When Cliff and I talked about my doing this column, we agreed that this column would be about technology. When I looked troubled because I also want to write about my two other passions, cruising and politics, he pointed out that technology can be an excuse for writing about just about anything. That is proving to be a liberating thought. As I write this, TP and I are on a cruise ship moored off Wala Island (Google it). It is a wretched day outside – misty, raining and undoubtedly perfect for the intrepid who want to explore a pristine, green sanctuary. Me and Terry? We're hunkered down reading and catching up on emails (technology), with half-an-ear tuned to satellite-fed CNN (technology). Much like we would be at home on a dreary day. Now that I have mentioned the "T" word (technology) I can now talk about cruising.

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I read with interest your article outlining the report from the NZIER on the potential for government to assist smaller ports to shut if they feel they are no longer viable [14 October].  Whilst I have not read the report itself, the article does not address the tourism activities of our ports. New Zealand is experiencing meteoric growth in its cruise tourism industry.  In fact, cruise tourism is the fastest growing sector of the broader tourism industry, increasing from approximately 17,000 cruise visitors ten years ago to an expected 138,200 visitors this season.

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