

BURSTING THE BUBBLE
Asked if July was a feasible start date for travel between New Zealand and any parts of Australia, Mr Peters the next step ‘is up to Canberra’. Continue reading BURSTING THE BUBBLE

AN ANGEL AT MY DOOR
Lolly then creates wings for this doll because she (and most dolls are she) is destined to become an angel without having to go through the laborious Catholic process of having her good deeds endorsed by the Pope and subsequently decreed as such if, indeed, that’s what happens. Continue reading AN ANGEL AT MY DOOR

NO-ONE IS AN ISLAND
New Zealand without rugby is like an Australian pub without beer. Continue reading NO-ONE IS AN ISLAND

A RAVE ABOUT THE RAV4
For 2019 my car of the year is the Toyota RAV4 GX Hybrid Continue reading A RAVE ABOUT THE RAV4
DONKEY BAY, AN ITALIAN AND ALICE MEETS SALVADOR
“A lot of people think it’s off the wall, but it hits the nail,” he declares. Continue reading DONKEY BAY, AN ITALIAN AND ALICE MEETS SALVADOR

THE ARTIST AND THE ALFA
He depicts a thoroughly modern woman looking at her cell phone as a defined juxtaposition of several ages. Continue reading THE ARTIST AND THE ALFA

Jaguar F-type turned me into a liar and a bit of a bitch
by Charleen Clarke There is one thing in life that I truly despise: lies. When someone lies to me, I lose all respect for that person. Accordingly, I’m always honest – even when I really shouldn’t be. But recently I got the magnificent Jaguar F-Type on test – and I turned into a pathological liar. I had been showing my apartment to a cocky young … Continue reading Jaguar F-type turned me into a liar and a bit of a bitch

TOYOTA’S NEW SELLING REGIME. BUT WHAT ABOUT THE DEALERS?
“We have turned about a quarter of the showroom into a waiting area to enhance the customer experience…” Continue reading TOYOTA’S NEW SELLING REGIME. BUT WHAT ABOUT THE DEALERS?

TOYOTA SHAKE UP CAR BUYING
Visiting a car dealer has just got a whole lot easier, according to Toyota New Zealand. Continue reading TOYOTA SHAKE UP CAR BUYING

ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL
The Holden Equinox is made in Mexico and the US version is Chevrolet’s the top-selling SUV. Continue reading ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL

Far North NZ has grand plans
Under the new coalition government and from what’s termed the Provincial Growth Fund the region is about to benefit from millions of dollars of infrastructure investment. Continue reading Far North NZ has grand plans

Demise of the dealership
Car dealerships of old are a dying model…But dealerships themselves are only partly to blame. Continue reading Demise of the dealership

Toyota’s New Highlander
More aggressive styling and a more efficient engine. Continue reading Toyota’s New Highlander

LEGACY OF STRANGERS
This is a ripping yarn encompassing our own heritage during the Victorian-era colonial expansionist phrase.
Continue reading LEGACY OF STRANGERS

ABUNDANTLY CLEAR IN SHANGHAI
On the flight from Paris (CDG) to Shanghai (Pu Dong) on China Eastern Airlines, one thing was abundantly clear. There were very few Europeans on board. I could see about 10 on the A330-200 that has a capacity of 220 or thereabouts. So Paris was a good introduction to Shanghai. Approaching Pu Dong Airport in the early hours of the morning it was also abundantly … Continue reading ABUNDANTLY CLEAR IN SHANGHAI

The ABC of Car Museums
Liz Swanton finds delight in motoring history Continue reading The ABC of Car Museums
GO FAST OR GO HOME
The Garth Hogan Story Book review by Sandy Myhre There are several elements to this entertaining book written by Tim Hanna. First, it’s a story of speed, as the title suggests. But speed and the apparent need for it is not the main thrust throughout much of this book, it’s getting there that creates the fascination. For those who think going fast down a straight … Continue reading GO FAST OR GO HOME
Christmas Day and Out To Lunch
by Sara Dinnen It’s a grand idea. Getting someone else to cook Christmas Day lunch means also not having to do the dishes. The problem was, a great many others thought the same way and most restaurants open in New Zealand’s Bay of Islands were fully booked four days before the day. Luckily there were four spaces at Zane Grey’s restaurant on the waterfront in … Continue reading Christmas Day and Out To Lunch

THE SWEETNESS OF A LEMON TOUR
I can feel the citrus drink slithering down the throat as I make my own ceramics before heading out to a winery to drink the fruit of the vine Continue reading THE SWEETNESS OF A LEMON TOUR
A RAVE ABOUT THE RAV4
By Sandy Myhre Every once in a while a car comes along that’s so impressive it simply has to qualify as my car of the year. For 2019, it’s the Toyota RAV 4 GX Hybrid. Using words like ‘impressive’ would make most people think of something like a McLaren Supercar or a luxurious Mercedes or a top-of-the-line BMW. Of course the RAV4 doesn’t sit in … Continue reading A RAVE ABOUT THE RAV4

HYUNDAI’S HOT HATCH
By Sandy Myhre The Back Story: There’s no question that Hyundai is investing much time and effort into research and development and shaping its future through electric cars and hydrogen fuel cell technology. That’s just for starters. The company is also into motor sport through their World Rally Championship participation and New Zealand had a hand in that with Haydon Paddon until he was replaced … Continue reading HYUNDAI’S HOT HATCH