You may have noticed recently that NZ Herald has started putting a growing number of its articles behind a paywall. Not just premium investigations or long-form pieces, but even fairly run-of-the-mill content that many would argue barely qualifies as journalism.
For readers who are not keen on paying to access that kind of material, there is a simple workaround that is both quick and effective.
One of the easiest methods is using an app called Instapaper.
All you need to do is download it on your phone, or use the web version on desktop. Once you come across a paywalled or premium article, copy the link and add it into Instapaper. In most cases, the full article will load without restriction.
On top of that, it has the added benefit of letting you save articles to read later, making it a useful tool beyond just getting around paywalls.
Simple, effective, and well worth having on hand. I’ve just saved you hundreds of dollars per year.
With a house window bay that was typical of NZ house designs 100 years ago. The house Geoffrey grew up in, built in 1929, had two of them in the front.
This was an entry on the Waikanae Lions Garden Trail in 2024.
Most people we’ve talked to expected the Inquiry’s report to be yet another whitewash of the Jacinda regime and for the most part it was, but it seems that behind closed doors they weren’t so gentle on Her.
“Former prime minister Jacinda Ardern faced a closed doors hearing before a royal commission, with one line from the session — “You divided the nation” — now shaping headlines and the political response in New Zealand. The NZ Herald report says the Ardern royal commission questioning was conducted privately, but the tone and focus have become public through its coverage.”
Kids will get a chance to ride with sports stars in classic cars ahead of the matinee performance of the Kāpiti Variety Concert at Southwards on Wednesday 15 April.
the blurb:-
Ronald McDonald House is one of those places no parent ever wants to need but when life takes an unexpected turn, these homes become a lifeline, not just for children in hospital, but for their families too. With three specialist children’s hospitals across Aotearoa, they help ease the load for whānau facing the toughest days, offering comfort, care, and community when it matters most.
On April 15, Southward Car Museum transforms into a festival of kindness, a day where music, laughter, and vintage engines roar for a cause that touches hearts across the motu.
From morning till evening, the grounds hum with family fun:
At 2.30 pm, the Matinee Variety Show bursts into life, a joyful showcase of local talent, laughter, and heart. It’s the kind of show that reminds us why community matters: voices rising, kids dancing, and everyone cheering for something bigger than themselves.
Then, as the sun dips, the lights rise.
At 7 pm, The Crimson Club take the stage, their signature mischief and musical mayhem igniting Southward Car Museum Theatre in a blaze of cabaret with Kiwi swagger. It’s bold, bonkers, and brilliantly heartfelt, a night where laughter meets artistry and every note hums with aroha.
Shona Jaunas, rage‑violin rebel with wicked Kiwi charm. She wields her bow like a lightning rod, channeling fury, finesse, and pure fun. One minute she’s tearing through riffs like a rock goddess, the next she’s melting hearts with a whisper of melody.
Janet Holborow – Mayor of Kāpiti, cello, flute, kick drum; proving mayors can rock [it would be something to witness at least! —Eds].
Dr Mel Garber, accordion alchemist, theremin whisperer, fearless vocalist. She’s part scientist, part sorceress, conjuring soundscapes that shimmer, swirl, and surprise. Expect goosebumps, giggles, and a touch of glorious madness.
The Crimson Club , cabaret chaos at its clever, cheeky best. A troupe of musical mischief‑makers who turn every tune into theatre and every laugh into connection. Think glitter, guts, and glorious Kiwi irreverence, the kind of performance that leaves you buzzing long after the curtain falls.
Every ticket, every ride, every ice cream helps Ronald McDonald House give families a home‑away‑from‑home during some of the hardest moments of their lives.
Let’s fill Southwards with love, laughter, and music, because when we come together, we make the tough days a little lighter and the world a little kinder.
Netball star Ameliaranne Ekenasio, and basketball legends John Saker and Angelo Robinson will be on hand to ride with kids in the classic cars on the Southwards circuit. Organisers are offering two rides for $5 so it should be a popular attraction. The rides are from 11.30am to 2pm with the matinee performance starting at 2.30pm.
Ameliaranne Ekenasio
All proceeds from the event will support Ronald McDonald House Charities. Please note, Tina Cross will perform only at the 7.00 pm show.
Ronald McDonald House Variety Concert Wednesday, 15 April · 2:30pm & 7:00pm
The LARGEST COVID "vaccine" autopsy study EVER conducted found 73.9% of deaths after vaccination were caused by the shot.
THREE independent estimates yield 470,000–840,000 U.S. mRNA deaths more than WWI, WWII, Vietnam, and Iraq COMBINED. Why have the CV shots not been withdrawn? pic.twitter.com/2pEdoytl8K
All the people he has attacked are ones who supported his election during 2024, in large part because they wanted the wars that Biden-Blinken started to end!
Trump and Co. have done a good job with overturning Leftist internal American policies, but wowee, they’re behaving like Democrats on foreign policy with a vengeance!
The big looming problem for him, is that it almost assures a Democrat majority in Congress in the mid-terms this November, and they will immediately resume impeaching him as they did throughout his first term.
ACT Local Councillors are pushing back on creeping co-governance at the local level.
In a bombshell interview with Duncan Garner, ACT Local’s Davina Smolders exposed serious concerns about governance at the Far North District Council, including transparency, elected members’ access to information, and the role of unelected appointees in decision-making. She’s calling for the appointment of a Crown Observer.Off the back of Davina’s efforts, the Minister for Local Government has now confirmed officials will engage with the Council to ensure better governance.
Davina’s stand echoes those of other ACT Local Councillors:
Otago Regional Council’s Robbie Byars stood up to oppose mana whenua membership in the proposed governance structure and argued voting membership should be confined to elected representatives.
New Plymouth District Council’s Damon Fox pushed for scrutiny of the proposed Puketapu Hapū service level agreement and argued ratepayer-funded arrangements should be carefully tested.
Wondering why local co-governance hasn’t been stopped for good? We hear you.
ACT is pushing for action from Wellington: “ACT continues to oppose voting rights for unelected local government appointees.
“I have drafted a member’s bill to make this position the law of the land under the Local Government Act. ACT has urged the Minister for Local Government to adopt this bill as Government policy.” – Cameron Luxton
If the Minister doesn’t step up, we’re ready to take this to the election.
Vintage car rides (two for $5) with sporting legends John Saker, Ameliaranne Ekenasio, and Angelo Robinson, powered by 
Yummy kai from 
Shona Jaunas, rage‑violin rebel with wicked Kiwi charm. She wields her bow like a lightning rod, channeling fury, finesse, and pure fun. One minute she’s tearing through riffs like a rock goddess, the next she’s melting hearts with a whisper of melody.
Janet Holborow – Mayor of Kāpiti, cello, flute, kick drum; proving mayors can rock [it would be something to witness at least! —Eds]. 
Dr Mel Garber, accordion alchemist, theremin whisperer, fearless vocalist. She’s part scientist, part sorceress, conjuring soundscapes that shimmer, swirl, and surprise. Expect goosebumps, giggles, and a touch of glorious madness.
Tickets are on sale now via Eventfinda:
