Posts by Russell Brown
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This seems like a good place to put this ...
A reader has noted to me that she saw this post on the Grey Lynn Residents website drawing attention to a petition from the Auckland Ratepayers' Alliance calling in Auckland Council to "withdraw their undemocratic 'out of scope' zoning changes." This is the claim Ben deals with in the post above.
The Ratepayers' Alliance petition page formally demands that: "Auckland Council should vote to withdraw plans to rezone areas of Auckland in the Unitary Plan which have not been available for public consultation."
Leaving aside the other misrepresentations, I understand this isn't even possible.
But here's the funny thing: The Auckland Ratepayers' Alliance is an initiative of the Taxpayers' Union. It was launched last April with a promise to, In Jordan Williams' words:
... stand up against Auckland Council’s wasteful spending, poor financial mismanagement, the proposed rates increases and the new taxes the Council wants to introduce.
David Farrar duly amplified, encouraging "Aucklanders who want to reduce wasteful spending by the Auckland Council to join" and emphasising that the Alliance's job "will be to fight wasteful spending and large rates increases, no matter who is running the Council."
What the Alliance doing with this petition and the misinformation accompanying it seems way outside the financial remit touted by Williams and Farrar. Indeed, Auckland Transport is already taking advice on how to quantify the costs it faces as a result of the additional sprawl already permitted by the Proposed Unitary Plan. But they want to address housing capacity in Auckland with even more sprawl?
How very odd.
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Do we really have to do Max Key jokes?
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Anyone who has a direct interest in this topic, either on their own behalf or for someone else, may wish to read the below.
I got this advice from a sympathetic and knowledgeable GP after asking on an individual’s behalf. It’s a really clear explanation of the state of play. Feel free to share it if someone asks you about this stuff.
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There’s always a risk buying medicines overseas, but the Indian factories supplying their domestic market usually aren’t too bad.
The way I work, all the HepC patients see a specialist in private or public, have a fibroscan to assess liver scarring, and maybe a liver biopsy as well for the same reason, and then remain closely or loosely in touch with the specialist depending on results and preferences. Sometimes I will do all the monitoring and followup scans, other times the specialist will.
The old drugs were actually pretty useless (low cure/bad side effects) and lots of people opted not to bother, but the newer drugs are quite different, and I think now all my patients have one way or another have used them (mostly thru trials run by Ed G and Auck Uni).
The key point to get across is that the type of drug or combination used, and the dose(s), and the course length all depend on the scarring/cirrhosis level, and the HCV genotype. Without this information it is not possible to give the correct course, and gain optimum benefit and chance of cure. This information can only be obtained from specialist gastroenterology or hepatology services.
If a patient of mine was found to have HepC I would be happy to supervise medication sourced from overseas if:
- I knew the patient well enough
- they had been assessed by a specialist as above
- the treatment plan was written down, plus the monitoring neededTo do this I would refer them for assessment at the liver unit at Auckland Hospital, or to see a specialist in private, and once I had a letter back with the plan we would go ahead.
Your acquaintance needs a proper assessment and treatment plan from a Hepatologist, and if he’s got a good relationship with his GP then it really shouldn’t be a problem.
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Hard News: Listening Lounge 2016: Drugs…, in reply to Dastardly Bounder,
The Listening Lounge is a great addition to the Splore quiver. I'm looking forward to the discourse...
Part of me is really looking forward to 3pm Saturday, when I can relax and get my Splore on.
And I must say, while it's sad that the Brand New Heavies have had to pull out, the fact that it means a bonus Leftfield DJ set on Saturday night is not unwelcome.
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And wouldn't you know it, Nick Dwyer has had to pull out owing to a commitment in Dubai.
Dick Johnson will be subbing in. I'll amend the post accordingly soon.
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Hard News: Mt Eden: Not a closing but an…, in reply to Bart Janssen,
Actually the universal response of visitors we take up there is
“it’s so green”
“the air is so clear”Rich was specifically addressing Pippa Coom's photo, in which the carpark looks like ... a very crowded carpark.
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Hard News: Mt Eden: Not a closing but an…, in reply to Bart Janssen,
Agreed. But Mt Eden gives better views of the city (we can usually pick out their hotel) and Rangitoto.
Mt Eden is also the highest point on the isthmus.
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Hard News: Mt Eden: Not a closing but an…, in reply to BenWilson,
Of all the places that we can and already do have pohutukawa stands, it’s basically the worst possible choice.
You're absolutely right. But, um, good luck with that ...
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Hard News: Mt Eden: Not a closing but an…, in reply to BenWilson,
Yes, that would be the one that probably needs no more protection than it has – in that the last stretch is already some steps to be walked up. There's a football ground right near the top anyway.
It's also a thoroughly unenjoyable ride up.
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Hard News: Mt Eden: Not a closing but an…, in reply to Bart Janssen,
The scenic drive is great too, also where else in the world do you have a major city 30-40 minutes from dinosaur trees!!! AND if you have time Piha/Murawai blows away most visitors and you can stop in at some wineries on the way back. But you need the time.
A couple of times in the past we took friends arriving back directly to Muriwai to stand and face the wind. It was a great thing to do.
So yes there are alternatives, but Mt Eden was the best choice and I’m still disappointed there was no halfway ground that could be made to work.
Yeah, it's difficult. But the atmosphere yesterday was amazing. Not having to worry about cars has really changed things.
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