 MOST of us hold strong opinions as to what we want from elected officials, but are they well informed and do we apply enough rigour in our judgement of politicians and how their policies actually deliver on the ideals we hold dear?  I know I risk adding to a bitter debate, filled with intolerant vitriol aimed at anyone who dares raise questions of proportionality regarding our response to Covid-19. But hey I’m locked down at home and have a website, so I’m going to throw my two cents in.
I also know like all those who have dared to post as little as a Facebook comment questioning a certain set of Covid-19 response tactics, I’m going to be tagged as a cruel, stupid, ALT right, racist, anti-vax, pro Trump, anti-science, climate change denier who wants to kill old people. It’s OK I have thick skin and can assure you only a small smattering of that description is true. Looking at death rates in relation to testing rates provides some interesting insight.
More testing appears to result in lower death rates on average. The wider the net is cast away from highly symptomatic, very ill people self presenting to testing stations, towards the more general population the better actual representation of the morbidity of the disease we get. * Death rate is number of deaths/total cases.  Death rates v testing rates 17/4/2020. Source: https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/
OPINION: Queenstown’s council has hypocritically pushed its way on to the overcrowded virtue express train 5 with its recent declaration of a climate emergency.  Lake Wakatipu: By Mark Wilson  We all get offended by things we hear or behaviour we experience. It’s natural to feel upset or hurt by inappropriate comments or actions and it takes a level of resilience to deal with it. It’s normal to disagree with others’ views but usually that doesn’t mean they should be banned from voicing them.
Urban New Zealand has leveled a lot of criticism over the fence at its rural neighbours, however as we see ongoing health warnings for Auckland’s beaches, its worth looking at who really respects our water and is getting off their chuff and doing something about it?  Summer is BBQ time and what a glorious start to the BBQ season here in the Wakatipu. Add in some great Test cricket on the TV and the arrival of our latest shipment of Bainfield Road lamb from down south, the team at Arthurs Shore couldn’t be happier. However, as each year goes by I feel a growing animosity towards the carnivores amongst us. It started but a whisper but, amplified by like-minded anti-meat and dairy campaigners banding together on social media and more support in mainstream media, it is now a full-blown movement of some size.   Congratulations to Labour and the Greens for wooing Winston and forming a new government.
I’m picking the yoga lessons taken in opposition helped keep your hamstrings flexible enough to accommodate the bending required to meet Winston’s demands? While myself and 59 per cent of our electorate who voted for National will be disappointed, I appreciate equally there will also be many locals ecstatic with the outcome. One group that won’t be dancing a jig at the result are our foreign workers on temporary visas and those wishing to work their way towards residency and one day call themselves a Kiwi and eventually after a few more years a local in the Wakatipu. Another group equally unhappy will be those who employ them.  Picture from stuff.co.nz I was just reading this good article from Ryan Greenaway-McGrevy on interest.co.nz. He argues despite a lot of publicity recently around record migration we still have far to many kiwis contributing their skills and experience to other economies. What do you think... is having 1 in 6 kiwis living abroad a failure for New Zealand or a natural result of being a small geographically isolated country in an ever globalizing world?
Personally I think it's entirely understandable that young kiwis want to go and explore the world. They always have and I'm pretty sure short of a massive global conflict wreaking havoc elsewhere they always will. What does concern me somewhat however is those who leave for reasons other than for a grand adventure broadening their horizons around the globe.  I love the great outdoors, I’ve grown up immersed in what it has to offer and care greatly about its future and making sure the next generation is lucky enough to enjoy the scenic wonder and recreational pursuits that I’ve been fortunate enough to. While I’m passionate about the environment I don’t consider myself a greenie.
 Speight's Dog Barking Competition, WinterFest Tonight we mark the opening of Winterfestival (sort of) but are we also marking the beginning of the end of an era?
I’m a creature of habit, a traditionalist and recidivist attendee of certain events. I rarely miss a Southland Stags home game, love the Glenorchy Races and you would have found me fossicking around Waimahaka at our Mai Mai the first Saturday in May since 1993. Another of my annual traditions has been Winterfestival.  OPINION: I was too young to enjoy John Clarke, aka Fred Dagg, in his heyday but like many Kiwis I’ve always felt a strong connection to his message of 'we don't know how lucky we are'.
I’m not afraid of a bit of travel – I recently had a fantastic trip around Asia. However, I always appreciate coming home. That said I’m in a state of constant bafflement at those who seem ungrateful for the privilege of residing in the greatest country on earth. A couple of weeks ago I was reviewing some radio adverts and taking calls from clients in Halong Bay Vietnam. Extortionate SPARK NZ roaming charges aside, It got me thinking about how I work well and what type of environment gets the best out me while also being enjoyable. In today's interconnected business community most of us are aware and open to the fact that work can take place anywhere for anyone, however there are still too many businesses and individuals wedded to the old ways.  Halong Bay - Vietnam
 I know David Kennedy was putting his hand up for a hard-earned Icelandic research junket to investigate how the locals are handling the hordes of curious tourists arriving each year.
Unfortunately for David, my former Winter Festival partner in crime Jo Holley and I beat him to the basalt in September with a nine-day adventure around Europe’s youngest and most expensive island.  Europe is changing and even Sweden is not immune. Hello Queenstown, how are things back home at the centre of the universe? I trust a boardie and jandal-clad spring has sauntered in and warmed things up a bit for some goggle-tan days of spring skiing.  Credit ODT A recent delegation to Aspen has highlighted a growing emphasis by community and business leaders to learn what we can from other resort towns that have experienced or are still experiencing growing pains on their journey to maturity.
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AuthorMark Wilson 
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