Posts by Nat

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  • Hard News: Merry Christmas, Blossoms, in reply to Danielle,

    I'm spending Christmas Day in hospital with my present: the newest member of our family, born yesterday. I await the Auckland hospital version of Xmas dinner with some trepidation!

    Congratulations! My daughter was my Christmas present four years ago today. I hope your family can bring you in some yummy treats.

    And I love the Auckland Pohutukawa. They make me want to compose haiku!

    Merry Christmas everyone.

    Seattle • Since Jun 2011 • 52 posts Report Reply

  • Southerly: Coming Up For Air,

    You all deserve a good long sleep/rest/restorative therapy of some sort.

    +about a million

    And you made us all laugh ourselves silly at the OGB in the middle of all of this David!

    Russell, can we have a fundraiser for the Haywoods' lost $20k? :-)

    Seattle • Since Jun 2011 • 52 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Name That Food Blog,

    flog

    Seattle • Since Jun 2011 • 52 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Last Words,

    Overheard in a Baker's Delight in West Auckland:

    Shop Assistant 1: "I just don't think the election affects me."
    Shop Assistant 2: "Um, what about the minimum wage?"
    Shop Assistant 1: "Oh yeah, but I don't think my vote will count."
    Shop Assistant 2: "How about if there was a 50-50 split and your vote made the difference?"
    Shop Assistant 1: "I guess..."

    I hope she was convinced, and good on her colleague for having the discussion.

    Seattle • Since Jun 2011 • 52 posts Report Reply

  • OnPoint: Brain Drain Et Cetera, in reply to Lucy Stewart,

    You can't assume people are only going overseas because of student loans.

    I definitely wasn't assuming that - I just thought it was interesting that there seemed to be such distinct spikes and dips and I am curious about what was going on at each of these. But maybe that's just me :-)

    Seattle • Since Jun 2011 • 52 posts Report Reply

  • OnPoint: Brain Drain Et Cetera,

    I'm one of the 1,123 people aged 34-39 to come from Australia in 2009. I am the .1%, or something like that :-)

    I noticed that the departures-to-Australia figure spikes and dips quite markedly over the years. Have you (or will you?) given any thought or analysis to what was happening around these spikes and dips? Is it world events, local policy, combination, something else?

    My partner and I were talking about this the other day, wondering if it would be possible to link the interest-free student loans policy to any particular behaviour i.e. does that policy entice people back?

    Seattle • Since Jun 2011 • 52 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: A week being a long time in politics, in reply to JacksonP,

    God I wish we had a Jon Stewart, or even a MacPhail and Gadsby, to rip this situation a new one in satire. It’s pretty much writing itself.

    Wonder if John Clarke could be tempted back for a wee spot of satire. He is the weekly highlight of Australian politics.

    Seattle • Since Jun 2011 • 52 posts Report Reply

  • Speaker: Why Auckland, and New Zealand,…, in reply to Patrick Reynolds,

    Nat the Herald is run by regressive Nat Party naturals like John Roughan which means the whole publication has a very clear subtext. I sent them a carefully tailored piece on the AK plans, ideal length etc. Result? not only is it not run but it just spurs Roughan to write his nonsense shilling for the opposite view. Here: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/local-government/news/article.cfm?c_id=250&objectid=10762330

    "sprawling suburban paradise"

    *Shudder*

    And peak oil is an "excuse" used by planners? This guy is scary.

    Rightio, not the herald then. Other options?

    Seattle • Since Jun 2011 • 52 posts Report Reply

  • Speaker: Why Auckland, and New Zealand,…, in reply to Patrick Reynolds,

    Nat, have you seen the Herald? No Chance, I've tried.

    Well, yes I have, but the case is so clear and obvious and well expressed, it might change minds if it was given the right forum. What that is and how you get access to it are questions whose answers need more local knowledge than mine. (I've only been here for a couple of years). Radio NZ interview? The Listener? Will there be a public debate on the transport issue before the election?

    Seattle • Since Jun 2011 • 52 posts Report Reply

  • Speaker: Why Auckland, and New Zealand,…,

    Great piece! Would the herald publish it?

    Seattle • Since Jun 2011 • 52 posts Report Reply

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