Political Reflections 2021

Like many older New Zealanders, we have conscientiously listened to the Covid reports on TV or radio, and read the daily paper, to try and stay well-informed.  And we are awaiting our booster shots. We find it hard to understand the anti-vaxx brigade, and even harder to feel tolerant of the bizarre parades and nasty […]

5. …and what of the future?

    We are filled with gratitude that we are still both alive, loving and supporting each other, mostly  in good health, and able to enjoy life in this amazing country, Aotearoa. We specially appreciate the  tree-bordered streets and parks of Grey Lynn, the easy access to  interesting cultural activities and eating places , the […]

1. International Women’s Day and Month

A LIVELY WOMEN’S DISCUSSION “Level Up –Let’s change the World” (scheduled for International Women’s Day, but postponed because of Covid Lockdown) was an intergenerational discussion chaired with skill and empathy by Miriama Kamo.  It made an inspiring – and challenging- 7.30am start to the day on Wednesday 17 March at the Civic Club.  A diverse […]

2. The Media…

On  8 March, on Maori Television, Moana Maniapoto devoted her whole programme (Te Ao with Moana) to interviews with 12 Maori women on the subject, ” Speaking rights on the  Marae”.  There were many different views  about women speaking on the marae.  Acknowledgements were given to the late Whaia McClutchie, Merata Mita and Eva Rickard.  […]

3. Other Women’s Events This Month.

ALBA – an Octagenarian cyclist ALBA, the Auckland Lesbian Business Association, had as its guest speaker on Wednesday 10th March a very special woman – Jill Lundmark, who has, for the last 13 years, until Covid Lockdowns stopped her, taken her bicycle and gone overseas for 3 months of every year, exploring new places each […]

4. Ki Tau, Ki Tai

Ki Tau Ki Tai – from ridge to sea – Tanya’s story of a guided cycling tour based around water landmarks in Tāmaki Makaurau 27 February 2021                      ————————————————————————                              Ki Tau Ki Tai – from Ridge to sea – a guided cycling tour through central Tāmaki Makaurau – organised by Auckland Libraries […]

5. Poroporoaki for Ama

We heard this week that Māori activist Miriama Rauhihi Ness, known to many friends as Ama, had died , a month  after becoming ill at Waitangi.  She was farewelled by a packed congregation of Māori, Pasifika and Pākehā friends and supporters at Tipene Funerals on  Wednesday 17 March in the evening, and by family at […]

Happy PRIDE Month!

There are lots of exciting events in Tāmaki Makaurau during Pride month.. …we started with the SameSameButDifferent Writers’ Festival The SSBD Literary Festival is the only LGBTQI  Festival of its kind in Australasia- a celebration of Aotearoa’s LGBTQI writing talent.  This is its sixth year- it was founded in 2016 by Peter Wells, who, sadly, […]