The Franklin region, and especially Pukekohe is well known for several things. It is the hub of New Zealand’s best volcanic fertile soils where the internationally renowned Long Keeper Onions are grown and Possum Bourne, champion race car driver was born here. It will come as no surprise then to many locals that it will soon have a new claim to fame. That of the biggest car…

Increasing numbers of Aucklanders are turning to environmental activism as concern mounts over Tūpuna Maunga Authority’s plans to destroy 2500 healthy mature trees on the city’s volcanic cones (maunga). Most Aucklanders had not heard of the Authority until 2019, when it began clear-felling exotic trees on Mangere Mountain, Pigeon Mountain / Ōhuiarangi and Mt Wellington /…

Hang on Puke! We’re teetering at the top of a roll coaster ride called ‘progress’. On the downhill slope we’ll see our town irrevocably changed and our lifestyle changing too. In some areas, back yards and tree lined streets become a thing of the past with increasing density of housing permitted. Pukekohe has been packaged and sold as an attractive little country town, complete…

For over a decade Franklin’s local historical societies have campaigned to save the station building but finally they have admitted defeat. The building will be lost to the district it has served for more than one hundred years. It was the oldest publicly accessible building in the town. It became impossible to progress the plan for restoration and repurposing of the building…

With its rich limestone architecture, stunning views of the Pacific Ocean from its harbour and most famous for its blue penguin colony sits Oamaru, one of the largest ‘best wee’ towns in North Otago. Oamaru was laid out in 1858 by Otago’s provincial surveyor, John Turnbull Thompson whom named the streets after British rivers. In the 1860s the town discovered riches through…

The recent Powhiri held at Papakura High School to welcome its new principal Simon Craggs was both moving and a reflection on the proud and passionate nature of every pupil, staff member and school community member associated with Papakura High. Something that Simon felt keenly when he accepted the challenge of becoming the new leader. He brings with him a wealth of education…

Have you ever wanted to sand that table, build a sandpit for the kids, or cut the hedge in half the usual time but find yourself lacking the right tools or the money to buy them? Well, the clever folks at Waiuku Zero Waste have come up with the solution with the establishment of the Waiuku Tool Library. The idea is much the same as a book library but instead of a book, you can…

A poem commemorating Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (10 June 1921 – 9 April 2021). Do not look at me with sorrow, Simply because I sit alone. It is a choice I chose to make To compose the shivers from my bone. Do not look at this with pity, As it was what I chose to do. It was Philips place to be, I wanted to show that to all of you. My world of love…

Many New Zealanders are traditionally keen on outdoor pursuits such as hunting and fishing and with gun ownership rising so is the interest in gun related sports. New Zealanders have a proud level of achievement in sports such as shooting and elocal has discovered one such local hero in the form of David Butler. Dave, as he likes to be called, can be found during working hours…

Karikari Peninsula is renowned for its amazing white sandy beaches and bays such as popular Maitai Bay.

Everybody loves a story. Telling stories is an age-old art form, and a good story well told stays long in the memories of its listeners or readers. This May, Franklin Writers Group is offering the chance to compose your own short story and finally let the ideas buzzing around in your head, the opportunity to get out. The Franklin Writers' Group's biennial short story competition…

Tommy could be described as a quiet over achiever. Imported by Nicola d’Almeida from Scotland in 2013, as a three year old, he was originally destined to be bred from. A pure-bred, Black Tabiano Gypsy Cob stallion, he stands at a sturdy 150cm. Kind-hearted, with a beautiful head and with very correct movement, it was evident to Nicola and fellow equestrian enthusiast Chanelle…

Local woman Leslea Eilenberg has always been one to challenge herself. Avid elocal readers will remember her last achievements competing in world triathlons including Kona Ironman and Hawaii. Now, she has gone even further! Breaking all records for her age and weight at the International Oceania Powerlifting Championships and a Silver Medal in the Worlds Masters Games Triathlon. I…

“I need to photograph my family, while my kids are growing up, they look so cute at this age! I must organize a photographer soon, something better than the images I take on my phone...” Can you relate to this? If this sounds like you, give me a call. I will photograph your family, your kids, your grandkids. If you are a grandparent and would love to get all your grown-up kids…

Good morning, delegates. It’s an absolute privilege to be speaking to you all here today as your leader. I’d like to acknowledge National Party President Peter Goodfellow, my fellow board members, my lower North Island colleagues and all of you, the members of the National Party. It is great to see you all here today. The past few years have been a challenging time for our…

You are invited to our third StreetFEST Event on Saturday May 8th from 10am -2pm on Great South Road. This year it is being extended into Broadway in Papakura. “We’re so excited to be holding our third StreetFEST, where we will once again be showcasing all the things that make Papakura great.” says Tracy Shackleton, Papakura Town Centre Manager. “It will be a whanau friendly…

If the words Vapour Blasting, Performance Ceramic Coatings, and Super Finishing surface treatment solutions make your spine tingle, then Pukekohe Performance Componentry Refinishing (PPCR) at Outrider Motorcycles is the place you need to visit! Kane Middleton is the brains behind Outrider Motorcycles, a specialised shop where anyone with a genuine passion for all things…

If there is one thing that new Counties Honda franchise owner Brett Aspden revels in, it’s the opportunity to take something good and make it great. Brett has an impressive background developing businesses and people and has identified the well-established local Counties Honda franchise as a great opportunity to service the community. “The business is backed by the largest…

With stunning views of Lake Tekapo and the Southern Alps on its doorstep sits another of New Zealand’s most photographed churches. The small Anglican church in the south island named The Church of The Good Shepherd. With intent to create a place of worship and as a memorial to the pioneers of Mackenzie Country, a successful appeal for funds was granted in October 1934 and was…

Few New Zealanders are unmoved on April 25th, ANZAC day, by the haunting sound of the lone bugle playing the Last Post and what it represents. Steeped in history and tradition it is ingrained into every Kiwi’s heart and everyone of us can share a story of what it means to us and our families. The custom dates from the 17th century or perhaps even earlier. It is believed to have…

Imagine being stuck in a ‘foxhole’ in the ground as a raging battle in the air took place and bombs were exploding all around you. This is what my father Eugene Warwood endured during his Second World War service with the Royal New Zealand Air Force in Vanuatu’s Green Islands. Eugene was a Staff Sergeant, a cook with the RNZAF Radar Group supporting the New Zealand 3rd Division…

Under a spreading chestnut-tree The village smithy stands; The smith, a mighty man is he, With large and sinewy hands; And the muscles of his brawny arms Are strong as iron bands. Week in, week out, from morn till night, You can hear his bellows blow; You can hear him swing his heavy sledge, With measured beat and slow, Like a sexton ringing…

“A hundred immigrants just landed have been sent here. The Government found them lodgings and give them rations . . . till they can be sent forth to their own grants of land.” These were just some of the immigrants who had recently arrived as part of the Waikato Immigration Scheme. Between October 1864 and June 1865, thirteen ships arrived in Auckland with settlers from Scotland,…

Sky News host Sharri Markson has assessed “chilling” details from a document produced by Chinese military scientists, in which they discussed weaponising SARS coronaviruses five years before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The book from 2015, ‘Unnatural Origin of SARS and Genetic Weapons Based on Artificial Human-Infectious Viruses’ (非典非自然起源和人制人新种病毒基因武器), describes SARS coronaviruses…

Watch the full video on Odysee: @drsambailey

WASHINGTON D.C., May 6, 2021 — Extensive research shows ivermectin can reduce the risk of getting COVID-19 by 92.5%. However, through questionable evaluation methods, public health authorities around the world continue to recommend only highly restricted use of or outright ban of ivermectin. These actions only serve to prolong the COVID-19 pandemic and hurt the most vulnerable…

How does the TH1 and TH2 Immune system work? Do vaccines affect the immune system balance?

In this video, Dr. Sam Bailey discusses issues that she has been asked about concerning the COVID-19 pandemic, such as censorship, isolation of SARS-CoV-2, Lateral Flow Tests, the Great Reset, and ivermectin.

There she goes, New Zealand’s Wonder Woman, striking a model’s pose on the cover of yet another women’s magazine, Thrive, dedicated to the wellness mantras Ardern herself spouts. Its subtitle – ‘Care’ – tells us ‘How Jacinda looks after herself (and us)’, the article gushing about the cup of tea Clarke Gayford, the father of her daughter, brings her every morning; how he makes…

A bombshell ruling from the High Court opens the door to tribal control of New Zealand’s foreshore and seabed. It represents a major setback for those who believe the country’s coastline and Territorial Sea should be owned by no-one and protected by the Crown for the benefit of all. The Edwards case is the first of some 200 Marine and Coastal Area Act applications for customary…

Auckland Council obviously doesn’t bother to look back on past mistakes by previous versions of the original Auckland City Council. They should take the time to read Graham WA Bush’s “Advance In Order” written in 1991, with a council committee overview under Cath Tizard, the then Mayor of Auckland City. This book covered the events and history time line from 1971 to 1989. Further…

The month of May is action-packed with the Government’s Budget (May 20) and the RBNZ’s Monetary Policy Statement (May 26). And this week, we get the RBNZ’s semi-annual Financial Stability Report (FSR). Unfortunately, even before its release, the FSR has lost some of its allure. We learnt last week in the media the RBNZ will not include a response to the Minister of Finance on DTI…

A couple of issues back, I wrote about the way in which the Government had passed legislation under urgency to prevent ratepayers having any right to demand a referendum before local authorities establish Maori wards, as a previous Labour Government had explicitly legislated for. I want to discuss this issue a bit further because I’ve had some people say to me that the Treaty…

March 2021 was a month of firsts! But quite a mixed bag and the effects of some have yet to be seen in the market: Median days to sell the lowest for a March since records began. Inventory levels continue to fall, placing pressure on the housing market, decreasing 6.1% in March 2021 from March 2020 levels – in total that is 1265 fewer properties available to the market and 8791…

Happy Mother's Day! Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mothers on Sunday 9th of May 2021. We wish you all a truly happy and wonderful day. Papakura Streetfest 2021 Make sure you diary this date – Saturday 8th of May in Papakura. Our third annual StreetFEST is back from 10 am to 2 pm. There will be lots of community stalls, sustainable stalls, arts and crafts, sports clubs,…

Death, Taxes and… “Sarcopenia”. Now, I’m sure you’re wondering what I’m on about, but before you ask auntie Google, let me quickly explain. Sarcopenia is the age-related loss of muscle mass. And yep, if you do nothing to reverse that process it is a certainty in life. In fact, following a 2014 study by UCLA and published in the American Journal of Medicine and subsequent…

“Change is never painful, it is resistance to change.” — Buddha By the time you read this, it will already be the month of May, nearly halfway through the year of 2021 and if you are anything like me, the days just seem to be galloping past. The temperature has dropped, the nights have drawn in and everyone seems to be going about their business pretty much as per usual. May is…

There are some people who question the legitimacy of self-defence training for kids. For these people the prevailing concern appears to be that training in self defense, or for that matter martial arts are an acknowledgement that violence exists and that children will in turn be taught violence. In reality, what happens is that when children learn self-defence, they are less…