Author Archives: Guest

Previously published this article by the late Bill Benfield looks at a man who in the early 20th century was held up as the guru of botany and ecology and who “master-minded” the infamous “Deer Menace Conference of 1930 that … Continue reading →

CORANZ objects in general, to the approach of altering fishing regulations and its impact on recreational fishing in the mistaken view to increasing whitebait populations. CORANZ is not aware of sufficient evidence of whitebait decline as a result of fishing. … Continue reading →

Opinion by Tony Orman   Over the last decade or two I have had increasing concern that democracy is being eroded and is under continuing siege. Earlier this year, the Council of Outdoor Recreation Associations of New Zealand (CORANZ) expressed concern that parliament’s select … Continue reading →

This week a Greenpeace Oceans team is in the Supreme Court in a bid to stop seabed mining while at Parliament yesterday a 50,000 strong petition against bottom trawling was given to  David Parker, minister for Ocean and Fisheries.  Greenpeace said … Continue reading →

Report by Hugh Francis Opposition is swelling against government and local body plans to dowse the Tararua Ranges with 1080 poison. Latest is opposition by a Horowhenua iwi to a 1080 drop by OSPRI. in the Tararua Range east of … Continue reading →

Opinion by John McNab Possums are frequently blamed for spreading Tb.  The accusation comes mainly from OSPRI – which has morphed from the original Animal Health Board (AHB) – and farming groups such as Federated Farmers.  Adding heat to the … Continue reading →

Opinion by John McNab “We shall be doing a great service to the country in stocking these large areas with this valuable and harmless animal.” So said the Auckland Acclimatisation Society Annual Report 1917, in discussing in liberating possums. But … Continue reading →

Opinion by James Speedy Should a government be boss? Should government tell the people what to do? Or should the elected body do as the voter people want them to do? If you believe the government should be humble and … Continue reading →

Opinion by John McNab There is an organisation Safe for Animals (SAFE) which has the vision of “New Zealand free of cruelty, a society where we nurture our instincts for compassion, and where we are kind to ourselves, animals and … Continue reading →

Opinion by Ben Hope New Zealand has the third highest adult obesity rate in the OECD, and rates continue to increase. One in three adult New Zealanders (over 15 years) is classified as obese and one in ten children.  Government … Continue reading →

This article of views of the late Bill Benfield was published in 2016. Bill was co-chair of CORANZ (Council of Outdoor Recreation Associations of New Zealand) . Four years later they are still very relevant and the questions posed need … Continue reading →

It is well past time corporate fishing companies were reined in says the Council of Outdoor Recreation Associations (CORANZ). CORANZ chairman Andi Cockroft”s comment was in response to recent court cases in which Talley Fisheries were found guilty of fishing … Continue reading →

Further nitrate testing of water in Canterbury streams and rivers continues to reveal an alarming and deteriorating situation that demands urgent and immediate action says the New Zealand Federation of Freshwater Anglers (NZFFA). NZFFA carried out nitrate testing a few … Continue reading →

Book Review “Nine Lives” by Robert Mads Anderson, published by Bateman. Price $39.99. Reviewed by Tony Orman Robert Mads Anderson is irresistibly drawn to  – some might say even addicted – mountains and mountaineering. He loves the challenges and the … Continue reading →

Book Review: “Where Is it? – a Wildlife Hunt for Kiwi Kids” by Ned Barraud, published by Potton and Burton, price $19.99 Ned Barraud — author and illustrator — has done a great job in this book which depicts the … Continue reading →

Book Review.  “What Happened to the Moa” by Ned Barraud, published Potton and Burton, Price $29.99 hardback, $19.99 paperback. Reviewed by Tony Orman For 50 million years, several species of moa browsed the natural grasslands, scrub and forest of New … Continue reading →

An Opinion by Michael Charity After reading Rupert Pye’s comments  here’s some quick, random thoughts on the new cabinet of the Labour Government. It is a very interesting and very different lineup than anything previous. It is very diverse, reflecting … Continue reading →

A political comment by Rupert Pye A curate’s egg is something that is partly good and partly bad. The saying can be traced back to a cartoon published in “Punch” magazine issue November 9, 1895, drawn by George du Maurier.  … Continue reading →

Book Review “A New Zealand Outdoor Life” subtitled “Exploring Fiordland, Hunting and Other Adventures” by Alby Frampton. Reviewed by Tony Orman Alby Frampton of Wellington, is  a past president of the NZ Deerstalkers Association. While he began hunting in the … Continue reading →

An Opinion by John McNab For decades now New Zealand has been afflicted with a phobia that decrees all introduced species are evil.  It’s a paranoia that is unrealistic and reeks selective hypocrisy. Even the farming industry has been afflicted. … Continue reading →