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Unfortunately, welfare spending is addictive. And addictive in two ways. First, once government has committed to a particular level of benefit, it is exceedingly difficult to reduce that level. And second, the benefit itself changes behaviour: many people who might otherwise have tried harder to find employment choose to go on, or stay on, a benefit, something strongly…

It was early March when the sixth annual model a day was held in Oratia in West Auckland. Hosted by Chris Hornblow and Shane Adlington this great day is a casual afternoon to celebrate all things Model A. Just on 50 Model A cars were in attendance including one Model T powered by Model A. The furtherest travelled was Kev Topham from Masterton with his Model A coupe which he…

Nellie Bly became a star journalist by going undercover as a patient at a New York City mental health asylum in 1887 and exposing its terrible conditions in the New York World. Nellie Bly became a star journalist by going undercover as a patient at a New York City mental health asylum in 1887 and exposing its terrible conditions in the New York World. Her reporting not only…

This year has had a shaky start with the floods in Auckland then Cyclone Gabrielle. The impact of which has not been truly felt although it is safe to say listings and sales are down in affected areas. The latest monetary policy committee meeting - one projection of note that did change was the Reserve Bank house price forecast – the peak to tough fall is now expected to be -23%…

I recently had the opportunity to question Chris Luxton and included a question about trust and what he intended to do about increasing the dismal survey results from a December 22 poll that showed only 39.6% of the poll respondents trusted the government. His response will be published next month, but in the meantime, just how important is trust in our Government and its…

It ’s more than skin deep. It’s all about you at Cutting Edge Plastic Surgery. Operating from a new building in Roulston Street for just over a year now, Adam Greenbaum and his dedicated team continue to grow this thriving surgical aservice with its focus firmly on personalised care. “I treat you the way I would wish my family or myself to be treated by a surgeon.” says Adam.…

A tree protection group is calling on Tūpuna Maunga Authority to shelve permanently its plans to rid Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s maunga (volcanic cones) of around 2500 exotic trees, saying it would be irresponsible to proceed in the light of severe slip damage recently suffered on several maunga. Ōwairaka Mt Albert, Maungakiekie One Tree Hill and Ōhinerau Mt Hobson all suffered…

Counties Medical are happy to announce the opening of our newly built medical Centre at Waiata Shores, Takanini. 2 Te Napi drive, Waiata Shores, Takanini. This clinic replaces the previous Takanini clinic on Great South Road. The clinic gives local families the option of two Centres to attend, one in Papakura and Takanini again. We will be known as Counties Medical Takanini…

PART ONE Over the last couple of decades, the world has watched the Middle East as country after country has tried to establish a democratic regime and country after country has failed. The United States and its allies toppled Saddam Hussein and announced that they wanted to see a democratic regime take root in Iraq. The western powers helped to topple Colonel Gaddafi in Libya,…

Back on the first weekend of February, a grand opportunity arose for me to display my Model A pickup at the Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona California, USA. This show is the ‘Grand Daddy’ of them all and attracts over 600 vehicles displayed indoors and over 1100 vehicles show up each day to be displayed outside. It has been a bucket list thing to attend all these great USA…

Ada Lovelace (1815–52) is now regarded as one of the most important figures in the early history of the computer despite being relatively uncelebrated during her life. Born in the early 19th century, she had a fascination with science and mathematics that defied the expectations of her class and gender at the time. She was introduced at the age of 17 to inventor Charles Babbage,…

WELCOME: New businesses setting up shop in Papakura recently include: Vets at 77 and Uniform Hub (both on Great South Rd), Papakura Op’ Shop (inside the Papakura Anglican Church) and BFT(Body Fit Training) on Railway Street. MOVIES IN THE PARK: On Saturday, February 25 (from 6.30pm) DC League of Super – Pets will be showing on the big screen in Central Park. So, grab a picnic…

Auckland saw its median price decrease annually by 21.7% to $940,000 in January 2023. This is the first time since January 2021 that Auckland has had a median price under $1,000,000. The flooding events which occurred at the end of January impacted auctions and open homes. At this point it’s hard to gauge whether people will want to enter the market or whether they will become…

I’m writing this in the aftermath of the terrible weather event that saw numerous festivals and concerts cancelled, (Elton John again!), homes flooded, landslips, roads made impassible, slips, crops devasted, our city’s airport terminals swimming in water and tragically four lives lost across Auckland. I’ve seen readings of over 200 mms of rain that all fell in one day and it…

Tyres come in all shapes and sizes, but one thing is for sure if you own or drive a vehicle of any size, you need to regularly maintain the wheels and replace the tyres to ensure you remain on the road! Ensuring you get the right tyres and the correct fit for your vehicle and needs is the expertise of Matt and his team at Keller Tyres on Manukau road and this year he wants you to…

As I write this, the Auckland region has been hit by once-in-a-century flooding. Over a third of Auckland’s annual average rainfall fell in just 24 hours at the start of the Anniversary Weekend. And it’s not over yet. More bad weather is forecast, with red and orange warnings issued for heavy rain. Our Franklin district has been seriously affected, albeit not quite as badly as…

Ensom Funeral Services recognises that each family's needs are different and, with that in mind, they take the time to prepare a unique and fitting tribute and farewell. It is the emphasis on providing personal advice and assistance to grieving families that sets Ensom Funeral Services apart. The friendly and professional team at Ensom Funeral Services has been part of the…

A sophisticated new study has tracked the relationship between early teen social media use and changes in their brains over a three-year period. The novel research found more frequent checking of social media was linked with a greater sensitivity to social rewards, but experts stress the detected brain changes can neither be confirmed as causal or declared harmful from these…

As life becomes more costly and complicated, we are always looking for simpler and more carefree times. Whether it’s an escape to the beach or taking on a new hobby or somehow reliving the past - we all seek more simplified times. Car guys are no exception and the two cars you see here are perfect examples of that. The automobile has a rich history of evolution and particular…

A couple of months back I wrote a column on New Zealand’s high and, at that time, accelerating rate of inflation. I concluded that column with the following comment: There has to be some risk that, faced with growing public concern about inflation and the impact of the rising interest rates which the Reserve Bank is using to get on top of inflation, the Government will reach…