Thanks for the lovely feedback. It was nice writing about something other than politics, but I was a little nervous as to how it might be received. Probably shouldn't have been eh 🙂
This is good because there won't be much in the way of politics for a while, and end-of-year awards, predictions, and hypothesising can only go so far.
A wonderful, heartfelt outpouring of pride, dedication and love for your family Nick. It’s so uplifting and rare for someone to display their feelings so publicly. You have an incredibly talented crew in your house, mainly I suspect due to the support you and Fi have given them over the years. Well done Nick, you got it right👍. One aspect strikes me about your family. You’re obviously not afraid to bare your feelings in good times and no so good times. If only more were able to share as you do the world would be a better place. Fabulous dancing and a great song to sign off with. There’s a whole lot wrong in the village we inhabit. Please keep up your inspirational efforts to make our streets in the village ones we enjoy living in. They are never wasted. (Neither are the musical interludes. Old or new they’re always worth hearing 🎶👍👍) Cheers to you and your whanau and many thanks for a great year’s Korero😊
Reading about your children's accomplishments has brought a real smile to my dial after what has been such a trying and traumatic year for so many on so many levels.
As a parent, I can totally understand the pride you have in your kids achievements. There is nothing better than to see your kids achieve their dreams. Congratulations to both you and Fiona for being the amazing supportive parents that you are.
Along with their hard work and dedication, they wouldn't have been able to achieve what they have.
The arts are so important, and I just wish our government would understand that life is not all about Math's, English and Science.
🫂 This is why I subscribe 💜❤️ Good writing, just like life, is mult-dimensional, & sharing means the good & uplifting as well as the disappointing & despairing. We are united by fighting bad govt of course, but we are also united by the joys we all understand & appreciate, even if it is not our own whanau on stage; or finishing the marathon; or kicking the winning goal etc. Not only could robots not MAKE this music/dance magic, but they wouldn't understand why it moves us so much either 🤷 I watched all of the clips & as someone who is not a relative of ANY of them, I was mesmerised 👍 No wonder you & Fi are proud 🫂
How wonderful and how proud you are of your family (as I am of you and yours!!). Such amazing dancers, and so much hard work that goes on. A great newsletter on life and what's marvellous in it. We often don't stop to consider the arts they slip in and out of our life. I'm so impressed at those wide splits from a leap - ouch!! What wonderful creativity and brilliance. Nz is proud.
You should be proud, you and Fi and Danza. Dance is like music where people of all classes can be part of the expression of who we are. I’ve been thinking about dancing a bit recently. My working class mum sent me and my sister off to ballet classes in Palmy. I was hopeless, but I always loved to dance and appreciate the sheer beauty of it. My sister Linda became a qualified dance teacher and set up a school in Whakatane. She used to do a recital every year so I know what went into that! All home made - all comers welcome. I don’t have to look far back in my forbears to see why I still love Irish dance, why my mother loved Spanish dance and its various offshoots. And ballet, opera in dance. Some of the most powerful music ever written for it. Dance comes from our very being and souls.
Arohanui Nick, this brought back many memories - and a few pangs of regret for dreams not realised 'cos life got in the way. However, lovely to see those who are living their dream, thanks for the opportunity to enjoy such wonderful talent <3
So awesome to see those dance items and I can well understand your pride and tears. I agree this govt is cancelling everything that’s good for people the environment and the planet. I wonder how we will come back from where they are taking us. Merry Christmas. Have a great break
Our son was a singer and we understand the emotions. We are also glad for the lessons in discipline, cooperation, and the realization that when you give of yourself like that, you receive so much in return. "Give to the world the best that you have and ..........." Isn't that the essence of life - Giving not Taking.
What a wonderful post to lift the spirits Nick. Congratulations to all of your talented family and thank goodness for parents that recognise the importance of the Arts in our life. The late Sir Ken Robinson an amazing educationalist would agree with you as his TED talk of many years ago demonstrates. As grandparents our big follow was Surf Club and the various competitions that involved. Nothing like a hot day at The Mount to test the dedication.
This was a really great nostalgic read for me. We haven't got anyone still participating in dance shows - though we did go to my son's singing show. I certainly remember the Dancebeat shows at massey high. Some really fond memories...
Thanks so much for sharing your story here, Nick. I'm sure many of your readers have whānau who are passionate about the arts, and as the creative world is thoroughly disdained by our current government it's heartening to read about this worldview. My three children (now grown up) are creatives; I spent many years supporting my elder son with his music and he is now a well-known musician and songwriter and his band The Veils are about to tour the UK and Europe again in January. My daughter studied photography at Elam and she has a great eye for beauty. My younger son is also immersed in art and music. It's been so rewarding for me to see them bloom into their creative selves, and it's a beautiful journey. I'm honoured to have been able to support them when they needed me, and I loved the entire process of being mother to their talents and passions, and yes this was often hard work! And I love being part of their audience when they perform. Meri Kirihimete, Nick.
Thanks for the lovely feedback. It was nice writing about something other than politics, but I was a little nervous as to how it might be received. Probably shouldn't have been eh 🙂
This is good because there won't be much in the way of politics for a while, and end-of-year awards, predictions, and hypothesising can only go so far.
A wonderful, heartfelt outpouring of pride, dedication and love for your family Nick. It’s so uplifting and rare for someone to display their feelings so publicly. You have an incredibly talented crew in your house, mainly I suspect due to the support you and Fi have given them over the years. Well done Nick, you got it right👍. One aspect strikes me about your family. You’re obviously not afraid to bare your feelings in good times and no so good times. If only more were able to share as you do the world would be a better place. Fabulous dancing and a great song to sign off with. There’s a whole lot wrong in the village we inhabit. Please keep up your inspirational efforts to make our streets in the village ones we enjoy living in. They are never wasted. (Neither are the musical interludes. Old or new they’re always worth hearing 🎶👍👍) Cheers to you and your whanau and many thanks for a great year’s Korero😊
That brought tears to my eyes. A whanau effort but it takes a community to raise a child eh.
You and yours have so added to that community and I thank you all for it.
As usual we agree about the govt. But I still have faith and hope in a re-election before too much more damage is done
We’ve got this Aotearoa 💜
This is a lovely start to the day. You and Fi should be proud. That is a wonderful legacy.
The current government is bereft of grace and generosity of spirit.
Quote "They know the cost of everything and the value of nothing"
Thank you for this newsletter Nick.
Reading about your children's accomplishments has brought a real smile to my dial after what has been such a trying and traumatic year for so many on so many levels.
As a parent, I can totally understand the pride you have in your kids achievements. There is nothing better than to see your kids achieve their dreams. Congratulations to both you and Fiona for being the amazing supportive parents that you are.
Along with their hard work and dedication, they wouldn't have been able to achieve what they have.
The arts are so important, and I just wish our government would understand that life is not all about Math's, English and Science.
Congratulations to you and your whole whānau.
🫂 This is why I subscribe 💜❤️ Good writing, just like life, is mult-dimensional, & sharing means the good & uplifting as well as the disappointing & despairing. We are united by fighting bad govt of course, but we are also united by the joys we all understand & appreciate, even if it is not our own whanau on stage; or finishing the marathon; or kicking the winning goal etc. Not only could robots not MAKE this music/dance magic, but they wouldn't understand why it moves us so much either 🤷 I watched all of the clips & as someone who is not a relative of ANY of them, I was mesmerised 👍 No wonder you & Fi are proud 🫂
How wonderful and how proud you are of your family (as I am of you and yours!!). Such amazing dancers, and so much hard work that goes on. A great newsletter on life and what's marvellous in it. We often don't stop to consider the arts they slip in and out of our life. I'm so impressed at those wide splits from a leap - ouch!! What wonderful creativity and brilliance. Nz is proud.
You should be proud, you and Fi and Danza. Dance is like music where people of all classes can be part of the expression of who we are. I’ve been thinking about dancing a bit recently. My working class mum sent me and my sister off to ballet classes in Palmy. I was hopeless, but I always loved to dance and appreciate the sheer beauty of it. My sister Linda became a qualified dance teacher and set up a school in Whakatane. She used to do a recital every year so I know what went into that! All home made - all comers welcome. I don’t have to look far back in my forbears to see why I still love Irish dance, why my mother loved Spanish dance and its various offshoots. And ballet, opera in dance. Some of the most powerful music ever written for it. Dance comes from our very being and souls.
Arohanui Nick, this brought back many memories - and a few pangs of regret for dreams not realised 'cos life got in the way. However, lovely to see those who are living their dream, thanks for the opportunity to enjoy such wonderful talent <3
So awesome to see those dance items and I can well understand your pride and tears. I agree this govt is cancelling everything that’s good for people the environment and the planet. I wonder how we will come back from where they are taking us. Merry Christmas. Have a great break
Our son was a singer and we understand the emotions. We are also glad for the lessons in discipline, cooperation, and the realization that when you give of yourself like that, you receive so much in return. "Give to the world the best that you have and ..........." Isn't that the essence of life - Giving not Taking.
Thank for sharing that Nick, uplifting and reminding us about the good things
What a wonderful post to lift the spirits Nick. Congratulations to all of your talented family and thank goodness for parents that recognise the importance of the Arts in our life. The late Sir Ken Robinson an amazing educationalist would agree with you as his TED talk of many years ago demonstrates. As grandparents our big follow was Surf Club and the various competitions that involved. Nothing like a hot day at The Mount to test the dedication.
Amazing! No wonder you're proud.
This was a really great nostalgic read for me. We haven't got anyone still participating in dance shows - though we did go to my son's singing show. I certainly remember the Dancebeat shows at massey high. Some really fond memories...
Thanks so much for sharing your story here, Nick. I'm sure many of your readers have whānau who are passionate about the arts, and as the creative world is thoroughly disdained by our current government it's heartening to read about this worldview. My three children (now grown up) are creatives; I spent many years supporting my elder son with his music and he is now a well-known musician and songwriter and his band The Veils are about to tour the UK and Europe again in January. My daughter studied photography at Elam and she has a great eye for beauty. My younger son is also immersed in art and music. It's been so rewarding for me to see them bloom into their creative selves, and it's a beautiful journey. I'm honoured to have been able to support them when they needed me, and I loved the entire process of being mother to their talents and passions, and yes this was often hard work! And I love being part of their audience when they perform. Meri Kirihimete, Nick.