Tell us what you love about life in New Zealand - or what needs to change. Write to rantandrave@nzherald.co.nz
Rave
Well done to Lorde for her huge success and being who she is rather than a manu-factured, booty-shaking, barely dressed pop doll.
F. Allen
Rant
A big thumbs-down from me to Hibiscus Bird Rescue. I contacted them after I had rescued a duckling that somehow had lost his mum and was being stalked by our cat around our back garden. I was horrified when the young woman who answered my call informed me they won't accept ducks as they are a jolly nuisance and they just shoo them away! Eventually, a kindly vet nurse at our local vet was willing to help out. Good on you, Orewa Veterinary Centre.
Bobbie
Rave
My daughter was travelling on a windy rural road north of Whangarei when her tyre blew out. She had two tired and grumpy children on board and a boot full of luggage, making access to the spare tyre a major operation. A man named Wana stopped to help and put his own spare tyre on the car, coming back to collect it when repairs had been made. Thank you, Wana.
Elana Brokenshire
Rant
How fortunate we are to have so many public toilets available for our use, free of charge. Why can't so many people not make the simple effort to pull the chain or pick up any paper they may have dropped after making a visit?
Sheryl
Rave
Last Thursday, I was in such a rush to leave work I put my wallet on the boot of my car and took off. A few hours later, while up a ladder chopping trees at home, I had a call from Auckland Police to say they had my wallet - at that stage I wasn't aware I'd lost it. A man had picked it up and its contents which he'd found strewn around the Wellington St onramp to the Northern Motorway. He didn't leave his name and this is the only way I can think of to thank him.
Jenny Woods
Rant
The InterCity coach terminal at SkyCity is the pits. The waiting room is spartan and unfriendly. Wake up, InterCity. You provide comfortable coaches and courteous drivers, but the Auckland terminal is a disgrace.
Viola