Trying for abstinence

Summer has arrived in the Far North, drying out the land, emptying the rainwater tank, spreading the scent of mānuka, sea and salt. We hear reports of a celebrity wedding in a neighbouring bay: glamorous TV news reporter Helen Castles has married sports broadcaster Andrew Saville. Castles has a solid fan base around here. I once rode in a crowded minivan to a local unveiling and the whole journey was taken up with an admiring group discussion of her journalistic exploits.

- Charlotte Grimshaw

We experiment with a news blackout, for mental health. No more articles on climate change, no updates on Gaza and Ukraine, not even a weather bulletin. After a few days of withdrawal, I sneak a look at the weather forecast.

This weakens me. Soon, I'm checking on Gaza and not long after that I'm in full binge.

News podcasts, newspaper apps, the full blowout catastrophe. Still, the break gives a taste, a little window on what it would be like.

Imagine disengaging from it all, not caring, going about life's daily tasks without hearing about the climate emergency and wars and dictators. No news, just beautiful, empty Northland beaches. It's the kind of bliss I can't achieve.

As things currently stand, the only source I've given up is the 1News weather man, or "Mother Nature" as he's known around here.