Between Two Beers Podcast

More about the helicoptor pilot featured recently. Firstly, my thoughts…

Something very sinister has taken over this country. The case of this hero Mark Shaw who went unquestioningly to look, then rescued survivors of the Whakaari eruption still living, while official first responders were held back because it was too risky. A common response now Kiwis are noticing.

Same happened with the Pike River Mine, in the flooding incidents (Gabrielle for instance), the Port Hills fires and more recently Mt Maunganui. All across the video platforms in particular YT, there are reports on Whakaari and other disasters from MS news channels, most with ‘comments closed’. They know that they’ll be challenged. The Whakaari rescue prosecutions are insane and nobody can justify them. I originally concluded they were cowards, to not go, and to prevent others from going. However I now conclude that really these persons have no humanity in them. They have another agenda. Listen to this report from ‘Between Two Beers’ YT channel, you will hear this come out in the way Mark Shaw describes the lead up to his prosecution by WorkSafe. …Safe?

What gall to call themselves ‘safe’. The ‘no comments’ channels make much of what happened once the survivors were brought ashore, however, they don’t point out that if official protocols alone had been relied upon, and had Mark Shaw not gone, there would’ve been no hospital admissions at all.

ZERO.

Those survivors would’ve been left to perish alone on the island. Thanks to NZ’s (non) rescue operations. Then the powers that be award this man a medal for bravery. He deserves it yes, but one wonders what planet these people in charge are on.

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Between Two Beers Podcast

In this episode we trace the whole arc: a rugged Whangamōmona childhood, the New Zealand and British SAS, private security work in war-torn Angola, and a string of near-death experiences that would have ended most lives – a parachute that opened at 60 metres, an ambush he barely escaped, and a flesh-eating disease that nearly cost him his leg. Then there’s Whakaari. When White Island erupted in December 2019, Mark flew his helicopter to the island and helped carry survivors to safety – an act later recognised with the New Zealand Bravery Star, even as his company faced a WorkSafe prosecution over matters predating the eruption. It’s a remarkable, at times harrowing conversation about risk, resilience, family, and what it takes to move toward danger when everyone else moves away. Mark’s book, Lucky, You’re Tough, is out now. This episode contains descriptions of the Whakaari/White Island tragedy and other themes that may distress some listeners. Between Two Beers is proudly brought to you by One New Zealand. We believe that One NZ connects New Zealand, while Between Two Beers connects New Zealanders. And together, we are NZ’s most trusted connection platform. Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers Clothing.