Just watched the shuttle bus that runs between Kenepuru and Wellington hospitals pull up at Kenepuru park. Not a single person wearing a mask!
I’m in the waiting room for the Kenepuru day ward and blood collection clinic. I think we are best described by an old expression of my father’s, ‘The old, the sick, the halt and the lame’. I seem to be in several of the categories.
Pukerua Bay still high after yesterday's action supporting Te Tititi hīkoi
Everyone in Pukerua Bay who turned out to support the Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti yesterday is still on a buzz this morning. The next move is to get organised for tomorrow’s protest at Parliament. A gathering place is being organised - probably the Backbencher pub before heading onto Parliament grounds for what is intended to be a peaceful protest. Hope to see only locals there if you can make it!
Pukerua Bay supports Hīkoi Mō Te Tiriti
Fourteen free community newspapers being shut down
Thousands turn out to support Hīkoi mō te Tiriti (March for the Treaty of Waitangi)
Government bars journalist from abuse apology at Parliament
This is a disgraceful attempt by the Government to prevent an experienced journalist, Aaron Smale, who has led much of the reporting on the Abuse in State Care scandal, from attending a press conference on Tuesday when the Government will issue a formal apology in Parliament to the survivors. The excuse given was that his questioning of the Prime Minister at a previous press conference about this was too “persistent and forceful…with suggestions it was rude and police at the event had been watching the reporter.”
The Government needs to answer firm questioning on this. If the PM feels uncomfortable, and I acknowledge this all happened years before he came on the political scene and it will be uncomfortable for him, that’s too bad. He represents the state and needs to account for its actions.
Our dog tried to squeeze through the fence to visit the neighbours. Sadly for her, she has a fat tummy and got only part of the way through!
Solar power savings
We just got our first full month’s power bill using a combination of solar and grid power. It is only 42 per cent of the same month’s bill from last year. That’s the sort of result we were hoping for. I know it will take a long time to pay back the solar installation cost, but with the job market the way it is, cash flow is more of an issue for us at the moment, and these savings will contribute to that.
Perfect timing by Kate. She arrived home barely minutes before a heavy shower of rain.
Endorsing parties in a general election
Nashville Babylon on RNZ National is rocking tonight. It’s always a good listen, and there’s a lot of blues and RnB on the programme tonight.
Getting great help from health providers
CW: Medical discussion, pain, drugs
We had a visit from the Mary Potter Occupational Therapist on Thursday, which was very successful. I had a very sore back for the past few days, and by last Wednesday it had got too much for me. So I got on the phone to the hospice, my GP and specialist haematologist to get them into action. And get into action they did.
Make the most of the blue skies
Aotearoa songbook
I’ve been rediscovering the delights of Concert FM. This afternoon, Bryan Crump’s interview was about the Aotearoa Songbook volume 1. Twenty two waiata packaged as a teaching resource with heaps of information about the waiata, the composer, lyrics, music charts, etc.
Great stuff.
Morena. Another beautiful day in Porirua. Let’s make the most of it.
Kate baked a lemon loaf to feed the hordes at an event yesterday. Sadly, it’s bit dry, so we’ve some left. We can’t let it go off – that would be a waste. What’s a boy to do? Hmm.
Student nurses
CW: Medical treatment
I’m up at Kenepuru Medical day ward getting a blood top up. I’ve a student nurse helping today. A young Pasifika woman doing the Whitireia course.
Being busy
Our son crashed at our place last night after being at a friend’s birthday party in the village.
Ten years ago they would have all gone into town and gone clubbing. These days they have a barbecue in the afternoon and half of them have left by 7pm to take their little children home to bed.
A totally different lifestyle.
