A time for all to grieve and hope for a better time.

To see all religions, working together, showing tolerance and understanding in Bali on this special day--- what more can I say?

Bali--ten years on--extremism at its worst

Today is the day to remember the tragic events of ten years ago when so many Indonesians, Australians and people from other countries lost their lives. The culprits behind this attack have all either lost their lives or are in prison. That does not make it any easier for those who lost their loved ones.

The world in 2012 is no safer from the ravages of acts of terrorism and no amount of military action by the USA and its allies will make it so. If the causes that feed terrorism are not addressed then we will continue to witness acts of violence against the West and anyone perceived to be supporting the USA.

We will have more Afghanistans and we will equally be unable to win those wars. The USA and its allies will throw huge resources at the terrorists and the Muslim world will be unable to control those elements within their societies that are willing to lay down their lives for their cause.

The sad fact remains that ‘moderates’ do not undertake extreme measures to protect their faith of maintain ‘order.’ History, both from the point of view of Christendom and the Islamic world has shown us that such struggles do not result in lasting peace.

Islam is supposed to be a tolerant religion, just as Christianity in its moderate form is, but both religions (and others) contain elements that are hell-bent on following a pathway that threatens world peace. That they are fed by despotic regimes and inequality for many of the populace is a given fact. That is where the USA should look carefully at its foreign policy. That policy in itself is a root cause for much of the hate that fundamentalist groups use to wage the wars of hate.

If the majority of people in both religions communicate and create deeper understandings and tolerance, then only that will bring some hope. But will the majority speak up---? ---- Like that wonderful young Pakistani girl did? I wish that could be so.

Hone Harawira's latest ---well, what was it?

I do my best to try to see Hone Harawira as a sane and passionate politician and defender of the Rights of his people (and others now that he has tried to widen the base of the Mana party). He has sort of softened some of his actions of late and apart from the odd outburst or two, he has gone along with most of the traditions of Parliament.

I am not at all sure what he was trying to achieve by sitting in his car last night, ‘listening to music,’ while supporting the rights of the residents of State Homes in Glenn Innes to stay put. I would have thought that he would have been a bit more ‘vocal’ and put himself a little more to the front of the action. Maybe he was tired.

Either way, he became the target of police action and his front window was broken and he was arrested--- what for? Was his car obstructing the work of those wishing to ‘move the house?’ I don’t know why he just didn't get out and lambast the people and police who were intent on taking the house away.

I would like to know about what is driving Hone’s and others’ actions. My understanding is that Housing NZ is completely changing the area where the homes are being removed from. It is pretty obvious that the area is going ‘upmarket,’ and that the former residents are being moved on. That their community is being torn apart is an accurate description of the actions of Housing NZ. What I don’t know is what plans are being made to re-house the residents? This is where I may lose some friends about what I say next.

Many of us have to move form time to time, for a variety of reasons. It can be for work, for financial (like we can’t afford the rent or mortgage) and for a myriad of other factors. Some would say—‘get on with your lives like the rest of us do.’ The underlying reasoning here is that—why should one sector of society (i.e. State House residents) be able to expect preferential treatment?). I feel for the residents and acknowledge that some of the residents do not have as many choices available to them as most of the rest of us do. I also ask the perennial question—‘Do State House residents have the right to expect that they will be housed for life, in the same house, or should they have to take the same choices we all make as life changes and socio/economic considerations change around them. For example; the needs of other people to have the same access to State homes and therefore a juggling of that resource to accommodate these new residents, must be taken into account.  

So, the answers are not simple. What Hone was really doing, only he knows?
I do have  a nasty taste in my craw though about the 'profiteering' that is driving this.' The land these homes are on is 'gold' to developers. Perhaps they should pay for the new homes that the residents will need. They would still make a profit and the residents would be housed. OK, so the world doesn't work like that!

Looking for a job?--- Then get out of Auckland!

The Herald report that there are jobs in places other than the ‘Queen’ city is a little piece of news that many people should take seriously. In nearly all regions of NZ there were advertised jobs, mostly in the highly skilled and skilled areas.

I doubt that one would be surprised that Christchurch leads the pack and some of the advantages of leaving Auckland may not be present in that city; for example cheaper rents. Given the need to attract skilled workers to that city, the pay may make up for that factor. The needs for workers in Christchurch will increase as the rebuild ramps up.

Other areas also need workers at many levels. In these cases, families could well benefit from making the move. Housing (rentals and buying) are cheaper and lifestyle factors are most definitely an attraction. Take Napier, which boasts rush-hour traffic as being only 10 minutes in length.

Taranaki and New Plymouth in particular offer jobs and a lifestyle that makes one wonder why so many of us reside in Auckland. As in most of New Zealand’s regions, good education is available well into tertiary level. The wide open spaces and climate are factors to consider too.

So, Kiwis, ‘Go North, South and further South and don’t forget to veer a little to the East and West as you consider your move.

If you have a home in Auckland, then rent it out, just in case you decide to return. Somehow, once you have made the move I suspect you may be cheering for the local teams and quickly dumping your loyalty to the Blues.

Think about what you want for yourself and your family and you may well decide that Auckland is a great place to visit, just occasionally.

'Believe it or not!' (Part 1)

Wow, what a lovely day. Just what the doctor ordered and it’s off to the Bay with Perdy. I gather our ‘essentials’ and head on down, Perdy embellishing the talk-back radio with her excited whimperings. If I didn’t know her better I would have thought she has wet herself by the time I opened the door and undid her leash. Off she went, prancing across the grass and onto the sand, sending me backward glances as if to say, ‘Hurry up you fat---.’

By the time I had cast my first throw of her orange ball, and she returned with her prize, I had my earplugs in.  Perdy gave me that quizzical look she favours, along with the tilted head. I will never tire of that look.

We were soon joined by other canine packets of mischief, some wanting to acquire Perdy’s ball. She responds quite differently, depending on the dog. It’s not just about size. Sometimes she really lets huge dogs know that ‘this ball is mine—got it?!’ Then for other dogs that are even smaller than her, she just wanders off as if to say, ‘So your mum’s too mean to buy you your own ball. OK you can play with mine, but if you don’t bring it back, I shall give “Perdy- for.”

Eventually Perdy decided that we were going to do a circuit around the Lagoon. Off we go, and before too long, she drops the ball down a hole and then expects me to get down on my knees or worse still, on my stomach in a beached-whale-like pose---- not pretty and without Green Peace membership, probably illegal. I push my hand down the hole, hoping like hell that it is not inhabited by a nasty rat. All the indications from Perdy’s demeanour tell me my fears may be correct. However, I receive no punishing attacks for my efforts.

With the ball safely back in its holder (thrower) we complete the circuit. I encourage Perdy to take a drink and I also throw the ball way out into the Lagoon in the hope that the swimming will wear her out a bit---yeah right.

Normally when we approach the car I have to use all sorts of subterfuge to get her to come to me. There are some days when she just will not come. Her face says---‘I’m not finished yet and those other times when you think you are the boss--- well I’m just patronizing you.’

I decide that I am well over waiting 10 to 20 minutes, trying to reward her with little treats. This time I go to the car, open the back door and in she goes. Maybe the secret is in not making a fuss. What do you reckon?

On the way home I stop ant the corner shop and buy a few bits and pieces. I pull my wallet out and place it on the counter but unfortunately my wallet was tied up with the long ear phone cord and what do you know? -----out came about 20 little doggie bites. They scattered all over the counter and I could just feel the eyes of those waiting behind me drilling into the back of head. I tried to gather the pieces up and the shop keeper helped. He didn’t seem too worried. After all, I do spend quite a bit at his shop. We cleaned up the bits and off I went, heading to the car with Miss Perdy and a very red face. Lucky it wasn’t something else more embarrassing I suppose. Believe it or not!

Napier, Art Deco and the busses--should have modified them here!

Firstly, let me state that I have immense admiration for Napier and the wonderful idea of putting the two Art Deco-style busses into operation. You have a city that draws me and I wish I could visit far more. The idea of bring the two busses into service is great and I am sure that thousands will come to love them once they are able to take advantage of this new venture.

But, why did the city not bring in the busses in a more ‘raw state’ and let NZ workers bring them up to our robust standards. It could have provided jobs and used the existing skills of our workers. Now you have to wait while the firm in Tauranga fixes up what can only be described as crappy workmanship.

Still, I can’t wait to try them out. Go for it. Maybe Auckland can buy some ‘themed’ busses—a variety of fun themes come to mind. New Plymouth--- get some themed mini-busses, travelling from ‘Surf to Mountain’ or larger ‘Around the Mountain busses. Maybe Jim Hicky can give it kick along.

The 'new' child protection scheme. Will it work?

The headlines in this morning’s Herald almost screamed at me. Was the Government finally going to fund a system that will really work and protect our young people? Will this end the terrible sight of young children being tossed like a rag doll into a tumble drier, or an uncaring parent beating their child to death? Given this and other Governments’ preference to cut money from our Social Services, is this just another ‘maybe promise’ that when played out for real may actually represent one more cut?

If one takes the proposal at face value, one could get a bit excited, but if it is really worked through and rolled out, I do not believe that the necessary money will be there. It does not take much of a mathematician to extrapolate out the figures and see that this could all be ‘pie in the sky’ stuff.

OK, I shall take off my cynical hat. We already have a good deal of interagency working relationships and schools and CYFS do work together. CYFS already contracts out to various agencies cases involving lower level issues within families. Those agencies vary in their effectiveness. If this new proposal helps to bring the agencies, school, families and other support people together, then great. One agency that already does this is the Strengthening Families organization. I have been part of many successful processes involving that group.

I suspect that there will be a bit of ‘Gravy Train’ stuff going on with this new proposal. There are many ‘Trusts’ and other organization out there, competing for the magic ‘dollar,’ and I wonder at how some of the decisions re-funding are made. I would like to be a ‘fly on the wall’ sometimes.

The bottom line is that of the well-being of the kids. We must never lose sight of that. If this ‘new’ initiative plays out to stop the awful scenes we regularly see on our screens’ then well and good. In the meantime I shall continue to work with CYFS and anyone else who can help deliver real change for our families.