Per an appeal from HDC, here’s how you can help the clean-up effort … Hawke’s Bay residents are called upon to help in a large-scale coastal clean-up for flood damaged […]
Ocean Beach slips video
Here’s an aerial video documenting the extensive slip damage along Ocean Beach in the past week. For about the first two minutes of the six minute video, you’ll be flying […]
Waimarama Photos
From various sources, here are two sets of photos — 65 in all — that provide a comprehensive look at the awesome damage caused by the slips and flooding in […]
Do we have a regional sport strategy?
Colin Stone, CEO of Sport Hawke’s Bay and I have each tackled that question in the current issue of BayBuzz Digest. Colin’s case is here; mine is here. I’ve been […]
Highs & lows of HB tourism promotion
Just a few weeks ago, the Hawke’s Bay tourism sector enjoyed a rare ‘high’ when refreshed branding for the region was unveiled. High-fives spread through the industry. With the birth […]
DHB’s health strategy for elderly
Out for public consultation now is the DHB’s proposed health strategy for Hawke’s Bay’s elderly. Improving Health Services For Older People in Hawke’s Bay is a well-done, provocative report (if […]
Does Hawke’s Bay need an investment company?
As proposed by the HB Regional Council? Maybe … maybe not! If appropriate measures are included to ensure its public accountability, as discussed below, the proposed Investment Company (Invesco) could […]
15 years to clean up river!
Last week at the HB Regional Council, there were high-fives, back-slaps and congratulations all around as the stakeholders group formed to address the clean-up of the Taharua and Mohaka Rivers […]
It’s your money, not theirs
Councils’ budget season is upon us, and the Hastings, Napier and Regional Councils — with the predictability of the tides — are each proposing to increase your rates. Unlike households […]
Who would you believe? Take 2.
During discussion of the recent Hastings Council fluoride presentations, Councillors O’Keefe and Cynthia Bowers asked the ultimate question – Who should we trust on this issue? Standing before them were […]
Who’s the workshop champion?
In the last fifteen months, since January 2010, the Hastings, Napier and Regional Councils have held 64 days of ‘workshops’ — public-excluded sessions where our Councillors apparently let their hair […]
Man About Town
‘Man About Taradale’ By Andrew Frame Even in a city the size of Napier, it is still easy to miss big changes. I completely missed Mitre Ten Mega being built. […]
Te Mata Peak visitor centre plan unveiled
“Some of the best views in New Zealand accessible by car,” says Bruno Chambers, chairman of the Te Mata Trust Board. Is there anyone in Hawke’s Bay who has not […]
Penny wise and mind foolish
On Tuesday the Hastings District Council re-considered its policy of charging for internet use at Hastings public libraries. Currently the policy is to charge $1 per 15 minutes, unless the […]
What they don’t know, can’t hurt them
That’s the motto of the Napier City Council, if the recent experience of NCC’s handling of toxic contamination in Onekawa is any indication. A Napier resident might have thought the […]
Man About Town
A Whole Lot of Nothing By Andrew Frame This weekend Lotto Powerball is offering a first prize of $34 Million. I gave up buying tickets years ago. The chances of […]
“Get me to the Bay”
That’s the call-to-action in Hawke’s Bay Tourism’s new branding for the region, as unveiled this week. Those who pay attention to such matters, mostly in the region’s hospitality and tourism […]
To fluoridate … or not?
That’s the question before the Hastings Council, which Tuesday hosted a packed-chamber smack-down between American anti-fluoride campaigner, Paul Connett, and three representatives on behalf of the Hawke’s Bay DHB — […]
Riot contained at Cape Kidnappers
All it took was a tiny information blurb in Hawke’s Bay Today, back on February 16, to trigger recent riots at the elite resort, Cape Kidnappers Lodge. Strenuous efforts have […]
Havelock McDonald’s approved
McDonald’s plan for a Havelock North outlet was approved by Council staff on Friday. Here’s the HDC announcement: The Hastings District Council has given the go ahead for a new […]