Perfuncturate – to perform in a perfunctory manner; to do negligently; to perform a task in a careless or listless manner.
Rural round-up
April 9, 2019Intensive forestry creates ‘too many environmental risks’ – lawyer – Kate Gudsell:
The rules governing forestry are too light and need to be reviewed, environmental groups say.
The National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry came into force in May last year but are about to be reviewed by the government.
The Environmental Defence Society and Forest and Bird decided to conduct joint analysis because of increasing public concern about the impacts of commercial forestry in light of events like Tologa Bay last year.
An estimated one million tonnes of logs and debris was left strewn on properties and roads on the East Coast during two bouts of heavy rainfall in June last year.
Farmers put the cost of the damage in the millions of dollars. . .
Overseas Investment Office approves Craigmore $52m apple orchard investment – Gerard Hutching:
Foreign investors headed by New Zealand management have been given the green light by the Overseas Investment Office to buy two horticultural properties after being rebuffed last year over a bid to buy a kiwifruit and avocado orchard.
Craigmore Sustainables has received permission to buy 479 hectares of sensitive land inland of Waipukurau in Hawke’s Bay and 59 ha near Gisborne. They will invest $52 million to develop apple orchards on the properties. . .
Mustering tradition continues – Sally Rae:
The likes of helicopters and, latterly, even drones, have replaced horses for mustering on many properties in New Zealand’s back country. But in remote South Westland, traditions remain alive and well, as agribusiness reporter Sally Rae reports.
Mustering in the remote and beautiful Cascade Valley in South Westland can come with its challenges.
But for Haast-based farmers Maurice and Kathleen Nolan, those challenges were amplified as they prepared for today’s Haast calf sale.
The sale is a major calendar event for the Nolans, a name synonymous with South Westland since the family arrived at Jackson Bay, south of Haast, in 1876. . .
DairyNZ Schools website launched:
DairyNZ has launched a new website for teachers, giving them free, curriculum-based learning resources to help children learn about dairy farming.
The new website, called DairyNZ Schools, is part of DairyNZ’s in-school education programme. The programme is designed to ensure New Zealand school children get the opportunity to learn about dairying.
Learning resources
The website has learning resources for teachers of children from Year 2 to Year 11. The resources are free to download and teachers can filter resources by year level or subject area. . .
Course closures make farming a tough industry to crack – Esther Taunton:
Young people looking for farm jobs are being hampered by dwindling training options but farmers can help fill the void, Federated Farmers says.
Taranaki teenager Braydon Langton said on Friday he had been turned down by dozens of potential farm employers because of inexperience.
He said it was frustrating to hear farmers repeatedly complaining about a worker shortage but being unwilling to invest time in eager young people.
Chris Lewis, Federated Farmers’ spokesman for tertiary and workplace skills and training, said he sympathised with Langton and other young people in his situation. . .
Sales of Southland dairy farms down on past years –
While there is still a good selection of dairy farms available in Southland, there have only been a limited number of sales in the province compared to previous years, according to the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand.
Despite this, the REINZ said in its March monthly sales data release that two sales in Southland of larger dairy units were significant in terms of total price involved and there was a good level of activity on finishing properties
In Otago, there was restrained activity in the drystock sector where prices eased 10% to 15%, with reports of capital constraints from banks making finance difficult to obtain and therefore harder to get transactions together. . .
What’s she hiding?
April 9, 2019Government Statistician Liz MacPherson is facing a contempt of parliament charge after refusing a select committee request for information on last year’s census:
In an unusual move, a select committee invoked a standing order compelling Statistics NZ chief executive to produce the number of partial responses were received in Census 2018.
This is not a partisan request, the whole committee is seeking an answer.
National state services spokesman Dr Nick Smith said the committee unanimously decided such an extraordinary measure was required after MacPherson again refused to answer on the basis it would require “extensive contextual information”.
“It is the first time ever that I have seen a select committee having to use its powers to require a public servant to provide an answer to a basic question.
“I can only draw the conclusion that Stats NZ has something to hide.”
This is public information. The refusal to supply it begs the question: what is she trying to hide and why?
Last year’s census was a shambles and the failure to provide parliament with the information requested does nothing to improve confidence in it.
Quote of the day
April 9, 2019New Zealand has been moving forward with these trends. That’s the only way to move. The alternative is going backwards.
The period I’ve been involved in has been about New Zealand finding its feet and the making of modern NZ.
The country we have now is rather more like the NZ of myth.
It’s place where people get things done for themselves, and where the country is self-reliant.
There is concern for the other person, but not the stifling reliance on the government.
It’s more realistic, it’s healthier, it’s different. We’re not a perfect country yet.
But if you think about it, we’re a damn sight better placed than in 1972. – Bill Birch who celebrates his 85th birthday today.