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Jason Tabrum has experienced some extremes in his career, most recently from working in and around the city of Perth. Traditionally known for its mining industry, it can be a hard environment. Tabrum though, excelled in his chosen career of real estate,…

As this edition goes to press, New Zealand and the world are approaching the anniversary of the horrific events in Christchurch on March 15th 2019. Nearly a year on from that dreadful day, what has changed about New Zealand – both for the better, and mor…

Being impartial means not being prejudiced towards or against any particular side, and to be fair and balanced. In the world of media, this used to be a standard that many just accepted to be what happened. These days though, with the advance of digital …

It seems no time at all since we were celebrating (or lamenting) the election of the Labour-New Zealand First-Green Government in 2017. And now, in little more than six months’ time, we’re going to the polls again. As I write in the middle of February, …

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 backgr…

Jeffery Archer is a bestselling English author who it can be claimed has enjoyed a somewhat colourful life, including an Oxford Education, training to join the police and army, becoming a physical education teacher before serving as a member of the Brit…

I jumped on those scales and cried. And now this is the start of the rest of my life. Stephanie Hooper had always been big. As a child and throughout her teenage years she sought comfort in food as a way of dealing with life, until a series of events lea…

Not strangers to building a new house Maggie and Steve Bygate are truly enthusiastic when they describe how much they like Navigation Homes ProNav App Smartphone tool that they were able to utilise during their recent build in the Paerata Rise community.

It beggars belief that at this critical point in earth’s history when climate change is making its presence felt, Auckland city is set to lose thousands more trees. We have already lost one third of our tree canopy between 2012 and 2017 according to Dr M…

For the third successive year the annual North Island Donkey & Mule Society Show was held at the Counties Dog Training club grounds at Kidd Elliot Park in Te Hi Hi. This year the show also incorporated the National Miniature Donkey Show. Fortunately the …

In August 1838, the New Zealand Association reformed as the second New Zealand Colonisation Company. It required massive capital to start up, but there was still interest following the first New Zealand Company which had been propelled by positive report…

He was an American writer and visual artist of experimental novels and a primary figure in the Beat Generation movement. His influence affected literature and 1960s counter culture figures and he lived a wild ride of a life that included addiction and a …

Once again I was called up to join the judging team for the prestigious America’s Most Beautiful Roadster award. This has been running since 1949 at the Grand National Roadster Show held on the last weekend of January at the Pomona Fairplex in California…

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 wi…

The season is approaching fast and we have achieved a huge amount as a club over the last few months. The Franklin United Youth Academy is merging its 13 and 14 grade teams (boys and girls) together with the South Auckland Elite Academy to build quality …

As the obesity epidemic in New Zealand surges ahead, more people are looking for real solutions. But interestingly, obesity figures are rising despite the fact that overall, the population’s energy intake has dropped. The explanation for this seemingly b…

NEW BUSINESSES IN TOWN Welcome to: • Sammie Nicole Nails – who has come back to Papakura • Little Flock of Horrors – fabulous Merino who have moved in the Great South Road • Transparent Accounting who have joined as an Associate Member • Eight Lim…

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 yo…

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 Toront…

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 …