North Canterbury News: July 27, 2023

NEWS
The North Canterbury News, July 27, 2023
Stonewood Homes opens Rga showroom
Brothers Aaron and LewisStrong,are
taking the reins of StonewoodHomes’ first
franchise to open in the region.
Theshowroom opens in Rangiora this
weekend.
Thesiblings are putting theirsales and
building expertise together,after deciding
to follow up an advertisement looking for
afranchisee in the area.
Aaron says theyhad afew meetings, and
then signeduptobecome the new
franchisees.
He lives in Rangiora and beganhis
career in thebuilding industry at Carters,
startingasthe boy in the yard who worked
hisway up to atradesales rep then on to
amanager’srole.
After six years at Carters, Aaron moved
to asalesrole at Versatile HomesinNorth
Canterbury, selling housesand shedsfor
the next seven years.
Meanwhile Lewis’ career also started in
the industry withabuilding
apprenticeship, before developing his
own buildingcompany Hi­Spec Homes.
Aaron says he always wanted to work for
himself, so when he started lookingfor
opportunities earlier this year,his brother
was right by his side to joinhim.
He says the partnership workswell, as
The Mandeville Tavern Annual Hunt Competition
•Bar snacks available at all times
•Happy Hour Thursday &Friday 5pm to 7pm, Free Nibbles
•9Pokie Machines •Courtesy van available
•Great outdoor area
21
Hunters to gather at Mandeville Tavern
The Mandeville Tavern deer and pig
hunt is areunion of hunters old, who are
now being joined by agreat bunch of
keen young hunters, says tavern owner
Lindsay Peters.
He has owned the pub for more than
three decades and says the traditional
hunt provides an opportunity for
hunters aged 16 and over to get out and
bag apig or deer, and be eligible for a
prize.
The competition runs from Friday,
August 18 with the final weigh in at 2pm
at the Mandeville Tavern in Raven
Quay, Kaiapoi, on August 20.
Hunters taking part in the Mandeville
Pig Hunting committee’s competition
will be taking aim at pigs and deer over
the duration of the hunt.
Mr Peters says deer joined the line up
in recent times, and the committee has
decided to continue to confine it to just
deer and pigs, and not open it up to any
other animals.
Mr Peters says the prize pool for the
annual event is $10,000, including a
$1000 rifle sponsored by Hazeldine
Construction.
he has the expertise in sales, and manages
the day­to­dayrunning of the business,
while Lewistakes on the role of project
manager with his building background.
Stonewood Homes General Manager
Gregg Somerville says while the market
acrossNew Zealand is quiet,hebelieves it
is an ideal time to be starting anew
business as you get a‘‘chancetoget
established to be ready to grow when the
marketrebounds’’.
‘‘Historically,home building enquiries
have alwaysbeen strong in North
Canterbury,and the time was right to
introduceanew franchise.’’
Aaron and Lewis are hopingthe opening
of their showroom will see asolid turnout
of those interested in homebuilding, and
are alreadyworkingonhouse and land
packages in Oxfordand securingsections
at Silverstream and Ravenswood.
They are hoping to havethem on the
marketshortly.
Franchise holders ... Brothers, Lewis (left)
and Aaron (right) Strong, are excited to
open the doors of their new showroom for
Stonewood Homes North Canterbury this
Saturday.
One lucky entrant will have the
opportunity to win the rifle, but will
need to present their Firearms Licence
to claim the prize.
Other major sponsors are Pre­Cut
Construction, Hunting and Fishing
North Canterbury, NC Honda, and Dr
Collision.
There are prizes for the heaviest boar,
sow, stag and hind, and the heaviest
average weight of agroup of pigs.
There will also be alarge variety of
spot prizes up for grabs for those
entering the competition.
Entries, which are limited to 100,
close on Wednesday, August 16, at 5pm.
An impressive line up ... Feral pigs being
hung on arail at the Mandeville Tavern
during aprevious hunt.
PHOTO: FILE
Entertainment most Saturday nights
The Mandeville Tavern Annual Hunt Competition
Friday 18 th August to Sunday 20 th August, weigh in no later than 2pm Sunday.
99 Raven Quay, Kaiapoi • Phone: 03 327 8010
2599751