Copyright © 1995 Brian Harmer
At last the day of the long anticipated picnic arrived, and instead of the glorious summer's day which was ordered, we shared a wet miserable day with pretty much all the rest of the country. Clouds hung low over the valley, and curtains of cold steady drenching rain from the south drifted across the landscape. Day's Bay was clearly not a starter, so I posted the note to soc.culture.new-zealand identifying the University staff club as the wet weather alternate venue. I hoped that those who had planned to attend but who were not net connected had the wit to recognise that this was not a day for sitting on the wet grass by the grey rain-swept sea. My faith was fully justified, and before long, we had a gathering of visitors from far and wide. Dennis from Houston Texas, Philip and Sandra from Berlin, Lin and Simon from Auckland, Peter from Christchurch, and Wellingtonians, David, Tricia, Bruce, Kerry, Liam, Don, Helen, Leslie and Bill, Brian D and me. Two young daughters of group members were also present, but after the manner of young people in that particular age group, they chose to keep to themselves. A barbecue was manoeuvred into the lift and placed under the overhang in the outdoor balcony. Food began to arrive, and barbecue smells soon filled the air. Dennis had brought some peppers and various hot sauces with him from Texas, all appropriately sealed and declared at the border, I hasten to add. Some of us found them quite powerful, while others managed to maintain at least the appearance of nonchalance. Food, and wine are always augmented best of all by good conversation, and I don't recall a moment when the buzz of conversations died down. There was a lot of laughter and pleasure in good company, and it was not until we were cleaning up at around four in the afternoon, that we realised that the clouds and rain had lifted, and we could once again see across the harbour to Eastbourne. Those present discussed when and where next year's s.c.n-z picnic ought to be, and we settled on Christchurch, at a venue to be discussed with our Southern friends on Saturday, 8 February, 2003, so start planning your trip to the garden city now.
Of course the day was not yet over. "What about dinner?"
cried David, and this was something of a worry as he had
just finished lunch. Nevertheless, the motion was carried
with acclamation, and thirteen of us ended up at Nicolini's
a pleasant Italian restaurant on Courtenay place later in
the evening. Some had dropped out, and Sue who some of us
met at the picnic in Nelson two years earlier, added to our
numbers. Once again the meal was memorable for the stories
and laughter (and there were some real shrieks from the end
nearest the window). The food was very enjoyable, and there
was much talk of shoes and ships and sealing wax usenet
groups and things.
"From this day to the ending of the world,
we in it shall be remembered--
We few, we happy few, we band of posters;
For they to-day that shared their meals with me
Shall henceforth be my friend. Be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And posters on the net now abed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their keyboards cheap whiles any writes
That ate with us upon our picnic day."
(With apologies to Will Shakespeare)
All news items (except where noted otherwise) are reproduced by kind permission of copyright owner, IRN Ltd. Any text above this point, and all subsequent material in parentheses, and concluded with the initials "BH" is the personal opinion of Brian Harmer as editor of this newsletter, or occasionally "HH" will indicate an opinion from Helen.
In all cases they are honest expressions of personal opinion, and are not presented as fact.
This week's formatting is sponsored by an anonymous Southern 'baiter. Many thanks.
On with the news:
11 People Drown In 7 Days
It has been a tragic start to the year with eleven people drowned in the last seven days. Water Safety New Zealand has described the figures as disappointing. Project Manager Brendon Ward says if people are in the water they should take all the necessary precautions. He says people should check their gear, the weather conditions and if in doubt stay out of the water. The drowning toll so far this year is the worst for the first seven days of any year since records began. The toll is double the previous five year average. The warning comes hard on the heels of a record low annual drowning toll of 110 announced by Water Safety New Zealand last week.
The body of a missing Christchurch tramper has been found in the Rees River at the head of Lake Wakatipu. 28 year old Robin Alan Buxton was swept away while crossing a tributary of the river during a torrential storm in the area last Thursday. Police Senior Sergeant John Fooks says he was found in a gorge section of the river, three and a half kilometres down river. He says the river had receded since last week's heavy rain, making it a lot easier to search the area. The body has been taken out of the area by helicopter and transferred to Invercargill for a post mortem examination.
The Heart Foundation says moves to widen access to cholesterol-lowering drugs will put a dent in New Zealand's high heart disease statistics. Drug agency Pharmac wants doctors to be able to prescribe drugs known as statins. That means the number of people with access to the drugs could almost double to 300,000. The Heart Foundation's Medical Director, Diana North, applauds the move. She says the Foundation knows statins are cost-effective, but says what is important is that doctors have good clinical guidelines so that they can make sound clinical decisions when choosing to prescribe the drugs. Dr North says the benefits far outweigh any risks, particularly in people who already have heart disease or diabetes. She says some people experience side effects, as with most medications - including muscle aches and pains - and she says doctors will also monitor people's liver function while they are on statins.
Three fresh homicide investigations have added to the unusual wave of killings currently plaguing the nation. Sixteen homicide investigations were started in December, with several more this month. Today saw court appearances in two of the latest cases. Forty-nine year old Joe Bill Barryluck was back in the Nelson Court today charged with killing his boarder, Gary George Chambers on Christmas Eve. He was remanded until the 21st to complete a psychiatric assessment. Also undergoing psychiatric examination is a 52-year-old man accused of murdering New Plymouth woman Wendy June Heaysman last Friday. Detective Senior Sergeant Grant Coward says police have completed a scene examination of the house where Ms Heaysman's body was found, after apparently having been killed by a shotgun. He says they are very happy with the help they have been getting from the public. Meanwhile Auckland police are investigating the death of 27-year-old Glen Innes woman Denise Holmes last Friday. Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner wants the public to come forward with information, but says the inquiry team has some new material to work on. He says they will focus on people they now know had contact with Ms Holmes, and will continue canvassing the area.
A Rotorua policeman has been left shaken with a bump to the head after a dramatic high speed car chase. Police became caught up in the chase in the early hours of yesterday after spotting a stolen van with no lights on speeding away from the city. During the lengthy standoff the van rammed the police patrol car numerous times, drove on the wrong side of the road, and finally crashed into a fence. Senior Sergeant Mike Dingwall says it was extremely luck no-one was seriously injured. The Toyota Ace van had allegedly just been used in a ram raid on a local souvenir shop. Six- thousand-dollars was recovered from the vehicle.
The stand-off continues between prison officers and their employer over a staff shortage. An officer at Auckland Prison was suspended for refusing to let inmates out of their cells, citing safety concerns. The Corrections Association argues it is dangerous to unlock prisoners when staff numbers are reduced by sickness. Spokesman Brian Davies says management told the union this morning that the suspended officer would not be allowed back until he agrees to obey instructions. He says that is not acceptable because workplace safety is involved. Mr Davis says an OSH inspector is travelling to Auckland Prison to meet the parties to try to resolve the issue. He says despite the deadlock officers are continuing to work. He says other staff have been given the same instructions as the suspended officer. They have refused to obey but have not been suspended.
Opposition to the state-owned Kiwibank is apparently growing among those who will be running the outlets. Dissatisfied New Zealand Post franchise holders are running an e-mail campaign against the finance package put to them to cover setup costs for Kiwibank outlets. ACT's finance spokesman Rodney Hide says many are feeling pressured into a venture which, he says, will lose them money in the first five years. He says this leaves many with a feeling they will be subsidising the bank. Mr Hide says telephone polls show two-thirds of the 173 franchisees are unhappy with the arrangement, and legal options are being discussed.
Police are confident they will have enough staff to combat any threats at this week's New Zealand Golf Open at Paraparaumu. Security has been increased after police confirmed a threatening letter sent to the US Embassy in Wellington, contained a small quantity of the poison, cyanide. The letter, posted from within New Zealand, mentioned world golf number one Tiger Woods, the United States, and Israel. Assistant Commissioner, Jon White, has confirmed extra police, some of them armed, will now be on patrol at the tournament. He says police are confident they can handle threats aimed at players and spectators. He says the letter may be a hoax, but people planning to go to the golf need to be extra vigilant. Mr White will not confirm how many police will be at the golf.
(And sure enough, there were police everywhere through Wellington railway station, and a friend tells me there were even police camped out at the side of the tracks near tunnels on the main trunk line between Wellington and Paraparaumu. - BH)
The heightened security for Tiger Woods and the New Zealand Golf Open has had its first test. Police were alerted after security staff patrolling the railway line to Paraparaumu heard shots and saw a man in bush at 8. 30 am. The Auckland police helicopter Eagle, which has been sent to Wellington for the golf tournament, was called in along with a number of officers. They quickly found the man and discovered he was working on pest destruction on private farmland. Police say their response shows the level of alertness surrounding Operation Links. Tiger Woods and his entourage arrived in Wellington this morning.
Eight hundred grams of high-grade heroin has been seized during a combined police and Customs operation in Napier. Police describe it as a significant amount in New Zealand terms. Nineteen police and Customs staff took part in the raid on a Napier address this morning. Area controller Inspector Kevin Kalff says the move comes after two parcels containing drugs were intercepted by Customs at the Auckland Mail Centre during in recent weeks. The parcels had been posted from Cambodia. Three people were arrested at the Napier address and they will appear in court this afternoon.
Auckland Prison officers have assured their superiors they will obey instructions but will not unlock inmates if they are short staffed. An officer was suspended after he refused to unlock inmates citing safety concerns. Corrections Association spokesman Brian Davies says the officer was reinstated after a meeting with prison management last night. He says while prison officers will follow the rules they will not unlock prisoners if there is not enough staff on duty to provide support. Mr Davies says the issue is a health and safety matter and prison officers will not risk their safety.
(This has been a distinctly odd episode. If the facts are as reported, a number of prison staff reported in sick leaving the prison under-manned. Management declined to call in replacement staff, and wanted the officers to operate the prison anyway. The Prison staff declined to unlock the inmates in the context of what they saw as a dangerous lack of staffing. The management then attempted to sack the prisoners for refusing to obey orders. You work it out, because I can't see who has what to gain here. - BH)
New Zealanders have well and truly embraced the EFTPOS concept, with 2. 5 million electronic transactions taking place in the 24 hours of Christmas Eve. $131 million was transferred that day, at a rate of 70 transactions per second. $2. 5 billion was transferred through December using EFTPOS, 13% higher than last year. The second big day of the holiday season was New Years' Eve which saw $78 million worth of transactions, with New Zealanders using their plastic cards 1. 6 million times.
A 14-year-old Wellington boy, on holiday in Taupo, has admitted sparking a major search and rescue operation with a hoax emergency call. The Taupo Coastguard says it received a radio message last night that a boat on the lake was taking on water. The Tranz Rail rescue helicopter, 11 boats and 50 people then searched Kawakawa Bay, Whangamata Bay and Whakaipo Bay but found nothing untoward. Police called off the search after two and a half hours when they learned the call was a hoax. They will be speaking to the teenager today.
The main rail line in the South Island is back in operation this morning after being closed by a derailment on Friday. A washout at the Rangitata River bridge near Ashburton caused two diesel engines and most of their carriages containing cargo to topple into the river. Tranz Rail spokeswoman Jacky Curson says eight freight trains used the stretch of track last night. Two passenger trains also resume operations this morning. Work has been carried out to re-route the river and stabilise the stop banks.
Teachers are finding greener pastures in Hong Kong. Twenty- three teachers have applied for the scheme for native English speaking secondary school teachers. Some could earn as much as $200,000 a year. Scheme official Hera Chum says teachers would start on $64,125 with allowances of nearly $4,000 per month. She says nearly 51% of teachers attracted to the scheme since it began in 1998 are New Zealanders. Ms Chum says an official will be in Auckland in March to conduct interviews once the applicants are short listed. Applications close on February 22nd.
National claims criminals will be the winners if new sentencing legislation makes it onto the law books. The Government's Sentencing and Parole Bill calls on judges to first look at fines when considering a sentence. That is despite more than $80 million in fines being wiped in the past three years, mostly in favour of extended custodial sentences. National's Justice spokesman Wayne Mapp says the basic principle of sentencing should always be that the punishment fits the crime. He says fines should only be used at the bottom end of offending, when criminals indicate they want to turn their lives around.
(Fines should be enforced in the same way as student loans. If you have an income, some of it goes to paying off your fines. - BH)
Official Cabinet papers released today confirm the Government was aware that its proposed election coverage defamation bill was in breach of the Human Rights Act. The Government has since dropped the proposal after concerns were raised by the media. The bill would have made it an offence to publish any untrue statements about an election candidate which were calculated to influence votes. Advice to the Government released under the Official Information Act today, states that the bill would have breached section 14 of the Human Rights Act. It also indicates the bill may have unduly affected political debate.
(I am convinced that mid term intransigence is a distinct political phenomenon. It is far away from the next election that you feel bullet-proof. - BH)
A 21-year-old man appeared in the Auckland District Court this morning on a charge of murder. The man, whose name is suppressed, is accused of murdering Glen Innes woman Denise Holmes, on New Year's Day. She was found dead from suffocation, in her home. The accused has been remanded to appear again on January 30.
There are huge crowds at the Paraparaumu Beach Golf Course for the start of pro-am day at the Open. The main attraction is of course, world number one Tiger Woods. Ten thousand turned out yesterday to see him play just nine practice holes. Tournament spokesman Ian Hepenstall says people began arriving at first light today and thousands were waiting for the first players to tee off at 7. 30 am. He says most are following Tiger Woods and his group and he estimates there are already more people at the course than yesterday. Woods birdied his first two holes. Yesterday, Woods commented on the good manners of the crowd.
(I am convinced that New Zealand is celebrity mad. It is in love with fame. If the person is famous, no matter for what, we will turn out to see him or her. - BH)
World golf number one Tiger Woods was the target of protest action when he appeared at a charity golf event in Wellington last night. Around 30 protestors opposed to the treatment of workers in third world countries by companies such as Nike, were on hand to greet the golfing star as he attended the function at the Queen's Wharf Events Centre. Protest spokesman Rob McEwan claims Tiger Woods gets paid $130,000 a day to wear a Nike cap but the people who make that cap only get paid $2 a day. He alleges Nike searches the world to set up factories in countries where wages are low and human rights are virtually non-existent. Rob McEwan says a study released by the US National Labour Committee shows workers at a Nike factory in Bangladesh are required to work an average of 78 hours a week. He wants Woods to review his support of Nike Corporation, for human rights reason.
The Greens claim police are getting carried away with the war on terrorism. Green Party police spokesman Keith Locke is criticising the case of a Petone man who was visited by police after writing a letter to a newspaper criticising the Government's defence policy. Fijian-born Tahir Ali was questioned after calling for the SAS and Air Force to be disbanded. Mr Locke claims Mr Ali's rights to free speech and freedom from racial discrimination, may have been breached. He wants an explanation from the Minster of Police, saying it is a breach of the Bill of Rights to investigate someone because of their political views. Mr Locke says police should catch criminals, not intimidate political dissenters.
(It's an odd day when I find myself in agreement with Mr Locke. Unless there was a more substantial reason to investigate Mr Ali than the fact that he expressed opinions in the letters to the editor column, this is a most unsettling development - BH)
The Greens are accusing the Government of trading lives for business, in its support for the US campaign against terror. Cabinet papers released under the Official Information Act show the decision to commit SAS troops was influenced by American officials. Material support for the US campaign is thought to have improved our chances of a bilateral free trade agreement. Greens Defence spokesman Keith Locke says the Government should have more morals when formulating policy. He says if the Government commits troops - risking the lives of New Zealanders - it should be for what New Zealanders believe in, and not because of some incentive of a free trade agreement or threats from America that this country's relations with them would be affected. Mr Locke is also are worried the Government has committed New Zealand troops to a war that could extend beyond Afghanistan. He says the White House is now intent on war with Iraq, which he believes would be self defeating and morally wrong. He says for the west to go round the world trying to overthrow militarily every undemocratic government would lead to an unending series of wars, and be against the principles of the United Nations, which are specifically against aggression against another country. Mr Locke favours a sophisticated mix of economic and political sanctions in order to unseat undemocratic regimes. He says New Zealand should restrict itself to a peace-keeping role in any global hotspots.
(There seems to be a lot of slamming today - BH)
The Chairman of Hanmer's Queen Mary Hospital is frustrated at having to close down the health facility's youth programme. The hospital is blaming a lack of funding from central Government for its decision to shut the hospital's alcohol and drug addiction treatment unit for youth with the loss of 22 jobs. Chairman John Beattie says he is saddened at having to shut the unit which was something he personally initiated. He says closing the unit at a time when he thought the health sector was looking at funding these types of treatment programmes for youth is extremely disappointing.
National is blaming the Government for the closure of two South Island drug and alcohol programmes. Hanmer's Queen Mary Hospital will close its youth drug and alcohol rehabilitation unit with the loss of 22 jobs, while the Canterbury Area Health Board will shut down its Hillmorton detoxification unit in Christchurch. National's Health spokesman Roger Sowry says in the short term, the country will lose some very experienced health professionals, who are likely to go overseas. He says the move will bring the health sector right back to square one, when it comes to building up a skills base. Mr Sowry claims the closures will mean people will not be treated, which could lead to tragedy in the community.
(Aagh! First I agree with Locke, and now Sowry! This is weird. Seriously, I think the minister of health is making a massive error of judgment here. She is reported as saying NZ has too many institutional beds. I have seen no evidence to support that assertion, but even if it were true, these are not the beds to be closing! - BH)
A Christchurch law firm says it has evidence ACC does not advise sexual abuse victims of their financial entitlements. Wakefield Associates has dropped a flyer in mailboxes around the country offering to help victims gain lump sum payouts. The firm's fee is 25 per cent of the payout plus GST, plus the first full quarterly payment. Lawyer Garry Wakefield says his company specialises in ACC compensation, and says ACC does not proactively inform sexual abuse victims of their rights. ACC says since the mail drop it has received two thousand calls, but says using a lawyer will not influence a person's eligibility for accident cover.
(ACC say that the firm is misleading the public, and that victims are properly informed. - BH)
The work of famous British sculptor Henry Moore is to be shown in New Zealand for the first time. Next month Te Papa in Wellington will show 15 of his large scale bronze works, and one giant piece which will be displayed outside the building's entrance. The Museum's curator Ian Wedde, says it is a major coup for New Zealand to get the exhibition, as Moore was one of the 20th Century's most influential artists. He says the exhibition will be a once-in-a- lifetime experience for even those who are unfamiliar with his work. Mr Wedde says the work is very accessible and has the ability to "knock your socks off".
It looks like petrol prices are on the way down again. Shell has just announced a three cent drop in the price of both 91 and 96 grades of petrol. That brings 91 to 93. 9 cents a litre and 96 to 98. 9 cents a litre in most major centres. Diesel remains the same price.
The New Zealand Private Hospitals Association says a new claims processing system at Southern Cross Healthcare is forcing hospitals into debt. In December, Southern Cross published an open letter advising that problems with a new computer system were causing processing delays of four to six weeks. NZPHA Executive Director Lesley Clarke says the insurance company promised the matter would be resolved by the end of January. She says the processing time for surgical claims has now increased to seven weeks - and there is no solution in sight. Ms Clarke says the backlog means patients may have to pay immediately and sort out claims with their insurance companies at a later date.
Foreign Minister Phil Goff says New Zealand would be prepared to offer more assistance in the fight against bush fires in New South Wales if the situation worsens. Mr Goff is in Sydney today to assess the damage of the fires and meet with the Australian Environment Minister over the responses to the emergency. And he says it is clear from what he has seen so far that the situation is still extreme. He says New Zealand's contributions of fire fighters and organisational help has been well received and more help could be forthcoming if the situation deteriorates. The threat from fires has eased slightly over the last twenty four hours due to cooler weather, although the possibility of flare ups remains strong. Fires are still burning in various parts of the state but the threat has eased following cooler and wetter weather. New South Wales fire authorities say at the moment they no longer need a second contingent of New Zealand firefighters to help battle bushfires in the state. New Zealand team leader John Rasmussen says he is handing over today to his replacement team leader Mike Davies. He says if the situation heats up again Mr Davies will arrange to fly over more New Zealand firefighters. Mr Rasmussen says he and the ten New Zealand firefighters return home tomorrow.
The Canterbury Law Society says lawyers can present entitlements related to ACC sexual abuse claims better than the ACC can itself. President Bob Perry's comments follow the National mail drop on sexual abuse claims by Christchurch firm Wakefield Associates. He says there is an advantage in going to a lawyer as the ACC does not always give the full information to applicants. Bob Perry says to his knowledge a law firm has never made a national mail drop of this kind before. However, the ACC says the leaflet is only serving to confuse victims of sexual abuse who may be eligible for compensation. Sensitive Claims Unit Manager Gail Kettle says from a person's first contact with the corporation they are coached through their entitlements both with pamphlets and on a one to one basis. She says over two thousand distressed people called the ACC after receiving the law firm's leaflet. Ms Kettle says Wakefield's information is confusing the issues of lump sum payments that can be claimed from the past and the new lump sums which come into effect on 1 April.
It has been revealed that yachting great Sir Peter Blake had pledged his support to The Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society just days before his death. Forest and Bird's conservation manager Eric Pyle says the yachtsman- turned-environmentalist wanted to use his profile to build awareness of the plight of the albatross, and to help create marine reserves. Eric Pyle says albatross numbers have declined around 90 per cent in the last 60 years, mostly due to long line fishing nets. Forty percent of albatross species are native to New Zealand. Eric Pyle says the Government has indicated a desire to support the creation of more marine reserves.
ACT claims the Government has created an underclass of long term unemployed people by scrapping the work for the dole scheme. New figures out today show nearly half of the 12,000 long term unemployed people placed in stable jobs in the last financial year are back on the dole. ACT's Social Services spokeswoman Dr Muriel Newman, says the figures confirm that the Government is soft on welfare and is allowing people to be snared in a dependency trap. She says long term unemployment is a key issue for the country's future. She says studies show that children with parents who are long-term unemployed do not do as well as those with working parents.
The two Tranz Rail locomotives and freight train that toppled into the South Island's Rangitata River last Friday have been recovered. The line was closed last Friday and reopened on Tuesday night. Tranz Rail had to build a temporary rail track to tow the locomotives out. Spokeswoman Jacky Curson says the recovery process went well and was completed much earlier than planned. Jacky Curson says there is still a little way to go before earthworks and construction of protective backstops are completed.
New Zealand agricultural workers who fancy a spell away from the southern hemisphere winter are being encouraged to take a look at a new Internet site which could get them work in the UK. British Farmers face their busiest time during our winter, from May to November, with the peak time being July to October. The Internet site, www. 4xtrahands. com aims to match up seasonal jobs with prospective applicants from all over the world once it is fully up-and- running. The site says farmers will be looking for anyone with farm skills, from simple livestock duties and manual work through to operating complex modern machinery. It says overtime is often available during busy periods, such as harvest, silaging, drilling and lambing. British farmers pay around $300 to place an ad on the site, which applicants can then browse for free. Job seekers can also send their resume to the site, which is then posted out to employers who register. The site warns, however, that job seekers will still have to make sure they have all the right visas to enable them to work in Britain.
The New Zealand Automobile Association is continuing to voice its objection to larger trucks being allowed on the roads. The Government will consider changes to the Land Transport Act increasing the maximum weight of trucks from 44 to 62 tonnes and the maximum length from 20 to 25 metres. AA spokesperson George Fairbairn says many of the AA's 900 thousand membership have voiced strong opposition to the change. He says large trucks already have to sweep wide on bends and the roads simply can not take the larger sizes. George Fairbairn says the infrastructure has to be able to handle the larger vehicles before weights and lengths of trucks are increased.
TVNZ says the thoughts of the company and its staff are with Angela D'Audney following her readmission to hospital. The popular television and radio personality was diagnosed with a brain tumour last year and has undergone medical treatment. She is back in hospital so arrangements can be made for round-the clock care for her at home. A close friend says Angela is as well as can be expected and no imminent crisis in her health is expected. TVNZ spokesman Glen Sowry says her work colleagues are all thinking of her. He says a lot of her friends and colleagues are spending time with her to make her time more comfortable.
Almost 200 objections have been received by the Representation Commission on proposed boundary changes announced last November. That is not many fewer than for the last review of electoral boundaries in 1998. Chairman Judge Bernard Kendall says most relate to proposed boundary changes in the Auckland, Waikato, Taranaki, King Country and Christchurch areas and to two Maori electorates. The main theme is that communities of interest should be kept together and council boundaries should be the basis for electorates. Mr Kendall says boundary changes were made to ensure each electorate has about the same number of people. Counter-objections close on January the 24th.
The TAB is being inundated with people putting money on the New Zealand Golf Open. TAB spokesman Joe Locke says just a few hours into the tournament, around $100,000 was placed. In past tournaments, that amount is usually spent over the entire four days. Mr Locke is expecting the TAB to make a record amount, thanks to Tiger Woods. He says around 50 per cent of the money bet so far has gone on the world number one.
(He placed eighth, and if I heard the news was correct, had left Wellington on his chartered jet within an hour of competing his round. Despite everything, he was very popular indeed with the crowds - BH)
Building subcontractors appear unlikely to have the use of financial bonds as a means of protection against not being paid. Parliament's finance committee has rejected the idea as proposed in the Government's Construction Contracts Bill. The bill was introduced after concerns were raised about the number of subcontractors going bust following the collapse of large projects. Many in the industry now want it to be compulsory for a developer to lodge a bond before hiring sub-contractors to show they can pay for the work they want done. However the committee says while the idea has merits, it would be too costly to implement a mandatory bond system.
The New Zealand Surf Lifesaving organisation will drop its long-standing slogan after the drowning of a young girl at Piha Beach in West Auckland on Christmas Day. The slogan, "nobody drowns swimming between the flags", will be changed, after 11-year-old Sally Frenswa drowned when she was swept out to sea by a rip while swimming in the flagged area. Surf Lifesaving New Zealand regional president Tim Jago says the slogan would have been changed sooner or later, as eventually someone would have drowned between the flags. He says there is some dispute over whether Sally Frenswa was between the flags, but the slogan will be dropped in consideration of the feelings of her family. The Frenswas insist Sally was swimming between the flags, but lifeguards say the rescue began outside the area. Mr Jago says the rips and holes were moving south and it seems strange that a person could drift north against the rip.
The Catholic Church is taking custody of the remains of the man it believes ensured religious freedom in New Zealand. Bishop Pompallier established a Catholic headquarters in New Zealand in 1839. His remains were buried in Paris when he died in 1871. A New Zealand contingent is in Paris and will attend a mass today, before taking custody of the remains. The remains will be returned to Russell in the Bay of Islands where the Bishop started a French Catholic Mission in 1839. Catholic Church spokeswoman Lindsay Freer says Bishop Pompallier spent much of his time working with Maori to ensure their freedom. She says he also insisted upon Article Four in the Treaty of Waitangi, guaranteeing the right to spiritual freedom. Bishop Pompallier's remains will arrive in Auckland on Sunday afternoon, before being taken to Whai ora Marae in Otara for several days. On January 24th the Bishop will be taken to Dunedin to begin a Hikoi, or journey around New Zealand.
Southern Cross Healthcare is renewing its promise to clear a backlog of claims after complaints from the Private Hospitals Association. A new computer system at the private health provider, has created a pile of claims worth around $25-million. The Private Hospitals Association claims the backlog is forcing hospitals into debt, which may push them to demand payment from patients up front. But Southern Cross has moved to appease the Association saying it is on track to clear the multi-million dollar pile. Spokesman Michael Ashby says extra staff are processing double the normal number of claims.
KiwiBank has run into further problems only weeks out from its expected opening in March. Thirty six of New Zealand Post's 170 Books and More franchise stores have decided against taking on banking services. They say the 53 cents being offered by New Zealand Post for each banking transaction is too low and the financial model is not robust enough. ACT's Rodney Hide says it shows the project is in serious trouble. He says the support of the Books and More chain is key to New Zealand Post's pledge of providing 300 KiwiBank outlets nation wide.
New Zealand rock group Shihad hopes to have its new name sorted out in a few weeks. The band is changing its name after more than a decade because it sounds too much like 'Jihad', the Islamic expression often used to mean 'Holy War'. Many people in America now associate that word with the September 11th attacks. Grant Hislop of Warner Music says Shihad is worried it might hamper its efforts to break into the US market. He says the band is working through a shortlist of new names and hopes to have made its pick in time for the Big Day Out tour.
A grazing ban on Marlborough pasture damaged by fires more than a year ago has been lifted ahead of schedule. Ironically a wet spring means the rejuvenating grass could once again become a fire risk. Fire ripped through the Wither Hills on the outskirts of Blenheim in December 2000. Farmland was reseeded with the help of a grant from the Government, but in return the land was not supposed to be grazed for a year after sowing. The move was aimed at preventing erosion. Agriculture Minister Jim Sutton has given permission for some land to be grazed three months ahead of expectations.
Unions are warning a strike due to be announced next week for Christchurch's mental health services will be more severe than previous action. The Canterbury District Health Board is planning to close Hillmorton Hospital in advance of the strike notice. Hillmorton has already been affected by an overtime ban, which the board says has created a crisis situation. Combined unions spokeswoman Chris Wilson has confirmed notice of strike action will be made next Tuesday. She says it will be an escalation of previous action, which has included one 48-hour stoppage.
The attack on a crop of genetically-modified potato plants in Canterbury has angered Environment Minister Marian Hobbs. More than 1300 plants were uprooted at the Crop and Food Research Complex at Lincoln early yesterday morning. The research was aimed at producing at producing a better potato without genetic modification. Marian Hobbs says she is really annoyed by the vandalism. She says to destroy the contained research is like a person against nuclear weapons attacking a Hydro Electric power plant. Meanwhile the Christchurch scientist whose work has been destroyed says the saboteurs' attack has delayed her research by years. Doctor Margy Gilpin says she has a young family and only works half time and the attacks are a major setback. The ACT party says security should be increased in all scientific research facilities across the country. ACT Environment spokesman Gerry Eckhoff says crown research facilities and universities doing such research should undergo security upgrades.
(Well it might anger the minister. This is someone's work destroyed. I would like to see the saboteurs brought to justice, but like saboteurs everywhere they skulk around in the darkness. - BH)
The Green Party is not surprised that a crop of genetically-modified potatoes was attacked near Christchurch. Saboteurs uprooted more than 1300 potato plants after breaking into the Crop and Food Research Complex at Lincoln yesterday morning. Green MP Nandor Tanczos says the break-in was expected as protestors had warned they would do what ever it took to stop GE. He says he does not know who is responsible for the act. Police are investigating the incident. Meanwhile security at the research complex is being tightened. Crop and Food Research Chief Executive Paul Tocker says despite the damage, the research work will go on. He says crop trials are crucial to discovering the benefits of genetic modification.
Local climate scientists agree with their American counterparts, who are predicting the return of El Nino. US Government forecasters expect the weather pattern that can unleash floods and droughts to return this autumn. The prediction is based on readings of warmer weather in the Pacific Ocean. Jim Salinger of NIWA says the US forecast matches the conclusions reached by South Pacific scientists earlier in the week. He says their assessment is that there are various signs in the tropical Pacific that point to the return of El Nino. The last El Nino episode was in 1997-98 and was considered extremely severe. It was blamed for searing droughts in New Zealand and Australia, and floods in South America.
The alleged murderer of the director of Fiji's Red Cross and his partner has escaped from police custody. Apete Kaisau is charged with the brutal slayings of John Scott and his New Zealand partner Gregory Scrivener in their Suva home last year. Kaisau escaped while being transported to the Suva Magistrates Court for his court appearance this morning. About 50 police officers are searching an area near Suva Prison. A report on Kaisau's mental condition was to be disclosed in court today.
The clean-up continues this morning after a storm lashed the North Island from Hawke's Bay to Wellington. Heavy rain hit just before 8 o'clock last night, causing flooding in Hastings, Napier and Wellington. The Fire Service in Napier says it received more than 50 flood-related calls. Senior Fire Station Officer Rolly Jones says even the fire station was not spared by the heavy rain, with three rooms flooded. Surface flooding closed some roads. Mr Jones says he has not seen rain that bad in the 24 years he has lived in Napier. In central Wellington, a house on The Terrace was evacuated because of a slip.
Police have written to the Wellington man interviewed by detectives after he wrote a letter to a newspaper critical of New Zealand's defence policy. Fijian-born Tahir Ali has been told the interview will not be used in any record that police may give to a future employer. Assistant Commissioner Jon White says the police inquiry was linked to the potential threat against people at the New Zealand Golf Open. That is a reference to a threatening letter sent to the US embassy, that mentioned Tiger Woods. Assistant Commissioner White says there is no suggestion Mr Ali was responsible for any threat to the Open. He says hundreds of people are spoken to by police every day.
Date: 10 January 2002 Brian Dooley
Wellington New Zealand
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