MY AREAS OF INTEREST

INVESTING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

Achieving financial self-sufficiency is relatively straight forward for young people if they start early and follow a life pattern of working hard, living frugally, saving diligently and investing wisely.  See “MONEY” for more

EDUCATING A YOUNG AFRICAN PERSON

Africa has been dealt a bad hand but, with its massive mineral deposits, population of one billion, and improving economic outlook, the technical, management and leadership abilities of its young people will determine the future of the 70% of the population living in poverty.   Education will make the difference.  See “KENYA” for more.

WAITAKI BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL

Waitaki Boys’ High School, situated on the Pacific Coast of New Zealand’s South Island, is one of the great boys’ schools of the world. Run on the English public school model, it has an enviable reputation for educating and developing young men. 125 years of history have given it impressive school buildings, facilities, and attractive grounds, but much needs to be done to upgrade the infrastructure and secure the future of the School in the face of declining student enrollment. See “WAITAKI” for more.

UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO CANADA TRAVEL AWARDS

Many of Otago’s graduates have migrated to Canada to pursue their careers and raise families. The funding of four Canada Travel Awards by the University’s Canadian Alumni will encourage young Otago University undergraduates to further their studies in Canada and experience the culture to which we owe much. See “OTAGO” for more.

OAMARU AIR QUALITY

Oamaru, New Zealand is blessed with many natural and acquired assets – the blue penguins and other wildlife, iconic architecture, the splendid Opera House, heated pool, excellent primary care hospital, renowned secondary educational facilities, attractive town Gardens, and an historical harbour. It is one of the great small towns of the world, but suffers from one serious drawback – troublesome winter evening air pollution. See “OAMARU” for more.

CANADA

Folks in my native New Zealand ask me why I live in Toronto. My answer is simply I’ve looked around the world quite a bit and I’ve never found anywhere better to live. Other countries can best Canada and Toronto in most aspects of livability, but overall both most meet my concept of a great place to live. Canada, though, like Toronto is far from perfect. See Canada for more.

NEW ZEALAND FLAG

New Zealand’s current flag was introduced in 1862, and formally adopted in 1902. The work of Albert Hastings Markham, it depicts the Pacific Ocean, the Southern Cross constellation of stars in the Southern sky, and the flag of the European founding colonists, the union jack. While the flag has served New Zealand well, it is often confused with Australia’s flag. And, since New Zealand is now a multicultural nation, we should, perhaps, consider a more uniquely New Zealand themed replacement. See NEW ZEALAND FLAG for more.