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An Accidental Bushman
The Making of a Forest Ranger
More great yarns from the author of Cannibals, Crocodiles and Cassowaries
Growing up in small town Taranaki, Ross wasn’t sure what he wanted to do with his life. He just knew that he enjoyed hunting, hiking, trapping, fishing, and exploring … View moreAn Accidental Bushman
The Making of a Forest Ranger
More great yarns from the author of Cannibals, Crocodiles and Cassowaries
Growing up in small town Taranaki, Ross wasn’t sure what he wanted to do with his life. He just knew that he enjoyed hunting, hiking, trapping, fishing, and exploring the wilds of New Zealand. The outdoors was Ross’ element.
During his first year out of secondary school, a chance newspaper advertisement launched Ross upon a career that would take him through many adventures over four decades, through 42 countries, and innumerable close shaves.
In An Accidental Bushman (the prequel to Cannibals, Crocodiles and Cassowaries, published in 2019), Ross tells about how it all came to be—and about some of the incorrigible larrikins, precarious predicaments, and hair-raising exploits that shaped his training and early career as a Forest Ranger in New Zealand.
Ross has a way of telling a story that draws you into the moment and sweeps you along with the action. There are plenty of laughs (some at Ross’s expense) and enough scrapes and shenanigans to make you wonder how Ross ever survived to write the book!
An Accidental Bushman sometimes reads like a hilarious instruction book of what not to do, with many of Ross’s ill-fated adventures stemming from what simply seems like a good idea at the time—like his disastrous introduction to boating with no experience, no safety gear, and ultimately no working engine! Ross makes a habit of crashing vehicles, manufactures cyanide possum bait (and lives to tell the tale), gets seriously lost in the bush, spends a night in a haunted hut, gets marooned on an island amidst swirling floodwaters, contracts hypothermia, and survives some memorable culinary disasters. It’s clear that without his uncanny knack of always falling on his feet, Ross wouldn’t be with us to tell these stories today.
Ross also shares yarns of the colourful bunch of larrikins with whom he trained, worked, and socialised, regaling us with tales of interrupted trysts, foul revenge, forest fires, thieving wildlife, crippling hangovers, poaching, parties, and motorised mayhem.
The book includes some 60 photographs from Ross’s vast collection which richly illustrate his writing.
Settle in for another book of rip-roaring adventures that’s as hard to put down as the last one!
A community advocate says Healthy Homes heating standards can't come in soon enough after the Tenancy Tribunal ruled landlords only have to provide a power point to meet heating requirements in Northland. What do you think - should landlords supply heating, even when it is not legally … View moreA community advocate says Healthy Homes heating standards can't come in soon enough after the Tenancy Tribunal ruled landlords only have to provide a power point to meet heating requirements in Northland. What do you think - should landlords supply heating, even when it is not legally required?
Treaty of Waitangi negotiations with ngā hāpu o Ngāpuhi have taken a step closer with Andrew Little being reappointed as Treaty Negotiations Minister and reaffirming his support for hāpu rangatiratanga. But negotiations have already been 11 years in the making and the Crown will have to redress… View moreTreaty of Waitangi negotiations with ngā hāpu o Ngāpuhi have taken a step closer with Andrew Little being reappointed as Treaty Negotiations Minister and reaffirming his support for hāpu rangatiratanga. But negotiations have already been 11 years in the making and the Crown will have to redress 180 years of “illegitimate assumption of sovereignty”. Do you think negotiations can be settled this term?
Come in and see all our recycled, reused and re-loved items at the Red Cross shop 48 Victoria Street, phone number is: 09 439 5583. We are open for 9.30am to 3.30pm week days and 9.30am to 12.30pm.
The theft of a lifesaving flotation tube from Cable Bay has done little to dampen the spirits of Operation Flotation, the charity set up to help prevent drownings. Pat Millar started the charity in 2018 after a father drowned at Cable Bay rescuing his daughter, and has been backed by community … View moreThe theft of a lifesaving flotation tube from Cable Bay has done little to dampen the spirits of Operation Flotation, the charity set up to help prevent drownings. Pat Millar started the charity in 2018 after a father drowned at Cable Bay rescuing his daughter, and has been backed by community support ever since. Have you seen the flotation tubes at Doubtless Bay, Maitai Bay and Tauranga Bay?
UPDATE: National's Matt King has decided against asking for a recount in the Northland electorate, and has congratulated Labour's Willow-Jean Prime for taking the seat while he contemplates his future. Prime, who won by 163 votes, said it would be a privilege to represent Northland. This … View moreUPDATE: National's Matt King has decided against asking for a recount in the Northland electorate, and has congratulated Labour's Willow-Jean Prime for taking the seat while he contemplates his future. Prime, who won by 163 votes, said it would be a privilege to represent Northland. This will be the first time Labour has won the seat of Northland since its inception in 1996. What do you think?
Hi Northland,
Backpackers around the country have cut their prices to survive a fall in bookings due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Occupancy has averaged around 32 per cent between June to September this year compared to previous years. Hone Heke Lodge in Kerikeri has some seasonal workers booked … View moreHi Northland,
Backpackers around the country have cut their prices to survive a fall in bookings due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Occupancy has averaged around 32 per cent between June to September this year compared to previous years. Hone Heke Lodge in Kerikeri has some seasonal workers booked in but capacity is still half of what it usually would be.
What else do you think will bring travellers to Northland?
*Please type NFP if you don't want your comment to feature in our Conversations section.
To find your nearest Neighbourhood Support or to get in touch about setting up a new one, go to:
Make homework fun by transforming an old school desk into a bright and appealing workstation using your children’s favourite Resene colours.
Make the most of this weekend with this easy step by step project idea from Resene. Find out how to create your own.
Apply Tikanga to your life and help keep our cultural heritage alive within your whānau, marae and community. Secure your place for 2021.
Got a side hustle going on? If you’re a babysitter, gardener, tutor or any casual service provider, it’s easy to reach local customers in your neighbourhood. All you have to do is set up a Neighbourly business profile!
Having this feature puts you a cut above the rest, with your business … View moreGot a side hustle going on? If you’re a babysitter, gardener, tutor or any casual service provider, it’s easy to reach local customers in your neighbourhood. All you have to do is set up a Neighbourly business profile!
Having this feature puts you a cut above the rest, with your business easy to find for Neighbours in our Business Directory. To get yourself business ready, follow these steps below:
- Head to our business directory by clicking ‘Businesses’ button at the top of your noticeboard.
- Click ‘Become Premium Business' (you can find this at the categories section).
- Have a browse! You can read all of our info and make a decision on whether your service will be more suited to a Premium Business Profile or a free profile.
- Follow all the steps in the sign-up process and you’re good to go.
Did you know, with a SuperGold card, you can stretch your money further every day?
Businesses across the country offer cardholders thousands of savings and special offers on fuel, food, health costs and more.
To find out what’s available, visit our website. Or, you can download and check … View moreDid you know, with a SuperGold card, you can stretch your money further every day?
Businesses across the country offer cardholders thousands of savings and special offers on fuel, food, health costs and more.
To find out what’s available, visit our website. Or, you can download and check the SuperGold app on your smartphone or tablet.
Find golden opportunities to save today, with SuperGold.
I loved talking to Courtney Mason about how she and her husband ben bought their first home. It really offers a lot of hope for folks who might be looking at the property market and wondering what on earth is happening out there these days.
Courtney and Ben were tenacious and bold, and now … View moreI loved talking to Courtney Mason about how she and her husband ben bought their first home. It really offers a lot of hope for folks who might be looking at the property market and wondering what on earth is happening out there these days.
Courtney and Ben were tenacious and bold, and now they're living happily in their Hawke's Bay home.
Have a read and see how they did it, and while you're at it have a listen to our third episode of First Rung, the podcast for first home buyers for a little more inspiration.
We saw some friendly ghosts and even some costumed pooches this year! We'd love for you to spread the joy further than your backyard by sharing a snap from your Halloween festivities below 🎃
Hi Northland,
With yet another police officer shot at by armed offenders, the Police Association have renewed calls for police to be armed at all times. A female officer's vehicle was shot at on October 27 after two men stopped her along State Highway 11, near the Puketona Junction at … View moreHi Northland,
With yet another police officer shot at by armed offenders, the Police Association have renewed calls for police to be armed at all times. A female officer's vehicle was shot at on October 27 after two men stopped her along State Highway 11, near the Puketona Junction at about 4.15am.
Do you think that Police should have better access to firearms?
*Please type NFP if you do not wish for your comment to be published in our Conversations section.
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