Health restructure alarming
Torrential rain earlier this month played havoc in Oamaru affecting many businesses.
This included my electorate office, which was flooded and was closed while the...
Time both levels of govt worked together
Once again we have come together to commemorate Anzac Day and, following last year's Covid restrictions, large crowds turned out for the services held...
Life has its own pace on the Chathams
As I organised my group of 20 to the Chatham Islands, I was told to just "chill".
Things have a way of working themselves out.
This...
Make more ‘good old ordinary’ connections
A year ago, we were in lockdown.
I can't remember whether we had just ordered a box of River-T wine or had just finished drinking...
Happy farmers at hearing winter grazing regulations not implemented until 2022
What a month March has been!
From toing and froing out of Alert Level 1 and 2, through to announcements about a transtasman bubble announcement...
March Hare disappointment made up for by Bushtown Steam Up Day
It's been an intriguing month for many within the Waimate district, with Covid-19 alert levels coming back into play and then within a matter...
Never be afraid to let your imagine run wild
We all have visions and dreams.
They give us purpose and fuel our efforts to make them real.
Imagination is a force. It is a human...
Wild, wonderful Chatham Islands
Anyone who casually drops into a conversation "I've had 19 great white shark encounters" immediately gets my respect.
This is a yarn I had with...
Question is: who’s the source of the story?
Let's talk about talk.
When I was a child, my dad would often tell a story about how he got his first import licence.
Apparently, back...
Driving around school shocks
I recently spent the morning watching parents and caregivers drop the most precious things in their worlds off at school.
What was shocking and disappointing...
District nurses deserve our appreciation
The past few weeks have been a bit of a rollercoaster ride for New Zealand, our community, and your hospital.
To lock down or not...
Much riding on smooth vaccine delivery
If Covid-19 has taught us anything it is to never be complacent.
This time last year we were monitoring the situation with Covid-19, as New...
Events aplenty already in 2021
As today marks the first Mayoral Matters column, I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you all a happy New Year and a...
Carbon credit farming far from ideal solution
One of the major challenges for communities everywhere in New Zealand is dealing with the issues surrounding climate change.
Unfortunately, one of the major problems...
Learning how to claim your voice
Fear is an internal response to a perceived threat.
But why do we sometimes feel fear when logically we have nothing to be afraid of?
Our...