January 2021

Earlier this year, I wrote a column headed “The country is going mad”. I was wrong: we have already gone mad. I produce three pieces of evidence. The first relates to the very widespread push in recent months to create Maori wards in local government: New Plymouth, Tauranga, Kaipara, Whangarei, Northland, Taupo, Gisborne, Ruapehu, Nelson and South Taranaki. In several of those…

My column this month argues that we’ve gone mad, with the widespread push to create local government wards based on race; with the increasing use of the Maori language in situations where almost nobody understands it; and with the rather ridiculous assertion that in 1840 Maori chiefs didn’t really surrender sovereignty to the British Crown – despite the clear wording of the…

ClearSky Accounting is brand new to Pukekohe but have operated in the South Auckland area since 1993. They have a new, modern up to date business model, a brand-new building ClearSky House in central Pukekohe and they are looking to help local businesses and start-ups in the often-confusing areas of Tax, Accounting and Bookkeeping. Established by local Glenda Rogers and backed…

Its always great to have feedback from our readers good or bad, have a read of a few of the latest ones to cross the desk. As always, if there is a story you want to see, email us at editorial@elocal.co.nz. Thank you for the nicely assembled article for South Auckland Woodturners. It is great to see this. You will be pleased to know that our sale this year is going very well,…

We’re ready to go for another year! It’s been great to have some time with family over the holiday period and reflect on 2020, we know what we need to do for 2021 and look forward to meeting more wonderful people around Franklin. Give us a call to find out how the power of two can work for you!

If you live on a lifestyle property or small rural holding there is a strong likelihood that you have trees or a shelter belt. Therefore, it is inevitable at some stage you will need to fell them due to age or disease or harvest the trees for repurposing or replanting. PTT is based in Bombay and has operated in the wider Auckland area since 2013 and is recognized as a top…

Ensom Funeral Services recognises that each family's needs are different and, with that in mind, they take the time to prepare a unique and fitting tribute and farewell. It is the emphasis on providing personal advice and assistance to grieving families that sets Ensom Funeral Services apart. The friendly and professional team at Ensom Funeral Services has been part of the…

Covid 19 sure put the handbrake on 2020 and as a result is a year that many of us would rather forget. The worldwide pandemic created havoc through all aspects of everyday life including the fun we have with cars. Fortunately for us all here in New Zealand there has been a sense of normality or an appreciation for a "new normal". A Covid delayed Beach Hop in Whangamata was no…

Pukekohe High School senior students have again earned a significant number of valuable tertiary scholarships for study in the years ahead. The range of financial grants from many tertiary providers totals well over six figures allowing these students a sound financial start to their academic pathway. In each case they recognise the hard work and application displayed at…

Bees are the world's most numerous and arguably most essential livestock. Going quietly about their buziness in farms and gardens all over the country, honey bees are directly responsible for earning us billions of dollars in gross domestic product. They make honey, of course, but more importantly they pollinate horticultural and specialty agricultural crops, and by pollinating…

Most New Zealand's will know Andrew Bayly as a community man and a local MP, only a few will know the other side of his life, the Andrew Bayly who is an adventurer. He has climbed mountains, both here and internationally. Trekked to both the North and South Poles, a feat that gains him a place in an exceedingly small club, as he is one of only 140 explorers who can make this…

Famous for its long keeper onions, former champion rally car driver, Possum Bourne and its sports facility, Park Raceway, Pukekohe is a vibrant town with a rich melting pot of diversity, culture and plenty of things to see and do. Founded in 1880 with large areas of volcanic land, Pukekohe’s main rural activity is market gardening known for its large vegetable growing industry…

It has been 13 years since we have seen sales hit over 10,000 in a month but that’s what happened last month – against a backdrop of low level of listings. There are a good number coming to the market but the high turnover rate means that there are not enough for the demand that exists. A persistent lack of stock is contributing to the rising house values – this is particularly…

The recent Grand Opening of Stroud Homes Pokeno Pukekohe branch was well attended from interested parties both locally and further afield. The partly fun day with refreshments and activities for the kids was designed to show the new building approach that Stroud Homes offers those wanting to build a quality home at a very affordable price. “It was a successful Grand Opening,…

The Business Association hopes you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year and an enjoyable and safe break. New Businesses in Papakura We welcome: Totally Chicken in O’Shannessey Street Xuemei Hair Dressing and Beauty in the Selwyn Centre, 182 Great South Road Where to Eat Guide Our up to date Where to Eat Guide is now out and if you didn’t receive a copy in the post, please…

The nation’s most prestigious and competitive polo event, the BMW NZ Polo Open will be held at the Auckland Polo Club, Clevedon on Sunday 21st February. 2021 will mark the 44th year for the renowned NZ Polo Open that is cemented as a summer highlight on New Zealand’s sporting and social calendar. Despite this year with Covid-19 and the current border restrictions Lucy Ainsley,…

That’s a very real experience for many who are dealing with addiction. Now I’m not talking about taking your phone to the bathroom, but food addiction. An issue that stems from chemicals that routinely screw with the functions in the brain. And we can break that down a bit further, because what happens in the case of food addiction, actually only happens in the “animal” or…

When Whitecliffe art graduate Rachel Allen choose her theme for her end of year exhibition, little did she know that real life would indeed imitate art with the events of 2020 as a real-life virus swept the world. What was going to be a full-on year of creativity in the Whitecliffe studios, surrounded by an abundance of supplies and resources became a year of adaptation and…

A series of photos from the Papakura Rotary Santa Parade on 6 Dec 2020. Photos by Poppa G's Pictures.

A series of photos from Last Night Festive Fun in Papakura on 10 Dec 2020. Photos by Poppa G's Pictures.

‘[This] has been the busiest, gloomiest and most exciting fortnight I have ever passed. The war has suddenly left Taranaki and broken out here.’ So wrote Rev Vicesimus Lush, Anglican minister, in his journal on July 19th 1863. Only a month before, he had speculated that the fighting was not expected to ‘extend beyond the Taranaki.’ With war breaking out within his parish borders,…

New Zealand has been applauded globally for its apparent success in limiting COVID-19 infections and death. It is true that New Zealanders enjoy liberties in their day-to-day lives that are not available to others around the globe. But a question remains that is relevant to both this pandemic and the next. At what cost was the success achieved? Available evidence suggests that…

We reached Egypt after navigating our way north through Ethiopia and Sudan. Both countries were experiencing political unrest and civil uprising, so it was a difficult journey to say the least! During our drive, we looked at Egypt as our safe haven destination. However, the day we crossed the border at Wadi Halfa, there was a terrorism attack targeting a tourism bus. Our safe…