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Legend has it that a car’s insurance policy become instantly invalid for the time it circles the chaotic Arc De Triomphe. So far during our expedition Gunther has obtained 34 different insurance policies! Many countries along route require their local insurance by law to pass through. It’s been a huge unexpected cost and administrative challenge to the expedition for us. We’ve…

MATARIKI IN PAPAKURA Check out the beautiful Matariki Flags flying high down the Great South Road in Papakura. And if you go to www.papakura.co.nz you will see all the Matariki Events happening around the town that you can participate in under our Events Section. MORE MURALS FOR PAPAKURA Wow – we have 24 of these murals in our town now … and if you fancy an art map walk to…

The Auckland housing sales data for the month of May is showing no hint that the restrictions introduced in March are having any impact on the prices or sales volume. The median house price for Auckland for the period rose over the record achieved in April 2021 and the highest May on record for 4 years. The Auckland median price of $1,073,000 was up 2.2% from April which rose…

Many people do not have to file with the Inland Revenue Department if their income is already taxed, but it is still worth checking as there are many times when expenses can be claimed. Donations to approved charitable organisations mean you can claim a 33% refund. This is well worth having, even if only to donate it again. You can file your receipts as you receive them or save…

The current housing boom is over-represented in media stories on a daily basis, but Navigation Homes Pukekohe Franchise owners Nathan Hall and Ryan Keegan believe that the people in the greater Pukekohe area have one massive advantage when it comes to building their dream home and that is the availability of quality land to build on. “We have land available, lots of it, and…

We all know people who seem to be constantly striving to better themselves. It can by physically whether it be in a gym, running longer or running faster, lifting heavier or loosing weight. Some people give up a vice, such as alcohol or sugar for a month or longer and there are any number of charities that offer monthly fundraising challenges that you can align yourself too. Some…

It was Nelson Mandela that said, ‘Since the dawn of history, mankind has honoured and respected brave and honest people’. Certainly the announcement of the New Zealand Royal honours is highly anticipated. Announced twice a year – on the official Queen’s Birthday in early June and New Year’s Eve – the awards recognise New Zealanders who have served their country or who have made…

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s a pleasure to be in Auckland for the 28th New Zealand First Party Conference. It is our intention and mission to remain the most successful political party outside of National and Labour in the last three decades. So many scribes have tried, and continue to, write our obituary. But we are here today, as always steadfast and resolved to put New Zealand…

Dr Sam responds to the ‘egregious’ personal attack on Dr Simon Thornley, epidemiologist and senior lecturer at the University of Auckland, that was recently published by Stuff.

Doctors for Covid Ethics, April 30, 2021 — COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers have been exempted from legal liability for vaccine-induced harm. It is therefore in the interests of all those authorising, enforcing and administering COVID-19 vaccinations to understand the evidence regarding the risks and benefits of these vaccines, since liability for harm will fall on them. In…

A voyage into how the medical system has lost contact with its very purpose. Can medicine ever redeem itself after the fiasco of 2020?

Asymptomatic Transmission? Sounds pretty dodgy. Time to blow the lid on this one...

The building industry is booming. You will be familiar with the incredible growth in our region. As a result, builders, engineers, planners, consultants, and tradespeople are in strong demand and for those whose homes are being built, new pressures on supply and resource is starting to emerge. In this current climate, this pressure can be reduced if you build with a trusted and…

On the 20th April Panuku Development and Auckland Transport rolled out an ‘exciting temporary trial’ on King Street with a focus on making it safer for people to walk around Pukekohe. The idea? Make King Street one way. Chaos ensued. Drivers felt less safe when they were suddenly unable to access King Street from the main Manukau Road roundabout and the general response to…

War is a barbaric evil stain on our past, but it happened, and the stories live on in its survivors and we owe it to them to retell and remember so that we never endure such suffering again. The Dutch East Indies campaign of 1941–1942 was the conquest of the Dutch East Indies (present-day Indonesia) by forces from the Empire of Japan in the early days of the Pacific campaign of…

Many of us spend our Saturday’s watching kid’s sports games, with family and friends lunching and catching up on the week’s events or engaged in activities slightly different to the Monday to Friday routine. Then there are those who challenge themselves and inspire others like Wenny Lubbers, Operations Manager at Versatile Pukekohe. On the 22nd of May, he was climbing the 328…

When the current and returning members of the Waiuku Golf club gather to play at the Club’s 100th Year centennial celebration weekend in June, they will be thankful that the hazards they encounter are not hoof marks from cattle and sheep and fences around all the greens and gullies full of tea-tree and prickly blackberries as was the case in the early years of the course.…

The recently announced 2021 Budget was an opportunity missed. With vaccination programmes underway and many countries progressively opening their borders, it’s time to reset and better position our economy for growth. This Budget should have delivered a pathway back to prosperity and to reduce the debt burden on future generations, but instead of supporting businesses to create…

Situated in the far north of the country with beautiful sandy beaches, plenty of history and no shortage of land and water activities sits the popular tourist destination, Paihia. With Waitangi directly to its north, Russell across the shore by ferry and situated only 23 kilometres south-east of Kerikeri (the largest town in Northland) Paihia makes an ideal spot for tourists with…

The strength or success of anything in life is measured in numbers and the annual Repco Beach Hop in Whangamata is no exception. After 21 years it has become Australasia's largest event of its type catering for automotive fun and rock and roll music. With last year's Covid delayed event being held in November, it gave the Beach Hop crew only a few months between this year's event…