Courtney lives in Remuera and received a generic invite to a Regular Reportback breakfast hosted by Rodney Hide tomorrow. "On the back of the invite is a little mission statement of sorts, including - 'We believe taxpayers have a right to know what they're paying for and to expect value
for their money - that's why Government is introducing Act's Taxpayer Rights Bill next year so that Crown spending can be capped at the rate it is today'. Will Mr Hide be treating everyone for breakfast, I wonder?"
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There's a nice typo on the adidas-sponsored Auckland Marathon T-shirts," says a reader. "All the motivation you to keep running. They're missing the word 'need'. Good job there are only about 10,000 of them around Auckland."
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A woman claims she is unable to keep to a healthy diet because she is frightened of vegetables. Vicki Larrieux, from Portsmouth in England, suffers from lachanophobia, which leaves her sweating and stricken with panic at the merest sight of a sprout or a pea. "It is a bit of an ordeal to go to the supermarket because the veg is usually right by the door," she said. "My boyfriend is very understanding and does his best to accommodate me. It is a good job he isn't a vegetarian because it just wouldn't work ..." (Source: telegraph.co.uk)
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The parent who complained about the heavy-handed approach of her children's high school responds to Ross Mayall: "School donations are just that - donations. They are not fees, but voluntary payments, and cannot be demanded by schools. Students cannot be harassed, humiliated or excluded from activities because the donation has not been paid. Some parents choose not to pay the donation; others simply cannot afford to do so."
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Ross Mayall has obviously never raised two children on a small income, writes another reader. "I strongly object to being labelled a 'bludger' simply because I have often found myself unable to afford the school donation. I have always tried to help the school in other ways [e.g. donating my time around the school and helping with fundraisers]. Perhaps this actually makes me less of a 'bludger' than those who pay the donation but do nothing else to help keep the school operating."
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Good deed: Rachel wants to let everyone know how thoughtful the crew of Fullers Ferries are: "Last night on a late boat, as I was getting off, the crew said they would wait for me [since it was dark] to get to my car before they left the wharf. How awesome is that!"
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View today's Herald cartoon
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Today's Webpick: Bambi wanders into the Lion enclosure at a zoo...I can't look! Go here and scroll down.
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