Spring has sprung in New Zealand...

Spring has sprung in New Zealand...


Forget global warming, climate change and the carbon footprint - it is springtime in New Zealand. Whether its those spring flowers in Hagley Park, Christchurch or the natives in the bush - spring has sprung in New Zealand!

New Zealand gardeners often bemoan the 'greenness' of our native flora. The showy wildflowers of North America, the tropics and elsewhere are not for us. But we have some true gems amongst our natives, valued highly in other countries, even if they are sometimes passed over in their own country.

Flowers abound, though; it's simply a case of knowing when, and where, to look for them. Spring is one of the most spectacular times in the calendar with kowhai, clematis and Chatham Island Forget-Me-Nots all producing dazzling displays.

Flowering Trees
Spring is peak flowering time for native trees and most of our showiest trees, apart from the Christmas blooms of the pohutukawa, flower in spring.

Kowhais are one of the first signs of spring in New Zealand, the bright yellow flowers appearing even from late winter. Loved by nectar seeking native birds and gardeners alike, every New Zealand garden should include at least one kowhai.

There are several species and a number of forms available from the slower growing and slower to flower South Island kowhai (S. microphylla), the faster developing North Island kowhai (S. tetraptera) to the dumpy, delightful hybrids such as 'Dragon's Gold' that flowers even before winter ends. And more:

The Green Planet

American research would support the retention of New Zealand's so-called anti-smacking legislation...

At a time when the ultra rightwing Act Party New Zealand is seeking to overturn and revoke the so-called "anti-smacking legislation" in New Zealand, new research has emerged from the United States that the smacking of young children by their low income minority group mothers has set off a few explosions within American society.

The research from Duke University which has been published in the journal of CHILD DEVELOPMENT revealed the study of 2573 toddlers and has found that for poor children, early and frequent smacking by the age of one year, is not only common, but made these children more aggressive by the age of two years, and by the age of three years their socio- emotional development had slowed dramatically.

They also found that low socio-economic mothers are more likely to have started smacking a fussy and irritable baby by the age of one year if the mothers are depressed. Boys were yelled at and smacked more often than girls, and the poorer the family, the greater the likelyhood children would be punished at an earlier age.

The collective results suggest that the causes and effects of smacking are bound tightly together, making it very difficult to interpret the particular influences of poverty, genetics, gender differences and culteral expectations.

The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommends against corporal punishment.

This research put into a New Zealand perspective would suggest the so-called anti-smacking legislation in this country should not in any circumstance be revoked or even amended. It has also been reported that very few so-called good parents have been prosecuted. So why would you want to break something that is actually working?

NZ rugby boss, Jock Hobbs, battling leukemia...

New Zealand Rugby Union chairman Jock Hobbs is battling leukaemia.

The former All Black, 49, who is credited with bringing the Rugby World Cup 2011 to New Zealand, confirmed yesterday that he had cancer.

"Yes, I have been diagnosed with leukaemia but it's in a chronic form, not acute," he told The Dominion Post. "It's being monitored and I feel fine."

Leukaemia is a cancer of the blood or bone marrow and is characterised by a buildup of blood cells usually white cells. Though acute leukaemia requires immediate treatment, chronic forms are sometimes monitored and left untreated for a time to ensure the most effective therapy. The disease can take months or years to progress. Hobbs was diagnosed about four years ago.

He has attended some of the All Blacks' training sessions in past weeks and took part in one earlier this year.

A characteristically private man, he was an All Black flanker from 1983 to 1986, playing 21 tests, and became captain at 24, including on three overseas tours.

Hobbs studied law and, aged 23, was admitted to the bar. He was tipped to captain the 1987 World Cup team but was ruled out after too many concussions. He became a member of the NZRU council in 1995, was removed in 1996 and reinstated as chairman in 2002. He is also credited with saving the NZ game when rugby went professional in 1990's - but that is another story!

He is credited with persuading prime minister Helen Clark to fly to Dublin to pledge the Government's support for the 2011 World Cup bid.

In 2006 he was made a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his work, but told The Dominion Post at the time: "In some ways I feel as though I've been singled out. I was just one of a number of people involved in the bid."

Hobbs is married to Nicky, sister of Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.

They have four children and live in Wellington.

Acknowledgements: Dompost

Wellington earthquake risk overestimated for years...

Wellington earthquake risk has been over-estimated for years...

The Wellington, New Zealand, earthquake risk is less than previously thought. The experts have been telling us for years that the next big one is just round the corner. But now our fears have been alleviated just a little.

GNS Science says the likelihood of a major quake on the Wellington fault line in the next century is fifty percent less than thought.

The risk of a big earthquake flattening Wellington may have been overestimated for years.

The study from GNS Science has found that the likelihood of a major rupture on the Wellington fault line during the next 100 years is fifty percent less than previously thought.

GNS scientist Russ Van Dissen says the study could provide some relief for Wellingtonians.

"Big one might be less likely but smaller or more distant earthquakes can still have a significant impact on the city. And the extra good news is those smaller or more localised impacting events are the ones that we can do the most about."

Mr Van Dissen says should a big one strike, Wellington's hospital could be damaged, the water system could go down and roads out of the city could be blocked. He says this could alter the basis on which Wellingtonians make business and investment decisions.

Fred McCoy from the Wellington City Council says despite the lowered risk, residents should remain prepared.

"Frankly that's what worries me - that people will say that they no longer need to be as prepared so they stop being vigilant about keeping water and food and having a plan and knowing what they're going to do."

Mr McCoy says the risks still exist and the council will not be changing its earthquake response. The bang just may not be as big as expected - but how big is big?

Acknowledgements: 2009 NZCity, NewsTalkZB

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