Wednesday, 13 March 2024 11:00

Going rogue!

Written by The Hound

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

OPINION: This old mutt suggests the new government is going to have to move fast to rein in a number of district and regional councils around the country who seem hell-bent on trying to push through their own agendas.

A good example is the Otago Regional Council (ORC), which has been warned against ploughing ahead with a controversial water plan, despite recently meeting with Resource Management Act Reform Minister Chris Bishop to discuss how the new government's plan to update national freshwater management policies would affect the council's under-development land and water plan.

When Bishop informed the ORC in December that their June deadline had changed, the ORC issued a statement the following day saying, no, it had not.

Bishop needs to let ORC know - quick-smart - who is in charge and that it's not them!

More like this

‘Red letter day’ for ag sector

Farmers are welcoming the announcement of two new bills to replace the under-fire Resource Management Act.

Editorial: Local govt overhaul

OPINION: The latest reforms of local government should come as no surprise.

Government issues warning on RMA compliance

The Government has issued a stern warning to regional councils and unitary authorities to toe the line in respect upcoming changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA).

Farmers hail changes to Resource Management Act

Changes to resource management laws announced last week will spare thousands of farmers from needing an unnecessary resource consent just to keep farming.

Wrong focus

OPINION: Your old mate reckons townie Brooke van Velden, the Minister of Workplace (or is it Woke Place) Relations is now showing how underemployed she is as a minister by initiating an investigation into whether young children should be banned from collecting eggs on farms and feeding animals.

Featured

Reducing Cow Heat Stress: The Waikato farmer who planted for productivity

Thirty years ago, as a young sharemilker, former Waikato farmer Snow Chubb realised he was bucking a trend when he started planting trees to provide shade for his cows, but he knew the animals would appreciate what he was doing.

Green light for virtual fencing, herding in Victoria

Virtual fencing and herding systems supplier, Halter is welcoming a decision by the Victorian Government to allow farmers in the state to use the technology.

Dairy sector profit still on the table, but margin gap tightens

DairyNZ’s latest Econ Tracker update shows most farms will still finish the season in a positive position, although the gap has narrowed compared with early season expectations.

National lamb crop edges higher

New Zealand’s national lamb crop for the 2025–26 season is estimated at 19.66 million head, a lift of one percent (or 188,000 more lambs) on last season, according to Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s (B+LNZ) latest Lamb Crop report.

Farmers cautiously welcome local government reforms – Ag First

Farmers appear to be cautiously welcoming the Government’s plan to reform local government, according to Ag First chief executive, James Allen.

Fonterra capital return could boost GDP – ANZ Report

The Fonterra divestment capital return should provide “a tailwind to GDP growth” next year, according to a new ANZ NZ report, but it’s not “manna from heaven” for the economy.

National

Te Radar celebrates kiwi farming heritage in latest release

Undoubtedly the doyen of rural culture, always with a wry smile, our favourite ginger ninja, Te Radar, in conjunction with…

Government approves nationwide recycling scheme for primary sector plastics

Rural recycling scheme Agrecovery is welcoming the Government's approval of regulations for a nationwide rural recycling scheme for agrichemicals and…