I read this in the Economist last week. It was about a larger-than-life character in the UK who was the first to undertake a bungy jump. He was completely “out there” when he did it. However, what this became was a multi-million-dollar tourist venture in New Zealand. When he did it the cops came and … [Read more...]
Activists are essential to the maintenance of a democracy Steve Howard was one of those:
Keep Our Assets Canterbury (KOA) recently announced the death of Steve Howard, one of their founders and key activists. Steve, who died on October 20, was 69. I gained permission to reprint their obituary for Steve. Steve wrote his own death notice in the Press and in the first person. "After … [Read more...]
Many of us in the Tuesday Club have always been against neo-liberal reform
The Tuesday Club was initially started by Peter Beck, John Patterson, and me. A common theme has been challenging and analysing the results of the extreme neo-liberal values imposed on our community by most politicians of the main two parties since 1984. We will continue to promote this analysis … [Read more...]
Norm Kirk was my big Hero in Politics
Quentin Wilson attends the Tuesday Club, and he prints books. Brave man. Recently he wrote to me with the news that he is about to publish a book about Big Norm. I can’t wait to read it. When it’s published, we might invite Denis Welch to speak to us. Here’s the blurb about the book: We Need … [Read more...]
The Mount Erebus memorial
The Tuesday Club is sent to 1400 email addresses. One such address is Paul Gilberd of Auckland. One of Paul’s grandparents died on Flight 901 which crashed on Mount Erebus 43 years ago. He has tirelessly worked with many of the surviving families to establish a site for a memorial to those who died … [Read more...]
Two Former Refugees who have succeeded back in their home countries
Patrick O’Connor wrote about the achievements and current work of two former Otautahi residents, who are both Somali/Aotearoa dual citizens. HASSAN HAJI IBRAHIM Hassan was sufficiently respected by then Mayor Garry Moore ( 2001 ) to be commissioned on a 6mth project, with myself as volunteer … [Read more...]
A heart-warming story – Janice Gray
There’s lots of us who have always loved anything Janice Gray did. Now Frank Films (Gerard Smyth) has recorded a cameo on Janice and captured some of her larger-than-life personality. Hers has been a colourful life. One shared with us. Some of that is recorded in this superb doco: … [Read more...]
Bravo Sara Templeton
I am glad that I left politics before the onset of digital warriors. All I had to deal with was radio talkback which was odorific enough. However, the nasty stuff was at least on the air rather than insidious types hiding behind a keyboard. It’s different now and Sara Templeton has taken a brave … [Read more...]
Ta Tipene O’Regan, New Zealander of the Year
It was wonderful to see Ta Tipene O’Regan honoured for his amazing service to Māori and to this country. I had the pleasure of chairing Whalewatch board for nearly 18 years and it was my task to minimise Tipene’s stories. They were plentiful and colourful, as one would expect from a Māori also a son … [Read more...]
Political parties have great difficulty handling a maverick, the latest victim, Louisa Wall
I have written many times about how hard it is to survive within a political party. This week Louisa Wall called it quits in parliament. The Labour Party were largely silent in commenting about her. She is this generation’s John A Lee, the architect of State Housing who had the audacity to … [Read more...]
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