SO THE Advertising Standards Authority has made it official - it's okay to have a go at Aussies. It has rejected a complaint about a hardware store advertisement on television. You've probably all seen the ad - I have. Two young boys in a playground are planning a construction job. They call out toa third boy in a sandpit, who is wearing a Wallabies jumper, for help. He rejects their request for a hand with a DIY job. Their reply: "Aussies. No surprise there." I must admit I was taken aback by it. It is one of several advertisements that I have seen on buses, bus stops and TV that have a crack at Aussies since I arrived four months ago. It obviously strikes a humorous chord with Kiwis, but not the person who complained - no doubt an Aussie. The response is easy - if you don't like it, don't watch that channel or don't support companies with anti-Aussie or anti-anyone messages. There is a certain TV presenter who has bagged my countrymen (and women) too many times for my liking. I simply don't watch her show anymore. It must be the same for the Irish, blondes and any other easy target. You can choose to complain or abstain. Complainers or whingers usually don't get far. Abstainers can affect the bottom line. If you are that offended, switch off or don't patronise the store. If something was really that offensive, I am sure authorities would take it seriously. A couple of years back, an ad depicting the All Blacks doing the haka with handbags was pulled from Australian television. It was culturally offensive and the reaction was swift and sensible. Trans-Tasman rivalry is alive and well, and not going away any time soon. Thumbs up: To ENZA Foods' Hastings staff who will take part in the Tremains Corporate Triathlon. Their team numbers have almost tripled. The triathlon complements the company's Workfit Better Business Health programme, which helps improve the health and wellbeing of workers.
