Labour Day means a three-day weekend for most and celebrates something many of us remember - the eight-hour work day.

Well, the elections are now done and dusted, and we have a promising team in the Wanganui council, to whom I send my congratulations.

Nothing is certain, we often hear, except death and taxes. But a third certainty appears to be joining them: Climate change.

I have been delving into the writings of Umberto Eco.

So, turns out that thing they say about selling a house and shifting being one of life's biggest stresses is true, for me at least.

Bravery comes in all shapes and sizes, and I think this week its name is Winnie Paap.

It's fun to be able to laugh at the unintended pratfalls taken by the high and mighty.

New visions and concepts are abstract, open to all kinds of interpretations, but the statistics don't lie. In fact, they can damn.

Most people would agree that there's a blurred line between a bit of fun and a bit of bad taste.

Suicide is always a distressing subject - another life wasted; grieving dear ones; dreams left unfulfilled; the guilt of those left behind.

"I don't know how many more people need to die at sea before something gets done," said Malta's Prime Minister, Joseph Muscat.

Lots of people say to me how terrible it is that criminal lawyers will defend someone, some criminal lowlife, who they ought to know is guilty of a crime.

Keep the celebrations short.