Hayes Engineering wants to inspire us to innovate as we navigate fallout from COVID. They are offering a prize to one lucky reader.

Simply Central is a home and lifestyle series for your Sundays. We talk to local experts about what’s hot, what’s not, and everything lifestyle. This week, we talk about innovation – not on a global or corporate scale, but innovation that begins at home.

Full of amazing innovation and historic technology built to solve local problems, Hayes Engineering in Oturehua might just hold some answers for us today.

Hayes Engineering is offering a prize to one of our lucky readers – keep reading for details of how to win.

Property lead for Hayes Engineering Works and Homestead Jess Armstrong said the operating day they held recently was very successful, with a good turnout. 

“Kiwis are very interested in our own history, and that pioneering culture.

“They’re listening to the stories, getting into what was invented here. Things that arose out of need, mixed with skill and ingenuity.”

Ernest and Hannah Hayes were English immigrants who chose to settle in Central Otago after they arrived here in 1882. Ernest’s flair for problem solving and innovation shone through, as he began to invent tools that would simplify work on their 150-acre farm near Oturehua.

His innovative thinking solved local problems.

Jess reckons the determined couple were testament to the creativity and innovation brought about by hardship and isolation.

“Ernest built and used a huge range of labour-saving devices from rabbit bait cutters to windmills, and his inventions quickly spread around New Zealand and overseas.

“One of his best-known innovations is his refinement of J Reid’s fencing wire strainer, which he perfected in 1924, so it’s nearly 100 years old, and it is still used around the world today.”

The workshop is a veritable treasure trove of inventions designed to save time.

An article published in Science Direct back in December 2013, put forward the idea that frugal innovation, born of necessity, could be the new innovation paradigm.

As we look to support local, buy local, think local in order to prosper in this global Covid pandemic, the suggestion is we look not to large overseas corporates to solve our problems, but focus locally.

Local innovation to solve local problems.

Our instinct is to jump to a Google search for products and solutions overseas. What if we focused instead on coming up with local answers?

That successful pioneering culture could resurface again as innovative thinking within our small and micro businesses, and at home.

Jess is offering some innovation inspiration to one of our lucky readers.

“On operating days at Hayes Engineering, all Ernest’s inventions are brought to life.

“The workshop is full of overhead shafts, belts and pulleys that drive various lathes, drills and saws, originally powered by windmill.

“Operating days are a wonderful insight into how things were created back then, as the old machinery is brought back to life.”

Jess reckons a look at the outcomes of local innovation in those pioneering days might just inspire people in Central Otago today.

“It’s fascinating to compare technology and innovation then with what we see now.”

“I’d like to offer a family entry into Hayes for one of your readers – two adults and up to four kids.

To enter, send us a photo or describe an innovation that inspires you. It might be something you have adapted yourself, or a technology that solves a problem for you.

Send us an email at [email protected], or message us on The Central App Facebook page to be in with a chance to win.

Entries close midnight Sunday 28n February. 

And let’s all get innovating.

Images supplied