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Our township was carved out of dense bush in the 1860’s when immigrants moved onto the land and created a community from scratch with just hand tools, their own labour and a desire to make a better life for themselves and their families. At first there were scattered houses - not tidy weatherboard cottages, but slab huts and ponga whares – it took a while before proper wooden houses with floors and windows became the norm. The settlement was…

Four books from the same publisher which are briefly outlined in the fore pages appear to take approaches commensurate with those found in Free Speech Under Attack though there is little overlap in authorship. · In chapter one Jeremy Fisher describes the appalling punishments inflicted on people for speech that offended the authorities in Britain and New Zealand up to 1840, in the latter case before British justice intervened. In chapter two he…

Whatever reservations one might have regarding the wisdom of holding an election on the day of a full moon, Britain has just done just that, and the result has been a stunning but completely predictable victory for Boris Johnson and the Conservatives. I say completely predictable because many mainstream media polls failed to predict it; and much accompanying commentary in the Press was equally vague, evasive, and downright contrary, where…

elocal sat down with Shane Jones at the recent New Zealand First Christmas function. Below are excerpts from that conversation. elocal: · Shane going back to the last election Winston said that capitalism no longer works. What do you think he meant by that? · SJ: · I think that the engines of growth. I’m firmly of the view are well known. It’s just how you distribute a dividend of growth. I suspect that’s what he was actually referring to…

For business owners, John and Catherine Bannister, the move completes what has been a very busy year for the family business. “It’s certainly been a busy year” says John. “Just like families, the flooring industry is constantly changing, the selections now available when it comes to the style, colour or material for your floor are vast and our move into new showroom has been designed to allow everyone to fully appreciate the vast array.” ·…

LIAM WHITER · 2019 Captain Liam Whiter commits to Franklin United for 2020. Pukekohe local Liam Whiter, with 32 appearances in the red, black and white uniform, 20 in 2019, has signed on for another season. The former Pukekohe High School student has two years of Franklin United First Team experience under his belt and is excited for the upcoming season, already training through the off-season. Coach Mark Holt said, “Liam is a real team…

When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, It’s all about understanding · There are very good reasons to see the New Year’s fitness and wellness resolution through. · I’m fairly confident that when Julius Caesar introduced the modern calendar in 45 BC it caused a stir among the Romans to find new ways to outdo each other with promises on how they would make their transition into the New Year worthy. And not a great deal has changed. · And…

Welcome to 2020! We hope you all had an amazing Christmas and New Year and an enjoyable and safe break. WELCOME TO OUR NEW BUSINESSES IN PAPAKURA! · All Done Up in Broadway Unique Fusion in O’Shannesssey Street Cozy Life Kitchens in Broadway Century 21 in Broadway Zarine Hair and Beauty in O’Shannessey Street · INSTAGRAM - LIVEPAPAKURA: · We are now on Instagram … so check us out at LivePapakura and start following the story and the…

For a family-friendly day out or a night to remember, you can’t go further than the Red Shed Palazzo, which is more than just an award winning café. Relax amongst the tranquil garden-setting during the day or check out the hugely popular dinner theatre events which take place regularly and include Faulty Towers, a hilarious night of entertainment, or enjoy the Hotel Ballé Ballé; a murder/mystery show, acted out by a local theatrical company,…

New Zealand is in danger of losing many of its precious heritage buildings as councils and owners struggle to cope with earthquake (seismic) issues and New Building Standards (NBS). Earthquake strengthening is now a huge concern for planners, builders and owners – and, because it’s a public safety issue, rightly so. · Unfortunately, the extent of its impact is only now being realised. · As an example, in Wellington about 600 buildings are…