Curious Kiwi's Place

Strike One (and two and three!)

Our first night in Boston!  :)

IMG_0991

How big is that?

I love seals.  We saw heaps of them last week just north of Kaikoura.  Here's one.

itch

Exploring the Rock Pools

[polaroid version of this via picnik.com]
A fun way to spend a Saturday in the school holidays!

This morning, Brent, the morning DJ on Wairarapa More FM said, "do you see the beautiful sunrise?"

I was still lying in bed, debating whether I needed to get up yet, but upon hearing that, I thought, "no, I don't see it..."  So I got up, grabbed my camera, headed out onto the deck and saw this:

"UP!"

For anyone who doesn't remember the reference:

"Their teacher, Madam Hooch, arrived. She had short, grey hair and yellow eyes like a hawk. 'Well, what are you all waiting for?' she barked. 'Everyone stand by a broomstick. Come on, hurry up.'
"Harry glanced down at his broom. It was old and some of the twigs stuck out at odd angles. 'Stick out your right hand over your broom,' called Madam Hooch at the front, ' and say "Up!"'
'UP!' everyone shouted."

-from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Bloomsbury, p. 109, ©1997, Joanne Rowling

NZ Money

If you live in New Zealand and haven't heard of Kiwisaver, you must not have been paying attention the last few weeks. :)

Here's my question and totally unscientific poll.  How many of you are signing up for Kiwisaver?  If you are, what attracts you to it?  If you aren't, why not?

My husband Gary and I have been poring over the Kiwisaver website trying to figure out all the ramifications of it.  He is eligible to join now because of his job, and I can join as a "stay at home mum" and still receive the $20/week government subsidy. 

Gary's employer is really encouraging his employees to save for retirement... so much so that he is essentially making it "free" for everyone, by giving everyone a pay rise to cover their 4% contribution and also doing the 4% employer contribution from the get-go (rather than by 2012 as legislated).  It would be foolish for us not to take advantage of that offer, eh?

Haven't decided yet if I should open an account as well.  The $20/week government topup pretty much means $1000 a year for nothing, so it is probably worthwhile for me as well.

So, anyone else care to share their thoughts?