September 21, 2009
Yeah right! A recent DomPost article on the Mohaka River noted that the HB Regional Council was preparing rules changes that would be more restrictive about permitting dairy farms to pollute waterways. The article said: “The council has begun preparing a plan change to bring in new regulations on intensive farming, meaning farmers might have [...]
September 21, 2009
I had the opportunity to hear Finance Minister Bill English opine about various issues during his pass through Hawke’s Bay last Friday. On occasion, I’ve toyed with the notion that, underneath it all, I might be a closet “Blue-Green” … the name for a dwindling band (if not an outright endangered species) of pro-environment members [...]
September 17, 2009
While some pundits are suggesting the NZ economy is already turning around for the better, this article in yesterday’s Herald cites a study indicating that Hawke’s Bay is one of the four hardest hit regions in the country. Noting that economic output fell four times greater in HB than in other regions like Wellington and [...]
September 16, 2009
Last week, reflecting on the general posture of the Regional Council, and their specific approach to pollution of the Taharua/Mohaka Rivers, I wrote that the Councillors were soft on farmers. That they collectively gagged over the word “regulate” when it came to egregiously bad farming practices. HBRC Chairman Alan Dick says that I’ve got it [...]
September 15, 2009
At next Thursday’s Hastings Council meeting, the sports park shell game gets underway in full earnest. Hang on to your wallets! You remember the promises don’t you … three sacrosanct phases, phases 2 & 3 absolutely not to proceed (Councillor after Councillor assured us) until full funding for each phase was in hand, $37 million [...]
September 14, 2009
The Regional Council has released its latest State of the Environment Report (2004-2008). Lots of data here, well-presented, with a variety of technical reports available too. Too much to summarise, but here are some observations and factoids that caught my attention: 20% of the region is at risk of significant erosion. There is a high [...]
September 13, 2009
Rural affairs newspaper Country-Wide reports that British supermarket giant Sainsbury’s has launched a campaign to get consumers to eat more regional and local foods. It’s called “Eat Britain.” Tesco’s is running a similar campaign. Says Country-Wide: “Buy-local campaigns are seen in retail outlets throughout the UK. Local news media have been quick to support the [...]
- Andrew Reyngoud on DAM(N)! A half-billion dollar water storage scheme
- Margaret Donnelly on WATER. What's all the fuss about?
- Elizabeth Sisson on 'Dump Council' campaign
- Paul Bailey on Cows in Karamu Stream
- Rob Pharazyn on Cows in Karamu Stream
- John J Harrison on 5 mayors in HB ... 'Yeah right' says Tui
- Anne Parker on Let's get Council meetings online
- Stuart Nash on 5 mayors in HB ... 'Yeah right' says Tui
- Kylie Fowler on Let's get Council meetings online
- Paul Bailey on Let's get Council meetings online
- ‘Dump Council’ campaign
- Cows in Karamu Stream
- Questions for HB ‘regional study’ director
- Let’s get Council meetings online
- 5 mayors in HB … ‘Yeah right’ says Tui
- Crucial Environment Court hearing underway
- Regional Council warns on pollution standards
- Democracy in action?
- 1+1+1 = 3 hours
- Councils’ reorganization survey results
