Mayor Yule, meet Mayor Arnott. As much as you claim you and other local elected leaders have linked arms to put amalgamation on the agenda, consider this … You indeed […]
National Youth Drama School Inspires
Last Sunday at Toitoi the curtain fell on another successful week of NYDS: Taiohi Whakaari ā-Motu, the foyer filled with dramatic teens making heartfelt goodbyes to fast friends new and […]
Gov’t disaster inquiry falls short
The Report of the Government Inquiry into the Response to the North Island Severe Weather Events has been released. These three bullet points from its Preface sum up the the […]
Fluoride data too mysterious
Wherever one sits in the fluoride debate in Hawke’s Bay (I brush with fluoride toothpaste and rainwater), our residents deserve better data from our health system. So long as a […]
Ann Redstone, environmental advocate
Parkinson’s Disease has put a premature end to Redstone’s career as a Hastings District Councillor. A byelection for the Heretaunga ward position she’s left vacant is imminent and, rightly or […]
New HB Harbourmaster
Adrian Wright is a slightly unlikely candidate to ascend to the role of Hawke’s Bay Harbourmaster. Growing up in Kingston, Jamaica, Wright wanted to be an architect. Then his mother […]
Gold medals for HB foods
Hawke’s Bay food businesses scored well in this year’s NZ Outstanding Food Producers Awards, sponsored by Life & Leisure. Just looking at the golds … Tukituki Valley’s Matangi Angus Beef was co-champion […]
Think big, David Seymour!
David Seymour courageously led the End of Life Choice effort, culminating in legislation that has ended immense and unnecessary human suffering. The only thing about him I have found to […]
A century of connection
Reflecting and looking forward in Unison … As we approach the centenary celebration of Unison on 19 June, I’m reminded of our modest beginnings in 1924 as the Hawke’s Bay […]
Waimarama Beach vehicle access
The terms of reference for public consultation on vehicle use on Waimarama Beach have been refined. Residents were given a chance to have their say, following an informal information day […]
FENZ disaster review
An internal Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) report into its response to Cyclone Gabrielle indicates staff lacked the proper training to deal with a disaster of that scale or […]
Fluoride blackmail?
“Absolutely they’ve been blackmailed. Totally.’’ That’s the view of Fluoride Free Hastings spokesperson Angela Hair, following the Hastings District Council’s (HDC) announcement that it will add fluoride into its main […]
Climate news – good and bad
First the good news for NZ. Our gross greenhouse gas emissions fell by 4% in 2022, says the latest release of the NZ Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) just released by […]
Fast tracking rounds the bend
Submissions closed on Friday for the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, which basically would remove all environmental checks on Ministers’ favourite development projects. It will replace a Labour Government fast […]
HB Arts Festival on hold
Arts Inc Heretaunga held its AGM last week, where most of the discussion centred on the cancellation of this year’s Arts Festival. And along with that, the departure of Pitsch […]
Cats and birds don’t mix
After a disastrous season for fledging banded-dotterel chicks, there are calls for urgent action on cat management in Hawke’s Bay. Despite close monitoring, plus trapping of rats, mice, stoats, rabbits […]
Napier City’s rule book needs your attention
Napier’s District Plan is the city’s rule book. It lays out the rules for Napier’s long-term development and considers impacts on the environment. The District Plan gives guidance to property […]
LTPs deserve your attention
Are you ready for 20%+ rate increases? The next few weeks of public consultation provide your official opportunity to let councils know what you think. So far, these HB councils […]
Wanted: Civic Honours nominees
Both the Hastings District and Napier City Councils are seeking nominees for their respective 2024 Civic Honours. Your chance to nominate individuals or groups you believe have contributed in exemplary […]
Funding cut lobbying begins
With our councils now revealing their proposed 3-Year Plans for consultation, the serious lobbying has begun. The bottomline is that no one wants to pay 20%+ rate hikes, but no […]
On ya bike!
That’s not quite Martin Williams’ solution to Hawke’s Bay’s transport problems, but it’s not far off. Public submissions on the draft Regional Land Transport Plan close on Sunday. The headlines […]