Articles from ‘elocal magazine’

In this opinion piece, Tracy Lynch reflects on how COVID-era policies affected families, workplaces and communities, and how ordinary people came to enforce decisions made by authorities. She asks what evidence supported those decisions at the time and argues that accountability should focus on the records, advice and decision-making behind them, rather than blame between neighbours. Her central message is that decisions affecting people’s…

Forest & Bird wants a major West Coast coal expansion rejected over risks to native wildlife, while Buller leaders warn that hundreds of local jobs are tied to the mine. The EPA has not rejected or approved the proposal. It has stopped the clock and asked Bathurst Resources for more information. Report by eLocal · The argument over coal mining on the Buller Plateaux presents New Zealand with a familiar conflict, but on an unusually large scale.…

ACT is promising to open more of New Zealand's electricity system to competition while rejecting calls to break up the country's major generator-retailers. The policy could give households and private investors more freedom to generate, sell and move electricity, but the central question is whether greater competition around the edges of the system will translate into lower costs, greater resilience and more generation for consumers Report by…

Subtitle · Biotechnology is moving beyond GM crops and into everyday products · Summary Intro · Dr Guy Hatchard argues that the debate over gene technology now extends far beyond genetically modified crops. He points to the growing use of biosynthetic compounds in cosmetics, food production, medicine and consumer products, questioning whether regulation and safety testing have kept pace. From hyaluronic acid to chemicals that alter fruit…

New Zealand abolished the crime of blasphemous libel in 2019, but a renewed debate over extending hate-speech protections to religion has raised a harder question: can the law protect religious people from hatred without protecting religious ideas from criticism or ridicule? Iranian-born lawyer and Free Speech Union Council member Samira Taghavi warns that the distinction can disappear once the state is given power to police offensive religious…

Opportunity's new climate programme proposes billions of dollars in public investment alongside methane trading, carbon pricing and biodiversity markets. But behind the immediate policy announcement lies a larger question for New Zealand: how far should international climate and sustainable-development commitments determine domestic economic, agricultural and energy policy? Report by eLocal · Opportunity has released an ambitious climate…

Elected councillors are accountable for council decisions, but how much control do they really have over the officials and information behind them? Nick Clark argues that councillors can be denied crucial legal and operational advice by their own bureaucracies. A proposed law would clarify that chief executives are subject to elected councils and give councillors greater access to independent advice, strengthening democratic accountability at…

A West Coast-Tasman candidate debate has sparked controversy after organisers excluded Sue Grey from the podium under a reported 5% party-vote threshold rule. Supporters argue the decision denies local voters the opportunity to hear from all candidates contesting the electorate. Critics are calling on the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union to open the Greymouth debate to every official candidate on the ballot. GREYMOUTH, NZ Serious concerns over…

New Zealand's economy expanded 0.2 percent in the June quarter and 2.6 percent compared with a year earlier, avoiding the contraction initially feared after the Middle East fuel-price shock. But beneath the positive GDP headline, growth per person was only 0.1 percent and real national disposable income fell 0.4 percent, raising a more important question for households: is economic growth actually translating into greater prosperity? eLocal…

Discover refined family living on Grace James Road, Pukekohe, one of the area’s most prestigious addresses. Set on 940 sqm, this impressive five-bedroom, three-bathroom home offers two generous living areas, a beautifully appointed open-plan kitchen and flexible accommodation ideal for families, guests or working from home. Covered patios provide year-round outdoor living, while double internal-access garaging, extensive parking and a peaceful…