At Private Bin we’re always keen to see ideas for improving the economy so that the number of literate NBR subscribers can be expanded.

So, this Sunday, Private Bin was delighted to get copy of Uncle Rod Oram’s ‘Dear Rod’ column from a weekend paper. We eagerly digested Uncle Rod’s crystal ball big picture strategic gaze into New Zealand 2020, if Professor Michael Porter had had his wicked way.

Federated Farmers has resorted to quoting an opinion piece from the Wall Street Journal lampooning New Zealand’s commitment to an emissions trading scheme as its latest poke over the government’s stance on global warming.

The online Asia edition of WSJ labelled the findings of the Emissions Trading Review Committee as “green PR gone wild.”

Farmers' rates continue to climb as farm income drops, but local government minister Rodney Hide has told farmers any cash-saving rates reform would have to wait until after the Auckland super city is formed.

Throughout New Zealand, local authority operating expenditure is forecast to rise by 41% over the next 10 years and rates revenue by 59%.

The total rate take across all local authorities was $3.5 billion to June, 2008.

Rural employers struggling to locate qualified workers may find their search easier thanks to a new job website being launched by Federated Farmers.

The organisation has unveiled ruraljobs.co.nz as the first in a number of initiatives it has planned as it attempts to help the rural industry through the economic downturn.

The site allows employers to list their job vacancies and also allows prospective farm workers to list their contact details, CVs and desired occupations.