New Zealand Listener Issue 48 2018

Four wheels bad, two wheels good – but not when they’re on the footpath. The unresolved controversy over electric scooters has become a seething indignation burn-off between those who see them as a public safety risk and those who, in their thousands, are hiring and buying them. It’s fast becoming an intergenerational battlefield: the fun-police fogies versus green-conscious youth. Confoundingly, the facts are inconvenient to both sides of the argument. Electric scooters are extremely popular, handy and environmentally friendly. But they are a new safety risk. ACC statistics tell that story: nearly 150 scooter-related claims in the first two weeks of street-hire company Lime’s launch in Auckland and Christchurch. With the strong demand for scooters, more accidents are inevitable. As they can move at up to 27km/h, where few pedestrians travel at more…

Congratulations on your November 17 Editorial (“Cutting our cloth”), which highlights the extent and environmental impact of the overconsumption of clothing. It is especially significant in the context of the subsequent article on the impact of climate change on our coasts. Overconsumption is deeply embedded in society. It goes beyond clothing to food, appliances and most other consumables. We have a sophisticated and pervasive advertising industry promoting consumption and much of our industry and commerce are dependent on it. Shopping has become a major recreation. Overconsumption’s importance has been recognised by the international community in the global plan for creating a viable future: the Sustainable Development Goals. “Sustainable consumption and production” is one of 17 critical areas defined. We have been told for decades that our lifestyles have been destroying our environment, with…

WINNING CAPTION Russell Nichol, Mt Roskill, Auckland FINALISTS Donald Trump: “Who are you calling a basket case?” – Russell Nichol Trump: “Trick or treating? Just another day in the office.” – Rhondda Poon, Napier Trump: “If you fill this basket with candy for me, I’ll make you Attorney General.” – Phoebe Wray, Christchurch Boy: “This country’s gone to hell in a handbasket.” – Russell Nichol Trump: “No, I don’t know what happened to Little Red Riding Hood or her grandmother. Fake News!” – Peter McDonald, Whangarei Boy: “Why can’t I have a scary wig like that?” – Simon Thompson Trump: “Trick or tweet?” – Hans Zindel, Palmerston North Trump: “Hey, kid, go get me some votes.” – Leoni Bucket, Lake Hayes Boy: “Can Halloween pumpkin heads come alive?” – Ian Smith, Wellington Trump: “I’ve never stooped so low.” – Tony Clemow, Kamo…

“Patriotism is when love of your own people comes first; nationalism, when hate of people other than your own comes first.” – Charles de Gaulle, quoted in the Washington Post“The worst part of success is trying to find someone who is happy for you.” – Bette Midler“I was writing a sick letter to my young daughter’s schoolteacher. She was watching intently and as I neared the end, she nodded her head and said, ‘That’s right, Mum, now put ‘Yours Sinfully’ and sign your name.” – 1959 “Teacups” letter to the New Zealand Woman’s Weekly“Every great work of literature is either the Illiad or the Odyssey.” – French author Raymond Queneau“The press are not the enemy of the people. They are almost all we have to make those we elected answerable…

When the cows finally leave, they too are clearly upset, and take a moment to wrap their arms around each other. NZ Herald, 14/9/18 “Promoters printed the tickets and if it was the only show at Western Springs for the year, people would line up and get their ticket from a toilet in Victoria Park if they wanted to go.” Listener, 1/9/18 “We even had a florist come and arrange a big leaves nest for me to lay in for some of the photos.” Bay of Plenty Times, 8/9/18 September is Bee Aware Month, and Apiculture New Zealand brings you another jam-packed campaign to celebrate New Zealand bees. Weekend Sun, 14/9/18 The vehicle sustained significant damage to the bonnet and roof. The two women in the car and cow were uninjured. Selwyn Times, 15/8/18 LIFE IN NEW ZEALAND: Entries must…

1. What was HMS Bounty’s mission at the time of the infamous mutiny? ❑ Establish trade ❑ Transport plants ❑ Pacific exploration ❑ Military patrol 2. Who famously said, “I am just going outside and may be some time.” ❑ Lawrence Oates ❑ Robert Falcon Scott ❑ Ernest Shackleton ❑ Roald Amundsen 3. Which New Zealand place was the title of a chart-topping 1988 single? ❑ Manners Street ❑ One Tree Hill ❑ Dominion Road ❑ Wellington 4. Which has a faster maximum running speed: domestic cats, or humans? ❑ Cats ❑ Humans 5. Which of these can not be considered a film noir? ❑ His Girl Friday ❑ Double Indemnity ❑ The Big Sleep ❑ The Asphalt Jungle 6. Which writer was the first to use the noun “T-shirt” in print? ❑ Shakespeare ❑ Emily Brontë ❑ F Scott Fitzgerald ❑ Harper Lee 7. True or false? Phil Collins’ song In the Air Tonight is about a…