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517 days ago

The sewing circles of herat by Christina lamb

Jan from Paraparaumu Beach

Lamb's long experience as a journalist is a solid stage upon which to build the story of her voyage through Afghanistan, told with a deep, loving honesty." -- Montreal Gazette (Canada)

A brilliant British war correspondent who has spent ten years in Afghanistan gives a first hand report on the war and its genesis.

Award-winning journalist Christina Lamb chronicles the human stories behind the rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan. Lamb spent the last phase of the Soviet War in Pakistan, relying on her friendship with exiled Afghans to smuggle her in and out of Jalalabad. Many of these friends are now the Taliban, giving her exclusive and critical insight into the brutalization of this tragic, war-ravaged land.

Her own professional history equips Lamb to discover the people no one else is writing about: the battered and abandoned victims of a quarter century of war. These include people like Khalil Ahmed Hassan, a former Taliban torturer who admits to inflicting horrific beatings, and to breaking the spines of men, then making them stand on their heads. A business graduate with no strong religious convictions, Hassan joined the Taliban on hearing that his 85-year-old grandfather had been captured and would only be released if a male relative joined the Taliban. Lamb also tells the story of Afghan women who would covertly continue academic lessons at a great risk to themselves and their families

Price: $4

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More messages from your neighbours
20 hours ago

Poll: Do you think banning gang patches is reasonable?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

With the government cracking down on gangs, it is now illegal for gang members to display their insignia in public places whether through clothing or their property.

This means arrests can be made if these patches are worn in places like restaurants, shops, on public transport or ferries, and on airplanes. Arrests were made recently at a funeral.

Do you think this ban is reasonable?

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Do you think banning gang patches is reasonable?
  • 77.3% Yes
    77.3% Complete
  • 21.8% No
    21.8% Complete
  • 0.9% Other - I'll share below
    0.9% Complete
577 votes
1 day ago

Tui & Pohutukawa (0354)

Paul from Levin

Tui, bee & Pohutukawa

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1 day ago

Kapiti Coast Distilled: A Family and Friends' Foraged Gin

Jocelyn from Waikanae

In an exciting development for local spirits enthusiasts, Elsewhere Gin has released a limited edition Kapiti expression that truly captures the essence of our coastal region.

This unique gin, priced at $95 per bottle, is the result of a heartwarming collaboration between Elsewhere Gin and Mark Rose's parents and their friends in Kapiti who embarked on a community foraging adventure, handpicking an array of native botanicals including kohekohe, kauri tips, strawberry guava, horopito, and kawakawa. These locally sourced ingredients were combined with classic gin botanicals, lemon, and rosemary to create a spirit that is both familiar and distinctly Kapiti.

The gin offers a sensory journey through our coastal landscape. It opens with subtle vanilla notes from the kohekohe, followed by the sweetness of strawberry guava. The addition of horopito lends a peppery kick, while kawakawa adds a unique herbal complexity. The finish showcases the zesty lemon and aromatic rosemary that grow abundantly in our region.

"This gin is a love letter to Kapiti," says Rose. "It's not just my creation, but a true community effort. Every sip tells a story of our unique ecosystem, our shared knowledge, and the incredible flavors we have right here in our backyard."

With only a small batch produced, this Kapiti gin is expected to sell out quickly. It's more than just a drink; it's a bottled experience of our local terroir and community spirit, perfect for those who appreciate the finer aspects of craft spirits and the beauty of our coastal home.

Available exclusively through Elsewhere Gin, please contact Michael Anderson for this limited edition gin that offers a rare opportunity to taste the Kapiti coast - and its community - in a glass.

Michael Anderson
021 620 065
Email; michael.anderson@xtra.co.nz

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