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Dr Lance O'Sullivan writes from the heart, and from the head: "It was 1996 and we were young parents. I was at medical school when I came upon an anti-immunisation pamphlet left in one of our lecture theatres.
"I was suspicious of the establishment at the time. You need to … View moreDr Lance O'Sullivan writes from the heart, and from the head: "It was 1996 and we were young parents. I was at medical school when I came upon an anti-immunisation pamphlet left in one of our lecture theatres.
"I was suspicious of the establishment at the time. You need to understand, I had grown up a welfare-dependent "half-caste" (I hate that term) boy living with his mother, escaping from a life of alcohol, crime and a level of violence that I would not tolerate for my daughters. An under-achiever, I was expelled from two secondary schools. I feel I had a reason to be angry at "the system".
"Then I became a father. It changed my life. I needed to be a responsible adult caring for a son, then a daughter – eventually seven children. We were young parents and wanted to do only the best for these precious beings.
"I read the pamphlet. It described "studies" in the Netherlands into communities that didn't look like mine, but I took little persuasion. I stated our second child, our little daughter Te Miringa, would not be immunised.
"At the time my wife Tracy was working as a nurse at the local medical centre and immunising children daily. Yet this was my protest against the establishment that I so mistrusted.
"Fifteen months later, we had a scare. Te Miringa became unwell with high fever and a body rash and the doctors were concerned as there was a measles outbreak locally. And I realised the information from the Netherlands did not reflect my reality.
"We got Te Miringa immunised."
www.stuff.co.nz...
Hi everyone, thanks for your contributions and a great discussion! Comments on this topic are now closed.
At 6pm on a cold, wet Queen's Birthday Monday, traffic near Kmart Petone is backed up in all directions. We had a fair bit of congestion over the weekend and business owners have been … View moreHi everyone, thanks for your contributions and a great discussion! Comments on this topic are now closed.
At 6pm on a cold, wet Queen's Birthday Monday, traffic near Kmart Petone is backed up in all directions. We had a fair bit of congestion over the weekend and business owners have been frustrated over the traffic levels. Is this the new normal? Were you caught in the traffic and what do you think about it? How do we fix it? Comments may be used in print unless stated otherwise with NFP (Not For Print)
We need your help! Greater Wellington Regional Council works with volunteers like you to plant up to 25,000 trees a season.
Our first event is Spade Aid; help us plant 5,000 trees in four hours. You make the difference!
Join us at MacKays Crossing entrance at Queen Elizabeth Park for a … View moreWe need your help! Greater Wellington Regional Council works with volunteers like you to plant up to 25,000 trees a season.
Our first event is Spade Aid; help us plant 5,000 trees in four hours. You make the difference!
Join us at MacKays Crossing entrance at Queen Elizabeth Park for a morning of tree planting on the 2nd of July from 10am-2pm.
There will be free a free sausage sizzle and live music!
Please bring appropriate footwear and warm clothes.
For more information, please visit www.gw.govt.nz... or RSVP to the Facebook event goo.gl...
Wellington Curtain Bank provides free curtains to families who have Community Services Cards. We’re making it easier for people in the Hutt to access the service this month. Go to Pomare Taita Community House, 55 Farmer Cres, Taita, from Monday, June 19 to pick up an order form. Drop it back with… View moreWellington Curtain Bank provides free curtains to families who have Community Services Cards. We’re making it easier for people in the Hutt to access the service this month. Go to Pomare Taita Community House, 55 Farmer Cres, Taita, from Monday, June 19 to pick up an order form. Drop it back with your details and window measurements by Friday, June 23. We’ll make the curtains and drop them back to Community House for you to pick up. For more info visit our website or call us on 0508 78 78 24 x 705. Please note: We have had to change venue as Great Start Taita has closed. If you picked up a form from there, please now return it to Community House.
Every year, over 11,000 brave men and women keep us safe. Most of them are working full-time jobs. Many are parents or grandparents. All of them are doing their bit to put out fires, save lives and keep the station working.
If you know a fire volunteer, this is your chance to say thanks. … View moreEvery year, over 11,000 brave men and women keep us safe. Most of them are working full-time jobs. Many are parents or grandparents. All of them are doing their bit to put out fires, save lives and keep the station working.
If you know a fire volunteer, this is your chance to say thanks. #cheerstothevolunteers
If you're looking to build a new home? We've got something for you. Maybe you're curious about the hidden costs of building and designing a new home? Maybe you'd like to get design and construction planning from the experts? Or perhaps you're exploring how to build an … View moreIf you're looking to build a new home? We've got something for you. Maybe you're curious about the hidden costs of building and designing a new home? Maybe you'd like to get design and construction planning from the experts? Or perhaps you're exploring how to build an environmentally-friendly home - and save money.
Jennian New Home Builder Info Sessions are an opportunity to have all your questions answered and your dreams made achievable. They're free - and they're taking place near you. Click here to register and to reserve your complimentary seats.
Are you following these tips to promote respect and prevent abuse? Elder Abuse Awareness Week runs from the 15-22 June 2017, starting with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on 15 June 2017. Help Age Concern help older Kiwi's live happily and safely in their own homes and neighbourhoods. … View moreAre you following these tips to promote respect and prevent abuse? Elder Abuse Awareness Week runs from the 15-22 June 2017, starting with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on 15 June 2017. Help Age Concern help older Kiwi's live happily and safely in their own homes and neighbourhoods. #alwaysrespected #WEAAD2017
Inland Revenue is warning of several scams circulating this tax season. Inland Revenue revealed earlier this month that there is about $183 million of tax refunds sitting unclaimed – enough to fly first class from Auckland to London and back more than 11,000 times.
Since then the IRD has been … View moreInland Revenue is warning of several scams circulating this tax season. Inland Revenue revealed earlier this month that there is about $183 million of tax refunds sitting unclaimed – enough to fly first class from Auckland to London and back more than 11,000 times.
Since then the IRD has been alerted to a scam email that asks users to enter their personal details to claim their tax refund. The email has the subject line, "IR3 individual income tax return 2016".
It's important to remember the IRD will not:
- Advise you that you are due a tax refund through email
- Send an email with a link to a webpage which asks you submit personal details
- Ask for credit card details or bank account numbers over the phone in order to process a monetary payment
- Ask you to pay a tax debt using gift cards or vouchers
- Sent you an email that does not include or ask for your IRD number
If you receive a suspicious email, SMS scam message or a fraudulent call please email phishing@ird.govt.nz or call them on 0800 227 774 (make sure you have your IRD number).
Log on to the Inland Revenue's website, register for myIR and use its calculator to work out whether you are owed money or have tax to pay.
Think accommodation for the Lions tour is running low? Think again!
A converted industrial site in Lower Hutt might be just the ticket for Lions fans needing accommodation around Wellington.
The former work site in Wainuiomata, owned by David Williams from Greenstone Concrete and Asphalt, … View moreThink accommodation for the Lions tour is running low? Think again!
A converted industrial site in Lower Hutt might be just the ticket for Lions fans needing accommodation around Wellington.
The former work site in Wainuiomata, owned by David Williams from Greenstone Concrete and Asphalt, features a big metal warehouse and three on-site portacom units complete...
Andy Alsop recently joined us at Haight ashbury and has already made a big impact in the salon. Andy is a talented hairdresser assuming a mentoring role as an Artistic Director at Haight ashbury. He’s also a world class colourist bringing his expertise and knowledge of Kérastase products, along … View moreAndy Alsop recently joined us at Haight ashbury and has already made a big impact in the salon. Andy is a talented hairdresser assuming a mentoring role as an Artistic Director at Haight ashbury. He’s also a world class colourist bringing his expertise and knowledge of Kérastase products, along with L’Oreal colour. See Andy explaining Haight ashbury's 360 Treatment here.
Andy was recently voted a finalist in Industry NZ’s Men’s Hairstylist of the Year.
Book with Andy till the end of July and receive a free SMARTBOND treatment with your next colour.
Modern, traditional, colourful or neutral, Resene has thousands of wallpapers available to suit all homes and projects. Come in and browse through the huge Resene wallpaper library to find the right wallpaper for your place. Use the Resene in-store colour library to find your favourite Resene paint… View moreModern, traditional, colourful or neutral, Resene has thousands of wallpapers available to suit all homes and projects. Come in and browse through the huge Resene wallpaper library to find the right wallpaper for your place. Use the Resene in-store colour library to find your favourite Resene paint colours to complement your new wallpaper.
Come in and see your local Resene ColorShop, your paint and wallpaper experts.
The new Kmart store opens in Petone tomorrow! What are your thoughts? Are you excited about it? Or would you prefer something else was in that space?
So many people asked for this, we came up with a second edition. This hits newsstands today! Get your copy before they're all gone.
Age Concern New Zealand is running an "Elder Abuse Hits Close to Home" awareness campaign in June. Did you know that more than 75% of alleged abusers are family members? We hear awful stories in the media of older people being abused in care facilities, scammed on the internet or taunted … View moreAge Concern New Zealand is running an "Elder Abuse Hits Close to Home" awareness campaign in June. Did you know that more than 75% of alleged abusers are family members? We hear awful stories in the media of older people being abused in care facilities, scammed on the internet or taunted by the general public, but for thousands of older New Zealander's the abuse happens in their own home. Please get in contact with your local Age Concern if you suspect a family member, friend or neighbour is being abused. We can Help. #WEAAD #alwaysrespected
We want everyone to have an absolute blast while they're here... but most importantly we want everyone to stay safe on our roads. Download the PDF attachment below and share it with your English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish mates.
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