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RNZ News
29-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
'There's been no transparency': Ruataniwha Dam protest outside meeting
Wise Water Use protestors. Photo: RNZ/Alexa Cook Opponents of the controversial Ruataniwha Dam in Central Hawke's Bay staged a surprise protest outside a Centralines meeting in Waipukurau discussing the use of trust beneficiaries' money for the fast-tracked dam project. The protest comes a month after Centralines trustee Tony Murphy resigned because the electricity distributor's board put $100,000 towards a re-scope of the fast-tracked and rebranded Ruataniwha Dam , now called the Tukituki Water Security Project. Hawke's Bay power distributor Centralines is one of many sources of funding for the Ruataniwha Dam. It is comprised of a board, which makes operational decisions, and a trust that represents the public stakeholders. Protest group Wise Water Use spokesperson Trevor Le Lievre told RNZ Centralines had now committed $300,000 towards the controversial project . "There's been no transparency around this money. We believe it's a case of cronyism, pure and simple. So we are here to send a message to the trust because the trust appoints the board and so have some sway over what the board does. "We're here to tell the trust to call the board in, hold them to account, rescind that decision on the $100,000 and act in the best interest of beneficiaries," said Le Lievre. However, Centralines board chair Fenton Wilson was confident there was no issue, and makes no apologies for supporting the dam. "I welcome the strong views - from the company point of view we deal with what's in front of us and there's an opportunity to invest in a project that has real growth potential if it comes off. "But we are not in this alone, businesses right across Hawke's Bay are investing - the government is investing. People have done their due diligence and it fits the growth potential with this business and this company," he said. Wise Water Use protestors peacefully talk to Centralines' Board Chair and Trustees Photo: RNZ/Alexa Cook The Central Hawke's Bay Consumer Power trust chair Karen Middelburg told RNZ she has been listening to all of the community's voices on the issue, including the protestors concerns. "We've got a meeting now where we'll discuss what they've brought to the table and we'll certainly be passing that on to the board. "But our role is certainly not to tell the board how to make financial decisions for the company - our role is to appoint the board to do that on our behalf," she said. Wise Water Use is vowing to keep protesting against the dam project and member Murray Rosser said it should not be allowed to proceed under the government's fast track legislation. "It's such an outdated idea - it's going to ruin the river and wreck a whole lot of environmental precious taonga. "And it's going to put money in the hands of a few people and others won't get a dollar," he said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
05-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Centralines Trustee Resigns Over $100k Dam Decision
Article – Linda Hall – Local Democracy Reporter I dont think the decision is in the best interests of consumers and beneficiaries of Centralines, resigning trustee Tony Murphy told Local Democracy Reporting. One of the members of the Central Hawke's Bay power consumers' trust has resigned in protest over lines company Centralines' board's plan to give $100,000 of its funding to help rescope a large-scale dam in the district. Centralines has a board, which makes operational decisions, and a power consumers' trust that represents the public stakeholders. It is owned by Central Hawke's Bay power consumers. 'I don't think the decision is in the best interests of consumers and beneficiaries of Centralines,' resigning trustee Tony Murphy told Local Democracy Reporting. 'I can't in good conscience remain a part of a trust which has chosen to support the board in its decision.' Murphy was one of seven trustees. Centralines in 2022 came under fire for putting $200,000 of its funding towards re-scoping the Tukituki Water Security Project and has recently decided to put another $100,000 towards it. Various attempts to get a dam in CHB off the ground have been mired in controversy since it was first supported by Hawke's Bay Regional Council (HBRC) almost a decade ago. The Ruataniwha Dam was abandoned by HBRC in 2018 after a Supreme Court finding against it, and the $20m it had spent on development went down the drain. Consents were sold to Water Holdings Hawke's Bay Ltd, a group of local farmers and rebranded as the Tukituki Water Security Project. In December 2024, Development Minister Shane Jones committed $3m to the project through Regional Infrastructure Fund for the pre-construction development of the Project. A flyer distributed at a meeting by local pressure group Water Wise Use HB called for supporters to contact Central Hawke's Bay Power Consumers' Trust chair, Karen Middelberg, to request she move a motion at the next trustee meeting, in late May, directing the Board to rescind its decision. 'If Middelberg is not prepared to act on the concerns of trust beneficiaries, then she should resign,' it said. Water Wise Use spokesperson Trevor Le Lievre said ratepayers and taxpayers should prepare themselves for an assault on their wallets, 'as this zombie project has an insatiable appetite for public money'. However, Central Hawke's Bay mayor Alex Walker said they were the sort of comments designed to 'fearmonger among our community and ratepayers, with no basis of fact to them'. 'The consents for the Tukituki Water Security Project are in private hands, the group is working on the next stages of a business case. 'If there is any requirement for public funding, there would be intense public discussions about this, and what is right for Central Hawke's Bay. 'That time is not now. There is nothing to debate.' In response to the call for her resignation, Middelberg said the trust deed made it clear 'the trust is not to involve itself in the management or operation of the company'. 'This proposal to contribute $100,000 to the water project is a board decision, and it was shared with the trust by the company as a courtesy. 'This decision is well within the Board's delegated responsibility and the decision does not meet the threshold that requires approval from the Trust. 'The Trust informed the Board of the opinions from some of the community and expects these were considered in making its decision. We discussed it and although not all members agree, decided not to intervene. 'The trust's duties are to appoint directors to a company with $74 million of assets in our community.' Tukituki Water Security Project spokesman Mike Petersen said he welcomed discussions about water security. 'The Tukituki Water Security Project was formed to address the consequences of climate change and increased demand from population growth, and to better understand the impacts these will have in a drying region,' he said. 'Our view has been consistent about water storage being one part of the solution to ensure water security, alongside other measures such as wise water use, greater water efficiencies and recycling. In this respect, we share the same objectives as the Wise Water team. 'These are different projects, using the same Makaroro site for water storage, but with a completely different hierarchy of downstream water use. 'Centralines is a commercial company and has its own strategic and commercial imperatives for investing in projects like the TWSP. 'I cannot speak for Centralines, but they are among several businesses that have committed funding because they see water storage as a key regional priority for Hawke's Bay to help the region thrive and grow.' LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Centralines Trustee Resigns Over $100k Dam Decision
One of the members of the Central Hawke's Bay power consumers' trust has resigned in protest over lines company Centralines' board's plan to give $100,000 of its funding to help rescope a large-scale dam in the district. Centralines has a board, which makes operational decisions, and a power consumers' trust that represents the public stakeholders. It is owned by Central Hawke's Bay power consumers. 'I don't think the decision is in the best interests of consumers and beneficiaries of Centralines,' resigning trustee Tony Murphy told Local Democracy Reporting. 'I can't in good conscience remain a part of a trust which has chosen to support the board in its decision.' Murphy was one of seven trustees. Centralines in 2022 came under fire for putting $200,000 of its funding towards re-scoping the Tukituki Water Security Project and has recently decided to put another $100,000 towards it. Various attempts to get a dam in CHB off the ground have been mired in controversy since it was first supported by Hawke's Bay Regional Council (HBRC) almost a decade ago. The Ruataniwha Dam was abandoned by HBRC in 2018 after a Supreme Court finding against it, and the $20m it had spent on development went down the drain. Consents were sold to Water Holdings Hawke's Bay Ltd, a group of local farmers and rebranded as the Tukituki Water Security Project. In December 2024, Development Minister Shane Jones committed $3m to the project through Regional Infrastructure Fund for the pre-construction development of the Project. A flyer distributed at a meeting by local pressure group Water Wise Use HB called for supporters to contact Central Hawke's Bay Power Consumers' Trust chair, Karen Middelberg, to request she move a motion at the next trustee meeting, in late May, directing the Board to rescind its decision. 'If Middelberg is not prepared to act on the concerns of trust beneficiaries, then she should resign,' it said. Water Wise Use spokesperson Trevor Le Lievre said ratepayers and taxpayers should prepare themselves for an assault on their wallets, 'as this zombie project has an insatiable appetite for public money'. However, Central Hawke's Bay mayor Alex Walker said they were the sort of comments designed to 'fearmonger among our community and ratepayers, with no basis of fact to them'. 'The consents for the Tukituki Water Security Project are in private hands, the group is working on the next stages of a business case. 'If there is any requirement for public funding, there would be intense public discussions about this, and what is right for Central Hawke's Bay. 'That time is not now. There is nothing to debate.' In response to the call for her resignation, Middelberg said the trust deed made it clear 'the trust is not to involve itself in the management or operation of the company'. 'This proposal to contribute $100,000 to the water project is a board decision, and it was shared with the trust by the company as a courtesy. 'This decision is well within the Board's delegated responsibility and the decision does not meet the threshold that requires approval from the Trust. 'The Trust informed the Board of the opinions from some of the community and expects these were considered in making its decision. We discussed it and although not all members agree, decided not to intervene. 'The trust's duties are to appoint directors to a company with $74 million of assets in our community.' Tukituki Water Security Project spokesman Mike Petersen said he welcomed discussions about water security. 'The Tukituki Water Security Project was formed to address the consequences of climate change and increased demand from population growth, and to better understand the impacts these will have in a drying region,' he said. 'Our view has been consistent about water storage being one part of the solution to ensure water security, alongside other measures such as wise water use, greater water efficiencies and recycling. In this respect, we share the same objectives as the Wise Water team. 'These are different projects, using the same Makaroro site for water storage, but with a completely different hierarchy of downstream water use. 'Centralines is a commercial company and has its own strategic and commercial imperatives for investing in projects like the TWSP. 'I cannot speak for Centralines, but they are among several businesses that have committed funding because they see water storage as a key regional priority for Hawke's Bay to help the region thrive and grow.' LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Telegraph
24-02-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
A wise move to help ensure that more cancers are detected early
SIR – Extra training for GPs to identify cancer in younger adults ('GPs to receive new training after woman's cancer missed', report, February 23) is welcome. When I worked at the Walton Centre, which specialises in neurology and neurosurgery, I encountered children and adults with brain tumours that had not been identified until a key symptom – such as a seizure, fall, or speech or hearing impairment – led to a scan. It taught me the importance of early diagnosis. On retirement, I volunteered as a lay person at the oncology faculty of the Royal College of Radiologists for six years, and learnt that missed diagnosis was a problem with other cancers, too. If symptoms are not immediately indicative of cancer, but other possibilities have been eliminated, GPs should refer to an oncology specialist. Tony Murph y Governor, Clatterbridge Cancer Centre Hoylake, Wirral SIR – On the same page as your report, 'NHS sets 'race quotas' to win diversity awards' (February 17), you noted that one in three patients has had to chase results for X-rays, MRI scans and other tests. The health service needs to sort out its priorities. Judy Chandler Polegate, East Sussex SIR – I echo the comments made by Linda Bilby ('NHS at its best', Letters, February 22). In June last year I was given a potentially life-changing diagnosis. Since then I have received nothing but swift and attentive care. Following the initial endoscopy and scans, plus other tests, I was seen by specialists, and a plan was devised for me. Within months I had started my treatment. The process was proactive and inclusive throughout. Thanks to the professionalism of my hospital team, and the way they care for me as a person, I remain positive and hope for a successful outcome. Martin Webster St Neots, Cambridgeshire SIR – My recent experience of the NHS has been the antithesis of Linda Bilby's. Last week I was contacted by my NHS dental practice. My annual checkup next month (booked in March last year) had been cancelled. I was told that my dentist was only working two days a week on NHS patients, and the next available appointment was in November. The following day I received a letter from my NHS surgery, advising me that 'the practice has recently received a communication that gives your address outside our practice boundary and as a result we will be unable to continue to provide a medical service'. I have rechecked, and find that my village still lies within the boundary area. In any case, I was still able to collect my prescription from the practice last week. Strangely, my wife, who resides with me at the same address, has received no such communication.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EU must improve capacity to move troops fast amid growing threats, says watchdog
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - A European Union programme to make it easier to shift troops and weapons across the continent quickly - by upgrading transport links - has been undermined by a lack of strategic thinking, an EU watchdog agency said on Wednesday. The issue of "military mobility" has risen up Europe's political agenda since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, with governments anxious to revamp transport networks so they can move soldiers and kit quickly in the event of a crisis. But a report by the EU Court of Auditors, which scrutinises EU spending, suggests the 27-nation bloc needs to raise its game to be better prepared for a military emergency. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. "Now more than ever, the EU seeks to future-proof itself efficiently against aggression. Consequently, military mobility has become a crucial priority of the EU's defence capabilities," said Court of Auditors President Tony Murphy. "There is clearly a real need for speed. However, we found that there are some bottlenecks along the way." The watchdog said a 1.7 billion euro ($1.77 billion) EU action plan lacked focus, with not enough thought given during funding decisions to which projects would be most valuable. For example, construction of two sections of "one of the most strategic roads in the EU from a military perspective" were funded under the programme but a final section was not, the watchdog said. It did not identify the road. EU funding has gone toward constructing railway bridges in Germany, improving transport links to an army base in Estonia, and developing a section of road to the Lithuanian-Polish border, among other projects. But the watchdog said even some EU countries which border each other had pursued different types of project rather than taking a joined-up approach. It recommended the EU improve the decision-making process for military mobility and make it easier for authorities to predict what projects would be funded. ($1 = 0.9596 euros)
