On Friday I spoke in support of my less than glowing submission on the QLDC’s draft transport strategy. 

I felt it lacked a vision for Queenstown, was not comprehensive enough and was more wishful thinking than reality. 

To sum it up for those who haven’t read it. A well intentioned QLDC meritoriously wants to take 20% of our vehicle movements and redistribute them to walking, biking and bussing by changing the rules around car parking. This will avoid the need to spend any money on roading infrastructure to after 2030 maybe even 2040. 

When you have fallen off the wagon climbing back on can be daunting particularly when it comes to health and fitness. We have all been there, looking up from the bottom of a deep hole desperate to climb out. 

Many succumb to the latest fitness craze throwing themselves obsessively into a cataclysmic lifestyle change. Inevitably some don’t make it through the first few weeks. Other’s trawl the internet for quick fixes and miracle cures throwing money away like tipping notes at Calendar Girls. 

Whatever you do it needs to be compatible with your lifestyle and sustainable in the long term. It can be as simple as moving a little more and consuming a little less for sustained period of time. 

In recent days there has been a mind blowing revelation unveiled to the blissfully unaware citizens of New Zealand.....

Apparently our government spies on people, other governments and we may even monitor some of our own citizens communications! 

WOW, Shock and Awe! This is bigger than Texas maybe even larger than Kim Dot Coms ego, this is a moment of truth on a grand scale akin to the time I found out there was sugar in Coke and KFC's Double Down burger wasn't going to be blessed with the Heart Foundation tick. 

I'd like to think like most Kiwi's I'm pretty green at heart. I hunt, fish, love the great outdoors and hope our natural landscape and all the elements I enjoy will be around for the next generation. 

We have been lucky to grow up in a country with such abundant recreational amenities provided by our natural landscape but also in a country which for the most part has provided us with first world health, education and standards of living. 

We have also grown up in a country with environmental choices due to our economic success. The trade off between leaving New Zealand as it was millennia ago and developing it for human habitation has resulted in a great wee country whose population of 4.5 millions Kiwi's punch well above their weight globally. 

In Politics as with life It's easy to make promises but a hell of  a lot harder to keep them.

When I was young charging around the hallowed halls of Southland Boys High School I used to promise my teacher's that I would do my homework on time. A lot like today''s voters they had to take my word for it and just like voters by the time they found out I couldn't keep up with my end of the bargain it was too late. This worked out fine for me as it was usually too late for that assignment and apart from the odd detention life invariably went on. 

This election is very similar to my old high school days with promises a plenty to solve all of New Zealand's problems being bandied around like manna from heaven in front of kiwi voters. Just like my poor teachers I fear it will be the average kiwi voter who is let down when the political homework fails to be handed in on time and the promises that snared their vote dissipate in hollow words and name calling post election. 

Nationally the lolly scramble is in full flight and insults are being tossed around freely. Locally the politicians are out in force and the hoardings are up, complete with plenty of childishly scribbled satirical humour.
 
That’s right, in case you have been living under a rock somewhere and not noticed, its election time!

A few weeks ago while exchanging some banter in the commentary box at Rugby Park I got wind of a possible yarn from my old mate, Otago Stalwart John Latta. 

The crafty old bugger told me his neighbour was having a crack at Miss Universes New Zealand and had made the final 20. Initially I was a skeptical reminding him that Balclutha while being a bustling southern metropolis isn't known for its topless beaches or lingerie models. He assured me it was genuine and being a red blooded southern male partial to taking a cheeky peak at the odd fraulein I thought this was a story I needed to go dig out.

I finally caught up with Kristie over a few jugs of Speight’s last Friday where she filled me in on why a good southern lass more comfortable on the tractor than the catwalk would want to put herself through all the shenanigans of a Miss Universe.