The Regional Council commissioned an independent review of its Hearings Committee, which was delivered in September 2009. It has languished unpublished since. At the Council’s recent Environmental Management Committee meeting, […]
Rainy day pleasure
With plenty of rainy days to come, here’s a good way to escape, courtesy of BayBuzz columnist Roy Dunningham. Go look at some great art amongst HB’s many excellent galleries. […]
Roy Dunningham: Wheelers and Dealers of Art
Artists need art dealers. That is a simple necessity for a healthy art scene. While some artists are brilliant at self-promotion, most are better off concentrating on creating, leaving the […]
“All hell would break loose!”
At last Wednesday’s Regional Council meeting, water was the major topic of discussion … Question 1: What should we do if there are lapsed water take consents (i.e., the right […]
More eyes on Hawke’s Bay rivers?
I’m not entirely sure what the Auditor-General knows about surface water management, but I guess it’s good news that this office, as announced in its 2010-2011 work plan (p65), is […]
Two lessons from the Taharua River
Since late 2009 the Regional Council has been working with a stakeholders group to development an ecologically sound approach to land management around the Taharua and upper Mohaka catchment. In […]
When should we start worrying?
Recently, NOAA (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration), the chief climate monitoring agency of the US government, released the latest data on global temperatures (through May 2010). Some highlights: May of […]
Thanks Regional Councillors, Mayors and MPs
On 1st September 2005 Hawke’s Bay Today reported: “New national air-quality standards which require regional councils to reduce air pollution come into effect today. The Hawke’s Bay Regional Council must […]
Is the coast toast?
As readers know, a controversy has been simmering over the future of the Clifton, Te Awanga, Haumoana coast. When heavy seas pound the shore (like, as I write), we’re treated […]
Keith Newman: Last Chance…Cape Coast Rescue Plan
The future hangs in the balance for Hawke’s Bay’s largest coastal communities as local authorities, having sidestepped the erosion challenge for decades, decide whether the Cape Coast becomes a demolition […]
“Must Read” on NZ offshore drilling
Gordon Campbell of independent journalism’s Werewolf/Scoop has done us all a massive favour by writing Big Oil: Rigging the Game … a superb article on the issues associated with oil […]
Must be an election year
The Regional Council got busy last week, trying to shake years of somnolence. Its watchwords for the next few months will be vigilance and efficiency. Unfortunately these two themes clashed […]
Holding Company put “on hold”
The Regional Council voted today to delay a decision on its proposed Holding Company (to own and manage key assets like the Port) until 2011 … in other words, until […]
Thinking about offshore oil drilling
As you ponder the case for drilling for oil off our East Coast, consider this painfully humorous exchange … Lots of questions to answer first! Tom Belford
Use it or lose it
That’s the message from KiwiRail concerning the Napier-Gisborne line, with the railroad currently losing money on every train. In addition to these operating losses, which cannot continue much longer, about […]
Alan Dick: Bay Transport Choices Under Threat
While coming as no great surprise, the Government’s announcement that the Napier/Gisborne rail line could be mothballed or closed is a serious threat to the Hawke’s Bay economy and safety […]
A deal to be proud of?
The Hastings Council is happily trumpeting what it regards as a “seal of approval” from Audit New Zealand for its handling of the Higgins donation to the sports park in […]
Water harvesting – THE question
The Regional Council’s tentative plan for water harvesting in Central Hawke’s Bay has encountered a surprising setback of sorts as the full-scale feasibility study on the project gets underway. After […]
Pocketbooks: The Hastings Mayoral Race
The June/July BayBuzz Digest reports at length on the early stage of this year’s Hastings mayoral race. Two candidates are declared: Lawrence Yule and Simon Nixon. Three others are weighing […]
Tom Belford: Who Wants Hastings’ Top Job?
“I work bloody hard.” If one measured by work ethic alone, Lawrence Yule would have an insurmountable lead in his bid for re-election as mayor of Hastings. Lawrence says he […]