Tracking down one's ancestry can unveil tales of love and long-lost reunions but it could soon become difficult.
The Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Relationships Registration Amendment Bill, if accepted, will mean organisations such as genealogists and the Salvation Army Family Tracing Service will be met with road blocks, says Robyn Williams, Howick chairwoman of the New Zealand Society of Genealogists.
"It will affect people doing research when they're putting their family together.
"Genealogy is a long process and you need clues to find more information," she says.
The bill has been proposed to help reduce identity fraud and provide greater security and privacy for New Zealanders.
It means most people wanting information other than their immediate family will need written permission from the person they want documentation on.
"If I did not have access to a relative's death certificate I may not have located a newspaper article about his death. People track family members for health reasons too," Ms Williams says.
Salvation Army Family Tracing Service director Major Bronwyn McFarlane says providing help to people trying to get in touch with missing relatives will be hindered.
"In one example, a dying father in the United Kingdom had not been in contact with his New Zealand based son for 16 years," she says.
"In his final days of life, he wanted to know if his son was alive and well. In locating the son, the crucial piece of information was a marriage registration document. Under the bill, however, we would not have been permitted access to the document."
The bill was introduced to Parliament in February and public submissions closed in May.
By REBECCA PAPPRILL - Eastern Courier Wednesday, 15 August 2007
Thursday, 23 August 2007
Queues at ATM as it doubles cash
9:08AM Thursday August 23, 2007
Hordes of people flocked to a Queenstown ATM this week after the machine started doubling their money.
Police said a concerned taxi driver alerted them to the problem on Tuesday night after the driver saw queues of up to 20 people lining up at the Kiwbank ATM.
"There were queues of 15 to 20 people at any one time for a good six hours from about 10pm until 4am," the taxi driver said.
"It was a backpacker bonanza."
A KiwiBank spokesman Bruce Thompson said a contactor had incorrectly stacked the ATM with $20 notes in the $10 box and vice versa.
Unfortunately a lot of people took the opportunity for "a Tuesday night bonus" until the bank was alerted and the machine shut down.
Some people had had an attack conscience and returned the money yesterday, Mr Thompson said.
And some people ended up with less than they expected as anyone seeking to take out $20 only got $10.
- NZPA, NEWSTALK ZB
Hordes of people flocked to a Queenstown ATM this week after the machine started doubling their money.
Police said a concerned taxi driver alerted them to the problem on Tuesday night after the driver saw queues of up to 20 people lining up at the Kiwbank ATM.
"There were queues of 15 to 20 people at any one time for a good six hours from about 10pm until 4am," the taxi driver said.
"It was a backpacker bonanza."
A KiwiBank spokesman Bruce Thompson said a contactor had incorrectly stacked the ATM with $20 notes in the $10 box and vice versa.
Unfortunately a lot of people took the opportunity for "a Tuesday night bonus" until the bank was alerted and the machine shut down.
Some people had had an attack conscience and returned the money yesterday, Mr Thompson said.
And some people ended up with less than they expected as anyone seeking to take out $20 only got $10.
- NZPA, NEWSTALK ZB
Jackson and Tamihere running for mayor
:00AM Thursday August 23, 2007By Wayne Thompson
Two former MPs turned talkback hosts have entered mayoral races - Willie Jackson in Manukau and John Tamihere in Waitakere.
Promising to inject lively and colourful debate into campaigns for their cities, the pair are also highlighting their track records for being forceful advocates.
They are aiming to replace retiring Manukau veteran Sir Barry Curtis and Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey, who is seeking a sixth term.
"The Maoris are coming" joked Mr Tamihere as he and Mr Jackson walked up the summit of Mt Eden yesterday. But Mr Jackson, his co-host on Radio Live, showed annoyance at being asked whether the duo, if elected, would show a more serious and bureaucratic side?
"Everything I've done is serious," said Mr Jackson. "We've been politicos all our lives, we have been advocates for years. We have a bit of fun but we also address serious issues.
"It's no publicity stunt. This a serious challenge by two people who are committed to representing people."
Two former MPs turned talkback hosts have entered mayoral races - Willie Jackson in Manukau and John Tamihere in Waitakere.
Promising to inject lively and colourful debate into campaigns for their cities, the pair are also highlighting their track records for being forceful advocates.
They are aiming to replace retiring Manukau veteran Sir Barry Curtis and Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey, who is seeking a sixth term.
"The Maoris are coming" joked Mr Tamihere as he and Mr Jackson walked up the summit of Mt Eden yesterday. But Mr Jackson, his co-host on Radio Live, showed annoyance at being asked whether the duo, if elected, would show a more serious and bureaucratic side?
"Everything I've done is serious," said Mr Jackson. "We've been politicos all our lives, we have been advocates for years. We have a bit of fun but we also address serious issues.
"It's no publicity stunt. This a serious challenge by two people who are committed to representing people."
Monday, 20 August 2007
Saturday, 18 August 2007
Thursday, 16 August 2007
Region's whitebait season opens with whimper
YVETTE BATTEN yvette.batten@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki Thursday, 16 August 2007
Jean Keith of Waitara chose to open the whitebaiting season rather than spend the day bowling.
Taranaki's Jean Keith had no trouble choosing between bowls and whitebaiting yesterday.
She wasn't going to miss the start to her 40th year fishing from the banks of the Waitara River for anything.
"It was a matter of going to bowls or coming to opening day," she said.
And she fishes the "hard way" - scooping a large net through the water in time to the music wafting from her trusty little radio.
"I find it easier putting this net in the car rather than one with poles and screens," she said.
But bending and pulling the net through water can be hard on her muscles. "Tomorrow I will know all about it," she said.
While the effort was first class, the catch wasn't with barely enough for a fritter.
"Like any fisherman, we all hope it (this season) is going to be a good one," she said.
But the season wouldn't be opened properly unless the traditions were adhered to.
"The first few you catch, you put back in the water. It gives you a clean conscience," she said.
Mrs Keith can spend up to five days a week, during the season, at her sunny riverbank spot on the Karaka flats.
"Sometimes you've got to get up fairly early to get a posie. Once it gets out that they're running the river bank, it's like race day."
And at the end of the day she gives most of her catch away. She recommends turning the whitebait into a big fritter by cooking with four or five eggs in butter, seasoned with salt and pepper.
Department of Conservation programme manager biodiversity Bryan Williams said yesterday's catch was average.
"Some people caught up to three kilograms, while others just got a cupful."
Mokau whitebaiters got the best catch, while Waitara and other smaller rivers weren't too good.
DOC had a couple of complaints about people fishing illegally, which were followed up, but the people had moved on. Copies of the regulations are available from the DOC offices.
"There's really no excuse," Mr Williams said.
Jean Keith of Waitara chose to open the whitebaiting season rather than spend the day bowling.
Taranaki's Jean Keith had no trouble choosing between bowls and whitebaiting yesterday.
She wasn't going to miss the start to her 40th year fishing from the banks of the Waitara River for anything.
"It was a matter of going to bowls or coming to opening day," she said.
And she fishes the "hard way" - scooping a large net through the water in time to the music wafting from her trusty little radio.
"I find it easier putting this net in the car rather than one with poles and screens," she said.
But bending and pulling the net through water can be hard on her muscles. "Tomorrow I will know all about it," she said.
While the effort was first class, the catch wasn't with barely enough for a fritter.
"Like any fisherman, we all hope it (this season) is going to be a good one," she said.
But the season wouldn't be opened properly unless the traditions were adhered to.
"The first few you catch, you put back in the water. It gives you a clean conscience," she said.
Mrs Keith can spend up to five days a week, during the season, at her sunny riverbank spot on the Karaka flats.
"Sometimes you've got to get up fairly early to get a posie. Once it gets out that they're running the river bank, it's like race day."
And at the end of the day she gives most of her catch away. She recommends turning the whitebait into a big fritter by cooking with four or five eggs in butter, seasoned with salt and pepper.
Department of Conservation programme manager biodiversity Bryan Williams said yesterday's catch was average.
"Some people caught up to three kilograms, while others just got a cupful."
Mokau whitebaiters got the best catch, while Waitara and other smaller rivers weren't too good.
DOC had a couple of complaints about people fishing illegally, which were followed up, but the people had moved on. Copies of the regulations are available from the DOC offices.
"There's really no excuse," Mr Williams said.
Thursday, 9 August 2007
Potato head
I am a potato head. I will eat potatoes anywhere, any time, done anyway and with anyone. Potatoes done six ways will be my last meal when I go to prison for killing people who eat McDonalds. Because it's winter I am now allowed to talk about potatoes again. Given the choice, I would write about potatoes every week.
We have quite a choice of potatoes now in New Zealand; although we're still a way behind Bolivia which has 250 varieties.
Potatoes are between 70 per cent and 80 per cent water, 10-20 per cent starch and 10 per cent sugar, mineral and protein. Not as the diet fascists would have us believe, 100 per cent sugar. In terms of calories, eating a potato is no different from eating an apple or a banana. How can that be bad for you? The fact you can hide a lot of butter and oil in them is beside the point.
Potatoes should be kept in the dark in a paper bag, not in plastic. Maori always kept them in a pit.
Except when the recipe prohibits it, it's a good idea to eat potatoes scrubbed, not peeled; stirred, not shaken because the layer immediately under the skin contains most of the vitamin C and flavour.
It's important to buy the right potato for the right dish. It's madness to mash a waxy Jersey Benny, for example, and folly to make a salad from floury puff balls. It can only end in tears and then your salad will be too salty. Here's some tips:
Cut waxy potatoes into 1.5cm cubes and fry in duck fat. Apart from horse fat, there is absolutely nothing better in which to fry potatoes. It gives them a creaminess and earthiness.
Boil waxy potatoes in thick slices, then toss them with thickly-sliced, rustic sausages and vinaigrette.
Puree Agrias with hot olive oil and milk, through a ricer.
Scratch Agrias with a fork and put them under the rack roast meat is cooking on.
Cut Agrias in half lengthwise and roast them face down on sprigs of thyme, salt, pepper and olive oil. The thyme sticks to them prettily.
Make potato bread.
Make a warm salad from Peruperu Maori potatoes which are waxy and sticky. The creamy yellow skin is splashed with purple.
Mash purple Urenika Maori potatoes. You need to use a lot of liquid as they are dry and floury. They look dramatic with mashed carrots and mashed Brussels sprouts.
Make a fish tagine with waxy potatoes, preserved lemon, fresh coriander, tomatoes and saffron.
Or Vichysoise, which is leek and potato soup.
Try Jansen's Temptation - sliced Agria potatoes baked in cream, anchovies, allspice, topped with fresh bread crumbs. This recipe is essential for winter carb loading and preservation of girl curves.
5:00AM Monday July 30, 2007By Peta Mathias
We have quite a choice of potatoes now in New Zealand; although we're still a way behind Bolivia which has 250 varieties.
Potatoes are between 70 per cent and 80 per cent water, 10-20 per cent starch and 10 per cent sugar, mineral and protein. Not as the diet fascists would have us believe, 100 per cent sugar. In terms of calories, eating a potato is no different from eating an apple or a banana. How can that be bad for you? The fact you can hide a lot of butter and oil in them is beside the point.
Potatoes should be kept in the dark in a paper bag, not in plastic. Maori always kept them in a pit.
Except when the recipe prohibits it, it's a good idea to eat potatoes scrubbed, not peeled; stirred, not shaken because the layer immediately under the skin contains most of the vitamin C and flavour.
It's important to buy the right potato for the right dish. It's madness to mash a waxy Jersey Benny, for example, and folly to make a salad from floury puff balls. It can only end in tears and then your salad will be too salty. Here's some tips:
Cut waxy potatoes into 1.5cm cubes and fry in duck fat. Apart from horse fat, there is absolutely nothing better in which to fry potatoes. It gives them a creaminess and earthiness.
Boil waxy potatoes in thick slices, then toss them with thickly-sliced, rustic sausages and vinaigrette.
Puree Agrias with hot olive oil and milk, through a ricer.
Scratch Agrias with a fork and put them under the rack roast meat is cooking on.
Cut Agrias in half lengthwise and roast them face down on sprigs of thyme, salt, pepper and olive oil. The thyme sticks to them prettily.
Make potato bread.
Make a warm salad from Peruperu Maori potatoes which are waxy and sticky. The creamy yellow skin is splashed with purple.
Mash purple Urenika Maori potatoes. You need to use a lot of liquid as they are dry and floury. They look dramatic with mashed carrots and mashed Brussels sprouts.
Make a fish tagine with waxy potatoes, preserved lemon, fresh coriander, tomatoes and saffron.
Or Vichysoise, which is leek and potato soup.
Try Jansen's Temptation - sliced Agria potatoes baked in cream, anchovies, allspice, topped with fresh bread crumbs. This recipe is essential for winter carb loading and preservation of girl curves.
5:00AM Monday July 30, 2007By Peta Mathias
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