Local Opinion

Aotearoa’s night of terror

Early in the morning of 10 June 1886, surveyor John Rochfort in Kihikihi experienced a bizarre show on the horizon beyond Maungatautari. “I was awakened by what sounded like an irregular discharge of artillery… I…

Big lesson from a tiny coin

Among several coins that I have dating from the antiquities is a genuine ‘widow’s mite’. Also known as a lepton, meaning ‘small,’ these coins were made of bronze. Their tiny size matches their value –…

Battling bureaucracy

As I have previously said, it has been an interesting experience getting involved in local government as a councillor. We are currently working through our Long Term Plan and trying to minimise future rates rises…

A 12 week wait starts

On November 27 the Reserve Bank reduced their Official Cash Rate by 50 basis points to 4.25 per cent. This was what most market participants had been expecting, though a few were hoping for a…

Farewell to a top cop

Police from across the district farewelled former Detective Paul Galletta at a service at Waikato Stadium last Wednesday. Paul died last month aged 62. He touched many through his involvement in rugby at all levels,…

When ash and roads don’t mix

There have been flight cancellations in Indonesia recently following the eruption of Lewotobi Laki-laki, reminding us that volcanoes can impact areas far away from the eruption location. Volcanic ash is the most far-reaching hazard that…

It’s only a millimetre or two

Being ‘precise’ has importance for good reasons. Multiple areas of life demonstrate how a ‘near enough will do’ approach can result in disaster. Engineers and builders understand why it’s important not to take liberty with…

Marching to a different beat

In 1975  the frail, though determined, figure of Whina Cooper hobbled the length of the North Island at the head of a slow-moving hikoi of many, predominantly Māori, people, to make a case at the…

Looking long term

Waipā District Council is  preparing its 2025-34 Long Term Plan (LTP). The plan is a comprehensive and complex strategic document which sets the direction for the district over a 10 year period and is formally…

Letters to the Editor – 28 November 2024

That bill Finally, we can all see that the three part  Treaty Principles Bill is no threat to anyone and does nothing to diminish or alter the treaty signed by Hobson on behalf of the…

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