All articles

We reached Egypt after navigating our way north through Ethiopia and Sudan. Both countries were experiencing political unrest and civil uprising, so it was a difficult journey to say the least! During our drive, we looked at Egypt as our safe haven destination. However, the day we crossed the border at Wadi Halfa, there was a terrorism attack targeting a tourism bus. Our safe haven mindset was no longer! The result was that all tourist spots…

Covid 19 sure put the handbrake on 2020 and as a result is a year that many of us would rather forget. The worldwide pandemic created havoc through all aspects of everyday life including the fun we have with cars. Fortunately for us all here in New Zealand there has been a sense of normality or an appreciation for a "new normal". A Covid delayed Beach Hop in Whangamata was no exception back in November. Originally scheduled for March this year,…

When Whitecliffe art graduate Rachel Allen choose her theme for her end of year exhibition, little did she know that real life would indeed imitate art with the events of 2020 as a real-life virus swept the world. What was going to be a full-on year of creativity in the Whitecliffe studios, surrounded by an abundance of supplies and resources became a year of adaptation and compromise in makeshift home studios. · “The year has totally been…

If you live on a lifestyle property or small rural holding there is a strong likelihood that you have trees or a shelter belt. Therefore, it is inevitable at some stage you will need to fell them due to age or disease or harvest the trees for repurposing or replanting. PTT is based in Bombay and has operated in the wider Auckland area since 2013 and is recognized as a top contractor amongst several golf courses, large scale commercial projects,…

The nation’s most prestigious and competitive polo event, the BMW NZ Polo Open will be held at the Auckland Polo Club, Clevedon on Sunday 21st February. 2021 will mark the 44th year for the renowned NZ Polo Open that is cemented as a summer highlight on New Zealand’s sporting and social calendar. Despite this year with Covid-19 and the current border restrictions Lucy Ainsley, Event Director is confident the event will be one of the best yet.…

New Zealand has been applauded globally for its apparent success in limiting COVID-19 infections and death. It is true that New Zealanders enjoy liberties in their day-to-day lives that are not available to others around the globe. But a question remains that is relevant to both this pandemic and the next. At what cost was the success achieved? Available evidence suggests that the costs may have been much higher than anticipated and also higher…

Earlier this year, I wrote a column headed “The country is going mad”. I was wrong: we have already gone mad. I produce three pieces of evidence. The first relates to the very widespread push in recent months to create Maori wards in local government: New Plymouth, Tauranga, Kaipara, Whangarei, Northland, Taupo, Gisborne, Ruapehu, Nelson and South Taranaki. In several of those areas, councils have tried to create Maori wards previously, only to…

ClearSky Accounting is brand new to Pukekohe but have operated in the South Auckland area since 1993. They have a new, modern up to date business model, a brand-new building ClearSky House in central Pukekohe and they are looking to help local businesses and start-ups in the often-confusing areas of Tax, Accounting and Bookkeeping. Established by local Glenda Rogers and backed with a team of professionals, many of whom live locally, ClearSky…

The recent Grand Opening of Stroud Homes Pokeno Pukekohe branch was well attended from interested parties both locally and further afield. The partly fun day with refreshments and activities for the kids was designed to show the new building approach that Stroud Homes offers those wanting to build a quality home at a very affordable price. · “It was a successful Grand Opening, with a lot of interest from both locals and non-locals. We were able…

That’s a very real experience for many who are dealing with addiction. Now I’m not talking about taking your phone to the bathroom, but food addiction. An issue that stems from chemicals that routinely screw with the functions in the brain. And we can break that down a bit further, because what happens in the case of food addiction, actually only happens in the “animal” or hypothalamus part of the brain. That’s the part of your grey mass that…