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.
The country’s 4200 commercial fruit and vegetable growers will vote from May 14 on a new HortNZ levy.
Meat processor Alliance Group is asking farmer shareholders to inject more capital in order to remain a 100% co-operative.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.
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