Founded by Max Farndale 1947 - 2018
Jan 15, 2018 - When trying to come up with a new idea, untangle an existing one or solve a problem we all have times when we get stuck. But according to research by behavioral and learning scientist Marily Oppezzo, getting up and going for a walk might be all it takes to get your creative juices flowing. In this fun, fast talk, she explains how walking is not just for your physical well-being but a mental resource.
Restored Funds Seen as Catalyst of new Saudi Financial Services Economy
Dec 11, 2017 - The detention of Saudi princes along with a big slice of the rest of the tycoon class in a simultaneous round up has rather greater consequences for Australasia than was originally imagined. This is because the tentacles of the detainees reach deeply into commercial life in Australasia.
Jan 11, 2018 - Nelson-based power retailer NextGen Energy announces it is now accepting Bitcoin for payment of electricity bills. The social enterprise company operates as a not-for-profit, uniquely donating all net profits to local schools and charities. “NextGen Energy is creating disruptive opportunities within the NZ electricity sector, and actively pursues the adoption of new technologies.” says Tom Wheatley, CEO, “NextGen is already supplying power to a number of crypto-currency mining operations, and the ability to pay for the power in Bitcoin simply makes sense. We are now extending this option to all our customers.”
Jan 12, 2018 - Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates, completed a year of strong growth in 2017. The air cargo carrier’s robust performance, set against the backdrop of a resurgent global air cargo market, was underlined by the introduction of specialised customer focused air transportation solutions across a number of industry verticals and by continued investment in infrastructure.
Jan 12, 2018 - People are spending more online to rent a taxi, or a house for a night, and less on in-car satellite navigation and DVDs, Stats NZ said today. As a result of these changes in technology, the consumers price index (CPI) basket of goods and services used to measure inflation is changing after a three-yearly review.
"More people are going online to buy shared ride services, such as Uber, and shared accommodation services, like home-rental operators Airbnb and BookaBach," prices senior manager Jason Attewell said.
"We’re introducing the sharing economy to the CPI to keep it relevant for New Zealand."
"People are changing what they buy to keep up with changes in technology, and as a result, we’re removing several items from the CPI basket. These items are still available to buy, but New Zealanders just don’t spend as much on them."
As a result of the 2017 CPI review:
"At the same time, we’re seeing increased spending on technology accessories like headsets and cellphone cases. We’ve added these items to the CPI basket as part of the latest review."
"The CPI basket is really a reflection of New Zealand society and how it has changed over time," Mr Attewell said.
"We added the electric lightbulb to the basket in the 1920s, televisions and record players in the 1960s, microwaves and car stereos in the 1980s, and MP3 players and digital cameras in the 2000s. As these items go out of fashion they are removed from the basket."
Housing and food remain the most important items in the basket, accounting for almost half of people’s spending. Housing includes rent, new builds, and other house improvements.
Craft beer and massages join the inflation brew
People are also spending more on craft beer and massages, so these are joining the CPI basket too.
"New Zealand used to be called a country of rugby, racing, and beer – but spending patterns are changing and Kiwis are increasingly keen on craft beer, body massages at beauty spas, and football club memberships," Mr Attewell said.
At the same time, sewing machines are out of the inflation basket, but clothing alterations are now in.
"People don’t have as much time to do things themselves, and are prepared to pay others to do jobs for them," Mr Attewell said.
Stats NZ reviews the CPI basket of goods and services every three years to ensure it remains relevant. This is done by surveying people to find out what they spend their money on.
See Consumers price index review: 2017
View our Consumers price index review: 2017 video.
| A StatsNZ release || January 12, 2018 |||
jan 12, 2018 - A Belgian air passenger has been forced to leave New Zealand after attempting to smuggle three sausages into Auckland. Ministry for Primary Industries staff intercepted the sausages on Sunday after the passenger attempted to conceal them in a backpack when passing through biosecurity checks at Auckland Airport.
“One of our x-ray operators spotted the risk items. They turned out to be pork and salami sausages, both of which could have carried diseases with the potential to cause major harm to New Zealand agriculture,” says Craig Hughes, MPI North Passenger Manager.
The passenger was refused entry to New Zealand after the man admitted he intended to hide the sausages from biosecurity officials. He was returning to New Zealand on a work visa and confessed he was aware of New Zealand’s strict biosecurity requirements, says Mr Hughes. “Working closely with Immigration New Zealand, we take a very hard line on international travellers that deliberately ignore our biosecurity rules. “It is loud and clear that every arriving passenger is required to declare or dispose items that could pose biosecurity risk to New Zealand.”
| An MPI release || January 12, 2018 |||
Palace of the Alhambra, Spain
By: Charles Nathaniel Worsley (1862-1923)
From the collection of Sir Heaton Rhodes
Oil on canvas - 118cm x 162cm
Valued $12,000 - $18,000
Offers invited over $9,000
Contact: Henry Newrick – (+64 ) 27 471 2242
Mount Egmont with Lake
By: John Philemon Backhouse (1845-1908)
Oil on Sea Shell - 13cm x 14cm
Valued $2,000-$3,000
Offers invited over $1,500
Contact: Henry Newrick – (+64 ) 27 471 2242
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