There's been a fair amount of drama on the water this summer and most of it could have been avoided. Take the case of a family adrift off Maketu with no petrol, poor communication, no forecast, no flares, and no idea. They, and some other recent survivors... Read More

The life of a dog at this time of the year can be quite taxing. All we really need is plenty of recovery time between barbecues, but the demands of the season mean that there's a lot of dogly duties to be performed. This week, for instance, I've been... Read More

This contains more rabbiting and ranting than usual, due to what few braincells remain after the festive season being diluted by large quantities of ingested salt water. It is amazing to think that a brain, already packed with so many great ideas,... Read More

By now you are, I suppose like me, striving to overcome the food excesses from Christmas. Being the canine equivalent of a garbage disposal unit, as you know, this is my favourite time of the year. The ham bone was mine as were all the morsels that... Read More

That headline could be a tad misleading. There's not actually anything special about this column, apart from the fact you're reading this on, or around, New Year's Eve and there's a pretty good chance that you are on holiday or from out of town. But... Read More

Council finished the year with a hiss and a roar with the last full day of providing policy direction to staff for the upcoming District Plan review. Oh joy! This is where a plethora of new rules will attempt to make the city a better place for all... Read More

Welcome to the RR Christmas Special episode. It's been a bizarre week here at Sun headquarters, and the jury is out whether it's because of the pending Christmas silly season or climate change or the delayed effects of fluoride in the water. Or it... Read More

Christmas came early for me. Due to my extreme levels of handsomeness, I was invited this week to Animal Antics to be their pin-up boy model for the latest in canine haute couture - which is French for 'well-endowed dog.” I like these outings,... Read More

It's been wastewater week at Council. First up was the Wastewater Consent Status Annual Report at the wastewater management review committee. I can see you yawning already. But read on - you won't be yawning if your wastewater doesn't go when you... Read More

Leaning on the bar at No.1 The Strand just on closing time last Thursday, we were yarning with Mike the barman and pondering what to rabbit about next, when the answer walked right up. A goddess of a woman. Long dark hair, great legs, amazing poise and... Read More

I am not so egotistical that I cannot take the mickey out of myself and this story will warm the cockles of the Roman sandal kaftan wearing brigade. I thought my days were numbered and the story goes like this… The bosses and I headed up the... Read More

Council is struggling on with direction to staff on the review of the District Plan. Unlike past Councils, this one is not keen on the heavy handed, regulatory, 'you will do it our way” approach. Urban design sold to the past Council as educational... Read More