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The number of people outside keeps growing. Where there had once been a harmless handful, there is now a good-sized crowd. And they keep coming. More and more of them. You can hear car doors slamming, footsteps, the soft murmur of exchanged greetings. These people can’t quite believe what they’ve been told, so they’ve come to see for themselves if the story is true. It was…

A bombshell ruling from the High Court opens the door to tribal control of New Zealand’s foreshore and seabed. It represents a major setback for those who believe the country’s coastline and Territorial Sea should be owned by no-one and protected by the Crown for the benefit of all. The Edwards case is the first of some 200 Marine and Coastal Area Act applications for customary…

Good morning, delegates. It’s an absolute privilege to be speaking to you all here today as your leader. I’d like to acknowledge National Party President Peter Goodfellow, my fellow board members, my lower North Island colleagues and all of you, the members of the National Party. It is great to see you all here today. The past few years have been a challenging time for our…

Sky News host Sharri Markson has assessed “chilling” details from a document produced by Chinese military scientists, in which they discussed weaponising SARS coronaviruses five years before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The book from 2015, ‘Unnatural Origin of SARS and Genetic Weapons Based on Artificial Human-Infectious Viruses’ (非典非自然起源和人制人新种病毒基因武器), describes SARS coronaviruses…

WASHINGTON D.C., May 6, 2021 — Extensive research shows ivermectin can reduce the risk of getting COVID-19 by 92.5%. However, through questionable evaluation methods, public health authorities around the world continue to recommend only highly restricted use of or outright ban of ivermectin. These actions only serve to prolong the COVID-19 pandemic and hurt the most vulnerable…

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?

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…

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…

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…

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. I…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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