The 'Bay' gives back---mushrooms for a late lunch.

It rained, the sun shone and Perdy didn't give a stuff. She had lost one of her orange balls during our morning walk--yes the Bay claimed yet another ball. Oh well, it seems that the God of the Bay felt sorry for me so she led me to a little treasure trove of fresh mushrooms. Mother nature had sent gentle rain overnight, bringing about 8 beautiful little mushrooms, right by the fence near the road---just waiting for me to stumble across them. Perdy had led me there---maybe she too felt a bit guilty, having dropped her ball---God knows where, but there they were sinning in the sun, waiting my discovery. Good things happen to those who are patient and mine was rewarded with a lunch of mushrooms cooked with the chilli nuts I had made earlier in the day. Yes the Bay provides in more ways then one: friendship, companionship[ and the occasional  wonderful surprise.

Yummy mushrooms down at the Bay.

Roast your own chilli nuts!

I am sure many of you love to chomp away on roasted chilli nuts. Yum! When you buy them in those small packets at the local liquor store--you know when you feel like an aperitif before dinner---a glass of your favourite wine with some nuts on the side. Do that often and you will notice that the costs add up. Why not do your own nuts and save some money!
OK---off you go to the local supermarket bulk food section and purchase about half a kilo of raw peanuts--shelled of course unless you are areal glutton for punishment!
While you are their, buy some chilli flakes or look at my previous blog re drying your own red chillies and blasting them in your food processor. Man----I'm on a roll!
Right--here goes. Heat your wok up with about two tablespoons of canola or other oil. Chuck in the nuts, add some salt (garlic if you dare!) and add about a tablespoon of the chilli flakes---more if you are a 'hottie' or less if not!
Just heat them through for a few minutes and then spread them on an oven tray, lined with baking paper. Cook them in your fan oven at about 80-100C for as long as it takes to get them golden brown. Taste them---it won't kill you unless you have been overly generous re the chilli. Let them cool and pack them in jars or plastic snap bags. They make a great gift---if they last that long!

Japan swicthes illegal whale hunt to the Pacific Ocean---surprised?

It seems that those celebrating the important victory re Japan hunting whales in the Antarctic were way to premature in their belief that the 'hunting' had stopped.Why are we surprised that we hear today that the Japanese are simply switching to the Pacific. The so-called 'scientific' researching excuse is just that or worse---a lie. The Japanese possibly lost face when the international court ruled against their previous hunting expeditions, so here we go again and expect the same response from the international community. Japan need s to be isolated in its endeavours to continue this barbaric practice. They do not need to catch whales for food. They are a rich nations and they have many alternatives to whale meat. Indeed the young, in Japan, predominantly support the ban on hunting whales. It is time Japan took note of world opinion, because if they don't, they should expect further action from protests groups, governments, including Australia and New Zealand. They will of course try to bully those nations that dare to raise the issue again in the courts, but this time but they need to know that opposition to their illegal pursuit will grow. Shame on this proud or should I say---stubborn nation!

Make your own chilli flakes.

if  you shop around in Auckland at the present, I am sure you will come across very cheep fresh red (or green) chilli's. The markets are best for that I think. Now, take the next step and make your own wonderful chilli flakes or powder.
I cut them length ways and placed them on a wide tray in the fan oven at  about 70C. The secret is to leave the oven door slightly open. It takes about 4 hours. Stir them a bit throughout process. Cool them and then put them into your food processor with the baled cutter. I used a very cheap machine that I brought from the Warehouse for about $20. Process them using a combination of pulse and higher speed. If you want them fine, just process longer. Make sure they are totally dry before putting them into containers. Wow---the smell is just downright wonderful. Enjoy. Now- I wonder if I can do the same for red peppers and make my version of Paprika!

Ukraine---back from the edge----I hope so!

The news that Russia, the EU, Ukraine and the USA have met and possibly de-escalated the Ukrainian crisis is a good sign but can we believe that Putin will play his part and call off his 'wolves' who have illegally occupied the Government buildings in Eastern and Southern Ukraine? If he does not, then he is supporting the chaotic situation. No 'State' can allow such 'occupations of government buildings.
At the same time, there obviously needs to be some sort of 'believable and legal' referendum to decide the position of some of the border areas of Ukraine. If this took place in a manner that is above the corruption and unfair practices we have witnessed so far, as in the Crimea, then all parties must accept the result.
Ukraine is edging towards that position but there is doubt about the legality of that regime too. The mess that is Ukraine cannot continue in its present pathway. Putin will play the chaos for his own aims and unless the EU, USA and NATO make it very clear that the consequences of Putin's actions will outweigh any perceived gain on his part, then the future of Ukraine as a sovereign nation is still in doubt. Lets hope that these latest moves towards a solution are carried through to a calmer and peaceful region. The people deserve that at least.

Finally, Labour concentrates on policy rather than side-issues in the house!

David Cunliffe’s  announcement today that Labour would be ‘unashamedly pro Kiwi’ when it came to Government services and programmes, comes at a time when I was beginning to think that all Labour was interested in doing was to play silly games in the ‘House.’ Take for example the fiasco around Judith Collins and her ‘possibly corrupt’ practices around her partner’s business interests in China. This issue was never going to ‘bring down a Government,’ and even if Collins left Cabinet, so what! It is hardly what the voters and prospective Labour voters in particular even give a moments thought. Labour and other parties play these posturing games, intent on scoring minimal pints while the rest of us are more worried about the big issues and getting New Zealanders jobs, is by far the bigger picture.

 So, David---good on you. It is about time we started to hear real policies; ones that will contribute to more jobs and a higher Government tax take so that there is more money in the kitty for ’Research and Development grants; the area where national made cuts, just another example of short term policies that cut into our future. Let’s see more of what you plan, Labour. Give us reason to vote for you rather than against the present clique in Wellington.

This election must be about 'housing.

The election in September, 2014 must be about housing, health and education. Sure there are other issues and one in particular that is not worth giving much credence; that is the part the Mana and their bedfellow, the Internet Party will play. For the moment, forget about that wasted space on the political spectrum because the above issues affect the lives of a great many more New Zealanders.

Take housing: If you live in Auckland, Christchurch and parts of Wellington, the chance of buying your first home is becoming a pipe dream; for those seeking to purchase in the ‘queen city,’ even more so. As of April, 2014 the cost of an average house is just under NZ$700,000. If one settled for less desirable areas (and people are finally getting the message that this is what they need to do in order to get onto the property ladder) $400,000 doesn’t buy much.

If you are able to raise the mortgage, you face massive repayment, leaving very little to enjoy the fruits of your labour. This situation must be spawning a whole new class in New Zealand; that of the disenchanted and hopeless. Knowing that you cannot achieve what most of us have taken as a ‘birth right,’ in NZ over the years, must be putting a pressure on society that will have major ramifications further down the track. The frustration levels will build as the goal post to home ownership gradually become a distant haze on the horizon.

What will young people do, if they cannot realize their dreams? Do they give up and gradually transform Aucklander into a ‘renting’ city or do we come up with a solution n that involves long term leasing as they do I n countries like Switzerland? That would require a massive mind change on the part of Kiwis. Do we look at Auckland differently and finally come to the conclusion that perhaps allowing this city to keep growing at the expense of the ‘regions,’ is not a desirable attribute. How do we channel resources and people back into the regions?

Politicians in the past have minced words around the issue but never succeeded in delivering meaningful policy. The National Party and its more ‘hands off’ policies is hardly going to alter its base policies; ones that its supporters actually benefit from the impossible housing situation in Auckland. The Labour Party in turn, has so far only played around with the idea, knowing that leaning too hard on those who have gained from past policies, will turn on them, taking voters who normally have a ‘spot for the Labour Party, but who would also like to be part of the ‘haves’ in society. It is this dream, the one where by homeownership is equated with ‘freedom of choice’ that Labour voters get a little nixed up, and thus nothing ever changes.

It is going to take a brave government, who would tackle this ‘Auckland problem and I doubt that nay party at the present has policies that are anything more than ‘platitudes. It has been mooted that  capital gains tax, if implemented, ‘could make a difference,’ and various incentives by local council in the regions, combined with Government policies could play their part too,  but I can see nothing on the horizon re this 2014 election that leans far in this direction.

New Zealand is at a cross road. We cannot let the lack of access to affordable housing stay on the back-burner.’ It is going to increasingly be part of contribution to a New Zealand that most of us want no part of: namely, an unfair and divided society. We need our politicians to make some hard calls and not let factional divisions rule; usually those who have and have always had the power in New Zealand. Attacking immigrants is not the answer, but fine-tuning who can own and buy New Zealand real estate, is not such a radical move; it exists in many other countries around the world, but it is not the magic bullet, needed to inspire the dream that New Zealanders are losing sight of.

So let this year be one in which the hard question are asked about what type of society do we wish for. Then, bring about a ‘stage’ upon which it can function. Do our politicians have it in them to have this important debate?