AmeriNZ 364 – Changes all around

amerinz_podcast_1400x1400-2016This is the first episode of the sixteenth season of the AmeriNZ Podcast—sort of. There have been some changes to New Zealand’s response to Covid 19, and I talk about that first. Then, I talk about some changes closer to home—well, in my home, actually.

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Links for this episode
”New Zealand to stay at Red as vaccine passes and most mandates end” – NZ Government media release
”Update on COVID-19 cases — 8 April 2022” – I referred to these stats.

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AmeriNZ 362 – Changes aplenty

amerinz_podcast_1400x1400-2016New Zealand has just made some changes to our Covid-19 rules, and more are on the way. That’s my main topic today, together with my view on why it’s a good idea, as well as the reasons it’s necessary. I also have a brief update about my previous episode. Back on Monday! (NZ time, of course…)

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Links for this episode
Changes again (again) – My blog post on the changes
Changes to the traffic light system – Unite Against Covid-19 (NZ government site)
Reopening the New Zealand border – Immigration New Zealand (NZ government site)

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AmeriNZ 361 – The ever-changing times

amerinz_podcast_1400x1400-2016I recorded this episode last Friday (March 11), but didn’t have time to finish editing it that day—or all weekend. Life happens. This episode begins with me talking about my solar electricity system, and where things are at. I’ll have a more in-depth look at it after twelve months, but a check-in now is still a good idea—it’s been awhile!

The bulk of this episode, though, is about the three-week occupation of the grounds of the NZ Parliament—which is ironic because only I posted my previous episode only a short time before the occupation began. In that episode, I talked about why I thought New Zealand hadn’t had anything like the angry, aggressive, often irrational “protests” other countries had seen. Well, we have now! I have a nuanced perspective, as is usually the case, though my opinion of the occupiers is still negative. Below is an extended list of links to New Zealand coverage of various aspects of the occupation.

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Links for this episode
Parliament protesters dig trenches to avoid ‘all night’ sprinklers – By André Chumko, Sophie Cornish, Erin Gourley and Matthew Tso, Stuff
‘Splintered realities’: How NZ convoy lost its way – By Marc Daalder, newsroom
The Trumpism spilling out onto Parliament’s lawn is the new virus – By Andrea Vance, Stuff
Do the protesters in Wellington even know what ‘freedom’ means? – By Jehan Casinader, Stuff
Wellington protesters’ extreme distrust of mainstream media – By Kristin Hall, 1News (TVNZ)
Tinfoil hats, Winnie, and the poo: Anti-mandate protest nears end of third week – By Virginia Fallon, Stuff (sums up most of the occupation)
Iwi take unprecedented stand against ‘abusive’ protesters who invaded marae – By Glenn McConnell, Stuff
Yesterday was New Zealand’s January 6. What happens now? – By Nik Dirga, RNZ (Full disclosure: I met Nik when he was a guest on the podcast way back in 2008, on episode 71)

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AmeriNZ 358 – On hold again

amerinz_podcast_1400x1400-2016Last week I had one set of updates about Covid in New Zealand, and then everything changed a couple days later—and then kept changing. I talk about that first, before talking about some sad news I didn’t mention last week, followed by an update on one of my projects.

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Links for this episode
“COVID-19: Vaccine data” – This is the official data from the NZ Ministry of Health, updated weekly.
“Northland moves to Alert Level 3 tonight”1News
“Back up to Level 3” – My blog post on Waikato going to Level 3.
“The worried well” – My blog post from yesterday, before the new announcement.
Super Saturday – From the official government website.
“Farewell, Jake” – My blog post on Jake’s death.
“Open, says me” – My post on the development on my Mac Project.
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AmeriNZ 355 – Sun cents

amerinz_podcast_1400x1400-2016Not for the first time, I decided to re-record because I didn’t like what I’d done. This time, that allowed me to add more stuff to talk about..

After the Covid and NZ news, I update where things are at with my solar energy system. After that, I talk about my recent guest spot on ArcherRadio. That leads me to talk about some changes I’m going to make in what I do on this podcast.

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Links for this episode
“COVID-19: Vaccine data” – This is the official data from the NZ Ministry of Health, updated weekly.
“Estimated population of NZ” – This is the source of the population estimate I use to work out the percentage of New Zealanders who have been vaccinated. It is from States NZ, a NZ Government entity, and the estimate is updated every three months.
“Covid-19: Man who flew from Perth during lockdown now in managed isolation”Stuff
“Brisbane Airport green zone breach traveller tests positive for Covid-19”RNZ
“Covid-19: Air NZ reports bubble breach as Rarotonga traveller connects direct to Perth”Stuff
“India travel ban lifts as New Zealanders stuck there
plead for help to get them home”
RNZ
“Sun cents” – My blog post about the PV solar energy system that I talked about.

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AmeriNZ 354 – I got the power

amerinz_podcast_1400x1400-2016A day late, but I still begin with the vaccination update I started last week.

The vaccination talk leads to some NZ News about a particular person who tested positive this week. This came after the quarantine-free travel between New Zealand and Australia began on Monday. After that, I talk about why I wasn’t able to record yesterday, including a very powerful development for me.

Be sure to Like the AmeriNZ Facebook Page for all things AmeriNZ.

Links for this episode
“COVID-19: Vaccine data” – This is the official data from the NZ Ministry of Health, updated weekly.
“Estimated population of NZ” – This is the source of the population estimate I use to work out the percentage of New Zealanders who have been vaccinated. It is from States NZ, a NZ Government entity, and the estimate is updated every three months.
“Auckland Airport worker tests positive for Covid-19”One News
“The bubble opens” – My blog post on the day.
“Christchurch terrorist withdraws legal challenge”RNZ
“Powerful mission accomplished” – My blog post updating the solar power project.

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AmeriNZ 353 – Working the plan

amerinz_podcast_1400x1400-2016This episode includes the debut of a new mini-segment, something I’m beginning because of a conversation I had on the AmeriNZ Facebook Page.

I begin today by talking about New Zealand’s vaccination programme, how that compares with Australia, and also about related topics. Then I move on to talk about stuff I’m doing to my house, projects to help prepare the place for my retirement. The latest project also fulfils one of Nigel’s dreams, which makes me happy, too.

Be sure to Like the AmeriNZ Facebook Page for all things AmeriNZ.

Links for this episode
“COVID-19: Vaccine data” – This is the official data from the NZ Ministry of Health, updated weekly.
“Estimated population of NZ” – This is the source of the population estimate I use to work out the percentage of New Zealanders who have been vaccinated. It is from States NZ, a NZ Government entity, and the estimate is updated every three months.
“New Zealand’s vaccine rollout might be slow, but it’s looking a lot better than Australia’s”Stuff
“Two new cases, both in managed isolation” – This story from Stuff also talks about the MIQ guard who tested positive.
“MIQ contractor First Security disputes Government ‘misinformation’ over Covid-19 testing failure of border worker”Stuff
“What the numbers say about the India travel ban”Stuff
“Home work” – My blog post about the ventilation system I added to my house.
“Powering my future” – My blog post about my latest project for the house.

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AmeriNZ 348 – Midyear

amerinz_podcast_1400x1400-2016We’re in the second half on 2019 already! I talk briefly about that before going to NZ news, specifically, some recent changes that will affect tourists coming to New Zealand. There was also a weird rightwing social media freakout over a cake. Plus a couple other stories, along with a “me” update.

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There are several ways to send me an audio message—this earlier post lists them.

Links for this episode
“At the midpoint” – My blog post on the midpoint of this year
“Information about the NZeTA” – NZ Immigration
“Paying the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy” – NZ Immigration
“Americans will need a travel document to enter New Zealand, starting Oct. 1”Washington Post
“It’s just cake” – My blog post on the rightwing overreaction to the NZ Prime Minister making a cake.
“ACT Party rebrand: no name change, will focus on repealing hate speech laws”Stuff
“One pipe dream fantasy remains” – My most recent blog post about the rightwing “Christian” parties in NZ.
“Sunny is eleven” – My blog post about Sunny’s birthday.
“Teatotaling test” – My blog post about trying no-alcohol wines.

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AmeriNZ 347 – Unexpected reboot

amerinz_podcast_1400x1400-2016
Three weeks since my last episode, but since then I had another helath adventure. And today there was big news on a story I’ve talked about several times. All that and comments, too! Other than that, it’s an ordinary episode, really.

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There are several ways to send me an audio message—this earlier post lists them.

Links for this episode
”Unexpected reboot” – My blog post on my health adventure
”Pike River re-entry team breaks through into mine drift”Stuff
”Leaky sampling tube delayed Pike River mine re-entry”Stuff
”AmeriNZ 91 – Monique Rhodes” – The 2008 podcast episode I mentioned at the end of this episode.


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AmeriNZ 346 – Busy April

amerinz_podcast_1400x1400-2016Today was my last chance to do a podcast episode for April. I met the challenge! It was an unusually full month, even if there wasn’t all that much “big” stuff to talk about. Still, I find a few updates to pass along.

Be sure to Like the AmeriNZ Facebook Page for all things AmeriNZ!

There are several ways to send me an audio message—this earlier post lists them.

Links for this episode
”The nice, long break” – My blog post on our ten-day holiday
”New Zealand Parliament Passes Assault Weapon Ban” – My blog post on the final passage
”They should have done better” – My blog post about NZ’s response to Brunei
”NZ’s Census disaster” – My blog post on the disappointing news
All of my April blog posts


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