''Lock down'' is 2020 word of the year

 The word ''lock down'' is Collin's dictionary's word of the year.

Experts say that they chose the word because many can relate to it because billions of people had to restrict their daily lives in order to contain the virus. People who work on dictionaries found over 250,000 usages of the word. 

One of the many other top 10 words that made it on the list was ''tiktoker''

Man In NY Falls into sinkhole full of rats

 A man in New York  fell into a sinkhole infested with rats.

Leonard was waiting for a bus in the Bronx and the concrete suddenly cracked open sending him in a hole.  He immediately fell on a pack of rats and broke his arm and leg on the fall. 

He later said that he couldn't move and didn't want to open his mouth because he didn't want rats crawling inside. 

It took firefighters half an hour to take Leonard out of the hole with no rats along.  He was taken to a hospital where he is recovering. 

How Do TV Commercials Influence American Culture?

Today I read an article with my class written by Garth Sundem, called ''How do TV Commercials Influence American culture?''.  This article was a real eye widener for me as I failed to realise how much influential advertisements can really be. 

When reading, I found if it makes the viewer look cooler, better looking or bring back a positive thought or memory, they would most likely buy the item. One of the many amazing thoughts Garth Sundem had was how most TV commercials were idealised.  As in perfect. 

What Kapa Haka Is Like

Every Tuesday, we have Kapa Haka, for about 45 minutes. During these sessions we learn a haka and a song. We also learn different actions that mean different things.

I have lots of fun during these sessions because when we're not singing or chanting we joke around. But, when we recite the haka I can feel the strength inside me and around me. Every time we say it it's really loud.

Making Banana Pike-lets (Tech)

At tech we made Banana Pike-lets. My partner was Madisyn. I found it very hard to keep the pike-lets round. Some of the last pancakes were burnt because we hadn't realised how fast the banana pike-lets cooked.  When mixing all the ingredients together it was very easy to do. Madisyn and I got it done really quickly.

Ingredients
Self raising flour
Caster Sugar
Salt
Butter
Egg
Milk
Banana
Vanilla Ice-cream

We served our banana pike-lets with french vanilla ice cream and blueberry sauce.

Cooking Class (Tech, Making hot cakes)

Ingredients
Baking powder
Flour
Sugar
1 egg
Butter
Milk (three quarters of a cup)
Sauces (optional)

Mix all dry ingredients in large bowl.
Crack egg in large bowl, add milk and whisk.
Get frying pan ready and heat up on stove.
Get your mixture and add as much or less amount as you would like to.
Cook until you see little bubbles form at the top, then flip.
Add any toppings you like and enjoy!!

Report Evening

I have been at school for three weeks since the holidays. Last week Thursday we had report evening. My parents had the chance to come into school and learn more about the work I do. 

My dad came to the report evening and first went to my sister's appointment. Meanwhile, my sister and I were playing outside and we tripped and got mud on our clothes. We weren't allowed to play outside but we did it anyways because we're REBELS.                                                                       

Wairarapa Plane Crash: Aerowork Pilot Dies

A pilot of a fertiliser spreading aircraft has died in the Wairarapa this morning following a crash.

The man was the sole occupant of the plane and died at the scene - Kourarau Hill near Carterton, police confirmed.

The company Aerowork also confirmed it was one of their pilots who had died.

"The team is working closely with the emergency crews and have reached out to the family," they said in a statement.

Rare Birds Given Extra Special Lock down Treatment

Five rare tūturuatu/shore plovers were granted a lockdown exemption this week.

The birds were transported by Department of Conservation experts from Christchurch to Mana Island in Wellington.
DOC were helped by Air New Zealand and the Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust.

The birds are part of a critical conservation programme to establish a new population.

Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage said that there were just 250 of these birds left in the world. These birds are a critical part of attempts to establish a population on the pest-free Mana Island.

Bumper Feijoa Crops Hit NZ

New Zealand is set to have a bumper feijoa crop in 2020.

As you may or may not know there has recently been droughts in New Zealand. The drought conditions have actually helped produce this delicious green fruit.

Feijoa's are just coming in to season. They will in April and remain in huge supply of June.

Growers has said that this years crop is about 20 percent higher, than last years.

Feijoa's are really rich in vitamin c, so it will be great for our immune system to fight against colds, coughs and bugs, especially in autumn and winter as it is more important than ever.

Covid 19- Some of the Latest News for Shops

Under the lockdown decision announced yesterday, Kiwis will be able to pick up takeaways in a week and may be able to socialise more freely in three weeks' time.

But many retailers are unhappy they cannot reopen physical stores with the same health and safety precautions as those followed by supermarkets over the past four weeks.

While Retail NZ chief executive Greg Harford believes some businesses will be able to trade in some form online, many are still hamstrung.

It was disappointing, he said, that a broader range of stores could not reopen their physical outlets, following health and safety rules such as queue management. Many would go to the wall.

What Is ANZAC Day?

ANZAC day, celebrated on the 25th of April, is probably both Australia's and New Zealand's most important national occasion.  ANZAC day commemorates the New Zealand and Australian army soldiers who called themselves ANZAC's, which is the reasoning of it's name.

ANZAC day is a national  day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that broadly commemorates all NZ and Australian soldiers that served and died in all wars, conflicts, peace and the contribution and suffering of those who served.

Who started the war?  What they did that could lead to war?

Lest We Forget

New Zealand's First Online Supermarket!

The country's first online supermarket had opened yesterday.

The Countdown e-store is located in Pen-rose, Auckland. This is great news to hear as most supermarkets are full. This will definitely ease some pressure for those markets.

It will employ 200 people, including 106 new jobs.

The e-store, which will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week was actually planned before the virus lock down.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Avocado Milk Developed By Sachie Nomura in NZ

Chef by the name of Sachie Nomura has invented avocado milk.This product has been sold across 100 stores in the U.S. It has become very popular due to the health benefits it contains.

The avocado milk has believed to be the first to be made. This milk is made in Hawke's Bay and is made out of avocado's and oat milk.

Unfortunately, avocado milk is not available in New Zealand but their are plans to launch some very soon.  

Drones Used To Fight Pests

The Department of Conservation is set to use a new drone to help with pest control.

The drones will cost $790,000 and is a key step in making New Zealand predator-free by 2050.

Drones have the potential to remove pests from remote offshore islands, respond to pest numbers and suppress predators on mainland New Zealand.

175 Years Since Hone Heke Cut Down The Flagpole

Last week a special ceremony in the Far North has marked the 175th anniversary of the felling of the flagstaff at Kororāreka.

In 1845, Ngāpuhi chiefs Hone Heke and Te Ruki Kawiti joined forces to cut the British flagstaff down. This started what became known as the “Flagstaff War”.

Hone Heke had become concerned with the Crown’s control over Māori affairs following the Treaty of Waitangi being signed in 1840.

Corona Virus: Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr Explains Shock Official Rate

Reserve Bank governor Adrian Orr is urging all Kiwis to talk to their banks as interest rates plummet today in response to the coronavirus challenges facing the economy.

In a surprise move earlier today the central bank cut New Zealand's official cash rate (OCR) to 0.25 per cent - an all-time low – that will be in place for the next 12 months.

The move is designed to free up Kiwis' spending and stimulate the economy.
All the major banks reduced their interest rates after today's announcement.

Orr urged all New Zealanders to talk to their banks – "this is the time to over-communicate".

New Zealand Announces Measures Against Covid-19

New Zealand Prime Minister has announced a number of measures to counter Covid-19.

As of midnight tomorrow, every person arriving in New Zealand (apart from those coming from the Pacific islands) will have to self- isolate for 14 days.

All cruise ships are also being asked to not come to New Zealand until June 30. However, this does not apply to cargo ships.

New Rules Will Allow More Crocodiles In NZ Zoos

New rules will allow more crocodiles in New Zealand zoos.

Under the new rules, live crocodiles and eggs will be able to be imported from the EU, Asia and the Pacific.

Currently, we can only get crocodiles from Australia.

The move coincides with Auckland Zoo building a new $50 million southeast Asian attraction which will open this year.

$10,000 Reward for Sighting of South Island Kokako

A $10,000 reward for sighting the South Island Kōkako remains unclaimed.

After three years, more than 200 possible encounters have been reported. However, the bird known as the ‘Grey Ghost’ remains elusive.

The South Island Kōkako Charitable Trust, which is offering the reward, has said the reward would be paid once experts confirmed any evidence was confirmed.

Whale Shark Spotted Off Tauranga Coast!!

As you already know a Whale Shark has been spotted in Tauranga. It had been spotted by the skipper of the Bay Explorer, and there were 16 people on board.

The whale shark was 11 km off Mauao. The captain said the fish swam right up to the boat before it went under. 

Water Fun- Day

Last week Friday, most of our school participated in a group of water games.  We played duck, duck goose with water and we also played with several water balloons as well.

Not only did we do that, but we also played a lot of games where we try and put the water in a different place the fastest. It was kinda fun.

 

BLOG Profile

Talofa Lava, my name is Kotipi and I attend Ruapotaka school in Glenn Innes, Auckland, New Zealand. My teacher is Mrs Cardoza, and I am now a year eight at this school.

My ethnicity or culture is, Cook Island and Tongan. I have four siblings, and all four of us live with our mum and dad. At school I really enjoy different sports, such as netball, soccer, etc.

My favourite subject is writing because I have the freedom to write what I like, sometimes. I want to have LOTS of fun before I go college and become a great leader too. My favourite colour is red, and thank you for reading my blog.