July 2021

Mark Twain famously said, “it is easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled”. Whilst points of view can appear to be paradoxical, both right, sometimes this is illusory, and we need to go back to the basics. Real people live in three dimensions not two and so the solution to the illustration is to flip the number the right way up before interpreting it. The cartoonist was messing with their heads. If the Governments…

While PCR is an incredibly useful tool for medical research, its use in diagnosing infectious diseases in humans has long been considered inappropriate, and scientifically ignorant. In this video, Dr Sam examines the science of PCR, and explains why this is the case.

The NZ medical authorities and mainstream media push their vaccine propaganda and continue to cry "misinformation" when serious concerns about the vaccine are raised. Some groups have declared the vaccine unfit for use in humans, but the authorities refuse to change their script...

In Australia, independent Members of Parliament are challenging the Government as to why off-label use of safe, low-cost medications such as ivermectin are being ignored, or even actively suppressed, despite numerous peer-reviewed clinical studies proving their effectiveness. In this video, MP Craig Kelly discusses a recent meta-analysis of 24 randomised controlled clinical trials, published in the American Journal of Therapeutics, which…

Judith Collins is the MP for Papakura, leader of the National Party, and leader of the opposition in the 53rd Parliament of New Zealand. She sat down with elocal to discuss the current direction of the Government, and why New Zealand desparately needs a change. MJ: The country – from what I can see it’s going down the gurgler. JC: I must say, everything seems to be going wrong, doesn’t it? MJ: I’ve never seen a more inept Government. JC:…

Everyone knows someone who has a story about a disastrous build experience. Council delays, contractors that just don’t turn up, building companies that stretch resources and ultimately hand over dates pushed out months further than expected. How then when you making what is arguably the biggest decision you will make in a lifetime do you make sure you are choosing a company that will deliver on its promise? Mike Wilson from Stroud Homes in…

Safety: the condition of being protected from or unlikely to cause danger, risk, or injury. Everyday, we engage in behaviours to ensure we are kept safe from dangers, risk or injury in our everyday endeavors. We follow rules and adhere to policies like driving on one side of the road, stopping at red lights, refraining from drinking bottles of chlorine bleach. We educate our children from a young age to bounce in the middle of the trampolines,…

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 view these all – check out the locations on our website under…

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 3.1% and 17.4% from the previous May. The median house price 12…

Smith and Son’s Pukekohe franchise holders Melissa and Lane Vandenbrink are well known as the masters of home transformation having won numerous industry awards and they can now add the prestigious ‘Renovation of the Year Award.’ The annual award is presented to the renovation that ‘best meets and surpasses the brief whilst showcasing the best features in a renovation’ and the Vandenbrink’s entry of a revamped family forever home achieved this…

When 3 year old Cruz told his Mum in 2016 that he wanted to grow his hair until it touched the ground and then shave it all off and give it to the $2 shop, so they could make wigs for people with cancer, she could have been forgiven for thinking it was all just a pipe dream. Fast forward to June 2021 and the now 7 year old Cruz has done just that and fundraised over $2,000 in the process! Cruz started growing his hair, originally to be a…

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 them up and file all at once at the end of the tax year. …

Its most definitely winter, and there is nothing better than the warm, inviting hot glow of a wood burner or fire. Those lucky enough to have this as a form of heating however know that there is nothing worse than being lumped with badly dried, poor quality wood. Carlos Ter Huurne, owner of Ignition Firewood, a Drury-based firewood supplier hears the same story over and over again and they go to great lengths to ensure their product is dry and…

A longstanding historic landmark built over 170 years ago with the hands of over 1000 men with a unique interior of both Maori and European design but also a sad history stands the Rangiatea Church in Otaki on the Kapiti Coast. Formally one of New Zealand’s oldest Maori Anglican churches, Rangiatea church was originally built in 1851 under the leadership of Chief Te Rauparaha and the Anglican missionary Octavius Hadfield (one of the first…

Small to medium-sized businesses make a significant contribution to New Zealand’s economy, but many face the challenge of how to achieve greater productivity – and this doesn’t mean working longer hours. Improving New Zealand’s productivity has proved elusive for decades and unfortunately we now rank amongst the bottom 25 per cent of OECD countries. But what is productivity, and why does it matter? Most people think productivity means working…

Liana Smith is a local Glenbrook girl in the middle of a truly once in a life time type of adventure, aiming to complete an Ultra Marathon swimming challenge known as the Triple Crown, and joining an elite group of only seven others who have completed the challenge to date. The Triple Crown is made up of three of NZ’s most iconic and historically important Ultra Marathon swims - being Lake Taupo (40km), Cook Strait (26km) and Foveaux Strait…

For those planning on buying an EV the big news for the month is the Government ‘feebate’ announcement. There will be a rebate of up to $8625 for a new imported electric vehicle and up to $3540 for used imports. Trade Me reported over a 400% lift in EV enquires in the first week, but before you click “buy now” or dash to your nearest dealer, make sure you read the fine print.[^1] For most of us buying a car is a big decision with many things…

It was back in 2017 when the Pukekohe Hot Rod Club and Napa Auto Parts Dragway hosted their popular Hot Rod & Horsepower Show and they’re doing it again in 2021. Get along to the Indian Hall, Ward Street, Pukekohe over the weekend of the 21-22 August for a public indoor display of mostly Pukekohe Hot Rod Club and Napa Auto Parts Dragway members vehicles with a few invited guests. As the club approaches their 60th anniversary in a couple of…

I am constantly surprised to find yet another acquaintance, friend, senior citizen who uses their computer to purchase all manner of items from all over the world, online shopping. Some of the purchases are junk and usually the supplier wasn’t checked out thoroughly but the majority by far seem to be satisfied with their transactions. I have an account with Amazon, AliExpress, Banggood, and Alibaba, and have New Zealand postal facilities in…

In January 2004, I addressed the Orewa Rotary Club by asking: What sort of nation do we want to build? > Is it to be a modern democratic society, embodying the essential notion of one rule for all in a single nation state? Or is it the racially divided nation, with two sets of laws, and two standards of citizenship, that the present Labour Government is moving us steadily towards? But the spirit of the Treaty of Waitangi was expressed simply…

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 learnt it’s almost impossible to prepare for a journey of this length!