Last week, councillor Mich’eal Downard, chair Pamela Storey and I were guests at Maungatautari, watching the annual kiwi translocation. Up until now I’ve been a bit dubious about the Maungatautari pest-free project. However, over time…
My neighbour Michael was telling me about his rental properties and how the tenants are paying them off. The discussion raised some questions. The Bright Line Test – is it a legitimate investment policy –…
We have some incredible birds in New Zealand. Anyone who’s driven through the South Island has probably encountered the kea (our alpine clown) and if you’ve been lucky enough to go to Stewart Island, you’ve…
The discharge of contaminants to waterways is something that Waikato Regional Council (WRC) is charged with monitoring and preventing. Recently, a prominent Waikato farming company was fined for discharging “a large volume of dairy effluent…
When I previously wrote about the Environmental Protection Authority’s Annual Report on 1080 poison (The News January 25, 2024), I commented on an incident involving dead bees and stated that 1080 may be contaminating honey….
It’s Long-Term Plan time again at Waikato Regional Council. The LTP review happens every three years, falling within the second year of the council term. It sounds boring, but it’s an important planning document, which…
In December 2023 the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) released its aerial 1080 poison annual report. The report states that of the 55 aerial operations undertaken in 2022, 24 incidents were self-reported by contractors and 25…
Over 900 submissions were received by Waipā District Council on the Waste-to-Energy incinerator consent application in Te Awamutu. That’s a record number. A large majority were in opposition. So why the concern? The proposal, yet…
Waikato Regional Council has just voted to retain its two Māori constituencies for another six years. Only councillor Chris Hughes and I voted against the retention of the constituencies, stating that we believed they were…
