New Zealand Listener Issue 22 2018

It almost seems like the stuff of science fiction: a debilitating epidemic spreads unseen and stays several steps ahead of efforts to contain it. But the cow disease Mycoplasma bovis is not part of a far-fetched plot in a Hollywood film. For the rural sector, it has become a real-life horror story. Agriculture minister Damien O’Connor bluntly describes it as a disaster. It’s a crisis with heartbreaking personal consequences as well as serious economic dimensions. Good farmers care deeply for their livestock, and few people would not have been moved by the sight of a Canterbury farmer almost in tears as he talked of his infected herd, painstakingly built up over decades of careful breeding, having to be slaughtered. This was the human face of an industry often pilloried for…

The round-up of the risks facing the KiwiBuild programme (“Home truths”, May 19) was useful for those of us not involved in the building and construction industry. It is a shame, though, that the story began in a way that trivialised the issue of homelessness. Housing is a serious matter, even more so homelessness, and deserves to be framed as such, to engage the public with the issue. John Deyell (Remuera, Auckland) PAYING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE The May 12 editorial (“No pain, no gain”) reckons we are economically literate enough to know that “one way or another, we all pay for infrastructure”. It then canvasses public-private partnerships and government debt, both of which have the added cost of a profit for the lenders of the money. By all means pay the…

It almost seems like the stuff of science fiction: a debilitating epidemic spreads unseen and stays several steps ahead of efforts to contain it. But the cow disease Mycoplasma bovis is not part of a far-fetched plot in a Hollywood film. For the rural sector, it has become a real-life horror story. Agriculture minister Damien O’Connor bluntly describes it as a disaster. It’s a crisis with heartbreaking personal consequences as well as serious economic dimensions. Good farmers care deeply for their livestock, and few people would not have been moved by the sight of a Canterbury farmer almost in tears as he talked of his infected herd, painstakingly built up over decades of careful breeding, having to be slaughtered. This was the human face of an industry often pilloried for greed…

Listener writers have figured prominently in the good books of the judges deciding on national journalism and literature prizes. At the 2018 Voyager Media Awards, our critics dominated the reviewer of the year category with book reviewers Charlotte Grimshaw, Catherine Woulfe and TV reviewer Diana Wichtel all nominated. The prize went to Grimshaw, who the judges described as “that rare critic: she knows what she’s talking about, writes with wit and brio, and passes judgment without fanning her ego”. In other categories, Rebecca Macfie won the prize for feature writing (business and personal finance) for a portfolio that the judges said “left no stone unturned … in examining the environmental and economic risks associated with climate change”. Macfie is writing a biography of Helen Kelly but will continue freelancing for…

From top, Diana Wichtel, Charlotte Grimshaw, Rebecca Macfie, Donna Chisholm and Tom Scott. Listener writers have figured prominently in the good books of the judges deciding on national journalism and literature prizes. At the 2018 Voyager Media Awards, our critics dominated the reviewer of the year category with book reviewers Charlotte Grimshaw, Catherine Woulfe and TV reviewer Diana Wichtel all nominated. The prize went to Grimshaw, who the judges described as “that rare critic: she knows what she’s talking about, writes with wit and brio, and passes judgment without fanning her ego”. In other categories, Rebecca Macfie won the prize for feature writing (business and personal finance) for a portfolio that the judges said “left no stone unturned … in examining the environmental and economic risks associated with climate change”. Macfie is writing a…

WINNING CAPTION Alice Tartt, Westmere, Auckland FINALISTS Melania: “Stormy told me he enjoys a surprise spanking.” – Jeanette Waters, Auckland Trump: “What do you call this tool?” Macron: “Mr President.” – Rob Leetcher, Tauranga Macron: “I’ll plant the tree, Donald … you seem to be digging your own hole.” – Marian Dowling, Wellington Trump: “Typical. Someone else digs the dirt and I have to do the cover up.” – Margaret Cannon, Palmerston North Trump: “Forget the wall, we’ll dig a moat instead!” – Alan Belcher, Christchurch Trump: “A spot of Emmanuel labour looks good for the cameras.” – Ann Love, Nelson Trump: “Korea, Iran … now I’ve fixed climate change.” – Lynda Kelly, Palmerston North…