Rob Rattenbury is retired and lives in Whanganui. He recently published a book about his years with the police.
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![Rob Rattenbury: Impressive venue result of vision, hard work](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Swing voters change governments – Rob Rattenbury
OPINION: Most of us are selfish voters.
![Rob Rattenbury: The joys of getting older](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Comment: Schools reflect Whanganui's rich heritage
Rob Rattenbury takes a look at our secondary schools' history.
![Rob Rattenbury: A truant of some repute](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Comment: Why writing is an addiction
Rob Rattenbury writes about writing and writers.
![Rob Rattenbury: We want the best treaty outcomes](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Rob Rattenbury: We want the best treaty outcomes
OPINION: We all want our country to thrive.
![Comment: Facing life alone without your partner](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Whanganui’s town centre can amaze visitors
OPINION: People from outside of Whanganui are really surprised
![Language not something to fear - Rob Rattenbury](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Christmas all about family and fun
Rob Rattenbury looks forward to a family-focused Christmas Day.
![Rob Rattenbury: How mentors shape our lives](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Rob Rattenbury: Times have changed but fish n' chips are still for me
What's your favourite takeaway?
![Comment: 'Ordinary life' impossible for many](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Rob Rattenbury: Schools entrench strong networks
OPINION: We knew all the stories, the jokes, the traditions.
![Comment: Telling stories hard art to master](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Memories of milk deliveries
'One family I delivered to went through 12 to 15 pints per day...'
![Comment: Happiest years of our lives](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Comment: Family is everything
Rob Rattenbury writes about the importance of family.
![Rob Rattenbury: Change is hard but we’re making progress](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Rob Rattenbury: Why I keep an open mind
Comment: I'm more your broad-brush kind of guy.
![Rob Rattenbury: Lest we forget](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Comment: Streetscape retains Whanganui's history
Rob Rattenbury appreciates developers who are retaining Whanganui's old buildings.
![The rewards of having a work ethic](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
The rewards of having a work ethic
Comment: Rob Rattenbury says our work ethic often comes from our parents.
![Rob Rattenbury: In a rush](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Rob Rattenbury: In a rush
There's significantly more traffic on Whanganui's roads as the population increases.
![Rob Rattenbury: Lessons from Pākaitore](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Rob Rattenbury: Lessons from Pākaitore
Rob Rattenbury writes about the opportunities provided at Pākaitore Day.
![Comment: Do we inherit memories?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Comment: Camping provides lifelong memories
Rob Rattenbury reflects on family camping trips.
![Rob Rattenbury: Whanganui - a capital city?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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.](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
The one sport I could never wrap my head around
Comment: Rob Rattenbury admits he's mystified by the allure of golf.
![Rob Rattenbury: Guy Fawkes' celebrations irrelevant](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Rob Rattenbury: Guy Fawkes' celebrations irrelevant
Rob Rattenbury questions why New Zealand continues to mark Guy Fawkes' execution.
![Rob Rattenbury: The art of buying a car](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Rob Rattenbury: The art of buying a car
Comment: The least I have ever paid for a car was $175, in 1972.
![Comment: A 'railway nut' dreams of a future with more trains](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Comment: A 'railway nut' dreams of a future with more trains
Rob Rattenbury remembers when Whanganui had its own railway station in Taupō Quay.
![Rob Rattenbury: 'My lycra seems to have shrunk'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Rob Rattenbury: 'My lycra seems to have shrunk'
It's T-shirts and footy shorts now as Rob Rattenbury enjoys a ride around the cycleways.
![Comment: Old acquaintances renew childhood memories](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Comment: Old acquaintances renew childhood memories
"Like many, I am always curious as to what happened to the people who shared my life."
![Rob Rattenbury: Morvin Simon dramatically shifted my horizons](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Rob Rattenbury: Morvin Simon dramatically shifted my horizons
A course in te ao Māori was a gamechanger for Rob Rattenbury.
![Rob Rattenbury: Tripping the light fantastic](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Rob Rattenbury: Tripping the light fantastic
Dancing brings people together, writes Rob Rattenbury.
![Rob Rattenbury: Whanganui's future is in voters' hands](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Rob Rattenbury: Whanganui's future is in voters' hands
Comment: There is some pretty heavy stuff coming up for our future council.