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Which Countries Are Most Corrupt? Not New Zealand, Denmark

CitizenSugar — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 11:00:59 -0700

Money could very well be the root of all evil — though in the latest study of corrupt countries, it's actually the lack of money that sparks trouble. The new report by Transparency International found that in two-fifths of the world's nations, corruption continues to intensify — a trend that can be traced to economic realities. In the countries found to be the most corrupt, 40 percent are classified by the World Bank as low income.

Transparency International's rankings range on a scale from 10 (on the up-and-up) to 1 (rampant corruption). How common is corruption? Of the 180 countries surveyed, 132 of them had scores below a 5. Other factors that contribute to a cloudy ethical picture are weak governments and conflict. The chairman of Transparency International says, "Countries torn apart by conflict pay a huge toll in their capacity to govern. With public institutions crippled or nonexistent, mercenary individuals help themselves to public resources, and corruption thrives."

Another troublesome mix? Weak government plus plentiful natural resources, like in Equatorial Guinea where 30 percent of the newly discovered oil profits go straight to government officials' wallets. To see which countries ranked where,

Treelord Treaty Makes Native New Zealanders Lords of Forests

LibertySugar — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:30:56 -0700

Under the Treelord Treaty signed today, seven of New Zealand's native tribes will now own huge areas of New Zealand forest land. Addressing past injustices with tangible penances, New Zealand has transfered 435,000 acres of land holding large commercial pine plantations in exchange for NZ $420 million (US $319 million). The current pine plantations generate NZ $13 million a year in rent. The settlement also grants the Maori rents collected since 1989.

The indigenous Maori people constitute 15 percent of the island's population, but experience extremely low quality of life compared to other residents of the island. This historic and unprecedentedly expansive agreement gives the indigenous people a chance to improve their economic situation.

Should other countries use physical reconciliation solutions to correct past injustices against native people? Would taxpayers in other countries be ready to give up lucrative land to native tribes, if it meant natives would see sustainable economic and social prosperity?

Source

Wolf Whistles Drive Woman to Protest — By Getting Naked?

CitizenSugar — Fri, 23 May 2008 00:00:36 -0700

An Internet news rumor run amuck? Sites were reporting this shocking story as fact yesterday — do you believe it? Apparently, a road crew in the small town of Kerikeri, New Zealand, was repairing the main street when they decided to pay too much attention to one woman — who decided to let them know just what she thought about their behavior — by stripping.

According to the story, the woman (an Israeli tourist) took offense to their catcalls and planted herself firm, stripped bare, and used the ATM in the altogether. The clothes-free campaign brought a screeching halt to both the whistles and the road work. She then put her clothes back on and walked away.

The sergeant assigned to the case said the woman told police she didn't like the attention. "She said she had thought '... I'll show them what I've got,' " as the men whistled at her, he said. "She gave the explanation that she had been ... pestered by New Zealand men. She's not an unattractive-looking lady."

Her alleged punishment? "She was taken back to the police station and spoken to and told that was inappropriate (behavio[u]r) in New Zealand." Could this be true, or an Internet hoax masquerading as news?

Source

Introducing Baby Kiwi!

YumSugar — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 05:18:19 -0700

Last year I was at my local Trader Joe's when I noticed containers of something called "kiwi grapes." I'd never heard of such a thing, so naturally I picked them up. They were small grape-sized fruits which were delicious and tart, sort of like regular kiwi, but sweeter and with a smooth, edible skin. Needless to say, I fell in love and wanted to eat them over and over again. Unfortunately by the time I went back to get more, they were gone!

For a year I've been talking to people about these delicious fruits and was excited to head into Trader Joe's today and find them waiting there. This time they were labeled "baby kiwi," but they were definitely the same thing. I snatched up three baskets and already devoured one. If you can find them near you — I've heard of people spotting them in Whole Foods and other markets like that — I highly suggest you check them out. If you fall in love with them like I did, you'll be happy to know that they're actually available twice a year. In the Spring they're imported from New Zealand and in the Fall they come from Oregon. And if you find yourself pining for them in the between seasons, don't say I didn't warn you.

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Designer Spotlight: David Trubridge

casasugar — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 08:33:47 -0800

In his artist's statement, New Zealand-based furniture designer David Trubridge writes:

My ideas come from the wild places, edges of turbulence and renewal,
where seas break on beaches and headlands, where land and air meet on mountain ridges. I make forms of elemental simplicity, as the erosion of air and water on wood and stone, forms that speak of humanity's survival on earth, of life's fragility and dependence, of comfort in the ways of the past that have succoured us, and optimism for a sustainable and enriching future. I work within the limits of what I have and know, simplicity and low impact, natural materials and processes, leaving a delicate footprint.

With a poet's heart and a conservationist's values, David Trubridge has raked in awards and accolades for his stunning designs. Just last month, David was given the country's highest design recognition, the John Britten Award, at the Designers Institute of New Zealand BeST Design Awards.

To see some of David's brilliant and beautiful designs, just

Happy Hour: Kono Marlborough Pinot Noir

partysugar — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 12:35:56 -0800

When YumSugar and I were trend watching at the Fancy Food Show earlier this week, I was really into tasting all of the wines and liquors. Ok I was really into tasting just about everything, but I was paying special attention to anything that would make my next party super duper fabulous (yummy international wines, infused and organic vodkas, martini glasses shrunken to the size of a shot glass, etc). While there, I was lucky enough to meet John, a handsome fellow with sandy colored hair who was pouring tastings of his Kono Marlborough Pinot Noir from New Zealand. It was love at first sight. With the wine that is, not with John (who was disappointingly not even from New Zealand). He imports the wine in from the Marlborough region of the country. Think "Marlborough is to New Zealand as Napa is to California", the premium wine location.

The Pinot Noir was so incredibly smooth that it would pair well with anything from sausage pizza to roast leg of lamb. It had a savory ripe plum, smoky oak and dark spice aroma with a long elegant finish. The wine slipped down my throat like silk and all I wanted to do was ask John to pour me a full serving so I could leisurely walk through the cheese and salami aisles enjoying the Pinot to its fullest. Unfortunately I only had one sip left and I was saving it for YumSugar to taste, so my fantasy of savoring the wine was put on hold. Until this afternoon when I went to pick up my very own bottle (Trader Joe's for the moderate price of $12.99).

If olive oil can be called liquid gold than Pinot Noir should be named liquid rubies. Now if I only I could find a good-looking sandy haired guy from New Zealand to share my bottle with...

For more information on John and his Pinot Noir (including their interesting indigenous story surrounding the company) visit Kono New Zealand's website.