Copyright © 1995 Brian Harmer
Can this be summer at last? More importantly, can it last? A wonderful blue sky with the odd fluffy cumulus in the distance provides a marvellous backdrop to the scenery which has seemed just a little flat in the grey overcast, and let it be said, occasional driving rain, of recent weeks. This morning there are white sails moving in clusters across the clear blue water of the harbour, tacking in unison, or at least in quick succession as the marker buoy is reached. The odd fizz-boat creams across the surface leaving a momentary white trail as evidence of where it has been. A light breeze stops the temperature from getting uncomfortable, and this is just the kind of weather we had planned for our picnic. Picking up the theme towards the end of the day, the wind has died right away, and the still hot sun is streaming through my window. Clouds have disappeared and it looks as if tomorrow is going to be a perfect day. I must think of some way to make good use of it.
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 part of a very generous subscription from http://www.moneyonline.co.nz. Many thanks to that supporter and looking back through my emails I note that we didn't connect when you came to NZ in July, so I hope you will make contact when next you pass through Wellington.
On with the news:
The Board of Directors of dairy giant Fonterra faces a crisis of confidence with another member considering his position. Mark Townshend says he also shares concerns about the company's direction, following the resignation of fellow director Mike Smith who aired concerns over Fonterra's management. Mr Smith claims the company is destined for mediocrity. He is considered one of Fonterra's most experienced board member and holds eight directorships. Mr Townshend says if there are no significant changes, he will have to consider his ongoing involvement with the company. He says there is a current review of governance which he hopes will help iron out some of the problems.
(One of the consequences of a private company reaching a certain size is that its success or failure impinges on a whole lot of others. Yet under our system, it still remains a private organization which need not respond to the tut- tutting of politicians and media commentators. Of course it would be unwise to ignore them entirely, especially if you plan to ask them for favours anytime soon. - BH)
The union for rail workers plans to lobby the Government in a bid to take the control of the country's railway tracks away from Tranz Rail. In the latest safety concern for the Rail and Maritime Transport Union, a freight train came off the tracks early on Saturday morning after lines were washed out near Cheviot. The union says it does not believe safety will improve as Tranz Rail carries out its plans to sell off sections of its operations and close lines and services. Spokesman Buzz Terrey claims the Government has not been tough enough on Tranz Rail. He wants the Government to consider the British Government's move of taking control of the country's rail lines.
New Zealand's peacekeeping commitment to Afghanistan will be high on the agenda at the first cabinet meeting of the year today. Late last year, the Government indicated it would be prepared to offer a small peacekeeping force of around a dozen troops. Prime Minister Helen Clark says the issue will be reviewed in detail today. She says members of cabinet are very interested in the idea of helping the Afghans as much as possible. New Zealand has also pledged $1 million in aid to the war-torn country. Miss Clark has outlined to her ministers what she expects of them this year. However the Government may first have to deal with lingering issues, such as infighting among the military. New legislation could also be limited this year, although a major economic announcement is expected from Miss Clark when Parliament resumes on February 12. The National Party also says it will get into full swing today.
The depositions hearing that will determine whether Waitara Constable At will stand trial for murder continues in the New Plymouth District Court today. Constable A shot and killed Steven Wallace in the Taranaki town in the early hours of April 30, 2000. Mr Wallace's family is bringing a private prosecution for murder. Prosecutor John Rowan QC began outlining the case against Constable A yesterday, describing his actions as showing a reckless disregard for police protocol by opting to fire at Mr Wallace. Mr Rowan told the court that the police officer failed to consider other options open to him, including a long baton or pepper spray, when he shot Mr Wallace four times. Mr Wallace had been on window-smashing spree and was moving towards Constable A and a colleague armed with a softball bat when he was shot. He was threatening to kill the officers. The case is the country's first private murder prosecution taken against a police officer. The depositions hearing is expected to last three weeks.
The person trapped on an Auckland building site after a wall collapsed has been taken to hospital. One person died in the accident which happened in Parliament Street in the central city this afternoon. Police say the survivor has a broken leg. Police say engineers are ensuring the site is safe before assessing the situation. The road has been closed off, but that is not expected to have a major effect on traffic.
(A massive slab of concrete wall appears to have just rolled over and flattened whoever was in range. - BH)
Part of Canterbury's health dispute may be settled, but there are promises the fight will continue. Twelve hundred health workers - many of them working in the area of mental health - have accepted their latest pay offer, which means Christchurch's Hillmorton Hospital will no longer have to close. The settlement comes just after the Canterbury District Health Board started transferring 230 patients out of Hillmorton, in preparation for its closure. In general, the staff wanted a 13 per cent pay rise. . . . they have settled on a four-and-a-half per cent pay rise, an increase in weekend rates and additional leave. Nurses Organisation spokeswoman Chris Wilson says the dispute highlighted a number of issues. She says in some areas the staffing levels are not right, with problems in recruitment and retention needing to be addressed but staff feel a number of priorities have been met. Chris Wilson says there are still some issues the settlement does not meet, but it is a settlement which can be built on in the future. She says the settled contract runs until June next year. Meanwhile, two-thousand Canterbury nurses will decide on Wednesday whether to accept their latest pay offer.
New Zealand-born actor Russell Crowe has taken out the Best Actor Golden Globe Award for his role as a schizophrenic mathematician in the Ron Howard-directed movie "A Beautiful Mind". The critically acclaimed film was nominated for a total of six awards, including best drama, for which it was up against a movie with another strong New Zealand connection, "The Fellowship of the Ring". "A Beautiful Mind" took that award, along with best supporting actress and best screenplay, giving it a total of four awards. It has been a good night, too, for Australian actress Nicole Kidman who won the award for best actress in a comedy or musical for her work in "Moulin Rouge", which also took the best movie award in the musical or comedy section. The awards, which are chosen by members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, are often seen as a clue to where the Oscars will go when they are given out in March
The pay dispute that threatened to shut down Christchurch's Hillmorton Hospital has been settled. The Unions representing 1200 staff told the Canterbury District Health Board late this afternoon their latest pay offer has been accepted. The offer was made on Friday after two days of mediation, and includes a four-and-a-half percent pay rise over two years, an increase in weekend rates and additional leave. Nurses Organisation spokeswoman Chris Wilson says staff voted by a very clear majority to accept the offer. She says they now hope all services will be returned to Hillmorton Hospital, which was in the process of being closed down due to the dispute. Chris Wilson says they now have to focus on rebuilding the staff's relationship with the Board. Earlier, Prime Minister Helen Clark admitted that the industrial problems in Canterbury were unusual, standing out among all the District Health Boards in the country, and pointed to long-lasting problems between management and staff.
Health insurer Southern Cross is reassuring customers, as competitors move to take advantage of a multimillion dollar claims hitch. Southern Cross is struggling to process around $20 million worth of medical claims, blaming the backlog on a computer glitch. One of its competitors, Sovereign Healthcare, is now wooing dissatisfied consumers in a nationwide campaign. Southern Cross Chief Executive Roger Bowie says his company offers customers more than 40 years experience. He says Southern Cross exists to maximise the amount of money that people get from their insurance premium. Mr Bowie says his company pays out more than anyone else - but is simply not paying out fast enough at the moment.
A robbery in Tokoroa this morning is believed to be the fifth armed hold-up by the same man, in less than two weeks. The Tokoroa Credit Union was robbed just before 10 o'clock; police will not say how much money has been taken. They believe it is the same man who has hit the Hamilton Credit Union, a Te Awamutu pharmacy, a Cambridge property store and the Putaruru Westpac Trust bank. In all five instances the man has worn sunglasses and a baseball cap and has used a black pistol. He is described as a solid to fat Maori in his twenties or thirties.
Victim Support is questioning the Courts Department's commitment to the retrieval of victim reparation payments. New figures from the Department show 30,000 victims of crime are still owed $40 million in reparations. Victim Support boss Steve Caldwell says it is unacceptable that so many victims have to wait for their payments. Mr Caldwell suspects the Department is more motivated to collect fines. He says the Government should set up a fund to make sure victims of crime get the reparation they are owed.
An under-cover worker for Internal Affairs has contributed to the arrest of a Canadian man, and the seizure of about 200 thousand images of child pornography. Censorship Monitoring Unit Manager, Steve O'Brien says the unit regularly monitors Internet chat room discussions. He says his workers take part in the chat rooms under-cover, to identify makers, users and traders in child pornography. Mr O'Brien says while the focus is on New Zealanders, the unit shares information with overseas agencies. He says a Toronto man using a chat room indicated he intended coming to New Zealand seeking a sexual experience with children. Quick action by Toronto police following the tip from New Zealand authorities, led to the man's arrest.
One of New Zealand's top soldiers has died. Lieutenant- General Tony Birks died yesterday at his home near Whakatane at the age of 60. Defence Minister Mark Burton says Lieutenant-General Birks served his country with distinction for almost 40 years, including four years as Chief of the Defence Force. He retired from the top job in 1999. The Government has passed on its condolences to his family.
(As I understand it, General Birks was buried with full military honours from the marae that he helped to establish at Waiouru - BH)
Prime Minister Helen Clark says there will be plenty for the media and public to get their teeth into, when Parliament resumes on the 12th February. Cabinet held its first meeting of the year today. Helen Clark says the Government will be looking at implementing its Innovation Strategy Framework for the economy, along with a whole raft of legislation. She says the commitment is to take everything that New Zealand does up-market. She says having a commodity-dependent economy does not provide top living standards for Kiwis. Helen Clark says we need an economy far more driven by what comes out of the scientific laboratory.
One person is dead, after the crash of a glider plane in south Canterbury, near Twizel. Emergency services are on their way to the scene. The alarm was raised just before three this afternoon.
The New Plymouth District Court has been hearing from a fourth witness to the shooting of Waitara man Steven Wallace almost two years ago. Sixty-year-old Tom Kettle, who owns a video shop on the main street of the town, told the depositions hearing he got out of bed at about 3. 30 that morning because he was not feeling well. Mr Kettle says he could hear the sounds of smashing glass and erratic driving and went out in his car to see what was happening. He says he heard something about a gun, and then heard three quick shots. The Wallace family is bringing a private murder prosecution against the police officer who killed Mr Wallace, following a window-smashing spree in Waitara.
The Department of Conservation is being urged to ban pet ferrets, after five of the animals were taken to Great Barrier Island recently. Ferrets are domesticated relatives of the European pine-marten, a major predator in the Northern hemisphere. Great Barrier island is ferret-free, making it a relatively safe haven for some of New Zealand's threatened native species such as the brown teal and kaka. Forest and Bird spokeswoman, Karli Thomas says if any of the ferrets had got loose, even if they were de-sexed, they could have gone on a killing spree devastating the native population. She says ferrets can indulge in spree-killing, where they kill more prey than they can eat. Ms Thomas claims there is huge public support to ban pet ferrets.
(This is usually where the ferret owners pop out from wherever they go to plead that pet ferrets would die of left alone in the wild. Yes, and pit bulls don't hurt anyone either - BH)
Prime Minister Helen Clark wants directors on the Fonterra board to give the company a fair go before chucking in the towel. Her comments follow the resignation of Fonterra director Mike Smith, who has openly criticised some of the board's decision-making. Helen Clark says the dairy company is only four months old, and there was always going to be teething problems. She says she is personally disappointed a director has quit after four months, and says the company deserves a better go than that. Miss Clark remains confident the company will end up being very successful.
Prime Minister Helen Clark is laughing off suggestions our elite soldiers are being used to build accommodation for German commandos in Kabul. A German newspaper is reporting our SAS is preparing barracks for a German advance peacekeeping unit, which is part of the UN-led war against terrorism. Helen Clark is still refusing to give any details about our SAS, and will not say whether or not she thinks the report is correct. But she has hinted she believes it is a bit far-fetched. Miss Clark says the elite soldiers are not army engineers, and are very well regarded for their counter- terrorism and tracking skills. She says that is their "core business". Meanwhile, National is horrified by the report, saying it is no wonder Helen Clark will not release any details about the SAS.
Consumers are bearing the brunt of booming export prices for kiwi lamb which are causing a shortage on the domestic market. Prices have been creeping up for the past 12 months. Beef and Lamb Marketing Bureau Chief Executive Rod Slater says it has now got to the point where New Zealanders are paying around $25 for a joint that just a few months ago cost around ten dollars less . While he hopes prices have peaked, Mr Slater warns the situation will not ease for a while. He says indications are that New Zealand lamb off shore is looking very strong for some time to come, so he would expect the price in New Zealand to remain much the same. However Rod Slater says there is such hot competition amongst supermarkets and butchers that consumers can still find a bargain if they look hard enough.
(One or two commodities have noticeably soared in the last month or so. Lamb is one, New Zealand wine is another. - BH)
An anti-dairy merger campaigner says Fonterra directors need to realise how much is invested in the company's success. This follows the resignation of director Mike Smith, who openly dismissed some of the board's decision making. His views are supported by at least one other director, Mark Townshend, who told IRN that if substantial changes are not made in the way the board is working, he will have to question his on-going involvement with Fonterra. Mr Townshend says the way Fonterra is being managed at the moment, the company is destined for mediocrity. But Farmers for a Better Dairy Deal spokesman Mark Masters says the company's directors need to move on from the fighting. He says dairy farmers have their fortunes invested in the company's success along with a significant portion of the New Zealand economy. Mr Masters says dairy farmers are hoping the internal wrangling is just a teething problem.
Cantabrians could be facing 15 days with no general hospital services. Notice of more strike action has just been given to the Canterbury District Health Board. Unions representing two-thousand nurses are planning on holding a seven-day strike, immediately after the eight day strike of which they gave notice earlier this month. In all, that means the staff could be off the job for 15 days, starting from next Wednesday. The news of the strike comes just hours before the Unions are due to announce whether they are accepting the latest pay offer, which includes a six- percent pay rise for most staff. The Canterbury DHB says it is shocked at the strike notice. The Board is holding an emergency meeting at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning.
The Reserve Bank is fussing too soon about inflationary pressure from wages and prices, according to the HSBC Bank. Reserve Bank Governor Dr Don Brash has decided to leave the official cash rate at 4. 75 per cent. But he warns he may have to act, if price and wage-setting behaviour pushes up inflation. HSBC Bank economist Grant Fitzner says wage rates are well contained at present, but that may not influence the Reserve Bank. He says inflation is above the bank's 1.5 per cent target, but it is still only likely to average about two per cent this year. He says that should not be a major concern for Dr Brash.
Greymouth police have now completed a scene examination at the beach where an elderly woman was found dead. The body of 73-year-old Mya Sollis was discovered on a beach south of Punakaiki, last week. Police are still refusing to say how she died. Enquiries are focusing on people who were in the area on the 15th and 16th of January. The owner of a blue van with curtains in the back is still being sought. Yesterday, police stopped approximately 400 vehicles, attempting to make contact with regular users of the West Coast highway.
(A person is in custody charged with the woman's death. All details are suppressed pending his next court appearance - BH)
A young boy has drowned after getting into difficulties in an Auckland swimming pool. St John's ambulance were called to the Southern Cross Campus swimming pool in Mangere this afternoon after the four-year-old was found to have stopped breathing. Ambulance staff attempted to resuscitate him and took him to Middlemore Hospital, but were unable to revive him. 23 people have drowned in the first 23 days of this year.
A witness in the private murder prosecution being brought over the death of Stephen Wallace claims Mr Wallace approached police with his baseball bat down. Police Constable Keith Abbott faces the charge after fatally shooting Mr Wallace in Waitara almost two years ago. New Plymouth taxi driver Keith Lowe told the court that, while Wallace looked psychotic and crazed that night, he approached police with a baseball bat by his right hand side. Mr Lowe says he would not have approached Mr Wallace that night, but he does not have the training to deal with someone in that state. Another witness, 21-year-old Waitara man Todd Wilson told the court he was shocked at the change in Steven Wallace on the night he was shot. Mr Wilson says Mr Wallace seemed relaxed when he saw him in New Plymouth at 3 o'clock in the morning. He says when he returned to Waitara 40 minutes later, he and his friends saw Mr Wallace smashing an ATM with a baseball bat. They tried to talk to him, but he ran towards them with a baseball bat and golf club. They attempted to talk to Steven Wallace again when he was smashing the windows of a pharmacy, but again he ran at them. The case continues.
America's ambassador to New Zealand is confident his leader and our Prime Minister will hit it off, when they meet in March. It will be Helen Clark's first formal meeting with George W Bush, although the pair met briefly at the APEC conference in Beijing late last year. U. S ambassador Charles Swindells says President Bush is very much looking forward to Miss Clark's visit. He says he can not see any problem with the leaders being from opposite sides of the political fence. Trade and international terrorism are expected to top the agenda at the meeting.
With the hours ticking away until unions respond to the Canterbury District Health Board's latest pay offer, there has been a major development in the ongoing wrangle. Speculation abounds, but there are few hard facts as to why the Canterbury District Health Board has called an emergency meeting for tomorrow morning. The union's not making an official announcement whether or not they will be accepting the DHB's latest pay offer until tonight. The DHB is not commenting on whether the meeting's an indication the offer is likely to be refused.
An advocate for tougher prison terms is rubbishing statistics showing less crime and more jail time for criminals. The Justice Ministry report shows convictions for violent offences have dropped since 1995, while the number of people given sentences of more than seven years has doubled. But law and order campaigner Norm Withers says the report contradicts other official figures. He believes the conviction figures simply mean more people are getting away with crime, because police resources are so stretched. Mr Withers says too much police time is devoted to revenue gathering exercises.
It has been confirmed Margaret Wilson will again contest the Tauranga seat at the general election later this year. Ms Wilson, the Attorney-General and a Labour List MP was narrowly defeated at the last election. Officials in her Wellington office have confirmed her candidacy - the Labour Party nominations close on Friday. Sitting MP Winston Peters has yet to declare his hand - but he is likely to seek another term. National has already selected candidate Tim McIndoe, a former deputy principal from the Waikato.
Disappointment for students who may have been hoping for an immediate overhaul of the tertiary loans system. The Government has responded to the Select Committee report on student loans, by saying it needs more public consultation on any possible reforms. It is now planning to release a discussion document on the issue in May. Last year's Select Committee report raised concerns about the long term impact of loans on individuals, although it provided few tangible solutions. Tertiary Minister Steve Maharey says the Government is keen to lower study costs and wants to hear from the public on how that can be achieved. The public's response to the discussion document will be presented to ministers in October.
Confirmation that the Government is to spend $500 million on re-equipping the navy. Defence Minister Mark Burton has announced that the new-look fleet will include a multi-role vessel, at least two off-shore patrol vessels and four or five inshore patrol boats. He says the vessels will be used by a number of agencies including police, customs and fisheries. Mr Burton says there are currently gaps in the navy's capability, which the new equipment will help plug. The $500 million equipment upgrade is part of the Government's defence modernisation programme.
Getting the nuts and bolts right, is what the Nurses' Organisation claims is the aim of tonight's meeting with the Canterbury District Health Board. The Board this morning unanimously decided to return to mediation with unions representing two-thousand nurses. Both parties say they are doing all they can to avert the potential 15 day strike, due to start on Wednesday. The nurses have rejected the offer of a six per cent wage increase. Nurses' Organisation spokesman Anthony Rimell says tonight's meeting is to make sure both sides understand how they are going to approach the mediation. He says it is absolutely vital to sort out what the processes are. Mediation will probably start tomorrow. Meanwhile Health Minister Annette King says the feedback she is getting is that nurses have gone too far this time. Mrs King says there is sympathy for nurses getting a fair offer, and she considers the offer on the table is fair. She says, if the lines of dialogue are open, there is still a chance of reaching a settlement.
The Opposition is now urging the Prime Minister to get involved in the Canterbury nurses' dispute. National Party health spokesman Roger Sowry has been calling on Health Minister Annette King to intervene immediately, to avert a planned 15-day strike by 2,000 nurses. Mrs King says she can not legally force nurses to accept the pay offer at the centre of the dispute. Mr Sowry says Labour's industrial relations law is preventing the Canterbury District Health Board's CEO from communicating directly with staff putting the board is in an impossible position, made worse because Health Minister Annette King is sitting on her hands. He says it is now time Helen Clark stepped in and took over. National says Miss Clark needs to instruct her health minister to work with both parties to resolve the issue. Meanwhile there are differing versions of the purpose of tonight's meeting between the Canterbury District Health Board and unions representing two thousand nurses. The meeting - which began at 5 pm - is being described as the beginning of mediation by the DHB, but the Nurses Organisation says it is simply to work through the nuts and bolts of mediation. Both parties, however, say they are happy that mediation is set to begin tomorrow morning. The region's mayors have attended an emergency meeting called by the Canterbury District Health Board this morning to discuss next month's impending nurses' strike. Christchurch mayor Garry Moore says the mayors made a submission to the meeting, and a plea to the nurses. He says the region can not afford to go to the extent of potentially 22 days of strike action.
Accusations of time wasting have been made by the defence counsel in the Waitara incident depositions hearing in New Plymouth. Constable Keith Abbott is accused in a civil prosecution of murdering Steven Wallace in Waitara two years ago. Defence counsel Susan Hughes has expressed frustration at the time taken to show a police training video on pepper spray, to each police witness. Prosecutor John Rowan QC says it is relevant, and was persistent in his questioning about police training and what refresher courses the witnesses had taken. Mr Rowan exposed a glitch in the training of the officer who stood beside Constable Abbott when Wallace was shot. Detective Constable Jason Donbrovsky had failed the pistol shooting unit at police training in Porirua, but later passed it, on joining the police.
A female police officer says pepper spray would not have worked on Steven Wallace the night he was shot dead. Constable Keith Abbott is facing a depositions hearing in New Plymouth, accused in a civil prosecution of murdering Mr Wallace in Waitara two years ago. The prosecution has produced a police training video on pepper spray which clearly states it was ineffective against "highly focused people". IRN's reporter in court says the defence then asked witness Constable Gillian Herbert if Steven Wallace fitted this description. She replied that Mr Wallace seemed like a highly focused individual that night, determined to kill anyone who got in his way. She said in her first encounter with Steven Wallace, he smashed the windscreen and side window of her police car. She told the court she believed he would have tried to kill her if she had not thrown the car into reverse. The hearing at New Plymouth District Court is continuing.
The Government is crowing about its progress in settling Treaty claims. Treaty Negotiations Minister, Margaret Wilson, says her Government has made more progress than any other, in terms of signed deeds of settlement. She says, in the past year, the Government has made three substantial treaty settlements worth more than $70 million. These include the $41 million Ngati Ruanui settlement in Taranaki, and the signing of a deed of settlement with another Taranaki tribe Ngati Tama late last year. Ms Wilson says it normally takes at least three years for settlements to be agreed and ratified. She says the high level of settlement is likely to continue this year.
A spokesman for the marine and defence industries is confident the Government will buy New Zealand made for its new naval ships. The Government is prepared to spend $500 million on a multi-purpose vessel and several patrol craft to replace its aging frigates. Defence Minister Mark Burton says while local firms will be encouraged to bid for the work he will not rule out awarding the contract to an overseas bidder. But Chairman of the Maritime Export Group, Mike Franklin, can not see the latter happening. He says it would go against all the Government has been saying about economic development. Mr Franklin says choosing a kiwi producer over a cheaper foreign builder, means the boats might be less expensive to maintain in the future.
Bill English has demonstrated his ability to get his tongue around the Maori language, when he fronted up at Ratana Church celebrations in Wanganui today. It is the first time a National Party leader has attended the celebrations. Mr English told the gathering his party is committed to getting the Treaty claims process dealt with quickly. And he says we need to discuss exactly what Maori sovereignty means both now and in the future. . Mr English denies today's visit is a mere vote-catching exercise. He says a lot of New Zealanders want these problems fixed, and he has travelled to Ratana to speak to the people who can help fix them.
The Government has today confirmed a $100 million vaccination plan to rid New Zealand of the deadly meningococcal disease. A US company has developed a vaccine specific to the New Zealand strain of the disease and vaccination trials will begin later this year. The scheme will see every New Zealander under 20 vaccinated for the disease within the next five years. Health Minister Annette King says the aim is to see meningitis eradicated altogether. She says it is a major commitment to get rid of an infectious disease which causes more hospitalisation and fatalities than any other notifiable infectious disease in the country. The meningitis epidemic caused the death of 26 people in New Zealand last year. Mrs King says the final cost of the vaccination programme may exceed the $100 million mark.
The world's first commercially cloned dairy bulls have been produced by an Australian company in conjunction with New Zealand's AgResearch. The two bulls will be sold to China for around $500,000 each, where they will be used to improve and develop the productivity of dairy herds. The animals are carbon copies of Australia's top Holstein sire, called Donor. The project is a joint venture between RAB Australia, and Clone International, with expertise from AgResearch and Geron, the company which cloned Dolly the sheep. Donor Alpha and Donor Beta are the only animals in Australasia that have been cloned under a licence for commercial production. Clone International has an exclusive licence to manufacture cattle and sheep clones in Australia and New Zealand, and a further licence for the manufacture of clones in China. The project's scientists also have the ability to collect, store and later re-create further clones of Donor.
(Presumably they could one day end up as ingredients in Donor Kebabs? - yes I know the spelling is different - oh, never mind. Seriously though, I wonder how much of a favour is being done to China given the questions raised over the apparently premature ageing of other cloned animals? This is not my field, so it is a question, not an assertion. - BH)
Air New Zealand is turning to the Internet to offer discount fares - but only on certain routes. The national carrier is offering its cheapest ticket prices online for return flights between Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. A return flight between Wellington and Christchurch will cost $132, while a trip from Auckland to the capital will set you back $178. Air New Zealand says the internet is an easy medium to use for point-to-point trips, and it offers the service at a low cost to both the customer and the company.
(I'm a little baffled as to just which part of that item is news. - BH)
Farmers around the country are out of pocket following the collapse of a South Island stock company. Ashburton-based firm Cuttle and Isaacs has gone into liquidation, reportedly owing millions of dollars to farmers, particularly in the lower half of the North Island. Farmers in Hawke's Bay are among the worst affected - some are owed up to $100 thousand each. Local stock and station agent Andrew Darling says farmers who had sold stock to Cuttle and Isaacs during most of December have not been paid.
The parents of a seven-week-old baby left in an overheated car in Gisborne are to face the courts. They have been charged with failing to provide the necessaries of life, after allegedly leaving the child while they played on gambling machines. The distressed infant was found in the car with all the windows closed by a passer-by around eight o'clock last night. Police estimate the temperature inside was around 29 degrees. Officers had to smash the car's windows to get the baby out and say he appeared to have been there for some time. His parents were found inside a nearby casino. The infant spent last night under observation in Gisborne Hospital. The case is now in the hands of social welfare.
(I sometimes figure that there must be some people who never read a newspaper or see or hear any other news. How many more infant fatalities in car parks will it take before it actually crosses a parent's mind that an unattended infant in a parked car is always and everywhere unacceptable? - BH)
The kiwi teen TV drama "Being Eve" has picked up an international award. It has taken top honours in New York Festival's Television Programming and Promotion competition "Being Eve" won the Gold World Medal in the teen programmes category ahead of other finalists from Canada, Hong Kong, the United States and Malaysia. The South Pacific Pictures- produced show premiered last year on TV3, and focuses on the life of 15-year-old philosopher Eve Baxter.
The fact New Zealanders are spending record amounts on their credit cards may not be such a bad thing, according to one economist. Figures from the Reserve Bank show nearly $1. 5 billion went on credit cards in December. That's 20 per cent up on the same month last year. WestpacTrust Chief Economist Adrian Orr says many people have changed the way they run their personal finances. A lot of people are using their card for day-to-day purchases and paying off the outstanding balance at the end of each month in many cases to gain loyalty programme points. Experts say using the credit card instead of a personal overdraft can save money on interest, as long as the full amount on the card is paid off on time. However, they say the trouble starts when the card is not paid off and the amount borrowed starts attracting interest rates of around 18 per cent.
A major study has concluded that students may hold the key to dealing with bullying in schools. The three year study at the Otago Children's Issues Centre has found nearly half the students had been bullied, and a third admitted they had bullied others. The research also asked for suggestions from pupils on how to address bullying. Researcher Dr Karen Nairn says a number of students suggested the bullies themselves needed help. She says the ideas will play a key role in future techniques to combat the problem. Dr Nairn says fear of further repercussions often stop pupils from dobbing in bullies. She says current programmes are failing because they rely too much on students telling teachers and teachers themselves need to be more creative in efforts to identify those doing the bullying.
A new association has been established to facilitate shared information technology within the produce sector. The Produce Industry Information Technology Standards Association has been created by key produce industries and industry specific IT companies. Hawke's Bay based ENZA Chief Information Officer, Adam Hunt, says under deregulation the pipfruit industry does not have any form of information technology body to facilitate industry standards. He says the new association will ensure New Zealand does not lose its lead in the international pipfruit industry.
Details have been released of the funeral for promoter, entrepreneur and Auckland civic leader Phil Warren. His funeral will be held in Parnell's Holy Trinity Cathedral on Tuesday. While Aucklanders holiday on Monday, the actual anniversary of the date 160 years ago when Governor Hobson established Auckland City is January 29. The Auckland Regional Council chairman died suddenly on Wednesday after suffering a heart attack. Phil Warren dedicated more than 20 years to public service. Acting ARC Chairman, Philip Sherry, says, while it is sad to be farewelling Mr Warren, he can not think of a more appropriate day than Auckland Anniversary Day to do so.
(Whatever one's attitude towards the late Phil Warren, it must be acknowledged that he was a powerful advocate for Auckland. - BH)
Tiny babies are among the first patients to feel the impact of the Canterbury nurses' threat to strike. The Canterbury District Health Board will today begin transferring babies out of its neo-natal intensive care unit in Christchurch in preparation for up to 15 days of strike action due to start next Wednesday. In all 18 babies will be prepared for transfer over the next few days. The Board says some may be able to go home. The remainder will fill all the spare neo- natal cots in other hospitals around the country. The board warns that means any other babies requiring intensive care during the strike will have to be flown to Australia. This possibly includes babies born anywhere else in New Zealand. Meanwhile, further talks between the nurses and the Canterbury District Health Board are scheduled for later today.
The Government has spent $831 thousand on developing a Maori trade mark. Creative New Zealand spent two years developing the logo through its Maori arts board, Te Waka Toi. Te Waka Toi says it is a mark of identification for Maori and a reputation-building exercise for Maori art. The design of the actual symbol has cost taxpayers around $11 thousand. The rest of the $831 thousand was spent on consultation with Maori and establishing the mark. The Maori Made mark will be launched in Auckland early next month.
The Prime Minister and Opposition Leader are at odds at Ratana on the Treaty settlement process. National Party Leader Bill English has told thousands of Ratana Church followers that National's committed to get settlements back on track, but Helen Clark says the process is going well. Church president Harerangi Meihana says political parties are welcome on the marae to freely express their views. Mr English highlighted what he called government failings in Maori initiatives, while the Prime Minister reviewed government achievements. She said what is essential for Maori is essential to New Zealand. Helen Clark said afterwards she was happy with her reception.
Date: 24 January 2002 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 0.4318
AUD 0.8315
GBP 0.3034
JPY 58.20
CAD 0.6924
EUR 0.4936
HKD 3.3764
SGD 0.7969
ZAR 4.9340
CHF 0.7244
INTEREST RATES (%)
Call : 4.75
90 Day: 4.86
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