Avatar mans up for farm duties
When Klaas and Janny Akkersma arrived in New Zealand from Holland in 1998 they brought with them a bucketful of hope and limited funds.
A NEW supplier in the side-by-side farm utility market, Avatar, offers two models: an 800cc an 1100cc, both with EFI petrol engines, CVT auto transmissions and, most importantly for hill country farmers, engine braking.
Built in China, these are designed and built for our arduous conditions. The fit and finish seen was much better than on previous machines from China. Their stylists are still copying some popular machines from America and Japan, but they are better at it.
We saw machines looking like a cross between a Can Am Commander and a Honda Big Red, in 2WD, 4WD and diff lock systems. With a solid looking chassis and suspension in an attractive durable plastic body, the machines look the part.
Suspension components, double A-arm setups front and rear, are solid and designed for work rather than a soft riding sports. Brakes are 4-wheel discs with a cleaning disc to help brake longevity. On display were components used in the Avatars, solid and substantial.
The display machines (2-seaters) had ROPs cabs with 3-point seatbelts. The base machines cost $14,995+GST for the V-twin 800cc model and $16,500+GST for the 1100cc.
The larger machine has a 4-cylinder engine from the Daihatsu Cherry car made in China.
A roof and windscreen are options for $1500 extra, and power steer is a $700 option.
Tel. 06 9748152
www.avatar-products.com
A move to boost farmer uptake of low methane emitting sheep is underway.
Silver Fern Farms has tackled the ongoing war-induced shipping challenges to mideast markets by airlifting 90 tonnes of chilled New Zealand lamb and beef to the United Arab Emirates.
The primary sector is leading New Zealand's economic recovery, according to economist and researcher Cameron Bagrie.
Dairy industry leader Jim van der Poel didn't make much of the invitation he received to the recent New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards in Rotorua.
Farmers around the country are going public big time, demanding their local district, city and regional councils come up with amalgamation plans that meet the needs of rural communities and don't allow urban councils to dominate.
The battle for the rural vote is on and parties are securing high profile names to try and bolster their chances at the general election.

OPINION: It's been an eye-opener watching the big media companies behaving exactly like the powers-that-be who the crusading hacks from…
OPINION: Town and country find themselves on the same page when it comes to anger over price hikes from NZ…