The Government held a major Foreign Investment Forum in Auckland in mid-March. They see increased foreign investment as a way to moderate many of our major economic problems: increase our anaemic economic growth, reduce our…
The Government held a major Foreign Investment Forum in Auckland in mid-March. They see increased foreign investment as a way to moderate many of our major economic problems: increase our anaemic economic growth, reduce our…
A success story Clyde Graf’s opinion piece on kiwi releases from Maungatautari Sanctuary Mountain (The News, March 20) casts unfounded aspersions on efforts to protect brown kiwi. He is also ill-informed about the practice of…
It was good to see lots of whānau at the Balloons over Waipa event in Te Awamutu last Friday. In Cambridge on Sunday, a similarly positive crowd cheered on Maadi rowers as they began the…
Scenarios are an invaluable tool for helping prepare for major events. Facing a potential disaster requires scientists, government officials, business owners, families, utility companies, and first responders (and more) to plan together. This provides a…
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…
Last week involved a round trip to Otaki and Wellington mainly to catch up with family members. As we moved south – with Waikato officially in a drought scenario – the only real green land…
Recently a family asked me to lead a memorial service for a loved one. Lots of thought went into the ‘components’ of the service for this lady who I had known well. At least, I’d…
This week I will start by talking alcohol. The minimum legal age for purchasing alcohol in New Zealand is 18 years. Alcohol affects our rangatahi differently to adults, because they are still developing – physically,…
People around the world are often familiar with the most significant eruptions, such as the 1883 Krakatau eruption, which had profound and far-reaching effects. However, there are many stories of volcanic eruptions that have impacted…
It did not come as a complete surprise when Adrian Orr resigned as Governor of the Reserve Bank – it was clear there was tension between him and the government. But the abrupt manner of…
