Category Archives: Columns

Weekly columns I write for the Taranaki Daily News and Stuff.com

Pukekura Park plan perfect

A new plan to update New Plymouth’s Pukekura Park shows the maturity of the current NP_ District Council regime. Continue reading

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Views rate ahead of unsightly windmills

Do we want windmills blocking our views of Taranaki Maunga – hell no. Continue reading

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Why reunions are a good idea still

The Covid pandemic has ruled out most school reunions, but when it’s over the way will be clear again for those gatherings of old schoolmates. Still a good idea? Continue reading

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Good journo beneath mild-mannered man

Mike Watson reported for various NZ newspapers for more than 20 years. The New Plymouth journalist – the epitome of the diligent reporter – died in mid-February 2022 aged 63. Here’s what we thought of him. Continue reading

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Tricky road to a new driver’s licence

Getting a driver’s licence renewal after 60 years of untested driving ain’t no picnic. Continue reading

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Selfish anti-vaxxers won’t be missed

I’ve lost my patience with anti-vaxxers because reasoning with them gets you nowhere. Continue reading

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Columns book is launched at hospice

Jim Tucker has just published a collection of his columns in a book to raise money for Hospice Taranaki. It’s available at the five hospice shops in New Plymouth, Waitara, Stratford and Hawera, or on Trade Me. Continue reading

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How Covid locks down our cars

Why we had no car to drive for three months. Continue reading

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Grumpy old man returns – with mask

I’m back with a column – motivated by what people are (or are not) doing about masking up when they’re out during level 4 lockdown. Continue reading

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MY WORK

A number of people wrote to wish me well after my final newspaper/Stuff column appeared on Jan 9, 2021. Here’s what they had to say. Continue reading

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