I’ll make a few very specific forecasts further down, but first, I want to say what I really think about next year. But the immediate economic cycle seems to be turning in our direction for the first time in years. Events have a way of ruining the forecasts and predictions of the smartest and most meticulous economists. My unscientific extrapolation of this holds that the further out an economist forecasts, the less reliable the forecasts become. But numerous academic studies (and common sense) point to long-term economic forecasts not being the paper they are written on ... or the energy required to generate the pixels (or however that analogy should work these days).

Her brother and head orchardist, John Woolford, was also keen for more time away from the orchard work. The future looked uncertain for Newstead Orchard, the last remaining small commercial orchard in the area. Annie Perkins tending the regenerative market garden she has established in Newstead Orchard. Photo / Catherine FryPerkins became friends with John Woolford nearly two decades ago. They are now testing the parameters of growing stone and pip fruit organically and sustainably at Newstead Orchard.

Could robots with the ability to perform everyday personal and household tasks help meet some of those needs? Robots have some distinct advantages, robot designer Rich Walker told RNZ from London - but there's some challenges and hurdles to overcome, and some big ethical considerations. Photo: Charles GervaisIn Japan, robots have been used in aged care facilities for more than a decade. Some areas of human capability and some tasks are particularly difficult for robots - controlled and measured touch is at the top of the list. Designs to meet real needsWhen parsing out the needs of aged care there have also been some big surprises, Walker says.

Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming would not see the dawn of 2025. Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming. Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming, 62, and Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay were foot patrolling the area when a vehicle driven by a member of the public drove towards them at speed. Police Commissioner Richard Chambers fronting a press conference hours after his colleague Lyn fleming was killed on duty. Hayden Donald Jason Tasker has been charged with murdering Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming.

A “scuffle ensued” and Herman picked a fight, but the other man began to get the better of him. Herman then reached for a sharp object after finding himself in a headlock and “losing a fight of his own making”. The stabbing: A gross overreactionJustice David Boldt said Herman found the unidentified sharp object in the back of his vehicle. The object Herman used in the stabbing was never recovered, but was described by the original sentencing judge as “potentially lethal”. Herman has clocked up another 20 convictions since returning to New Zealand, including for wounding with intent, assault with intent to injure and possessing an offensive weapon.

You might as well be who you are.”Seymour says the pressure to conform is often driven by fear of judgment, particularly in public life. “If you never want to be accused of thinking you’re too smart or being a smart arse, then there’s an easy way to avoid those accusations,” he says. “She was told that she’d never have children, that she’d never drive, that she’d never have a job or go to university,” he says. “It’s not what happens to you in life, it’s how you deal with it,” Seymour says. You can follow the podcast at iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

Mitchell Cole. Photo: Supplied / NZ PolicePolice say they are looking to identify a second man as part of the Ruatiti homicide investigation, as the hunt for Mitchell Cole continues. Friends of sheep farmer Brendon Cole and wife Trina said they were found dead at their Murumuru Road property on 13 December. Son Mitchell Cole, 29, has been named as a person of interest by police. Police also want to speak with anyone who was in or around Ruatiti Road at the time.

Bryant accepted “that doesn’t make it right”, and he shouldn’t have undertaken unconsented work, but felt it did not warrant such a costly prosecution. The summary of facts detailed the unconsented building work included the garage, the cabana, and a separate structure that housed a temporary sauna and had an outdoor shower. In a statement, Steve Pearce, head of building services at the Tauranga City Council, accepted prosecutions can be a “reasonably significant cost to the council”. “However, the council can confirm that this was not the first time the council has investigated Mr Bryant in respect of unconsented building work,” he said. Pearce said the council rejected the suggestion that it had unfairly “targeted” Bryant or that the prosecution was “overcooked”.

Social media for kidsIn her opinion column, Parents, not apps, will police ban (December 14), Heather du Plessis-Allan commented on the Australian Government’s under-16 social media ban that came into force on December 10. Hopefully, New Zealand will learn from this and follow Australia’s lead in banning social media for under-16s, just as we did with banning phones in schools. Sentences must fit crimeI totally agree with Emma MacIntosh, (letters, December 20), regarding Jevon McSkimming’s sentence. Sanctioned oilWill US President Donald Trump be fair and even-handed by applying the same response to sanctioned Russian oil as he has in regards to sanctioned Venezuelan oil? Will tankers carrying sanctioned Russian oil also be seized, thereby limiting that country’s ability to wage war in Ukraine?

New Zealand lamb will be on the table next Christmas Day in many homes in the Old Country, in response to the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board’s recent offer to forward single carcases of prime New Zealand lamb as Christmas presents to friends in Great Britain. Lamb promises to be very much of a luxury at Christmas time this year, and no doubt many households will have to go without their usual log of lamb for Christmas dinner. Last week the price of New Zealand lamb was advanced by 1d a pound on the London market and now the freezing buyers are offering up to 12¾d a pound for lamb. There will be an extra half-pound of butter for Christmas baking and modification in the coupon rating for the purchase of spring lamb. of butter from December 1 to 24, and consumers are to purchase this butter from their registered retailers.

Jenny Dobson (left) hands over the Stay Inn friendship plate to her long-standing friend Rosemary Brook. A "friendship plate" landed in Jenny Dobson's mailbox last month from The Stay Inn, a Facebook group formed during the Covid-19 lockdowns. Mrs Dobson has had the friendship plate for about a month but was now passing it on to her friend Rosemary Brook. This long-term relationship was why Mrs Dobson knew she wanted to pass the friendship plate on to Mrs Brook. Mr Whyte launched the friendship plate initiative after a friend found it in a charity shop, asking members to eventually pass it to a deserving recipient.

Helping young people have fun and stay safe at New Year parties are Red Frogs Dunedin co-ordinators Lewis and Liv Perry. PHOTO: SAM HENDERSONFriendly faces are once again getting ready to patrol party hotspots to protect revellers. "It keeps scaling every year so it gets bigger and bigger and bigger," Mr Perry said. A Red Frogs tent would be established on the foreshore, featuring a barbecue and space to relax. The young Red Frogs volunteers take the time to help with no expectation of pay to ensure others celebrate safely during the festive season.

Photos: suppliedLegendary Dunedin outdoor music festival, the Whare Flat Folk Festival will celebrate its 50th anniversary over the festive season, with four days of music, sun, camping and workshops. Whare Flat Folk Festival director Siobhan Dillon said the festival began in 1975 as a modest folk "camp" created by the then New Edinburgh Folk Club. Nordic folk outfit Dragkroka, of Sweden, will be special guests for the upcoming 50th anniversary Whare Flat Folk Festival. Other events will include a 50th anniversary concert, featuring performers involved in the festival over the years, and a 50th celebration panel interview, led by clinical psychologist Sue Galvin. "Throughout its history, Whare Flat Folk Festival has been a place where people come together not only to listen, but to share songs, stories, skills and friendship across generations."

Southern Gunners member Lincoln Brosnahan said the idea for a monthly gathering to bring veterans together was inspired by his grandfather Wayne Rickard, an ex-serviceman. "The proposal for a Phoenix bar monthly gathering is for ex-service people, and anyone interested in the military to get together. "It’s a chance to have a catch up and is an extension of the Oamaru RSA Hub which meets weekly and the Southern Gunners to socialise. The Oamaru Coastal Defence Group re-enact historic war battles and are known to mark Anzac Day, Armistice Day and the centenary of the Gallipoli landings by Australian and New Zealand forces by firing 25-pound World War 2 guns owned by the group. Mr Brosnahan said there were about 15 Southern Gunners members in Oamaru and "many veterans" that they hope will join the monthly meeting.

This one-day farm work experience was designed by MTFJ co-ordinator Greg Pestell to provide an authentic, hands-on experience on a working farm. Keen on the idea of farm work, but with no practical knowledge, the day tested their suitability for agricultural employment. "On the journey home they were tired but happy and eager to find out more about farm work as a career. Haarlem said, ‘I wish we were going back tomorrow’ — That says it all about the success of this work experience opportunity." Anyone interested in hosting work experience days, or recruiting Haarlem and Cameron, can contact Greg at Pestell@waitaki.govt.nz— Allied Media