Apologies to those who saw the email version of this newsletter, I had managed to spell Gerard's name incorrectly all three times - at least I was consistent. Fixed online now.
I agree about Grant. I have known him for 16 years and he has been my local MP for some of that time. He's kind, generous, brave, smart, funny, staunch and extremely hard working. He also has that rare skill of saying no without offending the requester.
Dear Nick, what a beautiful column you have written this morning. Thank you! You speak truth, and so does Gerard Otto, who wrote so beautifully about Poto Williams yesterday! Poto’s valedictory speech was a gem, touching our heats and still making us chuckle. A pleasure to hear your thoughts at this critically important time. Also loved the Song - so thought-provoking!!
Yes, Grant is fine but if we are thinking big, and we should, given that treasury essentially runs our system of Govt I'd suggest a troika of Bernard Hickey, Max Rashbrooke and Chlöe Swarbrick for finance.
"The Beach on 42nd St" is my favourite, not really sure what it's about but somehow it resonates with my experience being a foreigner in the US. I met Don briefly after a show at the Mercury Lounge in NYC. Musically great but mostly just homesick kiwis and not the high powered music executives one might wish for. But he was gracious and interesting just as his music would led you to believe he would be.
Dominion Road for me, I was trying to buy the collection of the best of The Muttonbirds- 'Flock' and the only country I could get a copy was from Australia....
Oh my goodness, I connected with this column in so many ways, and especially around voice. I've been listening to Sam Neill reading his own book, "Did I ever tell you this". It's a wonderful, fascinating, emotional book, and I felt many emotions while listening to it, partly because he sounds exactly like my Dad, who had the BBC diction, phrasing, accuracy, modulation and clarity required by the old NZBS back in the early 1940s when he was an announcer, and then a war correspondent. Voices are so important and, like Henry Higgins, I wonder why no one is teaching our young people how to speak so they can be heard and understood by all, not just their friends. An equally enjoyable listen was Colin Firth reading The End of the Affair by Graham Green. Another beautiful voice, another great story.
I <3 Grant Robertson. Thanks for the introduction to Gerard Otto. Incidentally, the NZ Tall Blacks play the USA in their first game of the FIBA World Cup at 12:40am, in about as big a David v Goliath sporting event as you can imagine...and I can't wait!
Beautiful and uplifting to read during these not too hopefull days as the electioneering kicks off. I love Don's music , My favourite song is Rain , off the Honè Tuwhare collection - two genius talents combined . Hone and his family were our neighbours when I was a teenager. His three sons were talented musicians.
I'm currently in UK. I thought I would take a look at the RNZ app to see what's happening back home. 4 items in I wished I hadn't. ALL bad news. I am glad to have another 10 days this side of the world. I check my emails and found this great read. And, listened to Don McGlashin singing. Very poignant and relevant song for me just now. Keep them coming Nick. 🙂
Things are much the same as ever, despite reports to the contrary. I've been enjoying following your travels. It was so lovely to see Angela a couple of weeks ago, miss you all.
I agree. I tuned in to my RNZ hoping to get a nice touch of home. I'm embarrassed at the sensationalism of grim news, the constant bickering and the 'news stories' being created from the news media's own polling results.
Apologies to those who saw the email version of this newsletter, I had managed to spell Gerard's name incorrectly all three times - at least I was consistent. Fixed online now.
I agree about Grant. I have known him for 16 years and he has been my local MP for some of that time. He's kind, generous, brave, smart, funny, staunch and extremely hard working. He also has that rare skill of saying no without offending the requester.
Dear Nick, what a beautiful column you have written this morning. Thank you! You speak truth, and so does Gerard Otto, who wrote so beautifully about Poto Williams yesterday! Poto’s valedictory speech was a gem, touching our heats and still making us chuckle. A pleasure to hear your thoughts at this critically important time. Also loved the Song - so thought-provoking!!
Lovely, Nick!
The song is so good.
My favourite, simply because it has resonances with things in my life, is Dominion Rd, but another I listen to often, is White Valiant.
Yes, Grant is fine but if we are thinking big, and we should, given that treasury essentially runs our system of Govt I'd suggest a troika of Bernard Hickey, Max Rashbrooke and Chlöe Swarbrick for finance.
"The Beach on 42nd St" is my favourite, not really sure what it's about but somehow it resonates with my experience being a foreigner in the US. I met Don briefly after a show at the Mercury Lounge in NYC. Musically great but mostly just homesick kiwis and not the high powered music executives one might wish for. But he was gracious and interesting just as his music would led you to believe he would be.
Love all of this! 'A Thing Well Made' is an absolute fave of mine. I'd also have Emily Writes alongside all these kaitiaki on the front bench ;)
I agree, and pop Nick on there too!
yep
The Front Lawn album is a masterpiece. Totally agree about Gerard and the heart and soul he pours into his postings. The Poto piece was wonderful.
Lovely generous piece of writing, thank you.
At the end of the game I thought - gosh I miss the Black Ferns!
Dominion Road for me, I was trying to buy the collection of the best of The Muttonbirds- 'Flock' and the only country I could get a copy was from Australia....
Oh my goodness, I connected with this column in so many ways, and especially around voice. I've been listening to Sam Neill reading his own book, "Did I ever tell you this". It's a wonderful, fascinating, emotional book, and I felt many emotions while listening to it, partly because he sounds exactly like my Dad, who had the BBC diction, phrasing, accuracy, modulation and clarity required by the old NZBS back in the early 1940s when he was an announcer, and then a war correspondent. Voices are so important and, like Henry Higgins, I wonder why no one is teaching our young people how to speak so they can be heard and understood by all, not just their friends. An equally enjoyable listen was Colin Firth reading The End of the Affair by Graham Green. Another beautiful voice, another great story.
Lovely, and yes - I think Grant is a great all-round guy too.
Loved the column today because it resonated with hope and there is plenty to be learned from collective wisdom. Don’s song was a good’un too. 😀
I <3 Grant Robertson. Thanks for the introduction to Gerard Otto. Incidentally, the NZ Tall Blacks play the USA in their first game of the FIBA World Cup at 12:40am, in about as big a David v Goliath sporting event as you can imagine...and I can't wait!
Beautiful and uplifting to read during these not too hopefull days as the electioneering kicks off. I love Don's music , My favourite song is Rain , off the Honè Tuwhare collection - two genius talents combined . Hone and his family were our neighbours when I was a teenager. His three sons were talented musicians.
The interview with Don was lovely (shame about the interviewer, who skated over and trivialsed the politics of his 80s songs).
I'm currently in UK. I thought I would take a look at the RNZ app to see what's happening back home. 4 items in I wished I hadn't. ALL bad news. I am glad to have another 10 days this side of the world. I check my emails and found this great read. And, listened to Don McGlashin singing. Very poignant and relevant song for me just now. Keep them coming Nick. 🙂
Things are much the same as ever, despite reports to the contrary. I've been enjoying following your travels. It was so lovely to see Angela a couple of weeks ago, miss you all.
I agree. I tuned in to my RNZ hoping to get a nice touch of home. I'm embarrassed at the sensationalism of grim news, the constant bickering and the 'news stories' being created from the news media's own polling results.
For God's sake New Zealand, stop fighting!
Barb
Currently in UK
I must add - thanks for the wonderful picture you painted for us today.
Don't believe the press pushing Law and order for National.