New Zealander or Aotearoan?
So far 35,000 people have signed a petition to have NZ change its name to Aotearoa. It might be popular in some areas of NZ but I don't think the Hutt Valley would buy into it.
The National Party (or is that really just Judith Collins and a few others) are calling for a referendum on a name change.
Let's say it happens. What would become of ANZAC Day? Would it become AAAC Day?
What would become of Australasian - would it become Austroan?
Would the letters ANZ become AA which might or might not be appropriate because AA has other meanings and not just Automobile Association.
There are those who say we should double our name to New Zealand-Aotearoa but that really takes up a page in a book and a sentence in a short speech. And would we still be called New Zealanders?
If we do shift to Aotearoa in all fairness we drop the colloquial term for a New Zealander: Kiwi (which is Maori) and replace it with an English name of Paradise Duck or just Paradiser for short. That would be terrific as most of us and the world believe we live in paradise. And those ducks are noisy and slightly bossy.
Another good thing in becoming Aotearoa, in the Olympic Games or Commonwealth Games opening ceremonies not only are we among the first to emerge into the stadium instead of waiting and waiting and waiting, but we are ahead of Australia alphabetically. Why not just take a wee small step and spell our new name Aaotearoa and we will be first at any Games -unless they do the dirty and start in reverse. Hello Zambia.
Poll: Does the building consent process need to change?
We definitely need homes that are fit to live in but there are often frustrations when it comes to getting consent to modify your own home.
Do you think changes need made to the current process for building consent? Share your thoughts below.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.
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91.6% Yes
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8% No
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0.4% Other - I'll share below!
FAMILY OF POTHOLES
Not the biggest pothole in NZ but Alexander Road in Trentham has one of its round-abouts with a family of potholes on the roading making it difficult to avoid them.
The Upper Hutt City Council was quick and ridiculous to reduce the speed limit of all Alexander Road from 80kg to 50kg but not so quick to repair this multiple of potholes.
I must not hold my breath because nearly 4 years ago I held a discussion with the UHCC roading chief on the appalling state of the busy Ward Street road in Wallaceville and he agreed but asked me which would you prefer - fixing up Fergusson Drive or Ward Street as a priority. Well nothing has been done either to Fergusson Drive.
I am hoping the new Government with its plans to reverse some speed restrictions and introduce reducing speed restrictions on some roads, will prompt the UHCC to wake up their ideas of Alexander Road which in most part is non urban residential housing.
Lest we forget...
On this ANZAC Day, let's take a moment to remember and honor the brave men and women who have served and continue to serve our country.
Tell us who are you honouring today. Whether it's a story from the battlefield or a memory of a family member who fought in the war, we'd love you to share your stories below.
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