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The “forgotten” mature aged workers and their plight - Nov 2020

11 Nov, 2020

The Labour Market Statistics for the quarter end September 2020 were recently released. Tracking the 55+ underutilisation rate, i.e. the number unemployed or underemployed , the total for the 55+ is now 60,700 or 16% of all people available for work – this is up from 57,000 in June 2020. As we work our way through these challenging times, one segment of New Zealanders that needs support now more than ever is our pool of mature aged...

Asparagus and pancetta (or bacon) pasta

08 Nov, 2020

It’s November and the height of asparagus season, so for many of us we really indulge eating and enjoying asparagus until, maybe, we’ve overdone eating asparagus until next spring! If you don’t enjoy asparagus, please don’t read on! If you do and you like the idea of a “think about it to start eating” in 15 minutes (legit 15 mins unlike some of Jamie Oliver’s 15 min meals!), this is a very tasty...

Beef Rendang

02 Oct, 2020

This is one of my “cheat” curries! Beef Rendang is a Malaysian curry and is considered by many to be the king of all curries! To say it’s extravagantly delicious is an understatement. There are very few curries in this world with such amazingly complex flavours. Originally from Indonesia, the sauce is made with aromatic spices like cinnamon, cardamom and star anise as well as fresh aromatics including...

“Sicilian” Anchovy, Tomato and Feta Tart

29 Aug, 2020

I asked my good wife, Sally, to make a tart for a Sunday lunch using some amazing anchovies that we had in our fridge – it happened to be at the time our daughter Anna and her partner Haydo were in Sicily and the anchovies “happened” to be from Sicily. They are easily the best anchovies we have bought in New Zealand – we bought them at a market in Waiheke. The owner is a lovely guy, Danilo, who is passionate...

Sicilian Sausage Soup

29 Aug, 2020

I googled Sicilian soups when our daughter Anna and her partner Haydo were in Sicily and here is the result and what I cooked. It doesn’t sound amazing and is not a “to die for” dish but very easy and quick to cook, healthy, hearty and tasty, improving with age each day. Worth a cook for lunches or easily substantial enough for dinner as, in addition to the vegetables, it also has pasta Basically onions, carrots, celery,...

Warm Lamb, Beetroot and Chickpea Salad

16 Aug, 2020

I saw this recipe in the Herald a few weeks ago and decided to try it. Tweaked it a tad and had it for dinner It was so easy to cook and had real flavour, so much so that we cooked it again for lunch that weekend but without the lamb. It is the combo of beetroot and chickpeas roasted with spices, feta and salad that make the dish…along of course with the lamb as an extra, but not essential ingredient if you get the drift!...

The Power of Friendship

28 Jul, 2020

Good friends do us a power of good. We know they are important so why do we struggle to make time for friends in our busy lives? Friendships develop from the individual connections we weave over a lifetime. Friends make us healthier especially when they encourage good habits, like going for regular walks or bike rides together. The best friendships make us feel valued and are reciprocated. These are the...

Pasta e Fagioli (Italian pasta and beans)

17 Jul, 2020

I saw this dish on MasterChef, liked the sound of it, so looked up a recipe, tweaked it a tad, cooked it, loved it and here it is! It is a simple, quick, inexpensive and tasty pasta stew which makes such a lovely dinner or lunch during the winter months. If you like the sound of it, follow the recipe and you will have 6-8 meals. If you want to include some meat in addition to the vegetables, beans and pasta, fry off some pancetta or bacon...

Job Search Tips When You’re Over 50

08 Jul, 2020

I have received several recent reader questions about job search tips when you’re over 50: When you are an older unemployed professional in your late 50's how do you survive and what strategies should you use to navigate through these difficult times we are currently in? – Thea What are the best career pivot options and tactics for workers over 60? — Ken Is there a point in pursuing/reigniting a career at my...

Roasted Cauliflower and Blue Cheese Soup

23 Jun, 2020

Roasted cauliflower and blue cheese are the perfect partners in this elegant soup. With it being early winter and cauliflowers both plentiful and “cheap”, if you like the sound of this combo, you’ll love the soup – the roasting of the cauliflower with onions and garlic adds good flavour with the onions slightly caramelising the cauliflower. The chilli kick is great but you can leave it out if you don’t...

“The case for employing mature aged workers” – day 1, level 1 June 9 2020

16 Jun, 2020

As we work our way through these challenging times, one segment of New Zealanders that needs support now more than ever is our pool of mature aged job seekers. What we don’t want to forget is the fact that there are thousands of job seekers in their mid-50’s and over who are looking for work, including many who have or will lose their jobs. These are mainly good people who have made a great contribution to society,...

Ten Job Hunting Tips When Times Are Tough

04 Jun, 2020

It's a tough time to be looking for work as lives and livelihoods have come under incredible pressure during the Covid-19 pandemic. Job hunters, recruiters and employers are struggling with personal and professional challenges. Organisations are facing difficult decisions and an uncertain future with border closures, supply disruptions and changing customer trends. Some businesses and industries are...

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