Cancellation of rural school bus services ‘devastating’
Rural Women New Zealand’s (RWNZ) new president, Sandra Matthews, says the cancellation of rural school bus services could have devastating consequences.
OPINION: With the election looming, both Labour and National have proposed huge cuts from public sector spending.
Milking It is all in favour of these cuts, given the blow out in spending for what looks like a poorer result all round. But, it has been noted – by communications and government relations consultant Gwynn Compton – that the ‘neutral’ Council of Trade Unions (CTU) and the Public Service Association (PSA), whose priority should be workers’ rights, have been very selective in their criticism of said cuts, depending on which party had proposed them.
For example, the PSA “thundered with outrage” at National’s cuts, but in response to Labour’s, said public servants “must help identify savings”. Does this partisan approach by the unions really serve their members?
Recent rain has offered respite for some from the ongoing drought.
New Zealand's TBfree programme has made great progress in reducing the impact of the disease on livestock herds, but there’s still a long way to go, according to Beef+Lamb NZ.
With much of the North Island experiencing drought this summer and climate change projected to bring drier and hotter conditions, securing New Zealand’s freshwater resilience is vital, according to state-owned GNS Science.
OPINION: Otago farmer and NZ First MP Mark Patterson is humble about the role that he’s played in mandating government agencies to use wool wherever possible in new and refurbished buildings.
For Wonky Box co-founder Angus Simms, the decision to open the service to those in rural areas is a personal one.
The golden age of orcharding in West Auckland was recently celebrated at the launch of a book which tells the story of its rise, then retreat in the face of industry change and urban expansion.
OPINION: Should Greenpeace be stripped of their charitable status? Farmers say yes.
OPINION: After years of financial turmoil, Canterbury milk processor Synlait is now back in business.