Taumata Arawai
I sent the following email to Taumata Arowai, the new water protection agency. It proposes to increase the allowable amounts of 17 toxic substances in drinking water and there will be no restriction at all on the amount of nitrate in water.
Dear Teara Atawai,
I understand that the Government’s new water protection agency - Taumata Arowai - is proposing to increase the allowable limits of 17 toxic and poisonous substances in drinking water and that there will be no limit at all for the amount of nitrates in drinking water.
I am dismayed and deeply disappointed that a New Zealand government would consider any relaxation of drinking water standards. I have considerable knowledge regarding the cumulative and long-term effects on a population of toxic chemicals and elements in water. I lived for years in Japan during the 1960s and repeatedly in later decades as well. From 1969, for 34 years I lectured on Japanese history and current affairs at a New Zealand university. Environmental pollution and solutions were very important issues then as now but we should learn from past mistakes. That our government would allow industry, agriculture and city populations even greater freedom to pollute is for me anyway, beyond belief.
Yours faithfully,
Poll: Should we ditch daylight saving? 🕰️
First introduced in New Zealand in 1927 with the passing of the Summer Time Act, it's what we know as 'Daylight Saving' and this year it ends on the first Sunday in April.
While we do get to sleep in this time around, some people would like to scrap the clock tinkering for good.
And why? Some evidence suggests the time changes are bad for our health as they mess with sleep patterns leading to short-term fatigue and affecting mood. Meanwhile the hour change is frustrating for farmers and a nightmare for getting the littlies to sleep. But what's your take?
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40.5% Yes - get rid of the clock changes
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57.6% No, I enjoy it
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1.9% Other - I'll share below
Alan and Hazel Kerr share Senior New Zealander of the Year Award 2026
Dr Alan and Hazel Kerr describe themselves as ‘just ordinary old Kiwis’, despite being named as the 2026 Ryman Healthcare Senior New Zealanders of the Year Te Mātāpuputu o te Tau.
The amazing couple prompted a standing ovation at a star-studded Auckland event which recognised their tireless efforts, with Alan travelling to and from Gaza and the West Bank 40 times to help children over 20 years, and Hazel travelling 20 times.
Click read more to find out more.
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