I am having the upmost difficulty submitting my report from beautiful Samoa. The temp is about 28 c and am cycling around paradise and meeting lóta lovely people. I know what conditions are like at home, sorry!
I see there have been some altercations with drivers and stock on the road lately. Remember, unless you are on certain roads and dusk etc, stock have the right of way. Please respect the animal and their behaviour and move thru them slowly (5kph), stop, or whatever the stockman directs.
At last l see the flood protection authorities doing some meaningful river works on our Turanganui R. Only thing is they will not use permanent materials, so after floods l hope they do repairs?
And l also hope they allow roading contractors in particular to take material out of the river beds, at no cost, to encourage extraction of built up metal.
Whilst on my favourite subject, local authorities, l really encourage ratepayers and all, get involved in the discussion on amalgamation of our local authorities and streamlining of the Resource Management Act. This is huge! And if we get it right it is the best opportunity for decades for improved productivity, efficiencies, employment, practical environmental outcomes, getting rid of bureaucratic deadwood and much more.
Here in Samoa l saw a very successful livestock farming operation using Regenerative practices. Ruth and Kelvin ( they have been on Country Calendar). They have cleared family land and introduced a kikuyu type grass called patiki in small patches and let it cover the ground, volcanic rocks, and most important toxic plants. The cattle only eat the tops, the plant roots shade the ground, hold the moisture, the ants thrive breaking down the litter and dung into organic matter. The volcanic rock gets slowly broken down releasing valuable minerals and big plus no intestinal worms in the cattle. No tractors, no fertiliser, or feed supplements, just weedeaters to top the toxic weeds . And long as there is shade and few weeds the stock were exemplary. Toxic plants are the biggest reason in the tropics stock look skinny. Scientists and universities are watching this kiwi farmer.
Tofa Mai feline ( goodbye my friend)
