02 December 2004

Meridian Commended For Water Deal

New Zealand First has strongly commended Meridian Energy’s deal with McKenzie Basin farmers to provide 150 million cubic metres of water per year for irrigation.

“I am pleased that New Zealand First was the only party to have insisted upon the completion of the Waitaki catchment bill throughout the bill’s passage,” said local government and environment spokesperson Jim Peters.

“The announced agreement links back to the understanding developed by the 1969 Order in Council.

“Submissions and discussions throughout this year have centered around water allocation and issues still remain for much of the southern Waitaki River. I hope that the Aoraki Water Trust is also able to reach an accommodation with Meridian Energy.

“The economic potential for South Canterbury and Waimate is great, not only for irrigation but also for future hydro generation should the nearly formed water allocation board find that there is more water available for allocation.

“I hope that cooperation and goodwill will prevail for the better good of the community,” said Mr Peters.

ENDS

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Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>