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Dr Patrick Caragata is the architect and inventor of the models and methodologies of Rapid Ratings (www.rapidratings.com), including the programmed language in the automated reports. Born in Toronto, Patrick received his PhD from the University of Toronto in 1981. He is a former Chief Tax Policy Advisor and Special Adviser Taxation Economics with the New Zealand Inland Revenue Department, Chief Economist of the New Zealand Ministry of Energy,…

A Family Tribute from the Heard and du Plessis families to the late-Lt.Col.(Rtd) James Heard, RNZA Determined. That’s a word you could use to describe James Heard. You hear hints of his determination in the stories told by his peers in the military. They’ll tell you that in his thirties, James’ fitness testing results were better than men half his age. You hear it in the stories told by his family. They’ll tell you he was so good at rugby…

Impressed with the service they received from New Zealand Home Loans when sorting out their own financial affairs, John and Liz van Winden jumped at the chance to help others when the local Pukekohe franchise become available. The couple, who have lived locally for many years and have a strong bond with the community, began helping clients in 2002 and pride themselves on maintaining a friendly rapport with every single one of their customers,…

Ever since its inception the internet has been awash with a whole new array of descriptive terminologies and over time conceivably an entire new language has been created that includes things like MEME, LOL, IMHO, BTW. There is even a handy dandy little translator that will translate the internet language for you. ( www.transl8it.com/index.php) · It has also revolutionised the way we receive and digest our information, and this includes…

Adam Mainey has always enjoyed keeping fit. From his younger years playing sport, to his previous jobs as a Bricklayer and running his own Masonry business, he was always challenged, or so he thought, until the day he changed careers and tried Crossfit for the first time. He says he had done the gym thing before and never got into it, but Crossfit beat him up and he fell in love with the challenge of it and its community of people. · From…

A lot has been made in recent times of investment in quality transport infrastructure, improved public transport and congestion reduction; all culminating in a decision between the Green Party and Labour Party arm of the Coalition Government for “rapid light rail” (modern trams) to run from the CBD to the Auckland Airport. As a member of the team at the Campaign for Better Transport (CBT) and the National Co-ordinator of the Public Transport…

There are two pieces of legislation wending their way through Parliament at the moment designed to further entrench the crazy notion that the Treaty of Waitangi created an obligation on governments nearly 200 years later to treat anybody with a Maori ancestor in some kind of preferential way. One is the Public Service Bill, introduced to Parliament last month and now being considered by the Governance and Administration select committee. It…

The team at Advantage Tyres on Manukau Road know a thing or two about tyres. Owned and operated by Matt Keller, he and his team are trained specialists and have been in the industry for a total of 72 years collectively! They are the go-to team for all your tyre needs and arguably Pukekohe’s leading wheel alignment specialists. “The reason to invest in good quality tyres lays in their compounds since the best tyres on the market contain almost…

With all the latest statistics on violence and the impact it has on all those involved, including the rising numbers of offenders in prison you’d be forgiven for thinking that someone somewhere must have a grand plan. Turns out not really. Well, there is the usual political posturing around solutions, from “getting tougher on crime” to the other end of the scale where the focus is community-based rehabilitation. But none of that really helps…

Did you know that in Papakura we have: · Sushi places Cafes Bakeries Barber Shops Gyms and the Rec Centre Health places including Physio, Doctors, foot clinic, Massage places, Lab tests, Family Planning, Medicine clinics, Chiropractic, Hand clinic and more. Dental Clinics Accountancy Firms Banks Finance Companies Valuers Design and Architecture Firms Optometrists Churches Opportunity, Second hand and Charity Stores…