Even our footpaths are no longer safe, thanks to reckless scooter-riders.
As I stepped out of one of my favourite Auckland eateries, there was a whirr and a blur of green in front of my face. A bloody Lime scooter missed me by centimetres and was weaving its way at a fast clip through a small herd of stampeding pedestrians. Yes, I know, I am a curmudgeon who resents the freedom and fun for young folk who use the scooters to whizz around the city.
For those readers whose town or city does not have a Lime scooter fleet (you lucky buggers), I should explain that they are for hire in Auckland and Christchurch, running on electric motors up to speeds of 24km/h, and are generally found when you trip over one lying on the footpath.
The scooters are GPS-tracked and, presumably, at some point a bloke in a truck comes around to pick them up for recharging, before dumping them back on the footpath in handy locations.
Denne historien er fra January 12-18, 2019-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
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Denne historien er fra January 12-18, 2019-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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First-world problem
Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.
Applying intelligence to AI
I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.
Nazism rears its head
Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.
Staying ahead of the game
Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?
Grasping the nettle
Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.
Hangry? Eat breakfast
People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.
Chemical reaction
Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.
Me and my guitar
Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.
Time is on my side
Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?
The kids are not alright
Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.
