You've got to hand it to the marketing people at New World: those mini-supermarket toys are a huge hit with the kids.

I've sat through my share of Tauranga City Council meetings and admit a lot of what goes on in the debating chamber is what a colleague refers to as SBB.

I choose to believe the scientists trying to give us bad news about climate change.

One of the biggest stories circulating the newsroom this week is the 16-year-old Kiwi girl whose self-penned song Royals has hit No1 on the United States Billboard charts.

The other day I beat up a chair. I was in a foul mood and things weren't going my way, so I threw the chair on to the ground and I kicked it and stomped on it.

Doubtless, the country's coroners may feel the messages contained in their findings are not getting through.

I'm only ever a yachting fan when the America's Cup is on and right now my lack of knowledge of the sport is causing some frustration.

Driving in heavy rain, crossing a busy road or riding a bike in peak-hour traffic all involve a degree of risk.

Hopefully by the time this goes to print we are all on a "Cup Hi" and singing bye bye American Pie after wishing Larry a warm Kia Oracle.