Articles from ‘elocal magazine’

New Zealand has the highest child suicide rate of 36 wealthy countries, according to UNICEF’s Innocenti Report Card 19. · The report also ranked New Zealand last for child and youth mental health and 32nd overall for child wellbeing. · The suicide rate among New Zealand children is nearly three times the OECD and EU average. The country also ranked second for bullying rates among children. · Chief Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad said…

In the final months of the 2020 US election, Donald Trump was trailing in the polls and banking on the announcement of a Covid-19 vaccine to boost public confidence and revive his re-election campaign. · Trump had promised that a vaccine could arrive “sooner than the end of the year… maybe even sooner than the November 3 election.” · The effort, known as “Operation Warp Speed,” became one of his administration’s flagship initiatives. · But the…

19 May 1846 · This journey was part of Thomas Brunner’s epic 1846–48 exploration of the South Island. He was guided by Kehu (Hone Mokekehu) of Ngāti Tūmatakōkiri and accompanied by Charles Heaphy, a draughtsman and artist with the New Zealand Company. · Brunner arrived in Nelson in 1841. From August 1843 he explored the hinterland with survey parties, persisting in his efforts despite not finding rumoured ‘great plains’. In February 1846…

New Stats NZ data shows food prices rose 3.7% in the year to April 2025, driven by increases in dairy and coffee. · It marks the highest annual food inflation since January 2024. · “Price increases were widespread, with all five food groups recording an increase,” said Stats NZ spokesperson Nicola Growden. The grocery food group rose 5.2% and non-alcoholic beverages jumped 6.8%. · Dairy was the biggest contributor. “Milk and cheese prices…

New Yorkers certainly know how to serve burgers the correct way: forget neon cheddar slices, this version is served with a gooey, mustard-flecked rarebit with bitter ale, a crisp salad, and Parmesan fries for dipping into a sauce of choice (or strawberry milkshake, we won’t tell). · Ingredients · For the rarebit · - 500g grated cheddar cheese - 100ml bitter - 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce - 1 tsp Dijon mustard - few drops of Tabasco - 4 tbsp…

A March 2025 Talbot Mills survey commissioned by Health Coalition Aotearoa and the Cancer Society suggests widespread public backing for stronger alcohol regulation across New Zealand. · The nationally representative poll of 1,161 adults shows increasing support for measures addressing alcohol affordability, availability, advertising, and policymaking, with many results up sharply from a similar 2023 survey. · Eighty-one percent of respondents…

Disagreements over the validity of land purchases by the New Zealand Company led to a series of skirmishes between Māori and government troops in the Wellington region in 1846. · The prominent Ngāti Toa chief Te Rangihaeata backed local Māori who opposed European settlement in Hutt Valley. However, it was Te Mamaku of Ngāti Haua-te-rangi of Whanganui who on May 16th, 1846 led the attack on the British outpost at Boulcott Farm (now within the…

After much fanfare, fiery rhetoric, tensions and delays which increased friction in the US-China bilateral relationship, US-China trade talks began in Geneva, Switzerland last weekend. · After the first round of talks on May 10, President Donald Trump remarked, “A very good meeting today with China, in Switzerland. Many things discussed, much agreed to. A total reset negotiated in a friendly, but constructive, manner.” · Before the talks…

Sleeping long has a negative effect on brain performance, especially in people who are depressed, according to the findings of a new study. It suggests that sleep might be a modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline in people with depression. · Researchers have been investigating the relationship between sleep duration and health, particularly brain health, for some time. Indeed, the Global Council on Brain Health (GCBH) recommends that…

The Greens released their (as described by my Leader Winston Peters) Marxist Budget. While the focus has been on the economic lunacy and their free-for-all social policy platform, there wasn't much mention of the separatism-on-steroids that will further divide our society. · The Greens threaten to open the separatism flood gates by abolishing the 2008 deadline to lodge new claims to the Waitangi Tribunal. Not only that, they aim to provide a…