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By local democracy reporter Lois Williams:
The West Coast Regional Council is cutting back on the number of visits it makes to dairy farms to check if farmers are doing the right thing by the region’s rivers.
And it says that is because by and large, they are.
The council marks its own … View moreBy local democracy reporter Lois Williams:
The West Coast Regional Council is cutting back on the number of visits it makes to dairy farms to check if farmers are doing the right thing by the region’s rivers.
And it says that is because by and large, they are.
The council marks its own card annually against the performance targets it set for the year in areas including environmental monitoring.
A report to next Tuesday’s Assurance and Risk committee by principal planning Officer Stewart Genery notes the council failed to meet all the targets it set itself for regular inspections to check if farmers are complying with their effluent discharge consents.
All ‘significant’ discharges – not just from farming - are supposed to be monitored at least once a year and the council met that target, making 498 field visits, the report found.
But over the last three quarters, it failed to achieve its target of inspecting all dairy farms that operate under permitted activity rules at least bi-annually, depending on the farmer’s compliance record.
The report says the council had reprioritised that work programme.
“Dairy farm visits continue … but as a result of maturing relationships with our dairy farming community and continued performance by that sector we have transitioned away from this work to other higher priority work programmes.”
Although that meant a “not achieved" mark, the result still represented a good outcome for the West Coast community, the report said.
Regional Councillor and farmer Andy Campbell says essentially that means farmers are doing a good job of meeting the conditions of their resource consents.
“Everyone’s pretty compliant these days - the Freshwater Farm Plans the council was working on were the carrot that would have replaced our present stick approach - though that’s now on hold."
The former government’s Freshwater Farm Plan regulations came in under the RMA last August and were to be the central tool for farmers to manage water issues, with rules tailored to specific catchments.
The West Coast Regional Council had completed much of that work including consultation with catchment groups and iwi and was about to embark this year on training certifiers and implementing the first Farm Plans.
But it paused the process in May after the government signalled it wanted to simplify the regulations.
“Under the circumstance it is risky for the council to continue … as any farm plan developed and verified may have to be changed substantially or the entire process could even be potentially redundant,” the council said at the time.
*LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Delmaine Fine Foods and Woolworths brand antipasto products are being recalled due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes bacteria.
This includes Delmaine, Woolworths packaged antipasto products and deli antipasto mix.
"The concern with these products is that they may contain… View moreDelmaine Fine Foods and Woolworths brand antipasto products are being recalled due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes bacteria.
This includes Delmaine, Woolworths packaged antipasto products and deli antipasto mix.
"The concern with these products is that they may contain Listeria, which can cause serious illness in pregnant people and their unborn babies, newborns, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems,” says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle.
These products should not be eaten. You can return them to the place of purchase for a refund or throw them out.
The following products, within the date markings below, are affected by this recall:
Delmaine Fine Foods brand Five Olive Mix (200g) with a use-by between 16/10/24 - 20/11/24
Delmaine Fine Foods brand Jumbo Olive Selection (200g) with a use-by between 9/10/24 - 27/11/24
Delmaine Fine Foods brand Pitted Olive Medley (180g) with a use-by between 9/10/24 - 4/12/24
Delmaine Fine Foods brand Stuffed Olive Mix (160g) with a use-by of 5/12/24
Delmaine Fine Foods brand Mediterranean Antipasto Mix (215g) with a use-by between 16/10/24-20/11/24
Delmaine Fine Foods brand Marinated Feta (150g) with a use-by between 10/10/24 - 4/12/24
Delmaine Fine Foods brand Stuffed Red Peppers (190g) with a use-by between 24/10/24 - 5/12/24
Delmaine Fine Foods brand Marinated Sundried Tomatoes (200g) with a use-by between 10/10/24 - 4/12/24
Delmaine Fine Foods brand Marinated Sundried Tomatoes (270g) with a use-by between 7/04/25 - 30/04/25
Woolworths brand Feta and Sundried Tomatoes (200g) with a use-by between 21/11/24 - 25/12/24
Woolworths brand Greek Mix (200g) with a use-by between 20/11/24 - 1/01/25
Woolworths brand Olive Selection (200g) with a use-by between 13/11/24 - 25/12/24
Delmaine Fine Foods brand Mediterranean Mix, sold from Woolworths Deli between 22 July 2024 – 23 August 2024
Delmaine Fine Foods brand Italian Mix, sold from Woolworths Deli between 22 July 2024 – 23 August 2024
Delmaine Fine Foods brand Marinated Sundried Tomatoes, sold from Woolworths Deli between 22 July 2024 – 23 August 2024
Delmaine Fine Foods brand Marinated Feta & Sundried Tomatoes, sold from Woolworths Deli between 22 July 2024 – 23 August 2024
Deirdre loves cooking and enjoys teaching kids about food - something she does three times at week at the Busy Bees Kindergarten in Havelock North. We spoke to her while she whipped up a batch of cheese puffs in her townhouse at James Wattie Village.
Watch her journey of teaching, retirement … View moreDeirdre loves cooking and enjoys teaching kids about food - something she does three times at week at the Busy Bees Kindergarten in Havelock North. We spoke to her while she whipped up a batch of cheese puffs in her townhouse at James Wattie Village.
Watch her journey of teaching, retirement and still working. Plus, we’ve included the recipe to her cheese puffs which were gobbled up by our camera crew because they’re delicious!
Click read more for the full recipe.
Yes, we love our backyards and think our town is pretty cool but what is there to do?
Imagine you were writing a list for visitors/tourists and want to show them the best that your town can offer in winter. What would you suggest?
Moving into a serviced apartment at Ryman means there’s less time spent cooking and cleaning, and more time for family and friends.
Feel safe and secure at a Ryman village, where beautiful gardens provide the backdrop for a host of on-site amenities.
We're looking for delicious rhubarb recipes to feature in NZ Gardener. Send your family's favourite ways to enjoy this crop to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by August 31, 2024. Every published recipe wins a copy of the November issue of NZ Gardener.
Get 20% off Resene’s huge range of 10L paints, wood stains, primers and sealers.
Plus buy 1 60-80 mL testpot get 1 free on testpots. Visit your local Resene ColorShop or reseller and get started on your decorating project.
Choose from the widest range of Eco Choice approved paints all made … View moreGet 20% off Resene’s huge range of 10L paints, wood stains, primers and sealers.
Plus buy 1 60-80 mL testpot get 1 free on testpots. Visit your local Resene ColorShop or reseller and get started on your decorating project.
Choose from the widest range of Eco Choice approved paints all made right here in New Zealand.
We are still feeling the pinch and the weekly shop is no different. So we are after your cost-saving tips please, neighbours!
What’s the best way you've found to cut down on your grocery bill? Share below (and hear tips from others!)
To prevent further youth crime, the government has proposed stays at military-style camps for up to 12 months for young offenders. Do you think the camps will be successful in rehabilitating youth who commit crimes?
Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
When we are stuck inside, it can be a time to get creative. And we think Neighbourly members are quite a creative bunch. So, let's fill the Neighbourly newsfeed with crafty creations from across the country.
Share a photo below of your craft projects, recent DIY, or your hobby. You may … View moreWhen we are stuck inside, it can be a time to get creative. And we think Neighbourly members are quite a creative bunch. So, let's fill the Neighbourly newsfeed with crafty creations from across the country.
Share a photo below of your craft projects, recent DIY, or your hobby. You may just inspire someone else!
Win one of three $5,000 grants to support your community’s love of dance!
Whether it’s pre-schoolers or seniors, Scottish dancing or salsa, kapa haka or Kathak, breakdance or ballet – if you’re encouraging people of all ages and abilities to keep moving through dance, we want to hear … View moreWin one of three $5,000 grants to support your community’s love of dance!
Whether it’s pre-schoolers or seniors, Scottish dancing or salsa, kapa haka or Kathak, breakdance or ballet – if you’re encouraging people of all ages and abilities to keep moving through dance, we want to hear from you!
Know someone who could use our support? Click read more to apply!
By local democracy reporter Lois Williams:
Westland mayor Helen Lash says her council is thrilled that funding has at last been released to protect valuable farms and homes on the south bank of the wild Waiho River at Franz Josef.
But she warns there won’t be a cent to spare for red tape or… View moreBy local democracy reporter Lois Williams:
Westland mayor Helen Lash says her council is thrilled that funding has at last been released to protect valuable farms and homes on the south bank of the wild Waiho River at Franz Josef.
But she warns there won’t be a cent to spare for red tape or paperwork.
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones announced a grant of $6 million this week for the West Coast Regional Council to strengthen and extend the Waiho stop banks, leaving local ratepayers to find the remaining $4m for the job.
Lash said the grant would be welcomed by landowners waiting to see if the Government would come to their aid, while large chunks of the land disappeared with every flood.
“But it’s $2m shy of what the council thought it would get so they’re going to have to make every cent work to get the right result, and not waste any on more reports and consultants’ fees.”
The last Labour government spent $12.5m shoring up stop banks on the north bank of the Waiho to protect the tourist township but withheld another $8m originally promised for the south bank with its farms and lifestyle blocks.
It wanted to see a long- term plan, including retreat, for the community labelled “Disaster Central” by geologists, before spending more money,
The stony bed of the short river has risen 8m since the 1950s and now sits well above the level of the town.
That process is speeding up as the glacier retreats, releasing rocks and gravel to the flats below.
And to cap it off, Franz Josef is perched right on the Alpine Fault, which is due for its 300-yearly major rupture.
When the Waiho River Management Strategy came out last October, saying the south bank would eventually have to be abandoned to the river, property values there plummeted, destroying equity overnight.
Lash said the landowners had been "horribly mucked around" by the decision makers, and the uncertainty.
“You can’t do that to people’s lives. Every flood they go into stress mode. When you have no skin in the game you don’t get the gravity of it.”
River management is the Regional Council’s job, the mayor says, but the Westland District Council wants to be heavily involved in the stop bank project this time, to make sure ratepayers got the fullest possible benefit from the $6m.
“We want to be sure the community gets the best protection and maximum gain out of it and I’m sure that’s what the government wants to see as well.”
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones - in Greymouth this week for a meeting with civic leaders - said Lash was right about that.
“I have insisted that MBIE maximise the amount of dough that’s spent on practical delivery. We don’t need reams of reports from consultants - we need picks and shovels swinging to and fro, and delivery.”
The Franz Josef project, and others in Nelson approved for funding this week under the Government’s 'Before the Deluge' banner, were all bulldozer-ready, the minister said.
“There’s a lot of uncertainty in the pipeline from (contracting) firms saying they can’t keep their workforce on unless the money keeps flowing.
“The added virtue of these West Coast projects is that the damn things are consented so the mahi can take place as soon as possible.”
Long term, the fate of Franz Josef, the Waiho Flats and those who live and farm there would require decisions well above his paygrade, Shane Jones said.
“You are wrestling with Mother Nature there, and all hell could break loose with that river."
But it’s not a fight that should be conceded – at least, not yet, he said.
“The name of our party is New Zealand First, not Climate First. For as long as I’m around, we are going to spend money and work with communities to adapt - so we can generate the necessary solutions over a longer period of time."
A cynic would say that was only putting off the inevitable, he said.
“But I feel grossly uncomfortable chasing anyone out of where they are. I’ve got a lot of sympathy for the people on farms, being told they should leave.
“Who’s going to pay them to leave? Not Mother Nature."
Come along and enjoy a night of dancing or learn to dance a waltz, fox trot, rumba, tango, jive and lots more with the Greymouth Old Time & Sequence Dance, Holy Trinity Hall, 7.30 pm to 10 pm, 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month.
It might not be making quite so many headlines these days, but unfortunately, Covid is still here. If you’re 65 or over, taking care of yourself is just as important as ever.
The good news is, the Covid vaccine can help protect you from serious illness. It’s free, and recommended for you and… View moreIt might not be making quite so many headlines these days, but unfortunately, Covid is still here. If you’re 65 or over, taking care of yourself is just as important as ever.
The good news is, the Covid vaccine can help protect you from serious illness. It’s free, and recommended for you and many others as long as you haven’t had the vaccine, or Covid, in the last 6 months.
To book your vaccination, go to BookMyVaccine.nz or talk to your healthcare provider.
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