Posts by Hilary Stace
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Islander - I know it might seem irrational, but I blame it on being chased by nasty older boys armed with wetas, as a small child. I've had too many shocks from wetas in gumboots, shoes, coat sleeves, suitcases, letterboxes, on curtains, behind paintings on the wall, and worst of in in bed in the dark, to feel delighted to be in close proximity to them. Although I would never want to hurt one and I defend their right to exist and thrive, just not close to me. I have tried desensitisation by visiting the weta hotels at the Karori sanctuary (but those giant wetas aren't so scary), and pictures and other images. I know they are benign and gentle (and I'm not bothered by spiders, or insects - though flying night-time huhus aren't pleasant), but I still don't want a giant weta hologram hovering around Wellington.
Now a manatee would be a different proposition. -
Sacha - I'd have to leave Wellington as it would be like having a huge weta hovering wherever you looked. I'm feeling phobic just thinking about it.
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How about a holographic weta then?
NO!
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I remember Germaine Greer's visit to New Zealand and her fiery talk at Victoria University. She was wonderful. She really shook up NZ - there are some great cartoons from the era in the Turnbull Library.
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Or the attack on democracy in Canterbury.
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Giovanni, the public transport isn't so good in Palmerston North. But it's all flat and nowhere is that far from anywhere else. Good for bicycles and wheelchairs.
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I thought Massey's history in Palmerston North went back to the 1920s and was named for the conservative first world war farmer Prime Minister. Wikipedia agrees. I have several friends who really, really like living in Palmerston North, and they don't even mind that it doesn't have any beaches, so don't knock it.
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If we are going back to 1997 we must be coming up for another Hikoi of Hope, which was an amazing New Zealand-wide citizen protest mass mobilisation.
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Potential for many part time jobs in school hours with school holidays off for single mothers, and maybe even the provision of on-site creches.
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Talked to a member of the Young Nats the other day. He's the product of a liberal school which encourages critical thinking and being comfortable with who you are. He told me he joined National because they support business and he has a small business (when he's not at university). I asked him whether he supported mining on conservation land and he earnestly told me that there are new techniques that don't scar, New Zealand needed the money (the royalties would be valuable even if all the profits went offshore), and he was sure that once we knew 'all the facts' it would have widespread support. Not surprisingly he was a huge Key fan and believed every word he said. He's a Backbenchers fan, and we agreed that it was good young people are interested enough in politics to be activists. I wonder, though, whether anything will ever shake his faith.