Copyright © 1998 Brian Harmer
Oh blessed stillness! There has been a thin high overcast for a day or two with no wind. High atop Brooklyn, near Brian Dooley's residence, the wind turbine has sat, unmoving. Normally even a light breeze will cause the giant rotor to ghost around, but after weeks of wind, it has stopped its frantic whirl. The wind has left us with a legacy though... the salt laden air softens all the distant views, and towards the end of the day, gives a distinctly pinkish orange cast to the sunset. This beautiful light has a special effect on the Eastern Hills which become almost luminous in the last hour of the day. As an added bonus, the harbour has that milky grey calm which allows even the smallest of boats to leave sharp rippling wakes to come lapping up on Petone Beach long after the boat has gone.
On with the news
A Hamilton widower says people who fail to file tax returns get higher fines than that meted out to a surgeon who admitted lying about his late wife's care. Five years ago surgeon Stuart Brown took a sample from a lump in Judith Heapy's breast, and told her it was benign. But he's now admitted that he never even had it tested. Judith Heapy later developed cancer and died. The Medical Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal has found Stuart Brown guilty of medical misconduct, and fined him 750 dollars. Judith Heapy's husband Bryan says the fine's pathetic.
(Mr Heapy is right, but the Tribunal was hampered by the law as it stood when the case was heard. The maximum possible fine at that time was $1,000. It is now $20,000 after a law change. - BH)
There's anger amongst party faithful that MP John Banks appears to have finally chosen a broadcasting career over his Whangarei constituents. Speculation Mr Banks isn't going to stand in Whangarei at the next election has been fuelled by his move to a plush Auckland suburb. Electorate chairman Ron McCallum says it's clear Mr Banks is following a different, more glamorous career path. But he says Whangarei people are disappointed and angry they've only heard about it through the grapevine. Ron McCallum says the electorate committee's still waiting to hear from Mr Banks, but plans are afoot to replace him.
(Mr Banks has indicated that his reason for moving to Paratai Drive was to be near Kings School, an old fashioned prep school for those who will later go to Kings College. - BH)
The establishment of a Privacy Act hotline is being hailed as crucial to reducing the number of tragedies involving people with mental illnesses. The Privacy Commission's set up a hotline aimed to prevent people being fobbed off when they're seeking information. Mental Health Foundation spokesman Peter McGeorge says it's an excellent development. He says the Privacy Act's been widely slammed for preventing access to patient records - a criticism that emerged during the recent trial of Stephen Anderson, the man responsible for the Raurimu massacre. Peter McGeorge says many clinicians are guilty of quoting the Privacy Act too freely, but that's now likely to change.
Gisborne man, Tony Hawkins, says his five dogo Argentinos puppies are worth around 4000 dollars each. He says one of the parents did savage a Pukekawa man, when he tried to intervene in a dog-fight. But that doesn't mean the breed is dangerous. Tony Hawkins says the proposed laws will ban dogs unnecessarily, because of isolated incidents. He says if a cocker spaniel bites someone, that breed might end up being banned, too. Tony Hawkins says dogo Argentinos are hunting dogs and not fighting dogs.
The Maori group which sparked the controversy over customary fishing rights is unconcerned by threats of imminent law changes. Fisheries Minister John Luxton will this week ask cabinet to more clearly define the fishing regulations, after a seven tonne snapper haul by the Confederation of Chiefs of the United Tribes. But Confederation spokesman Eru Manukau is warning the Minister against attempting to implement any law changes. He says they'll continue to exercise their customary rights.
Professional firefighters are standing up for their voluntary counterparts, claiming the government's ignoring them with inadequate funding. Union president Mike McEnaney says it's a disgrace that volunteer firefighters have to persevere with outdated equipment. He says for a large part of the country, the volunteer fire service is the only fire service available.
A huge boost for the survival of one of New Zealand's rarest birds - the fairy tern. The Department of Conservation says 7 of the 10 fairy terns which have hatched this year have survived. Protection Officer Leigh Honnor says 2 of the birds are already flying, and the remaining 5 should take to the air sometime this week. There are only 30 New Zealand fairy terns in existence, and this season's success is a real boost to the bird's survival. But Leigh Honnor says the danger isn't over yet, as the terns are still slow to get off the ground, and are likely prey for predators.
(Not sure which variety of tern it is that occupies the little rocky outcrop between Scorching Bay and Seatoun on the Miramar peninsula. In any event, they seem to nest there in large numbers, and are a delight to watch for the speed and delicacy of their flight - BH)
The Ministry of Fisheries has seized the vessel at the centre of the customary Maori fishing rights controversy. The James O'Brien was under investigation for landing seven tonnes of fish up north last month. Ministry spokesman Robert Brewer says they believe there was a breach of the fisheries act under the customary fishing rights. Mr Brewer says under customary fishing rights fish can't be sold, and in this case it's believed fish WAS in fact sold.
Laurie O'Reilly's son Chris told mourners at the Childrens Commissioner's funeral today that his father would be remembered for his vision, passion, loyalty and drive. The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Christchurch was packed. Prime Minister Jenny Shipley and Social Welfare Minister Roger Sowry were present to hear Judge Patrick Mahoney call for better funding for Mr O'Reilly's organisation. In accordance with Mr O'Reilly's wishes, the service was followed by a release of balloons... before his body was taken to its final resting place in a big red city bus.
(Laurie was a man of great courage, who had a vision of how parenting should be. He worked until the last few days of his remarkable life to try to promote that vision. Rest in peace Laurie - BH)
Police have charged a 42 year old man with murder following a fatal stabbing at a Mongrel Mob gang base in Porirua. 37 year old Anthony Hunia was found dead at the scene with wounds to his neck early yesterday morning. Inspector Tony Annandale says the accused man will appear in the District Court this afternoon. He says a team of 30 detectives is continuing with inquiries and the murder weapon, a knife or similar sharp edged instrument, has not yet been recovered.
The anti smoking lobby group ASH is joining forces with Associate Health Minister Tuariki Delamere to get smoking banned from all work and public places - including bars and restaurants. ASH spokeswoman Trish Fraser says they're hoping to get the issue onto this year's legislative agenda. The move comes as the smokefree campaign gathers force overseas. Ms Fraser says she is expecting some opposition from the Hospitality Industry but that their fears of profit loss are unfounded.
(I think anyone who smokes blankest should be banned - BH)
The Auckland coroner believes the reintroduction of compulsory military training will help stem the rising tide of youth suicides. Mate Frankovich has dealt with ten suicides in the space of 12 days this month, mostly young men aged between 15 and 25. Mr Frankovich says many of the deaths involve young men with little direction and a spell in the military could put them on the right path. He also believes parents and the church must be more pro-active in dealing with troubled youth.
(With due respect to the coroner, I think he is wrong. I believe that the military lifestyle suits some, but might have exactly the opposite of the desired effect on others. -BH)
Foreign Minister Don McKinnon says one of the most likely things to come out of this week's peace talks is a ceasefire on the island of Bougainville. More than100 Bougainville and Papua New Guinea leaders and representatives arrived in Christchurch yesterday to start the third round of talks this morning. Bougainvillians are expected to push for a ceasefire and to have PNG get its troops off the island. Mr McKinnon says withdrawing troops may be problematic because there are issues of PNG's sovereignty, but a ceasefire will be easier, especially with a truce already in place.
Agriculture Minister Lockwood Smith says the government won't be waiving road user charges for Marlborough farmers despite financial problems caused by the current drought. The farmers had asked the government to ignore the charges as trucks are now carrying hay in...and stock out. But Lockwood Smith says farmers should realise the government can't take any specific action like that just yet. He says instead they're trying to help in other areas such as taxation.
New Zealanders have got a bad case of El Nino bashing, according to meteorologists. They say the weather pattern's being blamed for almost everything - even mood swings. But climate scientist Dr Jim Salinger says we're wrong if we think El Nino's bringing hot, sticky conditions. He says while El Nino makes global temperatures rise, it has the opposite effect in New Zealand.
Cabinet has agreed to tighten up the regulations surrounding customary Maori fishing. Reissued conditions will state that the taking of fish for hui or tangi can only be done with the prior written permission of an authorised tribal representative. Such written authorizations must include when the fishing will occur, the type of fish, and the amount that will be taken. Meanwhile the Ministry of Fisheries has made another Northland seizure related to Maori customary fishing rights. Officials have seized a trailer, some fish and money in the Northland town of Kaeo today. The ministry says a man has also been arrested for trying to obstruct officers as they attempted to seize the gear. The confiscated fish were allegedly caught under customary Maori fishing regulations and distributed for koha, or gifts. The investigation will take place in the next few days.
ACC says it's recruiting Maori caseworkers to handle Maori clients as part of a move to become more culturally focussed. The Maori Development Ministry's put out a review of the corporation, criticising its lack of services for Maori, who often have different needs from non-Maori clients. ACC spokesman Alan Seay says the feedback's been valuable and they're already working on improvements. Mr Seay says they're going to let out contracts for some services to Maori providers, and are also making an effort to employ more Maori caseworkers. He says they hope Maori will feel more comfortable with these workers.
The man known for his motorbike riding cat has been killed in a crash in Taranaki. Max Corkill, his partner Gaynor Martin, and his cat Rastus died in the collision between their motorbike and a car near Urenui. 58 year old Max and his cat are known around the country as supporters of the SPCA and appear together on a tv commercial advertising Bell Tea.
(I commend to readers attention the splendid photograph by Don Scott which the Online version of the Christchurch Press carried at http://www.press.co.nz/03/98012106.htm - I have not been able to share in the national wailing over the cat, but I did think it was a great piece of photojournalism - BH)
Inflation has remained at the bottom end of the scale for the final three months of last year. The Consumers Price Index rose by .6 of a per cent in the December quarter taking inflation to .8 of a per cent for the year - the lowest annual inflation figure for six years. Our political editor says the Asian financial crisis hasn't yet impacted on the latest figures. Analysts are predicting the crisis will have a bearing on future results. Barry Soper says today's figure will take the pressure off mortgage interest rates and may see the Reserve Bank easing monetary conditions.
Jenny Shipley is defending a huge government loan to South Korea despite revelations a four million dollar luxury house is being built for the Korean ambassador in Wellington. Construction continues despite Korea's deep financial woes. But the Prime Minister says although it's the first she's heard, the loan hasn't been given lightly and is subject to strict conditions. Minister of Foreign Affairs Don McKinnon has said he'll be seeking answers today from ambassador Yoon-Kyung Oh.
Blenheim police have reported an overwhelming response to the Internet site set up over the disappearance of Olivia Hope and Ben Smart. The two friends disappeared on New Years Day after boarding a boat in the Marlborough Sounds. Although the web site won't be up and running until midday, the site's already received 13 hundred hits between eight and nine o'clock this morning. Police hope the web site will provide the breakthrough they're looking for. The site can be accessed through http://www.police.org.nz
(The web site is little more than an information wanted poster, but it has had a lot of hits ... which is by no means the same as a "hi-tech" approach - or am I being too cynical? - BH)
An Auckland taxi company has been ordered off the road for breaching safety regulations. The Yellow Cab taxi company has had its license revoked by the Land Transport Safety Authority after an audit late last year. LTSA regional manager, Peter Kippenburger says the company had breached a whole range of regulations and had made no effort to redress them. He says the LTSA is also looking at another Auckland taxi company at the moment and may revoke its license within the next fortnight as well.
Marlborough farmers are becoming panic-stricken as the worst drought in history takes a turn for the worse.. Most paddocks are bare, and now water in the hill country is drying up. Federated Farmers spokesman Graham Hewett says it's the water that's used by stock to drink- and that's disastrous. He says the region's only had about five millimetres of rain in the past week and a half, and that's done nothing to improve the situation.
Another protest on the east coast today by Tuhoe Maori already occupying part of a motor camp at Lake Waikaremoana. A group of demonstrators has blocked an eastern Bay of Plenty access road to the Urewera National Park, and they're demanding a meeting with Conservation Minister Nick Smith. Ngati Tama says DOC has failed to consult with local Maori over its management of the park. DOC spokesman Peter Williamson says the department's not taking any action to remove the protesters because it's a public road administered by the Whakatane District Council.
(In fact the Police moved in hard and fast at the request of the council, later that day. Six were arrested -BH)
The Race Relations Conciliator is welcoming today's conviction of four men involved in a racist attack on a Nigerian man in Christchurch last year. The four were found guilty of disorderly conduct and each sentenced to one month jail after the attack at Sumner in November. Conciliator Dr Rajen Prasad says the conviction was useful as it makes it clear such behaviour won't be tolerated. He says the one month sentence is strong enough on this occasion...but on it's own it isn't enough to change attitudes.
(For some reason these mindless thugs and their accomplices were surprised by the sentence. So was I - that they got off so lightly for a contemptible and cowardly pack attack on a family minding its own business - BH)
The New Zealand Herald says the police are trying to push the blame of their own mistake onto the newspaper. The Herald today published an internal police memo posted on yacht club noticeboards which described missing Marlborough teenager Olivia Hope as spoiled and emotional. Detective Inspector Rob Pope is fuming over the publication, saying the memo wasn't for the public's eyes. But Herald editor Gavin Ellis says the police are just trying to deflect criticism of their own department onto the Herald.
(See the later article entitled "Controversial Memo Deliberately Released" - BH)
Waitara police say charges may be laid in the next couple of days over the accident in which Kiwi motorcycling celebrity Max Corkill and his nine year old cat Rastas died. It's thought one vehicle may have crossed the centre line on a sharp bend. Mr Corkill's partner Gaynor Martin also died when their motorbike crashed head on with a car on State Highway Three in Taranaki. The five occupants of the car survived the smash. They're still investigating whether charges will be laid. The North Taranaki SPCA's been fielding hundreds of calls from shocked animal lovers mourning the death of the Kiwi motorcycling identities. Max and Rastus campaigned tirelessly for animal rights and appeared in an award winning television commercial. SPCA spokeswoman Jackie Poles Smith says the organisation's still coming to terms with the tragedy. Motorcycle riders from throughout New Zealand are preparing to honour a fallen feline and his owner. Their funeral is due to be held on Friday, and Taranaki BMW club spokeswoman Jan Adams says she's had calls from at least six North Island clubs who are also keen to remember Max and his trusty pillion passenger.
Senior Defence officials say a review of defence property is only one input into the finalisation of a long term plans. They're also denying claims that the review recommends limiting armed forces to one base each. But General Manager for the Defence Forces, Mike Rhys says the claims are only correct in that the report has been delivered to the Defence Force, and will be put with other defence related considerations before recommendations are made to the Minister.
Even the breeder is surprised at the record price paid for a yearling sold at a thoroughbred sale in New Zealand. The Zabeel-Eight Carat colt was knocked down for 1.6 million dollars after just fifty seconds of bidding at the yearling sales at Karaka, south of Auckland. It's been sold to an Australian-lead syndicate. Breeder Patrick Hogan of Cambridge Stud says he was hoping the colt would get to one and a quarter million dollars to break a 1.2 million dollar record set in 1989.
Three Gisborne men who claimed Maori customary fishing rights for a huge crayfish haul have gone on trial at the Gisborne District Court. The trio were charged by the Ministry of Fisheries after being caught landing 636 rock lobster in 1996 many of which were undersized. The men claimed local kaumatua had given permission for them to catch the crayfish for the 60th birthday hui of one of their fathers. But he's to give evidence against them... because he was actually 65, and it wasn't his birthday for four months.
Hoteliers are calling on Tourism New Zealand to start actively pursuing our closest neighbours, as the Asian crisis hits local tourism operators hard. Hospitality New Zealand Chief Executive Bruce Robertson says we've come to rely too heavily on Asian visitors, at the expense more lucrative markets like North America, Europe and Australia. Bruce Robertson says airlines could also cut their domestic rates to help encourage New Zealanders to spend their holidays here.
Confirmation this morning that police purposely sent out an internal memo with very sensitive background information on missing Blenheim friends Olivia Hope and Ben Smart. Police have attacked the New Zealand Herald for publishing part of memo calling the action insensitive and callous. However the Director of the Marine Operators Association, Harvey Sheppard, says they were sent the profile a week to ten days ago - and sent it out to members as requested by police. He says some distributed it but others tore it up.
(The Detective in charge of the case had enough egg on his face for a very large omelette after he had ripped in to the newspapers for printing it - BH)
Finance Minister Bill Birch has scotched any speculations he's about to leave politics. Rumours have been circulating that the Port Waikato MP was to step down from politics early this year, causing a by-election in his seat. The speculation comes after the former Prime Minister Jim Bolger stood down from the top job at the end of last year. But Mr Birch says he has no plans to exit politics in the immediate future, and won't be doing any further stock- takes on the subject until much later this year.
Anger from an Auckland MP over more cases involving teenagers being locked up in police cells. Labour's George Hawkins says two 15 year olds were held in custody at the Papakura Police Station for five days recently and a 16 year old who has already been in custody 9 days won't be released till tomorrow. He says Social Welfare homes are overcrowded but police cells are no place for teenagers. Mr Hawkins says while the government is building new social welfare beds - none are earmarked for youth offenders.
National MP Christine Fletcher says she's still undecided about her political future. Mrs Fletcher is widely thought to be considering leaving politics this year to contest the Auckland mayoralty. The former Women's Affairs Minister resigned from her portfolios last year, saying she was sick of the macho side of politics. Christine Fletcher says she's given herself until early next month to decide whether she's staying in national politics.
The Forest and Bird Society is welcoming DOC's five year strategic plan.....but is warning that it's useless without the money to back it up. DOC's plan for the new millennium includes more emphasis on marine conservation and improvement of facilities. Society spokesman Kevin Smith says it's good that DOC is so optimistic about the prospects for New Zealand's threatened species and native forests. But he says whether the plans come to anything will depend how keen the Cabinet Ministers are to front up with the money.
A Senior Auckland City Councillor says the region's councils should get the assets of the Auckland Regional Services Trust when the 1.8 billion's worth is divided up next month. Councillor John Strevens says the money is desperately needed to prop up the city's ailing cultural and social infrastructure, which is under pressure from massive population expansion. John Strevens says Auckland is capable of supporting itself - if it gets the money it's entitled to.
(Politicians always have a reason why it's expedient not to return money to its rightful owners ... which is the alternate possibility - BH)
A couple of Wellington police officers are having the day off after being attacked and bitten at an out of control teen party in Petone last night. The two officers were called to the party after complaints from neighbours and were attacked by a sixteen year old partygoer who bit one on the arm and the other on the nipple. Three teens were arrested and Senior Sergeant Jeanette Smitt says the age of the attacker and vicious style of the attack was a shock for police.
An Auckland burglar got more than he was bargaining for last night.. He was set upon by a group of angry residents in new Lynn. Police say locals spotted the thief doing a runner from a house he'd just burgled ... and a group of them decided to give chase. They also gave him something to remember .... leaving him with a few bruises as a memento. Police were called and the burglar was arrested shortly after.
Foreign Affairs Minister Don McKinnon says the signing of today's ceasefire on Bougainville doesn't mean the New Zealand monitoring troops will come home straight away. The leaders of Bougainville and Papua New Guinea have today agreed to the peace which will come into effect on April 30th. Mr McKinnon is welcoming the agreement but says the Kiwi troops will stay on Bougainville for the moment. He says he'll discuss the future of the troops with Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer and with Cabinet. Mr McKinnon says while there are cost implications, they want to see a smooth translation of responsibility.
The Department of Corrections says it wants to settle allegations regarding officer behaviour at Mt Eden prison once and for all. An Ombudsman's report has been unable to substantiate an allegation of assault by an officer on a teenage inmate who died last year. Prison spokesman Brendan Moynihan says that particular incident has now been fully investigated. However he says they're now developing the terms of reference for a wider inquiry. Mr Moynihan says the inquiry has been launched after non-specific allegations which arose during another investigation. He says an external investigator has been appointed to put the matter to rest.
The ashes of motorcycling personality Max Corkill and his feline passenger Rastus are to be scattered on Mt Taranaki. The pair, along with Mr Corkill's partner Gaynor Martin, died in a road crash earlier this week. Max and Rastus were cremated today after a New Plymouth funeral service attended by hundreds of people, from both the motorcycling and animal welfare fraternities. Nephew Murray Sutton says Mt Taranaki was another of Max Corkill's loves, and he'd even take Rastus up to the summit. Mr Corkill's partner Gaynor Martin was buried in a separate service in Stratford.
Air New Zealand, Qantas and Ansett are to impose a policy of strict limits on passengers hand-carried baggage. The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines - which also includes Cathay Pacific, Thai Airways and Singapore Airlines among its members - says passengers have been regularly breaking the rules. More baggage, large-sized articles and heavy trolley bags pose a safety risk to passengers and crew according to the AAPA. In future, a strict weight limit of 7 kilos will be imposed along with a maximum total linear dimension of 115 centimetres.
The Japanese are being warned if they illegally fish in our waters their boats will be confiscated. It comes after the announcement today that New Zealand won't give Japan a licence to fish for southern bluefin tuna in our waters until a sustainable quota agreement is reached. Fisheries Minister John Luxton says there's no doubt tuna stocks are under pressure and immediate action is needed so it can recover. Australia has also banned Japan from fishing for tuna in its waters.
Anger from the former associate health minister that consultants at the financially troubled Capital Coast Health have been paid nearly 300 thousand dollars. It's been revealed five consultants, including the then executive chairman, were paid up to 2 thousand dollars a day for drawing up restructuring plans for the deeply indebted CHE. New Zealand First MP Neil Kirton says that's an obscene amount of money and precious health money is being syphoned to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Capital Coast Health ended last financial year with a 70 million dollar deficit.
Justifiable anger from creditors and suppliers to Palmers Garden world. The garden-centre chain, part of the troubled Maine Group, has gone into receivership. Business columnist Fran O"Sullivan says while Palmers has been the subject of on-again- off-again rumours for about a year, suppliers had been consistently assured the company was going to make it through. She says that's left suppliers and creditors stunned and out of pocket.
Date: 22 January 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 0.5887
AUD 0.8848
GBP 0.3609
JPY 75.21
CAD 0.8506
FRF 3.5972
DEM 1.0746
HKD 4.5653
SGD 1.0354
ZAR 2.9282
CHF 0.8731
INTEREST RATES (%)
Call : 8.35
90 Day: 8.21
The prices below are given in cents.
To buy NZ Investment Trust:
21 June 1993 409
Today 440
To buy TeNZ:
1 June 1996 103.7
Today 110
See you next week.
Brian Harmer "Our luck is even better than I expected Don Qixote 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