Steven Zindel.

I am really good friends with Steven Zindel who is a well known lawyer in Nelson. He is always approachable and down to earth. He is Dutch and has been a lawyer in Nelson for a long time. I really like Steven as a person.

David Seymour.

I think, Act leader and cabinet minister, David Seymour is completely and utterly wrong with his Treaty bill. He is smug and arrogant. He doesn't understand poor people or Maori who are disadvantaged and, sadly, live not as long as non Maori. The Prime Minister is a weak individual for not saying no to Seymour.

Cricket.

I am so pleased Saxton Oval will be hosting a lot of top class cricket such as the Black Caps hosting Sri Lanka. It will be the Sri Lankan men's fourth visit to Nelson. Their first was in January 2015. The Sri Lanka team are improving under the coaching of Sarth Jayasuriya who is a Sri Lanka legend.

Indiana Restaurant.

For my 43rd birthday I got an Indiana cafe voucher for $100. I have had a couple of meals there, as has my mum. Mine were kadal chicken and mango chicken. I highly recommend this restaurant. It is now my favourite Indian restaurant in Nelson and the staff are very friendly. 

South Street.

Nelson has New Zealand's oldest street. It is called South Street and it was formed in the 1860s. It is a very expensive part of Nelson to live and is truly beautiful with lots of cottages. It is near the Rutherford hotel which is Nelson's tallest building.

Sky Stadium..

I am looking forward to returning to Wellington in May 2025. I have been going to Sky Stadium since February 2002. I haven't been there since May 2019. I went to three rugby tests there, against South Africa, England and Australia as well a British/Irish Lions clash way back in 2005. I have watched about 21 games of rugby at this world class stadium. 22 next year.

Trump.

I think Donald Trump is very bad for America. He is going to make the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. I was shocked that he won so easily against Democrat candidate Kamala Harris. He thinks he is the man but I think he is ignorant. He wants to be a dictator like Russian leader Putin.

Picton.

I think Picton is a wonderful place to visit. I like going there for bus rides and yes maybe I could stay over for a night. It's like paradise near the beautiful sea. But sadly this Government has run down our ferry services and should hold their heads in shame. There are famous people who come from Picton such as former New Zealand cricket all-rounder Chris Cairns who was born in Picton in 1970.

White Ferns.

I was really surprised that the New Zealand White Ferns cricket team won the 20-20 Championship. I have to be honest, I didn't give them a chance, considering they were on a 10 match losing streak. I remember that their last win in 20-20 was on March 24th 2024, out at Saxton Oval. I will be looking forward to them playing 2x50 over fixtures against Sri Lanka on March 7th and 9th next year. This was New Zealands first 20-20 World Cup win.

Tasman Mako.

On October 6th, I went to see Tasman Mako v Taranaki at Trafalgar Park. It was Tasman's third defence of the Ranfurly Shield which they won against Hawkes Bay in Napier. There were lots of rugby stars on show including All Black Stephen Pereforta from Taranaki. Sadly, Tasman lost 29 to 42 which was a shame. However the Mako will play a quarter final in Blenheim against Canterbury. This was only the Mako's second loss in 10 appearances this season.

Bryce Edwards.

On October 2nd, I met political commentator Bryce Edwards who is from Victoria University in Wellington. He was very down to earth and liked my general knowledge on politics. He believes that Erica Stanford, the current Education Minister, could be the next National Party Leader. He thinks the American Election is like watching a car crash. It was nice to meet Bryce at DeVille's cafe in Nelson.

Tertiary Education.

I think the current government cuts to tertiary education are plain stupid and dumb. I think that low income families will be the losers in the reforms because there won't be any free courses for them to up skill. I think this is very short sighted and ordinary New Zealanders will be the losers.

The Ranfurly Shield.

The Ranfurly Shield has been around for a very long time and it is important for the grass roots New Zealand game. The Tasman Mako won the Ranfurly Shield 25 to 24 against Hawks Bay Magpies in Napier and I am so happy that they have won their first title defence against Wellington at Lansdowne Park in Blenheim by 28 to 15. I am looking forward to seeing the Mako defend the shield v Auckland on October 2nd at Trafalgar Park and I hope the Mako win. Here are some pictures of me with the Shield. I am so Glad the Mako won.

The Church Steps.

The Church Steps, in Trafalgar Street, have always been a big part of Nelson. I remember, when I was a child, hearing the church bells ringing when I was at my grandparents place which was very close by. The Church Steps were where the Springbok tour protest of 1981 took place. At the top of the Church Steps you get a great view out to sea.

Jessica Roden.

I like Jessica Roden who is a Nelson based reporter for TVNZ. Jessica reported on things like the big floods in August 2022. She has always been nice to me and is very approachable and down to earth. Jessica replaced Abbey Wakefield as TVNZ Nelson reporter in about 2021.

Rachel Boyack.

I think Rachel Boyack is a good Member of Parliament and does a good job for Nelson. She held the seat at last year's general election by 26 votes over National's Blair Cameron. Rachel is very approachable and the Arts and Acc spokesperson for the Labour Party. Rachel has been the MP for Nelson since 2020.

A Poor Government.

I reckon this government is bad for ordinary New Zealanders and is the most right wing government since Roger Douglas in the 1980s. They are clueless and out of touch with reality just like Donald Trump. Christopher Luxon does not look happy in the job of Prime Minister. Their cuts in the disability sector are wrong and show a lack understanding which is sad.

Summer Cricket.

I am looking forward to seeing both the New Zealand men's and women's cricket teams back in Nelson this summer. Both teams will be playing against Sri Lanka. The men will play on January 2nd  in a Twenty-Twenty game. And the women will play on the 7th and 9th of March in two one day internationals. I am so happy and will be going to all of the games.

NPC Rugby.

On August 17th, I went to see the Tasman Mako v Canterbury. There was a good crowd despite the weather. I met the Canterbury NPC side after the game which the Tasman Mako won 22 to 7. It was an enjoyable game. I hope New Zealand Rugby take the notice that people in regions such as Nelson and Marlborough like the Competition. 

I recently met some All Blacks, Will Jordan and David Havalli. They both play for the Tasman Mako NPC side. At last year's Rugby World Cup in France, Will Jordan played in the final and scored a try in the quarter final against Ireland. Both are recovering from injury at the Mako.

Walter.

I have a new friend, Walter. He is a golden lab who is about three years old. He is a very quiet dog and very laid back. I went walking with him and my friend Leanne. I walk him once a week on a Tuesday for about an hour which I am pleased about.