Jane NeesBOP Regional Councillorwww.janenees.co.nz Lots of people are getting excited about the prospect of local government reform. There are changes in the wind for resource management and local government legislation - the perceived failure... Read More

Cr Bill FaulknerFaulkners Corner www.sunlive.co.nz As a measure of the lack of news recently it was unsurprising that the Bay Times picked out of this year's draft annual plan a proposal to increase water charges. I'm not claiming water charges... Read More

Andrew von DadelszenFormer Regional Councillor It has been my privilege for the last eight years to chair the Bluegreens, which is an environmental policy advisory group for the National Party. Each year, we have an annual forum and our 13th forum... Read More

Brian AndersonThe Western Frontwww.sunlive.co.nz National and local government has been searching for 'back office savings' and 'efficiency dividends'. Government claimed immediately a saving of 3500 state sector jobs, while promising to provide... Read More

John CroninBOP Regional Council Chairmanwww.envbop.govt.nz Debate on a better governance structure is both good and essential. What is not so good is some of the uninformed or perhaps mischievous bias staking out a single council or a councilor's... Read More

Ian McLeanSpokesperson for the Green Party A key measure of fiscal position for a council is to calculate debt servicing costs relative to rating income, with 10 per cent as the guideline of acceptability. It seems Tauranga and WBOP are not doing... Read More

Mike ChapmanNZKGI Chief Executive On February 22, Zespri released two proposals for industry consultation which are reported on in this edition of Coast and Country. As the representative grower organisation, we had sent to the Zespri board, before... Read More

Vet's Viewwith Ravensdown VetGavin Goble BVSc MRCVS Flystrike is the most important ectoparasitic disease of sheep in New Zealand. It is caused by blowflies laying their eggs on sheep, which then hatch to maggots and invade the animal. It's a very... Read More

Dennis McMahon McMahon Commercial mcmahoncommercial As we move towards the second quarter of 2012, we are starting to see some really encouraging signs within the industry. The industrial sector has been leading the way since last year and shows... Read More

Josh HoskinSmart Money jhoskin@goldridge.co.nz The Otago rugby situation highlights an important investment lesson - make sure the business you are about to invest in is connected with its market. For me, as a former student who spent three fun-filled... Read More

Daz SwitallaFlavour SecretsNo.1 The Strand Chef www.no1thestrand.co.nz The choices of those on a gluten-free diet with a sweet tooth are on the increase as with many dairy-free and vegan choices available in many cafes and restaurants. Working... Read More

Theresa WilsonDairyNZ Project Manager Farmers around the country have made great strides improving the quality of their dairy effluent ponds and farm practice around effluent management. To keep up the momentum and lower non-compliance issues,... Read More