Kerre Woodham: Have we not learned from slash damage and flooding?

In the wake of the Motueka valley flooding with warnings that Australia's bomb cyclone is set to bring severe weather conditions to New Zealand, we're on weather watch. Not just the media, although looking at the television screens in my studio —one on BBC talking about the heat waves in Europe and another on Sky News from Australia talking about severe wind, rain and surf in eastern New South Wales— globally we appear to be on weather alert.

Clive Bibby: “Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink”

That quote from the Ancient Mariner may well be all about salt water from our oceans but it sure as hell also identifies with the recent Queensland floods.

My knowledge of the classics or fine literary effort has unfortunately always been limited to précis formats that allow me to digest the author’s basic message before I fall asleep. 

Peter Dunne: The Wahine disaster

While Auckland was being devastated by flooding last weekend, a potentially more serious threat to life was playing out off Wellington’s south coast. The interisland ferry Kaitaki had lost power and was drifting in heavy swells towards the coastline. In the event, power was restored and the Kaitaki, escorted by two tugs and other vessels, was able to make it to its berth under its own power, without further incident.

An inquiry into what happened is now underway and the vessel has been withdrawn from service while all its systems are thoroughly checked. Predictably and on cue, Transport Minister Wood, fresh from issuing orders to all and sundry about what should be done in Auckland, blamed the previous government for not investing in new ferries.