Issue 54 CH-ENG

SupBpuosrtinLeoscsal

Media Pack age:

10 PHOTOS
& A VIDEO

FOR

-$ 6 9 9 o n ly -

RRP: $1299

Me d i a To our dear customers,
Solutions
Ma r k e t i n g 2020 is a challenging year for all of us. It is also a time to support
Solutions each other. As the leading Chinese & English bilingual media
Cr e a t i v e platform in the South Island, and an important news & information
Solutions channel for the Chinese speaking community, we feel it is our
responsibility to support local business partners.

We are now providing a media promotion package of $699 (valued
at $1,299).This package includes 10 professional photos and a 30-
60 second promotional video.

For those who need help promoting their business and exploring
new markets we also have great prices for promoting your products/
service through our different media channels. Our weekly newspaper,
monthly magazine, daily e-news and social media platforms reach a
majority of the Chinese speaking community both domestically and
internationally. Get in touch for detailed pricing.

Let’s work together to turn challenges into opportunities!

Media Channels: Social MediaChannels: M: +64 027 509 2868 | Ph: +64 3 338 0168
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.nzmessengers.co.nz

T&C apply.

PALMARY 9

CONVERSATION CORNER

MAKE YOURSELF

HEARD

By H. Naomi March, M.A.

New Zealand General Elections 2020! If you are of age, vote with which to speak!
and registered as a citizen or resident, whether or
not your candidate is selected by the majority, your Furthermore, there’s something very meaningful about this
vote - your voice - still counts! It will be recorded along year’s Polling Day - 19 September, 2020, because it’s 127 years to
the date, that universal suffrage was signed into legislation, for New

with the voters who agreed with you, and the majority of elected Zealand women - but only those aged 21 or over, born here or who

candidates will become our government, and lead us as a nation, emigrated from Britain.

through the current crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 1893 - a

One person, one couple of decades

vote! One eligible after all New

person, one vote that Zealand and

counts! And if we can’t British-born men

attend Polling Day in were granted the

person, we may vote vote - the world-

earlier, in person or by first historical vote

mail. That is not the case was won for New

for many countries - let Zealand women -

alone countries that Māori and Pākehā

don’t hold elections. (European-British)

One country I know - who were British

of uses preferential citizens over the

voting, which can see age of 21. Sadly,

a person you didn’t ‘aliens’were

vote for elected through still excluded,

the preferences of the including our

candidate you did vote Chinese sisters

for - don’t ask me how - and brothers

any of that works - but 1893 Women’s Suffrage Petition - with 31,872 signatures - including at least 20 - who lived and
I fully understand how men. Now on display in the National Library of New Zealand. worked here. This
New Zealand voting (National Archives New Zealand Reference: Le 1 1893/7a) right for a voice,
works, and it’s fair. One through voting

person, one voice, one for the makers of

10 精彩

The author’s Great-Great-Grandmother - seated,
Great-Grand-Aunt on the left, and Great-Grandmother

on the right - at Cave Rock, Scarborough,
Christchurch, NZ - c.1915 (second year of WW1)

laws that affected women too, had taken seven years of hard work, the impossible, to have the right to vote - to have
especially through campaigning and organizing petitions. a voice in the structure of the society in which they
lived.
In Christchurch, Kate Sheppard and other members of the
Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) collaborated with Somewhere, on one of the 500 pages joined
various women’s groups, and the few enlightened men who together and carried in a wheelbarrow because
supported their rights. I’m sure that WCTU members thanked of its weight, is the signature of my Great-Great-
God they were not beaten, or imprisoned and tortured with a cruel Grandmother, and Great-Grand-Aunt - my Great-
form of force-feeding - unlike the suffragettes in Great Britain and Grandmother was still under-age. Someone from
the United States of America. However, one WCTU editor, years CWTU - or maybe Kate Sheppard herself - knocked
after the vote was won, wrote“… we, the mothers of the present on their door, in Sydenham, Christchurch, and as
need to impress upon our children’s minds how the women of the British-born immigrants of voting age - they both
past wrestled and fought, suffered and wept, prayed and believed, signed the Petition for Women’s Suffrage. I have a
agonized and won for them the freedom they enjoy today.” copy of their signatures from the original document,
and their names are published on the Electoral Role
Imagine their third effort to collect signatures nation-wide, of 1893. My Great-Grandmother’s name is recorded
sticking the signed sheets to wall paper to make a large roll - on Kate on the 1900 Electoral Role, after she turned 21 years
Sheppard’s dining table in Clyde Road, Ilam - and delivering it, with of age.
almost 32,000 signatures, to parliament. There was a lot of door-
knocking - without modern conveniences like‘hopping in the car’ Sadly, I have no oral or written history of what
to get to each area. Practical difficulties could include long dresses, happened that day, or how my female ancestors
bicycles, inclement weather, enduring rude jokes about women’s thought, or felt, about this momentous time in
mental capacities and roles in society - and countless unimaginable women’s history, and the global history of our small
obstacles. These women - using every ounce of their physical, nation. What were their experiences, after they
emotional, mental, social and spiritual capabilities - pushed through received, and used their right to vote? Did they feel
that their voices were finally being heard by the law-
makers of the land?

Though hard-earned by my Great-Great-Grandmother’s
generation, my birthright to the freedom of having the vote has
heightened my responsibility to do so, and my heart swells with joy
at finding her involvement - to know I have some of her courage and
commitment to having a voice that is heard in our nation’s policies
and the making of our laws - flowing in my veins.

Please, don’t neglect your right and responsibility to vote in NZs
General Election 2020. Join me in making the effort and make your
vote count.

Make yourself heard! PALMARY

About the Author

H. Naomi March, M.A. has a Master of Arts degree in Pastoral
Leadership, with special emphasis on pastoral care to women and
the issues they face on a daily basis. She is currently available
online to present a 7-part series of seminars called“Wise Hearted
Women”, dealing with these issues, and workbook questions are
provided for homework and class discussion. Naomi has traveled
throughout UK, Europe, USA, Fiji, Australia, and New Zealand.
She has also lived and traveled in China, and delights in finding
diversity in people and places.

Contact email: [email protected]

PALMARY 11

Lake Tekapo,

the Winter
Wonderland

By Clare Erasmus

Supporting local tourism is ground by the glaciers and then Sights to See
very much on the minds suspended in the water. Along the
of New Zealanders at the shores of the lake, lie an abundance Church of the Good Shepherd
moment and with travel restrictions in of pebbles varying in size. Captivated
place, many people are exploring our by the peacefulness of the water, Built as a memorial to the Mackenzie
beautiful Aotearoa, the land of the long mountains and the rocks, visitors Country pioneers, the Church of
white cloud. A scenic three-hour drive leave their mark by creating beautiful the Good Shepherd is one of the
will take you from Christchurch to the suspended rock stacks. highlights to visit in Lake Tekapo. The
breathtaking winter wonderland of Lake backdrop of the turquoise lakes and
Tekapo. Nestled adjacent to the vast Lake the snow-capped mountains provides
Tekapo lies the quaint Tekapo Village a captivating photo opportunity of this
My family and I recently decided which is warm and welcoming. There is majestic landscape and this quaint
to explore our South Island and our a variety of accommodation to choose church. The church that was opened in
destination of choice was Lake Tekapo, from and on this occasion, we decided 1935 is the sole church in Lake Tekapo
the highest alpine lake in New Zealand, to book into The Godley Hotel to enjoy and is still fully operational, providing
and it did not disappoint. Fringed by their freshly refurbished rooms with a worship services, baptisms, weddings
the spectacular Southern Alps, Lake view directly onto the lake. The staff and funerals.
Tekapo is part of the Mackenzie region were warmly welcoming, the rooms
of New Zealand. The magnificent were exquisite and we will definitely be Tekapo Springs
turquoise lake is surreal. While heading back to stay there again.
planning for trips to the area many A family run business, Tekapo
would-be visitors would guess that the A short walk from the hotel was a Springs is a place of relaxation,
photos are photoshopped for colour, string of places to choose for meals. rejuvenation and recreation. Carrying
only to be proven incorrect, as there The options ranged from our all-time a story of sustainability in its creation,
is nothing quite like the mesmerising favourite Chinese to Thai, Japanese Tekapo Springs offers soft, balanced
colour of the lake. The colour of the and Kiwi. I’d encourage you to book a
lake is quite unique and is attributed table in advance. These places were
to the fine rock-flour which has been fully booked on most evenings.

12 精彩

and pure spring water for its customers Hoar Frost Lake Tekapo is a special
to enjoy a tantalizing alpine experience. place, warmly offering scenes
If you are lucky enough, you may and experiences of a true winter
Tekapo Springs additionally offers get to see the hoar frost. Defined as a wonderland. We are blessed to have
the Snow Tube Park. If you enjoy short deposit of ice crystals on an exposed this winter playground at our doorstep.
exhilarating journeys, then this 150m object, the hoar frost in the area of From appreciating its natural beauty
snowy, magic carpet slope will keep Tekapo and surrounds puts on an to relaxing in the hot springs and to
both you and the children entertained incredibly spectacular display. It is not enjoying the extreme sports, Tekapo
for hours. uncommon to see cars pulling over on caters for everyone. PALMARY
the highway for people to take photos
Aoraki Mackenzie International of the crystal displays when they are on About the Author
Dark Sky Reserve show. This act of nature is a true treat Clare is an author and
to enjoy. educator, living locally in
The Dark Sky Reserve is the Christchurch. She has written
largest Dark Sky Reserve in the world, Roundhill books for both educators and
providing a night sky so clear and vast children. She has a Bachelor
with limited light pollution. What this If you are a snowboarder or skiing of Arts (Sociology and Legal
means is that the night sky viewing is enthusiast, then Roundhill is a must for Studies), Bachelor of Arts
exceptionally top quality. This Dark Sky you. With views of Aoraki, Mt Cook, the Honours (Sociology), Masters
Reserve is home to the Mount John Southern Alps and Lake Tekapo, this of Social Science, Bachelor
Observatory, which is New Zealand’s family-friendly ski field is an ideal place of Education, Certificates in
premier astronomical research centre. to take in views while enjoying sporting both TEFL and TESOL and is
in the snow. The ski field is a mere currently undertaking her PhD
Described as an experience unlike 32km from Lake Tekapo Village and the in Education.
any other, a view of the night sky opens access road is wide and has a gradual
up a world of impressive constellations gradient.
to stargazers.

PALMARY 13

With international
travel off the cards,
it’s time to explore

Shanghai’s
back yard

By Andy Boreham (安柏然)

No. 1 stalagmite stone, RCivoeurnTDthyeeflotGar otrooeudgriioCsntrse. eskeeiskianmg oanwgetehkeennadtugreatlaawttaraycintiotnhse in Jinyun
(Andy Boreham/SHINE) Yangtze
world’s
curious title of the (Andy Boreham/SHINE)
the
tCootuhnetylo’scaDlinggohveurPnmeaeknth.olds
Jinyun
according

14 精彩

The Passport Index just announced that the New Peak, a 170-meter rock formation that the locals liken to a
Zealand passport is the most powerful in the world bamboo shoot; Hibiscus Gorge, which features more rocky
when it comes to traveling freely, tied with Japan. outcroppings and fields of bright flowers; Good Creek, which
But that is of absolutely no use to me while China still snakes its way through the scenery; and Xiaochibi, a natural
refuses entry or re-entry to most foreign citizens — traveling rock formation that gave rise to legends of dragon battles.
overseas right now is off the cards.
Jinyun and Shanghai are now connected by high-speed
Fear not! Our little neck of the woods around Shanghai is rail, placing Xiandu Scenic Area firmly within a weekend’s
filled with travel treasures, all within just a few hours at most reach. It’s just a 2.5-hour journey from Shanghai’s Hongqiao
on the high-speed rail network. Today I will focus on places to Jinyun West Station. From the station, you can catch one
within the Yangtze River Delta region, which is jam-packed of the local cabs and arrive at your accommodation in about
with a vast array of different foods, peoples, histories and 20 minutes.
culture.
Xuzhou, Jiangsu
Governments in the area have been working hard At about three hours from Shanghai on the high-speed
to integrate the region, making it easier to travel and train lies Xuzhou, a major city of around 9 million located in
experience not only the well-known cities like Nanjing, northwest Jiangsu Province. The city — called Pengcheng
Hangzhou, Wuxi and Ningbo, but also the lesser-known back in ancient times — holds historical significance as the
places hidden right in our back yard. location of many battles and rebellions, much of which can
be learned about at the city’s museums.
Yangtze River Delta
The Yangtze River Delta area is a roughly triangle- Terracotta warriors were not just found in Xi’an, as a visit
shaped area, which comprises Shanghai and parts of to Xuzhou’s Museum of Terracotta Warriors and Horses of
Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui provinces. It is one of the most the Han Dynasty will show. The city’s terracotta artifacts
densely populated areas on the entire planet, home to some were discovered in 1984 across six different pits.
115 million.
In terms of food, there’s much to try. Don’t leave without
Socially, it is known as a Wu Chinese area, meaning that chowing down the city’s famous pork belly.
those within the delta often speak one of the languages
found under the Wu dialect, as well as Mandarin Chinese. Taizhou, Jiangsu
Wu languages are mutually unintelligible from Mandarin I grew up in Lower Hutt, a suburb of Wellington, New
Chinese, and sometimes even amongst other languages in Zealand, which just happens to be a sister city with this
the group. little (in Chinese standards) city at the northern bank of the
Yangtze River.
Jinyun County, Zhejiang
With a population of 4.5 million, Taizhou can be reached
With a history dating back to AD 696 in the Tang Dynasty within two hours on the high-speed train from Shanghai.
(AD 618-907) — or much earlier if you consider the legends
of the Yellow Emperor and tribe leader Chiyou — Jinyun Apart from its medical industry and flour mills, there’s not
County in east China’s Zhejiang Province is as green and much to write home about this little city. Come here if you
beautiful as it must have been centuries ago. want to experience Jiangsu life without an overabundance
of tourism — it’s definitely a lot quieter than a weekend in
The best way to experience the curling river, green Shanghai.
mountains, wildflowers and rocky outcroppings is to park
yourself in the Xiandu Scenic Area, which is just a few hours While we’re still struggling with novel coronavirus around
from Shanghai by high-speed train. It’s the perfect weekend the globe, now’s the perfect time to explore all the hidden
getaway. places much closer to home. Find your own little paradise
in the Yangtze River Delta region next time you need a
The scenic area, which covets the title of “National Key weekend away PALMARY
Place of Interest,” is home to a handful of Zhejiang’s top
natural tourist attractions. Nestled in the area are Dinghu This article was originally published in Shanghai Daily.

PALMARY 15

COVID-19 AND THE

GREAT RESET FOR

US ALL
By Michelle MacWilliam

B anks are using new techniques to find out
who’s “swimming naked,” an interesting
phrase coined by Warren Buffet, about
who is exposed when the tide goes out.

As we are aware, millions of employees globally
have lost their jobs and cannot pay their credit cards.
Restaurants and shops are only slowly reopening;
many cannot pay their rent. Industrial companies
can’t make payments on their equipment leases.
Landlords have less income and cannot keep up with
their mortgages. Suddenly, the world is awash in
credit risk. New research shows how banks are tending
to a radical surge in demand for one of their most
ancient practices: measuring and monitoring credit
risk. Leading banks are deploying new configurations
of sector analysis, borrower resilience, and high-
frequency analytics. They are moving past sectoral
analysis to take subsector views of the probability of
default. Some are going even deeper, to understand
what’s happening in the financial life of their borrowers.

Anyone who has recently been engaged in securing
a loan, be it for the home or business from a bank is
well aware of the new criteria that they must meet and
the in-depth questions being asked.

For a bank, the risks are as follows if you are lending
to a business

• Increased credit risk defaults and lower recoveries
due to inactive markets for collaterals

• Reduced cash inflows from loan repayment

16 精彩

• Increased fraud, cyber threats, etc. due to relaxed conditions and increased digital channels for purchasing
internal controls goods and services. Businesses can easily set up an online
sales channel that may not have the correct regulatory
• Fair value losses due to increased credit spreads protocols in place for safe and secure purchasing. Which are
a cyber hacker’s dream playground.
• Reduced profit levels and capital depletion
Also, the potential for theft or dishonesty as a servant,
It is important to understand we are all in engaged in the as the economic impact increases, there is potentially a
banking system, and for a business cash flow is king. temptation to redirect funds or goods without authorisation if
someone believes they can see an opportunity and they won’t
For a small business, your need to be even more vigilant be caught or they can beat the system in a calculated manner.
about your business and maintain a watchful eye and proactive If a business owner is not vigilant or have robust systems in
attitude to mitigating your risks as the consequences are more place with checkpoints, they are exposing the business to far-
severe and far-reaching than a large corporate. reaching consequences, and the knock effect can take years
to recover from.
At this time there has been an increase in cyber-attacks or
intrusions. The threat has been amplified by remote working As an example of this increased type of activity,
I have personally have been touch by the above in
the last week.

One a local firm I had never dealt with sent me
invoices for services rendered and please click here
to make a payment. The said firm did send a follow-
up email advising that they had been breached, that
it happened at this time and came from the United
Kingdom. To get such detail out to the people
impacted or connected to the breach, the company
would have had to call in cybersecurity experts to
deal with the matter, an additional unexpected cost
to the business at a time when most companies are
being prudent in their spending.

The next encounter was a phone call from an
auditor of a company, which I have been using for
over two years. The auditor advised the company
had not received any payments from me, yet I had
been making my regular monthly payments as part
of the monthly service programme for the last two
years. This company will have thousands of regular
payments under $100.00 being deposited into the
company on a monthly basis. The question for the
auditor is how many other regular client payments
have been potentially diverted and for how long.

This is a snapshot of what can happen and the
belief it will not happen to you as the business
owner is both fanciful and naïve.

The reality is today you need to have a robust
cybersecurity system and take backups of all
your work. Also, it pays to invest in cybersecurity
insurance for your business as you don’t when you
are going to be attacked or hacked. Every business
has intangible assets, stored on their computer

PALMARY 17

network and they are potentially worth stealing. What About the Author
value do you put on your client database?
Michelle is a well-established and acknowledged
Reviewing your cash management systems at this business advisor and strategist working in two
is critical, talk to your accountant or lawyer if you have different worlds. With New Zealand SME’s
concerns when things don’t add up and trust your across many sectors, her focus is especially
gut feeling or intuition when you sense something is in development of Omni Channels that assist
amiss. Always make sure you have a solid case before a business transitioning from the bricks and mortar world to the
challenging someone on your suspicions. Otherwise, digital/virtual for growth and future proofing. She also works, with
you could have a personal grievance filed against you. businesses, councils and other entities in developing a China-New
Which another cost and stress as a business owner you Zealand relationship that is based on both trust and integrity for
do not need to deal with at this time. There is a process long term relationship sustainability.
for dealing with these matters, and it pays to follow
them. She sits on many committees, involved in a lead role in business
engagement and the China-New Zealand relationship engagement.
If any of the matters raised in this article are relevant
to you, take the time to talk to the professionals who www.retailselling.co.nz
can assist you. PALMARY
www.michelle-mac.com
18 精彩
www.duocommunication.com

The Legacy of Tom Ford

By Nephtalim Antoine

Ifyou were to ask anybody about one of the fashions then went to Bard College but then dropped out, that’s later when
most prolific and celebrated designers then it he found himself in New York city at NYU. A friend had taken him
would come round to acknowledging the genius to studio 54 to witness all the glitz and glamour it had to offer
that is Thomas Carlyle ford also known as Tom Ford. and that’s when Tom became enamoured and then dropped out of
NYU after a year and began to work in television. The real journey
The fashion Wunderkind has been on the scene for
almost 30 plus years and remains of fashion industries’ most
celebrated designers. In all honesty, his story is the type of
thing that fashion dreams are made of and by that I mean from
being hired after attending university to moving to Europe
and amassing an almost cult-like following with this designs
that forever change the in-dustry and helped to catapult him
to being the winner of seven CFDA awards.

People often hear his name but rarely understand the
scope of his empire. this man has a hand in everything from
men and women’s wear, being a leader in beauty category
going up against most cosmetic giants, and in recent years
has been showing us just how much of a talented director he
is by directing four films in recent years and even winning an Oscar
for his efforts.

Tom hails from the US, specifically Austin, Texas, but eventually,
he would move around with family to New Mexico. He eventually

PALMARY 19

began to take shape once he starts architecture and later spent a of the business along without a complete brand overhaul. Dawn
year in Paris as Chloe’s press office and that’s when it took off. He Mello who was the company’s director at the time stated at the
spent the last year at Parsons studying fashion but still graduated time, “No one would dream of wearing Gucci.”
with a degree in Architecture.
In the end, Mello would link up with Ford to make him the
Once graduating and following many interviews, Ford came brands’ chief women wear design, Ford then upped and moved
upon American Designer Cathy Hard-wick, who he called for a to Milan. He eventually made his way to being the creative
month to try and secure a job, she did agree to see him in the director at the house and brought Halston-style Hipsters, satin
end thus working as her design assistant for two years. shirts, and metallic patent boots to the runway.

Eventually, in 1988 Ford moved on to working at Perry Ellis As a testament to Fords direction, Gucci’s sales increased
where he knew a few people including fellow American designer by 90% between 1995-96, Ford was even the largest individual
Marc Jacobs. Not long after Tom started to ponder the ability shareholder of the brand’s stock and options. By 1999 the
of Ameri-can fashion, he mused to himself, “If I was ever going company he had joined at its near bankruptcy and eventually
to become a good designer, I had to leave America. My own helmed was, in thanks to him, worth $4 billion.
culture was inhibiting me. Too much style in America is tacky.
It’s looked down upon to be too stylish. Europeans, however, Many things happened in the years following including Gucci
appreciate style.” acquiring YSL (Yves Saint Laurent) which proved a tumultuous
partnership since Yves himself didn’t like Ford at all. He even was
Now all of this took place around the time the now quoted as saying, “Poor man he does what he can,” a verbal
powerhouse Gucci was suffering from a litany of poor sales and attempt to slight Ford and his de-signs. Eventually, in 2004, Ford
family drama causing the company to be in stylish purgatory of parted ways with Gucci taking a minor hiatus to plot his next
sorts. The house wanted to strengthen its women’s wear section moves.

20 精彩

PALMARY 21

Enter the reign of the Ford empire. In 2006 Ford began his and celebrity alike. I own a pair of Tom Ford frames and they are
line of menswear, beauty, eyewear, and accessories named after amazing in terms of quality. They pack a stylish punch and accen-
himself with his friend and ex Gucci CEO Domenico De Sole tuate the best feature of the owner while bringing a certain old-
being the chairmen of the label. world charm reminiscent of old Hollywood characters to the
table. They definitely are some of my most prized accessories.
Tom Fords’ style has the tiny hints of old-world Americana
while pushing the envelope of style through the use of new and Use of pastel colours has been a recently welcomed addition
different textiles, simultaneously using the cuts and silhouettes to the current collection while he is no stranger to colour. I for
of European designers all combined with the delightful sexy and one think that menswear could always use some flare rather than
edgy presence of that Studio 54 dis-co glitz and glamour. the typical doom & gloom of black and a navy so dark it might as
well be the former, but with that said, he has always been a lover
His recent collection reflects this exceptionally well. His use of classic black, white & gold color scheme that just shout opu-
of bright colours for not just women but also menswear, showing lence and catch the eye of even the most discerning Fashionistas
glitz and the glamours full of metallic materials, the use of & Maestros. It has been proven time and time again that Tom
sparkling sequins, and beautiful silhouettes showing the human Ford, the brand, the man, the Legacy deserves its place in the
figure in the dream-like ideals compliment-ing the wearer. His pan-theon of innovators and artist, without a doubt.
style and grace in the arena of design know no bounds.
PALMARY
His eyewear has also been favoured by many including royalty

22 精彩

PALMARY 23

Is the coronavirus
crisis taking women
back to the 1950s
and financial ruin for

their retirement?

By Michelle MacWilliam

24 精彩

Decades of advances are under decades to address. One could describe Zealand population based gender has
threat as women juggle work it as starting at ground zero to regain the released some interesting insights around
and childcare, while some gains of the past decades. The COVID-19 the impact of COVID-19 on women and
employers target them for redundancy pandemic is a major reset for women it doesn’t paint a pretty picture or bode
based on the old adage - they are not the globally. Sadly the reset w ill be from a well for the women of New Zealand.
main income earner for the household back foot position, with limited resources
and generally women will not challenge to support any initiative, given the What is the impact of COVID-19 on
the system and go quietly into the night. demands for support from other sectors women in Aotearoa New Zealand?
and as an interesting point the purse
Globally women are bearing the brunt strings will be generally held by men in Excerpt from https://women.govt.nz/news/
of the initial economic impact of the position or women whose pathways and covid-19-and-women
Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as job life journey is very different to the 99% of
cuts start to mount. the women who will require support in COVID-19, like other emergencies
one form or another, potentially creating or disasters, exacerbates existing
The initial impact of Coronavirus a disconnect to what is really happening inequalities. Evidence from international
related shutdowns has fallen harder on to women in New Zealand. pandemics and the Canterbury
women than men because the industries earthquakes in 2010 and 2011 found that
that will bear the brunt of the initial This economic downturn is very women were more likely to be negatively
impact are in no particular order are different to past economic downturns affected by social, economic, and
accommodation and food services, which have tended to disproportionately health issues: job losses, loss of income,
arts and recreation and bricks and impact males - particularly older men increased unpaid caring roles, and
mortar retail, all of which have a higher - harder because the economic hit increased family violence.
representation of female employees. was primarily to cyclical sectors like
construction and manufacturing with the Some groups of women experience
The impact of COVID-19 will hit female services sector holding up much better. greater impacts than others. Women who
employment harder than male in an fall into multiple groups experiencing
economic sense, it will exacerbate gender The Ministry for Women, yes New existing inequalities may feel the
gaps in wages, superannuation and in Zealand does have one, probably one of combined effects of factors such as race,
unpaid work, leaving a large proportion the smallest government departments age, sexuality, and disability with gender.
of women financially vulnerable and funded by the NZ State Services, yet is
potentially cause an intergenerational meant to be representing half the New
problem for women that will take

PALMARY 25

Wāhine Māori commercial cleaners, and early childhood restrictions.[1] This may be compounded
teacher. There will be a disproportionate due to digital exclusion and the inability
Though data indicates Māori are impact for Pacific women due to the level to provide or receive voluntary services.
underrepresented in COVID-19 cases 4 restrictions and it is important data Although people of all ages can be
(~5%), in both the short and long term collected from central agencies on the infected by COVID-19, older people
wāhine Māori’s high rates of employment Government’s financial package is able and people with pre-existing medical
in industries vulnerable to the ongoing to identify ethnicity of those receiving conditions (such as asthma, diabetes,
economic downturn (e.g. tourism and financial support. heart disease) are more vulnerable to
sales) may further amplify existing becoming severely ill. The rapid growth
unemployment inequalities, which will Wāhine Māori and Pacific women may in COVID-19 has overrun health systems
put more strain on whanau. Māori have be at greater risk of death as a result of in many countries. The World Health
experienced a greater impact from past COVID-19 than other ethnic groups, due Organisation (WHO) has estimated
recessions in New Zealand. As wāhine to a variety of factors. These include the fatality rate at around two percent
Māori are at the centre of whānau, they inequitable access to healthcare and (January, 2020). This compares with the
will experience greater responsibilities higher likelihood of an underlying health fatality rate for SARS at 10 percent, and
for childcare and looking after the sick condition, which put Māori and Pacific MERS at 34 percent. Emerging evidence
and elderly, but many experience limited people (men and women) aged 60 years suggests that more men than women are
access to healthcare and support services. and over in the same risk profile as dying of COVID-19.
Pākehā at 70 years of age.

Pacific women Women over 65 Disabled women

The top five dominant jobs for Pacific Older women are more likely to live Disabled people may face
women are personal care assistant, alone and can have an increased risk disproportionate impacts of level 4
sales representative, sales assistant, of social isolation during the level 4 restrictions due to the reduction or

26 精彩

limited access to health services and Women in migrant households as well as issues in non-standard work
disruptions to the support services they and unpaid care, mean that women are
rely on. People with disability may also be While New Zealand’s health more susceptible to economic hardship
disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 information is multi-lingual, women in and less resilient against COVID-19’s
because of existing health conditions, migrant households may still struggle to economic impacts.
particularly those related to respiratory access information – in some European
function, immune system function, heart countries, migrant communities have New Zealand’s labour force is highly
disease or diabetes, which means they suffered disproportionate numbers of segregated by industry and gender, with
will be at greater risk of developing more death for this reason. Weaker social women more likely to work in lower-paid
severe cases of COVID-19 if they become connections may also mean family jobs and part-time work (71.3 percent
infected. The may also experience violence goes unreported. of part-time workers in New Zealand are
difficulty in social distancing because of women). Women make up the majority
additional support needs or because they The impact on paid work of our essential support workers – in the
are institutionalised. health sector, supermarkets, and caring
Women are often disproportionately roles, making them at higher risk of
Rainbow/LGBTQI+ communities affected by downturns in the labour exposure to COVID-19. Women comprise
market and that’s likely to be the case the majority (57.6 percent) of the Retail
Level 4 restrictions may see younger again with COVID-19’s economic impacts. Trade and Accommodation industry.
rainbow/LBGTQI+ communities forced to The Household Labour Force Survey, for This industry receives the lowest median
stay in environments that are unaccepting example, shows that women - especially earnings of any sector and has been
or unsafe. Rainbow/LGBTQI+ communities non-Pākehā women – have been more one of the hardest-hit. Particular groups
may also be overrepresented in severely affected by past crises and labour of women will feel these impacts even
homelessness. market shocks than men. harder. Wāhine Māori and Pacific women,
for example, are already impacted by
Existing inequalities such as the gender existing inequalities, while being more
pay gap and occupational segregation,

PALMARY 27

likely to have additional financial and in order to absorb the necessary care to measurable the impact COVID-19
caring responsibilities for extended family responsibilities required by family in the has had on gender-based violence in
members. coming weeks. New Zealand, there are reports by non-
government organisations of an increase
The impact on unpaid work There is distinct gender segregation in in demand for their services and in police
the types of volunteering activities women call outs. Increased government funding
Before COVID-19, women were doing and men do, with women more likely to support services (e.g. Women’s Refuge)
significantly more unpaid work as men. to volunteer in health, social services, may help manage the outcomes of this
This is likely to intensify while New and education roles and men more increased risk but not address the causes.
Zealand is on level 4. Women are more likely to volunteer for sports, business or
likely to provide support either informally professional associations, or unions. The From the above ministerial excerpts the
within their whānau and friends or more types of unpaid work outside the home impact on women makes grim reading,
formally in volunteer roles. Women that women do is likely to be important however for the women of Canterbury
undertake more unpaid labour than during a health response. who have lived through the earthquake
men, including care for children and sequence of a decade ago with the first
the elderly. Childcare responsibilities The impact on gender-based violence joint on the 4th September 2010 and
will increase due to school and ECE subsequent events we are probably more
closures, additional domestic duties will Evidence shows that the risk of prepared and ready for the impacts of
be required, and there are likely to be gender-based violence, such as family COVID 19 as we have lived and survived
more caring responsibilities associated and sexual violence disproportionately through the dark days of Canterbury
with the increased number of sick people. effects women, and rises during national Earthquake sequence and Mosque
Women who work from home may still emergencies and disasters. This will likely shootings to use an overrated word for the
be expected to juggle work expectations be the case with the COVID-19 pandemic. citizens of Canterbury we are resilient.
with increased unpaid caring roles, or When households face social, health and
reduce their paid workload to account for economic pressures, rates of gender- It will be interesting to see what
the additional unpaid work. Structural based violence typically increase. These initiatives central government regardless
inequalities such as the gender pay gap factors also mean there may be increased of what party is in power will develop
and occupational segregation mean it instances of elder abuse. Home isolation to support women in the coming years
is likely to be more financially viable means women and children are more so there is not a cycle of poverty that is
for women to sacrifice their incomes exposed to their abusers, and are unable gender based and intergenerational.
to escape to relatively safer spaces like
school and work. Although it is too early

28 精彩

Time in 2
Dimensions

By Jason Marsden

Recently my modern watch collection took a at 13.15mm and things start to look impressive. The
rather different turn with the inclusion of a actual watch movement itself almost defies logic at just
Bvlgari (or Bvlgari as per the branding) Octo 2.23mm thick. When dealing with such small numbers
Finissimo. Much of my collection to date had comprised the one hundredths of a millimetre suddenly start to
sports style watches including divers of substantial size. become important.
Whilst the Octo has a case width of 40mm, not at all
small by today’s standards especially given its square Bulgari is part of the LVMH Group which also includes
shape the case thickness is an incredibly thin 5.15mm. such well known luxury brands as Louis Vuitton, Dior,
Contrast this to the latest Omega Seamaster in Titanium Tag Heuer and Moet Hennessy. Founded in 1884 Bulgari
started as a single jewellery shop in Epirus, Greece.

PALMARY 29

Watches did not bear the Bulgari name however until also. The grey monotones and lack of obvious shadows
1977. Bulgari purchased the Gerald Genta brand and beneath all three hands which hug the surface, further
designs in 2000 as part of a large expansion. In 2011 add to the two-dimensional impression. This pursuit of
LVMH gained control of Bulgari with the original family the‘thin’even carries over to the bracelet clasp which
receiving a 3 percent stake in LVMH, a deal worth some is recessed into the links, ensuring no additional bulk
six billion US dollars at the time. sits under the wrist, making the entire bracelet appear
seamless.
Styling. As if a picture had been cut out of a magazine
and laid on the wrist the Octo Finissimo presents as just Thin mechanical watches have been around for some
two dimensional; almost confusing to the eye as it sits time but generally these have been manual wound,
so flush on the wrist. With styling cues from the great as the typical rotating mass required for an automatic
Swiss watch designer, Gerald Genta, the case boasts no watch runs across the whole diameter of the movement,
fewer than 70 facets. This is something I have not had and adds to the overall thickness. For the Octo Finissimo,
the patience to check but there is huge complexity and the rotating mass is less than half the diameter of the
thought that has gone into the design and execution. It movement, and recessed into the movement, thus not
is said that the overall octagonal case and dial design adding anything to the overall thickness. To make up for
is reminiscent of the coffered ceiling of the Roman the lack of the full movement torque and subsequent
Maxentius Basilica which dates from 312 AD. Certainly work achievable from a full movement sized rotating
the multi-level octagonal forms do reflect the interior mass, the micro rotor is made entirely of platinum
ceilings of the Basilica but there is a lot more going on (which is 34% heavier than 18ct gold). To further aid

30 精彩

efficiency, the micro rotor runs on micro ceramic bearings that require no
lubrication. When fully wound the watch has a 60-hour power reserve allowing
you to skip a day or two wearing it without the necessity to pop out the ceramic
capped crown and wind it up as a head start for the micro rotor.

My watch is constructed from the original titanium but this model is also
available in black ceramic, stainless steel and rose gold, and a variety of dial and
strap options are also available. This watch offers a hand finished movement,
something not found on other luxury watches such as Rolex or Omega. The
indices are, however, printed on the dial - no hand applied separate items here -
but this is forgivable for the sake of keeping everything as low profile as possible.
The two numerals at 12 and 6 are crisp with a pleasing gloss finish to stand out
from the uniform media blasted case, bracelet and dial that match each other
perfectly. The Octo Finissimo is also available with a variety of complications
from chronograph to tourbillon, and even a minute repeater; all very thin and
prices reflecting their complication and difficulty of manufacture.

Typically ultra-thin watches have been purely dress watches, designed and
suitable for only a formal dinner or meeting, due to their rather delicate styling
and manufacture. The Octo’s construction, including a full balance bridge,
adds some strength and shock resistance but this is still definitely not a watch
to wear for any sporting undertaking or if you are someone who tends to knock
your watch on handles or door frames. The watch’s bold styling does lend itself
to being surprisingly flexible from formal to casual wear, and its finish and
reputation stand it in good stead to hold its own in a room full of other luxury
and even high horology timepieces.

Whilst not held in Christchurch, Partridge Jewellers on Cashel Mall can
source Bulgari watches from their Auckland branch. Just pop in to see Sam and
tell him Jason sent you. PALMARY

About the Author
Jason Marsden is a Retail Property
Manager for Colliers International and
an avid watch collector. His collection
includes not just some famous Swiss
luxury watch brands but also a number of
vintage Seiko.

PALMARY 31

Travel Tips for Egypt:

The Land of
the Pharaoh

By Jim Davis

32 精彩

The bucket list destination of Egypt was the next pit stop on Jim and Karen’s adventure. Still
trying to escape the European winter, they soak up the warm weather in the low season and
avoid the worst of the crowds. Here Jim shares some travel tips and handy hints on how to

make the most out of a trip to Egypt.

I don’t think you fully appreciate what man was able to accomplish
thousands of years ago until you visit somewhere like Egypt. New
Zealand has history with building structures that date back around
180 years. In the UK you see cathedrals that have some part of them
dating back 1,000 or so years. But in Egypt you are visiting temples and
structures that date back literally thousands of years BC. It truly is mind-
boggling to comprehend when you see what they built and try to fathom
out how they would have built them, let alone build them to survive
4,000 odd years.

So finally we get to see Egypt and what a country it is. 30 or 40 years
ago we could probably have travelled around this country ourselves,
but nowadays my advice is to take a tour organised by a travel agent/
travel company. It would be too confusing and time-consuming trying
to organise yourself.

We had our travel company organise our full week in Egypt this time
to maximise our time and it paid off. We have been treated like royalty
all week with what realistically ended up being a private guided tour

everywhere. That certainly wasn’t what we
were expecting but I
guess because
it is low season
currently we
weren’t just one
of the herd for
the week.

Eight days is

really the bare

minimum you

need to see Egypt.

Knowing what I

know now if we If we were doing it again, I would
definitely book longer.
were doing it again, I
a clipboard when you clear customs and walk out into a city of 11 million.
would definitely book We’d booked four days on our Nile river boat travelling up stream from

longer. In our case our Luxor to Aswan and then a flight back to Cairo with two more very full
days in Cairo.
trip summary was as
The four days on the boat was more than enough time to see the
follows. section from Luxor to Aswan, however if I was doing it again I would
want a bit more time in Cairo, a trip to Abu Simbel temple, and perhaps
We flew into Cairo late a look at what was happening further upstream on the Nile or even
afternoon last Friday, Alexandria.
spent one night in our
hotel and then took an Egypt literally is all desert, and I mean literally. Everywhere we flew
early morning flight the over on our internal flights showed that everything that is anything is
next morning to Luxor. All
transfers were organised
so no problems there.
There is something nice
about seeing your name on

PALMARY 33

located either somewhere along the length of the Nile or against either Aswan can be done by either a flight or a 3.5 hour drive each way, so
the Mediterranean or the Red Seas. The rest was all sand from what we you will need to factor that in on your trip. Unfortunately we didn’t get
could see. Hence visits to Egypt are largely focused on the Nile and Cairo. to visit this site, but by all accounts it is one of the best sites to visit, and
rates as good as Petra, so take note and ensure it is on your wish list.
The Nile has dominated Egyptian life forever. It originates in the Central
African Continent as separate rivers the Blue Nile and the White Nile that With two dams blocking the Nile, boat trips are now split into sections.
come together in Sudan and flow on through to the Mediterranean Sea. The vast majority operate between Luxor and Aswan, and we had
In times gone by it seems that the annual Nile floods were responsible estimates of between 300 and 500 boats offering cruises over this
for depositing new levels of silt and mud along its tracks so life in general section alone. When you see them all you realise the higher number
and the agricultural wealth of Egypt farmed accordingly to take into could well be right.
account this rise and fall.

In the early 1900s while under British rule the first (low) dam across
the Nile was built to try and control these waters and provide storage
capacity in dry weather. In the 60s the Egyptians built what is now called
the Aswan high dam approximately 7km upstream to provide even
greater control and storage capacity.

The consequences of this were also that they created a vast lake – the
biggest man-made lake in the world. The creation of the lake required
some 23 Egyptian temples upstream of this dam to be deconstructed

and rebuilt on higher ground to avoid being lost.

The best known of these is Abu Simbel. Getting to Abu Simbel from

34 精彩

There are supposedly also cruises from Cairo via Luxor to Aswan
available, but once again it was hard to get absolute certainty. One
guide told us the cruise section between Cairo and Luxor isn’t currently
operating because of security problems along this stretch. Another
told us it is simply low season so boats don’t sail then. I think it could
be a case of both being right, and I would suggest checking if you are
interested in this section of the Nile as well. Above the dams other
cruises are offered around the vast lake.

What does a Nile Cruise entail?

In our case we ended up as we said with essentially a private tour. This
was purely luck simply because being low season there were no other
guests travelling on the same itinerary/timing as us. The boat itself
had a number of tours booked on it ranging from groups of twenty
or so people, down to other couples like us. It’s an interesting system
as your tour guide travels on the boat with you. So in our case there
were some dozen or so guides on the boat individually organising the
requirements for their clients.

We were not the only couple on board with their own private guide. With these side trips you are told they are always better than what’s
Mahmoud was our guide’s name and he was brilliant. He seemed to on the itinerary that you have already paid for. Beware they ain’t cheap.
enjoy the ability to work in more detail with a couple, as he said larger In our case Mahmoud hit us with the first side trip on the morning of
groups from a guide’s perspective can be a pain. Think “herding cats” the second day in Luxor: Hot air ballooning over Luxor at dawn. In this
(if you have never seen the video clip google it). From our perspective case he was spot on. You just have to do this.
it was great as well. Not only did we gain a greater depth of knowledge
about ancient Egypt, I think we made a friend. Usually Karen is terrified of heights, so when we go up high buildings
for a view or climb a bell tower this is not her thing. She has been up
the Burj Khalifa in Dubai and other similar places. But it’s usually a very
quick up and down for her while staying well back from the glass. So

Luxor

We had essentially two full days in Luxor visiting both the Luxor and
Karnak Temples. It is amazing to think these Temples date back some
1500 years BC.

I can tell you the photos don’t do the magnificence justice, and the
whole thing is further enhanced when you get a good guide giving you
the history and explanations.

When you look to book a trip like this there will no doubt be a bit of
down time built into the itinerary. This then allows your sneaky guide
to indulge in a bit of “up selling”, so you can get some “fries” with your
trip so to speak. The dreaded side trips.

PALMARY 35

a side trip to do hot air ballooning was not high on her list … until now. following the discovery by Howard Carter of Tutankhamen‘s tomb in
Bravely she chose to go on the ride, and after fretting all night stepped 1922. The valley is an ongoing archaeological dig and so far there have
into the basket. Having never been in a balloon before we were not been 62 kings’ tombs (including Queen Hatshepsut’s tomb) uncovered
sure what to expect but there is literally no sensation of movement. and more finds are being dug up each month.
Everything is so slow calm and motionless that in no time at all Karen was
hogging the basket edge so she could get her pictures. This side trip is a Pyramids have always been revered by ancient Egyptians as a way to
definite must, so thanks again to our crafty guide Mahmoud. get them closer to the Sun God Ra. Overlooking the valley of the Kings
is a pyramid-shaped mountain, so the site on the West Bank of the Nile
The Valley of the Kings became the valley where all the Kings were buried. Also the sun sets in
the west so it was believed that at death your life was set as well.
During a stay in Luxor you can also cross to the West Bank to visit The
Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Hatshepsut (Hatshepsut was one It turns out that succeeding kings while still alive got their architects
of the best-known Queens of Egypt – I think there were only four ruling and builders to construct their tomb so it was ready for them on death.
Queens). The longer they lived the bigger and more elaborate it became.

The Valley of the Kings is well known They literally just picked a site in the valley and dug away. If they
struck another King’s tomb they just changed direction. Over the years
wind blew dust and dirt over their entrance point. So in the case of
Tutankhamen, two other kings had been excavated from tombs above
his without people even knowing his was there. With

their tombs discovered no one thought there would be a third on the
same spot until Howard Carter stumbled upon it by accident.

There are reported cases where diggers have been looking in one
spot and a donkey fell into a crater after the sand gave way, opening
up another previously unknown tomb. They literally have no idea how
many tombs may still be in the region undiscovered, but best estimates
are that over two thirds are still waiting to be found. Countries are
queuing up for permits to dig in sites like this and help Egypt uncover
her mysteries.

When the boats eventually leave Luxor that is also a sight to behold,
because there are so many and with all schedules being similar, they

36 精彩

almost leave en masse. If the driving on the roads is like watching a fast visit other sites like the temple dedicated to Horus, God of the sky and
dance, the boats on the water are the equivalent of a waltz. protector of Pharaohs.

If your boat has the power it just has to pass, and he with the bigger Aswan is as far up the Nile these boats can travel, but from here we got
boat wins. Three abreast up the Nile is not an uncommon site, as long as to visit the Philae Temple, among other sites. Philae temple was one of the
there are not three abreast coming down. temples drowned when the first dam was built in the early 1900s. With
the work undertaken to deconstruct and rebuild other temples further up
The boats themselves are good, service is OTT, the food is good and you the Nile when the second dam was being built in the 60s, the government
can buy a beer. Our guide Mahmoud being a good Muslim would not have decided they might as well save this one as well. The difference was that
a beer with us but he did have a vice of his own – shisha. The old hubbly this one was already underwater so presented even more issues. But they
bubbly pipe. did a great job saving the site for posterity.

Our boat had a max capacity of about 150 guests, plus crew and guides. The Nile below the dams is beautiful to look out on. You literally see the
Boats come in all quality ranges by the look of them, so don’t skimp on world go by on the felucca or on the horse and carriage and the houses
this part. along her banks are picture postcard perfect … sometimes.

Aswan The boats now turn round and sail back down the Nile to Luxor
On the way to Aswan we passed through the locks at Edfu, stopping to completing a seven-day sail for some passengers. They usually also take
on some new passengers to replace the ones like us who disembarked at
Aswan. That way some four-day passengers start at Aswan and do our
trip in reverse. But we flew back from Aswan to Cairo. As mentioned, if I

PALMARY 37

was re-planning this trip, I would have booked us from Aswan to go see and having a knowledgeable guide in here is a must. The “piece de
Abu Simbel before heading to Cairo. resistance” is obviously all the relics from Tutankhamen’s tomb.

Cairo There are hundreds of them and there are believed to be over 160,000
Cairo, what a place. You have to go here just so you can say you have items on display in this museum in total, so you get to see plenty of
seen the Pyramids and the Sphinx. They are breathtaking. Mummies and coffins.
But in fact, Cairo has a lot more to offer. It is a teeming mass of
humanity, it is dusty and dirty, but it’s still quite cool. Another name for Visiting Cairo in the next year or so will become even more interesting
Cairo is the city of 1,000 minarets. When you get a bit of elevation they as they are currently building two huge new museums. The new Great
are everywhere. The Cairo Citadel and the Muhammad Ali Mosque are Egyptian Museum is being built adjacent to the pyramids and will have a
must-see attractions. connecting tunnel. This will eventually display a whole raft of mummies
Here we were lucky to have the services of another specialist Cairo and artefacts that have never been displayed to the public (remember
guide “Ahmed” to take us around. We also visited the site where Mary, they are still digging and discovering stuff). The other museum will be
Joseph and baby Jesus stayed in Cairo after fleeing Palestine and Herod’s called The Museum of Civilization. Both these will be huge attractions
orders to kill all newborn baby boys. in Cairo, and I expect will greatly boost tourist interest. Being new and
The other must-see in Cairo is the Cairo Museum, modern I suspect the existing Cairo Museum will be left in the dust a
bit (no pun intended for those who have been to Egypt), because its
exhibits could do with a bit of an overhaul in terms of better and more

modern display techniques.

I have to say there are one or two things that grate in Egypt
when you travel here. The first are the touts – people trying to sell
you stuff or get you in their shop. Outside of Cairo a simple ‘no’
seems to suffice, but in Cairo it’s harder. They ask you so pleasantly
where are you from and question you so nicely about yourself
and in a lot of cases just outright lie in an attempt to get you to
their shop. Now you know instinctively that there is a sales pitch
coming at the end of the pleasant chit chat, so you have a choice,
be rude immediately and ignore everyone by not saying a word

to someone who is talking pleasantly to you. Alternatively, you
can answer their questions and then still have to say no later. The
issue is that you waste so much time trying not to be rude and
offensive to them that it genuinely starts to piss you off. Being
Kiwis we are not typically rude people, so this type of sales
pitch really gets you down. Because you either become rude to
everyone or waste heaps of time talking.

38 精彩

It was further compounded when walking down the street and I prepared. Factor it into your trip as there will be people who genuinely
took the rude approach this time, to a young guy who just genuinely deserve a tip and those that are trying it on. Even booking a “full tips
(it seems) wanted to talk and practise his English. He was a student paid tour” won’t help, you will still feel mean at the end if you don’t
at the college studying and it made for an interesting conversation recognise some of the most deserving.
once we did get talking, but he was initially taken aback and
eventually understood why initially we responded the way we did. I Overall, we loved Egypt, and I really hope we can get back some day,
was then cheesed off at myself for initially being that way. Mike and Sandy at World Travellers have the contact details for our
two outstanding guides so you can also get the most from visiting this
The second biggie to be aware of is the tipping culture in Egypt. hugely interesting country.
Tipping is customary in Egypt, and Egyptians also tip other Egyptians for
service. But in Egypt it is now in my opinion a bit OTT especially with us For us now it is back to Israel for a week or two before we head back
foreigners - we are seen as fair game. to the UK. We don’t want to rush leaving these warmer climes for
the miserable European winter, but when we eventually pick up the
The companies that look after you on the trips provide a great service motorhome again it will at least be Spring … in theory.
but with it come heaps of bodies attached. The vehicles all have a driver
and another person with the driver to help assist you, and then you will Now you’re all set for your own trip to Egypt! Armed with all of Jim’s
have your guide. Depending on how many cities and or sites you are top tips and words of advice, you’ll be sure to have a great time in this
visiting these people can change on a regular basis. It almost feels like fascinating country. Get in touch with us to start planning your adventure.
you are tipping someone every time they speak to you. Make no mistake
it is expected and be prepared to take plenty of smaller denomination If you would like to subscribe to our blogs – please sign up so they
currency along on your trip. The guides and drivers definitely deserve a come directly to your inbox.
tip when you see what they actually do for you. https://worldtravellersriccarton.co.nz/travel-blog/
We would love to hear from you:
But be aware some of the bodies actually came looking for the tip. On 47 Mandeville Street, Riccarton, Christchurch – 0800 30 30 80
the cruise boat we had three room cleaners turn up on the last night, Email: [email protected]
doing the rounds looking for their tips. They literally knocked on the www.worldtravellersriccarton.co.nz
door asking.

At the Valley of the Kings you are required to hand over your cameras
so there is no photography inside the tombs (they allow cell phone
photos, go figure). When I went to retrieve it the attendant wanted a
tip for me to get it back. Similarly, at the airport the guy overseeing bag
loading into the security scanners wanted tipping and was angry when
I said no.

Everywhere you go from toilets to your bed the question is ever
present. Tipping isn’t a big part of our culture but it is in Egypt, so be

PALMARY 39

Rob Davidson’s Story

40 精彩

Rob Davidson was born on 9 February 1951 and he grew up Rob prides himself on providing each client, regardless of their
in Christchurch, New Zealand. ethnicity or employment status, with his total commitment to
a first class legal and professional service.
Rob held many different roles during his lifetime. Rob
was a father, husband, grandfather and a Solicitor who was Over the last few years, Rob and his team have been very
respected and valued by the Chinese Community. busy in the immigration, employment, business and property
sectors. He has assisted a very large number of migrants
Rob is married to Lianne Dalziel, the mayor of Christchurch, to settle in New Zealand in most categories. In terms of
who was a former member of Parliament for Christchurch East, immigration work, Rob believes we should put ourselves
and a former Minister of Immigration and Commerce. in our client’s shoes when giving advice and be aware that
clients are often making some of the biggest decisions of their
Rob has always shown interest in Chinese history and lives and as such our advice must be robust and thorough.
culture. He has travelled all around China and has been to
many different cities. He has had the opportunity to explore Rob has been actively involved with a number of successful
and learn about the Chinese culture and lifestyle of the locals. non-government sector organisations, including being
Chairperson of the highly successful Aranui Community Trust
Rob founded Davidson Legal Limited in 2007 with his main and the Salisbury Street Foundation. He has also played quite
areas of practice being immigration, employment, property, an active media liaison role on behalf of a number of his
business and public law. Rob has always been bigger than clients. Being commercially minded, Rob also sees himself as
life and brought something special to the legal practice. a problem solver and is always looking for positive results for
He has a wide range of life experiences having worked in clients - even where the situation may seem impossible. He
the meat industry, rail transport and the union movement believes lawyers need to come down from their“ivory towers”
before becoming a lawyer. His business clients are active in and that legal advice should be focused on achieving practical
a wide range of business pursuits including manufacturing, results as opposed to legal outcomes.
hospitality, employment recruitment, house construction and
a host of other business activities. Rob’s private clients come This article was written by Davidson Legal
from a wide range of ethnic and professional backgrounds.

PALMARY 41

PALMARYSEEKING THE BEST ALWAYS THE BEST
总第54期 ISSUE 54 新西兰 New Zealand
月刊 全国发行 ISSN 2423-110X 2020年8月 August 2020

TALE OF TWO CITIES: Complimentary

HOW BEIJING & MELBOURNE PALMARY 1
DIFFER IN DEALING WITH
COVID-19 FLARE-UPS

MAKE YOURSELF HEARD

LAKE TEKAPO,
THE WINTER WONDERLAND

ROB DAVIDSON’S STORY