Latest news with #Buller
RNZ News
22-06-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
West Coast Regional Council chief executive calls for more staff as goldmine delays bite
West Coast Regional Council chief executive Darryl Lew (L) and councillors Allan Birchfield (M) and Brett Cummings (R). Photo: LDR The West Coast Regional Council has conceded it needs to take on more staff, after a raft of complaints about the time it takes to process resource consents, including some from its own councillors. The council's former chair - and alluvial goldminer - Allan Birchfield released letters last week from a company distressed that its fledgling goldmine had been shut down, and its seven workers and capital put at risk, after waiting 17 months for a consent. Council resource management committee chair Brett Cummings - also a veteran goldminer - has set out his concerns in a letter to West Coast Regional Council (WCRC) chief executive Darryl Lew, with a long list of questions about how consents are being dealt with. Both councillors have criticised the council's practice of hiring North Island consultancy firms to process goldmine consents, alleging the planners involved are unfamiliar with the industry, ask for irrelevant information and delay the process by asking what Cummings has called "stupid " questions. In his case, the wait has been seven months for what should have been a straightforward consent on Ngai Tahu forestry land, which the iwi had approved, Cummings said. In reply to the councillor's questions, Lew said the council had received 56 resource consent applications this year, and half of them had been outsourced to consultants in Buller, Greymouth and New Plymouth. Of those 28, two had been approved, 11 were sent back to the applicants because they were "incomplete" and the rest were still being processed, Lew said. "Similar to the WOF process for a car, when deficient applications are returned, applicants are informed of areas that are required to be enhanced and they can then resubmit the applications for processing." Of the remaining 28 being dealt with by council staff, 10 had been approved, one had been sent back for more information within the statutory time limit and 12 had been returned to sender as "incomplete". The rest were still being processed, Lew said. The council's use of consultants has increased, compared to the same period last year, the figures show. Between January and April 2024 , the council received 57 resource consent applications - one was publicly notified, 51 were processed in house and only six outsourced to a consultant. There was little difference in the fees charged to applicants - council staff were charged out at $185 an hour and consultants' hourly rates ranged from $140-192 - all plus GST. There had been only two council consents staff employed in January this year, joined by a trainee in February, and their availability had been reduced by sick leave, annual leave and training time, Lew said. Last year, there had been three officers on the job. "To date, I haven't increased the consents team, however I do believe now is the time. More consents are requiring technical input and we are having more going to hearings, so this is impacting on resourcing, not to mention future demands like the fast track projects." The council would prefer to use its own staff who had local knowledge, Lew said. But it would be impossible to do away entirely with consultants because the volume of consent applications and workload was unpredictable. Consents for alluvial goldmining were much more complex than they were in the early days of the RMA in the 1990s, the chief executive noted. They now had to be assessed against a lengthy list of national policy statements and environmental standards, including Freshwater Management, Indigenous Biodiversity, drinking water, air quality, greenhouse gases, and management of contaminants in soil to protect human health. "We await the government changes to these national instruments and the replacement RMA to see if this becomes simpler ... I agree it would be ideal to have consents and application forms as simple as possible. It is a challenge to have them reflect the law and remain simple." In the meantime, the WCRC consents team was working on new application templates and more guidance for alluvial goldminers, and would bring a paper on this to Council on July or August, Lew said. The council had complicated the process by trying to impose static conditions intended for subdivisions and septic tanks on alluvial mines, Cummings said. "An alluvial site evolves as you work your way through it, so you'll start off with your pumps and your pond, and even your access tracks in one place, and as you move along, you move them along as well, but they're demanding maps and trying to include these all things as fixed conditions on the consent. " Until about a year ago, those details were set out for the council in a separate mine work-programme, which was updated, as the site progressed, Cummings said. "The compliance staff would have that and refer to it, when they did their inspection visits. They didn't try to cram everything into the consent itself - that makes no sense, when you're dealing with a dynamic system. "If you move your pond, you're technically in breach." Hiring more consents staff could help the situation, as long as basic issues were addressed, Cummings said. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
RNZ News
24-05-2025
- Climate
- RNZ News
Severe weather warnings for NZ as heavy rain, strong wind approaches
MetService has issued 11 severe weather warnings across the country. Photo: Romolo Tavani / 123RF Heavy rain and strong winds are expected to hit the western coast later on Sunday as a front sweeps in from the Tasman Sea. MetService has issued 11 severe weather warnings across the country. "A front sweeps over southern and central New Zealand from the Tasman Sea during Sunday and Monday, bringing a period of heavy rain and strong north to northwest winds," the forecaster said. Orange heavy rain warnings have been issued for Buller, the Westland ranges, parts of Canterbury and parts of Otago from Sunday evening until Monday morning. In parts of Canterbury and Westland, rain could reach 200mm. Heavy rain watches have also been issued for Taranaki, parts of Tasman, Tararua Range and Grey District. Severe Thunderstorm Warnings. Photo: MetService MetService is warning drivers to be careful on Canterbury's High Country roads, with winds already reaching more than 100km/h. The region is under a strong wind watch for 12 hours from 6pm Sunday. Wellington and Marlborough have also been issued strong wind watches. Meteorologist Devlin Lynden said people on mountain roads need to take care as Mount Hutt is being battered with 120km winds. MetService said there was a moderate risk of thunderstorms in the Canterbury Alps, Fiordland and the Otago headwaters on Sunday. These thunderstorms will boost localised rainfall rates to 10-25mm/h, or possibly higher in a few places. A low risk of thunderstorms covers northern Westland, western parts of Southland, Stewart Island, the Queenstown Lakes District and the Mackenzie Basin from late evening as indicated on the chart. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
09-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Provinces have confidence in NZ Rugby - but with a limit
Buller team celebrate winning the Heartland championship Lochore Cup Final. Buller v South Canterbury. Victoria Square, Westport. Photo: Chris Symes Losing the essence of New Zealand Rugby remains a prevalent fear among the grassroots level of the game. This comes in the wake of the news that NZ Rugby recorded a third consecutive financial loss in 2024, just shy of $20 million . The nation's 26 provincial rugby unions met with the country's governing body at the AGM yesterday to strategise for a sound financial future. Despite again being in the red, Horowhenua Kāpiti chair Corey Kennett said most provinces were willing to give the board time. "I think there is confidence, but it does have a limit. We obviously are in a very tough times where we need to see deliverables and in particular around funding around how we look after the community game and the financial horsepower needed to make that happen has got to keep going. We're hopeful and there has been some great developments." Kennett understood these were trying times. "When we look at the loss, any loss is undesirable, but there are extenuating circumstances." He noted the investment in the commercial strategy and a drop in the US dollar as reasons for the shortfall. Bay of Plenty CEO Mike Rogers shared similar sentiments. "They did a really good job of helping us understand the position, and we know there's already work underway with New Zealand Rugby around financial sustainability." He was also noted needing to allow the new board time to implement its strategies. "We all know that that's not a sustainable model to make losses like that. So I think the next phase of how New Zealand rugby operate in terms of the actions they take are going to be pretty critical for the game. I think we do have to be prepared to have some patience, but that doesn't mean that we can sort of sit on our hands. We certainly need to see action." Kaleb Foote of King Country celebrates his try during the Ranfurly Shield rugby match between Hawkes Bay and King Country at Hastings Sports Park (Mitre 10 Park) in Hastings, New Zealand on Wednesday June 26, 2024. Photo: Aaron Gillions / Buller CEO Phill Gower was also pragmatic about the losses. "Rugby costs money to run, doesn't it? And we've got to get money from somewhere. So if we have a shortfall, it's either from the fact that we haven't received enough money in sponsorship or revenues, so therefore that's what we've really got to look at and try and bring up." Kennett said he feels the new NZR board are far less disconnected to the grassroots game than their predecessors. "The new board I can report have made more efforts than we have seen previously. There's been a positive realisation that work needed to be done in that space to increase collaboration, communication. The proof will be in the pudding." Rogers said there must always an ongoing conversation around supporting the community game. "That is obviously the foundation of what's made New Zealand rugby so strong over 130-odd years. Our job as provincial unions is to advocate as strongly as possible for investment in the community game. We do also need to appreciate that it is a balance and value the role of the All Blacks and Black Ferns play in generating revenue and that can be invested back in the community, it's not an easy position for New Zealand rugby to manage." Junior Rugby Open Grade, Carlton v University, Saturday 21 August 2010. War Memorial Park, Mt Roskill, Auckland, New Zealand. Photo: Andrew Cornaga Kennett believed while most provinces were smartly spending their money on the community, some were prioritising 'buying trophies'. "We have to look at what is our reason for being and our reason for being is for promoting the in all areas, the professional, semi-professional and amateur game." He said there is a risk of losing what makes New Zealand Rugby not only special, but successful. "In the heartland space in particular, we are working hard with our heartland brother and sister unions to make sure that we stay in the amateur game and don't try and go into the semi-professional, paying for players to pay when we are in an amateur game." He believed with the right innovations, the NPC will endure. "I mean it's no secret. There were models that were very difficult to sustain. Some unions are sustaining it, but what is evident is there needs to be change in some ways. I think NPC will always be there. To what level of professionalism or semi-professional the competition is, that's probably the real question going forward and whatever it is, it has to be financially sustainable in whatever mode you come up with." Rogers also stressed the importance of our domestic competitions. "The NPC and FPC are our point of difference and sort of a secret sauce of what makes rugby in New Zealand so strong. Our challenge is to continue to grow it, make it strong, and viable." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
09-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Provinces have in NZ Rugby - but with a limit
Buller team celebrate winning the Heartland championship Lochore Cup Final. Buller v South Canterbury. Victoria Square, Westport. Photo: Chris Symes Losing the essence of New Zealand Rugby remains a prevalent fear among the grassroots level of the game. This comes in the wake of the news that NZ Rugby recorded a third consecutive financial loss in 2024, just shy of $20 million . The nation's 26 provincial rugby unions met with the country's governing body at the AGM yesterday to strategise for a sound financial future. Despite again being in the red, Horowhenua Kāpiti chair Corey Kennett said most provinces were willing to give the board time. "I think there is confidence, but it does have a limit. We obviously are in a very tough times where we need to see deliverables and in particular around funding around how we look after the community game and the financial horsepower needed to make that happen has got to keep going. We're hopeful and there has been some great developments." Kennett understood these were trying times. "When we look at the loss, any loss is undesirable, but there are extenuating circumstances." He noted the investment in the commercial strategy and a drop in the US dollar as reasons for the shortfall. Bay of Plenty CEO Mike Rogers shared similar sentiments. "They did a really good job of helping us understand the position, and we know there's already work underway with New Zealand Rugby around financial sustainability." He was also noted needing to allow the new board time to implement its strategies. "We all know that that's not a sustainable model to make losses like that. So I think the next phase of how New Zealand rugby operate in terms of the actions they take are going to be pretty critical for the game. I think we do have to be prepared to have some patience, but that doesn't mean that we can sort of sit on our hands. We certainly need to see action." Kaleb Foote of King Country celebrates his try during the Ranfurly Shield rugby match between Hawkes Bay and King Country at Hastings Sports Park (Mitre 10 Park) in Hastings, New Zealand on Wednesday June 26, 2024. Photo: Aaron Gillions / Buller CEO Phill Gower was also pragmatic about the losses. "Rugby costs money to run, doesn't it? And we've got to get money from somewhere. So if we have a shortfall, it's either from the fact that we haven't received enough money in sponsorship or revenues, so therefore that's what we've really got to look at and try and bring up." Kennett said he feels the new NZR board are far less disconnected to the grassroots game than their predecessors. "The new board I can report have made more efforts than we have seen previously. There's been a positive realisation that work needed to be done in that space to increase collaboration, communication. The proof will be in the pudding." Rogers said there must always an ongoing conversation around supporting the community game. "That is obviously the foundation of what's made New Zealand rugby so strong over 130-odd years. Our job as provincial unions is to advocate as strongly as possible for investment in the community game. We do also need to appreciate that it is a balance and value the role of the All Blacks and Black Ferns play in generating revenue and that can be invested back in the community, it's not an easy position for New Zealand rugby to manage." Junior Rugby Open Grade, Carlton v University, Saturday 21 August 2010. War Memorial Park, Mt Roskill, Auckland, New Zealand. Photo: Andrew Cornaga Kennett believed while most provinces were smartly spending their money on the community, some were prioritising 'buying trophies'. "We have to look at what is our reason for being and our reason for being is for promoting the in all areas, the professional, semi-professional and amateur game." He said there is a risk of losing what makes New Zealand Rugby not only special, but successful. "In the heartland space in particular, we are working hard with our heartland brother and sister unions to make sure that we stay in the amateur game and don't try and go into the semi-professional, paying for players to pay when we are in an amateur game." He believed with the right innovations, the NPC will endure. "I mean it's no secret. There were models that were very difficult to sustain. Some unions are sustaining it, but what is evident is there needs to be change in some ways. I think NPC will always be there. To what level of professionalism or semi-professional the competition is, that's probably the real question going forward and whatever it is, it has to be financially sustainable in whatever mode you come up with." Rogers also stressed the importance of our domestic competitions. "The NPC and FPC are our point of difference and sort of a secret sauce of what makes rugby in New Zealand so strong. Our challenge is to continue to grow it, make it strong, and viable." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
09-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Provinces have 'limited confidence' in NZ Rugby
Buller team celebrate winning the Heartland championship Lochore Cup Final. Buller v South Canterbury. Victoria Square, Westport. Photo: Chris Symes Losing the essence of New Zealand Rugby remains a prevalent fear among the grassroots level of the game. This comes in the wake of the news that NZ Rugby recorded a third consecutive financial loss in 2024, [just shy of $20 million]. The nation's 26 provincial rugby unions met with the country's governing body at the AGM yesterday to strategise for a sound financial future. Despite again being in the red, Horowhenua Kāpiti chair Corey Kennett said most provinces were willing to give the board time. "I think there is confidence, but it does have a limit. We obviously are in a very tough times where we need to see deliverables and in particular around funding around how we look after the community game and the financial horsepower needed to make that happen has got to keep going. We're hopeful and there has been some great developments." Kennett understood these were trying times. "When we look at the loss, any loss is undesirable, but there are extenuating circumstances." He noted the investment in the commercial strategy and a drop in the US dollar as reasons for the shortfall. Bay of Plenty CEO Mike Rogers shared similar sentiments. "They did a really good job of helping us understand the position, and we know there's already work underway with New Zealand Rugby around financial sustainability." He was also noted needing to allow the new board time to implement its strategies. "We all know that that's not a sustainable model to make losses like that. So I think the next phase of how New Zealand rugby operate in terms of the actions they take are going to be pretty critical for the game. I think we do have to be prepared to have some patience, but that doesn't mean that we can sort of sit on our hands. We certainly need to see action." Kaleb Foote of King Country celebrates his try during the Ranfurly Shield rugby match between Hawkes Bay and King Country at Hastings Sports Park (Mitre 10 Park) in Hastings, New Zealand on Wednesday June 26, 2024. Photo: Aaron Gillions / Buller CEO Phill Gower was also pragmatic about the losses. "Rugby costs money to run, doesn't it? And we've got to get money from somewhere. So if we have a shortfall, it's either from the fact that we haven't received enough money in sponsorship or revenues, so therefore that's what we've really got to look at and try and bring up." Kennett said he feels the new NZR board are far less disconnected to the grassroots game than their predecessors. "The new board I can report have made more efforts than we have seen previously. There's been a positive realisation that work needed to be done in that space to increase collaboration, communication. The proof will be in the pudding." Rogers said there must always an ongoing conversation around supporting the community game. "That is obviously the foundation of what's made New Zealand rugby so strong over 130-odd years. Our job as provincial unions is to advocate as strongly as possible for investment in the community game. We do also need to appreciate that it is a balance and value the role of the All Blacks and Black Ferns play in generating revenue and that can be invested back in the community, it's not an easy position for New Zealand rugby to manage." Junior Rugby Open Grade, Carlton v University, Saturday 21 August 2010. War Memorial Park, Mt Roskill, Auckland, New Zealand. Photo: Andrew Cornaga Kennett believed while most provinces were smartly spending their money on the community, some were prioritising 'buying trophies'. "We have to look at what is our reason for being and our reason for being is for promoting the in all areas, the professional, semi-professional and amateur game." He said there is a risk of losing what makes New Zealand Rugby not only special, but successful. "In the heartland space in particular, we are working hard with our heartland brother and sister unions to make sure that we stay in the amateur game and don't try and go into the semi-professional, paying for players to pay when we are in an amateur game." He believed with the right innovations, the NPC will endure. "I mean it's no secret. There were models that were very difficult to sustain. Some unions are sustaining it, but what is evident is there needs to be change in some ways. I think NPC will always be there. To what level of professionalism or semi-professional the competition is, that's probably the real question going forward and whatever it is, it has to be financially sustainable in whatever mode you come up with." Rogers also stressed the importance of our domestic competitions. "The NPC and FPC are our point of difference and sort of a secret sauce of what makes rugby in New Zealand so strong. Our challenge is to continue to grow it, make it strong, and viable." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
