Pay Fair Trade Forward changing the world one coffee at a time

 

Maori Party Co-Leader Pita Sharples says hapu and iwi are feeling positive about their relationship with the National Party, ”the idea of hope and cooperation is right out there”, said Sharples.  On a multi-ethnic level, Race Relations Day is approaching.  The Human Rights Commission say the 21st of March is day  to reflect on our cultural diversity as a nation.

 

Kiwi youth are shining on the world stage.  The New Zealand schools debating team have won the world schools debating championships.  And this March 1st you can celebrate our young ones on New Zealand Children’s Day .

 

Onto the ageless topic of love.  Many will intuitively know that kissing encourages relaxation and increases bonding between partners.  Now science has backed it up.

 

Positive environmental change really

 is happening everywhere.  Earth Hour has come around again and this year more NZ cities have signed up.  By simply switching off those appliances that rely on ‘the grid’ on 8.30 pm, March 28th, people can make a powerful difference to energy consumed (and have good old fashioned low-tech fun at the same time!).  What a clever idea, an eco-font has been developed that uses twenty percent less ink, you can download it for free.  Back to the tangata whenua - freshwater scientist Caleb Royal is merging traditional Maori custom with conventional science in his stream restoration project in Wellington.  Onto what’s possible in suburbia, check out Grey Lynn’s progress as a Transition Town.  With a moto of ‘positive vision, practical action’, this community are determined to phase out fossil fuel usage and greatly reduce their carbon footprint by 2030. 

 

Finally, the elderly are a force to be reckoned with and eighty-eight year old Shirley Rickman is a case in point.  She’s been playing tennis for seventy-seven years and has just acquired a shiney new racquet.