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~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 25.12.12~
LIFTING MORALE – HAPPINESS ECONOMY “BUZZ WORDS” – GALLUP’s LIST – DECEMBER 2012
Happy People.
A new Gallup poll (USA) lists the following nations as having good “happiness economics” in their countries.
Some Happy countries:
1. Tie A: Panama
1. Tie B: Paraguay
3. El Salvador
4. Trinidad and Tobago
5. Thailand
7. Tie A: Guatemala
7. Tie B: Philippines
A few buzz words of happiness via ABC from the 150,000 people who participated are:
naturally happy. forget problems quickly. start over. joyful. positive. contented. friendly. laid back is good for your health. don’t aspire to be the king. don’t keep wanting more. live life.
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 20.12.12~
CHILDREN. HAPPINESS. PURPOSE – WE WILL HAVE TO CHANGE – OBAMA’S WORDS USA 16th DECEMBER 2012
“I am very mindful that mere words cannot match the depth of your sorrow, nor can they heal your wounded hearts. I can only hope that it helps for you to know that you are not alone in your grief.
Can say that we’re truly doing enough to give all the children of this country the chance they deserve to live out their lives in happiness and with purpose? I’ve been reflecting on this the last few days. If we’re honest without ourselves, the answer is no. And we will have to change.” (more…)
SMILE BEROMETER 2012…
I gotta say, in 2012 if there is one regret… it is that the kanohi (face) didn’t smile as much as it was capable of smiling…
My own fault. There was plenty to smile about in 2012. Yet, I got robbed. Would have to give it a 3/10 for smiles in 2012.
In 2013: I want to beef it up to 8/10 on the smile berometer of happiness. (more…)
LOVE
Love is a reflection of heaven in your heart.
Shine it bright.
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoablog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 7.12.12~
DAD’S EXHUBERANCE OF SPIRIT
My dad and I often have 100% opposite political views in life. Our opinions also differ largely based on our different life experiences.
Yet as different as we are, (and we don’t see each other often these days), dad has always been one of my best mates and sounding boards.
Visiting me today, dad spoke of getting through “crunch and munch” times in life. Dad and mom have survived many of those as a South Pacific family living in Fiji, Tonga in the early years of their marriage and also in New Zealand. Well, I’ve witnessed my folks get through another crunch and munch time in the last nine months.
What happened to my folks was extremely unfair, verging on racism. Yet they ploughed on through it. Found a true team of supporters and have and are rebuilding their lives. Dad’s exhuberance of spirit has always been a defining trait of his life. Although we debate life’s views strongly (he raised me that way) together on our own, his spirit is full of wise joy most days.
When dad left today, I couldn’t help thinking of the word exhuberannce. A visionary thinker in his own way (mostly in spiritual ways… unlike me :), dad has always been a forward thinking visionary Kiwi man.
Let’s end this post on that word then. Exhuberant means: (adjective). full of energy, excitement, and cheerfulness: a noisy bunch of exuberant youngsters. characterized by a vigorously imaginative artistic style: exuberant, over-the-top sculptures. literary growing luxuriantly or profusely: exuberant foliage. (more…)
MOVING FORWARD
Happiness is a direction.
–S.J Harris.
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 24.9.12~
THE LIGHT IN OUR WINDOW
Where Peace starts, let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love. A warm smile is the universal welcome, in the language of humane kindness. I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress. May a smile always be the light in our window, where we grow brave by reflection.
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 22.9.12~
A GOLDEN EAGLE LANDING – VALERIE ADAMS ARRIVES HOME TO A ROYAL WELCOME, AUCKLAND CITY
Gotta have some Valerie Adams in one’s smile club Kiwi mix. New Zealand’s no.1 track and field champion star returned home today. :)
Virginia Tuita, from the Tongan Royal family said “There are no words to express how proud they are of Valerie.”
Adams earlier tweeted: “The eagle has landed one happy person right now. Still on plane to the gate :).”
The sports star has been a long time away from home. The high price of sport. Welcome home! Getty/TVNZ
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 19.9.12~
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING – MAGIC MAKE HISTORY WITH WIN OVER VIXENS – ANZ CHAMPIONSHIPS
Today, one nation is very proud of our lady athletes:
The Magic made world history today being the local Kiwi Club to win a final against the Aussie’s Vixens.
TVNZ reporter Steve Marshall described the match as a total “nailbiter.”
“The Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic have made history by being the first New Zealand netball side to claim the ANZ Championship with their stunning come-back 41-38 win over the Vixens in Melbourne today.
After five long years the perennial finalists, competing in their third final, roared home as netball fans across the country embraced the moment.
A jubilant Irene van Dyk described the win as “absoloutely amazing”, the 40-year-old tutor having battled through a difficult week after losing her mother to a long battle with cancer shortly before last week’s preliminary final win oner the Northern Mystics.”
Absoluut ongelooflike inderdaad. Congratulations. Mauri ‘Ola. :)
The Champions: Photo Musae Studios.
Laura Langman, Irene van Dyk and Casey Williams celebrate. Getty Images.
“It (victory) wasn’t only for us here, it was for the whole of New Zealand.”–Irene van Dyk. Photo Getty.
Highlights: TV3.
Our sweet & tough golden girls of sport & World Champions of New Zealand 2012 are: Laura Langman, Casey Williams, Jess Waitapu, Khao Watts, Jess Tuki, Sulu Ione-Fitzpatrick, Leana de Brun and Arahi Wall.
Other golden girl World Champions of netball sports magic 2012 include:
Top coach: Noeline Taurua, Belinda Muller, Fiona Goddard and Te Ambassador of Te Sport: Temepara George, MNZM.
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 22.7.12~
Q+A FEEDBACK – SUPERANNUATION. FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS. ACCELERATING KEY GROWTH STREAMS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – NEW ZEALAND 2040 & AUCKLAND CITY PLANNING
Superannuation was a hot topic today as well as youth home ownership for first time home owners. PM John Key spoke well on TV live from the National Party convention centre.
In a $50 million earning bracket himself, I was more listening for whether he is in touch with the real needs of majorities of Kiwis. He was more sobre-minded when speaking to cam. Superannuation, needs to and will be addressed.
As yet the urgency has not entirely hit the PM yet, due to his own personal fortunate circumstances acting as a buffer perhaps, though it sounds like he’s working on it with his cabinet too. New Zealand is ageing prematurely, meaning grey power have a lot of say and our population is ageing and also older immigrants love the safe haven nature of NZ too. Is there enough oxygen in the air for youth and young adult culture to have a platform enhancing the future good life of our esteemed grey power set of cool Kiwis? Youth can’t afford to listen all the time to grey power. Yet grey power if they turn and face youth, have the keys to draw out the dream NZ needs for youth and grey power to be secure and have more fun. So, a little investment from grey power into the young, could quite possibly cause young people’s innovative gifts to rise now to the fore. It’s time.
Where are those forums, that can feed back into strategic angel investor pools as well as the MPI hub of business in the near future? Let’s get it fast tracking. It’s exciting.
Immigration: Immigrants have accelerated rapidly in NZ. Critics say Maori are resistant to immigrants. I found the statement kind of insulting as a Maori-Kiwi, simply because Maori have welcomed more cultures into New Zealand than many other people, so Maori have the longest standing immigration manaaki record in NZ history. If Maori show signs of immigrant fatigue, it’s only due to our no.1 partner (The Crown) deliberating playing Maori off against a plethora of immigrants, perhaps creating a feeding frenzy upon Maori by all in unjust ways. Get back into the pitt and negotiate properly, is what politics should be doing concerning Maori and The Crown right now. Courts should be doing the same. The foundations and getting them right will save a lot of money and heartache, if we take the time now to be considerate and get this right.
What causes resistance could perhaps be economic structuring. An idea, or suggestion: What is needed is something like an Iwi-Kiwi bank for Maori NZ citizens and friends. What is also needed is % quota shares of oil, water, NZ resources sales (similar to the fish case in the Supreme Court) that goes into the Iwi-Kiwi banking structure and is administered to tribes. The money is not for ‘living.’ It is more for development purposes. This would sure up a fast track stream of development for Maori to grow the wider NZ economy quicker. All Kiwis would benefit. Also, people like Mark Solomon, Tainui and Sir Ralph Norris have the business skills to spin out this money for maximum return – if they wanted to get involved.
If Indian immigrants did the same (own their own NZ owned bank etc). If Asian-Kiwis did the same too, then the government’s job would be a key joy. In the US, people develop without government so much. In NZ, government is extremely strong. At times heavy. So a balance between both of these styles of biz governance could perhaps benefit NZ by freeing up the economy more. Then government could more concentrate on the success stories, (throwing more parties in a culture of success celebration achievement), within the four sectors of biz growth and cross-polinate these models (eg: MPI etc) with strategic meetings that would then work more like an economic science of growth, based on what’s actually working being highlighted and replicated and perfected in new ways, thus streamlining the growth process. (Gosh, what a bad structured sentence!).
It’s exciting no matter what way you look at it though.
Young People: Democracy is always built on young energy. If we deplete it, we are stripping the country’s best interests. When we age we can tend to get selfish (although some of the most youthful Kiwis in heart are elderly people – it’s about attitude of being youthfully accepting). We we can lose our peripheral vision as we move into our ‘contentment’ phase of life.
Prof. Paul Spoonley noted with Jessica Mutch the alarming (or just global times realities) statistic of 150,000 young New Zealanders leaving the country since 2008 (the global financial crises years). (more…)
CHILD LIFE COACH – JORDAN SAMUEL & FRIENDS – DANCING TO FREEDOM
Dancing to freedom. Here’s youth life coach and youth motivator, Jordan Samuel and buds.
Amazing teamwork and discipline in action.
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 3.7.12~
LAUGHTER, LOVE OF HUMOR & UPBEAT MINDSET ARE THE BEST MEDICINE TO LIVING LONGER
Thinking of my centurian and nonagenarian friends in New Zealand and the USA who are of Lebanese descent, I have to say: Positive attitude, sense of humor are definitely linked to long life.
May we always develop the good habit of happiness in our thought processes more and smile lots! :)
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 6.6.12~
SHILOH JOLIE-PITT’S BIRTHDAY – MAY 27 2012
Shiloh Jolie-Pitt turns six years of age, Sunday (North American time). This explains why at the time of writing, the third-generation Hollywood star is the no.1 celebrity name rating on this blog.
It only seems like yesterday that little Shiloh arrived at the Cottage Medi-Clinic Hospital in Swakopmund, Namibia. Her birth was similar to the days when Prince William and Prince Harry Windsor were born, in regards to the amount of fascination that people gave Shiloh’s arrival in the world. She instantly became one of the world’s most favorite magazine cover girls from the time young Shiloh arrived.
Observations, while living in Hollywood are that Shiloh’s birth caused the city to melt like fluffy marshmallows in cups of sweet hot chocolate. An aura of kindness and joy swept across Los Angeles. The dynasty of Hollywood’s star system shined over the city. (Hollywood actually really does care about stuff like that).
The peace Shiloh’s birth news brought to The City of Angels really did happen. In a quirky way, the child was like a satellite of peace from Namibia. Guys at the office in the Universal Building in North Hollywood, bragged about donating to Angelina’s favorite charities in Africa (guilt money) and all the thin-stick Hollywood girls in the neighborhood rushed out to get puppies that they’d names like “me-me” [sic] and Chloe. I stayed in the home of Papa Elie, a California proud patriarch, who was married to the gracious daughter of a Kentucky Senator. Margaret and Elie were founding members of the infamous Sierra Hiking Club. In his late 80′s, Papa Elie (whose mother Ramza had lived to a young 110), was nearing 90. This was a remarkable feat because due to a fire on a train, as a girl she’d missed her passage aboard the Titanic, days before it sunk. As Papa was of Hasbaya Lebanese and Canadian origin, home-made hummus, promegranites and copious amounts of fresh luscious fruit of California, defined our home’s daily diet while we watched Quiz Shows on TV. Dude still went to the gym three days a week too. Lol!
Papa Elie of California taught me that happiness happens when you choose it to, each day. He lived to make check-out girls working at superettes where he got his fruit from each day, smile. His own constant smile, a living witness of his faith in God. During these days staying with Papa Elie in Walt Disney’s hood, I worked at the entertainment red carpet events office with Jodi Hannah – a producer of Extreme Days -an extreme sports action-packed documentary. Hannah has a producing partner in Christchurch City, New Zealand. Jodi doubled too as a humanitarian mother who prayed each day (in the office) for lesser fortunate children to have a better life of opportunity in the USA before she began her work day. A remarkable person that works with Fortune 500 company sponsors, she creates events from the heart that do this. So with an Eli and a Hannah ever constant, the year Shiloh Jolie-Pitt was born, was a surreal moment, I’ll never forget.
The name Shiloh itself is also of significance in Jewish history as it was the name of the place where Samuel, Israel’s ancient prophet child was raised by Eli, the high preist of Israel at the temple. At a young age, the child Samuel would hear from God at Shiloh. Samuel went on to pray prayers that held back disasters and enemy onslaughts against Israel all of his days. He also was a judge and kingmaker. It was a time in history where people could not get could spiritual guidance easily in uncertain times (eg: they did not hear ‘the word of God’ in that time). So at a pivotal time in history the story goes: ”And the LORD appeared again at Shiloh, because the LORD revealed Himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the LORD.” Clarity returned to Israel’s people in murky times again.
Wayne Blank of Keyway.Ca websites defines Shiloh Jolie-Pitt’s name or origin as being: “After the Israelites crossed The Jordan River into the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua, The Tabernacle, with The Ark Of The Covenant inside, was established at Shiloh. The name means peaceful, or tranquil, and no doubt it was with The Lord’s Presence. No place on earth could have been more secure. It was “God’s country,” and they were “God’s people.”" Or, in other words, Shiloh Jolie-Pitt is named after the place where peace totally jammed.
Her birth is perhaps a reminder that peace comes when you pray it into being each day and choose happiness by living life more peacefully with a smile.
[Happy Birthday SJP].
~Posted by Horiwoodblog.Com, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 27.5.12~
TARANAKI POP ROYALTY & CULTURAL REVOLUTIONARY, NANNY HUI KAHU OF PAATEA MAORI CLUB, NEW ZEALAND DIES
In her day, she was pop royalty in New Zealand, the smiling face of a no.1 music hit and a cultural revolution of the Maori language – in mainstream Kiwi society. Her name was Nanny Hui Kahu - and In New Zealand, we all love her.
She came to fame when songwriter Dalvanius Prime and Ngoi Pewhairangi collaborated on electro-pop songs in the Maori language. Nanny Hui Kahu (who never quite did manage Dame status for her revolutionary role in New Zealand society) was the leading voice of the Paatea Maori Club on the pop charts. Their hit Poi E (click on pic above to hear) shot to number one and set the record for a no.1 hit for many weeks.
The people of Paatea were positioned in society at the time as being the victims of a freezing works closure. Out of work, they created music and toured the country together. Oil has been successfully extracted from their Maori tribal rohe (province) for about fifty years, so why these people ever suffered hardship of any kind, is still a mystery to most New Zealanders today. Their oil of joy, was contained in their song. On our radio stations we happily consumed the joie-de-vivre of life, or mauri (the life force) as we call it in NZ. Nanny Hui’s smiling face was the impetus of get-up-and-go spirit for many New Zealanders. She defined the underdog that triumphed in the face of difficulty. Loved her!
She lost her battle with cancer in Hawera, aged 76 and she is remembered and celebrated this week, by all New Zealanders who knew who she was.
TV3 has news coverage of Nanny Hui Kahu’s right royal Taranaki sendoff here. Of course, true blue Kiwis will be tuning into Te Karere and or Te Kaea TV formats for Nanny Hui’s celebration news of a Kiwi icon. Her expressions of Maori joy, instantly made her The Peoples Nanny of all of New Zealand in her day.
Stalwart of the Paatea Maori Club, Mrs Sylvia Kershaw also passed away too. RIP to two Kiwi greats.
[Photo courtesy of - http://news.tangatawhenua.com/archives/17409%5D.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 30.4.12~
RON JERKEES – THE UN FINDS DENMARK TO BE THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH
In a United Nations poll on Happiest Places on Earth, New Zealand Central plateau land owners, Denmark jimmied their way to the no.1 spot.
No.2 is Finland. Norway took 3rd. Netherlands landed at 4. Canada was no.5. Kiwis, well… New Zealand took the no.8 position.
News source – Stuff.Co.NZ.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 5.4.12~
MITA GRAHAM IS AN INTERNATIONALLY SPORTY HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER
Often we don’t value our talented, conscientious and hardworking school teachers enough. They are community menders, educators and inspirers of youth each day in our classrooms. To some young people, they are their missing parental stable figure they relate to each day.
Never before in our lifetime has there been more pressure on school teachers to wear so many hats to get New Zealand’s young people through to a place of excellence in reaching the heights of achievable and useful educational outcomes.
Mita Graham is a secondary school teacher (the New Zealand equivalent of high school).
He’s also represented the code of touch rugby football in the Blacks team.
Of his goals in life, Mita Graham says: “Mainly to be happy. Make a positive difference in young people’s lives. Play the sport for as long as I can.”
Mauri Ora Mita. Rock on!
I’m not sure, but I think Mita Graham just might be a Maori lad of Kiwiland too. :)
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 15.3.12~
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE AND AL GREEN – LET’S STAY TOGETHER
Today, America and the Western world are celebrating the living legend of Rev. Al Green‘s gift of happiness through music, concurrently, with the sad passing of Ms. Etta James.
Here’s some JT. and the Rev. singing live in duet – Let’s Stay Together to keep those sentiments of honoring greatness… flowing. Boyz II Men‘s Nathan Morris, Shawn Stockman and Wanya Morris provide harmonic vocals with Mr Keith Urban playing guitar.
Stay in Love with Love.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 21.1.12~
HAPPINESS BEAUTY BEAUTY HAPPINESS
“Beauty might bring happiness, but happiness always brings beauty”–quote.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 18.1.12~
MADE ME GLAD MUSIC
Made Me Glad is my favorite post in the last 36 Hours of blogging. Click on Made Me Glad Music to listen.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 15.1.12~
NEW MUSIC – GUY SEBASTIAN – “DON’T WORRY BE HAPPY”
[youtube-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dz_6Y0-Pv38&ob=av2e]
Life is short, we only get to live it once. So live and love and give it all you’ve got–Mr Guy Sebastian 2012.
Guy Sebastian‘s Don’t Worry Be Happy song that is his tribute song to The State of California, reminds us to be thankful for the gift of life.
Take a listen.
Guy is so talented! The lyrics also represent the Dream Time vibe for a South Pacific summer 2012.
~Posted by Horiwoodl.Com, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 4.1.12~






















JAKEY DAVIS GOES TO CATHOLIC SCHOOL, NEW ZEALAND
True fact: Creative Maori-Kiwi kid, young Jakey Davis attends Catholic school.
He is so smart, when I’m in Jakey’s presence, my brain hurts tracking the zings that go through his thought processes at lightning Te Uira speed.
Can’t help admire his clever. Academically Jakey is definitely in the fast track. The self-described “one of the two best” in his Saturday mornings rugby team, Jake loves going to school every day. If he could go to school on the weekends too, Jakey so would. Such a Maori nerd!
New Zealand’s got smart talent rising up in Kiwi neighborhoods.
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 28.7.12~
July 27, 2012 | Categories: Academics, Asia Pacific, Asia-Pacific, Athletes, Catholic Watch, Children, Children's Books, Creative, Cruickshank Montrose, Education, Grace, Happiness, Hollywood Maori Kings, Jakey Davis, Kiwi Heroes, Kool Kiwis, New Zealand, New Zealand Citizens, Northland, Pop Cultural Commentary, Rugby, Smart, Smile Club, South Pacific, Sports, Star System - The Art of Aotearoa New Zealand Celebrity, Star System - The Art of South Pacific Celebrity, Star Trek, Star Wars, Strength, Structuralists, Superman, Whanau, Whangarei City | Leave A Comment »