Former council chair disputes claims that smoke photos show fog

Thursday 12 June 2025 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated Thu 12 Jun 2025, 5:30pm

In this story Hawke's Bay Regional Council, Hawke's Bay Today

Rex Graham, the former Hawke’s Bay Regional Council chairman, has criticised suggestions that his photographs of orchard burnoff smoke are actually fog. Graham aims to prevent orchardists from covering the Heretaunga Plains in smoke during the winter months.

How they headlined it

4:42pm5:30pm

1. NZ HeraldThu 12 Jun 2025, 4:42pm

   Former regional council chairman angry at its suggestion his winter ‘smoke’ photo could be fog - ‘they are no different from climate change deniers’ (opens in new tab)

2. RNZThu 12 Jun 2025, 5:30pm

   Former Hawke's Bay council chair fumes over Heretaunga pollution doubt (opens in new tab)