Have you enrolled to vote?
There are over 15700 people in Tauranga who are yet to register to vote in this year's election. Fewer than 60% of youth have registered. The over 65s have the best record with over 99% enrolled.
Two Councils -Two Jobs (An Analogy)
Two Councils- Two Jobs. There is increasing discussion about local government and its structure. This is good. No system is so perfect as to be permanently set in stone without ever being reviewed. It is clear, though, listening to the discussions, that there is a...
Alfred Marshall and Economics 101
Born on July 26, 1842, Alfred Marshall gave us the modern language of price theory: supply, demand, elasticity, surplus. Marshall’s famous “scissors” model—where prices emerge from the intersection of supply and demand—became the foundation of microeconomics. If you...
Managed Retreat
There is a bit of chatter from the bureaucracy that the solution to big weather events is to make people move away from their homes. Whole towns such as Westport and Opotiki are in the firing line with a message that they should move to higher ground.. At least one of...
Clive Lansink presents on the Total Mobility Scheme
The Total Mobility Subsidy Scheme is a valuable programme which enables people with mobility challenges to get out and about in the community. I work with Clive on the board of Blind Low Vision NZ of which he is the chair. It was a pleasure to invite him to speak to...
Valentines Day Spending
The ANZ reports There is likely a range of views out there about whether Valentine’s Day spending is a luxury or a necessity, but either way, ANZ card spending at jewellers and florists saw its usual jump leading up to and on Valentine’s Day, 14 February. The data...
Rangiuru Business Park update
Elected Members of the Regional Council and Quayside met at the Rangiuru Business Park site today. The interchange across the TEL is set to open next Friday so we took the opportunity to get a view from from the bridge. Exciting developments are underway with all...
Prediction -Technology
In my predictions for 2025 I suggested AI would be the Technology story for 2025. This has proved the case even before we are out of January. The Associated Press reports today that “A frenzy over an artificial intelligence chatbot made by Chinese tech startup...
Prediction -Society
Race Relations and the Growing Tensions: Understanding the Complex Landscape As we look towards the future, one aspect of society that seems to be increasingly in the spotlight is race relations. It’s an unfortunate but growing reality that the state of race relations...
Predictions 2025
My predictions for the new year using STEEPLE format. PredictionCommentSocietyRace relations will deteriorate between Maori and others. Religious bias will increase beyond.It is in the interests of Te Pati Maori to create racial disfunction - they only need a...
All proceeds Donated to Blind Low Vision Guide Dogs
https://youtu.be/zdx27FSX6QM A Truly Special Cause:What makes this property even more special is that all proceeds from the sale will be donated to Blind Low Vision NZ Guide Dogs. By purchasing this property, you're not only securing a wonderful home but also...
US Election – Popular Votes
The graph above shows numbers of popular votes in US Presidential elections over the last 50 years. In 2020 Biden got more votes than Reagan or Obama, two of the most popular presidents in the last 50 years. Democratic votes went up almost 15 million votes from just...