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By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
A South Westland member of the West Coast Conservation Board says possums should be treated as a "resource" with a financial incentive to entice hunters to help contain numbers of the pest.
At the West Coast Conservation Board in Karamea… View moreBy local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
A South Westland member of the West Coast Conservation Board says possums should be treated as a "resource" with a financial incentive to entice hunters to help contain numbers of the pest.
At the West Coast Conservation Board in Karamea during a discussion about the Department of Conservation's national predator management programme, board chairperson Dr Mike Legge of Charleston noted the effectiveness of aerial 1080 poison in the management of possums.
"It is the most effective poison - animals die quickly. In the last two to three years I haven't seen one possum roadkill," Legge said.
Ngāi Tahu board member Rob Wilson, a Harihari dairy farmer, said it was a shame that culled possums were going to waste.
"When they were under control down our way was when there was a financial incentive [for trapping]," Wilson said.
Prior to the current method of using 1080, commercial operations "which didn't cost the taxpayer," were a way of benefiting the local economy while controlling the spread of possums.
"I see it as a resource. There's a resource that is going to waste that maybe we can utilise," Wilson said.
Recovery of possum skins and fur has been a longstanding practice on the West Coast, with the 'wool' highly sought after for a variety of uses including blending with other materials to make warm clothing.
DOC Western South Island operations director Mark Davies said the control of possums was "a very complex matter".
"We'd all like to see the commercial industry reintstated."
However, the department also had to balance other competing interests in dealing with pest species, including the farmed venison sector which did not want to see DOC "subsidise" the commercial recovery of feral deer.
Davies said the current approach to control was eventually to totally eradicate.
"The vision is Predator Free 2050... but we haven't got a silver bullet yet."
*Public interest journalism funded through NZ On Air
By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
Over 100 hundred submissions have come in so far for the proposed Te Tai o Poutini Plan (TTPP).
The submission close off date for the plan was recently extended again, until 5pm on November 11.
Plan project leader Jo Armstrong, of the West … View moreBy local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
Over 100 hundred submissions have come in so far for the proposed Te Tai o Poutini Plan (TTPP).
The submission close off date for the plan was recently extended again, until 5pm on November 11.
Plan project leader Jo Armstrong, of the West Coast Regional Council, said a large proportion of the more than 100 submitters included large submissions covering broad aspects of the proposed plan. They were not just confined to individuals talking about one point.
"People have expressed gratitude for the extension time," Armstrong said.
A wide variety of subjects had been covered in submissions so far.
This included requests for properties to be re-zoned - mainly in relation to rural/urban boundary issues.
"There's always a number of those sorts of things that come through, which is fine."
Just over 50% of the submissions to date had been via the on-line submission option.
The remaining submitters had submitted via traditional paper-based submissions, Armstrong said.
"It's important we have both, and no-one seems to be having difficulty filling in a form or typing up an on-line submission."
The proposed plan will eventually replace the individual Westland, Grey and Buller district plans.
Aspects of the proposed TTPP are already legally binding with affected property owners first notified by letter after the plan was formally notified on July 21.
The latest submissions extension came after a glitch in sending out new letters to all affected property owners, when some were initially incorrectly identified as having sites and areas of significance to Māori.
This was attributed to technical problems in the mapping system.
The TTPP only has immediate legal effect over some properties if they have identified Sites and Areas of significance to Māori, Historic Heritage, Ecosystems and Indigenous Biodiversity, Natural Character the Margins of water, Activities on the Surface of Water, and Designations.
Armstrong said they were not anticipating any other issue which might warrant a further submission period extension.
Once submissions closed off on November 11, they would be collated by staff for a formal submissions summary, anticipated to be tabled to the committee in late February.
If the committee approved the summary there would be further submissions period - but only for those who had already made a submission by November 11.
From there, formal hearings were expected to begin about the middle of next year.
*Public interest journalism funded through NZ On Air
With spring in the air, the price of veggies on the rise and Christmas around the corner there has never been a better time to get gardening!
You don’t need to spend big to get involved, and The Warehouse has plenty of options for anyone – from the avid green thumbs to the gardening novices.… View moreWith spring in the air, the price of veggies on the rise and Christmas around the corner there has never been a better time to get gardening!
You don’t need to spend big to get involved, and The Warehouse has plenty of options for anyone – from the avid green thumbs to the gardening novices. You could grow a few veggies, fruit trees or even some windowsill herbs – all are a small step to living more sustainably, while saving a little money! Check out 7 ways to garden greener with The Warehouse.
Smartsizing is about creating a life of simplicity and enjoyment, by ensuring your home fits your lifestyle, now and in the future.
If you want to spend more time with family and friends, travel, stay active and learn new things, smartsizing makes this much easier. With less time spent on … View moreSmartsizing is about creating a life of simplicity and enjoyment, by ensuring your home fits your lifestyle, now and in the future.
If you want to spend more time with family and friends, travel, stay active and learn new things, smartsizing makes this much easier. With less time spent on maintenance and chores you’ll have more time to create a life full of enjoyment and meaning.
These webinars will offer insight into how you can make this happen.
Join us to hear from experts in their field as they offer insight into how you can achieve this.
Understanding the property market - Presented by Shane Cortese on Monday 14 November, 3:30pm.
Smart home technology - Presented by Grant Sidaway on Tuesday 15 November, 3:30pm.
Downsizing your way to a richer, happier life - Presented by Peter Walsh on Wednesday 16 November, 3:30pm.
These informative presentations are not to be missed, to find out more or to register click below.
These amazing community gardeners are finalists for our 2022 Ryman Healthcare Gardener of the Year. Read about their great work (and the other four finalists), and vote for your favourite!
Kitten season is almost here. Over the next six months, over 10,000 felines will come into SPCA’s care nationwide. Most of them will need some time in a foster home to heal, learn and grow.
Please help us give these babies the best start in life and sign up to be a foster parent today! No … View moreKitten season is almost here. Over the next six months, over 10,000 felines will come into SPCA’s care nationwide. Most of them will need some time in a foster home to heal, learn and grow.
Please help us give these babies the best start in life and sign up to be a foster parent today! No matter if you work full-time; have pets, kids or flatmates; can only commit for a few weeks or are new to caring for animals – everyone can foster.
We cover all training and costs. All you need is time and love to spare!
Sign up today and save a life: www.spca.nz...
Wendy Zhou is one of the finalists for the 2022 Ryman Healthcare Gardener of the Year. Read about her (and the other four finalists), and vote for your favourite!
She is one of the five finalists for the 2022 Ryman Healthcare Gardener of the Year. Read about her (and the other four finalists), and vote for your favourite!
Satiate your news hunger with Two Minutes of Stuff, a bite-sized snack of the top stories and key issues of the day.
Two minutes is all you'll need to get up to speed on today's talking point and the biggest news of the day and stories you don't want to miss. A fully-curated … View moreSatiate your news hunger with Two Minutes of Stuff, a bite-sized snack of the top stories and key issues of the day.
Two minutes is all you'll need to get up to speed on today's talking point and the biggest news of the day and stories you don't want to miss. A fully-curated experience, with items hand-picked by Stuff staff, sent each weekday evening. Sign up for free here.
We live and work right here in Whāingaroa Raglan, a really awesome neighbourhood and part of Aotearoa. Here at Raglan Food Co we’ve been lifting the vibe on plant-based eating, creating delicious dairy-free alternatives for nearly 8 years. Perhaps you’ve tried our tasty coconut yoghurts or … View moreWe live and work right here in Whāingaroa Raglan, a really awesome neighbourhood and part of Aotearoa. Here at Raglan Food Co we’ve been lifting the vibe on plant-based eating, creating delicious dairy-free alternatives for nearly 8 years. Perhaps you’ve tried our tasty coconut yoghurts or gut-loving kefir?
We want to share a slice of our paradise with you, so to win a Raglan getaway for you and three friends or family members simply head over to www.raglanfoodco.com to enter.
Yates has been guiding gardeners for quite a while now (nearly 140 years), so we’ve learned a few crafty garden tricks along the way. We’re sharing our email newsletter, packed with our special Yates blend of leading-edge horticulture and old-school garden tips, fresh every month.
Stay on … View moreYates has been guiding gardeners for quite a while now (nearly 140 years), so we’ve learned a few crafty garden tricks along the way. We’re sharing our email newsletter, packed with our special Yates blend of leading-edge horticulture and old-school garden tips, fresh every month.
Stay on top of the seasonal tasks with us; whether you’re into vegies, herbs, fruit trees or houseplants, we’ll help you navigate your way to a gorgeous and luxuriant garden. Click through to get our timely advice on feeding, watering, weeding and how to nip your garden problems in the bud!
Same Event, Same Venue, different date, 30 November to 3 December.
Plenty to see and do, eat, buy and try.
From Agri machinery, to new innovations, career opportunities and competitions.
We want to celebrate the sector that is relentlessly hard-working, at the forefront of world-leading … View moreSame Event, Same Venue, different date, 30 November to 3 December.
Plenty to see and do, eat, buy and try.
From Agri machinery, to new innovations, career opportunities and competitions.
We want to celebrate the sector that is relentlessly hard-working, at the forefront of world-leading technologies, and economically critical to our country.
The largest agricultural event in the Southern Hemisphere.
Bringing town and country together over four days
The ultimate opportunity for agribusiness networking throughout the primary sector value chain.
Got to www.fieldays.co.nz to buy tickets.
By Brendon McMahon
, Local democracy reporter
The submission period for the Te Tai o Poutini Plan (TTPP) has been extended by a further fortnight after another glitch in sending letters to landowners.
TTPP chairman Rex Williams said a delay in sending out the correct legal advice to affected… View moreBy Brendon McMahon
, Local democracy reporter
The submission period for the Te Tai o Poutini Plan (TTPP) has been extended by a further fortnight after another glitch in sending letters to landowners.
TTPP chairman Rex Williams said a delay in sending out the correct legal advice to affected landowners meant the submissions period would be extended again.
Some landowners were wrongly informed from July that their land contained sites and areas of significance to Māori, when the proposed plan was publicly notified.
Submissions were originally until the end of September.
The TTPP committee subsequently agreed to extend submissions until October 28 after the issue of the incorrect letter first arose.
Williams said a further two weeks for submissions, until November 11, recognised a further delay in the "follow-up correspondence" to landowners.
The TTPP had also received feedback from the public at last weekend's AgFest highlighting the need for more time.
"Extending the submission period by an extra fortnight gives additional time for our communities, businesses and other stakeholders to get involved and provide their feedback.
"This is a plan for West Coasters and it just makes sense to do this," Williams said.
The extra time would be formally ratified once the new TTPP Committee was appointed in the next few weeks.
Williams said a delay in new letters of advice being sent out had emerged.
This was due to resourcing, and the complex task of ensuring multiple immediate legal effect categories were accounted for.
"There were seven different letters, and some properties had more than one letter associated with them.
"It's not as though the regional council has excess staff. It was a matter of dealing with a few hundred letters, each of which had to be checked carefully. It just took a bit longer than we thought."
Wrong legal notification letters from the TTPP to some landowners, from late July, were originally traced to "a software glitch" in the mapping system used by the West Coast Regional Council for the TTPP, Williams said.
This in turn generated incorrect legal notification letters to some landowners.
West Coast Regional Council chief executive Heather Mabin said the latest glitch had been "logistical".
It was no reflection on Ngāi Tahu, which had helped the TTPP ensure everything was correct before new letters were sent out, Mabin said.
Meanwhile, Williams encouraged West Coasters to get in touch about the proposed plan and how to make a submission.
"It's not always easy understanding how the proposed plan may affect you. We are here to answer your questions.
"We need your feedback to make the TTPP be able to work for you."
The proposed plan can be viewed at www.ttpp.nz...
Retirement is an exciting time, filled with possibilities. Our fixed fee guarantee is one of the ways we provide financial certainty. Ryman residents love it as it helps them reduce rising living costs and surprise expenses.
Enjoy the quality amenities at every Ryman village and splurge a little… View moreRetirement is an exciting time, filled with possibilities. Our fixed fee guarantee is one of the ways we provide financial certainty. Ryman residents love it as it helps them reduce rising living costs and surprise expenses.
Enjoy the quality amenities at every Ryman village and splurge a little on yourself if you feel like it! Take up that hobby you’ve dreamed of or plan a holiday somewhere warm.
It’s easy to live life your way when you have freedom to do the things you enjoy. It’s another example of how we’re pioneering retirement living.
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