New Zealand Herald item - “Renegade blogsite holding CYFS workers to account”
At long last people are fighting back! They are damning CYFS for removing children from their families without proper research or consideration of the circumstances - often with tragic results.
The renegade blogsite details heart wrenching stories of what CYFS people have been doing to our children– even naming and graphically describing the people involved and their irresponsible behaviour.
CYFS’ lawyers are working to shut the site down - a move similar to a successful one in America when disgruntled CYFS ‘clients’ posted their grievances on line. (Isn’t this against their Bill of Rights – amendment 1 - Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech…..)
But hey, what about respecting the freedom of speech in New Zealand? Would the closing down of this blog mean the beginning of the end of the right to speak?
After all, blogs are private, not public, aren’t they?
Why can’t we write what we like? Just as we email, talk over the phone and converse with our associates?
I believe, that in spite of the subject matter, let the freedom to write and speak what we wish always remain with us.
So, let’s fight against this social injustice! No one should have the right of ability close a blog down just because they disagree with the content. Especially one as important as this!
What can we do to keep our social right to the freedom of speech?
Who are the best people to contact?
Are they the Prime Minister, the local MP, the Children’s Commissioner, The Communications Minister, the local paper?
Are you doing anything to prevent this blog from being closed down? Or anything else to preserve our freedom to speak and write? I look forward to your comments! Please post them! Let us know what you are doing!
Rae
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Monday, January 22, 2007
DO YOU REALIZE THAT ANTARCTICA’S ICONIC TREASURES COULD DISAPPEAR WITHOUT OUR HELP?
Remember reading with fascination the success and demise of Sir Robert Scott when he reached the South Pole? And the triumph of Sir Ernest Shackleton when, after his ship ‘Endurance’ was broken up by Antarctica’s formidable ice, he rescued all his crew from certain death?
Today there is considerable interest worldwide, to visit the Huts of these heroic explorers on site. Especially as it's so easy to travel to Antarctica.
However, to protect the huts, much preservation work needs to be done. $16 million’s worth, to be exact. New Zealand Government and the Antarctica Heritage Trust have contributed $7 million, and Prime Minister Helen Clark has asked British Prime Minister Tony Blair to cough up the rest. But so far, no go.
But then, why should Britain cough up?
Could it be because British born Scott, for the first time ever, contributed a massive amount of scientific, meteorological, biological and geological information about Antarctica?
Or maybe because Anglo/Irish born Shackleton explored a vast area of Antarctica, and, against everything that Antarctic threw at him, ensured that his crew came home?
Does it matter that the beginning of the 20th century, Britain’s Most Heroic Age of Exploration was focussed on Antarctica?
On 1910 the world will be celebrating the centenary of Scott’s Terra Nova Expedition. There will be considerable attention on Antarctica; in particular Scott’s hut at Cape Evans, from where he and his team departed for their final, fateful journey.
What would happen if, in spite of the considerable preservation effects of the freezing Antarctica weather, Scott’s and Shackleton’s huts disintegrated to piles of rubble?
What would our children, and their children think? That Britain does not care about its heroes??? That Scott’s and Shackleton’s work was not valued? That role models are not important?
I feel so strongly about this - we must keep our heroes and historical icons alive for our children to benefit from in the future.
How can we make Britain sit up and listen?
Here are my suggestions – I am sure you have more!
Write to PM Tony Blair
Write to the World Monument fund – they are on the web
Write to the British High Commission.
Tell everybody – in fact, pass this message on!
Post your ideas on this site! Lets get action! Preserve the huts on Antarctica! Start now! Tell me what you are going do! We’ll get Britain on board yet …..
Today there is considerable interest worldwide, to visit the Huts of these heroic explorers on site. Especially as it's so easy to travel to Antarctica.
However, to protect the huts, much preservation work needs to be done. $16 million’s worth, to be exact. New Zealand Government and the Antarctica Heritage Trust have contributed $7 million, and Prime Minister Helen Clark has asked British Prime Minister Tony Blair to cough up the rest. But so far, no go.
But then, why should Britain cough up?
Could it be because British born Scott, for the first time ever, contributed a massive amount of scientific, meteorological, biological and geological information about Antarctica?
Or maybe because Anglo/Irish born Shackleton explored a vast area of Antarctica, and, against everything that Antarctic threw at him, ensured that his crew came home?
Does it matter that the beginning of the 20th century, Britain’s Most Heroic Age of Exploration was focussed on Antarctica?
On 1910 the world will be celebrating the centenary of Scott’s Terra Nova Expedition. There will be considerable attention on Antarctica; in particular Scott’s hut at Cape Evans, from where he and his team departed for their final, fateful journey.
What would happen if, in spite of the considerable preservation effects of the freezing Antarctica weather, Scott’s and Shackleton’s huts disintegrated to piles of rubble?
What would our children, and their children think? That Britain does not care about its heroes??? That Scott’s and Shackleton’s work was not valued? That role models are not important?
I feel so strongly about this - we must keep our heroes and historical icons alive for our children to benefit from in the future.
How can we make Britain sit up and listen?
Here are my suggestions – I am sure you have more!
Write to PM Tony Blair
Write to the World Monument fund – they are on the web
Write to the British High Commission.
Tell everybody – in fact, pass this message on!
Post your ideas on this site! Lets get action! Preserve the huts on Antarctica! Start now! Tell me what you are going do! We’ll get Britain on board yet …..
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
A New Years Request….can you help me pleeeeease???
Hi, thank you for reading this post. Here is my dilemma, and it might be yours too.
You see, like many of us, my resolutions for 2007 went well for the first few days, then things started turning to custard……
For example, mine were to get out of bed early, go to the gym, swim or walk, then do all my day’s tasks!!! Somehow, now that summer has, finally, arrived, it all is a bit too hard…
I had the same issue a couple of years ago. All of a sudden somewhere on a shelf in my brain, I remembered that back then, I created a solution. That is, I created a special ‘Weekly Goals Achievement Book.’ When I used it back then, I found it most revealing.
Let me explain. It’s not just a book for writing down one’s goals, as we are all told to do. Oh, no, this book has something much more beneficial. It asks us to write down how long it takes to complete a task! That way, we can find out not only what we have completed, but how long it took to do it, and at the end of the week, how much, in time terms, did we do! Now this could be rather …er…. revealing to some of us who enjoy long leisurely coffees, cigarettes, and chats without even mentioning the irrelevant (but necessary, of course) emails which Must Be Responded To Immediately.
I was so excited at how useful this book is for managing one’s time that I printed a whole lot off! They are available to purchase from my website www.broadlyspeaking.co.nz.
Now this is where you come in. I need some feedback.
To this end I would like to send you the book, free of charge, of course, to test, and let me know how useful it is for you. Oh, and what you think of the little sayings on each page. Would you mind? You may post the comments on this blog, so that others can see the feedback or just email me. If you are happy to do so, please post, or email your address at rae@broadlyspeaking.co.nz and I’ll send you a copy. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart!
Rae of Sunshine xx
You see, like many of us, my resolutions for 2007 went well for the first few days, then things started turning to custard……
For example, mine were to get out of bed early, go to the gym, swim or walk, then do all my day’s tasks!!! Somehow, now that summer has, finally, arrived, it all is a bit too hard…
I had the same issue a couple of years ago. All of a sudden somewhere on a shelf in my brain, I remembered that back then, I created a solution. That is, I created a special ‘Weekly Goals Achievement Book.’ When I used it back then, I found it most revealing.
Let me explain. It’s not just a book for writing down one’s goals, as we are all told to do. Oh, no, this book has something much more beneficial. It asks us to write down how long it takes to complete a task! That way, we can find out not only what we have completed, but how long it took to do it, and at the end of the week, how much, in time terms, did we do! Now this could be rather …er…. revealing to some of us who enjoy long leisurely coffees, cigarettes, and chats without even mentioning the irrelevant (but necessary, of course) emails which Must Be Responded To Immediately.
I was so excited at how useful this book is for managing one’s time that I printed a whole lot off! They are available to purchase from my website www.broadlyspeaking.co.nz.
Now this is where you come in. I need some feedback.
To this end I would like to send you the book, free of charge, of course, to test, and let me know how useful it is for you. Oh, and what you think of the little sayings on each page. Would you mind? You may post the comments on this blog, so that others can see the feedback or just email me. If you are happy to do so, please post, or email your address at rae@broadlyspeaking.co.nz and I’ll send you a copy. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart!
Rae of Sunshine xx
Great Barrier Island – Paradise going….going……or???
A bush clad hilly cloud covered island, hidden homes, walking tracks, beach baches, rusty cars by the roadside…Whites sandy beaches, paradise coloured seas, shipwrecks, fish, dolphins, shellfish, long lines, long haired inhabitants, art, island hours……
In the 1800’s three white families joined the Maoris on Great Barrier Island, the Sandersons, the Blackwells and the Medlands and took up farming. Today beaches, roads and other landmarks are named after them. Forestry, whaling and mining industries thrived for many years. Now the kauri dams and the whaling station, no longer used, are falling into disrepair, and the farmland, much of which is slowly reverting back to forest, signal signs of change. The rusty neglected cars now pile up in a field, and current car owners are subjected to frequent Wof and Registration blitzes by the Auckland City Council. The kiwi style baches are few now – replaced by new affluent holiday homes, the designs inclining towards a concession to the island style. There are very few sections below $400,000. The locals, forced off by laws prohibiting dole bludgers living there with no prospect of work, and enticed by the high prices overseas investors are paying for their properties, now live elsewhere. The resident population has declined to 700 from over 1000 a few years ago. Most of the island is publicly owned, and the majority by overseas interests. The Department of Conservation administers around 60% of the whole island.
Today ‘s residents are business people; artists, local services and amenities providers, land and mussel farmers. Tourism is growing. There are plenty of choices of accommodation - luxury to back packers. Conservation issues are important – preservation of the beaches, encouragement of native bird life, the methods to eradicate predators. Improvements are being made to the walking tracks, beach areas and camping grounds which have excellent toilet facilities. Lively, heated debates abound as the locals work through the Auckland CC and DOC's plans for the Island. How to get rid of the rats? Feral cats – not wanted, but don’t pet cats prey on birds as well?
Local personalities, such as sailor, conservationist and politician Tony Bouzaid dance between the authorities and the islanders, working towards creating an eco friendly vision of the Island for future generations.
While Tryphena, the settlement in the Southern part of the Island looks as if it hasn’t and won’t change quickly, there are some very exciting prospects at Port Fitzroy, in the north which will bring considerable economical benefits to the island.
Around 14 years ago, Tony and Mal Bouzaid purchased the nearly derelict Fitzroy House and surrounding land. They rebuilt the house, and set about creating a sanctuary for endangered native plants and bird life, including the North Island Robin, which had not been seen on the Island for many years.. In August 2005, Tony and Mal were awarded the Conservation Achievement Award in Biodiversity Protection and Restoration by the Minister of Conservation the Hon Chris Carter, for their work.
Today the property offers visitors unique educational and recreational experiences for everyone.
Northwards, over the hill in Karaka Bay the Sir Edmond Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre has established its Marine Centre. Offering a huge variety of water based learning activities for everyone, the Centre will bring thousands of young and old to the island for 35 weeks of each year.
In spite of the lengthy consultation processes between governing authorities and the island’s eclectic population Great Barrier Island, I believe, has a unique and exciting future. Yes, there will be hundreds of expensive new homes with absentee owners. Yes, the population will swell 10fold every summer holiday. But there won’t be any destructive pests. Now go and stroll along those well maintained walking tracks though the regenerated native forests over the hills, marvel at the variety or plants, and listen to the kakas, robins, kingfishers, warblers – and isn’t that a…. ??? A balanced and lush ecosystem, Great Barrier Island is, a treasure for future generations. Paradise going? I don’t think so. Hmm, shall I go paddling at the clear seawater or kayaking? Oh look, there are hundreds of those brown teal ducks – weren’t they endangered once?
For the best information about Great Barrier Island get the brochure “Great Barrier Island Aotea – Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park” from the Department of Conservation.
In the 1800’s three white families joined the Maoris on Great Barrier Island, the Sandersons, the Blackwells and the Medlands and took up farming. Today beaches, roads and other landmarks are named after them. Forestry, whaling and mining industries thrived for many years. Now the kauri dams and the whaling station, no longer used, are falling into disrepair, and the farmland, much of which is slowly reverting back to forest, signal signs of change. The rusty neglected cars now pile up in a field, and current car owners are subjected to frequent Wof and Registration blitzes by the Auckland City Council. The kiwi style baches are few now – replaced by new affluent holiday homes, the designs inclining towards a concession to the island style. There are very few sections below $400,000. The locals, forced off by laws prohibiting dole bludgers living there with no prospect of work, and enticed by the high prices overseas investors are paying for their properties, now live elsewhere. The resident population has declined to 700 from over 1000 a few years ago. Most of the island is publicly owned, and the majority by overseas interests. The Department of Conservation administers around 60% of the whole island.
Today ‘s residents are business people; artists, local services and amenities providers, land and mussel farmers. Tourism is growing. There are plenty of choices of accommodation - luxury to back packers. Conservation issues are important – preservation of the beaches, encouragement of native bird life, the methods to eradicate predators. Improvements are being made to the walking tracks, beach areas and camping grounds which have excellent toilet facilities. Lively, heated debates abound as the locals work through the Auckland CC and DOC's plans for the Island. How to get rid of the rats? Feral cats – not wanted, but don’t pet cats prey on birds as well?
Local personalities, such as sailor, conservationist and politician Tony Bouzaid dance between the authorities and the islanders, working towards creating an eco friendly vision of the Island for future generations.
While Tryphena, the settlement in the Southern part of the Island looks as if it hasn’t and won’t change quickly, there are some very exciting prospects at Port Fitzroy, in the north which will bring considerable economical benefits to the island.
Around 14 years ago, Tony and Mal Bouzaid purchased the nearly derelict Fitzroy House and surrounding land. They rebuilt the house, and set about creating a sanctuary for endangered native plants and bird life, including the North Island Robin, which had not been seen on the Island for many years.. In August 2005, Tony and Mal were awarded the Conservation Achievement Award in Biodiversity Protection and Restoration by the Minister of Conservation the Hon Chris Carter, for their work.
Today the property offers visitors unique educational and recreational experiences for everyone.
Northwards, over the hill in Karaka Bay the Sir Edmond Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre has established its Marine Centre. Offering a huge variety of water based learning activities for everyone, the Centre will bring thousands of young and old to the island for 35 weeks of each year.
In spite of the lengthy consultation processes between governing authorities and the island’s eclectic population Great Barrier Island, I believe, has a unique and exciting future. Yes, there will be hundreds of expensive new homes with absentee owners. Yes, the population will swell 10fold every summer holiday. But there won’t be any destructive pests. Now go and stroll along those well maintained walking tracks though the regenerated native forests over the hills, marvel at the variety or plants, and listen to the kakas, robins, kingfishers, warblers – and isn’t that a…. ??? A balanced and lush ecosystem, Great Barrier Island is, a treasure for future generations. Paradise going? I don’t think so. Hmm, shall I go paddling at the clear seawater or kayaking? Oh look, there are hundreds of those brown teal ducks – weren’t they endangered once?
For the best information about Great Barrier Island get the brochure “Great Barrier Island Aotea – Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park” from the Department of Conservation.
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