Petrol Stations and Pre-Pay Pumps

In Auckland, just about all petrol stations now loosely adopt the pre-pay system.

When first introduced Read more about…

Finance Companies Making Business Out Of Non-Payments?

This thought intrigues me:  Is it possible for finance companies to actually make more money based on non-payments from their clients? Read more about…

New Zealand And The Anti-Nuclear Issue

OK, so what the hell is wrong with New Zealand when it comes to nuclear issues?

I hear on the news today, that our infamous Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Winston Peters is to travel to the United States, to meet with Condoleeza Rice and other US dignitaries.

Why did this make news? - Because Mr Peters has said that he intends to stay away from the issue of New Zealand’s anti-nuke policy.

Incredible!

This ridiculous policy of NO NUKES in New Zealand (which even includes a ban of nuclear powered vessels in our waters) is archaic and completely paranoid.

I can almost understand New Zealand’s approach to nuclear ARMED vessels ( i.e Ships carrying nuclear weapons), but the policy also includes any vessel that is nuclear powered.)

In 1984, New Zealand backed out of the ANZUS agreement (a three-way defence agreement between the US, New Zealand & Australia that had been in force since World War II) over a dispute with the US over visiting rights for US ships in New Zealand ports.

The agreement, which was more of an advantage to New Zealand than to the United States was essentially disolved because of this singular issue.

The US has a long memory, and I would imagine this issue is really why the Americans now refer to Australia as “allies” and New Zealand, as just “good friends“.

This is really a slap in the face for New Zealand war veterans from Both World Wars, The Korean War, and the Vietnam war where we acted with the US as “allies”. Read more about…