Podcasts about horowhenua

The Horowhenua-Kāpiti Rugby Union has taken the unprecedented step of threatening to cancel senior club rugby matches in response to escalating abuse towards match officials. Club referees are all volunteers, and CEO Corey Kennett says there's been a slow and constant downward spiral in the treatment of officials. He joined Piney to discuss what's led to the club taking such drastic measures. “Nobody wants this, so it's a real combined approach to try and combat it.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A provincial rugby union in the lower North Island is threatening to cancel games if abuse towards their referees continues. Horowhenua Kapiti Rugby Football Chief Executive Corey Kennett spoke to Corin Dann.

Horowhenua Kapiti Rugby is cracking down on abuse against referees - which in recent months has included one ref threatened with stabbing. The union says if there are further examples of extreme abuse, it will cancel all fixtures the following weekend as a consequence. The union's CEO Corey Kennett joined Nick Mills to discuss the issue. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Horowhenua Kapiti Rugby is cracking down on abuse against referees - which in recent months has included one ref threatened with stabbing. The union says if there are further examples of extreme abuse, it will cancel all fixtures the following weekend as a consequence. The union's CEO Corey Kennett joined Nick Mills to discuss the issue. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"The standard you walk past is the standard you accept. And we don't accept this." The Horowhenua-Kapiti rugby union is going to draw a line under bad behaviour at club rugby matches. If supporters and players cross the union's line in the sand, all club matches the next week will be canned. Horowhenua-Kapiti CEO Corey Kennett explained the new policy to D'Arcy Waldegrave on Sportstalk. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two district councils in the Lower North Island are banding together against down graded plans for an expressway through their districts. More than a decade since it was originally proposed - a revised design for the Otaki to North of Levin expressway has seen on-ramps and overbridges removed and interchanges replaced by roundabouts. Council and community advocates from the Kapiti and Horowhenua districts say the sudden change has left locals confused and appalled. Bill Hickman has more.

A proposal to give iwi first right of refusal on surplus council property sales in Horowhenua is being labelled unfair and divisive. The policy amendment —brought by a group of councillors— would effectively see iwi offered council property at market value before it's listed publicly. Horowhenua district councillor Sam Jennings told Mike Hosking he's against it and doesn't like that it's been kept behind closed doors until now. He doesn't like the idea of inserting privilege into council policy. The proposal will be voted on tomorrow. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's hopes that tougher penalties for boy racers and fleeing drivers will do the trick. The Government's establishing a presumptive sentence of vehicle destruction for street racers, those who flee police, and intimidating convoys. Police will also get greater powers to manage illegal vehicle gatherings by closing roads or public areas. Horowhenua mayor Bernie Wanden has voiced support for these new measures. "Hopefully, this sort of implementation of this sort of policy will be a deterrent for them all." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Horowhenua mayor says he's extremely grateful no one was hurt on Tuesday when a tornado ripped through town. Bernie Wanden spoke to Alexa Cook.

Australian Kristy McGregor met her kiwi diary farmer husband in the Aussie outback, then moved to Horowhenua when he took over running the family farm.

It's work from home on steriods;  A chas apparently been doing his job remotely from about 18,000 kilometres away in Scotland, for the past four months. Waiopehu ward councillor Rogan Boyle has been off shore since November, beaming into council meetings through an audio visual link. Horowhenua's Mayor, Bernie Wanden spoke to Lisa Owen. 

A Horowhenua district councillor is under fire for working remotely – from the other side of the world. Councillor Rogan Boyle left the country in October and is said to currently be in Scotland with no plans to return any time soon. Horowhenua Mayor Bernie Wanden told Mike Hosking while Boyle has been attending council meetings on Zoom, it's not good enough. Wanden believes Boyle should resign. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is being urged to make healthy national food supply a priority. Growers can currently only farm vegetables with consent from regional authorities and want changes as part of resource management reform. Horticulture NZ says without urgent change to this, the country risks losing a significant portion of its homegrown food supply by 2030. Vegetables NZ Chair John Murphy told Mike Hosking that growers in key areas such as Horowhenua face the real prospect of overzealous local authority officials pulling up the driveway and telling them not to grow there anymore. He says the burden of regulation is massive here. “You heard the Prime Minister talk about barnacles on the boat slowing us down earlier in the week ... this isn't a barnacle on the boat slowing us down, this is a hole in the boat.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christian Cullen is a legend. You only have to watch a few minutes of his highlights package to remind yourself how good he really was. The speed and agility, his ability to change direction at full pace, his deceptive strength, add on top his attacking mindset and his braveness in defence! He was a joy to watch. He's also such a champion man who prefers not doing things like this so super grateful to get him on.In this whopping 2 hour episode some parts that stood out for meHow the working the milk run growing up helped his rugbyDebuting for Horowhenua straight out of school against JonahMaking the NZ 7's sides with Titch and stories from Hong Kong and the Commonwealth gamesThe old school nature of the All Black environment he went in toI loved hearing about some of the greatest tries ever scoredHow he ended up at 13 for a RWCHis relationship with John MitchellWhy he left to Munster and his time playing over thereWhy he hated warming up And heaps heaps more.Growing up Christian Cullen was my absolute hero, he inspired me to play the game so to sit down with him and have this conversation was truely incredible. What I'm sure will stand out for you is how humble and down to earth he is, you certainly wouldn't think I'm talking to one of the greatest to ever play the game listening to this. If you enjoy this one, please give it a share and I will continue to bring you the big guest like Christian Cullen.Special mention to Paraparaumu Rugby Club for allowing me to record this episode in their Clubrooms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Horowhenua District Council is re-examining its decision to stop mowing roadside berms. It trimmed back the service in July in a decision that saved ratepayers nearly $250,00 annually - but prompted outcry. Councillors have now voted to compile a report on options for reinstating it. Horowhenua mayor Bernie Wanden says they want to look more closely at the impacts. "It does not mean that we are going to flip-flop, all it means is that we want to understand what has happened since we stopped mowing berms." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Council cost cutting in Horowhenua ironically means one thing won't be cut and that's road side grass edges and according to some residents things are starting to look a little shabby. Berm mowing got the chop in July, saving rate payers almost a quarter of a million dollars a year in the district on west coast of the North Island. The council's just one of many around the country trimming back services in bid to balance the books and a majority of submitters in Horowhenua supported the cost cutting move. But now it's up to Horowhenua residents to maintain the verges if they want short backs on their grass sides, otherwise it's "as is, where is," Councillor Sam Jennings spoke to Lisa Owen.

Controversy in Levin over a recent move to end residential berm-mowing. Horowhenua District Council is making property owners responsible for mowing berms to save about $250,000 a year. Many city councils – like Auckland and Wellington – require owners to mow their own berms, while others – like Christchurch – "strongly encourage" it. Horowhenua District Councillor Sam Jennings told Mike Hosking during consultation most residents supported the change, but public opinion has since shifted. “It's all blown up on social media just recently, I guess because of the spring growth.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It may feel too soon to be eating asparagus with two months of spring still to go, but the end of September means the harvest is well underway. Growers are relieved to be getting their product on the market, but are also nervous about pricing with an abundance of cheap green vegetables already available. Jesse talks to Horowhenua based asparagus grower Catherine Lewis about how the harvest is going.

South Canterbury coach Nigel Walsh believes their off-field environment is a major reason for their on-field success in rugby's Heartland Championship.  They're going for a record-setting 37th consecutive win in the competition this afternoon when they take on Horowhenua-Kapiti at Eden Park in Auckland.  Kevin Hare out of heartlandrugby.co.nz joined D'Arcy Waldegrave to preview the latest round of the 'peoples rugby' and Eden Park clash.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're in the middle of the winter season here in Aotearoa New Zealand right now, but have you ever gone through a time in life that felt like a winter? They can arrive following a death, a job loss, a disappointment, as a result of something else or out of nowhere! Everyone will experience times like these, so whether you're in a winter now or not, we made this episode for you. In this episode of Sunday Sanctuary, Petra is joined by three guests. Up first is Horowhenua based GP and poet Glenn Colquhoun. Next, Petra talks to spiritual director Margaret Tooley. Lastly (and most excitingly for Petra), she talks to Australian cartoonist, poet and author Michael Leunig. Haere mai! Join us for an exploration of life's winters, what we can do about them, and what we can learn by "getting out into them". Sacred text: An edited passage from Let Your Life Speak by Parker Palmer Featured music: Mr Sun by Greentea Peng A Forest by The Cure (played during scared text) Fold by Jose Gonzalez (played during scared text) Innerspace by The Apples in Stereo (played during scared text) Turn! Turn! Turn! by The Byrds Zionsville by Khruangbin (played at end of episode) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Connect' is the transport service managed by the Horizons Regional Council, with bus routes stretching across Ruapehu, Horowhenua, Whanganui and Tararua. After much discourse, they are conducting a survey to ask users IF they enjoy hearing music on the bus. And if they do, WHAT music? Jesse chats to the Manager of Transport Services for the council, Mark Read about what they want to know.

Tonight on The Panel, Wallace Chapman and panellists Nalini Baruch and Martin Bosley react to potential changes to the Holiday Act. They also investigate disruptive boy recer behaviour in the Horowhenua.

Six thousand years ago these words were inscribed on an Egyptian tomb: “Young people no longer respect their parents. They're rude and impatient. They frequently inhabit taverns and have no self-control.” And then along came Plato in the 4th century BC, and this is probably the one you're more familiar with if you've heard the quote, “What has happened to our young people, they disrespect their elders, they disobey their parents. They ignore the law. They riot in the streets, inflamed with wild notions. Their morals are decaying. What is to become of them?” Plato bemoaned four centuries before Christ. He could have been writing about the oiks in Horowhenua in 2024.   More than 200 cars, each with a number of passengers on the inside, gathered in a car park at around 8pm on Saturday in Levin, and then convoyed through the streets at the intersection of Queen Street and State Highway 57, attempting to do burnouts at the location. Police tried to disrupt the activity and move them on, but they were hopelessly outnumbered, and the patrol cars were kicked by bystanders, who also threw bottles at the cars. Two officers suffered injuries. Police Minister Mark Mitchell said this morning on the Mike Hosking Breakfast that police have become punching bags for these oiks. (Oiks is my word, not his, but I'm sure he'd have used it if he thought he could get away with it.) They have no respect for police and it's time to get tough.  “The problem is at the moment, they seize the vehicles, they're impounded for a while and then they go back. I want to seize the vehicles and keep them because I think that would be a real deterrent. If these boy racers realise that they come out, they're actually going to lose their vehicles.”  That was Mark Mitchell, the Police Minister, saying don't just impound the vehicles for a period of time - take the ringleaders, take their cars and keep them. Society has always been at a loss as to what to do with problem children as you've heard. Six thousand years ago, the Egyptians were bemoaning them. New Zealand's own Mazengarb report was produced in July ‘54. Oswald Mazengarb was a lawyer who was appointed by the Government to chair a special committee on moral delinquency in children and adolescence, after a teenage sex scandal in Lower Hutt and other high-profile incidents such as a milk bar murder in Auckland and the Parker-Hume killing. The report was sent to every New Zealand home and basically blamed juvenile delinquency on inadequate parental supervision. And Oswald advocated a return to Christianity and traditional values. Working mothers also had the finger pointed at them, excessive wages paid to teenagers, the influence of American films, comics and other literature all contributed to the problem, and Oswald's findings were that there should be new legislation introducing stricter censorship and restrictions on giving contraceptive advice to young people. Brilliant.   And now in 2024, we're still bemoaning the youth of today in their anti-social behaviour. I do not think in the case of the Levin car hoons restricting contraceptive advice will do the trick and bring them to heel. It didn't work in 1954, it won't work in 2024. But for their own good, the minority of those who behave badly need to know there will be consequences for when they're behaving badly. You cannot just say ‘oh well kids will be kids'. We used to need them to be bold and reckless when we had citizen armies because they were the heroes, they were the brave ones, they were the ones who would be the first to put up their hands and race across hostile terrain to take out the sniper's nest, thus saving the battalion. We don't need them for that anymore, thank heavens. But it doesn't mean they get a free ride. It doesn't mean they get to ride through the streets of whichever town or city in New Zealand they choose and get away with it. You can't outnumber them. It's the same with the gangs.  There aren't enough police to outnumber them, to go Mano a Mano, one-on-one. But you can do it smart. You can use the technology to work out who the ringleaders are, who the worst of them are or just use a few as an example.    ‘It's not fair. I was just looking.' Don't care, you were there. It's for their own good, and I'm sure Plato would have said that, Socrates would have said that, the unknown Egyptian tomb writer would have said that, and Oswald Mazengarb would have said that. It really is for your own good to know there are limits to what you can do and what you can get away with. I think taking the cars off them is a very, very good start. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Horowhenua's mayor is appalled by the behaviour of people at a car meet in Levin that descended into chaos on Saturday night. Mayor Bernie Wanden spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Levin's Mayor is blaming outsiders for a violent boy racer meet over the weekend.  Two hundred vehicles reportedly took part in the Saturday night gathering.  Police say six vehicles were impounded and two officers were injured by boy-racers throwing bottles and rocks.  Horowhenua Mayor Bernie Wanden told Mike Hosking that Police were outnumbered.  He says locals are outraged by people from outside the community coming in and causing violence in the town.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Host: Cam, Skye, Andi, Matt Music: Forever - Mahinaarangi Tocker My delirium - Ladyhawke Peace be still - Ezra Phoenix Chasing you forever - Pattyboy Made for you - Lizzie Marvelly Show your love - Shona Laing Untouchable girls - Topp Twins Topics: - Sydney first dedicated affordable housing for trans women designed to deliver positive outcomes. - Over a third of LGBTQ young athletes in Australia are discriminated in sports according to study. - Horowhenua mayor slams vandalism of LGBTQIA Artwork. - Supernatural star Ty Olsson thanks fans after getting engaged to costar DJ Qualls. - How this Drag Race winner helped get a shoddy police department shut down.

I was surprised that the news that Auckland had inked a deal with the Government over water wasn't the lead story on last night's TV news. I would have thought that John Campbell would have had a deep dive on its repercussions for Auckland and the country. Basically, water and housing are the biggest issues for this country because every single person, business and animal needs water - and we all need a roof over our head. But maybe the kids we call journalists these days have never got water and its reforms. There is a lot about the deal that has not been said. Compared to 3 Waters, it's essentially 2 waters. Watercare deals with drinking water and human waste. Waste is sewage. That's a billion-dollar-a-year operation. But they don't deal with stormwater and drains. That's called sewerage and that's dealt with in Auckland by an entity called Healthy Waters. Now that's a $200 million dollar a year operation. It's not a council controlled operation. It will still be funded by council borrowings. So when people talk about polluted waterways being fixed, that's not really covered by the Watercare deal. Which is partly why Auckland's water rates increases are still at 7.3 percent. That 7.3 percent is, as we all know, higher than the rate of inflation and a major part of the cost-of-living crisis which the Government promised to tackle. But that's another kettle of wastewater. This deal happened because Auckland is the only council with CCO or council controlled organisations. They are the product of Auckland's amalgamation into a Super City by Rodney Hide. CCOs were actually designed to prevent Councillors fooling about in core business they know nothing about. And because of that they've never been overly popular. Yet it is claimed that this keeps water under local control. Ask Auckland's Mayors and Councillors about how much control they really exert over CCO's like Watercare, or Auckland Transport, or Auckland Unlimited. So, Watercare will have the remit, which is to provide water and remove waste. Operationally, they're in full control of their processes. The Council's control is limited to a majority of places on the board. So just a reminder that CEOs run companies not boards. They purely appoint a CEO and then assess how well the CEO has done. The Auckland deal was low hanging fruit for the Government, because the structure was already in place. The real test is how this works for everywhere else in New Zealand. The first real test will come this week when Horowhenua, Kapiti, Wairarapa, the Hutt Valley, Porirua and Wellington City meet on Friday to work together on a plan for a greater Wellington region water deal. They will have to set up an entity with bureaucracy and thrash out a deal about which region receives what in funding. Just like 3 Waters. Meanwhile, the good people in the countryside not adjacent to cities will be wondering if there's any white knights riding to their rescue regarding water borrowing. Or if they're going to be left behind. To me this deal is 3 Waters lite, with no ‘co-governance'. And that's it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on the podcast, I speak to Kristy McGregor, publisher, and editor-in-chief of Shepherdess. From the Women, For the Land — Shepherdess is here to connect, empower and inspire women across rural Aotearoa. An organization passionate about creating vibrant rural communities through storytelling and events.Starting life as a blog and then launching as an independent printed publication in August 2020, Shepherdess was started around Kristy's kitchen table on a dairy and beef farm in the Horowhenua. Shepherdess believes that telling stories is a great way to reduce social and geographical isolation, stimulate ideas and thinking, and foster connections.And over the past few years Kristy and the Shepherdess team have expanded their offering which now includes a tv series, an online social club, and as of next week the inaugural Shepherdess Muster will take place in Mōtū, Te Tairāwhiti. The Muster is a three-day rural festival and retreat gathering women from across rural Aotearoa.Kristy's story and the Shepherdess journey is a wonderful example of prioritising the needs of the community it serves, resulting in a thriving organisation. And, if you haven't picked up a print issue of Shepherdess before now, no matter where you live, you will fall in love with this beautiful publication. Every aspect of this magazine is thoughtfully curated – from the inspiring storytelling to the incredible photography and everything in-between. We had a few technical difficulties with this episode – recorded over three sessions, I've stitched this wonderful story together but please bear with if you hear any glitchy edits! After this episode visit shepherdess.co.nz to learn more. And of course you can connect on Instagram @shepherdess.nz For more podcast information visit supercreativepodcast.com Hosted by Catie DawsonBought to you by Somewhere CreativeFind us on Instagram - @supercreativepodcast

The Horowhenua Vintage Machinery Club's Harvest Weekend is running this Saturday and Sunday. The club's been pulling out all the stops for the signature event's return. We speak to their president Rod Clifton.

Covering news all over the country is a struggle for media companies dealing with rising costs and falling income. But some local outlets are surviving - and even thriving. Mediawatch's Hayden Donnel finds out who's doing the business in Horowhenua - and how they're doing it.

A large procession of mourners - and police - have gathered around Foxton, north of Levin, for the tangi of top Head Hunter gang member William "Bird" Hines.  William Hines is expected to be buried alongside other family members at the Motuiti Marae urupā at Himatangi on Monday.  The police say more than 100 officers are keeping a close eye on the gathering, and the Police helicopter, Eagle, is around to provide support and monitor traffic.  Horowhenua mayor Bernie Wanden spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

A local iwi in the Horowhenua says burying the remains of a dead whale was a sad occasion, but a useful lesson for their young people. A large New Zealand pygmy blue whale was found dead on the sands of Hokio Beach west of Levin. Dean Wilson, environmental manager for the Muaūpoko Tribal Authority, says after a short wananga, the decision was made to bury the tohora (whale) in the dunes behind the high-tide mark. Wilson spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Tomorrow afternoon the Horowhenua Kāpiti rugby team takes on the might of Wellington in a David versus Goliath Ranfurly Shield clash in Levin. It's the first time in 30 years the Horowhenua town has hosted a challenge for the log o' wood, a prize they've only won when they joined forces with neighbours Manawatū nearly a century ago. Our reporter Jimmy Ellingham visited Levin to see if Shield fever is taking hold. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6330962905112

Police are investigating several claims of abuse, assault and intimidation against Horowhenua District Council staff. The mayor's spoken out saying they're witnessesing a concerning pattern of unacceptable behaviour toward staff. Horowhenua District Council chief executive Monique Davidson spoke to Lisa Owen. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6330270025112

It's ancient, niche, sour and prickly - but what's not to love about yuzu? Country Life talks to Neville Chun about his passion for the fruit and follows it from the harvest to the brewery where yuzu zest is crafted into a Garage Project beer with the wow factor.

The atmosphere in the Horowhenua town of Levin is "highly charged" as New Zealand's top electricity supply workers spark up for industry bragging rights. Line mechanics and cable jointers have been showing off their skills - and for the first time, a team of women has taken part. Our Manawatū reporter Jimmy Ellingham got the shock of his life filing this report.  

Horowhenua asparagus grower Geoff Lewis tells Sally Wenley about some of the challenges of growing a commercial crop of the vegetable and the best way to eat them.

One of three teenage girls involved in the violent home invasion of a 90-year-old Levin woman, who later died of her injuries, is back in court, charged with robbery. Grace Virtue died 25 days after the invasion of her Horowhenua property, where she lived alone, in November 2019. Her family can't believe one of the girls is already back in trouble. Manawatū reporter Jimmy Ellingham has been looking at the story.

Police and negotiators remain at the scene of a stand-off in Levin where a man has been holed up at a property for more than 24 hours. At least 80 residents of Bledisloe Street in the Horowhenua town have been forced out of their homes as police negotiate with the man in what they describe as a self-harm situation. It comes as the man posts about the ongoing situation to social media with police confirming they attended an incident earlier this week at the same house. Manawatū reporter Jimmy Ellingham and cameraman Angus Dreaver are in Levin.

Residents of a Horowhenua beachside township have been without power for three days and want action. Fifteen Waitarere Rise residents lost power on Wednesday morning, after floodwaters caused an electricity box to start smoking. Nine have since had their connection restored, but the community warns it will happen again if nothing is done. Our reporter Soumya Bhamidipati and cameraman Angus Dreaver have the story.

Organic gardener Kath Irvine returns to share some winter gardening tips and to answer your questions. As we move through Matariki and the shortest days, Kath's main advice to gardeners? Keep planting! Irvine provides advice from her permaculture home garden in Ohau, in the Horowhenua. Her practical guide to growing organic fruit and vegetables, The Edible Backyard was published last year.

This week I'm joined by New Zealand Film and TV legend Te Kohe (TK) Tuhaka where he takes us through some of the music he listened to growing up. As well as this he talks about a new film he is producing starring actor Guy Pearce, set in 1820s New Zealand. Horowhenua artist Te KuraHuia fresh off the plane also makes an appearance in the studio to talk about her new EP she's released. Whakarongo mai!

In our first ever dual guest Iwi episode, we hear from two knowledgable tangata Rangitāne, Peter Meihana & Te Matahiapo Safari Hynes. We chat with them about the history, whakapapa and future hopes of their Iwi which covers the Manawatū, Horowhenua, Wairarapa and Marlborough areas of New Zealand.

New safety barriers on the sides of a state highway near the Horowhenua town Levin are making some residents feel anything but safe. They say turning into their properties has become a daredevil act, but roading officials say they'll get used to the new road layout. Our Manawatu reporter Jimmy Ellingham pulled over for a look.

Two weeks since a tornado blew through the Horowhenua town of Levin residents living in its wake face an uncertain future. Uninhabitable homes are awaiting assessment, while displaced families seek new homes. Manawatū reporter Jimmy Ellingham has the story.

Residents of Horowhenua are assessing cleanup costs of a surprise tornado that destroyed homes, power lines and trees. Friday's wild weather left several families homeless and a number of houses without electricity. Bernie Wanden is Horowhenua Mayor.

A first home owner from Levin says she feels unsafe in her house, after it was severely damaged by Friday's tornado. Wild weather tore through the Horowhenua district on Friday morning, damaging buildings, and downing trees and powerlines. Rhianna Sweetman and her partner, who are waiting for an official building assessment following the storm, are worried they will be told their first home is uninhabitable.

The government has shared which regions have been selected as the first 'locality networks' of the new health system. It's exactly a year since the government announced it would scrap the country's 20 DHBs for a new entity - Health New Zealand. Health Minister Andrew Little was in Horowhenua today to explain how local voices will fit in the new system. Our political reporter Anneke Smith was there.

Conditions on Horowhenua dairy farms are challenging enough to keep people on their toes. It's been nearly a month since the last rainfall. Grape harvesting's kicked into gear this week in Marlborough. Winter crops are struggling and grass growth is slow in Southland.

As if small business hasn't struggled enough during the pandemic. One small whistle-stop town in Horowhenua relies on passing motorists to bring in much needed cash. But now roadworks on the highway are sending potential customers detouring away from the town - and driving businesses to the edge. Jimmy Ellingham reports.