Umm hey - communities - CALM DOWN
Umm hey - communities - CALM DOWN - please, thank you
kudos and respect West Wave Pools & Leisure for closing for 2 weeks
part of wider closure of Auckland Council
– love being a New Zealander – from NZ
– out west – we have an *awesome* community- really really special
so community – Henderson, Te Atatu (where I live, where I socialise – where I go every week) and – everywhere in between – please, please, please CALM DOWN
listen to the *experts* - "weak" virus - washing hands with soap will kill it - CALM DOWN - please stop panic buying - CALM DOWN - only vulnerable - elderly & immunity compromised need worry - normal healthy adults are fine (and experts say kiddies are fine, don't seem to be catching it) - just please, people CALM DOWN
we're KIWIS - not Americas - they are led by drumpf - we are self reliant
- PLUS - we have awesome leadership (whatever your political persuasion - personally I'm neutral, chose each election) - the whole world is jealous of our leadership - seriously
Oh and LISTENING to the elderly today - 'we have been through worse' - the war - polio epidemic - great depression - we are KIWIS - we can get through this - TOGETHER!
we were talking - some of us at west wave - after we found out - closing for 2 weeks - about how this was a great *opportunity* for a fresh start - for the whole world - a time out - a reboot - a rethink about our lives and our choices
(yes very deep and meaningful - its also very very typical - have had many great deep and meaningful conversations with the wonderful community members at west wave - part of greater community 'out west' - lets BE the wave - create positive ripple - create change - through this *opportunity*
BE the change we want to see in the world - we've done it before - this is WHO WE ARE
New Zealanders - WE LEAD THE WORLD - this is WHO WE ARE - as a nation, as a people - time and time and time again - look at the *people* on our money - who they are - what they represent
Sir Edmund Hillary
Kate Sheppard
Sir Āpirana Ngata
Lord Rutherford of Nelson
Sir Ed – how did he do this? WITH Tenzing Norgay– “we stood on top” (not ME - *WE* - who else but a kiwi would say this)- and spent the rest of his life helping the Nepalese people – who he was – what he did – helping others, humble and modest
there is no photo of Hillary at the top – no – only of Norgay - when Norgay offered to take Hillary's photograph Hillary declined—"I motioned to Hillary that I would now take his picture. But for some reason he shook his head; he did not want it"
Kate Sheppard – not only were we the first – 1893 – we had been almost there, *almost* there - for years and years - 1869 the fight officially started - 1878, 1879 and 1887 we were almost there..
MOST countries – women didn’t get the vote until after world war 1 – USA – 1920! (African-American woman – and men – not until the 1960s – some would argue with voter suppression there, still an issue in 2020!)
Sir Āpirana Ngata – yes women got the vote in 1893 – Maori men already had the vote – why – because they earned it, they earned the respect, the mana – read the work done by James Belich – watch his series the New Zealand Wars -
Sir Āpirana – a lawyer, a politician, a statesman, skilled orator – a leader - also known for his work in promoting and protecting Māori culture and language –
Rutherford – do you know what they call him in the history of science –internationally “father of nuclear physics” not just nuclear physic – quantum physic – international *respect* from scientific community for who he was and what he did – his work was the foundation for so many others..
– now nuclear has a bad reputation – New Zealand – we are nuclear free – remember that – that fight – who we are
Welfare state -we led that “from the cradle to the grave” -
Healthcare – we led that – before UK NHS (America, love them – but they can’t do this – why are we looking to them for our behaviour?
ACC, Industry Training - I could go on and on...
oh and the whole TP thing - started in China - people were using it as face masks - so that's how that started - so calm down - stop panic buying, stop panicking, please - calm down and LISTEN to the *experts* and their advice
WHO WE ARE – KIWIS – all race, religion, shapes, size, colours, genders, identity, backgrounds… ALL WELCOME
KIWIS – been having this discussion over and over again – in west wave – all over ‘west’ community – with some tangata whenua – (some, not all – many peoples, many voices)
you come here, you are a kiwi
you come here -you are welcome, *encouraged* - to keep your culture – makes us more diverse – as a people, as a nation -
(me, kiwi born and bred – generations – also proud Irish citizen (long story..)
keep your culture – ALSO adopt OUR culture – be a kiwi –
be a kiwi – live by our rules – no matter where you are from
be kind
be considerate
be thoughtful to and of others
be respectful
be grateful
take care of each other – our community – our environment
be helpful
oh and GET OUT OF THE WAY OF EMERGENCY SERVICES
(that’s just my rules – for me – if you agree – fine – if you don’t – all good)
– no matter where you are from – who you are – haere mai – welcome HOME
Look out for each other – for our community - respect
Kiwi attitude – find the positive
great *opportunity* for a fresh start - for the whole world - a time out - a reboot - a rethink about our lives and our choices
BE the change we want to see in the world - we've done it before - this is WHO WE ARE – as kiwis
'out west' - lets BE the wave - create positive ripple - create change - through this *opportunity*
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑
Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.
We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
Want to read more? The Press has you covered!
-
53% Human-centred experience and communication
-
15.7% Critical thinking
-
28.8% Resilience and adaptability
-
2.5% Other - I will share below!
The Gospel’s Relevance Today**
The Gospel, meaning ‘good news’, is the cornerstone of the message contained in the Bible’s first four books—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. While these records were written approximately 2,000 years ago, a natural question arises: why is this Gospel still relevant and vital for us today? This analysis seeks to explore what the Bible itself defines as the Gospel and to understand its enduring significance.
**Defining the Gospel: Core Biblical References**
The Gospel is not a vague concept; Scripture provides clear descriptions of its content and focus.
* **The Gospel of the Kingdom:** In Matthew 4:23, as Jesus begins his ministry, he is described as “preaching the gospel of the kingdom.” This immediately establishes that the good news is centrally about a kingdom—the Kingdom of God. His accompanying miracles served to validate the authority of this message.
* **The Gospel of Jesus Christ:** Mark 1:1 opens with, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” Here, “Christ” is a title meaning ‘anointed one’. Thus, the good news is intrinsically about Jesus: his identity as the Anointed One and his unique status as the Son of God.
* **The Gospel of God’s Grace:** In Acts 20:24, the Apostle Paul speaks of his mission to “testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Grace signifies an undeserved gift. This reveals that the Gospel involves a gift from God, offered not because it is merited, but out of His benevolence.
* **The Gospel of Salvation and Peace:** Romans 1:16 declares the Gospel is “the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes,” breaking down barriers between Jew and Gentile (Greek). Furthermore, Romans 10:15 calls it the “gospel of peace,” pointing to a future state of peace brought about by this message.
* **The Gospel Summarised:** 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 provides a foundational summary. Paul reminds believers of the gospel he preached, “by which also you are saved.” He then states its core historical facts: “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” The Gospel is therefore rooted in the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus.
In synthesis, the Gospel is the good news of **salvation and future peace in the Kingdom of God**, made possible by **the grace of God** and **the obedient sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ**, and offered to all who believe.
**Old Testament Foundations: The Gospel Preached to Abraham**
A crucial question is whether the Gospel is confined to the New Testament. Scripture shows its foundations were laid much earlier. Galatians 3:8 states explicitly that “the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, ‘In you all the nations shall be blessed.’”
This reference points back to Genesis 12:1-3, where God made profound promises to Abraham: to make him a great nation, to bless those who blessed him, and that “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” These promises—later reaffirmed to Isaac and Jacob—form the bedrock of the Gospel hope. The good news of salvation through Christ is the fulfillment of how **all nations** would be blessed through Abraham’s “seed.”
**The Gospel’s Personal Relevance: Good News for You Today**
How does this ancient message become “good news for you” today? The application is clearly outlined in Galatians 3.
* **Access through Faith in Christ:** Galatians 3:26 declares, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” The promise made to Abraham is now extended to anyone with faith in Jesus.
* **The Role of Baptism:** Verse 27 explains, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Baptism is the God-appointed act of faith that identifies a believer with Christ’s death and resurrection.
* **Unity and Inheritance:** Verses 28-29 reveal the glorious outcome: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Through the Gospel, all barriers are removed; believers become spiritual descendants of Abraham and heirs to the promises of the Kingdom.
This Gospel was once a mystery hidden in God’s purpose (Ephesians 3:3-9). Now, it has been revealed: the unsearchable riches of Christ, offering salvation to all who heed the call, believe the message, and are baptised into him.
**Conclusion: An Enduring and Open Invitation**
The Gospel is far more than a historical account; it is the living, powerful good news of God’s plan for salvation. It is rooted in promises to Abraham, accomplished through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and open to all people without distinction. It offers a tangible hope—the hope of resurrection, peace, and an inheritance in the coming Kingdom of God. This is why the Gospel remains profoundly relevant. It is an invitation to listen, believe, and stand firm in this hope, linking our lives today to the eternal purpose of God.
Loading…
