Articles from ‘elocal magazine’

New Zealand First has introduced a Member’s Bill that will ban the public sale and use of fireworks across New Zealand. The abuse and misuse of fireworks far outweighs any of the benefits. “The taxpayer should not be spending millions of dollars on something that drastically impacts pets, causes inevitable fires, and causes havoc for our emergency services” – Rt Hon Winston Peters. Enough is enough. “This is not about being ‘nanny state’,…

Your heart is the centre of your body in more than one way. It keeps blood flowing to your limbs and other organs, but it also dictates the health of your entire cardiovascular system. As your heart ages, it thickens and becomes stiffer (as do your arteries), making it less efficient at its job. If your heart is ageing poorly, you will see very negative outcomes for your health. The “age” of your heart is dependent upon what you eat and how…

Every year we celebrate the attempt by a group of English dissidents to blow up the English parliament over 400 years ago. Every November the letting off of fireworks results in a flood of claims to ACC, sends horses through fences and terrorises cats and dogs, keeps fire brigades busy battling blazes and has insurance companies running for cover. Why do we do it? Well, fireworks are fun, as the Chinese discovered centuries ago. Many of us…

Batch-cook this Italian-style ragu to use as a base for other delicious mince dishes This is not as simple as the mince and tatties – mince and potatoes – that I grew up on, but it’s still kept plain for batch-cooking purposes, so that ingredients can be added afterwards to flavour each portion differently. It’s basically an Italian-style ragu but without the herbs that would be used in Italy. Ingredients - 2 tbsp olive oil - 1kg…

It’s amazing what mushrooms – and dried mushrooms – can do. The meat becomes more beefy, rich in umami flavours. This dish uses a simple batch of cooked minceas its base. Requires soaking time. Ingredients - 10g dried porcini mushrooms - 1 tbsp olive oil - 500g chestnut mushrooms, sliced - 1 garlic clove, grated to a purée - 5g butter - leaves from 1 thyme sprig (optional) - 75ml dry Marsala - ⅓ simple mince recipe, defrosted recipe here …

Hobson’s Pledge says Auckland Council is allowing iwi to use heritage laws to claim parts of privately owned land as “culturally significant,” sparking fresh debate over property rights. In a post online, spokesperson Elliot Ikilei said the group has received complaints from residents who discovered that portions of their freehold property were being flagged by iwi for cultural or historic value, often without explanation. One North Shore…

Encased in a blanket of blubber that is nearly half a metre thick, and with a habit of smashing head-first through Arctic ice, the 80,000-kilogram bowhead whale does not, at first glance, seem a natural poster child for health and longevity. What’s the secret to living to 100? Centenarian stem cells could offer clues But one of the cetacean’s most impressive stats turns out to be its lifespan: sometimes living for more than 200 years, the…

A showstopping pudding for your Hallowe'en feast  Turn the lights down low as you bring this in – and for added effect decorate with an indoor sparkler. INGREDIENTS - 295g slab of ready-made madeira cake - 4-5 tbsp jam (I like blackcurrant) - A 460ml cardboard tub of ice cream – your choice of flavour, but not soft-scoop - 2 lolly sticks - 2-4 chocolate mini rolls - 1 chocolate marshmallow tea cake (eg Tunnock’s) - 3 large egg whites - 200g…

The new Cardo Beyond isn’t just another Bluetooth add-on; it’s the company’s first fully integrated helmet with its acclaimed comms tech baked right into the shell. But it’s not just for comms, Cardo has included a host of features, including active noise cancellation, damage sensors, and a rear brake light. There are two models you can choose from: Beyond GTS and Beyond GT. These helmets are the culmination of two decades of making…

Nobody likes to see the view being spoiled by power lines, but they're often a necessary part of modern infrastructure. Perhaps if they could be turned from an eyesore into a focal point, even the staunchest opponents could accept them. Such is the thinking behind this creative project that transforms power line pylons into giant animal sculptures. The concept, called Austrian Power Giants, comes from the Austrian Power Grid and is developed…

This hearty pie with a decadent, creamy sauce is perfect for the unpredictable cooler weather that spring can bring. A dinner so good that whoever you make it for will propose. Don’t worry if you don’t have a heart-shaped cutter (I found these at the back of the drawer!). You can either cut them into squares or just use a whole sheet of pastry. Ingredients - 10 pork sausages - 1 onion, finely sliced - 3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped -…

In a world-first breakthrough, scientists have discovered how a sugary “cloak” helps bowel cancer hide from the immune system, and how stripping it away could turn the body’s anti-cancer defenses back on. Bowel tumors are made up of more than cancer cells. They also contain stromal cells, normal support cells that help build the tumor’s structure. In aggressive bowel cancers, these stromal cells are found in large numbers and have a strong…

Across Auckland, homeowners are opening their insurance renewal letters only to find shocking premium increases — not because their properties have suddenly sunk, but because a bureaucratic map now says they sit on a “flood plain.” It’s a growing problem created not by nature, but by policy. The latest victim is long-time Pukekohe resident Dave Mills, whose property on Buckland Road has been bone-dry for over 30 years — yet has now been…

After 38 proud years gracing New Zealand’s skies, one of the nation’s most cherished warbirds is preparing to embark on a new chapter. The iconic Douglas DC-3 “Betsy” (ZK-DAK)—a symbol of aviation’s golden age and a living link to our wartime heritage—is set to leave New Zealand for Darwin, Australia, marking the end of an extraordinary era. A Last Hurrah Before the Journey North! Before she departs, Fly DC-3 NZ and the NZ Warbirds Association…

An American economist says New Zealand’s worsening economy and record migration losses now resemble those seen in parts of the developing world. In a new video, Professor Richard D. Wolff described the country’s economic decline as the worst since 1991, driven by mass emigration, collapsing productivity, and unstable policy. More than 128,000 people left New Zealand in 2024 in the largest outflow ever recorded. Over 600,000 New Zealand–born…

Iron is an essential mineral for your body. Iron is needed to produce red blood cells, which are important for: A healthy immune system Mental function Muscle strength and energy In red blood cells, iron forms part of a protein called haemoglobin. Haemoglobin transports oxygen through your blood. It carries oxygen from your lungs to all the cells in your body so they can work properly. Your body can't make iron, so you…

Supporters say Tory Whanau’s treatment shows sexism still shapes New Zealand politics. Critics say her downfall was due to chaos and poor leadership, not misogyny. The left calls out structural hostility toward women, while the right sees victimhood used as a shield. You have to decide on your own “truth” along the empathy/accountability line. A victim or a failed leader Tory Whanau’s political downfall has exposed a divide in how New…

A new report from the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists says New Zealanders’ overall health is deteriorating, with working-age adults reporting “excellent” health nearly halving since 2011 and psychological distress rising across all groups. Hutt Hospital emergency specialist Dr Tanya Wilton said the findings reflect what doctors are seeing daily with more complex illnesses and growing demand for care. She attributed the decline…

A climate-focused report out of Europe throws serious shade at plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) cars, pointing out that they emit nearly as much carbon dioxide emissions as combustion engine-powered vehicles. In fact, it highlights how real-world emissions from supposedly greener PHEVs has increased over the years above officially recorded figures to nearly five times. Yikes! The findings come from the European Federation for Transport and…

Genesis Energy is reviewing options for a potential capital raise after the government signalled it is open to providing new funding to state-controlled power companies. At its annual meeting, Genesis chair Barbara Chapman said the company had received a letter from Finance Minister Nicola Willis confirming the government’s willingness to participate in future equity raisings. The move follows the release of the Frontier Economics report,…