Unreal hot air
OPINION: The Hound is perplexed about some of the over-the-top climate catastrophising by mainstream media outlets during the holidays.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) is asking people to take care and avoid unnecessary travel until Wednesday morning, as Cyclone Hale is set to hit the country.
MetService predicts the regions most likely to be impacted by heavy rain are Coromandel Peninsula, Gisborne, and Hawke’s Bay, with much of the North Island set to experience periods of gale or severe gale force winds.
“Several severe weather warnings and watches have been issued, and more areas will be added as the system moves closer and its track and intensity become more certain,” MetService meteorologist Peter Little says.
NZTA acting national maintenance and operations, Jaclyn Hankin says heavy rain may cause surface flooding, trigger slips and cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly, requiring NZTA to close some state highways.
“Our contractors will be working hard, doing what they can to keep the state highway network safe and open,” Hankin says.
She says people need to drive to the conditions, check weather forecasts, and check their intended route for hazards and disruptions before setting out.
“Stay alert for unreported hazards, such as surface flooding, slips, fallen trees and branches, and downed power lines,” Hankin says.
“If you must travel, slow down and maintain a greater following distance between your vehicle and the one in front,” she adds.
“We want to see everybody get home safely,” she says.
The Ministry for the Environment (MfE) has found itself in a stoush with NZPork over the controversial National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land (NPS-HPL).
Fonterra says the sale of its global consumer business and its Oceania and Sri Lankan operations could take 18 months to complete.
The lobby group the Methane Science Accord (MSA) says it welcomes a recent government move to seek outside advice on reducing biological methane targets, rather than relying on recommendations made by the Climate Change Commission.
Well-known scientist Jock Allison has passed away.
After a decade of consultation and court battles, Environment Southland has officially adopted a plan to prevent further decline in the region's water quality.
Farmers are throwing down the gauntlet to politicians - hold an independent inquiry into rural bank lending or face tough questions from the farming sector.