Manawatu Farming Lifestyles, November 2015

November 2015 Edition15,060 copies DELIVERED FREE to every rural delivery address in Manawatu

Strong ties to family farmPage 4–5

Workshops to focus on suicide prevention

Making a differencein farmers’ lives

Evolution ofthe originator

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2 November 2015 MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

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Workshops to focus on suicide prevention

by Denise Gunn

A series of workshops focussing on upskilling rural health professionals, industry groups and community organisations in suicide risk assessment and prevention strategies are to be held throughout rural New Zealand.

Forty workshops, organised by the Rural Health Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand (RHANZ) as part of the government’s emergency response funding are planned over the next six months.

RHANZ chief executive Michelle Thompson said the first of these workshops, held in Ashburton in early November, was really successful.

“The key focus is for health professionals, specifically looking at suicide prevention training,” she said.

Two workshops have so far been confirmed for the lower North Island region. Dannevirke will host a workshop at the Rural Community Hospital on Saturday, November 21 from 9am-noon. Waipukurau’s The Picture House is the workshop venue on Monday, November 23 from 5.30–8.30pm. Workshops in other locations are being organised.

A rural mental health campaign, initiated by Federated Farmers and supported by various organisations and businesses, kicked off two years ago.

Federated Farmers spokesperson for farmer wellness Katie Milne said the campaign is making progress.

“Mental health is not a weakness — it’s an illness, and it affects everyone differently.”

Ms Milne said there are several key points to look out for amongst those in the rural community.

“You may notice a farmer’s stock or farm not looking as good as usual; a person may become withdrawn, moody or not paying attention when you are talking to them; they may not be sleeping well or their normal life patterns have altered.”

“When it affects farmers, it’s potentially the animals that suffer,” she said. There are various organisations available for support:

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bad space and imminently going to do themselves harm, call 111,” said Ms Milne.

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Draft report on dairy competition releasedThe Commerce Commission’s release of a draft report on the state of competition in New Zealand’s dairy industry has been welcomed by Primary Industries minister Nathan Guy, and Commerce and Consumer Affairs minister, Paul Goldsmith.

The two ministers commissioned the report in June this year, as required under the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act 2001. This Act authorised the development of Fonterra, and includes provisions to promote contestability in New Zealand’s farm gate and factory gate dairy prices to ensure their efficient operation.

Mr Guy said the Commerce Commission has formed an independent view based on its expertise as New Zealand’s primary competition regulatory agency.

“On balance, the draft report has found that competition is not sufficient to warrant deregulation at this point.”

All those interested in making a submission on this draft report need to complete this by December 4. After a period for cross-submissions, the final report will be released by March 1, 2016.

The Commerce Commission website outlines information about the report process and making submissions.

Following receipt of the Commerce Commission’s final report, Mr Guy intends to consult on a package of policy proposals in mid-2016.

“The dairy industry is a major part of our economy and this process will be helpful in assessing whether the Act is effectively promoting contestability, and in turn, the efficient operation of our domestic raw milk markets.” Mr Guy thanked the Commerce

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The final report will help inform the Government’s policy decisions, particularly whether to allow the default expiry of the pro-competition provisions of the Act in the South Island.

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Mat grew up on the family farm, attending local schools before heading to Canterbury

University where he graduated with a double degree in law and commerce. Postgraduate studies at Cambridge University followed, graduating with a Master of Arts in politics.

In 2004 Mat took up work in a Brussels-based consultancy firm, specialising in European Union policy and politics.

“My main areas of work covered competition, energy, industrial, climate change and trade policy,” said Mat.

Five years later he moved to Sydney and worked as a senior advisor for a government-owned trade finance agency — part of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It’s now

close to three years since Mat and Jana returned to the family farm.

“Having grown up on the farm, I was keen to try my hand at farming and see if I could do it. There were also the family ties and legacy of the farm which has been in the family over 120 years which I was keen to add to.” said Mat.

Mat’s father, Ross, is the current farm owner. He built the farm up from 56.6 hectares to over 400 hectares and has farmed the property for more than 40 years.

“Dad has really put it all together and I’m fortunate to farm it,” said Mat.

The family farm has two dairy platforms of 160 hectares and 130 hectares, and two drystock farms of approximately 70ha each. Mat said the two dairy platforms are closely located.

STRONGSTRONGTIES TO FAMILY FARM

by Denise Gunn

After several years working overseas in international government and policy,Mat Hocken returned to the family dairy farm near Colyton with his wife Jana in January 2013.

Mat and his wife Jana returned to the family farm in 2013

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“So we get good economies of scale and sharing of resources between the two.”

One thousand Friesians, split into two herds of 450 and 550 cows, are

milked on the two farms. Last season the herds average production across the two farms was 450kgMS/cow or 1,500kgMS/ha. Although Mat grew up on the farm, he found returning after


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working in non-farming roles for 10 years was a challenge.

“Probably the hardest thing to get right, or at least the thing that is easiest to make mistakes with that can have a big effect on the farm, is pasture management through the seasons.

“We have a mix of silt loam and heavier clay soils, and as long as you have a good plan in place and use all your resources well, the farm is a good one to manage,” he said.

Irrigation on one of the platforms provides good, green feed through the summer. Maize, grass silage and turnips are also grown on the farm.

As a lower order sharemilker Mat employs five staff — two herd managers, two shed managers, and one farm assistant. Mat’s father Ross employs one further employee who feeds out and assists with the drystock farms.

While several different aspects of working in the dairy industry appeal to Mat, he has found working with people and animals to be major highlights.

“I enjoy working with people,” said Mat. “There’s something about achieving a task with your team and seeing at the end of the day, the tangible results in front of you.”

Mat finds caring for animals and helping them to produce their best is also rewarding. Last year Mat was elected to the position of Manawatu-Rangitikei Federated Farmers’ dairy chairperson.

“We advocate for farmers’ interests,” That means we are in regular dialogue with farmers about the issues they face. We are also engaged with government at all levels to keep

our members informed of policy developments and issues affecting them.” said Mat.

Federated Farmers aims to advocate farmers’ interests clearly and persuasively to the public, interest groups and government. Mat says “I really enjoy the people who are involved in Manawatu-Rangitikei Federated Farmers — they are passionate about the farming sector, take pride in the province and are prepared to work hard to succeed.” Mat intends to

continue developing the family’s farming business as part of his long-term goal. “From improving our herd and farm to building our team’s skills and abilities, along with developing better systems and making use of new technology to improve our management of the farm, our people and environment,” he said.

Meantime Mat’s short-term plan on the farm is to hold on and make it through one of toughest seasons the dairy sector has faced.

The farm has been in the family over 120 years

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Megan is DairyNZ’s lower North Island event and administration co-ordinator — a position she

took on in 2013 after returning to New Zealand from London where she worked as an event manager.

As the industry body for dairy farmers, DairyNZ aims to develop and support the sustainable productivity of New Zealand dairy farms. The organisation’s work is funded by all New Zealand farmers through a levy on their milk solids production.

Megan launched her career after studying event and project management. Her work has focussed on event management both in New Zealand and overseas, ranging from corporate, social and international events, as well as festivals, special occasions and farming.

“Having managed a vast array of events within New Zealand, I decided

to take my experience and knowledge within the event industry international,” said Megan.

“I worked on a string of highly successful events within the United Kingdom, with organisations like the New Zealand Society in London and the Prince’s Trust set up by Prince Charles.”

On her return to New Zealand in December 2013, Megan took up the DairyNZ position where she has been able to continue her passion for working in the events industry.

The opportunity to foster her enthusiasm, experience and skills for organising events and bringing people together in a supportive role were the main draw-cards to applying.

“I saw the chance to work in events and get involved in the farming community through this job,” she said.

MAKING A DIFFERENCEIN FARMERS’ LIVESWorking as part of a team to make a difference in farmers’ lives is a rewarding aspect to Megan Jefferies work.

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DairyNZ’s lower North Island event and administration co-ordinator Megan Jefferies


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Megan’s work takes her all over the lower North Island as she plans, promotes and organises events and discussion groups in the Manawatu, Horowhenua, Rangitikei, Ohakune, South Taranaki, Tararua, Hawke’s Bay, and Wairarapa.

Growing up in South Wairarapa surrounded by dairy farms and vineyards has given Megan a strong connection to rural New Zealand.

“I love getting out on the farm and being involved with what is happening,” said Megan.

She is also involved in other DairyNZ farm business events which take place annually in Taupo and Queenstown.

“On the admin side, I do all the office admin duties for the lower North Island

regional office, based at Palmerston North.” Although the position is a permanent part-time role of 30 hours a week, Megan frequently puts in extra time.

“There is often the need to be out there and in the farming community with discussion groups and events, one of our current projects is supporting farmers through the lower milk price — ‘Tactics for Tight Times’. she said.

In an endeavour to boost her business skills, Megan is continuing to further her studies. She recently completed a business management paper through the New Zealand Institute of Management. The combination of getting involved with farmers and bringing them together at

events to support them with advice and information is a huge highlight for Megan. “The feedback from farmers about how they value our work is really motivating, I’m really look forward to meeting more farmers with each new event we run.” she said.

Megan said the team in DairyNZ’s lower North Island office are a great bunch of people to work with.

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Organising discussion groupsand events are part of Megan’s job

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B L U E P R I N T T O H A N D O V E R

Make the right startSo you have the means to invest in a new property? There is an essential consideration that is the first step to ensuring that the experience is a good one, and that is obtaining a LIM report — a Land Information Memoranda.

It’s a document that, by law, a council has to provide for any property within its district within 10 days of request.

Anyone can request a LIM about any property and in fact you do not have to be the owner, or potential purchaser.

The council that covers the area that the property is in will have a file containing information relating to that house. It is a summary of the content in this file that is contained in the LIM.

A LIM can include a lot, or a very small amount of information, depending on the history of the property, where it is, and when and how often there has been council involvement with the property.

Officially a LIM is a document produced by a territorial authority that contains a summary of any relevant current and historical information held by the council about a particular piece of land or property. If you are putting in an offer on a property, you should make a satisfactory LIM report a condition of the sale.

The document is very useful in helping you decide whether the land is worth purchasing.

You can determine whether the property has permits for all its building work, what zoning it has, whether it is free from any restrictions, what proposed local developments may affect the property, and whether the

intended use of the land is feasible.A LIM may contain all sorts of information that can impact significantly on your perception of a property value.

For example: resource consent may have just been issued for a building that will block your view; there may have been a history of flooding or subsidence; the land was previously a landfill site, or

alterations to the house may not have a building consent. It pays to be aware.


Agrissentials can save you thousands of yearsby John K Morris CEO of Agrissentials

A Sanskrit text written around 1500 BC noted “Upon this handful of soil our survival depends.

Husband it and it will grow our food, our fuel and our shelter and surround us with beauty. Abuse it and the soil will collapse and die, taking humanity with it.”

It appears that producers around the world are engaged in an orgy of soil destruction, so intense, that according to the United Nations Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, initiated in 2001, the world on average has just 60 years left of growing

crops. To keep up with global demand, the UN estimates 6 million hectares of new farmland will be needed every year. Instead, 12 million hectares a year are lost through soil degradation. We wreck it and then move on trashing rainforests and other precious habitat as we go.

Soil is a magical substance, a living system that transforms the materials it encounters, making them available to plants. A handful of healthy soil contains more microorganisms than all the people living on earth.

The techniques of agro-chemical production that were supposed to feed the world now threaten us with starvation and malnutrition not to mention the serious health problems coming from the GM foods.

In hindsight, the chemical age although initially looking good, has not done life on our planet any favours, in fact it has demineralised our soils resulting in nutrient deficient food which in turn is increasing disease within all form of life on our planet.

Here at Agrissentials, we are fervently pushing multi-mineral, microbial-rich fertilisers to increase quality and production. Our system has the ability to remineralise and regenerate topsoil depth improving the production power of your farm. Our system encourages worm life, essential for recycling all waste falling

A D V E RT O R I A L

upon the land, back into top soil. This is all part and parcel of Mother Nature’s system which has been operating on our planet for the past 460 million years. It is a system that is not only increasing production, but also, building topsoil at the same time. Now, that is magic!

I do not blame any producer for any degradation of the soil. The obsession with the NPK soluble synthetic fertilisers is what is causing erosion and mineral degradation of the soils. This NPK Balance sheet theory was put forward by Justus von Liebig. If it was science, then it would be pseudo-science, because in reality, it is just a theory which von Liebig admitted was wrong. In the USDA Agricultural Yearbook 1957 the NPK balance sheet theory was declared false.

United Nations FAO has chosen 2015 as the International Year of Soils. Soil is the largest pool of organic carbon essential for mitigating and adapting climate change. In an era of water scarcity, soils are fundamental for their appropriate storage of water and its distribution. Soil micro-organisms boost soil’s ability to absorb carbon and mitigate desertification.

According to FAO Director-General Jose Graziano de Silva, it can take up to 1000 years to form one centimetre of topsoil. He urged investment in sustainable soil management saying that it would be cheaper than restoration.

Soil sustainability is definitely the best option; however, providing degraded soil still contains some carbon, restoration is possible through Agrissentials method and recipe of multi mineral, microbial-rich fertilisers.

The formula is for building humus (carbon) in the soil and at the same time providing nutrient to plants, animals and people. In trials on topsoils of some 50mm deep on a clay base, in Ruawai, Dargaville, over an eight year period, the topsoil increased to a depth of 250mm and deeper in some areas of that dairy farm.

It’s simple, our innovative soil-building programme, is based on Mother Nature’s recycling system; the more carbon, the deeper the topsoil, the stronger the water retention. Check it out on 0800 THE KEY. There is a better way and Agrissentials can take you there.

Go natural, start a new relationship with your land today and reap the benefits from working in harmony with nature.

Freephone 0800 THE KEY that’s 0800 843 539 today for a FREE INFO PACK or you can contact your friendly representative Ben Tippins (North Manawatu) 021 738 601 and Lyn Woodcock (South Manawatu/Wairarapa) 021 0204 3028 to find out about the massive sale we have on all fertilisers this month that can make your land more successful.

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C H A R T E R E D A C C O U N TA N T S

Mike Curd / Stuart Earle


Dear Fonterra Shareholder,

A special resolution to change the constitution of Fonterra reducing the size of the current board from 13 to nine by March 31, 2016 is the subject of a Notice of Motion at the annual meeting of shareholders of Fonterra Cooperative Group Limited on November 25, 2015.

You will have heard by now the Council does not support this proposal. We are disappointed but not surprised by their stance. For clarity, their position does not stop the proposal going forward for a shareholder vote. If the proposal was successful they would then have the option to rescind their stance.

We have been very careful and deliberate to take the politics out of what we are doing. So for that reason both of us have made it clear we will not seek election during the downsizing process ourselves and have not targeted individual directors. Our proposal is all about getting a fitter, faster and higher performing Fonterra, something we all desperately want. That improvement has to start at the very top.

1 Our proposed election method is designed to ensure fairness.

Farmers have always elected their cooperative’s board and they have shown over time to be very responsible with their vote. The only difference this time is that they will be electing all six farmer directors at one time. We do not see this as a risk to Fonterra.

Our primary objective in this proposal has been to avoid targeting any individual director. The board is currently made up of nine elected directors and four appointed. We propose all elected directors be elected at the same time. This method is the only methodology we can see which avoids disadvantaging individual directors who may have recently been elected or those who are retiring by rotation. It also is the only method which achieves a quick, clean result.

Following such an election there will be at least four appointed directors for continuity. Any alternative mechanism which did not elect all the new number of elected directors at the same time would be either unfair or it would take at least three years – or most likely both. Directors will be conflicted and reluctant to put their personal positions at risk even although they know it is in the best interests of the cooperative.

2 A board of 13 directors is unwieldy and inefficient

Both of us are experienced directors not just with Fonterra but outside that company. We know how board dynamics work. On the outside looking in we can see weaknesses in the current board structure and we firmly believe that is holding Fonterra back from fulfilling the promise it showed when it was formed. Look at Air New Zealand. The Government bailed it out for nearly a billion dollars at about the same time that Fonterra was formed. At that time it had a board of 13 directors and the company had lost its way. Today it has a board of 7 and it is one of our high performing international companies. That is not a coincidence.

3 There is no accountability

Over the years at election time we often get the "who do I vote for" call. It’s a reasonable call because with a large group no one knows who's performing. Imagine if each Fonterra director spoke for two minutes on each item...a very long meeting would ensue. So what happens in a group of this size is that some stay quiet, some dominate and some feel alienated. With a smaller board that becomes easier......they are all accountable. Those who are not performing or out of their depth will be quickly identifiable and typically they move on. That's the dynamic of a smaller group.

4 Top directors prefer smaller groups

It has always been difficult to attract good external directors to a cooperative company. That's driven more out of perception than reality. But it gets harder when they see a board of 13. That's something they are not used to and don't support. And remember - GOOD appointed directors have choice around which board/s they sit on. We are competing for their services. As an aside we have had unsolicited support from some of these people who have left the Board. The word on the street is that this is currently the case particularly as there is a strong view around why Ralph Norris is going and he rightly commands huge respect in the Australasian business community.

5 Factions will develop

Once again this is a totally normal and predictable behaviour in a larger group. This can deliver undue power to the Chair and also to a politically motivated executive. We are talking divide and rule.

6 We ARE doing this the Fonterra way

Our Constitution is the domain of the owners, not the board. We as shareholders have the absolute right to review it and change it. To slow down a review of the size of the board in order to have another six months of consultation is perplexing and inconsistent and is being used as an excuse only when it suits. How much consultation was there on PKE or spending large capital sums which led to recent credit downgrades? Would the Council have been so supportive of the farmer loans had they realised this consequence? These are just two recent examples of zero consultation on important issues and there are many more.

7 Leadership from the top must be seen to be done

Fonterra has three mantra's it pushes very hard - Value, Volume and Velocity. For those principles to succeed they need to be led from the top but the three-year old governance review is hardly an example of velocity! When the board looks at its own functions it takes over three years while a review of staff positions takes six months and results in over 700 redundancies. What kind of message is the board’s behaviour sending to staff?

Any further delay in reducing the size of the board means we’ll get more consultation, more reviews, more delays and more costs while the most important change of all gets put off again.

Our proposal is a tangible move we can make right now to improve the performance of the cooperative. No delays, no putting it off. Sorted by the end of March. If there are other governance and representation issues that need to be dealt with that can be done separately. We believe farmer shareholders now deserve the opportunity to vote on this.

Colin Armer027 492 [email protected]

Greg Gent021 478 [email protected]


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How to be sun smart A D V E RT O R I A L

Outdoor workers are exposed to high levels of ultraviolet radiation for long periods, and this increases their risk of skin cancer.

The Cancer Society says if you are using sunscreen and still getting burnt, it’s likely that you are not applying it correctly. An average sized adult needs around six teaspoons of sunscreen per application — one teaspoon of sunscreen to each arm, leg, chest, back and half — a — teaspoon to the face.

Other recommendations include using a broad spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen or higher and apply to clean, dry skin 15-20 minutes before going outside.

You should cover all parts of the body not protected by clothing and spread it on thickly, making sure the skin is well covered.

After 15 minutes, a second application can be applied to ensure complete coverage and the sunscreen should be reapplied at least once every two hours, and after physical activity, swimming or towel drying.

It should also be used on cloudy days as well as sunny days, and stored in a cool place or wrapped in a towel. The expiry date should also be checked as old sunscreen may have lost its effectiveness.

The society adds that you should not just rely on sunscreen for sun protection

and make sure to wear a broad-brim hat, some good quality wrap around sunglasses, sensible clothing, and seek shade where possible.

Don’t hesitate for a second if you notice any spot, freckle or mole changing size, shape, colour, height or texture. Go and see your doctor!

Remember: slip, slop and slap this summer

Wear a helmet.A helmet is a must while riding a quad bike around the farm.


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An enthusiastic testimonial from a satis� ed client of Masihambe Afrika, a small company offering a top-quality, authentic African experience, which is suitable for all ages. Tour groups are kept small, with no more than ten people on any one tour, accompanied by fully quali� ed guides who are highly experienced and passionate about Africa and dedicated to giving the best African experience possible.

Masihambe vehicles are top quality and depending on the tour, range from large land cruisers speci� cally designed for safari terrain, to small coaches with air conditioning, ample leg space and comfort in mind. Accommodation varies from luxury tents and small lodges to national park accommodation. Some tours involve camping.

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We live and breathe Africa spending countless hours researching and exploring what Africa has to offer and we are passionate about what

we do,” says Jude, of Masihambe. “Because we are a small company we are able to provide a personalised

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QUALITY EDUCATION WITH CHRISTIAN FAMILY VALUESLongburn Adventist College (LAC) is a co-educational Y7-13 High School, only 7km from The Square, Palmerston North. Address: 100 Walkers Road, RD 7, PN, 4477.

LAC is a Christian school with Christian teachers who do everything they can to create a caring environment where every student can excel.

There is also a 5 or 7 day boarding option available on campus that houses students from across New Zealand and the Pacific.

100IT’S NOT A TARGET

Email your CV to: [email protected]

Do you enjoy talking to people? Do you enjoy working in a team? Are you looking for a challenge? Then we have the perfect role for you and all the tools for you to get the job done;

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R U R A L W H E E L S

* PHOTOS USED FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES AND MAY SHOW OPTIONAL EXTRAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE. O.R.C (Onroad Costs) ADDITIONAL $950. SPECIFICATIONS & PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. FREE FLAT DECK FOR A LIMITED TIME ON PIK-UP CAB CHASSIS UNTIL 30 NOV 2015 OR WHILE STOCKS LAST.

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TEL: 0800 282 726www.mahindra.co.nzLOCAL DEALERS (PLEASE CALL TO CONFIRM VEHICLE AVAILABILITY):MAHINDRA AUCKLAND - 4 Newton Rd, Grey Lynn, Auckland - Ph: (09) 557 2012AG TORQUE MANAWATU - 44 Manchester St, Palmerston North - Ph: (06) 323 4858TOMS AUTO SERVICES - Corner Dixon & Bannister Streets, Masterton - Ph: (06) 378 7351HARVEY ROUND MOTORS - 44 - 50 Dublin Street, Wanganui - Ph: (06) 345 0233PETER DAY MOTORS - 321 Rangitikei Street, Palmerston North Ph: (06) 355 5344

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Evolution of the originatorby Andy Bryenton

Suzuki’s off-road pedigree may bring to mind motocross mud-slingers and hard working quad bikes. But peel back the surface and you’ll also find that the Japanese auto maker has also been at the forefront of sports utility technology on four full-sized wheels, producing some tough machines which have stood the test of time.

Now, with their new Grand Vitara claiming a place in the compact SUV market which Suzuki had a hand in creating — Willy’s jeep aside — the obvious comparison will come not between this new offering and other, pricier contenders such as the Discovery Sport and the X3, but with the Suzuki bloodline 27 years in the making, featuring machines like the

Samurai and Escudo which are still out there today as competitive off-road mud racers, complete with winches and monster tyres.

That off-road competence is what put Suzuki ahead, and it would be a shame if it was compromised for style over substance. The good news for fans of the old Escudo and Vitara is that, while it has been styled to look right at home

outside a trendy cafe in Auckland, the four-wheel drive versions of the Grand Vitara lose none of their terrain-crushing DNA.

If anything, refining those underpinnings by making them easier to control — a four-way dial now allows mode selection, including locking diffs and has made the rugged little SUV feel more effortlessly in control when the tarmac is left behind. The nigh on sacrilegious fact that two-wheel drive editions of the Grand Vitara exist must be addressed — though purists must admit that the compact SUV is taking over from the large sedan in town, making this an option for those who admit to themselves that their stylish new machine will never see a boggy field, except as far-off scenery.

For those who want the full ‘steak and chips’ grunt of the old Suzuki off-road range, the one to pick is certainly the AWD LTD spec. It even comes with that most Vitara-like of features, a willing

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little four-cylinder 1600cc engine that performs, like that in the old Escudo, far beyond what one would expect from a sub-2-litre mill. So, behind the slick new image and the practical nature of the Grand Vitara — boasting tons of room, a school-run-friendly interior, full touchscreen suite of gizmos and modern safety — lies the off-road battler we remember and love. It may take a bit of dirt and a toe on the throttle to wake it up, but in the world of crossovers, that real sports utility toughness makes a world of difference.


MANAWATU FARMINGCLASSIFIEDS

Phone 0800 466 793FOREST HARVESTING

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109 Taikorea Rd, RD3. Palmerston North

CONTACT ALISTAIR 0275 37 22 88

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Six packed with potentialby Andy Bryenton

In the world of off-road vehicles, there’s always room for more innovation.

Adding more power can only push a machine so far in terms of practicality, before it gets claimed by the hardcore, dune-busting gearheads at the sports end of the spectrum. Adding utility, however — that’s another story.

Yamaha managed to find a way to shoehorn in a little extra practicality when they released their three-seater Viking UTV a few years back. With the appeal of a helmet-free ‘cage’ for farm work, a big load tray and seating for three burly blokes (or two and the dog), the Viking stood out with a point of difference to its rivals. After all, many hands make light work. Three seats also meant that hunters and anglers could bring a whole party, not just have to choose one of their mates and leave the rest cold. Now, some other UTV manufacturers have built extended frame versions of their machines already, offering four seats to play with. Some have even added a bit more pep to the power plant to handle the extra weight. But when Yamaha brought out the Viking VI (as in a Roman six, to mix your ancient cultures), they did more than just create a stretched off-road limo. The engineering process involved was far more complicated than simply ‘cut, weld, bolt on seats, have a drink to celebrate’. While the Viking VI uses the same 686cc single overhead cam motor as its three seat counterpart, there is no lack of get up and go. The

ScottsPUMP & MOWER SERVICE

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longer wheelbase would mean a hard time turning on a machine without power steering, but the Viking’s assisted system makes the wheel feel precise, even at low speeds. Locking diffs and ample torque mean that, despite its size the Viking handles obstacles well, and don’t let the space between the wheels fool you — it won’t bottom out like a passenger car, even with six on board.

The passenger has come first here, with a completely redesigned roll cage for safety, plenty of room on every seat to avoid the ‘not in the middle’ arguments we remember from dad’s Valiant, and a comfortable ride thanks to model-specific Maxxis tyres, built just to handle the extra weight. Most importantly for summer, the Viking VI has a total of eight cup holders — just the ticket when you’ve got six people

to the job site or the camp site. While many people need a UTV as a bigger brother to the old trusty quad, those who really want a go-anywhere alternative to the ute should definitely take a look at this voluminous, trail-ready Yamaha.

After all, more seating can easily become more storage — look at the double cab utes on the road as an example!

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Manawatu Farming Lifestyles, November 2015

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Transcript of Manawatu Farming Lifestyles, November 2015