Local Opinion

Heat, rock, and ruin

A pyroclastic flow made headlines last week after an eruption at the frequently active Mount Etna — a timely reminder of just how dangerous these volcanic phenomena can be. When I discovered, at age 13,…

Colour my life

Last weekend I was involved in a quick return trip to Wellington for family reasons – a very pleasant one to enjoy Grandparents Day at the college of my two remaining school age grandchildren. I…

Finding ‘true north’

For over five years I have written this weekly ‘Faith Column’. Prior to that, I maintained my contribution on a monthly basis. I see it as a privilege to have been invited to offer an…

On the Beat – A day in the life

Last Friday was another busy day at Cambridge Police. I was working front line response with a colleague.  To give you a snapshot, we started the morning attending a sudden death of an elderly male….

It’s the source that matters

The term ‘fake’ news is now an everyday expression. We’re subjected on a regular basis to tsunami levels of concerted and unprecedented misinformation. Spin and propaganda strategies deployed by governments and despotic entities to promote…

Stormy skies, smart choices

Last week a dramatic storm swept through Hamilton and it left its mark. One unlucky trampoline ended up tangled in powerlines, roofs were damaged, fences flattened, and some experiencing a power cut. This happened around…

We say …. Think vote

We are now just over three months away from the Local Body elections. Voters will be invited to the polls from September 9 to October 11 to elect regional and district councillors and community board…

Inflation – not beaten yet

On May 28 the Reserve Bank of New Zealand reduced its Official Cash Rate by 25 basis points to 3.25 per cent. Before the announcement, the bank got lots of advice from other people about…

Smart marketing for candidates

The 2025 local body elections are fast approaching, so candidates need to be planning how they’ll market themselves to their community. Running for local office is as much about visibility as it is about policy….

Letters to the Editor – 5 June 2025

Transparency Andrew Bydder in “No More Smoke and Mirrors” (The News May 27) raises important concerns about the lack of transparency in local government, a matter that is not only evident in our own Waipā…

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