Aussies on ice...

Aussies on ice...

A group of Aussies are planning to take a helicopter ride to one of the icebergs now off the southern New Zealand coast, and carve out an ice-bar, stage a party, and with a DJ produce a music track. Oh those Aussies!

Thirty eight year old Sydney builder, Reynold Bierman, good Aussie name this, will check the berg out for safety. There are now a number of icebergs drifting out of Antarctic waters to southern New Zealand waters. Some have probably broken off a larger berg and could come close to shore in about ten days or so.

During the 2006 drift of icebergs, many helicopter rides and sight-seeing flights were made, often from tourists from Australia and other places. There is a buck in it for somebody!

Trans-Tasman police crackdown on violent drinkers in early Dec...

Kiwi and Aussie cops to cooperate on police action against violent drinkers...

Trans-Tasman crackdown on drinking:

Thousands of extra police on both sides of the Tasman including riot squad officers will crack down on binge drinking and violence

New Zealand and Australian police are cooperating on an unprecedented attack on binge drinking and violence.

They are focusing on two days of action, on December 11 and 12.

The plan was due to be announced this afternoon, but New Zealand police have confirmed a report in a Sydney newspaper on the issue. However, they will not reveal details of the plan of action in New Zealand until later in the day.

The Daily Telegraph says thousands of extra police including riot squad officers will flood the streets of Sydney and regional towns in New South Wales to declare war on hooligans.

Don't quite understand this story yet. Is this a joint action or will there be action on both sides of the Tasman at the same time for publicity reasons?

Acknowledgements: NZCity, NewsTalkZB

If the Aussie don't want us the Yanks do...

If the Aussies don't want us the Yanks do...

In light of the call by an Australian Government member of parliament to restrict New Zealanders automatic entry to Australia, the United States has a pilot scheme to fastrack the entry of my fellow Kiwis to that country.

Kiwis can fill out a form for entry online on the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation. Previously travellers were required to fill out forms both electronically before leaving, and on a hard copy on arrival.

The pilot scheme will run for thirty days and cover travellers on Air New Zealand flight NZ6. If successful it could be expanded. Yankee Doodle Dandy