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Otago Daily Times
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Youth Parliament ‘once in a lifetime experience'
Waitaki Youth MP Enya O'Donnell speaks during Youth Parliament in the Beehive earlier this month. PHOTO: JOSEPH KELLY Youth Parliament was in session at the Beehive earlier this month. Waimate High School year 12 student Enya O'Donnell was the representative for Waitaki MP Miles Anderson. The 16-year-old said it was an amazing experience. "I told Miles last time I met him I wish they did it every year because I would definitely be going every year. "It was definitely a once in a lifetime experience and I'm really glad I had it and I learned quite a deal from it." The Youth MPs were given a tour of the Beehive and engaged in group work as well which was presented to the ministers. There was also a general debate where some Youth MPs gave speeches. While Enya did not give a speech, she was able to ask an oral question. She asked what the Ministry of Youth and Development was doing to reduce tall poppy syndrome among youth. "For me, tall poppy syndrome is a very huge and pressing culture in New Zealand and Australia that I often think is overlooked, especially in school communities. "We often see tall poppy syndrome within classmates, friends, family, people who are close to you. "So I thought I'd get it out there, get people thinking about it." The experience has made her rethink her plans for future study. Enya said when she first started choosing her NCEA subjects she was "quite science orientated" but now enjoyed the humanities side of things. "Doing the Youth Parliament has kind of made me realise that 'oh maybe I do just want to go down the road of doing stuff more with people'." There was a bit of controversy across the two days as some Youth MPs claimed they were censored and were told to change their speeches. Mr Anderson said that was not the case. "If you saw the debates, you could see that there had been certainly no censorship. "The minister has made a statement around that and a number of the students themselves have said themselves that yes they were given guidance but they were certainly told that there was no censorship." He said the guidance given was mainly around avoiding defamation. "Some of the protections that are available to parliamentarians weren't available to the student politicians." Youth Parliament gave the participants a close look at how government works, he said. "It's a really good way for the younger generation to get an understanding of how the parliament works because it's quite complex and it's not as most people think it is. "They think it's Donald Trump sitting at a desk signing executive orders and that's not how it works. "It's good to see all those that attended enjoyed the experience."
Otago Daily Times
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Letters to Editor: water, Al Jazeera, Ardern
Today's letters to the editor include discussions concerning the Waitaki District Council, Al Jazeera, and opinions on Dame Jacinda Ardern. Recent opposition to the Waitaki District Council's preferred Water Well Done proposal is probably a reflection of the general lack of trust in the council rather than misinformation. Take the Proposed District Plan. This now legally enforceable plan allows that certain people are allowed to access private properties to cut, dig and build without the landowner's permission within the new wahi tupuna overlays. Conversely the same landowners can be required to consult with and pay whatever fee iwi deem appropriate in addition to council's own consenting requirements. The consulting process was haphazard and ultimately ignored the concerns of affected landowners. To their credit, councillors John McCone, Guy Percival and Brent Cowles opposed the plan which to the detriment of the Waitaki District community was approved in December. One councillor even stated that people affected by the PDP can now "share the same feelings of loss and disempowerment and identity ... caused by the Kemp Purchase of 1848". Our community deserves much better representation than being held liable for what happened over 175 years ago. Mark Hay Oamaru In-house backed I am tired of reading Ben Bell's accusations that Waitaki's decision to nix a joint water company with Gore, Clutha and Central Otago is the "misinformed" decision of only 161 submitters in our public consultation. Out of 300 submitters in the consultation, 85% favoured another option instead of the tie-up with those three districts. Only 15% supported Southern Water Done Well. Sentiment throughout the district was strongly in favour of keeping water in-house. Faced with an election in three months, the Waitaki councillors suddenly realised that public sentiment was so strong that it had to be respected. That's why the vote was 9-2 for continued in-house operation. The Gore councillors are wrong to claim that government required them to approve Southern Water Done Well. There are 19 councils nationwide which have chosen in-house. Minister Simon Watts may be trying to bully councils, but this hasn't scared the stronger councils in the past, nor will it in the future. Mike Sweeney Oamaru No, it's dire Dire wolves, mammoths, moa ... .why? Any effort to bring these back from the dead, at this stage is ridiculous, what you get is nothing like the original. What you get is a Claytons version. As has been shown, the dire wolves are only that in name. They are nothing like the originals, simply a white wolf with a few shredded DNA strands that amount to nothing. If there was going to be money sunk into these sorts of folly projects I would much prefer it be spent on saving our current flora and fauna Graham Bulman Dunedin Higher huts Re the tragic death of Wednesday Davis on Mt Ruapehu (ODT 14.7.25). This is very sad indeed and the circumstances appear to be particularly distressing for the family, and they have my full sympathy. I note however that the Whangaehu has been repeatedly reported as the "highest alpine hut in New Zealand". This is not the case by a significant margin. Whangaehu hut is at an altitude of 2080m while Empress Hut (at the top of the Hooker Glacier at Aoraki/Mt Cook) is at an altitude of 2472m, Plateau Hut (also on Aoraki/Mt Cook) is at 2200m, Centennial Hut (on the Franz Josef Glacier) is at 2400m. Stating that Whangaehu is the highest hut in New Zealand puts an erroneous perspective on the story. Derek Chinn Queenstown Overwhelming news and the bare essentials I watch the Al Jazeera news channel. Their news coverage can be difficult to watch. Images can be overwhelming and leave you questioning why some events on this planet are allowed to continue. The only thing on television at the moment that can put a smile on your face is an advertisement. It shows a naked skier, beautiful snow views and the background music is Age of Innocence by Enigma. It is very peaceful and you have to smile. Lorraine Adams Oamaru Enduring legacy I was horrified to read Neville McLay's letter (ODT 14.7.25). Can it really be true that the stadium will only last another 35 years, especially when you think that most old villas were built between 1890 and 1910. Many will have been renovated in the past 35 years when the houses were already nearly 100 years old. So the stadium is only to last about a quarter as long as the average old villa? George Livingstone Roslyn Boo Sir Ian It is so very sad to see all the knives pointed in direction of Dame Jacinda Ardern, the latest poison from Sir Ian Taylor. The combined threats and personal attacks made on her mainly through the cowardly medium of social media disgusted me. Dame Jacinda succeeded in saving many lives when the country faced a relentless and deadly Covid virus. She was applauded and recognised upon the world stage. The mosque massacre and Christchurch earthquakes, she resolutely and bravely faced up to with utmost dignity sincerity and compassion. Clive McNeill North East Valley Bravo Sir Ian "Better late than never" as the saying goes. Recent comments ridiculing and criticising Sir Ian Taylor about his about-face opinion of Jacinda Ardern just goes to show that changing one's mind and an admission of being wrong, is frowned upon and not appreciated by many. I, however applaud his honesty and bravery in publicly admitting his previous error in judgement. Joyce Yee-Murdoch Cromwell Boo Sir Ian I was disappointed by Sir Ian Taylor's article on Jacinda. It read like a lovesick virgin teenager's lament on finding the object of their adoration had feet of plasticene and a far-from-saintly past. Most politicians who get the top job, with some exceptions, and Jacinda was no exception, do the best they can with the hand they are dealt. And with impeccable timing she quit when she realised she was no longer the solution but part of the problem. We don't need to look far in the contemporary world to find exceptions who did neither. So we should be grateful. I am absolutely delighted that Jacinda has found things to do and a means of earning a crust, after leaving us Kiwi ingrates for what she must see as greener and safer pastures. I suggest Sir Ian plants his sour grapes in our great Central soil where they can turn to fine wine, and saves his rocks for his own rockery rather than use them as ammunition. Morley Williams Cromwell
RNZ News
16-07-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Councils blindsided by government call to halt planning work
Waitaki mayor Gary Kircher says his council is being adversely affected by the government's constant changes. Photo: RNZ / Tess Brunton Councils have been blindsided by the government's call to halt planning work, which they say will have "unintended consequences". Photo: Resource Management Act (RMA) Reform Minister Chris Bishop has put a stop to councils working on District and Regional Plans until the new RMA legislation takes effect. "Rather than let these pricey, pointless planning and policy processes play out, we will be giving councils clarity on where to focus their efforts while they await the new planning system," Bishop said at the Local Government NZ conference in Christchurch on Wednesday. The shake-up of the RMA is expected to come into effect in 2027. Christchurch city councillor Sara Templeton said her council is working on a plan change on noise in the central city , which could be placed under threat. The plan change was about "finding a balance between people living in town and the need for a vibrant nightlife", she said. Sara Templeton Photo: Supplied / Christchurch City Council "I'd be frustrated if we couldn't do that work with our communities. "The top-down approach from central government at the moment has had multiple unintended impacts." Cr Templeton called on the government to work more closely with councils. The Kaikōura District Council has been working through a review of its District Plan, which was adopted in 2008. Council chief executive Will Doughty said the announcement will stifle the council's attempts to make changes to benefit the community. "We have just awarded a contract to our consultants to work on the first two or three chapters. "We always knew reform was underway, but we took an approach to respond to the needs of our community, while being flexible enough to review and respond to any changes." Doughty said the council faced criticism that the "rules are prohibitive", so it was keen to update the plan. Waitaki mayor Gary Kircher said his council has been reviewing parts of its District Plan, but its efforts were impacted by constant changes from central government. "The government has been signalling changing requirements for a long time, and we wish they would just get on and do it so we can get on and do what we need to do." Kircher said councils had called on the government to stop signalling changes ahead of legislation, as it set "unrealistic expectations for the community". "Once the government makes these announcements, people expect us to implement the changes, but it takes time to go through the planning process." RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop Photo: NZME / LDR Bishop said money was wasted on planning review processes, which was required under the existing RMA. "The government will suspend councils' mandatory RMA requirements to undertake plan and regional policy statement reviews every ten years, and the requirement to implement national planning standards." Bishop said there will be some exemptions, including private plan changes and natural hazards planning. -LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Otago Daily Times
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Letters to the Editor: death, taxes and road cones
Today's Letters to the Editor from readers cover topics including outrage at the protest songs about Gaza, a spokesman for the Trumpian world, and the truth about road cones. Responsible residents make a durable system Although Waitaki Council's preferred option for district water control is a new joint Council Controlled Organisation (CCO company) with Gore, Central Otago and Clutha district councils, a clear majority of Waitaki voted to retain it in-house. As this result did not align with the advice received from Waitaki's economic consultant, Mayor Kircher considers the community may have been misled by a deliberate misinformation campaign ( ODT , 25.6.25). While words like sustainability and resilience are sprinkled about in background assessments, the pros and cons of the options are largely based on economic and engineering considerations, including projections well beyond what can be forecast with any confidence. Besides, compared with the horrifying water rates projected to maintain schemes in a decade, cost differences between options are rounding errors. Such projections are hard for the rural community to swallow when much of their first water schemes there were simply mole-ploughed in by farmers with their tractors. In increasingly uncertain times, a much more reliable basis for a decision is to consider the value of preserving full agency over local resources and services. There may currently be checks in the legislation to retain some council input to CCOs, but these can be extinguished with a stroke. The most resilient and sustainable community is one where the residents understand their systems, and are responsible for establishing and maintaining them. Separate companies are no match for home-grown goodwill and engagement. Could the main reason for public preference for an in-house model be fear a CCO makes it that much easier for this government to weaken and marginalise local government and that that is the underlying agenda of the legislation? Community support Predictably, Don Sinclair fudged the facts ( Letters , 28.6.25). Tahakopa School's board of trustees did reach out to community members for assistance in organising the Tahakopa School Farewell in late March, just as we did with the successful 125-year celebrations held a couple of years prior. The Tahakopa Memorial Hall is the logical choice to receive the locally raised funds from our closed school with the long history of supporting the school by the way of free hall usage. It is now the community's main focus, as only it is large enough to accommodate the whole community and able to cater for district events in traditional Tahakopa style. And, yes I am sure that the good people of the district will support the Tahakopa Hall Board as it continues to improve the hall's facilities, just as good Kiwi country folk have always done. And we're off It has started already. Today's paper ( ODT , 1.7.25) flushed out a splutter of local politicians denying the obvious. Keep pens and paper at hand, folks, for it looks like local body incumbents themselves will make it obvious who to discard come election time. And Yeo, what a classic cartoon. What was that What has the world come to when protest songs at Glastonbury cause more outrage than the ongoing senseless killing, maiming and starvation of the entire population of Gaza? Traffic, rather than road cones should be focus Mid-morning, Portsmouth Dr, Dunedin. The grass down the middle of the road is being mowed. The mower can be seen from some distance, its flashing beacons lighting it up like a UFO. The operator is seated on an elevated platform within the cocoon of a safety canopy. The job is not impinging on the road. Common-sense reveals no foreseeable safety issues and traffic management is not necessary. Yet a truck has been assigned to shadow the mower by driving slowly in the right-hand lane a few metres behind the mower, acting as a rolling road block. It is causing chaos as traffic tries to merge from two lanes to one. Two minutes later, same journey, roundabout at Larnach Rd / Scott St. A tricky spot at the best of times with poor sightlines and two of the three meeting roads being downhill approaches. Suddenly a head pops up from behind a bush in the middle of the roundabout. It is a council gardener on hands and knees. Common sense tells you that they are in a vulnerable position and traffic management is needed. Vehicles crash into roundabouts. A ute is parked on the footpath to the side but does not have its warning beacons activated. There is no traffic management, no warning signs and no speed restriction. We have to stop talking about road cones. Cones are not the problem, merely a symptom of the real problem. When we focus on making jocular remarks about cones we risk trivialising the larger and life threatening issue — the poor standard of temporary traffic management across New Zealand. Inevitable debate on taxes Tony Fitchett ( ODT , 30.6.25) obviously needs some help with comprehension. If you take a good flat land farm once valued at $400 per hectare in 1970, which now has a median value $20,000 per hectare (extremely conservative) the percentage increase is 4900%. If you take a house with a median value in 1975 of $24,300 and compare that with a median house price today of $772,000, the percentage increase is 3000%. Most readers will understand that reality. It may assist Dr Fitchett to understand that the purchasing power of your dollar has diminished due to government-induced inflation, so they will always want more and more of your money. Meantime productivity crashes. Oh, and who ever said that life was meant to be fair, other than the good ole boys of the Left. Three cheers from me to Tony Fitchett for his rebuttal of Gerard Eckhoff's apologia for privilege ( ODT , 9.6.25), echoed in warnings from IRD about tough decisions ahead. New Zealand clearly raises too little revenue compared with Australia and similar countries but from where will the political ability to successfully communicate that come? Tony Fitchett accurately exposes Gerry Eckhoff as a spokesman for the Trumpian dog eat dog world. The last message from the late Pope Francis was, 'Today's builders of Babel tell us that there is no room for losers, and that those who fall along the way are losers. Their's is the construction site of hell.' Address Letters to the Editor to: Otago Daily Times, PO Box 517, 52-56 Lower Stuart St, Dunedin. Email: editor@
Otago Daily Times
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Draw after dramatic ending
Waitaki Boys' players celebrate after retaining the Leo O'Malley Trophy with a 19-19 draw in the Blood Match on Saturday. PHOTO: NIC DUFF Complete and utter pandemonium. That is the only way to describe the frantic and, for a moment, confusing ending to Saturday's Blood Match between Waitaki Boys' and St Kevin's. St Kevin's led 19-12 with time up on the clock, but Waitaki Boys' had a lineout 5m from the line. Their driving maul fell short and two more pick and go attempts also fell short before replacement prop Andrew Kaufana scored. It was then over to 17-year-old Hau'ofa Latu to line up the conversion from out wide. As he slotted it between the uprights to end the match with the scores tied, cheers erupted from the Waitaki Boys' sideline. Waitaki held the Leo O'Malley Trophy, so a draw meant they retained the treasured "peanut". There was some confusion as the Southern Schools Rugby Championship determines the winner of a one-off game through a series of tiebreakers including who scored the first try, which was St Kevin's. However, it was soon clarified that Waitaki Boys' did in fact retain the trophy as this was a game held outside that competition. It was the first time the Blood Match had ended in a draw since 2006. Latu said while he was nervous taking the final conversion, he was confident when lining up the kick. "All I can hear is the SKC crowd just going at me. "All I thought was just, do what I do." It was a frantic end to the annual clash with both sides scoring a pair of tries late. St Kevin's led 7-0 at halftime but Waitaki Boys' equalised after the break. Waitaki Boys' took the lead after a well-worked move off a lineout put Latu in space down the right touchline. He stabbed a chip kick ahead and the lightning-fast Jack Nicol beat everyone to it to score. Not letting the game slip away, St Kevin's hit back. They got the ball out wide to fullback Kobe Narruhn, who drew in his defender and gave it to Louie Hose on his outside. The winger then gave it back to Narruhn on the inside to run away and score. St Kevin's had another just a few minutes later when a midfield bomb took an awkward bounce. Narruhn was able to grab it and pass to Kenton Tokai, who sprinted away to score in the corner, setting up the grandstand finish. • St Kevin's showed immense courage to back up 24 hours later for a Southern Schools Rugby Championship game. They were beaten 43-5 by Otago Boys' 1sts yesterday. Just three other games were played at the weekend thanks to the shocking weather. John McGlashan 2nds pipped Southland Boys' 2nds 18-15, King's 2nds beat Maruawai/Menzies 10-0, and second five Wiandro Wiese scored three tries to lead Dunstan to a 62-0 win over Otago Boys' 2nds. Blood Match The scores Waitaki Boys' 19 Hau'ofa Latu, Jack Nicol, Andrew Kaufana tries; Hau'ofa Latu 2 con St Kevin's 19 Orlando Narruhn, Kobe Narruhn, Kenton Tokai tries: Lachy Neal 2 con Halftime: St Kevin's 7-0.
