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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 …

New Zealand has changed dramatically in a week in response to Covid-19. Fundamental rights and liberties have been curtailed to assist in suppressing the virus. From a legal history perspective, this is similar to what New Zealand experienced in World Wa…

The Free Speech Coalition is preparing to launch an urgent judicial review of the Ministry of Culture and Heritage’s decision to deem non-daily newspapers and publications not an essential service for the purposes of the COVID-19 Level-4 nationwide shutd…

Day 7 Update: Good progress with local community response teams contacting the most vulnerable, distributing full face shields to pharmacists, doctors, dentists and trying to use fresh produce grown in Franklin to help feed our most vulnerable.

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…

If you are looking for a reliable cleaning service for your home, business or bach; Home and Away Professional Cleaning Services is your one-stop cleaning shop. Let that stress melt away and get back to enjoying the things you love, rather than worrying …

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 …

Pukekohe Christian School, located at 82 Yates Road, Pukekohe, is a small and welcoming private school. The school offers a supportive environment for Year 1 through to Year 13 students and provides the Cambridge curriculum from a Christian worldview. Th…

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…

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 * E…

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…

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…