All articles

A look at some of the weird and sometimes very sad unsolved crimes and mysteries of New Zealand. A relatively new country by most standards, New Zealand is most likely not at the top of the list when it comes to unsolved crimes and mysteries, but there have been some spine-tingling events that have taken place on our quiet isles throughout the years, some of which have been highly documented and some that have remained under the radar. In the…

It’s probably not surprising, considering we live in one of the most isolated countries in the world, that us Kiwis love to fly the coop and travel around the world to far flung destinations and there’s nothing we love more than visiting warm climates for the summer, where we can lay on the beach, get a tan and check out the stunning views. While places like Rarotonga, Hawaii and Samoa might be on the top of most people’s ‘must visit’ lists, we…

When Michael Walters' father arrived home with his son's birthday present, it wasn't just Michael who got a surprise. For his mother, Helen, it was a day she wouldn't forget in a hurry. “I'd taken Michael to school the morning of his birthday but had a call at lunchtime asking me to pick him up. He'd come down with chicken pox. · “I collected Michael, picked up our other son, James, from his school and came home to be confronted by a new - and…

New Zealand Hot Rod Magazine’s Rob Campbell passed away 17th of September 2018. Rob Campbell, to me earned his title “Rodfather Rob” due to his influential role in the formation of organised hot rodding in New Zealand. Rob was part of the small team which started the New Zealand Hot Rod Magazine in 1967 but prior to that Rob was already an avid hot rodder when hot rodding first began in New Zealand during the fifties. Based in the Ellerslie…

In 1963, somebody dug up evidence that man may have been in the Hawkes Bay area 4500 years ago, and instantaneously his revelation was buried. · Surely not, I hear you say to yourself, if somebody unearthed indisputable evidence, wouldn’t that be enough? Surely the entire history of this country would be rewritten, wouldn’t it? It wouldn’t. Let’s learn about some scientists who disputed the indisputable and buried the evidence. · In 1963,…

In recent months, we have seen a rash of strikes – teachers and nurses in particular, with other sectors suggesting that they may strike also unless the people who work in those sectors get a substantial wage or salary increase. Of course, people say, that’s what you’d expect when we have a Labour- New Zealand First Coalition Government. They’re a worker-friendly government, so naturally there’ll be more strikes. I don’t doubt that there is…

While our warmest seasons are gearing up and thoughts of spending more time outdoors is on everyone’s minds, The Auckland Motorcycle Club will instead be mourning a loss on the now closed KartSport Mount Wellington. For forty years, The Auckland Motorcycle Club has been prominent figures in all aspects of motorcycling and road racing, especially Karting, Bucket and side car racing, hiring out Kartsport every weekend for the last thirty years,…

Road Safety reminder from Counties Manukau Police for the upcoming holiday period. I’m sure like most of you out there your fingers are currently crossed that the warm sunny weather is here for the next few months. Along with the warmer weather comes our community getting out and about around our stunning district. It’s timely for us to all take a moment to think about road safety and how to keep each and every one of us around for Christmas.…

What has been happening for the month of November. It’s been an exciting few months for us with several projects we have been working on for a long time becoming reality. Just a few weekends ago we joined residents at a community day to open a new playground in Kauri Reserve in Takanini. Located within a new housing area, the playground is designed for a range of ages to have fun and be challenged. What was great about this project was…

NEW BUSINESSES IN TOWN: Out of Space and The Local Business Network both from Papakura joining as Associate Members · Toy World Pop Up Store next door to BNZ in Great South Road St Johns Opportunity Store next door to the Post Office in the Great South Road · CHRISTMAS IN PAPAKURA: So much happening Christmas Decorations going up around town on the week commencing 19th of November Rotary Santa Parade – Sunday 2nd of December at 3 pm. …