Archive 2013-2017
Most of the wealth being generated in Silicon Valley is the result of advanced engineering, risky venture capital and cut-throat business acumen in the face of rapidly-evolving competition. Visa, HP, Intel, Adobe, Ebay, Apple, Google, Facebook – the concentration of multi-billion-dollar enterprises in this tiny pocket of Santa Clara Valley is staggering. But not everyone… Read more
Significant changes to any system of taxation require significant upheaval, and perseverance from citizens in and out of government. EarthSharing.org spoke with land value taxation proponent Joshua Vincent earlier this month, in a conversation covering attitudes towards land value tax, its applications, and the activism required to advance it. Watch the interview below, broken into… Read more
There’s no cell reception on the Chatham Islands, which for some will be all it takes to paint a picture of an island escape. But the home of New Zealand’s most remote communities is swimming in history, nature and a classic distillation of Kiwi culture, and recently, more mainlanders have been taking the opportunity to… Read more
An internal police ‘realignment’ could see some Western Southland police roles shifted in an effort to improve coverage. A review of future structure and deployment options began in November, and subsequent staff submissions were considered from early December until last Monday. The consultation document obtained by the Advocate states that along with candid conversations, two… Read more
The independent consultants reviewing alternatives to Te Anau’s proposed wastewater scheme have cautiously recommended two alternatives for further investigation. Scientists from Pattle Delamore Partners returned to Te Anau yesterday to present their findings to the Te Anau Wastewater Discharge Project Committee. The draft PDP report recognises some of the negative community growth and tourism implications… Read more
A combined rural fire training exercise held last week proved immediately valuable on Monday and Tuesday as a large blaze was contained near Dipton. Management teams from Southern Rural Fire joined with representatives from eight other organisations last Thursday for a large-scale practice response, in preparation for the a busy summer season. Just four days… Read more
New Zealand urban and rural fire services will be amalgamated into a single national fire service by 2017. Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne announced the decision to the 137th annual United Fire Brigades Association (UFBA) Conference at Wellington’s TSB Arena on Friday. Mr Dunne announced the beginning of a reform process and consultation period in… Read more
The next near-miss on the road to Milford could be caught on camera, thanks to a joint dashboard camera initiative between police and commercial drivers. In the lead-up to the peak tourist season, Te Anau Police constable Dwight Grieve has been lending dashcams to commercial freight and tourism operators on the road between Queenstown and… Read more
There is a shortage of young tradespeople in Southland, according to employers and training organisations. The prohibitive costs of taking on apprentices, a stubborn culture of negative perception, and simply fewer kids passing through the education system are being blamed for this apparent shortage. Southern Group Training general manager Glenys McKenzie looks after more than… Read more
Venture Southland received more than 700 survey responses and nearly 100 letters in support of its effort to secure the further rollout of ultrafast broadband, rural broadband, and improved mobile services in the district. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is planning the second round of investment into this infrastructure, and expressions of… Read more