North Canterbury News: May 07, 2020

RURAL LIFE
farmers’ goodwill
From Page 14
Findingenoughlabour resourceisa
struggle and projectssuch as wilding
conifercontrol,predator trapping and
native restoration projects are obvious
examples for job opportunities. An
advantage of these types of environmental
projects is they can be rolled out quickly.
However, there are also challenges, the
biggestbeing the government’s
environmental policies around
freshwater, climate change, and
indigenous biodiversity.
All havefailed to recognise the positive
attitudechange among New Zealand
farmers and the need to have the buy­in of
those people subject to the regulations.
Undereach policy, farmers who have done
the most to look after the natural
environment face the greatestpenalties.
The Indigenous Biodiversity policy, as
proposed, undermines the goodwillofour
most conservation­mindedfarmers,turns
indigenous biodiversityinto aliability,and
is adisincentive for farmers to be
proactive in environmentalactions.
Districtcouncils have raised concerns
about the significant cost implications, the
inflexible one­size­fits­all requirements,
and the reduced likelihood of
environmental benefits. Acommonview is
that this policy is backward­looking rather
than forward­thinking.
Recently,there have been calls for the
government’s environmentalpolicies to be
deferred for fearsthey will hinder our
economic recovery from Covid­19.
We believe rather than be deferred,
these policies are not fit for purpose and
shouldbetaken back to the drawingboard.
Farmers should continuethe
momentum to proactively address
environmentalissues while advocating for
policies that enable the farming of the
future,rewarding best practice and not
repeating the mistakes of the past.
Over the past 50 years farmers have
proven they are, under the right policy
framework, prepared to embrace and
investinenvironmentalactionsas
custodians of theland. New Zealand is at
acritical juncture in ourenvironmental
journeyand we need alegislative
framework that supportsand empowers
our farmers to continuetolead the world
in environmentally sustainable farming.
Jamie McFadden is an environmental
consultant who undertakes riparian,
wetland, native bush and erosion control
projects for landowners. He chairs the
RuralAdvocacy Network, based in
Canterbury, representingrural people and
businesses on awide rangeofissues.
WINTHROP DESIGN &CONSTRUCTION
North Canterbury News, May 7, 2020
15
Diversifying. .. Drew Parkinson, left, and business partner Joshua Pirika­Coburn have
used the lockdown to chart the next chapter for their business, Winthrop Design and
Construction.
PHOTO: SUPPLIED
New excavator marks
anew chapter for firm
RECOVERY PROJECT ON HOLD
The Kaikoura PlansRecovery Projectis
on hold. A“wrap­up” workshopwas due
on May 13, with funding to end in June.
But projectmanager Jodie Hoggard
Less Stressfor youand yourLivestock!
-Competent stock handling by professional
drivers.
-Modern fleet of code compliant trucks and crates
-Competitive pricing, planning and logistics.
Livestock -stock@amuritransport.co.nz
56 St Leonards Rd, Culverden
Fertiliser -fert@amuritransport.co.nz
Ph 03 315 3033 -Fax 03 315 8413
Freight -freight@amuritransport.co.nz
Bulk Grain –Shingle –Coal –Golden Bay Cement -Daily Freight Services
2164342
CULTIVATING? All agricultural &cultivation work
Local Business Serving The Local Area.
• Direct drilling -Giant discing -Ploughing
-Power harrow -Air seeding
• All heading and windrowing requirements
• Hay -Baleage -Straw
Medium square, round, conventional.
Double mower conditioners, wrapping.
We look after your needs like we look after our own!
Full Cultivationand Drilling Service
Skilled operators of large, efficient, modern equipment
•Horsch Terrano 4-metre Primary Cultivator
•Amazone Catros 6-metre Multi Discs with Roller
•Amazone Cayena Fine TipTyne Drill 6-metrewith Roller
•Maxitill andVaderstad Roller Combination6-metre
Accurate GPS-controlled tractors in auto steer
McHale Fusion Round Baler Wrapper Combi Unit for
individual wrap
Straw,Hay,Baleage, large 4x3 sqs and round bales.
Full Cereal Crop Managementoptions
saidthe project had been placed on hold
due to the Covid­19 crisis. It has been
working to help farmersrecover from the
2016earthquake.
• Daily Freight Run to Ch-Ch &Return.
Ph: 0274 517 063 (Darran)
0274 321 581 (Bus)
03 314 4565 (H)
1941590
WinthropDesign andConstruction is
diversifying.
The Waikari­based architectural
design business run by DrewParkinson
andbusiness partner Joshua Pirika­
Coburn is now offering landscape design
and construction as well as smaller
earthmoving jobs.
Drew says Winthrop had been looking
at contractingforthe past 12 months, but
Covid­19hadforcedits handto diversify.
“Intheleaduptolockdown we had
alreadynoticedadownturn in our core
business. That reallyjust gave us the
pushwe neededtochange things up.”
They have used the time over
lockdown to start preparing forthe next
chapterintheir businessbybuyinga
new 2.6­tonne excavatorand spreading
thewordaboutwhattheycan offer.
‘‘Wewantedtocome outofthis andhit
theground running,’’hesays
‘‘It’sgoing to be achallengingnew
economyandIthink flexibility and
diversity will be the key to survivingthe
nextfew years.’’
With backgroundsinboth civiland
residentialconstruction, the two can
offerabreadthofknowledgeto
prospectiveclients.
“We’ve been lucky to have worked on
adiverserange ofprojects in previous
jobs.
‘‘Josh has finished floorsinmultimillion
dollar houses and I’vebuilt
stormwateroutlets in tidal estuaries.
Waikari based servicing the greater
Hurunui and Waimakariri Districts.
We have our own modern 2.6 tonne
excavator on a trailer and access to
any other size or type machine.
Competitive Rates and
Senior Discounts.
❛In the leadup to lockdown
we had already noticed a
downturn in our core
business. That really just
gave us the push we needed
to change things up.❜
—DrewParkinson
‘‘We’re hopingclients can see us as a
one­stop­shop”
Drew and Josh, who were mates at
high school, both have aconstruction
background.
Drew had been working as aproject
engineerinChristchurch before starting
the business in 2018, while Josh worked
as aspecialistfloorfinisher inAustralia
before moving back to New Zealand to
join the company in early 2019.
Originally based in Rangiora, the pair
moved to Waikari lastyeartoenjoythe
country lifethat North Canterbury has
to offer.
Theyhavebecomeinvolved withthe
localcommunity through volunteering
with the Amuri Ski Club, and Drewwith
therural fire brigade.
Winthrop Design and Construction
can be contacted on 0224249 660orby
emailingdrew@winthropdc.co.nz
• Project Management & Consulting
• Landscape Design & Construction
• Culverts & Crossings
• Site Tidys & Cleanups
• Retaining Walls
• Stock Water Installations
• Farm Track Maintenance
• Architectural Design - LBP Licensed
2273081
HURUNUI PH 0274 360 342
Sam Bethell (0274) 360-342 or Cameron Gray (027)373-1814
1996974
Get in touch today to discuss your project
0224 249 660
drew@winthropdc.co.nz