Lately I've felt like my good mate 'Hef”. With all the centrefold pictures rolling in of all you bitches, I know how he feels, bloody great! I received this picture and letter the other day, and the judges here at my favourite watering hole,... Read More

This week started on a high note when a lone bagpiper appeared out of the mist. The shrill melodies of the highlands reverberated around The Strand and the ancient fortifications of the redoubt. At first we thought it was McLaren back to haunt us,... Read More

Recently there was a wastewater spill into the Waikareao Estuary from the Chapel Street wastewater treatment plant. I asked staff to show me how this unfortunate event happened during an inspection last week. Here's the overview as explained with... Read More

This is what the boss's sidekick has been saying to me every time I pass him by as he points a long pointy thing at me. All this has come about after he saw the latest Clint Eastwood movie. ... Read More

A legend who lived life on the edge. A discussion we have regularly in the newsroom delves into the correct names of local places. Often we are supplied information which is incorrect or mis-spelled. It's the moral and ethical duty of a newspaper to... Read More

Having wrapped up the draft annual plan/10 year plan to go out to you for your comment Council is now back into its normal round of committee meetings. At Strategy and Policy we reviewed External Representatives Remuneration Policy. This is how people... Read More

I've kept a pretty low profile over the last few days as the boss's apprentice has still not forgiven me for eating his ice cream. See if I care as I know the bosses are back and I do not have to listen to him whinging about my manners (or lack of... Read More

They say catastrophes often come in threes. I don't exactly know who they are, but have you ever noticed they have an awful lot to say? Anyway, there's been a lot of catastrophe in the headlines lately, plus some near misses. Our hearts and thoughts... Read More

CEO Stephen Town was instructed by Council resolution to come up with savings out of the administration section of the proposed annual budget of a target $2.5m. Rick Curach said he thought the proposed plan was a 'balanced outcome” then came... Read More

It seems as each day goes by someone somewhere is saying buy property now whilst someone else is saying stay away. So what's the right answer? Well Interest rates have been dropping however a subtle change has appeared in the last week or so, the... Read More

I have only just got over the last hump (from the camel that is) and what do you know? I am in the deepest trouble again. If any of you were confused by my camel rant last week, get down to Wharf Street and you will see this wooden thing Henri, tethered... Read More

The wise ones out there have found the answer to the heat and humidity - jump in the water at regular intervals. Ten thousand zillion fish can't be wrong. However be aware, dear readers of the hazards that lurk beneath. My lovely wife discovered this... Read More