Tim Gilbertson: The Age of Reason
I once believed that we were living in the Age of Reason. I now realise that I confused it with the Age of Aquarius, which was dawning about the same time as I was becoming aware of such things.
It is a common delusion.
Because technology is advancing so swiftly, we assume that society is progressing at [...]
Wayne Bradshaw: Looking Ahead
With 2010 now upon us, let me wish you all a happy new year.
Firstly, I would like to applaud the Hastings Council for the new approach taken to the planned Customer Service Centre Building. Rather than build a new building (as was proposed) next to the current Council Building, it was decided to purchase Heretaunga [...]
Mayor Barbara Arnott: Napier … A Pretty Good Year Ahead
2010 heralds sixty years since Napier gained city status. It is tempting to take a look back at the history and heritage that we today are privileged to continue building on, but this article is about this year and this time. No indulgences.
For our community, affordability still is a major area of concern. A world [...]
Brendan Webb: Entrails
The warrior queen stood on the Hill of Bluff and stared down at the bustling port below.
Barbarus Arnottus, ruler of Napierion, watched as vessels from the land of the Great Dragon unloaded their cargoes. Sometimes huge ships brought large people from the fabled Americas, to the delight of local merchants. She enjoyed watching the seamen [...]
Claire Hague: Focus on Youth
Increased funding is presently coming into Hawke’s Bay from central government that is directly targeted at retaining our young people in education, training and/or work. With this, the key challenges from my perspective for 2010 will be:
How can we make the best possible use of these funds for the benefit of youth and the region?
And [...]
Tom Belford: Final Buzzmakers Selected
In the last issue of BayBuzz Digest we attempted to identify one hundred individuals in Hawke’s Bay who make an uncommon impact on the well-being of the region … the 100 Top Buzzmakers of Hawke’s Bay.
How can one make an uncommon impact? By excelling in some field of endeavor. By influencing the direction of local [...]
Elizabeth Sisson: The Art of Design
Plans to redevelop the Hawke’s Bay Museum and Art Gallery (HBMAG) are on track, with work to begin at the end of this June. The project is one of the largest in the central city for some years, says museum director Douglas Lloyd Jenkins.
As proposed and approved, the $18 million project will renovate, expand and [...]
The HB Economy … Cautious Optimism, by Murray Douglas, CEO, HB Chamber of Commerce
Thankfully the 2009 economic roller coaster is behind us. 2010 is still going to be challenging, although with the credit crunch is well behind us and business confidence levels rising, we have a more stable – if not positive – outlook. Sadly in Hawke’s Bay, we are still suffering some residual outcomes of 2009 both [...]
Tom Belford: Where’s the Buzz in 2010?
Elsewhere in this Digest you’ll find a range of wise prognostications about promises to be kept, challenges to be met, trends to watch in 2010. I tend to focus on the Councils, so here’s my sense of where the political excitement will be found in the year ahead. I actually believe that political careers might [...]
More Initiative, More Flexibility, by Roger Coleman, General Manager, HB Opera House
The Hawke’s Bay Opera House has a new management structure … and an ambitious strategy for the future. Roger Coleman, General Manager of the facility, takes us behind the curtain in this exchange.
How would you describe the mission of the Opera House? What is its “promise” to the general public?
The mission statement in the Hawke’s [...]
