Stuff

Opinion

Social media wake-up call

OPINION: Keeping tabs on our kids has rarely been more challenging - or important.

Weather bomb poses vital questions

OPINION: As usual, another weekend deluge leaves more questions than answers in its wake.

Burning need to cover all bases

It started as a "lucky escape" yarn.

Cautionary tale in the story that wasn't

OPINION: It's good news that the story of the Nelson tramper alleged to have misused a locator beacon while tramping in the south Westland wilderness has been discredited.

Consistency needed in diversion scheme

OPINION: As the nation's courts struggle to match resources to workload it makes sense to keep minor matters from clogging the system.

New accountability for mayors

KEITH MARSHALL - © Fairfax NZ News

New law changes passed at the end of last year created some major changes ahead for local government.

Grassroots benefits in parks contract

OPINION: A loss for one council-owned company has turned into a bonus for another in a shake-up that on balance seems good for the region.

Time to have an informed debate

OPINION: Like vaccination, the food bill, gay marriage and euthanasia, fluoridation tends to evoke strong emotions and debate.

Speaking out about an unseen killer

OPINION: The calendar is full of awareness weeks, but bowel cancer awareness week is one that everyone should sit up and take notice of.

What lies beneath: the drive for mining

OPINION: Clearly, the gap between exploration and exploitation is much wider than three letters.

Rolling back checks on freedom camping

OPINION: Unchecked growth inevitably brings pressures. In recent years, freedom camping has been one of them.

It's not great at all, and no joke either

OPINION: Only time will tell if the management of the great white butterfly's arrival in New Zealand has been prudent or poor.

Forward thinking is helping build new careers

While some former All Blacks play elephant polo in Thailand, another has more constructive aspirations.

Microfinance - a way out of poverty

GORD STEWART - © Fairfax NZ News

Anything we can do now to help get people in less developed countries out of poverty is a good thing.

Dunne decision, but no answers

OPINION: No doubt Peter Dunne hoped his shock resignation would end the scandal that he's become so embroiled in.

Stormwater system is inadequate

OPINION: A Covent Rd resident calls for urgent action on a culvert blamed for April's floods.

Mixed response to mooted motto

There has been a mixed response to a suggestion that the city should change its motto from "Live the day" to "Created for you".

Paula still a winner

OPINION: With her personality, skills and community connection, she already has the ingredients for success.

Honouring those who enrich community

OPINION: Whatever your view of the honours system, it does shine the light on some deserving people.

Design needs public debate

The Nile St plan is one of the biggest residential developments in the inner-city in recent years.

Time to assign performance targets for councils

OPINION: I think it is time for New Zealand to look at and debate efficient ways for local authorities to operate.

On a curious trail

OPINION: What if you build a field of dreams and you don't want anyone to come?

Trust restores good faith to community

Banks have not endeared themselves to the public in recent years. The large foreign-owned trading banks in particular have continued to create new fees to charge us for accessing our own money, while shamelessly announcing large profits even as the rest of the economy stutters.