My interest in poetry was sparked early on at secondary school by our English teacher who introduced us to the work of Welsh poet W H Davies. In his younger years as a tramp, Davies had travelled extensively across the United Kingdom and the United States. This is a portion of that poem;"What is this life if, full of careWe have no time to stand and stare ... ..A poor life this if, full of careWe have no time to stand and stare." Irish poet W. B. Yates was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1923. As suggested by W. H. Davies even amidst the busyness of our lives, it is worth finding time to stand and stare.

PHOTO: TONI GRASESQueenstown skier Alice Robinson claimed yet another world cup medal at the weekend. Robinson, 24, played to her strengths, setting a blistering pace at the Andorra round of the super G world cup to claim a silver medal at the Soldeu resort. The result means Robinson maintains her second place in the super G standings with 300 points. Robinson, more of a giant slalom specialist, broke through in super G with a gold medal at the St Moritz round of the world cup last year, followed by a second place in Val d’Isere. Robinson was in action overnight for a second super G race.

Members of a mobile rifle unit of the Ukrainian Armed Forces look for Russian drones in the frontline town of Druzhkivka. PHOTO: VIA REUTERS"Breathe deeply, calm down, and don’t go running to stock up on food and matches" President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Ukrainians one month before the Russian tanks rolled across the border on February 24, 2022. Four years and between 200,000 and 400,000 dead Russian soldiers later (estimates vary), the Russian army holds about 20% of Ukraine’s territory. Like the machine guns and long-range artillery of World War 1, the drones force everybody to take shelter below ground level. However, Trump’s threat of war on Iran is driving oil prices back up, which helps the faltering Russian economy.

The Waihola Swans wrapped up the round robin shield with a strong 55-run win over the Kaitangata Kings at the Royal Landfill in Kaitangata. Waihola managed just 21 runs in the opening 10 overs, and were two down for just 50 at drinks. From there the Swans accelerated to charge through to a reasonable total. Rowan Craw continued his form and top-scored again for the Swans with 44. Jeremy Gray was the pick of the Owaka bowlers with four wickets for 15 runs off seven overs.

At that point, people were not yet coming out en masse into the streets to celebrate, according to social media. Earlier today, Iranian officials had dismissed such claims of the Supreme Leader’s death. Later, his official X account posted an image of a faceless clerical figure holding a flaming sword. Iranian officials acknowledge more than 3000 deaths, but say the violence was caused by “terrorist acts” fuelled by the US and Israel. During the protests, the Government had sought to walk a line between acknowledging protesters’ legitimate economic grievances while condemning so-called “rioters”.

While viewed as a "prestige" industry, its product is linked to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), affecting up to 5% of our population. If we can manage the massive risks of the alcohol industry, we can surely manage a new gold mine. Mark StevensWānakaSource of distrustWe know that mining companies may destroy a sacred site, as happened in the Pilbara region. We understand that a public road has been closed for the benefit of Santana without the usual public notification. Colin CheyneRoslynAddress Letters to the Editor to: Otago Daily Times, PO Box 517, 52-56 Lower Stuart St, Dunedin.

Validation showed she is a star of the racetrack rather than the sales ring with her big win in the group 3 Caduceus Club of Southland Alabar Fillies Classic. Validation was not hot property in the sales ring as a yearling last year, being passed in just as her full brother Incentivise was the year prior. For Validation, it was not long after she was passed in in the sales ring that she started showing promise. “She has been a pleasure to do anything with since day one.”Houghton aimed Validation at the group 3 Caduceus Club of Southland Alabar Fillies Classic, giving her a start at Addington to prepare. After holding off a mid-race attack for the lead, the filly cleared out for a big win.

Liam Mavor took three for 37 and Blake James three for 29. At St Kevin’s, Glenavy scraped home by five runs, defending 140. St Kevin’s slumped to 37 for four in the 10th over, before Ben Gillies (46) and Jacob Fowler (31) added 67 for the fifth wicket. St Kevin’s fell agonizingly short, losing their last wicket on 135 in the 32nd over with five runs still needed. Fowler took four for 32 and Flynn Sanford two for 21.

Daniel Hillier celebrates winning the 105th New Zealand Open. Hillier didn’t hole a birdie putt until the seventh hole – and that was a tap-in after an exquisite bunker shot. Daniel Hillier of New Zealand with the Brodie Breeze trophy after winning the 105th New Zealand Open at Millbrook Resort, Arrowtown. Daniel Hillier of New Zealand celebrates winning the 105th New Zealand Open at the Millbrook Resort. Yuki Miya of New Zealand during round two of 105th New Zealand Open at the Millbrook Resort.

The tenants have now taken the landlord to the Tenancy Tribunal claiming a breach of quiet enjoyment for a number of reasons, including the photographs. According to the decision, the landlord also did not provide the tenants with mailbox keys for the duration of their tenancy. It did not provide for ongoing property management, and once the tenants moved in, day-to-day management was the landlord’s responsibility. The tenancy agreement and bond documents named only the owners as the landlord, with no reference to an agent, and there was no separate property management agreement or regular management fee. The landlord was ordered to pay $2643.26 to the tenants for breach of quiet enjoyment and exemplary damages.

Trump’s ranting justification to start a war is so unhinged – there is no way this won’t cause terrible backlash and carnage by forcing religious zealots into an existential threat. The biggest danger of illegally arresting Maduro and seizing their oil was Trump believing he could do it in Iran. In Iran, he is dealing with zealots who will die for their regime. Killing the Ayatollah would be akin to murdering the Pope. This is how someone straps a dirty bomb to themselves in a backpack and detonates it in downtown Jerusalem and New York.

Former Waikato District Health Board nurse Angelina Reyes defrauded more than $100,000 off her colleagues. Image: NZME/Open JusticeA nurse who scammed more than $100,000 from her colleagues for gambling has paid all the money back. In March 2024, she was told Reyes’ mother had died. ‘The $90,000 heart surgery’In January 2024, Reyes told the third victim her mother was in hospital and needed $10,000 for heart surgery. Reyes asked for $40,000, which they agreed to transfer.

Brad Pitt pictured with sons Maddox and Pax Pitt and his then wife Angelina Jolie at a movie premiere. Brad Pitt pictured with sons Maddox and Pax Pitt and his then wife Angelina Jolie at a movie premiere. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s eldest child Maddox Pitt has ditched “Pitt” from his last name in the credits for his latest film. Maddox Jolie was adopted by the former couple from Cambodia in 2002, when he was 7 months old. He is the eldest of six siblings, including Pax Pitt, 22, Zahara Jolie, 21, Shiloh Jolie, 19, and twins Knox Jolie-Pitt and Vivienne Jolie, 17.

Tama Heremaia, a recent bach purchaser at the motor camp, said he was now in limbo. “Council will work with the Clifton Motor Camp around the removal of property – owners will not be penalised, but property left on the site will be at their own risk,” he said. Heremaia first purchased a bach at Clifton Motor Camp’s camp number two site, opposite the cafe Hygge, at Clifton Bay in January 2025. Road closed signage on the road leading up to Clifton Motor Camp. A closed sign on the road out to Clifton Motor Camp.

Daniel Hillier makes a putt on his way to winning the New Zealand Open. Photo: Getty ImagesNew Zealand star Daniel Hillier has sent the fans at Millbrook into golfing heaven. Hillier has claimed victory in the $2 million New Zealand Open in Arrowtown. He becomes the first New Zealand winner of the tournament since Michael Hendry in 2017. Hillier, 27, who led by a shot heading into the final round, finished at 22-under-par for the tournament.