Water quality results reinforce need for action
Hundreds of water samples taken from Ōtūwharekai Ashburton Lakes and streams over the past year confirm that water quality remains a concern, according to Environment Canterbury.
A project intended to protect the Waikato and Waipa rivers has gained a time extension.
The Healthy Rivers Wai Ora committee says it has endorsed a regional plan change for the rivers going to the council early next year – with public notification soon after – instead of the first suggested date of November this year.
The extension is designed to help the group running the scheme – Healthy Rivers: Plan for Change/Wai Ora: He Rautaki Whakapaipai – to get the information it needs to make it all work.
The committee heard that the group members were concerned that under the original timeline they would not have enough time to assess all relevant information and consult with their people. And the technical people said they needed more time to complete the science. This included information on the amount of nitrogen due to come into the rivers from groundwater, and the time that it takes the nitrogen to travel.
Notification early next year “provides a more realistic timeframe for the group to talk with their sectors on the opportunities and constraints of the limit and target scenarios”.
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.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has informed staff it will cut 391 jobs following a consultation period.
New Zealand farmers are committed to making their businesses more resilient to climate change and are embracing innovation to help them do so.
Atiamuri farmers Paul and Lesley Grey never gave up their dream of owning their own farm – and in 2020, that dream came true.