Tag Archives: Commodity trap

Are GMOs New Zealand’s Agricultural Future?

The debate about the future of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in Hawke’s Bay (and NZ agriculture) is heating up.  A number of opinion pieces are reacting to this government’s attempts to take legislative decision making out of the region’s hands. … Continue reading

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Industrial Farming: The Deeper Roots of Animal Cruelty

My father was a gentle stockman, and he cared for people the same. He taught us how to hunt up and how to use presence and eye when mustering, and how not to push cattle too hard. He had a … Continue reading

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The TPPA and New Zealand’s Democracy

Presented in weekly radio spot on Hawke’s Bay local radio station Bay FM.   The Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) negotiations are concluded, and have shifted to the next phase – ratification by parliaments. The government is spinning like a … Continue reading

Posted in Building Regional Economies, Thought Pieces | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Propaganda and the Rhetoric of the Ruataniwha Dam

“Political language… is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind.” George Orwell I was taught propaganda at school. Our English master, Mr Brown, liked words. He had an inspirational … Continue reading

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Two strategic directions for Land Use in New Zealand: Where do we stand?

I wrote this what seems light years ago.  I think it was 2007 or 2008. This is very rough, a mind dump.  It was done quickly, and is more to do with me getting thoughts out of my mind and … Continue reading

Posted in Land Use, Thought Pieces, Wicked Problems | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Realising the Potential of Hawke’s Bay (and NZ Primary Sector)

Realising the Potential of Hawke's Bay (and NZ Primary Sector).

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