Copyright © 1998 Brian Harmer
As the news will show, our rather mixed meteorological fortunes persisted this week, sometimes to extremes. Here in Wellington, we had some fairly heavy downpours but also some quite bright spells. Rather like the ups and downs of my personal week in some ways.
Last weekend I was waiting for the arrival of my son at the military terminal on the Kilbirnie side of Rongotai airport. For whatever reason, his flight was delayed, so I had time to look around from the vantage point of the first floor waiting room. The Cook Strait is directly to the South, flat, milky, quite unlike the scene only a day earlier. The distinctive outline of the ferry Arahura proceeded in a stately manner across the horizon, heading off a stubby red coastal freighter from Pacifica shipping in the race for the passage through the harbour entrance.
Nearby, dozens of wet-suited surfers bob gently in the almost flat waters of Lyall Bay, hoping against all reason for a wave big enough to ride without looking silly.
Traffic builds up on the Southern end of the runway, and a comic scene develops with mother duck, a Qantas 767, followed by a whole flock of ducklings in the form of various feeder- liners waddling to the take-off position. Ponderously the 767 begins its takeoff roll and the muted thunder of its departure is something you feel rather than hear. The windows are still reverberating as the Bandeirante positions at the head of the runway. A set of landing lights in the distance implies that all will be well if the Bandeirante leaves right now. The pilot is not so silly as to follow prematurely in the turbulent wake of a "heavy" and sits waiting out the mandatory separation period. The irritation of the Metroliner crew which is forced to overshoot is easy to imagine. The Bandeirante departs without incident, and another Metroliner positions for take off. More landing lights in the distance, and the Metroliner which was presumably cleared to go to the take off position is obviously asked to get out of the way quickly. He scuttles for the nearest exit, as an Ansett BAe 146 whistles over the threshold. A cheeky U-turn brings the sidelined Metroliner into position and he too departs. Next, an ATR-42 lines up to go. Yet more landing lights wobble uncertainly as a Beech Baron is waved off. In the space of thirty minutes, I saw four obviously unintended movements of this sort, and wondered, if, with the start of the school holidays, someone unauthorised had gained access to the tower.
Eventually, against the greyness of a distant front advancing from the South, a black spot trailing the soot characteristic of military engines, adopts the sinister green and grey camouflaged form of a C130 Hercules. Landing lights ablaze, flaps hanging in the breeze, the ungainly shape roars onto the runway and the four big propellers go to fully fine and the thing unbelievably stops just by the exit ramp for the military terminal. I suspect that if he really had to this beastie could land in the width of Wellington airport. I don't think he even bothered with reverse thrust. In a few minutes, the aircraft is parked, and the ramp is down. The uniforms of all three services are everywhere, and my son is home for a week before taking up his next post. :-)
On with the news
The Maori Council is welcoming a landmark decision recognising urban Maori trusts as Iwi. The Waitangi Tribunal has ruled the Treaty of Waitangi protects all Maori and not just traditional Iwi groups. The ruling came after the West Auckland Waipareira Trust took a case against the Social Welfare Department saying it hadn't treated it like a treaty partner. Maori Council spokesman Maanu Paul says while urban Maori could now argue to get a slice of treaty claims - traditional Iwi should support the ruling because eighty per cent of Maori live in cities.
Two of three Dunedin Firefighters accused of a roadside scuffle with Roger Estall have been sacked. Disciplinary hearings for the trio have been held today, the committee considering their cases has decided to dismiss two of them. The third was found to have played a lesser role in the confrontation. Dunedin fire commander Steve Turek says the Fire Service has a strict code of conduct and it was clear the officers were guilty of serious misconduct. Mr Turek wants to make it clear the sackings are not an attempt to make an example of wayward staff given the delicate industrial climate.
(The two firemen concerned certainly confronted the commissioner. It was not at all clear from the TV coverage whether anything physical happened. But if bringing the service into disrepute is a crime, I don't think theirs was the greater offence in the light of the perceived conflicts of interest which are being associated with the commissioner. Whether or not he has ever done anything at odds with his duty to the service is no longer the point. Mr Estall's position seems irretrievably stained. He should quit. -BH)
An Upper Hutt father and son have been sentenced to jail in the Wellington District Court today. Accountant Ian Ross, and his lawyer son Wayne, were convicted last month of theft and conspiracy after they defrauded their clients of over a million dollars. Wayne Ross will go to prison for five years, while Ian Ross faces three and a half years in jail.
New Zealand First deputy leader Tau Henare is playing down speculation that he is in the dog box with his party because of his expensive overseas ministerial trip. It is understood that party leader Winston Peters is unhappy about that... and there has been talk that might lead to Mr Henare's demotion. But Mr Henare says he doesn't think that is on the cards. He says he expects to retain his positions as deputy leader and Minister of Maori Affairs.
Plans to manage the predicted growth of New Zealand's largest city have been revealed. After two years in the making, the Auckland Regional Growth Strategy and the Land Transport Strategy have been released this afternoon. New urban areas will be developed at Albany and Orewa north of the city, and at Takanini to the south. The prospect of a second harbour crossing has also been raised.
An Auckland lawyer who claims to be arranging the return of a missing million dollar Colin McCahon painting, remains tight lipped on the prospect of an imminent deal. Chris Harder has today successfully argued for five of seven charges against activist Tame Iti to be dropped in the Rotorua Court. Iti faced charges loosely linked to theft of the mural 13 months ago. Mr Harder remains adamant a secret deal to hand-over one section of the three part mural will proceed, but when and where he is unable to say. Mr Harder says his client is not involved.
(Despite headlines on Sunday which said the painting would be returned Monday, no movement has occurred as of the following Saturday. - BH)
Cabinet is now meeting as it attempts to find ways to slash 300 million dollars in spending in the face of a looming recession. The government has already said health and education will not be targeted but concedes savings will have to be made across the board. Just where the cuts will come from will be announced in two weeks.
A Catholic group is urging the Presbyterian Church to ban practising homosexuals from becoming leaders of the church. The Presbyterian Church is going to make a decision tomorrow whether to ratify a 1996 ban against gays and lesbians. Catholic Action spokesman Arthur Skinner says to lift the ban would mean society accepts homosexuality .. and that would lead to an increase in practising homosexuality. He says that would be a threat to the traditional family life.
(Not wishing to bite the news source which feeds me but I find this headline personally offensive, and have e-mailed IRN to tell them so. Let's assume Timothy McVeigh was an Episcopalian. Would a headline which says "Episcopalians bomb Oklahoma City" be justified? Of course not. Skinner is a member of a fringe ultra conservative faction which seems to have no more than distant history in common with the mainstream of Catholicism in New Zealand. To be fair, the Presbyterians are taking a lot of heat over this issue, and I am sure that if my church did speak, it would be with a conservative voice. That is not the issue which I object to - BH)
An Australian mail order marketer has been fined a total of four thousand dollars in the Christchurch District Court today for advertising fake slimming and smoking cures. Judge Michael Green earlier found Health Pride Limited guilty of making false claims about the effectiveness of two slimming pills and a diet book. Health Pride Limited also admitted a device claimed to remove nicotine from cigarettes doesn't work. In sentencing the company Judge Green said the proprietor Sam Campisi had not acted recklessly but had not made sufficient inquiries about the effectiveness of the American products.
The Firefighters Union expects to have its legal challenge to the sacking of two Dunedin firefighters lodged tomorrow. Veteran firemen Mike Meaden and Barry Ritchie have been sacked after a kerbside scuffle with Fire Service Commissioner Roger Estall. South Island union secretary Ivan Richards says their lawyers are working on a case to the Employment Court and should have the papers filed tomorrow.
The drop in the New Zealand dollar means some Kiwis will be paying more for their milk from next month. Mainland Products has announced there will be a price increase of around 10 cents per litre for fresh milk and cream. That covers the brands Meadowfresh, Tararua, Baymayd and Snowcrest and will take effect on August the 1st. Mainland spokesman Geoff Norgate says the price increase has been triggered by the significant drop in the New Zealand dollar. He says that will increase the cost of milk due to the resulting rise in export returns for New Zealand dairy products. Geoff Norgate says the decision to raise prices wasn't taken lightly - but the company had no other alternative.
BP is firing the first shots in what is expected to be a new petrol price war. From midnight tonight the company's trimming the prices of both grades of petrol by two cents a litre. Managing director Greg Larsen is describing the move as an aggressive step in the face of increasing competition. Mr Larsen can't say what if other companies will follow suit.
The junior doctors strike in Auckland has been called off. Resident doctors around the country are in last minute negotiations with their hospital management as strike action draws closer on July 17th. But Auckland Healthcare says its resident doctors have just agreed to a last minute pay offer put to them last night, and have called off their strike. He says pay was the last unresolved issue, with training and hours already agreed upon.
One of the four men accused of a high-profile prison breakout from Auckland's Paremoremo Prison has made a further complaint of unfair treatment. Arthur Taylor claims he wasn't allowed to select his own clothing for a court appearance in the North Shore District Court this afternoon. His lawyer has promised to follow through the issue with prison managers. Taylor and his three fellow inmates appeared amid tight security. They have been remanded to reappear next week. A bail application by a fifth man accused of assisting in the June 15th breakout has been refused. He has been remanded in custody until next Thursday.
(From my perspective, given the trauma these guys inflicted on the country by their original crimes and then by the expensive farce of their escape, I don't care if they have to attend court wearing the comic book convict stripes. - BH)
The Presbyterian Assembly remains divided over allowing practising homosexuals to be ordained as ministers. A day of discussion in Christchurch has so far failed to resolve the issue. The issue before the assembly is whether to confirm its 1996 decision not to licence, ordain or induct practising homosexuals. That ruling has been supported by the regional presbyteries 13 to 12. But following a day of further discussion, a motion to end the debate and make a decision was lost. The debate continues.
Telecom is pointing the finger at a software upgrade, as the probable cause of the major phone problems in the lower North Island. Tens of thousands of customers from Waiouru, down to Levin, haven't been able to use their phones since early this morning. In Palmerston North, police are asking residents not to use their cellphones, in a bid to keep the mobile network clear for emergencies. Telecom spokesman Peter Brittenden says they haven't pinpointed the exact cause of the problem, but they believe it is linked to a software upgrade at the exchange. Meanwhile Telecom says phone services were restored around 3pm
The MetService has added the Bay of Plenty, south Waikato and Taupo to the list of heavy rain warnings. Nelson and parts of Marlborough and Taranaki have already been told to expect a downpour. Up to 100 millimetres is forecast for the top half of the South Island, while 150 millimetres could fall on the northern slopes of Mount Taranaki. Less is expected for the Bay of Plenty, Waikato, and Taupo areas. However the MetService says the soil in the Bay in already quite soggy following last week's flooding. Locals are being warned to keep an extra watch out for surface flooding and slips.
In a case of last, but not least.. newcomer Challenge has joined the big four in lowering its petrol prices. Last night BP ignited a new round in the petrol price war, slashing its prices nationwide by two cents. Shell, Caltex and Mobil all followed suit, and this morning Challenge also dropped its prices. Challenge General Manager Nelson Cull says they introduced competition, and they are committed to keeping the market competitive.
Freehold private land will not be part of the Turangi settlement that assurance today from Treaty Negotiations Minister Doug Graham. The Waitangi Tribunal has today made a binding decision on the township for the Crown to return 15 properties valued at 3.2 million dollars. The tribunal also made a non binding recommendation for 3.9 million dollars of Crown property and cash. The settlement will now be negotiated over 90 days. Mr Graham says all properties not owned by the Crown, but covered in the decision, have certificates of title clearly showing the land may be needed for treaty settlements. He says the owners would have known this at the time of purchase.
The possibility of across-the-board price increases for that family staple - milk. Mainland has already given notice it intends bumping up its prices for milk and cream, up by around ten cents a litre from the first of August It produces the Tararua, Baymayd, Meadow-fresh and Snowcrest brands. The New Zealand Dairy Company, which produces Anchor and NZ Fresh milk, says it is also reviewing its prices. The company says it will make a decision on any increase by the end of the week.
Regulators have cleared the way for Heinz-Wattie to swallow up the ETA brand of food products. Heinz-Wattie will now produce ETA's peanut butter, sauces and salad dressings after buying the brands from Griffins Foods. The Commerce Commission has ruled that there are no dominance concerns in allowing Heinz-Wattie to expand its product range.
(Remember nut 1,001 ... "they're all nuts in there anyway" - BH)
A group of Northland tourism operators have suspended trips to Cape Reinga over a long-running dispute with the Department of Conservation. Operators say the value of paying the an access fee to the area is undermined by other operators not paying it..and the fact that DOC doesn't chase up the unpaid fees. In protest the operators have been withholding the fee. Executive Director of the Bus and Coach Association, John Collins says up to ten operators have stopped making the trip to Cape Reinga from today.
Three people face charges in relation to alleged breaches of customary Maori fishing regulations. Two fishing operations also face prosecution. The Ministry of Fisheries has laid 17 charges, relating to a snapper catch landed in December last year. The case is scheduled to come up in the Auckland District Court on the 5th of August. The Ministry of Fisheries says its investigation into the alleged customary rights breaches was one of the most intensive it has ever carried out.
A breakthrough today in the on-going tension surrounding the Fire Service restructuring. The Professional Fire-fighters Union and the Fire Service Commission have agreed to mediation. The deal came after intense talks this morning, with both sides conceding on some points. The Commission has agreed not to demand fire-fighters fill in applications for new positions by tomorrow's deadline. Union spokesman Derek Best says for their part, the union has agreed to put off plans for a temporary injunction in the Employment Court to stop the restructuring going ahead. Derek Best says he is optimistic the mediation, which will start next week, will be productive. Meanwhile it has emerged that Fire Service Commission head Roger Estall does own a small number of shares in a commercial insurance broking firm. Mr Estall is appearing before a parliamentary select committee hearing into the Fire Service. Mr Estall was ordered to answer questions about whether he or his family had a beneficial interest in the firm by the committee.
The sandbags will remain in place in the small Taranaki town of Kaponga tonight... as heavy rain continues to cause problems across much of the North Island. The Kaupokanui river burst its banks this afternoon, sending a wall of water rushing up Kaponga's main street. Meanwhile in the Far North, there is concern tonight's high tide will compound problems with an already flood-swollen river in Whirinaki. Metservice forecaster Bob Lake says the heavy rain band could also still hold further downpours for South Waikato and the Bay of Plenty.
Teething problems at Hong Kong's new airport have forced the Chinese territory to place a ban on all incoming cargo at one of its two freight terminals. And that looks set to hurt New Zealand exporters in the pocket. The airport was opened amid much fanfare this week, but computer problems have caused chaos in the cargo and baggage handling facilities. The New Zealand Trade Development Board is advising exporters that the ban on incoming cargo won't be reviewed until early Saturday morning. Its Hong Kong representative says the ban will affect exporters of fresh produce, especially cut flowers and seafood. He says a large amount of fresh freight has already spoiled.
The defence has opened at the trial of a Feilding woman accused of strangling her autistic daughter. 37 year old Janine Albury-Thompson is before the High Court at Palmerston North charged with murdering 17 year old Casey Huinui Albury a year ago. Albury-Thompson has been on the stand, describing life with her daughter. She says there were good times with Casey, but they only lasted a few hours, and the bad times increased and her behaviour deteriorated as her daughter grew older.
(Though I am appalled at both the fact and the manner of Casey's death, I find it hard to rush to judgement in this case. - BH)
Northland tribe Ngati Kuri have today met with Conservation Minister Nick Smith to discuss a request for thousands of hectares of land at Cape Reinga to be returned to them. Around 250 people attended the hui at Te Paki in the far North. The tribe want to take over the management of the popular tourist spot. Ngati Kuri Trust Secretary Tom Bowling-Murray says while the trust was hoping for something more definite from the Minister, it is a positive step forward.
Fears from University Vice-Chancellors that a promised 100-million extra dollars over two years will go by the wayside, forcing a hike in tuition fees. The Government is looking at tightening the reigns on plans for extra spending, as a result of the Asian economic crisis. Spokesman for the Vice-Chancellor's Committee Professor Bryan Gould believes tertiary education will be one of the first areas to get the chop. He says it is a huge turn of face for the Government, which boasted the extra cash as a cornerstone of its long term goal to make New Zealand the most highly skilled nation in the world.
The Speaker of the House believes it is very difficult to see how a court ruling on protests at Parliament will work. Yesterday a Wellington judge dismissed trespass charges against 75 students after a protest last year. Speaker Doug Kidd says the ruling lays out a particular set of procedures that should be followed if the trespass act is going to be invoked. He says he doesn't know how that will work... but says he has always supported the right of people to protest and has even been a protestor outside Parliament himself.
(Much rejoicing in student circles, and gnashing of teeth in police circles - BH)
The Prime Minister has congratulated the Museum of New Zealand for reaching the one millionth visitor mark- just five months after opening. The museum had a first year target of 723 thousand. Jenny Shipley says 800 thousand New Zealanders have gone to Te Papa, showing the country wants to celebrate its heritage and identity. The Prime Minister says the museum has quickly become part of our national fabric.
(Some art critics are sourly observing that the popularity of Te Papa is because it is more of a theme park than a museum. The counterview, expressed equally sourly, is that no one wants to return to the tomb like nature of earlier museums. I'm not sure about that ... I always loved Auckland's War Memorial Museum - BH)
Parts of Hamilton City are on flood alert... as the flood-swollen Waikato River threatens low-lying properties. ECNZ has been trying to control the river level through the use of its hydro dam system, but it is still running four metres higher than usual. Environment Waikato Flood Control Officer Adam Munro says they are advising residents to keep a close watch on the river, which is continuing to rise. He says the river should peak at about midnight. Meanwhile Transit New Zealand says it could be months before State Highway three south of Te Kuiti is reopened. Transit spokesman Chris Allen says 100 metres of the highway has slumped by about six metres, and is impassable. He says it won't be easy to fix, and engineers are at the scene now, assessing the damage.
(The slip referred to above is between Awakino and Piopio, and engineers are talking in terms of many weeks before the road will be re-opened. - BH)
Both sides remain dissatisfied by today's decision on gay ministers by the Presbyterian Assembly in Christchurch. A special commission will spend the next year trying to resolve the issue. In the interim, the Assembly has voted not to ordain practising gays until the Commission reports back. However it also resolved not to ask candidates for ordination whether they are homosexuals. Supporters of gay ministers view the move as something as a reprieve from the previously agreed ban becoming church law.
A heartfelt apology to Palmerston North residents still experiencing problems because of a Telecom glitch. 27 thousand phones were knocked out - including the emergency 111 lines - earlier this week. Telecom spokesman Peter Brittenden has confirmed some people will still be experiencing problems .. despite saying earlier the services were fully restored. Mr Brittenden says he is terribly sorry about the inconvenience and he is confident services will be fully restored by tonight.
Beleaguered Fire Service Commission Chairman Roger Estall was earlier this year given a hefty pay rise... In answer to a Parliamentary question, Internal Affairs Minister Jack Elder said he approved a daily rate of a thousand dollars over and above Mr Estall's $50,000 a year salary... The annual salary requires Mr Estall to work just two days a week...for the additional work he has been putting in he gets a thousand dollars a day, up to 48 days a year... That brings his annual salary to just on a hundred thousand dollars for what is seen as a part time job.
(The especially interesting thing about this is that when Mr Estall was originally appointed, he reportedly wanted a salary of $98,000 for a job his predecessor did for $30,000. Cabinet were offended and offered $50,000. Seems he found a way to get his asking price despite the expressed intention of cabinet.- BH)
Redundancies are on the cards following Holden New Zealand's decision to move its head office from Trentham to Auckland. Managing director Don Bowden says the move will take place in about a year. He says there will be job losses, because some people won't want to leave Wellington, while others won't have a position available in the new structure. The exact number of redundancies isn't known yet. Around 50 per cent of vehicle sales are made in the top half of the North Island.
Date: 9 July 1998 Brian Dooley
Wellington New Zealand
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To Buy NZD 1.00
USD 0.5216
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GBP 0.3187
JPY 72.89
CAD 0.7675
FRF 3.1901
DEM 0.9514
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