Paul Hickey: Rugby tempers taxing times

I'll get to try my hand at rugby commentary. Photo / File

I think I could count on one hand the number of times I have brought goods from overseas via the internet.

So the news this week that GST is set to be included in online shopping from offshore sources won't really affect me too much.

Some say the price difference between online from the States, or down the road is huge. If that's the case, another 15 per cent won't make a difference, then, will it?

But it certainly seems like a fair idea if it is one more small reason that people consider to buy locally.

I have seen and heard people complaining about the policy change, who recently were also complaining about not enough being done to help small business locally.

After a fair few years in radio and using a microphone as the tool of my trade, it's not often that I get the opportunity to do something new.

I've hosted radio shows in all timeslots of the day and night, been on stage in so many different roles, hosted various awards functions and events around the country, and of course I've done plenty of commentating for speedway events, both at the racetrack and for web and TV productions.

It is the latter which is closest to my new experience next week when I get to try my hand at rugby commentary.

Our usual Bay of Plenty rugby commentator is off gallivanting around the world, so they've had to sub me in off the bench!

Like most of the country, I've watched my fair share of rugby games over the years, but more often than not I've got a beer in my hand and it's only cheers and groans and the occasional woohoo and "oh, ref" that come from me.

I know the game and love it, and it's been an interesting couple of weeks trying my hand at calling the games behind the scenes, and it is certainly not as easy as armchair experts may think.

It is going to be an interesting experience for sure, and fortunately I'll have an expert comments man beside me to at least make it sound like we know what we're talking about.

But seriously, I'm excited about the chance to try something new, it's not often that you get to try things like this within your current working environment, and while I have to apparently remain impartial - go the Steamers!

I've written several times in this column about the large number of charitable organisations around Rotorua which do a huge amount of work in the community, and there are many that we support through airtime and promotional involvement at The Hits.

One which I have loved being involved with each Christmas is the Salvation Army and our Annual Foodbank Christmas Appeal.

You may have read in yesterday's Rotorua Daily Post about their current shortage.

So let's see some of that festive spirit right now, and keep an eye on this paper and our website at thehits.co.nz for updates.

Paul Hickey is the host of the locally based 9am-3pm show on The Hits Rotorua 97.5FM.
Follow on Twitter @paulhickeynz or at The Hits Rotorua on Facebook.