blog on September 29th, 2009

Air New Zealand Fashion week (second half).
Photos courtesy Air New Zealand Fashion Week/Michael Ng.

Continue reading about Air New Zealand Fashion Week: part 2

blog on September 28th, 2009

The New Zealand economy has experienced growth for the first period in over a year. According to the economists, the recession is over. But for many people, hard times are just beginning.
There are numerous families where there isn’t much leeway in the monthly budget, and if expenses increase, or income decreases, a credit crisis [...]

Continue reading about Mortgage holders face difficult times

blog on September 26th, 2009

It’s quite a week for fashion and the fantastic in New Zealand. As well as the prestigious Fashion Week (more pictures from that later), we also have the Montana World of Wearable Art, an unashamed expression of the incredible.
So, here are some pictures…

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blog on September 23rd, 2009

In keeping with the South American theme:
Here is a beautiful piece of writing by Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, one of the most influential poets of the last century. Translated from his native Spanish, the phrasing and the ideas are delicate, aching, yet never stray into sentimentality. How I wish I could appreciate it in its [...]

Continue reading about Tonight I can write the saddest lines

blog on September 23rd, 2009

Beware, this is an unashamed plug for the New Zealand fashion industry.
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This week is Fashion week, when NZ’s brightest and best strut their stuff on the catwalk, and buyers (hopefully) dig deep in their pockets.
These are some lovely shots from early on in the week. I must acknowledge image copyright owners Air New Zealand [...]

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blog on September 21st, 2009

Ben Bernanke reckons the recession is over. Probably over. Maybe nearly over.
Well, hallelujah. All ye financial services boffins and bankers, rejoice. The recession is over.
But as for the rest of us, I fear it’s only just the beginning.

Continue reading about End of the recession

blog on September 18th, 2009

What does ‘insurance’ mean, and why should we have it?
According to the Online dictionary, it means, amongst other things, ‘a protective measure’.
So what do we need protection against? I guess the main thing about insurance is that it lets you pay a little bit over a long time, in case you are liable for paying [...]

Continue reading about Insurance – why have it?

blog on September 17th, 2009

A fraternal feud that has been going for over six decades, and has split a small German town, is to be resolved today.
Before 1943, Rudi and Adi Dassler were happily (or perhaps, not so happily) running the family business together in the small Bavarian town of Herzogenaurach. Their business was already well known – they [...]

Continue reading about Shoe divide

blog on September 16th, 2009

A parent’s worst nightmare – my pre-teen is turning into a mobile phone monster.
Last Christmas, the big presents were Rock Band, and a mobile phone for my daughter, then just 11. We were optimistic and thought she would be different. She wouldn’t become a textaholic like all the rest.
Bzzt. Wrong answer. I’ve just taken the [...]

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blog on September 16th, 2009

Beaches, warm weather, huge skyscrapers, and the famous canal – Panama is the place to be? Not trampled by tourist, like neighbours Costa Rica and Guatemala, there are beautiful places to live and loads of opportunity.
Immigration is not a big deal. If you have as little as a £60K for investments in a Panamanian business, [...]

Continue reading about Settle in Panama