Behold! The hardy perennial of local government amalgamation has reared its ugly head again. Central government’s “Simplifying Local Government” proposal suggests replacing regional councils with an interim governing body which would determine the future structure and delivery of regional council functions has caused a flurry of activity in which I fear mayor Max Brough has […]
There is a new councillor in Hastings who has refused to attend a council strategic planning meeting because it was held at a marae. This piqued my attention. I was interested to read if he had managed to come up with any reason more novel than the usual trite bovine manure these people have traditionally
The Future is Rail – the organisation that has completed successful campaigns for the return of the Northern Explorer and Coastal Pacific passenger trains have turned their attention to the regions extending from New Plymouth to Whanganui, Palmerston North and Wellington. Their petition to government focusses on “reconnecting communities” across the North Island with “safe,
Railway Passenger Transport Read More »
“Mayors and district councils would take over the duties of regional councils, in a coalition proposal pitched as the biggest shake-up of local government in three decades.” So reports RNZ on Tuesday 25 November 2025 and aint that the truth!!! T’will be a shake-up alright, but will it achieve any of the good things it
As the tenure of the current government drags on it is becoming more and more apparent that the Prime Minister’s Achilles heel is not his lack of political acumen – it is his complete disregard for how the other half live. Either demographically or geographically. He may almost have got away with it except that
Luxon and the Provinces Read More »
This week – Monday 3 November 2025, there was an interesting piece on RNZ’s Morning Report programme regarding the withdrawal of funding by ACC for clients with “approved” mental health issues to access the six-week Whakamatutu programme run by the DepressionRecovery Trust. ACC claims “the original aims (of the programme) were not fully achieved”. Dame
ACC and Whakamatutu Read More »
Prior to the election, the Taranaki Regional Council received a report investigating the shameful fiasco surrounding New Plymouth District councillor Dinnie Moeahu’s attempt to address the council’s public forum in December 2024. He had been there to acknowledge the strong leadership of the TRC for developing a draft submission and to explore whether that submission
Process vs Politeness Read More »
A recent column describing “keyboard warriors nastily and noxiously tapping away under the craven cloak of anonymity” – sparked a few indignant outbursts from people who are happy to do just that over their own names as well. I found it informative to read comments based on what people think they have read rather than
“When everyone is somebody – no-one is anybody” – Gilbert and Sullivan – The Gondoliers Read More »
I started writing this piece just after nominations for the 2025 Local Government elections had closed and we were all looking forward to the shenanigans of hard-fought electoral campaigns across the motu – except where we weren’t. In Taranaki alone, more than one by-election is flagged because there were not enough nominations to fill the
Where are all the Candidates? Read More »
This morning as I ran the gauntlet from the public swimming pool to my clothes, I looked up long enough to spy a sign that commanded me NOT to take photos in the changing rooms. “Good gracious!” I said to myself – and as it turned out, to one other occupant. “Why” I asked her
Bloomers, Bylaws and Bureaucracy Read More »
