The current joke around Christchurch, is Tony Marryatt is the L’Oreal man, ‘cause he thinks he’s worth it. It stems from his $68,129 pay rise that takes his salary up to $538,529 per year. Folk in Christchurch have taken umbrage to this for several, mostly moral, reasons. Maryatt and Mayor Parker, on the other hand have vehemently defended the pay increase.
Marryatt is the Christchurch City Council CEO and as such his role is to oversee, direct and manage the business of the city. The role of CEO is appointed by the council and is answerable to the council.
The easiest way to explain it is that the people elect a mayor as the city figurehead and the councillors to represent the people’s views. These are the council who in turn employ a town clerk or as we call the role today, the CEO. The council tell the CEO what the people want and is given the rates money to make that happen. The CEO is therefore the business end of the job. The CEO is not a meet and greet person. The CEO of a council is not a money maker but rather a money spender.
It is entirely the responsibility of the council to hear the voices, wants and needs of the people.
Unfortunately, in Christchurch and I fear, in many other towns, the dramas of the council have overtaken the business of governance. The folk in power have pretty much forgotten about the people who pay the rates.
Jim Anderton, a long time Christchurch resident and former MP and mayoralty candidate, was interviewed on National radio yesterday. He claimed the previous Christchurch CEO was a negative influence who’s reign of terror (my words) resulted in a total turnover of council management. Seems that the appointment of Marryatt was a bit of a godsend. Nic Smith, Local Body Minister has publicly supported the work of Marryatt. Mayor Bob Parker has very publicly and possibly to his own detriment, supported Marryatt. So why then, is Marryatt the most hated and vilified man in town?
Well it seems to be a moral point. Folk in Christchurch are subsisting on a diet of broken hopes, homes and livelihoods. Our city is, in a word, fecked. The passion of one eyed Cantabrianism is waning and we are starting, en masse to wonder, ‘what’s it all for?’ Jobs have been lost. People’s incomes are shredded to bare minimum. Folk are paying mortgages and rates on condemned property as well as paying for current, temporary, living arrangements. People are shovelling liquifaction off property, carting drinking water and driving an extra 30 or more kilometres just to get groceries. Insomnia is rife. Fear and anxiety is on the increase. Alcohol and cigarette consumption is of Titanic proportions. Disturbed sleep is the new norm. Slalom driving around sink holes, containers, barriers and cordoned off areas is now a basic skill set.
So, when you think about what life is like here it sounds fairly depressing and on most accounts it is. But Christchurch folk are doing their darndest to keep positive, love the city and rebuild. We seek out happiness and positive activity where we can. But when the rates demands increase and you are forced to pay out for property you can’t live in or even access, it pains to see the CEO get a massive pay increase. What sickened the people is the press conference Marryatt held when he said he would not be turning down his pay increase. A pay increase funded by the rate payers. A pay increase larger than the average household total income. A pay increase, he claimed, he earned because “he’s never worked so hard in his life”. It’s as if his arrogance defended the salary because he is the only person in Christchurch who works hard.
What really got to me, was that he turned up at an official conference in a t-shirt and shorts! What sort of half million dollar man does that? Couldn’t he at least look like a CEO. Or pretend to look like a CEO?
We often forget that those folk in power are also living and working in a broken, dysfunctional city along with the rest of us. These are people who have to keep it all together irrespective of what is going on. So we should cut them a wee bit of slack. All of them except for Marryatt. He gets paid more than enough to compensate for restless sleep, slalom driving and lack of cafes.
So why are the council imploding? Who really knows. At the time of writing this Leader there is much debate on the necessity of a Governmental intervention. Quite frankly, I wouldn’t mind that one bit. The Christchurch earthquakes have been the most expensive disaster this country has ever suffered. The rebuild will take decades. And the earthquake aftershocks still haven’t finished. So what should happen?
Irrespective of Marryatt doing a fine job, he has to go. The Mayor needs to stop being so righteous and distance himself from the CEO and instead, support his council. Our council. The people we elected to represent us. Make the CEO fall on his sword and leave. Get the council to do their job and let the PR machine keep the residents happily informed of progress. Because in the eyes of the ratepayers, Marryatt is certainly not a L’Oreal man.
Whatever the rates you pay, have a great month.
Anna Macdonald

Henri-Louis Bergson, the French philosopher, “convinced many thinkers that immediate experience and intuition are more significant than rationalism and science for understanding reality”. I couldn’t agree more especially as I reflect on the Christchurch earthquake and the impact this event had on my life for 2011. Immediate experience shapes us as humans and reflection allows us the possibility of wisdom.

As I embrace the New Year these are the top 20 things that I am grateful to the 2011, February 22nd earthquake for

1. Family. I have watched these remarkable people cope, mature and deal with a myriad of challenges. I am both proud of and pleased for them to be such resilient, incredible people.

2. Friends and neighbours. I have made new friends and become a member of a close knit community and as a result I have felt safe, secure, loved and appreciated.

3. Plumbing. I have a whole new appreciation for that amazing sound the loo makes when you push the button. I also appreciate the amount of water one household wastes and just what it means to be without water. Access to clean, safe water is a human right and not a luxury. This in itself is a global necessity.

4. Baby wipes, handy wipes, Dettol wipes, Janola wipes. Every household should have a steady supply of these in case of emergency. They are little packets are lifesavers when the water stops.

5. Books. They don’t require power to operate.

6. Candles. Everyone looks good in candlelight especially when you haven’t been able to shower for a few days/weeks. Refer to #4.

7. Insurance. It’s not a waste of money. It’s a non-negotiable.

8. Savings. These are for a rainy day and sometimes it doesn’t just rain, it monsoons.

9. Analogue phones. The old-fashioned kind that plugs into the telecom wall socket and doesn’t require power to work. Phone lines are one of the first services to be restored in a disaster but most households have cordless battery operated phones that require power.

10. Television breaking. Needs no explanation.

11. Wine. Really doesn’t need explaining.

12. Dogs. Irrespective of what is going on, these guys still require the same routine and this keeps you, the human, sane. Twice daily walking in the fresh air gives you time to think, process, and get wind through your sails. Never underestimate the power of exercise to manage stress. Seriously, even if you have to get in a car and drive somewhere that it is safe and pleasant to walk, do it. Daily.

13. Material possessions. These are mostly a waste of time, space and money because when they break and all the shops are gone so your stuff can’t be replaced…you finally realise that you didn’t need all the stuff in the first place. Plus, the act of heaving broken stuff into the rubbish dump is actually quite liberating. I learned just how much crap I once owned that can’t be recycled and as such is bad for the environment.

14. Packet of cards. Turns out you can play Solitaire without a computer.

15. Thinking outside the Square. Re-inventing the wheel in order to re-establish one’s company can be extremely exhilarating. Just because it’s never been done before, doesn’t mean it can’t happen. Plus, all your staff love it when the rules of work are radically changed for the better in order to accommodate a crazy new existence.

16. Confidence. Discovering that all the people I engage as advisors, suppliers and trustees display utter courage under fire. Not only do I deeply appreciate these people, I now have a little more confidence in my choices of who I trust. Learning to be a good judge of character can be a mine field of rocky experience.

17. Samoa. I went there for an emergency earthquake relief week and I now have a new home, an extended family, fabulous new friends and a wonderful future. This in itself is something I am extremely grateful for. I never imagined that nearly losing everything would give me the world. The cliché’s of doors closing / windows opening etc., are true.

18. India. I attended the World Congress for Publishing in Delhi and it opened doors to a future and provided experiences I never thought I would ever have. My future is extremely bright and this nation and culture has given me an insight into my career that I would never have gotten elsewhere. Turns out that CAM is something radically unique and because of the massive changes my company has undergone post-earthquake, I was able to attend the Congress.

19. Humanity. The more I understand the human race and all the varieties of cultural differences, the more I like people. I have become tolerant and a lot less judgemental and certainly less cynical. No matter how bad it gets, faith in people can be wonderfully fortuitous.

20. Life. I’m really appreciative that I am still here, still breathing, still have all my limbs intact.

I am excited about 2012 and all the potential it holds. How

about you?

Whatever your plans, have a great year. I’m so pleased I’m here to share it with you.

Anna Macdonald

The word privacy comes from the Latin, privatus, to separate. Its origins lie in the concept of separation of individual from government or privo – to deprive. The power is in the hands of the individual to determine what information is to be separated, withheld and secluded. It is the inherent right of an individual to set boundaries in respect of information and knowledge. I steadfastly adhere to this principle.
That said, most countries have laws that limit privacy, and for good reason. It is a crime to withhold information if by doing so, endangers persons or property. Or, another example is if one is required to share personal financial information for taxation purposes. Basic data is not a protected privacy right, for instance, your name, address, age, birthplace etc. You may choose to fudge around some details in certain circumstances such as not revealing your actual age in a social situation or not giving an actual address to a stranger but you cannot withhold such basic information from the government.
Physical privacy is another human right. The strategic fig leaf is one ancient example. A modern concept would be bathroom doors, clothes, screens, fences and curtains etc.
There are laws protecting and governing the act of searching through another person’s belongings as there are laws controlling the search of homes, vehicles and buildings.
We protect our right to privacy of self by managing laws around video surveillance, spying, and surreptitious recordings.
The New Zealand employment laws also give protection to job applicants in respect of age, religion, parental status, sexual orientation.
So, when it comes to information and privacy there are some basic rules of context and conduct.
One would think that by stating a conversation is ‘private’, one automatically protects one’s rights but unfortunately it is not that straightforward.
John Key and John Banks held a ‘tea party’ that was meant to serve two purposes. The first was the gratuitous public relations stunt and as such all the media were invited to get snap happy. The second reason for the chat over the cuppa was to sort out a few political issues. We all know about that.
But here is where the whole thing came unravelled. The two men asked the media to leave so they could have a private conversation. This strikes me as odd. I wasn’t there. I don’t know the layout of the place nor do I even care to find out. I just think that if you’re going to have a ‘private’ conversation, DON’T do it in a public place! It’s not rocket science. The terms risk management and risk assessment spring to mind.
And of course, it went wrong didn’t it? Some wally ‘accidentally’ left a recording microphone on the table. Nice.
I’ve always supported the notion of the right to Freedom of the Press. Controlling the content of the Press is symptomatic of a controlling dictatorship. Freedom of the Press is a bastion of a democratic society.
What I do believe should be controlled is the manner in which the Press gather the information. That needs to be controlled and this is where the debate of rights to privacy for the individual comes into play.
The Press in England have indeed become toxic. The legal trial currently being conducted has exposed some horrific evidence of information gathering, harassment, bullying, threats and sickening behaviour.
It’s not acceptable to blame the ones in the news. No one deserves to have their privacy stripped from them because they ‘courted’ the Press. No one has argued about unflattering things being published about him or her. People aren’t complaining because a tabloid wrote mean things.
The argument is about ‘how’ the information was obtained.
I recently read my local daily newspaper; co-incidentally awarded the newspaper of the year 2011, and in amongst the world news was a sizable article about Prince Harry. The entire article was about him and his friends enjoying a night in a Las Vegas nightclub. The premise of the article was to reveal that the Prince had a ‘tryst’ with a blonde. This type of journalism makes my stomach churn. It’s tacky, pointless and utterly irrelevant.
But it’s an interesting point because the information was gathered in a public place. The Prince was knowingly out in public. Whether or not he was doing something questionable is a matter for him and his lot to sort out. I don’t really care.
If, the Prince had a ‘tryst’ with a blonde in his own house or wherever, that would still be a matter for his lot to sort out but would and should be protected by the rights of privacy. Journalists should have no power to gather such information nor should they reveal it. The events should be protected. The fact that the same event may or may not have taken place is not the point.
Privacy must be protected. Our human and civil rights must be protected. We must have the inherent and unquestionable individual right to choose what we keep private in respect to ourselves. This is the basis of privo.
Whatever you regard as private, have a great month.
Anna Macdonald

A character in a novel once postulated that the world is run by one million evil men, ten million stupid men and a hundred million cowards. The rest of the people just do what they’re told. The theory being that the ones with ultimate power are the rich, the religious fanatics and the politicians. Their decisions rule the world and most often with a lustful greed motivating them. The stupid men are the soldiers and policemen who enforce the rules of the evil men. Of course there are more than 10 million soldiers and cops but only about 10 million with any real power. The hundred million cowards are the bureaucrats and pen-pushers who sign the death warrants and look the other way. Their defence is that if they don’t do it, someone else will. They will hang their heads and excuse themselves saying it’s not their fault because they were only following orders. When you take that into account it takes a remarkable person to break the ranks and change history.
I’ve been following the ‘Take Back’ protests. They’ve spread across America and now seem to be going international. It’s been a little difficult to get a handle on what these guys are on about. There isn’t an appointed spokesperson, there are no press releases, in fact, there appears to be little or no organisation. From what I have observed is that the movement organically developed out of helpless frustration and economic desperation.
For what it’s worth I think these people are angry that a few business people are extremely successful in these desperate times. Let’s face it, economically these times are actually going to get a whole lot worse. Effectively that will mean that the world’s wealth will be controlled by even fewer people and the Joe Public will be even more destitute. The gap between richer and poorer is widening. Therefore the protesters want the money makers to know their plight. They want the financiers, bankers and corporations to see the poverty and struggle and so they camp out at the central business districts and protest the ‘rich’ going to work. It seems philosophically sound. But take a closer look.
How many of you reading this are business owners? How many of you are employees? If you work you’re either one or the other. There is a certain ethical moral responsibility that either party must adhere to ensuring a successful working relationship. You know the rules and if you don’t then you’re too dumb to be in your job. Quit now and let someone with a brain have your job. They deserve it.
Working life is really simple; the unreasonable man makes it impossible. But it is the unreasonable man who affects change. The changes in the working world are well documented; equal pay for equal work, standard hours, reasonable conditions etc. For entrepreneurs it is the advent of research and discovery that has often paved the way to success and the creation of jobs.
The ‘Take Back’ protesters feel that the people in power have gained too much at the expense of the worker. The wealth is seen as exorbitant and unjust. The poor have even less rights than ever before. The philosophy is then to ‘even the score card’.
It is the collapse of the major finance houses that has brought this about. A few people made squillions of dollars off the backs of the little guy and subsequently lost it. The little guy has paid the biggest price by the virtue of the sheer numbers of them but what about the guys’ in-between? The small to medium enterprises have been hard hit also. I know of many fine companies that have gone to the wall for a myriad of reasons and I can tell you that financial mismanagement, lust for power or insatiable greed were not the reasons.
People are so quick to judge and condemn but those who protest the loudest are often people who have absolutely no idea what they’re talking about. Losing a job is terrible thing. Financial stress and worries are a killer. But losing a company, costing people their livelihoods, bankrupting and losing all assets to settle personal guarantees, is actually a whole lot worse.
Is it so wrong to risk so much? Is it so evil to have an idea that works that makes you money? Is it morally questionable to be successful? Some folk think so. I think the most important question to ask, is how much is enough? If you ask the extremely successful folk they will tell you that at a certain point they forget about the money and chase the thrill of the deal. Therein lies the danger because if you are so far removed from the real world then you will have no idea what life is like for the people who work for you. Then again, the people who work for you probably haven’t got the foggiest notion about your life either.
I actually disagree with the postulating character’s theory of evil men. I think there are plenty of people in ultimate power who are quite good chaps. There are also a few good men in the middle ranks. I’m fairly sure I understand what the ‘Take Back’ protesters are doing; I’m just not sure if it will achieve anything. But here’s to the unreasonable man, the man who changes the world even if it’s in a small way.
However reasonable or unreasonable you might be, have a great month.
Anna Macdonald

The world didn’t end on May 21st, obviously. So why did some people consider it might? Are we that influenced by the media we give the ‘crazies’ consideration? Why did so many people believe the Moon Man’s earthquake prediction? And why have there been so many geological catastrophes of late? Is the world ending?
I’ve scoured through as many scientific journals, newspaper articles and religious writings as possible in order to find answers. This is what I discovered, albeit the extremely truncated version.
The moon or ‘Supermoon’ does NOT cause earthquakes or tsunamis. The theory that earthquakes can be predicted by the phases of the moon seems logical but there is no statistical evidence supporting this. Astrologers refer to the ‘Supermoon’ when it is closest to the earth, a mere 221,567 miles away thus appearing larger. The theory that this ‘perigee’ increases gravitational pull resulting in a predictable earthquake is utter rubbish. The moon’s orbit is an ellipse not a circle so supermoons are not a scientific anomaly. The moon ‘appears’ larger at certain points of its orbit roughly 5-6 times annually. Historical data proves there is absolutely no correlation to the moon and natural disasters. If the moon did influence earthquakes we would have an estimated 300+ per day on top of what we experience already due to tectonic plate movement. The moon’s pull does not cause tsunamis. Tectonic plate movement does.
There is no such thing as earthquake weather. Earthquakes happen all year round in all weather. The reason people link the weather and an earthquake is that a significant event such as an earthquake heightens the memory and all associated events. The moon might influence weather but again, that has nothing to do with earthquakes.
Storms, tornadoes, hurricanes and floods are NOT on the increase but if you watch television you would swear they are. This decade has given the globe a media presence like never before. We are now in a position to watch disasters in real time. The world has always experienced natural disasters but today we are acutely aware of them. The earth is an estimated 4.5 billion years old and that’s a lot of time for disasters to occur. We scientifically know massive disasters have occurred in the past causing Pompeii to be destroyed, the Pink and White Terraces to go, the formation of Lake Taupo, the Mediterranean changing from a lake to a sea etc. CNN wasn’t around at any of these events. I suggest you turn off the tele.
Disasters are NOT more catastrophic but they are more deadly. Sounds like a contradiction in terms doesn’t it? The crudest way to put it is that disasters kill more people today because there are more people to kill. That’s not actually the disasters fault. Today there are more people living in closer proximity to one another, a sociological phenomenon called ‘cities’. In other words, it is the geographical locations of people and the population size that have influenced the numbers of casualties, not the disasters. Greater population numbers have forced people to build and live in geographically marginal areas. This especially applies to people living in third world countries.
Storms, floods, fires and tornadoes etc, are NOT getting bigger. Their impact is. Deforestation, river-channelisation, hardscaping (replacing land with asphalt and concrete structures) and overgrazing all increase the severity of a disaster. Straightening and channelising rivers increase water volume and speed of water flow. Hardscaping decreases the earth’s ability to absorb and slow the flow of water. Deforestation increases wind speed, land parchment and dustbowls. The clearing of Mangrove swamps for grazing and/or building robs coastlines of natural buffers against storms and tsunamis. Whilst natural landscape does not entirely prevent disasters it acts as a minimiser. My advice is either don’t build on the waterfront or at least get extra insurance. And plant a tree or ten.
Earthquakes, floods, fires, famines and plagues are NOT an act of God. Let’s assume you believe in God’s (or whatever you call Him) existence and His creation of mankind. God gave man a moral imperative freewill separating us from the animals. Freewill is the ability to determine one’s own actions. We have a choice of how we act and react. If that seems a bit too theological, ask yourself this “Why do you stop the car at the red light?” Mankind’s freewill built cities, cleared land and changed rivers. God didn’t. God doesn’t decide that a hurricane is going to wipe out a town. God is not going to end the world on a predictable date. Trust me on that one, but if you think the Biblical Doomsday proponents are right you might like to get your own moral house in order. No one is immortal on earth. We are all going to die, eventually. Disasters are not a religious precursor to the end of the world for if they were the planet would have imploded several hundred times over already and we all know that’s statistically impossible. No man on Earth has the power to announce God’s plan. As the saying goes, God only knows.
In summary, turn off the tele, plant a tree, get more insurance, straighten your morals and get on with life. You’ll be much happier for it.|
Whatever influences you, have a great month.
Anna Macdonald

I’ve been adding to my list of ‘Things to do before I die’. The latest entry is to attend a World Boxing Championship fight. I never really thought about boxing as a sport I could be interested in. It seemed barbaric and somewhat pointless to me. A couple of blokes in a ring punching one another were, to me, simply put, stupid. Then I watched, on TV, Alverez fight. I’m now a fan. Plus I learned American football has an extraordinarily high rate of brain injuries. It’s a process. Let me explain.
At present our nation is all about team sport. Rugby. It’s everywhere. Supermarkets, clothing stores, chemists, gas stations, schools, medical centres, real estate agents etc etc, all have signs and promotions relating to the World Cup. It seems we are all on the sporting band wagon. I am too. I gave the opening weekend my undivided attention and watched every game. I ignored gardening, housework and any form of actual activity that took me away from the TV. It was brilliant and I kept thinking to myself that team sports are the ultimate in physical achievement. It takes a lot to be a team of champions and turn that team into a champion team. Irrespective of what you want to say or think about any of the coaches, a humming team is a thing of beauty to watch. Rugby, to me is perfection in motion because when it does all come together and the ball is fed from a strong scrum and moved down a synchronised back line and over the try line with distinct downward pressure, the universe aligns in glorious appreciation. So why wouldn’t our nation be all about the game? Unlike the Americans.
According to ESPN, Americans struggle with understanding rugby. As a nation they marvel at why we would play a game without padding, helmets and time outs. They wince when they watch rucks and mauls and think we are all either mad or built of steel. Their national game, whilst of similar ilk; an oval ball, running, scoring kicking etc is actually vastly different in that the players are physically protected as much as costume allows. The uniforms are full padding, helmets and guards but this in itself has created a plethora of serious injuries. Apparently there are more serious brain injuries in this sport, pro rata than any other sport played in their nation. The reasoning is thought to be that Grid Iron players will butt heads often and deliberately. Not a tap or a bump but a full forced attacking style thump as the players falsely believe that helmets protect their brains. Rugby on the other hand is without helmets and even though injuries are rife, when you watch a game you can see players actively protecting themselves. So the ‘uniform’ actually does affect the play.
I could go on about England in the black jersey here but I think I should stick to the topic. So after watching several games of rugby I’d become an expert with the remote control and could speed my way around all sports channels and that’s when I saw the advert for the Ortiz vs. Mayweather fight. I had seen a documentary series about Ortiz and had read a bit about him. His story fascinated me as I always think there is something to learn from people who have overcome extraordinary odds to be the best in their chosen field. Mike Tyson is another great example of such a story, brilliant film, you must see but I digress.
Victor Ortiz is a 24 year old American Welterweight boxer of Mexican descent. He has had 34 professional fights, 29 wins (22 by TKO) 3 losses and 2 draws. He also smiles a lot and is the least angry person I’ve seen on telly in ages. When he was seven his mother took him and his younger brother to the school bus stop. She asked Victor how he would feel if he came home from school and she wasn’t there. Apparently the boy cried and when he returned home from school that afternoon his mother had gone and was never seen again. A couple of years later their father also abandoned the boys and as small children they were forced to fend for themselves for nearly two years. When the authorities caught up with them and placed them in foster care they were both well on the way to lives of crime. In fact Victor did deal in ecstasy and dope and only ceased when he realised he could make something of himself boxing. His brother is an integral part of his training team and together they are great. Ortiz is magnificent to watch in action. He is a fast, two-fisted power puncher. He is strategic and a natural crowd pleaser. A must see. He did lose to Mayweather in a spectacularly controversial fight.
Saul Alverez is the undefeated Light Middleweight WBC. At 21 years of age he has had 39 fights, 38 wins (28 TKO) 0 losses and 1 draw. At 175cms tall he has a reach of 180cms and the fastest left hook I have ever seen. He is a flaming redhead, freckled smiley chap who only speaks Spanish. Born and raised in Mexico he has five brothers who all box. His mother is a saint! He is the cleanest most agile, most powerful boxer I have ever seen. The skill set of this guy is so screamingly obvious you’d have to have your eyes shut to miss it.
I always thought that boxing was giants pummelling the brains out of one another who retire to speak in very short sentences. Boxing is a complex sport of extreme strategy, preparation and God like physicality. I love it. Fight night. I’m there.
Whatever your sport, have a great month.
Anna Macdonald

The Hon John Key
Prime Minister
Leader of the National Party

Dear John

Oh, how I hate to write, but dear John, I must let you know tonight. That my love for you has gone. I have not found another so don’t worry, it’s not your brother, Don.
We’ve been through a lot, you and I. The years have been somewhat kind and sometimes difficult. I thought we would love each other through sickness and in health, for richer or poorer and forsake all others. I thought we had it all.
I was loyal and I honoured and obeyed. I towed the party line and was kind to your clan. I spread the word and defended your honour and never aired my dirty laundry, until now.
It’s about the kids John. I cannot remain silent and dutiful and let you treat our children thus. What sort of person would that make me?
Most of our children are successful and we are very proud. Some need extra help and support. All need a great education, strong health care and most of all love and guidance. I simply cannot agree with your desire to control and dominate the teenagers who need extra help. Help is walking beside them, mentoring them, supporting and guiding them. Your kind of help is a controlling dictatorship. These kids need us more than ever and all you have done is debt collect for landlords and make me foot the bill! Stuff that.
I lay in bed on the morning of the great snowstorm. I was all wrapped up feeling warm and smug and happy. I watched the snow swirl around the windowsills hitting the glass as I listened to Morning Report on National Radio. They were discussing the politics of the day and a wave of smugness went through me and I felt that reassuring security of knowing exactly how I was going to vote. You! As always I would vote for you. I’ve always been yours.
Then I was utterly blindsided. The policy announcement of the teenagers on a benefit having their income controlled, enraged me. What were you thinking? This policy is nothing more than vote buying pandering to the upper middle class snobs. The type of people who think that a recession is firing the nanny and having to learn their kid’s names. You and I both know that the teenagers affected by your policy don’t vote for you so you couldn’t care less if you upset them.
And don’t give me that crap about the kids not being good with money. What about all your fancy finance mates who have displayed an absolute incompetence with other people’s money? They’ve cost the taxpayer millions and you are worried about a few kids who buy fags. Seriously?
Now I have no one to vote for. I hate feeling impotent. I want to vote. I want to take part in our democracy. I’m angry with you. I can’t vote for you. I’ll never vote for Act and I’ve still got my faculties so I won’t vote Green.
My predicament is great and alas I have no answer.
As a business owner I could never vote for Labour. They have never done anything to help my business nor the people I employ. Their incessant need to socially engineer and pass the buck onto the employer infuriates me. Your policy to control teenage beneficiary’s money is in itself a dreadful type of social engineering. A massive swing to the right that is all so terribly wrong.
Why can’t we look after our nation, our community and our families without having to be namby pamby or sergeant major-ish? Isn’t there an alternative?
If you truly want to win me back you will keep the country financially on track and make sure you share the riches amongst the people. Start with education and for goodness sake get a Minister of Education who actually has an education. Stop her knocking down schools and concentrate on literacy. I swear to God that if you made literacy the number one focus our country would thrive. Get every child reading and writing and give him or her the gift of knowledge. But I guess you need schools for that and teachers who are paid appropriately. Like I said, get a new Minister of Education.
Whilst I still have your attention please give Plunket some money. They are the ones who go into homes and work with families and teach and support. That is the type of help people need. Maybe if we did that we wouldn’t have to spend so much money on coroner’s inquests for dead babies. Just a thought.
Well John, it’s goodbye from me. It was good but it’s over. Sad really. I’m off to put my blue suit in the Age Concern clothing recycle bin. They need help too. I’ll miss that blue suit. I looked good in it.
Yours sincerely

Anna Macdonald

On Tuesday evening I attended the opening of the RAMSI; A History in Pictures, exhibition. The exhibition consists of 300 photographs documenting the work of RAMSI (Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands) since its creation in 2003.

The exhibition is currently touring the Pacific Nations that are members of the Pacific Islands Forum and is timed to coincide with the tenth anniversary of the signing of the Biketawa Declaration.

The Biketawa Declaration is a key regional agreement that paved the way for the Pacific Islands Forum countries to provide collective assistance to a fellow forum member country in a crisis situation.

In April 2003, the then Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Sir Allan Kemakeza, made an urgent plea for assistance after his country had suffered from five years of unfettered violence and a political coup in 2000. The Solomon Islands government was unable to function effectively, most basic services as health and education were not being delivered to people, corruption was rife and violence widespread. The people were living in terror as militant factions fought over land control.

The country had ceased to function in every practicable manner. For example, in 1978 the Ministry of Finance and Economics had a staff of 28 and regularly reported budgets to government. In 2003 the staff had dwindled to two and no reports had been filed for months.

The Prime Minister fearing for his country’s future asked for help. The response to the call for help was the formation of RAMSI. Led and funded by Australia and New Zealand plus representatives from 6 other Pacific Nations, 2200 troops and police were sent to the Solomon Islands to help restore law and order.

The objective of RAMSI is to work with the Solomon Islands people to support the creation of a strong infrastructure, secure democratic self rule government and financial stability.

The story of RAMSI is truly remarkable. Often as New Zealanders we are informed that our country is donating to other nations. This can seem a little ridiculous when we see the cost of our living rising, disasters at home, serious crime or yet another school being closed. So what I profoundly took from the RAMSI exhibition was a sense of pride and gratitude.

The troops sent into the Solomon Islands came from all over the Pacific. Nations contributed what they could. Civilian experts also went and they created a unique method of mentoring the locals. Within weeks the fighting had stopped. Nearly 3000 arrests were made and the militant leaders surrendered. All this was done without a single bullet being fired.

The local people rejoiced and walked the streets of Honiara en masse waving banners. They were so happy the peace had returned. They were able to begin trading in the markets again. Children could go back to school. Hospitals re-opened as the staff were no longer fearful for their lives.

A local police force was established and trained, a functioning government formed and a system of truth and reconciliation was created. All these things are documented and displayed at the exhibition.

The photographs on display include the individual countries contributions. As well as that there are photographs from the initial period of weapons being surrendered (arms amnesty), arrests of key militants, the tragic murder of Australian Policeman Adam Dunning as well as the post election riots in Honiara in 2006.

The process of RAMSI has not been easy nor has it been straight forward. There was some resistance that resulted in the riots. The city was burned and the Chinese population targeted as financial supporters of a political coup. These accusations proved to be false but by then many Chinese had fled the country.

The RAMSI response was to send in more troops from New Zealand and Australia. I remember reading about it and wondering why. The exhibition has shown me that it is the act of helping others and of cheerful giving. In Solomon Island Pijin language RAMSI is known as Helpem Fren. I love that.

Helping all people who need assistance in order to help themselves is a vital key to life. I have witnessed people helping us in Christchurch and it has made me humble. I have seen people who can barely afford their own living expenses cheerfully give to us, a first world city, to rebuild. Pure charity is a remarkable thing. It is not condescending nor should it be burdened with an expected return on investment. When true charity is given it is done so freely and happily.

I hope you all research into RAMSI and understand that our New Zealand contributions to the Pacific Nations around us are well received and well worth our efforts.

Whatever you contribute to, have a great month.

Anna Macdonald

One should always find the positive viewpoint in times of great adversity. Two sides to a coin and all that. Glass half full. Billy Connelly once said that you shouldn’t worry too much about walking in another man’s shoes. It is a good experience because after a while you are a mile away and have a new pair of shoes. Ok, so that was badly paraphrased but you get the general idea.
The earthquake story is huge. It is on-going and yes I do get tired of it all. But there are positives and life is getting better. It may be slow but we are recovering. This is what I’ve learned.
Insurance is worth every penny even when the premiums go up. Never opt for cheap insurance because you get what you pay for. Brokers who sell the cheap options will most likely do the least work for you when it comes to claims. Cheap insurance providers don’t like paying out. A good broker will sit and listen to your sob story which is a bonus because after a few weeks everyone else is sick of the sound of your whining.
When the water goes off and you have no idea how long it will be before you can turn a tap on, remember this. Washing dishes by hand doesn’t actually kill you. I’ve done it and I’m still here to type about it. After fetching water from the army tanks and boiling it on the BBQ, heaving buckets into the kitchen and double checking the organic classification of the detergent, you can actually wash dishes by hand. It’s ok because it also doubles as a time consuming activity relieving you from the distress of no telly, computer or stereo.
Washing with baby wipes is tolerable for short periods of time. Don’t use kitchen wet wipes or you will smell like Janola. Most baby wipes smell weird. Buy the ones that don’t smell like Britney Spears perfume. They are extra weird.
Water Care Services people like it when you hug them. It’s also good to remember that council workers, contractors and rescue people are suffering through the same earthquake.  And they are still going to work.
Everyone looks gorgeous by candlelight and burnt offerings from the BBQ look even better. Candlelight also hides the chips on the crockery and the miss matched cutlery. Wine tastes the same from a water glass and if it’s good enough for the French it’s good enough for us. Stemware is sooo last year.
When the power comes back on you can run around the neighbourhood like a mad banshee yelling the good news. People will think you’re wonderful for informing them and forget all about your utter lack of decorum.
Duct tape works wonders on broken windows. The more Duct tape used in your house the better, as it is a sign you are resourceful. Professionally fixing your house before anyone else in the neighbourhood has fixed theirs is not cool. You will look like a crazy, selfish, too much monied, control freak.
Judging people who stay in broken suburbs, in broken houses with reduced services is short-sighted. Not everyone has the luxury of being able to up sticks and move. Some people have to stay for financial reasons. Some stay because their home is liveable and they are connected to the community. Some people have nowhere else to go.
Not everyone in Christchurch is freaked out by and terrified of earthquakes. Many of us just rock and roll with it and improve on our fast recovery clean-up skills. I have learned that sucking up broken glass makes a vacuum cleaner produce a disturbing eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh sound just before it dies.
I’ve adjusted to driving through some fairly rough terrain just to get to the dairy and thus buy in bulk so I save a return trip. I’ve also adjusted to waiting for an hour at the lollipop stop/go check-point Charlie in order to get out of my suburb. I listen to National Radio and am pleased I’m not literally in the Gaza strip. There are no bombs, guns or nasty strangers trying to kill me. Instead I am surrounded by some really cool guys fixing the roads.
Another great tip. Invest in a decent dressing gown. The neighbourhood will see a lot of it when you wander down to the portaloo in your jarmies.  Another hint:  Portaloos are at their best on day one. After that, you might like to drive further afield.
You can tell you’re married to an amazing man when he spends his paycheck bonus on a chemical loo just for you. You can tell you’re married to an amazing woman when she is excited about the purchase and prefers it to jewellery.
Resourcefulness is a state of mind and a jolly good adventure. Always keep an eye on the future and don’t be a martyr. Living is far better than existing but remember, the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence because it’s most likely artificial turf.
Whoever’s shoes you’ve got, have a great walk this month.

Anna Macdonald

Welcome back! It is with much pleasure that we bring you this edition of CAM. Not only is it our first edition after the February Earthquake but it also marks the completion of 25 years of CAM in the marketplace. We have included within the pages, a full reproduction of the first ever issue of CAM. It is wonderful to note how many of the original advertisers from quarter of a century ago, are still advertising today. That in itself is testament to loyalty and success.

It does feel good to be back.

I have to admit the Earthquake took a toll. I ran the full gamut of emotions; from terror to elation, boredom to excitement, and worry to joy. When something as stupendous as the event of Feb 22 the immediate response is to survive.

I was across town at the University when it hit. The building rolled and swayed but nothing flew, snapped or broke. It wasn’t until an hour later when I was driving through the city that I began to comprehend the magnitude of destruction. Repeated attempts to get a phone call or text through proved futile. So my goal was to make it home. I picked up strangers and drove them to their desired destinations (a 4WD helps) but I had to abandon my car as the bridges were destroyed. I live by the sea and at one point I considered swimming to get home! Several hours and ruined shoes later I got home. Family standing on the porch with animals at hand, it was a very welcoming sight. House trashed but still standing. A quick check on the immediate neighbours and everyone ok. Got through to staff and they were all ok. Exhale.

So I picked up a broom and started sifting through the massive pile of rubble. Somewhere in the flotsam, jetsam and debris lay an emergency packet of fags and a bottle of scotch. Success!

Then the plan to survive kicked in. Neighbours all gathered and we sorted the supplies at hand. We had an hour of daylight to ensure safety, first aid, food, water and shelter. For the next four weeks we lived in the zone. Army, Fire Service, USAR, Civil Defence, Salvation Army, City Council, you name it they visited us. Extraordinary latrines were built. Helicopters landed and took off nearby. Food supplies gathered and rationed. Water fetched from Army tanks and 18-24 folk were fed each night. Refugees and evacuees were given shelter and comfort, animals were rescued and rehomed. We shared an old analogue phone so that reassurance was given to out of town friends and family.

And the aftershocks kept coming. Then the shocks of learning people we knew had died.

You don’t have to be deep and meaningful at times like these but it is important to take the moment to count your blessings and pay respects to the lives lost.

To explain the details of what we have gone through to get this issue of CAM out would take several pages of dramatic prose. That said there are a few individuals who must be thanked. Firstly, Grant Cameron (Lawyer) and Andrew Mason (Trustee). These two men literally moved heaven and earth and got me 45 minutes in my building to clamber over rubble and retrieve essential files. I also need to acknowledge Craig Armstrong from FMR Risk Insurance brokers. He’s the best broker on the planet and we have the most incredible insurance. We’ve also had wonderful support from iTops computer people who got us up and running at our temporary location.

And my CAM staff. The folks who have stayed strong, adapted and supported this issue. I really do work with great people. And to all our wonderful CAM readers and advertisers who sent emails, phoned and gave messages of support, encouragement and help. Thank you from all of us.

It will be a few months before the cordon is lifted and we are able to return to our building. In the meantime we are running from a temporary office on emails and mobile phones. We hope to have our landline phones and faxes running soon but please be patient with us.

PS, also a huge thank you to those honourable advertisers who paid their accounts. Your support will always be remembered.

Whatever challenges you, have a great month.

Anna Macdonald

Have you ever played the party game ‘Six Degrees of Separation' or even better ‘Six Degrees of Separation: Kevin Bacon'? The theory is that no more than six other people separate any one person on earth to anybody else. That pretty much means (for example) that the night shift supervisor at KFC in Taihape is no more than six people away from US President Barack Obama OR Kevin Bacon. So how exactly would that work?
It comes from the mathematical equation of ‘Small World' inspired by the 1929 Collection of short stories, ‘Everything is Different' by Hungarian writer Karinthy. Written post WWI, one of the stories fictionalises the idea that communities grow wider through networks because of advances in travel and technology. Some people attribute this idea to the base premise of Facebook.
The number of ‘friends' any person can meaningfully interact with is in fact 140, otherwise known as the Dunbar Number. Prof Dunbar asserted that the maximum number of meaningful, ongoing and consistent social relationships any person can have is only 140 and this number reoccurs throughout sociological history. Communities often peak around this number. Religious communities (i.e. Hutterites), communes, armies, villages, etc have all recorded this approximate and unintentional number. The number also features in random Facebook members ‘friends lists'. A study of Facebook ‘friends' revealed that the average number of interactive friends any person has on Facebook is in fact, 140. People may have hundreds of friends but any number over and above 140 are not regularly contacted.
In 1961, Gurevich, A PHD student at MIT explored the idea of Small World mathematical connections for his thesis dissertation. The idea was extrapolated from Karinthy's short story. But it wasn't until the American psychologist Milgram applied the theory to acquaintances at Harvard that the theory took social import. Milgram studied the student body and discovered that it really does only take up to six people to connect with everyone. Ironically, it was the student body database of Harvard that gave rise to Facebook.
The urban legend says that Facebook creator David Zuckerburg hacked into the Harvard student database to rank and rate the females on campus. In fact, it is probably far more likely that Zuckerburg wanted to connect the Alumni simply to maintain a succinct ‘what's up' social tracking based on the student halls of residence ‘Book of Faces' social recognition directory.
Bring forward a few more connections. During tonight's US Presidential State of the Union speech, Obama refers to Facebook as an example of American progress. That is not surprising because Hughes, a Facebook cofounder took a year off from Facebook to volunteer for the Obama Presidential Election campaign. For the first time in history, a Presidential candidate did not attend a single fundraising event throughout the campaign. The Obama machine was financed through donations and publicised via Facebook.
When Obama won the Presidency, he did so with 52.9% of the vote. At his Inauguration he had a 73% Approval Rating. By September 2010 he had plummeted to a 44% Approval Rating. And trust me, the social media machine is working overtime at the Whitehouse. I'm a member of the Whitehouse PR machine.
Obama is a great orator. His speechwriters are geniuses. In tonight's 61 minute speech, Obama says the word "we" 165 times and the word "our" 119 times. But with 9.4% USA unemployment, the word "jobs" was said 25 times and "deficit" 12 times. Obama wants to be seen to be unifying. That's nice for him but not that useful for us in New Zealand. Why? Even though the President has asked the split House to support a 5 Year freeze on discretionary spending hoping to save $400B in 10 years, he could put domestic spending at the lowest levels (by percentage) since the Eisenhower administration. Things are still grim but Obama can sell it by merely talking around it with lovely catch phrases. It is worth listening to. Watching what happens there is a window into what will happen here as our government likes to play follow the leader. Our PM Key has already made significant noises about selling down assets to repay debt. Curbing spending at home and hoping entrepreneurs and innovators will create export value is merely mirroring. But it doesn't really matter where the idea comes from if it works. Innovation, invention, development and business have made the world a smaller place and this is significant.
The US President's State of the Union speech is the perfect embodiment of Karinthy's fictional world.
Back to the six degrees of separation, Taihape and Obama and Bacon. I recently caught up with an acquaintance who is a retired US, Presidential Chief of Staff. I had spent a bit of time in Boston and Cambridge and thus connected with folk at MIT and Harvard. It's a bit of a long story. But just prior to that trip away I had travelled through Taihape and bought KFC late one night. I have many rellies around the area. Plus, it also transpires, the chap I know was portrayed in a movie by Kevin Bacon. So there you have it. Six degrees of separation in action. I can't help but smile just typing this.
Whoever you know, have a great month.
Anna Macdonald