Local Opinion

Uncertainty can be corrosive

Donald Trump has been dominating global news since he took office as he keeps up a constant stream of ideas, decisions, postponement of decisions and the flying of all kinds of kites. He has created…

Our common problem

The Auschwitz prison sirens wailed long and loud in 1941 announcing a prisoner’s escape. In reprisal, 10 fellow prisoners would die – a slow starvation, buried alive in a specially constructed concrete bunker. Tortured by…

Catches and con artists

Starting with catches, police in Cambridge responded to a family harm event last weekend where a male was reported for threatening to kill a female. He had left the address but was found to also…

Learning from disasters

The term “natural disaster” is a bit outdated. We have natural hazards, sure, but disasters don’t exist without us, and they are made worse by poor planning, decision making, and preparation. If an identical eruption…

Change and challenges ahead

Change is in the air for 2025 at Waikato District Council as we welcomed our new chief executive this week. Craig Hobbs brings with him a strong knowledge of local government, having been chief executive…

My media musings

Welcome to February. The over-long period of holiday disruption is behind us. Those who went off to improve their skin tans are now returned. Those who achieved the same result by staying at home will…

Not just another Waitangi Day

If you’ve experienced a loss visited upon you through someone breaking an agreement, you’ll know the feelings of disempowerment and betrayal. Long ago, it happened for me at this time of year. I’d been persuaded…

Letters to the Editor – 6 February 2025

Woke talk Woke talk: I was somewhat perplexed to read the comments of Jo Gread, Waipā District Council Governance Manager re proposed changes to meeting dates and information. Gread is quoted as saying: “the move…

Emergencies: take note

An Emergency Services vehicle (Police, Ambulance or Fire) responding under lights and sirens, means we are attending the most urgent of jobs. For police, this means that serious harm is in progress, and we need…

Planning for pets

There have been plenty of harrowing and emotional stories coming out of the LA fires disaster. Videos of people reuniting with, or helping, pets really pull the heartstrings, bringing forward thoughts of how I would…

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