Our infrastructure costs are the highest in the developed world. How did this happen? To fully understand we need to go back to the last significant reforms of the 1980s. The Ministry of Works was…
Our infrastructure costs are the highest in the developed world. How did this happen? To fully understand we need to go back to the last significant reforms of the 1980s. The Ministry of Works was…
Normally I resist departing from Cambridge. I’m happy in our small-town environment but the attraction of three married daughters and off-spring to the south demands a Yuletide pilgrimage. Not, you understand, of The Three Wise…
Many volcanoes we see in images, on the screen, and in person are enormous mountains. Some like the Tongariro Volcanic Complex and Ruapehu are so large that it’s best to train physically before attempting to…
Happy New Year all, I hope you managed to get a good break over the festive season. I, like many in the community, ended up sick for the week before my Christmas leave, so had…
As we emerge from the shadow of an epidemic and endure cost of living rises, one thing is certain in 2024 – councils around the country, including Waipā, will announce major rate increases. Waipā’s proposed…
William Jones did not want to see a doctor despite his wife, Tema’s, insistence. The 51 year old Irishman had been in bad health for some time but always refused medical attention. But on this…
The year 2023 is finishing with more gloomy economic news than good news. But I will start with the good news. Inflation is on the way down again globally and in New Zealand. House prices…
During my time working for the Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program part of my job was gathering satellite images of volcanoes around the world and describing what they show. Looking at thousands of volcanoes during…
Waipā District Council revealed the size of a proposed rate increase last week. The News’ Mary Anne Gill, the only journalist who follows the council’s work, reflects on a process which enabled councillors to formulate…
The year is drawing to an end and this is my last column for 2023. What a year we have had! I want to start again this week with some good news. An elderly local…
