hasn't been
done properly.
Speaker 1 (16:48):
Because you hear of the artists as well Hilary about
people being told before the individual passes about what the
will will contain.
Speaker 7 (16:57):
Yeah, And I was just.
Speaker 5 (16:57):
About to say that, Andy, I am, you know, in
the old days. I don't know what we call the
old days, but you know there's a word yeah. Back
in the day people, and I'm talking probably a few
generations ago, everyone keeps their cards quite close to their
chest and didn't tell anyone. Those days are gone. And
(17:18):
I personally am a massive advocate for openness and transparency
and communication because it lets front foot it and deal
with it, so if there are going to be issues,
they can be dealt with. I've got personal experiences where
you know, people have told you know, people share that information,
and that's personal choice. And again it depends on the
(17:42):
family situation. Sometimes they are interesting dynamics that we need
to be mindful of, and I'm extremely mindful of that
because I don't want anyone to be upset or hurt
by anything that unrevels. So again, all of that is
part of that information gathering and setting up the will
so that we can address any issues if need be.
(18:05):
But look, the majority of wills can be pretty simple.
You know, in a very simple scenario, it's mum and
dad and then they leave everything to each other with
what we call a gift over to children, So if
mum and dad are both no longer there, it all
goes to the children. So it can be very simple,
but there are more complex ones, which is even more
(18:25):
important that you get the right advice and get it sorted.
And the other thing is once you have one, making
sure you review it and it's necessary updated. So any
big event in your life, buying a property, entering a relationship,
ending a relationship, you know, is it still relevant. The
(18:48):
other thing as well is if you get married, your
will is null and voice. People are horrified when I
tell them that. So if you made a will before
you were married and then you get married, it's yes,
it's not relevant. You need to update it.
Speaker 1 (19:05):
So if anybody's listening to this and want to get
and what's to get in touch with the team of Batamin,
Crookshank Pride the lawyers talk about will's Hillary, how do
they do it?
Speaker 5 (19:14):
They can pop into the office at five Fearfield Street
or otherwise on our websites, which is cp Law dot
co dot nzed and there's a office tappy with all
our details.
Speaker 1 (19:25):
Hillary Cope, I'm always great to chat.
Speaker 7 (19:28):
Awesome, thanks and you have a good day.
Speaker 1 (19:41):
This is the master on Hakaui. Before we wrap up,
Taylor Painter of Balfer Young Farmers joins us once again.
Balfa Young Farmers Club had their annual Barkup or bark Off,
whichever you'd like to call it at the week ed Taylor,
good afternoon. It sounds as I was a pretty good
evening down there in the land of a ruining gold.
Speaker 4 (20:00):
It was great. Yet, No, the Barkup went really well.
I'm really really so, you know, getting in, you know,
sitting up, getting sponsors organized and all of that, and yeah,
obviously half the profits are going to the Balfer Scouts
and Cubs and it was really great. I think we
(20:21):
probably had about ten to fifteen of the Balfer Scouts
getting us a hand with raffles, handing out prizes, and
some of the kids even got involved with the human bark,
which was really awesome to see.
Speaker 1 (20:39):
Well, that's a disturbing thing about the night. The human
bark was almost more popular than the dog bark.
Speaker 4 (20:44):
Yeah, I think we had around forty entries for the
working dog. And then this year we decided to catch
the human bark to ting peers. We had a kids
get up on stage and do it from the scouts.
And then it was basically just about a couple verse
couple for the barckup Harry McCallum and Meghan Wife.
Speaker 1 (21:08):
Ye yeah, I was about say, I've seen that photo
of those two winning it. What does that tell you?
Speaker 4 (21:13):
Oh, I don't even want to know what happens on
my vidroomany.
Speaker 1 (21:18):
You said it not be with PG to keep going.
Speaker 4 (21:23):
We also had Max McCallum and Janelle McCullum, so it
was basically brother verse brother who's the bit of McCallum
and sadly Harry came out on top.
Speaker 1 (21:34):
Oh good, that's good from you actually some of your
better work, Taylor. So so like you say, it was,
it was a success, a successful evening going towards a
worthy cause. So it was never a bad night out
there and that was it.
Speaker 4 (21:48):
No, No, no, we had had bad management the band
there playing, so they kept off at around twenty to
nine and carried us spur until midnight. And no, it
was the environment and everything. It was really good, really
chilled out and you know, the evening ran really smoothly.
So we're all happy with powering.
Speaker 1 (22:09):
How did everybody around the Belfer region from your understanding.
How did they fear in the wind.
Speaker 4 (22:14):
Yeah, there's quite a lot of damage. Obviously, a lot
of trees down. Power was out for quite a while.
But yeah, we the fire Brigade actually did like a
barbecue on Thursday night, on a Tuesday night, and so
it was just great. So like people who didn't have
power to go down have a BV and all of
(22:37):
that and catch up. But no, I think, I think
everything and everyone starting to slowly recover, and obviously there
are some people that are without power, yeah, and all
of that. So you know, it's not gonna roame wasn't
built in a day, so yeah, it'll be a while
before everything is semi back to normal. But hey, at
(22:58):
least there's a lot of flywood on the place.
Speaker 1 (23:00):
Well, I suppose when life gives you gives you a lemon,
you've got to try and make lemonade somehow.
Speaker 4 (23:05):
Oh exactly.
Speaker 1 (23:07):
So it's certainly something like we say, everybody's still without power,
Our thoughts are with you, and sooner or later, hopefully
everything is restored. As far as it about the club, though,
everything seems to be tacking your way.
Speaker 4 (23:18):
Yeah, no, everything's taken along quite nicely. And now that
the Barkup is over. We have our another event at
the end of the month. We have Missed Belfa on
the twenty ninth of November, So if you want tickets,
you can head to our Facebook page and we have
a link up on one of the posts where you
(23:40):
can go and purchase your tickets. That's going to be
quite a good night. I think we've got about around
fifteen to eighteen drag queens. We've got quite a quite
a few of the falthy young farmerployees that have stepped
in for business businesses, so I think come together, it's
(24:02):
going to be a fantastic night.
Speaker 1 (24:03):
Now. They did this event there a few years ago
and my wife took her friend who's a corporate high
flyer from Auckland. She came out for a night in
Balfour and what was the event. It was Miss Belfer.
So that was her initiation into Belfer nightlife.
Speaker 4 (24:19):
Oh jeezus, should be a good night. I think we're
all really looking forward to it. So we're still in
the process of planning everything, but no, it's coming coming
along quite nicely.
Speaker 1 (24:33):
Yeah, it'll be a grand event for sure. As far
as other happenings are fund the club. Are you doing
lots of fundraising going and helping people out with regards
to trees and feedcing of the likes or what's the go.
Speaker 4 (24:44):
So we do have a fundraiser. This got a group
hitting out on farm to go chop up some firewood
for a fundraiser. We've also got a few members who
are doing November this month. So quite a lot of
baby faces turned up to the meeting the other night.
(25:07):
Baby yeah, baby faces. Yeah, they the mos off and
they're now baby faced.
Speaker 1 (25:15):
Oh well, and that's going towards a great cause as well.
That's the beauty of November, right.
Speaker 4 (25:19):
Oh exactly, it's definitely a great cause. So yeah, I
think we'll chuck a link up and if anyone wants
to donate to that, they can ye help out the
young farmers with November.
Speaker 1 (25:30):
So you guys sound like you're too social to actually
be doing any work.
Speaker 5 (25:36):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (25:37):
By the time we have, you know, our monthly meetings
and then Thirsty Thursday every week, it's it's quite good.
And obviously you know take tailing and lambing and carving
and all that thing been quite busy as well, so
I haven't really had the chance to get out and
do fundraisers because obviously everyone's been super busy.
Speaker 6 (25:58):
But obviously now that's.
Speaker 4 (26:00):
Slowing down, we'll probably get back on the horse and
get some more fundraisers going.
Speaker 1 (26:05):
Well, that's the big thing as well. At the moment,
you talk about getting off the farm and doing stuff,
and I give you a jib about it, But at
the same time, it's about getting off the farm and
actually having a yarn and catching up.
Speaker 2 (26:15):
Right, Oh exactly.
Speaker 4 (26:17):
And I mean everyone needs those breaks, you know, even
if it's for a couple of hours, just to get
off the farm and relax and chill out and you know,
hang out with people, and it's definitely good for your
mental health, that's for sure.
Speaker 1 (26:31):
So when do you hold your meetings, Taylor?
Speaker 4 (26:34):
So we hold our meetings the first Monday of every month.
At the moment, we are having our meetings at Riversdale Pub.
So yeah, if you meet any questions asked or want
to know what we're up to, just head to our
Facebook page Belfy Young Farmers or our Instagram and you
(26:55):
can see what we're up to on our socials.
Speaker 1 (26:57):
Have you got your phones blocked back yet?
Speaker 4 (27:00):
Yes?
Speaker 1 (27:01):
Is it all above Is it all above board? Still?
Speaker 4 (27:05):
Let's just say that some other clubs had some fun
writing in some fines for us.
Speaker 1 (27:11):
Yeah, I heard a little bit about that. Actually not
to name names.
Speaker 4 (27:16):
Yeah so yeah, but yeah, no, the checking costume went
to someone out.
Speaker 1 (27:27):
Yeah it needed to. Hey, get on your tailor will
leave it there. Always good to catch up and all
the beast up there in this window not awesome.
Speaker 4 (27:34):
Thanks so much for that, Andy.
Speaker 8 (27:39):
Laugh out loud with ag proud because life on the
land can be a laughing matter. Brought to us by
sheer Well Data working to help the livestock farmer.
Speaker 1 (27:49):
R I pay to my neighbor. He told his wife
he was going out to get some sewing thread, but
spent the day in the pub. Gone but not for cotton.
(28:09):
Welcome back to the muster on Hakanui. Brenton Helden is
our next guest, a new voice to the muster farming
between Winton and Dipton, although he describes himself more as
Ben Moore the old Ben Moore Pub, they're not far
from there and joins us this afternoon. Brenton, Welcome to
the Muster. Good to chat.
Speaker 9 (28:28):
Hey, Andy, He'll thinks.
Speaker 1 (28:29):
You're pretty good now. I caught up with you. A
couple of weeks ago and you were complaining that we
didn't have a correspondent from over your neck of the woods.
So you're prepared to put your hand up, So full
credit on that one.
Speaker 9 (28:40):
Yeah, I suppose what you say when you're drinking, you
should back up when you.
Speaker 1 (28:44):
That's for sure. Hey, Brenton, just give people a bit
of an idea about your farming operation.
Speaker 9 (28:50):
So we're such wide and yeah, as you said, just
below the ben Moore Hotel on the Fern Hill. So
we held us on your way to Queenstown from Winton.
We've got about five hundred and eighty hect Yes, here
we do sheep and beef and of fevered of dairy support. Yeah,
sort of easy hill, sort of stuff down to flats.
Speaker 4 (29:13):
It's all.
Speaker 9 (29:14):
Yeah, it's all pretty easy country and can get a
tractor over ninety it. My grandfather has been farming here
since nineteen fifty seven. He's ninety six now and he's
still ticking around the farm just keeping an eye on things.
Speaker 1 (29:29):
Yeah, is he on the tractor doing a case.
Speaker 9 (29:32):
Still hasn't been so far this year, but he still
moves the odd mob for me. And yeah he can
still get on a pair of hair and whatnot. I
think I think this year might have been his eighty
eighty third lambing I think eighty third. Yeah, the first
one when he was fourteen, he said back during the war,
he said anyone could get a job. So left school
(29:54):
at fourteen and on his birthday. And when I've got
a lambing.
Speaker 1 (29:56):
Beat, and I suppose when he sits there in talks
about beck in my day, you've kind of got to
stand up or sit up and listen because eighty three landings, well,
you kind of can't argue with experience.
Speaker 9 (30:07):
Yeah, he's seen it all. Really, that's all the different
fads and ways of doing it. I suppose he's tried it,
and yeah, seen what's work and what hasn't.
Speaker 1 (30:17):
Now, as far as the weather events, over the past
couple of weeks, it's been Southland Drive. We spoke to
Simon Hotcroft before about it from south and real support
trus Brenton. But in your neck of the words, how
did things go?
Speaker 9 (30:30):
We're actually very fortunate here just where we're placed with
the Fern Hill, and we've got the training of tours
to our west, which I think softened the blow coot
of it. So we only had probably eight or ten
trees down and probably only a couple over fences, and
there are only two wire offenses, so we're able to
list them off the tractor and carry on pretty easy.
So yeah, but just down the road from us Sena Bush,
(30:53):
there's a few trees down there, and yeah, so very
fortunate to have very minimal damage.
Speaker 1 (30:59):
Do you what you sound like you got off pretty
lightly in the scheme of things, Yeah.
Speaker 9 (31:03):
Very very lightly. Yeah, So yeah, we're pretty much got
everything tidy up now, and yeah, but I definitely feel
for the guys that have still got a mountain of
work in front of them. Definitely, like that deer farmer
at Lockeel, I've got a hell of a job in
front of them.
Speaker 1 (31:18):
By the sounds things, yeah, absolutely, And as a matter
of finding a starting point and going from there and
just looking after the top three inches. But the season
in general, we talk about how good the winter was
down here where you're over there Brington. How do things
pan out? Did you have a decent winter to set
you up for the spring? Yeah?
Speaker 9 (31:35):
Really really good winter, really dry. I was just looking
at with my father looking at the rainfall Telly's and
we got about twenty three mil for July, just sort of.
I think it was sort of back to old winters
I can remember as a kid being really cold and dry,
so that was good. And then yeah into September October
(31:56):
where we're fairly wet. So but yeah, the good winter
to set us up the stop. We're in good condition
coming off crop. And yeah, if it had been a
wet winter and a wet spring, things not have been
looking so good at the moment.
Speaker 1 (32:09):
What would you say your ever t rainfall would be.
Speaker 9 (32:14):
Here, It'd probably be around about six or seven hundred,
maybe eight hundred. I'm not think it really checking rainfall,
so but I'd say it'd be around that mark.
Speaker 1 (32:26):
You just wake up in the morning and see what
nature's providing.
Speaker 9 (32:29):
You, right, Yeah, yeah, I've got a digital one that
records that. It's just a matter of ye keeping an
eye on it and looking what it's doing.
Speaker 1 (32:38):
But well, like your granddad would say, analog would be best, right, Yeah.
Speaker 9 (32:42):
I think he still keeps a manual record on his
calendar with his with the old tip out collector.
Speaker 1 (32:50):
Yeah, so you got through tailing and the likes all right,
your percentage it could have been worse.
Speaker 9 (32:56):
Yeah, I think this year has been the best of
tailed here and sobbing back. But a little bit disappointed,
was I think there His first two weekends in September
sort of knocked me for sick.
Speaker 4 (33:08):
So I thought with the.
Speaker 9 (33:11):
Scanning percentage in the grass cover and the condition to yous,
I thought I could have set a record. But however,
I'm still still happy enough of what I got.
Speaker 1 (33:19):
So, yeah, well you won't be the only one thinking
along those lines now. I spoke to you before off
air and saying, what would you like to see the
FED about today? And somebody comes on talks about what's
happening in their neck of the words. But you've got
something that's really relevant as well. I mean stage frightened
the dog and not being able to pee. You've got
a real interesting story to share.
Speaker 4 (33:40):
Yeah.
Speaker 9 (33:40):
So I had a heading dog tight there and probably
guilty of not really taken a good eye on his
toilet habits. But there was one night there he was
really struggling to pee and at least doesn't look too good.
So ended up taking him down to the vets and yeah,
he had a swallowen up ladder and hadn't been able
(34:01):
to pee for a day or two. And they did
a lot of tests and left him there and it
come to the conclusion that he had had a prostrate
infection which was causing all sorts of havoc, and he
ended up staying in the vets for about about eleven
or twelve nights, quite a hefty vet bill. So they
got him been able to pee on them by himself again,
(34:23):
and yeah, something you sort of need to keep a
good eye on. Actually, now, yeah, that good close watch
of how much toilet's activities my dogs are doing. So, yeah,
it was very close to him being put down there
for a while if he wasn't able to get back
the teen on his own.
Speaker 1 (34:42):
So how long did it take you to notice before
he headed this infection?
Speaker 9 (34:46):
He may have had it. They reckon that he may
have had it for a week or two, but it
must have really come to a head there that It
was a Sunday night, I think an afternoon there he
was squatting trying to pee, and I thought, this isn't right.
They probably hadn't been able to be for two or
three days. Maybe.
Speaker 1 (35:05):
Yeah, it's intriguing to bring that up because watching your
toiletry habits of your dogs normally let them off the
kent out of the kennels, they run around, they do
their markings like they normally do. But I suppose you've
got a gang of dogs, right and they're just running
around happy as larry, then it's easy for it to
go unnoticed.
Speaker 9 (35:21):
Yeah, definitely, definitely. Yeah, when you let let looks are
right off at the time, it's hard to keep track
of each one, that's what they're doing. But yeah, after
try and just keep an eye on definitely on him.
And yeah, see that you see everyone pee at least once.
I suppose during the day you.
Speaker 1 (35:39):
Have a pretty headed team of dogs, i'd imagine as well.
Speaker 9 (35:42):
Yeah, not too bad. Yeah, I wouldn't say I'm a
dog trial us by any means, but they definitely get
the job done for me here on our place here.
Speaker 1 (35:51):
Yeah, that's pretty much about it. How Hey, thanks to
your time on the muster of this afternoon, solid devot
and we'll catch up in due course. Appreciated the chat, No.
Speaker 9 (35:59):
Very good, that's right, thank you.
Speaker 1 (36:17):
Now we've collaborated with the South and Rural Support Trust
here on the Mustard to catch up with individuals regarding
the weather situation. There was experience two weeks ago, of course,
shout out Community Trust South for sponsoring this segment. Now
we're just talking about two different individuals, different farmers, people
involved in the rural industry, about the situation. It's how
it's unfolded. And the person I'm speaking to today, well,
(36:40):
it's fair to see he's had quite a bit hones
plate in more ways than one. Paul Blue is the
chief executive of Power in the and joins us this
afternoon to give us a rundown on a rather hectic
couple of weeks down here in the South. Paul, Welcome
to the Muster, Thanks to your time.
Speaker 6 (36:56):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (36:57):
Firstly, how would you describe the last two weeks to
your perspective?
Speaker 2 (37:01):
I would I'll go with intense.
Speaker 6 (37:04):
It's it's certainly been. You know, it's not something we've
ever seen before down here. The devastation just just widespread
and just everywhere. Often you'll have an event that might
affect the power network, that could be that'll often be
a little bit more localized. But this was well and
(37:25):
truly across South and to Tago and originally all the
way up to Canterbury, but South and Totago got hit
particularly hard.
Speaker 1 (37:34):
The magnitude of the winds. Would I underestimated.
Speaker 6 (37:37):
Initially initially, and I certainly wouldn't want to be a
you know with a person for New Zealand.
Speaker 1 (37:45):
It's a it's a hard, hard, hard.
Speaker 6 (37:47):
Few islands to get right. But leading up to it,
we were under the model that we saw were that
it was going to be quite a less than what
it was.
Speaker 1 (38:01):
I'll also acknowledge all the workers for power nets and
everybody helping to get the province up and running again,
did over to southwest to Tigo, how many work as
if you had on the ground down here in the south.
Speaker 6 (38:13):
So we have about one hundred and fifty blindman and
we have brought in about an extra seventy or ready.
So yeah, we got up to about two hundred and
forty I think it was, but that's just you know,
people working the lines. Apart from that, there's been well
(38:33):
over a five hundred by the time you take into
account BIST, civil people and traffic management et cetera. So
the amount of people helping in that restoration purely from us,
let alone the people that are doing things for the
councils to open roads. It's been a massive.
Speaker 1 (38:53):
Undertaking, certainly has been. It's a massive team method and
shout out to everybody who's been involved. But as far
as the workers and the likes how they handle the
last couple of ways, because it's been pretty intense.
Speaker 6 (39:04):
It has, you know, we have we've had everything thrown
at us. You know, obviously the winds rain, then the
Tago area in particular snowed, so the weather has been
very challenging to get the restoration on in a timely manner.
But the teams are amazing. They they always step up.
(39:27):
This is you know, they they thrive in this environment
and they have the support we've had from the surrounding
distribution networks that have just thrown whatever they can our
way that we needed, be it from from gear to people,
the trucks, you name it. We've just the support we've
(39:47):
had has been.
Speaker 1 (39:48):
Amazing and a lot of cafes and local businesses have
got on board as well and made food and drinks
available to the workers as they go about their job too.
Speaker 6 (39:56):
No, that's right, they have look that the communities and
I think that's you just a massive shout out to
the entire region. It's a region that people support each other,
you see it. You know, there have been people out
there with extreme hardship through not having power for two
weeks and to help people band to get it, help
(40:19):
each other is quite quite amazing. Gett here.
Speaker 1 (40:22):
There was a yesterday afternoon on the press release around
four thirty sixty seven people in South Totago or businesses
or farms we're still without power forty eight in the South.
This number when you're hoping to have everything up and
running again, A lot of those are sheds.
Speaker 6 (40:38):
What we're doing right now is so those are connection points.
So what we're really doing over the next day or
two is we are trying to get in touch with
everybody that we that so for example in the South
and there we can see most of smart meters to go.
You know you do have power or not. We are
(40:58):
every data set is not perfect are we try and
verify And so my request would be through this is
that if you don't have power and you don't believe
that anyone has been in touch, you know, I just
don't want anyone to slip through the cracks. So if
you haven't got power, or you know of somebody who haven't,
(41:21):
please call us again if they've called, or call us
if they've never called us before. That is the message
I don't want to leave anybody behind. So if that's
probably the message that.
Speaker 1 (41:33):
I have, have you heard a few of those since
this is going unnoticed lately, Not that we're.
Speaker 6 (41:42):
Aware, but that doesn't mean it doesn't.
Speaker 1 (41:44):
Exist now regarding trees and power lines, because I think
the closest I can remember is twenty seventeen. It was devastating,
but this is certainly next level. Do you think this
would be a catalyst for change regarding how you have
to manage trees around lines and and such.
Speaker 6 (42:01):
I think myself and every distribution business would love that
to be the case. We would like some tree reforms
they hadway were looked at last year and that not
a lot happened, particularly trees which we regard as out
(42:21):
of zone. Inside his zone, we can request a tree
be trimmed, but it really is, as you can see
in this particular cases trees that can fall onto a
line from a long distance away, and that is what's
really about ninety ninety five percent of the outages, and
this has been caused by trees and big trees in
this case falling onto lights. So we would barely love
(42:44):
to see some strengthened regulation around tree management.
Speaker 1 (42:50):
Ral connectivity has been a real problem. You're noted as
much as anyone trying to get calms going with your teams.
Do you think this is something that has come to
the floor finally we might get some solution, perhaps from
your perspective, I think yes.
Speaker 6 (43:05):
I don't want to speak on behalf of the telcos.
I don't think that's fear. I think they worked really
well with us. We had we had them in the
office and we would and we would we would both
look at who was working in what areas that we're
how fast they could get out there. So I think
that probably is more of a question for the telcos.
I you know, connectivity in rural areas is always difficult,
(43:29):
But the question is that couldn't be more resilient. And
I think that that's a question, but probably not one
for that I should answer.
Speaker 1 (43:36):
So now at the stage was seeing what's happened over
the past couple of weeks. Perhaps a lot of a
lot of businesses look at a plan being when it
comes to power you still it imagine something else that's
come up, you know, I.
Speaker 6 (43:49):
Think big wins like this don't often come into Southond,
you know, is it a sign of could it happen again?
I think I think people do need to plan for happening. Again,
we don't know, of course, but you know it's happened,
so could it happen. I think from a resilience point
of view, if trees are taking out lines, particularly on
(44:10):
your proper, and you can see that the generators investing
in the generator would be a good move from a
resilience point of view.
Speaker 1 (44:21):
Last matter, have the strangers. Paul Blue there, chief executive
of power Net, wrapping up the best of the muster.
Thanks very much for your time. My name's Andy Muller.
Enjoy the weekend, make sure you take that chance to
get off farm and go and connect with others. And
we'll see on Monday one o'clock
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