In May, Justice Minister Simon Power explained to the United Nations that the new National-led Government intends to sign the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The problem for New Zealand is that this is being done without... Read More

At a transportation taskforce meeting we had a progress update on some critical and not so critical projects, which are trying to cope with our traffic woes. Attempting to speed up traffic fixes is sometimes like managing a drunken elephant - one... Read More

We decided to upset all the Roman sandal, kaftan wearers by not being PC. As it was the boss' birthday, the two leggers got a crew of lads together, piled into the No. 1 The Strand van and headed for the hills. Well, in this case the Rotoehu Forest... Read More

Business New Zealand chief executive Phil O'Reilly branded Tauranga a ‘booster community' when he was guest speaker at the official launch of Western Bay @ Work on July 20. He was highlighting the successful track record of the Bay community... Read More

If you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen. A couple of beneficiaries discovered that this week, when they ventured into the inferno that is Paula Bennett's Spit Roast & Grill House. The trouble with putting out half a story in the political... Read More

The internet is a great tool for sharing knowledge across the globe. It has made it easier for us to know more about what's happening in Los Angeles and London than where we live. It has caused the term ‘flat earth' to be used again; referring... Read More

A totally unique Kiwi animal is again alive and well in the country - 'the fair weather fan”. With the All Blacks and Warriors tasting defeat at the weekend, the airwaves of talk- back radio will be flooded with the bleating of the 'fair weather... Read More

Wednesday's announcement that former Reserve Bank Governor Dr Don Brash will head the ‘Catching up with Australia' taskforce is good news for New Zealand. Closing the income gap with Australia by 2025 was a key part of the ACT-National confidence... Read More

At the Projects and Services Committee, elected members were updated on progress on the Southern Pipeline that is to take wastewater across the city to Te Maunga Wastewater Treatment Plant. This is to cope with Tauranga's anticipated growth for the... Read More

Where do I start? I am going to leave the cat register alone for a week, as some of the dastardly feline deeds arriving at me kennel are making my tail curl and my stomach rumble. So we will move on and celebrate the demise of the lads in yellow... Read More

We learned three things from the government this week. 1. It does have balls, after all. At least some members do. 2. It struggles sometimes to have a clear understanding of what New Zealanders really think. 3. Sometimes Nanny State needs a good... Read More

I woke up the other day covered in a rash and splotches. This caused me to head into the chemist looking like a leper, where they told me I have been over-exposed to wheat and need to go gluten-free. On the way home I thought how I should grow my... Read More