New Ideas & Other Stuff

Back again

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:13:35 +0100

Well it hss been a long time since I wrote anything. Been at the hospital much of the time will try to grt back again.

Pukekohe Aged Care

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:30:04 +0200

Since Mum has been in Pukekohe things have started to look up. She is much more relaxed and making progress. The team at the hospital work well together and there is a real sense of unity and purpose. Every patient is treated with care and respect.

Comments

Been Through a Storm

Sun, 09 Aug 2009 22:01:02 +0200

I feel as if I have been through a storm over the last four weeks. Mum has been in Middlemore hospital and I have been the 10 -12 hours a day to support her. She is now in Pukekohe and much better than she was.
She is only 10 min away now not 3/4 of and hour away.

Comments

Why

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:42:04 +0200

Why is nothing black and white
Decisions made once and for all
Is the the greater good more important than the individual?

There is day and night
Sun and stars and moon
A time to work and time for rest...Time out for some

Age will come for all in time
We all come closer to the line
Look back and see its all been done there is lots to celebrate

Comments

Be Happy

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 01:40:52 +0200

The world is full of goodness
Though some times hard to see
Be open and receptive
Look for beauty and the positive
Then your life will be happy & carefree

A sunset a rosebud
The song of a thrush
A little bit of nature
Makes us value who we are
Part of the universe a link in the chain

Comments

No Time At All

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 03:16:05 +0200

A minute a second an hour
Its all it takes
To pass`the time away
We can't get it back
So we need to ensure
That we treasure every day

Time is an age
You must all agree
We need to plan and scheme away
To get the most from every day

One day time will run out
Opportunities lost or gained
You've run the race
Its time to look back
To enjoys our memories and dreams

Comments

Today

Fri, 22 May 2009 12:25:53 +0200

Today I smiled, and all at once things didn't look so bad.
Today I shared with someone else, a bit of hope I had.
Today I sang a little song, and felt my heart grow light,
And walked a happy little mile, with not a cloud in sight.

Today I worked with what I had and longed for nothing more,
And what had seemed like only weeds, were flowers at my door.
Today I loved a little more and complained a little less,
And in the giving of myself, I forgot my weariness.

Author Unknown

Comments

National party candidate divides the community

Thu, 14 May 2009 09:44:40 +0200

Melissa Lee the National party candidate for the current by-election has “put the cat among the pigeons “with her inappropriate comments at an election meeting last night. Her remark that the proposed new motorway “would help keep criminals out of the area “ has upset a large sector of the community, add to this the decision by the National government to bowl hundreds of homes to build a new Motorway has divided the community. Many now feel this has opened the door for Labour to win the by-election and for the green party to gain some of the National vote.

Comments

NZ Weather starting to cool down

Sat, 02 May 2009 12:56:56 +0200

Well we have just had one of the coolest days this year. We have been very lucky to date and had lots of sunshine and an "indian summer". People have been getting out the winter warm clothes and I noticed people buying hot water bottles and heaters. Hope it will not be a prolonged period of cold weater and there might be a few good days still to come.

Comments

Flip-Flop on Tax Cuts

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 01:17:18 +0200

Well the signals are going out to say the future tax cuts may not eventuate. The reason being given is the economic down turn. There seems to be some sort of irony in this as the tax cuts were one of the major planks put forward in the last election campaign. Another inferred justification is that the initial tax cuts which were meant to be the first of three are not stimulating the economy as it was thought they would. People have not rushed out and spent their extra money preferring to save the money or use it to service debt. I also think that many have used the money simple to help bridge the ever widening gap between the out goings and the income received.

Comments

Super City

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:04:16 +0200

Well the fall out continues with even wider dissatisfaction in the Maori community. A large protest is planned for the 25 May and many of the Maori comunity feeling they should have direct representation on the council as of right based on the treaty. The current regional Mayors seem less than satisfied with the proposed super city and are in discussion with the minister of local government.
As an aside there are also calls for a separate prison system for Maori as the current system is said to fail Maori. During all of this Mr Key Prime Mister is out of the country and the acting Prime Minister is extreemly low key, no pun intended.

Comments

Super City or”Think Big” in a new guise

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 23:58:23 +0200

Well the National Government has backed the Super City proposal and Auckland will become one of the biggest cities in the southern hemisphere. Many small councils will disappear. The public seem to be far from unanimous about the decision. Government has also removed the option of Maori representation. This has angered the Maori party and all in all there seems to be a lot of people dissatisfied with the decision. It seems that Auckland will be the “guinea pig” and the same process may be applied to other cities.
The whole process will be a very expensive and although there are predicted cost savings in the long term. There are some questions that can only be answered by implementation and many predicted outcomes are by no means certain. A number of prominent academics feel that in the current economic climate a decision such as this is badly timed and will not in any way assist New Zealand’s economic recovery.

Comments

Will the worm turn?

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 23:40:21 +0200

April 1 is the date for the implementation of Tax Cuts. This was a major plank in the National parties election manifesto. There now seems to be a large number of low income earners who will get no tax cuts and may even face tax increases. The tax cuts are aimed at middle and high income earners and are meant to stimulate the economy.

Comments

Is the "Honey Moon" over?

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:02:42 +0100

Well the new National government has withdrawn the proposal for local tax on petrol to cover the cost up grading the Auckland Rail System. The alternative is a national petrol tax across the whole country with all tax payers paying for the Auckland rail up grades and some of the additional petrol tax being used for road and highway development. For the first time since they were elected there has been an undercurrent of dissatisfaction from the public of this proposal. Is the "Honey Moon" over?

Making overseas investment easier is also a target for the new National government. They are planning to make it easier for overseas investors to invest in New Zealand. Is this a subtle way of privation or selling off more of our assets? New Zealand has learnt the hard way from previous experience and it would seem foolish to charge of down the same road again. New Zealanders need to monitor this situation and make submissions when they are called for.
Stay awake New Zealand don't be too trusting and suffer the consequences in the long term.

Comments

What Is The Festive Season About?

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 11:35:54 +0100

In this day and age there is a wide divergence of opinion as to the true meaning of Christmas. The church continues to maintain a view, which is not as widely accepted as it once was. But those same people who are critical of the churches views will happily enjoy carols and many of the Christmas traditions that originate from the traditional church perspective. The other great influence on how we celebrate Christmas is the commercial sector. We are bombarded by advertising much of it carefully targeted at children and those who have little discretionary spending power. This group feels socially obligated to purchase gifts and so many other items to ensure their family have a great Christmas. The commercial sector conspires to sell almost anything and everything it canto the unsuspecting public. Christmas is about families, sharing and giving. A simple inexpensive gift given with love means more than something that may cost many hundreds of dollars. Think back on your past Christmas experiences—What do you remember most the gifts – The family experiences -- Lets look at and value what makes Christmas special -- and not be hood winked by the commercial sector. Enjoy the festive season……..

Comments

Who is most advantaged?

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 07:42:15 +0100

National is to fast track legislation allowing employers to employ people on trial basis for ninety days. This in effect gives an employee few rights until the ninety day trial is over.

The unscrupulous employers could and almost certainly will take advantage of this exploiting the unsuspecting employees to their companies benefit and sometimes even to their own personal advantage.

Under the present economic conditions there will be a number of people who will be made redundant and looking for new jobs. This may well mean that they need to relocate to gain suitable employment. A ninety day trial adds additional stress and uncertainty to what is already a traumatic life experience. It seems that this legislation has all the advantages weighted towards the employer. The Bright new future looks less certain and decidedly cloudy for the people who will have to work through this new scenario.

Comments

Would You Do This

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 09:00:28 +0100

MP’s and ministers have started their new jobs with a pay rise of between 3.8 & 4.8%. Many people feel that in the present economic climate this is not a good look. Almost every day there is another news item about yet another group of workers who are being made redundant or whose hours and work opportunities are being reduced. The new government clearly stated they would be a government of restraint and excess spending would be “reined in” So much for election promises it makes you wonder who the rules are for. Is it one rule for us and another rule for the public.
Prime Minister John Key's salary rises from $375,000 a year to $393,000. Not a lot you might say but all ministers and even back benches will get additional pay. The burning question is will these in our parliament earning more money do more work, be more motivated or any way do any thing to justify their additional remuneration. Consider the headlines that there would have been if all politicians had unanimously agreed to for go the salary increase as a show of good faith in the present economic conditions.

Comments

A Critical Question that Needs an Answer

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 01:13:09 +0100

Statistics tell us that 77% of eligible people voted at this year’s general election. This means that 23% did not vote. It seems hard to understand that almost a quarter of voters do not see the relevance and significance of casting their vote. In this hi-tech age it would seem that getting the message to these people would be increasingly more effective. It is strange however that in 1989 only 11% did not vote. Is this to be an increasing trend in the future? If it is then we should all be very concerned as surly this is the very heart of our democratic system. With out an expensive and exhaustive inquiry into why almost a quarter of our people did not vote we can only speculate. Perhaps some aspiring Masters student could look at this for their thesis or as part of a political assignment.
Is this part of the declining values that seem to be across all sectors of our society? Has the search for the dollar become so all consuming that some people can not even take a few minutes out to cast a vote?

Comments

The People Have Spoken

Sun, 09 Nov 2008 00:10:43 +0100

Well the election is over and New Zealand has elected a right wing government. The Act party a more extreme right wing party gained five seats and will become the major coalition partner. The negotiations with Act will begin on Monday and a government would seem to be able to be formed with out undue delay. With five MPs it will be probable that Act will see its role as keeping National to the right and away from a centrist approach. With Sir Roger Douglas as one of the five Act MP’s there could be a fiery time ahead. Act will want to push their polices, all tending to the extreme right. They will be also be wanting to ensure they are seen to be effective in order to maintain the momentum they have gained and help establish the Act party as a force in the New Zealand political scene. I believe we need to respect the decision that the people of New Zealand have made but ensure that we do not let the government stray to the extreme right which would result in a “Bright new Future“ for only a limited sector of our community.

Comments

New Zealand’s most important election

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:35:58 +0100

Well the leaders are on the final whirl wind tour of the country. The policy has been disclosed, the debates are over and the impressions and perceptions have been left in the minds of the voters. This election is different because of the pending world wide financial crisis. Perhaps we should all consider this critical factor in the equation in make our vote.

For many people their decisions are made (Some have already voted). Some people will vote as they have always voted maybe even the same way as their parents voted. Others will vote on they basis of “money in their pocket” and perceived advantages that they may personally gain. There will no doubt be another group who will make their vote a form of protest, often based on a single issue which they feel strongly about. These feelings can be so intense that they may even vote to their own detriment. There are always those who also go to the polling booth and cast an invalid vote whether by accident, lacking the ability to follow instructions or deliberately.

Hopefully their will also be a number of people that will carefully way up all that they have seen, heard and understood and then make their choice. A decision which will be free of biases, prejudices and self interest, making a decision which will be in the best interest of our communities, country and future generations.

Comments

Where are new ideas John Key?

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:28:30 +0100

John Key keeps saying National will stimulate the economy and help New Zealand out of the recession. However all he keeps saying is fast broadband. There will no doubt be benefits for some of the business sector. But I suggest that the average man and women will see few if any real benefits from faster broadband. It should also be noted that with technologies ever rapid progress, major investments in broadband will not be a long term solution as at some stage the backbone will become dated and even perhaps redundant.
For most people the only benefit they will get is faster down loads for You Tube and videos and of course the down side will be a monthly bill from the ISP who is keen to make a return on the investments they have in the infrastructure.
The Labour party suggest bringing forward state assisted housing, insulating older homes and fast tracking transport infrastructure projects along with other ideas. Providing jobs and stimulating the economy. This is one of the most important elections there has ever been in our country. A new face and a change may not be the best long term solution for New Zealand. We need experience skill and the best possible people to help new Zealand work through the next three years and become the country that our children and grand children can call home.

Comments

"Where there is smoke there is fire?”

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:49:51 +0100

John Key has once again changed his mind on the facts. He initially claimed he has left Equiticorp before the foreign exchange scam took place and has now said he left after it took place. For most people work place movement is a significant milestone and not to difficult to recall, particularly when associated with significant events.
If this was the first “flip flop” it would perhaps be minor but there have been numerous instances of indecisiveness or evading the truth. It would seem that one of the most important attributes for a nation’s leader would be the ability to “think on your feet” and make decisions. If John Key can not do this then we should surely view this with some concern. I consider one mistake excusable two mistakes human, but that several mistakes of a similar nature should set alarm bells ringing.

Comments

Bright New Future Looking Very Foggy

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 10:12:11 +0200

National has clearly shown it is not the unyielding disciplined team who will be able to lead New Zealand into a Bright New Future. Two shadow minister making public statements that were seen by the director of Victoria University's Samoan studies programme as 'ridiculous and foolish'. Lockwood Smith's comments –“ that Asians have small hands that make them better at picking fruit and that some Pacific workers needed to be taught to use toilets and showers” were seen by the Prime Minister as ridiculous and demeaning. Comments by another National MP about $3 daily road tolls left many people feeling that their “tax cuts” would be easily taken back by these road tolls. There has been an apology but you are left feeling - can we vote for this party when they once again show they are not unified or the tight team of professionals they purport to be.

Comments

Tax Payers Pay Twice

Sun, 19 Oct 2008 06:26:54 +0200

Key proposes to invest 40% of the National Super Fund (Cullen Fund) in NZ infrastructure sounds good till you think about it. If the money is invested in Public roads and other infrastructure such as broadband then who pays the interest on the investment? It seems all too obvious that the tax payer does. Is this a deceptive way of spending the National Super Fund while seeming to maintain what was a popular and necessary initiative of the Labour government? Even of the fund helps to provide public private partnership toll roads there is still a “pay twice” feel about the whole thing.

Consider the present situation where the money is invested overseas. The company that benefits from the investment pay the interest thus compounding the money that has been put into the National Super fund. There is already a proportion of the fund invested in New Zealand but to mandate 40% of the fund to be invested in NZ infrastructure would strongly suggest that the whole “idea/policy” needs a lot more consideration and or needs to be scrapped.

Comments

Key “Flip Flops” over the abolition of the Maori Seats

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 09:00:16 +0200

John Key has once again “Flip Floped” over his decision on the Maori Seats. At one time re-stating the long held National party policy of the abolition of the Maori Seats and now stating that for reasons of political expediency the seats would not be abolished. Is this on of the “dead fish” that would need to be swallowed?
The New Zealand Herald reported that
“He (John Key) had not previously said that, and has disagreed with Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples' account of a private meeting at which Dr Sharples says Mr Key gave him an assurance the policy would be dropped if National needed the Maori Party's support after the election.When he was asked about that during Tuesday night's leaders debate on TV One, Mr Key said: "I've never given that assurance. There is no formal agreement. I'm sorry, but he's got it wrong."The New Zealand people need to be wary and to take note of this indecisiveness and this tendency to “Flip Flop” (change the truth) when it is convenient to do so.

Comments

The Race For Government Hots Up

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:17:52 +0200

With the National party as much as 20 points a head of the government for many months there was both relief and concern depending on your political allegiances. Tonight two different polls have been released one puts the government 3 points behind and the other shows a gap of six points. What has changed? Well I believe the public are a lot more astute than the politicians often think. Members of the opposition have spoken out of turn, been less than forthcoming, over promised and under delivered. The race is well and truly on now and it looks as if it will be the minor parties who will be called on to form a coalition that will be the key to the make up of the new government.

Comments

Nationals Tax Cuts a Fizzer

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 08:55:26 +0200

For some weeks National has promised $50+ tax cuts. Today’s announcement by John Key clearly shows it is a fizzer. To add insult to injury National plans to kick the stuffing out of Kiwi Saver to pay for the tax cuts that they are proposing. National must think we are all naive and can be hood winked by fancy rhetoric and slick "car sales" like talk. Kiwi Saver is supported by 800,000 New Zealanders who will, almost with out exception not be at all impressed John Key. When will people learn to think about and plan for the future.

Comments

Wake up before it is too late

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:16:30 +0200

New Zealanders need to wake up. The last nine years have been some of the best ever in New Zealand. Helen Clark has lead a government that has taken New Zealand forward like no other PM or government ever has. New Zealanders take the blinkers off stop thinking of your own pockets and think of the future that our children will have to grow old in. The next three years will need an experienced skilled government not a bunch of people led by a new kid on the block.

Comments

Loss of Great New Zealand Entertainer

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 08:27:30 +0200

Many people were shattered to learn of the passing of Rob Guest, who died overnight from a massive stroke. He had been starring in the musical Wicked, was admitted to Melbourne's St Vincent's Hospital on Tuesday night. He died peacefully in the hospital early this morning, surrounded by his family and friends. He was born in England and became known as a pop star in New Zealand in the 1970s when he began performing with Columbus on the television show Happen In. His stage musical career took him to Australia where he starred in Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera.

Comments

People in Glass Houses Shouldn’t Throw Stones

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 01:24:39 +0200

The leader of the opposition has been less than forthcoming over his ownership of Tranz Rail shares..
“(A One News interview once again had Mr Key faltering when he was asked about the shares, initially saying his family owned 25,000-50,000 shares, then shifting to "sometimes 50,000, sometimes 100,000" then finally "yeah, sorry, it was 100,000 in total".Asked why he had only ever admitted to the 30,000 shares owned by the family trust, Mr Key said: "No one's ever asked me the number I owned.")”
As we move towards the election we need to consider……Is the polish starting to come off? Are the cracks starting to show?

Comments