March 2021

As New Zealand rolls out its vaccine program for COVID-19 it must be appreciated that, as in other parts of the world, it is not the silver bullet to return to our lives pre-Covid. What we must urgently address is the need to actually treat COVID-19 in its early stages of infection, before patients end up critical in ICU. Well-read elocal readers will know that ivermectin that…

When Hugh Hewitt was exposed to COVID, his doctor quickly prescribed Ivermectin, which he had not heard of. The use of Ivermectin for COVID is the subject of a great deal of discussion. Dr Pierre Kory is a proponent of its use. A transcript of the interview is reproduced below. HH : As I have told my audience, two members of my production team have COVID. I was exposed last week.…

PCR tests maybe problematic, but you cannot deny excess mortality... or can you?

It goes without saying that if you have two well matched people working for you, then skills and experience are going to outweigh that of just one. But what happens when you combine their skills with the support of even more, their whole families even? Jason Tabrum and Luke Jupp have combined forces for close on a year now to bring homeowners and those looking for a home the very…

When you want a new home built, you want it built quickly and without issues. With the team at Versatile Pukekohe, this can happen, and they have the evidence to prove it. Recently the team built a four-bedroom, two bathroom house, in just 10 weeks from start to finish. The house was built from 43 prefabricated panels manufactured in off-site building manufacturer Concision’s…

With its rich limestone architecture, stunning views of the Pacific Ocean from its harbour and most famous for its blue penguin colony sits Oamaru, one of the largest ‘best wee’ towns in North Otago. Oamaru was laid out in 1858 by Otago’s provincial surveyor, John Turnbull Thompson whom named the streets after British rivers. In the 1860s the town discovered riches through…

When you make the decision to build a new home, your choice of building partner is paramount. Do they have a track record of quality builds, exceptional communication throughout the build process and glowing testimonials from happy and satisfied homeowners? With Frame Homes the answer is yes! Frame Homes was established in 1997 by award winning Master Builder and Licensed…

The end of the year is nigh – that is the financial year for most New Zealand businesses. For some people this can feel like the end of the world if you haven’t been keeping your business paper work up to scratch. However if you have Xero or another software package, then the sun will still shine. We are here to help with whatever your accounting issues are; book keeping, GST…

Have you ever wanted to sand that table, build a sandpit for the kids, or cut the hedge in half the usual time but find yourself lacking the right tools or the money to buy them? Well, the clever folks at Waiuku Zero Waste have come up with the solution with the establishment of the Waiuku Tool Library. The idea is much the same as a book library but instead of a book, you can…

There are so many reasons to capture the moment. You can justify this so many ways, however, if you miss that moment, the justification is replaced with just one feeling... regret. “There are so many possibilities when it comes to portraying imagery and that is where experience and creative development comes into play”, comments Tatiana. “Whether it’s images for your business;…

Looking for land? Keep missing out on house sales? Subdivisions all sold out? Your answer may be in your own back yard! Are you in an established home, with a good sized section? Ever wondered if you could subdivide something off your farm that would give your son/ daughter/family member a chance at home ownership? Come in and talk to the professionals at Jennian Homes because we…

The recent Powhiri held at Papakura High School to welcome its new principal Simon Craggs was both moving and a reflection on the proud and passionate nature of every pupil, staff member and school community member associated with Papakura High. Something that Simon felt keenly when he accepted the challenge of becoming the new leader. He brings with him a wealth of education…

New businesses in town We welcome: Roma’s Basket – Asian and Filipino Food Store in Broadway Ultimate Barbers in Broadway Punjab Express on the Great South Road – a new Restaurant to our town Papakura Streetfest: diary the date Keep this day free … Saturday 8 May 10 am to 2 pm – Great South Road and into Broadway– a fabulous free community day for you all to come and enjoy…

Are you considering building a new home in the Franklin area and have a few questions? We have the answers and can help you build the perfect home for you and your family or for your next investment. The build journey can be challenging, so below is a guide to building a new home in the Franklin area, and making the journey a little bit easier. Navigation Homes know how exciting…

Wild Bunch drag racing is strong and its return is in its second year and is starting to dominate the drag racing calendar. Back in the late eighties/early nineties at Champion Dragway (now Meremere Dragway), a new class of quarter mile drag racing was sweeping the nation – WILD BUNCH! This class essentially took the street appearing two door saloon car and stuffed it full of…

While New Zealanders were on holiday sunning themselves the housing market was hard at work. The housing market has delivered a scorching January amid what economists say is the biggest housing boom in 17 years. In 12 months the country’s median house price has jumped 19 percent to $730,000, with four regions cracking new records - The Bay of Plenty, Hawkes Bay, Taranaki and…

Group fitness for everyone Regardless of fitness level, there is a class for you! Stay motivated with always changing, tried and proven content. Daily Box-Fit, Circuit, HIIT, Low Impact and VO2Max Classes Women only Join our fast-growing supportive community for women. Work it Ladies is for women who want get moving, have fun and get fit. Keep improving and make gains,…

So much has happened since I wrote my last column for the February edition that it’s hard to know what on Earth to focus on both internationally and here in New Zealand. In the February edition, I expressed the view that Donald Trump was the worst US President in my lifetime. And since then we have seen Trump’s impeachment, for the second time, this time for inciting the…

I have a secret to confess: I have an unusual respect for Don Brash. Believe me; we don’t always see eye-to-eye. As a sixth-generation Kiwi, whose family’s early survival in New Zealand was in no small part due to the good-will and manaakitanga of the iwi on whose tribal lands they settled, I find his dismissive attitude towards Māori culture particularly offensive. …

What on earth is going on? In my late 70s I look back on values that have changed in my lifetime and find myself wondering just where we are heading now. Who and what is driving our country and what’s their agenda. It seems to me abundantly clear over the last months, we are travelling head on into a reverse Apartheid New Zealand apparently condoned by our Government. The…

A bizarre craze seems to be sweeping New Zealand right now. All things derived from Europe except our creature comforts must be set aside as we are expected to embrace all things Maori. It’s racism on a grand scale. No longer do our television stations refer to New Zealand. In fact, we are lucky if its Aotearoa-New Zealand. No reference to the fact that, as Michael King shows,…

Under a spreading chestnut-tree The village smithy stands; The smith, a mighty man is he, With large and sinewy hands; And the muscles of his brawny arms Are strong as iron bands. Week in, week out, from morn till night, You can hear his bellows blow; You can hear him swing his heavy sledge, With measured beat and slow, Like a sexton ringing…

The following address was delivered by David Seymour, leader of the ACT Party, at a function on Waitangi Day, 6 Feburary 2021. Introduction Thank you very much to everyone who's here this morning and watching online. Happy Waitangi Day. It's a good day for New Zealand. We alone celebrate a country founded by a voluntary agreement. A Treaty that guarantees each person - no…

Topher and I were lucky enough to be granted access by the local iwi to one of their hidden landscapes. It's an area only a few hours north from where Bridget grew up, but somewhere that very few in the area have had the opportunity to explore. Accessing the area involves driving 10 km up a beautiful white sandy subtropical beach. The beach access limits your time exploring, as…