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Hampered by tightening credit conditions, the housing market continued to cool in February according to the latest data from REINZ. The house price index (HPI) recorded a modest 0.5% gain in the month. However, the data overall paint a picture of a market in decline. Seasonally adjusted, house prices recorded their third consecutive monthly decline. Annual house price growth decelerated further in February to 14.3%, that’s more than half of the…

When a serious crime has been committed, the police generally lose no time in their efforts to locate the culprit and bring them to account. In this article we consider our long term prospects and what we need to do to improve them. What happened this morning? When you back a sure fire horse with your whole pay packet and it loses, what do you say to your partner and family when you arrive home on Friday afternoon empty handed? · Dr. Rochelle…

I find myself perplexed that commercial pharmaceutical enterprises, despite huge areas of uncertainty around safety and outcomes, felt that they could launch their experimental mRNA vaccines on the world’s population. I am also confused how public health officials, the medical profession, and politicians became cheerleaders, even when a significant number of highly qualified scientists were waving red flags. Worse, when the accumulating adverse…

I wrote this newsletter recently to update you on the work the Free Speech Union is doing in our battle for free speech. But following the disturbing scene we saw yesterday at Parliament, I wanted to share some thoughts first. Protest will always highlight contentious issues, that's its role, so I am aware that supporters of the Free Speech Union will have a wide variety of feelings and perspectives on what we've seen unfold. But hopefully we…

Lady Deborah Chambers is a New Zealand Queen's Counsel specialising in relationship property and trusts law. The emergency legislation in response to Covid-19 giving our Government the right to control our freedom of movement is no longer demonstrably justified in removing the fundamental rights to which New Zealanders are entitled. · The New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 provides in section 18 that everyone lawfully in New Zealand has the…

I like the above car analogy. The author is unknown, but it reportedly first appeared in print in 1998 uttered by a US youth football coach whose team had had a bad season. It is pretty self-explanatory when driving and can be applied to most of life’s situations. Simply put, it means that where you’re headed is much more important than what you left behind. The past is the past, it can not be changed or undone. For some it contains painful…

It was great to say goodbye to 2021 and mark 2022’s beginnings with a couple of great events in Whangamata and Waihi respectively. Hosted by Noddy Watts of Beach Hop fame and his supportive partner Andrea Ross. car and bike enthusiasts were treated to the World’s First Car and Bike Show on New Years Day at the Whangamata Club. · Over 100 vehicles travelled from all over to attend and as we were all in the orange light Covid setting, all…

Genre-blending through subtle jazz intricacies and funky, infectious rhythms – New Zealand’s premiere instrumental act GroovExpress paint an image of optimism and style throughout this superb new collection. · Contemplation Nova is the name, ten tracks devoted to the moment with crisp production that allows the natural strength of each performance to shine through on the recording. It’s a pleasure to lose yourself within, and here are a few…

The Prime Minister’s Statement, delivered to the House at the start of the Parliamentary year, was riddled with platitudes, self-congratulation and hyperbole. What wasn’t mentioned or acknowledged was the issue of how divided a society we have become. This is something that has seeped out and spread widely throughout our country. It is insidious, undesirable and unwelcome. · The Prime Minister has become very accustomed to delivering edicts to…

If you are struggling to fall asleep, the bed you are trying to sleep on might be part of the problem. When it comes to investing in a new bed, it is important that you purchase something that fits will fit your body type, personal taste and unique needs. When your body is allowed to rest in its natural position, muscles are relaxed and sleep is more refreshing. A good mattress is comfortable, yet firm enough to keep your body nicely aligned…