Island Life by David Slack

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Island Life: Child's play

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  • Rob Stowell,

    Michael's notion of citizenship is wildly wackly; lets not imagine anyone else subscribes to it. For that matter, there's a continual call for able-bodied types to crew on racing yachts in Lyttelton every weekend. Won't cost you more than the bus-fare over (heck odds on they'll give you a ride!)

    Whakaraupo • Since Nov 2006 • 2120 posts Report Reply

  • Michael Fitzgerald,

    Simon - Yes I would strip citizenship off those famous names mentioned. OTOH make it a very simple matter to become a New Zealander on their willing return (as with all people).

    This is exactly what happens for many countries citizens, Holland & Austria are but two (although exempt from pensions on their return).

    Marcus - picking up on your point of the international market. We exist in a world where we have a priviledge we don't extend to others. Where the dollar has more rights than people. This to use Simons words is ludicrous.

    Ralph just needs to see a good dentist. What ever he does he needs to see a good dentist.

    Open immigration is my ideal & so too the easy lose.

    Since May 2007 • 631 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz,

    New Zealand is the one country in the world where that statement is wrong

    If you're half useful on a boat you can get a crew slot in the Solent (big UK sailing area) most weekends. Same in Aussie, I think.

    I don't think sailing on someone elses boat is any more expensive than rugby - what's the subs for a rugby team these days?

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

  • Simon Grigg,

    Michael, the Dutch only revoke citizenship if one has dual citizenship for more than ten years. It is not exactly what happens. Austria seems to have have similar provisions, without the ten year proviso. Renunciation or loss of citizenship if one acquires citizenship in another state is common, but I can find no example in 2007 where one becomes stateless if you are not resident (although I believe the late Robert Muldoon muttered such once or twice). As he was, the notion is quite bizarre..

    Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report Reply

  • Michael Fitzgerald,

    Let's not quibble on the detail but acknowledge the principle is sound and used today by 1st world countries.

    The right to gain citizenship needs addressing. The free market concept cannot hold where human beings are not free to move like their money is.

    Since May 2007 • 631 posts Report Reply

  • Jackie Clark,

    What a telling discussion, and interesting too.On the second anniversary of my Dad's death, and reading this thread, I think about how passionate he was about the America's Cup, how much he wanted NZ to be involved in it, how seminal he was to that happening, and how he finally got to see them win it twice. He was initially in San Diego in an advisory capacity to Michael Fay, then on the Board of Trustees when Blake was the head of the syndicate. He was devastated when Butterworth and Coutts "defected", and totally gutted when Team NZ lost their defence. And I think of how elated he would be, now, to know that it's in their grasp again. I have no doubt that my father loved being involved closely with the America's Cup because he loved it when Kiwis came out on top. Some of his ashes are going to be scattered from the NZ boat in Valencia (don't ask how they got there, best not) - so if nothing more than for the reasons above, yes, I want them to win.

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report Reply

  • Michael Fitzgerald,

    Kia kaha Jackie


    Bonan nokton
    (Good night in Esparanto)

    Since May 2007 • 631 posts Report Reply

  • Simon Grigg,

    Let's not quibble on the detail but acknowledge the principle is sound and used today by 1st world countries.

    It's not quibbling on the detail at all...your assertion was plain wrong...its not used by anyone

    Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report Reply

  • Michael Fitzgerald,

    Please feel free to explain how taking away a pass port is not the removal of citizenship after being absent from your country for a period of time?

    We didn't have this priviso when we axed Samoans including returned NZ soliders.

    Oh & "Dead Man's Shoes" is one great movie.

    Since May 2007 • 631 posts Report Reply

  • Simon Grigg,

    Please feel free to explain how taking away a pass port is not the removal of citizenship after being absent from your country for a period of time?

    please feel free to offer an example of a country that does this

    Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Hickling,

    I'm astounded at the depth of feeling that has gone on in this thread, and of the suggestion that I be stripped of my nationality because I've been away.
    I was born in NZ, to Pommy parents, am married to an Eritrean, and have lived in Barbados for eleven years. I have a NZ passport and a UK one by didn't of my parents. We have two Kiwi children. I am a fiercely proud Kiwi, pay taxes in NZ, pay mortgages in NZ and bring in a lot of foreign currency to pay those. We've lived away from home - a big sacrifice in my mind - so we could build a future and a nest egg in NZ. We're moving back next year and will continue making that contribution by bringing new skills learnt abroad.
    I've lived for 13 years having to jump through hoops to get visas for my wife for every country we've visited, so have some understanding of what might be causing this venom in Michael, but I can't work out why I should be excluded from returning to the homeland that I carry in my heart and think of constantly.

    Barbados • Since Nov 2006 • 25 posts Report Reply

  • Hadyn Green,

    I thought I'd pop over to Sparc and see what the most popular sports in New Zealand are (I remember hearing it was surfing, but I wanted to check). I came across this page which not only shows someone yachting but says:

    In this section, you can find out what SPARC's Capability and Sport Development Unit is doing to help ensure New Zealand has the sport and physical recreation systems we need to:
    * be the most active nation
    * win consistently in events that matter to New Zealand.

    By the way all the stats are here, though 2000/01 is the latest data.

    For young people the highest participation is in Soccer(sic), Rugby, Cricket and Netball (swimming and excercising for "Active Leisure" activities).

    For adults the highest participation is in Golf followed distantly by Tennis and Touch (gardening and walking for "Active Leisure" activities). I thought this was skewed towrds the "older" generation until i looked at the 25-34yr demographic.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2090 posts Report Reply

  • merc,

    Surfing is not a sport.

    Since Dec 2006 • 2471 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz,

    On what grounds? Or do you exclude any activity where victory depends on a subjective decision by judges (dressage, dance, skating, jibbing)?

    Incidentally, does the 9% participation in "motorsport" include street racing and general hooning around? And was it clearly explained to the survey participants that watching is *not* a form of participation.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

  • Hadyn Green,

    Actually Surfing is listed under active leisure activities, so I suppose it isn't a sport.

    Then again I don't think cricket is a sport either.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2090 posts Report Reply

  • Michael Fitzgerald,

    At what stage does the requirement to be resident in NZ to hold a NZ pass port become arduous?

    I don't think this is in the least unreasonable.
    The ability to gain residency should also be as an easy process.

    There seems to be a desperate crisis of identity. I suspect rooted in fear 'ex pats' may be subject to the legal status & conditions of the locals they exploit. In the uneven handed manner the empire was setup to do so.

    Since May 2007 • 631 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    The right to gain citizenship needs addressing. The free market concept cannot hold where human beings are not free to move like their money is.

    Yeah. You're kinda scary.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • rodgerd,

    Wierd. SPARC would tell you I'm completely inactive or other because I do a martial art. Never mind that it's an Olympic sport, as well.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 512 posts Report Reply

  • Heather Gaye,

    Wierd. SPARC would tell you I'm completely inactive or other because I do a martial art.

    Same, but there's no mention of boxing/kickboxing either, so I wager they've filed it under "exercise classes". Pff, tell THAT to the five girls I beat up last week! (zap! pow!)

    Morningside • Since Nov 2006 • 533 posts Report Reply

  • InternationalObserver,

    Does calling 'Theatre!' count as sport?__
    (but I did think you called it way too soon Hayden) (page2)__

    Since Jun 2007 • 909 posts Report Reply

  • Hadyn Green,

    Like I said I was forced to:

    we are nation of sad f#cks who pin our hopes/self-esteem on our international sporting prowess.

    Post-melodramatic stress-disorder?

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2090 posts Report Reply

  • Hadyn Green,

    Heather: I hope you've got those fists registered as "deadly weapons" :)

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2090 posts Report Reply

  • merc,

    Haydyn you're on fire today mate (ozzie league commentator accent).
    Heather, you're definitelty my fav PAS poster now..."is there a man I can sock in the jaw?"...

    Since Dec 2006 • 2471 posts Report Reply

  • Heather Gaye,

    Not so deadly at the moment, still trying to reattach my arms to my shoulders after this week's not-so-stunning effort. 8-]

    Still, fatness down, fitness up, bruising near-constant. Take that, SPARC!

    Morningside • Since Nov 2006 • 533 posts Report Reply

  • Don Christie,

    Don
    Yachting on the weekend by definition puts you on the rich side of the divide.
    A/ You have a weekend and not a 2nd or 3rd job with which you buy that luxury good electricity.

    If you think that spending $35 on your sport of choice for your weekend puts you in the elite you must be posting from sub-saharan Africa.

    I know there are people earning far to little in this country, but they are not the majority and for the most part $35 is not a life or death decision. To pretend it is insulting to anyone's intelligence.

    B/You have $35 to waste on playing at a little Rum Sodomy & the Lash.

    Whatever, mate. I like sports (pretty much all of them), I don't hate or deride folks that don't. You obviously do share that tolerance.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report Reply

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