mysite blog

Looking forward to a new Pegasus

Thu, 17 May 2012 16:25:00 +1200

Pegasus Rental Cars was established in Christchurch in 1989. The brainchild of Kevin and Sandra Lamb, the idea was to take advantage of the influx of used Japanese cars that were arriving into the country at that time following import de-regulation. For those hirers not requiring a new car and happy with lower prices, suddenly there was a new player in the market able to offer just that.

Perhaps not surprisingly, the business grew like topsy! What started as a small Christchurch business, with one depot and a few cars, quickly evolved into a much bigger and nationwide business. The Lambs found there was a need for much more than just a few cars, and for depots in all the main centres. Rather than appoint managers in the branches to handle the business, they decided to franchise each location.

The idea proved to be the right one. Franchising enabled the rate of growth to continue and allowed the whole organisation to keep up with the ever-increasing and changing demands of the expanding tourism sector. The first franchised depot opened in Nelson in 1991 and rapidly grew to a network of twenty franchised depots and eight agencies.

After more than twenty years growing and operating the venture, Kevin and his wife Sandra have now decided to retire. They have sold the master license for Pegasus Rental Cars to Adam Parore, the former New Zealand cricketer who is more recently known for his business successes with Adam Parore Mortgages and Small Business Accounting.

Adam is looking to fine tune the business and, using his franchising expertise, grow Pegasus Rental Cars to a new level without sacrificing the fundamental value for money offer made since the very first day back in 1989.

Hawkes Bay winery listed among world's best

Sat, 12 May 2012 16:06:00 +1200

A Hawkes Bay winery has appeared alongside world-renowned vineyards in Burgundy, Tuscany and California in a major travel guide's top 10 list - a win being hailed as a boost for the fast-growing wine tourism market.

Black Barn Vineyards, in Havelock North, was picked among the world's greatest vineyard inns and hotels by the long-running and best-selling US travel guide Frommers.

The guide - which also features Italy's medieval Castello di Vicarello and the prestigious Chateau Andre Ziltener in Burgundy - pitches Black Barn as "the place to go" with family, another couple or a small group.

It lauds the winery's luxury accommodation, its summer amphitheatre, its accessibility to the rest of the region and its Black Barn Bistro, last year named winery restaurant of the year by Cuisine magazine.

The winery's cellar door and events manager, Francis De Jager, regards the rating as an important gain for all Kiwi wineries.

"To be on that list is a huge credit for Hawkes Bay and New Zealand - it's just going to help channel more visitors here."

Overseas tourists accounted for a third of visitors to the winery, and most sought a "wine experience" rather than a quick tasting.

"They're not just coming here to taste wine, they're wanting to do everything," Mr De Jager said.

"There's no shortage of luxury destinations to visit in New Zealand or around the world, so to get on a list like this, you're really getting your name out there.

"We are not a big operation but we set ourselves a standard, and when we get pats on the back like this, it's fantastic for the motivation."

New Zealand Winegrowers global marketing director Chris Yorke agreed the win would help lure more highly sought-after wine tourists.

A recent Tourism NZ study showed tourists visiting New Zealand for its wineries stayed longer and spent more per day.

THE TOP 10

* Algodon Wine Estates, Mendoza, Argentina.
* Chateau Andre Ziltener, Burgundy, France.
* Castello di Vicarello, Tuscany, Italy.
* The Yeatman Hotel and Wine Spa, Porto, Portugal.
* Kenwood Inn and Spa, Sonoma County, California.
* Black Barn Vineyards, Hawkes Bay.
* Steenberg Hotel and Winery, Cape Town, South Africa.
* Youngberg Hill Vineyards and Inn, Willamette Valley, Oregon.
* Can Bonastre Wine Resort, Spain.
* The Louise, Barossa Valley, Australia.
By Jamie Morton

Whopper winner dines on special menu

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 16:44:00 +1200

If Cinderella ever needs a pumpkin for a new coach, Appleby chimney sweep John McKay could be just the man to go to. For the second year in a row Mr McKay has taken first prize in the Mapua Mega Pumpkin competition. Last year his whopper weighed in at 497 kilograms. On Saturday he eclipsed that with a monster of 616kg. He's still 105kg short of the New Zealand record, 721kg set on April 2 in Whangerei.

But it is only his second year of competition and Mr McKay believes his pumpkin-growing powers are still developing. He has got the next generation on the job too, with 11-year-old daughter Anika taking out the children's first prize with another giant that weighed in at 384kg. A third pumpkin on the family plot was going extremely well too, until it "blew up" after reaching 270kg in 30 days, Mr McKay said.

His secret is a blend of tonnes of horse manure, mixed with fish and seaweed, with expert advice provided by Tom Harris of Biological Solutions in Richmond, who, as an adviser Mr McKay said was "world class". This year he added "a bit more horse poo and a bit more fish" to achieve the extraordinary growth. "I'm starting to figure out what I'm doing," he said.

The expanding giants have become a drawcard for visitors to the family's property, with the biggest pumpkin putting on 500kg between day 20 and day 80 of its growth, enough to easily see the difference each day.

The New Zealand record is in his sights and he is not ruling out the world title, sitting at 825kg and held by a Canadian couple. "I've only even known about this for 18 months – with the amount I've advanced, it gets you thinking," Mr Mckay said.

He will be saving the seed from the winner, now on display at Mitre 10 Mega, and feeding the flesh to his cows. "They love it."

Competition organiser Martyn Barlow said 60 pumpkin growers registered for the contest but on the day only 30 specimens were produced, showing the difficulty of nurturing the monsters to an impressive maturity.

Mitre 10 Mega provided a truck with a crane to lift the entries at the weigh-in and Mr McKay's arrived on a trailer supported by a mattress and blankets, with lifting strops already in place.

The competition, in its seventh year, raised $844 for the Nelson Rescue Helicopter and Mr Barlow said the intention was to keep it going, with New Zealand and world records quite possible as pumpkin-growing expertise improved.

"We're in the big-time," he said.

The average weight on Saturday was a more modest 81.7kg – enough to make a regular home gardener swell with pride but not in the race at Mapua.

Mot is hot for house sales

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 16:41:00 +1200

The latest Real Estate Institute housing market data shows the number of house sales in Motueka soared from just 18 in March last year to 38 last month. REINZ Nelson spokesman Paul Hedwig says it's likely that's because homes are more reasonably priced in Motueka than in Nelson. "If you're coming from a lower priced area, and that's the case for some of the Christchurch people, then Motueka is going to look more reasonable than Nelson.''

While sales increased, the median sale price in Motueka is down $13,250 to $320,250 in the year to March. The REINZ monthly report shows house prices are steadily increasing in the Nelson region, which comes as a surprise to Mr Hedwig.

In Nelson city, the median price is up $15,000 to $345,500 in the year to March, and in Richmond it's up $21,500 to $376,500. "I thought it would be a modest increase,'' he says.

The Real Estate Institute says the national housing market grew strongly in March, with the median house price up $5000 to a new record of $370,000. Auckland also recorded a new record median price of $495,200, up 5.4 per cent on March last year.

This new high reflects "the demand for housing in the city and continuing shortages of available stock," REINZ chief executive Helen O'Sullivan says. "Auckland Central and the North Shore area are both stand outs in terms of the upwards impact these combined factors are having on prices."

Sales volumes were also higher last month that for March 2011. During the month, 7330 unconditional sales were recorded, an increase of 25.3 per cent on March last year making it the best monthly result the market has recorded since November 2007. The Auckland market rose dramatically, with sales up 37 per cent since February, according to the report.

How median house prices have moved in the past year:

Auckland +$25,000 to $495,000

Wellington -$21,000 to $393,750

Waikato/BOP +$7500 to $312,500

Hawke's Bay +$21,000 to $281,000

Manawatu/Wanganui +12,500 to $230,500

Taranaki +$4500 to $275,000

Nelson/Marlborough +$1500 to $330,500

Canterbury/Westland +$30,000 to $320,000

Dancing with Aussie stars

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 15:11:00 +1200

The Trafalgar Centre will host all ages and levels of dancers at Nelson DanceSport's championships this weekend, but it's the coup of attracting Australian dance champion and two-time Dancing With the Stars winner Stefano Olivieri and partner Natalie Beck that has organisers particularly excited. DanceSport Nelson president Sandra Maxfield says attracting the top couple would be a special treat for Nelson audiences. "He's very entertaining and we're looking forward to a fantastic show," she says. "Stefano loves coming to Nelson."

It's certainly a sport of spectacle; the TV series Dancing With the Stars and the Britain's Strictly Come Dancing have been responsible for a boost in membership. "When people see it they want to do it," she says. "It's the music, the whole dressing up – it's just moving in time to music and just performing, really. I see many people go on the floor and they just change completely. It's a very keen passion for people. It's inspiring to dance."

But of course it's a sport, she says emphatically. "You're competing against other couples, so it's got to be. When you see the way the top dancers train it is a sport, totally." She compares it to running a sprint – dancers are on the floor for about a minute and a half. "You're flat out around the floor and then you stop, and do the next one. It's very athletic."

DanceSport New Zealand is petitioning to have it included in the Olympics. It's in a similar category to gymnastics and ice-skating, Mrs Maxfield says, but it's been a struggle getting that recognised. "Other countries in Europe are more recognised than we are."

A sport, then. Yet come Saturday night, the Trafalgar Centre will look like a ballroom, decked out with full catering, tables, seating, decorations, lighting, and plenty of colour.

Nelson Regional DanceSport and Easter Champs, April 7-8, 10am to 10.30pm. Tickets adult $15 day, $25 evening; conc/child $10 day, $20 evening, on sale at Profile, Nelson, and Richmond Mall information centre, and at the door.

8th Annual Seafood Workshop 2012

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 15:27:00 +1300

Each year Plant & Food Research organises a technical workshop for seafood industry specialists to hear about the latest research and technical developments in seafood processing and preservation. The workshop is well known for offering practical solutions to address the most significant issues affecting the industry each year.

6th March 2012 - Mercure Nelson Monaco Resort

Proposed themes for 2012 include:
* Safer Seafood Exports
* High Value Aquatic Products

Early bird - $175 + gst (closes on Friday 13th January 2012)
Email events@plantandfood.co.nz for conference updates

Big news: 2012 oysters to be big 'uns

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 00:50:00 +1300

Oyster lovers could have to wait another day to get their first fill of the delicacy for the year with strong winds expected for the open of the season tomorrow. Direct Fish and Oyster owner Willie Calder yesterday said winds were forecasted at 35 knots for tomorrow, well above the 20 knots he considered bad, so he did not expect any fishermen to be out in Foveaux Strait in the morning. The wind was expected to ease in the afternoon so boats may go out then, but that could mean the oysters would not be opened until Friday, he said. "The forecast is quite accurate these days so ... if it is 35 knots it's not going to be good for anybody," he said.

Barnes Oysters manager Graeme Wright said plan A was to get some boats out at 11pm to begin oystering at midnight, then return to Bluff by 11am, but if the wind was too strong plan B was to get the boats out on Thursday afternoon. The latter would mean the oysters would not be opened until Friday, but if they did get out early they could be on the shelves by about 2pm, he said.

Oysterman Anthony Fowler, who skippers the Ariel II, has spent the past week preparing his boat for the season and said the forecast did not sound good, but he would try to get out any-way.

Meanwhile, Mr Calder said the oysters were looking good this season.

Last year they did not grow much and it was hard finding decent sizes, but this season they had great growth so "it shouldn't be hard to find decent oysters", he said.

Mr Wright said the oysters were in high demand and would be sold as quickly as they were landed.

The delicacy would be spread evenly to those who wanted them from Southland to Auckland. He said Barnes would be selling their oysters for $23 a dozen, which was the same price as last year.

Hokitika Gorge more popular than DOC thought

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 00:45:00 +1300

The Department of Conservation will reassess the way it counts visitor numbers to the Hokitika Gorge because the attraction may be even more popular than previously thought.
Over the Christmas period local residents observed that the car park at the gorge — which has space for two bus parks and 16 car parks —had become congested due to the number of cars and campervans.

Although DOC Hokitika area manager Ian McClure said there were no plans to extend the car park, staff would evaluate the site during an on-site survey next summer to decide whether or not an extension to facilities was required.

While visitor numbers for 2011 had not yet been analysed, 21,000 visitors were recorded in 2010 by the existing track counter. However, the actual number of visitors may be higher than had been recorded, he said.

“The track counter is currently sited past the swingbridge. Staff working out at the gorge notice that many people only go as far as the viewing platform and estimate that up to 70% more people visit the car park and viewing platform than go as far as the counter.

“We plan to install another track counter between the car park and viewing platform within the next few weeks. This additional track counter will provide a truer figure of visitors to the site.”

Eftpos glitch hits supermarkets

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 00:33:00 +1300

Foodstuffs says an eftpos outage at lower North Island New World, Pak n' Save and Four Square stores this morning occurred after its systems were unable to cope with today's leap day date. The outage, which has now been resolved, affected many stores across the lower North Island from early this morning.

George Sutherland, brand general manager at Foodstuffs Wellington, said customers were still able to shop using cash and credit cards. Foodstuffs apologised for any inconvenience caused and thanked them for their patience.

"It is our understanding that the fault created in our point of sale systems stemmed from an error relating to today's date, February 29. Our sister companies in the upper North Island and South Island were unaffected as they have different point of sale systems."

Richard Taggart, owner of New World Metro supermarket on Willis St in central Wellington, said its eftpos was down when it opened the store at 7am.

There was a staff member at the door telling customers they would need to pay with cash.

Pak n' Save Kilbirnie and Petone, Pak n' Save Hastings and New World in central New Plymouth, were also affected by the outage.

Super City for Bay of Plenty a possibility

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 00:24:00 +1300

Sweeping local government reforms, expected to be announced this week, could lead to the creation of a super council for the entire Bay of Plenty. Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby is hoping for an announcement that would pave the way for a single unitary authority for the Bay, including the functions of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council. The prospect of a super council has been discussed informally by the region's six mayors ever since the creation of Auckland's Super City, and Mr Crosby hoped the reforms to be announced by Local Government Minister Nick Smith would remove obstacles to amalgamation.

A recent statement by Dr Smith made it clear he was opposed to forced mergers, as was the case with Auckland, but he would make it easier for councils to explore amalgamation. An announcement was expected within the next couple of months, but sources said it could be as early as Friday.

Mr Crosby welcomed a new approach, saying it was just about impossible for the Tauranga City Council to amalgamate with the Western Bay of Plenty District Council under current rules. He said a single council would be structured to recognise the region's three distinct communities of interest - the Western Bay of Plenty, Rotorua and Kawerau, and Whakatane and Opotiki.

Overlaying the Bay's three communities of interest would be issues that could be dealt with at a regional level such as planning, water supplies, waste water and parks.

"We could drive efficiencies quicker than Auckland ... our sector is ready for another wave of reform, there is no question about that."

Mr Crosby chairs Local Government New Zealand's economic development committee. He said regional councils, as they were currently set up, were an unnecessary extra tier of local government, the services of which could easily be delivered by unitary councils.

The tools to progress the reforms were expected to also free up bureaucratic processes in local government. Mr Crosby said successive Governments had put layers of costly bureaucracy on to councils.

The reforms could result in a significant slimming down of political representation in the Western Bay which currently has 51 elected representatives comprising two mayors, 29 councillors and 20 community board members.

Mr Crosby said there had been a lot of talk that councils had stepped outside their core business since the 2002 Local Government Act laid out council responsibilities for a community's social, economic, environmental and cultural wellbeing.

"I believe the minister will raise that issue when he announces the proposed changes.

"Local government is a simple job made more complex by the layers [of regulation] being imposed on us over many years. We need to unbundle all these processes because there is no tangible benefit for a lot of it."

Regional Council chairman John Cronin said he would embrace reform that brought more efficiencies.

However the challenge would be to retain the word "local" in local government. It would need to be a regional council that delivered its functions at a local level.

"How this would happen remains to be seen ... ".

As for the regional council's financial backbone - its majority shareholding in the Port of Tauranga - Mr Cronin said assets would need to be transferred to a new organisation in a "sensible manner".

Similarly, Western Bay Mayor Ross Paterson had no problem with reforms that achieved greater efficiencies.

He said it was possible they could get better economy of scale, but it would be a bit difficult to do across the whole Bay of Plenty because of the differences between the west and east.

Mr Paterson said the minister's direction would be to achieve savings and efficiencies by some form of "togetherness", but it would not be via an Order in Council. The key was to keep people informed because amalgamation would probably require a referendum.

Mahoe Farmhouse Cheese wins awards

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 00:21:00 +1300

Kerikeri-based Mahoe Farmhouse Cheese took away one of the two titles at this year's cheese awards. Its Very Old Edam won the Cuisine Champion Artisan Award for smaller producers while Hamilton-based Meyer Vintage Gouda scooped the award for large cheesemakers. Mahoe's cheesemaker Jacob Rosevear, 33, was also awarded the NZ Cheese School Champion Cheesemaker of the Year award.

Hawke's Bay Trails opening a boost to region's economy

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 23:11:00 +1300

The 187km Hawke’s Bay Trails cycling and walking trails were officially opened on Saturday with a family friendly bike ride. Regional Council chairman Fenton Wilson says it is pleasing to see the positive economic impact from the organisation’s investment into Hawke’s Bay Trails. “Not only are local bike shops and bike hire businesses booming, we’re also seeing a flowon effect to wineries, cafes and accommodation providers and Hawke’s Bay Trails are fast becoming a major tourist attraction for the
region,” says Mr Wilson. “We have seen new jobs created during trail construction, as well as extra jobs in bike hire companies and cafes.”

New Zealand Cycle Trail programme manager John Dunn says the $5.5m Hawke’s Bay Trails is one of 18 Great Rides being built around the country “The speed of trail construction in Hawke’s Bay is second to none, and the quality of the finished product is fantastic. The Water Ride section, in particular, is a smooth and picturesque
journey perfect for families.

“It’s great to see the overwhelming community spirit behind this project and the benefits the trails are making to the local economies,” says Mr Dunn.

www.nzcycletrail.com/hawkes-bay-trails

Rutherford Nelson Conference Centre

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 22:54:00 +1300

Work is well under way at the Rutherford Hotel Nelson A Heritage Hotel’s new conference centre. The conference centre development which began in November last year, is due to open in late 2012. Being built on the western side of the existing hotel, the 585sqm space with a 5m stud will handle 700 people theatre style or 500 for a banquet, making it one of the largest conference centres to be built in recent times in the South Island. Adjoining the new conference space will be an outdoor garden, ideal for refreshment breaks or a BBQ. Tipped to be popular with event organisers will be the 280sqm pre-function area offering ample room for trade exhibitions. For information contact Shelley Eastwood conference sales manager of Heritage Hotel Management Email shelleye@heritagehotels.co.nz.

Puka Park appointment

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 22:49:00 +1300

Tim Browne has been appointed as General Manager at the Grand Mercure Puka Park Resort, on the Coromandel Peninsula, effective immediately. Mr Browne has been operational at a management level in five star hotels, fine dining restaurants, and wine bars, over the past 20 years, both in Australia and overseas. Owned and managed by Accor Vacation Club, the unique Resort property features 42 chalets set in 24 acres of native forest on the side of Mt Pauanui. It features a heated swimming pool, jacuzzi, gym, sauna, tennis court, bicycles, petanque pitch, archery range and the new Ataahua Natural Beauty Spa. The Resort also boasts the 84-seat Miha restaurant and adjoining Ti Kuoka Bar & Lounge.

Archaeological site a window into past

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 23:49:00 +1300

An archaeological investigation at Oihi Bay, site of the earliest permanent European habitation in New Zealand, is revealing some fascinating details of life in the Bay of Islands in a very different era. The investigation is a joint project between the University of Otago and the Department of Conservation.

Kerikeri Doc historic ranger Andrew Blanshard, Otago University professor of archaeology Ian Smith, five of his students, honorary research fellow Dr Angela Middleton and other Doc staff began the dig on February 7. The pickings have been rich; so far they have discovered numerous writing slates and pencils, a toy cannon, glass beads (commonly used for trade), a bronze bracelet (complete with a clasp still in working order), nails and pieces of ceramics. But the most exciting find as of earlier this week was the fireplace in what they believe to have been New Zealand's first schoolhouse.

"The most interesting feature is the fireplace. You know you've got a house when you find a fireplace," Dr Middleton said. "The clay marble, the toy cannon; immediately you have the sense that there were children here," she said.

Dr Middleton and Prof Smith worked on the dig at the Te Puna site in 2002. Dr Middleton used research from there for her PhD and Prof Smith recalled gazing over towards Oihi and wishing to one day dig there as well.

"Every year my lectures consist of Te Puna, and those interactions between Maori and Pakeha," Dr Middleton said. "Over the past five or six years, I have taught about this area and landscape; it's the No 1 place. A lot of the people that are working here have heard me going on about this place."

Mr Blanshard, who said much of the discussion that took place at Waitangi in February 1840 began at Oihi, pointed out a deep hole which clearly showed differing layers, the top layer European cultivation, a middle layer of denser gravel and rocks, and a much deeper layer showing clear signs of burnt (fire-cracked) rock, the result of Maori habitation.

"We have the stories from the missionaries, the oral stories from the local iwi, and with this dig we will uncover further stories of this place," he said. "All of these stories are what makes this place unique; the first interaction between two cultures."

The settlement was the early focal point for Maori/European interaction in the Bay of Islands, until other locations with better anchorages became more popular with visiting ships in the early 1820s, and other European settlements were established in Kerikeri, Paihia and Kororareka.

The Oihi Mission Station was abandoned in 1832 when the last of its missionaries moved about 1km to Te Puna.

Church groups and descendant families are planning a series of celebrations, some of which will take place on the site, to mark the community's bicentennial in 2014.

A good deal of work is to be done by the Department of Conservation before then, not only in gathering information but also in upgrading tracks, signage and other facilities.

Oihi Mission Station On the Purerua Peninsula

• First permanent European settlement in New Zealand
• Established by the Rev Samuel Marsden, who preached New Zealand's first sermon there in December 1814, under the protection of the chiefs of the adjacent Rangihoua pa
• Was home to about 25 or 30 Europeans, and a place of work and schooling for many Maori
• Was early focal point for Maori/European interaction in Bay of IslandsAbandoned in 1832

Dont Waste Summer Fruit

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 12:15:00 +1300

Don't let summer fruit go to waste. Get picking and make little jars of delicious jams and chutneys.
Relevant offersPreserving summer's goodness in small jars always brings pleasure, either when you open a jar in a few months to serve with a cheese or a grill, or as a present for a friend who will appreciate the fruits of your labour.

For best flavours and colour, make chutneys, pickles and jams in small quantities. They are also easier to handle.

Remove any blemishes from your fruit or vegetables before use. Choose a heavy-based stainless steel saucepan for cooking. Most jams set at 104 degrees C. A jam thermometer is useful, however, if one is not available then try the plate test. Place two saucers or small plates in the freezer. When you think the jam is at setting point, spoon a little on to one of the cold saucers. Allow to cool for a few seconds then push with your finger. If a wrinkly skin has formed, the jam will set. If not, return it to the boil for a few minutes; test on second saucer.

Always pour preserves into hot, sterilised jars. Wash the jars and lids thoroughly in hot soapy water, dry with a clean tea towel then keep warm in a 160C oven until ready to fill.

With chutneys I often cut a small circle of waxed paper and place on top before sealing with a lid. This helps prevent the lid from being corroded by the vinegar in the chutney.

Jam setting sugar is becoming very popular. It means that you can make successful jam in a very short time using fruit with little pectin, for example, over-ripe apricots, peaches, pears, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries and cherries. The sugar contains added pectin and citric acid that provide setting and flavour enhancers.

For more hints on preserving, go tojanbilton.co.nz.

CHINESE FIVE-SPICE PLUM CHUTNEY

1.5kg red plums

500g granny smith apples

1 large onion

3 cloves garlic

1 Tbsp grated root ginger

1 litre white vinegar

1 Tbsp five-spice powder

1 Tbsp salt

1 tsp ground chilli

750g white sugarHalve and stone the plums. Place in a large, heavy-based stainless steel saucepan. Quarter the apples and core.

Place in a food processor and coarsely chop. Add to the plums. Quarter the onion and place with the garlic in the food processor. Coarsely chop. Add to the plums together with the remaining ingredients.

Bring to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer gently for about 1 1/2 hours or until thickened. Stir often to prevent the mixture burning on the base.

Pour into hot, sterilised jars and seal. Leave for about two months before use. Makes about 8 cups.

TRADITIONAL APRICOT JAM

This is my mother's recipe. It has no water; she said adding water encouraged mould to grow.

1kg ripe but firm apricots

1kg sugar

juice of 1 large lemon

2 tsp butter

Halve and stone the apricots. Layer them in a ceramic or glass bowl together with the sugar and lemon juice. Cover and stand overnight. This keeps the apricots in good shape during cooking.

Next day, place the apricot mixture in a large, heavy-based stainless steel saucepan. Bring to the boil on low heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Increase the heat slightly and boil for about 20 minutes, stirring often. Scoop off some of the foam that forms on top into a bowl. (This is excellent spooned over icecream or yoghurt.)

Ad Feedback Test for setting; if needed, boil five more minutes. It is important to watch the jam carefully at this stage as, if it is not stirred, the jam will burn on the base.

When setting point is reached, stir in the butter. This will remove any remaining foam. Pour into hot sterilised jars and seal. Makes about 5 cups.

CHILLI & RED PEPPER JAM

This colourful savoury jam is excellent with cheese and grills. Leave the seeds in the chillies if you want a really hot jam.

2 large red peppers (capsicums), seeded and diced

1 large tomato, diced

1-2 large red chillies, seeded and diced

1 apple, peeled, cored and diced

1 cup white vinegar

1/4 cup water

2 cups jam-setting sugarPlace the red peppers, tomato, chillies, apple, vinegar and water in a heavy, stainless steel saucepan. Simmer for 10 minutes. If you want a finer mix, then blitz quickly with a hand blender.

Stir in the sugar till it dissolves. Boil rapidly for 4 minutes. Take off heat, test for setting.

Spoon into hot sterilised jars and seal. Makes about 3 1/2 cups.

CHUNKY COURGETTE CHUTNEY

500g courgettes, diced

500g tomatoes, diced

1 large onion, diced

2 granny smith apples, cored, peeled and diced

4 cloves garlic, diced

1 Tbsp grated root ginger

1 Tbsp yellow mustard seeds

2 tsp ground mixed spice

1 tsp salt

250g brown sugar

350ml white wine vinegarPlace all the ingredients into a large, heavy-based stainless steel saucepan. Slowly bring to the boil, stirring often.

Simmer for about 45 minutes or until thick. Pour into hot sterilised jars and seal. Makes about 5 cups.

NMIT students celebrate graduation

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 11:50:00 +1300

Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology students hit the streets today in celebration of their graduation. The ceremony was held at the Trafalgar Centre this morning, after the December 17 ceremony was postponed due to the flooding last year. The graduate procession left the centre and travelled on foot down Hardy St to finish at NMIT. The guest speaker was Justin Hall from Redwood Cellars, and Advanced Professional Hairdressing graduate Roimata Rapata also spoke. Full coverage of the ceremony, including a graduate list, will be in Saturday's paper.

A rose garden to delight the senses

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 14:33:00 +1300

Debut Ellerslie International Flower Show exhibitor Ben Pratt promises a rose garden at next month’s show which will delight the senses of all visitors. In a cottage gardening setting, Tasman Bay Roses will present a colourful display of rose varieties, from modern hybrid tea, floribunda and David Austin roses to climbing and old-fashioned roses.

Ben, who has worked in the rose growing business for more than 30 years, says the garden will have “lots and lots of roses and colour”. Tasman Bay Roses grows more than 1000 varieties of roses and will provide visitors to Ellerslie with a real “delightful” garden.

While Ben is making his debut at Ellerslie, in the late 1980s/early 1990s he worked in the United Kingdom for two leading growers Peter Beales and Blooms of Bressingham during which time he was involved in working on exhibition gardens at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show and Hampton Court, as well as throughout Europe.

While no stranger to garden exhibits, having exhibited for many years at shows in the Nelson-Marlborough region, Ben admits to being a bit nervous about his Ellerslie debut. “I am entering a different league but I’m confident we are up to the challenge and our garden will be well received.”

He says being involved in the Chelsea Flower Show was one of the highlights of his career, being surrounded by the cream of Britain and the world’s garden designers and growers. “It was a wonderful opportunity and I learnt so much which will enable me to compete with confidence at Ellerslie." Ben says his Ellerslie garden will be a simple design as “roses tend to display themselves”. “All you need are the right blooms and a good structure then the roses will look amazing without much work.”

Preparations for Ellerslie began in November with the pruning of hundreds of roses to ensure there will be plenty of the best-looking blooms available for the show. “The garden will have lots and lots of roses and colour. All I really want to do is show off the roses we grow and what is suitable for planting throughout New Zealand. “The garden will feature a number of new varieties available in New Zealand which are guaranteed to generate a lot of interest.” All the roses will be for sale at the show.

Even after four decades involved in the industry, Ben admits he is still finds roses “so beautiful and fragrant” and really has no favourites – “I just love them all”.

Roses grown by Tasman Bay Roses will also be displayed on the exhibit by the Heritage Roses New Zealand in the City Care Hort Galore Marquee.

o Ellerslie International Flower Show, North Hagley Park, 7 to 11 March 2012. For more information www.ellerslieflowershow.co.nz

Transitions: Green elements for a Christchurch rebuild

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:30:00 +1300

Christchurch residents’ desire for a greener central city – clearly expressed through the Share an Idea programme and translated into a very green Draft Central City Plan – inspired Landcare Research to design an Ellerslie International Flower Show exhibit that showcases some of the possibilities. Exhibit designer Colin Meurk, a Landcare Research ecologist (above), says that in redeveloping the central city Christchurch has a unique opportunity. “We can transition to a new, more confident, multi-layered city that is an attractive, relevant and viable place for people. One of those story layers is our unique natural history.

“It’s great that the Christchurch City Council, with its Draft Central City Plan, is embracing concepts like green roofs and living walls, sensitive stormwater treatment trains and pocket parks,” says Colin, who co-authored the urban greening manual, How to put nature into our neighbourhoods. “We want to show people what’s possible and stimulate some discussion.”

Entitled Transitions, the Landcare Research exhibit will feature a shop frontage, with green roof and living wall, looking out onto a pocket park, an attractive way of bringing nature into the confined spaces of a central city. “A green roof reduces stormwater run-off, provides energy savings through the insulating effect of the growing medium and plants, is unaffected by UV, provides a habitat and food for insects, lizards, plants and birds, moderates the urban heat island effect, and muffles noise within the building.

“With our low rainfall, Christchurch doesn’t have as many green roofs or living walls as some other New Zealand cities. But, we will display examples that stem from our research into appropriate plants and substrates for our local environment.”

A demonstration water treatment train – a scaled down version of what has been proposed for the city – will also be displayed. “As our city has grown, so has the amount of impervious surface area such as roofs and car parks that channel water straight into our periodically stretched stormwater system. But we can use plants and substrates to detain, filter and reduce the amount of stormwater and suspended contaminants that flow into our drains and waterways.”

Green tram tracks – a concept taking off in Europe and North American cities – will be demonstrated. “Why do tram or light rail tracks need to be paved or bordered by asphalt or concrete? They can use pervious and interesting waste materials with plant life snaking up through crushed brick – an abundant resource in the city!

“Prior to human settlement, Christchurch had a wealth of native plants and wildlife. We now have the opportunity to restore some of what has been lost so that in the future our city attracts eco-tourists as much as enjoyers of our conventionally coloured parks and gardens.”

Colin hopes that elements like the green tram tracks, biodiverse lawns and piles of heritage rubble forming a substrate for rare riverbed and cliff plants will titillate the senses and attract debate. “A key question with green rubble is how do we want to commemorate the awful events of the past year – think Athens, Berlin, Coventry and Dunkirk; how do they display their historic tragedies and grief? Seeing what’s possible in sympathetic yet poignant ways will help inform and promote that discussion.

“So be prepared for surprises and challenges; ours won’t be a traditional Ellerslie International Flower Show exhibit but we hope to create something that is interesting and provocative. We’ve got great support from the show organisers, the Christchurch City Council and some other enthusiastic supporters, and we’re having a lot of fun pulling this together.”
o Ellerslie International Flower Show, North Hagley Park, 7 to 11 March 2012. For more information: www.ellerslieflowershow.co.nz

Trust gives Millions to park project

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:42:00 +1300

A private family trust is investing several million dollars in a 30-year project to restore the native ecology of Abel Tasman National Park. Project Janszoon aims to enhance native forest and birdlife over almost 80 per cent of the park by 2042, the 100th anniversary of the park and the 400th anniversary of Dutch explorer Abel Janszoon Tasman finding New Zealand.

Project director, Nelson businessman and former chief executive officer of Carter Holt Harvey, Devon McLean, estimated that the project's total cost over 30 years would be "north of $25 million".

The total size of the project will depend on how far the trust wanted to go with revegetation once predators were under control. Mr McLean said the family trust was fully funding the costs of the first five years but declined to specify how much that was. "It's sufficient to get on and make a good start," he said.

Mr McLean worked with the same trust on the restoration of the 83-hectare Rotoroa Island in Auckland's Hauraki Gulf. The island was opened to the public last February and Mr McLean said the family asked him then what other environmental projects he was passionate about.

As a Nelsonian with a holiday house in Tata Beach, he said restoring the diversity of Abel Tasman National Park was a top priority for him. Following Rotoroa Island with Project Janszoon was going from one extreme to the other, he said, from a small, privately owned island to a 22,500ha national park managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC).

"Part of this is demonstrating that this is actually possible," he said, in the hope that success would inspire other philanthropists to step up. "Abel Tasman National Park was chosen because as one of New Zealand's most visited national parks it is an ideal location to demonstrate the potential of a sustained restoration effort where many people can appreciate it."

The project would expand on DOC's pest control and species recovery work, and work alongside and support the Abel Tasman Birdsong Trust, including its wilding pine control programme, Mr McLean said.

DOC Nelson Marlborough conservator Neil Clifton said Project Janszoon's long-term, large-scale approach would help turn the tide against introduced plants and animals that damaged the park's natural landscape and wildlife.

Project Janszoon intends to increase the abundance of native species still found in the park including kaka, bellbirds, tui, weka, powelliphanta snails, northern rata and mistletoe.

It also aims to return species no longer there, including possibly great spotted kiwi, mohua and sooty shearwater.
Ad Feedback

Mr Clifton said the park was not "biologically one of the richest places in the Nelson Marlborough conservancy but is it very worthy of restoration and thousands of visitors appreciate it every year for its iconic landscapes".

"For us, this is a tremendous opportunity and we're very appreciative on behalf of all New Zealanders."

The partnership with Project Janszoon would develop in accordance with the management plan for the park and would be "an acceleration of the vision that we would be incapable of doing by ourselves", he said.

Work is due to start in March to put systems in place to monitor pest and native species densities as a basis for assessing the progress of the programme.

Mr Clifton said the project would be working with communities already associated with the park, and Mr McLean said that included landowners who would naturally have an interest in how the park was managed.

The Project Janszoon Trust was formed in December 2011. Its partnership with DOC is guided by a memorandum of understanding.

In addition to Mr McLean, the trustees are three businessmen who have worked with the funding family trust on other projects and two local trustees, one from Nelson and one from Golden Bay, which Mr McLean hopes to name within a month.

Tom Bryant, Ngai Tahu Tourism business manager for the Abel Tasman area, welcomed the investment. "When the park does well, Aqua Taxi does well."

He said tourists did question why the park was "extensively modified" and that most tourist operators already promoted the birdsong on protected Adele Island in the park.

"As the birdsong starts to return to the rest of the park, I'd imagine that is something the operators would start to push."

Project Janszoon's first act in the park has been to fund 30 more predator traps on Adele Island, where a rat was trapped two weeks ago.