Tuesday 29 March 2016

Spice of Life

My choice from a week's work at Hawke's Bay Today ☺ 

(including at times, photos for the Napier Courierthe Hastings Leader,
the Havelock North Village Press and/or The Link)

Memorial Parade at Civic Square, Hastings, part of the reunion of 1 Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (The Originals), 1RNZIR, Gurr Battalion 1963-1965. photograph
We will remember them
Memorial Parade at Civic Square, Hastings, part of the reunion of 1 Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (The Originals), 1RNZIR, Gurr Battalion 1963-1965.

Nathan Bridge-Earney, Westshore Sea Scouts, Westshore, Napier - final parade, closing ceremony of the LNI Summer Camp, Battle of Hastings, Waiapu Zone, Scouts and Venturers camp at Hawke's Bay Showgrounds, Hastings. photograph
Boots 'n' all
Nathan Bridge-Earney, Westshore Sea Scouts, Westshore, Napier - final parade, closing ceremony of the LNI Summer Camp, Battle of Hastings, Waiapu Zone, Scouts and Venturers camp at Hawke's Bay Showgrounds, Hastings.

Kirstin Daly-Taylor, head coach, Bay Hawks - Nelson Giants beat Bay Hawks 91-80 - Basketball at Pettigrew.Green Arena, Taradale, Napier. photograph
Not happy
Kirstin Daly-Taylor, head coach, Bay Hawks - Nelson Giants beat Bay Hawks 91-80 - Basketball at Pettigrew.Green Arena, Taradale, Napier.

West Quay, Napier, pictured from the Napier Sailing Club, Napier. photograph
Sleepy village
West Quay, Napier, pictured from the Napier Sailing Club, Napier.

L-R: Junior Telea, Napier Intermediate School, Napier, running in for the last try of the game; Grayson Hesketh, Hastings Intermediate School, Hastings -  0800 Beach 5's, a three-day beach rugby competition  at Ocean Beach, 16 different teams each day, from intermediate and full primary schools from Hawke's Bay. photograph
Runaway try
L-R: Junior Telea, Napier Intermediate School, Napier, running in for the last try of the game; Grayson Hesketh, Hastings Intermediate School, Hastings -  0800 Beach 5's, a three-day beach rugby competition  at Ocean Beach, 16 different teams each day, from intermediate and full primary schools from Hawke's Bay.

Tree vandalism at Eskdale Park, Eskdale, Napier. photograph
No excuse
Tree vandalism at Eskdale Park, Eskdale, Napier.

Mike McLachlan, Taradale premiers rugby team, will be playing his 50th match for the team on Friday, pictured at Taradale Rugby Club, Carters Arms Park, Taradale, Napier. photograph
Staunch
Mike McLachlan, Taradale premiers rugby team, will be playing his 50th match for the team on Friday, pictured at Taradale Rugby Club, Carters Arms Park, Taradale, Napier.

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Monday 28 March 2016

Moving Pictures

My choice of video from a week's work at Hawke's Bay Today ☺

Mangapapa Hotel's new owner Seizo Arai (centre) was welcomed by a group called Parearau, before he officially re-opened the luxury hotel near Mangateretere, Hastings, after major renovations. photograph
Mangapapa Hotel re-opens in style
Mangapapa Hotel's new owner Seizo Arai (centre) was welcomed by a group called Parearau, before he officially re-opened the luxury hotel near Mangateretere, Hastings, after major renovations.

(Video autostarts after the break, may take a little time to load. There are also links to some of my other videos.)

Tuesday 22 March 2016

Spice of Life

My choice from a week's work at Hawke's Bay Today ☺ 

(including at times, photos for the Napier Courierthe Hastings Leader
the Havelock North Village Press and/or The Link)

One hop, slightly brown and dried off on the underside, ready to pick - GodsOwn Brewery, owned by Godfery Quemeneur and Rachel Downes, at Maraekakaho, Hawke's Bay. photograph
 Boutique brewery
One hop, slightly brown and dried off on the underside, ready to pick - GodsOwn Brewery, owned by Godfery Quemeneur and Rachel Downes, at Maraekakaho, Hawke's Bay.

A 63 year-old man drowned near Waipatiki Beach, Hawke's Bay. A 65 year-old man was found by the Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter and was treated at Hawke's Bay Hospital for hyperthermia. They had been checking cray pots from a 5.8m alloy pontoon boat which flipped suddenly. photograph
Rocky beach
A 63 year-old man drowned near Waipatiki Beach, Hawke's Bay. A 65 year-old man was found by the Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter and was treated at Hawke's Bay Hospital for hyperthermia. They had been checking cray pots from a 5.8m alloy pontoon boat which flipped suddenly.

The winning Bay of Plenty cricket team - Hawke Cup cricket vs Hawke's Bay at Nelson Park, Napier. photograph
Beer shower
The winning Bay of Plenty cricket team - Hawke Cup cricket vs Hawke's Bay at Nelson Park, Napier.

Volunteers from the Napier Coastguard work to bring the upturned boat ashore at Westshore, Napier - A 63 year-old man drowned near Waipatiki Beach, Hawke's Bay. A 65 year-old man was found by the Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter and was treated at Hawke's Bay Hospital for hyperthermia. They had been checking cray pots from a 5.8m alloy pontoon boat which flipped suddenly. photograph
Cold work
Volunteers from the Napier Coastguard work to bring the upturned boat ashore at Westshore, Napier - A 63 year-old man drowned near Waipatiki Beach, Hawke's Bay. A 65 year-old man was found by the Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter and was treated at Hawke's Bay Hospital for hyperthermia. They had been checking cray pots from a 5.8m alloy pontoon boat which flipped suddenly. 

L-R: Mitch Snell, Lindisfarne College, Hastings, 4:39:28; Josh Cheer, Taradale High School, Taradale, Napier, 4:39:47 - Triple Peaks Challenge, a run and/or cycle event from Havelock North, over Mt Erin, Kahuranaki and Te Mata Peak, then back to Havelock North Domain, Havelock North. photograph
Race to the finish
L-R: Mitch Snell, Lindisfarne College, Hastings, 4:39:28; Josh Cheer, Taradale High School, Taradale, Napier, 4:39:47 - Triple Peaks Challenge, a run and/or cycle event from Havelock North, over Mt Erin, Kahuranaki and Te Mata Peak, then back to Havelock North Domain, Havelock North.

Sam van der Zwet, 10, Taradale, in the village stocks - Much Ado about Nothing, at Shakespeare in the Park, at Church Rd Winery, Taradale, Napier. photograph
Bad boy, apparently
Sam van der Zwet, 10, Taradale, in the village stocks - Much Ado about Nothing, at Shakespeare in the Park, at Church Rd Winery, Taradale, Napier.

Grant Hughes, artist, Napier, painting a town scene from the Elizabethan Period, watched by Meaghan Broad, 10, Havelock North - Much Ado about Nothing, at Shakespeare in the Park, at Church Rd Winery, Taradale, Napier. photograph
The way we were
Grant Hughes, artist, Napier, painting a town scene from the Elizabethan Period, watched by Meaghan Broad, 10, Havelock North - Much Ado about Nothing, at Shakespeare in the Park, at Church Rd Winery, Taradale, Napier.

Right: Matt Kidd, performing in Much Ado about Nothing, at Shakespeare in the Park, at Church Rd Winery, Taradale, Napier. photograph
Thespians from another era
Right: Matt Kidd, performing in Much Ado about Nothing, at Shakespeare in the Park, at Church Rd Winery, Taradale, Napier.

Hawke's Bay Today Photo Sales

Monday 21 March 2016

Moving Pictures

My choice of video from a week's work at Hawke's Bay Today ☺

Kevin and Kiri Swannell update supporters of Limitless Hope at a public meeting at Bledisloe School in Taradale, Napier. photograph
Limitless Hope battles on
Kevin and Kiri Swannell update supporters of Limitless Hope at a public meeting at Bledisloe School in Taradale, Napier.

(Video autostarts after the break, may take a little time to load. There are also links to some of my other videos.)

Tuesday 15 March 2016

Spice of Life

My choice from a week's work at Hawke's Bay Today ☺ 

(including at times, photos for the Napier Courierthe Hastings Leader
the Havelock North Village Press and/or The Link)

Tree and crop in front of fog, mist in front of hills, Te Hauke, Central Hawke's Bay. photograph
Foggy start to the day
Tree and crop in front of fog, mist in front of hills, Te Hauke, Central Hawke's Bay.


Hilary Hansen, a farmer at Haupouri Station, Ocean Beach, Havelock North, with dogs L-R: Sarge, Honey, Tess. photograph
Me and the boys
Hilary Hansen, a farmer at Haupouri Station, Ocean Beach, Havelock North, with dogs L-R: Sarge, Honey, Tess.


L-R: Jamie Twigg, Grace Patterson, founders of Your Gourmet, shopping for products to put in an Italian Starter Box, at Vetro, Napier. photograph
Man who loves shopping
L-R: Jamie Twigg, Grace Patterson, founders of Your Gourmet, shopping for products to put in an Italian Starter Box, at Vetro, Napier.


Aaron Glasson, artist, South Auckland, creative director at Pangeaseed, working on a spraypainting entitled Pania of The Reef, at Perfume Point, Ahuriri, Napier, part of an international project called Sea Walls Murals for Oceans, organised in Napier by The Alternative Arts Initiative and Napier City Council. photograph
Not the Pania I know
Aaron Glasson, artist, South Auckland, creative director at Pangeaseed, working on a spraypainting entitled Pania of The Reef, at Perfume Point, Ahuriri, Napier, part of an international project called Sea Walls Murals for Oceans, organised in Napier by The Alternative Arts Initiative and Napier City Council.


Tommy Clout, Bay of Plenty, out - Hawke Cup cricket vs Hawke's Bay at Nelson Park, Napier. photograph
Howzat
Tommy Clout, Bay of Plenty, out - Hawke Cup cricket vs Hawke's Bay at Nelson Park, Napier.


72B, Darren Melling, Hawke's Bay - Super saloons - New Zealand Super Saloon Championship and New Zealand TQ Grand Prix at Meeanee Speedway, Meeanee, Napier. photograph
Through the dust
72B, Darren Melling, Hawke's Bay - Super saloons - New Zealand Super Saloon Championship and New Zealand TQ Grand Prix at Meeanee Speedway, Meeanee, Napier.

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Monday 14 March 2016

Moving Pictures

My choice of video from a week's work at Hawke's Bay Today ☺

Isla Fergus, 6, Havelock North, throwing a gumboot - Hundreds of bargain-hunters, fun fanatics and supporters descended on the annual Hohepa Country Fair in Clive. photograph
Isla Fergus, 6, Havelock North, throwing a gumboot

Too much to see and do at Hohepa Fair
Hundreds of bargain-hunters, fun fanatics and supporters descended on the annual Hohepa Country Fair in Clive.

(Video autostarts after the break, may take a little time to load. There are also links to some of my other videos.)

Tuesday 8 March 2016

Spice of Life

My choice from a week's work at Hawke's Bay Today ☺ 

(including at times, photos for the Napier Courierthe Hastings Leader,
the Havelock North Village Press and/or The Link)

Judy-Anne Kerrigan, Havelock North, her son Martin McRae, 2, Havelock North, with Skite, a female Clydesdale from Havelock North - Horse of the Year in the City Showcase, Civic Square, Hastings, the first event of the annual Horse of the Year. photograph
Gudday mate
Judy-Anne Kerrigan, Havelock North, her son Martin McRae, 2, Havelock North, with Skite, a female Clydesdale from Havelock North - Horse of the Year in the City Showcase, Civic Square, Hastings, the first event of the annual Horse of the Year.


L-R: Lisa Le Fae, troupe leader, Maree Patton, Jewel Gray, Jan Hartshorn - Bellishus Performance Troupe, Hawke's Bay, rehearsing their fan veil routine in the Marine Parade Gardens, in preparation for the MEDANZ Festival in Wellington in April, in the hot sunny, partly cloudy weather. photograph
Visual poetry
L-R: Lisa Le Fae, troupe leader, Maree Patton, Jewel Gray, Jan Hartshorn - Bellishus Performance Troupe, Hawke's Bay, rehearsing their fan veil routine in the Marine Parade Gardens, in preparation for the MEDANZ Festival in Wellington in April, in the hot sunny, partly cloudy weather.


Centre: Shelley Shackleton, Bucklands Beach, with family, the girls dressed as "The Red Hat Chicky Peppers", the men dressed as "Irishman, to be sure, to be sure..." - Simply Red, Mission Concert, Mission Estate Winery, Taradale, Napier. photograph
Characters to be sure
Centre: Shelley Shackleton, Bucklands Beach, with family, the girls dressed as "The Red Hat Chicky Peppers", the men dressed as "Irishman, to be sure, to be sure..." - Simply Red, Mission Concert, Mission Estate Winery, Taradale, Napier.


Simply Red and founding frontman Mick Hucknall - Simply Red, Mission Concert, Mission Estate Winery, Taradale, Napier. photograph
Pleasing the crowd
Simply Red and founding frontman Mick Hucknall - Simply Red, Mission Concert, Mission Estate Winery, Taradale, Napier.


Tristan Ramsey, 3, Te Awamutu, watering Woodland Bug, a showjumper belonging to his aunt Emma Gaze, Te Awamutu, pictured at the Horse of the Year, at Hawke's Bay Showgrounds, Hastings. photograph
 Lovin' horsie
Tristan Ramsey, 3, Te Awamutu, watering Woodland Bug, a showjumper belonging to his aunt Emma Gaze, Te Awamutu, pictured at the Horse of the Year, at Hawke's Bay Showgrounds, Hastings.


L-R: Warrick Allen, premier arena MC, interviewing Olivia Robertson on Ngahiwi Cisco, winner, Norwood Gold Cup 1.45m, in the Land Rover Premier Arena, Horse of the Year at the Hawke's Bay Showgrounds, Hastings. photograph
Winning is fun
L-R: Warrick Allen, premier arena MC, interviewing Olivia Robertson on Ngahiwi Cisco, winner, Norwood Gold Cup 1.45m, in the Land Rover Premier Arena, Horse of the Year at the Hawke's Bay Showgrounds, Hastings.


Danielle Johnson on Sofia Rosa, winner, Race 7, Little Avondale Lowland Stakes, $70,000, 2100m, Twilight Raceday at Hawke's Bay Racecourse, Hastings. photograph
Dollars richer
Danielle Johnson on Sofia Rosa, winner, Race 7, Little Avondale Lowland Stakes, $70,000, 2100m, Twilight Raceday at Hawke's Bay Racecourse, Hastings.


L-R: Pene Pati, Moses Mackay, Amitai Pati - Sol3 Mio, nationwide "On Another Note" tour, at Pettigrew.Green Arena, Taradale, Napier. photograph
Hold that note
L-R: Pene Pati, Moses Mackay, Amitai Pati - Sol3 Mio, nationwide "On Another Note" tour, at Pettigrew.Green Arena, Taradale, Napier.


L-R: Ray Ward-Smith, ring time manager; Werner Deeg, Germany, international course designer, at work in the Land Rover Premier Arena, Horse of the Year, at the Hawke's Bay Showgrounds, Hastings. photograph
Chirpy fellow
L-R: Ray Ward-Smith, ring time manager; Werner Deeg, Germany, international course designer, at work in the Land Rover Premier Arena, Horse of the Year, at the Hawke's Bay Showgrounds, Hastings.


A floral tribute at the scene of a fatal crash (09 January 2015) in Waimarama Rd, Havelock North. photograph
Tribute
A floral tribute at the scene of a fatal crash (09 January 2015) in Waimarama Rd, Havelock North.


Keean Cooper on Amarula MVNZ, winner of the Dunstan Horse Feeds Young Rider of the Year, in the Land Rover Premier Arena, Horse of the Year, at the Hawke's Bay Showgrounds, Hastings. photograph
Happy Young Rider
Keean Cooper on Amarula MVNZ, winner of the Dunstan Horse Feeds Young Rider of the Year, in the Land Rover Premier Arena, Horse of the Year, at the Hawke's Bay Showgrounds, Hastings.


Georgie Coop, 4, Gisborne, with jumps by Jump4Joy, Invercargill, at the Horse of the Year, at the Hawke's Bay Showgrounds, Hastings. photograph
Little jumper
Georgie Coop, 4, Gisborne, with jumps by Jump4Joy, Invercargill, at the Horse of the Year, at the Hawke's Bay Showgrounds, Hastings.

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Monday 7 March 2016

To flag, or not to flag, the flag


So in conclusion, my advice is very simple: Ignore the distractions and listen to your heart - and if the referendum should go against your preferred option, embrace it. Own it. Grieve briefly if you must, then fly it proudly. And move on.
__________

It's a big question, and the discussion hasn't been handled particularly well, by either the pro- or the anti-brigade, and yet it's time to make our mark, and send off the referendum.

Right up front, I'll be voting for the status quo. It surprises me how little I thought about our current flag until 'they' threatened to take it away - just like the kid who lunges for their long-discarded toy when their nearby sibling makes a move on it, I suspect.

In contrast, I remember with some nostalgia the first time I sang God Defend New Zealand in place of God Save the Queen despite her being ever so gracious and noble. (Though in truth, even God Defend New Zealand has changed somewhat since then; today was the first time I have even bothered to look up the meaning of the Maori first verse.)

And I admit it, there is little logic to the pride I've felt as I've driven around and noted the huge numbers of New Zealand flags flying where once there were none. Just quietly, I've been surprised at how few poles have supported the one that inside my mind I call 'the impostor.'
__________

And yet, to be true to myself, I must also consider the arguments in as logical a fashion as possible, so here goes:

It's time for a change i.e. let's have change for the sake of change. That just sounds like the seven-year itch in real estate. And as in real estate, timing is everything.

It's John Key's vanity project. I don't agree, but so what if it is. To base your own opinion for or against a flag on the basis of an identity is rather short-sighted and narrow-minded. And the same goes for celebrities, sporting heroes, leader-writers and movie stars. It's what they say that's important, not their public persona.

Our flag is often mistaken for Australia's. So let them change theirs, they're a whole lot closer to becoming a republic than New Zealand. And there's another point. If we are to change the flag - and I suspect that those who want a change won't let the issue go - let's do it when we have a good reason.

Should we really change the flag - with all the effort and cost involved - just because officials in some sporting or political arena have been in too great a hurry and made a mistake? It's not like we're the only country with that minuscule problem, have a look at these.

Having the Union Jack is archaic; Britain dumped us for the EEC. Fair point, we are no longer just a colony. But the Union Jack also represents New Zealand's collective history, and the Treaty between Maori and the British. Although much has happened since (and there have been fair grievances from both parties), the Treaty of Waitangi - and the flag - is still an important rallying point.

Our soldiers fought and bled for the flag. I don't think so. Some fought out of loyalty to the Motherland, but many went to stand up for democracy, against all that was wrong with the Nazis and their military conquest to take over the world. I also suspect a good few were just looking for adventure. You don't die for a flag, you fight for what it represents.

The $26m could have been spent elsewhere. That's never going to change. As long as there are needs, there will always be differences of priority. So please don't base your decision on that.

There won't be another chance in our lifetime. Dear Lord, that's the same argument as 'John Key's Legacy.' Perhaps we should have a triangular flag, or let it be pink with purple polka dots, 'it's our only chance' and no-one would mistake it for Australia's.

I'm voting with the majority, so I must be right. Actually, polls are notoriously wrong, and anyway, your vote is not about picking a winner, it's about indicating a preference.

17 of 20 Commonwealth countries have changed their flags. Woohoo, if they keep that up, ours will be unique. Problem solved. Just be patient, people. Hahahaha

The proposed flag looks like a tea-towel. Trivial to the point of puerile.

The proposed flag is a great logo. That statement just makes me wince. New Zealand is so more than just a brand, a logo and a slogan. We are so much more than just a hashtag.

The design of the proposed flag sucks. Not nearly expert enough to comment on that one.

The process was screwed. Like it or not, once started, there had to be a process. Our part is to make our selection based on the result of the first referendum. Which of the two flags on offer ticks most of your boxes?

Bloody National Party, always wrecking things. Actually, changing the flag was also Labour Party policy, until they decided to get all political and shot themselves in the foot.

A new flag is just a distraction.  Not really, the Opposition and the media have still done their job in keeping us informed about many other issues.

And here's a thought: whether or not you like John Key, and whether or not you agree with his view, he has done New Zealand at least one otherwise unacknowledged favour: he's woken the sleeping giant, he's aroused the so-called apathetic, lethargic "she'll be right" Kiwi, and come 2017, much to Labour's chagrin, he may well have discovered their oft-considered "missing million."

We live in interesting times.

See also:
The Flag Consideration Project's official site
History: NZ Herald - How much do we know about the current flag? (video)
John Key's view (video)




Moving Pictures

My choice of video from a week's work at Hawke's Bay Today ☺

Kingston lies down for Tumanako "Tui" Teka, part of the Friday Night Extravaganza, Horse of the Year, at the Hawke's Bay Showgrounds, Hastings. photograph
All the fun of the fair
Kingston lies down for Tumanako "Tui" Teka, part of the Friday Night Extravaganza, Horse of the Year, at the Hawke's Bay Showgrounds, Hastings. 

(Video autostarts after the break, may take a little time to load. There are also links to some of my other videos.)

Tuesday 1 March 2016

Spice of Life

My choice from a week's work at Hawke's Bay Today ☺ 
(including at times, photos for the Napier Courierthe Hastings Leader
the Havelock North Village Press and/or The Link)

Only worked two days this week, still had fun ☺ 

L-R: Nevaeh Hapi, Emanon Hapi, Shayd Hapi, Moronai, Hapi, a Bridge Pa, Hastings, family whose house was seriously damaged in a fire last year. They will be competing in the Flaxmere Challenge this week. photograph
Starting over
L-R: Nevaeh Hapi, Emanon Hapi, Shayd Hapi, Moronai, Hapi, a Bridge Pa, Hastings, family whose house was seriously damaged in a fire last year. They will be competing in the Flaxmere Challenge this week.


Front: Astin Jones, 8, taradale, playing non-stop cricket - Superstar Cricket, an after-school cricket programme run by Taradale Cricket Club, at Taradale Park, Taradale, Napier, in cloudy, sunny, warm late afternoon weather. photograph
Tireless kids
Front: Astin Jones, 8, taradale, playing non-stop cricket - Superstar Cricket, an after-school cricket programme run by Taradale Cricket Club, at Taradale Park, Taradale, Napier, in cloudy, sunny, warm late afternoon weather.


Left: Leana de Bruin, WaiBOP - Pulse vs Waikato Bay of Plenty, pre-season netball at Pettigrew.Green Arena, Taradale, Napier. WaiBOP won 52-41. photograph
Beat ya
Left: Leana de Bruin, WaiBOP - Pulse vs Waikato Bay of Plenty, pre-season netball at Pettigrew.Green Arena, Taradale, Napier. WaiBOP won 52-41.

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