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Auckland Zoo is celebrating the birth of its first baby rhino in 20 years – a healthy female delivered by first-time mum Jamila in a speedy one-hour labour 12 days ago. The much-anticipated birth of the southern white rhino calf on 14 August to mum Jamila and 30-year-old dad Zambezi follows a 16-month pregnancy - confirmed last April by faecal hormone testing of Jamila’s progesterone levels that were tracked closely throughout her pregnancy. ·…

Auckland has just come out of another lockdown that has seen businesses closed, a return to bubbles and borders patrolled in a way that created a situation for some, more challenging than the level 4 lockdown. · And, yet the numbers of community transmission remain higher than they were when we returned to the new normal early in the year. · For the government, this is a huge risk to take, and it is obviously now a political move. Don’t get me…

As I write this month, Auckland is again in a Level 3 lockdown, with all the frustrations and irritations of that situation. I myself got caught up in a huge traffic jam, which had four lanes of traffic (including the bus lane) at a total stand-still for more than an hour, because of a mad rush of people wanting to get tested for the virus – and I doubt if anybody in that traffic jam was in fact wanting to get tested. I certainly didn’t. And…

The headline for this article is a double entendre, which I’m pointing out just in case anyone was thinking about getting offended. It’s Tick-The-Box time coming up again shortly in New Zealand, and where some folks may still not be completely au fait with the vagaries of the MMP voting system – whilst others, being more nerdy in a political sense, are better up with the play – it’s a less well-known given that the various recipients of the…

I’ve enjoyed 30 years of auditing the charities of NZ. The opportunity to meet people who passionately endeavour to improve the lives of those struggling with misfortune, is an everyday meeting with “Good Sorts”. I am equally amazed by New Zealander’s acceptance of the compassionate response to COVID-19, whereby the lives of the few vulnerable people mattered more than the personal freedom of many with healthy immune systems, as the team of 5…

When local foodie Suzanne Braks took over the running of both the Bombay and Papakura Autobahn restaurants on April 1st earlier this year, she could never have foreseen the snowball of events that a global pandemic would have on the business over the next month or two. Managing the businesses for many years, she took over to a business that was essentially unable to trade under a level 4 lockdown that went on until April 27. It was devastating,…

Many local businesses have adapted to a new normal over the last few months, and one standout has been the virtual reality options that are attached to the Golden Homes Show Home on the corner of McPherson and Karaka roads. Whilst you may not be able to attend the show home physically, or even if restrictions allow don’t feel comfortable doing so, you can wander around it from the comfort of your own living room with such realism, you can even…

A Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads and Fathers out there from the Papakura Business Association – we hope you have a fantastic day! Welcome to New Businesses into Papakura · We welcome Bullseye Accounting who have opened up on the Great South Road. · And Memory Layne who have opened up in O’Shannessey Street. · Our Wonderful Businesses and Business Owners · Check out pages 16 & 17 to see the wonderful faces of business people and owners and…

As I’m standing in my kitchen looking at the groove worn into the floor from my endless trips to the fridge, I’m suddenly reminded that Spring is only days away. And this is great news, because at the end of a spring day, everyone should smell like sweat … from the effects of a workout. · And there’s that feeling of anticipation, a countdown to warm welcoming days with bounties involving BBQ’s and good times with friends. And for most that…

Local builder Mike Wilson is the proud Stroud Homes franchisee for the South Auckland area. With 33 successful franchises in Australia and 6 in New Zealand, the Stroud Homes franchise is a name fast becoming associated with style, quality, attention to detail and trust. With a trusted builder like Mike at the helm of the team, who has over 16 years experiences in the building trade choosing to build your home with Mike and Stroud is a decision…