Challenging regulations that allow poison (1080/brodifacoum) aerially dropped in Nelson & NZ without public consultation.

Summary of latest news and developments from Christopher St Johanser.

"We are pleased to have completed the gruelling process of supplying the Court of Appeal with applications and a new, comprehensive affidavit. Sue Grey, of course, remains the architect of our legal activities, which do us and our cause proud. The Brook Valley Community Group of necessity continues to concentrate its energies in that area.

We notice something of a downturn in the hostility directed towards us by the parties opposing our appeal. While Hansford and Shaw continue the programme of propaganda for the Sanctuary, it is clear that Butler's foolish claim of $600,000 of pro bono legal costs has backfired on them in a significant fashion.

Threats to wind up our organisation have ceased. New instructions in this respect have evidently been given to the firm representing the Nelson City Council, we think after some stern words to officers from our trusted local councillor, who is to be commended in that.

Meanwhile, the change in political fortune for Nick Smith continues. His demotion from significant Ministerial rank (Housing, Environment) to mere spokesperson on forestry and aquaculture is obviously rankling. He is the most vociferous of the National party's MPs in protesting that they should still be on the government benches; an absurd proposition not shared by his leader or by Steven Joyce. We hear reliable accounts of his being savaged at a recent local electorate meeting, with the ties to NCC policy promotion (the Sanctuary, the Dam etc.) under strong internal party criticism. Expect that to be a long-drawn-out and bloody battle.

Silence so far from David Parker, new Minister for the Environment, for Trade, and also Attorney-General, who doubtless is taking advice on how to handle the matter of his inherited court case. He's a busy man, of course. He has no choice but to make a critical decision in this matter. Either he supports Smith's amendments of earlier this year, having at the time called them appalling, or he does not. It's a tricky one for him. Crown Law will do his bidding, follow his instructions. They have no loyalty whatever to Smith. He really is yesterday's man. So they are silent too. There have been opportunities for them to attack us in recent weeks which they significantly have not taken. I know it is all straws in the wind stuff, but I am encouraged.

I am pleased too with the trojan work being done by many in getting our messages out and liaising with others around the country similarly affected by poison drops and other such iniquities. I do have more to say on that, but this post is already long enough to bring to a close.

Nice drop of rain, most welcome."

Photo taken of spider eating brodifacoum at Brook Sanctuary :(