May 2021

Increasing numbers of Aucklanders are turning to environmental activism as concern mounts over Tūpuna Maunga Authority’s plans to destroy 2500 healthy mature trees on the city’s volcanic cones (maunga). Most Aucklanders had not heard of the Authority until 2019, when it began clear-felling exotic trees on Mangere Mountain, Pigeon Mountain / Ōhuiarangi and Mt Wellington / Maungarei. It was stopped in its tracks by the Honour the Maunga community…

How does the TH1 and TH2 Immune system work? Do vaccines affect the immune system balance?

How does the TH1 and TH2 Immune system work? Do vaccines affect the immune system balance?

The Franklin region, and especially Pukekohe is well known for several things. It is the hub of New Zealand’s best volcanic fertile soils where the internationally renowned Long Keeper Onions are grown and Possum Bourne, champion race car driver was born here. It will come as no surprise then to many locals that it will soon have a new claim to fame. That of the biggest car service workshop in New Zealand when the brand new Ebbett Autovillage…

“Change is never painful, it is resistance to change.” — Buddha By the time you read this, it will already be the month of May, nearly halfway through the year of 2021 and if you are anything like me, the days just seem to be galloping past. The temperature has dropped, the nights have drawn in and everyone seems to be going about their business pretty much as per usual. May is a special month, named after Maia, the Greek God of fertility and…

Everybody loves a story. Telling stories is an age-old art form, and a good story well told stays long in the memories of its listeners or readers. This May, Franklin Writers Group is offering the chance to compose your own short story and finally let the ideas buzzing around in your head, the opportunity to get out. The Franklin Writers' Group's biennial short story competition is on now. Past competitions have proved popular, with up to 100…

With stunning views of Lake Tekapo and the Southern Alps on its doorstep sits another of New Zealand’s most photographed churches. The small Anglican church in the south island named The Church of The Good Shepherd. With intent to create a place of worship and as a memorial to the pioneers of Mackenzie Country, a successful appeal for funds was granted in October 1934 and was the church was consecrated August 1935. It was designed by…

For over a decade Franklin’s local historical societies have campaigned to save the station building but finally they have admitted defeat. The building will be lost to the district it has served for more than one hundred years. It was the oldest publicly accessible building in the town. It became impossible to progress the plan for restoration and repurposing of the building without KiwiRail’s assurance it could be returned to the railway area…

March 2021 was a month of firsts! But quite a mixed bag and the effects of some have yet to be seen in the market: Median days to sell the lowest for a March since records began. Inventory levels continue to fall, placing pressure on the housing market, decreasing 6.1% in March 2021 from March 2020 levels – in total that is 1265 fewer properties available to the market and 8791 fewer than March 2019 [national data] More than 1/3 selling by…

Death, Taxes and… “Sarcopenia”. Now, I’m sure you’re wondering what I’m on about, but before you ask auntie Google, let me quickly explain. Sarcopenia is the age-related loss of muscle mass. And yep, if you do nothing to reverse that process it is a certainty in life. In fact, following a 2014 study by UCLA and published in the American Journal of Medicine and subsequent studies by Sao Paulo’s Medical School in Brazil and Harvard Medical…

Happy Mother's Day! Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mothers on Sunday 9th of May 2021. We wish you all a truly happy and wonderful day. Papakura Streetfest 2021 Make sure you diary this date – Saturday 8th of May in Papakura. Our third annual StreetFEST is back from 10 am to 2 pm. There will be lots of community stalls, sustainable stalls, arts and crafts, sports clubs, emergency services, and family activities. Live entertainment, bands,…

Local woman Leslea Eilenberg has always been one to challenge herself. Avid elocal readers will remember her last achievements competing in world triathlons including Kona Ironman and Hawaii. Now, she has gone even further! Breaking all records for her age and weight at the International Oceania Powerlifting Championships and a Silver Medal in the Worlds Masters Games Triathlon. It all started when a gorgeous friend and patient Rachael was…

Many New Zealanders are traditionally keen on outdoor pursuits such as hunting and fishing and with gun ownership rising so is the interest in gun related sports. New Zealanders have a proud level of achievement in sports such as shooting and elocal has discovered one such local hero in the form of David Butler. Dave, as he likes to be called, can be found during working hours down at the Rusty Dog, eager to share his knowledge about all things…

Tommy could be described as a quiet over achiever. Imported by Nicola d’Almeida from Scotland in 2013, as a three year old, he was originally destined to be bred from. A pure-bred, Black Tabiano Gypsy Cob stallion, he stands at a sturdy 150cm. Kind-hearted, with a beautiful head and with very correct movement, it was evident to Nicola and fellow equestrian enthusiast Chanelle Reid that he was a very special horse. “I’ve been more or less…

Hang on Puke! We’re teetering at the top of a roll coaster ride called ‘progress’. On the downhill slope we’ll see our town irrevocably changed and our lifestyle changing too. In some areas, back yards and tree lined streets become a thing of the past with increasing density of housing permitted. Pukekohe has been packaged and sold as an attractive little country town, complete with heritage buildings, plenty of green spaces and tree lined…

“I need to photograph my family, while my kids are growing up, they look so cute at this age! I must organize a photographer soon, something better than the images I take on my phone...” Can you relate to this? If this sounds like you, give me a call. I will photograph your family, your kids, your grandkids. If you are a grandparent and would love to get all your grown-up kids together with your grandkids, this can also be organized. We will…

A couple of issues back, I wrote about the way in which the Government had passed legislation under urgency to prevent ratepayers having any right to demand a referendum before local authorities establish Maori wards, as a previous Labour Government had explicitly legislated for. I want to discuss this issue a bit further because I’ve had some people say to me that the Treaty gave Maori New Zealanders a constitutional preference, a special…

A poem commemorating Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (10 June 1921 – 9 April 2021). Do not look at me with sorrow, Simply because I sit alone. It is a choice I chose to make To compose the shivers from my bone. Do not look at this with pity, As it was what I chose to do. It was Philips place to be, I wanted to show that to all of you. My world of love is shattered, And my heart is broke in two But as the…

Auckland Council obviously doesn’t bother to look back on past mistakes by previous versions of the original Auckland City Council. They should take the time to read Graham WA Bush’s “Advance In Order” written in 1991, with a council committee overview under Cath Tizard, the then Mayor of Auckland City. This book covered the events and history time line from 1971 to 1989. Further valuable information is also available from Graham Bush’s earlier…

The month of May is action-packed with the Government’s Budget (May 20) and the RBNZ’s Monetary Policy Statement (May 26). And this week, we get the RBNZ’s semi-annual Financial Stability Report (FSR). Unfortunately, even before its release, the FSR has lost some of its allure. We learnt last week in the media the RBNZ will not include a response to the Minister of Finance on DTI and interest only lending restrictions. The RBNZ is likely to…

There she goes, New Zealand’s Wonder Woman, striking a model’s pose on the cover of yet another women’s magazine, Thrive, dedicated to the wellness mantras Ardern herself spouts. Its subtitle – ‘Care’ – tells us ‘How Jacinda looks after herself (and us)’, the article gushing about the cup of tea Clarke Gayford, the father of her daughter, brings her every morning; how he makes her breakfast if she is in a rush; sends her nice little texts and…

Karikari Peninsula is renowned for its amazing white sandy beaches and bays such as popular Maitai Bay.