The word sustainability is one that is bandied around more and more these days. When it comes to our natural resources, however, water, soils, indigenous forests, fisheries and fossil fuels the facts are pretty clear. Man is having a huge and often negative impact. As a result we need initiatives that can genuinely improve the future of these natural assets so that our children and grandchildren can enjoy them in the same way (or better) than we have.
 
In this regard I want to pay a special tribute to the Guardians of Hawke Bay Fisheries.

The guardians are a collection of fishery stakeholders from across the recreational, commercial, environmental and customary groups.  This is an achievement in itself as historically these diverse groups have struggled to sit around the same table. They now have a similar vision which is to be applauded: "A sustainable Hawke Bay fishery for our grandchildren, our mokopuna".

They have nine key objectives of which I'll cover just three where they are making genuine progress.

Firstly they have agreed to provide support for the collection of recreational catch history. Data in this area has been non existent but with improved technology and more recreational fishermen the recreational catch has become significant having a genuine impact on the numbers of fish. The Minister of Fisheries is required to set quota limits based on estimates of catch data from all sources. Accurate recreational data is critical going forward. For four years now, Collin Murray from the HB Gamefish Club and Guardian foundation member, has pioneered boat ramp surveys. The data collected is invaluable and will help MFish to set accurate quota numbers.

Secondly the Guardians have lodged an application for a 186 acre temporary fishing closure between the Napier Port and the start of Westshore Beach. The aim here is to rejuvinate the rocky shore fishery in this area. The closure is out for consultation as we speak. A great initiative right on our doorstep.

And thirdly the Guardians are championing a change to T90 net technology through member and commercial fishing legend Rick Burch. Rick has fished the Bay for 30 years and watched fish numbers fall over time. Rick aims to change the "cod end" of commercial nets (the “cod end” of the net where the fish are forced into during trawling) to ensure the maximum number of juvenile fish escape during trawling. Ultimately the aim is to insist that all trawlers in the Bay use this system. This is a great initiative and could have a huge impact on improving the fishery.

These are just a few of the initiatives being undertaken by your Guardians. I encourage anyone who would like to be involved with the Guardians to contact chairman Jonathon Dick jonathandick@clear.net.nz

Posted by Admin in Newsletter at 12:56

Last week I attended an all day Kiwi Rail briefing on the future of rail in New Zealand. It was my aim to gain a better understanding of Kiwi Rail plans for the future of the Gisborne to Napier link.

During the discussions around wider freight opportunities Kiwi Rail indicated that in-land forestry hubs were being planned in Marton and Masterton giving foresters the option of exporting their logs out through Napier, Wellington, or New Plymouth by rail. In this regard I understand the Port of Napier is investing in its on-port rail track to ensure it has a line all the way through to its log dump. There are clearly excellent opportunities for additional business through our port from the Masterton and Marton hubs.

I raised the question of an additional hub in or close to Wairoa. This may be one way of helping to ensure the economic success of the Gisborne to Napier line.

I was told by Iain Hill, General Manager of Freight, that Kiwi Rail are in discussions to consider this very option with the matter being on the agenda at a HBRC meeting in Napier on the 23rd of August. Well done to those involved.
 
The majority of logs around Gisborne and from up the East Coast already go through the Port of Gisborne by truck. Iain Hill conveyed that the issue with hauling logs on rail from and around Wairoa is one of short haul distance. Iain said that it's too expensive to put rail heads up into forest skid-sites so the best option was a collection point or hub, which still requires truck transport, therefore double handling and cost. He told me that once the logs are on a truck it's a relatively short haul to either Panpac or either of the Ports so for a truck/rail option to be competitive it needs to be high volume high efficiency.

Despite these concerns this is a potential solution which may ensure that using rail is a real alternative to trucks. At the end of the day, however, the economics must stack up as forest owners will chose the transport option which gets their product to market at lowest cost.

This aside, it's great to see Kiwi Rail taking positive steps to consider all the options.  

Posted by Admin in Newsletter at 12:50

Last weekend I had the opportunity to join the Parliamentary Rugby Team on a trip to the Chatham Islands. My wife thinks I'm crazy still playing rugby but that's another story.

The game in the Chathams was played in wind that was more hurricane than Zephyr. It featured a guy (legend) who'd had his arm removed by one of the local White Pointers, and another who played the whole game in his gumboots. He could run bloody fast for a guy in gumboots. It was a tough affair with the local side coming out victors 17 to 15. The after match featured a hangi with Weka, Crayfish, Eel, Blue Cod and other delicacies. Following the game we held an auction which raised $7,000 for the sports club. It was a great day. 

Eight MPs visited as part of the team and as a result we spent Saturday morning with the council being briefed on local issues. Locals face huge battles with transport and energy costs four times what we pay in the Bay. It's great to see the Government coming to the party with funding for new energy generation from wave power. With wind turbines that will cut diesel use in half.

The Chathams is an amazing place and one which I'd recommend anyone to visit. The people are fantastic, the landscape beautiful, the seafood incredible.

Speaking of seafood I've caught a fair few crays in my time but nothing compares to the Chathams. Check out the monster given to John Carter. Mornay anyone?

All things considered a great weekend of rugby and an excellent way to get to know Chathams locals and their issues in another part of our amazing country.

Posted by Admin in Newsletter at 10:42

Over the weekend I attended the National Party annual conference in Auckland. The final day was overshadowed by a few protestors campaigning against our announcement to increase the 90 day trial period, currently only for businesses employing under 20 people, to all businesses.

The protestors said it would risk jobs. This shows to me a total disconnect with the employment of people. For starters no employer that I know enters into an employment agreement with the aim of firing someone in 90 days time. This proposition is just garbage. Employers enter into an employment relationship on the basis that it will be win win for both parties. Employers want the relationship to be successful as it will help to build the business. Employers spend time and money to train new employees so the last thing they want is for the relationship to go sour. From my experience employers value good workers tremendously. However on occasion the relationship does not work out and if this is the case in the first three months then the relationship can be ended by the employer with no fuss.

This no fuss approach will encourage more employers to take a chance with employees from all walks of life. It will be great for first time employees, employees re-entering the work force and for those who have been long term unemployed.  From my point of view the policy will stimulate employment opportunities creating more jobs and that has to be good. What’s more most of the countries we like to compare ourselves with, like the UK and Australia, have grievance free periods well in excess of what we are introducing making our policy look fair and reasonable.

One of the other great things from the conference was to be reminded of some of the smaller election promises now implemented. In Health, for instance, there have been a range of highlights. We promised to implement a 12 month course of Herceptin treatment for sufferers of  Breast Cancer. We delivered on this within the first year. We promised to improve the waiting times in emergency rooms. In the last 18 months we’ve improved the waiting times from 80% of people being seen within 6 hours to 88% being seen within the same time period. We promised to double the number of new elective surgeries from 2000, the level which Labour achieved in its last year of Government. Our goal was 4000 – we delivered 12,000 new elective surgeries. Not bad in fiscally constrained times.

Closer to Wairoa there are a number of health service issues which I can also update readers upon. In a recent column I discussed the future of the PHO and can report that there are continued moves to amalgamate PHO’s across Hawkes Bay. While the combined organisation is yet to be finalized I can assure locals that there will be representation from Wairoa, Napier, Hastings, and Central Hawkes Bay locals.

In addition to this I can report direct from the DHB CEO that a model for the reorganisation of primary care services in Wairoa is now at the advanced stages of discussion and is close to being finalised. This is not about reducing the health budget in Wairoa. Far from it! This is about delivering more consistent frontline services using the same resources.  I would add that an additional goal is sustainability of services which for a small community like Wairoa is critical. I am supportive of these moves and am confident they will bring genuine improvements to local health services with outcomes similar to the excellent results being achieved nationwide.

Posted by Admin in Newsletter at 10:27

I’m sure I speak for most in Wairoa when I say how disappointed I was to read about the recent gang attack. Wairoa is such a great community and it does not deserve to be in the national headlines reinforcing a false “Gangland” stereotype about this great little town, perpetuated by just a small few.

I wanted you to know that I only ever tell the good stories about Wairoa. I love talking about the Lake to Lighthouse race, the Wairoa Races, the “Longest Day” in the Cactus Program, the High School Stage Challenge Team, the Wairoa Ross Shield Team, the Anzac Service at Kaiuku, the A&P Show, the hundreds if not thousands of great things that go on day in day out in Wairoa which are not portrayed in the national news.

I recall campaigning in Wairoa at the last election. I’ll never forget the friendly way I was greeted at each place that someone was home. Even if people didn’t care for National Party politics, they gave me the time of day, said “Gidday” and smiled. Many front doors were open as I walked up proof that people felt safe in their community. It reminded me of growing up in Taradale when we all used to leave our windows and front doors open.

While we can talk about the great side of the community we have to deal with crime because it impacts on us all.  It does affect our community.  It does affect our economy.  But the biggest impact is on the victims of crime and their families.  They have to deal with the emotional, physical, and financial effects of crime long after it’s been committed.

Victims have been neglected for too long.  So I am pleased that our Government is putting victims at the heart of the justice system.

Two weeks ago, (1 July) on-the-spot safety orders came into effect.  These ensure that victims of domestic violence get immediate protection from dangerous situations.

Police will now be able to remove an alleged violent person from the home for a period of up to five days.  This will provide a period of safety in which victims can consider their options.

National is also improving services for victims of violent crime.  These include a range of initiatives that will help address the financial and emotional costs that victims face.

From 1 July, all convicted offenders will pay a $50 offender levy.  This levy will be imposed automatically on offenders at sentencing – regardless of the crime they commit.  The levy will collect an estimated $13.6 million over the first four years.  It will support additional entitlements and services for victims of serious crime.

These include:

• Increased grants for families of homicide victims.
• Assistance with expenses resulting from sexual violence.
• A High Court attendance grant of $124 per person per day for up to five adult members of a homicide victim’s family.
• Increases in travel, accommodation, and childcare assistance for victims attending court proceedings.
• Funeral grants for families of homicide victims.

National is committed to addressing the impact of crime on victims.  We can’t take away the pain of victims’ loss or injury, but we can help to smooth the way.

Our new on-the-spot safety orders, the new offender levy, and extra victim support will help ensure offenders contribute to addressing the harm their behaviour causes, and put victims at the heart of the justice system.

This aside – let’s all focus on the many positive things that occur day in and day out in Wairoa. We know it’s a magic town. Rest assured I’ll be doing my bit to tell the world.

Posted by Admin in Newsletter at 12:32