The Big Mac Index - New Zealand Similar To US Dollar

The New Zealand dollar is almost perfectly weighted against the US dollar according to the latest update of the Big Mac Index.  This is contrary to what many exporters believe!  I find this index interesting as it involves buying hamburgers and using this to get a gauge on the value of a currency.  I have purchased expensive McDonalds in countries like Sweden and Switzerland and also bought a $5 combo in Hong Kong not very long ago!  There is a cool interactive tool which shows the rankings and Venezuela is the most expensive place to buy a Big Mac by the looks of things.

THE Big Mac index was invented by The Economist in 1986 as a lighthearted guide to whether currencies are at their “correct” level. It is based on the theory of purchasing-power parity (PPP), the notion that in the long run exchange rates should move towards the rate that would equalise the prices of an identical basket of goods and services (in this case, a burger) in any two countries. For example, the average price of a Big Mac in America at the start of 2013 was $4.37; in China it was only $2.57 at market exchange rates. So the "raw" Big Mac index says that the yuan was undervalued by 41% at that time.

Burgernomics was never intended as a precise gauge of currency misalignment, merely a tool to make exchange-rate theory more digestible. Yet the Big Mac index has become a global standard, included in several economic textbooks and the subject of at least 20 academic studies. For those who take their fast food more seriously, we have also calculated a gourmet version of the index.

This adjusted index addresses the criticism that you would expect average burger prices to be cheaper in poor countries than in rich ones because labour costs are lower. PPP signals where exchange rates should be heading in the long run, as a country like China gets richer, but it says little about today's equilibrium rate. The relationship between prices and GDP per person may be a better guide to the current fair value of a currency. The adjusted index uses the “line of best fit” between Big Mac prices and GDP per person for 48 countries (plus the euro area). The difference between the price predicted by the red line for each country, given its income per person, and its actual price gives a supersized measure of currency under- and over-valuation.

 http://www.economist.com/content/big-mac-index

Sir Paul Holmes Dies

Sir Paul Holmes has died aged 62.  I thought Holmes was older than this, given how old he looked just before he passed away.  He seemed to leave the broadcasting scene very quickly.  He ruffled plenty of feathers in his time like Dennis Connor, his "cheeky darky" comment, his most hated Christmas gift CD and his olive oil.  RIP Sir Paul Holmes.  What are your memories of Sir Paul Holmes?

Broadcasting trailblazer Sir Paul Holmes died at his beloved Hawke's Bay home surrounded by his family this morning.
Holmes, 62, had been battling heart problems and the return of prostate cancer, which he recently said was more aggressive than before.
His family said in a statement that he died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, just as he had wanted.
"More than just a broadcaster, Paul was a loving husband and father, as well as a generous friend. He loved people and people loved him."
His wife, Lady Deborah, and children, Millie and Reuben, and brother Ken, thanked the public for their "incredible support", but said they now needed privacy to grieve.
Information on how the public could pay tribute to Holmes would be announced in due course.
He ended his broadcasting career in November because of poor health and was a late addition to the New Year honours list, being made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
He has been suffering for much of the past year from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - a genetic heart condition that thickens muscles and restricts bloodflow - and from prostate cancer.
Holmes had four hours of open-heart surgery earlier last year in Auckland Hospital, including nearly a week in an induced coma as he recovered.
He was back in hospital in November after he got an infection.
"When you have a few health scares it makes you think and it provides an opportunity for perspective, " he said at the time, as he stepped down from his role as a mainstay presenter for radio station Newstalk ZB.
He headlined TVNZ's flagship Holmes programme until 2004.

 http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/celebrities/8250566/Sir-Paul-Holmes-dies

Cheeky Streaker Gets Stuck In Football Goal Net - Burkina Faso 4 Ethiopia 0

This cheeky streaker got stuck in the football goal net during a match between Burkina Faso and Ethiopia. It looks a bit painful seeing him get stuck and unable to get himself out until security help him. For the record Burkina Faso won 4-0. Did he not realise the net is fastened and you just can't run through it, especially when not wearing much?

Wellington Welcomes Warm Weather - Everybody Is Talking About It!

As a meterologist of some repute, I find it interesting how New Zealanders always talk about the weather.  If we were from somewhere like the Australian outback where the weather is fine and hot everyday or Quito, Ecuador where the average temperature is always the same, then us kiwis would have nothing to talk about.

The recent heatwave is the hottest weather I have experienced in succession in Wellington, but I am learning some things about meterology as part of it.  The presence of urban heat islands in the CBD are really obvious and the fact that Wellington's topography is causing all sorts of random microclimates has been obvious.

Take Wellington Anniversary Day on 21st January.  I thought it was going to be a great day to go to the beach in Wellington.  It ended up that if I had ventured out of the city and into Lower Hutt, Petone or even Eastbourne then I would have had great weather, but in Wellington itself, the sun didn't come out until about 3pm.  Until then, the city was covered in a blanket of cloud.

Over the past few days, the mercury has climed into the mid 20s, but according to the Metservice website, we have struggled to reach 20 degrees.  It is all based on wind direction and where the readings are taken from.  It ends up that most websites take the temperature for Wellington city, from the airport which has been exposed to the wind.  This means that you walk out of the office in the Wellington CBD expecting it to be a comfortable 20 degrees, but it is a less comfortable 25 degrees and more sweat producing temperature.

The weather is great in Wellington at the moment, but for the first time living here, I have caught the bus to right outside work because of the good weather, rather than the poor weather.  It seems that I don't want to get too sweaty for date night!

It ends up that the Western Hills reading is taken from Kelburn, which is closer to town than the airport and probably more useful for people who live or work in town.

There are also plenty of weather websites out there which do heaps of cool things.  The Wunderground website has a cool map.  It definitely shows the black ashphalt and shelter of tall buildings is making for some hot office workers in the CBD!

http://www.wunderground.com/wundermap/?lat=-41.30000183&lon=174.78000305&zoom=13&pin=Wellington%2C+New+Zealand&rad.type=00Q

Gareth Morgan Slams Wellington Phoenix Fans - Give Me Results Over Style!

Wellington Phoenix owners Welnix big cheese Gareth Morgan has come out slamming Wellington Phoenix fans for not supporting their team despite them sitting stonecold motherless last in the Hyundai A League.  Attendances have been lacking as no one wants to show up in windy weather to watch their team lose, but Morgan seems to think that changing the style of play to Total Football (a highly technical style, where all players can interchange positions) will help and has pressurised coach Ricki Herbert into playing a style that neither he or the players in his squad are used to playing.

I do agree with Morgan to an extent.  I think people should be loyal to their team no matter if they win or lose, but in all honesty, they will capture more theatre going fans, if they are winning.

It seems weird that Morgan with limited sporting prowess thinks that the long term stability of the Wellington Phoenix relies on them playing attractive football and his suggestion that they change their style halfway through a season seems crazy.  I think he should stick to eradicating cats!

New Zealand football and the Wellington Phoenix have never been blessed with heaps of technical footballers, instead we are traditionally a team of grafters.  Just because Barcelona play more of a Total Football style and the Dutch traditionally have, doesn't mean that the Wellington Phoenix have to.  Who says that teams can't win ugly?  Who says that by playing attractive football you will win more often?  I disagree with Gareth Morgan.  I am sure the All Blacks did too when playing an ugly style to win the Rugby World Cup 2011.  It took them years to realise that it is better to win ugly than lose playing an attractive style.

If Morgan is so keen on this Total Football he needs to bring in some young technical players, because trying to get a number of current old grafters to play an unfamiliar style that they are not skilled enough to play is like trying to fit a square peg into a round whole.  Other teams in the A League have the players to play the style of play the Phoenix are trying to play, better.  Surely that means that it will never be successful!

I would be more likely to show up to a Wellington Phoenix match if the team was winning.  I remember when they made the finals and there were big crowds at the stadium.  A well performing team, nice weather and the timing of the game are more important to me than any style of play.

I have played football for years as a hardened central defender, so this could explain my lack of worrying about style.  Results will get bums on seats.

This article is in response to this

 http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/8216985/Gareth-Morgan-slams-fans-for-lack-of-patience

Bradford City Make League Cup Final - Truly Inspirational!

Bradford City have made it to the League Cup Final despite losing 2-1 to Premiership side Aston Villa.  The magnitude of this event is inspirational for me since I am the founding manager and former owner of Redemption FC.  The amazing thing is that Bradford City are 10th in the fourth top division of English football and standing in the way of them winning the League Cup and gaining entry to Europe is the winner of the tie between Swansea and Chelsea.  If Chelsea make the final, the two teams will be polar opposites.

Bradford City is worth 7500 pounds (so most players are completely amateur) compared with Chelsea which Forbes Magazine rates as the seventh richest club in the world at 473 million pounds.

It would be amazing if Bradford City win, but both Chelsea and Swansea would go into the final as favourites should they make it.

Who do you think will win the League Cup? 

Sir Cliff Richard Playing In Wellington

Sir Cliff Richard is playing in New Zealand later in January.  Wellington has hosted plenty of former stars recently joining the likes of The Village People and Boys 2 Men.  Are these old timers running out of money and having to tour to pay the bills?  What kind of crowd will Sir Cliff Richard attract?  It won't be The Young Ones!  Are you willing to pay $100 plus to see Sir Cliff Richard play at the TSB Arena in front of heaps of older English people?  What is your favourite one of his songs?  Wired for Sound?  Young Ones?  Living Doll?

Tickets are available at Ticketek.  He is also playing in Christchurch.

http://premier.ticketek.co.nz/shows/show.aspx?sh=CLIFF2013&v=WQW

Lance Armstrong Books Moved to the Fiction Section!

 

 

 

Here is a great sign from the Manly Library.

"All non-fiction Lance Armstrong books will soon be moved to the fiction section"

Kiwis Build World's Biggest Waterslide

Two kiwi guys have built the world's largest waterslide to raise money for charity and awareness of depression.  From a young age I have loved waterslides, but a 650 metre waterslide sounds awesome and on February 23-24th 2000 lucky kiwis will have a chance to use it.  I used to get car sick as a child and dreamed of going from Invercargill to Dunedin on a hydroslide. 

I hope this waterslide is safe and it will be interesting to see how many layers of swimsuits get holes burned in them.  Will people go down forwards, backwards or sitting?  I wonder how much water it will use.  It costs $46 to use.  Here is a preview video of the World's Biggest Waterslide.

Kiwi charity 'Live More Awesome' is hard at work building the 'World's Biggest Waterslide' right here in New Zealand. 

The 650-metre long waterslide is the length of two Sky Towers. The massive slide is being built just 30 minutes from Auckland, to raise funds and awareness for depression through the not-for-profit charity. The two-day event is set down for February 23-24 and features three waterslides, food, a shaded hang out area and Kiwi entertainment. "The 'World's Biggest Waterslide' is about pushing boundaries and creating the ultimate summer event. We have some epic entertainment planned for the day and we can't wait to see the reaction on people's faces as they come down the slides, it will be a truly unique experience," says charity co-founder Jimi Hunt.

According to the Mental Health Foundation, depression in New Zealand has affected as many as one in five people within the past year alone.

'Live More Awesome' co-founder Dan Drupsteen says he and Hunt are "a couple of Kiwi guys who, like so many others, have really suffered at hands of depression".

"It was really tough, but having come out the other side we decided the best way for us to keep depression at bay was to 'Live More Awesome'.

We hope this amazing project will encourage others to do the same and we want people to know it's ok to ask for help," he says.

Tickets for the event start at $46 and are limited to 2,000 people. Head to indiegogo.com for ticket details.

http://nz.lifestyle.yahoo.com/health/wellbeing/article/-/15849367/kiwis-building-worlds-biggest-waterslide/

2012 World Thumb Wrestling Championships

 

Lowestoft in Great Britain hosted the 2012 World Thumb Wrestling Championships in July 2012. It is an official sport much like peaknuckle, but you play each other by putting your hand inside a mini wrestling ring. Flash who was one of the favourites won the 2012 World Thumb Wrestling Championships. There is a women's section too and I wonder if my girlfriend with her small but double jointed thumb will be able to win? She has the ability to squirm out of most thumb wrestling moves.

Lance Armstrong Comes Clean Confessing To Doping

Surprise, surprise Lance Armstrong has confessed to doping on an Oprah Winfrey network show.  While this isn't surprising, it is good to finally here a confession from the horse's mouth, given the years of hearsay, rumours and speculation.  No doubt this will increase ratings on Oprah's show.   



What will happen to Lance Armstrong now?  I wonder what happens to all of his money and prizes from years of winning cycle races? 

LATEST: Lance Armstrong has confessed to Oprah Winfrey that he used performance-enhancing drugs to win the Tour de France, a person familiar with the situation says.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the interview is to be broadcast Thursday (US time) on Winfrey's network.
Armstrong was stripped of all seven Tour titles last year following a voluminous US Anti-Doping Agency report that portrayed him as a ruthless competitor, willing to go to any lengths to win the prestigious race.
USADA chief executive Travis Tygart labeled the doping regimen allegedly carried out by the US Postal Service team that Armstrong once led, "The most sophisticated, professionalised and successful doping programme that sport has ever seen."
After a federal investigation of the cyclist was dropped without charges being brought last year, USADA stepped in with an investigation of its own. The agency deposed 11 former teammates and accused Armstrong of masterminding a complex and brazen drug programme that included steroids, blood boosters and a range of other performance-enhancers.
A group of about 10 close friends and advisers to Armstrong left a downtown Austin hotel about three hours after they arrived for the taping. Among them were Armstrong's attorneys Tim Herman and Sean Breen, along with Bill Stapleton, Armstrong's longtime agent, manager and business partner. All declined comment entering and exiting the session.
Soon afterward, Winfrey tweeted: "Just wrapped with (at)lancearmstrong More than 2 1/2 hours. He came READY!" She was scheduled to appear on "CBS This Morning" tomorrow to discuss the interview.
In a text to the Associated Press on Saturday, Armstrong said: "I told her (Winfrey) to go wherever she wants and I'll answer the questions directly, honestly and candidly. That's all I can say."
Armstrong stopped at the Livestrong Foundation, which he founded, on his way to the interview and said, "I'm sorry" to staff members, some of whom broke down in tears. A person with knowledge of that session said Armstrong choked up and several employees cried during the session.
The person also said Armstrong apologised for letting the staff down and putting Livestrong at risk but he did not make a direct confession to using banned drugs.


He said he would try to restore the foundation's reputation, and urged the group to continue fighting for the charity's mission of helping cancer patients and their families.
Armstrong spoke to a room full of about 100 staff members for about 20 minutes, expressing regret for everything the controversy has put them through, the person said.
He told them how much the foundation means to him and that he considers the people who work there to be like members of his family. None of the people in the room challenged Armstrong over his long denials of doping.
Winfrey and her crew had earlier said they would film the interview at Armstrong's home. As a result, local and international news crews were encamped near the cyclist's Spanish-style villa before dawn.
Armstrong still managed to slip away for a run despite the crowds outside his home. He returned by cutting through a neighbour's yard and hopping a fence.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/8178347/Armstrong-confesses-to-doping-report

Should Christians Get Tattoos and Piercings?

I know plenty of Christians with tattoos and piercings. I don't have any myself as I have never really seen myself as the type of person to get a nipple ring or a tattoo, although once I did contemplate getting a small "stag" on my back following the great Southland Stags Ranfurly Shield era of the 2009-2011 team. Should Christians get piercings or tattoos? I have only really seen them as fashion marks, but there is some scripture about it in the Bible which has made me think more about it. I am left thinking that Christians may not know about what the Bible says about tattoos. There is often more to it than just getting ink done, maybe there is something more spiritual about it? Leviticus 19:28 “‘Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord. Is there any difference from people getting tattoos and piercings as art? Is it fine for women to wear earrings, but men shouldn't have one or a nipple ring? What about people with Christian tattoos who use them to start conversations with non Christians? I know Neemia Tialata has Jesus on a cross on his back. Is there are better way to start a conversation with a non Christian? What about people with cultural tattoos? Aren't our bodies temples of the Holy Spirit? 1st Corinthians 6:19 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? Should Christians get tattoos and piercings?

"Justice" Most Rejected Baby Name in New Zealand

The Department of Internal Affairs have rejected plenty of names which attempted to be registered in the last decade. Justice tops the list including Justus the same name as a Redemption FC old boy. I can understand people trying to someone Duke, Major or King, but seriously why would you want your child to grow up with the name . or / ? I didn't necessarily realise there would be a problem calling someone Duke or Bishop given that they are both common surnames and often people have a family name as a first name. What are the worst names you have heard and think should be banned? Are you surprised by Justice being the most commonly rejected name? I know a Justus, but think that it is probably fine to register some names overseas where they don't have the same meaning.

 

Of the 285 names rejected between July 2001 and September last year, "Justice" was by far the most refused baby name.

Sixty people, or 63 if you include Juztice and Justus (2), have tried and failed to name their babies as if they were a High Court judge.

Eleven of these were in the past 18 months.

Also topping the list are other names easily confused with titles, such as 29 Kings, 27 Princesses, 26 Princes, nine Majors, nine Dukes, and eight Bishops.

Twenty-one parents tried and failed to name their bundle of joy Royal.

Internal Affairs births, deaths and marriages registrar-general Ross McPherson said no names were specifically banned.

But the law said names could be no more than 100 letters long, none could be offensive to a reasonable person, and each name had to abide by the dictionary definition of a name - that it was a word or a group of words.

Names that could be mistaken for a title, such as Justice or King, would be accepted only if the parents could justify it. But even a father named King, before a 1995 legislation change, would now not necessarily be able to name his son after himself.

"Sometimes it is pretty simple. ‘Anal', for example, for most people, is quite offensive."

One of the more peculiar names parents failed to register was the letter J, which had six attempts, as well as E, T, and I with two attempts apiece. The letters C, G, D and M were also declined.

The names 2nd, 3rd, and 5th were turned down but mysteriously, 1st and 4th were not attempted in the past decade.

A simple full stop (.) and a forward stroke (/) were also turned down.

Mr McPherson said he was aware of instances where people tried to register names with more than 100 letters, but then reduced them to fit in with legislation, meaning there were some New Zealanders with 99-letter names.

Being refused on the official register did not stop parents from unofficially naming their child, for example, Justice.

Mr McPherson, whose own children are named Danielle and Kieran, said his job did not help when naming his own children as those that crossed his desk were the ones that were questionable.

Of the most popular names last year, 312 Olivias made that the top girls' name, while 374 Jacks topped the boys' list.
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NAMES DECLINED

The most commonly declined names of the past decade:

Justice: 60

King: 29

Princess: 27

Prince: 26

Royal: 21

Major: 9

Duke: 9

Bishop: 8

J: 6

Lucifer: 6

 http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/8173226/Theres-no-Justice-in-baby-naming

My Holiday in Invercargill, Queenstown and Wanaka

This summer I visited family for Christmas in Invercargill and then went with them to Queenstown and Wanaka. 

I haven't been to Queenstown and Wanaka for ages.  I used to go there growing up and they are one of the faster growing places in New Zealand.  It will be interesting to see population statistics when the next census takes places.

I have forgotten that Queenstown is a haven for teeny boppers over New Years and that my standards of entertainment like bands and celebrations have increased.  There are amazing views in both Queenstown and Wanaka with the lake, but I much prefer the sea.  There are more young adventure junkies and travellers there for the party scene compared with the families and retired couples in Wanaka.  Places like this do struggle over summer when the weather isn't very nice especially as they lack the infrastructure to handle the influx of tourists.  These towns are both spreading with nice new houses, while the Crown Range road cuts down on travelling time between the two towns.

I have got to the stage where I think I saw three people at different stages of my holidays that I knew from my time down south, but it is difficult now that people have got older and changed from the student days.  It is difficult when people have bulked up (me) and are wearing sunnies.  Time for a Facebook cull?

Here is a photo of my sister and me with my new Christmas presents! It is difficult to believe, but the weather at Christmas time in Invercargill was hot at Christmas, allowing me to go for two swims at Oreti Beach which has been made famous by the movie "The World's Fastest Indian".

 

 

 

 

The present of Christmas was the onesie (above), despite the sizing issue!

 

Here is my family in Wanaka.

 

 

On the luge chairlift in Queenstown with my niece.

 

 

In one of Queenstown's ice bars.  Why does somewhere the size Queenstown need two ice bars?  It was cool and I wonder if Wellington should get an ice bar, it could make the outdoor temperature seem warmer. 

 

 

 

New Years Eve on the luge in Queenstown.

 

 

Wanaka's maze and world of illusion.  The maze got frustrating, while the illusions were more fun, although I felt a bit sick after being in this room. 

 

 

 

The weather was a mixed bag in Queenstown and Wanaka.  There was even snow on The Crown Range.  It rained constantly between Christmas and New Years.  The 5th of January was really hot and so I finally got a swim in Lake Wakatipu.   

 

 

I enjoyed Patagonia ice creams!

Things are expensive in places like Queenstown and Wanaka, but you can walk to the top of Mount Iron for free!

Below, I walked Mount Iron in Wanaka, such amazing views! 

 

Major Fire at James Hargest High School

There's a fire at my old high school, James Hargest College in Invercargill.

LATEST: A fire has destroyed 500 square metres of James Hargest College senior campus this morning.
A fire communications spokesman said crews arrived at the scene about 5.50am to find buildings well ablaze.
The buildings have suffered extensive damage and fire investigators are examining the scene.
Six crews of firefighters are still at the school, continuing to damp down the fire.
It was likely they would be there for some time today, the spokesman said.

It is understood the block was in the process of being refurbished.
 

http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/8138622/Fire-at-city-school

Blackcaps 45 All Out - Facebook Friends Slam New Zealand Cricket Team

The Blackcaps were bowled out for 45 against South Africa yesterday which got some great status updates on Facebook as people saw an all too familiar lack of spine by the New Zealand cricket team.  We shouldn't be surprised given that South Africa is the best team in the world and are playing at home and we are eighth and are without some of our best players like Ross Taylor, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee and Daniel Vettori.  We also won the toss and elected to bat, which didn't help our cause in new captain Brendon McCullum's first test at the helm.

Here are some status updates from my Facebook friends including me,feel free to add your comment here.

Just when you thought NZ cricket couldn't possibly get any worse

45 all out. At least I got to see our entire innings before going to bed.

well you cant blames jesse ryder for not wanting to go to south africa i wouldnt want to be part of that team well done the BLACK CRAPS you are the laughing stock of the world some heads need to role MARTIN CROWE to become coach and john kirwin to be manger therer are going to need some antidepressants after that loss

I can almost understand getting bowled out for 45, but four mis-fields in 15 overs is unforgivable
I wonder if we will lose Test Status after that batting effort?
All out for 45.
the only positive thing about that innings was that chris martin didn't get out for a duck