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Bike Auckland

September 19, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Bike Auckland’s AGM was the best AGM I’ve attended! Over in 5 minutes-” totally rigged!” as the dynamic silver-haired chair, Barbara Cuthbert, announced gleefully, ” because all the current committee members want to continue,” – “but”- she added “we can easily coopt any other keen bikers!” An evening to celebrate a busy year of hustling, […]

Filed Under: Culture and heritage, Environmental issues, Our Local Community, Tanya's photos, Tanya's thoughts

Spring Round About…

September 19, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Alcohol and Drug Court supporters’ dinner We’ve heard about the great work of Auckland and West Auckland Alcohol and Other Drug Courts for a while now.  But Justice Department money doesn’t cover all the costs of court clients…such as rental deposits, transport costs  for  appointments with potential employers or Work and Income, repairs for damaged […]

Filed Under: Earthsong, Environmental issues, Gender issues, Our Local Community, Social Justice Issues

Grieving

September 19, 2019 by Leave a Comment

In the last two weeks, two of my special friends and colleagues from Auckland Girls’ Grammar School have died.  Both joined the staff of AGGS in 1966, and were in senior positions with me during 1978-88. Elaine Craig was my deputy principal for ten years, and stood in for me as principal four times when […]

Filed Under: Charmaine's thoughts, Gender issues

Rangitoto…

August 19, 2019 by 2 Comments

  “Where shall we go for my birthday treat, I wonder? Somewhere not too far away, close to nature, simple to arrange, and with a low carbon footprint.  How about Rangitoto Island?” Tanya asked herself…and Charmaine … So here are Tanya’s reflections on 14-17 August 2019… For both of us, the skyline of Auckland has […]

Filed Under: Culture and heritage, Environmental issues, Our Local Community, Our Travels, Tanya's photos, Tanya's thoughts, Treaty issues

Good Judgement

August 19, 2019 by Leave a Comment

If you’ve ever wondered what the induction of a new judge into the court system in New Zealand might be like, you might have imagined rows of dark-suited lawyers, and elderly be-wigged Pakeha men presiding. When we were invited to the swearing-in of Auckland barrister Faumui Penelope (Lope) Ginnen as a Judge in the Manukau […]

Filed Under: Culture and heritage, Gender issues, Our Local Community, Our Travels, Social Justice Issues, Tanya's photos, Treaty issues

“Going to the Pictures…”

August 19, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Auckland’s International Film Festival is on each year in mid-winter.  This year, we booked for ten films in two weeks, seven of which we especially enjoyed.  They will be shown again, no doubt, in other cities or on general release..do see any of these if you get a chance: Amazing Grace was made when Aretha […]

Filed Under: Our Travels

Best Book, Best Writers, Best Bookshop…

August 19, 2019 by Leave a Comment

(Charmaine’s unabashedly personal views…) A Teaching Life, by Carol White, has just been published by The Cuba Press.  It has been eleven years in the making, since Carol retired from her position as Co-Principal of Selwyn College, in East Auckland.   I was delighted to be asked to write a foreword to it, and then to launch […]

Filed Under: Charmaine's thoughts, Culture and heritage, Gender issues, Social Justice Issues

Charm from the Chathams

August 19, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Kaa’i and Francesca, our friends from Rekohu/Chatham Islands have been in Auckland again, this time supporting and judging the culinary efforts of children in South Auckland, and extending the marketing of their new unique freeze-dried honey from the Chathams.  They are also finalists in the NZ Artisan Awards…to be decided later in the year.. It’s […]

Filed Under: Culture and heritage, Gender issues, Social Justice Issues