REX March 18 - Stu Davison, Andrew Olsen and Kristy McGregor

0:00This is a podcast from Rover. Rover! Rover will exchange. With net speed. Broadband for the land. Good day, everyone. Welcome into the Rex Day Leap podcast. For Wednesday, the 18th of March, I'm Dom George. And this show is brought to you by the team at Net Speed. Now coming up for you on the show today, and just a moment we're going to be talking with Stu Davidson from High Ground Dairy. Of course, we had a GDT overnight. But of a flatliner, the index up by the slimmest of margins, 0.1%. Not great news for the homeowner index down 4%. So we'll get the latest with Stu on that. And also the goings on within the world, speaking of, we're going to be talking with Andrew Olson as well. And Andrew is the chief executive of Rural Contractors New Zealand. We're going to be talking about the relationship now between Rural Contractors and Farmers. Given the high cost of fuel and other input costs and the relationship building that can be done, there has thought around that.

1:00Plus, again, the geopolitics of everything that's going on at the moment, what has he seen in the past that they can take lessons from and where the Rural Contractors are at the moment in the current landscape. Plus, Christy McGregor is going to join us as well, of course, the founder of the Shepard S magazine that is now branching out into TV series podcasts and the likes. So you name it, it's all happening with the team at the Shepard S magazine. So that's all coming up for you here on the Rex Dady podcast. Enjoy. Rural Exchange. With Natspeed. Internet till the cars come on. All right. We are talking GDT as a GDT Wednesday, our jet-setting correspondent from High Ground Dairy, Stu Davidson, is currently in an Uber, I think. Somewhere in Melbourne, actually. Lovely to talk to you again, my friend. How are you? Yeah, good, mate. Thanks for being back on. Yeah, jet-setting is definitely the name of the game at the moment. And yeah, just left Melbourne Airport onward into the city. So she's all good.

2:01It's been a big busy GDT day and one event. Yeah. So did you manage, obviously, you have managed to sort of catch up with it in between flights and bits and pieces. A very modest increase of 0.1%, so basically a flat line at this time round. Yeah, basically a flat. If all of us were to come up to our name, if delivering pretty strong results, it would have been a decline. It would have been a red marker. But you know, those two products managed to push us back into positive and quite notable. Humble padded down, quite dramatically there too. So a very much softer result than the market was expecting. Yeah, the Humble padded down 4%. Which, you know, again, we look at that. And that's one of the important commodities, isn't it? Yeah, exactly right. One of the bigger cornerstones and really drives the overall GDT index too. And, you know, we saw buyers from China. They were the air abouts. On Humble padded, they weren't too bad. They were actually basically absent for skim milk pattern, which is surprising considering the lifting prices. But a big telltale from the situation in China,

3:02they basically backed away from buying across the board for this auction. So quite an interesting result from China. And a really impressive result from the Middle East Southeast Asia and Latin America on both skim and AMF. So sort of those cornerstone, you know, shaft stable commodities. AMF, for example, easier to transport than butter in the situation we're thinking creams. And likewise, the skim milk pattern lasts a little bit longer on the shaft. So those Middle East and buyers are, you know, it's actually moving things and keeping the supply lines in check at the moment. Well, okay. So there's the big issue with the days. And it's pretty hard to get away from it. The Middle East, what's happening there since we spoke two weeks ago. Yeah, hasn't been much change in situation in regards to this thing winding up anytime soon. So what are we seeing? What are we likely to see? Yeah, nice. From what we know, it could have finished yesterday. It could have been kept going. We don't know where we're getting out of that huge administration at the moment. That's all pretty fun. But I think the big change is definitely, you know,

4:02the market's had time to digest it. And we've seen the result of that in prices. Really clear to see that, you know, in terms of shipping logistics and the problems, but also the costs that have been imposed there. That's sort of, you know, especially when we look at the Chinese back in way, that's definitely put the sort of kaybosh on their demand for them for now. But the other part of that too is the US dollar. So the big result of the conflict has been a really strengthening US dollar. Obviously with oil prices going through the roof, everyone needs more US dollars to buy more expensive oil. And so currency traders get in front of that and currency gets more US dollars, especially gets more expensive. So that's also a big headwind for buyers in the market too. So those things combined. It's definitely soft in the market. We've seen that in home. We've had it today. Yeah. It's such a fascinating situation, because this is the most unpopular thing that this administration could have done. It's, it's incredible. Isn't it? And keep saying it with midterms coming up this year. It's an extraordinary scenario for the current regime to be to be in.

5:06Yeah, exactly. Who would have. Again, he's, he's really stumbles as big. I've got a boat on the word geopolitical situation so far this year. And, you know, we're a fifth, you know, the wildness we thought 25 was that 26 would be this this erratic already. So yeah, it's unpopular home and it's unpopular around the world. And, you know, the geopolitical tension in the market is, you know, you'd be shy to ignore it at the moment. And it's, you know, it's going to take a long time resolved. And we see that with markets, you know, coming to our prices and uncertainty and, you know, be it oil, oil gets all their attention, but it's everything else too. So inflation's done. We talked about we saw the RBA. I think this week or last week, left there. Bank, you know, reserve prices. So, you know, market is reacting to what's going on. It's not an ideal situation. It's going to make. Make your friend Mr Trump a little bit more unpopular, unfortunately. So it's, it's not voting well for him. No, exactly. And look, look, I've been talking to people over here, Stuart, about what's been going on in terms of, you know, just the,

6:06I mean, you say fuel gets the headlines. And for a very good reason, I suppose, as well, because it's so bloody fundamental to everything that we do. So, you know, people are facing costs that are just astronomical in terms of price rises due to that supply chain of the fuel and just the, you know, the according, you know, rise in it. It's going to become untenable for a lot of people. Yeah, it really is. And that's, you know, going right back to the EU market. So, that's the, that's a real key fundamental of the fear of the market too. Like, you know, prices won't, you know, have an upside limit now too, because consumers, if they, you know, they spend more of their pocket on the fuel bill, then they tend to spend a little bit less on yogurt and the rest. So, yeah, it's a, it's a, it's a problem for markets overall. It's a problem for consumers in the near now. And it's, it's not a fun situation for, you know, governments or anyone to really sort of wade through. You know, it definitely makes you appreciate how settled the world was in the very short memory ago.

7:07And you think we're sort of let from crisis to crisis with, with COVID to this. You know, and the rush new grain crisis in the middle too. So, it's definitely been a very volatile, you know, six years in the 2020s. So, it's, it's, unfortunately, doesn't look like it's going to slow down anytime soon either. No, exactly. And that just means as well that event has been called off. I just had a look at the formula one website just before I see Bahrain and Saudi Arabia called off. And I don't know, you probably know a bit more about that sort of stuff, but yeah, that's not great either. No, no, it wasn't really a surprise, you know, considering they're in April, you know, not that far away. And, you know, there was an impactation in the first couple of days of the conflict, that things would have cooled down by then, but obviously it's, you know, been prolonged. And yeah, probably fair enough for me, fun. But it's probably indicative of the wider situation. That's probably the headlines for spawning, but imagine, you know, that's just the tip of the iceberg. But the downside is I get two less F1 races soon.

8:08And three on the first start of the calendar is not enough to get the itch scratched. No, exactly. What are we coming up? Is it Japan coming up this week, isn't it? Yeah, there's a look at coming up next. Next, next, not this weekend, the weekend after, isn't it? Yeah. Yeah, exactly right, exactly right. So, but the zoo is quite a track. And after such two really good grumpies, grumpies in a row, it's a pretty exciting look for it to the zoo. And boy, Liam, Harman P7, and both the sprint and the GP, that's incredible result. He's basically the fastest red bull driver from the stable. Yeah, go day. I love that. And Ship Mercedes have done something over the, yeah, over the break, haven't they? Yeah, I tell you what, I'm not a big fan of George Russell, but I'm a huge fan of community community. Community Nelly. So great to see him on a GP and be square in the fight for a championship run anyway. So, you know, I'd rather see anyone else win than George. He just, he runs in the wrong way. So that's good to see if anyone's going to be Kimmy. Elise, he's a nice young fella. I have an open mind, Stu, because he's the thing I didn't like used to like Max Verstappen.

9:10He used to rub me out the wrong way as well. And now I think he's bloody marvelous, you know. So just, you know, just open, open your mind up a little bit, Stu. I appreciate the challenge mate, but he's still a dog. Fantastic. Well, listen, thank you for giving us your time as always in the Uber this time. And look, you're in this part of the world now. So hopefully we'll catch up at some stage. But yeah, safe travels. My friend will talk to you soon. Sounds good mate. Appreciate it. And that always great to chat. Well, rural contractors is an organization that represents obviously rural contractors across New Zealand, but it provides services to farmers, councils and rural communities. Well, with the state of play around the globe at the moment, we thought it'd be a good opportunity to get the CEO on Andrew Olson to talk us through exactly what the people out there in the contracting world are finding at the moment. It's nice to have you on. How are you, Andrew? Good, Dom. Thanks for having us on. No worries. Yeah. How have a situation in that? Yes, it's escalated quickly.

10:10To put it broadly. Yeah, it has. I don't recall any of the other Middle East conflicts resulting in such a quick movement in pricing at the pumps, but you know, every day is different, every conflict is different. And yeah, it's caused some consternation. And when we've got, obviously, contractors going about their business because we've got sun and grass, but we've also got the added impact of the maize harvest, which is just sort of swung in up in the North Island and other places where maize is growing too. So big machines, big, big prices. So with the geography of the situation, that would basically explain to a large degree why we're seeing what we're seeing that you alluded to. And yeah, I guess geographies, everything, and this, you know, when we're looking at commodity such as fuel, etc.

11:13Yeah, it is. And it's, I think what we've got here is a little bit of a blueprint that arose out of COVID where we had constraints and tightening of supply lines, services, you know, labour, all of that got affected over a long period of time. But, you know, the immediate impact here is landing, unfortunately, for a number of our members and large organisations at that around fuel and the cost of that. And we've been actively this week working with our members on guidance on how they might manage that cost that's landed in their business and what sort of conversations they can have with their customers and what their contracts look like. And, you know, everyone's different, Dom. So I think everyone's going to approach this a little differently with the way that they've managed their customers over time. But all of it is aimed at ensuring that it's a survivable situation for both parties. And no triggers get pulled and the people make the best decisions they can

12:16based on the evidence that's in front of them. And it won't always be favourable. It might be that they need to just do what's ahead of them and get through to the next customer and so on and so forth. So our guidance is, it's pragmatic, but it's also sort of, you know, you've got to play that game that's in front of you as well. Yeah, which makes perfect sense. What sort of increases are we seeing at the moment, the diesel, the petrol and obviously the NB had passed on down the line? Well, a lot. And we're not so much focused on what's happening at the pump. Well, while there is an increase and that's one of the outputs of this fuel oil issue. We've got the cost of the production of the fuel within the costs. We've also got a number of our quite a few, I would imagine, without being exact, have fuel deals.

13:17So we see one price and it'll be a similarly increase, but it might be coming off a lower base. But ultimately, the bit we're looking at is, what is that cost going to look like as a percentage of your business? And what therefore do you need to do with that cost when you're applying your services? So, you know, for me driving down the street, I'm 20 cents worse off on a 91 basis. But, you know, it's not quite the same when you're iron out all the different factors and inputs that sit in particularly larger businesses, deals and supply chains. Yeah, David Birkett, Fed Farmers, Airable Chairs, is at the moment we're busy in the middle of harvest. So we're using combine harvesters and a large machine that we use about 1,000 litres of fuel a day. Then there's trucks and tractors on top of that. So if there's an increase in price of let's say a dollar or even 50 cents a litre, that do the math, that's two for whatever grand it is per day extra.

14:19That's insane. Yeah, but I've had reports that we were at 35,000 a week for one of our bigger members. It's probably not an expression I can use easily on India, but yeah. 35,000. 35,000. Yeah. And look, any increases in increase, but like I say, there's, it might help Dom to explain too that we've got, there'll be harvest contracts or at least harvest handshakes, where a price was fixed six months ago to get it in. And then this is shifted and now we've got a price or cost rather to get it out. So there's that seasonal nuances. And then we've also got the quote that was issued two to four weeks ago that's significantly shifted too. So some of them might be enthusiastic conversations, and some of them will have contracts that cover all of these variances as well. But our advocacy to the members is you shouldn't be expected to suck this up.

15:23And we've communicated the same to the appropriate levels that federated farmers who will largely be the farmers who will link to our guys. And they all need to work next year and all need to work through all of this sensibly. And you know, fully aware that common sense doesn't always prevail. We hope that in most cases that we've done what we can to help people have a sensible, hopefully calm conversation about getting on with the most important thing, which is getting the crop out of the ground or the service provider, because it's not going to do anyone any good to either not do it, or to start moving the pieces around and end up in a race to the bottom. That's just not a smart move for anyone to do that. Certainly isn't. So then effectively the advice is, it's also for courses, but let's try and get somewhere in them. Let's try and meet each other halfway if we can. Oh, yeah, absolutely. Like I said, no expectation. Our guys will suck this up and look like we found in COVID,

16:26you know, when the price of a capsicum went from $1.99 to $5.50. A lot of that's around transport, so the cost is entering the system somewhere. So farmers and growers, and I don't want to speak for them, but let's call them part of the ecosystem. That is going to hit them as well. So not having an expectation that there will be a cost increase is hit in the sand stuff. Understanding that there is going to be a cost increase, and it might come at you first, and then you pass that on, is what we've learnt a lot of in the last five years. So if you want to hold on to it, hey, by all means, hold your breath and up, try to hold on. But I think we've kind of turned a page a little bit here on, things are elastic, and prices may go up once the costs have influenced that, and I'm talking here in general. But I would like to hope that we've got the elasticity for that to drop when the oil prices come back, and we hopefully reach a normal, which is not a new one, right? And we're not 20% off of where we are,

17:26just because that's convenient to be there. That's a really good point. That's like that political point where you say, well, you know, governments or whatever, they'll enact something due to, you know, a unique circumstance. But that never gets reversed once that circumstance is leveled back out again, right? That's kind of the terrain you're talking about here. Absolutely, yeah, for sure. And this, you know, the cost of oil at the moment in agriculture extends to what will it look like when we try to get agrochemical into the country, because it's already gone up in production wherever it's coming from. It arrives here with transport and all the other stuff attached to it. And that's going to come back into the system as well. So we're not just looking at this season or this service today. This could go on for a little while while inventories are, you know, dealing with the multiples and the ripples that go through there. Yeah, exactly. Yeah, that's right. Well, you know, but again, back to the geography thing

18:27and look what we are. We don't have much of a choice in this stuff. No, no, we don't. And the, what would you call him today? The tangerine tyrant, maybe. The idea you're old, who's controlling our destiny from a few buttons and some microphones. You know, look, it's a personal view of mine. Not a company endorsed view. But, you know, the older fakes that are, you know, what's your show? And I'm kind of becoming one of those. What we've seen Middle East conflicts for a long time. You know, the US involvements goes back 50 years. Why this one at this time? I don't know. And an America seems to be questioning whether it's the goodie or the badie in this one, which is healthy. And I just wonder what sort of pictures someone has of Donald to have made him go out and do what he's doing. You know, this is pretty erratic. It seems very strange when you look at the election chatter

19:27around no wars. You look at the fact that there's midterms coming up and this is the most damaging thing you would have thought from a Republican point of view heading into those midterms. You look at the fact that, you know, the evidence of, despite what Netanyahu has been saying since the early 1990s, the evidence of, you know, a nuclear bomb in the Iranian regime. Yeah, I wonder if this is another, you know, Iraq from 20 years ago scenario. You put all those things together and I tend to agree. You've got to wonder what is the, who's the puppet master here? What is the string being pulled? Doesn't really make a lot of sense on the face of it. No, I don't see that. And I'm not trying to link this up to an Epstein matter. I think, you know, there's all kinds of discussions about what parties Donald's been to in the past. But leaving all that aside, what encourages me about the duration of this conflict

20:30is that we're typically the allied nations might have ridden over the hill and said, oh, of course we should do that. They're not springing to action and some are giving him the middle finger and probably not unexpectedly. So, you know, how or in what way he may sue for peace or be sued for peace to get things moving is I think probably an imminent discussion given the popularity poll that's at work here. And I think you've also got to consider that, you know, at some point the people who sell this commodity are going to want to get rid of the stuff that they've got at the price that no one wants to add anymore and oil fell last night. So, you know, and I dare say that that way and tick the pumps back a little. But Donald, I'm encouraged by the Commerce Commission taking your front foot. It was phrased strongly. It was suggested that you shouldn't do it and I think that's the right step for an agency that has that jurisdiction to do.

21:32And, you know, I think we just have to... I hope that this doesn't become a six-month thing where we're really exasperate about what to do next and if it gets away too far, it's going to become, you know, a systemic value for a lot of businesses, not just agriculture. Yeah, let's hope for a rapid resolution to do this one. In the meantime, there's work to be done. People's spirits are quite good. We don't have rain. We have blazing sun and green stuff growing everywhere. And I think that's a good thing. And I think there's a maturation. Well, I hope there is that, you know, we've seen enough of all of this together. And, you know, farmers' commodities are being good. They've been well paid. I know that our people are being paid by and large. That's been a good thing. So there's high spirits. And this is an offshore thing. So if it's a short offshore thing, transmission regimes. If it's long, it's a different future

22:32that we might be looking at. And there'll be a lot of wrap around to that. And the government's in an election year with its, you know, challenges already. And our dollars in the doldrums. And I just came back from Australia and found... I thought I might have been from a third nation when I was trying to spend my dollar. And I was also counting very far. So, you know, there's other challenges at work here, right? Very much so. Tough to disagree with any of that. Actually, I'm looking for something. But no, I think you're bang on the money with all of that. So wouldn't it be your, the rural contract, or, I know, they're all not the same person. But, you know, in general, what are they telling you at the moment? What's the feedback that you're getting from people? Pretty positive. You know, stepping in and taking that front foot thing from people out. You would think that, you know, when you're in business that you would have your... You'd know your numbers. And you'd be, you know, able to do all the things that are necessary when things change and shift. But not all of our businesses are very large businesses.

23:34And it's the same for New Zealand. There's a lot of small to medium enterprise here. So we've got, you know, mum and dad at the kitchen table trying to fill out an immigration form, do their tax work out. The cost of their production isn't everything else. It's a lot. And then you've got to do the work as well. If you've got any spare hours. So our helping hand is give them some models to get a sense of what it might look like. And be better able to make good decisions. So that's where we're at. You know, no longer is it, you know, thumping, you know, tables and asking the government to step in. That doesn't work. I think we just got to be a bit more resilient, resourceful. Get things done in our way. We'll be really quick at doing that. So the feedback initially has been very positive. And, you know, we'll develop some more tricks. Yeah, I bet. Well, yeah, exactly. But so that's an important point as well. I think you're being on with that one there. It's not relying the government to fix things. I think, yeah, until it's absolutely dead set necessary.

24:34But you've spoken, obviously, you're speaking from a contractor's point of view. Is there any advice you might give too far? I don't know if you're in the business of dishing out advice or not. But, you know, in terms of the farmer side of things toward the contractor. I have the discussion. If you haven't been approached and you've got some work coming up, pick up the phone, lean on the fence, have a chat, have a cover. It's neither of your faults. It's just one of those things that's happened. And I think the important thing here, and I want to emphasise it again, cost is going to enter the system. It's going to allow it to, because if you don't, when it happens to you, you might have a sense of, that's what that bloke was talking about. And I bypassed him in that work, and I feel shit about that. Don't feel shit about it. Feel good about it upfront, because there's no getting away from it. Everyone's in this together. Every sector, every person who goes to work's paying more for now. So let's try to make sure we have an even handed approach.

25:34Have the conversation. I think that's pretty sage sort of advice. And yeah, again, great stuff. I appreciate your time, Andrew, because I mean, yeah, that whole thing is, just take a step back and go, not your fault, not my fault. However, here's the situation. Let's deal with it. And if anyone can, it's people in rural New Zealand. And spot on. And this is what we recommend doing when we've got floods, and we've got drought, and we've got hard times. We don't go and see someone. Make sure checking that they're all right. So get that around the right way. Don't do nothing about it. Let's get it around the right way. Have the conversation. And look, viewers and people in this position are going to go, geez, it's easy for that bloke that runs a trade association to say that right. He doesn't have to go out and do it. Every day, I've got to go out and do the same thing. And encourage people to have those conversations to make their business better. Or make the choice not to. Perfect. Good man. Appreciate your time.

26:34Yeah, lovely to talk with you. Good common sense stuff. Cheers. We'll do it again sooner. Good on you, mate. All right, let's check in with Christy McGregor and see what's been happening in the world of the Sheppardes magazine. Because she is publisher, editor, and chief founder. You know, she does it. I think that's how the writing five years as well. Christy, it's lovely to have you on. How are you? Yeah, lovely to chat. Thanks for having me to talk. Well, it's actually our 25th edition. So it's six years. Wow. Hey, I'm a bit behind. I remember. And that's since the print publication is, you know, print magazine has been going. It was sort of a year before that that we were just on socials. So, yeah, it is a, I look at my seven-year-old. It just turned seven-year-old. And for every bit, but two months of his life, it's been a, you know, yeah, part of it. I remember talking with you. I think basically when you were kicking it all off, you know. And so, you know, to get where you've got to.

27:35And in a world where, obviously, as we all know, mags, magazines are getting slimmer and fewer. Yeah. It's pretty impressive. Yeah, that's right. I think it just goes to show, like, we've just got such a wonderful community. And, you know, the feedback that we keep getting. And being at the Warnaker show, you know, over the weekend was, you know, a testament to this is just, yeah, I don't know. Telling real stories and stories that people can relate to, you know, you're doing it every day, you know. But just that authenticity and, you know, it really connects with people. So, yeah. Yeah. That was the Saturday morning. I think you hosted a breakfast for the second year in a row. That's right. Yeah, we had a breakfast. So, I interviewed Ruth Shaw, who's the book seller at the end of the world in her three wee bookshops. And she's just gorgeous. And then also Kate Scott from Reese Valley Station at Glen Orkey, who's just such a, you know, incredible, you know,

28:37she's the main farmer on her family farm. And, you know, it's just, yeah, I just love hearing her chat and her, her wisdoms and, you know, take on things. So, yeah, it was a lovely, lovely morning, way to start the morning, because, you know, the show's hectic and bustling. So, to have a sit down on the couch and have a chat with Ruth and with Kate was really special, yeah. Yeah, it's nice to be able to do those sorts of things, because you're right at this hectic. And I think that a record sort of like 45,000 people through this time. So, yeah, it was hot as it always is. Which is very cool. But of course, you're backing up as well, because only, what, less than two weeks ago, I think you had the, the, the Master event for 2020, 26. So, what's the concept behind that and how that go this year? Yeah. So, if I look exhausted, that's because I feel it, because it's just been, yeah, go, go, go. So, yeah, from the 6th to the 8th of March, we had 200 women gathered at Tokanoi at the Rugby Club in Mendehoku, Southland,

29:37for our second Master. And the first time that the Master had headed to the South Island, which is really, really special. And it's a weekend. It's just about, you know, women taking a moment to get out of the every day and the, you know, constant burdens and demands, which I've come back to real life. And I'm reminded of what it's like, especially when you have little kids and, you know, all sorts or, you know, caring roles or whatever. And so, it's just about doing women doing something for themselves. So, it's a weekend with arts, health and well-being, business development, entrepreneurship, and good food being cooked for a weekend. How good. Yeah, it was really special. That's fantastic. So, that was, yeah, this is a thing that you're going to, obviously, it's got my momentum enough that you're going to sort of keep going and expanding and all that sort of thing. Yeah. So, we had the first one up in Motu,

30:37to Entiraferty back in 2024. So, it sort of, it really does take, you know, the full two years to plan and a event of that kind of, you know, three-day scale with all its moving parts. So, yeah, the plan is to go back to the North Island to a different rural community. And we'd really love to hear, I mean, if there's any listeners that, you know, have a community that would like to host it in the North Island, then please sing out to us. We're all is. But, yeah, and it's about, you know, if you move around to a different spot, you're giving women access to those opportunities in that spot. So, it was things like, you know, we had the women's health bus there, we had, you know, a whole raft of health services, the ministry for women actually supported health and well-being space. So, you know, bra fittings, pelvic floor, ultra sound, you know. It was a really holistic weekend and you could sort of, women coming along could get an opportunity

31:38to do those things that they easily, easily put off. And, you know, when you're in the tech thickness of every day, sort of don't make time for. That's very cool. Yeah. So, yeah, again, yeah, listeners, if you've got a spot, you think might be suitable, get in touch with Christy. Now, the publication itself, you talk about, you know, talking to interesting people and just telling, you know, good, interesting soul to the earth kind of stories, that sort of thing. Is it evolved much? Is that pretty much where you started and you sort of continued that concept or is the evolution of the publication? Talk to me about that. Yeah, that's a good question. Well, this is the one that just came out on last week, Monday. So, this is Grace on our cover. She's from Tara for the, I think, I think the intention is the same in terms of connection, but I think, you know, the evolution has been in sort of maybe, how it, I think, I think we keep getting better and better.

32:40I hope we do. But, you know, it's like the first time around it was very homemade and hopefully couldn't kind of tell the level of home madness. But, you know, it was like asking my mother-in-law, could you please bake your biscuits that you're so good at baking? My sister in law photographed them with, you know, would style them and, you know, we photographed it. Like, it was just very, you know, you sort of draw on, like with anything when you're starting out. You draw on all your family and friends and, you know, sort of contacts to make something work. And, yeah, whereas now, you know, we're probably more, our team has grown. So, we've got this incredible team that's based all across the country and it's probably saying that I'm like most proud of it, with it toes, that they're all, you know, mums or, you know, juggling other roles or, you know, part-time. And, they're getting the opportunity to work on, you know, in this cool, you know, social enterprise or media space, which they wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to do.

33:40So, like, to our team are on the chat of my lungs. So, you know, we are literally spread, you know, far and wide, and then right from, you know, Kingston to, you know, you know, Mount Munganui sort of thing. So, yeah, that's super cool. And I think when you, you know, you're bringing together a group of people around a vision, you know, we all share the same kind of, you know, vision for the co-papa, then that's super cool. So, yeah, it's probably, I think two with the stories, like, over time, we've continued to get readers are so giving a lot of their story suggestions. And, you know, even just in the last day, you know, that is keep coming through or at the Wanaka show, people coming up saying, have you done a story on, you know, such and such, you should, or, you know, a little chat that you might have, you go, ah, would you be willing to share that? So, I think, you know, as people have heard about the magazine, you know, we get more of that. And that's actually, that's how we get our stories, you know.

34:42It's quite a, you know, it's this beautiful kind of giving or, you know, a relationship that sort of mutual with our readers. You know, it's not a one way. I think that's probably the thing. It's not a one way, you know, here's a magazine for you to read. It's very much a conversational sort of dialogue. So, yeah. Yeah, that's cool. And I suppose the social media aspect plays into that big time as well. Right. And the trend at the moment, at the moment on Instagram, for example, of homesteading, right? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And I mean, but women have been, you know, I mean, loving love for the land, you know, like I'm folks having really for like years and years, but obviously now it's more of a, there's a word for it. And more of a, yeah, it's trendy. Yeah. But, yeah. No, it's just, I mean, there's so many incredible stories. And I think I really take the approach of everybody has a story to tell. Like, and I, I'm sure you find this too, you know, in the chats that you have. But like, you know, everyone has a story of how they've got to where they are or,

35:46you know, something that hardship that they've endured or, you know, so, you know, there's, yeah, there's stories out there everywhere. Well, it's funny. You say that because you talk to a lot of people and they're like, well, why would you want to talk to me like I don't have anything to say kind of thing? And then you just get them talking and it's actually like, I know, I don't, and they say, I do actually. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Exactly. And I think like women particularly can be very modest. And, you know, I mean, I'm Australian. As you can tell from, well, maybe tell from my ex. And if I've still got one after 12 years. You know, it's, it's a, so I just feel like. And that was something I first noticed when I moved to New Zealand was like, oh my goodness, there's so much good stuff happening in rural New Zealand. But we're not sort of shouting it from the rooftops. Or, you know, folks are not shouting it from the rooftops are sort of quite hidden. Or, you know, quiet about it. But, you know, you only have to go down a few roads around here. And, you know, we're in the horror finoa. And, you know, there's incredible things happening and stories down each road that, you know,

36:48have, I've, you know, learnt over time. But, yeah, so I think, you know, just encouraging, I guess that's sort of part of, I guess, how we work with women to tell their story. It's not like a, I'll just have a chat for, you know, two minutes. And then write up this story and off we go, but we have, you know, you do develop relationships and, you know, really strong, you know, and friendships with the folks that you work with. So, yeah. Yeah. Yeah, no, you definitely do. There's, there's no idea about that. So what's happening in the TV space? Ship it as TV. What's going on now? Well, TV. Gosh, that's a, you know, the industries in a hard space say, you know, in terms of television. But so we had an incredible first series, which, you know, landed a little, I can't even remember when back a little while ago. And it's actually gone to all sorts of places. In fact, last week I heard it's just Kazakhstan, I think it's going to. So it's really, yeah, gone global.

37:51And it's played in Australia on SBS. And, you know, so New Zealand women's stories are getting out there, which is so, so cool. And we'd love to do a second series. It's just getting the stars to align in terms of, you know, all those other factors in the, you know, TV screen space. So, yeah. In the meantime, we have just released last week a podcast with RNZ. So it's a, we went and we spent time with six women around the country. And we, yes, we spent time. We photographed them and audio, some video and collected, you know, gathered their stories. So yeah, that just started dropping last week in one a week for the next six weeks. It's just a six part series. But yeah, that sort of, that's been our latest project, which is really beautiful and exciting.

38:51And again, heartfelt stories, you know. Really, the women were very brave in what they shared with us, because, you know, it takes a lot of bravery to, you know, to share that much about yourself or what you've been through. But yeah, pretty incredible. Yeah, it does. But that's interesting that you've gone down that road, because that might be the next iteration, sort of almost combining, you know, a few sort of media, you know, platforms or whatever you might say. And you're sort of doing it that way as opposed to traditional, you know, six speeds of television series to film, you know. Yeah, that's exactly right. Like, as you know, like to, yeah, to film the budget that you need for a television series is, you know, significant. And, you know, even when it's, you know, it's documentary. But, you know, so this has been a really wonderful way. And, you know, our page in our team. So she's, you know, when she's not out in the road for the podcast, she used to be our cultural engagement manager.

39:51She writes for us. And then Francine bore who photographs with us. So they just went on a, basically they, they went on a road trip. And yeah, and connected with, with these women who have this real diverse range of ages and experiences. And yeah, it's really cool. Well, it's a good idea, because when you look as well, I mean, you know, the calendar, what's that just celebrated some milestone or something as well? It's the longest running TV show in New Zealand. So that sort of thing. Then you look at, you know, a lot of the, you know, fiction TV drama series and stuff like that. You know, the sort of the rural lifestyle, the big open vistas that are so good, you know, to put on screen and things like that. And, you know, getting back to more basic things in a digital age. Excuse me. You know, these things, they are pretty popular. It's going through a pretty good time at the moment, isn't it?

40:51That sort of stuff, you know, you put that stuff on a screen somewhere and you're going to get an audience. Yeah, yeah. And I think, as you know, like it's for us, it was like, you know, we've got their stories in a written format in, you know, in the publication or in the magazine. Then when you, you can only say so much and, you know, a thousand words or 1500 words or whatever. So to, when you get into spend time with people and chat with them and chat with them for hours and, you know, then, you know, the sort of ability to go a bit deeper into their stories, like really comes through. And then obviously that's for the listener, you know, that's the experience that they get. So I sort of feel like it's like a conversation with friends, you know, it's like overhearing a chat between friends. Yeah, so it's been a learning for us of a different format. But, you know, it still comes back to like the power of storytelling, doesn't it? Yeah. Yeah, how powerful telling share.

41:51And women sharing stories in their own voices too, because that's, I mean, that's what it is. You know, that, that's super cool. I think from a connection point of view, yeah. Which is what you're saying, you know, people relate to country calendar or, you know, glimpses of, you know, wanting to have an appetite for wanting to see about real life. So hopefully with the podcast, we'll, you know, I think it's relatable to a rural audience, but also hopefully, you know, we have some listeners from, you know, more urban urban centers or cities because I think they would be able to get something out of it too. Oh, I think that's an absolute thing. Yeah, you only have to look at what we're talking about earlier with the sort of social media stuff and things like that. And, yeah, people are fascinated by the sort of the rural lifestyle, I think, in urban areas in particular. So, rural people already know it. So that's one audience. But as you say, I think urban audiences do get a heck of a lot out of these sorts of things, you know? Yeah, yeah.

42:51Well, yeah, as you said, country calendars are the biggest, you know, most popular TV show. So, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So, yeah, multi-media sort of stuff. I suppose that's how everyone plays now. You kind of have to really, I suppose, you know, with the magazine being like, it's still probably the cornerstone. Yeah, I think so. I kind of see that, like, you know, that's like just wanting to keep growing that. And obviously we've got incredible, you know, wonderful subscribers. But, you know, keeping on growing our subscriptions. And, you know, that being the quarter, really supporting, you know, what we can do and want to do. But, and yeah, and then I see, you know, the, the muster that we just held. That's effectively the magazine, but in a physical format, right? Like, you know, it's bringing people together over three days. You know, for this wonderful time of connection and, you know, connecting folks living really. So, yeah, I think, you know, all of it through all of the things we've done.

43:51It's just kept reiterating it. There's a real need. You know, that sense of isolation, which is the driver for starting this. You know, it's still there. And, you know, it gives us purpose, I guess. It's a, you know, vision. Yeah. Exactly. Well, that explains it all perfectly. Good stuff. Well, thanks for joining us again. And, uh, all the best with all those ventures. The new mag you just mentioned is out now. The latest edition. Yeah, it's out now. It's a beautiful, well, I know I'm a bit fly. So, you always think you like latest babies the best, don't you? Yeah, yeah. Or, no, we're children. I've been not saying that. But, um, I've got three now. And I've got to have another one. A bit, I don't think I'd better not say that. But, um, yeah, yeah. Well, the next one is the one that's going to be available. I'm going to do that. Thank you. I like that. Thanks for our audience. Thanks for, um, add to the chaos. But, no, it's, um, it's really. It's a gorgeous magazine. And, um, you know, there's some beautiful stories in there. So, um, yeah. It's in the supermarket at the moment. Fantastic. Good stuff.

44:51Christy, who always is lovely to catch up with you. Thanks so much. Appreciate it. Thanks for having me. And today's rural focus, I see that a food stuff. Boss is saying that shoppers will take another hit when the impact According to RNZ households, they are reporting have already been feeling the pressure over the last year, as shown by the release of new stats in Z data, prices up 4.5% on an annual basis in February. Mints was up 23.2%, surline stake up 21.5%, there have been warnings that the cost of food may rise further is producer and transportation costs increased due, of course, to the Middle East Conflict and foodstuffs North Islander Chief Executive Chris Quinn, as is before the Middle East War. Two factors were driving prices up, despite a drop in inflation, New Zealand lived in a global economy, when export prices were strong, such as for red meat and fish, Kiwis had to pay more for them as well, bad weather hit fruit and veggie growing, retail grocery prices went up around 3.7%, which was lower than the overall 4.5% announced yesterday.

45:55Apparently supermarkets tried not to pass on all of their costs and to manage their costs as effectively as possible, but of course we're going to see, as we've discussed, the prices are going to go up, that seems like an inevitability at this stage. Now that's our programme for today, everybody, thank you for listening, thanks to the contributors and big thanks to NetSpeed as well, there is a local as you are, which is why they don't use chat bots and they do have real employees, talk to a real person every time with NetSpeed's local Kiwi team and five star service, oh 800 NetSpeed NetSpeed.net.nz, have a great day, everyone, we'll catch you all back tomorrow. We'll exchange with NetSpeed outstanding in their field.