The Government appears to have quietly added "the intensification of agriculture" to its list of contentious policies it believes will bring new jobs, and economic growth, to New Zealand. Its master strategist, Steven Joyce, signalled this in a speech to the National Party conference. "If New Zealanders want more jobs," he warned, "they should stop being fearful of foreign investment, accept the intensification of agriculture, not forgo oil and mineral exploration ... and do a few things that might make us uncomfortable."

A new law would cut home-grown produce in shops and create a black market, writes Former Green MP Sue Kedgley, a safe-food campaigner. A friend of mine has a magnificent garden on Waiheke Island, and every now and then she sells surplus organic produce to the local fruit and vegetable shop.

There is growing concern about the health effects of electromagnetic radiation, particularly new technologies such as wifi. Growing numbers of people are becoming electromagnetic sensitive and Sweden recognises electromagnetic sensitivity as a recognised disease. There is no requirement for new technologies like wifi to be safety tested before they are rolled out. The present standards on electromagnetic sensitivity are far too lax and dont take into account health effects, as exposed by the important BioInitiatives Report.