An apologetic love letter to the Henderson Covid Testing Stationš„°
Well, it was time for the weekly Covid testing (job requirement).
Have I told you how much I love each test?
If I have, I WAS LYING!!!
We normally go to the wonderful people down at the Henderson branch.
They are so caring, so sensitive and oh so gentle.
All of them possess a great sense of humour.
We try to go early before the hoards line up, but this morning, everyone had the same idea.
It must be those positive results discovered at the retirement place that has got so many lined up to be tested.
Anyway, so we popped into another one closer to work and apart from the wheel aligning massive potholes, everything was plodding along nicely.
The lanes (yes two lanes) were moving along quite quickly.
āExcellentā, we thought.
Our turn came. The man was done first ā¦ bleeding heck!!
The solitary tear that trickled down his cheek, the really watery eyes and let's not forget the extra loud cough he had to do to clear his nasal passage that made us all jump.
Next, I was up ā āhere we goā, I thought.
OMG!!! I saw stars, I saw the rings around Saturn, she went deep and hard.
It felt as though I could breathe fire through that nostril when she had finished ā it was a real stinger!
I even asked her if she had found my belly button while she was there.
She may have shot the swab up into our nasal passages via a cannon or maybe she took a running start but believe me, this is the deepest any of the testers have gone and boy, we could feel it - it was really uncomfortable.
Now, the decision has been made, we wonāt be using that branch again and we feel as though we have been caught cheating on our beloved Henderson branch and this was the price we had to pay.
I will have to grovel now to them and apologise for being disloyal ā maybe I should bring chocolate?
Iām sorry Henderson Branch, you are simply the best and we will never again stray or look at another.
See you on Monday morning for that gentle touch that you all have.
From your loyal fans ā take care.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldnāt be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84.6% Yes
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13.9% No
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1.5% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Harbour Bridge lane closure - protests
The Treaty Principles Bill was introduced to parliament last week and could have ramifications on the partnership between the Crown and MÄori.
HÄ«koi mÅ te Tiriti (March for the Treaty of Waitangi) set off from Cape RÄinga on Monday morning and is expected to reach Wellington next Tuesday. It has now passed through Kaitaia, Kawakawa, WhangÄrei, Dargaville and is passing through Auckland on Wednesday.
What you need to know today:
- The hīkoi is due to cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge about 9.30am on Wednesday. Two northbound lanes will be closed at some point before the crossing, and remain closed during it.
- NZTA shared at 8:50am Wednesday:
'Curran St northbound on-ramp will be closed shortly, with two northbound lanes on the Harbour Bridge expected to close from approx 9.30am this morning. Allow extra time for likely delays through this area.'
- The hīkoi is expected to go across the Harbour Bridge, in a controlled fashion before marching through parts of the CBD towards Okahu Bay.
- Auckland commuters should expect traffic disruption in vicinity of both sides of the Harbour Bridge.
Stuff reporter Steve Kilgallon was at Stafford Park on the north side of the Harbour Bridge at 8.30am Wednesday and shared:
"I just walked through Stafford Park, where thereās about 400-500 people quietly assembled and more arriving; and about 20 police standing over near the motorway off ramp. Lot of Tino Rangatira flags in evidence, local streets very busy with parked cars."
Police have shared that they will respond accordingly to any issues that may arise along the route.