Month: June 2015
ZB Travel – Lucca June 27
Mike’s weekly travel segment on Newstalk ZB’s Jack Tame Show on Saturday, turns the spotlight on the Tuscan gem of Lucca. http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz In a city of 100 churches, there are two unmissables, plus explore Puccini’s family home, enjoy a Puccini concert, sample Lucca’s essential tastes, and trawl the pedestrianised shopping streets where centuries-old shops interplay with… Read More ›
The Press – Opinion June 23
Back to School and Recovery Delays. On Friday I went back to school. Thirty years on, since I first rocked up as a angelic little third-former, I was back as guest speaker for the St. Bede’s Annual Dinner. Since then, I’ve been wallowing in a haze of school days nostalgia, with the memories flooding back…. Read More ›
ZB Travel – Madrid June 20
Mike’s weekly travel slot on Newstalk ZB’s Jack Tame Show, turns the spotlight on magical Madrid. http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz From the landmarks and statues to the markets and foodie treats, Madrid could keep you stimulated for weeks. Don’t miss the Prado, for a fabulous walk through a thousand years of art history and one of Europe’s most… Read More ›
The Press-News column Jun 16
The Housing Crunch and Congestion Charges The latest OECD report on New Zealand champions some bold changes to enhance our sustainable and inclusive economic well-being. Cynics like to deride their reports as the work of Paris chateau pointy-heads. But much of it is applicable Canterbury’s dynamics, with a prescriptive list of changes that should elicit… Read More ›
ZB Travel – Seville Jun 13
Mike’s weekly travel slot on Newstalk ZB’s Jack Tame Show turns the spotlight on Seville, in southern Spain. http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz From the majestic history of Seville Cathedral to the vibrant barrios of Triana and Santa Cruz, Seville is such a great city to explore on foot. Mike’s feature articles on Seville will soon appear in APN/NZME… Read More ›
The Press-News column June 9
Protect the Christchurch Ratepayer Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel’s 11th hour re-hash of the draft long term plan ( LTP) provides the faintest flicker of relief for your backpocket, but you’ll still be rogered. This unorthodox intervention plan by the Mayor appears to be driven by the desire to maintain a veneer of political unity around… Read More ›
ZB Travel – Cordoba June 6
Mike’s weekly travel segment on Newstalk ZB’s Jack Tame Show, turns the spotlight on the old Moorish capital of Andalusia, Cordoba. http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz Explore the staggering beauty of the Mezquita ( Mosque-Cathedral), the Juderia, Roman Bridge and marvel at Cordoba residents’ passion for patio design. The annual Festival of the Patios throws the doors open on… Read More ›
The Press-News Column June 2
In defence of the city’s nightlife. Does the city council want to knock the stuffing out of the central city’s fledgling post-quake nightlife scene? Is New Zealand’s second largest city set to have a strangulated entertainment scene, neutered by power-tripping nanas? Or will common-sense prevail? The business end of the city council’s provisional Local Alcohol… Read More ›
ZB Travel – Portugal in May
In recent week’s Mike’s weekly travel segment on Newstalk ZB’s Jack Tame Show, has been on-location in Portugal, with the focus on Lisbon, Oporto and the heartland. Extensive feature articles on exploring Portugal will appear in upcoming editions of Mike’s weekly travel page in APN/NZME regional newspapers, plus on For the Love of Travel. http://www.fortheloveoftravel.net.nz
The Press-News Column May 26
Existing housing should be off-limits to non-resident foreigner buyers. As the dust settles on Budget 2015’s big bangs, notably the looming hardship hand-outs, the big housing bogey will continue to dog the government’s agenda. Ten days ago, National hoped the big reveal on cracking down on quick-flicking property speculators, would have a chilling effect on… Read More ›
Mike Yardley News and Travel 