Rob Rattenbury
Columnist
Rob Rattenbury is retired and lives in Whanganui. He recently published a book about his years with the police.
We are your advocate, Aotearoa. Uncovering stories that matter, asking hard-hitting questions of those in power, live-blogging sport events, monitoring the highs and lows of the NZX and providing Premium expert opinion and analysis. Bringing you distinctive, quality journalism and breaking news from across New Zealand and around the world. With specialists working together to create indepth reads, engaging video, and unmissable podcasts.
Check out Rob’s latest content
Feed the right wolf – Rob Rattenbury
OPINION: How can two peas out of the same pod sometimes be so different?
Rob Rattenbury: What Mum meant to me
OPINION: Mums; treasure them, never forget them.
Rob Rattenbury: Are NZ cops paid enough?
OPINION: NZ police are being enticed across the ditch.
Rob Rattenbury: Whanganui’s flash rush hour
Opinion: In 10 minutes Whanganui had gone from Sleepy Hollow to a bad day on the motorway.
Rob Rattenbury: A tribute to Whanganui East
OPINION: We've always been east bank people. It's got something for everyone.
Rob Rattenbury: ‘I turned 9 in state care and felt powerless’
OPINION: 'Remember the voices of the victims. They did nothing wrong.'
Rob Rattenbury: What is New Zealand’s dress code?
OPINION: What does our dress sense say about us as a country?
Rob Rattenbury: Investment in ferries vital
OPINION: We can't afford not to replace the Interislander ferries.
Rob Rattenbury: How Covid changed our lives
OPINION: Some businesses are still struggling to return to normal trading figures.
Rob Rattenbury: Dating days are a distant memory
OPINION: Five decades since his dating days, women are still a mystery to Rob Rattenbury.
Rob Rattenbury: Impressive venue result of vision, hard work
OPINION: 'Who could have imagined it could be so transformed?'
Swing voters change governments – Rob Rattenbury
OPINION: Most of us are selfish voters.
Rob Rattenbury: The joys of getting older
OPINION: We only have so many heartbeats left - no need to waste them.
Rob Rattenbury: Granddaughters changed our lives
OPINION: Some may say they are spoiled. Well, just a bit.
Rob Rattenbury: Why New Zealand is a great place for road trips
OPINION: Road trips have always been our thing.
Comment: Bare feet - some things never change
Rob Rattenbury takes a trip down memory lane - but one thing remains the same.
Rob Rattenbury: Fishing is an age-old human activity
Rods, lines, reels, bait, waders, nets, boats. The list is long for the keen fisherperson.
Rob Rattenbury: Cycling through the memories of a great sport
OPINION: I'd never get rid of my bikes.
Comment: Schools reflect Whanganui's rich heritage
Rob Rattenbury takes a look at our secondary schools' history.
Rob Rattenbury: A truant of some repute
OPINION: I do not remember much about my fourth-form year.
Rob Rattenbury: Life on Whanganui’s East side
OPINION: We never set out to live in Whanganui East but that is how it turned out.
OPINION: Whanganui the unknown jewel in crown
Rob Rattenbury enjoys the opportunity to highlight Whanganui's stories.
Rob Rattenbury: New fridge a chance to start afresh
Rob Rattenbury: All was not well with the great white monster.
When wood fire was everything in our homes
OPINION: The wood box in the lounge or living room had to be kept full.
The joy of catching up with old friends
OPINION: Rob Rattenbury says laughter is the common denominator when reuniting with mates.
Rob Rattenbury: Annoying potholes a symptom of a far bigger issue
OPINION: Big government needs to take responsibility at times.
Rob Rattenbury: A public engagement
'We knew it was coming... they both turned up late morning with a bottle of bubbles.'
Comment: Why writing is an addiction
Rob Rattenbury writes about writing and writers.
Rob Rattenbury: We want the best treaty outcomes
OPINION: We all want our country to thrive.
Comment: Facing life alone without your partner
Rob Rattenbury writes about his friends whose partners have died recently.
Whanganui’s town centre can amaze visitors
OPINION: People from outside of Whanganui are really surprised
Language not something to fear - Rob Rattenbury
OPINION: Children are like sponges when it comes to learning languages.
Rob Rattenbury: Years seem to be rolling around much quicker
OPINION: I would expect our politics to dominate the news for a while.
Christmas all about family and fun
Rob Rattenbury looks forward to a family-focused Christmas Day.
Rob Rattenbury: How mentors shape our lives
Comment: Others help parents raise their children without often even being aware of it.
Rob Rattenbury: Times have changed but fish n' chips are still for me
What's your favourite takeaway?
Comment: 'Ordinary life' impossible for many
Opinion: Rob Rattenbury reflects on how times have changed for families.
Rob Rattenbury: A sleepy hamlet and a beautiful lake
OPINION: "Everywhere one looks in Whanganui, one sees history".
Rob Rattenbury: Matthew Perry was a friend to us all
OPINION: All too often, we see shining bright stars fade away long before their time.
Comment: Plenty to buzz about in the backyard
Rob Rattenbury is enjoying the seasons and visitors to his garden.
Rob Rattenbury on Israel-Hamas war: I'm worried about where this will end this time
'The history of both sides is tragic, to say the least.'
Rob Rattenbury: Every politician has their day
OPINION: Politicians come and go, they have their moments in the sun then usually fade.
Rob Rattenbury: Remembering when we were all joggers
OPINION: The streets were filled with people running here, there and everywhere.
Comment: Police Remembrance Day a big deal
Former police officer Rob Rattenbury reflects on Police Remembrance Day.
Rob Rattenbury: Participating in the election not to be taken for granted
OPINION: We all know change can take forever, even in our little democracy.
Rob Rattenbury: Schools entrench strong networks
OPINION: We knew all the stories, the jokes, the traditions.
Comment: Telling stories hard art to master
Rob Rattenbury is trying his hand at writing fiction - but it's not smooth sailing.
Rob Rattenbury: What Six60′s Pepeha means to me
Being a New Zealander can be a complex business.
Rob Rattenbury: It’s a matter of faith
OPINION: Many in New Zealand society have moved on from active religious worship.
Comment: Happy memories of rugby-playing years
Rob Rattenbury looks back at his years of playing rugby.
Rob Rattenbury: Shopping a doddle with quieter pace of life
OPINION: A bad traffic day is when Rob Rattenbury gets two red lights at the city bridge.
Rob Rattenbury: At some point you find a home forever
OPINION: 'I put Supertramp on the stereo and wound it up. We are here and here to stay.'
Rob Rattenbury: The joy of no longer being tied down
OPINION: Rob Rattenbury reflects on a working life of ties, uniforms and suits.
Rob Rattenbury: Healthy disagreement and finding commonality
OPINION: Diverse groups with a common theme can find a place online.
Rob Rattenbury: In celebration of the country pub
OPINION: It's sad to see many of these fine establishments have gone.
Comment: Interesting election for Te Tai Hauāuru, Whanganui, Rangitīkei seats
Rob Rattenbury is predicting a tight election, with some interesting local contests.
Rob Rattenbury: Whanganui's rich history of pubs and hotels
OPINION: I thought to myself, 'Whanganui people must enjoy a great time'.
Memories of milk deliveries
'One family I delivered to went through 12 to 15 pints per day...'
Comment: Happiest years of our lives
Rob Rattenbury writes about his family's move to Whanganui 40 years ago.
Rob Rattenbury: Cemeteries are places between now and then
COMMENT: There's a lot to be learned about life from cemeteries.
Comment: Family is everything
Rob Rattenbury writes about the importance of family.
Rob Rattenbury: Change is hard but we’re making progress
Comment: We forget how far we have come in our lifetimes
Rob Rattenbury: All change for the monarchy under Charles III
Rob Rattenbury writes about the changing face of the Royal Family.
Rob Rattenbury: The eight (ish) hour work day is an institution
Comment: Here follows a possible daily agenda for the last half of my working life
Rob Rattenbury on the changing role of posties
Comment: Snail mail deliveries have changed majorly in my lifetime.
Rob Rattenbury: Why I keep an open mind
Comment: I'm more your broad-brush kind of guy.
Rob Rattenbury: Lest we forget
Rob Rattenbury pays tribute to those who serve so we can live in freedom.
Comment: Streetscape retains Whanganui's history
Rob Rattenbury appreciates developers who are retaining Whanganui's old buildings.
The rewards of having a work ethic
Comment: Rob Rattenbury says our work ethic often comes from our parents.
Rob Rattenbury: In a rush
There's significantly more traffic on Whanganui's roads as the population increases.
Rob Rattenbury: Lessons from Pākaitore
Rob Rattenbury writes about the opportunities provided at Pākaitore Day.
Comment: Do we inherit memories?
Rob Rattenbury writes about overwhelming feelings of home in other places.
Rob Rattenbury: The internet is keeping us at home
Comment: Bumping into old friends uptown does not happen as much anymore
Comment: Camping provides lifelong memories
Rob Rattenbury reflects on family camping trips.
Rob Rattenbury: Whanganui - a capital city?
Rob Rattenbury writes about options for moving our capital city from Wellington.
Comment: Whanganui a jewel in NZ's crown
Rob Rattenbury reflects on Whanganui's rich history.
Comment: Home comforts never felt so good as they do now.
Why go anywhere? It's just nicer being at home, writes Rob Rattenbury.
Comment: Mostly wrong, sometimes right - predictions for 2023
Mostly we get it wrong, but sometimes we call it.
Rob Rattenbury: Media vital for healthy democracy
"The media has a responsibility to keep our politicians and other public figures honest."
The one sport I could never wrap my head around
Comment: Rob Rattenbury admits he's mystified by the allure of golf.