Constant alerts drain your battery

There has never been a better time to schedule yourself some respite - if you can. More guidance, inspiration and joy within.

2023 has got off to an inauspicious start. At least here in New Zealand. While the global markets pull back from the initial exuberance in January, we had no such frivolity. While the south of the country basked in sun such that potential drought became an issue, the rest of the country has had a miserable summer. This took a disastrous turn in the storms and subsequent widespread flooding in late January, followed by the absolute devastation caused by our worst cyclone in recorded history: Gabrielle. It’s difficult to wrap one’s head around the scale of the damage caused, to land, infrastructure, livelihoods, the wider economy and community wellbeing. Although attitudes and language are now turning toward recognising months of recovery, I find myself whispering Cassandra-like that this will take years, if not decades, to recover from. It is a truly generation-shaping event.

On a side note, three-year parliamentary terms here in New Zealand have never seemed so ridiculous. Bipartisan agreement on both climate mitigation and adaptation will remain impossible so long as these short-term political cycles take centre stage. We need a better system, and we need it fast.