Independent viewsBy Brendan Horan The Rena must go from our shores - locals do not want this wreck littering our pristine coast. We have had enough of the Rena disaster. A Government order, which called on the ship owners to remove the vessel... Read More

Ian McLeanSpokesperson for the Green Party Although our estuaries are struggling, we still have some fabulous wildlife living close by. One charismatic neighbour is the breeding colony of tara (white-fronted terns) on the Turret Rd bridge. The... Read More

John ArtsAbundant Living www.johnarts.co.nz Tiredness is part of life. At one end of the scale, this can be a feeling that you are always running on empty. At the other end are Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and the serious fatigue problems caused... Read More

Dr Eugene TanAbout Skin Could a sunburn cause skin cancer? Yes- especially if it occurred frequently during many years. The most common skin cancers are basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas and melanoma. While many factors can cause... Read More

Bill WebbFeed SolutionsOutlook There's a looming feed shortage this winter which many farmers might not be aware of. DairyNZ figures show despite the apparent mild start to winter, that soil temperatures in mid-June were 1 degrees Celsius below... Read More

NewshoundAdy & Flo www.sunlive.co.nz It's been a wild week for the news hounds, with a couple of major expeditions.We also had a share of mishaps and near catastrophes. Any word with cat in it must be bad.The trouble started when we were cruising... Read More

Wendy MacphailEmployment Law Services According to a recent New Zealand survey, 70 per cent of employers are not satisfied with the medical certificates they receive from employees taking sick leave. Specifically, employers are concerned that:... Read More

Bill WebbFeed SolutionsOutlook Farm pasture cover is at the low end of the scale and continuing cold weather will see it drop even further so it's time to think about supplementing cows' intake. In late July Dairy NZ reported 2100 kg/Dm/ha average... Read More

Financewith Don Fraser Fraser Farm Finance To be rich, or not to be, that is the question. I have recently come across a number of farmers who have modest wealth with modest farms - and who are, by and large, very happy. Are they more so that... Read More

Brent TrailManaging DirectorSurveying Services Ltd New lifestyle lots may become a rare commodity in the Waikato region once current and future changes to the district plan comes into effect. Already, Waikato District Council has halved the number... Read More

Mike ChapmanNZKGI Chief Executive As spring approaches, many conventional kiwifruit growers will apply hydrogen cyanamide in preparation for the new growing season. This product plays a very important part in promoting bud break and assists with... Read More

Wendy MacphailEmployment Law Services Up until now, an employer has had a right to structure their business in any way they wish - and the Employment Relations Authority or Employment Court has not been entitled to enquire further into the business... Read More