Ohingaiti Kids' Hunt hits the target

The weekend saw the staging of the Ohingaiti Kids' Hunt. It was a spectacularly successful event with over 400 entries. As a result of this, more than 1000 people converged on the McIntyre domain in Ohingaiti to witness the weigh-in.

The idea of this event is to educate our young (under 15) in the ways of nature and how to hunt safely.

Each entry must have been acquired by the hunting party that the "kid" was part of.

There were all types of vermin entered, from rats to sambar deer, possums, rabbits, hares, eels, and so on.

One of the interesting points to come out of this was the scarcity of possums, which means that DoC and Horizons are doing a great job of controlling the population, which is so destructive of our native bush, and a carrier of tuberculosis.

The other matter of note for me was the build-up of sambar deer in the Rangitikei area, which is good news for the hunting fraternity - as not so long ago they were a protected species. They can also be quite destructive in a small block of trees, and can carry tuberculosis as well.

The eels entered were brought in alive and were to be returned to their river or stream if possible, and there were some beauties entered, including one at over eight kilograms.

A good number of eels were entered, which again is a very positive sign for our environment.

This event had many local supporters, and was supported strongly by the national chains of Hunting and Fishing, and Stoney Creek clothing.

This is very positive for the area, as it is not always easy to get outside sponsorship support for our rural communities.

This was a great event run by a very enthusiastic team. It is the sort of thing rural New Zealand needs to encourage. It brings people into our region, and contributes to boosting our rural economy.

Last week also saw the Minister for Local Government and Primary Industries, David Carter, in the north of the electorate. He hosted meetings in Taumarunui and Ohakune. Both were well attended, local government and the One Plan got plenty of attention, and the minister certainly left the area with a very clear view of the challenges facing the Waimarino and Taumarunui areas.