Things I Did On February 2017

On Saturday morning I went outside in the sunshine to see 2 butterflies on top of the wall and they look beautiful. On Saturday afternoon my mum and I went to Mechanics Bay to see the helicopters and I saw a Westpac rescue helicopter flying over the city carrying an injured person to the hospital. I did some footage of the helicopters landing and taking off on my phone and my mum drop me to Special Olympics to do some sports. That night I had some steak, potatoes, and some vegetables for dinner and it looks yummy. On Sunday morning we went to bowling with my mum and Noah and my best score is 106. We've been to the Botany Town Centre to look for something new at the shops but there's nothing new in here and I had Oporto for lunch after looking at some shops. After lunch we went to another Farmers store at The Pakaranga Shopping Centre for a last stop and we found 7 brand new cars for 2017 so I was very happy with them. Then we had some wraps for dinner and I did some guitar practice for my lesson tomorrow. On Monday I did take some pictures of the big Christmas tree that my dad had supposed to put down in January.

Bali on high volcanic alert

November 27, 2017

Fears of an imminent major eruption of Bali’s Mount Agung have increased and many people around the volcano have been evacuated.

Indonesian authorities have raised the state of alert to its highest level.

The island’s airport has now closed, leaving thousands stranded in the tourist hotspot.

Authorities say dark smoke and ash have been billowing up to 3,400m above the mountain’s summit, which has also been emitting fire.

Officials have warned residents to stay away from rock and debris flows known as lahars, which have been spotted flowing down from the mountain.

The volcano was seen emitting “continuous ash puffs” occasionally accompanied by “explosive eruptions” and “weak booms” that could be heard 12km (7 miles) from the summit.

“The rays of fire are increasingly observed at night. This indicates the potential for a larger eruption is imminent,” the National Board for Disaster Management said in a statement.

1. Who is the main person or group of people in this news article? Things on an imminent major eruption of Bali’s Mount Agung have increased and many people around the volcano have been evacuated.    

2. What was the key event from the news article? Indonesian authorities have raised the state alert to its highest level.

3. Where did this event take place? Authorities say that dark smoke and ash have been billowing up 3,400m above the mountain summit which has been emitting fire.

4. When did this event take place? The island’s airport has now closed leaving thousands stranded in the tourist hotspot.

SPEC Prizegiving 2016

On Tuesday we went to base school at Tamaki for SPEC prizegiving and we sat down to watch the other students get their SPEC certificates from different classes. Then it's Edgewater 3's turn and Diane Bradley has got his cup for his work experience and she gave the students their SPEC certificates for their hard work. We helped my class to bring the SPEC books upstairs and put them in the book room. Then we went down the stairs and we went back on the van to go back to school for lunch.

Coral transplants could help Great Barrier Reef

November 27, 2017

Scientists are regrowing coral from larvae on damaged patches of the Great Barrier Reef in a project that could change the management of reef systems worldwide.

Professor Peter Harrison from Southern Cross University has been collecting coral spawn off Heron Island on the Great Barrier Reef and maturing it in tanks.

“It’s really exciting, this essentially is the rebirth of the reef,” Professor Harrison said.

A team of scientists has deposited millions of coral larvae back onto damaged areas that may not regenerate naturally.

They created large enclosures around the coral using mesh curtains and special tiles to monitor growth.

Days later, photographs reveal coral polyps had survived, and were settling into their new home.

It is the first time this technique has been used in Australia, and it follows a successful trial in the Philippines that transformed reefs devastated by blast fishing.

“I think that this could be something that changes management of reefs worldwide. All of the reefs, everywhere in the world, are suffering at the moment,” Dr David Wackenfeld, Chief scientist at the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority said.

“In the past, the Marine Park Authority has had a philosophy of basically getting out of nature’s way.

“But climate change is really changing that. The reef is battered and bruised. It’s more impacted than it’s ever been before.”

Dr Wackenfeld said it had never been more urgent to tackle climate change.

1. Who is the main person or group of people in this news article? Scientists are regrowing coral from larvae on damaged patches of the Great Barrier Reef in a project that could change the managements of reef systems worldwide.  

2. What was the key event from the news article? Professor Peter Harrison from Southern Cross University has been collecting coral spawn of Heron Island of the Great Barrier Reef and maturing it in tanks.

3. Where did this event take place? They created large enclosures around mesh corals using mesh curtains and special tiles for monitor growth.

4. When did this event take place? A team of scientists has deposited millions of coral larvae back onto damaged areas that may not regenerate naturally.

The Wonky Zebra

The Wonky Zebra By Finn

Jonny the zebra had only 3 legs and he is the wonky zebra. He tried to walk with 3 legs and it did not work well. He felt sad.

Then the truck came along and put the zebra inside the truck and took him to the zoo. He was very happy that he would be fixed.

When the truck arrived at the zoo. they took Jonny the zebra down to the fence. The zoo keeper put a new leg on Jonny the zebra.

Jonny will walk very well now his leg has been fixed. Jonny was very happy to have a new leg on. It was good as new.

The zookeeper left, he was very happy he fixed the zebra’s leg and Jonny went to join the other zebras to play together.

Auckland to get fuel tax

November 1, 2017

A new petrol tax of 10-cents a litre for Aucklanders is only months away, with the council hoping to introduce the tax as soon as possible.

The newly sworn-in government has confirmed it will change legislation to pave the way for the Auckland Council to bring in the new levy.

The money raised from the new tax will be used to help pay for $15 billion worth of light rail around the city, as well as new bus ways, bike paths and roads.

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff said the fuel tax was the fairest way to raise the money needed to pay for new transport projects.

The new fuel tax will replace the current Interim Transport Levy, which expires in June next year.

Mr Goff said this 10-cent a litre tax raises twice as much money, and is a fairer way to source it.

1. Who is the main person or group of people in this news article? A new petrol tax of ten-cents of a litre for Aucklanders is only months away, with the council hoping to introduce the tax as soon as possible.

2. What was the key event from the news article? The newly sworn-in government has confirmed it will change legislation to pave the way for the Auckland Council to bring in the new levy.

3. Where did this event take place? The new fuel tax will replace the current interim Transport Levy, witch expires in June next year.

4. When did this event take place? The money raised from the new tax will be used to help pay for $15 billion worth of light rail around the city, as well as new bus ways, bike paths and roads.

Air New Zealand named airline of the year

November 6, 2017

Air New Zealand has been named Airline of the Year for 2018.

Airline website AirlineRatings.com has given the company the award for the fifth consecutive year.

The airlines were judged on 12 key criteria, including fleet age, passenger reviews, profitability, investment rating, product offerings and staff relations.

AirlineRatings.com said Air New Zealand was honoured for its “record-breaking performance, multi award-winning in-flight innovations, operational safety, environmental leadership and motivation of its staff”.

Other winners included Qantas (Best Domestic Airline Service, Best Catering and Best Lounges), Singapore Airlines (Best First Class and Best Cabin Crew) and Korean Air (Best Economy).

Best In-Flight Entertainment went to Emirates, while Tianjin took out the category of Most Improved Airline.

A new category – Best Low-Cost Airline – went to VietJetAir.

AirlineRatings.com’s Top 10 Airlines for 2018:

1. Air New Zealand

2. Qantas

3. Singapore Airlines

4. Virgin Australia

5. Virgin Atlantic

6. Etihad Airways

7. All Nippon Airways

8. Korean Air

9. Cathay Pacific

10. Japan Airlines

1. Who is the main person or group of people in this news article? Air New Zealand has been named airline of the year for 2018

2. What was the key event from the news article? Airline website AirlineRatings.com has given the company the award of the fifth consecutive year.

3. Where did this event take place? Other winners included Qantas (Best Domestic Airline Service, Best Catering and best lounges), Singapore Airlines (Best First Class and Best Cabin Crew) and Korean Air (Best Economy.

4. When did this event take place? The airlines were judged on 12 key Criteria including fleet age, passenger reviews, Profitability Investment rating, product offerings and staff relations.  

New Zealand remembers Passchendaele

New Zealand remembers Passchendaele

October 16, 2017

October 12 marked the 100th anniversary of New Zealand’s darkest day on a battlefield: The Battle of Passchendaele.

Officially 843 New Zealanders died and over 1700 were wounded in just the first few hours of October 12th 1917, as allied troops tried and failed to take the village of Passchendaele in Belgium.

The battle eventually claimed the lives of nearly 2000 New Zealand soldiers.

Historian, Ian McGibbon said that while 843 New Zealanders were officially listed as killed in the first few hours of the offensive, his research into the wounded shows that another 114 men died over the next three months from wounds received on that morning.

Canadian troops eventually captured what was left of Passchendaele in early November, but six months later the Germans retook it and held it until just before the end of the war.

The New Zealand National Commemorative service was held in Belgium. Other services were held in New Zealand, including at the Pukeahu National War Memorial Park and the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

1. Who is the main person or group of people in this news article? October 12 marked the 100th anniversary of New Zealand darkest day on a battlefield: the Battle of Passchendaele.

2. What was the key event from the news article? Officially 843 New Zealanders died and over 1700 were wounded in just a few hours of October 12 1917 as allied troops tried and failed to take the village Passchendaele in Belgium.

3. Where did this event take place? Canadian troops eventually captured what was left of Passchendaele in early November, but six months later the German retook it and held it until just before the end of the war.  

4. When did this event take place? The battle eventually claimed the lives of nearly 2000 New Zealand Soldiers.

2017 Maniakalani Film Festival - Volcanoes of Auckland

I proudly present my entry for the 2017 Maniakalani Film Festival.

Volcanoes

77% of New Zealanders live in North Island

October 30, 2017

Official population figures from the end of June show that 77% of New Zealanders live in the North Island.

That means that 3.67 million people live on the North Island of New Zealand.

The North Island’s population grew at a rate of 2.2 percent, slightly faster than the national average of 2.1 percent.

Stats NZ said there were now 18 people per square kilometre, compared with 13 in 1991.

There is considerable variation at the local level though, with 18,000 people per square kilometre in central Auckland.

Half of New Zealand’s population lives north of Rotorua.

1. Who is the main person or group of people in this news article? Official population figures from the end of June shows that 77% of New Zealanders lived on the North Island.

2. What was the key event from the news article? The North Island’s population that grew at a rate 2.2 percent slightly faster than the national average of 2.1 percent.

3. Where did this event take place? Stats said that were now 18 people per square kilometre compared with 13 in 1991.

4. When did this event take place? That means that 3.67 million people per square kilometre in Central Auckland.

Jacinda Ardern new New Zealand Prime Minister

October 19, 2017

New Zealand First has announced that it will form a coalition government with the New Zealand Labour party.

This means that Jacinda Ardern is the next Prime Minister of New Zealand.

Ardern will claim the top job after only two and a-half months as Labour leader.

The decision will be a shock to National. Currently, they hold two more seats than the Labour-Green partnership.

Ardern will be New Zealand’s third woman Prime Minister, after Jenny Shipley and Helen Clark. She will become the second youngest ever Prime Minister, after Edward Stafford who was also aged 37 when he took office 161 years ago.

After the September 23 election, Labour’s 36.9 per cent and the Greens’ 6.3 per cent gave them 54 seats between them, not enough for a majority without New Zealand First.

The three parties have 63 seats.

National polled 44.4 per cent and holds 56 seats, not enough for an outright majority.

1. Who is the main person or group of people in this news article? Ardern will claim the top job the only two and a-half months as Labour leader.

2. What was the key event from the news article? Ardern will be New Zealand’s third woman Prime Minister after Jenny Shipley and Allan Clark.    

3. Where did this event take place? After the September 23 election, Labour’s 36,9 per cent and the greens, 6.3 per cent gave them 54 seats between them, not enough for an outright majority.

4. When did this event take place? The three party have 63 seats.

A Vacation Trip To California

On Friday night we went to the lookout at the airport for a little while and we went inside the terminal to have some dinner. We go on board the plane to Los Angeles and I watched some movies on the plane on the way. We got some bags to take away to the hotel and I went on a shuttle to Anahiem. We walked around the shopping centre and I saw some Star Wars stuff in the shops. The next morning went to Walgreens supermarket and I found 2 new candy minis from wave 1 2017 and they are only available in America. We had a long walk to Disneyland and we go there for 3 days. We meet some of the characters like Mickey Mouse Goofy, Donald Duck, Chip and Dale, Minnie Mouse, Woody and many more. We went on lots of different rides like Star Wars, Finding Nemo, Toy Story, Indiana Jones, It's a small world, Cars Land rides and many more. I found some of the things like a Star Wars badge, a Cars necklace, and 6 new cars from Disney Park Stores. On Tuesday we went to Universal Studios for a day and we meet some of the characters like The Simpsons, Transformers, Dora The Explorer, Spongebob, Minions and many more. We go on some rides and my favourite rides are Harry Potter, The Simpsons, and Jurrasic Park. We had a tour on a vehicle and the man tells the people about how the movies have been made and we watched the animal actors show. On Wednesday we went shopping and I found 3 new Trackmaster engines, 3 new 7 packs of minis, and the last bag of wave 1 from the 2017 series. We walked all the way back to the hotel and I had a swim and on the spa pool. That night we found more things like 5 new 3 packs of minis and a blind bag for 2017 wave 2 and this is I found at Target and Walmart. After that we had In and Out Burger for dinner and on Thursday we went back to the airport to take the bags back to Auckland. We went to Santa Monica beach on a nice sunny day and we saw a nice view of the blue water and the sand and I also saw a helicopter hovering over the beach then buzzed away. Then we went to another shopping centre to have a look around at the shops and we had some lunch before we look more shops. Then we had a last stop at Target and I found a carry case that it holds over 50 minis and a Trackmaster Talking Diesel before we go back to the airport. We had some KFC for dinner before we go back to Auckland and my mum and dad missed me. At home I showed my mum some of the new things I have got and I opened them all and played them.

Jonny The Zebra

Jonny the zebra lives in Africa with other animals. He is really really fast. He is faster than a cheetah. He is white with black stripes on him.

Jaffa Run in Dunedin

August 22, 2017

On Saturday in Dunedin the annual Cadbury Jaffa Race was held.

The crowd was a little less than usual but the race still raised $73,000 for local charities.

The event was the first since it was confirmed the Cadbury factory in Dunedin would close early next year, putting hundreds of people out of work.

It also had to be postponed from its usual July date because of bad weather that caused flooding in Otago.

This year there were three Cadbury Jaffa Races with up to 25,000 Cadbury Jaffas in each race.

The Jaffas are release at the top of Baldwin Street, the steepest street in the world.

The race has been held since 2001 and has raised more than $600,000 for charities.

Jaffas have been made in Dunedin since 1931, and New Zealanders consume an average of 66,000 of Jaffas a day

1. Who is the main person or group of people in this news article?

The New Zealanders Consume an average of 66,000 of Jaffas a day.

2. What was the key event from the news article?

On Saturday in Dunedin the annual Cadbury Jaffa Race was held.

3. Where did this event take place?

The event was the first race since it was confirmed the Cadbury factory in Dunedin would close early next year putting hundreds of people out of work.

4. When did this event take place?

It also had been postponed from its usual July date because of bad weather that caused flooding in Otago.