Silly damn computer or is it me?!

Don't you just hate it when you write a clever little blog and the damn thing won't upload or accept any pictures. God is indeed punishing me for my transgression in the past and maybe for all of the ones I shall perpetrate in the future. Just saying!

OH no, now the Australians are claiming our iconic bird (THE KIWI) as their own!

Haven't we seen it many times?----The Aussies claiming that which is ours as their own. Remember Split Ends, various race horses and even Russell Crow? Yes, the 'cousins across the ditch' claimed them all. What is it about our lovely Australian friends; that they must flog what is clearly not theirs/ Are they envious? Do they suffer from some innate inferiority complex or is it that they just cannot fathom anything good as coming from New Zealand. They even attract lots of NZers to make the trip, then to become Aussies or Kwasies. Now that the NZ economy seems to be on a more stable footing than the 'lucky country' perhaps we may see a subtle change or am I wrong. Maybe the big country will claim even more of Kiwiana.
Now we have the spectre of the Aussies claiming the Kiwi, New Zealand's' most famous of symbols; one that all NZers are happy to be attached to when they venture overseas. The very mention or image of the said bird is enough to make one's spine tingle when travelling. Some Aussie researcher from Flinders University is now saying that the Kiwi came from Australia, twenty million years ago. He says that it flew here and was related to the Emu, Australia's flightless bird.
I guess having so often extolled the virtue of 'scientific research in many of my other blogs, I have to suck eggs and accept his findings. Of course I cannot help but add, that perhaps the Kiwi knew where it was better to live and to make it's point, it got rid of its wings so that it could not go back to Australia. Hell, why would it want the bush fires, sharks, snakes and God knows what else. The fact that the Kiwi stayed speaks buckets, don't it now!
So now that it appears that the Australian economy is in for a rough ride, maybe will see more birds coming to NZ and ridding themselves of any desire to go back. Maybe we will see pigs flying too!
www.authorneilcoleman.com

Len Brown--Mayor of Auckland because there is no other obvious choice!

Morals aside for a few moments and performance being the main contributor to Len Brown's win at the last local body elections (questionable, according to many of you living in Auckland, maybe!) one must ask---what to do about the current furore surrounding his 'transgressions? I have swung from not worrying about his moral stance and tried to base my judgment about the Mayor, simply on his ability to 'do his job and run Auckland well. I am increasingly disturbed by what we are hearing in the media about the events of the last few years.  I am suspicious of the 'voices' we are listening to; those who set themselves up as 'clean and without 'sin.' There has to be a way forward, for Auckland, not just the players in the 'game.'
The water is muddied by his 'dalliance' and the continual enlargement of the whole affair, driven by the media and many 'electors' who have since changed their mind about who and what they think is important for a 'mayor to be.' I have always found it difficult to judge him merely by his 'exploits, I'd rather leave that to his wife and family and let him get on with doing what we put him there for, much of which I agreed with in his last term.
It now appears that his ability to deliver is going to be compromised by what has gone on because those he must work with find it impossible or choose not to work with him now. It seems that the process of running our fair city is now being dragged down into moralistic and sectional interest group squabbling. Hell, there was enough of that under the name of 'political persuasion', without the current hijacking of attention. A city cannot run with all of this going on. Take Toronto and it's embattled Mayor; they too have reached that point where 'city business' is stalled while they flay around with their personal hates, positioning and quasi-religious outrage. Is that what we want for Auckland?
It seems that is exactly what we have inherited. If it wasn't Len's 'affair,' I think it would have been something else, because there are those out there who do not like the direction Len Brown was taking us. In the meantime, we are all being dragged into this debate about how an individual in a high place 'lives his life' and that he must somehow rise above  being human and represent a 'shining example' of moral virtue. I as a voter did not put him there to play out that role.
I am angry that we have arrived at this situation and now that is has taken so much energy and time, I believe that Len is now in an impossible position. He is 'dead in the water,' unable to lead or introduce policy, because there are those on the Council taking this opportunity to continue a campaign to unseat Len Brown. That all equates to a city that has been taken hostage to the ideas of a significant proportion of its populace who would like us all to live in the manner that they hold close to their beliefs.
I have reluctantly arrived at the conclusion that Len must resign and go back to the electorate. If the majority then decide to put him back in, then fine----leave it at that. For the life of me, I cannot see any candidates who would stand out above him; at least ones that are capable of winning. John Minto is an honourable man and his policies are probably closer to my own beliefs, but his problem is convincing enough people to vote for him. Then there is Christine Fletcher, who would possibly appeal to those on the centre right. Of course we have Len's main rival at the last election; the one who sounds like the name of a 'horse;' because he too has been badly tainted by this whole affair.
Yes, a new election will cost us, but we need to clear the decks and start again. There is no point in 'hanging in there,' Len; it is time to resubmit yourself to the peoples' choice. This is not going to go away. Then, we should all pull our heads in and let be what will be. Just talk to your family first this time. They may have had enough!

www.authorneilcoleman.com

WTF---a blog about what?

I was gin g to do a blog about the quite emotional meeting and 'coming together of minds' between Ross Meaurant and John Minto but the sun was shining and it is a beautiful evening.
Then I saw the item on the news about Hone's big nothing trip to South Africa, where he arrived late ad left early but I thought---that's for the 'Far North' to sort out and the evening is so inviting.
Then I th9ught about the three guys (and their slightly more sensible friend who took their three 'unregistered and out of control Pit Bull things to the park and my Perdy decided that they were not so nice---what the hell, the evening just made me---called me---- out and we took Perdy for another (her 4th walk of the day!) stroll along the promenade at Mangere Bridge.
I think I had my priorities right, on this occasion. Those other matters can wait. What  fantastic evening it is in fair Auckland City. I wonder what the Mayor is doing? he's got a lot on his plate and I just want to enjoy the simple things in life tonight. Now---where are those lovely cookies I baked today?

www.authorneilcoleman.com

Great--Bennett and Rankin to fight it out at the next election.

The sight of Christine Rankin fighting it out with Paula Bennett at the next election is just what we want to see; even if it is just pure entertainment. I bet the Labour Party is happy as they see themselves sneaking through the middle and taking the seat. Oops, I shouldn't put such ideas out there; someone may take them seriously.
Two high profile 'mums,' slinging everything they have at each other, positioning themselves as 'the saviours of the nation,' trying to appeal to basically the same 'voters.' It may well be a question of 'who can bash the beneficiaries best,' or who has the biggest---ear rings. Either way, it is not going to be boring, irrespective of what is actually 'good' for New Zealand. I don't particularly know what they do to attract the centre right vote and with their respective 'bosses;' the leering face of Key and the sanctimonious and ignorant spectre of Craig will be enough to make many cast their eyes elsewhere. That is where Labour could surprise. I don't know who their candidate is. Hell, they should chuck Tamahere in to the mix. That would really set it up for a an entertaining fight on the election trail. If the Greens came to an arrangement with Labour (which they wouldn't) things could get really hot!
So, sit back folks and enjoy the sitcom!
www.authorneilcoleman.com
 

Referendum results for asset sales--read into them what you will.

Take a good long look at the figures below. John Key may put his 'spin' on them but it is not hard to see some interesting 'standouts.' Only a very few hard core national areas gave the Government the figures they wanted and no one would be surprised at that. The turn-out figures are also interesting. In some obviously National electorates the 'Yes' vote was low. I find it hard to believe anything in the way of interpretation coming from John Key's mouth. We all know that the National Government is not going to 'listen,' so we will just have to give them the real message next year at the election. By that time JK will be safely ensconced in his holiday home in Hawaii. The no doubt the new Government will buy back the assets when the share price hits rock bottom. Sound familiar? www.authorneilcoleman.com Preliminary Result by Electorate for the Citizens Initiated Referendum 2013 on the question "Do you support the Government selling up to 49% of Meridian Energy, Mighty River Power, Genesis Power, Solid Energy and Air New Zealand" 13 December 2013

Preliminary Results in Excel Format

Preliminary Results in PDF Format

Electorate	No. of Electors on the Roll	Total Votes Received	% Turnout	Valid Votes							Invalid Votes
				Total Valid Votes Received	For the Response Yes		For the Response No		Informal Votes
01 - Auckland Central	43,666	18,393	42.1%	18,365	5,915	32.2%	12,406	67.6%	44	0.2%	28
02 - Bay of Plenty	47,946	22,779	47.5%	22,769	9,720	42.7%	12,953	56.9%	96	0.4%	10
03 - Botany	43,800	15,556	35.5%	15,546	6,939	44.6%	8,563	55.1%	44	0.3%	10
04 - Christchurch Central	36,802	15,328	41.7%	15,316	4,498	29.4%	10,763	70.3%	55	0.4%	12
05 - Christchurch East	33,506	14,331	42.8%	14,318	3,429	24.0%	10,862	75.9%	27	0.2%	13
06 - Clutha-Southland	42,707	19,735	46.2%	19,731	7,539	38.2%	12,152	61.6%	40	0.2%	4
07 - Coromandel	45,544	23,767	52.2%	23,754	8,505	35.8%	15,189	63.9%	60	0.3%	13
08 - Dunedin North	39,763	19,406	48.8%	19,388	3,793	19.6%	15,553	80.2%	42	0.2%	18
09 - Dunedin South	45,647	24,453	53.6%	24,446	5,706	23.3%	18,691	76.5%	49	0.2%	7
10 - East Coast	40,300	18,625	46.2%	18,613	6,286	33.8%	12,255	65.8%	72	0.4%	12
11 - East Coast Bays	47,189	18,833	39.9%	18,824	8,356	44.4%	10,405	55.3%	63	0.3%	9
12 - Epsom	47,479	19,709	41.5%	19,697	10,763	54.6%	8,866	45.0%	68	0.4%	12
13 - Hamilton East	45,414	19,188	42.3%	19,179	6,849	35.7%	12,273	64.0%	57	0.3%	9
14 - Hamilton West	44,031	17,778	40.4%	17,759	5,354	30.2%	12,347	69.5%	58	0.3%	19
15 - Helensville	48,117	19,490	40.5%	19,483	9,291	47.7%	10,133	52.0%	59	0.3%	7
16 - Hunua	48,846	20,223	41.4%	20,215	8,825	43.7%	11,334	56.1%	56	0.3%	8
17 - Hutt South	42,455	19,697	46.4%	19,683	5,542	28.2%	14,078	71.5%	63	0.3%	14
18 - Ilam	43,991	20,056	45.6%	20,045	8,441	42.1%	11,546	57.6%	58	0.3%	11
19 - Invercargill	44,612	20,720	46.4%	20,711	5,416	26.2%	15,235	73.6%	60	0.3%	9
20 - Kaikōura	44,966	22,099	49.2%	22,088	7,805	35.3%	14,209	64.3%	74	0.3%	11
21 - Mana	44,165	20,078	45.5%	20,060	5,824	29.0%	14,171	70.6%	65	0.3%	18
22 - Māngere	39,662	11,651	29.4%	11,643	1,634	14.0%	9,953	85.5%	56	0.5%	8
23 - Manukau East	41,353	12,297	29.7%	12,283	2,204	17.9%	10,025	81.6%	54	0.4%	14
24 - Manurewa	39,080	11,512	29.5%	11,500	2,335	20.3%	9,114	79.3%	51	0.4%	12
25 - Maungakiekie	45,233	17,344	38.3%	17,331	5,561	32.1%	11,708	67.6%	62	0.4%	13
26 - Mt Albert	43,938	17,547	39.9%	17,540	4,480	25.5%	13,015	74.2%	45	0.3%	7
27 - Mt Roskill	45,757	16,818	36.8%	16,805	5,074	30.2%	11,672	69.5%	59	0.4%	13
28 - Napier	43,873	22,499	51.3%	22,491	7,406	32.9%	15,009	66.7%	76	0.3%	8
29 - Nelson	46,710	23,998	51.4%	23,989	6,799	28.3%	17,101	71.3%	89	0.4%	9
30 - New Lynn	45,584	19,218	42.2%	19,210	5,291	27.5%	13,862	72.2%	57	0.3%	8
31 - New Plymouth	45,783	21,656	47.3%	21,646	7,187	33.2%	14,409	66.6%	50	0.2%	10
32 - North Shore	48,314	21,649	44.8%	21,634	10,407	48.1%	11,162	51.6%	65	0.3%	15
33 - Northcote	45,272	18,685	41.3%	18,671	6,584	35.3%	12,036	64.5%	51	0.3%	14
34 - Northland	43,627	22,032	50.5%	22,020	7,416	33.7%	14,547	66.1%	57	0.3%	12
35 - Ōhariu	46,118	22,643	49.1%	22,626	7,948	35.1%	14,620	64.6%	58	0.3%	17
36 - Ōtaki	47,352	25,574	54.0%	25,566	8,447	33.0%	17,046	66.7%	73	0.3%	8
37 - Pakuranga	45,242	18,261	40.4%	18,254	8,377	45.9%	9,806	53.7%	71	0.4%	7
38 - Palmerston North	42,105	19,304	45.9%	19,295	5,655	29.3%	13,586	70.4%	54	0.3%	9
39 - Papakura	44,588	17,487	39.2%	17,480	6,640	38.0%	10,778	61.7%	62	0.4%	7
40 - Port Hills	41,714	19,725	47.3%	19,711	5,317	27.0%	14,344	72.8%	50	0.3%	14
41 - Rangitata	47,955	23,029	48.0%	23,018	7,226	31.4%	15,734	68.4%	58	0.3%	11
42 - Rangitīkei	40,436	19,897	49.2%	19,893	7,110	35.7%	12,720	63.9%	63	0.3%	4
43 - Rimutaka	43,781	20,569	47.0%	20,561	5,773	28.1%	14,718	71.6%	70	0.3%	8
44 - Rodney	51,339	24,064	46.9%	24,042	11,061	46.0%	12,909	53.7%	72	0.3%	22
45 - Rongotai	44,559	21,397	48.0%	21,373	4,764	22.3%	16,565	77.5%	44	0.2%	24
46 - Rotorua	42,032	19,454	46.3%	19,445	6,726	34.6%	12,650	65.1%	69	0.4%	9
47 - Selwyn	48,419	22,993	47.5%	22,988	8,988	39.1%	13,948	60.7%	52	0.2%	5
48 - Tāmaki	48,712	21,937	45.0%	21,916	11,651	53.2%	10,178	46.4%	87	0.4%	21
49 - Taranaki-King Country	41,470	19,216	46.3%	19,211	7,311	38.1%	11,852	61.7%	48	0.3%	5
50 - Taupō	45,425	21,490	47.3%	21,481	8,283	38.6%	13,128	61.1%	70	0.3%	9
51 - Tauranga	48,744	22,735	46.6%	22,723	9,283	40.9%	13,365	58.8%	75	0.3%	12
52 - Te Atatū	43,502	16,629	38.2%	16,621	4,606	27.7%	11,956	71.9%	59	0.4%	8
53 - Tukituki	44,700	21,254	47.6%	21,247	7,812	36.8%	13,363	62.9%	72	0.3%	7
54 - Waikato	42,449	19,347	45.6%	19,344	7,776	40.2%	11,515	59.5%	53	0.3%	3
55 - Waimakariri	48,076	23,064	48.0%	23,058	8,016	34.8%	14,980	65.0%	62	0.3%	6
56 - Wairarapa	46,214	23,251	50.3%	23,244	8,001	34.4%	15,177	65.3%	66	0.3%	7
57 - Waitakere	43,318	17,394	40.2%	17,385	4,439	25.5%	12,896	74.2%	50	0.3%	9
58 - Waitaki	49,707	25,782	51.9%	25,772	8,837	34.3%	16,864	65.4%	71	0.3%	10
59 - Wellington Central	45,812	21,680	47.3%	21,646	6,859	31.7%	14,743	68.1%	44	0.2%	34
60 - West Coast-Tasman	44,198	23,217	52.5%	23,205	6,360	27.4%	16,768	72.3%	77	0.3%	12
61 - Whanganui	42,893	20,575	48.0%	20,567	5,736	27.9%	14,756	71.8%	75	0.4%	8
62 - Whangarei	46,034	22,013	47.8%	21,999	7,234	32.9%	14,699	66.8%	66	0.3%	14
63 - Wigram	44,698	19,374	43.3%	19,368	5,141	26.5%	14,175	73.2%	52	0.3%	6
64 - Hauraki-Waikato	33,379	9,768	29.3%	9,758	559	5.7%	9,165	93.9%	34	0.4%	10
65 - Ikaroa-Rāwhiti	33,648	10,514	31.3%	10,511	522	5.0%	9,954	94.7%	35	0.3%	3
66 - Tāmaki Makaurau	33,830	9,772	28.9%	9,767	561	5.7%	9,168	93.9%	38	0.4%	5
67 - Te Tai Hauāuru	31,491	10,456	33.2%	10,445	589	5.6%	9,809	93.9%	47	0.5%	11
68 - Te Tai Tokerau	33,065	10,605	32.1%	10,583	673	6.4%	9,875	93.3%	35	0.3%	22
69 - Te Tai Tonga	31,642	10,584	33.5%	10,576	928	8.8%	9,624	91.0%	24	0.2%	8
70 - Waiariki	33,626	10,922	32.5%	10,908	567	5.2%	10,291	94.3%	50	0.5%	14

We are being 'watched' and this time I am OK with it!

If you haven't heard the announcements that your every move is being watched and that 'tolerance ' is at an all time low, then all fool you----or should I say ME! Forget about the high profile bloggers or criminals (NO---I am not saying they are the same!) and political opponents and dare I say it--- errant politicians who sleep around! I am talking about Joe Blog---you, me, your neighbours, friends and colleagues---everyone.  NO, I am not talking about what you are getting up to in the wee small hours of the morning or about your views that doubt reflect those of the Governments of your collective countries. I am talking about little New Zealand and the speed you drive your car at. Simple---we have been warned that the 'tolerance has been set at 4 kilometres over the limit. Lets spell that out from my overseas readers. If you are travelling in a 50KL zone, then the tolerance re the speed camera is just 4 KPH. If the limit is 100 (as it is on most open roads in NZ) then it you dare not go over 104KPH. Some of you may say---'fair enough,' but most of us have been used to travelling a good deal over that those limits. Well, it's time to change our ways or we will get the 'book chucked at us.' That is what has happened to me, on two occasions in the last month. In each case I was driving at 5 or 6 KPH (OH, for my USA friends who have yet to join the rest of the world---50KPH is about 30MPH and 100KPH is about 60MPH) over the respective limits and---viola!--I got 'camerafied'---shot----filmed--- whatever. OK, it didn't cost much----only NZ$30, but enough to finally get the message home. SLOW DOWN!
Now, a message to those AHs (you can guess my meaning!) who insist on driving right up my butt, you know---following way to close in an attempt to make me speed up---forget it. You can bloody well slow down too. I am often in this situation, with an impatient twat behind me who attempts to bully me into speeding up. I bet it is because you think you can coerce people who drive Hyundai Getzs. That is now your problem, not mine so pull that foot off the pedal and leave me alone so that I can avoid anymore fines. Got it!---I have.
www.authorneilcoleman.com