Friday 19 April is the last day for making a submission on the Fast-track Approvals Bill, now before Parliament. The Environmental Defence Society has stated in its submission: “What is clear from the Bill is that it’s a fake premise, purporting to speed ...
Having experienced a major traffic jam the other day on Auckland Harbour bridge, I sympathise with those who call for a second bridge. But where do the cars go once they make the crossing? NZTA will have to bulldoze many houses in suburbs each side of the ...
The other day, Stats NZ provided this report on erosion-prone land across the country: https://stats.govt.nz/news/more-than-half-of-highly-erodible-land-located-in-the-north-island-in-2022/#:~:text=Island%20in%202022-,More%20than%20half%20of%20highly%...
People have until Friday 19 April to make a submission to Parliament's Environment select committee on the Fast-track Approvals Bill. The Bill, if enacted, will mean a government minister has almost unfettered discretion when deciding whether an ...
Heard him speak at a public meeting. He was the sort of man who advanced well-analysed arguments to support his case. In short, the voice of reason.
Wrong! Shane Jones's proposed Resource Management Act rules (aka "Anything Goes") will see many new and wonderful projects get the green light. Unemployment will disappear overnight, along with the environment.
Anyone with aspirations to be a financial genius should first read Niall Ferguson's book "The Ascent of Money" (2008). Most illuminating.
Every New Zealander should be greatly concerned about the proposed Bill, which leaves enormous power in the hands of ministers to authorise projects. But will those projects be in the national interest, or merely in the interests of National? The ...
The White Island fatalities have resulted in the companies involved being fined some $10 million in total. Will those fines be paid? (Reparations to victims and their families are included). We are told one company is a corporate trustee with no bank ...
TV news at 6pm today (29 Feb) featured an item critical of allegedly unfair contract terms in retirement home contracts. I see Southern Cross has retirement care villages in some Oz states, but apparently none in NZ. Presumably SC would be a cheaper option...
Sounds like that approach could be worth a try. The authorities could test its effectiveness, maybe? I just hope NZ doesn't follow the USA and Canada and get a wave of fentanyl, which is impossible to get off once you start on it. Apparently the dealers ...
Forest & Bird stopped the Ruataniwha project in Hawkes Bay, but only after expensive litigation. As I understand it, the dam proposal was blocked under the RMA process. But a senior DoC official then concocted a deal with the dam developer for a land swap,...
Just seen a Greenpeace news item noting that Luxon wants to pass legislation promoting irrigation dams on more of our rivers. I guess it'll be called the "Favours for our Rural Mates" Bill or some such. Irrigated land can quadruple in value, so it is often...
There are plenty of Aussie visitors we definitely don't want to sneak in, such as cane toads. If we get those, our wildlife is stuffed. Mind you, it wouldn't matter to Tourism NZ. As far as that body is concerned, this country has no pollution, no child ...
Reading about Grant Robertson got me thinking about NZ politics as compared to the rest of the world. We are fortunate that NZ still has people who enter politics for the good of the nation, not to enrich themselves. In some other countries people don't ...
Grant Robertson will need to exhibit some fancy footwork if he is to succeed at Otago Uni. Last year, that institution spent $1.3 million on a "rebranding" exercise, complete with new logo, but also made more than 100 staff redundant. Nothing wrong with ...
Does anyone else get tired of how PR people use the word "welcome" in their media releases? It is usually applied by politicians when an official report is released which reflects badly on a government department. The officials involved always "welcome" ...
The rural sector (dairy industry in particular) has already made huge steps towards privatising the nation's water. Some of them just steal it: https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/81191467/millions-of-litres-of-water-illegally-taken-is-ecan-doing-...
Glad you had a good day out on the water. Sounds like you take only what you need from the fishery. In the bad old days people would fill the boat with snapper just because they could (as a nipper I saw it happen at Waikanae in the 1950s).
Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose. That seems to be the case with the government's new policy which, yet again, involves gutting the environment to prop up our economy: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/fast-track-consenting-fast-lane The ...
The official health warning carefully scrubs around the question of why the "available nutrients" are in the rivers. That omission speaks volumes to me.
Stuff report (2 Feb 2024) states: "Algal bloom prompts health warning" . Apparently 11 South Canterbury rivers are affected. Stuff makes no mention of what caused the algae. Anyone know the reason?
I agree it seems a bit strange - sounds like quite a lot of work. Surely there are easier ways to make a dishonest living?
In a well coordinated operation, a team of thieves has removed a large crop of blueberries from 700 bushes in a Hawkes Bay orchard. The owner of the orchard thinks it would have required vehicles, equipment, lights and crates. Now that's organised crime ...
The miners spruiking this scheme sound very optimistic. The regional council is no doubt all for it and will probably keep environmental restrictions to a minimum if the promoters promise to employ a few locals as navvies. But where will they put the mine ...
"[The American family] picnic on exquisitely packaged food from a portable icebox by a polluted stream ... they may reflect vaguely on the curious unevenness of their blessings." JK Galbraith We seem to be headed the same way, given our leaders' desire to ...
ODT, 10 Jan 2024: "High levels of toxic algae found in Waihopai river". I wonder if Tourism NZ will feature that news on its website.
Owning an acre means you made it? Sorry, but that just won't cut it. To be at the top in Wanaka, you need your own helicopter, complete with pad in the back yard and and pilot available 24/7.
The volcano has erupted in Iceland; thankfully no lives lost so far (BBC website has photographs). A reminder that we humans are just another species on the planet, wholly subject to the whim of Nature.
Christmas wishes to all TS contributors. The world and its inhabitants are facing huge problems, but as individuals we can all do something. How about: 1. Plant a native tree 2. Help a friend or neighbour in some way 3. Donate what you can reasonably ...
Why is the Beehive website "under maintenance"? The public cannot get to see official pronouncements on the new government's policies.
Recent Comments