CAN THE ALL BLACKS RESTORE NZ
If the All Blacks win the Rugby World Cup later this year it may just be the impetus to trigger the revival of NZ in general to lead us out of the desert into the promise land or return us to the balmy days when we at or near the top in so many international surveys - from happiness to economic prowess, from education to least corrupt.
I fear we are in a hole that is getting bigger - like that of those potholes in Ward Street, Upper Hutt.
Ardern resigned as PM and left the Labour-Green Government with a major reason perhaps being that she felt she lacked the skilled and professional competen support among her colleagues. Ardern to me needed propping up to be the great leader she showed and was capable of but the problem was, the props were on the earthquake fault line. And since her departure the Government at a cabinet, parliamentary and political levels has only gotten worse. It is virtually in disarray.
So we look to the opposition. Without an iota of a doubt in my mind, there will be a National-ACT government before the end of the year. And do I find that they will be sufficiently engaged at a higher level than what we have now. No.
Maybe the Football Ferns in July and August at the Women's FIFA World Cup will set a platform that will provide a boost to NZ that the All Blacks can finish off come October. Don't hold your breath.
Riddle Me This: Can You Out-Smart Yesterday’s Champ?
How can the number four be half of five?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
.
Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
-
84.3% Yes
-
14.2% No
-
1.5% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.