As we suggested in an article a few days ago, BayBuzz considers high standards of ethical conduct to be the minimum “price of entry” for those wishing to serve as […]
For Sale: Havelock Intermediate
BayBuzz has learned that bidding for the corporate sponsorship rights for Havelock North Intermediate School has skyrocketed in recent days. Says principal John Schollum, “To be honest, I never expected […]
Attention candidates
Today opens the nominations period for candidates intending to run for our local councils and the District Health Board. BayBuzz has enormous respect for citizens who take aboard public duties […]
Macro mindset for micro brewery
Thanks to Craig Cooper, Limburg’s majority shareholder, for responding to our piece (see comment section at end of “The grain drain”) on the migration of Hawkes Bay’s finest beer. Craig, […]
Mixed feelings
I confess to mixed emotions about health care in New Zealand. My first exposure to the local medical world was my initial “introductory” meeting with my new personal physician. Being […]
Haven of comfort
Cranford Hospice is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Reflecting the vision and compassion of Jack Mackie, a haven of comfort and dignity for the dying and their families. An institution for […]
The grain drain
A bitter taste in one’s mouth is not always a bad thing. Rather, it can be extremely pleasant – given it’s preceded by a full-bodied hop nose, hints of passionfruit, […]
Mr. McDonald, meet Mr. Lew
Last week, Hawke’s Bay Today carried a rousing piece in which Rod McDonald, chairperson of Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers urged land-scarce Marlborough winegrowers to bring their vines to Hawke’s Bay. Apparently […]
Development de-mystified
Thanks to Anne Maloney for pointing us to this July 14 Herald article, Drawing a line in the sand. It provides an excellent primer on the interplay between regional and […]
Do you trust them to decide?
Our regional and local councils must make decisions of major consequence to the well-being of Hawke’s Bay residents. Sometimes the stakes are huge! Does this make you a bit uncomfortable? […]
The most important man you don’t know
Who is this man? What do you know about him? What’s his agenda? What are his values and priorities? Are they the same as yours … or different? Why does […]
The Truth About BayBuzz
Who we are Tom Belford … I’m a transplanted American, living with my wife and daughter (plus married son and wife) in Hawke’s Bay since January 2005. Have a lifestyle […]
Resolution for new school term
Full credit to those parents we see walking their kids to school: yet BayBuzz has one suggestion this term, try doing it without listening to your i-Pod – your kids […]
Graffiti sucks
Vandals have “graduated” to defacing the rooftops of shops in downtown Hastings. For just the first quarter of the year, Hastings District Council spent $20,022 removing graffiti. That could turn […]
Hawke’s Bay MPs hammer away
We note that Labour MP “RocK” Barker was first in with the sledgehammer to begin demolition of the Hastings Courthouse. We have to ask … was he wearing his suit? […]
Can you get a perfect score?
Hawke’s Bay Today recently ran a column titled “Become involved or get what you deserve” by Bruce Bisset. The column argues that voters — an apathetic bunch — don’t seem […]
Let’s set wheels in motion
Since my return to the Bay five years ago, no demographic has been more apparent by its absence than the cyclist. I moved from Wellington, where neither the climate nor […]
Secret notes from developers’ meeting revealed
BayBuzz has just received snippets of notes taken secretly at a recent meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Developers Society. Our informant was hiding in a coat closet when she took […]