Copyright © 1998 Brian Harmer
Still, when the day is over and the wind dies, as it often does in the evening, and the sun peers in beneath the cloud layer, splashes of gold and orange on the green bush of our lovely Eastern hills lift the spirits and soothe the soul. It is fantastic to be able to sit in the lounge looking out over the Hutt Valley and watch the shadows from the Western hills gradually climb the Eastern hills and turn the last of day to crystal clear night.
On with the news
United Leader Peter Dunne's scathing about ACT leader Richard Prebble after claims ACT is spending up large on taxpayers money. ACT has been a strong campaigner against parliamentary perks. But claims Mr Prebble's wife Doreen spent more than ten thousand dollars of taxpayer money on airfares in four months has put ACT firmly under the spotlight. Mr Dunne says Mr Prebble only has himself to blame and ACT's perks campaign is going to come back to haunt them.
(I think this was a case in which Mr Dunne did not let the facts get in the way of a good story. Mrs Prebble's wife has legitimately travelled with her husband who as party leader must travel most of the country. I hold no brief for ACT, but I wish the media wouldn't be suckered by this kind of non-news - BH)
Prime Minister Jenny Shipley has again hinted New Zealand will join in a US led military strike against Iraq. In an Australian television interview, Jenny Shipley says she would prefer the United Nations to be involved. But she says New Zealand has historically done its share and she sees no reason why that would be different this time. Cabinet will decide tomorrow whether or not to join in the threatened US military attack on Iraq. It's likely any New Zealand involvement would be mainly medical and tactical support, similar to the 1991 Gulf War.
The US decision not to sign up to a controversial agreement on international investment has been welcomed by opponents of the treaty in this country. American trade negotiators say the Multilateral Agreement on Investment isn't good enough for them to sign at a meeting of OECD countries in April. The MAI Treaty would require New Zealand and other OECD countries to give international investors the same rights as domestic investors. Alliance MP Laila Harre says the US decision is the right one, and will lead to other countries reconsidering their role in the agreement.
Christchurch Hospital says it has been inundated with calls from people all over the world enquiring about Sir Edmund Hillary's condition. The 78 year old mountaineering legend and humanitarian was rushed to intensive care after he came down with a lung infection while on a cruise to the Antarctic. The hospital says he's now in a general ward and is improving. A spokeswoman says the calls they've received are a wonderful indication of how much he's cared for.
(Sir Edmund has since left hospital and is now resting at home. - BH)
The Alliance and ACT have opened their nominations for candidates to stand in Jim Bolger's Taranaki-King Country electorate. A by-election is expected to be held in May if the former prime minister opts to go to take up the position of ambassador to Washington. ACT has advertised in national newspapers today for potential candidates to put their names forward. Nominations close on the 20th of February. Nominations for the Alliance position close on the 23rd, with two selection meetings early in March El Nino's now taking its toll on dope growing. Ashburton police have seized around a thousand cannabis plants following aerial searches last week. But Detective Kate Wilson says that number's down on last year as the hot weather's killing off plants. She says police all over the country have been seizing less cannabis plants than usual.
A balloon released by a seven-year-old English boy has beaten the best efforts of the world's leading hot-air balloonists by landing in New Zealand. The boy released the helium filled balloon in June with a note attached asking the finder to let his Bromley school know where it landed. Nine months later the school received a letter from one Harry Green who said he found the ticket from the balloon near the Rangitaiki River near Rotorua.
New Zealand will support the United States if it attacks Iraq. Cabinet has been debating the issue today, and it's believed the Government has decided to support any attack. Opposition leaders have been urging Jenny Shipley to wait until Parliament resumes for the year tomorrow, so MPs can debate the issue. However, Mrs Shipley clearly sees it as a Government issue, and not one for Parliament to decide. This afternoon she's expected to spell out the type of support New Zealand will provide.
(Despite this, the great defence chill is still in place, and the US military won't engage in training exercises with NZ defence forces as a retaliation for our anti-nuclear legislation - BH)
Former Prime Minister Jim Bolger has just announced he'll be resigning from Parliament on April the 6th, to become our next ambassador to Washington. Prime Minister Jenny Shipley says a by-election will be held in the Taranaki-King Country seat on May the 2nd. The decision ends months of speculation that Mr Bolger would be heading to Washington. Mr Bolger says it's with some sadness that he's leaving parliament. But he says to represent New Zealand in the most powerful capital in the world was a chance to further serve his country in a meaningful way.
(I guess procedures have to be followed, but it becomes difficult to take an announcement such as this seriously when it has been public knowledge for months - BH)
The Labour Party is calling for Government action over paid maternity leave, after criticism from a UN agency. The International Labour Organisation says New Zealand is one of about 30 countries, of the 152 UN members, which doesn't have paid maternity leave. The ILO standard is 12 weeks paid leave, at a minimum of two thirds of normal pay. Labour spokeswoman on women's affairs Diane Yates says Jenny Shipley is women's affairs minister, and she should do something about it. Ms Yates says she's preparing a private members bill, proposing six weeks' paid maternity leave.
It was the place to be - and the crowds kept coming. Te Papa was packed again yesterday after its stunning opening on Saturday - 35-thousand people visited on Opening Day and another 17-thousand passed through the doors yesterday. Visitors gazed in awe, others were moved to tears, children swarmed over interactive exhibits, and prints sold out in the main shop. Te Papa chief executive Cheryll Sotheran says the weekend was overwhelming. She says the real test came yesterday, the first operational day, and she says apart from a few minor hiccoughs, everything went smoothly.
The township of Franz Joseph on the West Coast of the South Island is now all but isolated to traffic in the face of rising floodwaters. And there's concern that rising flood waters could claim an important bridge link on State Highway Six. With more than one hundred and 70 millimetres of rain on the forecast tonight up to one hundred people have been urged to vacate their accommodation on the south side of the Waiho River, south of Franz Joseph. The road, has been closed to all traffic until further notice Civil Defence officials say the Waiho River bridge is under threat and with rain still falling, there are fears it could be overtopped by water later tonight. Civil Defence co-ordinator Chris Morris says no emergency has been declared.
It was dubbed the most important speech of her career - today the Prime Minister has delivered her first State of the Nation address. While the 45 minute-long speech didn't contain much new information, Jenny Shipley did outline government intentions to look at selling the country's international airports and TV2. She also gave more information on the so called Code of Social Responsibility and says every household will be asked for their views on 11 key social issues including education, the welfare of children and benefits. Jenny Shipley ended her speech with a plea to all parties to unite to solve the country's problems.
(The speech was slammed by parliamentary columnists for its polysyllabic soporific qualities ... for my part, I am incensed that this coalition should presume to pontificate to me on social responsibility. As Helen Clark quite correctly pointed out, some ministers in this government have offspring who, despite their comparatively privileged upbringing have got into trouble with the law. Yet the underlying assumption of the social policy is that kids of the poor play truant or break the law because of bad parenting. I enjoyed Richard Prebble's wry observation that a politician is someone who abandons family in order to go to parliament to talk about the importance of family - BH)
The Waitomo District Mayor says the Government might have made the wrong choice with its date for the by-election in the Taranaki - King Country electorate. Incumbent MP Jim Bolger is quitting politics in April to become the next ambassador to Washington. He's held the seat for quarter of a century. Wallace Bain's got some serious reservations about the May 2nd by-election date. He says being the first weekend of the duck shooting season, many farmers won't leave their hideaways to cast a vote.
(I thought for a moment they were proposing them as candidates, and I thought at least they will introduce some useful bills :-) - BH)
Australian petrol retailer Gull says it plans to set up a network in Auckland and the central North Island by the middle of this year. The West Australian company will spend 60 million dollars as it sets up its operation in this country and will begin building its own oil terminal at Tauranga next month. Gull says by July, they'll have a network of up to 35 stations working, concentrated at first in Auckland and the central North Island.
Hundreds of off-duty police officers from the South Island took to the streets of Christchurch today to show their anger with the latest pay offer. It was a silent march, which police say was to show their superiors and government that they're not happy with the way they're treated. Some of them say they may consider leaving the force if things don't get better.450 Police officers are now marching to show their anger at the latest pay offer of 800 dollars this year, 800 dollars next year and a two per cent pay rise after the year 2000. A number of family, friends, and neighbourhood watch support groups also lined the streets in support.
A crack down on the Capital's tailgaters. Rear end crashes in Wellington run at more than twice the national average - so police are launching a short, sharp campaign to bring the number down. Tailgaters may be slapped with 75 dollar tickets and could be charged with careless or dangerous driving.
The green light, but no timetable yet for our troops headed to the Gulf. It's been suggested they could leave as early as tomorrow, and Australia's SAS contingent is being farewelled today. However a defence spokesman says no time's been given for the kiwi departure as yet, though preparations are underway at Auckland's Whenuapai air-base. It's thought that, like their Australian counterparts heading for Kuwait today, they'll be used to help rescue any US or British pilots downed during any bombing raids on Iraq.
Ashburton College students were sent home early for the third time this year as El Nino forced Canterbury temperatures into the thirties. And the hot temperatures have hit the east coast of both islands. Hawkes Bay was roasting this afternoon with 35 degrees in central Napier and 32 degrees at the Hawkes Bay Airport. Even the Metservice referred to Napier's temperature as ``Damn Hot''.
Eighty defence force staff and 20 of our crack SAS troops are gearing up to leave for the Gulf tomorrow morning. Defence Minister Max Bradford has announced this afternoon that our troops will leave at eight o'clock this morning, bound for Australia and then on to the Gulf. Mr Bradford says New Zealand is also sending two Orions, a Hercules, and a Boeing 727 over the next few days. He says we'll be working closely with the Australian forces in true ANZAC style. Max Bradford says at this stage the SAS will just be taking part in search and rescues, and the Government will consider requests for them to be used in other operations on a case by case basis.
The Real Estate Institute is at a loss to explain a big drop in the number of houses being sold. In January just over 5 thousand homes changed hands - that's nearly a 25 per cent drop on the same time last year. Institute President Colin Brown says worst hit was Auckland where there's been a nearly 40 per cent decrease in house sales. He says it could be because of fluctuating interest rates the Asian economic crisis or the hot weather stopping people from house hunting.
A man has been jailed for three years today after attempting to fire bomb the Rangiora police station early on New Year's day. 23 year old yardman Jody Goodman had earlier pleaded guilty to the arson. 29 year old Awatea Tahi Hutana has also admitted the firebombing and will be sentenced next week. The pair filled beer stubbies with petrol early on New Year's Day and then sprinkled more petrol on bushes around the police station which they then set alight. One of the bottles was thrown at the station but failed to ignite.
A Dutch tourist seriously injured by a falling tree is now in a stable condition after undergoing surgery in Invercargill his afternoon. The 20 year old was in a tent on the Routeburn Track near Te Anau with her 19 year old friend when a tree fell on the pair. The 19 year old was killed and her friend was seriously injured. She received a crushed pelvis and other internal injuries. Bad weather prevented the 20 year old from being rescued last night. She was looked after by a doctor who happened to be on the Routeburn track at the time. Rescuers lifted her out to hospital this morning.
(This was one of those random acts of nature in which a large beech tree in wet ground just blew over in a strong wind. Clair Muller, 20, survived but her 19 year old companion Sophie Elise Buise was killed instantly. - BH)
New Zealand First MP Tukoroirangi Morgan has written to the trustees of Dodi Al Fayed's Charity for Children to ask them to return two greenstone mere which were originally a gift to the Duke of Windsor. The two clubs were given to the Duke when he visited New Zealand as Prince of Wales in 1920. They are due to be auctioned tomorrow in New York. Mr Morgan says it's customary for the gifts to be returned if they are no longer wanted or held by the Duke.
Defence Minister Max Bradford has admitted that the defence force suffers from outdated equipment which should have been replaced many years ago. This morning's official farewell of troops heading to the Persian Gulf was marred by the embarrassing breakdown of an Airforce Hercules with 18 crew on board. The plane was gearing up for takeoff at Auckland's Whenuapai Airbase when its second engine shut down. But Max Bradford says it's one of those things that happen with equipment that's getting on a bit, and they're about to replace much of it. Most of the troops have now departed on board a Boeing 727 and an Airforce Orion.
(I disagree with Max Bradford. The propeller on the number 2 engine had a defect. You just don't fly in aircraft in which the propellers and engines are not in every sense "as new" - if it is otherwise, they should be grounded now - BH)
Prime Minister Jenny Shipley has defended New Zealand's defence force, in response to criticism from the head of the Australian Defence Force. Australian General John Baker says he's concerned at the rundown state of New Zealand defence capabilities, and their ability to contribute to regional security. Mrs Shipley says she realises New Zealand needs to reinvest in its defence forces, but says she'd be very concerned if the forces' competence was questioned. She says we have a very good track record in both Bosnia and Bougainville.
Some areas of Auckland now have power restored following a power cut this afternoon ... but Mercury Energy says consumers can't rely on it. Central Auckland lost its power supply at about 3.20 this afternoon. Power supplier Mercury says it's working hard to restore power to the Auckland Central Business District tonight, and some areas have had power restored. However, spokeswoman Diane Miller says the power is fluctuating and cannot be relied upon. She says they aren't yet sure what's causing the problem and don't know how long it will be before full power is restored.
(Getting back to normal? Oh no it isn't! In fact it's getting dramatically worse. The entire Auckland CBD is blacked out and is likely to remain so for almost a week. Mercury Energy - formerly AEPB - is saying it won't offer any compensation to businesses which are calculated to lose millions in this fiasco. A former chairman, John Collinge says the fact that the workforce has been halved will make it hard for Mercury to deny that the reticulation system has been neglected. Others are critical that the company has put all its energies into mergers and takeovers, and almost none into its core business of supplying a reliable power source - BH)
Five men facing multimillion dollar fraud charges have told the Christchurch High Court their business will be destroyed if their names are made public. They're appealing against a district court decision to refuse them name suppression on charges brought by the Serious Fraud Office. The SFO alleges conspiracy to defraud, money laundering and fraudulently using a document. Lawyers for the five say publication of their names prior to depositions will irreparably damage their business, even if they're subsequently acquitted. A decision on name suppression will be released tomorrow afternoon.
Health Minister Bill English has given his political colleagues another reassurance that elective and acute surgery numbers aren't going to be cut. Labour MP Annette King's released documents today she says shows health officials are planning to slash the number of elective surgery procedures around the country. Ms King says the southern region is in danger of losing 6500 operations. But Mr English told Parliament this afternoon that the Government is bound by the Coalition Agreement to provide a reasonable level of services to all New Zealanders regardless of income. He says such cuts are unacceptable and won't happen.
An attempt by MP Tukoroirangi Morgan to retrieve two Maori mere... may have backfired. The two mere are currently held by the trustees of the late Dodi Al Fayed's Charitable Trust... and are scheduled to be sold at Sothebys. Mr Morgan faxed details of the history of the mere to Fayed's trustees... in an effort to convince them to give the mere back to the people of Tainui. However Mr Morgan says he understands the auction will go ahead... and the starting price for the mere may have increased as a result of the historical background he sent. Mr Morgan says that's daylight robbery. Tuku Morgan says taking something that you know full well belongs to someone else... is theft.
The transport companies responsible for carrying hundreds of sheep that arrived at their destinations dead, could face prosecution. MAF's investigating the death of close to a thousand sheep, which turned up dead in Wellington and Nelson yesterday. They say up to 500 sheep turned up dead at the Port of Wellington, but they're unsure if the sheep that arrived dead at the Nelson freezing works died in transit from Port Nelson to the works. MAF spokesman Dave Barber says the incident's unusual and a full investigation's been launched. Dave Barber says the companies involved in transporting the sheep could be prosecuted if they're found to be negligent.
The son of Cabinet Minister John Tuariki Delamere has spoken out about criticism of his family. Labour leader Helen Clark used Mr Delamere's family to attack the government's proposed code of social responsibility. Ms Clark publicly criticised the fact that Mr Delamere's 20 year old son Jean-Poul had been convicted for possession of cannabis in 1996. In an unexpected move Mr Delamere's son called a press conference on the steps of Parliament this afternoon The shaven-headed Jean-Poul said it wasn't fair to use his mistake to attack his father. Jean Poul Delamere says he's lived independently and away from the family home for the past two or three years.
(John-Poul might have a point if his father was not engaged in precisely the activity of attacking parents for the activities of their children - BH)
Auckland Police have put the kibosh on the protest plans of up to one thousand Christians. The group was planning to mount a human road block at this Saturday's controversial Hero Parade. But the head of parade policing, Inspector Derek Davison says they've been warned not to impinge on the rights of those participating in the parade. He says they've taken that on board and have decided to scale the protest right down. Hero Parade Organiser Mike McSweeny says he's delighted, as the disruption could have been a major problem.
(The parade went ahead in slight rain, and to the great delight of the crowds, and no doubt the embarrassment of the Auckland City Council was attended and publicly endorsed by the Prime Minister - BH)
The three New Zealand aircraft heading to Iraq have reached their third destination. The Hercules has now left Melbourne for Cocos Island, south of Sumatra... the Boeing 727 has left Darwin for Christmas Islands... and the Orion's left Perth for the Christmas Islands. It's unknown when they'll set off for their final destination in the Persian Gulf.
The Australian and New Zealand troops heading to the gulf are expected to join forces under an ANZAC umbrella. Prime Minister Jenny Shipley met with her Australian counterpart John Howard in Sydney today where Iraq dominated the proceedings. The leaders say there are some logistics to be worked out but both would prefer a united force if the air strikes proceed.
A man who was charged with threatening to shoot a judge has been found guilty in Hamilton District Court this afternoon. 33 year old Tatumanawa Toa got angry after finding his outstanding fines amounted to more than he had thought they did. He then rang the duty probation officer and told him that he was a gang member and he had a gun and bullets and was going to do what he called 'some pretty rugged things and he wasn't joking'. Toa has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced next Friday.
The Ministers of Maori and Cultural Affairs have made a direct plea to the owner to two precious Tainui mere to return them to the iwi. The greenstone clubs were gifted to the Duke of Windsor when he visited New Zealand back in 1920 on the understanding they were returned on his death. However, Harrod's millionaire Mohammed Al Fayed now has the mere, and plans to auction them off on Sunday. Tau Henare and Simon Upton have written Mr Al Fayed a letter saying the people of New Zealand and of Tainui would be very grateful if he would return the meres. The Ministers say they understand the mere are being auctioned for charity, but say it would be equally as charitable a gesture if Mr Al Fayed gave them back to Tainui.
The Army may be needed to transport water to North Canterbury farmers, if drought conditions don't break there within about three weeks. Federated Farmers spokesman Ross Little says it could come to that, although district councils are helping in that area for a nominal fee. He says following today's meeting to discuss the worsening drought, farmers are not asking specifically for more government aid, although money is needed to run the drought fund coordinating committee.
Auckland's Mercury Energy says power cuts to parts of the Central Business District will be inevitable next week. There have been two power failures and a scheduled power cut today, although the power to Kitchener street has now been restored. Spokesman Richard Gibbons says even if they drive the emergency system to full load, it can't handle what needs to be supplied.
He may now be free but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is unimpressed by the actions of the New Zealand journalist detained earlier today in Iraq. Radio Pacific's Paul Henry was arrested after attempting to cross the border from Jordan without the necessary documentation. He's now been released and is allowed to carry on to Baghdad. Ministry spokesman James Funnell says they warned his employers it wasn't particularly smart to try and get Paul Henry into the trouble spot.
The newest player in the Cook Strait ferry game is set to take to the high seas tomorrow morning after a false start last weekend. Cook Strait Sea Cat Ferries, struck a problem with paper-work...and was forced to put its launch date back. Spokesman Bill Doak says the Maritime Safety Authority requested further information on the catamaran's construction and other related details. He says that's been done and the vessel's due to make its inaugural sailing from Mana, north of Wellington, at 7.30 tomorrow morning. Mr Doak says it's an exciting venture, and he's confident the new service will provide stiff competition for Tranzrail's Lynx service.
(Well, the first trip took place in 2 metre swells and many of the passengers were reported to be a delicate greenish hue - BH)
A quarter of a billion dollars is there for the taking, as primary school teachers and princpals are finally achieve pay parity. The Minister of Education Wyatt Creech says the Government will spend 254 million dollars over the next two and a half years bringing primary teachers' pay in line with their secondary school colleagues. The Primary teachers' union the NZEI has been pushing for pay parity for years. Mr Creech says the pay rises will see the principal of the smallest primary school with fewer than fifty students, earning a minimum of 52-thousand dollars a year.
40% OF KIWI KIDS BORN OUT OF WEDLOCK
More than forty per cent of all New Zealand babies are now being born out of wedlock. The latest figures from Statistics New Zealand show that last year 24,121 babies were born to parents who weren't legally married. That's a point seven of a per cent increase on 1996, and sets a new record high. Over the past fifteen years the number of babies being born out of wedlock has doubled.
Canterbury University has gone completely smokefree. Smoking anywhere inside the teaching and administrative buildings is now banned. Smoking was allowed in personal offices if the smoker kept their doors shut and windows open. In spite of this, complaints were made about the effects of passive smoking.
(I'm not sure why this is news - Victoria has been smokefree in all its buildings except the student bar throughout the time I have worked there. Good thing too! -BH)
The infamous Ingham twins have added another chapter to nautical folklore. Authorities say the twins - Joanne and Sarah - and another woman, were swept out into Bluff Harbour in a rubber duck-type dinghy, by an incoming tide. South Port officials say they were seen waving their oars in the air, which is an international sign of distress. The trio, who were rescued by a launch, said they'd been fishing.
Date: 19 February 1998 Brian Dooley
Wellington New Zealand
CURRENCIES
The currency codes given below conform to ISO 4217, which
can be found at http://www.xe.net/currency/iso_4217.htm.
The rates given are for telegraphic transfer and are
as given in the Wellington Evening Post today.
To Buy NZD 1.00
USD 0.5847
AUD 0.8702
GBP 0.3566
JPY7 74.14
CAD 0.8378
FRF 3.5761
DEM 1.0670
HKD 4.5408
SGD 0.9668
ZAR 2.8976
CHF 0.8619
INTEREST RATES (%)
Call : 8.55
90 Day: 8.96
The prices below are given in cents.
To buy NZ Investment Trust:
21 June 1993 409
Today 430
To buy TeNZ:
1 June 1996 103.7
Today 118
Bye for now ... I am trying to find a solution for the non- updating of the web archives.
Brian Harmer "Our luck is even better than I expected Don Quixote exclaimed ... I'm going to attack those mighty giants and slay them in their tracks" - Cervantes http://www.vuw.ac.nz/~bharmer/
To subscribe to, or unsubscribe from the WYSIWYG News E-mail list visit: WYSIWYG Subscriptions
To find it on the WWW go to the WYSIWYG Archives