Page 2 - OPE March 2021

CLIPPINGS
Local and International News
Surfing the wave...
As Autumn
develops, we’re hearing that the much
talked about surge in demand for all things home and garden appears to continue unabated for many in the outdoor power channel.
Interesting too to hear that Kiwis have been looking for both products and services, which must be good for both suppliers, servicing dealers and contractors.
However, without wishing to jinx things, we are also hearing about a slight slowing of payments around the outdoor power channel.
It’s clear there is already pressure on
all sorts of outdoor businesses but are we looking at something of a lull after the storm?
Supply chain issues have certainly touched the industry in the last year, and will have mostly been worked through by now, but pressures to perform remain.
Stay sharp, stay attentive, readers!
Steve Bohling, Group Editor
steveb@mpm.nz 021 0223 6887
NZ Outdoor Power Equipment
is published 4 times per year
by Marketplace Media,
PO Box 28372, Remuera, Auckland 1541 Phone: 09 375 3097
Website : www.ope.co.nz
ISSN: 1177-4215
The opinions expressed and material published
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are not necessarily those of the publisher, except where specifically stated. The content is copyright and may not be reprinted in any form without the permission of the publisher.
Group Editor Steve Bohling 021 0223 6887 steveb@mpm.nz
Account Manager Karen Condon 0275 420 338
karenc@mpm.nz
Account Manager Susan Kennedy 021 317 176
susank@mpm.nz
Studio Manager Rachel Walker 021 169 0201
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Publisher Simon Little 021 507 343 simonl@mpm.nz
OUTDOOR POWER INDUSTRY SPORTS
Axes, gumboots fly at 2021 Rural Games
02 NZOUTDOORPOWEREQUIPMENT MARCH-JUNE2021
moreat www.facebook.com/NZOPEmagazine
PALMERSTON NORTH HOSTED some record-breaking events during the Ford Ranger
New Zealand Rural Games over the weekend of 12-14 March.
Some 42,000 people attended the three-day event where athletes competed across a range of rural sports, including wood chopping, coal shovelling, sheep shearing, gumboot throwing and egg throw and catch – with the latter two breaking New Zealand records.
New Zealand Rural Games founder Steve Hollander says: “It was a fantastic weekend for rural sports. The sun was shining all weekend.
“It was impressive and noisy with two-days of Timbersports competitions.
It was fantastic to have greater numbers
of Timbersports competitors at the
Games, especially the rookies and women competitors alongside the men – the public got to see the high level of professionalism in this sporting code.”
Indeed, this year, after a year off due to the pandemic, the highly anticipated STIHL Timbersports National Championship shifted from Mystery Creek in June to Palmy North in March as part of the New Zealand Rural Games
One of the NZ team at 2019’s World Championships, Jack Jordan took the top honours, followed by Kyle Lemon and perennial high achiever Jason Wynyard, while Kylea Heaton won the women’s competition and Brad Pako won the Rookies Competition – has now qualified to represent NZ at the STIHL Timbersports Rookie World Championship!
Another highlight was the Skellerup New Zealand Gumboot Throw, with New Zealand champion women’s gumboot thrower, Kristin Churchward, besting her New Zealand record with a 36.88m throw!
Her previous record was 34.45m set in Queenstown in 2016.
Best male thrower by the way was Kieran Fowler with 47.31m.
Alongside the Games were the 2021 Norwood New Zealand Rural Sports Awards and Judging Panel Convenor Nathan Twaddle who says he was thrilled to be celebrating so many people who had provided a lasting impact and benefit to the rural sporting community.
“The Norwood New Zealand Rural Sports Awards honour everyone from young athletes, to lifetime achievers; including those who work behind the scenes to make sure rural sports survive.
“This year, once again, we had an incredibly impressive line-up of finalists for each category showcasing the strengths of rural sports in Aotearoa.”
The 2021 Norwood New Zealand Rural Sports Awards winners were:
• Norwood New Zealand Rural Sports
Supreme Award and Fonterra NZ Rural Youth Sportsperson of the Year – Target shooter Stephanie McNair
• Sir Brian Lochore Memorial Award – Shotputter Tom Walsh
• PTSLogisticsNZRuralSportsmanofthe Year – Shearer Rowland Smith
• Skellerup NZ Rural Sportswoman of the Year – Woolhandler Keryn Herbert
• LevnoOutstandingContributionto Rural Sport joint winners – Murray
& Deneece Goldsworthy and Warren
White
• ToyotaLifetimeLegacytoRuralSport Joint winners – Sally Mallinson, Curly
Troon, Greg Herrick, Nick Liefting and Sheree Taylor
The team at NZ ARB were also at the
Ford Ranger Rural Games, doing their bit to promote arboriculture careers and the importance of good tree care.
NZ ARB participated in a new careers expo for secondary school students followed by the Clash of the Colleges challenge in which 240+ teenagers will compete, in teams, in an arboriculture challenge amidst a series of other rural code tests.
Sunday morning saw top tree climbers competing in the Battle of the Sexes Tree Climbing Championship in which teams of four of our best female climbers were pitted against four top males (and won).
https://ruralgames.co.nz/ n