Posts by Kevin Hague

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  Firefighters deserve clean air in their workspace

  
  
  
  The Green Party are siding with the firefighters in their bid to have extractors installed at their workplaces. The DominionPost reported yesterday that the Fire Service was dragging its feet over the installation of diesel fume extractors at fifteen fire stations around the country. The extractors are expensive — $15,000 per unit — and the Fire [...] read more
  March 19, 2010 9:45 am - 6 Comments
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  Ryan Leech shops by bike

  
  
  
  It’s possible some readers may not have heard of Ryan Leech. I pity your sheltered lives! He is a megastar in the world of elite trials riding, requiring sublime physical fitness, bike handling skills, concentration and balance. Here are some examples of what I mean. Prepare to be amazed. What I really like about the guy, [...] read more
  March 6, 2010 1:44 pm - 13 Comments
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  Mensline axing is a tragedy

  
  
  
  You may not have caught up with the fact that Mensline, the only telephone helpline specifically for men, is shutting down. It was started in 1995 by Lifeline, who recognised that most of those who commit suicide are male, while 75% of its volunteer telephone counselors are female. They reasoned, reasonably, that while some men [...] read more
  March 4, 2010 9:32 pm - 21 Comments
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  Greens lead in Bikewise Challenge

  
  
  
  This month is Bikewise month, with events up and down the country promoting the cause of more people riding their bikes more often. Events include the Mayoral Challenge, the Bikers’ Breakfast and the Workplace Challenge, where the people working in a particular workplace compete with other workplaces for the most bike riding during the month. The [...] read more
  February 23, 2010 12:31 pm - 4 Comments
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  Huge Risk in Govt’s Commercial Plan for Conservation

  
  
  
  John Key’s Prime Ministerial statement last week included a section on the environment. It was entitled “Resources”, and consisted mainly of announcing National’s intention to exploit aspects of the environment for commercial gain, where until now they have been protected. National’s mining intentions are the obvious flagship for this new approach. Schedule 4 represents the [...] read more
  February 19, 2010 3:47 pm - 93 Comments
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  What Tony Ryall should have said

  
  
  
  NZ Doctor is a specialist but broad-ranging magazine aimed principally at people working in and concerend about primary health care. In their 27th January issue they carried a column highlighting Tony Ryall’s major announcements through 2009. They also gave Ruth Dyson and I, as Opposition spokespeople, the opportunity to list up to six announcements he [...] read more
  February 18, 2010 5:59 pm - 58 Comments
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  Appalling ACC Bill back in the House

  
  
  
  National’s appalling ACC Bill will be back in the House this afternoon for its second reading. Fundamentally the Bill is about cutting back on entitlements and coverage, continuing the slash and burn tactics the Government has employed to undermine ACC to date. The majority of the Select Committee (i.e. the National members) have recommended passing the [...] read more
  February 18, 2010 12:46 pm - 10 Comments
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  New Conservation Minister off to a bad start with DOC review

  
  
  
  The Press this morning carried the news that new Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson has ordered a review into the advocacy role of her department. The story is not online for some reason, so I’ve reproduced the first few paragraphs below: Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson has ordered an investigation into her department’s advocacy role – a move [...] read more
  February 9, 2010 2:38 pm - 60 Comments
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  Future for Rural Hospitals?

  
  
  
  What’s the future for rural people in need of surgery and other specialised health services? Compulsory travel to big cities, with an inevitable proportion who don’t make it? Or a new way of providing the services locally, but at greater cost? read more
  February 1, 2010 12:57 pm - 43 Comments
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  Great Ride for the Heart

  
  
  
  Yesterday evening something very special  happened at Cape Reinga. 25 cyclists, mostly cardiologists and others associated with treating heart disease, began a 2,200 km bike ride to Bluff. They’re going to take 13 days, with an average daily distance oF 170km, and a maximum of 225km (Arrowtown to Bluff). I’ve ridden most of those roads (though [...] read more
  February 1, 2010 11:14 am - 2 Comments