29 Comments

Looks like Facebook are back to their old tricks removing posts. If you click on the option to challenge it they don't take long to re-instate posts but it's a bloody pain in the butt having to do so as Facebook discourages people from stepping outside of it's walls.

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I'm just about Done (w capital D) with Facebook.

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We loved that interview with Sean Sweeney. Politicians who have never built a thing need to reflect on their priorities, Potholes and 4 lane motorways for example. Also loved hearing about your Dad : will be sure to look further. John and I were reflecting this morning that engineering and construction are very creative ; Building a bridge for example ; how marvellous is that! Thank goodness the CRL has gotten so far it can't be cancelled by Simeon.

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Lovely post, Nick. Your pride in and respect for your family is touching and I also love that you express the same values in your work. Congratulations also to Mr Rockel Sr, for the book and for raising a good ‘un.

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Me too!

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I've gotten a couple of enquiries about Dad's books. You can find some of them here although it doesn't look as though the new one is up yet:

https://steeleroberts.co.nz/?s=rockel&post_type=product

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Happy family days are an ongoing treasure, enjoy yesterday in the future as you look back ‘on the good times’. Do we think Sean was hinting at the need of a reborn MOW?

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I had the same thought, Keith, and tracked down an article from last year that makes a good case for it. Sadly, it would require a degree of cross-party support that is long gone. Here’s the link https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2023/03/28/What-was-so-great-about-the-ministry-of-works.html

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Excellent article, thanks

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There’s nothing as powerful as first person commentary.

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Gee, I hope so.

But....I can just hear all the nay-sayers. Sigh.

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Helen Clark has a webinar shortly I think discussing infrastructure be worth a listen . I remember back when Sir Dove Myer Robinson wanted to build a underground railway it was shouted down then by people with no vision.Years before that my grandmother said they should build an underground railway people are too short sighted I agree it should be out of politics.I mean you can't even build a house without having overruns how the hell it can't happen on these massive projects doesn't seem sensible down to having top people project managing I imagine. Your pictures of the poetry day looked really cool 😎🤩🤩.

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Another great Korero today Nick, much food for thought again. First, congrats to your father for his works. He looks like a very wise gentleman who's family are very proud of.

Also. I didn't see the original reminiscence about Andrew Hoskins but did today. I'm sure it brought back memories for many of us of love and loss. Very well written indeed, touching all the right places.

If there's one criticism I have about my adopted country, it's the staggering lack of foresight by so many leaders to take the brave steps and build for a future they apparently can't imagine. When I arrived in 1972, Auckland Airport had one small terminal with lots of cow filled paddocks surrounding it. Every attempt made to upgrade it over the years has resulted in facilities already 10 years out of date when finished, and it still goes on, costing more billions with each new plan. Nichola Willis' cancellation of the new ferries and port facilities to accommodate them is a classic example. Labour had everything signed, costed and ready to rock. A second hand Toyota Corolla may be suitable for a mother of four to add to her budget, but is certainly not for a government which should pride itself on delivering a "progressive commitment" approach for the future not still building for the past. Time to pull the fingers out, bite the bullet and get the job expected of you, Coalition of Cheap Car Collectors.

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Thanks Nick, for acknowledging family along with ideas for our country. Proud of you. I also love that you take the photos that we need for our memories. I loved seeing the grandchildren there, now young adults after years of seeing little kids at such gatherings. Dad's concerns for a future for not only NZ but the world is in his poetry. I have to think therefore about the uncertain future for our grandchildren's grandchildren. I am optimistic though - as long as human beings keep compassion alive. You're helping to do that.

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In my experience of project management we said, 'Good, cheap, fast - any two.'

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What a delightful post Nick. Seems like apple, tree you know the phrase. What a talent you all have.

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A superb entwining of stories. Thanks for sharing, so enjoy knowing. Adore Andrew. Johnny Tillotson my music, thanks for revealing his face to me. Been such an eye opener that I would enjoy much music yet never know the names or faces of so many. Thanks for that.

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It will be NZs loss when Sean leaves our shores. For someone to express the views he has so succinctly was bloody marvelous.

Well done Dad, Ian Munes reading in different styles reminded me of my piano teacher many years ago. He gave a public recital of the nursery rhyme "Three blind mice" played as Bach, Chopin and Beethoven would have written it. Still remember it 65 years on.

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Great thought provoking article as always, but all I’m left thinking is “your dad is a poet? That is sooooooo cool.” 😊

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Thank you Nick for the helpful commentary on the Q&A interview. Sean Sweeney made a lot of sense by the sounds of things. Also lovely to hear about your Dad’s special day.

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Politics? Divisive, aggressive, disruptive, biased, corrupt, and all other similar words. But, it is always what we vote for, because that is our political system, the Westminster system. The only way it will change, is if WE make it change. Don't wait for the politicians, they are locked into the failed system, if there is any remote prospect for change it can only come from the people. Look at Ireland, Scandinavian politics, Europe. All we do need is a group of people to put their name on a list, on "THE LIST", if we cannot think of a better name. THE LIST - politics for people? Come on people, make it happen - put you name down, and lets see what we can do?

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There is that old saying.

"If voting really mattered they wouldn't let you do it"

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IT DOES MATTER! All we need is to take control of the process! no one else will!!!

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Yes, it should matter. But, does it really, we end up with tweedledum or tweedledee, different faces of the same neoliberal coin.

I'm a fan of civil disobedience, Ghandi style. Plod Coster was ridiculed for saying that they police with the permission of the public. I believe this to be true. If enough people went and sat down on the motorway what is plod going to do.

Furthermore l always liked what the great American president Thomas Jefferson said "It is every citizens duty to ignore stupid law". Note he said DUTY.

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