Mary's Musings
A Shining Example
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
Railway Passenger Transport
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
Major Shake-up
“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
Luxon and the Provinces
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 –
ACC and Whakamatutu
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
Process vs Politeness
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
“When everyone is somebody – no-one is anybody” – Gilbert and Sullivan – The Gondoliers
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
Where are all the Candidates?
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
Bloomers, Bylaws and Bureaucracy
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
Mile High Club
I have recently joined the mile high club. Hoho I hear you say – she is too old for that kind of shenanigans – and yes I have to admit
Government Gives Itself Power to Override Councils
“The government will take back power from local councils if their decisions are going to negatively impact economic growth, development, or employment”. This according to RNZ is what Chris Bishop
Some Ruminations About ANZAC Day
I am fresh from having attended an adept and thought-provoking rendition of Geoff Allen’s SISTER ANZAC play by the Hawera Repertory Society. The play provides a snapshot of the lives