Author: migrant

Royal Visit

It almost seems like a waste of time to pass comment on the visit of William and Kate to New Zealand, with of course the bonny George. I would not expect it have much impact on me but I do not think that I am the only one for which the visit is passing by.

There is the impression that the UK press following from afar is more interested and excited that the local crew.

I poll in reported in the NZ Herald:

‘As an old republican, I find more convincing the results of the Curia market research poll conducted early last month for the NZ Republican Movement. It found New Zealanders more or less evenly divided, with 44 per cent supporting a New Zealander as the next head of state, and 46 per cent backing the British monarch to be our king.

The remaining 10 per cent were unsure or refused. It was a telephone poll of 1038 respondents with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 per cent.

What it does show is that support for the status quo is rapidly dying out, with only 26 per cent of 18 to 30-year-olds wanting to retain the British monarchy. Of the rest in that age bracket, 37 per cent supported the direct election of a local head of state, while 29 per cent preferred a local elected by a two-thirds majority of Parliament.

Support for the status quo leapt to 41 per cent of 31 to 45-year-olds, 45 per cent of 46 to 60-year-olds, and 53 per cent for those 61 and over.’

So it would seem that there are better places to shore up support for the monarchy. almost seems inevitable that a republic will arrive, just needs the older crowd to move on!

Monsieur Le President

Image

Yesterday we saw ‘Being President’, shown during the French film festival. A documentary following the political activities of Francois Hollande. A bit long in truth, but interesting and entertaining. Despite the economic woes of the country, the extravagance of the pomp and ceremony is remarkable.

I also went to see ‘Belle& Sebastian’ with Isaac. Now that was a trip down memory lane, being a remake based on the television series of the sixties-of which I am sure I saw lots. Disney film in French??

New Zealand Politics

This is standard fair for John Key and the National Party. Image is all and Key has always been sold as ‘the likeable guy’. He is a light weight, and promotes himself and the politics of the party via this sort of thing and appearances on breakfast television and talk-back radio. He is not a politician for a political discussion.
However, Kiwis still seem to like him. The ‘humble beginnings’ story seems to still have legs.

Possession of a restricted licence

 

2014-02-13 15.36.14

So today succeeded in passing his test. He has been learning for the last 13 months with me mainly, with some professional lessons. Today was attempt number two, and he passed. The pass rate is 53% nationally, so he is Mr Average.

It is so important to pass as he starts at Whiteria next week in Porirua and traveling by bus would have been  a hassle. So now some freedom.

The restricted license means he can drive from 06-00 to 22-00., no passengers who do not have a full license, and no alcohol. He can take his full license in 18 months, or six months earlier if he takes a safe-driving course.

Well Done Bro!

Bye Nigel

Nigel went to the grave today, having been put out of his discomfort yesterday. He had been failing fro a while but deteriorated quickly on Sunday. He had some nasopharyngeal tumour I think as he has developed progressive right sided cranial nerve palsies, along with his persistent shrieking cry.

Nigel had been with us for the last nine years. A large tiger in his prime, he has certainly faded recently. He now joins Spud in the garden.

Joe’s last official day at school

Yesterday was officially Joseph’s last day at school. There was a special Mass, also to celebrate All Saint’s Day. There was the presentation of the ‘Leaver’s Tie”, speeches and beautiful singing. It was a lovely event and again reminded me of the important aspects of school life. A positive experience.
At the end, The Year 13s and the rest exchanged the Haka. So New Zealand.

St.Pats

 

BBC notices Wellington

 

21 July 2013Last updated at 07:26 GMT

New Zealand earthquake damages Wellington parliament

Crack in road at Wellington wharf, New Zealand, 21 July 2013  
The quake cracked roads and knocked stock off shelves in shops
A minute-long earthquake has shaken New Zealand, halting trains and damaging Wellington’s parliament building.

The 6.5-magnitude tremor was centred 35 miles (57 km) off the coast south of the capital at a depth of 6.3 miles, said the US Geological Survey.
But while some structural damage and power cuts were reported, officials said there was no risk of a tsunami.
The quake hit at 17:09 (05:09 GMT) and was felt as far north as Auckland.
It smashed windows, knocked stock off shop shelves and burst some water pipes, but there have been no reports of serious casualties.
Wellington resident James Barwell said the earthquake had caused power cuts in the city suburbs and prompted the temporary closure of its airport.
“There’s been a bit of structural damage, lots of shattered glass everywhere,” he told the BBC. “Initially there were a few screams and panic, people thought it was another Christchurch.”
A 6.3-magnitude earthquake centred near Christchurch in February 2011 killed 185 people.
Sunday’s tremor was the latest in a series that have shaken the lower half of New Zealand’s North Island in recent days.
New Zealand lies on the notorious Ring of Fire, the line of frequent quakes and volcanic eruptions that circles virtually the entire Pacific rim.
The country experiences more than 14,000 earthquakes a year, of which only around 20 have a magnitude in excess of 5.0.

Very Shaky

Well the place is called the “Shaky Isles” and over the last few days that has certainly been the case. We have had lots of earthquakes over the last three days; persistent and big ones- lots of movement of the house with items falling off the shelf. Magnitude was 6.8 this afternoon, and all the activity is just off the South Island in the Cook Strait.