Millisphere, n. a discrete region populated by roughly one-thousandth of the total world population; a bit over seven million people

Ta-daaaa! Who wouldn't love the ability to predict the future? These days you don't need crystal balls, tea leaves or Tarot cards

Across all media and around the world, the role of authenticity is being strength-tested. In politics, the arts and social media

The year 2017 started in something of a zen-like zone for me - returning from a blissful five-day yoga retreat in the Coromandel had

Bee problems Has anyone else had this problem from the growing enthusiasm for beekeeping, and if so what did they do? We moved two

AS WE enter the peak of the tourist season, it's timely to reflect on whether we are "over-loving" some of our pristine outdoors attractions

MICHELLE Obama's last speech as United States First Lady showed the optimist she has always been. While the role of Flotus is often

Airport cafe It is time to practise what we preach and, of course, charge our ratepayers for -- with a $2 million-plus and growing

"WE have imagined how things would have been at that time if there was an internet and people were using social media," said Mikhail

ONE notable achievement of Helen Clark's government was to consign the more anachronistic relics of the honours system, with its feudalistic

Failed strategy The proposal by Consumer magazine for New Zealand poultry processors to follow recent UK initiatives requiring processors

AS President Obama's term ends, it is fair to ask what were his accomplishments and his shortcomings. I'm focusing mainly on foreign

I've been asked to reflect on the year that was in this column, and what a year it was! When I named Donald Trump "Person of the Year"

Sorting out a photo to go with the front page story on Chris Cresswell's death we were spoilt for choice. A personal favourite was

Being a practising non-monotheist means that I try not to get caught up in monotheist festivals, but to take it in good grace when

Sucker punches Mayor McDouall has come out swinging against councillors who wanted to call a special meeting about the sewerage scheme

TWELVE people were killed in a Christmas market in Berlin on December 19, mown down by a terrorist in a big truck. Elsewhere in Germany

How loud is too loud? And where and when is it too loud? Musician and former music venue manager JACK MITCHELL-ANYON tries to make

DONALD Trump is gonna be the prez ... the ice sheets are melting ... innocents are being killed in stupid wars around the planet ..

THE failure of the mainstream media in the United States to provide objective analysis during the recent presidential campaign is

With its trails, tracks and treks, New Zealand is a treasure trove for the active visitor. And each year more people flock to the

"Look, I'm not a cigarette smoker, but I agree with your columns where you put the boot into those 'smokefree' ideologues. It's just

By Margi Keys RECENTLY I was in the South Island. Being interested in the power of natural forces, I was keen to see some effects

Bulldozed We have a very special stream at Castlecliff Beach, and all of my children have played in it over the years. Our council

All of the available evidence rather suggests that the story of satire in 2016 was the old story of how satire has zero impact on

FOR ME, Christmas came early this year - and what a glorious day it was. With two lifeforms living out of town and working over the

IT'S TIME to reflect on the past 12 months ... Personally, it's been a year of change - shifting back to Whanganui, changing jobs

THE world's population can be divided into pessimists and optimists. Ideas of race, colour, religion, politics are not as relevant

Homelessness in New Zealand has been one of the big stories of the year - despite officialdom's attempts to hide the harsh reality

THE stop-go evacuation of rebel fighters and civilians from Aleppo had begun again as I write, but the reason for the last interruption