Are we governed by visionless mediocrities? People who cannot see the big picture and understand the consequences of their micro actions. Examples are giving major tax cuts to people who don't need it and being unable to afford the basics of an excellent health and other basic services, cancelling the Interislander ferries without a plan to replace them, ordering school lunches at a price which any good business person would realise from the start was unsustainable, talking in slogans and mantra's without commonsense, trying to promote public transport but failing to realise how many of their practices impede uptake, slashing and burning the Public Service with orders to cut across the board and no wisdom to define exactly what is needed and provide that and get rid of what is not needed, and no vision for the country as a whole. We are in a mess.
"Where there is no vision the people suffer". So wrote King Solomon 2,900 years ago.
Events in the world are moving so fast that I have decided to update this blog regularly, maybe even daily to help you keep up. It is fascinating sitting on the sidelines (currently) in our small friendly and relatively peaceful country while the rest of the world sinks into greater and greater chaos. Events in Russia (I have visited 14 times), Ukraine (visited 3 times), Europe and Great Britain (visited many times), Israel (visited 17 times), Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt (visited 6 or 7 times), and the United States and Canada (visited many times) bring back many great memories, and sorrow for the millions around the world suffering from war, disease, famine, and persecution.
As a christian I understand that "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth", with design and purpose for a limited time (we don't know how long) Genesis 1 v 1. He is very patient with the people he created. Around 4.500 years ago God looked down on the earth and "saw that the earth had become corrupt and was filled with violence" so he destroyed them in a great flood and started again with Noah and his sons. Genesis 6 v 11. In 2025 God looks down on the earth and sees that it is corrupt and filled with violence and it grieves his heart. I believe He is getting tired of the war, corruption, injustice, lying, hatred, and abuse He sees in the world, the disobedience of people to his laws, the abuse and mockery He suffers in the world, and the trashing of this planet that he gave us as our home. He will shortly bring it to an end. When his disciples asked him when he would come back he refused to tell them but gave many signs to look for which are rapidly coming to fulfillment. Will the world as we know it end? Read more. As a child of God and a citizen of His Kingdom my eternal future is totally secure and while we may have to go through hard times in this life I look forward by the grace of God and no merit my own being with him for ever. The secret of Success in this life and the next. Read more:
This is an age of confusion, illusion, delusion, depression, and suicide. Yet we can have total peace in this life. It is my prayer that you too will experience it. Listen to the words of Jesus. " Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest". Matthew 11 v 28
Stephen Greenfield
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29 March, 2025
STADIUM
Auckland Council endorses a revamped Eden Park as New Zealand's major stadium. Is this the definition of 'Visionless Mediocrity'.
AUCKLAND TRANSPORT
Auckland Transport raises passenger fares on public transport owing to a major shortfall in revenue without examining the huge benefits and much greater revenue from moving to Unlimited Travel Passes in the SUPERMAXX proposal. Raising fares reduced patronage and almost certainly total revenue. Is this the ultimate definition of 'Visionless Mediocrity'? Read more. Imagine being able to travel at any time on any bus, train or ferry for $75 for 30 days anywhere between Wellsford and Waiuku
WARNING
Serious earthquakes in New Zealand, Myanmar and many other places, wars, famines, diseases, hunger, corruption lawlessness, crime. All the things Jesus told us to look to increase just before He comes back to wrap up human history. Read more
27 March, 2025
ISRAEL.
Fantastic to see Palestinians starting to take some responsibility for their problems at last with thousands demonstrating in Gaza against Hamas over the past 2 days.Demonstrations have been held in Northern Gaza, Beit Lahiya, Gaza City and Nuseirat at least. Its a risky business for them but I hope it swells. The hostages must be released and the death and destruction stop. There is some evidence that Netanyahu is extending the war for his own personal benefit and that must be stopped. Justice and peace for all is possible. Israel is not conducting a war on Gaza or Genocide within it as many claim. It is conducting a war on Hamas in Gaza. It has plainly stated that it is conducting Genocide (defined as destruction of a particular group or nation) against Hamas in Gaza. Even if we accept the latest figures from Gaza of 60,000 deaths since October 7th it must be realised that at least 20,000 of those are Hamas fighters that Israel has targeted and many of the rest have been used as human shields to protect their fighters - a war crime under article 1 of the Convention on the Conduct of War. It is possible for both Jews and Palestinians to live in the same country peacefully!. Read more
LAW AND ORDER - CRIME.
We will never ever solve the problem of crime by more Police or harsher sentences and more prisons although they may be needed to alleviate the problem in the short term. The problem of crime is only resolved when people decide not to commit crime in the first place. That is our responsibility but needs training when we are young. . The sociological evidence shows overwhelmingly that if every child was brought up by their biological parents in a nurting, caring, and positive role modelling environment at least 60% and probably closed to 70% of our crime and addiction problems would be solved and the cost of running government would reduce by at least 10-12 billion dollars a year. The family is the Foundation of society: Read more. The Secret of a Successful Nation. Read More
TRAVEL
CRUISE.
Deals of the Day - Holland America 7 night inside passage cruise aboard Nieuw Amsterdam departing Vancouver 21 September for Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Ketchikan. Just $NZ3,350 including Veranda Stateroom and 'Have it all' package including drinks, crew appreciation, shore excursion, plus 1 night hotel and transfers post cruise.
Holland America 7 night Norwegian Fjords with Nordfjord aboard Rotterdam departs Rotterdam 05 July for Eidfjord, Nordfordfjordeid, cruising Hardangerfjord, Alesund, Nordfordeid, Bergen, and ends Rotterdam. Just $$4,200 per person including Veranda Stateroom, 1 night hotel post cruise with transfers
SECOND HARBOUR CROSSING
Imagine enjoying a great sporting contest or concert in the new stadium behind the old Railway Station (see below) and stepping straight into your car, or express bus, and be whisked towards home on the North Shore through a tunnel from the bottom of Stanley St to Bayswater (with immediate links to Takapuna) and bridge to join State Highway 1 north of Onewa Rd. This connection from SH! would provide easy access from eastern suburbs to North Shore, declutter Spaghetti junction, and add to resilience of the network. Keep the current Harbour Bridge at 6 lanes with the outside 2 eastern lanes being used for (inner lane) wheeled traffic up to 50cc) and outer lane for pedestrians and mobility scooters only. This was put to the Auckland Councils and Regional Council in 2007 as part of my plan to "Develop Auckland as a World Leading City for the 2011 Rugby World Cup". 17 years later and they still cannot reach a conclusion!
25 March, 2025
TRAVEL
Fly Free: Only 6 days to go for fly free (up to AUD2,400 per person) offer on all Viking Ocean and River cruises. Be in.
Niue
Stop the world, I want to get off, was a common refrain from a song a long time ago. Sometimes in the current world turmoil we wish we could. If you need to get away from it all join me for a week in the the rarely visited island of Niue, an independent country with special association to New Zealand. A place to chill out, meet some of the 800 people who live there, enjoy a whale watch cruise during the breeding season, and explore the island. We leave Auckland on the 5th August returning on the 12th. with a 5 day option. Read more
STADIUMS
Imagine entering a grand stadium through the refurbished old Railway Station on Beach Rd, spending time in a sports museum in the main building, then walking through a sportsperson Hall of Fame where the rail platforms were to enter into a fabulous modern, comfortable, stadium seating at least 50,000 in general use and up to another 25,000 for special occasions over the rail tracks which will be on a level below the stadium. A covered roof for all weather use, and partly retractable for that open air feeling in good weather will add to the ambience. The Northern and Eastern walls will be primarily glass to provide harbour vistas from the main concourse on the 3rd level. In addition to access from Beach Rd there will be direct access by escalator from The Strand and Quay St, and to a new rail platform built beside the current Eastern line. Instead of an isolated white elephant The Strand side will be offices to provide the ongoing operating expenses for the stadium - and deaden some of the sound from noisy concerts! It can all be paid for by selling Eden Park to develop a fabulous residential area around the 'village green'. This was put to the Auckland Councils and Regional Council in 2007 as part of my plan to "Develop Auckland as a World Leading City for the 2011 Rugby World Cup". 17 years later and they still cannot reach a conclusion! :Like to know more? Read here
EMAIL SENT TO WILLIE JACKSON IN RESPONSE TO INTERVIEW WITH AUDREY YOUNG PUBLISHED IN THE NEW ZEALAND HERALD, 24 March, 2025.
Dear Mr Jackson. I always appreciate your candour and while not necessarily agreeing appreciate the honesty. The trajectory that New Zealand is travelling is becoming very disturbing. A nation divided against itself cannot stand. Attached is a proof of a brochure I have prepared and just awaiting advice on any copyright issues, and a link to my Race, Culture, and Treaty web page. You are welcome to comment and agree or disagree!. https://www.newzealandtours.co.nz/tours/society-religion/race-and-culture?p=1
A few questions arise out of your interview in the NZ Herald yesterday
1. Could you please clarify your position on Maori ceding sovereignty in the Treaty of Waitangi. To me it is very plain they did BUT we must understand what sovereignty they were ceding. Article 1 of the Treaty specifically states that they did BUT that was the Sovereignty claimed in the Declaration of Independence "Ko te Kingitanga ko te mana i te Wenua o te wakaminenga" - something Maori did not have collectively over the whole country until 1835. Maori were guaranteed Rangatiratanga over their own tribal lands until such time as they wished to sell in Article 2. Once they sold the land Article 3 applied.
2. You state (according to the Herald) that Maori have 5% of the land. Have you or any person or organisation you know actually gone through a list of all those who claim Maori identity and the land register to ascertain how much land is held by Maori under Article 3 which enables Maori to have private ownership, develop or use their land as they wish, and to sell when they wish to whom they wish within the law as any other New Zealander is entitled to do. I believe this facility under British/New Zealand law is hugely beneficial. If so what is the total land area owned by Maori.
3. The last figures I have (supplied by Jacinda Ardern) is that land held in Maori tribal ownership as guaranteed under Article 2 of the Treaty is approximately 1.2 million hectares of which approximately 80% is unused or underutilised owing to the well known problems of multiple ownership contributing to the poverty of Maori
4. Can you explain why the targeted funding of around $1 billion for Maori initiatives has not led to improved statistics and whether the difference between Maori (communal/iwi/whanau - as explained by Debbie Ngarewa Packer on Newshub Nation a few years back) and western/christian culture of individual responsibility contributed to this? You may want to check out my WHANAU TE MANA WHAKAORA proposal from a few years back
I look forward to your reply - and to Question Time although it will have to wait until the replay at 10pm.
Best wishes in your continued advocacy.
Stephen Greenfield
23 March, 2025
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GRAND EGYPTIAN MUSEUM TO OPEN FINALLY
The Egyptian Authorities are planning a much awaited grand opening on the 3rd July of the new 1.5 billion US dollar Grand Egyptian Museum including for the first time the full Tutankhamen display. This will be one of the greatest 'must do' bucket list items for travellers in 2025/2026. The museum covers 117 Hectares and is just 2 km from the Pyramids.
Best way to see it in our view is on a VIKING DISCOVER EGYPT - ANCIENT AND MODERN 12 day tour from Cairo back to Cairo including 3 nights in Cairo and the Egytian museum, Pyramids, Citadel, and museum, Luxor including the Valley of Kings, and Temples of Luxor and Karnak, Aswan Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo,and return to Cairo
22 March, 2025
ADDICTIONS
Once again the Coalition Goverment have shown their callous contempt for those who struggle with addictions. Removing the restrictions on the proliferating vape outlets has been shown today to be a gateway to smoking cigarettes rather than a way of getting off them. Refusing to provide easy legislation for local bodies to restrict alcohol outlets and hours, and the legalising of on line gambling and advertising all lead to an increase in shattered lives, wrecked families, and an increase in crime as people feed their addictions in a failing society. Pornography is a destroyer of society and especially harms the young. Best way to not get addicted to anything is not to start! Individuals should exercise self discipline but to those who don't we must give some protection by the state to make involvement less easy. Anyone with any experience in the issue of addiction will tell you that the 3 main drivers of addictions are availability, price, and promotion. I experienced the proof of this when I was working in Supportive Accommodation
20 March, 2025
ISRAEL
It is tragic to see that death and destruction has started again in Gaza and is continuing in Judea and Samaria (commonly known as the West Bank). I believe that Israel were chosen by God around 4,000 years ago so that through Abraham they would be a special nation to be 'a light to other nations' of the way God wants us to live. That gives great blessings when God is obeyed and can bring great punishment when his rules are disobeyed. It places a heavy burden on the nation to live according to the ways of God with justice and truth and a recognition that there is only one God. For more on the history, current problems, and possible solutions; Read here
While Israel was 'set aside' for 1900 years they are now back in their land and Jerusalem will play a major part in the final great conflagration during 7 years of great tribulation at the end of the age. The Palestinians are their own worst enemies however Israel were instructed to "treat the strangers among you as your own" people. God still loves the Palestinians despite their hatred of His people, Israel, and wants their salvation, not their death. There is some evidence that Prime Minister Netanyahu is delaying the return of the hostages, continuing the death and destruction in Gaza, and delaying peace for his own political ends. This is Sin in the eyes of God! Listen to the prophet Micah over 2,000 years ago "O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy. and to walk humbly with your God". Listen again to the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount overlooking Lake Galilee "You have heard what the law says, Love your neighbour and hate your enemies. But I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, pray for those who persecute you." Matthew 5 v 43. Jesus Christ will return to Jerusalem as the promised Messiah, the "King of the Jews". Will they be ready to receive Him?
UKRAINE
Is Ukraine being sold out in the interests of a short term peace but no long term solution? It was fascinating to me travelling through 2-3 times a year in the 1980's escorting groups on the Trans Mongolian/Trans Siberian route from Hong Komg t Helsinki how much the local people (and I talked to many) hated Gorbachev as they saw him as the one that lost Russia its Superpower status. I took a group through about 3 months after Putin annexed Crimea in 2014. He was almost worshipped by the Russian people for standing up to the West.
The invasion of Ukraine by Russia was a heinous act of agression. Putin should withdraw from all Ukrainian territory immediately..
DAVID SEYMOUR
No David. Jesus would not vote for you or ACT (Herald 19 and 20 March)! Quite the opposite. Jesus was the creator of life and you have supported and even instigated attacking it at both ends in abortion and euthanasia. He is not pleased. You have also supported the liberalisation of the harm that addictions to alcohol, drugs, gambling etc cause. He cares about the poor and marginalised and wants them to have a better life. . We need to bring back the Creators Culture brought to New Zealand in 1814 that had such a profound effect for good on our country.
God is also interested in how well we use the brains he has given in the governing of the country and how much our actions match our words He cares about the people and planet that He created. You may recall a brief discussion you and I had at the Epsom Community Centre after a presentation by Shane Ellison, then CEO of Auckland Transport a few years back, in which I asked if you had examined my SUPERMAXX proposal for a complete revamp of Auckland's public transport which I had presented to you and every local and central government politician a few times since it was prepared and first presented in 2007. Your reply to me was "No, I don't believe you could produce something better than 1700 people in Auckland transport!!!! My claims are that SUPERMAXX would save at least $100 million per annum ($1.8 billion since 2007) in operating subsidies, provide a much better more frequent and integrated transport network, and reduce commuter costs to $75 for 30 days unlimited travel on public transport between Wellsford and Waiuku saving commuters at least $100 million per annum ($1.8 billion since 2007) in commuter fares. I believe you have the obligation to prove me wrong in my claims or apologise to the people of New Zealand for your failures and move to implement it. Give me a contract and I will have it rolled out across Auckland within 6 months for a cost of less than $1 million and saving Auckland $2 million per week in subsidies from full implementation. Now thats a deal! For more on SUPERMAXX: Read here
David. Jesus is actually interested in the poor having lower costs in fares and rates, and less pollution in the planet he gave us to look after. He is passionate about justice and politicians governing wisely and for the benefit of all people!
18th March, 2025
TRAVEL
Vikings FLY/FREE campaign ends 31 March offering great savings of up to AUD 2,400 per person on 2025 Viking cruises anywhere in the world including River cruises in Egypt, Europe including the iconic Amsterdam to Budapest or Constanta cruise. and on the Mekong and Ocean Voyages. Viking offer superior service and Scandinavian atmosphere on their smaller ships throughout the world.
French Polynesia. For those who want a short winter cruise close to home I heartily recommend WINDSTAR 7-11 day cruises from Papeete including the island of Raiatea from where Maori emigrated some 800 years ago including the Taputapuatea Marae regarded as their spiritual home. Read here
Niue. I still have a few seats and rooms on my Niue tour departing 05 August. I invite you to join me. Read here
Autumn Tints. You have seen the pictures but have you seen the reality of Queenstown, Arrowtown, and Te Anau in full Autumn glory? I am a great fan of the Doubtful Sound overnight cruise operating in March and April, and even more of the 2 night Doubtful Sound cruise in May. Most cruises are full but there are still some cabins. See it all on our FABULOUS FIORDLAND package including Queenstown, Glenorchy, Milford Sound, Te Anau and Doubtful Sound 1 or 2 night cruise but be in quick: Read here
TREATY
The Treaty of Waitangi is a sacred document that should be honoured and not re-interpreted. TheTreaty Principles Bill is a clumsy attempt to restate what the Treaty already says. Christopher Luxon and Winston Peters need to honour their promise to let it die at the next reading. For more on the Treaty, its history and current relevance Read here
TRANSPORT
Auckland Transport continue their incompetent way without the common sense to realise the side effects. I talk especially today of raised speed calming platforms proliferating throughout the city at great cost and causing enormous problems for commuters, drivers, emergency vehicles, and cost blowouts. On a recent trip from Auckland city to the airport I counted 7 raised bus busting platforms between Onehunga and Mangere and 6 between Mangere town centre and airport. They make life difficult and slow travel down for the drivers, damage the suspension on the buses, and are uncomfortable for passengers. Rock and Roll Thump and Bump The situation as it affects Dominion Rd services on the stupid detour from Symonds St up Mt Eden Rd, through Bellevue Rd and down View Rd to Dominion Rd. Another example of stupidity and hypocrisy is the pixellating of passengers windows so that the view is at best obscured and at worst unavailable. One double decker I travelled on this week had my window virtually totally obscured and a great blank black screen in front of me making it impossible to tell where I was on my journey. One of the joys of public transport is being able to sit back and let someone else do the driving while watching the world go by. Read more. Another week goes by - another $2 million dollars of ratepayers money paid out in excess operating subsidies, another $2 million paid by Auckland commuters in excess fares, another 600 tons of carbon needlessly emitted, and all commuters forced to suffer a far from optimum network and schedules through failure to implement Supermaxx, and it will be the same next week, and the week after, until Auckland Transport is fixed.
SCHOOL LUNCHES.
The saga continues despite the protestations of the Minister in charge that the problem has been 'fixed'. Any rational businessman would have realised that the price of $3 was unsustainable to prepare a nutritious meal and distribute it across the country..
PARLIAMENTARY TERM.
We of the New Zealand Party developed in 1987 the total package to introduce a much more participatory and effective democracy. I believe in a 4 year term but there must be ways of calling the politicians to account. Our programme was (1) To remove a lot of the politicking declare the first saturday of October as Election Day for both Local and Central Government elections with allowance to change in exceptional circumstances. (2) Introduce Mandatory Citizen Initiated referendums in conjunction with each local and central government election with any issue achieving a yes vote of at least 60% of votes cast being mandatory to introduce - or the government would be required to resign. (3) The first question of the first referendum would be "Do you agree to a 4 year term for both Central and Local Government bodies?" . If passed some adjustment would need to be made to term in the first instance so that there would an election/referendum every second October. Elections for both Local and central Government would be by voting booth. Election Results would be declared on the day. Referendum results would be required to be declared within 7 days of the election. The politicians in power hated the idea of being actually called to account!
ISRAEL
It is tragic to see the war in Gaza has started again today (24th March). Is it another case of visionless mediocrities of politicians unable to see the big picture and present a long term solution that is fair to both Israelis and the Palestinians? For more on this and the history and a possible solution for Gaza Read here
back to New Zealand Issues. 
