New Zealand Listener Issue 36 2018

They don’t tell us alcohol consumption a head has fallen markedly since the late 1980s. The sale of liquor has been a moral and political battleground in New Zealand for more than a century. The guns may fall silent for a time, but eventually the war resumes. Hostilities broke out again this month with a two-pronged offensive from the advocates of tighter controls on alcohol. First, the New Zealand Medical Association called for a ban on the sale of cheap alcohol in supermarkets as a first step towards the association’s ultimate goal of abolishing supermarket liquor sales altogether. That was followed by a conference in Wellington where speakers presented an alarming picture of the social and economic costs of New Zealanders’ drinking habits. Among their claims: alcohol harm costs $1635…

I grew up milking cows, so I’m partial to the animals (“All that’s green is gold”, August 25). We intergrazed them with sheep. Today, as people look for solutions to livestock methane emissions, it would be interesting to reflect on the effect monoculture has on bovine health and output. New interventions may work but existing ideas worth testing include those of Allan Savory of the holistic management movement. Savory based his theories on watching animal behaviour in Africa, leading him to favour mob stocking and resting of the habitat. The focus is on building up carbon in the soil with improved water retention and more robust soil profiles. Urine also comes into the picture. In the right place, it is a resource that can improve pasture, palatability and fertility. Savory’s…

They don’t tell us alcohol consumption a head has fallen markedly since the late 1980s. The sale of liquor has been a moral and political battleground in New Zealand for more than a century. The guns may fall silent for a time, but eventually the war resumes. Hostilities broke out again this month with a two-pronged offensive from the advocates of tighter controls on alcohol. First, the New Zealand Medical Association called for a ban on the sale of cheap alcohol in supermarkets as a first step towards the association’s ultimate goal of abolishing supermarket liquor sales altogether. That was followed by a conference in Wellington where speakers presented an alarming picture of the social and economic costs of New Zealanders’ drinking habits. Among their claims: alcohol harm costs $1635 a year for…

I grew up milking cows, so I’m partial to the animals (“All that’s green is gold”, August 25). We intergrazed them with sheep. Today, as people look for solutions to livestock methane emissions, it would be interesting to reflect on the effect monoculture has on bovine health and output. New interventions may work but existing ideas worth testing include those of Allan Savory of the holistic management movement. Savory based his theories on watching animal behaviour in Africa, leading him to favour mob stocking and resting of the habitat. The focus is on building up carbon in the soil with improved water retention and more robust soil profiles. Urine also comes into the picture. In the right place, it is a resource that can improve pasture, palatability and fertility. Savory’s approach is not…

WINNING CAPTION Bronwen Gunn, Levin FINALISTS Woman: “There’s already a St Petersburg – in Russia.” – Dean Donoghue, Papamoa Beach Winston Peters: “Does the word ‘Acting’ really have to be there?” – Ellie Henderson, Motueka Woman: “Here it is, the box you’ve missed for seven years.” – Ross Houlker, Blenheim Woman: “Next question: do you reside alone?” – Johnny Turner, Miramar, Wellington Peters: “Show me where it says I don’t have to apply for the winter supplement.” – Brian Somerville, Christchurch Woman: “Shane Jones’ ejector seat? This button.” – A Neale, Nelson Peters: “Everyone on this list gets a turn, especially Gerry.” – Kath Jones, Waikanae Peters: “I don’t usually have problems knowing which buttons to push.” – Kath Jones Woman: “In the sweat and tears intro, change ‘Churchill’ to ‘Peters’.”…

“In solidarity with our MPs, I would also like my salary frozen at $160 000, please.” – Kiwi comedian Brendan Kelly on Twitter “Aretha Franklin was what was great about America and she did it without America being great.” – US writer Mark Kurlansky “Sleep is good. Books are better.” – George RR Martin “You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough.” – CS Lewis “I saw on TV a reporter pronouncing ‘Allahu Akbar’ as ‘aloo akbar’, which literally translates to ‘potatoes are the greatest’.” –columnist Aisha Sultan on Twitter “Ki te kāhore he whakakitenga ka ngaro te iwi. Without foresight or vision the people will be lost.” – Māori proverb “If you have to eat a frog, best not stare at it…