Vox’s posts tagged new zealand

Recession – Dealing With The New Swear Word

nobody@vox.com(Allied Wallet) — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:56:54 +0000

The people in New Zealand are not having it good these days- finance-wise. Hard to do so when your country’s finance minister has not woken up early to the smell of the coffee burning.

According to the Treasury, New Zealand’s longest period of growth since WW2 has come to a sorry end with the economy shrinking by 0.3 percent from January to March. While Finance Minister Michael Cullen maintains that a fall in the New Zealand dollar is bound to help the export sector, what this news holds for the world in general and the West in particular is tremendous.

According to the Westpac research economist Dominick Stephens, New Zealand is the first Western country to go into recession this year. How long until America buckles?

As an American, it is up to you to make a conscious decision about your personal finances, especially when recession is a looming danger. The subprime crisis makes it difficult for the U.S. to import produce from foreign shores, making it hard in turn for citizens to spend money.

From fund transfers to banking and business, what you have to remember first and foremost is that what goes up must come down. Stay positive about your spending habits without giving free rein to your expenses. You can try to look for eco-friendly ways to deal with an impending recession or you can simply think twice when browsing the internet while online shopping.

Make a smart personal finance decision today. Use Allied Wallet for a secure online fund processing system that takes care of your money when engaging in eCommerce activities.

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New Zealand Post can get it right

nobody@vox.com(Jack Yan) — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:54:21 +0000

I know the postage prices are ridiculous (I had my gripe about the doubling of the rate for sending copies of Lucire in New Zealand a few months back) and most recently a Fast Post item took between July 24 and August 3 to get from Wellington to Auckland, but sometimes, New Zealand Post gets it right.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The service at NZ Post’s Kilbirnie branch is always great, but I want to say how great. Everyone is friendly, as you’d expect, but the care goes into little things, too, such as the post box lobby. Staffers actually take the time to distinguish between items that will fit comfortably into the box and those that look more delicate and shouldn’t be bent—like a CD-ROM. It’s a small thing, but it goes to show that the Kilbirnie team treat their duty—as the temporary custodians for an addressee—seriously. I appreciate it.

Yours very truly,

Jack Yan

I got a yellow card for a package that someone made the call not to jam into my box, so I could collect it over the counter. It was the right call—and you only get that when someone is conscientious.

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Following on from my New Zealand fashion post ...

nobody@vox.com(Emu with a Clue) — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 02:30:44 +0000

The Gruen Transfer Wednesdays at 9pm on ABC1

The Gruen Transfer - Invade New Zealand #2

These were part of a competition between advertising agencies on a television show all about advertising. The challenge: to persuade Australians that a military invasion of New Zealand would be a good thing! Think the second ad was the one that won.

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Cats

nobody@vox.com(Jack Yan) — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 10:01:50 +0000

The building owners had cleaned the graffiti wall near Clifton Terrace but it was back this week. I think we can conclude that the drawing is of a cat (due to the left image). Is it a form of guerrilla marketing for an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical?

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A case of the pot calling the kettle All Black

nobody@vox.com(Emu with a Clue) — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 05:21:00 +0000

Outdated Kiwis ahead of the crowd.

ALL you ski enthusiasts who have been suffering sleepless nights over where old ski clothes end up can now sleep soundly as I have discovered the answer: New Zealand.

I have just returned from a week's skiing in the snowfields around Queenstown and my circa 2004 jacket and trousers outfit - completely old hat according to my teenage son - made me look like I had come straight off a Milan catwalk. I have never seen such a collection of ski outfits from the 1970s and 1980s all in one place: stretch ski pants, puffy salopettes, faded fluoro, the lot.

The Kiwis have clearly gone out of their way to corner the market on this gear.

This taste for the antiquated is also evident in New Zealand's choice of automobiles, which includes a lot of second-hand cars from Japan.

Japanese manufacturers ship them south to keep the market for new models strong at home.

Perhaps North Face, Spyder, Columbia and their ilk have adopted the same approach and are rapidly buying up outdated ski gear on eBay and shipping it across the Tasman.

Although New Zealanders do not appear to have invested a cent in new ski clothes since the 1980s, money seems to have been pouring into helmets, in all different colours, shapes and siz

I hardly think Australians can criticise any other nation for being unfashionable! After all, Kath and Kim's wardrobe choices didn't just spring from nowhere.

Kimmeee

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"First Choice: Hungary" - Lost in Transit

nobody@vox.com(Amy) — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 04:28:24 +0000

So I rung AFS this afternoon.

And spoke to Jan.

And it has appeared that AFS National Office NEVER heard that i wanted to change my country to Hungary - It had been lost in transit, obviously - but now lovely Jan is emailing AFS HU to see if they will accept me, being 2 months over the age restriction.

I love you AFS, and I love you AFS HU so PLEASE accept me to Hungary!

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What's New This August?!

nobody@vox.com(Holiday Traveler) — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 02:32:05 +0000

Australia Flying Fox Festival

Drive to the vibrant celebration of the Flying Fox Art and Cultural Festival!

or Campervan hire Australia Motorhome rental.

NZ Bay of Islands Jazz & Blues Festival

What do you get with 3 days of quality music - jazz and blues? Five fantastic venues in Paihia, Waitangi, Haruru Falls and Russel. Not to mention classic vintage car parade and displays.

or Campervan hire New Zealand Motorhome rental.

USA Mammoth Festival of Beers and Bluesapalooza

When? August 1 to 2, 2008. Where is it going to be? Sam’s Wood Site, Mammoth Lakes, CA. What is it? The 13h Annual Mammoth Festival of Beers and Bluesapalooza!

or RV hire USA Motorhome rental.

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from the mountains and the valleys

nobody@vox.com(pieterliesl) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:07:00 +0000

The past four weeks have definitely been the most challenging weeks that we have ever faced. Although we have a sense of ‘serene chaos’ (see the movie “Flywheel” for a detailed explanation!), there have been days where we have felt utterly defeated. We know that God is directing us, yet some days we feel like fools.

However, we have discovered that the best place to be is in His will, even when His will means being in the valley, surrounded by mountains. Although it is dark, His light is enough for each step. Although it is wet and murky, He directs our steps. Although the vegetation is thick and overgrown, the road is clearly marked.

Although we are in the valley, we are completely dependent on God. This valley contains the best soil for our faith to grow. We praise God for the valley, for when we are weak, He is strong.

Thank you friends, for all of your support, for your emails and for the wonderful, encouraging sms’s.

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miracles happened today

nobody@vox.com(pieterliesl) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 19:01:00 +0000

It's really strange for both of us to think that God would want us to go to a completely foreign FIRST WORLD country! I have to admit, I am terrified. Yet, although I don't understand why, I know that my Father has a plan in all of this. We're leaving WR on Monday, going to Pieter's dad in Jnb until we fly. Our flat is EMPTY but out hearts are FULL!

We had a few miracles today. I say it so casually. WE HAD MIRACLE UPON MIRACLE today!!!! God confirmed it over and over again today that we are on the right track. Our passports (which we were told would take another 6 weeks) are ready to be collected in Joburg; we received ALL of our unabridged birth certificates today.

I can honestly say that although I am terrified, I am so excited. I am thrilled that the Lord is allowing us to live in a new country for a few years, however long it may be. I am blessed to have opportunity to see new things and experience new cultures and meet new people. And though I am sad to leave SA and sad to say goodbye to friends, I look forward to a new adventure with my beautiful family.

We can't thank you (our friends) enough for your support and encouragement over the last while. It has been amazing to hear the excitement in your prayers, for us, to our Father. We thank you for praying for us and especially with us! We're excited about this new adventure and we're ecstatic that we get to share it with you.

So here's to a new journey!

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hope

nobody@vox.com(pieterliesl) — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 06:36:00 +0000

Every week begins with a sense of hope. Hope that this is the week that our visas will come through. Yet every week we face the disappointment of realising that there is another weekend ahead of us of hearing no news and having to make peace with that fact.

When we first applied for our visas (22 April), our case officer, the person responsible for processing our application, took a week’s leave. As a result, we were an entire week behind in our application. Last week, we discovered that our case officer was on leave again… For a whole week. Somehow, by God’s grace, we managed to get hold of the direct number of the visa manager. She immediately jumped onto our case and has been emailing back and forth between ourselves and the visa office in New Zealand. We were hoping to hear something by Friday, but unfortunately, the visa office is waiting for someone else to get back to them. So, we should hear this week coming.

Please would you pray with us, most importantly, for patience on our part? We know that God is in control, yet we are still human and still struggle with doubt. This process has been dragged out for so long, that we are tired, emotionally, physically and mentally. Spiritually, we are weak, yet we know our Dad is strong.

Most important of all, this is a two way friendship and we would like to ask you to let us know of your prayer needs too. We would love to share your journey with you.

Pieter, Liesl & Josiah-Seth

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mugshots

nobody@vox.com(pieterliesl) — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 06:11:00 +0000

Oh my goodness! Applying for visas, I have realised, is not a joke! We have a mountain of paperwork to fill in and need to make numerous trips to Pretoria. We finally got our unabridged birth certificates last week, except that Pieter's ID number was wrong..... What a mission! Now we have to wait again! But we know that God will make a way in everything! He has been faithful thus far and we know that He will continue to be with us and guide and lead the way!

We want to say a big thank you to you, our friends, for your support in this big move! We appreciate your encouragement, your love, your friendship and especially your prayers as we have shared this exciting new adventure with you. We appreciate that you haven’t judged us but that you have listened to our hearts and that you have encouraged to us to follow our Father!

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praise Him!

nobody@vox.com(pieterliesl) — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 06:03:00 +0000

Many of our latest emails have been prayer requests, and while I do want to update you on where we are, I also want to take this opportunity to thank and praise God for who He is and for all that He has done in our lives!

Quick update! We sent in our appeal to the embassy. They received it but still feel that it is not enough information! So, we have been given ANOTHER chance (isn't God good?!?!?!). They could have just said no! The guys in NZ (at Carey Park) need to advertise the position for 4 - 6 weeks. After that, if no-one has applied for the position, they need to get a letter from the advertising agency, stating that there were no applicants for the position. We are thankful that we have been given another chance and fully believe in our hearts that the Lord is going to do something amazing!

We realise on a daily basis just how blessed we are. At the moment, we have the privilege of being at ASM for a little while. We are staying in a guest room which is a little weird, because it reminds us of the days we were students here! But it brings back good memories! We've been blessed with the use of the guest kitchen which has made life much easier. Being here has been so good for Josiah-Seth too. He is finally enjoying contact with other children and adults. Being at Pieter's dad was a little tough because we felt very isolated with no-where to go except town everyday! This time at ASM is wonderful! In less than a week, he has lost his shyness and is a delight!

Not just that, but the guys at Carey Park have been amazing. They have been encouraging us and doing everything in their power to assist with the whole visa application. We're so excited to join them and to see what God has in store!

Also, I (Liesl) have been blessed beyond words by friends. I appreciate my friends so much. I am seeing more and more how Jesus shines through people and it excites me to see how people are drawing nearer and nearer to Him. We live in a world where its easier to just go with the flow and compromise what we believe and what we stand for, but I am seeing people desiring deeper relationships with Jesus.

We are blessed because our son is healthy. You may or may not know that we spent the weekend in the hospital with him (about 2 weeks ago). The doctor thought he had meningitis but it turned out to be a very bad case of tonsilitis. We are blessed because he is well and healthy and laughing and playing again!

Also, God's voice has become so beautifully audible to us in this last while. It has been the most amazing time for us as a family to hear His will for our lives and to know that regardless of our circumstances, He is in control. Nothing can shake me, I am standing on my Rock.

Be encouraged. If you're at a stage in your walk with the Lord that you feel you are walking in circles, that you are like the Israelites just trudging on, know that this too will pass and that God has huge plans for you. He wants to go deeper with you!

And if you don't know God.... You're missing out on the most wonderful relationship you could ever have. I want you to know Him. Intimately. The Creator of the universe desires to have a deep relationship with you. He wants you to know Him, to know that you are His, that He created you and made you and so badly wants to be close to you. If I didn't have God, I don't know where I would be today..... He is my all. He is waiting for you with open arms.

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VISAS VISAS AND MORE VISAS!!!

nobody@vox.com(pieterliesl) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 08:04:00 +0000

Thank you to everyone for your prayers. Unfortunately, the consulate in SA has decided that a market survey check needs to be done...so the whole process will take another 10 days. We trust that God is in control. We know that our lives are in His hands. We are filled with joy that there is opposition because it gives God the glory when He performs a miracle. Thank you for your prayers, we will keep you updated.

By the way, I would like to recommend 2 movies. 'Facing the Giants'and 'Flywheel'. Both have challenged us in the most incredible way.

We love you and thank you for your prayers and friendship!

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Those Germans do great cars

nobody@vox.com(Jack Yan) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 04:51:25 +0000

Audi A3 Cabriolet

I am a bit behind getting my write-ups of this Audi A3 Cabriolet done, but boy it was a nice ride. The fabric roof is so solid you’d swear you were in a hardtop.
But last weekend’s motor was a real treat:

BMW 135i Coupe from front

This is going to be a slightly harder sell to Lucire readers but I loved it—all 306 bhp of it.

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Local grafﬁti

nobody@vox.com(Jack Yan) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 04:44:49 +0000

Graffiti near Clifton Street car park

I don’t really know cartoon characters these days other than Family Guy, The Simpsons and Drawn Together, but I assume this is a parody of one, seen on graffiti near the Clifton Terrace car park in Wellington. No, I don’t get it, but it still made me smile just on how goofy the character looks. The wall there is quite good for the latest graffiti fads, though I certainly don’t condone defacing or destroying property. But while it is up I have to say a part of me treats it like an urban art gallery.

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Rainy Day

nobody@vox.com(Brenda) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 23:06:49 +0000

Rainy Day

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‘¿Soy enojado, en una coma, o trasero a tiempo?’

nobody@vox.com(Jack Yan) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 06:26:25 +0000

In a year when Outrageous Fortune was remade in Britain as Honest and will be remade in the US as Good Behavior, in a year when Kath & Kim gets Americanized and we hear that State of Play will become a movie with Ben Affleck, what do we make of these?
   The American versions of Shameless and Little Britain, and the Russian version of The Office (Ofis).
   US Vicar of Dibley (Minister of Divine) starring Kirstie Alley and set in a town called Divine, Ga.
   Cold Feet, being remade in Poland.
   And as already covered on this blog, there’s a forthcoming Spanish show called Vida en Marte about a cop who has an accident and wakes up in 1977, wondering, ‘¿Soy enojado, en una coma, o trasero a tiempo?’

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They could have saved Ted Heath

nobody@vox.com(Jack Yan) — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:33:37 +0000

Call Laytons if Ted Heath is ill

Shot last week, when it was still drizzly and miserable here in New Zealand. When the late former British prime minister Ted Heath suffered a pulmonary embolism back in 2003, to think, his family could have called Laytons. As you’ll see from their big Fiat van, looking almost like an ambulance with these colours, these folks specialize in Heathcare. So if your surname is Heath, and if you have a problem, and you can find them, then maybe you can hire Laytons.
   This van driver is unusual as (s)he has allowed a reasonable space between the van and the Porsche 911 in front—I witnessed a terrible incident of tailgating by a Laytons driver in June in Kilbirnie. Maybe the driver was in a rush as someone by the name of Heath had taken ill. ‘Heath emergency!’ they cried at Laytons HQ—and off they went, sliding down the firemen’s pole and dropping their fresh towels on the way.
   ‘We lost Ted Heath, but we won’t lose another Heath! Not on my watch!’ swore the driver.
   ‘Out of my way! I’m a Heathcare specialist!’ said the nurse, pushing aside doctors and British Airways stewards.

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The final curtain has fallen on the Auckland Film Festival 2008

nobody@vox.com(James) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 04:05:31 +0000

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Seventeen days saw thousands of punters watching hundreds of films in the City of Sails. It was above entertainment, it was an education, an inspiration and a chance to watch and listen to the world in film. A Rwandan drama, an animated Iranian autobiography, authentic action from Rio de Janeiro and a light British comedy played alongside a showcase of home grown talent.

Films I was determined to love (A Complete History of My Sexual Failures) left me untouched whereas others I was hesitant about watching played in my mind for days and left me feeling elevated (Persepolis).

In A Complete History… we follow scruffy film-maker Chris Waitt contacting his numerous and unimpressed past girlfriends to discover why his love life is a failure. At first obvious and contrived, it gets going when he admits to an erectile dysfunction problem – every man’s second worst fear (marginally better than death). Disturbing, sad, funny and knees-clamped-together-both-hands-pressed-to-groin moments provide the entertainment as he seeks a cure among psychosexual counselling, Viagra and a particularly enthusiastic female dominatrix.

After Persepolis (reviewed last week) my festival honours were split between Mongol and Elite Squad. In Mongol film-maker Sergei Bodrov builds a swell of empathy for Gengis Khan, a man famous for his 12^th century war mongering, showing us a brutal childhood and demonstrating a capacity for love, inner strength and integrity. We are treated to vast landscapes on the steppes of Mongolia where simple nomadic settlements are framed by dusky mountain ranges.

Elite Squad was co-written by a retired captain of Rio de Janeiro’s BOPE special police force. Incorruptible and feared throughout the underworld they raid the slums dressed and armed like commandoes. They are the last bastion of law and order in a world run by the drug lords – even the NGOs have to get permission to operate from the local drug baron. Elite Squad is imbued with an authenticity which transforms this all action film into something of a cultural discussion. Brutal, violent and very personal this film made my palms sweat throughout.

So my time in Auckland is up. I won’t miss the cramped dorm-room in the hostel where I scrubbed and cleaned in return for my bed but I will miss the camaraderie and characters that call it home. I’ll also miss my morning walks up Mount Eden to sit and contemplate the urban skyscape that stands against the dusky silhouette of the Coromandel Peninsula, my adopted home in the land of the long white cloud. A chance to sit and silently thank whomever may be listening for not being in the crawling line of cars heading towards another fluorescently lit day in front of a computer monitor on a 3^rd floor somewhere. Thank you.

More Film Festival commentary and reviews @ http://watchmorefilms.blogspot.com

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The final curtain has fallen on the Auckland Film Festival 2008

nobody@vox.com(James) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 04:05:23 +0000

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More Film Festival commentary and reviews @ http://watchmorefilms.blogspot.com

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