Little India.

On March 31st, I had a dinner from Little India and it was Chicken Korma. Little India makes a lovely curry and is a restaurant I recommend. Mini, the owner, likes cricket and is very friendly. Mini is from Punjab. 

New Shoes.

On March 30th I got a pair of New Balance shoes from Rebel Sport. They were $63. Down from $80. I like and often buy New Balance as they are good to wear.

On March 28th I visited Marlborough. From Nelson to Picton all up cost me $100. It was nice to see Woodbourne where the air force is based and the Picton Ferry terminal which is awesome. There are plenty of vineyards in Marlborough and they make good wine but although it is a place I like to spend a day it can be pretty boring. However I am committed to another bus ride next Easter as it is something to do on Good Friday.

International Cricket.

On March 22nd and 24th I went to see two twenty-twenty matches between NZ and England. England women won the first match by 15 runs and New Zealand won the second by 4 runs. Heather Knight was named Player of the Match on Friday and Heather was so impressed with my general knowledge of her that I was given the man of the Match award . Mum was really impressed with my award and it is something I will treasure for life. I hope Saxton Field gets more international cricket in the future.

I enjoy the chance to go out to the airport on the bus. I have always enjoyed watching planes even when I was a kid. I always enjoy taking off in a plane as it gives me an adrenaline rush because it is going so fast.

My Grandparents.

I will always have wonderful memories of my grandparents who were my father's parents. I remember celebrating my first Holy Communion there in 1988 and also celebrating my grandparents fiftieth anniversary in 1992. The last time I visited the house was in November 2005, a year after my nana died. My grandfather died in 2009 age 89. The house is on the market for $1.2m. It is in a really expensive part of town. It was given to my grandparents as a wedding present. They were very lucky.

Erica Stanford.

I think Erica Stanford who is now both Education Minister and Immigration Minister has no empathy for average people. In her role as Immigration Minister she will not give the Palestinian people refugee status. But when in opposition in 2022, she was accusing the previous government of not doing this for Ukrainian refugees. When I met Erica in June 2021 the meeting started 8 minutes late. Erica doesn't understand poor people or anything about autism. Erica has the East Coast Bays seat in Auckland, a wealthy seat. Erica is nothing more than a self serving Tory. Erica does not answer the ministerial letters that I send her.

A Government Out Of Touch.

I think this new government is very bad for New Zealand. They will do a lot of damage by increasing poverty and division. They are out of touch with reality. I think that by cutting frontline staff at places like customs, drugs will be easier to get into New Zealand. David Seymour's Treaty Bill is very stupid. They do respond to my letters but it has taken a while.

The Function Room.

I really enjoy going to the Function Room which is a lovely cafe and in my opinion the staff are wonderful. They make the best flat white coffee in Nelson and it is also dog friendly so the ex government go there as well. 

Covid Dogs.

I have been walking with Harvey for a number of years and thinks he is the man. Mum and I have called him the 'Covid' Dog along with his little mate Harry. Harvey had grown up a lot and is turning nine but is in very good nick and still likes his walk. He resigned when Christopher Luxon became Prime Minister because he would only have to pray and everything would go away.

EBus.

After six months, the new eBus has been successful for Nelson. The buses go to new destinations such Wakefield, Motueka, and the airport. I think this is about time considering Nelson is the fifth busiest airport in the country. The fares are as cheap as $2 to Wakefield. My favourite route is Atawhai to the Hospital.

The Middle East.

I think there will be no winners of the war in the Middle East. I think it's is very wrong for New Zealand to deploy a six member defence force team to the Middle East. Sadly, this government is out of its depth all round on this matter. There have been protests with some backing Israel and some backing Palestine.

Right Wing Government.

I think this government is the most far right since Ruth Richardson's who had the 'Mother all Budgets' in the 1990s. Christopher Luxon is out of his depth as a Prime Minister. They don't know how to pay for their tax cuts for the rich. Casey Costello needs to go with her tobacco policy and Mark Mitchell whose promise for 550 New Cops over 2 years has been watered down to 500 cops over 3 years.

Free Palestine Protest.

On Saturday January 27th, I went to the Free Palestine protest. I think the Israeli  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a real asshole. I remember him from back in the 1990s and he was a dick then. Christopher Luxon hopes the issue goes away because he is not doing anything or wanting to speak about it. Here is a photo of me with Labour M.P. Rachel Boyack (Nelson) and former cabinet minister Damien O'Connor who is now a list M.P.

New Phone.

On January 18th, I got a new smart phone 10 from Noel Leeming. The price was $89 and it is a really cool phone. It has wifi, bluetooth and is easy use. My old phone which I've had since May 2021, was slowing down so I thought it would be better to get a new smart phone and my mum likes it as well. I will use my old phone just for the internet and I have kept the same phone number on my new one.

Saxton Oval.

I think Saxton Oval is an awesome cricket ground and I am so pleased that international cricket has returned to Nelson. It has a wonderful atmosphere with a maximum  capacity of 6000. It first opened in 2010 when it had its first international women's game against Australia. The first men's game was in January 2014. It also hosted three games of World Cup cricket in 2015. I am looking forward to seeing NZ women play England women in March.

Meeting the Umpires.

I really enjoyed meeting the international umpires when the Black Caps played Bangladesh at Saxton Oval. I was lucky enough to meet Alex Wharf from England who came to New Zealand in March 2022  to umpire the 50-over women's World Cup games and who also umpired the Black Caps v Pakistan in Karachi in January 2023. He really liked Nelson and it was his first time here. I also met Australian umpire Rod Tucker who came to Nelson in March 2015 for the World Cup clash between Scotland and Bangladesh. This was the first time I had met Rod Tucker. He liked my general knowledge on cricket and the fact that I knew so much about him. 

Latif.

There is a bus driver in Nelson who is from Pakistan and his name is Latif. He is from the city of Multan and is thirty-nine. I first met Latif in July 2023 before the new e-buses came into effect. He is a really nice guy and is one of my favourite drivers. Latif always puts a smile on my face because he is easy to get along with. He likes cricket heaps as I do. He lived not far from Younis Khan who is one of Pakistan's greatest cricketers of his generation. He likes curry and does not drink alcohol. It is so nice to have Latif in Nelson and I hope he stays a long time because he is a good Person. 

Bangladesh at the Oval.

On December 20th I went to see the first international cricket match in Nelson since November 2019.  Cricket has been affected by covid which is why Nelson hasn't hosted international Cricket at Saxton Oval since then. This game was between the Black Caps and Bangladesh. I went out to the Nelson airport on Monday and met the Bangladesh cricket team. I had a good chat with their assistant coach Nic Pothas who is a South African and who played a couple of one day internationals for South Africa in 2000. I also met Black Caps captain Tom Latham in the CBD. I have met Tom a couple of times when he has been to Nelson with Canterbury and the Black Caps. The last time I met Tom was in October 2022. Also there were international umpires Alex Wharf from England and Rod Tucker from Australia. Alex Wharf gave me a high five after the Bangladesh innings. Bangladesh were all out for 291 and New Zealand won by seven wickets. The crowd was 4500. The next game I will be going to see is when the England women play in March against the New Zealand women in two twenty-twenty games. 

The Royals.

On December 15th, I received a letter from the Prince and Princess of Wales. I wrote to the royals earlier this year and I had forgotten about writing to them so it was a nice surprise. I have been writing to royal family since May 2010. I am in favour New Zealand becoming a republic.

Josh Clarkson.

I am really pleased that Josh Clarkson has been called up for the Black Caps for the three international cricket games against Bangladesh, one of which is played in Nelson, at the wonderful Saxton Oval hosting its first international since November 2019. I will be going to see the game on December 20th. Here is a picture of me with Black Caps newcomer Josh Clarkson.

At the Airport.

I really enjoy going out to Nelson airport to see the planes come in and land. The new E Bus is awesome. It is so good to be able to watch airplanes which have liked to do since I was very young. I like it up on the viewing platform where I find it very addictive as I do with the E Bus.

Ranbir.

I have a good friend at Big Barrel named Ranbir. He  works at Big Barrel in both Richmond and Nelson. I have known Ranbir since 2014 when Big Barrel first opened in Nelson. He has taught me the Punjabi language and always makes time for me, which is nice. He likes cricket and is a really kind person who doesn't like Donald Trump. He is a Sikh from Punjab in northern India. 

The Beatles.

I am a big fan of the Beatles. When I was growing up and to this very day my favourite Beatle is George Harrison who sadly died in 2001. The one Beatle I don't like much is Paul McCartney. He is full of himself. I do like Ringo Starr but the other Beatle, John Lennon, was too bossy and I can see why John and Paul clashed. While I don't like Paul McCartney I agree that he is very talented and I like his songs with Wings especially on the album, "Band On The Run". I also like George's song 'Taxman', released in 1966.

Bus Trips.

I really think Picton is a very pretty place and I really enjoyed my bus trip there in April 2022. I am planning to do it again at Easter next year. Blenheim is pretty boring however it is nice to go there for the bus ride. In 2024 I am planning to do about 2 or 3 trips. Maybe for a Mako game, one on King's Birthday and maybe a third for Matariki day. It's just a case of wait and see.  

The Election.

I am disappointed Labour lost the election but I did expect it. I think Christopher Luxon is out of his depth and is clueless. I think it is good that Winston Peters is kingmaker because he will hold up National and Act with their stupid policies such as tax cuts for the rich. I am pleased Rachel Boyack has her seat back in Nelson with a majority of 29. I think Rachel does a good job for Nelson and we are lucky to have her.

The Election.

I was really disappointed in the election result. I expected National to win but I didn't expect them to have wins in places like West Coast Tasman and Auckland seats Mount Roskill and New Lynn which have been Labour strongholds even when they were in opposition. I certainly hope Rachel Boyack wins with the special votes because I think Blair Cameron is full of himself. I know National are not going to deliver on their promises and I think Christopher Luxon is out of his depth.

Cricket at Saxton Oval.

I am looking forward to Saxton Oval hosting international cricket again for the first time since November 2019. Nelson will be hosting Bangladesh men's side on December 20th for a 50 over match and England women's side in March for two twenty-twenty clashes. I will be going to all of them. There will cricket stars such as Shakib Al Hasan from Bangladesh and Suzie Bates and Kane Williamson from New Zealand. I cannot wait.

Training Shirt.

On September 22nd, I got an Auckland Blues training shirt from Rebel Sport for $39, down from $90. It is a really cool shirt and mum thinks I look nice in it. I enjoy clothes shopping. My favourite brands in clothing are Adidas shirts and Canterbury track pants and hoodies.

Carmel Sepuloni.

On September 26th, I had a meeting with New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni who is also the Minister of Social Development I have meet her a number of times since 2010. Carmel has been the Minister of Social Development since October 2017 and holds the seat of Kelston in Auckland. Carmel really enjoys my letters and the last time I met her before was June 30th 2021. Carmel has been in parliament since 2008 but was out of parliament from 2011 to 2014 losing in 2011 by 34 Votes to former cabinet Minister Paula Bennett in the electorate of Waitekere in Auckland.

Wakefield.

I really enjoy going out to the rural part of Tasman called Wakefield. It gives me a really nice feeling. As of September 22nd, since the new bus system came into being, I have travelled to Wakefield four times. Often seeing my mate Steve. The fact is, it just such a nice place in my opinion.  I really enjoy the Ebus.

Nelson Airport.

Now that the Tasman and Nelson areas have a decent public transport system, I really enjoy going to the airport and watching planes. I have finally found the viewing area at Nelson airport and I really enjoy catching the E-bus out there. I have fare welled the Mako , our local rugby side,  there a couple of times.