Copyright © 1998 Brian Harmer
Hoo Boy! It's that time of year when all the things I should have done over summer come back to haunt me. Today (Monday) the corridors are awash with the happy chatter of thousands of new students who are still asking where the toilets are, and one suspects, are still wondering when the bells will ring for lunch. Fashions look more bizarre than ever from the lofty vantage point of my advanced years.
I am in the process of re-vitalising my own studies and wondering whether I can afford the time each week to do this. I consulted with a wise older academic who suggested that I should keep it up ... I guess I'll limp along a bit longer, but make no long term promises.
At last we have had a few days of bright sun and stillness. Colours seemed to intensify, and the harbour and the sea beyond are just stunning. The Lynx (fast inter-island ferry) is recognisable in the distance by the wake of her twin hulls pushed along by 20,000 horsepower. The bow waves seem even bigger than usual, and are enhanced by the characteristic shower of spray which is always swirling at the stern of this vessel. It is a most spectacular interruption to the deep blue of the previously still water.
On with the news
Auckland mayor Les Mills is calling on Mercury Energy to accept full blame for the city's power crisis.
Businesses and residents are fuming over lost takings and widespread inconvenience and they're calling for heads to roll.
Mercury Energy is admitting responsibility for the four cable faults but doesn't believe it has acted negligently.
Mayor Les Mills is supporting an internal investigation into the crisis and says the city council will be monitoring whatever steps the company takes to solve the problem.
Mr Mills says it's not up to the council to compensate those affected by the blackout, and he hopes Mercury will come up with a statement on the issue soon.
(The whole debacle of Auckland's power supply defies adequate summary. It has been going for at least a week, and a further 12 days of less than full supply is predicted. - BH)
Damning criticism from the former chair of the Auckland Electric Power Board as the central Auckland area faces a week without electricity.
John Collinge, who headed the board from 1980 to 1992, says he's not surprised by the power crisis gripping Auckland's central business district.
He says in his time as chair, ageing power cables were a major concern...and that hasn't changed.
Mr Collinge believes the present board has been ruled by an obsession with profit margins.
He says the five non-trust directors aren't accountable in any way and that's the key problem.
(This is a truly weird management structure. Mercury is wholly owned on behalf of the people of Auckland by a trust. Yet the trust only gets to appoint 4 of the nine directors ... the other 5 are appointed by Mercury's lawyers ...one wonders what maggot entered the brain of the person who dreamt that one up. The suspicion in my mind is that the scheme's architect was of that ilk who think the general public can't be trusted to make sensible (ideologically pure) decisions - BH)
New Zealand First MP Tuku Morgan is still hopeful that two precious mere will be given back to his people.
An unknown bidder has bought the mere from an auction in New York, which was selling the property of Mohammed Al Fayed.
The artefacts were originally given to the Duke of Windsor when he visited New Zealand in 1920.
Mr Morgan hopes the new owner is a New Zealander as it's believed they were represented by Wellington auctioneer Dunbar Sloane.
He says he's trying to find out who the new owner is and will be encouraging them to gift the mere back to Tainui.
However Tuku Morgan says it's possible Tainui bought the mere themselves.
Claims Mercury Energy is using the excuse of maintenance problems to cover up gross incompetence at board level.
The former head of the Auckland Electric Power Board John Collinge, says the cable problems causing the present power crisis aren't new.
He says ageing lines were a worry in his day, and would have become a major concern in the past year.
John Collinge says the present board includes five non-trust members whose actions and decisions go unchecked.
He believes the major focus of the board in recent years has been profits and Mercury Energy has overlooked the importance of a fail-safe electricity supply.
Mr Collinge says the make up of the board is completely wrong.
Fire Service personnel have spent today contacting residents and building owners in Auckland's central business district asking them to take extra care during the power shut down.
Fire crews have been handing out notices highlighting the potential for extreme fire danger during the crisis.
District Chief Fire Officer Ray Warby is advising residents to use candles only as a last resort.
He says anyone using a candle should fix it to suitable stand, and it should be cut in half to reduce the risk of falling over and starting a fire.
(A number of the generators hired by darkened businesses have burst into flames as they run for hour after hour. All but the most sturdy were designed for bursts of up to an hour - BH)
The organiser of a boxing tournament in Auckland which deteriorated into an all in brawl says criminal charges and life bans are likely to follow.
Promoter Kevin Barry says the event turned nasty when one fighter refused to accept the decision by his corner to throw in the towel.
Mr Barry's spent the day reviewing video tapes of the incident and he's been in close contact with the New Zealand Professional Boxing Association.
He says once the main offenders are identified criminal charges could be laid and any spectators involved could be banned from future events.
(This vicious and wildly unnecessary uproar was all caught on video and hopefully the instigators will never fight again - BH)
One of our most famous New Zealanders, Sir Edmund Hillary, is now recovering at his Auckland home after a recent health scare.
Sir Edmund spent eleven days in Christchurch hospital after he developed pneumonia while on a cruise from the Antarctic.
His wife, Lady June says Sir Edmund was flown to Auckland yesterday and is now resting at home.
She says his condition is improving but he will remain in bed for some time yet.
Auckland's emergency services say the current power crisis shouldn't become a Civil Defence emergency, if people living in the affected area do as they're told.
Police, Fire and Ambulance services have repeated their request for people not to travel to the central business district if they don't have to.
Many traffic lights are out and there's a warning of severe congestion if large numbers of inner-city workers try to go there during the working week.
Auckland health officials began visiting food premises today to make sure that the required standards are being met.
They say food kept in refrigerators and freezers must be disposed of, and records should be kept for insurance purposes.
ACT MP Rodney Hide is outraged the Government is hinting it's unlikely to offer more tax cuts after this year.
Taxpayers are due to get tax cuts from July the first with more planned for later years provided our surpluses are sustained.
But Mr Hide says that's been thrown into doubt after recent comments from Prime Minister Jenny Shipley and Finance Minister Bill Birch that our surpluses are on the small side for more tax cuts.
He says that means the Government's only planning to give tax cuts if there's anything left over.
Rodney Hide says holding off on spending and giving the money back to taxpayers will be much better for growth and jobs.
A Gisborne Kapahaka group has struck gold for the fourth time.
Wellington's Trentham Racecourse has hosted the biennial Aotearoa Traditional Maori Performing Arts Festival this weekend, attracting Maori cultural groups from around the country.
Festival chairman Professor Timoti Karetu says for an unprecedented fourth time, Waihirere from Tairawhiti were crowned the supreme winners in the competition.
He says the theme of the group's performance was Maui fishing up the North Island, and the links between Tairawhiti and Wellington.
The next festival will be held in Ngaruawahia early in the year 2000.
While central Auckland faces up to a week without electricity, in Canterbury water supplies are becoming a worry.
Falling groundwater levels are raising the spectre of restrictions.
A warning from the Canterbury Regional Council to conserve water has prompted the Christchurch City Council to review its earlier decision not to impose restrictions.
Some groundwater levels have dropped significantly and the council's investing in a television advertising campaign to encourage people to use the taps sparingly.
There'll be a formal government inquiry into the Auckland electricity failure.
Energy Minister Max Bradford says he'll spend the next two weeks working out the terms of reference for the inquiry.... and whether it should be conducted by his office or an independent counsel.
Mr Bradford says the main priority is to get power restored to Auckland.
He says the optimistic expectation is that the first cable could be available by Friday at the latest... with a second cable in place by next Monday.
But Mr Bradford says if things don't go well... it might be another fortnight before power could be restored.
The Auckland Electricity Consumers Trust has appointed an outspoken former chairman of Mercury Energy as a new Independent Director to the board.
The Trust has appointed John Collinge, it comes in the wake of the resignation of Michael Barnett, who's pulled the plug after declaring a conflict of interest due to his role with the Auckland Chamber of Commerce.
At the weekend Mr Barnett told IRN [ or Radio Network News] an appeal for compensation over the power crisis was a certainty.
Mr Collinge has also been a vocal opponent of Mercury Energy's recent track record, accusing the board of scrimping on maintenance in favour of profits.
As many as four hundred watersiders in four different ports have been told they've lost their jobs this afternoon.
Tauranga-based Kaimai Stevedoring, Waitemata stevedoring and plus New Zealand Stevedoring's operations in Lyttelton and Wellington are to be put into receivership by their American parent company.
New Zealand First's Peter Brown is calling for an urgent industry conference... to ensure the fair treatment of watersiders.
There's to be a major review of nursing - the first for 15 years.
The government's set up a ministerial taskforce to look at broad issues including legislation and nursing regulations.
They'll also examine specific issues such as cultural safety and whether nurses should be able to prescribe some drugs.
Former cabinet minister Dame Ann Hercus will head the taskforce and has congratulated the government for wanting to face the difficult issues.
There's a plea to West Coast farmers to graze doomed breeding stock from drought stricken Marlborough.
West Coast Federated Farmers spokesperson Diane Milne says Marlborough farmers are desperate for grazing for about 200 breeding cows and thousands of sheep.
Diane Milne says West Coast farms are their last option as Southland is already grazing Marlborough stock and has no room for any more.
She says the stock will be slaughtered in a few days unless West Coast grazing can be found.
Meanwhile, Auckland University says it will start enrolments next week and classes the week after that.
The power cuts affected thousands of students who were expected to enrol for the new school year this week.
The University will outline details of its plans for next week later this morning.
Ahead of what's expected to be a heated meeting with Auckland shop-keepers, mayor Les Mills says businesses must make their own decisions about when they'll re-open.
Retailers have been invited to a meeting in the Town Hall this evening.
Mr Mills says power's expected to start trickling back into the CBD from this weekend, but there are still no guarantees about the continuity of supply.
Leading property consultants Colliers Jardine believe sales of downtown Auckland properties might be affected by the power crisis.
Some of the country's most expensive real estate is without electricity for the next fortnight after power to the CBD was cut by line faults.
Colliers Jardine Managing Director Hamish Coney admits some potential inner city apartment buyers may now think twice but for commercial building purchasers it won't make any difference whatsoever.
He says people are buying for investment based on potential returns and a once in a century problem isn't likely to change that.
And if you thought the Auckland CBD shutdown means you can park where you like, think again.
Parking wardens are still on the beat.
They say while they're sympathetic to the needs of motorists during the power crisis, they still have to make sure the roads are safe.
The wardens will be policing illegal parking to make sure traffic flows keep moving, particularly near traffic lights.
Stagecoach Holdings says it's surprised the Commerce Commission has knocked back its bid to buy Auckland's biggest bus company.
Stagecoach announced it wanted to buy the Yellow Bus Company when the Auckland Regional Services Trust put it up for sale in December last year.
Managing director Ross Martin says he thinks the company has a very good case and provided the Commission with a lot of expert evidence which backed the company's own submissions.
New Zealand school leavers are among the best in the world for their comprehension of maths and science.
However, figures out this morning could highlight real problems at junior school level.
Education Ministry spokesman Tim McMahon says Kiwi sixth and seventh formers rate among the top eight of 22 countries surveyed in maths and science.
The PPTA has already called for action on the statistics.
Receivers responsible for laying off three hundred wharfies this week say the cupboard is bare.
Five subsidiaries of New Zealand Stevedoring have ceased trading in the past two days, affecting operations in Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton, Timaru and Tauranga.
Negotiations continue with staff in Invercargill.
Receiver Grant Graham has been reviewing the finances of each branch and he says the firms were in real strife.
He's unable to say if staff will get any redundancy, holiday pay or even last week's wages.
An Australian law firm looking at possible legal action against Mercury Energy says consumers may be able to argue the company was negligent.
A number of affected companies have contacted Melbourne firm Slater and Gordon about taking the Auckland power supplier to court over the loss of electricity to the city's central business district.
Lawyer Nick Styant-Brown says there seems to be a strong argument that there may have been negligence.
Deputy prime minister Winston Peters is back on the warpath... claiming law firm Russell McVeagh is at the root of Auckland's power crisis.
During the Winebox Inquiry Mr Peters levelled a series of allegations at the firm.
Russell McVeagh has the power to appoint the majority of the directors to the board of Mercury Energy.
Mr Peters says they were completely the wrong people for the job... as they know nothing about electricity distribution or reticulation.
He says their focus was on profits... not service or customer needs.
Deputy prime minister Winston Peters says he'll ask Inland Revenue to explain their role in allegations contained in a controversial new book.
"Thirty Pieces of Silver" by Anthony Molloy alleges questionable practices by law firm Russell McVeagh.
Many of the allegations are similar to those made by Mr Peters during the Winebox Inquiry.
Mr Peters says the allegations in the book scream out for the Law Society to take action... and he understands complaints are being laid.
Thirteen company directors - including former Kiwi Air boss Ewen Wilson - have been banned today from any managerial duties for the next five years by the Companies Office.
Ewan Wilson, founder of collapsed airline Kiwi Air, and his partner Patrick Pruett make the list for the eight million dollar loss accrued by the failed company.
Deputy Registrar of Companies, Adam Feeley says it shows there are a lot of company directors out there who are ignorant of their duties and liabilities.
The 13 jobs lost on the Bluff waterfront is the latest is a series of misfortunes for the port town.
The jobs disappeared after the parent company of local firm Southland Stevedoring went into receivership.
Bluff Community Board chairman Rex Powley says the flow-on effect from loss of wages will hurt.
He says even though 25 wharfies will stay on the Southland Stevedoring payroll, Bluff needs every job it can get.
Mr Powley says the town is still feeling the effects of the closure of the Ocean Beach freezing works in 1991 and loss of almost 50 jobs with the collapse of Tiwai Stevedoring in 1994.
Assurances from the Prime Minister that the Government's working with Aucklands' best interests in mind.
The Government's currently looking at the future of the Auckland Regional Services Trust, with an eye to sell off the assets.
Jenny Shipley told Parliament this afternoon that although they've gone past their deadline on a decision about the assets, they're well into their decision-making programme.
Mrs Shipley says they want to work out the best deal for the Auckland community, so they're continuing to consult widely with MPs and local bodies.
Parliament's congratulating a retired New Zealand judge who's been appointed to sit on the inquiry into the Bloody Sunday killings in Northern Ireland.
The British Government's chosen retired Court of Appeal judge, Sir Edward Somers, along with a Canadian judge, for the inquiry to be headed by Lord Saville into the killings of 14 Catholics in 1972.
The former Attorney General Paul East told Parliament this afternoon that his appointment shows the high regard in which our judiciary is held around the world.
Sir Edward lives in Kaiapoi, just north of Christchurch.
The man who sparked controversy over customary fishing rights in the Far North has appeared in court today charged with threatening to kill a fisheries officer.
John Hikuwai was arrested this morning and has pleaded not guilty to the charge of threatening to kill, and menacing use of a telephone.
He's been bailed to reappear next month.
John Hikuwai is the skipper of the James O'Brien which was seized by Ministry officials last month after a seven tonne haul of snapper was claimed under customary fishing rights.
Lower Hutt District Court judge Ross Elliott will NOT have to face a third trial over charges that he sexually molested an 11 year old boy in the early 1970s.
Elliott has faced two trials on the charges... but on both occasions the juries were unable to reach a verdict.
The Crown last week asked the Solicitor General to allow a third trial.
However solicitor general John McGrath says a third trial should only be allowed under exceptional circumstances.
He says in Judge Elliott's case there are no indications of special circumstances.
The Ministry of Agriculture is praising a decision by the Pesticides Board to permit commercial production of
The Pesticides Board has granted a Dunedin company an experimental use permit for the rabbit-control virus.
MAF says it will mean farmers can buy a commercial product with certainty it's pure, and of a certain virulence.
Spokeswoman Debbie Gee says it also clears the way under the Pesticides Act, for government agencies such as DOC, and regional councils to spread RCD.
A special briefing for Energy minister Max Bradford on the Auckland power crisis.
He's behind closed doors at the moment with Mercury Energy chairman Jim Macauley and the city's mayor Les Mills.
Earlier today the trust that holds the shares in Mercury announced the establishment of a relief fund for small businesses affected by the crisis.
The Auckland Energy Consumers Trust has put a million dollars into the fund, and that's been matched by Mercury.
The money will be given to retailers unable to absorb the losses caused by the cutting of electricity to the city's
The Department of Conservation has given its approval for Wanganui iwi to stay overnight at Moutua Gardens this weekend.
It's the third anniversary of the 1995 Moutua Gardens occupation.
The Wanganui District Council has given its consent for the two-day celebrations on the condition that formal approval be given for overnight accommodation.
Iwi say the celebrations, which start early tomorrow morning, will include cultural activities, music, speeches and displays.
Wanganui police say they aren't anticipating any problems.
Two United States customs investigators are warning New Zealand is just as vulnerable to Internet child pornographers as any other country.
The investigators are here meeting with our customs officials and police, showing them how the US is fighting the rising tide of child porn on the Internet.
Special Agents Donald Huycke and Glen Nick are experts in tracking down pornographers and say they made 275 arrests in the US last year, including lawyers, doctors and religious leaders.
Mr Huycke says they only know the scale of the problem in the States as they're finding more, but that's not happening here because it's relatively unpoliced.
Residents complaining of health problems have persuaded the Christchurch City Council to seek an interim enforcement order that could take two FM radio stations off the air.
The stations are owned by The Radio Network, which was granted resource consent to use the Ouruhia radio tower for FM transmissions.
However that consent's being appealed.
Health officials have dismissed claims from residents that the transmissions are having any effect on people or animals.
The enforcement order, if granted, requires the immediate stopping of all FM transmissions until an Environment Court hearing decides the issue.
Lake Waikaremoana protesters only have few days to comply with the law or they may find themselves in strife with the police.
Conservation Minister Nick Smith travelled to Gisborne yesterday to meet with a group of Tuhoe Maori who've been occupying an area in the Urewera National Park.
Doctor Smith today told Parliament that although the meeting was constructive, they didn't reach any resolutions.
He says he hasn't given the occupiers a date on when they'll be evicted, but he has demanded an assurance they'll comply with the law, otherwise he'll have to send in the police.
Massey University and Wellington Polytechnic have taken another step towards merging, with the signing of a research agreement.
They say it will enhance the research of both institutions.
The official merger is waiting on approval from the Minister of Education, and the results of a High Court hearing.
But, they say they're already effectively in partnership and this is just part of a series of moves to cement that relationship.
More questions in the House this afternoon over the possible sale of Television New Zealand.
In her state of the nation address last week Prime Minister Jenny Shipley indicated the government was investigating whether to sell TV 2.
SOE's Minister Tony Ryall has told Parliament under the coalition agreement TV One cannot be sold but the government is looking at whether it's prudent to hold on to its sister channel.
Unsecured creditors of the Levene retail chain have been told there's no money in the pot for them.
That means people who hold gift vouchers won't get a cent, and neither will Levene suppliers who are owned money by the chain.
Receiver Kerry Stotter says secured creditors face an estimated loss of 21.4 million dollars, so there won't be enough for unsecured creditors.
They're owed more than 17 million dollars.
Auckland's Mercury Energy has confirmed that there will be no increase in power for the city's central business district on Monday.
The delay follows problems encountered during repairs to one of four failed cables.
Mercury says power to essential services including Auckland University and AIT will be maintained, but it's not guaranteed elsewhere in the affected area.
The company says its engineers are working to make sure power is supplied to the CBD in accordance with the schedule released yesterday.
However Mercury says that supply isn't secure.
Meanwhile Auckland mayor Les Mills is urging residents to keep away from the central business district after a delay in plans to increase power to the area.
Tourism Auckland's concerned that misreporting in the international media will impact on the city's 3.4 billion dollar tourism industry.
Chief Executive Lance Rickford says there've been reports that Auckland's been evacuated and that the city lies in darkness after Mercury Energy's cables to the central business district failed a week ago.
Mr Rickford says that's painted a bleak and inaccurate picture of the city which is New Zealand's premier gateway and visitor destination in core international markets.
He says he's concerned tourists are being encouraged not to travel to New Zealand because the situation's being painting a lot worse than it really is.
A Waikaremoana tourist operator says he's been intimidated so much by Maori protestors that he's throwing in the towel.
Marcus Mutscheller who has a shuttle bus service and a backpackers lodge says his family is moving away because they feel threatened by protestors at a DOC campsite in Waikaremoana.
Mr Mutscheller says he's angry the Government doesn't seem to be doing anything to prevent the intimidation.
Mr Mutscheller says he moved to New Zealand from Germany thinking it would be a safe place to live and now he's not so sure.
Deputy prime minister Winston Peters is once again on the defence over the government's Code of Social Responsibility.
Labour today launched its campaign opposing the code... saying it's an attempt to place more workload on already overworked community groups.
Labour says the publicity campaign seeking public opinion on the code is a waste of taxpayer money.
But Mr Peters calls Labour's attacks baseless.
Mr Peters says it's appallingly arrogant for Labour to tell New Zealanders that what Labour thinks of the code... is more important than what New Zealanders have to say through their responses to the brochure.
Retailers are praising a Reserve Bank decision not to scrap five cent pieces.
The Reserve Bank was looking at axing five cents and reducing the size of 20 and 50 cent pieces.
But after wide consultation it says it's keeping the status quo.
The Retail and Wholesale Merchants Association says it wanted five cent pieces to stay.
Spokesman Barry Hellberg says while retailers didn't have a problem with a change to the size of 20 and 50 cent pieces, coin machine vendors did.
He says problems associated with slot machines, parking meters and cigarette machines were obviously a factor in the bank's mind.
Barry Hellberg says retailers still use five cent pieces in pricing goods.
Date: 26 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 0.5811
AUD 0.8695
GBP 0.3539
JPY 75.03
CAD 0.8269
FRF 3.5527
DEM 1.0591
HKD 4.5131
SGD 0.9525
ZAR 2.8821
CHF 0.8558
INTEREST RATES (%)
Call : 9.05
90 Day: 9.05
The prices below are given in cents.
To buy NZ Investment Trust:
21 June 1993 409
Today 450
To buy TeNZ:
1 June 1996 103.7
Today 116.5
See you next time 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
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