When I see the kinds of things that make headlines in the USA, and the kinds of things that make headlines here, I am so inexpressably grateful to live in Aotearoa New Zealand.  

There another 10 or more young people have just been lined up and shot in their school. Here we argue over a flag referendum or the environmental burden of dairy cattle. NZ may be a little parochial in some things, or a bit slow in others, but what a joy that a place like this exists. Treasure it with all its shortcomings. Things could be so much worse.