Are we governed by visionless mediocrities? People who cannot see the big picture and understand the consequences of their micro actions. Examples are giving major tax cuts to people who don't need it and being unable to afford the basics of an excellent health and other services, cancelling the Interislander ferries without a plan to replace them, ordering school lunches at a price which any good business person would realise from the start was unsustainable, wanting to introduce harsher sentences and build more prisons but refusing to deal wth the underlying causes, talking in slogans and mantra's without commonsense, trying to promote public transport but failing to realise how many of their practices impede uptake, slashing and burning the Public Service with orders to cut across the board and no wisdom to define exactly what is needed and provide that and get rid of what is not needed, and no vision for the country as a whole. We are in a mess.
"Where there is no vision the people suffer". So wrote King Solomon 2,900 years ago.
Stephen Greenfield
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25 June, 2025
ISRAEL - IRAN - GAZA
Great to see the fighting between Israel and Iran is over - for the moment at least. Long may it continue. To these now rushing to demonise Israel and the USA please remember that Iran has been the motivator, equipper, and funder of Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis, and various groups in Syria and the West Bank dedicated to the destruction of Israel for the past few decades.Instead of talking about regime change in Iran we could suggest to the government in Teheran that it change and learn to live in peace with Israel and take its name among the great nations. Remember it was Cyrus King of Persia who instructed the Jews in exile in Babylon in 536 BC to return to Jerusalem and build the 2nd temple! Set your people free and enjoy the huge benefits of the lifting of all sanctions and peace. Other moslem nations have doine it - so can you!
The tragedy of Gaza goes on and seems to be intensifying. It is time for the Israel government to claim sovereignty over Gaza and Judea and Samaria (West Bank) in a way that fulfils the the command of God
"Do not take advantage of foreigners who live among you in your land. Treat them like native born Israelites, and love them as you love yourself. Remember that you were once foreigners living in the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God". Deuteronomy 19 v 33-34
I had forgotten until reading the book of Ezekial in the Bible a few days ago that in the prophetic part at the end talking about the future and the building of the 3rd Jewish temple in Jerusalem and a re division in the land between the tribes God said "Distribute the land as an allotment for yourselves and for the foreigners who have joined you and are raising their families among you. They will be like native born Israelites to you and will receive an allotment among the tribes." Ezekiel 47 v 21-22
My reading this morning was in Daniel 4 setting out what happened when King Nebuchadnezzar becamed proud and arrogant and lost his mind and lived as an animal for 7 years. Take note Mr Netanyahu. Remember the words of the prophet Micah. "God has shown you O man what is good and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.
For more on Israel Read here:
20 June, 2025
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NEW ZEALAND A DIVIDED NATION
So sad to hear Debbie Ngarewa Packer trying to justify producing a 30 minute video with taxpayers money to persuade youg maori to join the Maori Electoral Roll and contribute to a divided nation in direct denial of the founding principle of the Treaty of Waitangi as enunciated by Captain Hobson on the 6th February, 1840: "Now we are one people". A nation divided against itself will not stand. Fort more on TRace and Treaty Read here:
INTERISLANDER
Good to see Clifford Bay back in the mix for a new South Island ferry terminal. The issue is moving the maximum amount of freight and number of cars and passengers across Cook Strait as quickly, comfortably, safely, and economically as possible. 1 ship can do 2 round trips from Wellington to Picton, 1 to Lyttelton, and 3 round trips from Wellington to Clifford Bay i.e. each ship can move 50% more freight , cars, and passengers across Cook Strait per day. Transit time from Wellington to Christchurch reduces by at least 2 hours and takes a lot of the through traffic from Picton and returns it to a holiday destination. Picton can still be used for a couple of sailings a day for those who want the very scenic cruise through the Marlborough Sounds and cater for freight and passengers to Nelson and the West Coast. Distance from Wellington to Picton is 51 NM (106km), to Picton 36NM (74km). For more on the Interislander Read here
20 June, 2025 - MATARIKI
Matariki is the Maori name for the closest cluster of stars to earth. They are seen for about 11 months in New Zealand disappearing late May and re-emerging above the horizon late June or early July Maori used the lunar calendar and the re-appearance of the stars marked the start of the New Year. The stars are also called Pleides and the Seven Sisters.
Celebrate the Maori New Year. A time to
Reflect on the past year - the good and the bad, on family, and the things we did well and the things we could have done better ,
Rejoice, in the present. It is time for good kai (food) with friends and family, a time to plant crops and a time to fish, a time to restore relationships with anyone we have hurt in the past year.
Reset, Prepare for the future and decide your main goals for the next year
Re-invigorate: Approach the New Year with renewed enthusiasm purpose, and strength ready to cope with both the good and bad.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1 v 10). The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies show His craftsmanship. (Psalm 19 v 1)
In times of confusion and chaos in world affairs it is good to know there is a God who is in control and wants to give us peace and certainty for the future. Read more:
18 June, 2025
TRAVEL
DISCOVER NIUE. Looking for a week in the sun meeting the locals and smooching with whales on a South Pacific island less visited. I have 3 spaces left on my Discover Niue Tour departing Auckland 05 August and returning 12 August. Please join me. Read More:
SNOW BUNNIES
Take the Northern Explorer train to National Park or Ohakune from Auckland or Wellington. Ski, Snowboard, or just enjoy the spectacular views of the mountains
12 June, 2025
Email sent to Christopher Luxon 12 June, 2025
Hon Christopher Luxon
Prime Minister of New Zealand
Dear Prime Minister
Congratulations on sanctioning Mr Smotrich and Mr Gvir from the far right Israeli settler movement. These are the people who say that God gave all of biblical Israel to the Jews (in which they are correct) and therefore they have the right to take the land in Judea and Samaria, (the West Bank), and Gaza back without recompense (in which they are totally wrong) I have been pointing out the verse from Deuteronomy 19 below (the Bible) to many of my Israeli friends for decades during visits to that country.
Israel is offending God in two ways: For more on Israel and its history and future: Read here
(One) Not reclaiming the biblical Israel as given by God to Abraham 4,000 years ago and again to Joshua as the Jews arrived back in Israel from captivity in Egypt around 3,500 years ago. This included Judea and Samaria as the heartland of Jewish worship, and also included the Gaza strip as far south as the 'Brook of Egypt, just south of the current Gaza border with Egypt. (New Zealand is also offending God by demanding under a UN Resolution that Israel hand back control of Judea and Samaria to the Palestinian Authority).
(Two). Failure to obey the instructions given to Israel by God through Moses
"You must not mistreat or oppress foreigners in any way". Exodus 23 v 9.
"Do not take advantage of foreigners who live among you in your land. Treat them like native born Israelites, and love them as you love yourself. Remember that you were once foreigners living in the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God". Deuteronomy 19 v 33-34
20 June, 2025
The Palestinians should be treated with respect, despite their constant attacks on Israel and allowed to live on land they have occupied for generations, unless bought back by Israelis. The egregious activities of the settlers in Judea and Samaria must be stopped. The Palestinians in Gaza must get the food and medical supplies they need and be allowed to live in peace to develop their farms and businesses, and find work in the development of the 'Riviera of the Middle East'.
HOWEVER NEW ZEALAND IS OFFENDING GOD IN SUPPORTING THE UN RESOLUTION LAST YEAR DEMANDING ISRAEL GIVE JUDEA AND SAMARIA TO THE PALESTINIANS WITHIN 12 MONTHS AND REINFORCING THAT IDEA NOW. THIS IS ONE OF 5 WAYS WE ARE OFFENDING GOD AS A NATION WHICH YOU LEAD. THIS IS NOT SMART.
I have provided a solution that will work and protect the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians and allow the full development of the Gaza strip.
There are many parallels between the Palestinians and Maori in New Zealand. Both are trying to introduce something that has never existed. There has never been an independent Palestinian state with a competent government. I have spoken to many Palestinians during my visits to Israel. No one trusts or wants the Palestinian Authority in control. There has never been an independent sovereign Maori nation with unified government. The Declaration of Independence was a worthy try but failed.
Stephen Greenfield
Auckland. New Zealand
Phone 021 174 9588
09 June, 2025
The world descends into more chaos. A protest boat heading to Gaza has been boarded by the Israeli defence forces and is on its way to Ashdod, riots on the streets of Los Angeles, violence, anger, hate and corruption increasing around the world, a fracturing of Europe and long standing political alliances, no leadership that addresses the problems, the fracturing of the United States, the tragic war by Russia on Ukraine, and a media that is more concerned about getting a story than presenting the complete truth on any issue. Maybe its worse than having visionless mediocrities 'leading' us. As a christian (a child of God and citizen of His eternal perfect kingdom) with my future secure from a purely personal point of view it is actually exciting sitting on the sidelines (in far off and relatively peaceful New Zealand) and watching what could be the final events leading up to God giving up on the human race and finishing the world as we know it. Will the World as we know it end? - Read more. It was prophesied thousands of years ago in the Bible that all of the above would happen with nations from the north, east, and south of Israel massing in the plains of Armageddon with Jerusalem as a catalyst for war. It is easy to see how it could happen, and quite quickly. God will not put up with the disobedience of we humans for ever. We need to think about these things seriously and understand what God wants. The Secret of Personal Success in this life and the next: Read here
Israel is offending God in two ways: For more on Israel and its history and future: Read here
(One) Not reclaiming the biblical Israel as given by God to Abraham 4,000 years ago and again to Joshua as the Jews arrived back in Israel from captivity in Egypt around 3,500 years ago. This included Judea and Samaria as the heartland of Jewish worship, and also included the Gaza strip as far south as the 'Brook of Egypt, just south of the current Gaza border with Egypt. (New Zealand is also offending God by demanding under a UN Resolution that Israel hand back control of Judea and Samaria to the Palestinian Authority).
(Two). Failure to obey the instructions given to Israel by God through Moses
"You must not mistreat or oppress foreigners in any way". Exodus 23 v 9.
"Do not take advantage of foreigners who live among you in your land. Treat them like native born Israelites, and love them as you love yourself. Remember that you were once foreigners living in the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God". Deuteronomy 19 v 33-34
The Palestinians should be treated with respect, despite their constant attacks on Israel and allowed to live on land they have occupied for generations unless bought back by Israelis. The egregious activities of the settlers in Judea and Samaria must be stopped. The Palestinians in Gaza must get the food and medical supplies they need and be allowed to live in peace to develop their farms and businesses, and find work in the development of the 'Riviera of the Middle East'.
Email sent to Radio New Zealand 4pm 09 June
Just been listening to the Jesse Mulligan interview. It was the coming of the Creators Culture to New Zealand in 1814 that brought peace, reconciliation and forgiveness to New Zealand and paved the way for the modern New Zealand. It also brought the Creators handbook for living (The Bible) which includes the instructions for abstinence from sex outside marriage, and fidelity within it. An enormous amount of heartbreak depression, and social dysfunction would be saved if we embraced the Creators instructions. It also gave such basic instructions such as "Husbands treat your wife with respect. She may be physically weaker than you but she is your equal" thundered the apostle Paul some 1900 years ago.
In 2011 when I was standing for the Conservative Party in Auckland Central I made the following statement when all candidates were asked a question on Child poverty and other societal issues
"If every man and every woman chose their partner carefully, committed to each other for life, and brought up their children in that nurturing, caring, and positive role modelling environment at least 60% of our social problems would be solved and the cost of running Government would reduce by at least 12-14 Billion per year"
It was in the presence of Jacinda Arden standing for Labour and David Seymour for ACT. No one has refuted my claim and it certainly hasn't been implemented.
It is time to bring back the Creator's Culture and renew our society. If we do not understand and have the integrity to accept the underlying causes of our problems we will never solve them. More information on the link below and my all purpose website www.nztours.nz
https://www.newzealandtours.co.nz/tours/society-religion/secret-of-a-successful-nation?p=1
Stephen Greenfield
11A 18 Scotia Place,
Auckland central.
telephone 02 175 9588
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30 May, 2025
TRAVEL
Last chance for some great winter warmup options closing next week
French Polynesia cruise and Rarotonga July 2-13. Read here
Discover Niue - an island less visited, hosted by myself. August 5-12. Read here
SOCIAL
Once again much complaining about the state of society by media, politicians. and various community groups today. As usual a refusal to look at the underlying causes. We will never fix any problem until we understand it. 'Run it Straight', drug abuse, violence, hate speech, child poverty and abuse, addictions, social media, corruption, fear, depression, lying. All stem from the breakdown of society. " God is not mocked. Whatsoever we sow that shall we also Reap" wrote the Apostle Paul in the Bible (Galations 6 v 7-9) some 1900 years ago. We are reaping the rewards of our failures. Two basic principles of a beautiful society are GOOD TASTE and COMMON SENSE. Both have been denigrated by many. The 5 basic needs for a beautiful society have been distorted, denigrated, and often 'cancelled', (1) Respect (for yourself and others), (2) Responsibility (for yourself and others), (3) Rights (you do have them but so do others), (4) Relationships (keeping good ones to enjoy in the good times and help in the bad times) (5) Resilience (to cope with whatever life throws at us).
We will never solve our societal problems until we go back the the Creators handbook - The Bible. It has all the instructions and wisdom we need for a healthy, happy, harmonious, peaceful, beautiful society. We need to bring back the Creators culture which had such a profound effect in New Zealand after it came in 1814.paving the way for the modern New Zealand. Above all it tells us how to have peace of mind amid all the confusion and fear in the world. No more depression, suicide, or anger. The apostle Paul also wrote (Philippians 4 v 6-7), "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus". The Secret of a Successful Nation. Read here:
I have perfect peace as a child of God and citizen of His Kingdom no matter what happens in this life, and look forward to sharing his perfect crime,corruption, and hate free home forever!! If you are in Auckland drop in to the BIBLE BOOKSHOP AND GALLERY at 538 Queen St (top of Queen St, near K Road, opposite the Baptist Tabernacle church) any friday or saturday between 2pm and 4pm (except 09 August) and have a chat. Stephen Greenfield
Email sent to (and read publicly by) Radio New Zealand Morning report today
"Best solution I have found is a 3 strikes policy from a US State Two no shows at school and you get detentions, 3rd time a parent or guardian was required to spend half a day in the classroom with their student. The unions screamed, the parents grumbled, the teachers weren't initially happy but it was enforced - and truancy dropped by 92%. What teen wants an adult sitting in class with them. Fining the poor is idiocy'
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Some guidance for parents from the makers handbook - the Bible. (When all else fails read the instructions!)
"Train up a child in the way they should go, and when they are old they will not depart from it". Proverbs 22 v 6.
"Parents, teach the laws of God (the Creators culture) diligently to your children, and talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up". (Deuteronomy 6.7)
"My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest His correction; for whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights". Proverbs 3 v 11-12
"Fathers do not provoke your children to wrath lest they be discouraged and perish by the way"
The Family is the Foundation of Society! Read more:
21 May, 2025
ISRAEL
Israel is becoming a pariah state, deserted by its friends, and despised by its enemies owing to its decimation of Gaza. The aid must start flowing NOW irrespective of the actions of the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. My first visit to Israel was in 1965, my last in 2023 with 15 other visits inbetween. I cannot go back until peace and justice come to all of Israel. Mr Netanyahu, you are losing support from the rest of the world.
But is there more to it all than we think? I hear the words of Jesus Christ spoken on the Mt of Olives over 2,000 years ago. Jesus was talking with His disciples about the end of the world and what would happen and the destruction coming to Israel (which happened in AD70) and the rebirth which happened in 1948. His disciples asked him "Tell us what sign will signal your return and the end of the world?" Jesus answer was "There will be wars and threats of wars, nation will go to war against nation. There will be famines, pandemics, earthquakes, and terrifying things in the heavens. Here on earth nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides, People will be terrified by what they see coming on earth. Christians will be hated in all parts of the world". The bible is very clear that the there will come a time of massive, environmental, political, economic, and social chaos just before Jesus returns to Israel and ends the world as we know it. The focal point of the final battle will be - Jerusalem! Read more
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Email sent to the Russian Embassy in Wellington, New Zealand 10th March, 2022 expressing regret that Russia was becoming a Pariah State. Unfortunately nothing has changed and the suffering in the Ukraine (and Russia) continues.
Subject:Ukraine
Date:2022-03-10 11:07
From:steve@newzealandtours.co.nz
To:info@rusembnz.com. Cc:rus.consul.nz@gmail.com, rus.wltvisa.nz@gmail.com
Dear President Putin
It is so sad to see Russia, which could be a great as well as powerful country, becoming a pariah country, sanctioned and censured around the world. I have spent many happy times in Russia escorting tour groups from Khabarovsk to St Petersburg in the early days and from Beijing to Siberia, Moscow, and St Petersburg more recently. To see the destruction and loss of life in the Ukraine is heartbreaking.
I was hoping to take a last group from Beijing to Moscow and St Petersburg before finally retiring however it has been thwarted by covid for the past couple of years and now I will not visit Russia again until the Russian military has been fully withdrawn from the Ukraine.
Dasvidaniya Rossiya. My tears are for you - as well as Ukraine.
Stephen Greenfield
Connoisseur Holidays - New Zealand Tours
Phone 0800 309 196.
www.nztours.nz
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20 May, 2025
ISRAEL
Great to see a trickle of aid starting to get into Gaza yesterday, and more today. Israel plans to have their own distribution network operating next week and ramp up supplies but the pressure has got to them and they are starting now using a current NGO. Hamas also are feeling the pressure with another of their new leaders and some 10-12 of his troops killed while hiding under a hospital. The pressure is also getting to the Palestinian people in Gaza, hundreds of whom have been demonstrating in Khan Younis against Hamas in the past few days. Maybe it will bear fruit and the death and destruction cease.
Prime Minister Netanyahu. Israel are God's chosen people and you have an obligation to act in the ways of God as a light to the Gentiles.. Listen to the words of the prophet Micah from around 2,700 years ago "He has shown you O man what is good, and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. It is time to show mercy to the Gazans and do justice by providing the required aid despite the failings of the Palestinians. God will bless you for it and set the captives (hostages) free, and protect you as He did Gideon so many years ago. I am very pleased to see that my country (New Zealand) has today called on Israel to immediately resume full supply of aid.. For more on Israel: Read here
CULTURE AND RACE - MAORI TIKANGA.
It will probably be a fractious and long day in Parliament as the penalty for Maori Party abuse of Parliamentary Tikanga is discussed. If the Maori Party want more Maori Tikanga in Parliament there are appropriate ways to achieve this peacefully. Threatening others is not one of them. Is this another example of the deification of Maori Culture and denigration of the Creators culture which instructs us to live in peace with each other? A prime example was at the 10am church service at Waitangi last Waitangi Day. Beautiful inspirational, reverential, and uplifting hymns by some excellent choirs interspersed with the challenges of a hymn presented by a Maori group in haka style which jarred greatly with the other hymns. Not everything in every culture is good - we need to pick the best from each culture. Most of our problems in this area come from a deification of Maori culture (it wasn't all good), a denigration of western culture (it isn't all bad!), an obsession with the "me first" cu;lture (always bad), and a denial of the Creators Culture of love, peace, harmony, forgiveness, and reconciliation. For more on the difference between race and culture: Read here
KIWIRAIL
Once again hundreds of millions of dollars being handed out to Kiwirail for the further upgrades of the rail network in Welloington and Aucklandf. How many more of these do we need? It was a hit ironic that at the same time Auckland's Eastern and Southern lines were experiencing delays.
Also questionable is the decision to dispose of the Aratere in a few months creating pressure on the feight and passenger system. Unless there is more to the unreliability of the Aratere that they haven't told us about I do not believe there is any reason why the Aratere cannot continue to provide a freight and passenger service using the link spans (with possibly minor modification) used by the Kaitaki and Kaiarahi. Neither of those ships have been without their problems and while I will still promote some rail tours in New Zealand there will always be the worry that my passengers will be disrupted. I have no faith in the management of Kiwirail or the ability of the Minister of Railways. Visionless mediocrity or straight out incompetence? For more on the woes of Kiwirail and the Interislander: Read here
19 May, 2025
TOURS
NIUE
Need a break from the woes of New Zealand and the world? Please join me for a week in the sum on Niue from 5th to 12 August.: Read here
BUDGET
Budget week has arrived. We await with interest the big reveal on thursday of the numbers for next year, I have been trying to help Nicola Willis (Minister of Finance) for overseas people with her budget but she refuses to be helped!!! I have shown her through the SUPERMAXX programme how she could save at least $100 million per year in operating subsidies from NZTA by introducing Supermaxx but, alas, she is not interested. Read here
SOCIAL ISSUES - FAMILY
We are assailed almost daily with more evidence of the collapse of society, swearing in Parliament, crime increasing, truancy increasing, and the response of society and Parliament is to want more money for more support after the act. I was talking to an excellent Early Childhood educator yesterday almost ready to resign through frustration and burnout over having to spend over 50% of her time on behavioural issues with her children. The problem goes back to the start of life - to the family. If every man and every woman chose their partner carefully, committed to each other for life and brought up children in that nurturing, caring, and positive role modelling environment at least 60% of our societal problems would be solved - and the cost of running government would reduce by at least $12 billion per annum - Please take note Nicola. The Family is the Foundation of Society: Read here. The Secret of a successful Nation: Read here
GREENS BUDGET
The Green Party produced a 'budget' yesterday. Its easy being a Green - they believe that saying something as a Green must be true because they said it (wokeness) even if it has no relationship with reality, Unfortunately they (or at least the majority) will not recognise that the family as God made it is the answer to most of our social problems. They also refuse to support or implement Supermaxx even though it would reduce carbon in the air by at least 31,500 tons per annum, more than halve fares for commuters,and probably double the number of people using public transport - all of which they say they support!
ENVIRONMENT
Great to read in todays New Zealand Herald the potential to add asparagopsis seaweed to the diet of ruminants, including cows, and reduce methane emissions by up to 95%. The Australians are getting on and commercialising it. I have heard of similar results with New Zealand seaweed but our visionless mediocrities in goverment fail to see the potential and develop it!
14 May, 2025.
SYRIA.
Sanctions being lifted totally from Syria is very good news. My favourite tour to escort during my 55 years tour organising and escorting was to fly into Beirut and drive to Cairo via Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Israel. Layer upon layer of history and huge spiritual significance. The Syrian people were some of the nicest I have met throughout the world and what has happened there during the past 15 or so years was absolutely tragic. Syria is the only country in the world I have travelled in where on two separate occasions a local businessman has come to talk to us while having lunch at roadside cafes to thank us for visiting his country and paid for the lunch for all the group! I wish the people every success in reconstructing their country and hope the new president brings corruption free and competent government. I also of course hope and pray that the right of the minorities, including my christian brothers and sisters will be respected and they can live in peace along with all other Syrians. There comes a time when a line must be drawn under the past and to build for the future.
There are lessons for New Zealand, and Gaza. When the obsession is demonising, weaponising, and monetising the past and failing to recognise our part in it, peace will never come. We must get over the judgmentalism, negativity, confrontation, and conflict that obsesses the media and some in society and come in humility recognising that we all have our faults and come in good will to work for peace. I have been enjoying recently a Gaither song (Find it on Youtube "I then shall live"!) part of which is "I've learned how fear builds walls instead of bridges, I've learned to see another's point of view". Remember the words of Jesus delivered in Galilee almost 2,000 years ago "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God".
06 May, 2025.
ISRAEL - the way ahead.. For a further update on Israel Read here
CRIME, PUNISHMENT, REHABILITATION AND THE SOLUTION.
We will never resolve our social problems by throwing more money at them or providing harsher penalties, more jails, more treatment centres, or more counsellors. They will only be resolved when people decide not to commit crime, do not need artificial stimuli such as drugs and alcohol, and will treat all others with respect. These are learned behaviours. If every person chose their partner carefully, committed to each other for life, and brought up children in that caring nurturing, and positive role modelling environment at least 70% of our social problems would be solved, our prison population would be halved, and the cost of government reduced by at least $12 billion a year. Bring back the 5 R's of a harmonious society, RESPONSIBILTY (for ones self and others), RESPECT (For ones self and others), RIGHTS (our own and recognising others have them too), RELATIONSHIPS (family and friends and, above all, with God) and RESILIENCE (to cope with what life throws at us). It was the coming of the CREATORS CULTURE to New Zealand in1814 that brought forgiveness, reconciliation a new way of life and conduct, and peace to the warring tribes that paved the way for the modern New Zealand. We need to bring it back urgently. For more on the SECRET OF A SUCCESSFUL NATION: Read here: THE FAMILY IS THE FOUNDATION OF SOCIETY: Read here
05 May, 2025
ISRAEL
The tragedy of Gaza continues. More death and destruction. attack on Tel Aviv airport. further call up of Israelis, and every day more Palestinians die and are injured. by bombs and bullets and the people go hungry. All because Hamas attacked Israel on the 7th October and mass murdered over 1200 innocent Israelis at a concert and in their homes - the 5th time Hamas attacked Israel since it became the occupying power in 2006. In addition hundreds were captured and incarcerated in tunnels and Palestinian homes, raped and tortured, with Palestinians acting as human shields, a war crime under the Geneva convention. I understand there are still some 59 hostages, dead and alive, held in captivity after 18 months. I have no doubt that if the Palestinians in Gaza wanted a just peace they could force Hamas to hand back the hostages and remove the excuse Netanyahu uses to extend the war. DO IT TODAY GAZANS! You will get no support from the West until the hostages are released. For more on Israel Read here
2,025 years ago the angels appeared to the shepherds in the fields outside Bethlehem with the message at the birth of Jesus Christ "Glory to God in the Highest and on earth peace and goodwill to those with whom He is pleased". How do we please God? Jesus told us "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your might, and love your neighbour as yourself". Turmoil throughout the world will continue and increase until people learn to live in peace. It is possible. God will give up on the human race as he sees injustice, corruption, and violence increase and will call time on the human race - possibly quite soon. For more information Read here
29 April, 2025
TRAVEL
Air New Zealand fares - fair or rip off?
There are two ways any business can price its product or service to sell (A) Cost Plus where all the inputs are costed, a margin added, and the price declared OR (B) What the market will bear where a business will charge the maximum people will pay for the service or product., even if they have no option. This can also be known as price gouging, ripoff, extortion, blackmail, exploitation, paying through the nose, monopolistic and predatory. Air New Zealand has lost its Social Licence for myself and many others. I always supported them (and even worked for them for a year) and provided there was not too much difference to Jetstar fares would fly Air New Zealand, It seemed the heinous and most egregious price gouging started early last year. So far this year I have made 6 inter island flights - all except one with Jetstar. I live in Auckland and have the option but this is not available to people in the regions. Blaming Dynamic pricing is wrong. The airline can always set the upper and lower limits for its algorithms at whatever level it wants. People understand prices will be more at peak times but not the levels seen in New Zealand in the past 18 months
For the politicians to wring their hands and bemoan the problem without doing anything about it is rank hypocrisy. The Government is the majority shareholder on behalf of all of us. They (via the Commerce Commission?) can very easily set a maximum level of fare for 1 hour, 2 hour, or 3 hour flights within New Zealand at a reasonable level and Air New Zealand can work their algorithms from there. No flight should be more than $200 for 1 hour, $250 for 90 minutes, $300 for 2 hours, or $400 for any continuous journey even if flight connections are necessary en route. No minimum price would of course be set.
Regional small aircraft are more expensive to operate than the jets but not with the fare differential charged by Air New Zealand. Lack of competition is the main difference but I well remember the frustration of a Jetstar executive when withdrawing from their regional routes as he put it "that he was tired of the locals waving to the Jetstar plane on the tarmac at New Plymouth, Nelson, etc for bringing prices down as they boarded their Air New Zealand flights to get their Airpoints and use the Koru Lounge"! Use it or lose it does apply!
Air New Zealand are now predators and smaller airlines know full well that while Air New Zealand may charge $600 plus for a flight from the regions if they start up Air New Zealand will drop their prices, even to a loss making level if necessary, to drive them out of the market and regain their monopoly. This also could be fixed relatively easily by keeping track of current Air New Zealand fares and if a regional airline wants to start a service from Tauranga to Wellington for instance of $200 Air New Zealand would not be permitted to charge less than their current fares for a period of 6 months from the time of inauguration of the service to allow them to get established.
25 April, 2025. Anzac Day. "Lest we Forget"
Today we honour those who fought and died in the defence of freedom and the values we in the West hold dear. Two years ago I was at Gallipoli (my third visit), on Anzac Day and during my tour escorting over the past 55 years have visited the Commonwealth War Grave cemetaries at El Alamein, Crete, Beersheba, Jerusalem and elsewhere. I am always affected by the rows upon rows of crosses with the inscriptions of those who gave their lives at a young age for our freedom and grieve at the futility,waste, and cost of war. 110 years after the Gallipoli landings, 80 years after the end of the Second World War, 50 years since Vietnam, and numerous wars inbetween we do not forget - but what have we learned?
This morning as I watch the world news India and Pakistan are raising the political temperature, death and destruction continue in Gaza and is increasing in Judea and Samaria, the seemingly endless war in Sudan and the Sahel goes on, and the war in Ukraine becomes more brutal with no end on sight. The tension between China and Taiwan is still a flashpoint. That is all quite apart from the increasing anger, hate, frustration, depression and hopelessness at all levels which is increasing in every country worldwide - including New Zealand.
President Trump does not seem to understand Russia at all and for me this is the most worrying of the many potential triggers for world war, along with Israel (For more on Israel and the conflict there: Read here). I first visited the (then) Soviet Union in 1966 traelling by ferry from Yokohama in Japan to Nakhodka then overnight train to Khabarovsk and Trans Siberian to Moscow with a side trip to Crimea and Simferopol and Yalta, scene of the peace conference between President Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin in 1945. I escorted many groups across Russia from Beijing to Moscow and St Petersburg in the 1980's, the Gorbachev years. Perestroika and Glasnost were the hope of the west. I talked to many Russians (3 days on a train and longer stopovers in the cities gives plenty of time) and found that most ordinary Russians hated him! He was the one who lost Russia its Superpower status and the fact that that status depended solely on the abilkity to blow up the rest of the world a few times over was irrelevant. The "Soul of Mother Russia" had been dishonoured and demeaned. I escorted another group through 3 months after Putin invaded the Ukraine in February 2022. He was held in reverance and awe by the people. He had stood up to the West and honour had neen restored. President Trump wants a 'deal', Putin wants honour and is fixated on recreating the old Soviet Union boundaries including Ukraine, Moldova, the Baltic States etc. Any ceasefire he agrees to will be only a temporary respite to allow him to re-arm before attacking again. He must be stopped.
I sent this email to the Russian Embassy in Wellington on the 10th March, 2022. Maybe it wasn't sent on to President Putin!.
"Dear President Putin
It is so sad to see Russia, which could be a great as well as powerful country, becoming a pariah country, sanctioned and censured around the world. I have spent many happy times in Russia escorting tour groups from Khabarovsk to St Petersburg in the early days and from Beijing to Siberia, Moscow, and St Petersburg more recently. To see the destruction and loss of life in the Ukraine is heartbreaking.
I was hoping to take a last group from Beijing to Moscow and St Petersburg before finally retiring however it has been thwarted by covid for the past couple of years and now I will not visit Russia again until the Russian military has been fully withdrawn from the Ukraine.
Dasvidaniya Rossiya. My tears are for you - as well as Ukraine.
Stephen Greenfield
Connoisseur Holidays - New Zealand Tours
Phone 0800 309 196.
www.nztours.nz"
It is tragic that just one week after we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ bringing the opportunity for new life, hope, and peace to humanity for those who want it the violence in the world is increasing, and hope is decreasing for many. As a christian my certainty is in Jesus Christ and the guarantee of eternal life with Him. The more we turn away from the one true God the more violence, corruption, wars, and poverty increase. But we are told this will happen before the world ends! We have been warned. For more detail: Read here
20 April, 2025. Easter sunday
EASTER AND PASSOVER are over for another year. Passover celebrates the escape of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt some 3,500 years ago and settlement in Israel. The death, burial, resurrection, and ascension back to heaven of Jesus Christ took place at Passover nearly 2,000 years ago in Jerusalem. Both events have been celebrated annually ever since by Jews. Get the full story of the life of Jesus Christ from the "Jesus" movie seen by millions around the world free of charge and now available in 2207 languages!. Open source. Running time just over 2 hours. Click here. Easter/Anzac Bible sale 21 - 26 April. 20% discount. For details Click here
Easter sunday we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ as his final proof that he was God and that he had conquered death and opened the way to eternal life for all humans of all nationalities and cultures for those who want it. Probably the most famous verses of the Bible are John chapter 3 v 16-17 "For God so loved the world (you) that he gave his only Son so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved. Whoever believes in Jesus Christ as Son of God has everlasting life. Whoever does not believe in Jesus Christ as Son of God shall not see life but the wrath of God abides on them.
Jesus came to bring peace between us and God and in our communities, nations and world. Unfortunately most reject him and we suffer the consequences.
Download a copy of the Bible free from www.biblegateway.org. 20% off sale on all bibles from the BIBLE BOOKSHOP AND GALLERY at 538 Queen St (top near K Rd), open from 2pm-4pm wednesday 23 April, and saturday 27 April this week and 11am - 4.30pm thursday 24th. For more details Click here
18 April, 2025. Good friday, Easter
Today over 2 billion christians around the world in every country will be remembering the death of Jesus Christ, Son of God, and creator of the universe including we humans. In New Zealand we started the commemoration in the peace and quiet of our beautiful country but having travelled to 93 countries over the past 60 years I am very aware that many of my christian brothers and sisters will be worshipping God in situations of great difficulty, danger, and hardship, many hungry, thirsty, and .homeless. To those in Myanmar, Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, and many other countries at war or suffering from famine, earthquakes, climate change, and disease our prayers for peace and supply of your needs are constant. We look forward to the day, which may be soon, when God will give up on the human race and call time on human history and create the new heavens and new earth. Your eternal perfect kingdom come Lord Jesus, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Read more:
Jesus Christ is the creator of the world who some 4,000 years later, 2,000 years ago, took on human flesh and was born in Bethlehem in Israel, lived, taught, healed, and gave us great wisdom to live by and then died for us, for you, and for me Knowing we could not get to heaven by our own means he took the piunishment and death sentence that is rightly ours so that all who want to and ask can receive eternal life. The good news is that he rose from death on the sunday morning to prove that he was the Son of God, death had been conquered, and we can enter his home because of what He did. Get the full story in the gospel of Luke in the Bible (google it!). For an excellent film presentation see THE JESUS FILM links below in English, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Russian and Maori.. Follow the links to watch and listen in 2,205 other languages also.
https://www.jesusfilm.org/watch/jesus.html/english.html
https://www.jesusfilm.org/watch/jesus.html/maori.html
https://www.jesusfilm.org/watch/jesus.html/mandarin-china.html
https://www.jesusfilm.org/watch/jesus.html/japanese.html
https://www.jesusfilm.org/watch/jesus.html/korean.html
https://www.jesusfilm.org/watch/jesus.html/korean-north.html
https://www.jesusfilm.org/watch/jesus.html/arabic-palestinian.html
https://www.jesusfilm.org/watch/jesus.html/russian.html
Just over 2,000 years ago the angels brought this message to the shepherds watching their sheep in the fields outside Bethlehem near Jerusalem in Israel: "Don't be afraid " the angel said, "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Saviour, - yes, the Messiah, the Lord - has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David"....Suddenly the angel was joined by a vast host of others - the armies of heaven - praising God and saying, "Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased". It was this same message brought to New Zealand by christian missionary Samuel Marsden in 1814 that brought peace to the warring Maori tribes in New Zealand and opened the way for the development of this country. How do we please God? This question was asked of jesus in Israel around 2,000 years ago. His reply "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbour as you love yourself". I urge all Gazans to order Hamas and other militant groups (Many of you know who they are) to release ALL the Israeli hostages immediately, before the end of Passover tomorrow night preferably, and remove the excuse Netanyahu is using to continue the bombing of Gaza. Do you not want peace and prosperity? I urge all Russians to demand President Putin stop his war on Ukraine and remove his troops from Ukranian territory. This would take an act of great humility and statesmanship and would please God and restore the honour of Russia in the world.
Jesus Christ died, rose again, and went back to heaven to enable peace between God and we humans, and in our families, communities, and nations. God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) long for peace to reign.
17 April, 2025
TRAVEL
Winter chills arriving soon. Its time to look north for some warmth. The Bay of Islands classifies itself as the subtropical north which may be a bit of a stretch but it is usually a few degrees warmer than Auckland. A visit to the excellent Treaty museum at Waitangi is a must to catch up on our early history. As well as the Treaty displays and videos a new exhibition has been installed from 18 April to 06 July, 2025 presenting a photographic record of 'Operation Grapple', New Zealand's involvement in the British Christmas Island H bomb tests in 1957 and 1958. We had 3 ships involved "Lachlan", "Rotoiti", and "Pukaki". Like it or not it is part of our history. A visit to Cape Reinga is a must do whether on our 3 day Superdeal which has daily departures by Intercity coach: Read here or our small group Northland Heritage 4 day small group driver escorted tour departing June 02 (Kings Birthday) and any monday for a minimum of 4. This includes the amazing Matakohe Kauri and Early Settlers Museum, Dargaville, Kaiiwi lakes, Waipoua Forest, and a night at Omapare on the Hokianga as well as the Bay of Islands and Cape Reinga: Read here
Further afield there is still space to Rarotonga, Read here and my favourite French Polynesia cruise aboard Star Breeze with departures most weeks Read here. I lived in Rarotonga for 3 years from 1956 to1959 and remember the frigates calling in! If you are interested in Maori migration to New Zealand a Star Breeze cruise including the island of Raiatea from which they came is a must.
TRANSPORT
Wellington. Some action (promises) on Wellington Metlink to cut costs, raise revenue, and provide better service. All admirable objectives. In 2010 and 2018/19 I adapted Supermaxx to Wellington's needs and presented it to the Greater Wellington Regional Council and the various City Councils and showed them how they could increase revenue, reduce operating subsidies, reduce pollution and congestion, and encourage more people to use public transport by using the same UnlimIted Travel Passes as Supermaxx valid from Waikanae and Masterton to the Cook Strait coast. $75 for 30 days, $25 for 7 days, $10 per day, and $2 for 2 hours. Alas they circled the wagons to keep out new ideas and neither proved my claims would not work, nor implemented SuperMetlink. It is never too late! Maybe new Mayors in this years election will help. Read here
SOCIETY
Genders: Good to see a British court restating the obvious that only women can become pregnant and have children! There is no good explanation in evolution as to how by random selection two completely different beings could form, capable and necessary to each other, to perpetuate the species. There is no fossil evidence of the many millions of mutations that would have had to take place. It is time to look again at the simple words of the Bible "Then God (singular in 3 persons) said "Let us (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) make human beings in our image to be like us......So God created human beings in in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." (Genesis chapter 1 v 26-27 abridged). There are no other genders. God's design for society was that families would form comprised of a man and a woman committed to each other for life and bringing up their biological children in a nurturing, caring, and positive role modelling environment. In doing this we reflect the character of God. At least 70% of our social problems would be resolved if we humans followed God's design! The christians responsibility is to teach the ways of God with courtesy, respect for others, and honesty. There is no room for vigilante action or hate against those who are different.
13 April, 2025
PASSOVER AND EASTER
The Jewish Passover has started celebrating the escape from slavery in Egypt around 3,500 years ago. Observant Jews have kept Passover wherever they have been disbursed around the world. It is a time of deep reflection and turning towards God and realising that there is a bigger narrative in the universe than just our personal present issues. Wouldn't it be wonderful for the remaining hostages in Gaza to be released before the end of Passover and a long term just solution offered to the Palestinians before Passover ends on th 20th April!! Read more:
It was at Passover almost 2,000 years ago that Jesus Christ was captured, tortured, crucified, died and came back to life again on the third day to open the way for us to have peace with God and become His children and citizens of His eternal kingdom which transcend all earthly families and nations. Today is Palm Sunday when many christians celebrate the triumphant entry of Jesus to Jerusalem. Next weekend we will commemorate his betrayal, mock trial, torture and death on thursday and friday - and the most joyful day of the Christian Calendar as on sunday 21st April we celebrate that Jesus has risen from the dead to offer eternal life to all who want it. We remember the beautiful promise He made to his disciples just before he was captured that he was "going back to heaven to prepare a place for us. When everything is ready and the time is right I will come back and get you so that you will always be with me where I am". With all that we see happening in our world that may not be very far away! Read more
11 April, 2025
TREATY PRINCIPLES BILL
Haere Ra - you are not mourned The Treaty Principles Bill was a clumsy attempt to restate what the Treaty as written actually said. Why not just go back to what the Treaty said and put it into practice. The overriding principle of the Treaty was spoken by William Hobson - "He Iwi Tahi Tatou" (now we are one people"). Read More
TARIFFS
The tariffs war is creating confusion and chaos. Best thing is just to ride out the next couple of weeks and see what actually happens rather than engage in mindless speculation and panic about what might happen.
TAXES
Imagine! No more GST, Fringe Benefit Tax, income tax, annual returns or any other non specific tax! Just a 2% surcharge any time you made a payment from your account. All your wages and earnings must be paid directly into your bank account with heavy penalties for engaging in the cash economy to avoid tax. No exemptions for individuals, businesses, charities, trusts, or anyone or anything else. Estimated receipts for government about 20% more than the total tax take now!! A visionary competent government would immediately bring our health and education services up to a superb standard. It is possible!
09 April, 2025
CRIME, DRUGS, VIOLENCE, AND HATE SPEECH.
Once again there is much hand wringing at the dramatic increase in drug dealing and use, increasing hate speech and threatened violence against politicians. Hate speech, bullying, and sexploitation causes enormous harm to our youth causing immense mental suffering, often leading to suicide. Politicians, media, and society refuse to understand and recognise the primary underlying causes that brought us here. We have created the society we live in. Over the past few decades society, and especially the entertainment industry, which includes the media, have diminished and degraded the institution of family as God created it and we suffer the consequences. The Family is the Foundation of Society responsible for producing the next generation and nurturing and training them to succeed in every aspect of life.
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