Category Archives: Uncategorized

My stepson Zhao Yu (Joe) and his sweetheart Zhang Qin (Ivy) were married on Waitangi Day in a lovely ceremony at St Mathews-in-the-City officiated over by the popular Reverend Clay Nelson supported by Elspeth Lamb.   Ivy was supported by … Continue reading →

When the American writer Stephen Ambrose referred to the young men and women who served in World War ll as ‘the greatest generation’, he could not have more aptly described Jim Holdaway as the epitomy of that generation – a … Continue reading →

As the famous poet and essayist of the 18th century Dr Johnson once wrote: ‘Every man thinks meanly of himself for not having been a soldier, or for not having been at sea.”

Continue reading →

Last Friday we commemorated the 93rd anniversary of the Armistice between the combatant powers which ended the Great War of 1914 -1918. The Armistice brought an end to the fighting – though the consequences of the Great War and the events … Continue reading →

It’s an honour and a pleasure to be here this morning at the opening of NZ Bus’ new Onehunga depot. To NZ Bus CEO Zane Fulljames, Central Business Unit manager Jon Calder, General Manager Shane McMahon and everyone involved in … Continue reading →

It was a real shock to hear of the sudden passing of Tony Bouzaid last week.  Yesterday a very large funeral was held for Tony at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell.   I attended with Cr Ann Hartley and GBI Board member … Continue reading →

Nearly one year after the dissolution of the Auckland Regional Council, the  legacy progamme of the ARC is still delivering projects.  The latest was the opening of the Tawharanui Marine Reserve by the Minister of Conservation on Sunday 28 August. A formal Powhiri … Continue reading →

 The eradication of pests from Rangitoto and Motutapu which took place in June and July 2009 took place with very little acknowledgement in the news media.  I had long been an advocate for the removal of rats and other pests … Continue reading →

Half the benefit of a Winter’s holiday is the good it does you just anticipating it.  My wife Jenny and I were lucky to get away for a couple of weeks in August to the Cook Islands –  but thinking  … Continue reading →

The introduction of a Hamilton to Auckland commuter rail service took a major step forward after Waikato region council leaders and MPs joined a KiwiRail Silver Fern unit on a pilot trip from Hamilton to Auckland this morning. The KiwiRail … Continue reading →