Copyright © 1998 Brian Harmer
One day I will buy one the new Hitachi MPEG cameras and capture for you the scenes that I struggle to describe. Sunsets are such fleeting things, and their full splendour lasts just a minute or two. Last evening was a case in point as I watched from just below the water tower at the top of Maungaraki.
A few thin high clouds in the west acted as a projection screen for some of the most vivid orange colours I have ever seen. The mackerel clouds glowed as if lit from within. Down below, the Western hills behind Wellington were darkening, and a few lights were beginning to twinkle. The harbour was a deep cold green and just so still as to beg for a picture to be taken. Ferries large and small were about their business and in aircraft followed the invisible lines in the sky to a landing at Rongotai. The sea beyond there seemed clear, all the way to Antarctica. The Seaward Kaikouras were inked onto the colourful backdrop of that marvellous Western sky.
And then, the batteries appeared to go flat. The glorious luminosity faded, and the city and its surroundings prepared for a deep and perfect night.
On with the news
Beleaguered Auckland power company Mercury Energy has tonight announced more details of a buy-back scheme to help out both big and small central city businesses. Mercury spokesman Doctor Patrick Strange revealed Operation Powersave will be extended to small businesses. The scheme will see cheques sent out each week to businesses which save power. For small businesses spending $340 a week, the refund will be 120 dollars, while bigger companies paying $6,400 on their weekly power bill will get back $2,500. Mercury says it estimates the scheme will cost them a million dollars a week.
A second exhibit at the Museum of New Zealand has provoked anger from Christian groups. This time it is a version of Leonardo Da Vinci's Last Supper, with a semi-naked woman in place of Christ. Angry Catholics protested at Te Papa on the weekend over another exhibit, featuring a statue of the Virgin Mary covered in a condom. However Christian Heritage Party leader Graeme Capill says the rendition of the Last Supper is even more offensive.
(Many commentators have observed the apparent double standard being displayed by the Museum. It would be unthinkable to display a Maori taonga in an inappropriate context, yet it is apparently OK to offend an even larger segment of the community. Likewise, Jewish or Islamic matters would be handled with care and sensitivity, but Christian icons are apparently fair game as long as the perpetrator can allege that it is art. There is a balancing act between absolute unfettered freedom of expression and the need to be sensitive to others' feelings. - BH)
A West Auckland high school has suspended two students for three days for having pierced tongues. Green Bay High School principal Lionel Devaliant says he warned parents through a newsletter the school would suspend students with tongue studs. He says that obviously had no impact on the third and fourth formers who wore their tongue studs to school today. Mr Devaliant says any other students who wear tongue studs to school will face the same punishment.
Auckland City Council has announced a five million dollar recovery fund for Auckland's central business district. The money won't go to individual businesses but will be used to promote the inner city which has been crippled by the power crisis Mayor Les Mills says the council wants the Government and Mercury Energy to each match that five million.
Prime Minister Jenny Shipley has today dined with royalty in Japan. Mrs Shipley is on her first state visit abroad as leader, and our political editor says her day so far has been one of strict protocol. She started the day by inspecting a guard of honour at the Akasaka Palace -- a building which is a replica of the sumptuous Versailles palace in France. She has also had a formal audience with Japan's Emperor and Empress after which she was the guest of honour at a royal luncheon. Tonight Mrs Shipley will have formal talks then dinner, with Japanese President Hashimoto.
(The PM set out to do the right thing by the taxpayer by travelling on a scheduled commercial flight, rather than getting "Spud One" out of its arthritic hangar. Things went fine until Japanese protocol was encountered. The aircraft arrived early and was directed by Air Traffic Control to circle until the precise time allotted for its arrival at a remote spot on the airport. There Mrs Shipley disembarked for a ceremonial welcome, and a walk across a red carpet to another aircraft for a 10 minute flight to another airport. The hapless passengers were stuck in the aircraft for an extra hour until all the necessary protocols had been observed and the aircraft was finally brought in to a normal airbridge. Mrs Shipley has indicated she will re-think her well intentioned policy - BH)
The Deputy Prime Minister is adamant there will be a referendum to decide the fate of the assets belonging to the Auckland Regional Services Trust. However, the Finance Minister says it is only one of the options being looked at. Bill Birch has said the government wants either a public share or cash give-away of the assets but the mayors want to keep the money for future regional needs. However Winston Peters says there will be a referendum to sort out the issue because it is in the coalition agreement.
A child care worker convicted of sexually abusing children will go before the Parole Board tomorrow to apply for his early release from prison. Peter Ellis previously worked at the Christchurch Civic Creche before being sentenced to ten years for abusing children in his care. He has served half of that term. But his mother Lesley says despite tomorrow's bid for freedom Ellis won't accept early parole if it means any admission of guilt
(The headline is incorrect. Peter Ellis became eligible for parole, but did not apply for it - BH)
A day of developments for police investigating the disappearance of Olivia Hope and Ben Smart. Police have released details of two yacht sightings on the day the young pair disappeared in the Marlborough Sounds. A vessel was seen sailing north near Jackson's Head just after midday on January the first. Inquiry head Detective Inspector Rob Pope says he is also interested in sightings of a yacht motoring near Jordy Rocks in Cook Strait at about 11 am, also on New Years Day. Rob Pope says a team of police has also been searching the Picton dump following a tipoff from a member of the public.
Tributes continue to pour in tonight for the man described as the architect of our modern education system. 95 year old Clarence Beeby died in Wellington yesterday. Dr Beeby was Director of Education from 1940 to 1940 and Labour leader Helen Clark says he was a great educationalist and great New Zealander. She says Dr Beeby helped shape the education policies of the first Labour government and the country owes much to his enlightened approach to education.
(I had the privilege of Mr Beeby's acquaintance, and you could not meet a nicer, more courtly old gentleman - BH)
Creditors and staff of six stevedoring companies in receivership will get some money back after all. The money is coming from parties associated with the US parent company of New Zealand Stevedoring. Receiver Grant Graham says affected staff have already been sent payment for the work they did prior to the group's collapse. Creditors are also being advised about how their money will be paid. However Mr Graham says the bailout doesn't apply to either holiday pay or redundancy payments. Mr Peters was speaking during question time at a Chamber of commerce meeting in Tauranga.
Expansion plans are to go ahead at a Waikato Gold mine. A joint Hauraki District council / Environment Waikato committee has approved expansion plans by the Waihi Gold company at the Martha Mine in Waihi The mine's lifespan will be extended until 2007. Opponents to the application say the result was predictable, but Ohinemuri Earthwatch spokesman Mark Daniels is concerned that their concerns haven't been addressed. He says any appeal to the Environment court would be cost prohibitive
There will be no mercy for speeding motorists in the far south. Police in the Invercargill and Otago districts have implemented a new, tougher line, and will no longer exercise discretion when it comes to speedsters. Assistant Commissioner Phil Wright says anyone who goes over the speed limit will be fined. He says there will be no excuses and no warnings. Mr Wright says the same applies to the wearing of seat belts, as the public has had more than enough time to learn the rules.
The management of Mercury Energy will come under close scrutiny, in the government inquiry into the Auckland power crisis. Energy Minister Max Bradford has just announced the names of those who will be running the inquiry, and the terms of reference. Specialist commercial lawyer Hugh Rennie QC will head the inquiry. Max Bradford says the inquiry will be an technical exercise, to establish how and why the cables failed, and not a witch-hunt. But he acknowledges the management and ownership structure of Mercury Energy is highly unusual, and may have played a role in the power crisis.
Convicted child abuser Peter Ellis has turned down the chance to apply for early parole. The former Christchurch Civic Creche worker is up for parole for the first time - having served half of his ten year sentence for sexually abusing children. It is understood he has turned down the chance saying it would be an admission of guilt and he would rather be behind bars than say he was guilty of a crime he has continually denied.
A traumatic experience for a Czech climber, as he sees his life-long friend fall to his death off Mount Cook. The pair were tackling New Zealand's highest mountain yesterday when tragedy struck. Tekapo senior constable Bill Apes says one of the climbers experienced gear problems which prevented him from reaching the summit. His friend made it to the top, but tripped and fell 700 metres down the mountain as he was coming off the summit. Bill Apes says the climber's body was recovered this morning after his friend walked out and raised the alarm.
Parliament is resuming again about now as the government tries to push through the Postal Deregulation Bill under urgency. Currently private post companies can only carry items which cost more than 80 cents - the new bill would enable the public to send standard letters through any company they want. Labour's Mark Goshe says while it may give the public choice, we have to be certain new post companies can do the job by delivering letters on time, and to the right destination.
The search of the Picton rubbish tip for clues to the disappearance of Ben Smart and Olivia Hope has ended without apparent success. Police and airforce personnel have spent two days scouring the dump following a tip-off from the public. Inquiry head Detective Inspector Rob Pope says some material has been taken away, but it can't be examined until it has dried out. However he says they didn't find what they were looking for. Ben Smart and Olivia Hope disappeared in the Marlborough Sounds early on New Years Day.
The Director General of Health says she has the final say on any changes to the hospital service and won't let anything happen unless safe 24 hour acute and emergency care is ensured. A leaked e-mail from the Health Funding Authority proposes stopping elective surgery at hospitals in Kaitaia, Whakatane, Masterton, Wairau and Ashburton. Doctor Karen Poutasi says while the Authority's job is to look at how to get the best value for money, her responsibility is to make sure nothing is taken away until a safe alternative is in place.
An anti-live-sheep-shipment group is set to take to the water at the Port of Napier tomorrow in protest of the shipment of 32-thousand sheep to Dubai. The El Codero arrives from Fremantle tomorrow afternoon and loaded with sheep currently being kept at a feed-lot in Tikokino. Gary Reeves of Save Animals From Exploitation says they will have a number of boats in the water protesting at the shipment. He claims conditions aboard the transport ships are hellish.
A Cromwell man has been arrested and charged with copying and selling a computer programme. The offence is alleged to have been committed in July last year. Detective Gary Hyndman says the arrest is a warning to people that it is illegal to copy programmes and sell them and the maximum penalty for such a crime is ten years imprisonment. The Government is taking another step towards selling off the country's airports. It plans to appoint commercial advisors to market test the value of its shareholding in Wellington International Airport. Neither the Government or Wellington City Council has made a decision to sell their shareholding but the commercial advisors will test the value of shares for both a trade sale, and a trade sale with a share sell down.
(Since I preach a rigorous policy of honesty about intellectual property rights to my students, I am not displeased by this, but what does perplex me was that someone in Cromwell was watching for it! - BH)
It was the noisiest thing in Wellington since Tuesday night's Oasis concert. About 500 university students took to the streets in a protest to highlight what they say is a crisis in education. They achieved earsplitting volume with whistles, shouts and chants such as "I'm broke, we're broke, Wyatt Creech is a lousy bloke." The protesters are calling for the removal of tertiary fees... and improved funding for the entire education sector.
A twenty-eight year old man has been arrested for allegedly assaulting a guard at Te Papa this morning. The museum has come under some fire lately for showing an artwork titled "Virgin in a Condom." It features a statue of the Virgin Mary enshrouded in a condom, which has drawn a storm of protest from Christians across the country. The museum has stationed guards to protect the artwork, and it is uncertain whether it was one of those guards which was allegedly attacked. A 28 year old local man will appear in the Wellington District Court tomorrow morning charged with assault.
(Despite being offended by the exhibits, I deplore any violent or coercive response - BH)
Parliament has passed an amendment to the controversial Maori Reserved Land Amendment Act. The change passed this morning alters the formula for calculating how much compensation will be paid to farmers. They are losing the right to perpetual leases on land leased from Maori owners. Farmers are happy with the change... saying it will give them full compensation. However opposition parties say the amendment has been rushed through by the government... in an attempt to buy votes in the Taranaki - King Country by-election. Parliament spent 14 hours debating the amendment yesterday... then finished off the debate in half-an-hour this morning. The amendment was passed by a vote of 69 to 47... with Labour and the Alliance the only parties opposed to it.
(This is a bizarre piece of legislation in many ways. It appears to represent a considerable change of heart on the part of the government just prior to a by-election in that area. The most amazing thing is that it requires the valuers in the year 2002 to calculate a value on each property, on the basis of what it would have been worth if the legislation had never been contemplated or passed - BH)
Hamilton people may get the opportunity to change the city's name from Hamilton to Waikato City. Research shows Hamilton currently lacks any unique, unifying physical feature or icon which can be used to reflect the whole city. City Marketing director, Jo Ireland says the proposal has come from listening to what the people have said over the past six months. She says people in Hamilton are almost desperate to find and cling to things they can be proud of such as Hamilton on the weather map, rugby successes and Kiwi Air. Councillors will vote on April 8th as to whether or not to allow the debate and a referendum to go ahead.
(Palmerston North is also musing on the possibility of becoming Manawatu City - BH)
ACT Leader Richard Prebble wants to more than halve the number of people receiving social welfare benefits. Mr Prebble says the welfare system is out of control....with 365 thousand adults currently receiving benefits. He wants that slashed back to 150 thousand. Mr Prebble says ACT will outline a programme to achieve that at its annual conference in Christchurch this weekend. He says cutting back beneficiary numbers would free up billions of dollar for further taxcuts. He says those tax cuts would stimulate the economy... and create jobs for the 150 thousand people who would need to stop being dependent on the state.
The people of Auckland have left Mercury Energy's directors in little doubt of the depth of their anger today. About 150 rain-soaked business people, students and workers marched up Queen Street at lunchtime, calling for fair compensation for all people affected by the power crisis. The marchers carried placards and shouted slogans calling for the heads of Mercury's board, and were united in thinking the power company has acted shoddily throughout the blackouts. Protesters spoken to say the whole situation is outrageous and a shambles, and believe the control of the city's power company should be put back in the hands of the people.
Inland Revenue is warning businesses that the year 2000 computer problem WON'T be accepted as an excuse for failing to meet tax obligations. The Insurance Council has warned business that losses resulting from the Millennium bug will not be covered by insurance. Now Inland Revenue has confirmed it is taking a similar approach. Inland Revenue recently announced that it would not penalise businesses whose accounting systems were affected by of the Auckland power crisis. However an IRD spokesman says the Auckland crisis occurred without warning. He says businesses have plenty of warning of the Millennium bug... and if they are late paying their taxes they WILL be charged penalties.
(Wouldn't it be ironical if IRD were unable to resolve its own Y2K - BH)
Autumn may have arrived. The MetService says normal Autumn levels of rainfall have already fallen in many parts of the country. But the corner may be turning today, at least in the North Island, with northern and some central areas receiving a dumping of rain. Up to 150 millimetres is expected during the next 16 hours in Northland, Auckland, the Coromandel Peninsula, and the Western Bay of Plenty. MetService spokesman Bob McDavitt says the front could signal an extended period of more volatile weather. He says the first signs of Autumn usually appear in April in the far south, when the leaves of the trees change colour.
After sitting under urgency for more than 35 hours Parliament has now risen after passing its third bill in as many days. The Health and Safety in Employment Amendment Bill stops owners from being responsible if someone who is on their property without permission is injured. It was introduced after concerns from farmers about their liability for visitors such as hunters, trampers and fishermen.
Maori campaigner Dalvanius Prime has met with representatives of the American Museum of Natural History in New York, as he tries to get the return of Maori heads to this country. The museum says the talks went on for several hours, and were held in a spirit of cordiality, respect, and candour. Staff say they learned a great deal from the dialogue, and are now reflecting on the information Dalvanius passed on to them. However there is no word on whether the museum will agree to return the Maori heads to New Zealand.
(I wonder which part of him the sub-editor expected to talk? For those who don't recall, Dalvanius Prime is the leader of the Patea Maori Club, and is best known for the catchy but vastly over-exposed "poi-e" - BH)
Some good news for the Auckland central business district. Mercury Energy has been able to extend its lease of the Union Rotorua. The ship has been injecting 12 megawatts in to Auckland's CBD- the initial 10 day lease has been extended for a further 30 days. Mercury says that means the ship will be generating power until the overhead link from Penrose is complete. It will also provide back up during the line's initial operation.
Christians insulted by a controversial art exhibition at Te Papa are planning a prayer vigil outside the museum tomorrow. The Christian Action group has taken out a full page ad in this morning's Dominion newspaper inviting people to join their protest against the statue of the Virgin Mary with a condom over it. And unlike earlier demonstrations which were marked by violence, protest spokesman Michael Bartram says the protest will be a very peaceful affair.
Date: 12 March 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 0.8748
GBP 0.3548
JPY 75.72
CAD 0.8229
FRF 3.5960
DEM 1.0726
HKD 4.5393
SGD 0.9583
ZAR 2.9201
CHF 0.8733
INTEREST RATES (%)
Call : 8.40
90 Day: 8.71
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 115
Another week begins ... see you at the end of it
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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