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Menopause is a normal part of life; you are said to have reached menopause after 12 months in a row of no further periods. The usual age is between 45 to 55 years old. The average in NZ is 52 years old. · About 70% of women have significant symptoms with menopause and 40% will see a doctor because of their symptoms. Symptoms vary hugely in severity with some women having very little discomfort, while others are affected to the extent of being…

The name “Autobahn” is synonymous in Europe with long, fast open stretches of motorway and cafes that specialise in serving healthy, sustainable, and delicious food to everyone. Thanks to Erich and Margaret Dornauer, a local couple with a European background, this same recipe for success can also be found right here in two locations close to Pukekohe / Papakura townships. The couple started the first Autobahn Cafe in August 1994. Located within…

Today, Moriori are trying to restore their place in the public consciousness as the tchakat henu (tangata whenua) of the Chatham Islands, but they’re up against some competition. Recent vandalism of Moriori cultural artefacts recalls an ancient feud which dates back to Moriori being both persecuted and ignored by two peoples. In their heyday, the Moriori numbered 2000 people, but their idyll was to be violently shattered, all within a decade… Li…

‘O jogo bonito’, or the Beautiful Game, is a phrase made popular by Brazilian professional footballer Pelé, to describe Football or Soccer, a team game, which is played by 250 million players in over 200 countries and dependencies, making it the world's most popular sport. In New Zealand, it is enjoying a refreshing resurgence, with increased international success at youth level tournaments, local players like Sarpreet Singh reaching dizzying…

Through all of history, everywhere in the world, recorded or otherwise, it has been proclaimed that The End is Nigh. Preachers, politicians, protestors, pundits of every ilk and hue; from the pulpit to the podium to the sandwich board in the street, all manner of doomsayers have sung and shouted and chanted their various predictions as to the impending demise of Mankind. One day, of course, one of them will be proved right; but when that…

National residential building brand Jennian Homes has once again outclassed its rivals with a medal haul to be proud of in the annual Registered Master Builders 2019 House of the Year Awards Following a local win in the Auckland Master Builders Awards Programme, Jennian Homes Franklin has advanced to win the National Supreme Award in the category of New Home to $450,000 – Group Housing. · The company has a proud record in the annual awards,…

Considered a prolific underground writer who wrote short stories, novels and poems that reflected on the social, cultural and economic ambience of urban life in a downtrodden America Society came the German-American writer, Charles Bukowski. An outrageous anti -hero literary figure, Charles Bukowski was arguably one of the greatest American writers with detractors who charged him with being crude, vulgar and racist, while fans praised him for…

Reviewed by Janet Pates. This book has been described as a biography and indeed, the early pages do present the reader with a picture of the writer’s life. Gwen Francis attributes the wisdom portrayed in the book to her background in farming, teaching, sport, business and community affairs. Having trained and taught as a Home Economics teacher in her younger days, she then furthered her education later in life, with a BA majoring in World…

But its not all doom and gloom, we can empower ourselves and those close to us to minimise the likelihood of being affected by it. In actual fact, there’s no one better equipped than ourselves to take those crucial steps. One year ago, almost to the day, the results of this country’s latest crime and victim survey, conducted by the Justice Ministry, was released. A report described by experts as “the most comprehensive report ever undertaken…

Time sure flies when you are having fun! It seems like yesterday that we attended the annual Rebel Round Up at Pukekohe Park Raceway and it’s on again Saturday 15th February. The hot rod and custom car themed event tips its hat to the whole culture around it celebrating days gone by with live bands, retro fashion and of course the old style hot rods and customs themselves. The action packed event is a celebration of everything old & cool with…