Wairoa Mayor: Road upgrades between Napier and Wairoa will boost safety and accessibility
The road between Napier and Wairoa is on the mend.
The Government has agreed to a temporary law change that will enable rural Hawke's Bay and Tairāwhiti landowners dealing with cyclone and flood debris to burn mixed waste so they can replant and return their land to productivity.
The plan is for the law to come into effect no later than June 27 and continue until mid-December.
Environment Minister David Parker says some farmers and horticulturalists, especially in Hawke's Bay, are under huge stress dealing with the fallout from the severe weather. He says many have huge piles of waste, including materials like treated timber and plastics that are not allowed to be burned.
"Therefore, we propose reclassifying the burning of mixed waste piles from a prohibited to a permitted activity, subject to standards overseen by councils. People will still need to comply with Fire and Emergency New Zealand requirements."
Parker says the debris puts growers at risk of missing the June/July growing season, creating further threats to livelihoods already put at risk by severe weather damage.
The Hawke's Bay Regional Council says it welcomes the Government's move and will work closely with farmers and growers to ensure they understand the conditions that apply with the temporary law change.
A brilliant result and great news for growers and regional economies. That's how horticulture sector leaders are describing the news that sector exports for the year ended June 30 will reach $8.4 billion - an increase of 19% on last year and is forecast to hit close to $10 billion in 2029.
Funding is proving crucial for predator control despite a broken model reliant on the goodwill of volunteers.
A major milestone on New Zealand's unique journey to eradicate Mycoplasma bovis could come before the end of this year.
We're working through it, and we'll get to it.
The debate around New Zealand's future in the Paris Agreement is heating up.
A technical lab manager for Apata, Phoebe Scherer, has won the Bay of Plenty 2025 Young Grower regional title.