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Dying in Hawke’s Bay, by Mark Sweet and Tom Belford

February 15, 2010

Not a pleasant topic. But an inevitable one. And one of special policy importance in Hawke’s Bay, where people over age 65 represent the fastest growing segment of our population. For those afflicted with terminal illnesses like cancer, which often bring unrelenting pain, the final path to death can be especially dire. Special care – [...]

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Unsung Heroes, by Mark Sweet & Pat Magill

December 12, 2009

When Tom asked me to contribute to the list of 100 Buzzmakers in Hawke’s Bay I was immediately resistant. A passage from the Dao De Ching came to mind: Not to value and single out men of superior ability is the way to keep the people from rivalry. In modern parlance, I take this to [...]

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Mark Sweet – Bordeaux … Meet Hawke’s Bay

October 11, 2009

Ten years ago, Steve Smith, CEO of Craggy Range Winery answered the question: “What changes do you see coming to Hawke’s Bay in the future?” He declared: “Wine will change the face of Hawke’s Bay forever!” He explained: “ … the emphasis is changing from traditional pastoral agriculture to high value niche products such as [...]

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Mark Sweet – William Nelson Turns In His Grave

August 31, 2009

The wasteland that was once Nelson Park is a sad symbol of what can go terribly wrong when a Council makes unbalanced decisions in favour of business interests.  William Nelson would be enthralled. He was the most successful Hawke’s Bay businessman of his time. The bulk of his wealth came from pioneering the export of [...]

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The Romance Of Wine: Mark Sweet – Gimblett Gravels (part one)

August 6, 2009

When Amy Bertha Crawford married William John Gimblett in Havelock North on 14 August 1898, little did she know that with her new name came the promise of immortality. William owned land to the west of Omahu Road, from Fernhill to Ngatarawa. Farming with his two sons, John Samuel and William Crawford, would not have [...]

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Mark Sweet – Farming Carbon

June 27, 2009

Top priorities in Hastings District Council’s Planning for a Sustainable Future are “protecting the productive capacity of the Heretaunga Plains soils” and “maintaining healthy soils.” Council’s strategy for achieving those objectives is by “developing a new District Scheme, having greater interaction with stake holder groups on land use issues, and by forming a partnership with [...]

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Mark Sweet – Te Mata

May 3, 2009

The Maori legend is well known: The giant Te Mata lies where he fell after choking to death on rocks he was tempted to devour. Passion was his downfall. Te Mata was in love with Hinerakau, the beautiful daughter of a Pakipaki chief. Persuaded by her elders to seduce the warrior from Waimarama who constantly [...]

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