FROM THE EDITOR

Wow, what a busy week it has been.

No, I’m not talking about Jacinda and the country ‘‘changing direction’’, I’m talking about all the pet shows going on.

Bringing your sheep or calf or goat along to a meet and greet session is one of those quintessentially Kiwi traditions that makes life outside the cities that much more awesome.

As a youngster, many of my animal associates eventually became part of the food chain. I quickly learned not to call them pets, because they were unreliable and would eventually leave me. The loss of my pet pigs Stig and Measles was particularly hard.

The connection with our primary producing roots though is pretty special and a great way to get a new generation into farming, veterinarian or other rural vocations.

It is also pretty cute, which is why we have one of these pictures on the front page today. NEWS DIRECTOR: Daniel Hutchinson, daniel.hutchinson@fairfaxmedia.co.nz; 027 809 6854. SENIOR REPORTER: Luke Kirkeby, 027 204 2913, luke.kirkeby@fairfaxmedia.co.nz. SENIOR SALES CONSULTANT: Matt Holmes, 027 807 4632, matt.holmes@fairfaxmedia.co.nz, CLASSIFIEDS: 0800 800 373 swn@fairfaxmedia.co.nz or Lynda 07 888 7011, MISSED DELIVERY: 0800 339 000, DIGITAL EDITION: southwaikatonews.co.nz. FACEBOOK: facebook.com/southwaikatonews. DISPLAY AD DEADLINES: 4pm Thursday. ADDRESS: 45 Heuheu St, Taupo or PO Box 205, Taupo