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Otago Daily Times
08-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Deer sector to mark milestone
Politicians should not expect oysters at the Deer Industry Conference in Queenstown next week. New Zealand Deer Farmers Association life member Tony Pearse said he was excited to be speaking about the 50-year anniversary of the association at the conference at Millennium Hotel on Wednesday. When the conference was launched in Queenstown in 1978, it was held across three days, rather than a single day, and he fondly remembered the inaugural event organised by late southern deer farmer Robbie Brookes. ''It was an extravaganza. Robbie never responded to a request for a budget. He just said, 'it'll happen', '' he said. About 1400 people attended that conference, a mix of deer farmers and off-farm investors including well-known business figures. Many arrived by helicopter and parked their aircraft on the roof of Rydges Lakeland Resort which was hosting the event. The event included a cruise on TSS Earnslaw. ''There were about 700 people on it and helicopters were buzzing it,'' he recalled. Three floors of the resort were themed for the conference. ''One was set out with trees, as a New Zealand bush camp and another floor was an English village with English food and then the top floor was the extravagant main banquet area with a couple of guys in a rowboat, who shucked a thousand dozen oysters. It was just an incredible conference,'' Mr Pearse said. A keynote speaker at the conference was late Labour Party politician Trevor de Cleene. ''Essentially, the conference in its grand nature gave a message to De Cleene and the Labour government that these guys are having far too much fun.'' Mr de Cleene took the conference as a signal there must be something wrong with the tax advantages available to investors in deer farms, Mr Pearse said. An investor could write off the difference between the then standard value of a hind and its market value and then claim that taxation against their other businesses. Afterwards, the government changed the standard value for deer and the deductions became ''minuscule'', which prompted many investors to cash up and leave the industry. Minister of Agriculture Todd McLay would attend the conference next week and would not be served freshly shucked oysters from a row boat. ''No, I won't be having anything like that,'' Mr Pearse laughed. The first conference was a ''wonderful'' event and its consequences had an impact including the formation of the Game Industry Board. ''The industry started to grow up beyond just the enthusiasm all the pioneers had started,'' he said. Speakers next week include motivational speaker Kevin Biggar, agribusiness lawyer Millie Morgan and economist Brad Olsen. Mr Pearse said he and The Deer Farmer magazine founder Trevor Walton would talk about sector highlights of the past 50 years and celebrate its transformation from a feral industry and deer recovery to proper farming. Delegates had the option of adding on other activities on the days either side of the conference. NZDFA executive committee chairman Mark McCoard said the association was an independent farmer-led and run organisation. ''It is the voice of our farmers, advocating for farmer interests across all levels of industry, from the local, grassroots level to the regional and national government level when the need arises. ''We have a long history, almost as long as the New Zealand deer industry itself. Deer farmers are known as a passionate bunch, and we are seeing that as interest in the annual deer industry conference — celebrating 50 years of the NZDFA — has reached the point of needing waitlists for the awards dinner and the field trip to Fairlight Station the day after. ''So yeah, we're excited for conference, which is such a great opportunity for deer farmers and industry representatives from all over the country to get together to discuss the state of the industry, the weather, and the world in general. ''This year's 50th anniversary will give us a good reason to remember and reflect on the past, while also looking forward to an exciting future that features the same proactivity and innovative thinking that has underpinned the deer industry's past successes.''
Otago Daily Times
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
After 40 years, Miner's Band play last hurrah
The Arrow Miners Band (from left) Joe Guise, Lyn Jefcoate, Peter Doyle, Barbara Kerr, Cheryl Collie and Colin Macnicol delivered their final performance at the Super Seniors High Tea, part of the Arrowtown Autumn TRACEY ROXBURGH The Arrow Miners Band have officially disbanded. Formed 40 years ago, ahead of the first Arrowtown Autumn Festival, the band chose to play their final fling at yesterday's sold-out Super Seniors High Tea, part of the entertainment of this year's festival's opening day. Festival committee member Nicola Bentley said father time had caught up with the band, and noted it was with "a massive lump in my heart and a tear in my eye", she gave them their final intro. More than 35 members had played a part in the band over the years, on instruments ranging from the piano, violin, guitar, banjo, saxophone, accordion, drums, Barry Bain's 1890 sousaphone and Les Rogerson's lagerphone — a stick with bottle tops on it. While synonymous with the autumn festival, often accompanied by the Buckingham Belles, the band had also performed at the Hokitika Wild Foods Festival, on board the TSS Earnslaw, at The Hills golf course during the New Zealand Open, and had played for the late Queen Elizabeth II. Ms Bentley said members had also rallied around Arrowtown's community and helped raise money for various initiatives, including the seismic strengthening and restoration of the Lakes District Museum, painting the Arrowtown Post Office, to cover the costs of the Buckingham Belles junior troupe, the Mini Belles, new uniforms and to restore a 1948 Austin truck, dubbed "Old Red", given to them by the late Alma and Jack Stevenson, which had now been donated to the festival. "That means that Old Red will continue to carry the memory of the Miners Band, and we can think about them for many years to come," Ms Bentley said. "We thank you so much — to you and all of your band members who have brought your memorable music to our ears over the past 40 years. "You've forged your place in the history of Arrowtown and our festival. "We will miss you dearly." An emotional Peter Doyle, a member of the band for about 35 years, paid tribute to his fellow band members, including the last remaining original player Joe Guise. "We've got some new people that have come and, unfortunately gone — we said farewell to our dear friend Archie [Flint] last week. "It's been an absolute dream playing this gig. We've loved every minute of it. "Thank you, Arrowtown, goodbye." Following the miners band's performance, other entertainment at the high tea included a special performance by the Remarkable Men's Ballet, choreographed by Claire Hazledine, fittingly, to Vivaldi's Autumn. The festival continues until Sunday.
