By Maryanne Demasi, PhD In December 2020, the US FDA authorised the Moderna and Pfizer mRNA covid-19 vaccines, claiming “the benefits outweighed the harms.” Now, a group of international researchers has gone back to re-analyse the original trial data upon which that claim was made. A valid claim? A pre-print study (not yet peer-reviewed) by Fraiman and colleagues contradicts…

A network of 36 cameras including four automatic number plate recognition devices has provided Counties-Manukau Police with leads in two major inquiries and led to many other incidents being cleared up. Police say the town’s CCTV is proving an effective investigation tool in identifying avenues of enquiry that assists Police and provides reassurance to stakeholders. “Having it…

Last month hundreds of locals turned out to a meeting run by Groundswell at the Pukekohe Indian Hall. Various speakers, including Groundwell’s local man Scott Bright spoke to a rousing reception on a variety of topics, but the message was the same. The people have had enough. The job of the those elected to decision making positions is to represent the people and the people are…

Inflation, Fuel & Energy Crisis, Division in Health and Water Ownership? What Shape Are We In? You’re invited to participate in a live ‘Situation Update’ symposium on July, Tuesday 26th. Information from some of the most aware individuals speaking on how they see the current situation in a variety of different core areas in our current New Zealand economic, energy and…

The National Party's policy to ban gang insignia and criminalise the posting of gang-related content online defies the very essence of free speech, and is certain to make the issue of gang violence and harm worse, not better, says Dane Giraud, spokesperson for the Free Speech Union “The National Party should have greater respect for the fundamental freedoms of Kiwi citizens, even…

Lego® has come a long way since it originated in the Danish workshop of Ole Kirk Christiansen, who began making wooden toys in 1932.The first plastic brick was produced in 1949 before the world-famous signature brick with interlocking studs on the top and tubes on the bottom was patented in 1958. Since then, kids of all ages (LEGO even has a specific range just for adults!) have…

It was the holy grail to visit the El Mirage Dry Lake with Project 29. This has been the location for land speed racing in California for over 60 years. Hot rodding for me is all about the history and heritage and how that inspires us moving forward. Living all my life a whole world away from the USA motherland of hot rodding in Auckland, New Zealand my influences and…

Self-sufficiency is the new ‘en vogue’. Housing shortages, rising costs and a mistrust in the way our food is produced are fuelling a move to the way that our grandparents used to live. Vegetable gardens are popping up in apartments and back yards alike, chickens are becoming more commonplace, and entire groups on social media are sharing and devoting their time and energy to a…

We have been eating a lot of Kumara in our house recently, and this Kumara Cake can be enjoyed by those with sensitive tummies. In Moderation of course! Ingredients: 1 ½ Cups Soft Light Brown Sugar 3 Eggs 1 Cup Sunflower Oil ½ Cup of Pineapple crushed. 1 ½ Cups Gluten Free Flour 1 tsp Bicarbonate of Soda 1 tsp Baking Powder (check the brand, but most Baking powder is gluten…

Back in April, my work horse Chev pickup blew the transmission so my daily driver for just on three weeks was my 1929 Ford Model A tudor. In an era where we are now been forced into electric cars, watch emissions and climate change, it truly was a case of turning back time as I used the old Model A each day. Car enthusiasts in particular always have a hankering for the past and…

It is well documented that COVID can upset the gastrointestinal tract, even after more traditional symptoms have disappeared. So, if you are suffering from intestinal discomfort and are at a loss why, make a big bowl of this delicious soup and give your digestive system a rest from foods that can irritate it. Even if you are not, it makes a delicious lunch or dinner meal making…

You don’t get to be New Zealand’s most trusted builder, without doing something right. G.J. Gardner Homes aim to do better than that – they want to create an enjoyable building experience that is worth recommending to others. In the Southern Auckland area, G.J.’s is a household name. Name any local subdivision and you’re bound to find them. The showhomes at Hunua Views, Paerata,…

So get in touch today! The popular card game Bridge developed in the 1920’s, is played by four people of any age and requires players to bid how many cards or “tricks” they believe they can take on a deal. It is easy to learn, requires little equipment and has a thriving community both locally and worldwide. It encourages mental dexterity and numerous studies have shown Bridge…

The professional pairing of Ian and Sharleen Buchanan have over 30 years’ experience in Real estate between them and in that time have seen every type of market and have successfully navigated their way through them all. A valued member of Bayley’s Real Estate for over 16 years now Sharleen joined the management team 6 years ago, having come from a role as a top performing…

At Navigation Homes we have Quality House & Land Packages available in Paerata Rise, Pukekohe, Tuakau, Pokeno, Hunua Views and Glenbrook Beach. With 10% Finance available, Make contact with us today to see how we can make your dream home a reality.. Navigation Homes work closely with NewBuild Finance, who specialise in new home building finance, and we would welcome the…

The temperatures have most definitely dropped like they do every July but what makes this winter different is the people who are out and about in droves compared to the last two years hampered by lockdowns and restrictions. Fiona from Bakers Shoes is delighted to once again be welcoming customers into the shop and providing them with the level of excellence in customer service…

NZ VJ Day – August 15th After the collapse of Germany and its surrender in May 1945 and what became to be known as VE day, the war continued to rage in the Pacific with the Japanese the Allies delivered Japan an ultimatum to surrender on 28 July 1945. Known as the Potsdam Declaration. It called on Japan to surrender its armed forces unconditionally or risk “prompt and utter…

26 July 1865: Parliament sits in Wellington for the first time After the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, Governor Hobson set his mind to finding a more permanent capital for the new colony. Okiato, Bay of Islands, was initially regarded as the capital but in 1841 Hobson sent a party further south to survey the Whangarei, Mahurangi and Waitematā Harbours for a more central…

10 June - The Eruption of Mt Tarawera Just to the south-east of Rotorua, Mount Tarawera could be described as an unusual looking mountain, with several large domes and a broad, flat top. It was shaped by volcanic activity hundreds of years ago. The Māori inhabitants of the area, and the Europeans who arrived in the 19th century, did not know that Tarawera was an active volcano…

May 5, 1893 - US Stock Market Tumble Triggers Panic By the end of the year, 600 banks closed and several big railroads were in receivership. Another 15,000 businesses went bankrupt amid 20 percent unemployment. It was the worst economic crisis in U.S. history up to that time. Like most major financial downturns, the depression of the 1890s was preceded by a series of shocks that…

On the night before the 2002 election, when I was a list candidate for the National Party, I was attending a black-tie event in Napier. Before we sat down to eat, the host asked the local vicar to give thanks. The vicar gave thanks for the food and the drink which we were about to consume, and then said that we should give thanks also for the fact that, in just 24 hours’ time,…

Family trusts are used to protect and manage assets, such as the family home, for the future, but the new rules for the disclosure of information are set to increase compliance costs dramatically. Photo pexels. Since the Labour Government came into power, the Minister of Revenue, David Parker, has been on a mission to tackle wealth and income inequality in New Zealand. Whilst…

The Prime Minister’s recent visit to Washington, during which she seemed to have signed New Zealand up as a strongly pro-US outpost in the South Pacific – and her forthcoming (at time of writing) attendance at a major NATO meeting in Europe in the next few weeks – should prompt some serious thought about our long-term interests. After all, it was the US which unceremoniously…

Jacinda Ardern, who has escaped the continuing restrictions in New Zealand to visit Europe and speak at NATO, has met with her counterparts in France and Spain to suggest a global alliance to combat disinformation. Ardern spoke to them about the New Zealand capital grounds riot and played to her gullible audience by suggesting the threat to social cohesion and public health in…

The issue of three waters has stirred up widespread public engagement – perhaps more so than many other recent Government reforms. Why? Because it calls into account our system of democracy. The Government is steamrolling ahead with its three waters agenda, introducing the Water Services Entities Bill to Parliament on 2 June. This is the first of three bills that will change the…

WELCOME: Recently, we welcomed the following new businesses into our community: Masterpiece Woodworks (Wood Street), Delicious Korean Chicken (O’Shannessey Street), and Stay Busy Printing and Arcade (Selwyn Centre, Great South Road). DINING GUIDE: The first order on any menu when checking out the rich range of restaurants and other eateries, our Where to East Guide is a hot…

A farmer named Bob was overseeing his animals in a remote mountainous pasture in Canterbury when suddenly a brand-new 2022 BMW iX, advanced toward him out of a cloud of dust. The driver, a young man in a Brioni®suit, Gucci® shoes, RayBan® sunglasses and YSL® tie, leaned out the window and asked the farmer “If I tell you exactly how many cows and calves you have in your herd, will…

Sales Volume have fallen 25% from the long-term average across New Zealand and listings are holding at their 2 year high meaning the balance of power has well and truly swung towards buyers. The number of houses sold decreased significantly – down 12.5% from last month and 45% down from last year. Property sales were the lowest they have been in June of any year since 2010 when…

The signs of weakness are clear - as the downturn is becoming more widespread. 486 suburbs across NZ recorded a fall in prices over the last three months which is double the number of suburbs of the preceding three months. But What we are seeing in the market since its peak in November last year is a slow retreat not a stampede and that fall is not a dramatic as everyone would…

Welcome We pleased to welcome The Dart Depot (East St) to the community, and we have a new key cutting service based at Mobile Smart, 77 O’Shannessey St. In addition, Sustainable Papakura has moved into new premises at 47 O’Shannessey St. Magical Matariki The stars will be aligned as we celebrate Matariki with everything from colorful flags flying in our town center to…

Remarkably some scientists in Qatar working with counterparts in New York have undertaken a study asking vital questions. They decided to study only the unvaccinated. Objectively considered, what they discovered should change the exclusively pro-mRNA vaccination policies which currently dominate the entire world. 90% of Qataris are vaccinated, but the authors tracked several…

Leading New Zealand epidemiologist Professor Michael Baker in an interview with the NZ Herald says that we are “losing the arms race with the virus”. Covid cases have increased by 50% within the last 9 days in an “abrupt rise”. Baker said "It's a dynamic, a battle between us and the virus and there are factors mainly favouring the virus”. The article reported hospitals were…

Two days ago Jacinda Ardern said her government was about to make a significant Covid policy announcement. Yesterday we were subjected to an hour long government extravaganza where a succession of expert politicians urged us yet again to wear masks (we already are), get boosted, leave our windows open (in winter), test frequently, and isolate (presumably whenever you feel a need…