Rural NZ faces shift as copper network deregulation looms
Rural communities say support is required to shift away from the copper network that has been the only source of internet connection for some parts of rural New Zealand.
OPINION: Rural services such as banks, health and postal services have been declining for years, so this mutt was tickled pink to hear Rural Women NZ on national TV slamming the impact of post office closures in rural areas.
Your old mate has worried about the decline in this vital service for years now, including reduced delivery days for RD drivers, and regular hikes in the RD rates, making the RD ‘channel’ to farms less viable every year.
RWNZ’s attitude to this is a huge step up on the Feds CEO who, when asked a couple of years back by a mate of yours truly to advocate against the RD rate hikes for rural users, responded with surprising indifference, saying, “Well, NZ Post are overdue for a rate increase”.
Brett Wotton, an Eastern Bay of Plenty kiwifruit grower and harvest contractor, has won the 2025 Kiwifruit Innovation Award for his work to support lifting fruit quality across the industry.
Academic Dr Mike Joy and his employer, Victoria University of Wellington have apologised for his comments suggesting that dairy industry CEOs should be hanged for contributing towards nitrate poisoning of waterways.
Environment Southland's catchment improvement funding is once again available for innovative landowners in need of a boost to get their project going.
The team meeting at the Culverden Hotel was relaxed and open, despite being in the middle of calving when stress levels are at peak levels, especially in bitterly cold and wet conditions like today.
A comment by outspoken academic Dr Mike Joy suggesting that dairy industry leaders should be hanged for nitrate contamination of drinking/groundwater has enraged farmers.
OPINION: The phasing out of copper network from communications is understandable.