New Zealand at a glance on this cold winter's day.

1) Despite it being the warmest winter so far on record for New Zealand---it is bloody cold today. Stay out of the chill people. Of course those of us in Auckland bitch about the cold when the temperature goes below 13c during the day! 2) New Zealand is involved in a wrangle with Malaysia over the possible extradition of one of their officials who allegedly sexually assaulted a NZer. NZ stuffed up big time in its handling of this delicate matter. The victim in the middle of course should be the focus! 3) The Labour Party is actually coming out with some good policies, like the one for paying $100 per student to low decile schools who traditionally find it hard to collect the ‘voluntary’ donation for school fees in a nations where education is supposed to be free! 4) Fonterra, have warned that the pay-out to dairy farmers will be less. This, after a few years of record payment. I hope the farmers have ‘put a bit aside for the ‘slightly’ harder times ahead. One thing we all know---the world loves NZ cheese, milk and other produce, so suck it up farmers! Your day will come again, probably in a few months. The rest of us---well we have to hang in there for---ever! 5) You can make up the next bits. Have fun!