Random follow #278 - @manucaddie

World famous in Gisborne" is one of the best ways to describe @manucaddie.  This gentleman, scholar and elected Councillor is someone who exudes passion and a love of everything he puts his hand towards.  While it might sound like being famous in Gisborne would be a relatively easy thing to achieve Manu is so much more than that.

Every day and in every project he is growing his sphere of influence.  Be it both nationally and abroad as well.  He is a nationally active greeny and is totally committed to the cause of protecting the environment.  Twitter - we need more people of this ilk.

Being on twitter and interacting with people is one tool that he uses to stay connected with the community and those people in it.

Here's a couple of things you do need to mindful of -

1. He tweets regularly.  Yes his twitter account is connected to his Facebook page but the posts are relevant and engaging.
2. He shares lots of pictures.  A picture tells a thousand words and Manu is pretty good with a camera.
3. He really cares.  There are so many different causes and charity events that pop up in his timeline that it totally demonstrates his aroha for people and the environment.
4. #GigatownGis.  Everybody in New Zealand deserves high speed internet.  Of that I am sure.  Especially the more remote and geographically places such as Gisborne.  To say Manu is a loud and proud supporter of #GigatownGis would be stating it well.

Here's what I like about @manucaddie.  You always know where he stands on an issue.  Such as - 

"Chur ka pai Kōka Hinetū -calling on everyone working with children and youth in Ngāti Porou to be regularly drug tested."

Also, he embodies the spirit of whanau and kiwi can-do-itness - 

"Anyone know anyone able to bring our car back from Ruatoria before Monday? It's not essential, just if it works out. :)"

Random facts that may not mean much to you but they do for the local economy - 

"The Gisborne district has half a million sheep less than we had 20 years ago, and a whole lot more pine trees."

@manucaddie is a tweeter who gives you the good oil, retweets value and is one of the polite nice guys who uses this social media platform.  Give him a follow, I am sure he would appreciate it.

(Thank you to +Winston Moreton for the heads up and help on this post)

Random follow #265 - @john_holley

There are some people who give so much of themselves in this lifetime that they really deserve to have a least two because one life is not enough.  They might be completing tasks for the government, volunteering their time to assist others who have needs greater than theirs or just being a really good parent.

Todays tweeter is just one of those people.  @john_holley lives a life that is bigger than just him.  Reading his twitter bio is quite astounding (in a really good way).  The only way to really honour him is to show you his bio here -

"NZ Army officer currently with UNMISS, CIO on sabbatical, ChildFund NZ Board Member, Geek, Husband, Dad, All Blacks/Blues/Auckland Supporter. Loves Kingsland!

Auckland · childfund.org.nz"

Whatever I write from here on will focus just on his twitter presence.  There are no words I can muster that could explain or capture the sense of humility I feel being able to honour a man such as John.  So from here on we will discuss what he does on twitter and his approach to social media.

To describe him in 10 words or less - patriotic, eyes wide open , global view, opinionated, balanced, caring and aware.  And here are a few tweets to give a feel for how he tweets - 

"Today was one of those days that made me real proud to be a Kiwi and part of Ngāti Tumatauenga #justsaying #fb"

"Task for night done. I think I am following all the @BluesRugbyTeam players with twitter handles - at least I can live vicariously from afar"

He also has a knack for finding quality content online and shares great articles and news items that cover a multitude of topics and areas of life.  In conclusion @john_holley is a bloody good guy who has chosen to share some of his time, passion and expertise with the wider world through the twitter platform.

I can't recommend him highly enough and totally give him my full support in a social media setting.

Random follow #264 - @AnitaLHarvey

Meeting one great person usually always leads to meeting other great people.  Because great people attract other great people unto themselves.  The first great person I met this year was @vivster81 and from her the twitter connection was made through to the just as great @AnitaLHarvey.

This very lovely young lady is another lass who works for Amnesty International.  She looks after their media presence and does quite a bit of work in social media and communications.  So in other words - she gets to tell the world about the great work Amnesty do for people at both home and abroad.

Whats neat is if you have a look through her timeline you will quickly find that she has a brilliant sense of humour and can turn around what could be taken by others as an insult or something negative and in her own way she spins it into something very, very funny.  Such as -

"OHMYGOD, are you STILL going on about those war crimes?! Srs #Amnesty, you have like no life, do you even have a boyfriend? #DoubtIt! #Burn!"

As a stand alone tweet it comes across as a bit rough.  But when read as a RT by Anita it takes on a whole different bent.  But what else does she do and tweet about?

"People around the globe are taking a stand to #FreeTheArctic30. Show your support! Head to Queens Wharf before 9pm and join @GreenpeaceNZ"  <-- supporting the protection of the environment

":) if only.. @ndbrennan we always wish we could fill the news with #humanrights ! Here's to hoping others run it too! @AmnestyNZ"  <-- passionate about the burning issues

Anita is by no means a prolific tweeter.  She tweets when she wants and has something good to say.  There are very few wasted words on this account.  The tweets are of value and often link through to high powered stories and other goings on in current affairs.

I like Anita from a view that she is passionate and committed to a cause that is bigger than herself.  She channels and directs that passion into her tweets and her work and the results speak for themselves.

Peace.

Random follow #261 - @thatmarkhagan

Yes @thatmarkhagan.  Not to be confused with any other Mark Hagans there is only one @thatmarkhagan.  This gentleman of twitter is a good sort who resorts to tweeting when all else fails (that was a joke).

Mark is one of the good guys in social media.  He is a dad, he is passionate and when required he can be a fierce protector of those who he loves.  And he is Scottish.  Well he has spent great lengths of time in Scotland so therefore he must be a Scot - right?

Mark has a really great straight up tweeting style that leaves you knowing exactly where he stands on whatever issue it is that is on his mind at the time.  I especially like the tweets like these that warm the cockles of my heart -

"A fair amount of Guinness drank today, despite the cold!!"  <-- why wouldn't you?

"Again, no justice. #nzjudiciary" <-- knows exactly where he stands on the issues

"Having a smashing time in Rotorua. Weather has been amazing, always lots to do; Luge!!!!"  <-- the weather is ALWAYS amazing in Rotorua......  (biased)

I don't know a whole lot about Mark but I have been able to figure out a few things about him.  He is a man of passion, loyalty, genuineness and he has a great sense of humour.  He doesn't let too much get to him or put him into a flap and he has more common sense than the average punter.

The RKT project exists because tweeters like @thatmarkhagan exist in the twittersphere and deserve some lime light and appreciation for their contribution to the social media world.  I appreciate Marks tweets and look forward to reading many more.

Random following #229 - @georgie_pienz

Small town New Zealand are where some of the best people live.  It really is.  And its in those small towns that some of the true characters of social media come from.  The little, and not so little, quirky places that many big city people have no idea that they exist.  But exist they do.  And those small towns generate both serious wealth and serious social media too!

@georgie_pienz is exactly one of those people.  I initially thought that she had been on twitter for AGES but it turns out that in fact she hasn't.  I think its her association with the iconic name of New Zealand fast food that catches my eye when I see her tweets go by in my timeline.  Her twitter account appears to be LARGER than LIFE!

Its fair to say you're not going to be drowned in tweets if you follow this account but you will be regaled with much hilarity and comedy throughout your day.  As far as shared images this account has some really eclectic themes going on.  And the same can be said for her tweets too.  Where do we begin?  Well how about local body politics -

"Tempted to skip the gym and listen to the Hamilton mayor candidates #WaikatoVotes but I'm not registered for Hamilton lol"

And she is a person who enjoys looking after herself physically -

"My body thinks 5am is an acceptable time to wake up on a Sat! Think I need to lock my body and brain away to sort out their differences"

And there is her passion to perform.  On the stage in a theatre and in a band as well.  It takes some kind of dedication and commitment to get up in front of a crowd and perform.  Be it as part of a theatre, stage production or at the local.  Each of these takes lots of passion, love, energy, sweat and tears.

"Oh man feet are hurting! And I have to do this again tomorrow? #why #performing"

@georgie_pienz is a loyal Hamiltonian and merrily tweets away promoting the #lovethetron as she goes.  Highly engaging, lots of fun and passionate would be three easy ways to describe her tweeting style. So would the description of NUMBER ONE #LOVETHETRON advocate.

One last request - PLEASE follow her!  Cos she follows HEAPS but not many have returned the favor yet.  Come on New Zealand lets balance the scales and do right by her.  What do you say?  Whats it going to be Morrinsville - the tweeter or the bag?