Mike Riversdale

According to the 2013 Census the following Iwi count for around 80% of Māori Ngāpuhi - 19.42% Don't Know - 17.15% Ngāti Porou - 10.98% Ngāi Tahu / Kāi Tahu - 8.47% Waikato - 6.20% Ngāti Tūwharetoa - 5.55% Ngāti Maniapoto - 5.47% Tūhoe - 5.39% Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa - 3.26% Interesting that "Don't Know" is still so alarmingly high. Thanks to Julie Starr and NZTE for the New Zealand map of Iwi: http://evolvingnewsroom.co.nz/map-of-new-zealands-maori-iwi-tribes/

1. An absentee is identified on the census dwelling form as someone who usually lives in a particular dwelling, but has not completed a census individual form there – because the person was elsewhere in New Zealand or overseas on census night. Such a person may have completed a census individual form elsewhere in New Zealand. 2. Excludes residual categories (response unidentifiable and not stated). Note: When calculating percentages, divide the figure for the category of interest by the figure for 'Total people stated' where this applies. This data has been randomly rounded to protect confidentiality. Individual figures may not add up to totals, and values for the same data may vary in different tables. Source: Statistics New Zealand http://www.stats.govt.nz/Census/2013-census/data-tables/total-by-topic.aspx

Ok, so I've told you all about the weird Welsh tradition of Mari Lwyd , I've experienced the crazyness of Sweden and it's Donald Duck fetish and now, at work, I sit next Anais who's just told me me about the Catalan Christmas poo'ing log - Caga Tió . Yes, they have a tradition of feeding a log .. a tree log ... a wooden branch ... but with a nice red hat ... and a face ... with a lovely blanket over it to keep it warm ... feeding this log for 2 weeks. Then, on Christmas Day, all the small children beat it with sticks (ironic?) whilst singing a song demanding that it has a poo. Which eventually it does, from underneath the blanket. It poo's out presents (the small "stocking filler" type) Man alive people are weird. Great eh!

Cool - we have, at least one, 113 year-old living in New Zealand. Note: This data has been randomly rounded to protect confidentiality. Individual figures may not add up to totals, and values for the same data may vary in different tables. Source: Statistics New Zealand: http://www.stats.govt.nz/Census/2013-census/data-tables/total-by-topic.aspx

As was becoming something of a tradition  here at the blog but has lapsed somewhat, this is my Yuletide posting about all that you should know for Christmas. But let's just take a moment in the busy day to remember what it's all about - the people you love. I'm thinking of the people you love right now ... are you thinking of mine? Of course, it's not just about family and friends (if that's who I was thinking of) but also presents, alcohol and oodles of sitting around in the sun (hardy har har Northern Hempishpereans!). And luckily this year I have ALL of my Northern Hemisphere family coming out - gonna be choice If Jesus is you thing, I mean, if he's your bag, what you're into man then do the religious thing as well. Just don't get all "God" over Christmas and try to remember that it was originally a pagan festival around the longest day, certainly don't want you Christians foisting your ideas on people and trying to subvert the re

So, Christmas is coming and I'm starting to get into the spirit ... well, sort of. I'm getting the "What We Need To Have Happen To Make It Feel Like Christmas" list circulated, verified, commented on and ratified by the occupants of chez Riversdale ol on Christmas Day - so far it's looking something like this Things Christmas songs (not necessarily carols) / Tree / Decorations / Lights / Tinsel / Advent calendar / Board game / Crackers ("banging, crap-joke, paper hat" sort) / Christmas candles / James Bond movie / "Wizard of Oz" movie / Holly / Sparklers / Balloons / Christmassy table napkins Events Phone calls to family / Phone calls to mates / Video taking / Picture taking Food and Drink Breakfast Champagne with strawberries /Sparkling juice / Tea / coffee / Croissants / Toast / Cream cheese / marmalade / strawberry jam / Marmite (ewww!) / Bacon Snacks & nibbles throughout the day Hazelnuts / Brazil nuts / Walnuts / Mandarins / Ch

Updates Tweets about "#route2 OR #route31 FROM:@MetLinkWgtn" All about Mike Miramar Bus services: #2 Miramar to Wellington Wellington to Miramar #31 Express Miramar to Wellington Wellington to Miramar Frequently used stops: 7238 - Miramar 5510 - Willis St 5513 - Burger King 5516 - Courtenay / Blair