Welcome to 2011

After the trials and tribulations of 2010 we commence the new year with a spring in our step.  We look forward to an array of new and exciting projects plus continue to progress on the many projects we currently have under way.

In this edition of Pushing the Boundaries we congratulate our very own Mike Martin for 20 years at Fox & Associates and say goodbye to a couple of staff members.

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An exciting new Project for F & A

We are proud to announce our appointment as consultants for the Lake Hood Extension Project and are very excited about the prospect of being involved with such a unique development in Canterbury.

The current Lake Hood development (Stage I) comprises 150 allotments and 70 hectares of lake. It has proven to be a great asset to the Ashburton District, providing a wonderful recreation destination, in particular for water activities such as rowing, sailing and water skiing although the land based activities are also being continually developed.

>>read more about this project

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20 Years - what an effort!

We take this opportunity to congratulate Mike Martin on the completion of twenty years with Fox & Associates.  This was celebrated with a quiet dinner at a local restaurant and involved a lot of reminiscing about the "old days"! 

Needless to say there was plenty to talk about and a collection of photos that Mike would rather have just 'disappear'.......

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Restrainers – who needs ‘em?

By:  Michael Martin

Over the Christmas break I read the following quote that set me thinking:

“the age of heroism” will be followed by the decline of the “expanders” and the rise of the “restrainers.”

Now, to be fair, in its original context "heroes, expanders and restrainers" are about growth and resource use >>click here to read the article

Unfortunately I think we've seen the rise of the restrainers in our own bureaucracies. This is often called risk management, which contemplates the worst that can happen, and then plans and expects that. It’s the kind of headset that constantly says "I told you so" when things fail, rather than rewarding the things that work well. This requires minimum standards which can drag us all to the lowest common denominator.

>>more.....

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The Bill

By:  David Fox

An unfortunate political arrangement drives the proposed Marine and Coastal Act Bill.

There are a lot of issues and matters that upset each and every one of us, but most we let slide by.

The Select Committee
I had never felt sufficiently moved to appear before a select committee before but in this instance felt compelled to do so. I appeared before the Maori Select Committee to submit against the proposed Bill – a political arrangement by National and the Maori Party to retain political power without regard for the long term consequences for New Zealanders and future generations of Kiwis.

>>read more

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