Unreal hot air
OPINION: The Hound is perplexed about some of the over-the-top climate catastrophising by mainstream media outlets during the holidays.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) is asking people to take care and avoid unnecessary travel until Wednesday morning, as Cyclone Hale is set to hit the country.
MetService predicts the regions most likely to be impacted by heavy rain are Coromandel Peninsula, Gisborne, and Hawke’s Bay, with much of the North Island set to experience periods of gale or severe gale force winds.
“Several severe weather warnings and watches have been issued, and more areas will be added as the system moves closer and its track and intensity become more certain,” MetService meteorologist Peter Little says.
NZTA acting national maintenance and operations, Jaclyn Hankin says heavy rain may cause surface flooding, trigger slips and cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly, requiring NZTA to close some state highways.
“Our contractors will be working hard, doing what they can to keep the state highway network safe and open,” Hankin says.
She says people need to drive to the conditions, check weather forecasts, and check their intended route for hazards and disruptions before setting out.
“Stay alert for unreported hazards, such as surface flooding, slips, fallen trees and branches, and downed power lines,” Hankin says.
“If you must travel, slow down and maintain a greater following distance between your vehicle and the one in front,” she adds.
“We want to see everybody get home safely,” she says.
South Waikato farm manager Ben Purua’s amazing transformation from gang life to milking cows was rewarded with the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer award last night.
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.
Family and solidarity shone through at the 75 years of Ferdon sale in Otorohanga last month.