Embracing American traditions

Riley Young enjoying Halloween with the rest of his neighbourhood. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Zombies, vampires and witches beware, you have competition - I am a newly converted Halloween fan.

Last weekend was my first "real" Halloween experience. I'd bought into a lofty viewpoint, looking down on the trashiness of Halloween - the "Americanisation" of our society, all the commercial layers, the crazy concept of encouraging our kids to knock on strangers' doors and take candy - even using the word candy!

But you know what, it was fun. Mr Five and Mr Three got dressed up - a classic ghost (white sheet over head with holes cut in it) and a swashbuckling pirate - and we wandered the streets tricking or treating.

I just enjoyed being out with my boys in the early evening and there were so many other families getting into it. One woman saw us across the street and called out that her kids were desperate for someone to knock on their door - they'd made mini cupcakes and wanted to share them. It was adorable.

Thanks is due to my American neighbour who throws herself into seasonal celebrations, otherwise I might have stayed home with a holier-than-thou attitude and missed the good times.

Thanksgiving is next on November 27, so I wonder what we'll be roped into over the fence, although my neighbour may be surprised to learn that my family has already inherited this tradition. Now my sister and I both have families, we share Christmases about, so this year we get together early to give thanks.

But even before adopting the American traditions, there's always something on the calendar.

We're in the month better known as Movember in celebration of the now hipster moustache. Many of my workmates in New Zealand, Australia and around the world are growing designer facial hair to raise funds and awareness for men's health. Check out www.movember.com for info and feel free to donate to me!

With a more Kiwi flavour, we're coming to the end of Conservation Week tomorrow - I have such fond memories of Conservation Week. During my time at the Department of Conservation (DoC), our team led the planning for Conservation Week, designing posters, themes and activities. This year's theme, "discover the world where you live", is a good one to remind us that there is much natural beauty to explore all around us. We don't need to save our outdoor adventures for national parks - enjoy the beaches, rivers and green space on your doorstep.

And literally in our backyard, today marks the start of Whanganui River Week with a range of activities for adults and kids to appreciate our special awa.

Whether it's a digital photo competition, getting hands-on with a rubbish clean-up, a film night at the museum, waka ama racing or a river boardwalk art exhibition, there is something to please everyone. I'm hoping to take Mr Five out next Saturday night to go native fish spotting. Contact the museum for more info.

The culmination of River Week is our New Zealander of the Year 2013 Dame Anne Salmond giving the final Royal Society Annual Rutherford Lecture at the Opera House next Sunday night - that, I am looking forward to.

Dame Anne has been inspirational in her warnings around water, democracy and the GCSB, among other topics. She quoted PM John Key in one piece, reminding us that when Key was leader of the Opposition in 2007, he was concerned about the Electoral Finance Bill affecting New Zealanders' rights. He said: "The bill is intrusive. It is inconsistent with the rights to freedom of expression and freedom from unreasonable search or seizure under New Zealand law."

These views contrast with his views this week on security, holding the slimmest government majority possible. Key said then: "A quiet, obedient, and docile population; a culture of passivity and apathy; a meek acceptance of what politicians say and do - these things are not consistent with democracy."

Kiwis, it's time to snap out of the zombie-like stupor, challenge Key's inconsistencies and the politics of fear and speak out for our freedoms.

Nicola Young is a former Department of Conservation manager who now works for global consultancy AECOM. Educated at Wanganui Girls' College, she has a science degree and is the mother of two boys.