Regional development money could go towards developing sustainable businesses that provide independent household or papakainga renewable energy - solar, water and wind - improved rainwater collection, solar filtration and heating, composting toilets and land-based (composted or non-septic) sewage disposal, and a lot more besides.
Tai Tokerau ki te raki has burgeoning industries in cultural, environmental and experiential tourism, arts and crafts, organics, recycling and boutique value-added food, to name but a few. Not to mention legalised, regulated hemp and cannabis, the wonder crop.
Amidst the utter devastation of pine forest harvesting, a firewood industry begs to be developed.
I'm sure "business high flyers" will see both the real and abstract 'local' benefits these possibilities offer our deprived Far North communities and decide accordingly.
We wouldn't want members of Shane Jones' "constipated bureaucracy" making such decisions, now would we? We wouldn't want an independent public service.
WALLY HICKS
Kohukohu