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CONSULTING ENGINEER, WELLINGTON, NZ
What
an interesting celebration of New Zealand. I came across it by chance,
searching for information about milking sheds!
Curious
choice of categories though: Reformers, Linguists, Stars, Adventurers,
Mathematicians, Builders,
Warriors, Speedsters, Inventors, Top Scientists (what about ordinary
scientists?)
I
noticed there were at least two engineers masquerading as builders and
inventors. How about engineers as a category? There is almost nothing in
NZ (or the world) that hasn't involved the input of an engineer in some
form - buildings, roads, services, production, communications. The trouble
is we're too self-effacing (or busy with doing the work) to blow our own
trumpets.
The
trouble too few of our children in schools are not seeing it as a viable
career option either, and it's not just in NZ. Perhaps if we realised that
our future depends on a vibrant technically literate public, and
engineering profession it might just be enough of a wow factor to get the
next generation interested. Perhaps some TV programs about design rather
than doctors or lawyers.
DESIGN
MANAGER, LONDON, ENGLAND
Just
been reading some of your ideas; interesting stuff. I've just got back
from a 3 month secondment in Wellington NZ. My question is: so many
talented, creative & forward thinking Kiwis. Why do you all bugger
off? Why do you all have to achieve elsewhere? I can’t help but think
that NZ is missing out in some way.
CREATIVE
ARTIST, CALIFORNIA, USA
I
just surfed on in from the US Embassy site, where I was looking for
information about renewing my passport. Yeah, I'll be back! :-) Kevin, I
have to say that with this site you have captured the spirit that is
deeply ingrained in the Kiwi soul. Your own accomplishments are remarkable
and inspirational, they embody and exemplify that spirit, a spirit that is
very much a part of me and why I'm over here, rather than back in
Godzone... yet.
In the next few years I'll be executing the culimination of several
years of research starting at Allforart.com and that with a lot of
determination, a great deal of perseverance and Kiwi ingenuity will
demonstrate that indomitable Kiwi maxim that's kept me going,
"Nothing's impossible.
So I'm glad to be a part of NZEDGE.COM and to see that so many
fellow Kiwis are here and speaking from the heart about their pride in our
nation.
The sentiments expressed here and the concept to inspire the
individuals of our "International Nation" is to be highly
commended and extremely admirable. Thank you for providing this
connection, I look forward to hearing the news!
LONDON,
SAN JOSE, AUCKLAND
I
regularly read NZEdge and have been for over a year now. It gives me a
positive dosage of what it means to be a New Zealander. Living in London,
I headed home for the Xmas break this year and had such a fantastic time.
Everyone is so healthy, postive and truly alive in NZ!
My own effort/project to take NZ to the world? I jointly run an NZ
company that offers 'The MotivationMen'. We write, act, and produce
humourous motivational 'Peptalk' videos. Over 700 large US companies
receive our weekly videos. These are delivered by email and we're growing
by around 30 companies per day! We'll keep NZ Edge posted on The
MotivationMen's progress towards global dominance... Best regards, Nic
Romaniuk, nromaniuk@motivationmen.com
ANTHROPOLOGY
STUDENT, DUNEDIN, NZ
I
was
reading your speeches and your approach to NZ’s identity interested me,
actually it shot out at me. In this my final year of honours I am writing
a self directed and motivated dissertation on national identity within New
Zealand society with specific reference to the recent "Heart of the
Nation Report". I am interested in whether or not there is a need for
the arts to be 'screened' in terms of their promotion of New Zealand or
whether they should be viewed in terms of their simply being arts: do or
should they really need to benefit the government’s attempts at making
the country one big happy family?
Love
the website and all the information in it really spoke to me as a New
Zealander- especially interesting commentary on the brain drain and
overseas New Zealanders.
ROSS
ALISTAIR GILLANDERS
RE:
YOUR BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES ON ERNEST
RUTHERFORD
He is arguably the greatest experimental scientist in history.
His major achievements were
1 Explaining the nature of radioactivity
2 Providing a model for the structure of the atom
3 Transmutation of elements (the first successful alchemist?).
In 1919 he
converted nitrogen to oxygen by bombarding its atoms with energetic
radiation.
Other work was done on the age of the Earth, very high voltage
transformers, submarine detection in World War 1 and electrical
technology.
In the Nazi regime of the 1930s he was influential in helping Jewish
scientists escape and find refuge and work in other countries.
In the matter of teachers who had a major influence on the young
Rutherford, Jacob Reynolds at Havelock School encouraged the boy to study
and sit for the Marlborough Scholarship which eventually sent him to
Nelson College. He was successful at his second attempt at the age of 15.
Ladley, at Foxhill School earlier, undoubtedly played a part in
influencing the boy, but John Campbell attributes the major early
influence to Reynolds. As you note, it is also apparent that his parents,
as well as his siblings and companions [Matthews children] were
significant in his education at this stage. At Nelson College it was
William Littlejohn who took an interest in Ernest and helped him with his
studies, and at Canterbury College he came under the tutelage of William
Bickerton, a remarkable lecturer and populariser of science.
IT, WEBSTER, NY, USA
I
was, in the last couple of days, moved to think of Bruce McLaren, and your
website dedicated to him was very nicely done. Thanks I learned some.
Though I first saw Bruce drive in the late '50s at Silverstone, I
remember best watching the Bruce & Denny show at Bridgehampton USA. I
went to the British GP in 1970 and it was very sad to see the orange cars
without Bruce. Keith Crossley.
RICK
SEGREDA
I
read with interest your website's exaltation and defence of Dr John Money.
After reading "As Nature Made Him," I fail to see how ANYONE'S
breast could swell with nationalistic pride simply because of a shared
passport status with Dr. Money. I remember a Marxist Feminist Sociology
instructor trying to indoctrinate us in the dubious story that Money had
claimed as "fact" regarding the successful "creation"
of a girl from a child who was born a natural, healthy boy.
I didn't believe it then, and
when David Reimer broke his silence regarding the real story of the
nightmarish dimension of horror he and his family was subjected to it
confirmed everything I felt. Reimer and his brother both accuse Money of
sexual abuse on top of everything else-and because Money provided false
ammunition to trendy feminist academism you are willing to give him the
benefit of a doubt? Sincerely.Rick Segreda.
WANAKA, NZ
I would like to draw your attention to my revamped website www.cleangreen.co.nz.
The site showcases a small selection of enduring New Zealand images
from our extensive library of quintessential Aotearoa pictures as well as
describing our location photography services. We are constantly adding to
the library and regularly changing the images in the web galleries.
Looking forward to hearing from you again.
ZERO WASTE NEW
ZEALAND TRUST, AUCKLAND, NZ
I
am writing in, not to register but to show you another leading edge
position that NZ is taking - this time on waste.
One third of NZ's local authorities have taken the bold move of adopting
targets of Zero Waste to landfill - most by 2015.
Nowhere else in the world has the Zero Waste philosophy been accepted as
readily or as quickly, although there are other cities around the world
who are doing so - the latest being Toronto.
The goal of Zero Waste New Zealand Trust is for NZ to adopt a national
vision of Zero Waste and set a global precedent.
The Government is currenntly calling for submissions on a national waste
minimisation strategy and we have written a comprehensive document called
"An End to Waste - Zero Waste by 2020", in association with
leading local and international waste minimisation experts to assist the
numerous individuals and groups around the country who want NZ to be first
in to go for Zero. It can be downloaded from our website www.zerowaste.co.nz
(National Campaign/National Strategy) or sent by email bt contacting us on
mailbox@zerowaste.co.nz. Regards Julie Dickinson Manager Zero Waste New
Zealand Trust.
PHYSIOTHERAPIST,
ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO
Hi there
edge com. Linden Leaves now has a web site that advocates the fresh clean
nature of NZ and how we have combined these with ancient effective
formulae and with wonderful new fragrances to manufacture bath and body
products for export around the globe.
We have grown our exports from around NZ$500,000 to over NZ$ 1
million this year and now have a distributor in Australia where we figure
we can easily double what we have done this year! We plan another trip to
Europe this year to cement some early deals & we feel that they will
be enthusiastic about our products too. Look at www.lindenleaves.com
and tell us what you think! Site designed by Chris Blair from
Christchurch. Art director for Linden Leaves is Juliet Blair. Directors
are Brigit & David Blair, (mostly Brigit who works so hard) Regards
and good luck to all the other Kiwis on the edge who are pushing the
limits! David Blair.
CONSULTANT,
CHRISTCHURCH
Brains
draining! Painful! Of course brains drain from NZ.
We are at the bottom of the world, thousands of kilometres from
what the rest of the world. As
humans, as New Zealanders, we have a history and tradition of exploration.
So we explore! We go
out, we learn, and many of us return, bringing our knowledge and expertise
with us. Surely this is what
humans have done for millennia? Don't
knock it, celebrate it. Then
provide the incentives to attract our ex-pats back.
For those of us in Godzone, let's stop whinging, stop the negativity and
celebrate what NZ is. We have lots that needs changing, lots that others
want to adopt. That's the way
the world over. Ever wonder
what the world would be like if everyone stayed home? Or what NZ would be
like if every migrant returned to their country of origin?
So here's the idea - go out into the world, learn about it, about
other peoples and cultures, distil from that vast pool of knowledge what
is of use to you and your country, carry out your research, contribute,
and then bring the benefits back to NZ - in person, on the Net, or through
whatever means. And if you choose to come back and make direct
contributions to your home country, all the better.
ADVERTISING,
JOHANNESBERG, SOUTH AFRICA
I
am very much a South African. Proud of it. As a country, we have been
suffering from a chronic low self esteem crisis. We have taken on the vibe
of the world that Africa equals poverty, crime and war. The fact that the
majority of us, most of the time, have a great quality of life and a
resilient inner spirit that has allowed us to experience miracles, goes
above most people's heads.
The sad thing is that the people that do most of the complaining, are the
very same people that benefitted from the sick system that has brought us
to where we are and I do not remember much opposition to the atrociuos
conditions that 75% of the population was experiencing when I was growing
up. It baffles me when people say, "I did not know." Yeah sure.
In a continent called Africa, it is mighty shocking that all the Africans
do not live in your neighbourhood except to clean your house and garden,
that at work they are just drivers and tea ladies. Unless it is accepted
that Africans are just stupid which will be another bone to pick. If I
went to Britain and all white people were in particular positions
(inferior and servitude ones, I will not think it is natural, that is for
sure).
nzedge is exactly what we should be doing as South Africans. There is a
new generation that is sick of the whining and negative talk, when we know
the power to create our own reality is within us. Great companies such as
Nandos,Nederburg,SAB,De Beers,MTN, Dimension Data amongst many others are
proof that we can compete with any in the world. We have Mandela, Desmond
Tutu, Mark Shuttleworth, Raymond Ackerman, Pam Golding etc., people who
make an impact within their industries and sphere of influence that
reshape the thought processes of many in the world.
We have Nobel Prize winners. We have a world in one country lifestyle
almost unmatched in the entire globe. And we spend time whinging about
things we can put a stop to if we worked as a team which in the majority
are caused by our vulnerable period of transition which most countries go
through when they have experienced such a revolution.
The blessing we had, was that it was not bloody, maybe then people will
realize what a great nation we are. When people leave this country, they
work so much harder to have the lifestyle that they can have here and
tolerate so much more in other countries which they do not do in Africa.
For us to even get to where we going to sooner, it will take a little
selflessness and a reality check.
It is not a matter of dwelling in the past, but if we ignore it then we
just won't have the right strategies to get out of this rut.The country is
half poor now because in the past we deliberately and strategically
ensured that three quarters of the population were financially and
educationally deprived.
To reverse the process we have to tip the scales for a little while so
that the next generation can have the life and spirit that we all aspire
to have. Moving to Canada, UK or Australia or bad mouthing the country
will not make the problems go away. Real action and the right attitude
will. Keep up the great vision and we will draw inspiration from you - NZ!
Great site nzedge.
TRACY A. GOODGAME,
CHRISTCHURCH, NZ
WHAT IS A NEW ZEALANDER?
In today's government, census and electoral polls they are an extinct
species.
Decades ago a New Zealander was a person who was either born or lived in
New Zealand.
Of late it is clear for all to see we are divided into either Maori, a NZ
European (an unequal, second class non-entity) or further separated into an
ethnic minority group.
If we are to be separated into groups based on race, creed or colour I do
believe the majority of New Zealand are not being represented at all.
If I cannot be called a New Zealander, as I was brought up to believe I
was, I
am not a collective 'nzeuropean' which I find culturally insensitive, as
too would a person of Maori descent to be classed as a 'nz pacific islander',
then
what am I?
I am a descendant of many different national immigrants, my ancestry comes
from Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, Scotland and England.
Where do the powers to be accommodate my heritage? England where we
all have had no choice to succumb to British reign as any history book
will dictate, but sadly people like myself have been stripped of their
ancestral culture from other lands, void of our other native languages and
heritage.
It would seem people like myself are denied our culture and our heritage.
How many generations will have to suffer these great injustices?
Ironically we are a government assisted separated nation but the
government have shown justice to people of Maori descent by reinstating
one of their culture's and language's into New Zealand life but this is
not one of my many native language's, instead I would like the same
opportunities to have my native language's and culture's available to me
in this country.
People of Maori descent have said that the problem with their young people
has stemmed from not having their culture and heritage known to them and
indeed it seems to be a valid statement.
It then makes you ask what of western society internationally, all the
countries around the globe with alarming crime, suicide rates could be
caused
from the same thing - we don't have any connection to our roots anymore -
most western countries today are made up of immigrants who have got lost
in
the middle of this materialistic world and religion is not holding up
society
anymore.
But in New Zealand with our governments leading us into a divided nation I
can only say that I will put down my ethnicity as Irish, English,
Scottish,
Swedish and Danish.
Maybe then when all the electoral rolls and census are counted I too can
have
a representative in parliament for each of my native ancestors, perhaps
too
while this country is on it's downward slide we could include a separate
poll
for religions to be represented also. However what will the
governments do
in the not to distant future when 99% of New Zealand all have the same
ancestry.
Where will the government stop this 'separate' foolishness, maybe when
they
stop to take a look around and see we ALL are from one great big melting
pot, blended altogether but ALL with unique unforgotten heritage and
culture
accepted and encouraged by ALL and judgement, inequality and separatism
are no longer found in a New Zealand dictionary.
FRENCH CHATEAU
B&B IN SOMME
BATTLEFIELDS AND ANZAC MEMORIAL
Bonjour.
Hello, I am French-Australian, have been living in Australia, Canada and
New Zealand. I came back to France and just opened the family house
Chateau de Behen as B&B and we would be happy to welcome France
lovers. Perfect for weekend, stopover or longer, between Paris and London.
We are also close to battlefields and
the ANZAC memorial at Villers Bretonneux, and to other memorials.
We have a website http://www.cuvelier.com
where you can see photos of then Chateau, rooms and access map.
Thanks a lot Yours sincerely norbert-andre@cuvelier.co
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We
welcome new members to nzedge.com this month from around the world:
Adelaide,
Australia
Berkeley, California
Bokeelia, Florida
Bracknell, Berkshire
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Centurion, South Africa
Chicago, Illinois
Doncaster, England
Durban, South Africa
Eskisehir, Turkey
Esperance, Australia
Florence, Italy
Forest Grove, Oregon
Gold Coast, Australia
Hertfordshire, England
Hilversum, Netherlands
Hyderabad, India
Iasi, Romania
Joelton, Tennessee
Krimpen a/d IJssel, Netherlands
Laie, Hawaii
Lake Mary, Florida
Melbourne, Australia
Mittagong Australia
Moscow, Russia
Mumbai/Bombay
New York, NY
Nottingham, England
Quezon City, Philippines
Rasht, Iran
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Shah Alam, Malaysia
Sydney, Australia
Washington DC
Webster, NY
Weiler, Germany
Woodbridge, Virginia
And from The Edge:
Alexandra
Ashhurst
Auckland
Christchurch
Dunedin
Greymouth
Hamilton
Hector, Buller
Palmerston North
Porirua
Tauranga
Wellington.
S
H O R
T S
HIGH
SCHOOL STUDENT, ROTORUA, NZ
This
site is great, I found it really useful when I needed information on New
Zealand for a school project I was doing. I just hope I get an A!
ARTIST,
AUCKLAND, NZ
Great
site. Best from Texas. Julian
ECONOMIST, LASI,
ROMANIA
I
love NZ! Best regards.
VENTURE
CAPITALIST, AUCKLAND, NZ
Love
what you are doing........and want to be Part of it. Live on the
edge!!!
WRITER/PROFESSOR/DIRECTOR,
BERKELEY, USA
Looking
forward to joining your community!
SCIENTIST,
PALO ALTO, USA
Great
site. I found it accidentally when I was searching the web to link up with
fellow Kiwis in the California Bay area. We just moved here from
Palmerston North.
MARINE
ENGINEER, HEREFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND
Happy
to be on the fringe, can't wait to be part of the bigger in the future.
Bigfellaatsea.
DONCASTER,
BRITAIN
Kiwis
stand alone everywhere.
ACCOMMODATION
MANAGER, ESPERANCE, WESTERN AUSRALIA
Excellent
site guys, thanks to my brother Garry for bringing it to my attention.
Cheers David Lenihan.
LECTURER
- BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, HAMILTON, NZ
I
am lecturing at the University of Waikato on Biotech and Biotech in New
Zealand. It is good to see a site related to NZ achievements. Good on
you. Dr Robin Janson.
PHYSIOTHERAPIST,
ENGLEWOOD,
COLORADO, USA
I
have a question actually. Is there a good website or sites where I could
get information on the following: 1) jobs in NZ 2) property for
sale-specifically orchards in the BOP?-thanks-Sue Legg-Matthews kiwipost@aol.com
DIRECTOR
OF FORESTRY EDUCATION, FOREST GROVE, OREGON, USA
Anyone
need help figuring out work and life in the USA, feel free to contact me.
I've been here for almost 12 years. Also interested in experiences of
anyone moving back to NZ recently. Cheers Ric
WEB DEVELOPER,
MOSCOW, RUSSIA
I
am very, very interested about your country and your site. Please visit on
me: www.websamba.com/stanislaus
MATAMATA, NZ
I
was pleased to see your link on a website about women who worked for the
British intelligence during WWII. Very interesting site, wonderful to have the link to NZEDGE. Great
publicity for your wonderful site. Keep up the good work. Regards, Pam Gore
FREELANCE
WRITER/GRAPHIC DESIGNER, HAMILTON, NZ
What
a great site !!! I was completely blown away after reading the Kevin
Roberts interview in North&South (Dec 1999) and had to check it out.
It's bloody great and you have my support all the way. BOOMSHANKER !!!
Chris Williams.
ENGINEER, LOS
ANGELES, USA
Awesome
website. There IS hope to "save" NZ from becoming a 3rd-world
Pacific Island. I like the idea of a South Pacific Silicon Valley, and
exporting organic produce. Keep up the good work.
NETWORK &
SYSTEMS ENGINEER, WELLINGTON, NZ
My
God, reading Craig Young's article
(kudos sir) was like subliminal ESP. The only thing missed out on was
NZ’s favourite anti-intellectual attitude, which is of course dominated
and complimented by the hardman, thickman piss drinking rugby culture that
he mentions. A pity we concentrate on all blacks with assault convictions
than the few with PostGrad Diploma's, Masters, Ph.Ds and other areas of
expertise (eg business), than the thugs just playing with a bit of pig
skin. Rather than using a cultural pastime to change ourselves for the
better, we seem to be damn determined to be the first country of humans to
return to the trees! Where are our renaissance men/women?
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
I
have
just discovered nzedge and want to congratulate you on producing a great
site. It should be the envy of all Aussies who tend to adopt successful
Kiwis. As an expat living in Sydney we tend not to hear a lot of news from
NZ unless it is economic gloom or what Jonah Lomu has done to the
Wallabies. Comedian John Clark has virtually achieved the status of
national living treasure here, others with similar respect are Neil Finn
and Sam Neill. Keep up the good work. Peter Douglas.
PHOTOGRAPHER,
BOKEELIA, FLORIDA, USA
I
am a professional photographer who is planning a New Zealand adventure in
May. This will be a "Self-Assignment" and I am doing it because
I can and want to. I plan on staying several months and exposing as much
film as possible. My hopes are to meet as many New Zealanders as possible,
learn as much as possible and fulfill one of my lifelong dreams. Until
then! Jim France
francefoto@aol.com.
STUDENT, FLORENCE,
ITALY
Alway's
enjoy to read the site and feel a bit homesick. If anyone wants some
Italian translated I may be able to help. To Brian Sweeney and Kevin
Roberts: KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. (Just a quick note to let you know, I
originally registered last year in Bangkok, Thailand but I have since
moved to live in Florence Italy and wanted to changed my contact email
address away from hotmail which is cumbersome and slow.) Thanks,
HJC.
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