December 2018

New Zealand was first settled in the 13th century, by Maori, right? Think again. The first people living in New Zealand weren’t masons or horticulturalists, right? Think again. For every library, government department, trust and iwi that tells you their version of New Zealand history, there are just as many alternative historians asking challenging questions, not to mention the hundreds of Maori elders whose ancient lore has never been taken…

Hard to imagine the end of yet another year is upon us and what a year it has been. Media seem to depict a gloomy picture, with house prices set to drop, rates to rise and business confidence at a nine year low, as companies worry about lack of direction in government policies, higher costs, softer demand and weaker profits. Nurses, teachers, support staff all have flexed their muscles with strikes to take advantage of a Labour Government…

Money for nothing? Of course, it's not that simple, but it's Claire McArthur's job to hunt down the best possible loan offer for her clients – and generally, there's no charge. Claire is a mortgage advisor with Personalised Mortgages Ltd, a premier mortgage brokering company that assists you to obtain the finance to get yourself into your dream home. Claire can also assist you with refinancing or consolidating your loans, and perhaps even get…

During 2018 there could have hardly been a soul who wasn’t aware that this year is the centenary of the end of World War I. Sadly, and inevitably, it turned out not to be the war to end all wars, but its horrific nature and consequences changed the way conflict was regarded for ever. Living at the bottom of the world, the horror of war is something most New Zealanders are fortunate enough never to have experienced. In the past we've fought…

From its early origins as farming land and as an undeveloped bush covered district where logs were once milled, the history of Opaheke and Ponga districts has undergone many changes throughout the years. Opaheke is part of the wider Papakura area and also provided two sites for American servicemen during World War 2. Its name literally translates to “the place where the large slip occurred” that refers to a major land slip that occurred on…

Saturday’s haka a poor symbol of multi-racial society In edition 211 there is an article on medical marijuana, in the ‘looking abroad’ section it talks about Sweden’s choice to have a zero-tolerance policy against drugs which as stated had a backlash of drug related deaths. I am confused why you used a negative example while talking about healthy drug control and use. However, Portuguese would be a positive example of change, their government…

We love to have fun in the sun, but it’s often human nature to visit the same tried and true holiday destinations every year. At elocal, we decided to come up with some great island hopping adventures that will give the family and friends a break, at the fraction of the cost of an island getaway overseas. Lucy Mullinger checks out some of the best islands to travel to around the country and this month, she looks at the islands around the City…

New Zealand might seem like a far-flung place isolated from the rest of the world, but we still have our fair share of weird and wonderful mysteries that remain unsolved. In fact, according to a report from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), obtained under the official information act, by Newshub in August this year, there had been 30 reports of UFOs seen in the New Zealand skies, including a "discshaped silver UFO with erratic vertical and…

Six months ago, I wrote a column about the five local referenda which defeated the attempt of five district councils to foist separate Maori wards on their districts. And about the open letter which Local Government New Zealand had written to the Government urging it to change the law so that citizens would no longer have the right to have a say on this issue. I decided to give the whole “Maori issue” a rest for the balance of the year. But a…

Annette Lees grew up in Whakatane and now lives with her family in the Waitakere River valley, close to Bethells Beach. A wild swimming enthusiast from childhood, she has just written a book that celebrates our national obsession with water – Swim: A year of swimming outdoors in New Zealand. Annette’s book chronicles her year-long odyssey to swim every day – without a wetsuit! – all over New Zealand. With a university degree in ecology and…

Many of us dream of living in a tiny house. Small, compact buildings that offer an appealing way to live more sustainably, providing smart, energy-efficient housing at low cost – one solution to meeting the challenge of New Zealand’s housing shortage and the financial shackles of long-term debt. People from all walks of life are now choosing to downsize; either to reduce debt or free up capital for their retirement. Others are doing it for…

In recent years, primarily at Meremere Dragway, New Zealand drag racing fans have been treated to some of the most extraordinary Top Fuel drag racing thanks to Marsh Motorsport and Mount Shop. Top Fuel is the highest ranked form of drag racing with nitromethane fuel being used to generate the most incredible drag racing experience for fans and racers alike. Due to the volatile nature of this form of drag racing, the Top Fuel class is also the…

Gold Bullion, Uranium, Loot… What really happened? Will we ever know? The ‘Monsun Gruppe’ Before continuing my attempt to reconstruct what I believe to be the fate of the crew of U-196 after they reached New Zealand, it might be useful to give readers an overview of the events surrounding U-196 at that time. Beginning in December 1942, the German navy had been requested to make a series of U-boat sailings to Japan, carrying highranking Japanese…

For all things, Jolly, Joyful and generally Christmassy, Papakura is your one stop Christmas stop this year. Having always had always had a strong community spirit, varied retail base with numerous eatery options, your local town centre has pulled out all the stops to make this festive season the best ever! During the Christmas season, the Papakura Business Association will be heavily involved in dressing up the town with decorations, flags and…

by Shelley Hedges In the first article of Simplifying the 1080 Evidence I looked at technical aspects of the scientific research, the effects on aquatic fauna particularly freshwater trout and eels, and at the 1080 concerns raised in the 2007 ERMA report. This article looks at how 1080 kills and potential impacts on human and animal food and health. Death by 1080 is an excruciating and inhumane way to kill any animal. It works by restricting…

She’s a bouncing black and white ball of fun, with the soul of an artist but aspirations to be the next Maradona. “Our five month old border collie puppy, Davinci, loves to play soccer any chance she can get her paws on a ball - inside or outside,” say her owners, Sara and Tom. “Border collies have so much energy, they really need something to keep them amused, and Davinci's obsessed with soccer.” Tom is Davinci's soccer coach, although it's…

A shortfall of 900 teachers today: 2,000 plus students without permanent teachers. By 2020 a shortage of 2,500 teachers. Costs driving teachers out of Auckland. Leaky homes! Housing shortages. House prices! The cost of energy: electricity and petroleum. Monopoly and duopoly markets operating with little effective control over pricing models. A billion dollars, annually, for the regions without any identified spending plan. 100,000 new homes in…

Motown Veteran Michael B. Sutton Launches The Sound of L.A. Entertainment Company with New Distribution Deal with Orchard/Sony. R&B, Pop, Jazz, Gospel and Dance Genres Gloriously Represented with Dynamic New Artists Title: Motown Magic with Veteran Michael B. Sutton Subtitle : Motown Veteran Michael B. Sutton Launches The Sound of L.A. Entertainment Company with New Distribution Deal with Orchard/Sony. R&B, Pop, Jazz, Gospel and Dance Genres…

(November, 16th, 2018 - Los Angeles) Dance music fans in Europe and abroad are intimately familiar with singer-songwriter Aneessa from her international club hits “Jamais,” "Superwoman,” “Dance with Me,” “Sur Mes Terres,” “I Can’t Let You Go” and “It’s on You.” Her album last album (released 2015) "Ce soir" racked up two-million streams in Asia alone. Now after a 3-year hiatus, Lady Aneessa has reinvented herself as just Aneessa now and is…

The Conveyancing Shop Lawyers walked away with two major Awards at the Westpac Auckland Business Awards this year for Excellence in Community Contribution and Excellence in Strategy and Planning. This is quite an achievement for a small family run business who were up against much larger players. Finalist in their categories included DHL Express NZ Limited, Manukau Urban Maori Authority, Park Supplies Company Limited, Legal Associates,…

For the eighteenth consecutive year the vegetable growers of Franklin will once again show their extreme generosity by donating produce to the annual Christmas appeal for the Salvation army.Which this year will occur on Wednesday the 19th of December Started by the Rotary Club of Drury in 2001 this has become a regular event in the week leading up to Xmas . Three big trucks each with a crew of three set out just after 8.00 am from the car…

As is the case in life it’s the little things we miss that get us into trouble. Being late to pick up your child from kindergarten. Cruising at 108 km / hr having forgotten that it’s a holiday weekend: suddenly reminded by the flashing red and blue and yes they’ve been turned on for you. And it’s all the little things rolled together that influence prices in the residential housing market. My favourite coffee shop now charges an extra 30 cents…

It’s hard to believe that Christmas is nearly upon us which means a lot of us will be out and about over the next month attending events residents travelling away to holiday destinations. It’s a good time to remind ourselves that we need to prepare ourselves and our vehicles to ensure we get there safely. Most of us are nearly in the holiday mode, which often includes enjoying BBQs, dinners and parties where alcohol is consumed. Please ensure…