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I have had several landlords contact me regarding difficult tenants and they will be pleased to hear the Government is working on a package of proposals to protect landlords.
It is clear that landlords need greater protection from the small group of tenants who destroy private property and skip out of properties leaving a trail of damage behind them.
Landlords do not deserve to have their trust and property ruined. While this is not a widespread problem Housing Minister Steve Maharey is sufficiently concerned about it to have asked his officials to look at what greater protections can be provided for property owners.
It needs to be remembered that a lot of New Zealand rental property is owned by "Mum and Dad" investors. They need better security and a greater assurance that what is often their retirement savings are not being destroyed by irresponsible tenants.
Officials are looking at how we can improve the enforcement of Tenancy Tribunal orders so it is easier for landlords to recover the costs of fixing damaged property from their former tenants.
Good advice for landlords about the kinds of checks they could make on prospective tenants would also help to identify problem renters before they move in.
Congratulations to the New Zealand deer industry for its success in winning access for its sliced deer velvet into the South Korean market.
It has taken many years of intensive effort and it is pleasing that Korea has finally opened the door to the New Zealand industry.
However, getting registration for velvet processing plants is not likely to be easy, so the Government will continue to work with industry.
While on the subject of farming, latest figures show farmers and growers have been hit hard by two significant climatic events over the past year - a widespread cold-wet/cold-dry spring and a serious summer/autumn drought in some regions, including Wairarapa.
In October and November average temperatures dropped 1.2 degrees and 0.7 degrees and pasture growth was affected just when feed demand was rising. Fruit crops also suffered significant hail and frost damage from two separate events in October 2002 and as a consequence, export volumes are estimated to be down 6 percent for apples and the grape harvest fell by 50 percent.
The drought has had a significant impact on milk production and average slaughter weights were down on last year for cattle, sheep and lambs.
We have been told there will be a flow on effect to next season, with lambing percentages dropping by up to 10 percent on average.
Stress levels are high among farmers, especially sharemilkers, because of financial pressure from the drought and falling cow prices.
Reports also show farmers are spending less on repairs, maintenance and capital items and this will have an effect on many Wairarapa businesses.
A full report can be found on MAF's website.
Still on farming, the government web portal is an important online tool for farmers and others in the rural sector, providing remote access to more than 4500 services and information resources from a single website.
No one wants to be making lots of toll calls, or spending time driving to the nearest town, to get reliable and up-to-date information. The portal puts that information at your fingertips.
For instance, you can access the latest climate research from NIWA, or you can get the latest media releases and bulletins from MAF. You will also be able to
find out what's involved in exporting food products and livestock.
Farmers can also get the latest government statistics on imports and exports, and prices, and find people to help prepare better business proposals.
On www.govt.nz there are services and information ranging from farming, fishing, food, health and safety, education and family matters, to "things to know when" important events take place in your life, such as the birth of a child.
The portal, launched in November 2002, was a milestone for the Government's e-government programme. It is available around the clock in homes, schools and libraries - anywhere with an internet connection, no matter how remote.
The Government's roll-out of high-speed internet access to rural areas around the country through Project Probe will also be a bonus for farmers and rural communities.
The roll-out is due to be completed by the end of next year and some of the broadband connections are expected to carry higher quality telephone services than currently available. For really remote farmers, work is under way to introduce satellite services where land-based connections are not feasible.
My week has been extremely busy with issues such as the school reviews, people's access to health services and suggested changes at Masterton Hospital.
I have spoken to Annette King and her officials about our hospital and will be attending Thursday's meeting in the Frank Cody Lounge.
I was happy to hear Kuranui College's art teacher Roger Thompson managed to retrieve his plans for his artwork destined for Changchun in China. It sounds like it was a very close call.
I'm sorry I wasn't able to join Education Minister Trevor Mallard at Eketahuna School on Friday but I am told the day went well.
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