Articles from ‘elocal magazine’

Most people don’t have a problem with some of the Ten Commandments. There are atheists, for example, who will admit that one should not kill, steal, or lie. Thus, posting those specific Commandments in public classrooms or buildings would pose no problem. · The problems begin with the First and most important Commandment, which deals with the honor and worship of God. The Commandment commands: “I am the Lord thy God: thou shalt not have strange…

The official definition of a “planet” could be set to change again soon. Last time that happened, Pluto was kicked out of the club, but the new proposed definition is designed to be more inclusive. · Exactly what a planet is has been remarkably murky for centuries – what we now call planets, moons and even asteroids have all been lumped under that one umbrella at different times. But the real push for an official definition began in the 1990s,…

Parents have been worried about their kids’ sleep since time immemorial. · And for valid reasons — good sleep is an essential part of a healthy childhood. · Sleep is critical for physical growth, but also for many other aspects of brain development, learning and the development of important social skills. · Children observe, experience or are taught things during the day, but they really only ‘learn’ overnight while they’re asleep. · In an…

In some good news for nearly half the world's men, scientists have found that a naturally occurring sugar in humans and animals could be harnessed as a topical treatment for male pattern baldness. This discovery could deliver a non-invasive, inexpensive and safer alternative to leading treatment minoxidil. · An international team of scientists from the University of Sheffield and COMSATS University Pakistan has found that the organic compound…

Family means everything to John and Catherine and family values are firmly behind the successful operation of JB’s Flooring Xtra, operating in their local Franklin area. · John has a wealth of experience in theindustry, having completed his apprenticeship upon leaving school as a carpet layer, and continuing in the industry while Catherine, involved in several office administration and accounts roles cared for their family as they grew. After…

It’s easy to look back at the bad haircuts, beige clothes and brown Beehive carpets and chuckle. But whatever one’s views on its aesthetics, the Fourth Labour Government – elected 40 years ago on July 14 – was no laughing matter. · After nine years of economic nationalism and social conservatism under National prime minister Robert Muldoon, David Lange’s new broom left no corner unswept. In the space of a few short years, fuelled by a…

The rising price of food has been making headlines for the past decade. But prices have not been rising consistently across all food groups – and this has major health implications for New Zealanders. · Last week Stats NZ released food price data showing the biggest drop in prices in six years. The second quarter consumer price index, due out today, will give a broader overview of the inflationary pressures facing New Zealanders, including the…

There is a lot of good in Housing Minister Chris Bishop’s new housing policy – especially in relation to mixed-use developments and intensification along transit corridors. But he has also proposed the abolition of minimum floor area and balcony requirements. · Will removing minimum dwelling sizes result in poor quality housing? The short answer is yes. · The minister has justified the minimum requirements by arguing any apartment, regardless…

At first glance, Keir Starmer’s Labour Party has just put in a performance for the ages in the British general election. · The incoming prime minister controls a comfortable parliamentary majority, Tory bastions have fallen to the left and the right, and any number of curtains have been brought down on the careers of Tory MPs and ministers. · Whisper it quietly, but the curtain might also have fallen on the electoral system that delivered…

Where should real political power and authority reside in New Zealand? Since last year’s election, that’s been the central question behind a number of significant policy reversals. · Water infrastructure, health, tertiary education and tax have all been affected by the political and philosophical tensions between competing models of local and central decision making. · Put simply, the previous Labour government tended to favour centralising…