August 2022

By Maryanne Demasi, PhD In December 2020, the US FDA authorised the Moderna and Pfizer mRNA covid-19 vaccines, claiming “the benefits outweighed the harms.” Now, a group of international researchers has gone back to re-analyse the original trial data upon which that claim was made. A valid claim? A pre-print study (not yet peer-reviewed) by Fraiman and colleagues contradicts the FDA’s claim that the benefits outweigh the harms of the mRNA…

You don’t get to be New Zealand’s most trusted builder, without doing something right. G.J. Gardner Homes aim to do better than that – they want to create an enjoyable building experience that is worth recommending to others. In the Southern Auckland area, G.J.’s is a household name. Name any local subdivision and you’re bound to find them. The showhomes at Hunua Views, Paerata, Auranga and Pokeno showcase what the company can offer. The many…

A farmer named Bob was overseeing his animals in a remote mountainous pasture in Canterbury when suddenly a brand-new 2022 BMW iX, advanced toward him out of a cloud of dust. The driver, a young man in a Brioni®suit, Gucci® shoes, RayBan® sunglasses and YSL® tie, leaned out the window and asked the farmer “If I tell you exactly how many cows and calves you have in your herd, will you give me a calf?” Bob looks at the man, who obviously is a…

So get in touch today! The popular card game Bridge developed in the 1920’s, is played by four people of any age and requires players to bid how many cards or “tricks” they believe they can take on a deal. It is easy to learn, requires little equipment and has a thriving community both locally and worldwide. It encourages mental dexterity and numerous studies have shown Bridge players show up higher on cognitive tests. Pam Livingston from…

A network of 36 cameras including four automatic number plate recognition devices has provided Counties-Manukau Police with leads in two major inquiries and led to many other incidents being cleared up. Police say the town’s CCTV is proving an effective investigation tool in identifying avenues of enquiry that assists Police and provides reassurance to stakeholders. “Having it located and monitored at the Papakura Police station has been a…

Family trusts are used to protect and manage assets, such as the family home, for the future, but the new rules for the disclosure of information are set to increase compliance costs dramatically. Photo pexels. Since the Labour Government came into power, the Minister of Revenue, David Parker, has been on a mission to tackle wealth and income inequality in New Zealand. Whilst many social democrats in the Labour Party and the Greens might cheer…

We have been eating a lot of Kumara in our house recently, and this Kumara Cake can be enjoyed by those with sensitive tummies. In Moderation of course! Ingredients: 1 ½ Cups Soft Light Brown Sugar 3 Eggs 1 Cup Sunflower Oil ½ Cup of Pineapple crushed. 1 ½ Cups Gluten Free Flour 1 tsp Bicarbonate of Soda 1 tsp Baking Powder (check the brand, but most Baking powder is gluten free) 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon, plus extra to decorate ½ tsp Ground…

Last month hundreds of locals turned out to a meeting run by Groundswell at the Pukekohe Indian Hall. Various speakers, including Groundwell’s local man Scott Bright spoke to a rousing reception on a variety of topics, but the message was the same. The people have had enough. The job of the those elected to decision making positions is to represent the people and the people are being ignored. Ideas were shared, groups networked with each other,…

WELCOME: Recently, we welcomed the following new businesses into our community: Masterpiece Woodworks (Wood Street), Delicious Korean Chicken (O’Shannessey Street), and Stay Busy Printing and Arcade (Selwyn Centre, Great South Road). DINING GUIDE: The first order on any menu when checking out the rich range of restaurants and other eateries, our Where to East Guide is a hot item! Simply visit www.papakura.co.nz/listing-category/food, or give…

Sales Volume have fallen 25% from the long-term average across New Zealand and listings are holding at their 2 year high meaning the balance of power has well and truly swung towards buyers. The number of houses sold decreased significantly – down 12.5% from last month and 45% down from last year. Property sales were the lowest they have been in June of any year since 2010 when the market was recovering from a technical recession. Nationally…

It was the holy grail to visit the El Mirage Dry Lake with Project 29. This has been the location for land speed racing in California for over 60 years. Hot rodding for me is all about the history and heritage and how that inspires us moving forward. Living all my life a whole world away from the USA motherland of hot rodding in Auckland, New Zealand my influences and inspiration first came from my dad and his rodding buddies. Wherever he…

Self-sufficiency is the new ‘en vogue’. Housing shortages, rising costs and a mistrust in the way our food is produced are fuelling a move to the way that our grandparents used to live. Vegetable gardens are popping up in apartments and back yards alike, chickens are becoming more commonplace, and entire groups on social media are sharing and devoting their time and energy to a way of life that promotes the basics and arguable a better way to…

On the night before the 2002 election, when I was a list candidate for the National Party, I was attending a black-tie event in Napier. Before we sat down to eat, the host asked the local vicar to give thanks. The vicar gave thanks for the food and the drink which we were about to consume, and then said that we should give thanks also for the fact that, in just 24 hours’ time, we would have elected the members of the next Parliament “and…

NZ VJ Day – August 15th After the collapse of Germany and its surrender in May 1945 and what became to be known as VE day, the war continued to rage in the Pacific with the Japanese the Allies delivered Japan an ultimatum to surrender on 28 July 1945. Known as the Potsdam Declaration. It called on Japan to surrender its armed forces unconditionally or risk “prompt and utter destruction.” When this was ignored, the US dropped two atomic bombs…