Cannot Eat Money

The dogmatic resistance of Federated Farmers to any measure to protect the environment is, rather than gradually ebbing as more evidence comes to fore, reaching a crescendo. This week one of their lunatic fringe (I say that because I know of many moderate members who were probably squirming like I was) appeared on television denying […]

The consents for the lignite briquetting plant in Southland will not be notified because their effects are ‘de minimis’….apparently. They will be processed with delegated authority through the regional and district council for the respective plan infringements. This means that the public will have no opportunity to challenge one of the worst prospects for economic […]

I was chatting  to someone recently who was speaking of the importance of maximising the role of indigenous species in New Zealand. It made a lot of sense, and articulated the concept very simply with the word maximise. To me that meant using every opportunity to plant or allow to regenerate the indigenous ecosystems we […]

I find myself at odds with the direction of my own country. It’s disturbing to note that we are substantially failing to prepare ourselves for the future and the challenges it holds. It makes me shiver to see that NZ is seemingly careering backwards on all fronts: economic, environmental and social. This is not an […]